Category: Construction Management

The long-awaited $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed the U.S. House on Friday night and heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act includes $550 billion in new funding over five years as well as reauthorizes increased transportation funding through 2026.

The Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act included in the bill would spend a record $304 billion over five years for highway, road and bridge programs, a 34% increase over current levels, according to the Associated General Contractors.

“Because of today’s vote, state and local officials will be able to invest in a more efficient supply chain network. They will also be able to improve roads and bridges to make them safer and more reliable,” says AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr. “Metro areas will be able to better maintain and expand transit systems. And water authorities will be able to further safeguard the quality of local drinking water, among other improvements funded by this bill. The measure also provides needed investments to make infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events.”

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association says the bill will amount to a 36% annual increase in real highway funding, the highest since the late 1950s.

The infrastructure bill increases annual real highway funding 36%, according to the America Road & Transportation Builders Association.ARTBA

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the most significant measure in more than 50 years to meaningfully address the condition and performance of the U.S. transportation network,” says ARTBA President and CEO Dave Bauer.

With record spending levels set for roads, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure, contractors around the country could see work from it for the next five years and longer.

Richard Branch, chief economist for Dodge Construction Network, says the additional infrastructure funding should start to come through next year. The years with the strongest influence on construction starts should be 2023 through 2025, he said.

“Our models are suggesting that, thanks to that $550 billion in new infrastructure spending, total non-building (construction) starts will increase by 33% by the time we get to the end of 2026,” he said during Dodge’s annual 2022 construction industry outlook event November 3. Non-building construction includes highways and bridges, environmental public works, and power and gas projects.

The infrastructure bill passed the House in a 228-206 vote, with 13 Republicans voting yes. Six progressive Democrats opposed the bill in protest over the House skirting a vote on the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act. That bill includes such measures as funding for pre-kindergarten, expanded healthcare coverage and environmental initiatives. They had wanted the bill voted on first before the infrastructure bill, but as the day’s debate extended into the night, House leadership instead called for a vote on setting the procedures for a floor debate on the bill. That passed 221-213.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act passed the Senate in August in a bipartisan vote.

What’s in the bill?

Here are highlights of the additional spending called for in the infrastructure bill:

Roads, bridges, major projects – $110 billion (Transportation funding is increased further by reauthorization of surface transportation funding.)Power infrastructure – $73 billionPassenger and freight rail – $66 billionBroadband infrastructure – $65 billionDrinking water infrastructure – $55 billionPublic transit – $39 billionAirports – $25 billionPorts and waterways – $17 billionTransportation safety – $11 billionElectric vehicle infrastructure – $7.5 billionElectric buses and transit – $7.5 billionReconnecting communities split by highway projects – $1 billion
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President Joe Biden’s administration announced Thursday that businesses with 100 or more employees have until January 4 for their employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. As an alternative to vaccination, employers have the option of requiring unvaccinated employees to wear a mask while at work and get tested weekly for the virus.

The vaccine mandate, outlined in requirements set by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, does not require employers to pay for the weekly testing if workers choose that option, unless required to do so by other laws or collective-bargaining agreements.

Vaccines are provided free by the federal government, but employers do have to provide paid leave for workers to get their shots and recover from any side effects of the vaccine.

The requirements for employers to pay time off for vaccines and to require masks for the unvaccinated start December 5. The weekly testing requirement for unvaccinated workers begins after January 4.

The rules say employees must have both Pfizer or Moderna shots or the one Johnson & Johnson shot by January 4 to be considered vaccinated, or face weekly testing. Businesses whose employees opt for testing must ensure those workers are masked at the workplace and have negative tests weekly.

The administration says that the “new rules preempt any inconsistent state or local laws, including laws that ban or limit an employer’s authority to require vaccination, masks, or testing.” (Governors in Texas and Florida have vowed to prevent the mandate from taking effect in their states, setting up a potential legal battle.) The January 4 deadline will also be the same for federal contractors; however, those businesses will not be subject to the new OSHA rules but will remain under the federal-contractor vaccine requirements.

The administration says the vaccine mandate is not only good for public health and safety but for the economy.

