Construction Management

An Operator’s Observations: Top 5 Video Episodes of The Dirt for 2021

December 31, 2021David Oliver

2021 marked a new year for “The Dirt” and a new host. Bryan Furnace began hosting the weekly videos in July, bringing his [...]

Reduce False Insurance Claims with These Cloud-Enabled Truck Cameras

December 31, 2021David Oliver

A backup camera is always a good idea for cars and commercial vehicles. But multiple cameras – side, rear and interior – are [...]

Contractor of the Year Finalist: Building on Family Faith, Oak Hill Contractors Expands Beyond its Mining Reclamation Start

December 30, 2021David Oliver

Josh Burkholder grew up on his family farm and times were tough. Searching for ways to bring in family income, he started mowing [...]

To Stop an Equipment Thief, Think Like an Equipment Thief

December 29, 2021David Oliver

Crime is on the rise everywhere and with so many construction companies powering down in winter, equipment theft is rising accordingly. Pandemic issues [...]

Industry Roundup: Merlo names Brooks Tractor as Dealer and more

December 29, 2021David Oliver

Brooks Tractor will now carry the entire line of Merlo telehandlers at each of its seven locations, which serve the major metropolitan areas [...]

Reduce Time Sheet Errors with Soil Connect’s eTickets platform

December 28, 2021David Oliver

A new time tracking feature designed to reduce timesheet errors and make accurate and timely payments to haulers has been added to Soil [...]

Link-Belt debuts 3 New Heavy-Duty Excavators Built for Tough Applications

December 28, 2021David Oliver

Purpose-built demolition, land clearing, heavy-duty excavating, and pipeline work, Link-Belt is adding three new heavy-duty excavator models to its North American lineup, the [...]

Industry Roundup: Takeuchi adds East Coast dealer locations and more

December 27, 2021David Oliver

Takeuchi has named GT Mid Atlantic locations in Folcroft, Pennsylvania; Vineland, New Jersey; and Freehold, New Jersey as dealers. All three locations will [...]

Work Set to Begin on Widening Section of National Freight Highway in Illinois

December 27, 2021David Oliver

Work is expected to begin in January on widening a major freight highway in southern Illinois. The $67.6 million project will expand 9 [...]

Tadano names Barley president

December 24, 2021David Oliver

Effective January 1, Dean Barley will take the helm as president and COO of Tadano America Corp., succeeding Ingo Schiller. Barley currently serves [...]

Latest Posts

Custom Stairs for Your HomeMay 4, 2023Stairs ServicesWhether you are building your dream home, adding a second story, or simply re-working an existing space, custom stairs can be an integral part of any renovation project. They can be tailored to match specific preferences with wood species, color, post height, and decorative details. Some popular features include a custom newel post in just the right spot or intricately turned balusters that adorn a stairway. Visit Website to learn more. Custom Stairs can be used to add a distinctive touch to your home and are an excellent way to improve the overall appeal of your property. It can also make your home more appealing to potential buyers and real estate agents and help increase the value of your house. You can design stairs in any size or style to suit your home and taste. Traditional straight stairs are simple and straightforward, but you can choose curved or spiral staircases if you prefer more contemporary designs. You can use many different materials for your stair elements, from woods to tiles to paint. To find the right one, select Replace Material on the right of the stair element. For example, you can choose to replace the baluster, handrail and newel with wood materials in a variety of colors. You can also change the color of the treads or risers to match your interior design. To design your stair, start by sketching the Run using the Draw panel. The boundaries and risers for your stair are automatically generated as you draw the lines, so it’s easy to get started on designing a custom stairway. Once the boundaries and risers are in place, you can add a railing to your stairway. You can add a railing to each stair, or you can create a single railing that covers the entire staircase. Next, you can add doors to each stairwell or to the hallway that connects each room. For the first floor, start by adding doors to the hall and a door between each stairwell (Figure 8). Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each stair you want to add. When you’re satisfied with the layout, click and drag to move the stair into its final location. You can also change the height of the stair to accommodate any changes to your interior layout. You can also adjust the width or length of the stair to fit between walls. Creating a custom staircase can be a challenge, but it’s well worth the effort to ensure you create a beautiful and functional space that complements your home’s interior. The end result will be a space that you’ll enjoy for years to come and which will enhance the overall appearance of your property. Custom stairs are a great way to improve the look of your home or business. They also provide added safety. However, they can be expensive to purchase and install, which is why it’s important to know what materials to use for your staircases. Durability can be a major factor in deciding which material to use for your custom stairs. It’s important to find a durable material that will last for many years to come. When choosing a durable material for your stairs, you’ll need to consider the size of your space and what kind of style you want for your home. You’ll also need to make sure that your design meets building regulations, as well as your budget. Wood is a classic choice for custom stairs because it provides both a traditional and rustic appearance. You can choose from a variety of species and finishes to suit your home’s style and needs. Some of the most popular types of wood to use for stairs are maple, oak and hickory. Each of these options comes in a wide range of color and grain options, giving you plenty of choices for the perfect finish on your staircases. These types of hardwoods are very resilient, which makes them a great option for your stairs. They can resist abrasion, water and even decay. Other than hardwood, steel is another stair material that you can consider. It’s a great option for commercial spaces, especially in offices, as it can withstand high levels of traffic. It’s also very versatile and can be fabricated into a variety of shapes and styles, so you can easily match it to your business theme. While steel is a durable stair material, it can be noisy and may not be ideal for all environments. If you’re looking for a more quiet stair material, you can also try vinyl. The durability of your stairs will also depend on how often they receive foot traffic. This is why it’s important to take the right steps to protect them from wear and tear, such as applying a floor protection film during construction. Whether your stairways are for a business or home, it is important to make sure that they are safe and secure. This can be done by installing guardrail systems, handrails and more. Having a fall-protection system in place is essential for safety and the overall health of your employees. Stairways that are not secure can lead to a slip or trip, which could cause serious injuries or even death. If you are designing stairs, you should consider the OSHA requirements and also the ADA guidelines. These rules will ensure that your stairs are safe and accessible for everyone. In addition, you should make sure that your stairways are properly lit and free of obstructions. This includes clutter such as loose carpets and throw rugs on the stairs or landings. It is also a good idea to check for holes, spills and grease stains on the walls that may create slip and fall hazards in the future. When designing custom stairs, be sure to keep these factors in mind so that you can avoid accidents and injuries. For example, if your stairs are in a busy area, you should consider placing a security gate near the top and bottom of each stairway to prevent anyone from slipping down them. Another safety precaution is to have handrails installed on each side of the stairway. These are an OSHA requirement and can help you avoid serious falls and other injuries. You should also make sure that your stairs have the right measurements. Tread widths should be a minimum of 11 inches and the risers and treads should be uniform. You should also make sure that the ends of your handrails are rounded or return smoothly to the floor. If you are working with an architect, ask them to check their drawings for compliance with these regulations. This will help you avoid any costly fines or other penalties. You should also consider having a safety barricade at the entrance to the stairway to ensure that people can enter and exit without tripping. Custom stairs are a great way to add character and style to your home. They also offer a safe way to access different levels of your home. However, many homeowners put little effort into the aesthetics of their stairs because they focus on safety rather than design. With a little effort and consideration, you can make your staircases both stunningly beautiful and safe at the same time! Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy that deals with taste and the study of beauty in nature and art. Webster’s defines it as the “appreciation of the beautiful and the fine arts.” Aesthetics has a long tradition in philosophy, with theories of how we form taste and judgment found in works such as Burke’s Introduction on Taste, Hume’s Standard of Taste, and Kant’s Critique of Judgment. While many people consider aesthetics to be about art, it is actually about the experience of the beautiful in all of life. This includes not only art, but also music, literature, and the natural world. This makes it an interesting field of study for stair railings, as it allows designers and artisans to take the aesthetic experience into account in their designs. Using precious metals and other materials, they can create stair railings that stand as testaments to luxury, artistry, and unique style. There are a number of types of staircases that can be used for your custom stair design. Some of the most common include straight stairs, spiral stairs, and L-shaped stairs. Spiral stairs are great for adding more character to a home, while L-shaped stairs are useful for narrow spaces. Both can be constructed from wood, with different species offering different looks and tones inside the home. Another option is to use a material such as glass, which can help open up your space and allow light in. This can help your stairs blend in with the rest of the building, while still being a dramatic focal point. Stairs are a crucial part of any home. They connect different levels of the home, and they can be a valuable addition to any renovation project. Paul Satterfieldwww.3555pacific.com [...]

How to Find a Reputable House Painting ContractorJanuary 31, 2023Painting ServicesPainting is an excellent way to improve the look of your home. A new coat of paint can make your house look brand-new and protect your walls from the elements. A painting contractor must have experience, skill, and passion for the job to achieve professional results. In addition, they must hire talented workers with good attention to detail. Painting applies paints, stains, wall coverings, and ceiling textures to new and remodeled homes. They may also refinish cabinetry or trim. Professional painters must have extensive experience and a passion for painting to produce a quality result. They need to have good attention to detail and be patient. Before hiring a painting contractor, ensure they are licensed and insured. You should also get a contract that clearly states what’s and isn’t included in the project. Then, you’ll be able to make an informed decision. It would be best if you also asked to see the contractors’ work at their own homes. Then, you’ll know what to expect and how long the job will take. With this information, you’ll be able to choose the best painter for your home. So, you can rest assured that your next painting project will be a success! Whether you’re getting a professional interior or exterior paint job, hiring the right contractor is important. Getting a good house painting job is a big deal. The right paint can make your home look like it’s brand new and increase your property’s value. You need a professional to do the job right. A licensed painting contractor can be counted on to get the job done right the first time, and he’s more likely to use quality products than someone who uses cheaper materials or inferior brushes. In addition, you can count on him to provide insurance for your belongings and any accidents he might cause during your project. A painting contractor’s credentials will help you decide which one is right for you. Check with your state’s licensing authority to find out what is required for a painting contractor. It’s also a good idea to find out whether your prospective contractor has any complaints filed against him by the Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection agencies. If you’re a homeowner looking for a house painting contractor to paint your home, be sure to find one that has proper licensing and insurance. Not only does this protect you from financial loss, but it also ensures the quality of your work. General liability insurance is essential for painters and many other contractors. This policy covers a range of accidents that can happen on the job, including property damage caused by overspray and spilled paint. Personal injury protection coverage is another important insurance for painters and other construction businesses. It pays medical expenses and lost wages for someone who is injured while working on a client’s property. Other types of business insurance that a painting contractor should have include workers’ compensation and surety bonds. A surety bond reimburses a client if you can’t meet the terms of your contract or agreement. Learn how to reduce your premium, which bond amount to choose, and more on Insureon’s surety bond cost analysis page. A warranty on a house painting job is a great way to add value to your investment. If a painter is offering one, it’s a sign that they are reputable and professional. It’s also a good way to find out how honest they are and whether or not they are actually able to stand behind their work. It’s always a good idea to meet with at least three different professional painters before you decide on a contractor for your project. A painting contractor should offer a warranty that includes both the materials and labor costs. This will mean that if any problems arise, the company will cover them, so you won’t have to pay for them out of pocket. Angelo Hartleywww.3555pacific.com [...]

