Types of Heavy Construction Equipment

When it comes to modern construction, having the right heavy equipment can make or break a project. From excavators and bulldozers to graders, cranes, and concrete pumps, each machine is designed for a specific task—whether it’s moving earth, lifting heavy materials, or laying the foundation for roads and buildings. 

This guide breaks down the most essential types of heavy equipment for construction, including what each one does, how it’s used, and the top brands and models trusted by contractors in 2025. 

Whether you’re managing a fleet or comparing machinery for your next job site, understanding these machines is the first step toward building smarter and faster.

1. Excavators

Excavators are one of the most versatile and essential machines on any construction site. These hydraulic-powered machines feature a rotating cab, a boom, and a bucket for digging and lifting. 

They are typically track-mounted for better traction and stability on rough terrain. Excavators are used for trenching, foundation work, demolition, site grading, and lifting heavy materials. 

With the ability to support attachments like breakers, augers, and thumbs, they are critical for both residential and large-scale commercial construction projects.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT 336
• Komatsu PC360LC 
• John Deere 210G
• Volvo EC220EL

2. Backhoe Loaders

A backhoe loader combines the digging capabilities of an excavator with the loading power of a front-end loader—all in one compact machine. 

It features a backhoe arm on the rear and a loader bucket on the front, mounted to a tractor-style chassis with wheels. Backhoes are ideal for utility work, small-scale excavation, trenching, backfilling, and general-purpose loading. 

Their size makes them especially useful in urban environments and tight job sites where maneuverability matters.

Popular makes and models:

• CASE 580 Super N 
• JCB 3CX
• John Deere 310SL 
• CAT 420XE

3. Bulldozers

Bulldozers, also known as dozers, are powerful tracked machines equipped with a large front-mounted blade used to push soil, gravel, and debris. 

Known for their durability and traction, dozers are typically used in land clearing, grading, road building, mining, and site development. 

Some models also come with rear ripper attachments to break up tough ground. Dozers are essential for shaping terrain and leveling large areas efficiently.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT D6
• Komatsu D71PX
• CASE 1650M
• John Deere 650K

4. Skid Steer Loaders

Skid steer loaders are compact, highly maneuverable machines known for their tight turning radius. Equipped with lift arms and quick-attach mounting plates, skid steers can support a wide range of attachments—from buckets and forks to trenchers and augers. 

These machines are commonly used for site cleanup, grading, material transport, light demolition, and snow removal. Their small size makes them ideal for landscaping and indoor demolition where space is limited.

Popular makes and models:

• Bobcat S650
• CAT 262D3
• John Deere 318G
• CASE SR270B

5. Motor Graders

Motor graders are long, wheeled machines equipped with an adjustable blade positioned between the front and rear axles. Designed for precision, graders are used to create smooth, level surfaces for roads, foundations, and drainage systems. 

They are commonly used in road construction, site prep, and maintenance of dirt or gravel roads. Many modern graders also include GPS or laser-guided control systems for enhanced accuracy.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT 140
• Komatsu GD655
• CASE 856C 
• John Deere 672G

6. Wheel Loaders

Wheel loaders are powerful four-wheeled machines equipped with a large front bucket used for scooping, lifting, and moving materials such as dirt, gravel, sand, and debris. 

Known for their speed and maneuverability, especially on hard surfaces, wheel loaders are commonly used in road construction, quarry operations, and material handling at job sites. 

Their ability to quickly load trucks, stockpile material, and transport bulk goods makes them an essential part of any construction fleet.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT 950M
• Volvo L90H
• Komatsu WA380
• John Deere 544 P-Tier

7. Articulated Dump Trucks

Articulated dump trucks (ADTs) are large, heavy-duty vehicles with a pivot joint between the cab and the dump body. This articulation allows the front and rear sections to move independently, making the truck more agile and capable on uneven or off-road terrain. 

ADTs are used for hauling large volumes of dirt, rock, or debris across job sites—especially in earthmoving, mining, and heavy civil construction. Their high payload capacity and off-road mobility make them ideal for rugged site conditions.

Popular makes and models:

• Volvo A40G
• Komatsu HM400
• Develon DA30-5
• CAT 745

8. Crawler Cranes

Crawler cranes are heavy-duty lifting machines mounted on a set of tracked undercarriages for enhanced stability and traction. 

These cranes use lattice booms to lift extremely heavy loads and are commonly used in large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges, power plants, and industrial construction. 

Crawler cranes are ideal for long-term lifting operations where mobility on soft or uneven terrain is important. Their ability to travel while carrying a load sets them apart from other crane types.

