North Carolina General Contractors Practice Exam

If a dozer is pushing load downhill at 40%, how does the blade capacity change?

1. Stays the same

2. Decreases by half

3. Capacity is doubled

4. Capacity increases by 25%

The correct answer is: Capacity is doubled

When a dozer is pushing a load downhill at a 40% grade, the effective capacity of the blade changes due to the angle of inclination and the influence of gravity. Pushing downhill alters the dynamics of load carry, as the gravitational force acts more favorably in assisting the blade to carry the material. In this scenario, the gravitational force assists in moving the load forward, which allows the dozer to push more material efficiently. This situation generally leads to an increase in the blade's effective capacity. The correct answer suggests that the capacity is doubled, which aligns with the understanding that on a steep incline, such as 40%, the dozer can effectively utilize gravity to enhance its load-carrying ability, thereby allowing it to push more material than on flat ground. This principle is important for operators to recognize, as it influences how they manage load during excavation or grading activities on sloped surfaces. Understanding these dynamics can improve efficiency and productivity in earthmoving operations.