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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 43 years.
4
EDITORIAL
Our economy doesn’t always mirror the U.S.
6
INDUSTRY NEWS
New digs for Shawmut...ARA economic report...Ouellette joins RDSI...
14
CLOSE TO REALITY
Most equipment operator training may soon happen in virtual reality.
20
TRUCK STOP
Reviews of 2019 and 2020 half-ton pickup models by our experts.
10
CANADIAN RENTAL RATE REPORT
Average heavy equipment rental rates for Q2 2019 by EquipmentWatch
26 2019 COMPACT EQUIPMENT SHOWCASE
Skid steers, track loaders, mini-excavators and more.
12 AT YOUR SERVICE Your pitch can make or break an opportunity. by Russ Dantu
30 SAFETY FIRST AND LAST
Technology promises to transform workplaces for the safer. by Jeff Thorne
Money musings
What’s good in the south is not always good in the north.
Our dollar is sitting at 75 cents, which economists estimate is about the sweet spot for the Canadian economy overall. When our currency is below par with the U.S., our exporters can price their goods more competitively, make their payments at home and still maintain a profit margin. That’s a particularly big deal for Canada when so much of what we export is unimproved raw materials where there is little wiggle room to find profits through manufacturing efficiencies. Looking at the big overall national picture, a 75-cent dollar helps our most important industries like forestry, mining and oil to grow.
The picture can be somewhat different at the level of the rental store. Obviously, if you are renting to one of the big exporters, their growth is your growth. However, even then you are collecting Canadian dollars, paying your employees Canadian dollars but buying your fleet in American dollars. Even if you’re invoiced in Canadian, the price reflects the dollar spread if the equipment originated in the U.S. or was imported through there. If you rent to homeowners, your customers’ purchasing power is weakened by a weak dollar. Maybe your prices didn’t change in response to the dollar slide, but the price of gas certainly did and the price of food and clothes adjusts quickly as well, leaving less in the pot for home renovations. Contractors and other non-
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INDUSTRY NEWS
SHAWMUT EXPANDS
Shawmut Equipment of Canada, a Manitowoc dealer, has opened a new facility in Elmsdale near Halifax. The new location will serve as the company’s Canadian headquarters and comes as demand for its products and services has been constantly expanding in the region. The new facility is cutting-edge for the crane and lifting industr, and features vast yard space, multiple repair bays equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment, two 10-ton overhead cranes, a large parts warehouse and expansive office space. It will offer crane and utility equipment sales and rentals, as well as parts and service support. The central location and proximity to the Halifax airport will allow for quick technician dispatch, as well as expedited shipping times for parts orders.
“We’re pleased to announce this new Shawmut Equipment location and we know that it will serve customers well, due to the sheer amount of demand we’ve been experiencing in the region,” said Joe Vergoni, president of Shawmut Equipment. “Owners of Manitowoc cranes can take special note that we have outfitted this facility with the latest and greatest technology and we have an experienced team of experts available to support all of their sales and service needs.”
The new location is in the East Hants Business Park in Elmsdale. Due to the large geographical area that Shawmut Equipment covers, the company will additionally continue to serve customers out of its Saint John, N.B., location. The company covers a wide array of Manitowoc crane products, including Manitowoc crawler cranes, Grove mobile cranes, Potain self-erecting cranes and National Crane boom trucks. Shawmut Equipment of Canada is a fully-owned subsidiary of Shawmut Equipment Company, which has been serving the crane industry since 1957.
“Manitowoc is proud to be partnered with Shawmut Equipment of Canada, and we wish the company the best with its new location,” said David Hull, vice president of Americas Sales at Manitowoc. “We are fully confident in the company’s ability to support our products with cutting-edge equipment and a high level of technical expertise.”
NELSON TO LEAD CANADIAN BOMAG SALES
Bomag Americas has welcomed Matt Nelson as director of dealer sales for its west region and Canada. In Nelson’s new position, he will be responsible for the overall sales leadership, support and development of Bomag’s distribution and field sales team in the western U.S. and the entire country of Canada. Nelson brings more than 20 years of capital and road construction equipment sales, distributor and sales management experience to Bomag. Most recently he worked with Epiroc, developing and leading a sales organization focused on the product support business for dealers in the mining market segment. During his career in the construction equipment segment, Nelson was responsible for sales and dealer development, representing the Atlas Copco Road Construction product lines. Prior to that, he worked in the rental equipment industry as a district manager for Wacker Corporation, successfully growing sales with both independent and national rental companies.
“We are excited to have Matt join the Bomag team. He brings with him a proven track record in working with dealers in the road equipment industry,” said Cole Renken, vice-president of sales and marketing for Bomag Americas.
