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UNIT 7

PLANT EQUIPMENT

OBJECTIVES

General objective:To know the types and functions of each plant equipment
employed in the construction industry.

Specific objectives: At the end of this unit you should be able to:
 define plant equipment in construction
 state the types of plant equipment which are used in construction
 describe the functions of the following:-
a) foundation site preparation plant equipment
b) moving excavating machine
c) water pump
d) piling crane
 explain the types of plant transportation and plant equipment.
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INPUT 7

7.1 Introduction

Man as the builder has sought to develop mechanical devices to facilitate his work in
adapting the earth to serve the needs and desires of mankind. From the crude construction
equipment utilized by ancient people has envolved the modern construction equipment
used in buildings today, highways, airports, utility systems, factories, stores and housing.
The movement of materials around and between building sites can be very time-
consuming and non-productive; therefore wherever economically possible most
contractors will use some form of mechanical transportation.

7.2 Definition of plant equipment

Plant equipment is a heavy machine which is used in any construction. The choice of
system in transporting material from the loading point depends on many factors such as:-
a) Site conditions
b) Volume of material
c) Type of material
d) Time available
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TYPES
TYPES OF
OF PLANT
PLANT EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT

Foundation’s
Foundation’s site
site
preparation Water
Water pump
pump
preparation
equipment
equipment

Moving
Moving excavator
excavator Piling
Piling crane
crane

Diagram 7.1: Types of plant equipment

7.3 Types of plant equipment

7.3.1 Foundation site preparation’s plant equipment (Excavator)

There are many types of plant equipment which are normally used to excavate at
the site such as excavating holes, drains etc. There are many types of excavators.
Some of the popular excavators are the back hoe, dragline and general excavators.

Back hoe is normally used for digging trenches. The general excavator is a plant
which is normally used to dig and load. The size of the general excavator is
smaller than the back hoe. Their tyres are made of rubber. It is also very effective
for average or small construction industries.

Two examples of excavators are is a excavator plant (figure 7.1) and backhoe
(figure 7.2)
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Figure 7.1:Excavator
(Souce:Fig 7.1;Vallings, H.G. (1975), Mechanization in Building (Second
Edition), Applied Science Publishers LTD

Figure 7.2: Backhoe/loader

(Souce:Fig 7.2;Vallings, H.G. (1975), Mechanization in Building (Second Edition),
Applied Science Publishers LTD
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7.3.2 Pump and dewatering plant equipment

When selecting pumps for sites, the use of pumps must be considered as the
following operations may be involved:-
a) keeping the foundation, pits, etc free from water
b) lowering of the water table below the level of excavation
c) pumping out cofferdams or other large quantities of water
d) supplying water for general purposes
e) supplying water for jetting and sluicing

Pumps for general uses can be grouped as follows:-

a) Centrifugal – normal, self-priming, air-operated
b) Displacement – reciprocating, diaphragm
c) Submersible
d) Air-lift

7.3.3 Pile-Driving Plant

When selecting plants equipment for piling, consideration must be given to:-
a) the type of sub-soil
b) surface conditions, eg slope of site
c) surface drainage, eg waterlogged conditions
d) obstructions, eg old basements, existing services
The most common types of load dropping tools used in conjunction with the
crane-shovel are the skull crackers and the pile drivers. The skull cracker is a
heavy weight equipment that is hoisted by the crane and then it is swung or
allowed to drop free to perform like a huge sledge hammer.
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The simplest form of pile driver is a drop hammer which uses a similar action as
a skill crater to drive piles. The pile driver’s attachment utilizes the crane boom
plus adapter plates, leads, catwalk, hammer, a pile cap, and necessary wire rope
as illustrated in figure 1.3. Figure 1.4 also show the example of pile driving
plant (hydraulic power vibratory driver)

The leads serve as guides for the drop hammer as it is raised and dropped as
well as to assist in aligning the pile during driving. The leads are attached to the
foot of the boom by braces. They are called catwalks. To reduce energy losses,
the hammer is used. It made up of two parts: a head and a drop weight. The
head is attached to the end of the hoist line and fastened to drop weights for
hoisting up the weight. The pile cap is used to protect the end of the pile from
damage by the hammer during driving.

