Although one may think heavy machinery has fairly limited applications, such has not proven to be the case. The evolution of heavy industrial machinery has led to it becoming a fixture in many ambitious projects and everyday applications. It’s worth taking the time to see how ubiquitous heavy machinery has become in U.S. industries. In this article, we’ll look at the various industries that rely on heavy machinery and the different ways they utilize that equipment.
Construction Industry Applications
Let’s start with what is arguably the most obvious industry for heavy machinery with that being construction. It’s common to see construction sites populated by various examples of heavy machinery. Construction projects would become woefully inefficient and take ages to complete were it not for the availability of heavy equipment.
Excavators are fixtures on many construction sites. Construction companies use them to clear debris and create openings for building fixtures. They can also move heavy objects around with ease, thus allowing workers to build faster.
Cranes are also commonly used for construction projects. Since many construction projects are designed to feature great heights, the workers need some way to get the materials where they need to be. Using a crane with 4 way lifting chains solves that problem. These machines can facilitate the speedy transfer of heavy materials to high locations without creating significant injury risks for the people involved.
Forklifts take on the same role as cranes because they are also used to transport heavy materials from one location to another. Of course, they are used more for ground transport instead of carrying materials to high locations. Don’t underestimate how helpful forklifts can be for construction projects because some models are designed for heavy-duty jobs.
Trenchers have more specialized uses than the other examples of heavy industrial machinery we’ve already highlighted here. Regardless, trenchers are vital to many projects because they create the openings for drainage fixtures and supply lines. Contractors may collaborate with electricians and other professionals to ensure the trenchers are used in the right spots. They help turn finished construction projects into habitable structures by paving the way for plumbing, HVAC systems, and other necessities.
Home Building Applications
Unless you’re building a mansion on an expansive lot, you may think using heavy industrial machinery for your home-building project is unnecessary. However, home builders may still opt to use certain types of heavy machinery. They continue to lean on those pieces of equipment because they make parts of the home-building process significantly easier.
For instance, excavators can help homeowners clear debris away from their yards. If you have to cut down a few trees to get your lot ready for construction, using an excavator helps. They can help cut the trees down and carry them away from your property. You can also use a mini excavator if the standard-sized model is too big for your backyard.
Cement mixers and pavers also have roles to play in home-building projects. Those two machines make it easier for the builders to lay down the foundation for your home and prepare your driveway. Your building project would take way longer without the help of those machines. Work with a paving company to ensure your driveway is properly installed.
Even if it may seem out of place initially, a crane also has uses in a home-building project. Cranes allow the builders to paint and install your siding with greater ease. They also reduce risk for your building project because the workers no longer have to set up ladders against your home. Small cranes are also commonly used for historic building restoration because they help workers complete projects that demand greater precision.
Food Production and Farming Applications
Whenever you walk into a supermarket, you’ll find aisles and aisles of countless food options. Even the produce aisles are often filled to the brim with terrific options. We have to thank our farmers for providing a steady supply of fresh and delicious produce. We should also recognize the role that heavy industrial machinery plays in keeping our nation’s food supply secure.
First off, farms need plenty of water to grow crops and keep livestock hydrated. Farms often rely on wells instead of conventional water suppliers to meet their water needs. Many farms pay for water well drilling because they would be unable to meet their produce and livestock’s demands otherwise. Construction drills can help farms establish those wells.
You also shouldn’t be surprised to see an excavator on a farm. Farmers can use excavators to move large batches of soil quickly. That comes in handy during the planting season. Excavators can also take on many other jobs around the farm because they can be easily modified using various attachments.
A skid steer loader may be used instead if an excavator is too big for a farm. Skid steer loaders are great for carrying heavy objects and clearing debris. They can also handle smaller demolition jobs.
The tractor is perhaps the most iconic piece of farming equipment, and it still qualifies as heavy machinery. Tractors are primarily used for transporting goods all over the farm as they can handle the terrain with no problem. They are frequently used just before the planting season to prepare the field for new crops. Similar to excavators, tractors can be outfitted with various attachments so they can handle more jobs around the farm.
Oil and Gas Industry Applications
The oil and gas industry is another one that relies on heavy industrial machinery. You can see impressive machines widely utilized in oil production plants and refineries. Companies rely on heavy-duty drills to extract raw materials. Pieces of heavy machinery are also used to install and maintain those drills.
If you’ve been to an oil production plant before, you can quickly tell that such an impressive structure could not be made without heavy machinery. Trucks, forklifts, and loaders can transport the materials necessary for oil tank installation.
The raw materials used by oil and gas companies may also have to be transported across great distances, so they depend on trucks again to get the job done. A company may also hire a Bucket Truck Escort to transport their precious materials safely. Partnering with Bucket Truck Escort is a good idea for oil and gas companies moving oversized loads across great distances.