“Vaccination requirements have increased vaccination rates by more than 20 percentage points – to over 90 percent – across a wide range of businesses and organizations,” a White House statement says. “According to Wall Street analysts, vaccination requirements could result in as many as 5 million American workers going back to work, and a survey of prominent, independent economists found unanimous agreement that vaccination requirements will ‘promote a faster and stronger economic recovery.’”

The employer requirements for businesses with 100 or more employees will follow OSHA’s emergency temporary standard issued in summer. Employers are also subject to requirements for reporting and record-keeping in the OSHA temporary standard.

This rule governing businesses will cover 84 million employees, the administration says.

The same January 4 vaccination deadline has also been set for health care workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid. “The rule applies to more than 17 million workers at approximately 76,000 health care facilities, including hospitals and long-term care facilities,” the administration says.    

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Replacing your windows is one of the simplest yet most significant renovations you can make to improve your home’s appearance, functionality, and value. In its2019 Remodeling Impact Report, the National Association of Realtors Research Group found that American families spend approximately $400 billion each year on home renovation projects, a sizable portion of which is dedicated to window replacement. New vinyl windows rank as the second-highest, most appealing exterior renovation project for homeowners, and the second-highest exterior project most likely to add property value when the home is listed for resale in the future.

If you are interested in upgrading your windows, you must understand the anatomy of a window to select the right product for your home. Window manufacturers, installers, and contractors implement various industry-specific terms that you should be familiar with, so you are fully informed and prepared to discuss your window replacement project. Consult the information below to learn more about the anatomy of windows and how new windows can improve your home value, save you on energy bills, and help protect the environment. After you review this resource, contactMr. Roof to speak with our team about our product offerings.

Exterior anatomy of a window

A window’s exterior anatomy consists of the following parts:

Frame. The frame surrounds the window and provides structural support for the entire window system. It is constructed of a head, jam, and sill.Head. The head consists of the main horizontal component that forms the top of the window frame.Jambs. The side jambs are the main vertical components that form the sides of the window frame, and the head jamb is the horizontal component at the top.Sill. The sill is the main horizontal component that forms the bottom of the window frame. It features a tapered shape on the exterior to shed excess water.Jamb liner. The jamb liner is a strip installed on either side of a window frame to cover the space between the frame and the interior wall. It is generally made of wood and may be installed during the manufacturing process or on site when the windows are replaced. In some cases, plaster or drywall can be applied to the frame to remove the need for a jamb liner.

Interior anatomy of a window

A window’s interior anatomy consists of the following parts:

Sash. The sash is the operable component of the window that fits inside the frame and holds the window glass in place. It can be made of several materials, including wood, vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, or composite. A double-hung window has two sashes that can move up and down and tilt inward. A sliding window has one sash that moves from left to right, and a casement window has one sash that is operated using a handle.Top sash. The top sash is the upper sash on a double-hung window.Bottom sash. The bottom sash is the lower sash on a double-hung window.Stile. Stiles are the vertical parts of the sash.Rail. Rails are the horizontal parts of the sash.Check rail. Check rails are where the frames of individual glass panes meet. On a double-hung window, the check rails meet in the middle of the window or the horizontal point of contact between the bottom of the top sash (top check rail) and the top of the bottom cash (bottom check rail). On a sliding window, the check rails are found at the meeting point of the two vertical panes of glass.Top rail. The top rail, or upper rail, is the top part of the top sash.Bottom rail. The bottom rail, or lower rail, is the lower part of the lower sash.Glazing. Glazing refers to the sheet of glass located within the window frame. Traditional windows featured one layer of glass, while modern windows typically include two or three layers of glass with inert gas injected between them for additional insulation. Invisible coatings can be added to glazing to manage the light and heat that passes through a window or reflects away from it. Tinted or laminated glazing can add privacy and enhance strength.Lift. A lift is a handle found on a wooden single-hung or double-hung window that raises the lower sash.Sash tilt pin. The sash tilt pin consists of a mechanism that allows sashes to tilt inwards for cleaning the exterior of the panes from the inside of the home.Sash lock. The sash lock comprises a locking mechanism that engages the lock strike of a single-hung or double-hung window to decrease rattling.Balances. Window balances are mechanisms found within the jambs on either side of a single-hung or double-hung window that counterbalance the sashes, so they are easier to open and do not slam shut. They were originally constructed of systems with a lead weight and pulley but now feature block and tackle systems that supply tension with strings.Operating handle. The operating handle is the mechanism on casement or awning windows that open and close the sash along with the operating arm. A crank operating handle extends the operating arm and opens the sash when turned in one direction and retracts the arm, and closes the sash when turned in the other direction. Some windows have non-crank handles that open and close the sashes by manually pushing them.Operating arm. The operating arm is the mechanism on casement, awning, or hopper windows that works with the operating handle to open and close the sash or hold it in position when it’s open.Locking handle. The locking handle consists of a handle- or lever-operated lock that pulls the sashes together to improve energy efficiency and security.