“Bomag’s full line of compaction equipment, milling machines, recycler/ stabilizers and Cedarapids paving equipment offers asphalt road-building contractors everything they need to be successful in their business,” comments Nelson. “I am excited for the opportunity to lead the experienced Bomag field sales team and look forward to contributing to the advancement of Bomag’s exceptional reputation with our road building customers.”
COMING EVENTS
2020
Jan. 7 - 9
Landscape Ontario Congress Toronto, Ont. locongress.com
Jan. 22 - 23
Canadian Concrete Expo Mississauga, Ont. canadianconcreteexpo.com
Feb. 9 - 13
The ARA Show Orlando, Fla. arashow.org
March 9 - 11
World of Asphalt Atlanta, Ga. worldofasphalt.com
March 10 - 14
ConExpo/ConAgg Las Vegas, Nev. conexpoconagg.com
April 2 - 3
Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show Moncton, N.B. ahes.ca
May 1 - 2
Expos Grands Travaux Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. expograndstravaux.ca
June 16 - 18
Canada’s Farm Progress Show Regina, Sask. myfarmshow.com
Oct. 20 -21
The Canadian Rental Mart Mississauga, Ont. canadianrentalmart.com
Matt Nelson
INDUSTRY NEWS
ARA LOOKS INTO ITS CRYSTAL BALL
The new five-year forecast from the American Rental Association updated in August calls for equipment and event rental revenues in North America to surpass $71 billion in 2023, including $64.7 billion in the United States and $6.4 billion in Canada. In Canada, rental revenue is forecast to grow 2.1 per cent in 2019 to total nearly $5.5 billion and then continues to expand with revenue increases of 4.9 per cent in 2020, five per cent in 2021, 3.6 per cent in 2022 and 2.2 per cent in 2023 to reach $6.4 billion. The latest forecast is ARA’s first to project rental revenue for 2023. The current figures, which are updated quarterly, also project slightly less growth for 2019 through 2022 than what was forecast in May.
“The market for the equipment and event rental industry remains positive, but there definitely are signs that the U.S. economic growth is slowing and this projected slowdown is reflected in our latest forecast,” says John McClelland, ARA vice-president for government affairs and chief economist. “Trade
tensions and a slowdown in the global economy are headwinds for the economy with the risk of a recession happening in the U.S. within the next 12 months at about 35 per cent.”
Another ARA report found professional construction contractors who rented equipment in the past year expect to increase reliance on rental in the year ahead, according to a survey. The “Rental Customer Needs Study,” conducted by RSG, an independent research firm for ARA, found that 93 per cent of professional contractors surveyed rented equipment in the last year. Of those who rented, 92 per cent planned to rent as least as much as last year and 52 per cent expected to increase renting over the next year. Portable toilets, lifts and scaffolding, backhoes, dump trucks and mini excavators are the most popular rental items among contractors, the study found. Reasons contractors rented included: it made more financial sense than buying equipment (45 per cent); they needed equipment for immediate use and did not want to purchase (43 per cent);
and they needed to use the equipment infrequently or only for a short time period (43 per cent). Contractors who expect to rent more next year will do so because they plan to use what they currently rent more frequently or they plan to take on more quickturnaround projects, the study concluded. More than 90 per cent of survey participants said rental locations are doing an excellent job of providing their customers with satisfying rental experiences. According to the study, there are five key things that professional contractors want from their local rental company: attentive customer service; reliable, well-maintained and varied equipment; online engagement; clear communication; and rewards. Data for the study came from surveys of various types of contractors including residential building, specialty, non-residential and commercial building, landscape, utility, road and highway construction, site development/earthmoving and more. A free white paper outlining the survey results is available to ARA members and non-members at ararental.org.
APPRENTICESHIP ASSOCIATION TO FOCUS ON WOMEN
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum has announced creation of a task force of its members from across the country to oversee the development of a national strategy for women in trades based on extensive consultations with stakeholders over the last two years. In 2018, CAF hosted the first-ever national conference dedicated to female participation in the skilled trades. In 2019, the second Supporting Women in Trades conference was held in Vancouver. In total, more than 600 delegates gathered at the events to share ideas and engage in a conversation on how to remove the barriers women encounter pursuing careers in which they are traditionally under-represented. A road map to supporting women in trades was developed in 2018 from the results of the inaugural event and the subsequent 2019 conference culminated in a CAF commitment to lead the development of a national strategy.
