Machinery equipment are the backbone of modern industries. They help streamline operations, increase efficiency, and boost productivity.

Although the terms “equipment” and “machinery” are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Equipment refers to a wide range of tools and devices, while machinery refers to complex mechanical systems designed for specific functions.

Machines

The term “machinery” applies to mechanical devices that perform specific functions. The most distinctive feature of machines is that they have rigid moving parts, allowing them to amplify or modify energy. Ancient scientists classified simple machines, such as levers, pulleys, inclined planes and wedges, based on their ability to decrease the amount of force required to accomplish a given task, or alter the direction of a force's movement.

Equipment and machinery are indispensable tools that can help businesses streamline operations and boost productivity. They can also improve accuracy and consistency, eliminating the risks associated with human error. At surplusrecord, we provide buyers with a wide selection of machinery equipment, including everything from industrial machines to kitchen appliances. Our online database of over 111,000 machinery and equipment listings makes it easy to find the products you need. Then, you can easily connect with sellers through our streamlined buying process. Our newest feature, dealer alerts, will automatically inform you when new inventory is added, saving you the hassle of running searches manually.

Equipment

Often, the terms equipment and machinery are used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences that should be understood. While equipment encompasses a broad category of tools or devices that are designed for specific purposes, machinery refers to complex mechanical systems built for manufacturing or production.

While equipment is generally portable and adaptable, machinery tends to be more heavy-duty and specialized than other types of hardware. It is also more complex and has many moving parts, which makes it a more expensive type of machinery to purchase and maintain. Examples of equipment include computers, printers, vehicles and specialized machinery specific to certain industries. For example, construction companies would invest in specialized equipment like cranes or bulldozers to perform their work effectively. Medical equipment such as stethoscopes and MRI machines are considered to be equipment as well, even though they are used for specific medical purposes. Other equipment includes fitness tools like treadmills, stationary bikes and ellipticals, which are often utilized to improve cardiovascular health and burn calories.

Heavy Machinery

The distinction between heavy machinery and light equipment is much more complex than simply separating them by size. Generally speaking, heavy equipment refers to construction, forestry, mining and industrial machines that are capable of performing large operations, such as earthwork.

Some examples of heavy equipment include bulldozers, excavators, backhoes and off road dump trucks. The latter two are especially helpful for moving dirt and gravel on construction sites. These pieces of machinery are also used to move loads or debris in warehouses and distribution centers. A telehandler is another common type of heavy machinery that has a long telescopic boom, which allows it to reach higher areas than a forklift.

The heavy machinery industry experienced a boom in the 1920s when gas-powered track-type tractors became more commonplace (e.g. Holt, which later became Caterpillar). However, the end of the interstate highway system caused a decline in demand for these machines and many companies folded or merged. Additionally, new environmental regulations forced equipment manufacturers to change the engines on their machines to reduce carbon emissions.