Types of Roofing and Their PurposesJanuary 10, 2023Roofing ServicesRoofing is the top covering of a building. All materials and constructions that go on top of it from the roof. A roof is an important part of the building’s envelope, protecting it from the elements. Listed below are the most common types of roofs and their purposes. For information about roof construction, visit the Buildings Department website. Roofing is essential for your building’s safety and comfort. Here are some tips for choosing the best roofing for your needs. Roofing can be tricky. Consider calling a roofing contractor. Everett Roofer has the tools to do the job right the first time, and they’ll make sure you get the roof of your dreams. Besides, they will give you a competitive price, too. So, call a roofing contractor today and get your house roof replaced. If your budget allows, you can find a roofing contractor who can do the job for you. A utility knife with a hook blade is a must-have when installing shingles. Using a hook blade on a utility knife, cut shingles with an overhang of about a foot or two and reuse them elsewhere. You can also use a utility knife to cut shingles to a proper size. Once you’ve determined the correct size and shape, you can begin laying the shingles. To do this, make sure you stagger the seams to look even. When you build a building, the roof is the first thing you think of. This covers the uppermost part of the building, preventing the elements from damaging the building’s contents and protecting the structure. It protects the building from rain, which is crucial in most countries. In ancient Persia, roofs were used for farming, milling wheat, and extra living space. Today, roofing protects buildings from sun, wind, and heat. In addition to protecting the structure from elements, it also has other uses, including creating a garden conservatory. Another common use for a roof that is in good condition is reroofing. In this case, the roofers place the new roof on top of the old one. The advantage of this method is that you don’t have to tear off the old roof, which reduces the cost and time required for the project. If you’re planning to build a new home, consider reroofing your home. Roofing is essential for your home, but you can go for a different roofing style if you prefer something other than concrete or steel. Wood is one of the most beautiful roofing materials, but it has limitations. Wood is not very durable and could be better for areas where the temperature drops very low or where there’s a high risk of wildfire. On the other hand, wood roofs are expensive and look great, so they’re a popular choice for luxury homes. Before the advent of other types of roofing, asphalt-saturated felt was the most common type of underlayment. This material is made from leftovers from refined crude oil and is a very effective weather barrier. It also protects the home’s interior from harmful UV rays and harsh weather. The downside to asphalt is that it tears easily and doesn’t perform well under heat and UV rays. Hence, many homeowners choose to use other materials for their roofs. In addition to asphalt-based roofing, rubberized asphalt is another type of roof material. It’s made up of bitumen, a key ingredient in asphalt. This type of material is popular for both residential and commercial roofing applications. It can be customized for specific properties. Among other benefits, this roofing material is waterproof, resistant to thermal shock, and highly resistant to UV rays. Roofing contractors often use this material for homes and businesses. Sloped roofing systems are typically comprised of layers. The foundation layer, called the decking, is usually made of plywood. The top layer is the roofing material, while the middle layer is the underlayment. If the roof is in an area with a high water risk, underlayment should also be applied. For low-sloped roofs, underlayment should be applied as well. This material can also be used for a flat roof. Shakes and shingles are common types of roofing. Shakes are split into wedges. Shakes are more expensive than shingles, but can last up to 50 years, depending on the climate and the maintenance. While shakes are popular, shingles are more affordable and cost about $1 to two less per square foot. While these are all common roofing materials, the types of roofing materials you choose will depend on the climate and the materials you want to use. Phillip Howardwww.3555pacific.com [...]

The Importance of a Septic InspectionSeptember 1, 2022PlumbingIf you are considering buying a home, you should hire Septic Inspection CT service to check the condition of the septic system. A septic inspection is a great way to make sure your new home is safe from sewer overflow or other problems. Visual inspections can reveal problems if your septic system is not functioning properly. A septic inspector will use a visual inspection to evaluate the health of your home’s septic system. They will ask you questions about the house and the tank, and check the water pressure and drain field conditions. They may also look for signs of a cesspool or standing water. Most real estate experts recommend a full inspection before purchasing a home. The first step of the inspection is to locate the septic tank. The location can be found on the permit sketch of the property. If you are unsure of where the septic tank is located, the inspector will use a probe to locate it. A radio transmitter is another option. The transmitter is about the size of an aspirin bottle. Once the inspector locates the tank, they can retrieve the transmitter. Before the septic inspector can start inspecting the system, he or she must ensure the flow of water in and out of the septic tank. This is done by running a test, known as a hydraulic load test. The test will determine whether the system is equipped to absorb the daily wastewater volume. The inspector must check all components of the tank, including the baffles and tees. Baffles are concrete devices that allow wastewater to slowly enter and leave the tank. These components should be cleaned and checked for corrosion. Tees, on the other hand, are fittings for 18″ PVC pipes that plunge straight down. The septic company should also check the pipes entering the tank. Septic tank lids are made of thick concrete, and the inspector must be specially equipped to open them. Unfortunately, many are already damaged when he or she arrives at a property. For this reason, many inspectors carry spare standard-size lids in their trucks. These lids are also called “coffin lids” because they weigh over a hundred pounds. During a septic inspection, a home inspector will normally conduct a visual examination of the septic system. This includes checking the age of the system and maintenance history. They will also perform pressure testing, which shows if the system is equipped to handle water pressure. They will also look at the drain field, and note whether any areas are filled with standing water. If this is the case, the drain field will likely need to be replaced. An observer will then watch the rate at which the water level in the hole decreases. A drop of one inch or more within three minutes is considered good. A large drop in water level over that time would indicate that soil exchange is taking place and special design measures were necessary. If you are planning to sell your home, a septic inspection may be part of the process. If there are any problems with the septic system, you may want to demand that the seller make necessary repairs. This is one reason why it is important to learn the exact location of a septic inspection. Septic tanks are made from a variety of materials, including concrete, plastic, and fiberglass. They may be equipped with baffles or tees. The baffles are designed to regulate the flow of waste. They are usually fitted during the manufacture of the tank. However, they can wear out and eventually require replacement. In order to protect your health and the health of your family, it is essential to have your septic system inspected regularly. This system is underground and often goes unnoticed by homeowners until there is a problem. However, the most important aspect of your house is the septic system. When buying a new home, a septic inspection is necessary to ensure that there are no problems. However, you should make sure that you have a clear understanding of the cost and the criteria for the inspection. A septic inspection usually takes between two and a half hours. This will vary depending on the size of the tank. A home buyer should coordinate the septic test with the general inspection of the property. By coordinating the two, a home buyer can close the deal sooner. The cost of a septic inspection can range from between two and three hundred dollars, depending on the size of the tank and system. The cost is considerably lower than the cost of a drain field replacement, which can range from $2,500 to ten thousand dollars. Ana Sumnerwww.3555pacific.com [...]

The Basic Steps For Better Article MarketingAugust 17, 2022Construction ServicesBuilding an effective internet business isn’t something that’s very hard to understand or complicated to do, but it will take you a good deal of time to effectively drive traffic to your sites and products. Working with article marketing is just one way that you can help pick up your business and we’ll explain some of the best tips of the genre below. If you want to raise your chances of your article being found by searches, don’t make the mistake of publishing it in more than one place. Far better to publish it once, under a single URL, and linking to it with tags from other locations. This is because Google’s way of ranking pages in searches is based on the number and quality of links to a single page. The more times your page appears, the more places those links will accumulate, and the weaker your search results will be. Enrich your article with other links. Your article may hold a wealth of information, but if you find related topics that your target audience may enjoy, link to them! Readers love when they can trust a writer to help them find more information on a topic, even if it wasn’t written by the author themselves. If you are having trouble organizing your articles and getting them read, employ the tried-and-true list format. Articles arranged as lists have proven to be extremely popular and effective on the internet. The structure is an easy one for writers to work with. Readers respond well to list-type articles. Lists keep article paragraphs short and punchy – ideal for online writing. Once you understand some of the better tips and tricks out there associated with article marketing, you can begin to understand how to accurately and effectively, build a web business that will not only drive traffic but also sustain sales. Learn these tactics well and put them to work for you. You can also visit our other websites and post your article. NAACP El Paso, Sam-Virtual , The Business Coalition, The Ecommerce Digest , Trinet Com, TRV Health Shop, Union County Biz, Chat Hamborough Farmers Market , Order Course Work , Learn Anywhere Now, The Light Angel, Innova-Martin, Panduit Virtual , Steam IST Co ,Home Health Care Marketing 360 , Ontario Vernal Pools, Passive Aggressive Investor , Pro Aerial League , Morgan Construction Company , Daley for Wisconsin, Sailing Experiences, Construction-Engineering-Mining , Justice For Genocide, 3555 Pacific ,Mix It In I Matrix, Hughes-Calihan , Clever Fish Media, Hope-Ranch-Real-Estate , Journey Through Aging, Scotts Dale Thrives, Amazing Siding STL, The Visual Concrete Group, Kiwanis Activities , Dekatni , Freckles Cafe in Verell, Bishop Gallery, Cincinnati Trees er Vice Care ,Accounting 4 Quick Books , Taa Site , Employ Right David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Starting Your Own Hauling ServicesJune 23, 2022Hauling ServicesIf you’re thinking about launching your hauling services, you need to register your business with the appropriate authorities. You can either register as a sole proprietor or form an LLC. To do this, you can use online resources. You may also wish to seek the advice of an accountant or attorney to help you decide whether you should start as a sole proprietor or incorporate your hauling services. There are many advantages to starting as an independent hauler. If you’re considering starting your own hauling business, Hauling Corpus Christi TX can help you get started. You can start by building a reputation by showing up on time dressed in business attire and making sure that all equipment is ready to be loaded into the truck. Make sure that your vehicle is kept clean, and that you maintain a friendly attitude. You also want to communicate with your client throughout the hauling process. Regular updates on when you expect to complete the job will give your client peace of mind. If there are any hiccups, you can inform them beforehand so that they will not be left in the dark about the status of their project. Getting referrals from local businesses and family members will help you find customers for your hauling service. You can also try joining gig-referral apps to get referrals from people in your local area. The only downside to hiring a part-time hauler is that you will be incurring additional costs such as insurance premiums, wages, payroll taxes, and workers’ compensation insurance. This is not a cost-effective option, as it means you’ll be losing out on the revenue potential of your business. To ensure customer trust, you should make sure that your hauling service has liability and cargo insurance. Your customers will appreciate it if you can provide proof of insurance. It may also make a difference between getting hired and not. If you’re using an app to arrange your hauling services, it may be possible to get covered by the company’s insurance. Otherwise, you should contact a commercial insurance broker to get additional coverage. When hiring a hauling service, you should also make sure you have all the necessary licenses. Whether you’re a sole proprietorship or a limited-company business, it’s essential to have liability and commercial insurance for your junk removal service. A business license helps you to avoid any legal pitfalls and protects your customers. Some junk removal apps even offer liability insurance to independent contractors. Liability insurance costs between $450 and $1000 for a one-million-dollar policy. To avoid paying more than you need to, consider working with a professional junk removal company. Another important factor for a successful hauling business is the right vehicle. While a one-ton pickup truck may work for a few items, a two-ton truck will be much more efficient. Then, you can use a cargo van or a minidump truck. They are best for large cleanout projects. If you own a truck, you’re halfway there. However, it is also important to consider how much you’ll make with a one-ton vehicle. You should also check the company’s credentials. Some haulers are not licensed and may take your money, or they might dump the items illegally. Some companies are responsible for recycling steel, a material made from car and appliance parts. Trash hauling services help to reduce clutter, debris, and junk. A few tips for hiring a junk hauling service will make the process as smooth as possible. If you’re in doubt, consider hiring a professional hauling service. Lastly, you should be aware of the rules and regulations for moving large loads. In addition, there may be some exclusions, depending on the type of product or waste you’re hauling. Some hauling services may require permits to operate certain machinery. You can check if the hauling service you’re considering is compliant with these rules. Despite these pitfalls, the hauling service is a great choice for any company that needs to move heavy items. If you’re interested in launching a side business and earning a decent hourly wage, you can consider offering hauling services. Offering a hauling service is relatively easy and may not require much start-up costs. You can start your hauling services as a side business or a full-time income. You can choose the location and hours that work best for you. You can also choose to work from home if you want, as there are many advantages to working from home. Alex Kocherwww.3555pacific.com [...]

