Key Takeaways:

  • Construction vehicles are heavy equipment built for digging, lifting, moving materials, and supporting construction work.
  • Each type of construction vehicle serves a specific purpose, and choosing the right mix ensures efficient project operations.
  • Safe transport of construction vehicles depends on selecting suitable trailers, securing proper permits, and planning routes.
  • Managing a construction fleet is easier with GPS tracking, fuel cards, ELD devices, and dash cams that improve control and safety.

What Are Construction Vehicles Called?

Construction vehicles are commonly called heavy equipment or construction machinery. These machines are essential on job sites because they handle tasks like digging, lifting, and moving materials.

These vehicles are built for strength and durability to perform in tough conditions. From building roads to digging foundations, they help complete projects faster and more efficiently.

Each type of construction vehicle is designed for a specific purpose. This makes it important to understand the different types of construction vehicles and how they fit into your fleet. 

Top 15 Types Of Construction Vehicles 

1. Excavators

excavators

Excavators are essential for digging and lifting heavy materials on construction sites. The long arm and bucket help handle soil, rocks, and debris with precision.

A rotating cab allows smooth operation without repositioning the machine. Excavators deliver high efficiency in both large open areas and tight spaces.

Key Features

  • Long arm with bucket
  • 360-degree cab rotation
  • Track or wheel base

Applications

  • Digging foundations
  • Removing debris
  • Large-scale landscaping

Cost

Excavators cost between $100,000 and $500,000.

Top Brands

Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi

2. Bulldozers

bulldozers

Bulldozers move large volumes of soil, sand, or rubble using a strong front blade. These machines are built for clearing land and leveling ground with speed.

High stability makes bulldozers reliable on rough or uneven surfaces. This strength is critical for site preparation and heavy earthmoving.

Key Features

  • Wide, heavy front blade
  • Durable tracks
  • Powerful engine

Applications

  • Land clearing
  • Surface grading
  • Demolition support

Cost

Bulldozers cost between $150,000 and $700,000.

Top Brands

Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere

3. Backhoe Loaders

backhoe loaders

A backhoe loader combines a front bucket and a rear digging arm in one machine. This design allows both material handling and excavation without switching equipment.

Compact size enables use in urban or restricted spaces. The dual function makes backhoe loaders highly versatile for utility work.

Key Features

  • Front loader bucket
  • Rear backhoe arm
  • Compact frame

Applications

  • Small trenching
  • Material loading
  • Utility installation

Cost

Backhoe loaders cost between $50,000 and $150,000.

Top Brands

JCB, Caterpillar, CASE

4. Skid Steer Loaders

skid steer loaders

A skid steer loader is a compact machine that moves and lifts materials on tight job sites. The lift arms work with a range of attachments to handle different tasks.

Small size allows easy maneuvering where larger machines cannot fit. Skid steer loaders are useful for site cleanup and light grading.

Key Features

  • Small, compact build
  • Quick attachment system
  • Four-wheel drive

Applications

  • Cleanup tasks
  • Small grading work
  • Material transport

Cost

Skid steer loaders cost between $30,000 and $80,000.

Top Brands

Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere

5. Wheel Loaders

wheel loaders

Wheel loaders use a large bucket to scoop and carry loose materials. Strong wheels provide good speed and mobility on large sites.

These machines handle bulk material quickly. Wheel loaders are common where fast loading or stockpiling is needed.

Key Features

  • Large front bucket
  • High lifting strength
  • Strong wheeled mobility

Applications

  • Stockpiling
  • Truck loading
  • Bulk material transport

Cost

Wheel loaders cost between $100,000 and $300,000.

Top Brands

Volvo, Caterpillar, Komatsu

6. Dump Trucks

dump trucks

Dump trucks transport loose materials across sites or off-site. The rear bed tilts to unload materials fast and safely.

Large capacity helps reduce trips and save time. Dump trucks are vital for moving debris, sand, or aggregates.

Key Features

  • Large tilting bed
  • Hydraulic lift system
  • High load capacity

Applications

  • Debris hauling
  • Aggregate transport
  • Earthmoving

Cost

Dump trucks cost between $100,000 and $250,000.

Top Brands

Kenworth, Mack, Volvo

7. Articulated Haulers

articulated haulers

An articulated hauler is designed to carry heavy loads on rough terrain. The pivot joint in the frame provides flexibility on uneven ground.

These trucks are often used in mining or large-scale earthmoving. The design allows hauling in hard-to-reach areas.

Key Features

  • Pivoting frame
  • All-wheel drive
  • High load capacity

Applications

  • Mining
  • Large earthworks
  • Off-road material transport

Cost

Articulated haulers cost between $200,000 and $600,000.

Top Brands

Volvo, Caterpillar, Bell

8. Graders

graders

Graders create flat surfaces using a long, adjustable blade. They are used to prepare sites or shape road bases.

Precise control helps achieve smooth, even layers. Graders are important for final leveling work on large projects.

Key Features

  • Long adjustable blade
  • Fine steering control
  • Stable wheelbase

Applications

  • Road base work
  • Site leveling
  • Ditch shaping

Cost

Graders cost between $150,000 and $500,000.

Top Brands

Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu

9. Scrapers

scrapers

Scrapers cut soil, collect it in a bowl, and carry it to another spot for dumping. This design speeds up large cut-and-fill operations.

Fast travel and large capacity make scrapers ideal for bulk earthmoving. These machines are key on big site prep jobs.

