By Jonathan Gardner, Construction Equipment Product Manager, Kubota Canada
As Canada’s cities grow, and urban areas become more dense, compact equipment has become an essential part of road construction thanks to its versatility, cost-efficiency and ability to access spaces heavy machinery can’t go.
With harsh winters and vicious freeze-thaw cycles fuelling the need for constant repairs and infrastructure updates, Canadian construction companies are expanding their equipment lineup to include compact equipment that allows them to navigate streets and highways more efficiently.
Accessing areas traditional equipment can’t
Urban areas present many challenges for road builders as narrow streets, crowded with utility poles, buildings and other infrastructure, make it difficult to manoeuvrer larger machines. However, mini excavators, skid steers and compact track loaders (CTLs) can easily navigate these spaces and perform precise tasks.
Mini excavators are ideal for digging small trenches and rerouting utilities like sewage or electrical lines in urban environments. And both skid steers and CTLs are perfect for moving materials around the site during larger highway projects.
CTLs are especially valuable during the grading and preparation stages of road building, as they leave minimal track marks, preventing disruption of compaction and maintaining the integrity of the surface. Once the pavement is laid and the project is nearing completion, however, skid steers become the preferred option for moving materials. Their wheels are better suited for paved surfaces, whereas the tracks of a CTL can wear down quickly on hard, finished pavement.
Extra versatility with attachments
Compact machines can be equipped with a variety of attachments that enable them to perform a wide range of tasks across multiple stages of road construction, reducing the need for larger, “one trick pony” equipment on-site.
Here are a few examples of the versatility that smaller equipment offers road builders:
- Box blades with 2D grade control: In areas like housing developments or urban road repairs, compact equipment outfitted with box blades and grade control systems become invaluable. These systems automatically adjust the blade for precise grading, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and ensuring consistent results. The ability to achieve the same precision as larger machines makes this an attractive option for construction projects with tight budgets and limited space.
- Plate compactors: Compact equipment is frequently used for smaller, more detailed tasks like compaction. Plate compactor attachments are ideal for compacting the ground and preparing surfaces for new paving, especially in smaller areas that road rollers can’t access.
- Breakers and cold planers: When repaving roads or removing old asphalt, compact machines with breaker attachments can demolish concrete and asphalt quickly and efficiently. Cold planers are also essential when working on city sidewalks or levelling pavement to ensure smooth surfaces.
- Hopper brooms with dust suppression kits: As a project nears completion, compact equipment can be used to sweep away dirt and debris with hopper broom attachments. These machines help maintain a clean worksite while dust suppression kits minimize airborne particles, improving safety and air quality for workers on-site.
Reducing costs
Compact machines typically require less fuel than traditional machinery, which is important on long-term roadwork projects where fuel consumption can add up quickly. With fewer moving parts and simpler systems, compact equipment also tends to require less frequent maintenance, keeping downtime to a minimum while lowering service costs.
Additionally, these smaller, lighter machines are much easier to transport between job sites than their larger counterparts. This eliminates the need for large semi-trailers, saving both time and money on transportation. All of this makes compact equipment an attractive option for road construction businesses looking to increase profitability and maximize their return on investment.
Choosing the right compact equipment
When considering compact equipment for road construction, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure you’re making the best investment for your business:
- Reliability and durability: Look for machines built to withstand the harsh demands of road construction. Durability is key to avoiding frequent breakdowns and ensuring the equipment can handle a wide range of tasks without compromising performance.
- Fuel efficiency: Choose compact machines that offer fuel-efficient engines. This will reduce overall operating costs, especially on long-duration projects.
- Comfort and safety: Operators spend long hours in these machines, so it’s important the equipment has ergonomic, comfortable cabs with intuitive controls. This helps to limit fatigue and improve safety, leading to higher productivity.
- Ease of maintenance: To reduce downtime and keep maintenance costs under control, make sure the equipment is easy to service, with accessible points for checking fluids, filters and other essential components.
- Advanced telematics: Many compact machines now come with telematics systems that monitor performance data, such as hours worked, fuel levels and maintenance needs. This information helps contractors stay on top of equipment performance and schedule preventive maintenance before issues arise.
The future of roadbuilding
Whether working on city roads, new housing developments or large highway projects, compact equipment is already making a significant impact across Canada, helping contractors navigate the challenges of dense urban areas, tough weather conditions and the rising demand for cost-effective solutions.
As urban areas continue to expand and the demand for infrastructure grows, these small but mighty machines are set to play an even bigger role in road construction in the future. Offering flexibility, versatility and performance, compact equipment will remain integral to ensuring Canada’s roads remain in top condition for years to come.