An Operator’s Observations: Top 5 Video Episodes of The Dirt for 2021December 31, 2021Construction Management2021 marked a new year for “The Dirt” and a new host. Bryan Furnace began hosting the weekly videos in July, bringing his experience as an equipment operator to a broad range of topics for contractors and the construction industry as a whole. From interviews to commentary, Bryan delivers his ground-level, straight-forward perspective to bear on everything from retaining employees to the infrastructure bill. Here are Bryan’s top five Dirt videos from 2021, as determined by the most views on equipmentworld.com: (Want to make sure you don’t miss an episode of The Dirt? You can do so by subscribing to our Equipment World Daily Report newsletter or the Equipment World YouTube channel. We also post a new episode each week at equipmentworld.com.) 1. How Does the Infrastructure Bill Affect Contractors? In this episode of The Dirt, we give you all the important details of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which has since become law, and how it affects contractors. Bryan interviews Daniel Fisher, senior vice president at the Associated Equipment Distributors, to find out what’s in the massive legislation – and what’s not. Though this interview took place before the bill’s passage, the information on the legislation remains relevant. 2. The Chip Shortage: How Did We Get Here? The microchip shortage has been contributing to lower inventories for some equipment manufacturers. A variety of factors have coalesced into a perfect storm, creating a scarcity of chips. Long wait times for new chips are just the tip of the iceberg. Bryan breaks down the many reasons why it might be a long while before we see inventories balance out demand. 3. Construction’s “Weird Disconnect” with Young Workers The old-timers’ constant refrain that the younger generation doesn’t want to work meets an unspoken reality. Many high school graduates have never done real manual labor and have no idea what to expect on a jobsite. That, combined with construction’s tradition of yelling at workers who make mistakes, is leading many young workers to wrongly conclude they’re just not cut out for construction. So they quit. After spending time talking with young workers, Bryan embarks on a discussion on how the construction industry can bridge this “weird disconnect.” 4. “No Call, No Show” Employees: Is This the New Normal? Along with hosting The Dirt, Bryan is a part-time equipment operator who often fills in for employees who don’t show up for work. Not only are he and others throughout the construction industry seeing more no-shows, but there’s a growing trend of those workers not calling to let their employers know they’re going to be absent and when – or if – they’ll return. In this episode, Bryan discusses his observations of the problem – which appears to be more prevalent among worker 25 and under – and a possible solution. 5. Are You Playing ‘Musical Cabs’ With Your Operators? Moving operators around frequently to different equipment can hurt contractors in the long run. Though it’s not always possible to keep an operator with the same machine all the time, the rewards for doing so as much as possible can mean big boosts for your two biggest assets: your employees and your equipment. Equipment World serves up weekly videos on the latest in construction equipment, work trucks and pickup trucks — everything contractors need to get their work done. Subscribe and visit us at equipmentworld.com! Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=934 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

