Earthmoving machineryEarthmoving machinery

Earthmoving machinery

Bulldozers and scrapers are often used to prepare a work area for further specific excavation.

Bulldozers typically excavate and move large amounts of material short distances. Bulldozers
can be equipped with hydraulically operated rippers at the back of the machine which are capable of loosening the hardest of sedimentary rocks. This material may then be bulldozed away.
This method frequently proves more economical than drilling and blasting softer rock.

Self-propelled rubber tyred scrapers enable very large quantities of material to be excavated and hauled economically over long distances at relatively high speed. Because of the large potential output and speeds of modern scrapers, careful attention should be given to job layout, haul roads, vehicle pathways and overall traffic management to achieve a healthy and safe workplace.

Temporary haul roads should be well constructed and maintained to enable plant operators
to complete the work safely.

Large earthmoving machinery such as bulldozers should not operate close to an overhang
or a deep excavation as the weight may collapse the sides. Equipment should always approach embankments or trenches from across the line of a trench rather than parallel to it.

Excavation work exceeding 1.5 metres deep is typically done by excavators or specialised
plant such as tunnelling machines and raise-bores. Most of these types of plant have an element of mobility, although tunnelling machines typically have restricted movement.

Other plant used in excavation work includes backhoes, rubber tyred loaders, skid steer loaders (for example bobcat), trench diggers, graders and tip trucks.