What are Bulldozers? Features and Components

Bulldozer is a heavy construction machinery that is used to push larger quantities of soil, sand, snow, rubble or similar materials at the construction site. It is named as bulldozer as it consist of a dozer blade attached to it. It consist of a metal plate at its front portion to push larger quantities to the destination. A claw like device is also attached to the rear to loosen the densely compacted materials.

Figure-1: Bulldozer

Bulldozers other than in construction sites, they are used in heavy industry factories, quarries, military bases and farms. 

Features of Bulldozer

Bulldozers are powerfully tracked heavy-equipment that gives the capability to hold on to the ground efficiently and can move easily through rough terrains. Use of wide tracks for bulldozers helps to distribute the load over larger areas, which prevent it from sinking into sandy or muddy ground.

Components of Bulldozer

Figure-2. Components of Bulldozer

The primary components of a bulldozer are:

1. Blade
2. Ripper

1. Blades of a Bulldozer

The bulldozer is a heavy metal plate that is placed on the front of the tractor as shown in figure below. It is used to push heavy objects and shove sand, soil, debris and even snow. The dozer blades can either be straight or S-blade, universal or U-blade and semi-U or SU -blades.

An S-blade is straight without lateral curve and swings, which are used for fine grading. A U-blade is tall and very curved with wings to carry more material. An S-U combination blade is shorter and have curvature and small side wings, which is used to push piles of large rocks and quarry.

2. Ripper of Bulldozer

Ripper is a long claw like device that is attached to the back of the dozer. It can be placed in single ripper or group of rippers (multi-shank rippers). For heavy ripping, a single shank ripper is used.

Ripper serves the purpose of ripping the rocks and surface rock or pavement into small rubble and make it easy to handle. 

Also Read

1.Types of Building Structural Systems | Load Transmission Details

2. Working Stress Method (WSM) and Limit State Method (LSM)