The broad category of heavy construction equipment, including excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, and backhoes. The name originates from the traditional high-visibility yellow paint used by major manufacturers like Caterpillar and John Deere. Dealerships, rental yards, and fleet managers use this term to distinguish heavy earthmoving machinery from on-highway trucks or smaller power tools.
The rental yard is short on yellow goods this month because of the massive highway project starting up.
Also heard as
- yellow iron
Related terms
Heavy equipment
Large, heavy-duty vehicles and machines used for earthmoving, lifting, and major construction tasks.
Heavy machinery
Large industrial vehicles and equipment used to perform major construction and earthmoving tasks.
Earthmoving
The process of excavating, transporting, and grading soil and rock to prepare a construction site.