Construction projects are the cornerstone of human expansion. As buildings go up, humans extend their reach ever further across the earth. These projects are huge undertakings and require many tools to complete.
One of the most important tools that make construction possible is the bulldozer. These machines allow workers to clear away and carry debris and earth so construction workers can begin building.
They are also useful for road building, farming, and wrecking. These machines are incredible pieces of heavy machinery. Keep reading to learn more about these pieces of machinery.
The Start of the Bulldozer
The modern bulldozer owes much of its creation to a grain harvester named Benjamin Holt. On Thanksgiving Day, 1904, he set out to give his tractor a way to move over loose earth. The invention of his crawler treads allowed for heavy machines to move across something that didn’t provide firm footing.
David Roberts, of R. Hornsby & Sons, also worked on a similar solution. From there, construction companies began to use crawler treads on their machines on their tractors.
The Uses of a Bulldozer
Bulldozers are most often found at construction sites to help move dirt and rubble. The blade at the front allows the transfer of materials. The back of bulldozers has a ripper, which rips the ground apart to make it easier to transport.
These attachments allow for grading and can help farmers with the hard ground during planting. Bulldozers can also have attachments added that allow them to increase their utility.
How Do Bulldozers Work?
What allows bulldozers to move across loose earth are the crawler treads. They provide continuous tracks that distribute a bulldozer’s weight evenly over the tracks. This allows it to operate on surfaces where vehicles with wheels would have trouble moving or get stuck.
The tracks give bulldozers the traction they need to push heavy material. it also allows the ripper to rip up hard surfaces with ease.
They Can Remove Small Stumps
Bulldozers can remove small stumps. As long they aren’t too big, it shouldn’t be a problem. For larger stumps, a bigger bulldozer with a more powerful engine is required.
The World’s Biggest Bulldozer
The biggest bulldozer in the world is the Komatsu D575A. This behemoth is over sixteen feet high and forty feet long. It weighs in at over 300,000 pounds.
This bulldozer isn’t used much in modern construction. Instead, it’s a staple in mining projects.
It isn’t likely you’ll need this monster for your projects. However, if you need a regular dozer and don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can get them used. Here’s more info with a selection available.
The Quintessential Piece of Heavy Machinery
The bulldozer has a rich history and many different uses. These machines make many blue-collar jobs easier to do. Even a small bulldozer can provide a lot of help to your operation.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out more of our site. We provide news about all the things you care about. Please subscribe to always stay up-to-date.
read more