Construction companies have a variety of equipment and heavy machinery at their disposal these days. Each piece is designed to perform different jobs whether they’re clearing and leveling land to make way for new builds, aiding in the actual construction process, or tearing down old buildings to allow for progress. Some construction equipment is made for general tasks while other pieces are made for specialty jobs. All of them may come in handy at some point.
That being said, there are certain types of heavy equipment that have a place on virtually every construction site. They can be used for an array of tasks and a variety of projects. Consider some of the most common heavy equipment rental must-haves for construction companies.
Backhoes
Backhoes are certainly among the most common pieces of heavy equipment for construction jobs. They have a loader bucket in the front and an excavator arm in the back. Between the two is a tractor with controls for both. These machines are extremely versatile. They can be used for digging, moving dirt and construction debris, carrying materials, and other tasks. They can be used for different types of projects, including construction, road work, and landscaping to name a few.
Excavators
Excavators are heavy machines that are used for digging, excavating, and dredging among other jobs. From creating areas for swimming pools to digging out spaces for septic systems, they’re used for numerous purposes. They’re available in different sizes, and on either wheels or tracks. They can be fitted with different attachments to serve various purposes. Unlike backhoes, they only have a single arm, and that’s attached to the digging bucket at the front of the machine. Excavators can generally move more material than backhoes, but they’re not quite as maneuverable.
Trenchers
Another common piece of equipment is the trencher. This machine is used to dig narrow trenches for laying pipe, installing wires or cables, and creating drainage systems. These machines come in several sizes and types from large drivable models to smaller walk-behind versions. They’re specialty machines that can cut trenches far more precisely than other types of equipment. They may not be necessary for all types of construction projects, but they tend to be useful in many cases. They’re certainly faster and more efficient than digging trenches manually.
Compactors
As the name indicates, compactors are used to pack down dirt, gravel, and other materials and create smooth, flat, stable surfaces. They come in several sizes and different types, including plates and drums. Different types of rollers can be used for various purposes and on different types of surfaces. Compactor attachments are available for other types of heavy machinery, such as excavators and skid steers. With those, construction companies don’t necessarily need separate pieces of equipment to perform multiple tasks.
Skid Steer Loaders
Skid steer loaders are also must-have pieces of equipment. They’re smaller and lighter than many other machines, so they can be used in areas where larger equipment may not fit. They can handle tight turns more effectively than larger, heavier machines as well. At the same time, they can be fitted with a variety of attachments to make them multifunctional. They can be used for a long list of tasks from grading and digging to moving materials and trenching.
Keeping Construction Companies Up and Running
Construction companies are sure to need a variety of equipment to carry out different projects. Some machines are made for specialty jobs whereas others are made for more general purposes. Certain types of construction equipment can cover a range of needs by simply changing out their attachments. The pieces listed here are among the most common types of must-have equipment for construction companies, but there are numerous other machines available.