Given how vertical oil production plants and refineries tend to be, the relevant companies also need equipment capable of reaching storage units and other instruments positioned at great heights. Cranes are often used for those jobs because they keep employees safe and in the right spots. Plant and refinery operators can also purchase different-sized cranes to meet the specific needs of their locations.
Mining Industry Applications
The mining industry and manufacturers of heavy industrial machinery have been working hand in hand for a long time. One could argue that the mining industry would not be where it is today if not for the widespread availability of versatile and durable heavy machinery. You’ll understand why that’s the case after seeing how varied heavy machinery is utilized for mining purposes.
Backhoes and excavators help mining companies move the massive amounts of soil necessary to complete their projects. They are used for digging into the soil and transporting them to areas where they won’t bother the miners. Even initiating a mining project may take ages without those backhoes and excavators.
If the power provided by backhoes and excavators isn’t enough for certain mining jobs, companies can use bulldozers instead. Bulldozers excel at clearing and leveling land. They can make mining preparations significantly easier.
Drill rigs are also commonly found on mining sites. Miners use the drill rigs for both underground and aboveground applications. These drills can power through rocks and other hard materials to pave the way for miners to work. As long as they are used properly, drill rigs can make mining activities way more efficient.
Motor graders are also used for mining. The aforementioned pieces of heavy machinery aren’t necessarily used for mining resources. Instead, mining companies rely on them to facilitate the smooth transport of goods in and out of the mining site. The motor graders ensure the roadways leading to and away from the mine remain in good condition while work progresses.
Vehicle Manufacturing Applications
Many examples of heavy industrial machinery are imposing vehicles. We’ve highlighted more than a few heavy-duty vehicles in this article. Unsurprisingly, those vehicles are also widely used for vehicle manufacturing.
Heavy machinery is used to transport raw materials and other essential pieces of equipment to vehicle manufacturing plants. Trucks are also used to transport the finished products to dealerships nationwide. More specifically, vehicle manufacturers ship their products with the help of auto transport trucks. Those are the extra large trucks that carry several vehicles on the road and are trained to avoid collisions.
Different examples of heavy machinery are also utilized within the vehicle manufacturing plants. Forklifts allow the workers to move the raw manufacturing materials around easily. Larger warehouses may feature more telehandlers instead of forklifts because those machines are better for spacious structures.
Boom and scissor lifts can also be found inside vehicle manufacturing plants. The lifts make it easier for the workers to store the materials needed for manufacturing. They can also complete maintenance tasks faster with the help of those machines.
Metal Fabrication Applications
Metalworking is a complex manufacturing process that involves the usage of high-tech equipment. The metalworking industry has enjoyed remarkable growth in recent years, and that would not be possible without the heavy industrial machinery. Heavy-duty vehicles still feature prominently within this industry. They are mainly used to ship the fabricated metals to other manufacturers, such as vehicle companies and producers of construction goods.
Because metalworking is unlike any other manufacturing process, special machines also have to be used in those manufacturing plants. Metalworking companies rely on shapers and plate rollers to process raw materials and turn them into more workable goods. Milling machines then remove flaws along the surfaces of the fabricated materials. Grinders smooth down the fabricated materials so they can be used for various applications.
Precision is important when processing metals. A metalworking company must be able to provide different sizes of their goods to customers, or they could lose business to rivals. That shouldn’t be an issue for metalworking companies. They can still use heavy-duty saws and shearing machines to fabricate metals that fit specific dimensions.
Other examples of heavy machinery that are found in metalworking plants are lathes and turret punches. Lathes are among the most versatile pieces of heavy machinery as companies use them for boring, cutting, and sanding raw materials. Remarkably, there are still more uses for lathes within metalworking plants. Meanwhile, turret punches create holes in metals that allow them to be used for more applications.
Sports Industry Applications
Last but not least, we want to highlight how heavy industrial machinery can also be used in the world of professional sports. You may not have thought of the sporting industry as one that can benefit from heavy machinery, but it has some pretty practical applications within that world. Teams may not be able to hold their games without the aid of machinery.
Consider the maintenance that’s often required in ballparks and football stadiums. Since those establishments feature playing fields made of grass or turf, rollers have to be deployed to ensure they are always level. Those playing surfaces must always be level because they may lead to injuries otherwise.
Many arenas and stadiums used to host games also double as venues for concerts and other performances. Transforming an arena or stadium from a playing field into an entertainment venue takes a lot of work. It also requires the usage of heavy machinery such as lifts and loaders. Sporting establishments can remain versatile venues because they rely on high-tech equipment.
U.S. industries have enjoyed incredible growth due in no small part to the quality of heavy machinery currently available. Those same industries can expect to grow even more due to how pieces of heavy machinery are still evolving. Visit our website today to learn more about the exciting changes coming to heavy industrial machinery!