Author: David Oliver

Construction Blogs

Choosing the Right Shingles for Your Roof

David Oliver

When your roof finally comes of age, and it’s time to re-shingle and replace it, many people don’t understand what they are trying to evaluate. Many people think that shingles are shingles and may pick them based on the style or color. However, they may not know why some shingles are recommended for their house or area over others. You should ask your roofing contractor a lot of questions about shingle types and what’s best for your house style and the area where you live. You should be well informed when you step up to bat to put a cap on your house.

You should consider these structural factors

Weight limits of your house

While shingles are often seen as light compared to the components of the rest of the house, the fact is that they are frequently a considerable portion of the mass of a house. Not all houses are built to support all types of shingles. The weight limit of most typical house roofs is around 15 pounds per square foot of roof, which is a reasonably robust but not infinite amount of weight. Some heavier types of shingles can easily exceed this mark, and older houses that haven’t been kept up properly could shudder and shake under that kind of weight.

So, knowing the per-square-foot weight limit of your roof is going to be a large part of making the right choice to keep your home dry and standing for years to come.The slope and pitch of your roof

First off, let’s make sure we’re understanding these terms correctly. The slope of your roof is the amount the roof rises in inches for each foot of its depth into the house, so a house with a roof that rises one inch per foot would have a very shallow slope, whereas one that rises eight inches per foot would be incredibly steep. The slope is expressed as a ratio, 1:12 for the first house and 8:12 for the second.

The pitch of a roof is a fraction that represents the rise of the whole roof from edge to peak over the entire span of the roof. So, a roof that was 100 feet in span that rose 10 feet up would have a pitch of 10/100 or 1/10.

Depending on the pitch and slope of your roof, certain types of shingles might not be appropriate for your house. Larger clay and stone shingles, for example, might slide right off a steeper roof or have trouble staying in place in the long term. Again, this is something you should know before you go shopping to avoid setting your sights on something that’s not available for your home.

Environmental factors to consider

Where your home is in the world and what the environment is like will have a significant impact on what types of shingles you want to protect your roof. For example, a set of shingles that works beautifully for houses in a dry, warm climate like the Southwest might be inappropriate for a house that has to endure the cold winters and snow of the Mideast. Likewise, different kinds of tiles will provide different benefits and last different amounts of time depending on where you are in the world. So, it’s worth taking a beat to plan that out for yourself.

How much snow and rainfall does your region have each year?

The amount of snow or rain that falls on your roof is going to determine how appropriate certain types of shingles are for your area. For example, wood shingling will be better suited for a drier climate than most asphalt, rubber, or plastic roofs will be due to the increased pressure from bugs and mold that is going to be applied to even the best antifungally treated wood shakes.

A large amount of freezing and thawing will put a lot of strain on clay or stone roofs that would otherwise last an incredibly long time. So, while it won’t make them useless, it’s essential to recognize how precipitation is going to inform the longevity of your purchase.Are moisture and algae a problem in your neighborhood?

In a similar vein, different colors and materials are better equipped to deal with algal growth in moister areas where that’s likely to be an issue. It’s worth looking around your neighborhood to see whose roofs look the best in your local environment. It’s hard to beat the information you’ll get from looking at an older roof in your area because their owners have made similar choices and their roofs have been subjected to the same pressures yours will face.Winds—how high are they where you live?

If your area is subject to high winds, as in coastal environments or the Midwest, it’s worth considering whether your shingles might actually just blow away. Lighter types of shingles, such as plastic shingles or light metal roof panels, can be snatched up by fierce winds and tossed away. This makes it very worthwhile to invest in heavier shingles that will stay tightly latched to the roof and is one of the reasons slate and clay tiles are frequently so popular in coastal areas.The temperature range in your area

Last, the temperature of your environment is going to have a considerable impact on your choice. In hotter environments, clay and stone shingles can have significant cooling properties, which can help keep your house comfortable in hot summers but might make them less than ideal for places with sharp, brutal winters. The color of your shingles can also modify this a great deal, with darker shingles absorbing more heat from the sun and retaining it through the day, while brighter colors reflect more of the heat away from your house.

Make sure that you consider your house’s environment as you think about what you want it to look like.

