How Do I Know Which Type of Earth-Moving Equipment is Right for My Project?

There are so many different types of equipment out there and some of them can perform the same earthwork functions. So, some of you may be wondering, how do I choose the best equipment type for my project? In this article, we are going to do a deep dive comparing several different types of equipment and when it’s best to use one type over another. 

 

Transporting & Spreading Material: Tractor & Scraper VS Off-Road Dump Truck

 

For projects in which you need to haul material from one location to another and then spread that material, you have the option of using a Tractor & Scraper (T&S) or an Off-Road Dump Truck. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, making one more ideal in some scenarios and the other more ideal in others. One of the first differences to note between the two options is that a T&S can load, haul, and spread material – one machine and one operator. On the other hand, if you were to use a dump truck, multiple other machines would be necessary for the job because a dump truck can only haul material. Another piece of equipment (such as an excavator) would be needed to load the truck while yet another machine (such as a dozer) would be needed to spread the material after it is dumped. Now, that may make it sound like a T&S is the winner right off the bat. But, there are some other factors to consider. Although a T&S can perform several functions at once, they have some limitations. They are very large machines that cannot fit in small spaces. They are also only efficient for hauls that are 1-1.5 miles long or less. Dump trucks are much faster and can be more agile, so they work better for tighter spaces or longer hauls. Also, T&S’s can only accommodate certain materials, such as dirt or clay, while dump trucks have the capability to haul many other types of materials, such as rock. In summary, a T&S would make more sense for a large cut and fill project in which the material does not have to be hauled a long distance but there is a lot of material to move. On the other hand, a dump truck would be better if the haul was longer, there were tighter spaces to access, or if the material was bulky or hard. 

Rough Grading a Project : Tractor & Scraper VS D6 Dozer

 

Most of the projects we work on require the earthwork function of grading, which involves actually shaping the project by adding, removing, or otherwise moving material. Rough grading establishes the initial elevations, slopes, etc. that are needed on a project whereas the final grading is the last step and will be discussed in the next section. When it comes to spreading and shaping material during the rough grading process, often a T&S or a dozer is used to perform the work. A T&S can move 3-4 miles per hour and move about 22-28 cubic yards of material per pass while a dozer travels about 1-1.5 miles per hour moving a maximum capacity of 6.5 yards per pass. So, we can already see that the T&S can move a lot more dirt (about 3-4 times more per pass), a lot quicker than a dozer. Using a T&S also provides the additional benefit of compaction. The large tires on the T&S begin the compaction process that will likely be finished by a roller later. The disadvantage of the T&S, as mentioned in the previous section, is that a T&S cannot fit into tight spaces or cut corners like a dozer can. Therefore, a T&S would be an ideal option for a larger grading project that does not have many corners. However, if your project has more diversity (corners, slopes, maybe even trees that need to be worked around), a dozer will likely be your best bet. A dozer also provides the option of a ripper attachment, if needed for a particular project.   

Final Grading a Project : Dozer VS Motor Grader 

 

Lastly, let’s talk about two machines that are commonly used for final grading a project: a dozer and a motor grader. Final grading involves finishing out a project. It’s all about precision and ensuring that the final product is smooth and the exact elevation it needs to be. While both of these types of machines can provide a quality final grade, we’ll go ahead and tell you that a motor grader is the ideal choice for this earthwork step. A motor grader offers a wider blade, moves faster, and can achieve better accuracy (a sub-¼ inch accuracy while a dozer can achieve a sub-½ inch accuracy). Motor graders are designed specifically for final grade work and are not meant to move mass amounts of dirt. This makes the dozer more versatile since it can be used for both rough and final grading. So, if you had to pick one piece of equipment for the entire grading process, a dozer would likely be your best bet. However, if you could have a different piece of equipment for the rough grading, we will always recommend a motor grader for the final grading.  

We hope this article provided some useful information and is helpful as you consider your earthwork project. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!