The construction industry plays a vital role in the modern world. It supports the growth and development of towns and cities and allows industrial and business locations to expand. In the US and in other developed countries, the construction sector typically represents 5–12% of the total economy and is a vital part of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

At present, the construction industry is enjoying a period of growth as demand for new houses and commercial buildings increases in many countries. However, it’s important to recognise that modern construction places a heavy reliance on many different pieces of equipment. These items of machinery can help to save time, ensure consistency of results, and undertake tasks that would be too difficult for human workers to achieve effectively.

In this article, three essential pieces of construction equipment that are vital to the industry and commonly used will be discussed.

1. Screed pumps

When flooring is laid in any construction project, there’s a need to ensure that the top surface is both strong and stable before the final surface is put down. This is accomplished by using a screed pump. This machinery mixes the screed (which is a mix of finer aggregates and broadly similar to a smoother form of concrete) to exacting consistencies. It is then poured onto the concrete.

Screed pumps are used by a range of construction companies, and smaller firms may utilise screed pump hire companies to use the machinery on a temporary basis. This is beneficial to smaller construction firms as it allows them to minimise their equipment costs and use the equipment on an occasional basis when it’s required for specific surfacing or flooring work.

2. Excavators

When larger building projects or roadworks are undertaken, it’s common to see construction firms using excavators. These are extremely heavy industrial vehicles that move on tracks or wheels. The most common task for excavators is to remove layers of earth from the ground so the foundations for new buildings can be laid.

In some projects, materials like stainless steel threaded bar are also installed during the foundation stage to solidify structural components. It becomes especially important in environments requiring high strength and corrosion resistance.

Typically, the excavator operator will sit in a cabin of the vehicle and will be able to rotate the excavating arm 360 degrees. Excavators have been used in the construction industry for almost two hundred years, after being invented in 1835 by William Smith Otis. The earliest form of this heavy machinery was steam powered, although today’s versions rely on hydraulic or electric power to operate.

3. Cranes

As with excavators, cranes are another essential piece of equipment for large construction projects. It’s possible to get crane hire in Leicester or many other cities in the UK.  Their main role is to lift heavy building materials and components to higher levels of the construction. Often these materials are too large or heavy to be lifted by a human workforce and a skilled crane operator will ensure that the materials are lifted safely and efficiently to the location required.

There are many different types of cranes depending on their uses and you can find out more about specific variations in design and application here. Cranes also have the ability to rotate through 360 degrees and have a similar cab design for the operative to work from. The rotating arm of the crane (or the ‘jib’) typically extends using hydraulics to allow the material that’s lifted to be accurately positioned at the required height.