Popular makes and models:

• Liebherr LR 1300
• Link-Belt TCC-1200
• Manitowoc 16000

9. Boom Lifts

Boom lifts are aerial work platforms equipped with a hydraulic arm and a worker basket at the end. They can be either telescopic (straight) or articulating (jointed), depending on the reach and access needs. 

Boom lifts are primarily used for tasks that require access to elevated work areas, such as installing lighting, signage, structural framing, or HVAC systems. 

Their mobility and height range make them essential on commercial construction and industrial maintenance sites.

Popular makes and models:

• JLG 600AJ
• Genie S-65
• Skyjack SJ66T

10. Telehandlers

Telehandlers—short for telescopic handlers—are lifting machines that look like a hybrid between a forklift and a crane. They feature an extendable boom arm that allows for vertical and horizontal reach.

Telehandlers are widely used on construction sites for lifting pallets of materials to rooftops, placing trusses, and loading/unloading trucks. 

Their ability to adapt with different attachments like forks, buckets, or lifting hooks makes them highly versatile.

Popular makes and models:

• JCB 512-56
• Genie GTH-1056
• SkyTrak 10054

11. Compactors

Compactors, also known as rollers, are machines designed to compress soil, gravel, asphalt, or other materials to create a dense, stable surface. 

They come in various configurations, including smooth drum rollers, padfoot rollers, and pneumatic tire rollers, depending on the job requirements. 

Compactors are essential in road construction, site prep, and foundation work where proper compaction is necessary to prevent settling and structural failure.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT CS56B
• Bomag BW213
• CASE SV212
• Dynapac CA3500

12. Trenchers

Trenchers are specialized machines used to dig narrow, straight trenches for utility lines, water pipes, irrigation systems, or drainage. 

They come in several types, including chain trenchers, wheel trenchers, and ride-on models, depending on soil conditions and trench depth. 

Trenchers save considerable time and labor compared to manual digging, and they produce consistent trench profiles across long distances.

Popular makes and models:

• Ditch Witch RT125
• Vermeer RTX550
• Toro TRX-300

13. Pavers

Pavers (or asphalt pavers) are machines used to lay asphalt or concrete during road and pavement construction. These machines evenly distribute and level the material while preparing it for compaction.

 Pavers are crucial in creating smooth, consistent surfaces for roads, highways, parking lots, and driveways. They often work in tandem with compactors and are vital in both municipal and commercial paving projects.

Popular makes and models:

• Vogele Super 700i
• CAT AP555
• Dynapac F1000T

14. Hydraulic Breakers

Hydraulic breakers are heavy-duty tools typically attached to excavators or skid steers. They use hydraulic force to deliver powerful blows, breaking through tough surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and rock. 

These tools are indispensable in demolition work, site clearing, and road repair. Hydraulic breakers come in a range of sizes to match the host machine and job site requirements.

Popular makes and models:

• Atlas Copco SB 452
• Stanley MB10
• Indeco HP5000

15. Dragline Excavators

Dragline excavators are large, rope-controlled machines typically used in mining and large-scale civil engineering projects. 

They consist of a long boom with a drag bucket suspended from cables. Unlike standard excavators, draglines operate from a distance, using the drag bucket to remove overburden or dig below the machine’s operating level. 

These machines are often used where high-volume earthmoving is required, such as in strip mining or port development.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT 8750
• Bucyrus 8750
• Komatsu PC5500

16. Tower Cranes

Tower cranes are tall, fixed lifting machines used in high-rise construction and large-scale commercial developments. 

Anchored to a concrete base and sometimes attached to the structure being built, tower cranes feature a horizontal jib that allows them to move heavy materials like steel, precast concrete, and mechanical systems across wide distances.

 Their ability to lift materials hundreds of feet in the air makes them essential for vertical construction.

Popular makes and models:

• Liebherr 550 EC-H
• Potain MDT 809
• Terex SK 415-20

17. Pile Driving Equipment

Pile drivers are machines designed to drive structural support elements—called piles—into the ground to provide deep foundations for buildings, bridges, and piers. 

This equipment can be mounted on cranes, excavators, or purpose-built carriers and uses vibratory, impact, or hydraulic hammer technology. Pile driving is critical for projects on unstable soil where standard shallow foundations won’t suffice.

Popular makes and models:

• Junttan PMx22
• Liebherr LRB 355
• Delmag RH 34

18. Cold Planers

Cold planers, also known as milling machines, are used to remove layers of asphalt or concrete from roads and pavements. 

