Heavy Construction Equipment Tier List

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a tier list of heavy construction equipment, with participants sharing their perspectives on various machines, their capabilities, and some historical context regarding trench warfare. The scope includes technical specifications, practical applications, and some humorous commentary on the equipment's uses.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe the Fruehauf Super Dump's load-bearing capabilities and its design for high payload efficiency.
  • The Liebherr A314 Litronic Excavator is noted for its medium size and powerful engine, making it effective for digging tasks.
  • The Barber-Greene Trencher is highlighted for its versatility in trench digging, with a participant humorously referencing its potential use in trench warfare.
  • Participants discuss the Komatsu Bulldozer's performance and specifications, emphasizing its capacity and technological advancements.
  • The Fiskars Long-Handle Round-Point Steel Digging Shovel is mentioned for its design and utility in moving bulk materials, with some light-hearted commentary on its alternative uses.
  • The Bobcat S650 Skid Steer Loader is described as efficient for various operations, with a focus on its unique pivot point design.
  • The Unimog Backhoe Loader is presented as a versatile machine for construction and demolition, with details on its capabilities and attachments.
  • Some participants question the relevance of trench warfare in modern contexts, discussing the impact of air superiority on its effectiveness.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the design of shovels used in trench digging and their potential for combat scenarios.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relevance and effectiveness of trench warfare in contemporary military strategy, with some agreeing that digging equipment remains important while others question the term's applicability. The discussion does not reach a consensus on these points.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and opinions rather than established facts, and there are unresolved questions regarding the historical context of trench warfare and its modern implications.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in heavy construction equipment, military engineering, and the historical context of construction tools in warfare may find this discussion relevant.

ergospherical
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7. Fruehauf Super Dump

The super dump has a load-bearing axle rated at as high as 13,000 pounds. The large distance between the first and last axles is in fact the maximum allowed under the federal bridge formula. Developed by Strong Industries, the super dump is renowned for its high payload rating and return on investment.

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6. Liebherr A314 Litronic Excavator

The Liebherr A314 is a medium sized machine with a bucket capacity of 0.5 cubic metres. It's Deutz engine can provide up to 120 horse power, making it a formidable digging machine.

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5. Barber-Greene Trencher

The Barber-Greene trencher is used to dig trenches, for laying pipes and electrical cables, installing drainage or preparing for trench warfare. This particular model is a wheel trencher, composed of a toothed metal wheel which can operate in hard or soft, heterogenous or homgenous, soils.

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4. Komatsu Bulldozer

Ranging from 8 to 108 tonnes, Komatsu bulldozers employ the latest in bulldozer technology to give great performance over the entire working cycle. A commendable blade size of 3.2 x 0.84 square metres coupled with a blade capacity of 1.91 - 2.13 cubic metres enable the Komatsu to effortlessly shift material.

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3. Fiskars Long-Handle Round-Point Steel Digging Shovel

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The Fiskars digging shovel has a strong hardwood handle with a rubber cushion grip and a 16-gauge steel blade. This particular shovel was designed for digging holes, and its size #2 head and sturdy build makes it an optimal tool for moving bulk materials such as soil, coal, gravel, snow, sand or ore.

2. Bobcat S650 Skid Steer Loader

Unlike a conventional front loader, the pivot points in the Bobcat are behind the driver. Equipped with a standard turbocharged engine, this machine is capable of carrying out several digging and grading operations, as well as being highly efficient in pushing material from one location to another, carrying material in the bucket and loading material into a truck or trailer.

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1. Unimog Backhoe Loader

The Unimog can be used for construction, demolitions, and digging holes. A tiltrotator can be fitted to the Unimog for enhanced articulation of attachments. The front loader is rated at .75 cubic yards, whilst the backhoe can dig up to 14' deep and has a break force of 10,000 lbs.

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ergospherical said:
3. Fiskars Long-Handle Round-Point Steel Digging Shovel
Also known as the portable leaning prop :wink: The finest in jobsite furniture
 
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I think you should revise your perception of heavy.

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ergospherical said:
The Barber-Greene trencher is used to dig trenches, for laying pipes and electrical cables, installing drainage or preparing for trench warfare.
Was pleasantly perusing your equipment list until encountering this use. Did not aircraft and armored tanks negate the effectiveness of trench warfare?

I also own and use a Fiskar shovel, though a slightly different model. The shovel could also be used for fighting though probably not in narrow trenches. :smile:
 
Klystron said:
Was pleasantly perusing your equipment list until encountering this use. Did not aircraft and armored tanks negate the effectiveness of trench warfare?

I think in your model here one side has already won the war. If your opponent has air superiority then you're screwed, but that's not an indictment on the trench. I think digging a trench around your surface to air missile system is still a great way to stop enemy troops from attacking it.

There are also plenty of examples of military conflicts where neither side has access to serious air power.
 
Really not sure what the point of this thread is but I thought I'd throw out a pointless pic I took today changing oil on a IH TD-20 dozer. My view for just a bit.

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Klystron said:
The shovel could also be used for fighting though probably not in narrow trenches.
Trench relevant shovels are a bit different, you know... Short handle, flat blade, sometimes with honed edges on the side...
Really nasty stuff 😨

Regarding the trenches: they are still there, just got negative size :wink:
 
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Office_Shredder said:
I think in your model here one side has already won the war. If your opponent has air superiority then you're screwed, but that's not an indictment on the trench. I think digging a trench around your surface to air missile system is still a great way to stop enemy troops from attacking it.

There are also plenty of examples of military conflicts where neither side has access to serious air power.
Sorry, I was being facetious as indicated by the smile emoji, not modelling anything. I am sure digging equipment remains an important component of combat engineering; just surprised by the old term "trench warfare".