Bulldozer

The bulldozer, which was originally developed as a modified farm tractor, eventually became the equipment of choice for use in large civil and military construction projects worldwide. One of the best known bulldozer models, the Caterpillar D9, was used to demolish underground mines and enemy structures during World War II and subsequent military conflicts, largely due to its ability to tow tanks weighing in excess of 70 tons. The design of bulldozers has become substantially more sophisticated since early war efforts. The current use involves earth moving and tasks such as commercial construction, deforestation, ground leveling and road construction. The powerful tracks attached to a bulldozer provide excellent ground penetration and precise mobility through difficult terrain. The wide tracks operate by distributing the weight of the bulldozer over large areas, preventing it from sinking or shifting in sandy or muddy conditions.

The primary mechanisms of a bulldozer involve the interaction between various types of blades and rippers. Blades, placed on the front of the bulldozer, are used to push materials such as sand, soil and debris. Blades are usually available in three types, the specific use of each depending on the specific task. A straight blade, known as an “S-Blade,” is a short blade without lateral or side wings, used for fine grading projects. A universal blade, known as a “U-Blade,” is tall and curved with large side wings, specifically designed to carry large amounts of soil or heavy materials. The “S-U” combination blade, which is shorter with less curvature, is efficient for pushing piles of earth or large rocks, such as seen at mining operations or rock quarries. The ripper, which is a long claw device attached to the rear of the backhoe, is designed to operate either as a single unit or as a group unit. The ripping method effectively breaks surface rocks into small pieces of rubble which can then be easily removed before the area is graded or leveled for construction or other purposes.

Heavy-duty bulldozers can rip through extremely dense earth, such as in areas of previous lava flow, preparing large ground for agricultural purposes, such as vineyards and crop production. Light-weight bulldozers are specifically designed for light grading purposes, such as snow removal and the grading of ski slopes in winter sports areas. Overall, bulldozers are preferred tools for use in commercial and residential construction, mining and quarry operations, heavy industrial purposes, governmental and civil engineering projects and farming.

These large and extremely powerful pieces of equipment, designed for a multitude of uses, are consistently being improved by the advent of innovative technology, increasing the versatility and applicability of backhoes.