Heavy Machinery Moving
Heavy Machinery Demystified: The Bulldozer
What does the term “bulldozer” refer to when you’re
talking about heavy machinery?
The term bulldozer has become a general reference to any
large, tracked or heavy engineering machine, but is actually
classified as a tractor that has tracks and sports a dozer
blade and a ripper.
The bulldozer is considered an earthmoving vehicle and falls
into the same category as other heavy machinery like cranes.
It is used frequently in construction related activities
to move large amounts of material, like dirt, rock, scrapings,
metal, etc.
Why do many heavy machines like bulldozers have
tracks?
Tracks allow heavy machines to navigate difficult terrain,
like soft ground, sand, rocky silt, mud, etc. They provide
excellent mobility and a measure of stability that is important
in such a large machine.
Many bulldozers and other heavy engineering vehicles have
wider tracks, also known as ‘swamp’ tracks.
These tracks are especially useful for wetter conditions
like swamps and other muddy environments. The wideness of
the tracks enables even weight distribution for the bulldozer,
thus ensuring it gets through easily and quickly.
How does it move heavy material and other heavy
machines?
The energy from a bulldozer’s engine is converted
into a strong drag force through the use of a torque divider.
This essentially enables the bulldozer to add its own weight
to push or pull an object.
This characteristic is ideal for moving heavy materials
and other heavy machinery because it allows a bulldozer
to move as much as eighty tons and more. This includes full
size tanks, shrubs, vehicles, structural remains, debris,
and more.
What is a ripper? How is it used on heavy machinery
like a bulldozer?
A ripper, specific to a heavy machine like the bulldozer,
is often described as a “scooper” or “claw.”
It is designed to literally rip through harsh terrain like
rocks and solid earth. A ripper destroys the material and
churns it into small rubble or debris that can then be easily
removed and cleared.
Rippers come in two forms: single shank (one claw) or multiple
shanks (two or more claws). Most tractors use only one ripper,
but sometimes will use two if the situation calls for it.
A single shank is preferred most often for heavier ripping.
What is a blade? How is it used on a heavy machine, such
as a bulldozer?
A bulldozer blade is the heavy metal plate that sits on
the front of a tractor. The ultimate accessory for a heavy
machine, it serves as an all-purpose mover, shoving material
like rock, sand and debris, pushing through obstacles, and
generally plowing through anything in its way.
There are three varieties of bulldozer blade: a universal
blade, or U-Blade, a straight blade, or S-Blade, and a combination
blade, or S-U blade. They all have specific purposes: a
universal blade is used for heavier material, a straight
blade is used for finer grading, and a combination blade
is more all-purpose.
Dunkel Brothers Machinery Moving
Please call to learn how Dunkel Brothers fulfills all of
your machinery moving needs. Not only do we fulfill all
the requirements mentioned above, we are one of the most
trusted machinery moving companies in California.
Feel free to contact
us with questions about your job or to request a free
estimate.
NEED MACHINERY MOVED?