Purpose Of Using Graders At The Construction And Mining Sites
Graders or Motor Graders as they are usually referred to as are heavy duty robust construction equipment used for creating a flat surface for the grading process. At the focus of this machine is the blade positioned between the front of the grader and the axle. A typical motor grader specimen consists of 3 axles, the engine, cab and the blade. Graders are generally used for various grains purposes from a rough grading to a fine finish and everything in between. For rough grading, the motor grader can be used as an alternative to scrapers and bull dozers in addition to a few attachments as well. In road construction, the motor graders are used to achieve a fine grade and compaction before laying the asphalt for paved roads.
Motor Rigid Frame motor graders are available in two variants and can be used for different purposes on various sites. One being the rigid frame motor grader: These usually have a single axle and are incapable of moving either left or right amount a point on the axle. This type of graders were popular in the 1980’s and 90’s. the second being the articulated frame motor graders: These usually have both a front and rear axle. The blade is usually located somewhere between the two axles. The articulated frame graders are usually in small places where there is very less space to move and turn about in. Most machines manufactured and used these days are articulated frame graders.
When it comes to articulated motor graders there are basically two types of graders base on the joints. One with the articulation joint in the front of the cab and the other with the articulation joint behind the cab. The grader with the articulation joint behind the cabs provides much better visibility and a clearer view of the mouldboard.
Irrespective of the size of the machine, the general assembly remains the same while the power of the the engine and size of the blade changes with the the size of the machine. Motor graders have heavy use in the road construction industry to create dirt roads and gravel roads in addition to creating a good flat foundation for larger paved roads as well. During construction of paved roads, these robust machines are used to create base surface on which to place the road surface. Native soil foundations pads for setting the roads are set by motor graders. The blade is usually mounted between the front tyres and the axle at the back. The use of the machine rotates around the blade and using it with precision to get the job done. The motor grader if used properly can uplift the quality of the job at hand to the next level if not higher.
We maintained and connected roads play a major role in keeping the mining site profitable and have it working efficiently. Long haul roads in and out of the mine are continuously changing and need regular maintenance. Given the frequent use of the roads across the rough terrain around mines, the roads tend to degrade and deform at a very fast pace. Deformed, degraded roads not only reduce the productivity and efficiency of roads but also add to the expense by damaging the dump trucks that other material handling equipment that keep running in and out of the mines on a daily basis. Bad road conditions add to the wear and tear of the machines being used on the sites there by increasing the costs of operation.
High quality roads help increase the over all productivity at mining sites by minimising deals and slow downs as the haul trucks navigate through the ruts, depressions, potholes or bums on the site. The life span of the haul trucks increases significantly from being used on quality roads. The smaller and frequent wear and tear repairs are also reduced if roads are well maintained. Additionally, quality roads at mining sites help save on the fuel costs that generally run high due to the unmaintained roads. Bad condition of roads add to the risk and incidents of accidents. Good roads are required to ensure that that the equipment and personnel on the site are always safe. Additionally the road it selves require less repair and and maintenance if they are constructed well.
Drills, draglines, loaders and haul trucks are responsible for producing and transporting ore.Several other types of other equipment support the operation of these vehicles.While wheel loaders can be used to maintain haul roads, and tractors with drag boxes can be used to maintain and repair haul roads, a motor grader can do the job more efficiently and cost effectively than these machines.Using a motor grader to construct and maintain haul roads ensures that road surfaces remain flat and smooth with proper drainage, and that these roads are kept free of debris, puddles, potholes, depressions and ruts. Quality roads make it easier to keep work going even in unpredictable climatic conditions like rains and storms too.
When it comes to any kind of construction site, roads are the necessary life line to keep the movement of men, machines and material flowing smoothly to keep the site running efficiently. Motor graders play a major role in quality construction of these roads in and out of the site. Bad roads lead to delays in movement of necessary material thereby interrupting work beyond permitted timelines there by increasing the costs of the projects. Similar to mining sites, if the roads within and around the site arent well maintained and constructed, it may increase the risk of accidents and the danger to the life of the labor on the site while also risking damage to expensive machinery.
When it comes to use of graders on a construction site, they can be summed up as below:
- Trenching, digging trenches for laying pipelines, electric cables and installing drainage systems.
- Spreading of soil and aggregates etc
- Curing of bank canals.
- Ditching, creating ditches for drainage.
- Mixing of two or more materials on the site
- Moving earth from one place to another on the site
- Scarifying, removal of the complete layer of soil and then spreading a new layer at that particular location
- Levelling of soil so that the next bitumen layer spreads uniformly throughout the surface.
- Motor graders can do rough grading that would other wise be reserved for a bull dozer.
- In colder climates, motor graders are used for removing accumulated snow. Due to the normal wheels of the grader, it is better suited for places experiencing above average snow fall.
For most part roads around construction sites in rural areas are unpaved and require regular use of motor graders to ensure that the unpaved roads are maintained. Similar is the case for construction sites in rural places with a difficult terrain. Unpaved roads add to the risk and costs involved in the projects by risking loss of of life and machines in addition to making the sites more accident prone, leaving the businesses open to legal action and monetary penalty in addition to creating a bad reputation in the market.
Motor graders can be used on any site that requires rough and or fine grading for various purposes.