ASV debuts RT-40, its first CTL with a Yanmar engineDecember 31, 2021Construction ServicesSome 20 years ago ASV showed the world a new kind of rubber track system that used oscillating bogie rollers in an undercarriage that practically floated over the ground. This type of machine came to be known as the compact track loader, and while ASV has changed hands several times, they’ve continued to innovate and refine the concept. Yanmar acquired ASV in 2019, and fittingly the new ASV RT-40 is powered with a Yanmar engine rated at 38.2 horsepower. “The Yanmar engine is an ASV engine,” says Buck Storlie, product manager, “and it is fully serviceable at Yanmar or ASV dealers.” The small frame loader features a 48.3-inch width, an 8.4-foot lift height, a 931-pound operating capacity and a 7.1 mph top speed. And like all ASV CTLs the RT-40 offers high tractive effort, low ground pressure and lots of pushing and digging power thanks to ASV’s Posi-Power system. With its 4,000-pound weight and maneuverability, the RT-40 will be a staple in the rental market and ideal for landscapers and contractors who want to get in and out of narrow spaces and passages to backyards, says Storlie. ttachment range The RT-40’s quick-attach fits a variety of attachments and works with an optional adaptor plate for full-sized or walk-behind/stand-on loader attachments. In addition, the loader’s compact size and weight allows it to be conveniently towed behind a 1/2-ton pickup truck. The RT-40 comes standard with variable auxiliary hydraulic flow and can operate efficiently at a high auxiliary circuit flow rate, powered by 13.3-gpm of pump capacity and 3,000 psi of system pressure. Labor-intensive belt servicing is eliminated thanks to ASV’s use of a direct drive pump. This, along with the machine’s large line sizes and hydraulic coolers, transfer more flow and pressure directly to the attachment to help prevent power loss. Built tough ASV engineered the RT-40 for durability and reduced maintenance. It features a heavy-duty frame and metal-face seals on the front and back to ensure the drive hubs do not require maintenance for the life of the machine. The new wiring harness is routed for additional durability and the drive hose routing and chassis sealing are designed for reduced rubbing, fewer line breaks and boosted longevity. An optional bumper or bumper and limb riser help protect the machine in tough applications, such as rental use. When it’s time for maintenance, the rear-tilting hood offers easy access to filters, oil and fuel tank reservoirs, hydraulic and water separator drains and the battery. A new frameless front door includes a floor-to-ceiling glass area, allowing operators to better see their work, bucket edges and attachments. The cab’s large side and rear windows provide additional lines of sight. Rear LED lights and adjustable front pedestal lighting add visibility to the worksite at dusk, dawn or anytime visibility is poor. An optional backup camera is available to replace the standard rearview mirror for additional visibility and safety. Go-anywhere track Some OEM CTLs use the same chassis as their skid steers, but ASV designs its Posi-Track and skid-steer loaders independently to maximize the benefits of the undercarriage system. The RT-40’s dedicated frame enjoys a 10.8-inch ground clearance to carry it over rocks, logs, stumps and other obstacles. With just 3.5 psi ground pressure, the RT-40 can roll across turf and other sensitive or landscaped surfaces with minimal impact while also maintaining enough flotation to work on soft or boggy ground that would sink a typical skid steer. The wide, flexible track reduces the risk of track derailment. A new single-side lap bar borrowed from ASV’s larger Max series machines improves entry and exit and gives operators extra space in the cab. The cab is pressurized to keep out dust and offers optional heat and air conditioning. ASV’s new line of attachments will include the most popular tools first followed by additional releases later.ASV SV-branded attachments Along with the RT-40, ASV debuted a new line of its own attachments. The initial launch will include the most commonly used tools such as buckets, pallet forks, grapples, brush mowers and receiver plates, says Frank Gangi, product manager for attachments. The attachments are performance-matched for all the companies tracked and skid steer loaders. The benefits of dedicated attachments for dealers and customers are that the ASV dealer will become a one-stop shop, with customers able to get both the loader and the factory-direct attachments, parts and service from one location. “The attachments will fit and perform as intended and be plug-and-play so they can be productive right out of the gate,” says Gangi. This also makes financing easier with customers able to combine the machine and the attachments and take advantage of special offers, he says. The new ASV buckets will have bolt-on cutting edges. Also available are tooth buckets and tooth bars for extra digging power. Light material buckets for snow and mulch are available up to 96” wide. And ASV’s 4-in-1 multi-purpose buckets range from 48 to 72 inches wide. With capacity up to 6,200 pounds, ASV Pallet forks will offer tines from 36- to 48-inches long. Grapple rakes and grapple buckets will measure 48- to 72-inches wide. Brush mowers will likewise offer widths of 48 to 72 inches. And Receiver hitch plates for moving trailers quickly and easily, are available for ASV or standard ISO mount. The company will be launching additional attachments in phases based on dealer and customer feedback, says Gangi. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=931 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Reduce False Insurance Claims with These Cloud-Enabled Truck CamerasDecember 31, 2021Construction ManagementA backup camera is always a good idea for cars and commercial vehicles. But multiple cameras – side, rear and interior – are even better. Samsara has developed a new product that connects all these camera feeds to the company’s Connected Operations Cloud. And with the Samsara system, you can use your existing cameras. When combined with Samsara’s AI Dash Cams, customers gain 360-degree visibility in a single dashboard. This increased visibility combined with cloud connectivity allows managers to access video footage immediately and exonerate drivers from false claims. Cameras don’t lie “We can now seamlessly integrate our existing cameras with Samsara’s platform, quickly retrieve video footage through the cloud in minutes, and significantly decrease our volume of backup incidents and associated payouts,” said Sajid Ordagic, safety manager at Rasmussen Group, an Iowa-based heavy construction company. Trucking companies large and small can face a barrage of insurance claims and lawsuits, everything from backup incidents and sideswipes to major accidents. Without cameras proof of innocence is hard to come by. But, according to Ordagic, his company has seen a 30% reduction in backup incidents since installing Samsara Camera Connectors and expects to save $30,000 by exonerating drivers from false claims. Coaching drivers And cameras aren’t just for accident recording, they are also valuable in coaching drivers and improving their habits on the road. This means safety managers can leverage side, rear, and interior footage when coaching drivers, contributing to an enhanced experience because drivers can clearly see how their actions in the cab affect the area around the truck. Superior Plus Propane, a propane distributor serving 24 states across the U.S. with 2,300 trucks and more than 1,000 drivers, coaches its drivers with the Samsara system. “Having the Camera Connector will allow us to sit in our drivers’ seats and walk in their shoes. It will give us a much clearer picture of their exposure and the hazards they’re facing,” says Ryan Quiggle, director of health and safety. Without the need to rip out and replace existing camera systems, customers using Camera Connector can also experience efficiency gains when it comes to installation. According to the company, the Samsara Camera Connector system can be installed in as little as 20 minutes, six times as faster than replacing all the old cameras. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=928 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Preserving the Past: Top 5 Antique Equipment Stories of 2021December 30, 2021Construction BlogsIn 2020, we started an ongoing feature focusing on collectors of antique equipment and their favorite finds. Little did we know that the stories would become so popular. Readers seem to appreciate the historical significance of the old equipment and the personal stories behind them. And the collectors we’ve spoken with love to show their vintage machines, many of which underwent painstaking restorations. Along with being fans of antique equipment, they hope to reach a new generation and help preserve a bit of our country’s construction past. So here are the top five antique construction equipment stories on equipmentworld.com for 2021, with links in case you want to read more: Mike Oberloier1. 95 Years Under Water: Rare, Long-Lost Steam Shovel Rescued to be Restored An old steam shovel at the bottom of a Michigan lake since 1925 couldn’t be rescued. Then a dam break in 2020 changed everything. Because of it, Mike Oberloier was able to resurrect a dream his father had back in 1975, when he led an unsuccessful diving expedition to find the lost steam shovel of Wixom Lake. A Herculean group effort has recovered the old shovel, and Mike has been working to restore it. The early-1900s Thew Type-O shovel is believed to be one of only two left in the world. A shot of Erik Christenbury’s antique Cat with the original operator he bought it from.Erik Christenbury2. Almost Famous: This “Like New” 1956 Cat D6 Dozer Gets a Shot at the Movies As founder and president of Chapter 12 of the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club, Erik Christenbury often gets calls from people wanting to display antique Caterpillar construction equipment. But one that stands out in his mind came about seven years ago from a coordinator on a major motion picture. Erik agreed to let them use his 1956 Cat D6 9U dozer. He had bought the machine about a year earlier – a rare find as it had less than 900 operating hours on it and all original parts. But he didn’t realize until later that they expected him to bring it to New Orleans, more than 800 miles from his home in South Carolina, and get filmed operating it. It turned into a long, strange, yet memorable experience. A proud Casey Havemann with his restored 1958 Case Terratrac 320.Casey Havemann3. Casey’s Rare Case: Teen Restores 1958 Terratrac 320 Dozer Casey Havemann is the youngest collector we’ve interviewed. But Casey showed he has the heart of a true aficionado of antique construction equipment when he found a rare 1958 Case Terratrac 320 dozer. He then spent 600 hours restoring it while he was in high school. His restoration work involved a lengthy parts search, parts fabrication, and taking the crawler tractor apart piece by piece and putting it back together again – twice. The Holt Caterpillar 10-Ton back on the Vouk property in St. Stephen, Minnesota.Scott Vouk4. “Impossible” Quest Brings Home Family’s Century-Old Holt Caterpillar 10-Ton Tractor Scott Vouk was 6 years old in 2001 when the Holt Caterpillar 10-Ton tractor was auctioned off. It was sold along with all the other equipment at the Vouk family’s antique steam show after his great uncle passed away. William Vouk Sr. had bought the Holt in 1938 for the family threshing and sawmill business. After the auction, the family thought it was gone for good, but 25-year-old Scott Vouk didn’t give up. In 2021, he managed to do what many of his relatives didn’t believe possible. He brought the century-old tractor home. Nancy McDonnell with her 1956 Cat D4Nancy McConnell5. A Dozer of Her Own: It Was Nancy’s Turn To Restore a 1956 Cat D4 Nancy McDonnell had been watching her husband and others operating vintage construction equipment at antique machine shows, and she decided it was time she had a turn. After a local search in the late 1990s, the Germantown, Ohio, couple found a hidden treasure in two beat-up 1956 Cat D4 dozers. Neither dozer was good enough on its own, but by combining the good parts, they were able to put together one excellent restored dozer to operate at antique shows and give Nancy her first piece of construction equipment. David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Contractor of the Year Finalist: Building on Family Faith, Oak Hill Contractors Expands Beyond its Mining Reclamation StartDecember 30, 2021Construction ManagementJosh Burkholder grew up on his family farm and times were tough. Searching for ways to bring in family income, he started mowing lawns and then turned to construction. It’s a move that came out of necessity and he now says it “grew beyond anything I ever imagined.” This growth shouldn’t be a surprise when you look at his background. “My dad always drilled customer service into us,” Burkholder says. “We’re here to serve the customer. That’s where our bread and butter come from.” Along the way, several people have given his company a hand up, Burkholder says. There was the small community bank that loaned him the money for his first piece of equipment: a zero-turn lawnmower. “We still use them, “ Burkholder says, “even though we’ve outgrown them to some extent.” He also credits an engineering team with a local mining company with seeing Oak Hill’s potential in doing the mine’s reclamation work. In 2010, the mining company hired Oak Hill to move 170,000 yards of dirt, a job that they bid at around $500,000. “That was monstrous for us at the time,” Burkholder says. “They really went out on a limb for us,” Burkholder adds. “They were instrumental in taking us from a couple of boys with a dozer to a company that could actually compete and perform major jobs.” Oak Hill used a combination of owned and rented excavators, dozers and articulated trucks along with tractors and pull-behind scrapers to complete that first mining job. “A lot of the earthmoving involved short moves so we could do things efficiently,” Burkholder says. Family firstJon (left) and Josh Burkholder along with “assistants” (left to right) Alex, Kaden and Karson Burkholder.Equipment World Family is a central theme at the company, part of the Burkholder’s deep Mennonite faith. Burkholder’s brother Jon manages the fleet, shop operations and projects. “He’s a lot more detail oriented,” Burkholder says. “It’s a good partnership. There’s a lot give and take, and it’s worked out really well.” The family also had a narrow escape. While visiting an accounting firm in Pennsylvania, their plane crashed on takeoff. Burkholder, Jon and their dad Eugene all sustained serious injuries. “We essentially flew into the side of a hill,” Burkholder says. “It’s a miracle we survived because the plane was structurally destroyed even though there was not a lot of visual damage.” The accident happened in late 2015. “In 2016, our company basically ran on autopilot after coming off a good year,” Burkholder says. “I would go into the office and look at the stacks of paper, and I just couldn’t concentrate.” The company rebounded in 2017 after another large mining project came through, but that also marked the last year that mining reclamation projects were the company’s primary income source. Tandem excavators at work on a $4 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineer job along the Ohio River.Equipment WorldThree years ago, Oak Hill was almost 100% devoted to coal mine reclamation jobs. Those projects are now down to 30% of the company’s work as it has expanded into landfill cell construction and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer work. Corps work has stretched Oak Hill beyond it’s normal 150-mile geographical footprint; it’s now performing levee work on the Texas-Louisiana border, something Burkholder sees the company doing only on a limited basis. Oak Hill crews are currently working a job alongside the Ohio River that involves both earthmoving and marine construction. “When bidding it, there was a question of which approach you would take – working from the land or from the water,” Burkholder explains. “We saw very little work that we couldn’t do from land, and it’s been an awesome contract.” Oak Hill bid the project with crawler carriers but found that its tractors and 21-yard pull-behind scrapers were a better fit for the soft underfoot conditions. “The difference was in the volume of dirt they could move, but we’re still pulling one instead of two. There’s a lot of rolling resistance.” Growth ahead?Oak Hill contractors serves several markets including coal mine reclamation, landfill cell construction and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. Oak Hill’s annual revenues are now in the $14 million to $15 million range. “I see a huge variable in the bottom line if we can go from there to $18 million, because we have the infrastructure in place,” Burkholder says. “A lot of the overhead costs are taken care of.” With growth in mind, Burkholder is considering adding a salesperson and a controller. “We’re trying to get better prepared for the long haul,” he says. “I’m trying to transition out of thinking I have to do everything to training other people so that I’m not so tied down with the nitty-gritty.” The “long haul,” as Burkholder puts it, is also present as he sees the children – now still quite young – grow up in his family. “Those who are going to survive in this industry are going to stay in the harness and figure out ways to adapt and get it done,” he says. “We have finite resources and a finite amount of people. Good technicians are hard to find, so I now look at what investment can we make that makes us flow better and be more profitable each season.” For example, this year Oak Hill had tractors and pull-behind scrapers available for jobs, but no artics, which prompted him to rent six trucks for a job near St. Louis. “But it’s going to be painful for me to write that rental check,” he admits. “I like to own the equipment we’re using.” The company built its current office and shop in 2017. “I can’t imagine what we’d do without that shop and its overhead crane,” Burkholder says. “We do a high percentage of our own work.” The company also has an equipment division that manages buying and selling used fleet and trucking services. “When you’re getting the operator from them, you’re actually getting an operator and not just getting somebody that is sitting in a seat,” says client Chris Russell with Hamilton County Coal. “They are great communicators and that makes a big difference.” “Josh and Jon are people of their word,” says Kevin Gore with client JennMar Services. “I couldn’t have higher praise for anybody that I work with.” For an overview of Oak Hill Contractors’ operations, check out this video: CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: ‘#vue-1640788002617-893’, name: ‘OEmbed’, props: {“mountPoint”:”/__oembed”,”url”:”https://youtu.be/dond-laUmdU”,”attrs”:{“type”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://youtu.be/dond-laUmdU”,”element”:”aside”}}, hydrate: false }); Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=915 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Oshkosh Corp. suing former JLG employee and Sany AmericaDecember 30, 2021Construction ServicesOshkosh Corporation, the parent company of aerial lift manufacturer JLG Industries, has filed a lawsuit against McKenzie Ditty and Sany America, alleging the former JLG mechanical engineer provided the Chinese equipment manufacturer with confidential information on recently-patented boom lift technology. A patent for an internally supported power track for boom lifts was granted in April 2021, and according to a report by the Oshkosh Examiner, Ditty was persuaded to move from JLG to Sany with a “50% pay increase” in September. The suit was filed with the Winnebago County Circuit Court on October 21, 2021. “Ditty may have taken or retained JLG confidential information and trade secrets after his departure from the company, failing to immediately surrender or return it to the company,” Oshkosh said. “Furthermore, prior to departing from JLG, Ditty wiped his company-issued cell phone before returning it.” “Ditty was intimately involved with and helped to design and develop the new generation of JLG’s boom lift product line and has substantial knowledge of the new products, new technology and other confidential information and trade secrets relating to same,” Oshkosh said. The Oshkosh Examiner reported that Oshkosh Corporation is requesting a court order that would block Sany from “misappropriating or threatening to misappropriate JLG’s trade secrets,” as well as monetary damages. Access equipment is the largest segment of Oshkosh’s business, with revenues increasing by 22% for the 2021 fiscal year. China is an important market for that equipment. In its October 28 earnings report, John C. Pfeifer, president and CEO of Oshkosh said, “Access equipment, which faced an extreme decline in demand in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has since experienced the most rapid rebound of any of our businesses. The access leadership team has taken measured steps to preserve the health of the industry by addressing unfair competition through our trade case. We believe that we are in the early stages of a multiyear growth cycle for access equipment as the rental companies work to lower the overall age of their fleets, which were at historically high levels entering 2021.” Pfeifer added: “The access equipment segment in China has slowed a bit as China’s economy has slowed a little bit, but it’s still a very robust market and it will be one of the biggest markets in the world. It’s already the biggest construction market in the world. So, while it slowed a little bit, we’re still very bullish on China. We’ve got great operations there, incredible people there who do a great job addressing the marketplace.” Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=912 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

