What is a bulldozer and what is its function on a construction site? 

The bulldozer is an indispensable part of every construction site's landscape. Otherwise known as a bulldozer or bulldozer, it has been given a unique task when carrying out construction work. 
It is primarily used to clear the area prepared for construction work using a blade. It is a front-mounted special piece of equipment that allows it to push over short distances, sometimes even a few metres, unnecessary debris that may interfere with the planned work activities. From the first layer of soil to any material that needs to be removed. This can be all sorts of stones, tree remnants, small bushes or even embankments created much earlier. 

bulldozers on site

Bulldozers can also be used for jobs such as clearing trees. 

With their help, it is also possible to create quite high heaps and even carry a certain amount of material both needed for construction and the opposite.  

The use of the dozer, however, depends on which attachment is used with it - whether loading or dozing. The advantage of such attachments for this machine is that it can be fitted and used with other machines such as rollers and even bucket excavators. 

Construction and types of bulldozers 

These vehicles are built from two main components which include the tractor, which is the entire body of the machine, and the attachments, which include the blade (shovel) and the suspension system packaged with the controls.  

However, bulldozers can differ in construction. The difference is almost immediately noticeable. Some run on tracks, known as crawlers, and those that move with the help of wheels, the so-called wheeled ones having either a rigid or articulated frame. 

It is a different story when it comes to the breakdown of excavators taking into account the different types of blade: 

  • if the front element is positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel, then we are dealing with a front dozer, 
  • when the blade is fixed perpendicularly, such dozers are called laterally tilted, 
  • Those with additional side walls mounted on the blade were given the name segmented dozers, 
  • having the dozer in front of us with the shovel mounted in a horizontal position, we are talking about front-sloping, 
  • dozers that are equipped with grubbers, a longitudinal auger with a supplementary control system or a vibrating or pulsating unit are referred to as special dozers, 
  • those whose blades are fixed sideways to the movement of the vehicle, which allows for lateral movement of unnecessary elements on the construction site, 
  • The last are the universal ones, as they have the possibility of installing the blade in practically every conceivable way: diagonally, end-to-end and sloping. 
bulldozer operator on the machine

It is worth noting here that there is also a division of bulldozers by the type of shovel control. There are two of these: hydraulic and mechanical. They also have different engine powers: from 100 kW (class III) to 220 kW (class II) and above 220 kW (class I).  

What is the main reason for the rise of bulldozers? 

Above all, they were created to make it easier for people to work on site. It used to take much longer and be more dangerous to clear a site. 

However, there is no denying it, the most important task for dozers is to move and dispose of dirt, as well as sizable deposits of soil.  

Bulldozers are also indispensable during road construction work. Before the asphalt or the first layer of pavement is poured, the dozer operator cleans and prepares the area so that there is no dirt on it, and after everything necessary for the road construction has been poured, the dozer is used to smooth the surface. In this way, the road element will be more stable and safer. Besides, this machine will do it far better than a human being. And, above all, faster. 

dozer at work

Because these machines can vary in size and construction, they are downright multifunctional, indispensable helpers. They can even be found in mines. This is when we come into contact with mine dozers. 

This is why bulldozers are such an essential support on construction sites and beyond. They have a unique combination of strength and precision that no other machine can match. Resembling armoured monsters on tracks or wheels, they are found wherever construction work takes place. 

Questions and answers

What is a bulldozer used for?

The bulldozer is primarily used to clear land prepared for construction work with the help of a blade.

What are bulldozers made of?

Bulldozers are built from two main components which include the tractor, which is the entire body of the machine, and the attachments, which include the blade (shovel) and the suspension system packaged with the controls.

Is a bulldozer also a bulldozer?

Yes. It's a special bulldozer that pushes what it has in front of it or off to the side with the help of a blade adapted for this activity.

Are bulldozers different from each other?

Yes. Some move on tracks called crawlers and those that move with the help of wheels, the so-called wheeled ones have a frame that is either rigid or articulated.