Lifestyle factors to consider

A roof is more than just the hat that keeps your house warm. It’s also one of the most obvious statements that your house makes to people who visit you. So, it has to match the style of your house, and it has to look good with the color of the house.

Style

A house that has a hyper-modern aesthetic might struggle not to clash with slate roofing or wood shakes. Your house is the most significant stylistic choice you make in your life, and you don’t want to purchase something that makes it look questionable. That said, if your roof has a higher pitch, you have more visible surface area to play with, and the flatter your roof is, the less visually important the color of the roof is likely to be.

If you have a flat roof, a duller color could let the eye focus elsewhere, and a sharper color could be harder to pull off. In contrast, a taller roof gives you the opportunity to strike out with a color or tone with your choice of shingles.Neighborhood blend

You also want to make sure that your choice is not going to cause problems with your neighbors or make your house stand out in a bad way. For example, being the only house with bright orange clay tiles in your neighborhood could be lovely, but if it’s a clash with the houses around it, an otherwise lovely-looking roof could be made to look gauche.Maintenance needs

Certain types of roofs, most notably wood, clay, and slate, all require more constant maintenance and attention to keep them in order. If you’re not going to be happy to be taking care of your roof in a more active way, then perhaps these might be more of a headache than you actually want to deal with.

Costs

Finally, we get to brass tacks and cost. Depending on how long you plan on staying in your current home, certain purchases may simply not make sense. For example, you can pay more for much more longevity on your roof, with some stone roofs getting up to 200 years of durability with proper maintenance, but if you’re not planning to hand your house on to your heirs, it may not make complete sense to pay for a century of use that you’re not going to use. Similarly, solar tiles are a potential boon to a homeowner, but the precise economics of them may or may not make sense for a particular homeowner.

TypeCost per Square (100 sq./ft.)LifespanAsphalt$350 – $50020 yearsRubber or Plastic$550 – $1,10030 yearsMetal Panels$600 – $1,20050 yearsWood Shingles or Shakes$80030-40 years based on maintenanceSolar Tiles$2,100 – $2,500 (additional electrical wiring costs)30 yearsStone and Slate$1,50070-200 years based on maintenanceClay$1,50050-100 years based on maintenance

Now you’re armed to go forward and shop for a new roof, knowing what you need to get started on the journey of picking a roof that will keep you dry and warm for at least the next twenty years.

The post Choosing the Right Shingles for Your Roof appeared first on Mr Roof.

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Construction Blogs

It’s back!: Caterpillar reintroduces 651 Wheel Tractor Scraper

David Oliver

New self-propelled scraper designs don’t come around very often, so when they do it’s big news, especially for any contractor who does high-volume earthmoving.

If you’re not familiar with what these beasts of the field can do, the new Cat 651, with a push from a dozer, can load 104,000 pounds of material in 30 seconds. That’s as much dirt as a 50-ton truck can handle — and it takes at least two and half minutes to load a truck.

Cat has reintroduced its 651 Wheel Tractor Scraper with a bunch of changes, upgrades and enhancements including a new powertrain, controls, hydraulics and structure. This single-engine model offers 44 cubic yards of heaped capacity and a 52-ton rated load. It also shares the same bowl design and many components as the Cat 657, allowing contractors with mixed fleets to stock fewer repair parts and lower owning costs. It replaces the 651E self-propelled scraper, which Cat discontinued about 15 years ago.

A 629-horsepower Cat C18 engine powers the redesigned 651. When paired with a push assist from a Cat D10 or D11 dozer, and its eight-speed transmission, the 651 can load at speeds up to 34.8 mph even in abrasive or rocky conditions.

The scraper’s new Advanced Productivity Electronic Control System integrates the transmission and engine drivetrain to provide smooth and responsive shifts. The electronic clutch pressure control features advanced shift control logic for smoother speed and directional shifts, while part-throttle shifting controls transmission shifts for smoother shifting between gears. Preventing loss of momentum during shifts, the shift torque management system carries higher torque through shift points.