Figure 7.3: Pile driver attachment

(Souce:Fig 7.3; Harris, F. (1989), Modern Construction Equipment and
Methods, London; Longman
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Figure 7.4: Hydraulic powered vibratory driver

(Souce:Fig 7.4; Holmes, R. (1995), Introduction To Civil Engineering Construction,
University of the West of England, Bristol.

7.3.4 Transporting Plant Equipment

7.3.4.1 Dumper

These plants equipment are the most versatile, labour-saving and misused
pieces available to the builder for the horizontal movement of materials
ranging from bricks to aggregates, sanitary fittings to scaffolding and
fluids such as wet concrete.

These diesel-powered vehicles require only an operative and a driver.

They can transverse the rough terrain encountered on many building sites.
Actually, many sizes and varieties are produced, giving options such as:
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i) two or four wheel drive

hydraulic or gravity operated container
iii) side or high level discharge
iv) self loading facilities
v) specially equipped dumpers for collecting and transporting crane
skips.

Specification for dumpers is usually given by quoting the container’s

capacity in litres for heaped, struck and water levels such as shown in
figure 7.5.
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Figure 7.5: Standard type dumper and diesel dumper

(Souce:Fig 7.5;Chudley, R. (1985), Building Site Work, Substructure
and Plant, London and New York.
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7.3.4.2 Tractors
a) Crawler Tractors

One of the earliest pieces of selfpowered earthmoving equipment. These

types of tractors have excellent all-terrain versatility because of its low
ground bearing pressure and excellent traction. Crawler tractors can
operate on side slopes up to a gradient 100%.

The track used on crawler tractors consist of linked shoes of heat-treated

steel designed to resist wear. The track runs on rollers mounted on the
track roller frame. Since track rollers are lubricated and protected by
seals to keep out water and abrasives, crawler tractors may operate in
water as deep as the height of the track. If it is properly waterproofed, a
tractor may be operated for short periods of time in even deeper water.

Figure 7.6: Tractor

(Souce:Fig 7.6;Vallings, H.G (1975). Mechanization in Building
(second Edition), Applied Science Publishers LTD
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Figure 7.7: Crawler tractor dozer

(Souce:Fig 7.7;Vallings, H.G (1975). Mechanization in Building
(second Edition), Applied Science Publishers LTD

b) Wheel Tractors

Wheel tractors were developed to yield higher speeds in towing scrapers,

wagons and other similar equipment. They are available in both 2-wheel
and 4-wheel models. Two-wheel models must be operated with specially
designed matching components (scrapers) in order to maintain their
balance. Four-wheel tractors are available in either 2-wheel or 4-wheel
drive models and may be used with any type of equipment.

Wheel tractors may be equipped with dozer blades or any of the other
attachments previously mentioned for crawler tractors. However, the
wheel tractor’s ability to perform dozing is limited by its traction and
comparatively high ground pressure (typically 25 to 35 psi).
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In addition to possessing high travel speeds, wheel tractors may operate on

paved roads without damaging the surface. Another advantage of the
wheel tractor is its ability (because of its high pressure) to assist in
compacting soils. Figure 1.7 shows one type of wheel tractor (rubber tired
dozer).

Figure 7.8: Rubber tired dozer

(Souce:Fig 7.8;Vallings, H.G (1975). Mechanization in
Building (second Edition), Applied Science Publishers LTD

7.3.4.3 Cranes and hoist

1) Crane

A crane may be defined as a device or machine for lifting loads by means

of a rope. The use of cranes has greatly increased in the construction
industry due mainly to the need to raise large and heavy prefabrication
components often used in modern structure.When selecting
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the type of crane, the following factors should be considered.

a) access – type of ground over which the crane may travel
b) radius of swing
c) amount of lateral movement
d) whether ‘luffing’ will be required
e) type of plant equipment is being used in conjunction with craneage,
eg in concrete plant

The range of cranes available is very wide and therefore actual choice
must be made on a basis of sound reasoning, overall economics,
capabilities of cranes under consideration, prevailing site condition and the
anticipated utilization of the equipment.

