Heavy machinery manufacturers in the construction industry

[edit] Introduction

Heavy machinery manufacturers design and produce plant and equipment used for construction, civil engineering, infrastructure and related industrial activities. Their products include earthmoving, lifting, material-handling, road construction, concrete production, compaction and other specialist machinery.

The sector includes original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), specialist plant manufacturers and companies producing equipment for domestic and international markets. Construction machinery is manufactured in many countries, with major production and export markets including Europe, Asia and North America.

The term heavy machinery is often used interchangeably with heavy equipment or construction plant, although terminology varies between manufacturers, contractors and jurisdictions. In the UK construction industry, plant generally refers to machinery, equipment and apparatus used to carry out construction activities.

[edit] Types of equipment produced

Manufacturers of construction plant may specialise in particular types of equipment or produce a broad range of machinery. Major categories include:

• Earthmoving equipment, including excavators, loaders, bulldozers, graders, scrapers and dumpers.
• Road construction equipment, including asphalt plants, pavers, rollers and associated material-handling equipment.
• Concrete production and placing equipment, including batching plants, mixers, concrete pumps and associated storage systems.
• Lifting and material-handling equipment, including cranes, telehandlers and lifting accessories.
• Compaction equipment, including vibrating rollers, pneumatic-tyred rollers and smaller compaction machines.
• Road maintenance equipment, including road sweepers, milling machines, surface treatment equipment and road-marking machinery.
• Environmental control equipment, including dust collection and filtration systems associated with industrial and construction processes.
• Storage and conveying systems, including cement silos, aggregate storage systems and conveyors.

The selection of equipment depends on the nature and scale of the work, site conditions, required production rates, available space and applicable safety and environmental requirements.

[edit] Road construction and concrete production equipment

Road construction can involve a range of specialised plant. Asphalt plants produce asphalt mixtures by combining mineral aggregates with bituminous binder and, where applicable, other constituent materials. Batch plants produce defined batches, allowing the composition to be changed between batches, while drum-mix plants generally operate as continuous processes. Plant configuration and output vary according to the equipment and project requirements.

Mobile and semi-mobile asphalt plants can be relocated between sites, although relocation may require dismantling, transport, installation and commissioning. The classification of equipment as mobile should therefore not be taken to mean that it can necessarily be moved without significant preparation.

Wet mix macadam plants produce mixtures of graded aggregates and water for use in base or sub-base construction. The material is subsequently placed and compacted. Cold-mix processes use techniques such as bitumen emulsions or foamed bitumen to produce mixtures without the same heating requirements as conventional hot-mix asphalt production. Their suitability depends on the specified application and mix design.

Concrete batching plants proportion aggregates, cementitious materials, water and, where required, chemical or mineral admixtures to produce concrete. Stationary plants are normally established at fixed locations, while mobile or compact plants can be configured for relocation. The choice depends on production requirements, site duration, access, material supply and the required quality-control arrangements.

Storage equipment such as aggregate bins, cement silos and conveyors forms part of many batching and asphalt production systems. Supplementary cementitious materials can be stored and incorporated into concrete where they are suitable for the specified mix. The use of such materials depends on their properties, availability and the requirements of the applicable concrete specification.

[edit] Road maintenance and earthmoving machinery

Road maintenance requires specialist machinery for activities including resurfacing, repair, cleaning and the application of road markings. Asphalt pavers distribute and level asphalt mixtures to the required profile. Rollers compact asphalt and other pavement materials to achieve the specified density and surface characteristics.

Bitumen sprayers and distributors apply controlled quantities of bituminous materials for applications such as surface dressing and tack coats. The equipment used depends on the material and treatment being undertaken. Road-marking machines apply paint, thermoplastic or other specified marking materials to road surfaces.

Road sweepers remove loose material and debris from roads and other paved surfaces. High-pressure water-jetting equipment can be used for cleaning drainage systems, gullies and other infrastructure, subject to suitable arrangements for managing removed material and contaminated water.

Earthmoving equipment is used for excavation, loading, transportation, grading and placement of soil and other materials. Excavators are commonly used for digging and material handling, while loaders are used to load and move loose materials. Bulldozers are primarily used for pushing and spreading material, and graders are used for fine grading and forming surfaces. Dumpers transport bulk materials around or away from construction sites.

The choice of earthmoving plant depends on factors including the quantity and type of material, haul distance, ground conditions, site access, required production rate and the dimensions and capabilities of the machinery.

[edit] Environmental control and manufacturing standards

Construction and industrial plant can generate dust, exhaust emissions, noise and other environmental impacts. Equipment used in asphalt and other material-processing plants may therefore incorporate dust extraction and filtration systems. Bag filters, for example, pass contaminated air through fabric filter elements that retain particulate matter. Filter cleaning systems remove accumulated dust from the filter media so that the equipment can continue operating.

Electrostatic precipitators use electrical fields to charge particulate matter and collect it on oppositely charged surfaces. Their application depends on the characteristics and volume of the gas stream and the required emission controls. Other technologies may also be used depending on the plant and applicable environmental requirements.

The manufacture and use of construction machinery is subject to different technical, safety and environmental requirements depending on the market in which the equipment is placed. Manufacturers may operate quality management systems and design and manufacture equipment in accordance with applicable national or international standards.

For machinery supplied to Great Britain, applicable product-safety legislation and conformity-assessment requirements need to be considered. Requirements can vary according to the type of machinery, its intended use and the date on which it is placed on the market. Similar but not necessarily identical requirements apply in other jurisdictions.

[edit] Global supply and manufacturer selection

Construction machinery is manufactured and supplied through international markets. Equipment may be manufactured in one country, assembled or adapted in another and supplied to construction projects elsewhere. International supply can require consideration of transport, customs requirements, technical conformity, local operating conditions, spare-parts availability and after-sales support.

The construction equipment market is influenced by infrastructure investment, building activity, economic conditions, urbanisation, changes in construction methods, environmental requirements and the replacement of existing plant. Demand can vary significantly between equipment categories and geographical markets.

When selecting a manufacturer or equipment supplier, purchasers generally consider the technical suitability of the machinery for the intended application, production or lifting capacity, dimensions, operating weight, fuel or energy consumption, reliability and maintenance requirements. The availability of spare parts, technical support, operator training and servicing can also affect the suitability of equipment over its operating life.

Whole-life cost can be more relevant than purchase price alone. It can include acquisition or finance costs, transport, commissioning, fuel or electricity, routine maintenance, repairs, consumables, downtime, insurance and eventual disposal or resale value. The expected utilisation of the machinery is also important when deciding whether equipment should be purchased, leased or hired.

Manufacturers and purchasers should also consider health and safety requirements, environmental performance, noise and emissions, site access and the competence required to operate the equipment. Machinery should be selected and used in accordance with its intended purpose, the manufacturer's instructions and applicable legislation.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Construction plant
• Construction equipment
• Earthmoving equipment
• Earth-moving plant
• Construction equipment market
• How to manage construction plant
• Plant acquisition
• Road construction
• Compact construction equipment
• Machine

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