For operator comfort, the cab on the 651 is as large as that of a twin-engine 657 and 21 percent larger than Cat’s E-series scrapers. Ingress and egress have been improved with the addition of a powered access ladder. Relocation of the HVAC system, steering column and pedal improve visibility. The new comfort seat rotates up to 30 degrees to the right for loading and offers an additional 2 inches of fore/aft movement to reduce operating fatigue. The seat’s adjustable armrest aligns with the implement control level with T-handle design for more comfortable operation. 

To keep your operators sharper longer, a new high-pressure steering system requires less steering effort and reduces fatigue. Improvements to the hydraulics include an electrohydraulic implement system for improved multifunction capability and a short throw for the T-handle implement control. Cat’s advanced ride management system improves smoothness by eliminating end-stroke events of the seat suspension cylinder

An optional three-camera Work Area Vision System (WAVS) shows the cutting edge, right side and rear of the machine on a 7-inch in-cab color monitor. Available sequence assist reduces up to 14 individual operator commands per cycle with a single button for improved cycle consistency, fewer repetitive motions for the operator and less fatigue.

Production efficiency

When it’s cold out, an auto-stall feature, new for the 651, assists in warming up the transmission oil faster so you can get to work sooner. Configured with sequence assist, the new payload estimator option uses bowl lift cylinder pressure to accurately calculate machine payload to within plus or minus 5 percent of scaled weight, optimizing payload and jobsite efficiency. Using the bowl lift cylinder, the reliable payload estimator system requires no recalibration or operator interface.

The scraper’s new ground speed control allows the operator to set the desired top speed, and the machine will find the gear that works best for the engine and transmission. This lowers the engine load factor and fuel burn compared to top gear selection. When operating on a downhill slope, the 651 detects a machine overspeed situation and automatically engages the compression brakes with no operator input. Hydraulic wet disc brakes replace air actuated brakes from the previous model to improve performance and serviceability. 

Cat651 Quick Specs

Engine: Cat C18, 585 hpHeaped capacity: 4 cubic yardsRated load: 104,000 poundsWeight loaded: 249,000 poundsTop speed loaded: 34.8 mph
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Construction Management

Hy-Brid Lifts Names Jay Sugar President and CEO

David Oliver

Jay Sugar has been named president and CEO of Hy-Brid Lifts, an electric self-propelled and push-around scissor lift manufacturer owned by Custom Equipment.

Sugar brings more than 20 years of industrial manufacturing experience to the role, holding positions of increasing responsibility from shop floor to executive vice president. In his new role, Sugar will lead the overall direction and strategy of the Richfield, Wisconsin-based company.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Jay Sugar back to Custom Equipment, now in the role of president and CEO,” says Steve Ellis, Custom Equipment chairman of the board. “Jay is an accomplished leader, and with his background in both engineering and operations, Jay brings a wide skillset to drive Custom Equipment forward in value creation and performance.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the strong leadership team at Custom Equipment again to help position the company for future growth,” says Sugar. “Strategically expanding our product offerings and introducing new products will reinforce our commitment to implementing customer feedback and increase market share.”

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Construction Management

Apprentices Help Build Their Own Training Facility – And Used the Latest Tech to Do It

David Oliver

In 2019, the Southern Nevada Operating Engineers was faced with a problem.

The Las Vegas community had exploded in size around the training facility it moved into in the mid-90s. The once prime location was no longer an ideal spot for heavy equipment training and operation.

It was time to move and rebuild for the future – and who better to do the rebuilding than the students and instructors themselves?

“Some of the apprentices we worked with onsite had never been in equipment before this project,” says Larry Hopkins, SNOE director of training. “They went from zero experience applicants to having the privilege of working alongside several instructors, coordinators and seasoned tradespeople to make this facility come to life.”

The new 28,000-square-foot center sits on nearly 100 acres and features state-of-the-art training rooms, classrooms, a machine shop, welding stations, and grounds to move dirt and simulate projects.

“It was a very proud moment to see it start from bare dirt and rock to what we have now,” says Chris Trolson, SNOE assistant director of training. “It’s fulfilling to see our students go out there and take ownership of this. You could feel the pride because they can see what they accomplished.”


Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATCStudents assisted with everything from grading the site to paving the parking lot, and they used the latest technology to do it. Under the guidance of operating engineers and instructors, SNOE students used full 3D Trimble Earthworks automatics on an excavator and on a mastless dozer, as well as Trimble Siteworks and WorkManager to facilitate the data.