“Our country is going to need thousands of new trades professionals in the next five years, and the creation of a national strategy to help attract more women to the trades will be critical to meeting labour market and economic needs,” said Shelley Gray, CEO of B.C’s Industry Training Authority and task force participant. “To do this, it’s important to develop workplaces that are welcoming, positive and inclusive of everyone interested in pursuing an apprenticeship.”
The task force, comprised of apprentices, tradeswomen, representatives from women’s organizations, labour groups, employers, educators and jurisdictional apprenticeship authorities will inform specific strategy content and establish a national target to increase participation and retention of females in skilled trades careers. “We already know what the barriers are. Insights from this task force along with 20 years of CAF national research in the area will provide a clear direction on how to create sustainable change,” said France Daviault, executive director of CAF. “The entire skilled trades community needs to work together and set targets for increasing female participation. What gets measured gets done,” she continued. The national strategy for women in trades will be presented at the National Apprenticeship Conference in Calgary on May 24 to 26.
EquipmentWatch is a trusted source for heavy equipment data and intelligence, producing leading database information products for the construction equipment industry. It is a world leader in heavy construction research and serves more than 15,000 professional, high-volume users of construction and lift-truck data. Find more heavy equipment intelligence at equipmentwatch.com.
Cross-Canada Rate Report
A look at average national rental rates
The Cross-Canada Rate Report is provided to Canadian Rental Service as a free service to the Canadian rental industry. Rate data shown are national averages generated by quarterly surveys of 325 Canadian rental stores. For in-depth analysis and a chance to interact with EquipmentWatch researchers, tune in to the next Counter Talks podcast. See canadianrentalservice.com for details.
Number of rental companies:
54
Number of stores:
441
Number of rates collected for the 10 subtypes in Q1:
27,974
Number of rates collected for the 10 subtypes in Q2:
28,100
BUILT TO A HIGHER STANDARD
When you need to reach high places, the Snorkel S3220E delivers peak performance. Featuring a high lift capacity, this electric scissor lift offers a working height of up to 26 ft. (8.1m) and a platform capacity of 900 lbs. (407kg). Engineered to elevate jobsite efficiency, upsized pins provide additional rigidity for safe and secure performance. Its super-heavy-duty steel construction and over-engineered components maximize uptime and minimize ownership costs. That’s performance that stands above the rest.
The perfect pitch
Be prepared to grab attention when networking.
by Russ Dantu
When at networking events, that one question always comes up;w”So, what do you do?”
…and the conversation begins.
Chances are, you’ve had the experience of standing there chatting to someone for what seemed like an eternity and when you finally were able to disengage, you shook your head, still without a clue as to what they actually do for a living. Maybe they bored you to tears with their monotone voice. Or worse, they gave you a one-word answer like, “I’m in sales.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. You are in sales. I want to buy from you…not!”
The elevator pitch can make or break you and your business when at a networking event. It takes time to develop the perfect pitch. Many years ago, I was like most other people...I just sort of winged it. I knew the business I was in and would make up the pitch as the conversation went.
Since I developed my perfect pitch, I’ve made over $1.5 million dollars in the past 10 years selling branded promotional products and corporate apparel. Every year, I have a new influx of customers as a result of networking. My pitch made getting a sales conversation going a lot easier and more business started to happen.
Here’s a few “must-dos” if you want to be successful at networking events. Don’t forget, a lot of business can come from non-traditional networking events such as weddings, funerals, golf tournaments, hockey games and the like, so don’t limit yourself to what is deemed a networking event. Be prepared when someone asks, “So, what do you do?”
There are three key elements to developing a killer pitch: keeping it clear, concise, and creative.
Conduct the 10-year-old test on a helpless child around that age. They should be able to clearly repeat back to you what you do after you give them your pitch. This is crucial. Use simple language so that you do not confuse people.
I’ve heard some people speak for five minutes and would continue if someone didn’t interrupt them. When building your elevator speech,
build it in short segments. Think 30-second sound bites at a maximum (if you’re really good, you can get them down to 10 to 15 seconds). Ideally, you can have several different sound bites that you can mix up depending on what type of networking event you are at. Have your main opening, and, if there is interest, continue on. If there isn’t, move on.
Make it fun and interesting. Try to be different than all your competitors answering the same question. Try to make their eyebrows shoot up or smile or chuckle. You’ll know it’s working when they ask you more and more questions because they are genuinely interested in what you are saying.
We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Use them proportionately. An occasional nod, continuous eye contact and the odd word to show you are following the speaker is always better than doing all the talking. And ask effective questions yourself. This not only shows that you are engaged, it allows you to qualify the person you are speaking to. I like to keep people talking so I can really get to the heart of what they do and find out if they are a fit for my company.
