



By Eric Olson CEG CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Almost seven months after the remnants of Hurricane Helene roared through western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, causing billions of dollars in damage and claiming more than 100 lives between the two states, most major repair work has been finished in both states, particularly in Tennessee.
After its formation in the western Caribbean, the powerful Category 4
storm took aim on the southeast U.S., passing first through Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, before pounding the North Carolina-Tennessee border counties on Sept. 27, 2024.
Helene seemed to save its worst fury for the high-elevation Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee, where heavy rains ran off countless hills and peaks to engorge the area’s innumerable rivers and
By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT
of Hurricane Helene.
Jacob Shuford May, 51, of Lexington, N.C., passed away on April 7, 2025. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and love for the outdoors, May lived a life full o f passion and dedication.
The Lane Construction Corp. announced that it has received final acceptance from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the I-275 Section 7 Phase 1 project in Tampa, Fla.
Thompson Tractor held its first “Thompson Technology” event of the year April 17, 2025, at its Montgomery, Ala., branch. This event marked the first of four technology demonstrations planned for 2025.
Construction is under way on a long-anticipated bypass road in Mandeville, La., that St. Tammany Parish officials said will connect two state highways, improve access to the town’s busy Pelican Park and ease traffic congestion in the area.
20
The Richmond Area Municipal Contractors Association (RAMCA) held its fifth annual Construction Rodeo and Expo April 17, 2025, in the Richmond City Stadium.
27 FAYAT GROUP WILL EXPAND ITS FAIRFIELD COUNTY OPERATIONS
FAYAT Group announced it is expanding its road equipment division operations in Fairfield County. The company's $13.7 million investment will create 75
30
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, “about 45,700 openings for construction equipment operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
34
Trimble announced that Waukesha-Pearce Industries LLC. is the newest construction equipment dealer to become a Trimble Technology outlet. WPI will now sell Trimble aftermarket grade control technology.
36
$392M TO BUILD NEW GRAND HYATT MIAMI BEACH
Terra and Turnberry, two of south Florida’s leading real estate development companies, have secured $392 million in construction financing that will help advance their joint development of the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach.
57 YANMAR INTRODUCES LINE OF BRANDED ATTACHMENTS FOR CTLS
The Yanmar attachments include a full range of buckets, augers, trenchers, stump grinders, soil conditioners, breakers, sweepers, pallet forks, brush mowers, grapple rakes, grapple buckets and snow and grading blades.
After months of excitement and thousands of entries, Gregory P., a landscape
was
as the
At Miller Creek Quarry near Rutherfordton, N.C., production hasn’t stopped since 1965 (the company has been in operation since 1949.)
Behind a massive granite wall face, operators navigate a fleet of heavy equipment through stockpiles of crushed stone for roads, construction sites and most recently hurricane recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene. For Danny Seay, who has managed this operation for decades of his nearly 50-year tenure with Thompson Contractors, equipment selection directly impacts every aspect of the quarry’s output.
“Downtime is your most costly problem,” he said, speaking from the practical experience of someone who’s witnessed equipment’s evolution from mechanical controls to digital precision. His focus remains on keeping the machines running, production flowing and meeting the growing demands of both public infrastructure projects and private development in the Carolinas.
Life in Stone
Seay’s history with Thompson Contractors spans nearly half a century. “I’ve worked here for nearly 50 years and started out doing much of nothing and ended up the manager,” he said.
Thompson Contractors itself has even deeper roots that date back to the 1940s. The family-owned corporation currently operates two rock quarries: Miller Creek Quarry near Rutherfordton, N.C., and Mill Spring Quarry in Polk County, N.C. Its product lineup serves primarily state projects and includes producing for customers in private industry, as well.
The company also helped serve unexpected needs, such as when Hurricane Helene washed out miles of roadways in western North Carolina during fall of 2024. Trucks were lined up outside the quarry for weeks as millions of tons of large-scale rock were hauled to recreate a structurally sound base to rebuild roads.
“We sell mostly to state projects, but there’s lots of private stuff because we make all sizes of [material],” Seay said. “On the roads, we furnish asphalt plants and some concrete but not a lot, but gravel for the base of the roads and that type of operation.”
Jacob Shuford May, 51, of Lexington, N.C., passed away on April 7, 2025. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and love for the outdoors, May lived a life full of passion and dedication.
Born and raised in Lexington, Mr. May was a proud graduate of Lexington High School and later earned his degree from UNC-Charlotte. His vision and determination led him to establish May Heavy Equipment, which under his leadership evolved into National Equipment Dealers, where he continued to play an integral role as a partner.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he had a zest for life that was evident in his love for golf, the great outdoors and farming. He leaves behind a legacy not just in business but also in the hearts of those who knew him.
Mr. May is survived by his fiancée, Amber Royal; his children, Jacob May Jr., Emerson May and Huntley May; and stepchildren, Sage Leonard, Salem Leonard and Staley Leonard. He also leaves behind his mother, Carol Myers May; and his broth-
His vision and determination led him to establish May Heavy Equipment, which under his leadership evolved into National Equipment Dealers...
er, Deems May, and wife, Susan, of Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his father, Bert May, whose guidance and lessons Mr. May cherished throughout his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to United Network for Organ Sharing, 700 N. Fourth St., Richmond, Va., 23219 or to the donor’s choice.
Jacob May
The Lane Construction Corp. announced that it has received final acceptance from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the I-275 Section 7 Phase 1 project in Tampa, Fla.
The project marks a significant step forward in improving traffic flow, enhancing safety and supporting economic growth in the region.
The I-275 Section 7 Phase 1 project was designed to alleviate congestion, improve connectivity and provide a more efficient transportation corridor for commuters and businesses. Key enhancements include expanded lanes, improved on- and off-ramps, upgraded signage and modernized roadway infrastructure to accommodate the region’s growing transportation demands.
The newly completed section of I-275 offers numerous benefits, including:
• Reduced traffic congestion: additional lanes and improved roadway design helps ease rush-hour gridlock, allowing for smoother travel.
• Enhanced safety features: upgraded lighting, better road markings and modernized traffic signals improve visibility and reduce the risk of crashes.
• Economic growth: improved connectivity supports local businesses and enhances access to key commercial hubs, boosting economic
activity.
• Sustainable infrastructure: the project integrates environmentally friendly materials and designs to support long-term sustainability. In addition, two emergency generators were installed to power FDOT access cameras at the intersection of two critical evacuation routes. These generators ensure continued monitoring during weather events should the local/regional power grid shut down.
As Tampa continues to grow, infrastructure improvements like these will play a vital role in providing interstate access to tourist destinations, employment centers and the University of South Florida, as well as more efficient mobility of people and goods through the Tampa Bay area and the entire state of Florida. Lane continues to deliver some of Florida’s most critical infrastructure projects across the state — one of its key markets. Some active roadwork projects include the I-275/I-4 Downtown Tampa Interchange (DTI) and the Westshore Interchange in Tampa; Seminole Expressway/SR 417 Widening Project in Seminole County; and the I-4 and Sand Lake Road Interchange in Orange County. These projects reflect Lane Construction’s commitment to enhancing Florida’s transportation infrastructure through improved capacity, safety and connectivity.
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Thompson Tractor held its first “Thompson Technology” event of the year April 17, 2025, at its Montgomery, Ala., branch.
This event marked the first of four technology demonstrations planned for 2025, each showcasing core Cat GCI Technology machines — including track-type tractors and excavators — as well as various machines featuring complementary technologies.
Key highlights at the Montgomery event included formation of an excavator dirt mound where customers could test out the 3D automatics on excavators — simulating a deep load out cut. Also featured were several track type tractors equipped with Cat factory 3D and other technologies, such as steer assist. A D3 track type tractor and a 330 excavator were equipped with Topcon 3D for contractors who prefer that source or technology for their 3D. This shows the flexibility of the Cat machines and that any of the 3D technologies work well on Cat’s platforms.
Also demonstrating flexibility was a Cat factory 3D-equipped 320 excavator that had a 450 MHz radio. This is not the normal 900 MHz radio used on Cat factory 3D and Trimble 3D machines. It is a different frequency that is mostly used on Topcon base stations.
“We wanted to show that our machines could utilize this frequency and work perfectly while receiving all the benefits of the Cat next gen excavators” said Brian Laughlin, Thompson CAT manager of specialty products. “We worked with SITECH and had a 120 motor grader equipped with 3D. A 265 skid steer loader with GB124 grader blade equipped with 3D showed a mini version of a grader blade with GPS. A Cat 980 wheel loader was displaying some factory Cat safety technologies — showing off its rear object detection system and surround view cameras. These Cat safety technologies are becoming a hot item with our quarry and aggregate customers.”
In addition to showing customers Cat safety technologies, Thompson Tractor technology specialists, including Stephen Rylee, were on hand to walk customers through Vision Link technology options and show VL productivity and how it can benefit customers’ needs.
see TECHNOLOGY page 22
Thompson Tractor product support representative, Derick Freeman (C) goes over the operation of the Cat 265 CTL with GB124 grader blade and how to maximize production using the added 3D system.
Operating the Cat 265 compact track loader with GB124 grader blade with Trimble 3D technology is Brandon Clifton of Kerr Enterprise, Lafayette, Ala.
Bruce
Brandon
and Austin
of Adams Construction, Auburn, Ala., compare their experience on operating the new Cat D6XE dozer in their quest for finding the technologies to meet their needs.
Construction is under way on a long-anticipated bypass road in Mandeville, La., that St. Tammany Parish officials said will connect two state highways, improve access to the town’s busy Pelican Park and ease traffic congestion in the area.
With a building cost of $34 million, the divided two-lane, 3.5-mi. road is for now simply called the “Mandeville Bypass” until residents choose a new name. When complete, it will link Louisiana Highway 1088 to U.S. Highway 190, with roundabouts at each intersection and ease traffic on La. 59, parish officials told the New Orleans TimesPicayune.
The plans also call for a multi-use path for bikers and pedestrians to run parallel to the bypass and connect to the Tammany Trace bike trail.
Parish officials said the roadway will be the most expensive ever built by the local government. The project is being built by Denley-Brown Contractors LLC in Baton Rouge.
“We have promised real roadway solutions to ease traffic and to boost safety and today, these promises have been delivered,” said St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper at the project’s rainy groundbreaking ceremony on April 7, 2025.
Approximately 3,500 vehicles are expected to use the road daily, he said. It is expected to be finished in two years, but the idea, which is decades old, has long been an ambition of many within St. Tammany Parish.
Discussions about a north entrance to Pelican Park, a nearly 500-acre recreation destination between La. 1088 and U.S. 190, date back to the late 1990s, according to Nixon Adams, who has been involved with the park since its inception in the 1980s and serves as the chair of St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 1, the park’s operator.
Its south entrance off U.S. 190 is “overwhelmingly crowded,” Adams said during an interview with the Times-Picayune. With more than a million visitors a year, according to its website, the popular recreation site boasts 32 athletic fields, seven indoor basketball courts, a convention center, an 18-hole disc golf course and pickleball courts.
Eventually, the Mandeville Bypass will serve as the primary entrance and exit for the park, Cooper said.
“We’re sure happy to see it coming,” Adams said of the new road.
Engineering work on the bypass project started approximately 10 years ago, the New Orleans news outlet noted.
Much of the land was in private hands and had to be purchased, said St. Tammany Parish
Council member Joe Impastato, who also was on hand for the proposed roadway’s ceremonial building start.
In 2022, Cooper proposed setting aside $24.5 million to build the road; however, the Parish Council at the time did not take him up on it, instead opting to wait to see if the state would pay the costs.
Then, in February 2024, with no state money forthcoming, a newly elected Parish Council decided to push the project forward, setting aside revenue collected through a 2 percent sales tax in unincorporated St. Tammany (On March 29, 2025, residents voted against renewing the tax, which will now be collected only until 2031.)
The Mandeville City Council and Recreation District No. 1 also have contributed funding.
“This is adding to our toolbox, to our roads that we’re going to maintain,” said Mandeville City Council member Arthur Laughlin. He added the highway will be owned by the parish, not the state and highlighted the drainage improvements that will be included with the bypass in the form of ditches running alongside it.
“Mandeville Bypass” is only the temporary nickname for the roadway, according to Cooper. A permanent name will be decided by a vote on the parish’s website where four proposed names will be listed: Adrien Rouquette Parkway, Brown Pelican Parkway, Buchawa Boulevard and Coyote Crossing.
Alex Dixon (L) and Blair Williams (R), both of Foursight Solutions, discuss the Topcon MC mobile system with Maiko Hewitt, executive director of RAMCA (Richmond Area Municipal Contractors Association). The MC mobile system increases efficiency while reducing wait times and staffing needs for small and mid-sized construction projects. MC mobile equips contractors with what’s needed to perform layout and onsite design options to build jobs and to verify the results.
The Richmond Area Municipal Contractors Association (RAMCA) held its fifth annual Construction Rodeo and Expo April 17, 2025, in the Richmond City Stadium.
Many local equipment dealers had machines on hand for the more than 100 guests to look over and in some cases operate.
New to this year’s rodeo were three mini-excavator competitions. James River Equipment, Hills Machinery and Carter Machinery all brought in mini-excavators to challenge members on their operating skills.
Travis Baker of Sargent Corporation claimed the title of “RAMCA’s Best Excavator Operator” by completing all three challenges with the least number of points deducted.
RAMCA was formed to represent the interests of utility, heavy, and highway constructors, and their industry associates, who perform work or conduct business in the greater Richmond metropolitan area. CEG
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2025 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)
(L-R): Representing Carter Machinery’s rental and service operations are Austin Hammock, Latane Gilbert and Nolin Watkins.
(L-R): Ready to answer questions on the Komatsu PC210LCi-11 are Linder Industrial Machinery’s Gino Morin, Rich Fikis, Kerry Apperson, Sean McNutt and Colin Ridge. The PC210LCi-11 excavator with new intelligent machine control 2.0 delivers even higher productivity, efficiency and cost saving gains. New fully factory-integrated features limit under and over digging, increase ease of operation and maximize machine and attachment utilization.
James River Equipment had its versatile zero-tail swing John Deere 50P on display and available for guests to operate during the event.
