Take 2min to understand how Earthmoving works

An earthmoving machine is an indispensable equipment in the construction industry.

Perhaps, one will need to clear the land from obstacles such as rocks, concrete, rubbish and asphalt and other materials present at the construction site.

However, no single earthmoving equipment can suffice every job site. One must consider selecting the right machine, be it a wheeled tractor scraper, bulldozer, front-end and backhoe-loader, motor graders, an articulated truck that’s paired with an excavator or any other similar equipment.

Sometimes choosing the right equipment can prove to be a daunting task especially when considering to hire one. For a successful hire and earthmoving project, it is vital to understand the various earthmoving tricks, tips, accessories, parts and where each machine should be used.

Five earthmoving tips for successful site preparation

Understand the type of materials to be moved

Material type is quite crucial.

Some materials favour the use of a particular machine. For instance, when dealing with materials such as sand, loam soils or other material that is easy to spread, a tractor scraper would be ideal.

A scraper is very efficient and speedy when it comes to loading. However, the machine might not be suitable if one is working in rocky and wet conditions as it can damage its flights and chains.

The most preferred machine to use in a rocky environment is the auger scraper. The machine can handle boulders and sizeable rocks pretty well.

Unlike a wheel tractor scraper, it doesn’t have several moving parts and is quite easy to repair. The quantity of rock that can be handled by a scraper depends on the scraper chosen.

Consider existing weather conditions

Changes in weather conditions can significantly alter the working in a construction site. Articulated trucks cannot be limited by changes in weather and can work all year round.

Whether the landscape gets sloppy or becomes intensely wet, these machines can still work well. Those who are working in regions where the weather is unpredictable can choose a more flexible and adaptable machine.

For places with poor underfoot conditions and poor traction, articulated haulers can do well. These machines can traverse rough terrains and regions unfavourable underfoot conditions.

Versatile trucks are highly favourable

Most project managers and planners prefer picking economic machinery. An earthmoving machine that can

handle multiple tasks at a go is worth considering. For instance, crawlers can do a couple of tasks including moving asphalt, concrete, constructing, earthmoving, mining and lifting and more.

However, scrapers do just scrape, load and then dump. An articulated truck paired with an excavator, one can do several tasks on a construction site as they can transfer several types of materials.

Understand machine load capacity

Backhoe-loaders and excavators come with their stated lifting capacities. Exceeding the recommended load capacity can make the machine unstable, and this can increase chances of toppling and related accidents. Overloading could mean endangering the lives of operators as well as endangering the machine.

Overloading places undue stress on the components and machine system which in turn increases the need for maintenance, costly downtime, repairs and even failures. All earthmoving equipment must be loaded with required load capacity for safe operation.

Though machine capacity can vary depending on the working position and range, it is vital to stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines and standards provided by OSHA. Most machines come with load charts that operators must follow.

Pay attention to the factors that influence the haul

Apart from underfoot conditions, other factors can affect the type of earthmoving equipment to choose and its efficiency while on the site. The site constraints like space will determine whether to use an articulated truck or a scraper. In areas where space is sufficient, a scraper would be ideal. However, for projects with limited space, an articulated truck would be a better alternative.

This is because they can work on virtually any place even with spatial constraints. Other constraints that affect optimal performance of earthmoving equipment include the terrain and fuel consumption. If one will be dealing with a lengthy and high-speed road, then a twin-engine scraper won’t be economical. Articulated trucks are excellent when dealing with sloppy areas with a high possibility of slippage.

Earthmoving is essential when preparing land for a major renovation or construction project. Ensuring that

there’s maximum safety both for the operators and machines should be a priority. This is through understanding machine mechanics, existing weather conditions and the materials to be handled.

Discover how A Team Demolition & Civil can support you with your earthmoving project.