20 Types of Construction Vehicles with Their Names, Pictures, and Features

When it comes to building the world around us, construction vehicles are the real MVPs to support modern infrastructure. These powerfully engineered machines turn the blueprint into buildings. 

We’ve prepared a list of 20 construction vehicle names and features, from the miniature construction vehicles to the most common ones found on job sites worldwide. Whether you’re a curious mind, an engineering student, or just want to know new facts, read this blog thoroughly to learn about the machines that make construction projects successful. 

1. Excavator

Excavators are found on every construction site-from building malls to roads. These vehicles are primarily useful for digging, lifting, and excavating soil and debris to clear out the area. Talking about the build, they are made of powerful hydraulic systems and have a bucket-like shape in front of the machine to dig up and carry the materials. 

These are the powerful features of excavators: 

• Made with a hydraulic-powered boom engine and arm at the end.
• Has a track and wheelbase for movement.
• Comes with interchangeable attachments for multiple job purposes.

Starting Price (Approximation): $42,000–$72,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Choose the one with the maximum types of attachments, like buckets, grapples, augers, and ensure its compatibility.  Look for the fuel type and efficiency of the engine.

2. Bulldozer 

Bulldozers are strong, massive machines made to push massive quantities of materials. They have steel blades mounted in the front to level the area and clear the land. Bulldozers are heavy-duty construction vehicle that works best even on rough terrains and complex building projects.

Features of bulldozers are: 

• Used for demolition and grading.
• Has a steel blade at the front for pushing heavy material.
• Built with a high-horsepower engine.
• Ripper attachments for breaking the surface. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $72,000–$145,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Choose between the blade type (S-blade, U-blade) according to your needs. Check the ripper configuration to understand the demolishing capabilities. Test the engine power and cooling mechanism.

3. Backhoe Loader

These are compact-sized and the most common construction vehicles used in making residential buildings or confined spaces. Backhoe loaders are multi-purpose; they can dig up land, carry the load, and clear out the space easily with the front-end loader and rear-mounted backhoe. 

Features of a backhoe loader: 

• Works best in tight spaces.
• Has a trunk-like shape to carry heavy loads.
• Has dual-function properties with front-end and backhoe.

Starting Price (Approximation): $30,000–$54,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  The trench should offer maximum digging capacity and loader lift height. Look for the best hydraulic system capacity. It’s best to go for the four-wheel drive option.

4. Wheel Loader

Construction sites need a lot of moving of materials, and wheel loaders do that job. These are utilized for gathering, elevating, and moving loose substances such as soil and gravel. They operate on wheels and have big bucket-like structures attached in the front.

Features of the wheel loader are:

• Has a front-mounted bucket to lift material.
• Stand on wheels for faster movement. 
• Powers multiple attachment compatibility.

Starting Price (Approximation): $60,000–$120,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check for bucket size and capacity. Test the emission standards and fuel economy for the best impact.

5. Motor Grader 

Motor graders are utilized to produce a level or sloped surface during the construction and upkeep of roads. These machines feature a lengthy adjustable blade positioned between the front and the rear axles, which can be precisely adjusted to achieve the desired surface level.

Features of the motor grader are:

• Has big adjustable blades. 
• Built with a high-precision control mechanism.
• A combination of front loader and rear ripper for multiple construction works.
• Used for road leveling and fine grading.

Starting Price (Approximation): $120,000+ Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Look for the one with advanced control and GPS systems. Cabin comfort is important. Plus, the operation booth must have all the control features.

6. Skid Steer Loader

Skid Steer Loaders are manoeuvrable, miniature construction vehicles that are highly versatile. They have built-in arms that can be interchanged according to the job’s needs, such as scraping, levelling, and lifting. In addition, these are designed with a small footprint and zero radius turning operating, making them a perfect fit for tight spaces. 

These are the features of skit steer loader:

• Miniature-sized machines with zero-radius turning.
• Multiple tools and attachments that can be interchangeable.
• Useful in small projects. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $24,000–$36,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Go for the model that offers easy maintenance features. Check for the number of attachments provided: auger, trencher, bucket. Choose the one with the best load capacity.

7. Dump Truck 

As the name suggests, these trucks are primarily used after demolition to pick soil and gravel away from the construction area. They have an open bed-like structure to store the material with the help of hydraulic rams. Dump trucks are the most common construction vehicles you will see on the site for carrying in and out building materials. 