And for many of the students, the technology was second nature. “Our students just out of high school or their early 20s are much less afraid of the technology than those of us who have been around for 35 or 40 years,” says Hopkins. “They have an advantage growing into this technology. They’re excited about it.”

Education embedded with technology

In addition to the technology used to build the facility, tech is embedded in almost every aspect of the training programs and classrooms.

Twelve 25-square-foot classrooms are equipped with 4K smart boards, cameras and AV for interactive learning and guest speakers. The boards are also a good starting point for familiarizing students with machine displays. “Instead of trying to crowd 10 to 12 kids around a cab, we can show them Trimble emulators on the board,” says Trolson. “You see the a-ha moments once they get into the field. They build off that experience.”

In addition, simulators acquaint students with the equipment before turning them out in the field. “You’ll have 500 bad passes before you get a good pass on a piece of equipment,” says Trolson. “With simulators, we can get rid of a lot of that before we go out in the field. It helps build that confidence so they know they can do it.” The trainers plan to add virtual reality simulators down the road for an even more immersive experience.

Students in the heavy-duty repair program are also engaged in technology from day one. “They have to be familiar with the computer technology that is running the heavy equipment and how to troubleshoot it,” says Hopkins. “I’m not exaggerating when I say there are 200 to 300 different kinds of systems and menus on these different makes and models of equipment. It can be a nightmare. That technological training is wrapped into everything we do.”

Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATC under construction.
Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATCBuilding a labor force

Since opening its doors in July, the instructors have already trained several classes of operators and technicians. In an industry desperately seeking workers, the trainers say there is a lot to be optimistic about.

“Work is starting to pick up and my phone has been ringing off the hook,” says Trolson. “We have a lot of applicants we’re going to be putting in the field. Our regular classes are always full.”

“We’re not having issues recruiting,” added Hopkins. “Contractors just need to give us a call, and we’ll provide the people they need.”

The facility routinely has 125-150 apprentices training at any one time, primarily from the four surrounding counties in southern Nevada. The trainers have seen an uptick in women and minorities entering the program in recent years as well.

And as for graduates, the market is good. “Every one of those apprentices who helped with the facility construction has not been out of work since,” says Hopkins. “They went from working on this project straight to contractors and are still going today.”

Once those new recruits hit your jobsite, the education doesn’t stop. Trolson’s best advice for mentoring new employees: patience. “Teach them. Bring them along. You’re investing into the future with this person. You have to put the time and effort into it to get the payback.”

The Southern Nevada Operating Engineers JATC will be used as the new live demonstration and operating site for Trimble Dimensions, held November 7-9, 2022.

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Construction Management

Embark Trucks Intros New Autonomous Trucking Lane in Texas

David Oliver

Autonomous truck tech startup Embark Trucks on Thursday announced its expansion into Texas and the launch of a new autonomous trucking lane between Houston and San Antonio.

Embark plans to hire aggressively in the greater Houston area in 2022 for its new autonomous truck facility in the state.  

Embark noted the Houston area offers the three key advantages as it works to scale its business:

Well-positioned trucking hub

Houston is a trucking hub that is uniquely positioned for commercially viable long-haul autonomous freight. Houston is located at the center of key 600-plus-mile trucking lanes that are ideal for automation, as they cannot be completed in a single day by a human driver due to hours-of-service limitations. For example, a 600-mile run could take approximately 22 hours to complete manually, assuming full compliance with the federal hours of service rules, while that same run would take just 12 hours to complete autonomously.

Industry-leading expertise

The Houston area is home to academics and research institutions dedicated to autonomous vehicle technology, such as those at Texas A&M University, which the company will partner with on the autonomous-lane project. Embark expects to work closely with partners to test, deploy and validate its technology. Houston also has a mature trucking and autonomous vehicle workforce, representing a deep talent pool for Embark to draw from as it expands its headcount in the region.

Embark’s partnership with Texas A&M University is one of the cornerstones of expansion, as the company will use the university’s expertise and test track at the RELLIS Campus to pioneer novel AV capabilities and achieve its remaining technology milestones. These milestones represent the final hurdles to deploying commercially viable autonomous trucks, and include challenges such as emergency vehicle interactions, pulling over to safety in emergency situations, and performing evasive maneuvers, among others.