Promoting jobsite safety is George McCray of Excel Truck Group with the Scorpion truck-mounted attenuator, which is hydraulically powered and ideal for stationary and mobile construction zones.
event.
First time operator of an MTS 3630 tractor with a 23-28 pull scraper and an added 3D system is Trae Hamm of Hydro Green Erosion Control, based in Auburn, Ala.
TECHNOLOGY from page 16
“On the allied side, we had a Mobile Track Solutions [MTS] 3630 SB tractor and a 28-yard scraper that had a 3D system attached to it,” Laughlin said. “This system indicated to the operator when they were above, below or at grade. There was a lot of interest in this machine throughout the day.”
The event wasn’t limited to earthmoving technology. Thompson Truck Source showcased a Hi-Vac X13
hydro excavator mounted on a truck chassis, designed for precise excavation around fiber optic lines. Also on display was an Autocar dump truck, reflecting Thompson’s recent dealership additions. Simon Jones, vocational truck and trailer sales representative, was available throughout the event to answer customer questions. CEG
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2025 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)
Autocar was recently added to the Thompson Truck Source offerings and vocation truck and trailer sales representative, Simon Jones was busy fielding questions about their newest truck line.
Watching the demo operators at work (L-R) are Andrew Kopecky, B&G Equipment and Supply, Birmingham, Ala.; Tyler Phelps, SITECH South, Birmingham, Ala.; and Nate Moran, Cat Construction Technologies, based in Savannah, Ga.
Border Rents
borderequipment.com
Augusta, GA 706-737-7253
Norcross, GA 770-609-8299
*Ditch Witch of Virginia ditchwitchva.com
Seaford, DE 302-629-3602
Chesapeake, VA 757-424-5960
Glen Allen, VA 804-798-2590
Manassas, VA 571-359-6081
*Ditch Witch Worx ditchwitchworx.com
Fort Lauderdale, FL 877-935-3656
Jacksonville, FL 866-254-1102
Plant City, FL 855-704-6828
Albany, GA 866-581-4914
Atlanta, GA 866-709-3712
Savannah, GA 888-298-0429
*Don Allison Equipment, Inc. donallisonequipment.com
Arley, AL 800-669-6450
First Choice Farm and Lawn firstchoicekubota.com
Brookland, AR 870-790-2301
Dyersburg, TN 731-882-1855
Eads, TN 901-616-5129
Mayfield, KY 270-856-4355
Savannah, TN 731-925-2141
Union City, TN 731-885-1315
*Forsythe Tractor forsythetractor.com
Shreveport, LA 318-687-1341
National Equipment Dealers
Carolinas
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Ashville-Fletcher, NC 828-628-3004
Charlotte, NC 704-228-0455
Clayton, NC 886-629-3784
Grimesland, NC 252-752-1500
Lexington, NC 866-629-3784
Columbia, SC 888-865-1002
Conway, SC 800-968-0754
Piedmont, SC 864-434-1154
Summerville, SC 843-501-0566
Wellford-Spartanburg, SC 843-501-0566
National Equipment Dealers
Florida
nedealers.com
Apopka, FL 407-401-8956
Fort Myers, FL 407-754-4646
Fort Pierce, FL 772-212-4043
Jacksonville, FL 904-664-0899
Tampa, FL 813-940-4405
National Equipment Dealers
Georgia
nedealers.com
Dallas, GA 770-445-9019
Douglas, GA 912-384-4664
Macon, GA 478-257-8300
Richmond Hill, GA 912-756-7854
Southern Lift Trucks
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Mobile, AL 251-278-2247
State Machinery
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Kenner, LA 504-464-0431
Taylor Construction Equipment taylorconstructionequipment.com
Bessemer, AL 205-428-7050
Huntsville, AL 205-428-7050
Montgomery, AL 205-428-7050
Louisville, MS 833-773-3421
New Albany, MS 304-550-9825
Richland, MS 601-922-4444
LaVergne, TN 304-550-9825
Maryville, TN 662-773-3421
Van Keppel
vankeppel.com
North Little Rock, AR 501-945-4594
Van Buren, AR 479-474-5281
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FAYAT Group announced it is expanding its road equipment division operations in Fairfield County.
The company's $13.7 million investment will create 75 new jobs.
Founded in France in 1957, FAYAT, through its road equipment division, produces and assembles equipment for all steps of the road lifecycle — asphalt production, application, compaction, road maintenance, sweeping, cold milling, stabilization and recycling — as well as airport vehicles. The company operates in 170 countries and has more than 23,000 employees worldwide.
Located at 321 Blue Granite Pkwy. in Ridgeway, FAYAT will construct a new 100,000 sq.-ft. parts distribution facility to improve its aftersales support for customers throughout North America. The expansion also will allow FAYAT to increase its localization of production for road machinery at an existing facility in Fairfield County.
Operations are expected to be online in the fourth quarter of 2025.
For more information, visit roadequipment.fayat.com.
Heidelberg Materials North America announced that it has completed the acquisition of Giant Cement Holding Inc. and its subsidiaries, Giant Cement Co., Dragon Products Co. and Giant Resource Recovery, from the Fortaleza, Uniland and Trituradora groups.
The acquired operations include a cement plant in Harleyville, S.C., and four associated distribution terminals; a joint-venture deep-water import terminal in Savannah, Ga.; cement and slag distribution terminals in Newington, N.H., and Thomaston, Maine; and a deep-water import terminal in Boston, Mass. The purchase also includes Giant Resource Recovery, an alternative fuel recycling business in the eastern United States.
“We are pleased to complete the acquisition of the GCHI assets and further strengthen our presence in the important southeastern U.S. and New England markets,” said Chris Ward, president and CEO of Heidelberg Materials North America. “We welcome the approximately 400 employees and the GCHI customers to Heidelberg Materials and look forward to the opportunities ahead.”
This latest acquisition by Heidelberg Materials reflects its continued focus on optimizing its portfolio in core markets, building a sustainable future and positioning the company as the front-runner on the path to decarbonizing the built environment and growing the circular economy in the construction materials industry.
When asked what his impressions were when he first saw the hurricane’s massive destruction, Patrick Black of Baker’s Construction Services said the scale of damage was “astounding.”
streams, turning even dry creek beds into raging floodwaters that swept away everything in their paths, including vehicles, homes and people.
The storm also collapsed or damaged many roads and bridges — no matter how well they were built — leaving local residents and tourists stranded until the infrastructure could be repaired.
Since last fall’s storm, though, most roads and bridges washed away in east Tennessee have been restored to reconnect vital supply routes, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
In fact, rebuilding efforts are continuing on the last few major state projects and interior roads in that part of Tennessee.
TDOT requested $510 million in federal assistance for its storm repairs and, by the end of March, had received $102 million, the agency said.
The major projects that remain, including bridges over the Nolichucky River, should be completed in the next few months, although one will not be open until 2026.
Most tragic, of course, was that 18 Tennessee residents lost their lives as a result of Helene’s impact.
Damage was even more horrific in neighboring western North Carolina, with the worst damage occurring in the greater Asheville area and other huge swaths of the Blue Ridge Mountains all the way north to Virginia. In all, approximately 105 people in the state died as a result of the storm.
In the hours after the hurricane’s passage through the region, both TDOT and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) began to quickly marshal various construction companies to the worst-hit areas to rebuild key roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Among the building firms that were contacted by TDOT to make emergency repairs was Baker’s Construction Services, a contractor in Bluff City, Tenn., that employs more
than 100 people, the vast majority of whom make up its onsite crews.
Patrick Black serves as the company’s director of digital marketing. Part of his job is to accompany its crews to various job sites to record aerial video of the work via a cameramounted drone. He then posts his expertly-shot videos and photos onto YouTube and social media sites like Facebook to chronicle the company’s efforts.
When asked what his impressions were when he first saw the hurricane’s massive destruction, Black said the scale of damage was “astounding,” and could only compare it to one other disaster he had witnessed.
“I was pretty up close and personal with some of the California wildfires that happened several years ago close to where I lived at the time,” he said. “After evacuating and then coming back to see what was left, it was devastating to see places I knew that had been utterly destroyed.”
Black said the hurricane damage he came upon in East Tennessee was reminiscent of the wildfires, only “100 times worse.”
“There was a utility truck just lying in this shallow creek; it looked like a harmless little body of water but somehow it had grown powerful enough to take out this big truck,” he said. “Then, I saw houses, buildings, barns and farmland that were just swept away. To see a state highway completely washed out was an incredible sight.”
Just the day after the storm cut its path of destruction through the mountains, Baker’s was brought in to be a subcontractor for Maymead Inc., a Mountain City, Tenn., highway builder, materials production and asphalt paving outfit that operates in the region.
“We worked with Maymead on U.S. Highway 421 in and around Mountain City,” Black said. “Maymead has rock quarries right off U.S. 421 where the damage was, so they provided all the stone and we did all the earthmoving, rebuilt all the washed out sections of the highway and shored up critically damaged areas.
Black added that Baker’s “had another set of [Tennessee] state roads that we were working on where there were criti-
cal washout areas that needed shoring up with GSR [structural support] and other materials.”
They included Tenn. Highway 167 along its approach to the state’s rugged northern border with North Carolina. After crossing into the Tarheel State’s Ashe County, the route is known as Big Laurel Road.
It also represented the only North Carolina repairs performed by Baker’s Construction. By the end of October, the company had wrapped up all its work in the state.
At the very beginning of Baker’s hurricane response, its crews focused squarely on performing emergency road repair.
On U.S. 421, the company teamed with the state transportation agency, Maymead and other subcontractors, Black said, “to figure out, based on TDOTs ever-evolving plans,” the best way to rebuild eight sections of the highway that were damaged.
Baker’s reconstruction of the road around Mountain City took, Black added, “about 80 days to make sure the highway could open up paved and with new striping.”
During November, the contractor also began repairs on two other TDOT projects where Baker’s was the prime contractor: U.S. 321 from the town of Butler south to Elk Mills, then east to North Carolina; and Tenn. 81 between Jonesborough and Erwin.
“The only bridge that we have worked on was in Elk Mills along U.S. 321 where we poured new concrete to shore up one end of the damaged structure. That was a pretty recent job,” said Black. “Other than that, most of our stuff has been earthmoving, moving stone into place, and rebuilding subgrade.”
Baker’s also built a temporary road that led into the Riverview Industrial Park in the Unicoi County town of Erwin, where mass flooding from the nearby Nolichucky River caused tremendous damage and multiple casualties.
Savannah-Richmond Hill, GA
912-756-7854
Dallas, GA
770-445-9019
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Grimesland, NC 252-752-1500
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Charlotte, NC
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Clayton-Raleigh, NC 919-773-1424
Castle Hayne, NC 910-222-3900
Summerville-Charleston, SC
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Columbia, SC
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Wellford-Spartanburg, SC 864-284-4343
Conway-Myrtle Beach, SC 800-968-0754
Arkansas College/Luby
Instructors Chad Hathaway and Lyndell Deckard teach a dozen students per year the ins and outs of running dozers, excavators, skid steers, backhoes and more.
By Katherine Petrik CEG EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Construction equipment operators are the driving force in building roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure. They work in all kinds of weather — blistering heat, frigid cold, rain — and in all kinds of conditions, depending on the project. Currently, there is a shortage of men and women entering the construction field to run these machines.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, “about 45,700 openings for construction equipment operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit
the labor force, such as to retire.”
North Arkansas College (Northark) in Harrison, Ark., is helping to prepare students for a career as an operator of construction machinery through its heavy equipment program. Instructors Chad Hathaway and Lyndell Deckard teach a dozen students per year the ins and outs of running dozers, excavators, skid steers, backhoes and more.
“We’re the only heavy equipment program in the United States that does real work on real job sites,” said Hathaway. “There’s not a whole lot of these heavy equipment programs around anymore, because they’re so expensive to operate.”
The program introduces students to operating heavy machinery and provides a credential for
entry-level positions in the industry. It also provides certification of basic operating skills to employers, according to the school’s website.
“I hear from companies that say they were looking for people and couldn’t find them,” Hathaway said. “There’s a huge gap in the workforce right now, especially for heavy equipment operation. So, we have companies coming to us and looking for operators all the time.”
The school lists the following learning outcomes of the program:
• Learn and understand the basic safety and operating procedures of the machines used in heavy equipment operations;
• obtain the operating skills of a hirable heavy equipment operator, suitable for any job site;
• have the ability to use the instruments to read grade and
make adjustments;
• know what materials to use and where to use them; and
• successfully complete the NCCER Core Curriculum and Heavy Equipment Operations for NCCER credentials.
Students are involved with a project at Boone County Regional Airport on a parking lot and road extension project.
see NORTHARK page 76
Mecbo America announced the launch of two products to the American market: the Cartrack P6 and P7.
These concrete pumps pair a powerful electric or diesel pump with a crawler undercarriage to maximize mobility and maneuverability on the job site.
The 150-hp P6 and 180-hp P7 place concrete at volumes of 104 to 144 cu. yds. per hour, making them an ideal solution for a wide variety of applications, including continuous flight augering, drilling, tunneling and commercial construction. A simple toggle radio remote control provides smooth handling and efficient operation, eliminating the issues seen when touchscreens interact with concrete covered gloves.
“Track-mounted pumps are not new to this market, but what we’ve done is add Mecbo’s patented Pulsar pump, which offers more power and lower maintenance demands,” said Blastcrete co-CEO Scott Knighton.
Mecbo’s patented Pulsar pump system features a long stroke, allowing the pump to push more concrete with less movement. That translates to greater output with less wear and tear on the pump, according to the company. In addition, the smooth pump performance virtually eliminates pressure fluctuation even when pumping long distances.
“With more than 75 years in the concrete pumping business, our team understands what customers want; and we work hard to give the best functionality to ensure easy and maintenance-free operation,” Knighton said. “They don’t need bells and whistles; they need a simple, rugged, efficient system.”
All Mecbo America products are serviced by trained and experienced service technicians and application specialists at Blastcrete Equipment LLC, according to the company. A full array of common wear parts are housed at the Blastcrete facility in Anniston, Ala., for fast and convenient shipping anywhere in the Americas, drastically reducing downtime. When working with Mecbo America, operators benefit from
reduced maintenance thanks to Mecbo’s patented pump system and Blastcrete’s dedicated customer support and robust spare parts program.
