Construction Machinery: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Why Construction Machinery Matters:

Construction machinery is critical in modern day construction and will only become more significant as time progresses. Knowing its function ensures better investment, planning, and use on construction sites.

Key Benefits:

• Saves time and labour by allowing tasks to be completed quicker than manual work.
• Improves worker safety by reducing direct exposure to high-risk tasks.
• Boosts efficiency and keeps projects on schedule.
• Reduces human errors, ensuring more accuracy in tasks.
• Minimises physical strain on workers which lowers the risk of injury and fatigue.

Versatility:

• Machinery comes in all different shapes, and sizes, with each suited for specific tasks.
• Can handle diverse activities such as:
• Excavating and earthmoving
• Material transport
• Lifting and hoisting
• Demolition and site clearing
• Roadwork and paving

Wider Impacts:

• It’s cost effective. Although the upfront cost is high, long-term savings in labour and efficiency outweigh it.
• Produces a higher quality of work
• It’s scalable and so enables completion of large-scale projects that would be impossible without machinery.

Types of Construction Machinery:

Construction machinery refers to the equipment and power tools that assist in the construction process. Within this process there are various tasks such as site preparation, material handling, structure forming and surface finishing, and each process has different requirements for what machinery and tools are needed.

Site Preparation:

Site preparation is one of the most important aspects of the construction process. It makes the site safe as well as excavating and compacting the soil to prepare stable ground for the construction to take place. This process can use machinery like bulldozers, excavators and compactors to clear, dig and level the land. Other surface preparation machines include jackhammers and grinders which also hep to prepare the ground. Support machinery like scaffolding and lifts can be used if the construction is taking place above ground level, but otherwise fencing and safety markers like cones are typically used to uphold safety standards. And on top of all this it’s common for workers to use shovels and drills to assist in preparing the site.

Material Handling:

Material handling is a big, but often overlooked part of the construction process, it refers to the movement, storage and protection of all construction materials and equipment. This is a crucial step as all materials and machinery needs to be in good condition to be used in construction, and without quality machinery and materials the project can suffer huge consequences. This process typically uses loaders, dump trucks and backhoes for moving materials, soil and debris but also uses cement mixers and pumps for concrete handling. To assist in the movement of materials it is also common to see cranes and forklifts used to lift heavier materials safely, whilst wheelbarrows and buckets are commonly used to move smaller loads.

Structure Forming:

Structure forming is the main part of the construction process and involves the forming of the structure, from laying the foundation to building the structure itself. There are a plethora of machines and tools used in this process due to the many different aspects involved in putting together a building. Pumps, concrete vibrators and compactors are used in forming the foundation, as well as your typical tools such as hammers and wrenches for the main construction of the structure. During the structure forming phase it is essential to have good support machinery including solid scaffolding and ladders to ensure worker safety and in some cases harnesses as well.

Surface Finishing:

The final part of the construction process is surface finishing. This part of the process involves adding the finishing touches to the structure such as putting in doors, windows, floor boards etc. The surface finishing part of the process is also used after pouring the foundation to smooth the concrete over and make it safe and secure etc. The surface finishing process will typically involve machinery such as sanders, grinders and polishers as well as trowels, cutters and brushes to make the building safer and to give it a more polished and cleaner look. In terms of support machinery ladders are often used to reach high areas for painting, plastering or coatings, but as the structure is stable at this point there is typically not much need for scaffolding.

Choosing the Right Machinery:

It is pivotal to make sure that every construction has the proper machinery required. It’s important to note that every project is different in construction and so it is important to match the equipment and machinery to the project. To do this you should take into account the scale of the project as well as the terrain you’re building on, and the budget and timeline of the project. At DTS we make this process easy by providing expert assistance to ensure that each project gets the best suited machinery possible for each and every project.

Safety & Maintenance Basics:

Safety is the most important aspect of all construction processes, and the maintenance of your machinery is of extreme importance when it comes to safety. Machinery should be subject to regular inspections and servicing, and operators should have relevant training and certifications if required. Signage should also be clear and visible when operating construction machinery. By maintaining all construction machines properly, making sure operators are trained and qualified, and by using proper signage it creates a much safer work environment for everybody involved.

Conclusion:

Having a sound understanding of construction machinery is of the utmost importance in order to make sure projects are safe and efficient. Having knowledge of the right equipment and undertaking the correct maintenance of all equipment is vital in ensuring a smooth construction process and as a trusted construction equipment provider, DTS helps guide you through the process every step of the way. Explore DTS’s construction machinery solutions today and find the perfect fit for your next project!