Construction Equipment Key Terms

Understand construction equipment terms to ensure you choose the best equipment for your project

Construction projects require specialized equipment. In order to ensure that you choose the best equipment for the project at hand, you must fully understand the construction equipment terms you will come across. Some pieces of equipment are similar in function, but the applications for each are quite different.

 

Post hole digger

A post hole digger is a piece of equipment that is used to make a hole in the ground for posts. This is useful when building decks or porches, and installing mailboxes or any other items that are secured with a pole anchored in the ground.
Try: CoolHousePlans.com offers information on various types of post hole diggers.

Generator

A generator is a self-contained piece of equipment that produces power for other machines. In construction, these are useful for providing power to lighting and tools when the conventional power to the construction site hasn't been completed.
Try: Portland General Electric offers information to help you choose the best generator for your needs.

Crusher

A crusher is a piece of construction equipment that is used to crush rocks and other solid materials. In construction, these are used to make boulders smaller and easier to move. However, they can also be used to break up large pieces of cement and concrete.
Try: NationMaster.com offers information about commercial crushers, including specific information on various types of crushers.

Pile driver

Piles are used in some building and road construction or when constructing piers, to secure a structure to the earth. A pile is a heavy wooden or steel beam. In order to get the pile into the earth far enough to anchor the structure, a pile driver is used. This specialized piece of equipment repeatedly drops heavy weights onto a pile. The force pushes the pile into the earth.
Try: WiseGeek provides in-depth information about pile drivers.

Crane

A crane is a machine that is used to lift heavy or bulky objects. In order to be classified as a crane, the machine must have the capability to move the load horizontally after it is lifted but before it is lowered.
Try: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers a basic definition of cranes and discusses various types of cranes.

Bulldozer

A bulldozer, also called a dozer or wheel dozer, is a piece of equipment used to move soil, dirt and debris. It can be used to level the ground or move unwanted materials to another location. Some bulldozers have buckets, which enable you to scoop a material and dump it elsewhere.
Try: See a variety of bulldozers at the Caterpillar website.

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