Both the Cartrack P6 and P7 feature two hatches to make routine maintenance easier. The Cartrack series can come with an optional water pump, compressor, hopper screen vibrator for harsh mixes, radio remote control and pipelines and accessories for specialized projects.
Mecbo America offers the P6 and P7 with several customization options. Both come standard with a crawler undercarriage but also can be installed on wheels or trucks. The diesel models have a soundproofing option for work at times and in areas where noise reduction is important. Safety was prioritized in designing the P6 and P7, as both feature a walkway with steps, handrails and lights.
For more information, visit mecboamerica.com.
KELLY TRACTOR www.kellytractor.com
Miami, FL
305-592-5360
Davie, FL
954-581-8181
West Palm Beach, FL 561-683-1231
Clewiston, FL 863-983-8177
Ft. Myers, FL 239-693-9233
RING POWER ringpower.com/paving
St. Augustine, FL 904-737-7730
Brooksville, FL
352-796-4978
Daytona Beach, FL 386-947-3363
Gainesville, FL 352-371-9983
Jacksonville, FL 904-714-2600
Lake City, FL
386-755-3997
Lakeland, FL 863-606-0512
Ocala, FL 352-732-2800 Orlando, FL
407-855-6195 Palm Bay, FL
321-952-3001 Sarasota, FL 941-359-6000
Tallahassee, FL 850-562-2121 Tampa, FL 813-671-3700
YANCEY BROS. CO.
www.yanceybros.com
Austell, GA
800-282-1562
Albany, GA
800-768-2892
Augusta, GA
800-446-5131
Bloomingdale, GA
800-482-1144
Brunswick, GA
800-299-5010
Calhoun, GA
800-752-9804
Columbus, GA
800-633-5240
Dacula, GA
800-545-2945
Macon, GA
800-633-5180
McDonough, GA
888-926-2392
Savannah, GA
800-755-8382
Statesboro, GA
888-764-6506
Valdosta, GA
800-755-6841
Washington, GA
888-678-3211
Waycross, GA
888-948-2443
THE CAT RENTAL STORE AT THOMPSON MACHINERY
TMRents.com
Columbus, MS
622-244-4610
Greenwood, MS
662-459-7210
Belden, MS
622-842-4322
Nashville, TN
615-291-5444
Memphis, TN
901-362-8883
Clarksville, TN
931-905-3902
Jackson, TN
731-988-4259
CAT
www.louisianacat.com
Alexandria, LA
318-443-2577
Baton Rouge, LA
225-296-0020
Belle Chase, LA
504-433-1350
Bossier City, LA
318-746-2341
Hammond, LA
985-340-2820
Lafayette, LA
337-837-2476
Lake Charles, LA
337-439-3601
Monroe, LA
318-323-1345
Praireville, LA
225-673-3480
Reserve, LA
985-536-1121
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504-904-7421
Trimble announced that WaukeshaPearce Industries LLC. is the newest construction equipment dealer to become a Trimble Technology outlet.
WPI will now sell Trimble aftermarket grade control technology to customers using Komatsu and Yanmar earthmoving equipment, including dozers, excavators, miniexcavators, motor graders and compact track loaders.
Trimble technology from WPI includes the Trimble Works subscription, which provides an easy entry-point, predictable monthly payment, upgrade flexibility, software and firmware maintenance and more, according to Trimble.
NC 704-795-3636 Ladson, SC 843-818-1954
Orlando, FL 407-855-6195 Tampa, FL 813-671-3700
Union City, GA 770-774-7300
MD 443-399-7100 Geismar, LA 225-251-7500 Akeny, IA 515-965-1000 Omaha, NE 402-894-9300
Belle Chasse, LA 504-394-7400 Salt Lake City, UT 801-297-8500 Phoenix, AZ 602-232-0660 Grand Prairie, TX 972-986-0910 Houston, TX 713-433-6411 Chesapeake, VA
757-935-4300 Winston-Salem, NC 336-582-7400 Billings, MT 406-206-2007 Aurora, CO 720-864-9842 La Vergne, TN 615-562-3979
Trimble Technology outlets are a new part of Trimble’s civil construction distribution strategy. By adding authorized resellers representing a wide variety of manufacturers to the Trimble distribution channel, it becomes easier for users of all machine types to buy, install and use Trimble technology for improved job site productivity and profitability, according to Trimble. WPI is dedicated to providing customers with essential technology for their earthmoving equipment.
“WPI has been evolving to provide its customers with the most innovative solu-
tions in the construction industry for more than 100 years and we are excited that the next phase of that evolution includes selling Trimble technology,” said Ron Bisio, senior vice president, field systems of Trimble. “Our goal is to make our technology accessible to users of all machine types through a network of new Trimble Technology outlets and we are moving quickly to make that vision a reality.”
“Establishing ourselves as a Trimble Technology outlet will enhance our ability to meet customers’ technology needs, allowing us to provide customized solutions and exceptional service,” said Lloyd French IV, divisional president of WPI. “Working with Trimble enables us to build deeper alliances with our existing customers and help forge new business relationships, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to growth and success.”
Trimble’s grade control systems integrate sensors, software and automation features to empower operators to work more productively. From the precise positioning of buckets and other implements, to the optimization of equipment usage, Trimble technology helps improve accuracy and safety while reducing equipment wear-and-tear and fuel consumption, according to Trimble.
For
Terra and Turnberry, two of south Florida’s leading real estate development companies, have secured $392 million in construction financing that will help advance their joint development of the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800room, 17-story property adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The financing was provided by TYKO Capital, a New York-based multi-billion-dollar commercial real estate private equity and private credit investment management firm, backed by Elliott Investment Management.
As the pre-construction sitework is already completed, the financing paves the way for the project’s as-yet-unannounced groundbreaking, with delivery slated for late 2027.
“With construction financing in place and strong public support behind us, we are eager to bring this landmark hotel to life,” David Martin, CEO of Terra, and Jackie Soffer, chair and CEO of Turnberry, said in a joint statement. “Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will fill a longstanding gap in Miami Beach’s hospitality offerings, elevating the conventions and events that come to our community while creating jobs, new revenue and economic impact.”
Strategically located at 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, the hotel complex will provide seamless access to the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. With resort-style amenities, the Grand Hyatt’s aim is to serve as the city’s first major convention hotel adjacent and connected to the venue, enhancing Miami Beach’s ability to attract major national and international clients.
Designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia with Arquitectonica, a studio headquartered in Miami, the new hotel will feature 12 floors of guest rooms, including 52 suites with sweeping views of Miami Beach, along with four floors of meeting and ballroom spaces that will complement the convention center’s event programming.
Guests will be able to enjoy a resort-style pool deck with panoramic city views, a signature restaurant, lobby lounge and bar, as well as retail space designed to activate streetlevel pedestrian traffic. In addition, a climate-controlled skybridge will provide access between the Grand Hyatt Hotel and the Miami Beach Convention Center, enhancing connectivity and convenience for event attendees.
Grand Hyatt Miami Beach was years in the making, with plans for the hotel overwhelmingly approved by Miami Beach voters in 2018. The project is a key component of the city’s efforts to transform its Convention Center District into a more dynamic, walkable and economically vibrant hub.
“Grand Hyatt Miami Beach is a game-changer for major meeting and event planners and a transformative addition to our convention center ecosystem,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With an unmatched location seamlessly connected to the [convention center] and just steps from world-renowned Miami Beach, this hotel creates a one-ofa-kind experience for meeting planners and attendees alike.
This addition solidifies our position as a top choice for highprofile conventions and meetings from around the globe.”
The financing news comes on the heels of a $75 million grant that the development was awarded through the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency in late 2024, underscoring its role as a critical economic driver for the region. The grant reflects strong public and private support for the hotel’s potential to enhance the city’s global competitiveness as a premier destination for meetings, conferences and events.
Its developers also plan to introduce new public spaces, pedestrian-friendly promenades, bike-sharing stations and connectivity to public transit, aligning with Miami Beach’s broader sustainability and resilience goals while providing access to the city’s nearby Lincoln Road district.
“We are thrilled to introduce our Grand Hyatt brand to this key leisure and business travel market,” said Hyatt’s Group President of the Americas’ Pete Sears.
“Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will work to seamlessly blend the destination’s colorful, vibrant spirit with the brand’s bold architecture, inventive restaurants and luxury accommodations,” he said. “We look forward to offering guests and World of Hyatt members a new way to experience Miami Beach in a setting that will be as inspiring as the city itself.”
Major Developers in South Florida
Miami-based Terra is a worldwide development and investment company that creates communities, enhances neighborhoods and connects people. Led by David Martin, the firm was founded in 2001 and is now active across all major real estate asset classes, including multifamily apartments, luxury condominium and single-family residences, retail and office space, hotels and industrial properties.
The company also owns and operates a carefully curated portfolio of real estate developments valued at more than $8 billion that elevate quality of life, maximize the way in which people work, live and entertain; and innovate the urban and suburban landscape with an eye toward resiliency and sustainability.
A leading developer in its own right, Turnberry also is an owner and operator of numerous luxury destinations, from hotels and restaurants to residential, retail and mixed-use projects. Headquartered in Miami, it has developed more than $10 billion in commercial and residential assets, including approximately 20 million sq.-ft. of retail space, more than 7,000 apartments and condominium units, 1.5 million sq.-ft. of class-A office space, and more than 3,000 hotel and resort rooms.
Turnberry recently announced that it would develop the St. Regis Hotel and the St. Regis Residences in Nashville, Tenn. and, in partnership with another firm, it is developing SoLé Mia in North Miami, a 184-acre project that includes plans for more than 5,000 units and 1 million sq. ft. of retail and commercial space. Currently at SoLé Mia, Turnberry is completing construction on ONE Park Tower, a 33-story tower with 292 custom-designed residences.
CRYSTAL TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT
11863 US HWY 301 Hampton, FL 32044
352-770-0488
Crystaltractor.com
EQUIPMENT COMPANY
523 US Hwy 280 E Americus, GA 31709 229-924-0035
843 Pinehurst-Hawkinsville Rd Pinehurst, GA 31070 229-273-4333
perryequip.com
COASTAL EQUIPMENT SALES & RENTAL 922 Longwood Drive Richmond Hill, GA 31324 912-459-1155
www.acesalesandrentals.com
NEWMAN TRACTOR
2600 W State Road 60 W Bartow, FL 33830 863-777-5570
www.newmantractor.com
Vermeer Southeast announced the promotions of Monte Erritt to chief people officer, Dan Rockefeller to chief financial officer and Patrick McCollum to vice president of operations.
These promotions underscore the company’s dedication to leadership development and its vision to SHINE with excellence: serve others, honor God, improve continually, navigate by values and excel in relationships, according to the company.
Monte Erritt, previously vice president of employee development, steps into his role as chief people officer with a deep commitment to enhance the company’s culture and align it closely with Vermeer Southeast’s values. Starting his tenure in 1995, Erritt’s career at Vermeer has been marked by significant leadership roles, where he has been instrumental in fostering a workplace where team members thrive.
“Maintaining our culture and enhancing it further ensures that Vermeer Southeast continues to be a company people are proud to be part of,” Erritt said.
Dan Rockefeller began his career at Vermeer Southeast as a controller in 2005 and has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial and administrative strategies. As the newly appointed chief financial officer, Rockefeller continues to exemplify the SHINE principles through diligent stewardship of company resources, said the company.
“I’m grateful to serve at a company where our SHINE values resonate so deeply with my personal beliefs, ensuring we are the best stewards of the resources entrusted to us,” said Rockefeller.
Patrick McCollum has progressed through various positions since joining Vermeer Southeast in 2010 as an environmental sales representative. As the new vice president of operations, McCollum is recognized for his leadership underpinned by the SHINE principles, driving operational excellence and strategic initiatives.
“It’s not just about the titles; it’s about the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day with our employees and customers,” said McCollum.
Scott Coley, CEO of Vermeer Southeast, highlighted the importance of these promotions.
“Monte, Patrick and Dan each bring a unique strength and vision to their new roles,” he said. “Their leadership qualities and deep commitment to our values are exactly what Vermeer Southeast needs as we aim to strengthen our operations and enhance our customer relationships and partner stronger.”
www.equipmentshare.com
10179 US-78 Ladson, SC 29456 843-709-2458
145 Thunderbird Dr. Richmond Hill, GA 31324 912-400-0752
2919 E. Napolean St. Sulphur, LA 70663 337-284-9804 HEAVY MACHINES, INC. www.heavymachinesinc.com
120 Mann Drive Piperton, TN 38017 (Memphis) 800-238-5591
2115 N. Thompson Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37129 877-200-5654
5200 Hollywood Ave. Shreveport, LA 71109 800-548-3458
364 Bob Jobe Rd. Gray, TN 37615 855-201-7453
10110 Roberts Way Covington, GA 30014 770-788-0888
7651 Theodore Dawes Rd. Theodore, AL 36582 251-653-5955
825 31st Street North Birmingham, AL 35203 205-323-6108
LINK-BELT MID ATLANTIC www.link-beltmidatlantic.com Ashland, VA 866-955-6071 Chesapeake, VA 800-342-3248 Frederick, MD 833-546-5235 PARMAN TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT www.parmantractor.com
3570 Dickerson Pike Nashville, TN 37207 615-865-7800
1485 Bear Creek Pike Columbia, TN 38401 931-388-7273
MID SOUTH MACHINERY, INC. www.gomidsouth.com 3233 Highway 80 West Jackson, MS 39204 601-948-6740
3145 Cliff Gookin Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38801 662-690-6553
7422 Hwy 49 N Hattiesburg, MS 39402 601-268-2222
The Foundation believes this project will help close in on its mission to address professional education and workforce development. At the same time, Vision 2025 will bring more awareness to the benefits available for the equipment industry.
The Foundation is “challenging AED members to help create a strong and robust pipeline of skilled workers within the next four years.”
Launched in 2020, Vision has three areas of focus: schools with equipment technology programs, students within these programs and AED dealer members. The goal by 2027: 120 accredited college programs, 200 recognized high schools, 10,000 skilled technicians and 5,000 Foundation-certified technicians.
The initiative was conceived in 2019 after a Foundation study showed the industry would need to recruit 73,000 technicians over five years to meet demand.
“We had done a study with the college of William and Mary,” said Brian P. McGuire, Foundation president.
Job vacancies already were open twice the average length of time because the industry couldn’t draw people who were qualified, he said.
So, the Foundation board decided to call attention to the current situation and establish the tools to solve the problem for the future.
“The situation didn’t happen overnight, and it wouldn’t solve itself overnight,” said McGuire.
The Foundation determined the best course of action would be to start at the high-school level, to get younger students exposed to tech careers early.
“We have to let them see there’s a viable career path,” said McGuire.
Many of AED’s member dealerships are owned by people who came up as technicians, he added. Several CEOs of dealerships stated off as techs.
“Some go into sales from training as technicians. You can have a great career as a technician, but it’s also an on ramp to other areas of the business.”
The Foundation saw the need to help high-school students and their parents understand that these have the potential to be “six-figure careers,” he said.
It required conveying to parents, students and educators that ‘you can go into this career path and your employer will pay for your training, so you have no debt.’
Tim Watters, president of Hoffman Equipment, based in Piscataway, N.J., also sees a career in equipment technology can be a draw. He said the need for qualified
technicians is huge.
“And it’s going to get exponentially worse,” said Watters, AED Foundation chair. “I walk around our shop — we have 50 techs. So many of them are 50 years old plus, and a significant chunk are 60 years plus. Try to find a 30-year-old.”
There are a few, he said. “But there are so few it’s like gold to find someone who wants to work with their hands and be a technician.”
The industry, he said, needs to create a steady flow of kids interested in equipment technology careers.
“We need to implement learning opportunities in schools for students to come into the industry with a basic level of skills and confidence.”
The original goal back for the initiative in 2020 was to pledge $5 million by 2025. By 2022, it hit that number.
“So, our chair said let’s go to $10 million and go to 2027 with the overall goal to increase the number of accredited collages,” said McGuire.
At the same time, the Foundation would restart its high-school recognition program, which had gone dormant from its height of activity in the 1990s.
The initiative also set out to certify 5,000 technicians through the Foundation’s certification program.
“And to have 10,000 folks we could point to and say, ‘they’ve come into the workforce because of this initiative,’” said McGuire.
The Foundation currently recognizes 94 accredited colleges, which puts the initiative at 78 percent of its goal. There are 102 recognized high-school programs.
“Our goal was to build a high-school feeder program into accredited colleges,” said McGuire. “We’re at 52 percent of our goal with high-schools and 88 percent of our goal of certified technicians with just under 4,500. So, we will exceed that goal.”
Just under 6,000 technicians have entered the workforce because of the effort, he said.
“The exciting thing is — and the figures change weekly — we’re at just over $8.5 million pledged and we’ve collected $6 million,” he said.
Vision 2025 is “a little different” from most campaigns in that this money is being collected to spend.
“We are putting $5 million in a Foundation endowment to continue these efforts after pledging,” said McGuire. “We have brought on five staff to make sure we’re hitting what we need to keep donors satisfied.”
see CAREERS page 76
of the QH443E,
The QH443E electric cone crusher completes Sandvik’s electric train, which includes the UJ443E fully electric jaw crusher, the QE342e hybrid scalper and the QA452e hybrid triple-deck Doublescreen.
Sandvik Mobile crushing and screening announced the launch of the QH443E, its latest tracked cone crusher.
This new electric unit has been designed with a focus on sustainability and productivity, according to Sandvik.
The new QH443E is Sandvik’s flagship Q-Range electricdriven cone plant. It takes a significant step toward bridging the gap between tracked mobile, wheeled portable and stationary plants by combining electric drives and track mobility on a single platform.
The QH443E electric cone crusher completes Sandvik’s electric train, which includes the UJ443E fully electric jaw crusher (launched in 2023), the QE342e hybrid scalper and the QA452e hybrid triple-deck Doublescreen (both launched in 2022).
The QH443E features a new heavy duty feeder design and is equipped with electrically driven components. Its advanced design allows for operation through a connection to an external electrical grid supply or on-board generator, providing flexibility and reducing operational costs.
The integration of the latest generation of fuel-efficient engines further enhances flexibility, allowing the unit to be operated via HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) or diesel when required, maximizing uptime while lowering emissions and operating noise, according to Sandvik.
Due to the electrification of the onboard components, running the QH443E via the genset can result in up to 25 percent* fuel savings and a 78 percent* reduction in hydraulic oil usage compared to previous generations.
*Test results and calculations are to be considered as
results reached under certain and controlled conditions. These test results and calculations should not be treated as specifications and Sandvik does not guarantee, warrant or represent the outcome of test results or calculations in any or all circumstances.
The QH443E is designed to maximize uptime and boost output. With the versatility and reliability of the Sandvik CH440 Hydrocone, constant liner performance (CLP) and Hydroset CSS adjustment, this crusher delivers superior power transfer and precision crushing, according to Sandvik. The new Optik automation system and My Fleet remote monitoring provide 24/7 fleet management, geo-fencing and remote operator support, ensure continuous crushing and optimal performance.
Engineered to operate in the most hostile environments, the QH443E is ideal for large quarries and mines. Its robust design, featuring a unibody mainframe and premium components, ensures durability and strength. The load-sensing system for the feeder drive, camera and level sensor guarantees continuous crushing, while the choice of chambers, throws and settings allows for customization to suit a wide range of applications, according to Sandvik.
“Safety is paramount in the design of the QH443E,” said Sandvik. “The unit includes remote camera viewing of the crushing chamber, 270- degree access around the crusher for
easy maintenance and mandatory audible and visual warnings for safe operation. Our extensive global distributor and sales support network ensures that you receive the best support for your operations.”
The QH443E is available to order in the European market now through Sandvik Mobile’s global network of sales areas and distributors and will be available globally later in 2025.
The QH443E is available to order in the European market now through Sandvik Mobile’s global network of sales areas and distributors and will be available globally later in 2025.
MOBISCREEN MSS 802 EVO
IMPRESSIVE FROM A TO Z. Thanks to its robust design and extensive range of screen linings, the MSS 802 EVO can easily adapt to changing locations and new operating conditions – making it ideal for a wide variety of applications. The coarse screening plant features an intuitive system control that reduces the risk of operating error. And all relevant functions can be operated from a safe distance for increased work safety. The MOBISCREEN MSS 802 EVO –the heavy-duty, versatile solution in natural stone and recycling. www.wirtgen-group.com/kleemann
Tuscaloosa, AL 205-752-0621 Panama City, FL 850-763-4654 Pensacola, FL
Exodus Global and its family of companies — ShearCore, OilQuick Americas, Connect Work Tools, RockZone Americas and BladeCore — partnered with Volvo Construction Equipment at the National Demolition Association Live Demo.
“This collaboration brings together cutting-edge technology and industry-leading expertise to showcase the future of demolition,” said the company. “Attendees will witness firsthand how our innovative attachments, combined with Volvo’s powerful equipment, enhance safety, efficiency, and productivity on the job site. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the latest advancements revolutionizing the demolition industry.”
Here’s what visitors could see in action:
• Volvo EC18 Electric with a CWT CHG2 hydraulic breaker;
• Volvo ECR88D with the all-new Connect Work Tools CS15 mobile shear (debuting at the live demo);
• Volvo EC400FSB equipped with an OilQuick OQ80 quick coupler, Connect Work Tools CWP3000R pulverizer, and ShearCore FC35 concrete processor;
• Volvo EC400FHR with an OilQuick
OQ80, ShearCore FC25 concrete processor and FS25 mobile shear;
• Volvo EC500FHR with an OilQuick OQ90 quick coupler, Connect Work Tools
This collaboration brings together cutting-edge technology and industry-leading expertise to showcase the future of
demolition...
CG40 grapple and ShearCore FS45 mobile shear; and
• Volvo EC950 with a ShearCore FS95 mobile shear.
Steve Cianci, vice president Americas distribution management, welcomes everyone to the Metso press conference.
Metso introduced three cone crushers, HP600e, HP800e and HP900e, to its Nordberg HPe series.
The units maintain HPe features while extending the series to larger crushing capacities for both aggregates production and high-demand mining applications.
“The evolution of Metso’s cone crusher technology brings multiple benefits and presents a true step change in terms of performance, uptime, serviceability and application coverage,” said Ilkka Somero, product manager of HP cones of Metso’s Aggregates business area. “We are excited to expand the Nordberg HPe series and bring to market a wider offering of these highperformance crushers fit for different production purposes.”
“Efficiency is the key to meeting the industry’s needs,” said Nicolas Gallay, director of gyratory and large cone crushers of Metso. “With the robust new HPe units, we can offer performance, longer lifetime and higher cost efficiency to our customers.”
HP600e and HP900e are an evolution to the existing range, built and based on proven technology. HP800e is a new addition to the series with a
Ilkka Somero, product manager of HP cone crushers, goes over the many features of the Nordberg HP 600e cone crusher.
crushing size option of 600 kW/800 hp.
All three units come with two modern automation platform options: IC70C and MCP. Metso’s automation systems provide better visibility, monitoring and control of the crushing process and enable connection to remote monitoring and further digital services, according to Metso.
Nordberg HP600e, HP800e and HP900e units offer:
• high performance with up to 15 pecent more capacity and 35 percent greater crushing force, due to enhanced kinematics and higher power installation;
• new optimized crushing chambers, head spinning reduction and ring bouncing detection to reach optimum capacity and maximum wear life;
• complete drive and sub-frame for safe and faster installation while reducing dynamic load by up to 70 percent; and
• a new feed cone lifting tool, allowing for safer maintenance when changing wear parts.
(compared with equivalent cone
crushers in the same class.)
Upgradability is a core philosophy of the HPe Series. Previous-generation crushers can be enhanced with the latest e-features or upgraded with modernized components, according to Metso.
Metso offers a range of upgrades for existing Nordberg HP Series cone crushers, allowing operators to boost performance and efficiency by integrating the newest HPe features or other advanced options. Due to product development and interchangeability of parts, upgrading is seamless and costeffective, according to Metso.
In addition, Metso provides installation and commissioning, inspections, refurbishment and shutdown support, life cycle services agreements as well as a comprehensive wears and spares offering.
All upgrades and services are planned and executed to the highest standards. Metso’s distribution network offers an additional layer of support and services by providing localized expertise, rapid response times and tailored service solutions.
(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2025 Construction Equipment Guide.)
5038 Buford Hwy. Norcross, GA 30071 770-582-0377
Blue Ridge, GA 706-632-3777
Cumming, GA 770-887-6119
Hiawassee, GA 706-970-3077
McDonough, GA 770-957-3370
Villa Rica, GA 678-952-2037 Perry, GA 478-987-1173
6301 Old Rutledge Pike Knoxville, TN 37924 865-546-1414
10644 Lexington Drive Knoxville, TN 37932 865-218-8800
1825 Veterans Boulevard Sevierville, TN 37862 865-595-3750
9960 Airport Parkway Kingsport, TN 37663 423-323-0400
4066 South Access Road Chattanooga, TN 37406 423-698-6943
215 Interchange Drive Crossville, TN 38571 931-456-6543
www.gatewaydealer.com
Bobcat of Charleston North Charleston, SC 843-725-6330
Bobcat of Columbia Columbia, SC 803-933-9996
Bobcat of Greenville Piedmont, SC 864-269-3600
Bobcat of Spartanburg Spartanburg 864-342-9003
Bobcat of Savannah Bloomingdale, GA 912-236-5588
Bobcat of Seneca Seneca, SC 864-873-8908
Bobcat of Clarksville Clarksville, TN 931-436-9555
Bobcat of Nashville La Vergne, TN 615-941-4000
Bobcat of McMinnville McMinnville, TN 931-488-4767
Bobcat of Maury County Columbia, TN 931-981-9909
8255 NW 58th St Miami, FL 305-592-5360
801 E Sugarland Hwy Clewiston, FL 863-983-8177
2801 Reese Rd Davie, FL 954-581-8181
9651 Kelly Tractor Dr Ft. Myers, FL 239-693-9233
5460 Okeechobee Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 561-683-1231
6301 Old Rutledge Pike Knoxville, TN 37924
865-546-1414
10644 Lexington Dr Knoxville, TN 37932 865-218-8800
1825 Veterans Blvd Sevierville, TN 37862 865-595-3750
9960 Airport Pkwy Kingsport, TN 37663 423-323-0400
4066 South Access Rd Chattanooga, TN 37406 423-698-6943
215 Interchange Dr Crossville, TN 38571 931-456-6543
541 Alfred Thun Rd. Clarksville, TN 37040 931-552-5496
667 Horace Lewis Rd. Cookeville, TN 38506 931-646-3200
1245 Bridgestone Blvd. LaVergne, TN 37086 615-256-2424
3565 New Tullahoma Hwy. Manchester, TN 37355 931-461-5000
1291 Corporate Ave. Memphis, TN 38132 901-332-3051
3199 S Frontage Rd. Columbus, MS 39701 901-401-7011
4350 US-641 Camden, TN 38320 731-584-2732
2000 Airways Blvd Jackson, TN 38301 731-988-4240
4545 Columbia Pike Thompson’s Station, TN 37179 615-744-7850
1808 US-82 Greenwood, MS 38930 662-453-5233
761 Hwy 6 West Oxford, MS 38655 662-371-4440
421 Wallace Dr Belden, MS 38826 662-680-8948
That community, along with the greater Asheville, N.C., area, received the most national attention as a result of hurricane’s rampage. Impact Plastics, a company located on the downstream side of the Erwin business complex, lost six of its employees when they drowned trying to escape the floodwaters.
“We were told by city officials that we were needed to stabilize the flood-soaked ground and put in a road that the park’s businesses can use to come in and start recovery from the flood damage,” Black said. “It was the only other work in Tennessee we did that was not a state project.”
The rest of Baker’s efforts have been reconstructions from start to finish, he added.