To Stop an Equipment Thief, Think Like an Equipment ThiefDecember 29, 2021Construction ManagementCrime is on the rise everywhere and with so many construction companies powering down in winter, equipment theft is rising accordingly. Pandemic issues such as reduced staffing and unemployment also raise risks. Equipment thieves strike fast. They bring their own trucks and lowboys and it takes them only minutes to get a dozer, excavator or backhoe onto a trailer and down the road. In many cases, these stolen machines are loaded into a cargo container before the sun comes up (making it all but invisible to law enforcement) and then put on a ship bound for a country where they can never be traced. But there are a number of steps you can take to keep yourself from becoming a victim of equipment theft. Here’s a checklist of things you should do short term and long term to protect your iron this winter and all season long. Short Term Precautions Fully illuminate your shop building and equipment yard at night and eliminate any shadowed spots where thieves might hide. New LED bulbs cast a lot of light and use less electricity than traditional lights. Install security cameras and alarms. There are hundreds of these available today, so your best bet is to hire a security consultant to help you choose a robust and tamper-proof camera system. Some of today’s security cameras can distinguish between a raccoon and a human being, so you won’t be alerted every time the local wildlife comes searching for a free meal. The price of an expert consultation on these systems is well worth the money.Regularly test your alarms and cameras to make sure they are working properly and you’re getting good images in daylight and dark.Harden your perimeter. Fences should be at least eight feet high. Razor wire isn’t pretty, but it stops people from going over the top, and cutting through a fence is noisy and time consuming. Install tamper-proof bollards at gates, so even if thieves get over the fence, it will be almost impossible for them to drive a truck into the yard or equipment out. Long Term Solutions Telematics have made a huge difference in equipment security. These “black boxes” can be programmed to send you an alert anytime a machine moves outside of a “geofence” you designate on the software. The better systems are hidden out of sight and difficult to tamper with and can track the equipment as it’s being hauled down the road. Most OEMs now offer their own telematics systems, but there are plenty of aftermarket vendors as well. And theft prevention is just one of the things telematics are used for. They also provide diagnostic data and information about fuel use, DEF levels, driver monitoring and all sorts of other useful information.Simpler GPS tracking devices can be attached to non-mobile equipment such as generators, compressors, welders and light towers to give you alerts and position information without the full complement or expense of mobile equipment telematics.If you want to master theft prevention as well as you’ve mastered other aspects of your business, consider downloading and studying the National Equipment Register’s Annual Theft Report. Lots of useful information and good reading for these long winter nights: https://www.ner.net/annual-theft-report/When ordering new equipment consider spec’ing machines that have keypad-only access rather than physical keys. With these, the operator must enter his personal ID or pin number to start the machine. Attempts to tamper or circumvent the system on many will result in an alert. A bonus feature on some systems is that they will store operator preferences tied to the individual ID or pin number.As a company owner or equipment manager, make sure you have photos of all your equipment, serial numbers and complete documentation to share with police in case of a theft.On the jobsite or the yard never leave equipment parked on a trailer. That’s just making it too easy to steal.When you leave a jobsite on a weekend, park all your machines nose to tail so that thieves can’t move one machine without moving the others. In Broad Daylight While most theft occurs at night, our sources in law enforcement say there are enterprising thieves who concoct sophisticated schemes to steal equipment on the jobsite, right under the nose of your foreman. The scam works like this. The thieves acquire a truck and trailer, slap a fake logo of some repair shop or hauling company on the side of the truck and drive to your jobsite. They ask for the foreman and then present him with a fake work order to take a piece of equipment in for repairs. The work order may even have the logo of a local repair shop or equipment dealer and forged signatures of people from your company. The unsuspecting foreman assumes it’s all legit and might even help the thieves load the machine onto the trailer. An hour later, that $300,000 machine might be in a cargo container headed for a port or hidden in a barn down some rural road. The truck and trailer will be sold at auction and everybody in your company starts fighting over who screwed up. This scam works best when the jobsite is being run by an inexperienced foreman. To prevent this from happening, brief all your managers and crew members on how the scam works. Make sure people in the field clear any transfer of equipment with the shop manager or office before they let go of it. As an extra precaution ask for the truck driver’s license, make sure the photo matches and write down the number. Also get the truck and trailer tag numbers and DOT numbers, which may help, assuming they’re not stolen as well, lead back to the thieves. Top States for Equipment Theft According to National Equipment Register, the top five states for equipment theft are: #1. Texas #2 Georgia #3 Florida #4 California #5 Missouri Top Stolen Equipment And the equipment most targeted for theft: #1 Skid steer #2 Mower #3 Tractor, wheeled If you really want to get into this subject, take a read through our interviews with an actual equipment thief and law enforcement officers who specialize in this type of crime. Some of the technology discussed here is dated, but the insights gained are well worth your time. And in case you missed it, take a look at this recent article we did about a guy in jail, who conned a dealership out of $2.8 million in equipment. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=909 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Case debuts two new rollers with torque control and efficient compactionDecember 29, 2021Construction BlogsFor being the simplest machine in most construction fleets, the compactor has benefited from numerous technology enhancements in recent years. Case proves the point with its new compactor duo in the E Series lineup, the SV215E and SV217E single-drum vibratory rollers. The two new models are built for fast, consistent soil compaction on varying lift depths and material types. High centrifugal forces and standard dual amplitude and dual frequency capabilities enable your operators to dial in compaction performance on each lift. Both rollers operate at 154 horsepower and weigh at 33,420 and 36,500 pounds respectively, with centrifugal forces up to 73,063 and 74,861 pounds. Each model is also compatible with ACEforce intelligent compaction technology to further ensure compaction quality, documentation and productivity. Consistent speed and compaction across the job site is enhanced with an electronic self-adjusting torque control system delivering constant power to the drum and wheels. This is further assisted by automatic traction control with HX drive propulsion system – optional on smooth drums and standard on padfoot models. The drive system enables E-series compactors to maintain stability and performance on grades up to 67 percent. All primary machine information and controls are found in an LED display integrated within the steering wheel of the machine.Case Construction EquipmentCompaction performance is further enhanced with an oscillating articulated roller joint that maintains consistent drum-to-ground contact and an updated drum design that reduces drift and maintains constant compaction throughout each rotation. Standard dual frequencies and amplitudes, along with standard auto vibration control, let your operator set compaction performance based on the type of material and the depth of lift. This helps you reach the desired compaction in fewer passes, improves productivity and maximizes the service life of the machine. Case E Series rollers are available in both cab and open ROPS configurations. The adjustable seat swivels up to 80 degrees, providing visibility to the drum surface and flexibility for compaction in both forward and reverse. The axle-free design also allows the engine to sit lower in the machine, which further improves visibility to the rear across the low, sloped hood. Both new machines are designed for ground-level service with a manual-lift hood that provides easy access to all fluid ports, drains, service checkpoints and filters. The cab can be easily tilted forward to reach to all primary hydraulic components of the machine. Each model is also available with optional CASE SiteWatch telematics for diagnostics and machine monitoring. Additional options include a leveling blade, a padfoot shell kit for smooth drum models; a pressurized cab with heat, ventilation, air conditioning and radio; traction tread tires, a rotating beacon, a backup camera, and extra front work lights (only available on smooth drum models). Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=906 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Industry Roundup: Merlo names Brooks Tractor as Dealer and moreDecember 29, 2021Construction ManagementBrooks Tractor will now carry the entire line of Merlo telehandlers at each of its seven locations, which serve the major metropolitan areas of Wisconsin, and provide support to upper Michigan. The line covers all segments of material handling. “Brooks Tractor is always looking for ways to diversify its fleet and add value to the customer experience,” said Truie Brobston, sales manager. “If we can be their one-stop shop, it helps us market the rest of our lineup. We were impressed with the technology the Merlo line has to offer and the overall fit and finish of their product.” Brooks is also an authorized John Deere, Hitachi, Atlas Copco and Dynapac dealer. The 20-year-old association has created a new program to support those working toward careers in the servicing and maintenance of construction equipment.Independent Equipment Dealers Association Heavy Diesel Tech Students Earn $5,000 Scholarships The Independent Equipment Dealers Association presented three, $5,000 scholarships to students at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin during a recent ceremony at the school’s heavy diesel program shop. IEDA created the scholarship program this year for students enrolled in a heavy equipment diesel program who are pursuing careers as construction equipment technicians. Recipients were selected based on academic merit, personal character, and demonstrated financial need. Two $5,000 scholarships funded by the association were presented to David Roberts and Natasha Normand. An additional $5,000 scholarship was donated by Rick Newman, owner of Newman Tractor, which was awarded to Jacob Evers. MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS Palfinger and Sany End Cross-Shareholding Agreement Palfinger and Sany have agreed to reverse their cross-shareholding agreement that began in 2012. The companies say the restructuring will allow each entity to react more efficiently to volatile market conditions. “Following years of constructive and successful cooperation on the operational joint ventures, the cross-holding is no longer necessary,” says Andreas Klauser, CEO of Palfinger. “In addition, the complexity of our partnership is reduced.” The operational cooperation will be expanded to support the sales structure and access to the Chinese construction industry. Berlon Industries to acquire Lowe Manufacturing Berlon Industries, a manufacturer of buckets and attachments, is set to acquire Lowe Manufacturing, a supplier of auger, trenching and grapple attachments, the first week of January 2022. The Wisconsin-based manufacturers have complementary offerings for the construction, utility, landscaping, rental and agricultural markets. Dealers will benefit from a broader selection of buckets and attachments available from the combined business. Richard Lowe will retire from Lowe Manufacturing, while Mary Lowe will remain with the business. Terms of the acquisition transaction were not released. Genie Racks Up 12 Industry Awards in 2021 Genie brought home twelve industry awards for its innovative aerial equipment in 2021. Keys awards included: Highest Retained Value – EquipmentWatchLowest Cost of Ownership – EquipmentWatchLowest Total Cost of Ownership – Genie Z articulating boom lifts – EquipmentWatchIntelligent Product Award – China Machinery Industry Internet ConferenceTechnical Committee Award – European Rental Association “For 55 years, the Genie® team has been committed to delivering equipment and solutions that provide the quality and reliability equipment owners need, as well as performance and durability to get the job done on even the most challenging jobsites,” says Genie President Simon Meester. “The recognition we’ve received throughout 2021 validates that we are living up to our commitments, and we are honored to be recognized by so many associations and publications.” XCMG Named One of the World’s Most Influential Brands XCMG has been named one of the World’s 500 Most Influential Brands by World Brand Lab. XCMG is the only Chinese construction machinery manufacturer to receive the accolade three years in a row, with a new 2021 ranking of 395, up 14 places from last year. The rankings take into account the brand influence, market share, brand loyalty and global leadership. More than 15,000 notable brands worldwide are reviewed to select the most influential 500 annually. Terex Expands S.D. Facility Terex Utilities is adding 11,400 square feet of additional fabrication, machining and welding space to its aerial device and digger derrick manufacturing facility located in Huron, South Dakota. The upgrade also includes investment in new machining and welding equipment, modernized ventilation systems and remodeled office space. “This expansion enables Terex Utilities to increase vertical integration of its supply chain for the best lead time and flexibility of key components such as booms, turntables, and pedestals,” says Darryl Niven, vice president and general manager of Terex Utilities. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. Topcon Expands Global Headquarters Topcon Positioning Group has expanded its Livermore, California-based global headquarters with the opening of a newly constructed training facility and the purchase of a 31,000-square-foot building and 60 acres of land nearby. “The continued expansion of our Livermore headquarters is in direct response to a global increase in digitalization and technology adoption throughout the construction and agricultural industries,” said O’Connor. “This investment not only demonstrates our commitment to supporting the ever-growing demand for technology in the geospatial, construction and agricultural industries, it also shows our dedication to our local economy in a time when so many companies are choosing to leave the State of California.” The additions bring the total of land owned in the Tri-Valley area to nearly 80 acres at an investment exceeding $20 million. Doxel adds Chief Revenue Officer, Head of Commercial Sales Garrick Ballantine has been appointed chief revenue officer at Doxel, an AI-powered project controls solution that helps contractors avoid delays and cost overruns. Ballantine brings almost two decades of sales experience, spanning multiple high-growth technology organizations, such as Ouster, Autodesk and Planet Labs. In addition, Mike Almeida has joined as head of commercial sales, with a focus on general contractors. Almeida was previously head of sales at StructionSite and has also led sales teams at Procore. David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