Some people really struggle with disengaging. They feel like they have to stand there and wait for the other person to break it off. You don’t. Simply be polite and say something like “I’ve really enjoyed speaking with you but I do have to move on as there are others I need to connect with. Enjoy the rest of the event and I would love to follow up with you after. Would that be OK?” By doing this, you are being respectful but letting them know the conversation is over, for the time being.
Networking doesn’t have to be stressful. Do your homework and take some time to create the perfect pitch. Then, get out there. The more events you attend, the more successful you will be. CRS
Russ Dantu is a 30-year veteran of the rental industry and has been delivering workshops, seminars and keynotes on customer service for over 15 years. Visit russdantu.com.
Virtual
Tby INTERNATIONAL POWERED ACCESS FEDERATION
CLOSE TO REALITY
reality aerial training gains acceptance.
echnologies including virtual reality and mobile elevating work platform simulators are already enhancing operator training and familiarization and could also offer benefits to those learning to inspect and maintain machines.
Although not likely to completely replace initial MEWP operator practical testing in the foreseeable future, the International Powered Access Federation foresees a future in which advanced operators, or experienced operators looking to retrain after the term of their operator training with frequent equipment use, could be assessed and evaluated using approved simulators as opposed to actual machines at height. Likewise, operators can get used to operating different brands of equipment or carry out specific complicated tasks or work in challenging environments to demonstrate competency and practice in hazardous scenarios risk-free without leaving the ground.
Virtual reality (VR) visually takes the user out of their real-world environment and into a virtual environment, typically using a headset for viewing coupled with handheld controllers
to navigate the virtual space. Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital objects (information, graphics, sounds) on the real world, allowing the user to experience the relationship between digital and physical worlds. Together, we call them Extended Reality (XR).
MANY APPLICATIONS
XR technology aids memory retention and recollection ability, compared to viewing videos or text-based materials. A 1991 study found that memory is anchored and made stronger when there is increased multi-sensory and emotional input. This was again demonstrated in a recent study, in which participants were presented with either a 360-degree VR video or a two-dimensional video of a motorcycle ride, followed 48 hours later by a memory test. The results showed that the VR group performed
Virtual reality training simulators immerse the user in a 360-degree simulation of an imaginary workspace. They are getting so realistic that operators have been known to grab for a harness.
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twice as well as the video group in the memory recollection test. IPAF is satisfied these studies show there are substantial reasons to use XR to improve training.
VR simulators can currently prepare candidates effectively for practical testing. It is not inconceivable that, as they develop, they might replace practical testing in the future. It is certain that AR would enhance pre-use inspection of MEWPs considerably. This could enrich theory and practical training elements.
Interactive 360-degree video can contextualise a huge range of hazards associated with MEWP use. These would be a cost-effective and high-benefit change that could be implemented relatively quickly. VR simulators could play a major role in refresher training, to test the ongoing competency and skill of an operator.
is streamed directly to any mobile device which can be used as your monitor
The compact eCAM Ace 100-Micro delivers everything you need to perform quick inspections in pipes ranging from 1-1/2” to 3” dia. and up to one hundred feet in length. Weighing in at only 15 pounds makes this camera perfect for easy portability. The system comes equipped with a 512Hz transmitter and a resettable on-screen footage counter. Audio & video can be recorded to your mobile device as well. Files are saved on your device and can be transferred via email, text or the Cloud. Its compact size and portability make this camera user-friendly for contractors, plumbers and homeowners alike.
The use of a MEWP simulator would enable an operator to experience highrisk scenarios and would be a suitable alternative or complement to a training course. If simulators can challenge and test an operator and provide realistic physical input, realistic physical feedback and fulfill all the objectives of the Powered Access License Plus practical test, it would be a commercially viable option for IPAF-approved training centres to offer this option. This could provide an opportunity for training centres that do not currently offer any advanced MEWP operator training to begin doing so.
XR may have uses for incident response. Using VR and other XR technology, operators would learn how to respond to unexpected scenarios, for example, subsidence, an overhead collision, or a situation requiring a basket-to-basket rescue.
HOW IT MIGHT WORK
Ethan, a fitter, has little knowledge of powered access or MEWPs and will be required to use them as part of his new construction job at a steel erector firm. As part of his training, he must obtain a valid PAL card. He visits the IPAF website to learn more about training, what type of MEWP he can be trained on and where his nearest training centre is.
As a novice operator, Ethan decides
TRUCK REVIEW
TRUCK STOP
What’s new in half-ton pickups.
