UConn Receives Volvo L20 to
Tyler Equipment Corporation, the University of Connecticut College of Engineering took another step toward expanding its construction engineering and management education efforts when Tyler Equipment formally donated a Volvo L20 electric compact wheel loader during a special ceremony held April 23, 2026, at the Francis L. Castleman Building in
The event brought together representatives of UConn, Volvo Construction Equipment, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 and Tyler Equipment to celebrate what organizers described as a unique partnership aimed at exposing engineering students to the future of
The donated machine, a Volvo L20 electric compact wheel loader, will initially be incorporated into a credited course at the university with instructional support from Local 478 operating engineers. Additional donations also are being sought, including warranty support packages to further
According to university officials, the loader represents much more than simply adding another piece of equipment
tool as UConn continues expanding its construction-focused engineering curriculum and explores the development of a future construction engineering and management major.
Speaking during the event was Dean Kay Wille, director of civil and environmental engineering programs at UConn, who noted the university is seeing significant growth in student interest in construction and infrastructure-related engineering fields.
“We currently have a construction engineering minor where 44 students are taking the program right now,” Wille said. “It is growing from year to year, and we are currently planning a major in construction engineering and management and intelligent systems.”
Wille added the university currently has more than 400 students participating in engineering-related programs, with approximately 80 to 90 students annually entering the civil engineering department.
“It’s all about design and build,” he said. “This equipment is going to allow us to bring students in and give them hands-on expertise along with classroom learning. We wil
see DONATION page 18
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United Construction & Forestry and United Ag & Turf successfully concluded a multi state series of Demo & Dig Day events held throughout April, welcoming operators, contractors and equipment professionals to hands on showcases in Barre, Vt.; Hermon, Maine; Clifton Park, N.Y.; Plainfield, Conn.; Pembroke, N.H.; Raynham, Mass.; and Millbury, Mass.
Each event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured full day access to
These demonstrations gave customers a firsthand look at how precision solutions can improve efficiency, accuracy and productivity on the job.
Food trucks kept the atmosphere lively, and the popular excavator challenge brought out competitive spirit at every stop, with prizes and bragging rights awarded to top performers.
Demo & Dig Days Events Draw Northeast Operators
As part of the event experience, United Construction & Forestry and United Ag & Turf offered exclusive attendee only promotions including: • Up to $18,000 off new 2026 John and connect with our experts.”
The company said Demo & Dig Days will continue to be a cornerstone customer event series for United Construction & Forestry and United Ag & Turf, offering hands on learning and
Real seat time, real conversations, real results — Demo & Dig Days brought hands-on John Deere technology and expertise to seven locations across the Northeast.
SmartGrade, Topcon MC Mobile, engcon attachments and John Deere Operations Center were front and center, giving customers a firsthand look at smarter job sites.
Event staff gather under a United Construction & Forestry tent as jobsite technology demonstrations get under way during a Demo & Dig Day stop.
Big Crowd Descends On New Auction Facility in Uncasville
Petrowsky Auctioneers and Alex Lyon & Son’s auction welcomed contractors, farmers, municipal buyers and equipment dealers April 24, 2026, from across New England and beyond in Uncasville, Conn.
The event marked one of the first major auctions held inside Sam Petrowsky’s brand new facility, a modern, spacious venue designed to handle large crowds, heavy iron and a growing demand for high quality used equipment.
Buyers arrived early to walk the yard, inspect machines and get hands on time with the wide variety of equipment staged across the property. From compact machines to heavy dozers, wheel loaders, excavators and specialty processing equipment, the lineup drew interest from bidders on site, online and on the phone.
decades from Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and more.
The sale featured a broad range of late model machines, including excavators, wheel loaders, skid steers, telehandlers and a selection of trucks, attachments, and support equipment. A standout piece was a Cat D8R dozer, which drew steady attention throughout the preview period and sparked competitive bidding.
Inside the new indoor showroom, rows of bidders filled the seats as auctioneers worked through the catalog. Bidders included a blend of seasoned buyers, first time bidders and long time customers who have followed Petrowsky sales for
The new Uncasville location proved to be a major asset for the event. The indoor bidding area offered comfort and visibility, while the expansive outdoor yard allowed buyers to “kick the tires,” climb into cabs and test functions before bidding. The layout made it easy for attendees to move between the preview area, the office and the auction ring.
Sam Petrowsky himself spent time greeting attendees, watching the crowd and taking in the energy of the first major sale held in the new building — a milestone moment for the company. CEG
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2026
A Cat D8R dozer stands ready for bidding.
An impressive lineup of excavators stretches across the yard, offering buyers a wide range of sizes, brands and configurations to choose from.
Rick Eb of Eb Asphalt & Landscaping, Montville, Conn., looks over the equipment lineup before the auction begins.
Onsite buyers appreciate the chance to kick the tires and get some seat time in this telehandler before tak-
Sam Petrowsky takes in the crowd gathered inside his brand new Uncasville, Conn., facility — a milestone moment for the company.
(L-R): Justin Crandall, owner of Crandall Farms LLC, Westerly, R.I.; Stano Trombino of Westerly, R.I.; and a representative of Sposato Frank & Son’s Construction in Ashaway, R.I., take a moment to look over the equipment lineup.
Billy Teixeira of Prestige Construction in New Jersey inspects the machines before bidding.
Bidders register inside the auction office, preparing to compete for the equipment they previewed earlier in the day.
Frank Turrisi (L) of Mad River Construction in Stonington, Conn., and Bill Geer of Geer Hill Farm in Ledyard, Conn., catch up during the preview period.
United Hosts Successful Multi-State Demo Dig Events
UNITED from page 4
Hands-on learning was center stage as attendees took turns inside the cab of a John Deere compact track loader.
Multiple compact track loader models were staged on site, showcasing the range Great equipment, great conversations and a great atmosphere — live demos made Demo & Dig Days a must-attend event this spring.
Learning looks better when it’s hands on. Equipment demos and expert walk throughs helped attendees see how precision technology improves accuracy and efficiency.
The popular excavator challenge brought out competitive spirit at every stop, with prizes and bragging rights awarded to top performers.
From grading to digging, Demo & Dig Days delivered a full day access to equipment operators and technology they needed to see in action.
Next Gen Crawler Excavators
New Uncasville Facility Hosts Major Equipment Auction
A McCloskey Environmental EDS 7000 screener highlighted the sale’s selection of processing equipment. This machine is built for high volume material handling and recycling operations.
A large inventory of Cat skid steers — along with several other makes and models — gave buyers plenty of com pact equipment options.
AUCTION from page 8
(L-R): Maddy Dawley, Elyssa Ravenelle and Susan Divita assist buyers and keep the auction office running smoothly throughout the sale.
Wheel loaders await their turn across the block, drawing interest from contractors looking to upgrade their fleet before the busy season.
Tyler Equipment Donates Electric Loader to UConn
be receiving a lot of support from Local 478 in educating and training the students in equipment use, but you can’t beat having students actually get seat time and operate a piece of machinery.”
He added that partnerships involving a manufacturer, dealer, labor organization and university are unusual, but critically important in helping students understand evolving construction technologies.
“These types of programs and the gift from Tyler Equipment are absolutely critical in creating an environment and a program that students can get excited about,” Wille said.
“Students can learn about this category of machine, what its capabilities are and what the future of electric machines looks like.”
The university also plans to use simulator technology to help students become comfortable with machine operation before advancing to actual seat time on the loader.
Representing Volvo Construction Equipment at the event was Mona Saranathan, commercial strategy manager for compact equipment in North America.
director of environmental engineering programs of UConn.
importance of the
L20
to UConn and Tyler Equipment’s investment in the future of the construction trades.
Saranathan said the electric construction equipment market has experienced gradual but steady growth as contractors increasingly look for solutions that reduce emissions and noise.
She noted that compact electric machines such as small excavators and compact wheel loaders are among the fastest-growing segments of the electric equipment market because of their portability and ability to work effectively in confined spaces.
Saranathan said that electric equipment is finding growing acceptance in emissionsensitive environments such as indoor demolition, enclosed workspaces and projects located in states with increasingly strict environmental regulations, including California and New York.
“It has taken a while for the growth to develop, but we are definitely seeing growth in the right direction,” she said.
Saranathan added that introducing students to electric construction equipment early in their education is a major part of Volvo’s long-term strategy.
“Part of our effort here is to get these electric machines into the hands and minds of the young people who will formulate the future of the construction equipment industry,” she said. “A place like UConn and
its engineering department is exactly the right environment for students to begin understanding this technology.”
She also said that the collaboration between UConn and Tyler Equipment is believed to be the first program of its kind involving Volvo compact electric equipment at a university level.
Founded in 1922, UConn College of Engineering is one of the region’s leading public engineering schools, offering nationally recognized programs in civil, environmental, mechanical and electrical engineering. The university has continued expanding its focus on infrastructure, sustainability and construction management disciplines as workforce demand throughout the Northeast continues to grow.
Tyler Equipment Corporation, headquartered in East Longmeadow, Mass., has served the construction industry for decades and operates locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including New Berlin, Conn. The company represents Volvo construction equipment and a wide range of compact and heavy construction machinery, providing sales, rentals, parts and service support throughout the region.
Officials at the event emphasized that the collaboration not only exposes students to advanced equipment technology but also helps strengthen the pipeline of future construction industry professionals at a time when demand for skilled workers and engineers continues to increase throughout the Northeast construction market.
As Brooke Tyler III, president of Tyler Equipment, said, “If we’re the lightbulb in a kid’s head for construction, then we’ve been helpful.” CEG
