96% of People Can't Identify All of These Major Pieces of Machinery. Can You?

Jody Mabry

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

There is something awesome about watching a major piece of equipment at work. Whether it is the fine-tuned operation of thousands of parts working as one, the roar of hard-working machinery or the end result, you will love to check out the equipment on this list. While heavy machinery has been around since the ancient world, it wasn't until the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries that real changes in machinery came around. From the cotton gin to coal-running trains and steam-powered vessels, they paved the way for the machinery on this list. 

This quiz will bring you some of the heaviest equipment you'll find in construction, on the farm and of course protecting our country in the military. You may be a fan of the big stuff, but do you know the difference between a backhoe and a bulldozer? Would you be able to figure out a tractor from a combine or even know what the difference between the two of them are? Or, maybe you'll do better at figuring out which armored vehicle is which. 

You'll be challenged with this quiz harder than an 18-wheeler struggling its way through the Rockies, so step back and throw on your hard-hat. This quiz isn't for the weak. 


Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The first bulldozer model was developed in the 1920s, drawing on the tractor for inspiration in creating it. The bulldozer is typically used to move large amounts of material, like dirt or sand.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

When people think farm, one of the first machines they think of is a tractor. A tractor is generally a high-torque, slow-speed vehicle used to pull large pieces of equipment around the farm both for transport and for field operations.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A plow is a tool, usually dragged behind a tractor, used to break up the soil into a furrow for planting. In fact, the tools used by colonists in early America were frequently not as good as those used by the Roman Empire 1000 years before for the same task. It wasn't until 1797 that a patent was submitted for what would eventually become the modern plow - something President Thomas Jefferson spent a substantial amount of time trying to improve.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The forklift's roots can be traced to 1917 with the invention of the Tructractor, which was a simple truck used to move materials around. A few years later, the first hydraulic lift was added to select trucks. In 1923, the company, Yale, expanded upon the original designs by adding a fork-shaped lift capable of lifting heavy loads off the ground to above the height of the truck.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A grain cart works alongside other equipment and is pulled by a tractor to hold harvested grain. The average size of a grain cart will hold over 15 tons of grain. However, they can be small enough to hold a few hundred pounds.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The Dumper is distinguishable by where its load skip is - on the front of the vehicle - and the cab (driver's area) is behind it. Whereas a dump truck has its cab up front and the load skip behind.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Rocks that are too big to be broken up by a smaller crusher machine are put through machines known as rock breakers. This piece of construction equipment is most often used by miners.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A pickup truck is a popular choice for many farmers' vehicles. The pickup is used both as a family vehicle as well as a hauling vehicle - both on the farm and long distances. The first pickup - or similar version - is attributed to the Gallon Allsteel Body Company in 1913.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

With roots dating back to the 19th century, excavators can be used for everything from home landscaping to large scale construction. Its main use is to dig or scoop out material. The first hydraulic excavators were used in the 20th century.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

