Earth moving is critical to operations in many industries. In construction, demolition, aggregates, mining, and more, a huge part of the work is moving earth. When you have to do work in this area, getting the right earth moving equipment will be critical to maintaining efficient operation on every job.
Below is a guide to some of the most common earth moving equipment. It describes what the equipment is, what it does, and where it is used.
Excavators
An excavator is a versatile piece of earth moving equipment. It features one long arm, which attaches to a platform that houses the crew cab and the engine. The platform sits on the car body, which provides mobility using tracks or wheels.
The arm consists of three parts: the boom, the dipper, and the bucket. The boom attaches directly to the platform and is usually curved. The dipper is a (normally) straight piece that attaches to the boom at an elbow assembly. At the end of the dipper is the bucket, the scoop that can lift earth from below grade to grade or high above. The bucket is interchangeable with a variety of tools, allowing excavators to perform numerous functions on different job sites.
Any job that involves moving significant amounts of material from either below grade or above grade will likely benefit from an excavator. This includes most construction sites, demolition sites, aggregate operations, and mining operations.
Loaders
Loaders feature a bucket at the front that is articulated to allow movement of materials from at or slightly below grade to above grade or vice versa. Loaders often perform earth moving to transition it from one part of the job site to another. For example, loaders will often move the earth that an excavator digs up to dumpers that will take the earth off-site.
Loaders can sometimes have an articulated arm on the opposite side from their loading bucket. Superficially similar to an excavator arm, this backhoe can allow the loader to perform more different types of earthmoving activities, including breaking up packed earth, concrete, and asphalt. However, backhoe loaders are typically smaller pieces of equipment, not suited for the wide range of jobs handled by larger excavators.
Dozers
Dozers, the popular shortened form of the word bulldozer, are earthmovers designed to push earth generally along the grade. In fact, it’s often the job of bulldozers to create the grade.
Dozers have a blade at the front for pushing earth. Although the blade can be different shapes, the goal is typically the same: move the earth straight ahead. Unlike loaders, the dozer blade is not articulated to lift earth high above the machine. Dozers are heavy, powerful machines, using their weight and strength to push earth ahead. They are typically tracked to give them the maximum pushing force.
In addition to a blade at the front, dozers often feature a ripper to tear up the ground behind them. This can make it easier to move earth on successive passes.
Scrapers
Like dozers, scrapers have a blade that allows them to create or refine a grade. However, scrapers are much lighter machines. They are typically wheeled, and they often have a built-in bucket that collects the earth, though they can also be set up to eject the material they scrape up. Some scrapers are self-propelled independent machines, but other scrapers are towed.
Scrapers are generally faster, but they can’t work in the range of conditions that dozers can handle.
Dumpers
Dumpers are used when earth moving includes transporting a lot of earth a significant distance. These wheeled trucks have a large bucket on the back that can collect earth from loaders or conveyors. The dumper can then drive the earth to its destination.
Dumpers come in a wide range of configurations. They can be large, very large, or huge. Some dumpers are designed to transport earth at the work site. These trucks have very large tires that can handle rough, irregular terrain, and the engines are powerful to handle both the heavy weight and potentially steep slopes of the work site. Other dumpers transport earth off site. These dumpers are designed with tires sized closer to other highway vehicles, and they can drive at high speeds for long distances on roads.
Get the Right Equipment for Earth Moving
If you are looking for earth moving equipment for your operation, let Power Screening help. Since 1984, we’ve been helping people get the right heavy equipment for their needs. We’ve been able to build our 40-year legacy because we are as dedicated to the success of our customers as we are to our own success. We want to match you with the best earth moving equipment for your needs.
Power Screening serves a large territory, with locations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. In addition, we sell equipment to people in Wyoming, southern Idaho, Nebraska, and southwest Kansas. We sell a wide range of new and used heavy equipment. In addition, we rent equipment, sell parts, and perform service. This can help you extend the productive life of your equipment to improve the profitability of your operation.
To learn how Power Screening can help your operation, please contact us today for a quote.