Bulldozers are machines that we use for earthmoving; you can use them in excavations or level the land. If you hope to get its maximum performance, this equipment must have continuous maintenance. The bulldozer’s regular upkeep will guarantee that the work you do will be done safely and with the best results. They are high-tech equipment, and there is a specific type of bulldozer designed for each need or project.
You can get them from basic models to advanced technology models. There is no construction or work project where they are not present. They are machines that have become indispensable in the construction industry.
So let’s learn a little more about the world of these effective machines. If your business has to do with this type of work, everything that follows will be of great interest and usefulness.
What Are Bulldozers?
Bulldozers are heavy-duty and durable equipment, also known as excavators. They have a heavy, wide blade at the front of the bulldozer. This blade is helpful to move the compacted material.
Some bulldozers have an attachment that is a kind of claw. Usually, you can see it on the back. Some time ago, people used this equipment for gardening and plowing land.
But with all the changes and accessories we have today, their field of action has expanded significantly. Nowadays, it is common to find this equipment in engineering and mining projects.
For What Kind Of Jobs Can I Use Bulldozers?
You can use bulldozers to push or move earth, stones, debris, sand, and an endless number of materials. Bulldozers are very useful in construction, mining, and agriculture.
In these industries, bulldozers have many uses, which has made them so necessary to execute different tasks. Now, we will review some of their main benefits.
Excavation. All bulldozers can move the earth and excavate for various purposes. We can dig trenches or clear areas. The critical thing to know is that someone is preparing a site to build something whenever there is excavation.
Land leveling. Bulldozers can make a piece of land flat or smooth. Bulldozers flatten land so that the foundations of buildings, roads, railroad tracks, or drainage can be possible. But can also flatten land for landscaping work.
To level for finishing. What this means is that we can use bulldozers to level surfaces that are already level. It’s giving the final finish to something. This practice is quite common in landscaping jobs. It can be commercial or residential and is the finishing touch to a job or project.
To remove materials, debris, or clearing areas. We can use the bulldozer to clean up a site, remove accumulated soil, dirt, rocks, or debris. They are also helpful for eliminating trees, large rocks, or obstructions.
Spacing materials. When used for landscaping work, bulldozers will help spread dirt, sand, and other materials that other machines have dumped.
The Main Types Of Bulldozers
There is a lot of diverse information on the internet where we will see multiple groupings or types of bulldozers. I cannot say that they are wrong. What happens is that when a piece of equipment has a slight difference compared to others, experts create a new type or segment.
But to avoid getting into lengthy debates, let’s handle the broadest and most popular classification of bulldozers: crawler dozers, wheel dozers, and mini dozers.
Crawler Dozer
It is also known as a track dozer. This definition is because the crawler is very similar to a tractor. The crawler dozer will give you a lot of traction and the ability to move on uneven surfaces.
The blade of this equipment is robust so that you will push or move large materials and objects. They are powerful and easy to operate. The crawler dozers are ideal for working on:
- Irregular surfaces
- Fields
- Plains
Wheel Dozer
Wheel dozers are bulldozers that have tires instead of crawlers. They are equipment that is easier to handle than crawler dozers. This benefit makes them more useful in small spaces, but on the other hand, they are larger than crawler dozers.
The wheels make this equipment ideal for challenging terrain. Crawlers are made of metal and can sometimes damage certain surfaces. But wheel dozers, because they have rims, do not damage the surfaces they pass over.
Professionals do not recommend using this type of bulldozer in very soft terrain because it will sink. It is best to use them in projects such as:
- Sports stadiums
- Shopping malls
- Water parks
Mini Dozers
A mini dozer or compact dozer is ideal if you’re looking for speed, mobility, and versatility.
You can use it on a small job or make your way around obstacles. People use mini dozers for clearing land and leveling some places such as:
- Residential spaces
- Driveways
- Sites that are full of snow
- Reduced spaces
Bulldozer Classification
One of the most popular and essential classifications of bulldozers is by size. There is an art to choosing a suitable bulldozer based on its size and the project.
That is why it is crucial to evaluate the project area and its characteristics before choosing the bulldozer.
Small-sized Bulldozers
These bulldozers are compact and are usually the equipment we choose when the job is in the residential or light construction area.
Small bulldozers have a significant advantage in that they are effortless to move. They should be crawler dozers if the terrain is very soft since we will be sure that they will not sink.
The weight of small bulldozers is 20,000 pounds or less. These small-size options are the best for working in residential areas and all kinds of places with limited space.
Their main uses include: clearing residential land, removing trees or rocks, or hauling loads of materials.
Medium-sized Bulldozers
Mid-size bulldozers can weigh from 20,000 to 60,000 pounds. These bulldozers are helpful in various types of jobs. We can choose a medium-sized bulldozer when we need more power than what small equipment can offer. But they will have less power than large equipment.
They are excellent equipment for finishing jobs quickly and efficiently.
Large Bulldozers
Giant bulldozers will be able to handle almost any job on large job sites or projects. They are also ideal when a lot of strength or power is needed to perform.
Giant bulldozers range in weight from 60,000 to 150,000 pounds. They have unlimited power for tough jobs. If conditions are complex and you need to transport heavy materials, use a giant bulldozer.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a landfill, factory, or another complex site. You will need equipment with a lot of strength in these cases, and we will get that with giant bulldozers.
A Final Look At The Types Of Bulldozers
All the types of bulldozers we discussed will help us facilitate heavy and complex tasks. They are teams that efficiently do the work that would have to be done by hundreds of people.
Instead of having a team of several men doing all the physical work, we have one piece of equipment that can do a lot for us. With bulldozers, we can clear land, remove obstructions, level surfaces and do it all efficiently.
We have to respect the correct rules of using and handling this equipment to have a safe and productive work environment.