An ATV - all-terrain vehicle - is considered by many as a leisure vehicle. However, on farms, an ATV is a means of transportation across fields and uneven grounds. An ATV is versatile with regard to how it is used, from transport to hauling and often in herding animals across large fields.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The skid-steer loader was invented in 1960 to answer a need for making physical labor both easier on laborers and more efficient. It gets its name from the way its wheels and steering system work. The loader turns by moving either the right side tires or left side tires while the wheels on the opposite side skid.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The first official Crawler Loader was invented in the '50s, but earlier, incomplete versions date back to 30 years earlier, in the '20s. The machine reached its peak popularity in the '60s, and has since been replaced by hydraulic excavators in most places.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A flat-bed wagon can be hauled behind a tractor, truck and even an ATV. These wagons are a popular way to transport large pieces of equipment and machinery.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The Ancient Greeks are credited with inventing the first model of the crane, which was operated by human and animal strength, rather than by engines, motors, or hydraulic systems. The crane differs from a hoist in that it can move heavy materials both vertically and horizontally , whereas the hoist can only lift materials vertically.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The first patent for a motorized cement mixer was granted in 1916. It used wooden paddles to stir the cement mixture, but could only do so when the cart wheels were physically moving, and it was super slow. The modern model of concrete mixers was introduced following WWII, during an industrial boom.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A front-end loader can be built permanently onto a motorized piece of equipment or built as a removable attachment. A front-end loader is a machine with a scoop or bucket and on an articulated arm that can be used for digging or filling in holes.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The grader also goes by the names: road grader and motor grader. It is a vehicle equipped with a large blade, used to cut into the earth to grade or level the ground to a flat surface according to a certain degree.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The combine harvester, often simply called a combine, is a large piece of farm equipment that cuts, threshes and cleans a crop in one operation. The combine is often followed by a grain cart which will store the processed grains.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Where a tiller is used to break up the ground, a cultivator is used to blend the soil into the finer ground which can then be used to plant seeds and other plants. The finer breaking up of soil helps to provide plants with soil that is well aerated and can easily transport and store water around the plant.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The paver can also be called: paver finisher, asphalt finisher, and paving machine. There is a specific paver for laying concrete, called the slipform paver, which smooths out pre-laid concrete using a screed.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A cultipacker is usually hauled behind a tractor over a large field in preparation for planting. The cultipacker can crush packs of soil, remove air pockets and press down smaller stones. This helps create a smooth surface for farms which broadcast seeds across a field for shallow planting.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The wrecking ball was most commonly used in the '50s and '60s, but lost popularity with the rise of machinery like hydraulic excavators. Most recently, the machine made a comeback in Miley Cyrus's 2013 hit, "Wrecking Ball."

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Backhoe loaders are smaller and more precise than other machinery serving similar purposes, which makes them most suitable for urban areas, where there is limited space available for construction activities. The first backhoe was produced by Wain-Roy Corporation in 1947, and the first hydraulic backhoe was sold in 1948.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A fence charger creates a pulsating and light charge of electricity that follows a wire along a fence. The fence charge is an additional security for farmers and provides a reminder to animals to not try to escape from a fence. The charge is enough to send a quick shock through an animal but not enough to permanently harm an animal.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A front-end plow is used to knock down small piles of loose soil and even out the ground. In northern states, that plow is used for snow removal and displacement.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The very first model of the power shovel was made in 1955 and named Marion 5760. The machine is most commonly used in mining for excavation purposes.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Rakes are one of the most popular tools used in agriculture and everyday use at homes. Rakes are often used as a clean-up tool. Whether clearing leaf cover, remnants of hay in a barn, or other loose debris. Rakes come in several shapes and styles to be used with lighter loose material to dense gravel.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

While a harrow may look like a simple tool, it is multi-purposed and essential on larger farms. A harrow is a heavy piece of metal with teeth that are dragged over an already plowed field. The harrow helps to break up larger blocks of soil, remove weeds and cover seeds with a thin layer of soil.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The hydraulic dump truck, the only model in use today, was introduced in the early 1900s by Wood Hoist Co. Small dump truck manufacturing companies grew exponentially during WWI due to increased wartime demand.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A hay baler is a piece of farm equipment that can cut and compress crops into bales that are easy to transport. Balers can be permanently located, although most farms use portable balers attached to equipment or as their own moving machinery. Balers are commonly used with hay, cotton and straw.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The modern-day Tunnel Boring Machine can power through pretty much anything, including rock. The first TBM was built in 1845, commissioned to dig the Frejus Rail Tunnel in Europe.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A sprayer is a piece of equipment used to spray a liquid over a large area. On a farm, a sprayer is often used to apply herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Sprayers can be attached to large trucks with barrels of product, or handheld - the liquid following the farmer on a trailer or worn in a backpack-style pack.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Depending on the type of farm and location, different irrigation systems can be used. Flood irrigation uses furrows to divert water above the plants to be released uniformly when needed. Sprinkler irrigation, while expensive, has the ability to cover large groups of plants with an even spray of water as well as other liquids. Drip and micro-irrigation focus on individual plants and areas to supply a limited amount of water to plants or their roots.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A transplanter is used to transplant seedlings to the field. The process is more efficient than manually transplanting and primarily considered an efficient use of time and energy.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Seed drills are used to individually sow seeds into the ground and cover them at a specific depth. This use of consistent planting helps to improve the yield more than other planting techniques.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Broadcast seeders can be used to evenly spread seed across a small garden to a large field. They range from easy-to-push manual equipment to motorized seeders which dispense seed evenly over large acreage. Broadcast seeders can be used for both seeds and fertilizer.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Mowers are commonly used to keep grasses low. A farmer may mow grass for easier vehicular use across the farm, to provide an easy-to-manage grazing field or to prepare land for plowing. While manual blade mowers and scythes still exist, most farmers use gas-powered mowers for speed and consistency.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