“We completed our [State Road] 81 job two months early, which involved rebuilding about 1,200 feet of total washout on a portion of the highway right next to the Nolichucky River. Our crews went in, stripped out the old material, built it back and had it paved.”
To illustrate the amount of earthmoving and concrete that Baker’s handled on its two completed projects along U.S. 421 and Tenn. 81, Black said that at the first roadway site, “somewhere around 160,000 tons of materials was used, mostly the GSR, and that’s a lot of truckloads coming in and out of the work zones.
“For Tenn. 81 in Erwin, it was somewhere between 30,000 to 50,000 tons of rock.”
Currently, the only hurricane-related work being carried out by Baker’s is on U.S. 321, one of only five infrastructure projects left to be rebuilt by TDOT and its construction partners.
The 24-mi.-long stretch of highway being repaired runs from Tenn. 67 near the town of Butler to U.S. 421 in North Carolina and will
not be fully open until Labor Day weekend, according to Mark Nagi, TDOT’s regional communications officer. If it is completed by then, he said, the full reopening would be just a few weeks before the first anniversary of the Helene disaster.
The current road closure is on the Tennessee side from Montgomery Road to Poga Road in the Elk Mills community.
Nagi said other aspects of Baker’s U.S. 321 project include establishing and maintaining traffic control, erosion protection and sediment control measures, pipe extensions and repairs, grade work, construction of rock buttresses to repair washout areas and paving operations.
“I think the largest of our projects is going to end up being U.S. 321 because there are five separate sections for us to work on,”
Black said. “While SR 81 was one continuous washout, U.S. 321 has multiple areas like that, including the large retaining wall with the MSE [mechanically stabilized earth] system that can be seen on the drone video I made.”
Baker’s also conducted blasting on U.S. 321 because, he said, “the first thing to do in that bad washout area was to strip out all the unusable soil down to the bedrock” due to so many little springs located there.
“And in the places where the water needed to drain down, we ended up blasting to create enough room for not only the wall system to be installed but also to put in large drainage boxes where those springs feed,” Black said. “On both U.S. 321 and SR 81, there was spring water flowing to one side of the highways right where they washed out. That means it’s important that this construction provides the proper drainage so that water does not undermine either road.”
As its road repairs progressed through
November, the major challenge ahead for Baker’s and its crew members was the usually harsh winter weather that was certain to descend on its work sites high in the Appalachians.
“It was a challenge but, luckily, we didn’t have a really wet winter — just cold — and our guys really plowed through,” said Black. “A lot of the work our people were doing wasn’t really interfered with; only when we had heavy snow did we have to stop working. For the most part, it was still possible for the crew to dump rock into place and compact the material.”
At the start of the U.S. 421 road repairs, when TDOT and its contractors were in a rapid-response mode, he said, Baker’s also had to deal with a constant, sometimes headache-inducing stream of design changes.
“TDOT was working on the fly to change things as new challenges came up and solutions were needed quickly. In contrast, the work on SR 81 and U.S. 321 had a more consistent flow and, aside from the weather, everything else went fine.”
Black admitted, though, that a spate of infrastructure design changes is fairly common for any disaster recovery effort.
“It was surprising to me that any of the reconstruction was done so quickly, considering the amount of storm damage that was present,” he added. “The mere fact that they can figure out a design, get it to us so rapidly and we are able to make changes as we go along is amazing.”
Part of Baker’s success in performing its road repairs so expertly is due to its veteran crews.
“Every one of our project superintendents have been around for a long time,” said Black. “We also had some newer guys working on these repairs and rebuilds, so it has been a good mix. In addition, our survey crew utilizes GPS data and flight surveys that we use with topographical information
and LIDAR, meaning we have some of the best technology available to make sure we’re getting accurate results.”
During its work to repair the region’s roads and highways, he said that Baker’s used its Cat earthmoving equipment, including D6s and excavators, to push rock and dirt, as well as the contractor’s rollers, compactors and compact skid steers to place some of the select backfill.
Black added that approximately 90 percent of its equipment is manufactured by Cat and supplied to Baker’s by Knoxville-based Stowers Cat. The full-service dealership also provides Baker’s with its expert technical and parts support.
Besides the U.S. 321 road repairs that Baker’s is still working on, the remaining four projects being shepherded by TDOT all involve replacing or repairing bridges, according to the state agency. They include:
• In Carter County, Tenn., 67/91 is closed at the Doe River Bridge. It is slated to open on May 31 (Memorial Day).
• Tennessee Highway 107 in Greene County also is shut down at the Nolichucky River Bridge where beam placement is ongoing. TDOT expects the structure to reopen to traffic around June 23.
• Another Nolichucky River bridge along Tenn. 81 in Washington County is getting a beam placement, as well and also is set to open in late June.
• Nearby, Washington County’s Tenn. 353 bridge over the Nolichucky has remained closed since the storm. Nagi added that the work there has only recently gotten started and will be the state’s “last project to be completed.” He estimated it will reopen on May 22, 2026. CEG
(All photos courtesy of Baker’s Construction Services.)
Caterpillar is strengthening its lineup of material handlers with the launch of the Cat Next Generation MH3032 material handler.
Positioned to plug the gap between the MH3026 and MH3040, both already on the next generation platform, the new MH3032 calls on the same criteria to deliver performance, durability and reliability in a 30 MT technology-driven design.
“Material handling is all about efficiency,” said Vincent Migeotte, Caterpillar senior product and sales consultant. “How can you move and sort materials — waste, scrap or recycling — in as little time as possible, with as few moves as possible, using as little fuel as possible, and all without compromising safety or operator comfort?
“That’s the essential principle of our next gen architecture,” he added. “Keeping control over operating costs, without sacrificing performance. It’s those parameters that come to the forefront in the MH3032.”
With a near-15 m reach, the MH3032 is available with both drop-nose and straight-stick options for maximum configurability. Typical scrap materials are no challenge for the standard Cat orange-peel grapple with its 1 m³ capacity, while a 20 kW generator option puts magnet attachments into play for even greater onsite versatility, according to Caterpillar.
“Ease of operation and optimum productivity are provided by Cat Payload, the built-in technology that allows operators to see how much they’re lifting in each load and to constantly monitor tonnage output, said Caterpillar. “Also fitted as standard on the MH3032 is Cat 2D E-fence,
Caterpillar photo Caterpillar is strengthening its lineup of material handlers with the launch of the Cat Next Generation MH3032 material handler.
which keeps the arm within a predefined work area away from the elevated cab, providing greater operator confidence while protecting the machine from damage and helping improve site safety. This is combined with a new Swing Assist feature, which automatically stops the swing motion at an operator-defined preset point.”
“Technologies like these not only help reduce the operator fatigue associated with repetitive tasks but also help improve site safety,” said Migeotte. “Optimized movements also mean incremental improvements to time and fuel consumption.”
The safety theme continues into the material handler cab, where an in-cab monitor displays dual external camera views to maximize visibility and hazard awareness, according to Caterpillar.
Although the MH3032 joins the material handler lineup as a completely new model, it uses components common to the rest of the MH3000 Next Generation range.
Power for the MH3032 follows the same principle: its Cat C7.1 engine is one of Caterpillar’s most modular — and most compact — power units, meeting U.S. EPA Tier IV Final, EU Stage V, and Japan 2014 emission standards or emitting equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier III and EU Stage IIIA based on regional availability, according to Caterpillar. Deployed in the MH3032, it’s coupled with long-life filters, fewer hoses and fewer check points to allow extended maintenance intervals for further operational savings.
“By meeting the demands of the 30 MT size class headon, the MH3032 should prove a popular selection in the all-important material handling sector,” said Migeotte. “It’s a fine machine, totally at ease with its next gen credentials, and we’re delighted to see it launch in 2025.”
The new branded Yanmar compact track loader attachments include a full range of buckets, augers, trenchers, stump grinders, soil conditioners, breakers, sweepers, pallet forks, brush mowers, grapple rakes, grapple buckets and snow and grading blades.
Yanmar Compact Equipment has introduced a new line of branded attachments optimized for use with its compact track loaders.
The Yanmar attachments include a full range of buckets, augers, trenchers, stump grinders, soil conditioners, breakers, sweepers, pallet forks, brush mowers, grapple rakes, grapple buckets and snow and grading blades.
The introduction of the new attachments streamlines the purchasing process for fleet owners, contractors and rental centers by allowing Yanmar dealers to act as a one-stop shop for a comprehensive package of Yanmar equipment and attachments. Additionally, customers can be confident that their attachments are matched and tested to ensure maximum efficiency and performance when used with their Yanmar compact track loader.
“We’re excited to offer yet another reliable and versatile set of tools to help fleet customers and contractors be productive right out of the gate and conquer the evolving demands of any construction jobsite head-on,” said Frank Gangi, product manager — attachments, Yanmar Compact Equipment North America.
“Additionally, Yanmar customers can save time by buying their machine and attachments all from one place.”
The attachments, available through Yanmar’s dealer network, allow for seamless compatibility for use with all Yanmar-branded compact track loaders. This allows operators to simply attach the tool and get to work with the confidence to get the job done. Plus, owners have access to the same signature 24-month/2,000-hour warranty offered on Yanmar compact track loaders backed by the manufacturer’s unparalleled reliability and durability standards. This provides peace of mind with parts and support available directly from Yanmar.
In addition to offering the convenience of buying a compatible Yanmar attachment with a matching machine, the new attachment line is simple to finance. Eligible buyers can purchase a Yanmar machine through a Yanmar dealer and finance the attachment with the equipment as a bundle in one convenient package.
The new attachments will be available at Yanmar dealers alongside its full lineup of compact track loaders. Yanmar will continue to expand its attachment line to provide more versatility to its customers.
For more information, visit www.YanmarCE.com. (Photos courtesy of Yanmar Compact Equipment North America.)
FAE technology is now available for powerpack vehicles and wheeled excavators from 10 tons to 15 tons with the introduction of the new RQL/HY forestry mulcher.
The RQL/HY can shred grass, shrubs and trees up to 6 in. in diameter. It can be used to control vegetation along roadsides, railroad tracks, canals, rivers and lakes; to manage and protect wildlife habitats; and to maintain commercial parks and sports grounds.
“The RQL/HY’s direct drive motor minimizes maintenance and allows for a highly compact machine design, enhancing maneuverability,” said FAE. “The head’s clean profile and compact build are further achieved through the integration of a hydraulic block with a flow regulator valve built into the motor, along with a thumb bracket in the frame. The head is designed for high productivity, durability and easy maintenance.”
The new RQL/HY can be equipped with C/3/MINI teeth and BL/MINI blades and it is available in widths RQL/HY-125, RQL/HY150 and RQL/HY-175.
You will find the parts you need at MOBRO Marine, Inc. We purchase in bulk directly from the manufacturers to maintain our large inventory. We also have a large inventory of long-lead time parts for cranes that can’t be found anywhere else. Not only does this mean we have the part you need in stock, it also saves you money. Because we buy in volume, we can buy for less and pass the savings on to you.
Our large inventory keeps construction equipment performing at optimum levels. We offer same-day shipping on most partsyou’ll experience minimal downtime.
We are a full-service company. We not only supply parts, but we also service and repair construction equipment and cranes of any type.
Tree care professionals can now access complete and comprehensive solutions for all their tree removal, maintenance and cleanup needs through a new partnership between Ditch Witch and Branch Manager.
This collaboration creates a one-stop shop for ordering Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers and Branch Manager’s tree care attachments, creating a seamless and efficient solution for tree care professionals, according to the companies.
As part of the packaged solutions, customers will benefit from a single warranty covering both the machine and the attachment, simplifying the support process, according to the companies. In addition, the combined offerings also can be purchased through a single financing program from Ditch Witch Financial Services.
“Tree care professionals can now easily find, order and finance the complete solutions that they need for a variety of jobs,” said Brant Kukuk, Ditch Witch product manager. “By pairing our versatile and reliable stand-on skid steers with tree care attachments from an industry leader that has made tree care projects simpler for more than 20 years, contractors can boost jobsite efficiency, reduce labor and simplify complex tasks on the job site.”
Through the partnership, customers can combine Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers — up to the SK1750 — with five Branch Manager attachments, including four new grapples and a rake.
• BMG mini-skid steer log grapples: Using Hardox wear plate, these grapples offer optimal strength and superior abrasion resistance to various tree care projects. BMG’s log grapples, available in free and powered rotation, offer lifting capacities to 3,000 lbs. for tree care contractors in pick-and-place tasks.
• BMG Rake: Designed to fit the Branch Manager log grapple, the rake attachment is ideal for sweeping stump chips, pine needles, rocks, or other materials that tree care professionals would otherwise need to rake by hand.
Ditch Witch and Branch Manager are committed to deepening their partnership by exploring opportunities to introduce a broader range of products and attachments, according to the companies.
“We are actively collaborating to broaden our portfolio of tree care offerings,” said Kukuk. “This ongoing partnership will enhance the capabilities of tree care professionals, and ensure they have access to the most comprehensive and advanced tools in the industry.”
The online auction for the custom Team Warrior FT-3 light utility trailer, dedicated to Felling Trailers’ team member Kevin “Op” Athmann, who passed away in May 2024, concluded with a winning bid from Julie Pallow.
A cancer warrior herself, Pallow was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Large D Cell Lymphoma in 2021 and won her battle in 2022. Feeling a connection to this cause, she and her husband, Larry, decided to participate in the auction, ultimately winning with a final bid of $6,000.
All proceeds from the winning bid will go directly to support Athmann’s family as they navigate life without him. This funding will provide critical financial assistance to help his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Kylie and Peyton, cover essential needs such as medical bills, housing costs and supplies.
Felling Trailers manufactured and painted a custom Sublime Green FT-3 trailer with the Team Warrior emblem to benefit the Athmann family. The auction began on Feb. 10, 2025, and continued for five days, concluding on Feb. 15, 2025, during the Athmann Family Benefit, where many gathered to celebrate what would have been Kevin’s 46th birthday. There was a fair amount of bidding, with lots of back-and-forth action that kept the excitement high.
“We are a little competitive and participate in several charity auctions each year,” said Pallow. “We always strive to pay a fair price for the items so that the charity can benefit. That intention inspired our bidding.”