A crane is fastened to a specially reinforced scaffold standard,

incorporated within the general scaffold framework, with extra bracing to
overcome the additional stresses when necessary. The usual maximum
lifting capacity of this form of crane is 200 kg.

Cranes can be divided into three types; mobile cranes, derrick cranes and
tower cranes.

a) Mobile cranes

Mobile is applied to many types of crane that travel under their own power
such as self-propelled wheel or crawler mounted cranes, truck mounted
cranes but it excludes tower cranes. Some of the smallest models used in
building are those that have power operated hoisting and slewing but
hand-operated derricking. These are mounted on four small pneumatic-
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tyred wheel, two of which are power driven, giving mobility on hard,
near-level, and surface. This type of crane can also be fitted with a vertical
tubular mast that supports a short fixed jib.

This crane is suitable for lifting loads onto scaffolds platforms, or to the
edge of a building. It has been used for placing lightweight façade panels
in position and also for placing roof trusses or light steel framework,
working from the ground floor slabwithin a building. In most mobile
cranes all motions are power driven. A vast range of sizes exists, capable
of lifting up to 200 tonnes or more. A model is usually classified by the
maximum load it is capability throughout the range of radius and hook
height.

b) Derrick cranes

In the guyed derrick, a vertical mast is supported by at least three guy

ropes anchored to the ground. The jib is pivioted near the base of the mast
and supported by a luffing rope. The mast rotates to provide the slewing
action and if the jib is shorter than the mast, full circle slewing is possible.
Although this is a cheap form of crane in relation to its lifting capacity, the
guy ropes occupy a great deal of space which may be inconvenient, or
imposible to find on many building sites.

A difficulty in using this type of crane outside a building is that it occupies

a great deal of space on the ground. It can, however, be mounted on rails
to give greater coverage, or it may be erected on towers to increase the
effective reach of the job over a building, as well as to increase the hook
height.
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c) Tower cranes

Tower crane is normally used because the main advantage is that the jib is
supported at the top of a tall vertical tower. If the type of crane with a jib
pivioted close to the ground is used, the jib has to be prevented from
fouling nearby walls or scaffolding by elevating the jib, or by standing off
at some distance from the structure, or by both these means, with the result
that the effective reach over the building is reduced and the higher the
building, the more pronounced is this effect.

But with a tower crane, because the entire jib clears the building, the crane
can stand in close and the effective reach of the jib is much greater. To
give complete coverage for the working area from one side of a building,
it is often found that the tower type is the cheapest form of crane,
particularly for tall structures. Tower cranes can have a luffing jib, or a
fixed horizontal jib with a traversing trolley, commonly known as a saddle
jib, for varying the working radius.

2) Hoist

Hoist is a means of transporting material or passengers vertically by

means of a moving level platform. Recent designs have been orientated
towards the combined materials/passenger hoist.

Materials hoists come in basically two forms, namely the static and mobile
models. The static version consists of a mast or tower with the lift
platform, either cantilevered from the small section mast or centrally
suspended with guides on either side, within an enclosing tower. Mobile
hoists should be positioned on a firm level base and jacked to ensure
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stability. The operation of a materials hoist should be entrusted to a trained

driver who has a clear view from the operating position. Figure 1.8 shows
a type of crane namely wheel mounted crane. Figure 1.9 also shows the
type of host namely mobile host and figure 1.10 is a material/passenger
host.

Figure 7.9: Wheel mounted crane

(Souce:Fig 7.9; Holmes, R. (1995), Introduction To Civil Engineering Construction,
University of the West of England, Bristol.

Figure 7.10: Mobile host

(Souce:Fig 7.10; Holmes, R. (1995), Introduction To Civil Engineering Construction,
University of the West of England, Bristol.
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Figure 7.11: Material/passenger hoist

(Souce:Fig 7.11; Holmes, R. (1995), Introduction To Civil Engineering Construction,
University of the West of England, Bristol.

7.3.4.4 Lorries

Transportation to sites of man, machines and materials is usually carried

out by using suitably equipped Lorries. Most lorries are designed and
developed for building contractors’s use and are powered by diesel. Using
diesel is more economical as compare to the petrol engine.

