Heavy equipment

Heavy equipment has been used since at least the 1st century BC, when the ancient Roman engineer Vitruvius described a crane powered by human or animal labor in De architectura.

Until almost the twentieth century, one simple tool constituted the primary earthmoving machine: the hand shovel—moved with animal and human powered, sleds, barges, and wagons.

This tool was the principal method by which material was either sidecast or elevated to load a conveyance, usually a wheelbarrow, or a cart or wagon drawn by a draft animal.

In antiquity, an equivalent of the hand shovel or hoe and head basket—and masses of men—were used to move earth to build civil works.

The two elements required for mechanized earthmoving, then as now, were an independent power source and off-road mobility, neither of which could be provided by the technology of that time.

[6] A number of companies are currently developing (Caterpillar and Bobcat) or have launched (Built Robotics) commercial solutions to the market.

Off-highway tires have six categories of service C compactor, E earthmover, G grader, L loader, LS log-skidder and ML mining and logging.

Tires are a large expense on any construction project, careful consideration should be given to prevent excessive wear or damage.

The field of occupational medicine researches and makes recommendations about safety for these and other workers in safety-sensitive positions.

Due to the small profit margins on construction projects it is important to maintain accurate records concerning equipment utilization, repairs and maintenance.

purchase price = $350,000 m = 3 years from now For an expense to be classified as an operating cost, it must be incurred through use of the equipment.

Many firms keep their costing structure closely guarded[citation needed] as it can impact the bidding strategies of their competition.

Die-cast metal promotional scale models of heavy equipment are often produced for each vehicle to give to prospective customers.