A lot of equipment goes into building a structure, but what does it take to demolish one? Some of the equipment is the same, but some heavy machinery is specifically for demolition. Learn more about the heavy equipment that demolition specialists commonly use and how this equipment helps in demolitions.



Excavators



An excavator is a very recognizable piece of equipment. Its long arm and claw-like bucket have a clear purpose: to reach, scoop, and move materials. The body of the excavator usually sits on wheels or a track frame and can turn 360 degrees, which makes it versatile and easy to move.



The various excavators all have different purposes, but some excavators, like long-reach excavators, are often for demolitions. The long-reach aspect comes from a longer arm that can extend with the use of a boom, so it can reach difficult areas. The power of the machine also makes breaking walls and beams easy while keeping the destruction at a distance from workers.



Bulldozers



Bulldozers are powerful engines with a blade attached to the front. With a wide variety of wheel and blade types, bulldozers have many different uses, from pushing debris out of the way to leveling uneven ground. Some blades have different shapes and are better suited for moving different materials.



For instance, some U-shaped blades are better suited for pushing soft earth, while S-blades can handle medium to hard materials. If your demolition project will involve a lot of heavy and rough debris like stone and wood, you'll want a bulldozer that has the power to push them out of the way without causing problems.



Backhoe Loaders



Backhoe loaders have a distinct appearance. They have more than one attachment, which makes them function as a sort of Swiss Army knife of demolition equipment. The base of the machine is a tractor, with a loader - a U-shaped blade that makes a scooping motion - on one end, and a backhoe - similar to the arm and bucket of an excavator, but with the bucket facing the other way - on the other.



Backhoe loaders can get many jobs done quickly. For instance, the backhoe end can dig trenches, and the loader end can scoop up the dirt and debris. The tractor base makes it easy for the loader to move over the rough terrain commonly found around demolition sites.



Skid Steer Loaders



Skid steer loaders are smaller pieces of equipment that still pack a punch. They have either wheels or tracks, and they can have various different attachments on the front, from a backhoe to a snowblower to pallet forks. The small and medium versions of skid steers are ideal for performing the tasks of larger equipment but in cramped areas where a bulldozer or backhoe might not fit.



Larger skid steers are ideal for demolition because their increased size means more power. An added benefit is that skid steers can move independently around the demolition site, while other equipment has to be transported to and from the area.



Cranes



Cranes have been around since ancient times. Their main use is in construction, moving items into the air to save time. With demolition, cranes can lift heavy wrecking balls that can destroy buildings quickly and make room for other machinery on the demolition site. Wrecking balls are usually for large structures, where the surroundings can be protected from collateral damage.



When you need demolition specialists, contact W R Beach, Inc. We offer commercial and residential demolition services, as well as excavation and site cleanup. We use the best equipment to get demolition jobs done quickly and safely. Reach out to us to inquire more about our services.