Howard Elmer and Mario Cywinski – Automobile Journalists Association of Canada-accredited writers – took at look at some of the recent offerings from top half-ton manufacturers. Here’s what they found.
by HOWARD J ELMER AND MARIO CYWINSKI
2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD
by Howard J Elmer
The HD pickup truck market segment is growing. Recreational vehicles keep growing and the needs of for-business owner/operators demand increased HD capacity. Rest assured, Detroit is listening. The builders are all responding to these new needs and among them is Chevrolet with its newest next-generation Silverado HD that today speaks to all these customer wants.
Here are the high-notes. Capacity-wise the 2020 Silverado HD will offer best-in-class towing of up to 35,500 pounds. Its traditional 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel will now make 445 horsepower and 910 foot-pounds of torque. This year it’s matched to a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission, built by Allison. Completely new for 2020 is a gas engine option: a 6.6L V8 that makes 401 horsepower and 464 foot-pounds of torque and is much cheaper to buy than the diesel. These are the highlights of the new HD truck, but I recently had a chance to examine the deeper
story found in the engineering details that lets this truck achieve these new limits.
The new Silverado HD has beefed-up its axles, its locking rear differential, the prop shaft, the U-joints and also added a 12-inch ring gear. Hauling big weight also means generating big heat. So to cool the turbo-diesel a new functional hood vent has been added along with a 28-inch cooling fan and a run-after-engine-off function.
The test drive of the new HD took place in the high desert region of central Oregon. This area combines flat altitudes in excess of 5,000 feet with long grades on the eastern side of the Cascades Mountains. This area was ideal to feel the strength and control of these trucks, particularly while towing up to 20,000 pounds.
Starting with the Duramax-equipped HD 3500, I felt the power of the diesel under load, even accelerating uphill. This Duramax pushes its power through the new Allison 10-speed transmission. The tranny is smooth; it finds the right gear as needed, working silently, without any tug, clunk or lurch.
As the road test progressed I also had a
The mountain track in Oregon gave drivers a chance to really test the Silverado’s towing capabilities.
TRUCK REVIEW
chance to concentrate on the sub-systems that are part of the new tow packages. These are crucial to road-manage this kind of weight. Among these is an automatic park brake that holds the truck in place while hooking up. There is also hill start assist and hill descent control. Controlling speed on hills is also a function of the automatic grade brake and the diesel exhaust brake. Enhanced digital variable steering assists the driver at highway speeds as well as during low-speed parking lot manoeuvers.
Speaking of parking lots, that’s where any trip towing a trailer starts and ends. It’s also where problems occur and driver anxiety can be at its highest, especially while reversing. Chevy has an answer for these stresses. The new Silverado HD comes with an advanced camera system that offers 15 different views, all seen on the centre stack console screen. The various camera angles cover all sides of the truck and offer views that traditional mirrors simply cannot. Some come up automatically, others can be chosen by the driver as needed. These include off the nose of truck, a hitch-view, an in-bed view and a camera mounted at the rear of the trailer that creates a view called “Transparent Trailer” – yes, you can see exactly what’s behind your trailer, on screen, in what otherwise has always been a blind-spot.
Other new electronic driver-assist features address trailers specifically. The computer can store information on up to five different trailers, including length and optimal trailer brake
gain settings. Once programmed, the driver can call up any trailer profile and start it with a single push of a button. There is also a one-person trailer light test and trailer light diagnostic setting. Everything is aimed at making one-man operations easy. Another electronic feature extends coverage to the trailer and includes trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring right in the truck cab.
I also noted a new mirror design. The new glass area is larger, the arm moves further out and it incorporates a great new convex mirror that eliminates a lot more of the traditional blind spots. Consider all these features together and you’ll experience what I did: a much safer, more relaxed and precise hooking, backing and towing experience.
The cargo bed on this Silverado has also been updated (much of these improvements have been carried over from the refresh of the 1500 series last year). Each HD cargo bed now comes with 12 fixed tie-down points and nine moveable points. Also, by recessing the box into the sidewalls the new HD offers segment-leading cargo volume. The bed has also upgraded its lighting options and now offers a 120-volt outlet.
For access, Silverado has increased the size of its corner bumper step cutouts which will now fit size 13 boots and are (in my opinion) still the simplest and most elegant solution to tall beds. But they’ve gone one step further. They have added a cut-out to each side of the truck-body that gives the customer a leg up at the front of the box as well. Also, for the first time, this HD can be ordered with a power up-and-down tailgate.