Pallow, originally from Sauk Centre, grew up on her family’s dairy farm and graduated in the late 1970s. She and her husband, Larry, now reside in Big Lake Township, just outside Elk River, Minn. Pallow owns a transactional bookkeeping firm, while her husband works as an established engineer. Together, they are blessed to have the means to support fundraisers such as Team Warrior and other programs, they said.
A couple weeks after the auction closed, Pallow and her husband arranged to pick up their new trailer. During this time, they also had the opportunity to meet Kevin’s wife, Sarah, and their children, Kylie and Peyton, and enjoyed a friendly visit.
“The trailer will be put to good use for hauling our fourwheeler, tree trimmings, and leaves for composting,” Pallow said. “For anyone battling cancer, it’s a journey, and
having the right people to support you makes a world of difference.”
Athmann’s journey began in January 2020 when he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. He and his family navigated through the treatment process, and by late 2020, he was declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, in 2024, his cancer returned, and he faced the disease with great courage for a second time. He passed away in May 2024 after battling acute myeloid leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; his daughter, Kylie; his son, Peyton; his sister, Kari and her family; as well as his parents, Vern and Diane.
“Athmann was known for his great sense of humor and loved being a jokester,” Felling said. “If you knew him, you would remember his positive presence and how he
enjoyed exchanging jokes with his happy-go-lucky attitude. He had a distinctive smile and an energetic personality. His family was undoubtedly his pride and joy.”
Athmann was an extraordinary welder-fabricator with Team Felling Trailers for more than 19 years.
“We will always remember ‘Op’ not only as our colleague but also as our friend,” said Brenda Jennissen, Felling Trailers CEO. “He was an uplifting individual and his battle with lymphoma five years ago and, more recently, leukemia was truly inspiring. It is particularly special to us that both he and his father played a significant role in Felling Trailers’ success. He will be remembered and missed tremendously. May God continue to watch over his family, friends and the Felling Trailers team as we navigate life without the fun-loving force that was Kevin.”
SmithCo Mfg. Inc. has introduced the BRUTE CP30 side dump trailer.
Re-engineered to be a more robust version of the original CP30 construction pup, the BRUTE CP30 provides a more efficient way to transport dirt and debris from construction sites. It offers faster load times and capabilities for more strategic dumping, saves on maintenance costs and requires minimal training to operate.
Ideal for construction site preparation, agriculture and snow removal, The BRUTE CP30 can be pulled with off-road construction power units or tractors. Unlike scrapers and haul trucks, it requires minimal training to operate. The upfront and ongoing maintenance costs also are significantly lower than traditional site prep equipment. It provides a 30-ton capacity with flotation tires designed to handle tough terrain. A 2-in. drawbar pin-type hitch is standard, but scraper-type adapters also are available. Operators can run a single 30-ton unit in tight conditions
or hook them in tandem or triple combinations to move larger amounts of materials.
“There’s nothing like the BRUTE CP30 on the market,” said Scott Lovell, SmithCo president and CEO. “Operators can haul more in less time and be more strategic about dumping with windrowing or stock-
SmithCo photo SmithCo Mfg. Inc. has introduced the BRUTE CP30 side dump trailer.
piling. Any business running scrapers or haul trucks looking to boost their bottom line needs to look at this trailer. This is one tough trailer that’s easy to use.”
As the name implies, The BRUTE CP30
is built to withstand tough working conditions. SmithCo redesigned the tub hinges to increase their longevity past the company’s 15-year design goal. A new G-channel frame adds strength to the trailer and eliminates the need for counterweights. The tongue shock absorber and suspension enhancements provide less undulation after hitting a bump and a more comfortable ride in the tractor. It also includes a hydraulic front hitch to easily adjust the trailer to a level operating condition and easily adjusts for hooking to a lead trailer. The hydraulic landing leg and more clearance adds to ease of use. Options for side extensions and poly flop-out liners can increase capacity and make it easier to dump snow and other potentially sticky materials, according to SmithCo. Other key features of the BRUTE CP30 include:
• The ability to dump toward either side and on uneven ground;
• a watertight tub to eliminate leaks; and
• strong tubs made from AR450 steel and 80/100 KSI steel frames.
In a move to expand its capabilities to serve customers, Aspen Equipment has added Switch-N-Go to give customers versatility and flexibility in their work truck investment.
Switch-N-Go truck bodies enable compa-
nies to operate with fewer trucks. The interchangeable work truck bodies can be staged on job sites, so companies can switch over truck configurations to meet a current application need, according to Aspen.
“Aspen Equipment is committed to help-
ing its customers maximize their investments, and adding Switch-N-Go gives us another way to help them become more versatile and more profitable,” said Molly Nelson, new product development manager of Aspen Equipment. “The goal is to help them take on more jobs by adapting their trucks to current needs, rather than purchasing additional new trucks.”
Aspen Equipment has decades of experience in truck upfitting, equipment sales and rentals and aftersales service and support for many industries, including contractors, landscapers, tree care, railroad and more. With an Aspen-built upfit, customers get a product that is professionally installed, with product parts and support from the company’s skilled technicians, according to Aspen.
Switch-N-Go options include drop box and dumpster bodies; platform and equipment bodies; enclosed bodies, arbor bod-
ies; and more. Bodies can be switched in an average of three minutes with single-handed, push-button operation, according to Aspen.
“We very much look forward to working with and supporting Aspen Equipment,” said Switch-N-Go Sales Manager Jim Baker.
“Switch-N-Go offers a unique product line. The truck bodies do very well with small trash, landscaping, and municipal markets. With the high cost of new trucks today, adding this flexibility to current truck fleets adds tremendous value.”
11301 Reames Road Charlotte, NC 28269
980-859-4680
125 Wilsons Mills Rd. Extension Wilson’s Mills, NC 27577 919-938-8145
141 Brickyard Rd. Lexington (Columbia), SC 29072 803-520-0032
6325 Central Avenue Pike Knoxville, TN 37912
865-766-2571
Workhorse Group Inc. announced it will begin delivering W56 step vans to a national provider of uniforms and workplace supplies in partnership with Revolv.
The order, originally secured in 2024, has been adjusted to include 13 of Workhorse’s newly available 208-in. extended wheelbase W56 step vans, which Revolv will put into service for the customer in 2025.
The national provider of uniforms and workplace supplies has partnered with Revolv to acquire and deliver all of the all-electric W56 step vans. Revolv, known for providing comprehensive fleet electrification solutions, will support the customer in seamlessly integrating these vehicles into their operations, ensuring uptime performance and reliability.
Kingsburg Truck Center, a certified Workhorse dealer, will provide a custom upfit tailored to the fleet’s operational needs. Based in California’s Central Valley, Kingsburg specializes in building, fabricating, and installing work truck upfits for a variety of industries, ensuring vehicles are optimized for maximum efficiency and performance.
“At Revolv, we help fleets make the shift to electric without economic or operational compromise, and Workhorse has proven to be a standout
partner in the transition,” said Scott Davidson, CEO of Revolv. “The W56 delivers on both performance and reliability, but what truly sets Workhorse apart is their dedication to customer support. Their team works hand in hand with us and our fleet customers to ensure a seamless roll-
out, making electrification a practical reality. We’re excited to continue bringing Workhorse vehicles into our ecosystem and helping more fleets operate efficiently and deploy next-generation technology.”
The extended wheelbase W56 offers 1,200 cu. ft. of cargo space, providing additional capacity for fleet operators managing high-volume delivery needs. With a range of up to 150 mi. on a single charge and a payload capacity of up to approximately 10,000 lbs., the W56 is purpose-built for the demanding requirements of last-mile delivery, according to the company.
“The W56 has continued to demonstrate its real-world performance and reliability, making it a strong fit for fleet operators transitioning to electric,” said Ryan Gaul, president, commercial vehicles of Workhorse. “This milestone not only reinforces our momentum in the commercial EV market but also showcases the confidence that fleet operators and electrification experts like Revolv have in the W56’s capabilities.”
Workhorse continues to scale production and deliveries of the W56, supporting customers in their transition to zerotailpipe emission fleets.
For more information, visit www.workhorse.com.
Cross Country Manufacturing launched its truck-mounted live bottom belt body.
The first model was on display at the World of Asphalt/AGG1 Expo in St. Louis.
“We really enjoyed our time at World of Asphalt,” said Tim Doerksen, Cross Country’s sales manager. “We successfully
launched this new live bottom product, and had a great time meeting current and future customers. Our live bottom belt body has been requested by our dealers for some time and now we’re looking forward to bringing it to our existing and new markets in North America.”
Cross Country Manufacturing’s truckmounted live bottom belt body is available in lengths from 16-ft. to 22-ft. It is designed with a 60-degree wall to ensure complete clean out. The walls are constructed with the proven strength of Hardox 450 wear-resis-
tant steel, which will keep its shape for years to come.
• Hardox 450 wall liner (full insulated) and tailgate provides exceptional wear;
• heat and oil-resistant continuous belt;
• manifold with reversing valve and belt speed
• single-drive planetary system;
• rubber side seal flashing and tailgate seals;
• Sherwin-Williams primer and paint, available in standard or custom colors control;
• integrated hydraulic reservoir;
• automatic chain oilers;
• 3-in. pitch roller chain;
• belt box constructed from 100,000 psi hi-tensile steel; and
• body mounted attachment points.
Options
• Slide roll tarp;
• mesh tarp material;
• stainless steel body sheets;
• optional strobe lights; and
• aggregate belt.
Dothan, AL
334/794-8691
Troy, AL
334/566-4181
Riverview, FL (HQ)
813/620-1000
Miami, FL
305/592-5740
West Palm Beach, FL
561/848-6618
Orlando, FL
407/299-1212
Fort Myers, FL
239/334-3627
Lutz, FL
813/995-0841
Daytona, FL
407/299-1212
Riverview, FL
813/621-4902
Pompano Beach, FL
954/977-9541 Sarasota, FL
941/960-2004
Melbourne, FL
321-234-3344
Adairsville, GA 770/773-9857
Albany, GA
229/888-1212
Atlanta, GA
404/691-9445
Braselton, GA
770/965-1889
Brunswick, GA 912/264-6161
Columbus, GA
706/687-3344
Grovetown, GA
706/855-5440
Macon, GA 478/788-1586
Savannah, GA 912/964-7370
Valdosta, GA
229/474-6680
Andrews, SC
843/983-7337
Aynor, SC
843/358-5688
Ladson, SC 843/572-0400
Simpsonville, SC 864/963-5835
Walterboro, SC
843/539-1420
West Columbia, SC
803/794-9340
Toro announced the winner of the Dingo TX 1000 TURBO Limited Edition giveaway.
After months of excitement and thou sands of entries, Gregory P., a landscape professional in the greater Chicago area, was selected as the lucky recipient of a new Dingo TX 1000 TURBO Limited Edition.
The giveaway, which ran from Oct. 14, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Toro Dingo TX 1000, a machine that revolutionized the compact utility loader category, according to the company. Toro intro duced the Dingo TX 1000 TURBO Limited Edition at Equip Expo 2024, in a striking textured matte black finish, a bold new take on the machine.
“This is the first Dingo giveaway in Toro history and the response was incred ible,” said Sam Dando, senior product marketing manager of Toro. “The Dingo TX 1000 TURBO Limited Edition represents the leading innovation and powerful performance that professionals expect from Toro, and we couldn’t be more excited to award one to Gregory. We know it’ll be put to great use by him and his landscape team, who will experience firsthand the power, durability and versatility that define the Dingo lineup.”
The Toro Dingo TX 1000 TURBO is built for productivity, featuring vertical lift, a turbocharged Yanmar diesel engine and Smart Power technology to optimize engine, auxiliary and traction torque. It also incorporates the proven track system from the Toro Dingo TX 1300 for enhanced
durability and performance, making it the ultimate machine for demanding job sites, according to Toro.
Russo Power Equipment, an authorized Toro and Boss Plow dealer based in Chicago, delivered the Toro Dingo TX 1000 TURBO Limited Edition model to Gregory and his crew on Feb. 20, 2025. Since 1970, Russo has served the greater Chicago area with outdoor power equipment.
“Powering Nature’s Professionals” is Russo’s motto, and its customers include landscapers, municipalities, park districts, turf care specialists, arborists and snow removal deicing companies in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.
In addition to taking delivery of a Toro Dingo TX 1000 TURBO Limited Edition, the winner received another surprise that equipped his crew for winter conditions.
BOSS Snowplow, a division of The Toro Company, joined forces to elevate the prize package due to the high amount of snow this season. Through this partnership, BOSS Snowplow contributed a selection of Snowrator accessory equipment, empowering this landscape and snow removal crew to streamline and enhance its sidewalk winter operations with tools designed for efficiency and performance.
For more information, visit toro.com.
www.rjvequipment.com Nashville 140 Charter Place
LaVergne, TN 37086 615-793-7576 Knoxville 3356 Rudy Street Knoxville, TN 37921 865-970-2840
www.lindertt.com
4737 McConnell Center Drive Greensboro, NC 27405 336-792-3412
1530 Middle River Loop Fayetteville, NC 28312 910-483-3892
1501 N. Memorial Drive Greenville, NC 27834 252-695-6200
15140 State Road 64 Bradenton, FL 34212 941-755-5722
505 US Highway 82 West Leesburg, GA 31763 229-435-2212
1205 Veterans Parkway North Moultrie, GA 31788 229-985-3882
2902 US Highway 84 West Valdosta, GA 31601 229-588-8100
www.brookssales.com
3144 Hwy 74 East Monroe, NC 28112 704-233-4242
www.creeltractor.com
3771 Palm Beach Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33916 239-694-2185
Sims Crane & Equipment Co. announced the sale of its Tower Crane assets to Maxim Crane Works L.P.
This strategic decision allows Sims to streamline and focus operations and enhance service operations to better meet the needs of its customers.
“We are pleased to announce the sale of Sims Crane & Equipment’s tower crane fleet,” said Deborah Weber, CEO and president of Sims Crane & Equipment Co. Inc. “This strategic decision allows us to focus our operations on applications within the industry that align closely with our mission and objectives. By streamlining our operations, we aim to enhance our service offerings and better meet the needs of our valued customers. We truly appreciate the cooperation and professional approach of Maxim Crane Works L.P., in working with us to accomplish this transaction.”