They use rotating drums equipped with cutting teeth to grind down surfaces to the desired depth. Cold planers are essential in road resurfacing projects where old pavement must be removed before laying new asphalt. They help ensure a level, consistent base for reconstruction.

Popular makes and models:

• Wirtgen W 210 Fi
• CAT PM620
• Roadtec RX-700e

19. Asphalt Mixing Plants

Asphalt mixing plants are stationary or mobile facilities that combine aggregate, bitumen, and filler to produce asphalt concrete. 

These plants are vital to road and highway construction projects and allow contractors to control material quality and production volume on-site. 

There are batch and continuous types, depending on project needs and scale.

Popular makes and models:

• Ammann ABA UniBatch
• Astec Six Pack
• Marini Magnum 140

20. Concrete Mixers

Concrete mixers are machines used to combine cement, water, and aggregate into concrete. They come in various types, including portable drum mixers, transit mixers mounted on trucks, and batch plants for large-scale operations. 

Concrete mixers ensure a uniform mix and are used across all types of construction projects, from foundations to roadwork.

Popular makes and models:

• Mack Granite Series
• Peterbilt 567
• Oshkosh S-Series

21. Concrete Pumps

Concrete pumps are machines that transfer freshly mixed concrete through a system of hoses or pipes to reach difficult or high-up locations. 

They can be mounted on trucks (boom pumps) or trailers (line pumps), and are used on projects where accuracy, reach, and speed are essential—such as foundations, walls, and high-rise building elements. 

Concrete pumps help streamline the placement process and reduce labor demands on-site.

Popular makes and models:

• Putzmeister BSF 47Z
• Schwing S 38 SX
• CIFA K36L

22. Feller Bunchers

Feller bunchers are forestry machines that cut and gather multiple trees in a single pass. They’re equipped with a cutting head mounted to an articulated arm, allowing the operator to grab, cut, and place trees with precision. 

Though primarily used in logging and land clearing, feller bunchers play a role in construction site preparation, especially in wooded or undeveloped areas.

Popular makes and models:

• John Deere 843L-II
• Tigercat 845E
• CAT 563D

23. Forwarders

Forwarders are purpose-built forestry vehicles that transport felled logs from the cutting site to a landing area where they can be loaded and hauled away. 

Unlike skidders, forwarders carry logs entirely off the ground, minimizing soil disruption. They’re commonly used in environmentally sensitive or uneven terrain.

Popular makes and models:

• Komatsu 855
• John Deere 1210G
• Ponsse Buffalo

24. Skidders

Skidders are machines used to drag cut trees and logs through the forest to a collection point. They can be wheeled or tracked and are equipped with grapples or cable winches for securing loads. 

Skidders are essential for logging operations and large-scale land clearing, particularly in remote or rugged areas.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT 525D
• John Deere 648L-II
• Tigercat 625E

25. Wheel Tractor-Scrapers

Wheel tractor-scrapers are earthmoving machines that cut into soil, collect it in a hopper, and transport it to another location. 

With an integrated bowl, apron, and ejector system, these machines are ideal for leveling and grading large areas.

They’re especially efficient in large-scale site development where moving high volumes of soil quickly is critical.

Popular makes and models:

• CAT 627K
• John Deere 762
• Terex 
• TS14G

The Bottom Line

From earthmoving machines like excavators, backhoes, and wheel loaders, to specialized equipment such as pavers, pile drivers, and feller bunchers, each type of construction equipment plays a critical role in building the infrastructure we rely on every day.

Whether the goal is to dig, lift, transport, pave, or demolish, there’s a machine tailored to get the job done right.

Choosing the right equipment means more than just picking a type—it also involves selecting a reliable brand.

Leading manufacturers like Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere, Volvo, CASE, Liebherr, and JCB continue to dominate the industry with models that are known for performance, durability, and innovation. Popular machines like the CAT 336 excavator, Komatsu D71PX dozer, John Deere 310SL backhoe, and Volvo A40G articulated dump truck set the standard across job sites nationwide.

Understanding the strengths of each machine—and the trusted brands behind them—ensures your next construction project is built on a solid foundation of productivity and efficiency.

Need Financing for Construction Equipment?

At Heavy Iron Capital, we specialize in construction equipment financing for contractors, owner-operators, and small to mid-size businesses. Whether you’re buying an excavator, dozer, loader, or any other type of heavy machinery, we offer fast approvals, flexible terms, and no hard credit inquiries.

Get pre-approved today and build your fleet of equipment with confidence.