Improve your home with new windows

In the 2019 Remodeling Impact report mentioned above, 42% of survey respondents stated that their window replacement added functionality and livability to their home. After completing their project, 80% of homeowners feel a sense of accomplishment, 64% report a greater desire to spend time at home, and 63% experience increased enjoyment of their home. The average cost of a vinyl window replacement equals around $22,500, and homeowners recovered an estimated $16,000 for this project. This impressive 71% return on investment makes window replacement one of the best and most sought-after renovation projects for homeowners across the country.

Save money with new windows

Compared to all other home improvement projects, a vinyl window replacement consistently ranks as the most efficient use of your renovation budget. They offer a significant three-fold return by increasing the value, energy efficiency, and curb appeal of your home. Replacing your outdated windows with modern energy-efficient models allows you to significantly lower your heating and cooling expenses while improving the exterior appearance of your home. According to Energy Star, you can save 12% of your annual energy bills with new windows. Homeowners can expect to save up to $197 per year with double-pane window replacements or up to $583 per year with single-pane replacements.

Protect the environment with new windows

Not only do new windows add value to your property and save you money, but they also help protect the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that result from your daily activities, such as turning on a light, driving a car, or purchasing a product. A full quarter of your carbon footprint consists of your home energy usage, so the energy savings from replacing your windows can reduce your family’s carbon footprint for decades. A single-pane window replacement saves 246-2,001 pounds of carbon dioxide annually or the equivalent of 13-102 gallons of gasoline. A double-pane window replacement saves 1,006-6,205 pounds of carbon dioxide or the equivalent of 51 to 317 gallons of gasoline.

Contact Mr. Roof today

For the highest quality window replacements at the most affordable prices, contact Mr. Roof today. With half a century of experience, our roof and exterior service company has become widely respected for our quality products, skilled craftsmanship, and exceptional customer service. Our expert team of fully licensed, bonded, and insured window installers uses the most reliable and innovative solutions available, including:

Low E argon-filled glass traps heat during the winter and reflects it during the summer.Scratch-resistant glass maintains its new appearance for far longer than normal glass.Fusion welding produces airtight, waterproof, permanently sealed seams.Reinforced interlock to reduce air intrusion and enhance security.5-layer weather-strip forms a barrier against wind, sound, dust, and insects.Repel technology resists rain, snow, and sleet.

We will custom create your replacement windows based on your home’s needs and fully insulate, trim, and seal them from the inside out. In 98% of cases, we can complete a window replacement in one day, from delivery of materials to cleanup at the end of the project. We offer a lifetime warranty for all materials and a lifetime warranty for labor covering the entire length of time you reside in your home.

Contact us today for an initial consultation by submitting the form on our website. We will visit your home to take measurements, explain your options, provide a cost estimate, and display a 3D visualization of your project, so you know exactly what to expect.

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Can new windows really save you money? The short answer is – Yes! When researching, you can be bombarded with a variety of answers and responses, but it is clear that there are numerous benefits to installing new windows. 

New windows are an investment, and few of us consider how many windows we have until there is a price tag attached to it. While it is undeniably an investment, it is a worthwhile one, as it improves both your home’s aesthetic as well as its efficiency. Energy efficient windows can save you money down the road. 

Why new windows?

Insulation impacts numerous areas of your home. While proper insulation in your walls seems like common sense, many overlook the importance of insulation within their windows. When it comes to your home, insulation can impact your overall heating and cooling costs throughout the seasons. If you notice a cold draft coming from your windows, this is a clear sign that your insulation may be less than ideal. 

Even if your windows have been replaced on the tail end of ten years, they are likely not as efficient as windows today. Windows now maintain an IGU rating or insulated glass units, which can include multiple panes of glass. This type of window can help to improve your odds against heat loss and even outside noise. If you’re ready to shave on bills and improve the aesthetic of your home, new windows may just be exactly what you need.

When should I consider new windows?

When it comes to being a homeowner, it feels like the possibilities are endless. When it comes to replacing your windows, there is never a bad time. If you are invested in staying in your home, but you would still like to save on energy bills, installing new windows could be an ideal investment. This investment is also ideal for helping to improve the dampening of outside noises or any risks of draft that can make you uncomfortable. If you are looking to sell your home, installing new windows could improve not only the curb appeal but the overall value of your home. 

The numerous benefits of new windows

At the end of the day, there is truly little downside to installing new windows. The largest benefit is the fact that you will be saving money. Heating and cooling needs can drive up the monthly cost of your home immensely. Installing new windows can help cut these costs by eliminating drafts and providing proper installation. By investing in newer windows, you’ll also help to improve the overall comfort and even the lighting within your home. 

With new windows, you’ll deal with less noise, less draft, and less worry when your monthly utility bills come in. Windows can completely change the overall look of your home, so if you’re ready to save money while also making your home more you, now is the time to update your windows. If it’s time for you to consider new windows for your home, contact the team at Mr. Roof today. 

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No matter what your roofing system looks like, it is important to know how to take care of it. Though weather varies in different areas of the country, each roof needs to employ proper protection against weather, whatever that may look like. Because your roof is so central to your home’s stability and well-being, if it is not adequately prepared for weather events, you are likely to experience damage in your house as a whole. There are many ways to protect your roof against weather and ensure that your investment in your home and roof system is safe for years to come.

Seal your roof

The first thing you can do is make sure that your roof is properly sealed. There are natural seams in a roof, such as where the eaves come together, where the chimney meets the roof, and where the shingles meet the gutter system. Applying proper flashing and sealant to these areas ensures that no leaks occur. This also helps ensure that no moisture makes its way under the shingles and causes mold, mildew, cracks, or ice dams.

Insulate the attic

Insulating your attic and ensuring that it is adequately ventilated help ensure that snow doesn’t melt against the roof’s heat and create ice dams. This also deters mold and mildew growth and allows your roof to remain in a neutral temperature range no matter what is going on outdoors.

Install RoofGuard

By hiring a trusted Mr. Roof specialist, you can have a RoofGuard+ roofing system installed on your home’s roof to protect your shingles from wind, water, algae, and more. This system has been shown to extend the life of your roof without cracking or turning your roof an unsightly color. It is the single best thing you can do to make sure that your roof lasts the maximum amount possible.

Keep an eye on the roof

Make sure to examine your roof at least twice a year to ensure there are no visible signs of damage. If you see any cracked shingles coming off or missing, it is important to contact a Mr. Roof specialist right away. These are signs that there is a larger problem with your roof that could damage your whole home. Your examinations should always be done by the ground or while standing inside and looking through a closed window. If you cannot examine your roof this way, call an expert to do it for you.

Prepare your yard

When severe weather is predicted, or when it is a severe weather season in your area, be sure to clear your yard of furniture, toys, umbrellas, planters, and anything else that could be blown into the air. It may come as a surprise, but roof damage is often caused by flying backyard objects during a storm. Removing or securing these objects can help ensure that unnecessary damage does not occur. Roof damage can cost thousands of dollars, so it is worth taking the time to prepare.

Have your roof reinforced

Ask your local Mr. Roof specialist if roof reinforcement could help keep your home secure. This process involves a high-bond glue that is applied between the roof and the rafters. This helps ensure that the roof can’t blow off or separate from the rest of the house, which would be catastrophic to the home as a whole and lethal to the roof itself.

Review your insurance

It’s best to keep up to date on your policy and what it does and does not cover. Be sure you have proper coverage based on your area, as not all policies cater specifically to the weather patterns near you. Extra hurricane or flood insurance may be necessary but will often pay for itself tenfold in the event of a significant roof disaster. Reviewing your insurance can help you remain calm and focused during an emergency.