Public sector engagement 

Texas has forged extensive public-private autonomous partnerships. By engaging with developers to support the safe operation of autonomous trucks, the Texas Departments of Transportation and Texas Department of Public Safety have established the state as a leader well-positioned to reap the safety and efficiency benefits of the technology. Embark will continue to cultivate its relationships with state and local agencies as it prioritizes highway road safety and responsible integration of autonomous trucks into the state transportation system.

Together, these factors enable Embark to execute against its go-to-market timeline as it prepares for commercial launch of the Embark Driver in 2024. Embark expects to begin hauling freight for its partners between San Antonio and Houston as early as 2022. 

Embark’s expansion into Texas builds on several years of engagement with state officials to share information on the development of autonomous trucks. Embark is a longstanding participant in the TxDOT Connected and Automated Vehicle Task Force.

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Construction Management

2nd Day of Construction Gifts: This Grill Has a Cult-Like Following

David Oliver

Editor’s note: Each day until Christmas, Equipment World is featuring a new gift idea for the construction enthusiast in your life. Check back each day to our Gear section or subscribe to our Equipment World Daily newsletter to see each day’s new idea.

Make room on your patio, there’s a new grill in town. (Charcoal diehards, hear us out.) Flat-top grills have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years, but one brand has caught the most buzz.

The Blackstone Professional 36-Inch Flat Top Grill is perfect for any meal of the day. With 720 square inches of cooking area, you can serve up a hearty batch of hash browns and eggs at breakfast, juicy burgers at lunch and restaurant-style teppanyaki for dinner.

With a maximum temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, this unit delivers 60,000 BTU of cooking power across four independently controlled burners. Additional features include a side shelf, bottom shelf and updated grease management system.

You can pick up a Blackstone at major retailers, including Walmart, Cabela’s and Home Depot or on Amazon for $349.

Check out yesterday’s gift:

1st Day of Construction Gifts: A Cool Watch Made of Bourbon Barrels

Construction Blogs

3rd Day of Construction Gifts: Stylish Sunglasses Certified for Safety

David Oliver

Editor’s note: Each day until Christmas, Equipment World is featuring a new gift idea for the construction enthusiast in your life. Check back each day to our Gear section or subscribe to our Equipment World Daily newsletter to see each day’s new idea.

Who says safety can’t be stylish? Wye Delta offers a wide range of ANSI-certified sunglasses with some surprising features.

The Conductor model comes with an adjustable nose pad to ensure a comfortable fit. A magnet on each side of the arms can hold small metal objects, like cotter pins or nails, keeping your hands (or mouth) free. The smoke lens reduce glare while maintaining true color perception.

According to Wye Delta, these glasses meet the ANSI Z87+ industrial standards for high-mass and high-velocity impact protection with no side shield needed.

This model and other ANSI-certified models can be purchased from the Wye Delta online store. 

Check out yesterday’s gift idea:

2nd Day of Construction Gifts: This Grill Has a Cult-Like Following

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https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=753

Construction Services

Technician of the Year: “If Something Breaks Down … I’m All Over It.”

David Oliver

As a child, Chase Snyder was fascinated with construction equipment.

He would watch the “There Goes a Truck” series over and over on the VCR, especially the episodes that focused on heavy equipment.

That love of equipment has stuck with Snyder. Now, he’s 26 and each day he’s working on big diesel machines as senior fleet technician for the Manatee County, Florida landfill. The bigger, the dirtier, the more challenging the job, the better.

“I prefer the landfill stuff,” Snyder says, when asked about his favorite equipment to work on. “A lot of people think that’s weird when I say that, because it’s typically the dirtiest, the nastiest. When you’ve got to go and clean them and crawl up in the belly pans, you never know what you’re going to encounter.

“But it doesn’t deter me. I just find it interesting what the machines are able to do.”

That attitude, his professionalism, his ability to save money by handling repairs in-house and his commitment to training have earned Snyder the top honor in his profession – the 2021 Technician of the Year Award by the Association of Equipment Management Professionals’ Education Foundation.


