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Different Types Of Machinery Needed For A New Build

8.08.22

Whether it’s an entirely new estate in the city or a dream home being created in the countryside, houses don’t just appear. They take a lot of careful planning, preparation and, of course, building. This, in turn, requires lots of specialist equipment to get the job done and to get it done to the highest possible standard.

But what equipment is needed for a new build, and what role do these different machines all play?

Well, whether you’re currently designing a new home or the planning is done, and you are almost ready to get the contractors in, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’re going to look at eleven different types of machinery that you might need for your new build project.

Let’s get started.

1. Tree shears

Although some spaces may come prepared and pretty much ready to build on, others may need to be cleared first. For wooded areas or those covered in thick overgrown shrubs, tree shears will be required to get the space ready for construction.

Tree shears can be the ideal way to clear the grounds, as this strong equipment allows users to cut, grip and then move the trees in a swift and safe manner.

2. Excavators

Excavators are an essential part of residential construction. They are used for a number of key functions, including digging footers, evening up terrain, stump extraction, general cleaning and clearing. This can be very helpful in the earlier stages of the project when it comes to preparing the ground for building on and getting the foundations right.

The good news is, there is a wide range of excavators available, including hydraulic excavators, as well as wheeled and tracked excavators. Mini excavators can also be very helpful for smaller spaces, which can be ideal in built-up urban areas.

3. Dumpers

During the clearance and preparation stage, there may be a lot of waste that you need to deal with. So, to complement your excavators and tree shears, it’s also helpful to have a dumper on site to take away any rubbish or excess materials.

This can also be particularly helpful in the early stages of the build for taking away large amounts of dirt and debris. Of course, as with all the other equipment, you need to make sure you get the right size. You need a dumper small enough to fit in the space but big enough to cope with the excess amount of materials that you’ll be producing.

4. Skid loaders

You might also want to invest in or hire a skid loader. These are incredibly versatile tools that can be used to dig, haul, lift and even dump contraction materials. This means that not only is this useful during the preparation stage, but it can also be used throughout the project for a number of extra tasks.

5. Telehandlers

Telehandlers can handle many important tasks during the construction process, but they are used for the most part for lifting, moving and transporting materials around the site. The great thing about these machines is that they can easily move over uneven construction terrains and sites.

Telehandlers can also be fitted with different attachments for different functions. For example, buckets, grapples and pallet forks. These can make the machines far more versatile, making it possible to move larger loads of materials.

6. Rollers

Every new build needs to be built on stable footings, so once the land has been prepared, it needs to be perfectly levelled out before construction begins. This is where rollers and compactors come in.

These are used to produce level and compact groundwork, landscaping and driveways. This can be used early on in the building process and then once again nearing the end of a project to level out the surrounding areas.

7. Backhoes

Backhoes are a bit of a ‘Jack of all trades’ when it comes to a construction site. These can be used for digging footers and trenches, as well as backfilling existing holes. They can also be used for loading and unloading supplies or moving earth, gravel and stone.

This makes them perfect for a whole range of functions on a new build project, from preparing the site to simply helping move materials around. These come in a range of sizes, so there is something to suit every purpose and every space.

8. Generators

There could be lots of reasons you need portable power on a building site and depending on where it is located, this could be hard to come by. A generator unit provides power and can be easily moved around the site for ultimate flexibility.

This machine can even be useful as a backup in the case of a power shortage or to provide extra lighting if you’re working in the dark.

9. Aerial lifts

As your new build begins to shape up, there might be the need to start conducting aerial work, and this needs to be done as safely and efficiently as possible. Aerial lifts come in a number of different varieties; for example, straight telescopic boom lifts can easily reach two to four stories high, making them ideal for bigger home projects.

Aerial lifts might also be used for lifting heavy loads or moving workers from floor to floor. Plus, they make height work possible and are much safer than scaffolding.

10. Cranes

Speaking of heights, cranes are perfect for picking up and carrying large items or equipment, which means they come in very handy on a building site. For example, they could be used to situate basement walls or move rafters.

The design of these machines means they can easily manoeuvre around the site and any obstacles that may be in the way, all whilst being able to hold as much as 18 tonnes (depending on the crane you choose).

11. Mixers

Finally, whether it’s cement, grout or plaster, mixers make it much quicker and easier to prepare materials for the build. Cement mixers are used in the initial construction of properties, and mortar mixers can be used to prepare materials, such as grout, stucco or plaster. These might be required later on in the project in order to make your new build liveable.