Call Mr. Roof

The experts at Mr. Roof are here to help you whenever you have questions or concerns about your roof. For over 50 years, our team has been serving homes around the country and making sure that they are braced for all kinds of weather. No situation is too big or too small for our experts to handle. Don’t wait until tragedy hits; prepare yourself andcontact your local Mr. Roof today.

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As a homeowner, it’s likely that you receive a lot of conflicting advice about how to care for your property. Many companies try to fearmonger and trick you into paying for expensive repairs and replacements that you don’t need. When it comes to roofs, it is especially easy to create a false narrative that scares clients into committing to costly repairs. We at Mr. Roof refuse to operate this way, and give our clients only honest, straightforward information about their homes and roofs. This is why we are here to set the record straight about roof vents and whether they are indispensable in your home.

What is a roof vent?

Roof vents are small ventilation areas that allow air to flow freely through a home’s attic. Because there are often no windows, doors, or traffic in attics, roof vents provide circulation to the space and ensure that it doesn’t become too hot or cold.

The need for air flow

It’s difficult to understand why airflow is so necessary for an attic area. Without air movement, attics can reach incredibly high temperatures in the summer and very low temperatures in the winter. The heat encourages mold and bacteria growth underneath the shingles of your roof. Any trapped moisture can also create ice dams in the winter, which can crack and damage your home’s shingles and cause leaks. Keeping the attic temperature consistent and temperate can help your roof last longer and stay in good condition.

Energy costs

Roof vents are among the top ways to keep energy costs low. If your attic is extremely hot or extremely cold, your home’s heating and air conditioning units are forced to work doubly hard to keep the air in your living spaces at a desirable temperature. By allowing air to flow more freely through the attic, you can keep that space at a more reasonable temperature and eliminate the need for your forced air systems to do all the work.

Indoor moisture

Even if you happen to live in an area with few temperature extremes, it is still important to have proper attic ventilation. Many people forget that steam from showers, dishwashers, and even cooking can affect the moisture in the attic. Additionally, the home’s heat from the furnace, clothes drier, and oven naturally rises to the attic, raising the temperature. Without ventilation, the heat has nowhere to go and causes issues similar to what we mentioned above.

Too much is not a good thing

Though ventilation is, in fact, necessary, there is such a thing as too much. If an attic is over ventilated, leaks and damage can easily occur. A good rule of thumb is one square foot of venting for every 150 square feet of attic space. Any more than that creates unnecessary vulnerability, and any less can increase attic temperatures and cause damage to your roof.

Call Mr. Roof

You can always count on the experts here at Mr. Roof to give you clear and honest information about your home’s roof. Over our 50 years in business, we have served over 300,000 satisfied customers, and maintained an A+ rating with the BBB. Don’t hesitate,contact us today. 

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When you need a new roof installed on your home, it’s essential to understand the different components you must select for the job to have the results you desire. One of the most important decisions you must make is the type of roofing shingles you want on your new roof. Roofing shingles are the most common choice of roofing material in the United States due to their relatively long lifespan of 20 to 25 years as well as their affordability.

If you want to make the most informed decision concerning your roofing shingles, it’s crucial to understand their construction and what makes a high-quality roofing shingle. Use the following information to help you narrow down your choices for roofing materials to the option that works best for your property.

Understand the types of roofing shingles 

While there are many types of shingles, asphalt shingles continue to be the most popular choice for residential roofing throughout the United States due to their economic viability, overall reliability, and ease of installation. However, there are countless varieties of asphalt shingles that you could select for your roof replacement. It can be difficult to navigate the different options, but your roofing team can help you select a roof shingle material that best suits your property. 

Remember, paying more for higher quality roofing shingles may not always yield the return on investment you expect. Some homeowners make the mistake of purchasing expensive roofing shingles that wind up clashing with their neighbors’ homes. This may make the home more unique, but if the homeowner decides to sell, it sticks out among the surrounding houses and may turn off potential buyers. 