“We are pleased to announce the sale of Sims Crane
“We are thrilled to partner with Sims to complete this asset acquisition,” said Paul McDonnell, CEO of Maxim. “This acquisition strengthens our commitment to delivering top-quality crane solutions and further expands our capabilities in the tower crane market.”
For more information,
WANTED (US): CATERPILLAR EXCAVATORS, ALL MODELS. LOOKING FOR A GOOD FOR A 2004 CAT 318LN SERIAL # CAT0318CCGPA.
EMAIL: DEEMANZIE@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (VT): CASE 650L LGP CRAWLER DOZER. ENC. CAB, UNDER 900 HOURS, 27.5 INCH PADS.
EMAIL: JEANMAURICEBOUTIN@VIDEOTRON.CA
PHONE: 450-346-8975
WANTED (US): INSLEYEXCAVATORS, ALL MODELS. LOOKING FOR LAGGING AND CABLE DRUMS FOR A W B INSLEY 1967.
EMAIL: JCTHEDANCEMAN@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 231-872-9117
WANTED (WORLDWIDE):
CATERPILLAR 140K MOTOR GRADER. EMAIL: MBUSIINGE@YAHOO.COM; PHONE: 077-791-2153
WANTED (OH): CASE 580SM2 BACKHOE LOADERS. EMAIL:JERRY@VIOXEXCAVATING.COM; PHONE: 513-460-3315
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): VERMEER RTX 750 / RTX8550 EQUIPPED WITH A LARGE CUTTING WHEEL.
EMAIL: RENATO.NASCIMENTO@ELEBBRE.COM PHONE: +55 11 994602266
WANTED (KS): VERMEER TRACK TRENCHER.
EMAIL: STATELINEDIG@DIODECOM.NET PHONE: 402-806-0073
WANTED (US): KOMATSU 270-8 WHEEL LOADERS - LOOKING FOR KOMATSU WA270 OR WA200 WHEEL LOADERS WITH THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: HOURS: UNDER 5,000 (PREFERRED), BUT HIGHER HOURS ARE ACCEPTABLE AT A LOWER PRICE. YEAR: BETWEEN 2014 AND 2018. BUDGET: AROUND $75,000, DEPENDING ON CONDITION AND HOURS.
EMAIL: AMERICAUSEDEQUIPMENT@ GMAIL.COM
WANTED (US): LIEBHERR LTM 1220 ALL TERRAIN CRANES.
EMAIL: ILYAS.MTCPK@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 346-484-0369
WANTED (US): JOHN DEERE 850K LGP CRAWLER DOZER 2017-2021 ENC SIX WAY FROM USER NO HACKER MUST WITH WINCH, SMART GRADE, UNDER 1200 HOURS, MUST BE CLEAR ENC CAB NO JUNK UNDER $75000,00CDN. EMAIL: JEANMAURICEBOUTIN@ VIDEOTRON.CA; PHONE: 1-450-346- 8975
WANTED (AZ): MECALAC 10 MCR EXCAVATORS.
FAWCETT.HOTSHOT@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 870-321-9572
WANTED (CA): CATERPILLAR 966F II WHEEL LOADERS - LOOKING TO BUY ANY CATERPILLAR DISMANTLED MACHINES – WHEEL LOADERS, EXCAVATORS, BACKHOES, DOZERS OR MOTOR GRADERS, ANY MODEL. EMAIL:
FEEDBACK@GCESEQUIPMENT.COM; PHONE: +1 (657) 274-8033
WANTED (PA); MANUFACTURER: INTERNATIONAL 250-C CRAWLER LOADER. LOOKING FOR A MACHINE IN ANY CONDITION OR IN ANY STATE LOCATION.
EMAIL: HARLOWCONTRACTING@YAHOO.COM; PHONE: 267-738-5984
WANTED (US): HITACHI EX270 EXCAVATOR.
EMAIL: ILYAS.MTCPK@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 332-248-9350
WANTED (GA): RYAN MODEL 2070 GRAPPLE
EMAIL: BOBBYSHELTON1983@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 678-323-5647
WANTED (WA): CATERPILLAR 420E BACKHOE LOADER. INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THE FOLLOWING CATERPILLAR BACKHOE MODELS: CAT MODELS: 416C, 416D, 416E, 420D, 420E, 420F ST, 420F, 420F IT, 420F2, 420F2 IT. ALSOLOOKING FOR CASE BACKHOE MODELS: CASE MODELS: 580M, 580SM, 580N, 580SN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS ON THEIR CONDITION, OPERATING HOURS & PRICING.
EMAIL: JANDWINS@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 425-286-8778
WANTED (US): JOHN DEERE CRAWLER DOZER, MODEL 550K LGP. NEED BULLDOZER, 550K LGP JOHN DEERE 2020 – 2023, ENC. CAB 24 INCHES WITH WINCH, UNDER 700 HOURS METER AND FRAME.
EMAIL: JEANMAURICEBOUTIN@VIDEOTRON.CA PHONE: 450-346-8975
WANTED (TX): CATERPILLAR 950B WHEEL LOADER; LOOKING FOR A CAT 950B OR E, OR ANY MECHANICAL WHEEL LOADERS FOR SALE
EMAIL: NORTHHEAVYEQUIPMENTS@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 281-694-5478
WANTED (WORLDWIDE) CATERPILLAR CRAWLER DOZER, MODEL D11 / D11T CD. GOOD WORKING CONDITION.
EMAIL: HYESUNG_KIM@NAVER.COM; PHONE: 822-425-6601
WANTED (US): TAKEUCHI SKID STEER LOADERS, ALL MODELS. TL150, MUSTANG MTL 25TH, GEHL CTL80 TURBO 2 OR CYCLONE AIR FILTER ASSEMBLY AND ACCESSORIES, PLUMBING FROM FILTER AND EXTERNAL SPINNER.
EMAIL:
AMATZEN@BROOKFIELDR3.ORG; PHONE: 660-734-0452
WANTED (NC): JCB 214E BACKHOE LOADER - HEAVY ROOT RAKE TO REPLACE FRONT BUCKET ON 214E BACKHOE LOADER
EMAIL: NORWOOD1310@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 910-289-1310
WANTED (NC): JOHN DEERE 12” BUCKETS – LOOKING FOR A 12” BUCKET FOR A JOHN DEERE 310 G BACKHOE.
EMAIL:
DANDHWORRELL@CHARTER.NET
WANTED (TX): CATERPILLAR EXCAVATORS, ALL MODELS. EMAIL: MMERRILL@WHEELERCAT.COM PHONE: 801-201-8655
WANTED (US): CASE WHEEL LOADERS, ALL MODELS - 521D 521E 521F 621D 621E 621F 721D 721E 721F.
EMAIL: FRANKHORAN@GTMIDATLANTIC.COM; PHONE: 800-654-USED
WANTED (US): JOHN DEERE 495D EXCAVATORS; WANT TO BUY JOHN DEERE WHEELED EXCAVATOR 495D & 595D.
EMAIL: ILYAS.MTCPK@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 346-484-0369
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): HITACHI ZW180-6 WHEEL LOADERS.
EMAIL: SALMAN.MAYI@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (US): CATERPILLAR 140G MOTOR GRADER - 8000 OR UP SERIAL MODEL. EMAIL: ROYALMACHINERYTRADERS@GMAIL.COM PHONE: 0-33-6059-8261
WANTED (OR): KOMATSU 3.0 YARD BUCKETS - NEED A 2015 KOMATSU WA270 LOADER BUCKET. QUICK RELEASE STYLE.
EMAIL: BRANDONDANLEY86@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 1-541-213-4973
WANTED (CA): CATERPILLAR WHEEL LOADERS, ALL MODELS. EMAIL: KARLOSZAC15@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 657-274-8724
WANTED (US): STERLING DUMP TRUCKS, ALL MODELS; LOOKING FOR A ROTARY HI RAIL DUMP TRUCK, PRE EMISSIONS, ANY MAKE/MODEL. EMAIL:
MURPHYCONTRACTORS@YAHOO.COM
PHONE: 860-324-9693
WANTED (OH): FREIGHTLINER DUMP TRUCKS, ALL MODELS. LOOKING FOR A ROTARY HI-RAIL DUMP TRUCK, PRE EMMISSIONS, ANY MAKE/MODEL. EMAIL:
MURPHYCONTRACTORS@YAHOO.COM PHONE: 860-324-9693
\WANTED (US): CUMMINS GENERATORS, ALL MODELS. LARGE PORTABLE OR STATIONARY GENERATORS IN ANY CONDITION — CAT, CUMMINS, DETROIT, MTU, PERKINS, VOLVO (DIESEL OR NATURAL GAS) CAN REMOVE IF NEEDED.
EMAIL: MICHSURPLUS@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 201-679-6437
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): KOMATSU WHEEL LOADERS, MODELS WA 600-3 AND WA 600-6 2014 OR UP MODELS. EMAIL: IUKANDCO@YAHOO.COM; PHONE: +923331234598
WANTED (PA): CAT OR CASE BACKHOE LOADERS, ANY CONDITION. EMAIL: DEALER.SALES11@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 717-621-3470
WANTED (TX): INGERSOLL RAND 185CWJD AIR COMPRESSOR, NEW. EMAIL: DAVID@FELDERWW.COM; PHONE: 713-542-0458
WANTED (US): HATZ ENGINE - E71 HATZ DIESEL ENGINE, RUNNING OR PARTS
EMAIL: AILEENLOZZI@ME.COM; PHONE: 717-806-8969
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): CATERPILLAR MOTOR GRADERS, MODEL 12G,14G,140G,140H ETC. RUNNING OR NON RUNNING UNITS.
EMAIL: IUKANDCO@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: +92-333-1234598
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): VOLVO WHEEL LOADERS - LOOKING TO BUY VOLVO L320 , L330 OR L350F, YEAR ABOVE 2013. MUST BE RUNNER/NONRUNNER.
EMAIL: ALADNANENT@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: +923445757577
WANTED (US): KAWASAKI WHEEL LOADERS 80Z, 85Z, 90Z
EMAIL:
EQUIPMENTDESTINY@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: +1 346 484 0369
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): ENGINE FOR A TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR - CAT D6R XL SERIES II - ENGINE C9 - SERIAL #: 4ZF10784
EMAIL: MILANZOLL@INCOMERH.COM
WANTED (US): CAT 983-B; KOEHRING 1066, RUNNING OR NOT; GRADALL ON TRACKS, RUNNING OR NOT; DRESSER 250-E CRAWLER LOADER. CALL 267-738-5984
WANTED (MA): CATERPILLAR 308E2CR QC EXCAVATOR. EMAIL: KKNOPE@DEFELICECORP.COM
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): DRESSER 125E CRAWLER DOZERS - LOOKING FOR A COMPLETE BOSCH VA PUMP OR HEAD AND ROTOR.
EMAIL: CRAIGBERENS944@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (US): JOHN DEERE BROOMS / SWEEPERS, ALL MODELS. MID-SIZED JOHN DEERE OR HYUNDAI EXCAVATOR PLUMBED AND WITH CONCRETE PULVERIZER. EMAIL: NEWYORKCWS@YAHOO.COM; PHONE: 973-956-8854
WANTED (PA): NEW HOLLAND ATTACHMENTS - 7614 LOADER ATTACHMENT FOR NEW HOLLAND TRACTOR.
EMAIL: KEVCOOKENTERPRISES@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 814-386-5541
WANTED (FL): COTTRELL TRAILERS, ALL MODELS. EMAIL: WILFREORLANDO@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (US): ALL MODELS DITCH WITCH VACUUM/EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT EMAIL: BILL@DITCHWITCHNEWMEXICO.COM
WANTED (US): KAWASAKI WHEEL LOADERS 85ZV , 90ZV , 90ZIV , 95ZV. ALSO SEARCHING FOR KOMATSU WA470-3 , WA600-3 , WA600-6. RUNNING OR NON-RUNNING CONDITION. EMAIL: ALADNANENT@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: +923445757577
WANTED (NC); CLARK ECX 25 FORKLIFT. EMAIL: JBSSERVICES37@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (AL): KOMATSU 12 INCH BUCKET, PC35 EMAIL: JSGODSEY78@GMAIL.COM; PHONE: 205-485-4605
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): CAT WHEEL LOADERS, ALL MODELS - NEED TO PURCHASE FOR OWN STOCK CAT WHEEL LOADERS (916, 926, 936E, 950B, 950E, 950H, 966E, 966F, 966H, 970F & 980F.
