12 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES

Bulldozers

When most folks think of construction vehicles, the bulldozer comes to mind first. These big, hulking machines feature large blades on their fronts, allowing them to push, move or level soil and other materials. They're common during site prep and earthmoving phases, as they can quickly knock down piles of dirt or gravel and grade the land.

These machines may also have additional attachments at the rear, like a ripper, which can cut quickly through tree roots, break rocks and move underground boulders.

Rental costs for bulldozers can range from $400 to $600 a day, or around $1,300 to $1,600 per week. Also, some states require special heavy equipment licenses for bulldozer operators.

Concrete Mixer Trucks

Concrete mixer trucks transport wet concrete to job sites. A huge round drum in the rear turns while the vehicle is in motion, keeping concrete from sticking to the sides while mixing it en route to the job site.

At the site, the operator dumps the concrete down a chute exactly where it needs to go. These trucks deliver concrete for patios and walkways as well as foundations, piers, footings, and other heavy-duty structural members of a building.

Generally speaking, you hire a concrete truck rather than renting one. And concrete mixing truck operators must have a commercial driver's license (CDL).

Forklifts

Forklifts are handy machines that lift and transport heavy objects on a job site or in a warehouse. These move pallets of materials off a trailer, carry them around the job site and place them down safely in a fraction of the time it would take a team to empty them.

Forklifts on construction sites are generally two types: a telehandler, featuring a large boom that lifts objects onto roofs or upper floors, or rough terrain forklifts, with large tires that navigate construction site terrain easily. Forklift certification is often required to operate either type professionally.

The cost to rent a forklift ranges from $200 and $850 a day for a relatively small telehandler. A larger model can cost up to $4,200 each day.

Excavators

Excavators are popular digging machines. These feature a long arm with a bucket on the end that can dig into the soil, knock objects over or pick up heavy items.

Another distinguishing characteristic: An excavator's cab swivels on its base, allowing the machine to dig, pick up the material and dump it in a vehicle or on a pile without shifting position. This provides a better workflow over other machines like backhoes.

Excavators typically require at least a driver's license, but may also require a CDL depending on the employer. To rent one, expect to pay more than $300 a day for a smaller machine, or $700 for a larger model.

Compactors

These are large, heavy machines with big steel drums on their fronts. The drums sit on the surface of disturbed soil and the weight packs it down. This is similar to how a blacktop roller works, only compactors are usually larger.

A smaller compactor will cost around $400 to $450 each day to rent, while a large model meant for compacting entire project sites rents for around $500 a day. Generally speaking, a specialized license is needed unless an employer requires one.

Feller Bunchers

When clearing a forested project site, there may be no handier machine than a feller buncher. These grip tree trunks securely while a saw blade cuts through them, allowing careful operators to clear spaces quickly and efficiently.

Feller bunchers are usually really expensive to rent, between $4,000 and $5,000 a week. While training is important, there aren't any broad-reaching licensing requirements.

Front End Loaders

Do you need to scoop up something and carry it across a job site quickly? Then you want a front end loader. These come with large, deep buckets that can scoop loose materials like dirt, sand, mulch, and gravel, as well as large items like boulders and logs, high enough to dump them into trucks or onto piles. They're commonly on wheels, but they can also feature tracks.

 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires front end loader operators to be trained and certified. Smaller models rent for around $400 a day, while larger models go for up to $800 a day.

Dump Trucks

Dump trucks carry loads of heavy materials in their beds. They come in a wide range of sizes. Some smaller models may not hold much more than a standard truck bed, while larger models can hold 16 or so yards of material.

When they get to the project site, the driver dumps the bed with the press of a button, leaving a pile of material behind them.

If a dump truck weighs less than 26,000 pounds and is used for non-commercial purposes, it doesn't require a commercial driver's license. A smaller dump truck in this range will typically cost around $400 each day to rent, while a larger truck runs up to $2,000 a day. Here's what you need to know about dump trailers.

Backhoes

A backhoe features a large arm on the back with a bucket attachment on its end. It's used primarily to dig, but can move large objects like rocks and logs as well.

Backhoes can be attached to tractors or front-end loaders, hanging off the rear, opposite of the bucket. While they look similar to excavators, these arms have limited side-to-side movement.

Smaller backhoes don't require a heavy equipment operator's license. Larger models may, depending on the state and local restrictions. To rent these, folks should expect to pay $250 to $1,000 a day.

Graders

A grader digs slightly down into the surface of the ground and pushes material about until it's totally flat. These have long wheelbases with wide, flat blades in the middle. As the tires cover over the rough terrain, the blade will cut into the earth and push it flat. The ground then becomes flatter and flatter with each pass.

Generally speaking, a commercial driver's license (and maybe even a heavy equipment operator's license) is required to operate a grader. These are long, large machines with wide blades, requiring training and competence. And since graders are so large and specialized, rental rates vary widely.

Trenchers

As the name might suggest, these cut trenches in the ground. They typically ride on wheels or tracks and have large blades on the rear that cut into the ground, leaving a trench behind as the operator drives.

Trenchers are handy for installing water, sewer or gas pipes, underground utilities, pool supply lines and other landscape features.

Licensing is not usually a requirement to operate a trencher. Small trenchers can cost as little as $100 a day, but ride-on trenchers usually cost a lot more, around $300 a day.

Cranes

Cranes often play an extremely important role on construction sites. These vehicles can lift heavy objects onto roofs of high floors, or up and over a house. They come in many sizes and weight capacities, and there will usually be one on most large construction sites.

Cranes require a crane operator's license. These machines are large and can be extremely top-heavy. Plus, lifting an object incorrectly, whether it be too high or too far from the base of the crane, can cause disaster. For that reason, cranes are rarely available for rent. However, companies in need can hire a crane operator for their services and equipment.

2023-08-21T18:38:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd