Heavy machinery comprises heavy equipment that can lift, push, pull, or transport material faster and more efficiently. These machines are used in construction, excavation, dredging, demolition, and heavy lifting. A person needs training and experience to operate them. They can be purchased or rented, depending on the type of business you own. Heavy machinery has revolutionized the speed at which large residential, commercial, farming, mining, industrial and infrastructure projects are completed.

What are the different heavy machinery types
Many heavy machinery companies manufacture various types of equipment. They can be categorized into six major types based on the purpose of work.

Excavators
They have three primary components: a cab on a rotating platform, an angled arm called the boom, and a dipper arm attached to the boom. Based on the job, excavators can be fitted with a bucket, a breaker, or augers. They are used in projects that require digging, demolition, substantial material handling, mining, river dredging, landscaping, snow removal, or landscaping in a new residential or commercial complex.

Bulldozer
The bulldozer is a large machine with a metal blade that can move earth, snow, soil, or rubble. It can be fitted with S, U, and S-U blades, each used for specific jobs. Bulldozers are used in construction, mining, leveling, clearing, and construction projects.

Telehandlers
They are used to move a large volume of material from the ground to the trailer. They are often seen in places where using a forklift may not be feasible.

Motor graders
Motor graders are heavy multipurpose machinery fitted with a long blade that’s suitable for projects that require fine grading. It is used to prepare a road for paving, grading soil before building the foundation, and snow removal.

Dump trucks
Dump trucks move material from one place to another and remove soil and debris carved out by other excavators.

Compactors
Compactors are used mostly in construction and road laying projects to reduce the size of large rocks or gravel.

Leading heavy machinery companies
Heavy machinery equipment is produced in many countries to meet the growing demand from construction and infrastructure companies. Some of the leading heavy machinery companies are:

Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar is one of the world’s best heavy machinery manufacturers. They make about 300 types of heavy machinery, including loaders, bulldozers, material handlers, asphalt pavers, and other excavators.

Komatsu
Komatsu was established in 1921. It makes forklifts, motor graders, and articulated dump trucks.

Hitachi Construction Machinery
The company manufactures heavy machinery equipment like excavators, loaders, dump trucks, compactors, and recycling machines.

Volvo construction equipment
Volvo produces a comprehensive range of heavy machinery in its facilities around the globe. They make excavators, material handling equipment, compactors, paving machines, and articulated haulers.

John Deere
John Deere specializes in manufacturing heavy machinery for construction, farming, and forestry. They make many types of heavy machinery, including compacters, loaders, bulldozers, graders, and dump trucks.

Used heavy machinery for sale
Buying new heavy machinery may not be feasible if you plan to set up a small construction business. Used machinery has a lower upfront cost, and you can avoid depreciation. It is also beneficial as you get to choose from a large inventory of used machinery. It is advisable to take sufficient time to inspect the machinery and choose the right one. Make sure that the machinery is in good working condition and that it is not stolen. Here are some recommendations of where you can find used heavy equipment for sale:

• Equipment Trader
• IronPlanet
• Mascus
• Equippo

Top sites for heavy machinery for rent
If you want to use heavy machinery for a short period, it is better to rent them daily, weekly, or monthly, as it will be cheaper than buying used machinery. Before renting, check the machinery’s dimensions, capacity, and condition so that you don’t have to replace it after renting. Inspect and test the machinery to avoid renting defective or malfunctioning equipment. Review all the documents and contracts carefully to look for ambiguous clauses on replacements and refunds.

Places to find heavy machinery spare parts
Like a lot of machines, heavy equipment can break down too. The nature of the work, the difficult terrains they are used in, exposure to sun and rain, and continuous working can lead to wear and tear. Wearing down lubricants, tires, nuts, bolts, bearings, and belts are common. Heavy machine drivers and operators are trained to do basic repairs. If you have the basic spares on the site, you can avoid work delays and the resulting loss in productivity. Most sites that sell or rent heavy machinery sell spare parts as well. One should purchase some crucial spares when you buy or rent heavy machinery.