These are the features of dump trucks:

• Heavy-duty, built to handle a massive amount of soil and debris.
• They are available in many sizes depending on the project’s capacity.
• Primarily used in excavation and demolition projects. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $48,000–$240,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Choose a dump truck with the highest payload capacity. The best one should have a bigger bed size and a powerful hydraulic tipping system.

8. Concrete Mixer Truck 

Concrete mixing is an intensive job that requires continuous mixing to avoid hardening waste. Thankfully, concrete mixer trucks were introduced to eliminate manual labor. These specialized trucks have rotating drums that blend cement, stones, and water and ensure a uniform mix. 

These are the features of concrete mixer trucks:

• Attached the pump to deliver the ready-to-use concrete. 
• Prevents the concrete from hardening with continuous rotation. 
• Works for all types of construction projects. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $84,000–$180,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check the capacity of the drum and the speed of the rotation. The ideal machine must have a water tank and a smooth discharge mechanism. Check the durability of the chassis.

9. Crane 

A crane is a big vehicle in the world of construction that moves horizontally and vertically. It has large sheaves and a wire rope attached with a hook to load up heavy material. This trunk-like structure operates via a lever and a pulley system, giving it a mechanical advantage. 

These are the features of a crane:

• Has a tall arm and boom.
• Has attached wire rope and hooks.
• The rotating base helps to move in all directions. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $90,000–$360,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check the capacity to load material. Test the speed and engine power. The operating booth must have safety systems and control types.

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10. Tower Crane 

Tower cranes are large construction vehicles primarily used for tall and high-rise buildings. The long arms are attached with a wire rope, offering excellent lifting capability in the large spaces. These were invented in 1949 to rebuild major cities in the post-war era. 

These are the features of a tower crane: 

• 360-degree rotation capability.
• A cabin to control the operations.
• Can move objects counterbalancing. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $180,000+ Things to Consider While Purchasing:  You must choose between climbing and fixed tower cranes based on the work and their features. Check for the load radius and maximum height of the boom. Easy to install and dismantle the logistics.

11. Crawler Crane

Crawler cranes are another heavy-duty construction machine differentiated from other cranes because of their crawler tracks. These are built to navigate the rough terrains where the wheels might get stuck. Consisting of expandable and retractable booms, they use hydraulic systems for lifting materials. 

Some key features of crawler cranes are:

• Has wide tracks that distribute the weight evenly.
• It has a high lifting capacity of a thousand tons of load.
• Offers smooth movement around the rough area. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $240,000+ Things to Consider While Purchasing:  The crawler base width should have a weight distribution for better movement. Check for lifting capabilities and boom types.

12. Truck-Mounted Crane

You can say that these machines are a combination of two vehicles: a truck and a crane. It can hoard material in its loading bed and even lift massive weights up in the air. Both the lifting power and road mobility make them versatile and real construction vehicles. 

Here are some key features of truck-mounted cranes: 

• An expandable trunk on the head that moves 360 degrees. 
• Quick setup and operation booth. 
• Bed-like structure to hoard heavy material. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $96,000–$180,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check for built-in hydraulic stabilizers. You must also check the axle and weight limits for maximum impact.

13. Paver 

Paver finishers are different types of vehicles in terms of build and mobility. They are primarily used to pump out asphalt, concrete, or cement on the road, in parks, or in other paved areas. Pavers lay an even layer of material on the ground and provide initial compaction, which is then followed by road rollers to smooth out the surface. 

Here are some key features of the paver machine:

• Designed with a conveyor belt for mobility.
• Has adjustable screeds that allow precision and control over the material thickness.  
• It has a minimal carbon footprint, contributing to eco-friendly practices.  

Starting Price (Approximation): $72,000–$145,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Test the fuel efficiency and noise levels. You must prioritize movement type: track or wheeled.

14. Road Roller 

Road rollers are vital construction vehicles that have double drum rollers used for compacting soil and other heavy material, making sure the surface area has a smooth and uniform finish. 

Its main applications are: road construction, pothole repairing, and asphalt maintenance. Its vibratory rollers effectively shake the particles together for denser packing and leveling of the surface. 

These are key features of road rollers: 

• They have adjustable scrapers to prevent material buildup. 
• Has a control booth for efficient operations.
• Attach the water tank and sprinklers to lubricate the material while rolling. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $42,000–$60,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Consider the type of road roller you prefer: single drum, double drum, or pneumatic. Check the water tank capacity of the vehicle.