As the majority of HD trucks are ordered with the diesel engine option it’s a big deal that the necessary DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) system has received three significant updates. First, the DEF tank itself has been relocated to inside the frame rails. Its prior position left it vulnerable to rough road impact. Second, the under-hood filler port has been relocated to beside the fuel port inside the filler door. This is much easier to use. Third, a DEF gauge has been added to the instrument cluster. The previous low-DEF fluid warning lights often came on as a surprise and never at a convenient time. Now, being able to glance at a gauge any time means never being surprised again.
During testing at previous Canadian Truck King Challenges we found and called out Chevrolet on each of these problem areas. It is satisfying to see that the engineers are listening to us and to many others, I’m sure. Frankly, these changes solve some long-standing irritations. Well done, Chevy!
I have to highlight the vehicle-identification-number-specific trailer weight label that GM (GMC and Chevrolet) puts on the doorjamb of every truck. This is something only they do and it is wonderful. The numbers on the label are for your truck specifically – no generalizations. The limits listed there are determined by the unique build of your truck. You will never have to guess what you can tow again.
After two days driving this HD I came away happy with its abilities, but probably even happier with the driver-assist systems that GM is investing in. The camera system in particular reduces stress and will surely eliminate many of the low-speed minor bangs and scraps that we’ve all had. These new systems are going a long way to creating an informed and calmer driver – which is the greatest safety feature of all.
Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. It offers three cab sizes (regular, supercab and supercrew), and three truck bed lengths (5 ½, 6 ½, and 8 feet).
JEEP GLADIATOR AND RAM HD
by Mario Cywinski
FCA Canada Fleet Operations held its 2019 Spring Launch Event at Pearson Convention Centre. With a lot of hype surrounding its release, the Jeep Gladiator mid-size pickup was introduced and was definitely the truck most fleet professionals were on hand to see and drive. Almost lost in the background was the front-and-centre Ram HD, which has been re-designed for 2019, and now boasts an available 1,000 foot pounds of torque.
FCA decided to demonstrate the Ram HD’s capability by having it pull an 18-wheeler in the parking lot of the convention centre, while those in attendance looked on. The HD along with the Gladiator were available to be driven on a closed course. When not driving, attendees heard about what FCA Canada Fleet it up to, details about the vehicles, and what FCA can offer fleets.
Diving a little deeper into what the Gladiator offers, we find a 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque mated to a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. It is four-wheel drive, built on a ladder-frame with an open steel and aluminum body. While the vehicle may look like a Wrangler with a truck bed, it is a new vehicle, but does come with all the capability of a Wrangler with a five-foot bed and a dampening tailgate, for extra practicality.
Looking at the Ram HD, it’s all about capability, with the upgraded Cummins 6.7L high-output turbo-diesel engine offering 400 horsepower and 1,000 foot pounds of torque. A second variant offers 37 horsepower and 850 foot-pounds of torque. Both diesel engines are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine is a 6.4L Hemi V-8 with 410 horsepower and 429 foot-pounds of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Ram HD trucks have maximum towing of 15,921 kilograms and a maximum payload of 3,484 kilograms. A 360-degree camera has been added with view of the trailer on both sides. CRS
The new pickup offering from Jeep attracted a lot of curiosity at a spring FCA event.
COMPACT EQUIPMENT
ATTRACTIVE
PERFORMANCE PACKAGE deere.ca
The John Deere 332G skid steer is powered by a Tier 4 Final/EU Stage IV diesel engine packing plenty of power and torque. The TriCool design resists debris buildup and employs large coolers for standout performance in severe, high-load conditions. A reversible fan in highdebris applications makes for for quick core cleanout. Larger entryways with swing-out doors make it easier to get in, get comfortable and get on with the work. Inside, there’s more productivityenhancing foot- and legroom. Three-way switchable controls between EH foot, ISO joystick or H-pattern joystick modes enhance ease-of-use. The 332G includes a switchable accelerator/decelerator with a right-side foot pedal when operating in ISO or H-pattern joystick-control mode. Add the newly available 90-inch bucket for additional productivity. The factory-installed performance package offers increased
productivity and ease-ofuse with the following capabilities: return to dig allowing the operator to automatically set the bucket or other attachment to his/her designated ready-to-work position; return to carry allowing the operator to use joystick detents to automatically reset the boom to a designated ready-to-carry position; boom height kickout allowing the operator to pre-select a specific boom height based on the truck/hopper height and use joystick detents to automatically stop at a specific height; and electronic self-level allowing the self-level to work on the boom up and down unlike the hydraulic self-level option that works only on boom up.
EASY MAINTENANCE ACCESS
ca.wackerneuson.com
Wacker Neuson has introduced its Series II
your fleet come from compact machinery. Here’s what’s new.
