The Ultimate List of Commercial Construction Equipment and Their Uses

Get acquainted with commercial construction equipment, its uses, and why you need a construction management team to handle it. 

Key Takeaways:

• A construction project can require significant equipment.
• Some of this equipment is heavy-duty and tough to find, leading to costly delays.
• Renting commercial construction equipment is an unnecessary expense.
• Hiring a full-service commercial construction contractor helps eliminate this worry and provides access to professional-grade construction equipment.
• The contractor will handle the entire commercial construction process from start to finish, ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience. 

Commercial construction projects require a wide range of equipment to ensure efficiency, productivity, and safety. Whether building a commercial office complex, constructing a restaurant, or renovating an apartment block, having the right equipment will contribute to the project’s quality, speed, and timeliness.

Construction projects involve excavation – digging large amounts of soil, dirt, and rock-hauling supplies and materials, compacting the soil for a stable foundation, and finally, paving and building structures. Doing this manually is not feasible or practical, so construction relies on a fleet of specialized equipment to get the job done. 

From heavy-duty machinery like bulldozers, cranes, and dump trucks, to lighter, more precise excavation equipment like backhoes and excavators, here’s the ultimate list of commercial construction equipment and their uses. 

Essential construction equipment for commercial projects

Investing in the right commercial construction equipment sets you up for success on any commercial project. Clients look for contractors who demonstrate they have the right equipment to complete the job on time and with minimal issues.

Excavators

The most basic commercial construction equipment, excavators are ideal for digging trenches, foundations, and excavating materials. They also help in demolition, heavy lifting, and material handling. Excavators feature a long arm and digging bucket and can be wheeled or tracked.

Bulldozers

Bulldozers are used for clearing land and shifting large amounts of earth. They feature a wide, flat metal blade attached to the front and are highly effective at pushing large quantities of sand, soil, and debris. You can also use them to spread, grade, and level surfaces. 

Cranes

Moving large objects like steel girders, concrete beams, arches, and other heavy materials is made simpler with a crane. Cranes are equipped with a steel cable and pulley system to lift and lower materials. Depending on your commercial project, you may need to hire a tower or mobile crane. The mobile, portable version can be relocated easily while the tower crane is mounted on a tall column, allowing it to reach higher elevations. 

Backhoe loaders

Backhoe loaders are multipurpose commercial construction machines combining the features of a tractor, excavator, and loader. The backhoe is their primary feature and is ideal for digging trenches, ditches, and foundations. They also have a front-mounted loader that allows you to move heavy materials effortlessly. Their 200-degree rotation capabilities make them especially useful in tight spaces. 

Dump trucks

Commercial construction projects generate massive amounts of excavated material which require proper disposal and management. Dump trucks are the most efficient way to remove and transport these materials, as they feature an open-bed construction and a hydraulic lift. A commercial dump truck can carry 10 to 14 cubic yards of material. 

Forklifts

These are the most agile commercial construction equipment for moving materials in tight spaces. Forklifts have a lifting arm with prongs to lift and move pallets, heavy boxes, and skids. They also feature side-shifting capabilities, which allow them to maneuver around tight corners and obstacles. You can lift between 1 to 5 tons of material, depending on the size and model you select. 

Skidders

Skidders are commercial construction equipment used in logging, site clearing, and other forestry operations. They feature a large set of wheels and can tow or haul logs, stumps, and debris. You can also attach a grapple to the skidder’s boom arm to grab, lift, and pull the logs away into the landing area. 

Graders

Commercial construction projects require a lot of grading and leveling. Graders are commercial construction equipment designed to smooth and level the surface of land, roads, and parking lots. They feature a horizontal blade between the front and rear axles that you can angle based on your working surface. Its precision and accuracy make it the ideal commercial construction equipment for level surfaces. You can also use a grader to remove excess material and cut slopes. 

Asphalt pavers

An asphalt paver is commercial construction equipment used to lay down asphalt on roads, bridges, parking lots, and other such surfaces. It features a flatbed supporting the paving material and two side-mounted steel plates distributing it evenly. Asphalt pavers are accompanied by a separate machine called a roller, which compacts the material and provides a smoother finish. 

Articulated trucks

Navigating a construction site can be difficult, especially with tight corners and obstacles. Articulated trucks are designed to maneuver around tight spots, as they feature a unique articulating joint in the middle, allowing the truck’s front and rear portions to move independently. They also feature a low center of gravity, which ensures stability even on uneven surfaces. 

Compactors

A firm construction surface is essential for the longevity and stability of a commercial project. Compactors are heavy-duty commercial construction equipment that compresses, levels, and smooths surfaces. They feature a large steel drum that vibrates as it moves across the surface, compressing the material and providing a smoother finish. 

These are the most basic pieces of equipment for a successful commercial construction project. They eliminate the need to find and rent commercial construction equipment, as they bring in their team of experienced professionals who understand how to use the right tools for the job. Hiring a full-service commercial construction contractor to manage your project ensures you’re never left scrambling to find the right commercial equipment, as they’ll handle the entire process from start to finish.  

Hire RPC General Contractors for a smooth, stress-free construction process

RPC General Contractors is a full-service construction contractor that provides commercial construction and project management services. Our team of experienced professionals understands commercial construction standards, safety codes, and regulations to ensure that your project is completed within budget and as per commercial-grade standards. 

We use professional-grade construction equipment for all our projects and provide a comprehensive range of services, such as site preparation, excavation, foundation work, commercial grading, and asphalt paving. Let RPC General Contractors take the stress out of your commercial construction project – contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate.