Madawalabu

University

Construction Equipment and Plant Management

COTM 4202

Chapter One

Introduction
Lecture by: Andualem Endris (M.Sc)
andu0117@yahoo.com

School of Engineering,
Construction Technology & Management Dept.
 Introduction

• Evolution of Construction Equipment

 Construction projects require heavy equipment to execute
many of the activities.
 In the case of huge construction projects; proper use of the
appropriate equipment contributes to economy, quality,
safety, speed and timely completion of a project.
 We use heavy equipments for construction of highway
projects, irrigation, buildings, power projects etc.
 15-30% of total project cost is accounted towards
equipment and machinery.

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 Introduction
• Role of Heavy Construction
Equipment
• As technology transferred construction
equipment is designed specifically to
perform certain operations
• Construction activities require different
types, sizes, and groupings of
equipment for:
 earth moving,
 excavating, and
 lifting.
• The development of heavy construction
equipment occurred in the last two
centuries

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 Introduction
• Level of Equipment use by Type of Construction

• Type of Construction –Level of Use

• Residential - Light
• Commercial - Moderate
• Industrial - Heavy
• Highway - Intense
• Specialty - Intense

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 Introduction
• From tools to Machines
• Hands and teeth were the first tools
• Simple tools were eventually created
• As tools improved the amount and speed of
construction work increased.
• Modern machines are the results of improvement.
• The development of machines is to reduce cost,
increase speed, and enhance safety.
• The availability of Cyrus McCormick’s reaper in 1831
opened a new era for the development of mechanized
equipment
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 Introduction
• From tools to Machines
• McCormick’s invention started the transition from tools to
machines
• The reaper was a mechanized land-operating unit pulled by
a horse
• The reason for development was 2 peoples could do the
job of 14 peoples with the reaper.

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Cyrus McCormick’s reaper
 Introduction
• Development of Earthmoving, Excavating,
and Lifting Machines
• William S. Otis designed the first steam-powered
single-bucket land excavator in 1835

Otis steam excavator

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 Introduction
• The Holt Manufacturing Company manufactured the
first steam-crawler tractor in 1904
• The tractor loader was manufactured in the 1920s and
included a cable-operated bucket attached to the front.
• Dirt was loaded into the bucket by propelling the
tractor into a dirt pile

Holt steam crawler Fordson tractor loader

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 Introduction
Very Old

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 Introduction
Very Old

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 Introduction

New

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 Introduction

Completely new

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Thank You!

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