EquipmentShare launches Florida Case dealer following Trekker acquisitionDecember 28, 2021Construction ServicesEquipmentShare is branching out with the acquisition of six Trekker Tractor locations in Florida. At its new locations in Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Fort Myers, EquipmentShare will offer a full line of Case Construction Equipment under the name Case Power & Equipment of Florida, as well as equipment rental and service solutions. “It’s an honor to be able to join forces with these team members and build upon the outstanding reputation they’ve created in Florida,” says EquipmentShare CEO and Co-founder Jabbok Schlacks. “This expansion will support the growing demand that we are experiencing in the region. A readily available fleet combined with a knowledgeable hardworking team already on the ground will accelerate our ability to bring a new tech-powered rental experience to more customers in the area. And we look forward to supporting the existing network of Trekker Tractor customers in the region with their equipment and service needs.” Case Power & Equipment of Florida will operate independently of EquipmentShare’s rental operations in the state. The assets and operations at these locations will be integrated into EquipmentShare’s technology platform, T3. The platform helps contractors track equipment location and health, monitor spending for accurate invoicing, and manage staff scheduling, compliance, labor costs and service work integration. “The Florida construction market is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse in North America, and the new Case Power & Equipment of Florida locations operated by EquipmentShare bring a whole new approach and dedication to construction equipment in the region,” says Terry Dolan, vice president — North America, Case Construction Equipment. “The company brings a fresh, technology-driven approach to equipment sales and service that will highlight the innovative solutions Case is bringing to market, while also supporting the uptime and productivity of existing Case customers in Florida.” “The well-established brand and history that Case brings to the table paired with our innovative approach to solving contractor problems make Case Power & Equipment of Florida the source for construction equipment,” says Schlacks. “We also share a commitment to supporting and giving back to the communities we work in — we look forward to working with businesses all throughout the state of Florida to deliver equipment solutions and service that will take the local construction market to the next level.” The name “Trekker Tractor” will remain with the Trekker Group. The services, sales and rental company, which was founded by Puerto Rico Wire Group’s leadership in 2010, also serves the southeastern region of the United States. “For the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding individuals at Trekker Tractor,” Jose Cestero Ramirez, CEO of Puerto Rico Wire Group, said. “We have developed close relationships with our partners, brands and each other for the past 60 years. I have full confidence that those relationships will continue to flourish with this acquisition. Our employees have a long history of providing our customers with the absolute best experience possible, and now, our employees can help make history with a growing business forging a new path in the equipment industry.” The acquisition and name change are effective immediately, bringing EquipmentShare’s Florida presence to nine locations. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=900 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Komatsu’s new V-series breakers maximize efficiency, lower cost per tonDecember 28, 2021Construction BlogsAny breaker can be designed to hit hard. The trick is to hit hard and efficiently all while conserving fuel and increasing the breaker’s survivability and longevity. That’s the program undertaken by Komatsu for its new V-series breakers. With minimal wasted energy and higher operating efficiency, Komatsu’s 100-percent hydraulic-fired V-series breakers modulate their impact force and frequency with up to 16 working positions to match most application requirements and maximize productivity while lowering cost per ton. Komatsu V-series breakers automatically select the best piston stroke length and speed depending on the hardness of the material being broken. By adjusting to either hard material (longer, powerful strokes) or to softer material (shorter, faster strokes), the breakers can achieve high production output, with little wasted impact energy. The breakers are also fitted with an innovative energy-saving recovery valve that drives efficiency. The new breakers are compatible with Komatsu excavators from the PC210 to the PC490. Swivel mount hoses avoid snags that might damage hydraulic lines and fittings.KomatsuAutomatic greasing and advanced blank firing protection offer guard against damaging dry fires. Swivel hose couplings and heavy-duty housings protect against damage and repairs. Shock-dampening systems in the form of upper and lower suspensions reduce the risk of cracking your excavator booms and breaker housings, while the mounted standard automatic lubrication feature guards against contamination caused by dust and debris. Vibration control is also important in breaker design and operator comfort. Komatsu’s V-series have suspensions with rubber/poly components to help absorb impact and reduce vibrations through the boom. The enclosed sound-dampening housings reduce noise levels compared to open style breakers and offer customers a solution for urban applications. Because all breakers must eventually be rebuilt, Komatsu supplies inspection kits with the V-series. The inspection kits come with gauges so you can measure wear on all critical components and plan for — rather than be surprised by — maintenance needs. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=897 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Reduce Time Sheet Errors with Soil Connect’s eTickets platformDecember 28, 2021Construction ManagementA new time tracking feature designed to reduce timesheet errors and make accurate and timely payments to haulers has been added to Soil Connect’s eTickets platform. When a driver punches in or out the location is automatically geo-tagged to analyze route efficiency. The time tracking feature integrates seamlessly into the eTickets platform to provide users with a complete data set about the haul. “We are always looking for ways to solve the many age-old day-to-day problems encountered by contractors in the material hauling and dirt moving world,” says Cliff Fetner, Founder and CEO of Soil Connect. “eTickets was designed with the small- to mid-size contractor in mind, and this new feature provides business owners a time tracking solution that can improve driver and subhauler accountability, without being constantly mired in additional administrative duties, invoice disputes, etc. This can make a real impact on a company’s bottom line.” eTickets is a contactless, e-ticketing platform designed to eliminate the use of paper tickets and allow users to easily capture customer information, type of truck, destination, pictures, eSignatures, type of material, load count and more. Soil Connect says its goal is to eliminate the human error associated with traditional paper tickets and ultimately help contractors get paid faster. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=894 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Link-Belt debuts 3 New Heavy-Duty Excavators Built for Tough ApplicationsDecember 28, 2021Construction ManagementPurpose-built demolition, land clearing, heavy-duty excavating, and pipeline work, Link-Belt is adding three new heavy-duty excavator models to its North American lineup, the 210 X4 HD, 250 X4 HD, and 300 X4 HD. “These heavy-duty machines give our dealers and customers the ability to buy a machine that has been designed and engineered specifically for tougher applications,” says said Chris Wise, market development manager at LBX. “The lower is impressive with its aggressive stance and is built using upsized components, full track guards, and stronger carrier rollers to protect against all the rock and debris it tracks over.” Link-Belt says all three models come factory equipped with a high-wide and heavy-duty undercarriage with larger components for added durability, strength, and performance. The 210 X4 HD, 250 X4 HD, and 300 X4 HD have an 11-17% wider stance and 40-50% higher ground clearance than Link-Belt’s standard models, giving them better stability and increased lift capacities to handle rugged work. Link-Belt 210X4HD Heavy-Duty ExcavatorLink-BeltBuilt off Link-Belt’s X4 platform, traveling performance has also been improved with up to a 30% increase in drawbar pull. The machines come standard with double bar grousers for added traction across rough terrain. In addition, the HD attachments feature a high lift bracket for a greater working range and increased lift capacities. The cab features a high-resolution 7” LCD monitor, a standard rearview camera, a high-back air suspension seat with heat and tilt functionality, onboard Bluetooth, Free Swing, and a straight travel pedal. In addition, all models come standard with combination hydraulics and proportional joysticks for added tool versatility and performance. All three machines are powered by Isuzu Final Tier 4 engines that do not require a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to maintain. Regular maintenance items are easily accessible for daily service checks and tune-ups. Customers also have access to RemoteCARE, a 24/7 remote monitoring, machine health and security system for no additional charge. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=891 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