The vast range of lorries produced by leading motor car manufacturers are
now available with refinements such as tipping, tailhoist and self-loading
facilities using hydraulic lifting gears.
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Figure 7.12: Lorries

(Souce:Fig 7.12; Holmes, R. (1995), Introduction To Civil Engineering Construction,
University of the West of England, Bristol.
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Please test your comprehension by answering the questios below before you
continue with the next unit. You can check the answers based on the feedback given
on the next page.

1.1 Define plant equipment.

1.2 List down the types of plant equipment used in the construction industry.
a)

b)

c)

d)

1.3 List down the different types of pumps.

a)

b)

c)

d)
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1.4 What are the considerations when you select plant equipment for piling ?
a)

b)

c)

d)

1.5 List down the types of transporting plant equipment which are used in the
construction industry.
a)

b)

c)

d)

1.6 Considerations in selecting cranes and hoists are:

a)

b)

c)

d)
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You can go to the next unit if you can answer all the questions.

1.1 Plant equipment are heavy machines which are used in any construction. An
equipment should be selected based on the site conditions,volume of material,type
of material and time available.

1.2 Types of plant equipment used in the construction industry.

a) Foundation’s site preparation plant equipment.
b) Pump and dewatering plant equipment
c) Pile driving plant equipment
d) Transporting plant equipment

1.3 Types of pumps

a) Centrifugal
b) Displacement
c) Submersible
d) Air-lift
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1.4 Considerations in selecting plant equipment for piling

a) Type of sub-soil
b) Surface conditions, eg slope of site
c) Surface drainage, eg waterlogged conditions
d) Obstructions, eg old basements, existing services

1.5 Types of transporting plant equipment.

a) Dumpers
b) Tractors
c) Cranes and hoists
d) Lorries and truck

1.6 Considerations in selecting cranes and hoists

a) Access – type of ground over which the crane may travel
b) Radius of swing
c) Amount of leteral movement
d) Whether ‘luffing’ will be required
e) Type of plant being used in conjunction with craneage, eg concreating
plant

CONGRATULATION
S
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You are approaching success. Try all the questions in this Self-Assessment section and
check your answers with those given in the feedback on self-assessment on the the
next page. If you face any problems, discuss it with your lecturer. Good luck.

QUESTION 1

Explain pile’s driver attachment. Sketch the diagram.

QUESTION 2

An excavator is the most important plant equipment which is normally used in

foundation’s site preparation work. Explain the types of excavators and draw the tracked
loader shover.

QUESTION 3

Explain the following:

a) material and
b) mobile hoist.
Sketch the diagrams for both hoists.
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ANSWER 1

The pile driver’s attachment consist of the crane boom plus adapter plates, leads,
catwalk, hammer, a pile cap, and necessary wire or rope as illustrated in figure
The leads serve as guides for the drop hammer as it is raised and dropped as well as to
assist in aligning the pile during driving. The leads are attached to the foot of the boom
by braces. They called catwalks. To reduce energy losses, the hammer is used it made up
of two parts: a head and a drop weight. The head is attached to the end of the hoist line
and fastened to drop weights for hoisting up the weight. The pile cap is used to protect
the end of the pile from damage by the hammer during driving.
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ANSWER

Back hoe, dragline and general excavators.Back hoe is normally used for digging
trenches. The general excavator is a plant equipment which is normally used to dig and
load. The size of the general excavator is smaller than the back hoe. Their tyres are made
from rubber. It’s also very effective for average or small construction industries.

Tracked loader shover

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ANSWER 3

Materials hoists come in basically two forms, namely the static and mobile models. The
static version consists of a mast or tower with the lift platform, either cantilevered from
the small section mast or centrally suspended with guides on either side, within an
enclosing tower.

Material/passenger hoist

Mobile hoists should be positioned on a firm level base and jacked to ensure stability.
The operation of a material hoist should be entrusted to a trained driver who has a clear
view from the operating position.
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Mobile host

CONGRATULATIONS
YOU HAVE DONE
WELL!!!!!!!

YOU CAN GO ON TO THE NEXT UNIT