Chase Snyder prefers working on large, yellow iron at the Manatee County landfill.Courtesy of Manatee County 

Growing up, Snyder fed his love of equipment by visiting his grandfather’s construction business. As he got older, he would also spend time with his other grandfather, who was a technician at a Ford dealership, restoring 1950s-era Fords. “I’d always be out there watching him and trying to help him tinker,” Snyder says.

In high school, he decided being a heavy-diesel technician was what he wanted to do. He saved up to buy a diesel pickup truck he could work on to prepare for his future career.

“When you’re younger and don’t have a lot of money, you’ve got to learn how to make stuff run and learn how things work, because you can’t have somebody fix it for you,” he says.

He learned mechanical repair on his truck by trial and error. He also got a job at a farm while in high school and performed basic maintenance on tractors.

When it came time for college, he got his associates degree. After that, he broke with family tradition of getting a four-year college degree and instead went to trade school.

“I wanted to get into heavy diesel just because I found it interesting,” he recalls. “But I had to go to school at night, because I was working full time during the day, and there’s no diesel program within an hour and a half drive of where I was living at the time. So I went at night for general automotive.”

While attending Manatee Technical College, he tried to work as a technician for some construction companies, but he didn’t have the diesel experience. But he was able to land a job with Sarasota County working on transit buses. He learned a lot to help him in his career. One longtime worker there was particularly generous with his knowledge.

“Luckily he took me under his wing and taught me a lot of some of the older-school tricks that still are relevant,” he says.

AEMP technician of the year Chase Snyder Deere wheel loader
Chase Snyder prefers to tackle the challenging jobs.Courtesy of Manatee County 

After graduation, he started working for Manatee County. At last, he was with the yellow iron he loved so much. The county has a 170-piece fleet, including heavy dozers, wheel loaders, excavators and massive landfill compactors.

His supervisor at the county landfill shop, David Alligood, won last year’s AEMP Technician of the Year Award. Snyder did not know Alligood before he came to work for Manatee County, but he had heard of him. When looking for work while in tech school, Snyder met the fleet manager for Sarasota County, who had also worked at Manatee County.

“And I met with him and he laughed, and he goes, ‘You remind me of this guy David that I hired about 10 years ago,’” Snyder recalls.

When he went to the job interview for Manatee County, Alligood was in the room.

“There were four or five of us in that room,” remembers Alligood. “And when he walked out, we all looked at each other. We’re like, ‘That’s probably the best interview we’ve ever had.’”

“I couldn’t believe it,” Alligood adds. “He was a dead ringer.”

AEMP technician of the year Chase Snyder Deere toolbox
Back-to-back winners in Manatee County show their winning custom John Deere toolboxes side-by-side.Courtesy of Manatee County  

Snyder has worked in Manatee County’s landfill shop for about three years and has already made an impact.

He’s a quick learner and willing to tackle the tough jobs, say coworkers.

“I love the big equipment, the nasty equipment,” he says. “If something breaks down in the field or up in the trash, I’m all over it.”

They also appreciate his calm demeanor and willingness to offer new ideas and solutions.

When the landfill’s 19-ton wheel loaders’ center pins began to wear out, he convinced management to do the work in-house rather than farm it out.

“And I think we came in roughly 50% of what the quote was to have the vendor do it,” Snyder says. “Since then we’ve done three, and every time we get a little bit faster at it and save a little bit more money.”

Another accomplishment came when the pin bores on the blades of the landfill’s 40-ton dozers were wearing out. Working with the parts department, they found some replacement bearings that fit. A diagram was made of the parts numbers to keep on file for future repairs.

“It saved us a lot of costs and machine work,” he says. “…And also it’s going to save future downtime.”

Norman Hagel, Manatee County fleet operations chief, recalled another cost-saving project, due to Snyder’s welding and fabrication skills. The county had a 10-ton trailer that Snyder converted for use as a spreader in summer and as a transporter during winter.

“His diverse skillset has saved us money on multiple occasions,” Hagel says.   