COMPACT EQUIPMENT
large-frame skid steer loaders to the market. The new SW24 and SW28 offer the latest enhanced cab design and service accessibility. As the big brother to the company’s medium-frame line, the machines offer parts commonality and contractors a proven design on the job site. Wacker Neuson’s new large-frame loaders will stand out in a crowded field for their excellent daily maintenance service access. They offer a cab that fully tips forward with the loader arms down, providing complete access to all maintenance components. These machines are engineered to be user-friendly with a simple, open design and efficient layout that requires less time on daily service checks and more time on the job. The Kohler diesel engines feature a maintenance-free, regeneration-free aftertreatment system,
eliminating the impact of extreme heat and downtime due to regeneration or the need for cleaning particulate filters. The SW Series II loaders usher in a new era of comfort features including repositioned joysticks that promote intuitive and comfortable operation. The highvisibility cab includes angled pedals and foot bed as well as conveniently located switches that significantly reduce operator fatigue. Access in and out is easy with a wide door and step, plus there is no restrictive lap bar. Control options for any operator include mechanical hand-foot, electric-hydraulic hand-foot and selectable EH (ISO and H-pattern). This ensures operators with varying experience can efficiently operate the machines with ease.
TOW WITH A PICK-UP casece.com
The Case CX30C is the most recent addition to Case Construction Equipment’s C Series line of compact excavators. With an operating weight of 6,020 pounds and a
COMPACT EQUIPMENT
24.8-horsepower Tier 4
The Barreto all-hydraulic tiller is the professional’s choice. With up to 16hp and 20” tilling width, this tiller is the maintenance-free choice. By choosing hydraulics, you’ll increase utilization and minimize maintenance costs, improving your bottom line.
Final engine, the CX30C boasts a bucket digging force of 4,520 pounds. The machine is available in a zero tail-swing, short-radius or conventional design; an adjustable boom offset for improved manoeuverability in congested areas; and an auto-shift travel system for operator convenience in varying terrain. An auxiliary hydraulic system with standard proportional controls, a shut-off valve and easy-to-select joystick control patterns offers increased productivity. The spacious and comfortable operator environment adds excellent visibility, ergonomic controls, adjustable seating and lineof-sight digital displays to minimize operator fatigue. Standard proportional controls provide precision control of all attachments with the ease of thumb control, while a standard auxiliary flow diverter valve allows the operator to easily switch between single and bi-directional flow for use with a variety of attachments. An easy-to-use pattern selector also comes standard, allowing operators to choose their control pattern preference for optimum productivity. All C Series mini-excavators also feature standard auxiliary hydraulics for easy thumb
and attachment setup, as well as standard boom and blade guarding. Like all C Series models — with the exception of the CX57C and CX60C — the CX30C can be towed with a pickup truck without the need for a commercial license, local regulations permitting.
LOW GROUND PRESSURE
asvi.com
ASV Holdings offers the RT-25 Posi-Track compact track loader. Featuring similar dimensions as its more powerful cousin, the RT-40, the RT-25 serves as an economical alternative for contractors, rental centres and homeowners working in tight spaces. At just 48 inches wide, the loader is the industry’s smallest sit-in CTL. The RT-25 is also a safer, more productive alternative to walk-behind and stand-on mini loaders in applications such as landscaping, construction and snow removal. The unit’s 3,755pound operating weight, 3.1 pounds-per-square-inch ground pressure and optional smooth turf track all reduce risks of damage to turf or sensitive surfaces. That low weight also contributes to increased flotation and traction. The RT-25 features a rated operating capacity of 665 pounds, a tipping load of 1,900 pounds and an 8.4foot lift height. The machine features a 10-inch ground clearance and a 55-degree departure angle. The unit’s industrial 25-horsepower Perkins diesel engine and 5.1 milesper-hour top speed allow operators to achieve maximum productivity by
moving around quickly and digging and lifting more. The engine is turbocharged so it can output its full horsepower even at high elevations. The Tier 4 Final engine requires no regeneration, exhaust sensors or diesel exhaust fluid. The machine’s system operates at a high auxiliary circuit flow rate with an 11.3-gallons per minute pump capacity and 3,000 psi system pressure. Drivers can transport the RT-25 on a trailer pulled by a 1/2-ton pick-up truck or SUV. Filters and other daily serviceability
checkpoints are within easy reach thanks to a large hood opening.
