Top 5 Heavy Equipment for Construction Projects in Canada

The construction industry in Canada is continuously experiencing choke points and bottlenecks due to the drastically changing climate conditions and unpredictable weather reports. Besides, the varying terrain of the country also poses a challenge to construction companies as the raw materials to be used fail to comply with the terrain requirements and the slopes. From earthwork to the transportation of heavy materials like logs and rocks, completing all these tasks in the challenging weather and terrain conditions of Canada is indeed difficult. This is why most construction companies rely on premium-quality heavy equipment units of diverse categories, each having a specific set of features to meet the differences in terrain and climate conditions. 

These equipment units not only increase the overall efficiency and speed of the construction projects but also play a significant role in heavy lifting, bulk material transportation, precise work, and reduction of risks to construction workers. That’s why using heavy-duty equipment units is imperative for Canada’s challenging construction industry. While there are countless such machinery categories, the five most essential ones are pallet jack, scissor lift, mini excavator, forklift, and skid steer loader. Below we have described these five types of heavy equipment so that you can have detailed knowledge and make the right choice for your construction project. 

Mini Excavator

What Is It?

Primarily used in tight spaces where movement will be restricted for a large-sized conventional excavator, mini excavators are often used in Canadian construction projects concerning commercial, landscaping, and residential areas. They are uniquely designed to perform various operations related to digging, trenching, and other types of demolition tasks of small volume. Additionally, they can be equipped with numerous other attachments like hydraulic hammers and grapples based on the on-site requirements. 

Why It’s a Must-Have in Canada?

• Thanks to the minimal or zero tail swings, the rear-end counterweight of a mini excavator won’t extend beyond the tracks. Hence, the maneuverability is enhanced further for constricted spaces like backyards and narrow lanes. 
• Although they have a smaller size, these equipment units can dig the ground up to a considerable depth of 10 to 15 feet. 
• They can be transported using small trailers, thereby making it easier to handle multiple project sites in busy Canadian urban regions. 
• Mini excavators are quite cost-effective, which is why they are quite compatible for making both residential and commercial projects efficient. 

Inventory Highlight

Zenith Canada brings to you the FF 13 Mini Excavator Gasoline 1 ton with features like an advanced control system, backfill blade, auxiliary hydraulic plumbing, and manual quick coupler. 

Scissor Lift

What Is It?

Categorized as an Aerial Work Platform (AWP), a scissor lift is used to raise or lower the platform using a scissor-based mechanism. It easily extends along a vertical line while ensuring the overall footprint doesn’t increase too much. The platform is quite stable and offers better safety and security to both personnel and materials by eliminating vibrations. Most scissor lifts are capable of reaching a maximum height of 15 to 60 feet, depending on the configuration. This heavy equipment is often used at construction sites and maintenance tasks across Canada. 

Why It’s a Must-Have in Canada?

• Despite the challenging weather conditions in Canada, the scissor lift ensures optimal safety for all construction personnel or materials to reach higher points at the construction sites. 
• It can be used for versatile purposes, like painting the exterior of a high-rise building, reaching the rooftops, and installing ceilings of a residential villa. 
• Most scissor lifts have an excellent load capacity, ranging between 500 and 1000 pounds, which is why they can be used to lift multiple personnel or heavy materials with ease. 
• These are more efficient in reaching elevated areas than conventional techniques. 

Inventory Highlight

At Zenith Canada, you will have both electric and diesel-powered scissor lifts having special features like higher load capacity, safety features, and working height capacity. 

Skid Steer Loader

What Is It?

Thanks to their compact size and smaller footprint, a skid steer loader is easier to maneuver in tight spaces and can be used for versatile operations at construction sites, like moving materials, lifting heavyweight items, and digging the earth. It has a unique steering mechanism that allows the left and right wheels to move in opposite directions at their place. 

Why It’s a Must-Have in Canada?

• A skid steer loader has a zero-turning radius, meaning it can make a complete 360-degree rotation in its footprint, thereby allowing better maneuverability in confined spaces. 
• With a four-wheel drive (4WD), the skid steer loader exhibits excellent traction ability and overall chassis stability. That’s why it is suitable for cruising along difficult Canadian terrains without causing much difficulty. 
• It can accommodate a wide range of attachments, including but not limited to forks, buckets, snow plows, and augers depending on the specific operation requirement. 

Inventory Highlight

Zenith Canada has two different models of skid steer loaders, both of which are known for their low maintenance requirements, versatility for different terrains, and higher mechanical and operational durability. You can also rent or purchase different attachments for these loaders, like trenchers and snow blowers. 

Pallet Jack

What Is It?

Another popular heavy equipment used in the Canadian construction industry is the pallet jack for moving different materials at warehouses and construction sites. A hydraulic pump is used for the lifting mechanism, which further eliminates any manual effort in carrying the heavy material pallets. 

Why It’s a Must-Have in Canada?

• Pallet jacks are quite lightweight, which makes them easier for both indoor and outdoor usage. 
• The two forks at the forefront slide easily under the material pallets without causing any damage or requiring additional human interference for lifting. 
• With two small steering wheels at the forefront, it’s easier for operators to maneuver the pallet jack in tight and confined spaces. 
• Also, its exceptional load-handling capacity ensures bulk materials can be lifted and transported without any hassle, thereby enhancing on-site work efficiency and speed. 

Inventory Highlight

You will get access to both manual and electric-powered pallet jack models at Zenith Canada having an impressive load handling capacity and enhanced chassis durability. 

Forklift

What Is It?

A forklift is a powered heavy equipment used to lift and transport heavier materials over a shorter distance. From loading and unloading pallets to stacking different materials, it can be employed for several operations at construction sites and warehouses. The forks are adjustable, which is why they can lift pallets of different sizes. 

Why It’s a Must-Have in Canada?

• With large-sized and durable tires, forklifts can easily cruise along the difficult terrains of Canada with no compromise in performance and efficiency. 
• They can be easily used to lift and transport heavier materials at construction sites and warehouses without requiring any external assistance. 
• Since the lifting mechanism is completely automated, using forklifts can reduce personnel injury due to manual operations. 

Inventory Highlight

Zenith Canada offers both electric and gas-powered forklifts, so you can choose the best one for your project requirements. You can also opt for an all-terrain forklift suitable for outdoor construction locations with rugged and non-uniform terrain. 

How Zenith Canada Help You Choose the Best Equipment?

Zenith Canada is a leading supplier of heavy equipment units, including pallet jacks, forklifts, and mini excavators for construction companies across Canada. It not only offers premium models having advanced features and better safety considerations but also ensures the price rates are competitive. So, if you need any of the five equipment styles we discussed, reach out to the expert consultants at Zenith Canada.

Conclusion 

With countless heavy equipment categories having dedicated operations, it’s imperative to learn about your specific project requirements and choose the most compatible model. Only then you will be able to reduce workplace injuries, speed up construction operations, and enhance overall efficiency.