AEMP technician of the year Chase Snyder
Chase Snyder doesn’t shy away from the dirty work. “I love the big equipment, the nasty equipment,” he says.Courtesy of Manatee County 

At 26, Snyder is the youngest member of the landfill shop team. He’s grateful for the experienced people he’s worked with who have passed along their knowledge. He tries to return the favor by taking on some of the heavier, dirtier work.

“They’ve done their time of doing all that work, and so if I’m able and willing to take on some of the grunt work from them, they pay it back by educating me,” he says. “So it’s a mutual respect there.”

He also makes a point of keeping up with the rapid technological advancements on the machinery. He recalls some advice he got early on when he was getting frustrated while working on a bus’ diesel exhaust fluid system. He let out a common grumble he had heard from the older techs about the new diesel emission systems. One of the veteran technicians chuckled.

“Look,” he told Snyder. “I’ve learned enough to get by till I retire next year. You’re still pretty new in the industry, and this is your reality. So you either learn to figure this stuff out, or you go find another career path, because it’s not going away.”

“And that stuck with me,” Snyder says.

“This field has changed so much in the last 10 to 15 years. And I’ve kind of been brought into it as this wave of updating and new technology has come out. And it’s only going to continue from here.”

But that change is fine with Snyder.

“The running joke I always say is you’ve got to be smarter than what you’re working on. And with how technical some of this stuff’s getting now, it’s hard to do that some days. But it’s always a challenge, and the challenges are what keep you interested. They’re what keep you up at night and keep you motivated to come in the next day to figure it out.”

AEMP technician of the year Chase Snyder in the field
“His diverse skillset has saved us money on multiple occasions,” says Norman Hagel, Manatee County fleet operations chief, of Chase Snyder.Courtesy of Manatee County 

Snyder believes that one way the diesel tech industry can help put a dent in its labor shortage is to help the younger generations stay trained and headed toward career advancement.

“A big thing that a lot of the younger guys look for, that I know I look for a lot, is what type of training am I going to get,” he says. “That way I can stay current and learn this new stuff.”

Manatee County has done a good job of offering and emphasizing training, as well as providing updated software and access to manufacturers’ information, he says. He has earned about 25 ASE certifications.

He offers this advice for young people starting a career as a diesel technician:

“Keep your head up, and eventually, some of the right doors will open up. I know that’s what happened with me. … If you work hard enough and push hard enough, things have to fall into place eventually.”

As for himself, Snyder definitely has an eye to the future.

“I love what I do right now, but I also know that it’s not what I want to do forever. I definitely know that I want to progress up within our organization here. … And I definitely want to be able to progress as far up as I can.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Construction Services

12 Days of Gifts, Tools & Toys for the Construction Enthusiast

David Oliver

Last-minute shoppers, have no fear! We’ve compiled a list of 12 gifts sure to wow the construction or trade professional, or equipment-loving little ones, in your life.

From clothing and accessories to tech and tools, there’s something for everyone and at every price point. 

We’ll feature a new gift each day for the next 12 days, so be sure to check back to see what else we’re unwrapping. 

Each day’s gift suggestion will appear in the Gear section of equipmentworld.com. You can also scroll down to the Gear section on the equipmentworld.com home page.

Better yet, subscribe to our Equipment World Daily newsletter to see each day’s new gift idea, as well as keep up with the latest news affecting construction equipment, contractors and the construction industry as a whole.

Here are links to the first two gifts:

1st Day of Construction Gifts: A Cool Watch Made of Bourbon Barrels

2nd Day of Construction Gifts: This Grill Has a Cult-Like Following

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https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=743

Construction Services

ASV Debuts the Most Powerful Compact Track Loader, the RT-135F

David Oliver

With a 132-horsepower engine and maximum auxiliary hydraulic flow of 50 gallons per minute, the new ASV MAX-Series RT-135 Forestry is the industry’s most powerful compact track loader, designed for high-flow attachments in aggressive environments.

“Time and time again, the forestry segment has asked for a more powerful machine,” says ASV product manager Buck Storlie. “We have a nearly 20-horsepower advantage over any other units. We expect productivity and performance to be on the leading edge with this loader.”

The CTL is also available in a non-forestry configuration for site development, snow clearing, asphalt planing, milling and more.

