Road construction is a big project that takes up a considerable amount of planning and time, to make the roads safer and usable for everyone. But of course, a project as big as this will need the help of multiple types of road construction machines to get the job done as soon as possible.
In this blog, we talk about the different heavy equipment used in highway construction to give you an idea of the vehicles you’ll need to finish the job. Let’s get started!
Wheel Loader
Wheel loaders are essential to any work site because of their ability to move materials from the ground and onto a truck. What makes wheel loaders so important is that they can scoop out materials without spreading it out over the site.
So, when it comes to clearing sites quickly, the wheel loader is exactly what you need for your operations.
Excavator
A mainstay machine at any digging operation, the excavator can usually be found in a variety of operations ranging from mining to construction. As a versatile unit, the excavator can be used for more than just digging, it can also be used to transport materials.
In road construction, excavators are used in preparing the work area for asphalt layering. Together with the wheel loader, excavators clear the land and move waste for transport to a different area. Additionally, the excavator is a vehicle that can be optimized further for road-clearing operations by changing its attachments to fit the task.
Here are some attachments that are commonly used:
- Bucket with teeth
- Bucket with claw
- Rake
- Ripper
Motor Grader
One of the most critical pieces of equipment used in highway construction sites is a motor grader. Motor graders create flat surfaces to get the work site ready for asphalt paving. Only motor graders can level even the most difficult surfaces to get them ready for road construction.
There are two types of motor graders: Rigid and articulated. The rigid motor grader can move in only one direction. Whereas the articulated motor grader is equipped with a hinge to allow it to turn and thus, perform grading operations in close quarters. Both motor grader types perform the leveling task using a horizontal blade that’s located between its front and rear wheels.
Asphalt Paver
Pavers for asphalts are specialized equipment that’s made to lay down asphalt on work sites. It also aids in compacting the site before a roller compactor takes over.
A dump truck will load an asphalt paver with the road-building material then, as the machine moves forward, the paver evenly distributes the asphalt onto the worksite.
Roller Compactor
Asphalt pavers may be laying down the road material, but no road can be built properly without the help of roller compactors. Roller compactors compact the asphalt onto the surface to reinforce the road’s integrity. There are three types of roller compactors, and each has their specialty:
- Smooth wheel rollers for shallow surface compaction
- Sheep-foot rollers for deep surface compaction
- Pneumatic tires rollers for fine materials and asphalts
Topspot as Your Road Construction Partner
We hope that you’ve learned what are the different kinds of heavy equipment used in road construction. Now that you know what equipment you’ll need to perform these kinds of tasks, you should find a reliable partner who can supply you with all of your equipment needs.
Here at Topspot, we provide you with top-quality service while being the trusted distributor for several global brands. Reach out to us today and see our selection of construction solutions.
Contact Us
Learn more about Volvo Excavators by talking to one of our team members. We’ll give you all the information you need to allow you to make the perfect decision for your firm.