9th Day of Construction Gifts: Tough Work Boots at a Better PriceDecember 27, 2021Construction BlogsEditor’s note: Need more gift ideas? From now until Christmas, Equipment World is featuring a new gift each day for the construction enthusiast in your life. Check back daily to our Gear section or subscribe to our Equipment World Daily newsletter to see each day’s new idea. High-quality, affordable boots that can hold up to tough jobsite conditions are hard to come by, but a new brand says its direct-to-consumer model delivers on both counts. Brunt Workwear was founded two years ago by Eric Girouard, who grew up in a blue-collar family and ran his own landscaping business in high school. “Even though my buddies have the means to buy any workwear on the market, they shouldn’t be overpaying for the tools they wear to do their jobs. Guys like them are the backbone of this country, and they deserve more,” says Girouard. Brunt currently has five models of boots available, but the time-honored look of the Marin model caught my eye. Constructed with full-grain leather and double-stitching on critical spots, the Marin is built for performance and durability. The boots meet the ASTM F2892-18 protective footwear standards and feature a rubber-skinned sole with built-in oil and slip resistance. Brunt says the boots are comfortable out of the box thanks to three layers of premium insoles. An insert below the insoles can be removed to adjust the width from regular fit to relaxed fit. One review said, “I have worked in underground construction for 20 years. These boots are the most comfortable, solid boot I have ever had! I’ve tried all the brands and these boots are hands down the absolute best.” The boots are available in regular or wide widths in sizes 7 to 14. They are priced at $135 and can be purchased on the Brunt Workwear website. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=888 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Industry Roundup: Takeuchi adds East Coast dealer locations and moreDecember 27, 2021Construction ManagementTakeuchi has named GT Mid Atlantic locations in Folcroft, Pennsylvania; Vineland, New Jersey; and Freehold, New Jersey as dealers. All three locations will sell and support Takeuchi’s compact equipment, including excavators, track loaders and wheel loaders. GT Mid Atlantic will add sales professionals at the locations to support the product line. GT Mid Atlantic, an entity of Groff Tractor, serves Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the Philadelphia area. P&K Equipment acquires Standridge Equipment Co. P&K Equipment has acquired two John Deere stores from Standridge Equipment Co., expanding its footprint to 20 locations throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas. P&K will retain most Standridge employees, including Trey Adams and Josh Adams, who will continue to lead the Chickasha, Oklahoma and Duncan, Oklahoma locations. Doosan expands Canadian presence To better serve customers in Manitoba, Doosan North America is partnering with C&C Rentals. The Brandon, Manitoba-based location will offer Doosan crawler excavators, wheel excavators, mini excavators, wheel loaders, log loaders and material handlers. JESCO celebrates 10 years with Ditch Witch JESCO is marking the 10th anniversary of its partnership with underground utility equipment manufacturer Ditch Witch. JESCO says it has sold more than 2,000 mini-skid steers, nearly 3,000 Hammerhead moles and almost 500 vibratory plows across all locations during the past decade. The dealership serves the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets. MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS Blastrac, Diamatic to be rebranded as Husqvarna Construction Husqvarna Construction has announced it will be rebranding its Blastrac and Diamantic surface preparation products and integrating them into the Husqvarna offering. The first wave of rebranded products will launch in mid-2022 and will complement the Husqvarna’s existing lineup of floor grinding, scarifying and scraping equipment. The second wave targeting spring 2023 will include shot-blasting solutions and associated dust extractors. Husqvarna acquired Blastrac in January 2021. Sullair acquires Compressor-Pump & Service Sullair has acquired its Salt Lake City-based distributor, Compressor-Pump & Service. CPS will continue to operate under the same name while servicing, selling and renting Sullair industrial and portable compressed air equipment. The distributor serves an 83-county territory which spans Utah, Northern, Central & Western Nevada, Southeastern Oregon, Central & Southern Idaho, and Southwestern Wyoming. All employees will remain with the company through the transition. First Financial to acquire Summit Funding Group First Financial Bancorp. has entered into an agreement to acquire Cincinnati-based Summit Funding Group, the fourth largest independent equipment financing platform in the United States. Summit will operate as a subsidiary of First Financial, with all current associates continuing in their positions, including Founder and CEO Rick Ross. The transaction is expected to close in 2021. Gearflow Named one of 2021’s ‘Most Disruptive MBA Startups’ Poets&Quants has named Gearflow.com, a construction equipment parts marketplace, one of 2021’s “most disruptive MBA startups.” The honor recognizes startups that have the greatest potential for lasting beyond business school. Gearflow aims to solve the fragmented parts procurement process and its related strain on construction productivity, by allowing equipment owners to quickly find the parts they need from trusted suppliers. To date, Gearflow has raised $4.6 million, which includes a $3-million seed round in June 2021 and a strategic partnership with CNH Industrial, the parent company of Case Construction Equipment and New Holland Construction Equipment. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=885 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Work Set to Begin on Widening Section of National Freight Highway in IllinoisDecember 27, 2021Construction ManagementWork is expected to begin in January on widening a major freight highway in southern Illinois. The $67.6 million project will expand 9 miles of Interstate 57 from four to six lanes between state highways 149 and 154. This is the next phase of a $264 million plan to widen I-57 in southern Illinois. The interstate is part of the National Highway Freight Network. The southern Illinois section handles 40,000 vehicles a day, 14,000 of which are trucks. The widening announcement follows advance construction beginning on another major freight corridor through Illinois. The $1.2 billion I-80 reconstruction project will rebuild 16 miles of the interstate, which leads to the largest inland port in North America. Governor JB Pritzker called the widening project “the most significant investment in I-57 since its original development.” He said it would improve safety and the reliability of the freight network, create jobs and support regional economic development. The next widening phase follows the expansion of I-57 by 4.5 miles south of West Frankfort, completed in 2020, and the ongoing widening north for 3.5 miles. The construction is being funded by the $33.2 billion Rebuild Illinois program enacted in 2019 with a doubling of the state’s gas tax and with federal funds. The upcoming project will occur near Benton and also includes installing median barrier, resurfacing the existing lanes, updating deficient guardrail, and adding rumble strips, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The bridges over the Big Muddy River will be replaced. The phase is expected to be completed in 2025. Future phases will eventually widen I-57 to Mt. Vernon, reconstruct the I-57/64 interchange with Illinois 15 and replace three bridges, at an estimated cost of $164 million, also to be paid for by Rebuild Illinois. “The I-57 corridor is one of the most important in our system, but it’s prone to backups and congestion that can spill over into neighboring communities,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Under Gov. Pritzker, we are transforming I-57 to accommodate 21st century transportation, as we are doing throughout Southern Illinois and the entire state.” Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=882 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

12th Day of Construction Gifts: A Heavy-Duty Tool BackpackDecember 27, 2021Construction BlogsEditor’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. Reinforced for more wear and tear, this heavy-duty tool backpack from Custom Leathercraft is a solid alternative to the standard toolbox. Constructed with 1680D ballistic polyester and extra webbing around the pockets and handles, it’s strong and large enough to hold heavy tools. The backpack features two large zipper compartments, 38 reinforced pockets, a cell phone holder, tape measure clip and a padded compartment to store electronics or valuables. The molded base on the backpack has a square bottom allowing it to lay flat when placed on the ground and consists of soft material for extra back comfort. Three large foam back pads and a 2-way adjustable sternum strap offer support and comfort. The double-stitched tape binding helps keep tools safe and dry, while remaining light enough to carry fully loaded to the jobsite. The molded base tool backpack can be purchased on CLC’s website for $139.00. David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

XL Specialized Trailers’ launches XL Side Dump featuring crack resistant tubDecember 25, 2021Construction BlogsAvailable in two- and three-axle designs, XL Specialized Trailers’ says its new XL Side Dump is built to handle the toughest materials the aggregate industry can throw at it. The two-axle XL 60 SD2-37 has an overall length of 39 feet 8 inches, while the three-axle XL 60 SD3-37 comes in at 41 feet 9 inches. Both trailers measure 102 inches wide and feature a capacity of 60,000 pounds. “The aggregate industry works with tough materials — and needs a tough product to handle them,” says Tom Hiatt, director of sales at XL. “Our team invested significant research and development efforts into designing the new XL Side Dump. The result is a durable product that incorporates no-nonsense safety measures to ensure productivity on the job site.” The XL Side Dump’s tub – made from ¼ inch AR450 steel – is designed to be crack resistant. It offers a capacity of 23 cubic yards water level and 33 cubic yards strike-off. Easy-to-use tub hooks are located on each side of the trailer. When one side is disengaged, the other side automatically engages, ensuring the tub is always secure. The electric mesh tarp system also prevents the tub from dumping when it is covered. The trailer has six lights per side, rubber mounted LED lights and dual intensity center cluster lights. Color options include black, International Harvester red or Caterpillar yellow. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=876 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

