Heavy Equipment Overview and Selection

Heavy Equipment Overview

• Heavy equipment includes various machinery such as heavy machines, heavy trucks, heavy equipment, engineering equipment, heavy vehicles, or heavy hydraulics.
• These machines usually comprise five equipment systems: implement, traction, structure, power train, control, and information.
• Heavy equipment functions through the mechanical advantage of a simple machine, where the input force applied is multiplied to exert a greater output force.
• Certain equipment uses hydraulic drives as a primary source of motion.

Equipment Selection

• Selecting construction equipment is crucial in the pre-construction planning process.
• Several factors should be considered when selecting construction equipment:
  • The equipment should be standard if possible.
  • It should provide the best service at a low cost.
  • Its unit cost of production should be moderate.
  • It should be easily repairable with a minimal shutdown period.
  • It should be easily disposed of.
  • It should suit the majority of the job requirements.
  • It should be capable of performing multiple functions.
  • It should be of moderate size, as they have fewer moving parts and low operating costs.

Heavy Equipment Operation

• Operating heavy equipment requires specialized training.
• The purpose of training is to familiarize operators with the usage, specialties, and maintenance aspects of specific equipment in industries like forestry, trucking, earth moving, or construction.

Scraper

• A scraper is a large piece of equipment used in various earthmoving operations, including mining, construction, and agriculture.

Loading Shovel

• Loading shovels are designed to load efficiently.
• They are available in various sizes and load capacities to suit different applications.

Construction Vehicles

• Construction vehicles are designed to transport engineering materials.

Tippers

• Tippers are ideal for heavy-duty operations in mining and quarrying, as well as for carrying bulk loads in construction and infrastructure industries.
• They offer maneuverability, high performance, and durability, leading to lower operational costs.

Trailer

• A trailer is an unpowered vehicle towed by a powered vehicle, often used for transporting goods and materials.

Tank Truck

• A tank truck (USA) or road tanker (UK) is a specialized vehicle designed to carry liquid loads, dry bulk cargo, or gases on roads.

Forklift Trucks

• Forklift trucks come in various variations and load capacities.
• Most forklifts used in warehouses have load capacities of one to five tons.
• Larger machines, capable of lifting up to 50 tons, are used for heavier loads.

Construction Equipment

• Construction equipment is used on construction sites to facilitate tasks like mixing, compacting, and other labor-intensive operations.

Concrete Mixer

• A concrete mixer (cement mixer) is a machine that mixes cement, aggregates (sand, gravel), and water to produce concrete.
• Most concrete mixers utilize a rotating drum to ensure even mixing.

Compactor

• A compactor is a machine used to compact materials like soil in the construction industry.

Road Roller

• A road roller, sometimes called a roller-compactor, is an engineering vehicle used to compact soil, gravel, concrete, or asphalt during road and foundation construction.
• Rollers are also used in landfills and agriculture.

Paver

• A paver (paver finisher, asphalt finisher, paving machine) is an engineering vehicle used for laying asphalt on roadways.
• It is typically fed by a dump truck.
• A separate roller is used to compress the hot asphalt mix, creating a smooth, even surface.

Equipment Readiness for Service

• After installing equipment, several steps need to be addressed before putting it into service:
  • Assign responsibility for maintenance and operation.
  • Develop a system for recording part and supply usage.
  • Implement a written plan for calibration, performance verification, and proper operation.
  • Establish a scheduled maintenance program (daily, weekly, monthly).
  • Provide training for all operators; only trained personnel should be authorized to operate equipment.
  • Designate authorized users and usage times.

Equipment Calibration

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully during initial calibration.
• It is recommended to calibrate the instrument with each test run, especially when first putting it into service.
• Determine the necessary recalibration frequency based on instrument stability and the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Consider using calibrators provided or purchased from the manufacturer.

Function Checks

• Function checks are essential to verify equipment functions according to manufacturer specifications.
• Regularly monitor instrument parameters by conducting periodic function checks.
• Conduct these checks before initially using the instrument, at the manufacturer's recommended frequency, and following any instrument repairs.
• Daily monitoring of temperatures and checking wavelength calibration accuracy are examples of function checks.

Implementing an Equipment Maintenance Program: Preventive Maintenance

• Preventive maintenance involves systematic and routine cleaning, adjustment, and replacement of equipment parts at scheduled intervals.
• Manufacturers provide recommendations for maintenance tasks to be performed at regular intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly).
• Following these recommendations ensures maximum equipment efficiency and extends its lifespan.
• Implementing preventive maintenance helps prevent:
  • Inaccurate test results due to equipment failure
  • Delays in reporting results
  • Lower productivity
  • High repair costs

Maintenance Plan

• A maintenance plan should include preventive maintenance procedures as well as provisions for inventory, troubleshooting, and repair.
• When implementing an equipment maintenance program, initial steps include:
  • Assigning responsibility for oversight
  • Developing written policies and procedures for equipment maintenance, including routine maintenance plans for each piece of equipment
  • Specifying the frequency of maintenance tasks
  • Developing record formats, creating logs and forms, and establishing record keeping processes
  • Training staff on equipment use and maintenance and ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities

Troubleshooting, Service Repair, and Retiring Equipment

• Equipment problems can manifest in subtle ways, like drift in quality control or calibrator values, or obvious flaws in equipment function.
• Some problems might cause complete equipment failure.
• Train operators to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and resume testing as quickly as possible.