In service in the United States Army, the M9 Armored Combat Earthmover, or ACE, is a bulldozer, primarily used to dig trenches. These trenches are then filled with various artillery units, adding to their stability while in action. It can also be used to clear minefields and obstructions, filling trenches and trench crossing amongst other duties. It first entered service in 1986 and saw action during the first Persian Gulf War in 1991, playing a vital role in removing vehicle blockades.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

More commonly known as the Humvee this tactical vehicle is used by over 50 countries. It can carry multiple configurations of weapons, including machine guns as well as anti-tank missiles, while it can also carry 2 or 4 crew depending on the configuration chosen. The Humvee is a true off-roader with the ability to handle 60-degree slopes as well as water as deep as 60 inches.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

More commonly known as the Humvee this tactical vehicle is used by over 50 countries. It can carry multiple configurations of weapons, including machine guns as well as anti-tank missiles, while it can also carry 2 or 4 crew depending on the configuration chosen. The Humvee is a true off-roader with the ability to handle 60-degree slopes as well as water as deep as 60 inches.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Long distance trucking is one of the major ways goods are transported around countries.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The Virginia Class attack submarine is a nuclear-powered ship with the primary role of destroying enemy shipping and submarines. It can be used to gather intelligence and play a role in reconnaissance and support. It is armed with torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This submarine is capable of 25 knots and is manned by 15 officers and 117 crew.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The premier battle tank of the United States military, The M1A2 Abrams is an upgrade of the M1A1. It is armed with a 120mm main gun (with 40 rounds), as well as 7.62mm and .50 cal machine guns. It has a crew of 4, including a driver, gunner, loader and commander. The M1A2 is capable of traveling at speeds of up to 42mph on good roads, incredible for a machine weighing 62.5 tons.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, the Cougar carries 2 crew and 4 troops across a range of terrains. It is capable of surviving a blast from 30 pounds of TNT under the axles and a 15 pound TNT blast straight under the vehicle. It is totally protected against small arms fire, up to 7.62mm ammunition. The vehicle was specifically designed to counter terrorist tactics of using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Bigfoot is the first ever monster truck. It was built by Bob Chandler from 1975 and made its debut in 1979.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

The Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier is the largest ship in the United States Navy, with a displacement of 102,000 tons and a flight deck 332.9 meters in length. Even with its massive size, the Nimitz Class can reach speeds of over 30 knots. There are over 3,000 personnel on board these ships, as well as more than 2,800 aircrew. Up to 82 aircraft can be on board at any time.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Named after former Army Chief of Staff General Creighton W. Abrams, the M1 entered service in 1979 and is still in production today. It has seen extensive combat action, firstly in the 1991 Gulf War, as well as in Afghanistan and Iraq. Over 8,000 have been produced for the United States and its allies. It has a maximum speed of 42 mph and a range of 265 miles. Armament comes in the form of a 105mm rifled main gun as well as three machine guns of varying calibers.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Developed by Oshkosh, the M-ATV is an extremely mobile tactical vehicle that can transport 5 crew while providing excellent protection. It is also considered to be Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), capable of withstanding road side improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The M-ATV is available in various configurations depending on the task at hand.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

Fire Engines are purpose-built to carry both firefighters as well as the equipment needed to fight fires. Some even store their own supply of water.

Which major piece of machinery is shown here?

An undersea rescue vehicle with two crew, this ship has the ability to locate submarines in distress. It then latches onto the hatch and has the ability to transport 24 crew at a time back to the surface. It also includes a gripping arm, capable of lifting 1,000 pounds.

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