FLEET TELEMATICS
INCLUDED takeuchi-us.com
The Takeuchi TB240 provides powerful performance in the four-ton class. With its outstanding serviceability, spacious cab and solid build quality, this machine can handle challenging job sites. TB240 specs include an operating weight of 8,570 pounds; a bucket breakout force of 9,959 pounds; a dig depth of 11 feet, 4 inches; a 35.8-horsepower Tier Four Final engine using a diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter exhaust aftertreatment system. Auxiliary hydraulics are plumbed to mid-arm,
providing up to 17.1 gallons per minute of flow. Like all Takeuchis, rear engine access makes daily checks and routine maintenance points convenient, including the filters, the large sideby-side cooling module, the hydraulic tank, the pattern change, the control valve, the one-way flow selector and the battery. The TB240 comes in cab or canopy configurations. Both are spacious with great visibility, built with the operator in mind. The cab and canopy include an automotivestyle interior and deluxe
suspension seats that offer before, after, weight, height and tilt adjustments. The cab comes standard with heat, air conditioning and Bluetooth radio. Operators are able to monitor machine vitals with a multi-informational display. Improving productivity and reducing operator fatigue, the TB240 features loweffort and precision full-pilot controls. Takeuchi Fleet Management, a telematics system, comes standard on all excavators for two years at no additional cost. TFM provides a variety of data points, including machine health and condition, run time and machine location. The user-friendly TFM system can help reduce downtime, control costs, perform remote diagnostics and schedule maintenance.] CRS
The catalog illustrates both rental tough power drain cleaners and professional drain cleaning equipment with automatic feeds to clear clogged drains from 1-1/4” to 10” in diameter. General manufactures a full line of drain cleaning equipment, high pressure water jets, video pipe inspection and location equipment, and pipe thawing machines.
SAFETY FIRST AND LAST
Techno-safety
Leverage technology for a safer workplace.
by Jeff Thorne
Let’s take a look at several key ways that technology is shaping health and safety and how it is managed.
Ensuring identified hazards are effectively controlled and communicated has always been a challenge with traditional paper-based systems. The report needs to move from person to person through management, sometimes stalling with a specific individual or getting misplaced. With mobile safety management capabilities, hazards and deficiencies and their corrective actions can be communicated instantly amongst employees and documents can be auto-filed and never lost. You can quickly capture who has received the communication and if the desired outcomes are translated into improved behaviour.
Accountability is necessary when senior leadership sets out specific performance expectations to be completed prior to the job start. Truly ensuring items such as hazard assessments, safety communication and workplace inspections are being completed is a challenge for many employers. When these processes are documented digitally and communicated in real time, employees, especially supervisors, tend to perform differently because they are aware that their actions can be observed. There are mobile safety applications that provide the ability to support and coach employee performance in a timely fashion. Providing resources to supervisors in the form of technology allows them to complete their tasks efficiently.
Having had first-hand experience with simulators and virtual or augmented reality (very cool), I see this as an area where there could be a significant impact, especially with heavy equipment operators and those who work in high-risk environments. Virtual reality simulators can be used to train mobile elevated work platform and forklift operators. Workers can practice in environments such as confined spaces or at heights. Augmented reality is a form of technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of a real environment, thus providing a composite view. Augmented reality can place a worker in an actual piece of equipment with augmented
hazards. Workers can walk on site and perform mock inspections.
An overwhelming amount of time, effort and resources can be consumed searching for paper documents and reviewing and updating a paperbased system. Having mobile or web access to policies, procedures, training records or safety data sheets creates efficiency, especially if you have remote locations or field staff requiring access.
Incidents can and unfortunately do happen in the blink of an eye. Quick digitized reporting of at-risk behaviour through an app increases the opportunity to curb and resolve it. Reporting via a mobile application or tablet also helps streamline reporting. Improved reporting results in increased data points for improved safety management. Organizations are now using data to make better decisions, increase productivity, improve site safety and reduce health and safety risks.
Personal Protective Equipment is now being outfitted with biometrics and environmental sensors, GPS and location trackers and other sensors to track worker movement, repetitive motion, posture and incidents such as a slip, trip or fall. Organizations are using geofencing (virtual perimeters or a pre-defined set of boundaries) allowing organizations to establish restricted or hazardous areas that will alert workers with a combination of audible and visual warnings when they have entered a restricted area.
Injuries due to exposure to occupational toxic substances are on the rise. Active sensors can be strategically placed to monitor levels of noise, dust, temperature and volatile organic compounds. This real-time data can assist with reducing exposure levels to workers.
Change is inevitable, and integrating technology into health and safety management will become the norm. Integration has its challenges, so involve your workers and evaluate your environment to ensure the technology you implement meets your organizational needs. CRS
Jeff Thorne is the training manager at Occupational Safety Group.