GMC Teases All-Electric Sierra Pickup TruckDecember 25, 2021Construction BlogsGMC continues its march to truck electrification with a sneak peek at its all-electric Sierra pickup. While the front shot of the truck doesn’t reveal much, it does show an eye-catching lighting sequence across the grille. The electric Sierra, which will launch only in the Denali trim, will be the third all-electric vehicle in GMC’s portfolio after the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and GMC Hummer EV SUV. “Sierra Denali holds tremendous equity for GMC and our customers,” said Duncan Aldred, GMC vice president. “We now have an opportunity to evolve Sierra’s capabilities and technologies, as afforded by transitioning to an all-electric propulsion while also elevating the luxurious design and comfort associated with Denali.” Like the GMC Hummer EV, the electric Sierra will be purposefully built on the Ultium Platform with the premium materials and capability customers have come to expect from GMC trucks, the company says. The truck will be revealed next year and will be assembled in General Motors’ Factory ZERO Assembly Plant in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Tadano names Barley presidentDecember 24, 2021Construction ManagementEffective January 1, Dean Barley will take the helm as president and COO of Tadano America Corp., succeeding Ingo Schiller. Barley currently serves as vice president of customer service and general manager of Latin America sales. He initially joined Tadano in 2019 following the acquisition of Demag to run Demag as a separate division before integrating Demag cranes into Tadano’s portfolio. Before joining Tadano, he worked at Terex for more than two decades in a variety of capacities. “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to follow Ingo in this role. He has been instrumental in developing Tadano America to the great company it is today and the Pan-America Region into the success that we are now enjoying,” says Barley. Schiller has been promoted to chief marketing officer of Tadano Ltd. He will be responsible for all global marketing activities for the Tadano Group of companies, as well as the director of the US entity that holds both Tadano America Corp. and Tadano Mantis Corp. Schiller joined Tadano America in 2016, becoming its president and CEO the following year. He led Tadano America through the integration of Demag Mobile Cranes into the company’s portfolio and several crane model lineup expansions for the region. “I could not be happier with the news that Dean Barley will succeed me as I know that he brings the right talents that will help the continued growth and success of the Pan-America team. He is the right person to take this business to the next level,” says Schiller. Along with this change, Shinichi Iimura, a long-time veteran of Tadano, will become chairman and CEO. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=870 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Product Roundup: JLG analyzer capabilities now available for phones, tabletsDecember 24, 2021Construction ManagementJLG analyzer capabilities now available for phones, tablets The same functionality you find on JLG’s Handheld Analyzer is now available on customers’ mobile devices. The new JLG BluetoothAnalyzer and Bluetooth Analyzer Reader feature in the JLG Mobile Control App allows users to troubleshoot, calibrate or customize their JLG mobile control equipped scissors with a smartphone or tablet, says Ara Eckel, director of product management for JLG connected solutions. The new Bluetooth Analyzer feature allows users to view and edit machine parameters via their mobile device through an interface that’s similar to the physical analyzer. The Bluetooth Analyzer Reader enables users to view a summary of requested machine analyzer menus, as well as the ability to download and share files through a user’s smart device. Both new Bluetooth-enabled features are supplemental to the Remote Analyzer tool, which is currently available as an option on JLG CAN-enabled ES and R Series scissor lifts equipped with the JLG Mobile Control module. These new Bluetooth features will be available on JLG RT and ERT rough terrain models in the near future. Kohler’s KSD engines offer multiple fuel options including diesel, gasoline and propane.KohlerNew Kohler engine family aims for small displacement applications Today’s sophisticated machines require engines that can integrate with complex control systems, and that’s the need Kohler addressed with the launch of its new KSD series engines. There are three basic models in the lineup with more to come in the next few years: KSD 1403NA, naturally aspiratedKSD 1403TC, turbocharged KSD 1403TCA, turbocharged with aftercooler As to performance, the Kohler KSD engines develop 24 horsepower (18 kW) at 1,800 rpm and peak torque of 88.5 foot-pounds (120 Nm) at 1,400 rpm. At low speed, the KSD series offer 70 foot-pounds (95 Nm) at 1,000 rpm. In this horsepower range, the KSD engines comply with all global emissions standards and fuels. Multi-fuel solutions including diesel, gasoline and propane, are available. According to the company, the new electronically controlled engines can be easily integrated with the more complex electronic systems of today’s machines without modifying the machine. Electronic controls allow the engine to maintain performance at high altitudes and optimize fuel consumption by matching the hydraulics to the engine load and speed. Engines can be set up for any duty cycle and can exchange data with the machine using minimal physical connections. Dual side service access and flexibility in fan positioning enables these engines to fit a wide range of OEM machines. Remote monitoring for diagnostics and geo-location help customers stay on top of maintenance requirements. The engines are aimed at applications such as generators ag tractors, excavators, loaders, forklifts, compressors, dumpers, and mowers. Demarec grapple with Steelwrist SQ coupler.SteelwristDemarec, Steelwrist sign cooperation agreement for quick couplers Demand for quick couplers that enable operators to change attachments from the convenience of their cabs is growing. Demarec is jumping on the bandwagon with their agreement to use factory-installed Steelwrist automatic quick couplers. The Steelwrist lineup adheres to the Open-S industry standard and includes the SQ60, SQ65, SQ70, SQ70/55, SQ80 and the recently introduced SQ90 — the biggest model to date. Demarec is one of the leading manufacturers of hydraulic attachments for the demolition and recycling industry with more than 25 years’ experience in the sector. Hiab iQ.1188 HiPro in the extended mode.HIABNew super-heavy loader crane from HIAB Hiab has launched the 110-tonne-meter ™ super heavy loader crane, the Hiab iQ.1188 HiPro with the company’s new control system to deliver new productivity and safety benefits. The new generation of loader cranes is based the SPACEevo system paired with the CombiDrive 4 remote control that is used for the first time on the Hiab iQ.1188 HiPro. Hiab is part of the Finnish company Cargotec, based in Helsinki. The Hiab iQ.1188 HiPro is the company’s largest crane to date, offering long reach and significant lifting capacity in a lightweight, compact package. It delivers the performance of a 110-tm loader crane but is similar in size to a 90-tm model. This means it can be installed easily on four-axle vehicles, leaving room for payload, and reducing costs and fuel consumption. The new SPACEevo control system allows the crane to be operated precisely at high speeds. The CombiDrive 4 control system provides more information, with bigger color screens, haptic feedback (vibrations) and increased battery life. Operators can personalize settings like speed and crane reaction. A new Confirm View feature increases safety by identifying the position of the operator compared to the stabilizers, so the stabilizers only open if the operator is positioned to see their movement. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=865 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Process More in Less Time with Cat’s New MH3026 Material HandlerDecember 24, 2021Construction ManagementAn advanced electrohydraulic system for Cat’s new MH3026 material handler gives you a balance of power and efficiency to improve cycle times. The result is more material processed in less time, and that spells better ROI for waste and scrap metal applications. A Cat C7.1 engine cranks out 128 horsepower and can operate on B20 biodiesel. The maintenance-free exhaust aftertreatment system maximizes uptime and lowers operating costs. Power and economy mode choices mean you only burn the amount of fuel needed to do the job, resulting in 10% lower fuel use compared to previous models, says the company. Stronger swing torque A new front linkage on the MH3026 reaches up to 42 feet 8 inches. The swing torque is 20% greater to move material faster. A heavy-lift mode gives you extra capacity when you need it, and Cat’s SmartBoom can travel up and down without using pump flow. This adds additional fuel efficiency and allows the operator to focus on grapple control for smoother operation. For safety, Cat’s E-fence system comes standard and prevents the machine and attachment from moving outside parameters set by the operator in the cab. This can eliminate the possibility of hitting the cab with the attachment or running into adjacent structures in a tight work envelope. A pin code prevents unauthorized operation of the machine. Multiple cameras Large tempered glass windows with small pillars on the re-engineered cab protect the operator and enhance all-around visibility and operating safety. Standard right-side and rearview cameras, upgradable to 360-degree vision, display video feed on the large in-cab touchscreen monitor to further enhance work area visibility. Thicker impact-resistant windshields and roof windows meet EN356, P8B and P5A standards. Another important safety feature, standard boom and stick lowering check valves, reverse oil flow in the event of an unexpected loss of hydraulic pressure keeping the front linkage secure in place. All daily maintenance points are quickly accessed from ground level, while a new service platform with steps provides safe and quick access to the upper service area. Easy access For creature comforts, Cat is offering a choice between deluxe and premium designs. A joystick option eliminates the steering column and improves forward visibility, legroom and ease of entry. The left-hand console tilts up for exiting. A 10-inch, high-resolution touchscreen monitor with jog dial offers easy navigation of the operator controls. Different machine operators can store their specific joystick and preferred power mode settings, and the machine automatically recalls the settings based on the operator ID. The cab sits tops out at 18 feet 10 inches to improve visibility for loading and material handling. All engine filters and the new air-intake filter are coordinated to be changed at 1,000 hours. The hydraulic oil-filter change interval has been extended to 3,000 hours, and new anti-drain values keep hydraulic fluid clean during replacement. Quick specs: Engine: 128 horsepowerOperating Weight: 55,601-57,651 lbs.Maximum Travel Speed:16 mphDid you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=862 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

Monk JCB Opens New Houston FacilityDecember 23, 2021Construction BlogsJCB North America recently opened the doors on a new $8 million, 13,000 square foot sales, service and parts facility in Houston, Texas, named Monk JCB. Alice Bamford, daughter of JCB Chairman Lord Bamford and granddaughter of company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford, officiated the ceremony for the facility, which is part of the JCB Sponsored Dealer Program. The program includes the investment in the facility leased to the dealer. “Where else would you get this with a major manufacturer?” says Bryan Monk, dealer principal and owner, Monk JCB. “We are excited to welcome the public to our new Houston showroom. The quality and innovation put into JCB equipment makes us a perfect fit for the needs of the Houston heavy construction equipment market. A facility like this serves to help us support our customers in even more ways.” Monk has over three decades of experience in the industry. “The opening of Monk JCB is an important part of JCB North America’s growth strategy which includes sponsoring dealerships in key market areas,” says Richard Fox-Marrs, President & CEO of JCB North America. “In addition to Monk JCB, we also have sponsored facilities in Dallas and southern California and will continue to add dealerships in other metro areas.” Here’s a look at the new 5-acre facility: Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=859 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]

11th Day of Construction Gifts: Durable Work Pants with StretchDecember 23, 2021Construction BlogsEditor’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. “Unprecedented comfort and maneuverability.” That’s how Blaklader describes its service pants with stretch. The 65% polyester/ 35% cotton material blend helps keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, while maintaining maximum durability and no shrinkage. Plus, it’s more oil and water repellent than cotton alone. The pants feature a stretch panel in the crotch, on the knees and rear. Pre-bent knees provide added flexibility and comfort when crouching or kneeling. Generously sized utility pockets, including an inner telephone pocket, are perfect for carrying tools and parts. Men’s service pants with stretch can be purchased for $79.95 on the Blaklader website or at specialty retailers. The women’s cut features a narrower fit, elastic waist and fast-drying material. The women’s service stretch pant is available for $69.95. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.3555pacific.com/?p=856 David Oliverwww.3555pacific.com [...]