Know the layers of an asphalt shingle

Asphalt shingles are multilayered materials meant to ensure protection against the elements. Asphalt shingles’ construction has evolved dramatically to provide property owners with better, longer-lasting protection over the years. 

Today, the standard asphalt shingle has five layers: 

The outermost layer, visible once the shingle is installed, is made of quarried and crushed stone granules. This layer protects the asphalt underneath from the ultraviolet light of the sun. Otherwise, the asphalt would melt and break down. These granules also provide fire resistance.
Under the top layer is a layer of asphalt. The asphalt layers of a roofing shingle provide cushioning from impact forces and help the shingles resist the force of hail and other debris landing on the roof.
The center layer is a mat core that provides flexibility and more durability. Most asphalt shingles contain fiberglass mat cores. This fiberglass layer is the first component used in the manufacturing of asphalt shingles. The fiberglass core becomes coated with asphalt that adheres to the fibers, creating a more stable surface for the granules on top and the sealant layer below. Beneath the central mat core layer is another layer of asphalt. When the fiberglass mat passes through molten asphalt, the asphalt essentially sandwiches the fiberglass inside it to keep the entire shingle together.
The lowest layer that rests against the roof bed’s surface is the sealant that keeps the asphalt shingle firmly in place once arranged with the rest of the shingles. While roofing shingles require nails to stay attached to the roof bed, the sealant layer allows the asphalt shingles to overlap seamlessly and prevent water from intruding beneath the shingle layer. 

It’s possible to find asphalt shingles with many other types of construction, but this five-layer model is the standard for most asphalt shingles. Most residential roofs use three-tab asphalt shingles that ensure quick and easy installation while making it easy to maintain visual appeal. Staggering these tabbed shingles means a significantly faster roof replacement job in most cases. 

cknowledge the value of asphalt shingles 

There are many different roofing materials available on the market today. While many homeowners invest in composite tile roofs and metal roofs, asphalt shingles continue to be the most popular choice for roofing materials in the United States, thanks to their fantastic overall quality and value. 

If you are planning a roof replacement in the near future and want to take advantage of the practical benefits of asphalt shingles, pay close attention to the types of shingles your roofer offers, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to determine which type of shingles would offer the most value for your home. Mr. Roof has years of experience providing professional asphalt shingle roof installations, replacements, and repairs. Contact us today for more information about the asphalt roofing shingle products we offer, and we will be happy to help you clarify your options. 

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Today’s skid steers and compact track loaders crank out lots of hydraulic horsepower, and Loftness is taking advantage of that with its new Battle Ax H Series mulching attachments.

Designed for machines with 33 to 62.9 gallons per minute and 50 to 150 hydraulic horsepower, these heavy-duty models chew up the brush with an 88-inch cutting width. The H series has a V-drive variable displacement piston motor that automatically shifts the rotor rpm from high to low for increased torque as needed. The result is less stalling and a shorter recovery time, which allows you to concentrate on the work instead of the power settings and repositioning the head.

A two-stage cutting chamber processes material thoroughly, and the primary shear bar is adjustable for controlling particle size. Other standard features include a synchronous belt drive, bearing anti-wrap protection, adjustable skid shoes and an on-board pressure gauge. Options include hydraulic or manual adjusting push bars, custom mounts and universal skid steer mounts, a hydraulic or manually adjustable tree pusher bar, and a trap door to help prevent the attachment from throwing material underneath the tractor.

The Battle Ax models feature a rotor with built-in depth gauges that function like the raker on a chain saw, preventing the cutting teeth from engaging too much material at one time. The mulchers can be used with reversible planer knives, hard-surfaced planer knives or double-edged carbide teeth. Single-bolt mounting allows the blades to be reversed or replaced on the jobsite with a hex socket and wrench.

And if you don’t have a skid steer or CTL, Loftness also introduced a new Battle Ax attachment for compact tractors. Designed for tractors with a 540 rpm PTO and 36 to 70 PTO horsepower, the PTO Battle Ax has a 61-inch cutting width and comes with a Category I hitch, but is adaptable to Category II, free-link or quick hitch.     

Loftness Battle Ax attachment for tractors with PTOs.Loftness   

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Yanmar Compact Equipment and its company ASV Holdings have added four new dealers and a total of 15 new locations to its network. 

