Different Types of Lifting Equipment Used in Construction

jlg lift

There is no doubt that you need enough manpower in operating different types of lifting devices and completing your construction projects. Hiring skilled laborers to work on your project is essential to maintaining productivity in the worksite. The more employees you have, the faster you will be able to finish your construction.

However, sometimes, having several people working on your project is not enough. Some tasks on your worksite may be too much for human strength to accomplish. In these scenarios, what you need is heavy machinery.

Types of Equipment Used in Construction

There are different types of equipment you might need on your worksite. These pieces of heavy machinery will allow you to complete tasks that are not possible to do by hand.

Excavator

This piece of equipment is commonly used in construction sites. It is primarily used for excavation, but can also be utilized in demolitions, river dredging, and tree cutting.

An excavator is a construction equipment that has a long arm attached to a boom. It has a bucket at the end, which is used for digging into the earth.

Grader

Contractors use graders to level the soil surface. This equipment is typically used during road construction.

This type of machinery has a horizontal blade between its front and back wheels. The blade is lowered onto the ground and used to stamp the soil surface.

Compactor

Another type of equipment that is commonly found in construction areas is the compactor. The main purpose of compactors is to reduce the size of a material by removing air voids from it.

The most common type of compactor used in construction is the soil compactor. This type of compaction equipment has a roller that is either static or vibratory. It can also sometimes have a triangular, rectangular, or pentagonal roller, which is used to deliver high force to the ground to compact it.

Lifting Equipment

Pieces of lifting equipment are designed to lift and lower loads and workers securely. These machines are equipped with long arms, booms, and necessary accessories to fulfill their purpose.

Different Types of Lifting Devices

One of the most commonly used types of heavy equipment in the Philippines is lifting devices. This is a machine that you should have on your construction site for various reasons.

Lifting heavy materials and tools may be too much for your staff. Doing this task manually may also put them at risk for injuries. It is better if you use a type of equipment specially designed for heavy lifting.

Additionally, construction work involves tasks in high places. To accomplish these, you need lifting equipment that will allow your employees to work safely at a height.

There is one type of lifting equipment that you can use for each of these scenarios. Whether you need to lift heavy materials and tools or your staff, here are some of the lifting machines you can choose from.

Forklifts

Forklifts are used to lift heavy loads of materials and tools and move them across the worksite. This is one of the most common types of lifting equipment in construction.

It is a fairly small piece of equipment, which uses fork-like arms and lift cylinders to carry and move loads. Because of their size, forklifts can only carry a limited amount of weight. Forklifts also have a limited height range, but it is still suitable for single-level construction work.

Cranes

Another type of lifting equipment often used in construction is cranes. This machine is typically equipped with hoist ropes, wire ropes, or chains and sheaves, which work together to lift and lower materials or move them horizontally.

Tower Cranes

Tower cranes are often used in building tall structures, such as skyscrapers. They are composed of a vertical tower and an outstretched jib.

This type of lifting equipment is effective in raising and lowering tools and other materials across several stories. Most of the time, this device is used to lift steel, concrete, acetylene torches, generators, and other items.

Mobile Crane

Mobile cranes in the Philippines are popularly used in the construction industry. This type of construction lift can be easily moved from one location to another, making it ideal for companies that are looking for cost-efficient lifting solutions.

Unlike other types of cranes, mobile cranes are smaller and may offer a limited movement range. This feature allows the mobile crane to be used in moving materials at lower levels, where tower cranes are unnecessary.

Telescopic Crane

Another type of crane commonly used in the Philippines is the telescopic crane. This equipment is outfitted with tubes that fit inside each other. When needed, a hydraulic mechanism in the machine is activated to extend the tubes. This, in turn, increases and decreases the length of the crane’s arm.

Telescopic cranes are often mounted on carriers. This contributes to the machine’s portability, making it an efficient choice for construction projects.

Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are another type of equipment used in construction. Unlike the other aforementioned types of construction lifts, scissor lifts are primarily used to raise workers to a certain height and move them towards various locations.

This machine consists of a platform where your staff can stand. The platform can then be raised using cross-brace supports for up to 60 feet.

Boom Lifts

This is another kind of lifting device that is made to help workers get to hard-to-reach places in the worksite. Boom lifts offer a much secure way to accomplish tasks at any elevation.

Telescopic Boom Lift

A telescopic boom lift can provide you with enough vertical and horizontal reach to get to high places and accomplish the tasks needed. This is possible through the machine’s telescoping boom sections, which extend in a straight line when needed.

Cherry Picker

This is an aerial lift equipped with a platform or bucket at the end of a hydraulic lifting system. Although most commonly used to reach trees and utility lines, cherry pickers can also be used in the construction site for remodeling, renovation, and installation projects.

Choose the Right Type of Lifting Equipment for Your Project

Deciding between the various kinds of lifting devices listed above can be confusing. To help you choose which one to get, here are some things you need to consider:

  • Available space in the worksite
  • Weight capacity
  • Required movement type
  • Power source
  • Terrain

Get the Best Lifting Equipment From a Reputable Dealer

Once you have decided on the lifting equipment that you need for your construction project, it is time to acquire one. Make sure to obtain a quality lifting device from a dependable dealer, such as CMI Equipment.

We offer high-quality machines from market-leading manufacturers worldwide. You can also count on us for outstanding after-sales service. Talk to us for more information.