The bond that builds between a heavy equipment operator and the machine that they use is a special one. You spend hours a day out there, toiling in the heat or cold, moving dirt, hauling away debris, and doing the hard work that’s necessary for the rest of the world to enjoy roads, buildings and more.

You probably think a lot about the engine that powers your machine, the controls that you use all day every day and maybe even the tracks that carry the load. You may not think too much about the glass, but without it, your jobsite would be a lot less safe than it is now. There may be a few things you didn’t know about the glass in your heavy machinery, so we’ve put together some of the most interesting facts about it.

It’s Not the Same as Auto Glass

Auto glass is pretty thick, which is why it can stand up to drastic changes in weather and even small rocks that your vehicle kicks up on the road. But the glass in your heavy machinery? That stuff is even thicker than what’s in your vehicle. That’s because heavy equipment glass has to deal with things a whole lot bigger than a tiny gravel on the interstate. Constant vibration, large pieces of debris and the nonstop demands of the jobsite take a toll. The glass standing between you and the work going on around you is thick enough to handle almost everything that this line of work can throw at it.

Visibility and Safety Go Hand in Hand

Your safety on the jobsite hinges on being able to see everything going on around you. When you’re perched 10 feet in the air in a D10 dozer, you need to be able to see outside your machine. Dust, dirt and small chips can impact how safely you can use your heavy equipment, especially when the sun hits the glass.

You Should Address Wiper Damage ASAP

Blue-collar workers don’t get to take days off just because rain is falling, so a lot of machines come with windshield wipers. When one of your wipers gets damaged, it can scratch and scuff the glass. This damage to your glass only worsens the longer you keep using a damaged wiper, so it’s best to replace it ASAP.

The work you do is hard, and it would be even harder if it weren’t for the mighty machines that help you carry the load. The glass in your machine is just as important as every other part. When you need heavy equipment glass services in Oakland, CA, contact Auto Glass On The Move.