Powered by a 4-cylinder, turbo-charged Cummins QSF3.8 engine, the CTL offers a 10 percent increase in power compared to the company’s RT-120, which is being discontinued. The engine meets Tier 4 Final emissions standards through selective catalytic reduction technology and diesel particulate filter.

Outfitted with forestry-rated guarding and safety features, the RT-135F is ideal for brush-cutting, mulching, land clearing and other high-flow applications. A 50 gpm mulching head, developed and optimized for the machine, is sold with the RT-135F.

More power and performance

The machine’s high-flow hydraulics are rated at 50 gpm and 4,060 psi. More engine power is transferred to the attachment with no sacrifices to machine performance, thanks to an oversized auxiliary pump capable of 66 gpm. This means operators can run high-flow attachments at full speed without slowing travel speed.

“The auxiliary pump that we’re powering it with is new for us, and with that, we redesigned the hose routing again to increase the dimensions and cooling capacity,” says Storlie. “We really tried to minimize inefficiencies and parasitic losses in the system.” The air intake system was also updated with larger screens to get more air through the cooler.

Contractors can lift more and work longer with the RT-135F. The machine is equipped with a 52-gallon fuel tank – 22 gallons more than the RT-120. The CTL also features a 4,150-pound rated operating capacity, 10 mph top speed and 10.4-foot lift height. Contractors can further boost the operating capacity and reinforce the back of the machine with an optional rear bumper kit that extends over the tracks.


Operators will benefit from a roomier cab, simplified software and customizable controls.ASVFully-loaded cab

The 12,990-pound RT-135F received the MAX-Series treatment, providing operators with more standard features for operator comfort and performance. Storlie says the machine comes with “all the bells and whistles,” including:

360-degree cab visibility7-inch touchscreen displayFoot throttle (along with hand dial)Roof hatch escapeSingle side lap bar and adjustable armrestsBluetooth radioLED lightingNew taillightsHighly pressurized, all-weather cab with heat and air conditioningForestry level guarding, including ½-inch poly sides and ¾-inch poly doorUSB ports and 12-volt ports

Adjustable, customizable controls benefit operators of all skill levels. “It’s the small machine segment where the new guy often gets thrown in,” says Storlie. “With the RT-135F, we spent a lot of time redesigning the software system to allow for simple settings based on operator skill levels and speed control. Level one is a soft pattern for a more inexperienced operator, whereas level three is a very quick, fast, precise pattern for an expert operator.”

beefier undercarriage

The RT-135F is ASV’s largest and heaviest unit. Because of that, enhancements have been made to the undercarriage. The machine is 4 inches wider than the RT-120, providing more room for engine plumbing and additional axle capacity to support the extra weight. A larger 80-inch bucket comes standard on the wider RT-135 as well.

“We don’t want people to be mistaken that it’s just an RT-120 with more power flashed in,” says Storlie. “An all-new frame and axles, undercarriage reliability improvements and a new bearing hub design give this the beef to handle the power we put behind this thing.”

The RT-135F retains ASV’s patented Posi-Track system, giving it 15 inches of ground clearance, more traction, longer wear life and convenient undercarriage cleaning. The track length and width will remain the same as the RT-120, at 71 inches and 20 inches, respectively.

“The track is all rubber with a poly cord internal design, rather than steel and belts,” says Storlie. “By design, it wants to flex and hug the ground. Traction is hugely important with these big machines to push big loads and put that power to use.”

Maintenance and serviceability

Built for harsh forestry work, the RT-135F features guarding around the light and radiator, a heavy-gauge steel hood, foam seals and limited openings to reduce debris ingestion.

The flip-up cab and swing-out doors make it easy to access components from all angles for daily maintenance checks and service. A tilting belly pan below the machine allows for simple cleaning.

The machine comes with a two-year, 2,000-hour warranty and a no-derailment guarantee on the tracks, which are also covered for the entire warranty period.

The RT-135F is in production now and will ship to dealers this month.

Quick specs:

Operating Weight: 12,990 poundsEngine Horsepower: 132High-Flow Auxiliary Hydraulics: 50 gallons per minute at 4,060 psiRated Operating Capacity: 4,150 poundsHinge Pin Height: 125 inchesReach at Maximum Dump Height: 24 inches
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