Key Features

  • Cutting blade
  • Large soil bowl
  • High hauling speed

Applications

  • Bulk earthmoving
  • Site grading
  • Road foundation prep

Cost

Scrapers cost between $300,000 and $900,000.

Top Brands

Caterpillar, Terex, John Deere

10. Pavers

pavers

Pavers lay asphalt or concrete in smooth, even layers. The machine spreads and levels material for roads or paved areas.

Accurate paving improves road quality and durability. Pavers are essential for highways, streets, and parking lots.

Key Features

  • Conveyor for material feed
  • Screed for leveling
  • Adjustable width

Applications

  • Road surfacing
  • Parking lot construction
  • Pathways

Cost

Pavers cost between $100,000 and $300,000.

Top Brands

Vogele, Caterpillar, Dynapac

11. Rollers

rollers

Rollers compact soil, asphalt, or gravel to create solid surfaces. A heavy drum applies pressure for strong compaction.

Compaction increases surface stability and load capacity. Rollers are used in road construction and site foundations.

Key Features

  • Steel or padfoot drum
  • Optional vibration
  • Strong weight for compaction

Applications

  • Road building
  • Foundation prep
  • Landscaping base work

Cost

Rollers cost between $50,000 and $200,000.

Top Brands

Hamm, Caterpillar, Bomag

12. Cranes

cranes

Cranes lift and move heavy materials to high or distant points. A long boom gives reach for vertical and horizontal lifts.

Construction projects use cranes for placing steel, concrete, and large parts. High lifting capacity makes them essential on big builds.

Key Features

  • Long boom
  • Strong lifting system
  • Stable base or tracks

Applications

  • High-rise construction
  • Bridge assembly
  • Heavy equipment placement

Cost

Cranes cost between $200,000 and $1,000,000.

Top Brands

Liebherr, Grove, Terex

13. Trenchers

trenchers

Trenchers dig narrow, straight trenches for pipes or cables. The cutting chain produces clean, even trench walls.

Quick trenching reduces manual labor. Trenchers are common in utility and drainage work.

Key Features

  • Narrow cutting chain
  • Adjustable digging depth
  • Wheel or track base

Applications

  • Pipe laying
  • Cable installation
  • Drainage trenching

Cost

Trenchers cost between $20,000 and $100,000.

Top Brands

Ditch Witch, Vermeer, Barreto

14. Telehandlers

telehandlers

A telehandler uses an extendable boom to lift and place loads at height. The machine combines the function of a forklift and small crane.

Rough terrain tires provide mobility on uneven ground. Telehandlers are useful for loading materials to upper levels.

Key Features

  • Extendable boom
  • All-terrain wheels
  • High lift capacity

Applications

  • Material placement at height
  • Site loading
  • Utility installation

Cost

Telehandlers cost between $70,000 and $150,000.

Top Brands

JLG, Manitou, Genie

15. Concrete Mixers

concrete mixers

Concrete mixers combine cement, water, and aggregate to produce fresh concrete. A rotating drum keeps the mix uniform until use.

Site mixing reduces delays and improves concrete quality. Concrete mixers are essential for foundation and structure work.

Key Features

  • Rotating drum
  • Rear discharge chute
  • Adjustable mixing speed

Applications

  • On-site concrete supply
  • Foundation pouring
  • Small to medium batch mixing

Cost

Concrete mixers cost between $100,000 and $200,000.

Top Brands

Mack, Mercedes-Benz, Iveco

Heavy Equipment Shipping for Construction Vehicles

Heavy equipment shipping plays a key role in keeping construction projects on track. Moving large machines like excavators, bulldozers, and cranes requires planning, care, and the right equipment.

Transporting construction vehicles safely means choosing a method that matches the size and weight of each machine. The most common options include:

  • Flatbed trailers for smaller or standard-sized vehicles that don’t exceed typical road limits.
  • Lowboy trailers for taller or heavier equipment that needs to stay low to the ground for clearance.
  • Multi-axle carriers for the largest loads where extra axles provide added support and balance.

Shipping construction equipment requires permits, secure loading, planned routes, and insurance. An experienced transport company ensures safe and timely delivery.

How to Manage Construction Vehicle Fleet with Matrack

Matrack offers a complete set of solutions for managing construction vehicles efficiently. These tools help track equipment, control costs, improve safety, and keep operations running smoothly.

Track Vehicles in Real Time

Matrack GPS fleet tracking provides live location data for every machine in the fleet. This helps prevent theft, monitor usage, and ensure equipment stays on site.

Monitor Equipment Health

Engine diagnostics and maintenance alerts help avoid costly repairs. Matrack systems make it easy to schedule service and extend the life of construction vehicles.

Control Fuel and Idle Time

Matrack fuel tracking features identify where fuel is used and wasted. A Matrack fuel card adds control over purchases and helps reduce unauthorized spending.

Manage Routes and Job Assignments

GPS tracking and route optimization support better planning for deliveries and site work. Matrack helps reduce travel time and keeps projects on schedule.

Improve Safety and Compliance

A Matrack ELD device ensures compliance with hours-of-service rules for vehicles that fall under regulations. This helps avoid penalties and improves record-keeping.

Strengthen Visibility with Fleet Dash Cams

A Matrack fleet dash cam provides video evidence in case of accidents or disputes. The footage supports safety reviews and protects the company from false claims.