Incoming dealers include Mid Country Machinery, Syracuse, New York; Woodco Machinery, Woburn, Massachusetts; Alta Equipment, Livonia, Michigan; and Quality Equipment and Parts, based in Lake City, Florida.

Woodco will cover the two product lines in three Massachusetts locations as well as one branch in Rhode Island. Alta adds the lines in three Michigan and three Florida locations. In addition, existing dealer Romco Equipment has has added three new locations in Texas.

The dealers will carry Yanmar’s compact excavators, tracked carriers and wheel loaders, and ASV’s compact track loaders and skid steers.

MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS

Randall-Reilly names Manthey CTO

MantheyRandall-Reilly has named Keith Manthey as its CTO, charged with helping the technology and analytics company continue its growth and innovation trajectory. Matheny comes to Randall-Reilly most recently from Dell Technologies, where he served as a global CTO and as one of their artificial intelligence and analytics leaders, and Equifax, where he led their Data Platforms Group building their data factory systems. 

“In our search for the right candidate to fill this role, we focused on finding a ‘growth CTO,’ someone who would help us continue to infuse leading edge analytics and value-added features into our product platforms,” says Randall-Reilly CEO Matt Reilly. “In addition, we were looking for someone with deep experience collaborating across divisions and with clients  and who has experiences as a leader in companies in growth mode. Keith delivers on all fronts.”

Manthey will work with the Randall-Reilly team to build consumer-grade user interfaces and leverage analytics to provide new insights into trends, pricing, or useful industry patterns. 

CNH temporarily closes several European plants

Production has temporarily been suspended at several of CNH Industrial’s European agricultural, commercial vehicle and powertrain manufacturing facilities.

The owner of Case and New Holland Construction Equipment says it’s facing ongoing disruptions to the procurement environment and shortages of core components, especially semiconductors.

CNH plans to resume production within eight working days.

Vacuworx names Cunningham VP of sales

Vacuworx has promoted Charlie Cunningham to vice president of sales. He formerly served as senior director of sales for the North America region.  

Cunningham will be responsible for managing U.S. dealer sales and development. He will report to Bill Soloman, president of Vacuworx.  Cunningham joined Vacuworx in January 2020 and has more than two decades of industry experience in sales management, product training and business development.

Vacuworx’s products include vacuum lifting and material handling equipment for the oil and gas pipeline and construction segments. 

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Engineered as a three-pass match loader for aggregates and other materials, the new Komatsu WA480-8 yard loader can also be used in infrastructure, forestry and non-residential applications where you need to move a lot of material efficiently.

Komatsu added a 1,400-pound counterweight to this version of the WA480-8 to help you fill the generously sized 7.2 cubic yard bucket while also enhancing stability. Low-profile tires add stability while helping to transfer the machine’s 299 horsepower to the ground. For trailering and transportation considerations the WA480-8 weighs between 57,232 and 61,311 pounds.

The shape of the bucket, with a long jaw and decreased strike plane angle, provides smooth material flow and lower resistance while the curved side edges minimize spills. All together these improvements make the WA480-8 suitable for high volume truck loading, carrying, stockpiling and hopper charging applications.

To maximize brake life in long load-and-carry or high-speed operations, the new loader supplements wet-cooled brakes with an air-cooled brake system that has demonstrated cooling improvements of 56-to 58-degrees Fahrenheit. This reduces the risk of overheating the brakes in severe conditions. A sensor on the electric drive pump measures axle temperature and activates the system when needed. A lock-up torque converter improves driveline efficiency and fuel economy during those long hauls.

In the Level 2 ROPS/FOPS cab, the loader offers an optional Komatsu Advanced Joystick Steering System and a heated air suspension seat. The pressurized cab keeps dust on the outside and makes for a more comfortable operating environment.

An auto-shift transmission with a mode selection feature and an automatic digging system with a boom kick out help the operator focus on the work rather than the machine. The hydraulic-drive fan has auto reverse to keep the radiators and cooling system clean and efficient. Large gull-wing type engine doors and large steps on both sides of the frame make engine access easier. Auto-idle shutdown and Komatsu’s Smart Loader Logic help conserve fuel.        

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