15. Trencher 

Trenchers are big excavating machines used to dig and excavate trenches in the construction area. They basically work best for laying pipelines, cables, and sewer systems. The powered engine enables them to penetrate and break through the ground, while the conveyor systems help to transport the excavated materials away. 

Some key features of trenchers are:

• The modern types: wheel trenchers, chain trenchers, and micro trenchers have a GPS guidance system to remove transit errors.
• Has attached chain and wheel cutting tools.
• The portable trenchers can be used for utility installations. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $60,000–$180,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Evaluate the depth and length of the trench. Look for maximum attachment options.

16. Forklift

Forklifts are one of the most common types of construction vehicles found in all types of building areas, including warehouses. They are compact, highly maneuverable, and tough enough to lift bricks or steel pallets from one place to another.  Forklifts come with multiple fuel systems and lifting capabilities, which makes them perfect for both indoor and outdoor projects. 

These are the key features of these construction vehicles and their  names:

• They are available in electric and fuel-powered engine variants.
• Have hydraulic systems to lift tons of weights.
• Designed in a counterbalanced way to ensure stability.  

Starting Price (Approximation): $18,000–$48,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Measure the lift height and aisle width compatibility. Check the load capacity of the vehicles.

17. Telehandler

This one’s a versatile machine that merges the functionalities of a crane and a forklift. Featuring a telescopic boom arm used for lifting and positioning of material at height, telehandlers can work even on rough terrains. The expandable boom arm comes with various attachments like hooks, wires, and a bucket, which can be interchanged depending on the construction task. 

The features of telehandler machines are: 

• Expandable and contractable boom arm.
• Has various attachment abilities with a fork, bucket, or lifting hook.
• Offers greater reach and height compared to other forklift machines. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $48,000–$145,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Measure the boom reach of every model and the angular movements. The ideal machine should have these attachments: bucket, hook, or forks.

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18. Scraper 

Scrapers are a specialized type of construction vehicle designed for earthmoving. They have the power to cut, gather, and transport massive amounts of soil and debris. The front blade of the machine can cut the soil, and the bowl-like structure then collects and places the material in the designated area. Scrapers are huge, and a single machine can handle levelling the large area alone. 

These are the key features of scrapers: 

• Attached blade in front for cutting and a bowl at the back for loading material. 
• Moves a big chunk swiftly in one pass.
• Self-loading and unloading mechanism, reducing manual supervision. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $120,000+ Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check if the engine is self-loading vs. towed. The push and pull compatibility of the dozer needs to be measured.

19. Pile Driver 

Pile drivers are essential in construction endeavors that require attention to building the foundation. The hammering system of the machine allows it to penetrate deeper and drive deep into foundational layers and place piles into the earth. Pile drivers are of chief use when building bridges or offshore platforms on unstable soil. 

These are the key features of the pile drivers:

• They have a vibratory driver and a heavy hammer to break the surface.
• Works best against steel, concrete, or timber piles.
• It has a diesel engine and a hydraulic movement system. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $180,000+ Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check for the pile type: steel, concrete, timber. Evaluate the stroke rate and energy output You need to check the ground conditions and accessibility.

20. Hydraulic Hammer 

Hydraulic hammers or breakers are robust demolition machines with attached excavators. The hydraulic power engine supplies energy to break and penetrate concrete and rocks smoothly. The contractors or engineers generally use the machine at sites like mining and roadwork, where manual labor can be dangerous. 

These are the features of these big construction vehicles:

• Long boom arms are controlled via an operating panel.
• Hydraulic pressure pumps generate powerful downward strokes.
• Adjustable speed to match the requirements of the task and optimize efficiency. 

Starting Price (Approximation): $60,000–$120,000 Things to Consider While Purchasing:  Check for impact energy and blow rate. You must evaluate the durability of the chisel. Test the excavator’s hydraulic power.

Wrapping Up!

There are different types of construction vehicles behind the high-rise and glimmering buildings that define modern skylines. From digging the ground to collecting dirt and dragging concrete, every construction vehicle plays a crucial role in building infrastructure. 

Thanks to the engineering world, these machines can reduce danger and hours of manual labor, ensuring a safe working area. We have discussed the most common construction vehicles, names, and pictures in this blog. Hopefully, it has imparted valuable insights to you!

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