Bulldozer – Types, Applications, and Output Calculation

A bulldozer is a tractor unit with a blade attached to its front. The blade is used to push, shear, cut, and roll material ahead of the tractor. Each model of bulldozer has an operating range for blade size and adjustment. It is an ideal earthmoving machine that performs best at about 5 kph.

This increases the transfer of power to the ground. Bulldozer’s tracks and low center of gravity provide traction and stability on slopes and uneven surfaces. These attachments enable the dozer to perform various tasks in different work conditions. There are also a variety of blades and other appendages available for use with a dozer.

Choosing the right machine for the site terrain is extremely important. Therefore, one must ponder over the available options keeping in view the site conditions before opting for the equipment.

A crawler bulldozer also called as track bulldozer is apt for jobs that require high tractive effort. This heavyweight is great for moving heavy substances from one area to another.

This bulldozer is ideal for traversing dense and irregular terrain since the tracks give it great traction. Larger crawlers have rippers that help with crushing and clearing dense terrain.

This machine is sometimes referred to as a tire bulldozer and is normally larger than a crawler bulldozer. Most wheel dozers are equipped with torque converters and power-shift transmissions, some are direct drive.

A wheel dozer is more maneuverable than a crawler since its tires offer better overall handling. This machine is also ideal to use for soft or sensitive ground since the tires are gentler than tracks. It also has completely articulated hydraulic steering and moves on a smaller axis.

This smaller bulldozer is also known as a compact bulldozer. A mini dozer is great for projects that need more maneuverability and versatility than larger machinery.

Due to its small size, a compact bulldozer can perform well in different types of projects that need tasks like grading and clearing lots.

Hybrid bulldozers are advanced equipment that makes use of electronic components and are equipped with a combination of blades that can work in waterlogged and very hard conditions simultaneously.

Today, we have bulldozers that can work even in swampy and muddy conditions. We have customized blades too that can be mounted over any type of vehicle like a tractor, all-terrain vehicles, and skid steers.

Output of dozer in volume/hrs = loose volume handled / trip x S x 60/t x efficiency

Where, S = Swell factor t = Cycle time needed per trip in minutes

For U shaped blades, blade height = blade depth

Loose volume handled per trip = blade width x blade height 2 x blade factor

Cycle time in minutes = D/F + D/R + G

D = Haul distance in meter F = Forward speed in m/min R = Reverse speed in m/min G = Gear shifting time in minutes

Output of Bulldozer = 25.3 x drawbar in Horse power / Distance in meters

Also Read: What is Operating Cost of an machinery? Also Read: construction machinery – When to Buy, Rent or Lease?