EMAIL: ROYALMACHINERYTRADERS@ GMAIL.COM; PHONE: +923360598261
WANTED (US): MANUFACTURER: JCB 540-170 TELEHANDLER, 2016 OR NEWER. EMAIL: NORTHHEAVYEQUIPMENTS@GMAIL.COM PHONE: 281-694-5478
WANTED (US): CATERPILLAR 140G MOTOR GRADERS - NEED TO BUY CAT MOTOR GRADER 140G/H, 14G,14M. ALSO LOOKING FOR A KOMATSU WHEEL LOADER WA-600 AND WA-900. EMAIL: IKCEQUIPMENTS@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (US): MISCELLANEOUS CATERPILLAR ATTACHMENTS. LOOKING FOR RELIABLE IT COUPLER ATTACHMENTS & JOHN DEERE 644K FORKS (JRB COUPLER) TO ENHANCE OUR CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS. ITEMS REQUIRED TO BE IN GOOD, WELL-MAINTAINED CONDITION. PREFERRED ATTACHMENTS ARE SIDE DUMP BUCKETS (LEFT AND RIGHT), BROOM ATTACHMENT, EXTENDABLE BOOM ATTACHMENT FORKS. PHONE: 484-781-2958 EMAIL: JWALSH@JAMESTOHARAINC.COM
WANTED (US): CLARK M371 SKID STEER LOADER EMAIL:ANDYGRANGER30@GMAIL.COM
WANTED (US): CATERPILLAR D10N CRAWLER DOZER. PLS PRICE FOB OR CIF ALEXANDRIA PORT EGYPT. EMAIL: ELEKTESADCO@YAHOO.COM; PHONE: 00201005311220
WANTED (US): CATERPILLAR 336 EXCAVATOR - MUST HAVE A HYD QUICK COUPLER, AUX HYDS AND GPS EQUIPPED. UNIT SHOULD HAVE BETWEEN 4-6000 HOURS. EMAIL: AARONA@BLACKSTARACA.COM PHONE: 737-587-1936
WANTED (CA): CATERPILLAR OFFHIGHWAY TRUCKS - CAT MODELS 777C, 777D, 777F, 777G. EMAIL: TONYTHOMAS@ PACIFICCRANES.COM; PHONE: 1-818-956-5231
WANTED (WORLDWIDE): KOMATSU WA-600, WA-500 AND WA-900 WHEEL LOADERS. EMAIL: IKCEQUIPMENTS@GMAIL.COM
ALEX LYON & SON
AUCTIONEERS
www.lyonauction.com
315-633-2944
• Timed
April 22 – May 13, 2025
For: Late Model Construction Equipment, Concrete Mixers & Trucks Auction
• Acme, PA
Wed., April 30 2025
For: Late Model Rental
Fleet Construction/Utility Equipment
• Dansville, NY
Sat., May 3, 2025
For: One Owner Complete Liquidation Farm Auction
• Dansville, NY
Sun., May 4, 2025
For: Car, Truck & Trailer Collection Auction
• Bushnell, FL
Wed., May 14, 2025
For: 3 Auctions in 1 Day! Construction Equipment, Truck & Trailers & more
• Canastota, NY
Sat., May 17, 2025 For:
Lawn/Garden/Compact Tractors/Construction Equipment & more Auction
RITCHIE BROS.
AUCTIONEERS
www.rbauction.com
402-421-3631
• Northeast Regional Event
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May 8 - 9, 2025
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• Great Plains Regional Event
May 15 - 16, 2025
ABSOLUTE AUCTION & REALTY, INC.
www.AARauctions.com
800-243-0061
• Online
Ends April 30, 2025
For: Spring Equipment Consignment #3 Auction
To view information on upcoming auctions visit our Auction Calendar at www.constructionequipmentguide.com
SALES AUCTION COMPANY, LLC
www.salesauctioncompany.com 860-627-7506
• Online Fri., May 2, 2025
• Online
Ends May 1, 2025
For: Otsego County, NY Highway Surplus Auction
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800-536-1401
• Online
April 22 – May 13, 2025 For: Online Auctions Closing Daily!
BAR NONE AUCTION www.barnoneauction.com 866-372-1700
• Online
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• Online
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BIDADOO AUCTIONS www.bidadoo.com 1-877-BIDADOO
• Online May 6, 2025
• Online May 13, 2025
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800-937-3558
• Online April 30, 2025
• Online May 7, 2025
COLEMAN & PATTERSON AUCTIONEERS colemanandpatterson.com 888-300-0005
• Gonzales, TX Fri., May 16, 2025
For: XL Oilfield Services Retirement Auction (Live & Online)
DON SMOCK
AUCTION CO., INC. www.dsa-auctions.com 765-778-9277
• Fort Wayne, IN Tues., May 13, 2025 For: Spring INDOT Surplus Equipment Auction
DUNN DEAL AUCTION CO. www.dunndealauctions.net 614-946-6853
• Stoutsville, OH Sat., May 17, 2025
For: Spring Columbus Heavy Equipment Truck & Trailer Auction
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• Online April 23 - 30, 2025
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• French Lick, IN May 2 - 3, 2025
For: Annual Spring Big Boy Toy Auction
• Clayton, IN Sat., May 10, 2025 For: Midwest Public Automobile Auction
I.R.A.Y. AUCTION www.iraymn.com 320-968-7230
• Online
Wed., May 14, 2025
For: Heavy Equipment, Truck & Trailer Auction
IRON AUCTION GROUP
www.ironauctiongroup.com
864-546-1216
• Ridgeville, SC
Fri., May 2, 2025
For: Unreserved Truck & Equipment Auction
JEFF MARTIN AUCTIONEERS, INC.
www.jeffmartinauctioneers.com
601-450-6200
• Brooklyn, MS
Thurs., May 1, 2025
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• Online
Tues., May 6, 2025
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• Wedowee, AL
Sat., May 10, 2025
For: Wedowee Marine Inc.
Live Auction
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Sat., May 10, 2025
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• Online Tues., May 6, 2025
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• Denver, CO
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• Online
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• Shippensburg, PA
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To
ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS (AGC) AGC Events Calendar:
All AGC Web-Eds are scheduled in Eastern Standard Time (EST). Conferences are scheduled using the local time zone where the event takes place.
• AGC EDGE Lean Construction Education Program, 2nd Edition (https://edge.agc.org/course/vlea250501/)
Dates: Monday, May 5, 2025 (11:00 AM) – Wednesday, May 21, 2025 (3:00 PM) Online, Virtual Training/Professional Development
• AGC of America HR Master Class Powered by Segal A 6-Part Online Training Program (https://www.agc.org/industry-priorities/labor-hr/hr-masterclass)
Dates: Thursday, May 15, 2025 (7:00 AM) – Thursday, May 15, 2025 (5:00 PM) Virtual. Labor and HR
• AGC EDGE Building Information Modeling Education Program (https://edge.agc.org/course/vbim250601/)
Dates: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 –( 9:00 AM) –Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (5:00 PM) Online, Virtual Training/Professional Development
• AGC Safety & Health Quarterly Town Hall
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM) Online, Virtual Safety and Health
• AGC EDGE Blueprint Reading (https://edge.agc.org/course/vce250601/)
Dates: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (3:00 PM) – Thursday, June 12, 2025 (6:00 PM) Online, Virtual Training/Professional Development
• AGC of America HR Master Class Powered by Segal
A SIX-PART ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025 – (7:00 AM – 5:00 PM) Virtual. Labor and HR
ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN CONTRACTORS (AWC) MAY MEMBER MINGLE – Hosted by Rock Leaf Water Environmental Our Mission
The Association of Women Contractors provides advocacy, collaboration and industry leadership to support and enrich womenowned companies in the construction industry.
Date: Wednesday, MAY 14, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (CST)
Venue: Rock Leaf Water Environmental 1461 94th Ln NE, Blaine, MN 55449
Registration will start on Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 AM.
Registration is closed on Monday, May 12 at 5:00 PM. If registration has closed and you still wish to attend, please email admin@awcmn.org.
Member Mingles are our monthly networking events. They are hosted by our members, for AWC members only. On the second Wednesday of each month, we visit a different member’s office for two (2) hours of open-house style networking with your fellow industry professionals.
For more information:
Association of Women Contractors (AWC)
1337 Saint Clair Avenue, Ste. 4, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Phone: 651/489-2221
WASTE EXPO 2025
Dates: Monday, MAY 5, 2025, to Thursday, MAY 8, 2025
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center
West Hall
300 Convention Center Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89109 USA
Expo Hall: May 6, 2025 (10 AM – 5 PM)
Inventory of Super Clean, Late Model, Surplus Equipment & Vehicles from Major Area Contractors, Municipalities, Dealers & Rental Companies. Featuring Equipment From: MDC, Brightview Landscape, Harwinton Paving, L. E. Rose, General Paving & Construction, Eastern MA Contractor Retirement & Others
One of CT's Premier Contracting Firms Thursday, June 12th and Friday, June 13th 2025 PAGANELLI CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION
May 7, 2025 (10 AM – 5 PM)
May 8, 2025 (10 AM – 1 PM)
Conference: May 5, 2025 (7:30 AM – 5 PM)
May 6, 2025 (8:30 AM – 5 PM)
May 7, 2025 (8:30 AM – 5 PM)
May 8, 2025 (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Waste Expo is North America’s largest solid waste, recycling, organics, food waste recovery, and sustainability tradeshow serving both the private and public sectors for over 50 years.
Conference Agenda Live!
The WASTE EXPO 2025 Conference Agenda is now live – your key to staying ahead in the waste and recycling industry.
Attend
Discover benefits WASTE EXPO has to offer, from our bustling show floor to countless networking opportunities that await you at the must-attend event of the year.
Exhibit
Showcase your business at the leading event in the solid waste, recycling and organics industry.
Network & Learn
Gain insights from the brightest minds in the solid waste industry while connecting with peers, experts and leading solution providers from around the world.
Why Attend?
Attendees come to connect with the industry.
Who Attends WASTE EXPO?
Waste Services Companies, Waste Generators Businesses, Government Officials, Transportation Professionals, Fleet Owners, Suppliers, Recycling Firms, Consulting Engineering Firms, Architects, Composting & Organics Recycling Professions, Healthcare & Medical Waste Professionals, Legal, Insurance & Financial Firms, Distributors, Software Companies
For more information:
Phone: TOLLFREE USA: 800/479-6240
Phone Outside USA: 1-212/951-6655
Email: CS@wasteexpo.com
NATIONAL FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION (NFSA)
NFSA Annual Seminar & North American Fire Sprinkler EXPO
Dates: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Venue: Music City Center
201 Rep. John Lewis Way South Nashville, TN 37203
We hope you will join us in Nashville, TN for the 2025 NFSA Annual Seminar and North American Fire Sprinkler Expo! This year’s event promises to be an enriching experience, uniting industry leaders, experts, and visionaries in the Fire Sprinkler Industry.
Our annual gathering serves as a unique platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation in fire and life safety. As the world evolves, so do the challenges and opportunities within our industry.
This conference includes over 30 education sessions and our largest Expo Hall to date!
Agenda Highlights Include:
. Keynote Addresses – Get inspired by thought leaders shaping the future of fire protection
. Technical Workshops – Explore the latest advancements and industry-specific topics in depth
. Networking Sessions – Connect with peers, industry professionals, and potential collaborators
. Expo Hall – Explore over 100 booths showcasing the latest technologies and services from leading vendors
. Top Tech Competition - Join us in the Expo Hall and see who will take home the title of Top Tech!
. Awards Banquet – A night to celebrate the fire sprinkler industry! As we navigate an era of unprecedented change, the 2025 NFSA Annual Seminar and North American Fire Sprinkler Expo is your gateway to staying ahead in the industry. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer, this event offers invaluable insights and connections that can elevate your career and organization. We look forward to your active participation, engaging discussions, and the opportunity to collectively shape the future of fire safety. Together, we can protect lives and property from fire through the widespread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept! For more information on the NFSA Annual Seminar and North American Fire Sprinkler Expo: Call Toll Free: 1-800/683-NFSA (6372)
“The smallest thing we make is of course manufactured sand, but as far as stone, 78M, which is the stone that’s [used for] all the roads that are paved,” Seay said. At the other end of the spectrum, “We’ve been hauling big rock for the relief effort on the hurricane and it’ll be up to two, three-foot size stuff.”
The basic principles of quarry operation haven’t changed dramatically during Seay’s five decades in the business. Rock is still blasted from the quarry face, loaded, crushed, sorted and shipped. Try to shorten cycle times. Keep machines running. Keep operators happy. Reduce the wear and tear of these machines.
In this environment, where harsh conditions meet sophisticated technology, reliability becomes essential. That’s where Thompson’s equipment choices come into play, particularly its continued use and recent acquisition of two new Hitachi wheel loaders.
Thompson recently added a Hitachi ZW550-6 and ZW370-6 HC to its fleet, each serving specific functions in the quarry’s operation. The ZW550-6 — with its 8.3 cu. yd. bucket capacity, 520 hp engine, 104,880-
lb. operating weight and 83,460 ft./lbs. of breakout force — tackles the heavy work.
“The ZW550-6 loads big rock out of the pit when it needs to,” Seay said. “And then the operator that’s in it, he’s been here for 35, 40 years too. He’ll load out of the yard also, he can load a small truck.”
The ZW370 HC features a heaped bucket capacity ranging from 8.1 to 8.5 cu. yds., 389 hp engine, operating weight ranging from 79,210 to 79,400 lbs. and breakout force up to 49,280 ft./lbs. — it provides a combination of size, speed and capacity for efficiently loading out trucks.
“The 370 is a high-capacity [loader],” he said. “It actually has a little bit bigger bucket than the 550 does. And so, he’s loading out customers all the time in the yard.”
This strategic deployment maximizes efficiency, especially when it comes to loading customer trucks. The ZW370 functions as a one-pass loader capable of filling a standard tandem dump truck with a single bucket load.
“You can load just a regular tandem dump truck with one bucket full and on bigger trucks it’ll take one and a half or two according to what size truck it is, but it’s fast,” Seay said. “He can really load trucks much quicker with this loader than we could with the oth-
ers.”
This capability directly impacts the operation’s bottom line by improving cycle times, getting customers in and out faster and reducing wear and tear on the equipment itself.
“They’re a better loader than anything I’ve ever had before,” Seay said. “They’re stout, they’re really well balanced and big enough to handle anything we’ve got.”
The durability of Hitachi wheel loaders impresses Seay given the demanding nature of quarry work.
“The first 115 that I got, we didn’t rebuild anything on it engine-wise or transmissionwise until it had 40-some thousand hours on it, and we rebuilt that and it’s still an excellent machine. We still own it and run it.”
This positive experience has led Thompson to standardize much of its heavy equipment around the Hitachi brand.
“I’ve got Hitachi trucks, I’ve got a 1200 Hitachi shovel,” he said. “We kind of went to basically all Hitachi.”
Thompson’s relationship with Hills Machinery is relatively new — Hills only recently took over the territory for Hitachi fewer than two years ago and has already made an impression on the bigger/heavier
equipment. Kerry “Tug” Nix, its Hills Machinery sales representative, has been instrumental in the process.
“Known him for a while, bought a lot of equipment through him,” Seay says of Nix. “He’s a good salesman, honest, not trying to tell you what you need but what you want.”
The value of responsive service cannot be overstated in an operation where equipment downtime directly impacts production.
“You can get in touch with him. I have a problem — he’ll come instantly bring me something. Whatever I need.”
Thompson Contractors continues to navigate a period of significant growth in their region.
“Growth in the area in the last 10 years has absolutely just tripled, doubled, but we are covered up staying that way,” Seay said. The recent hurricane recovery efforts have only intensified demand.
Through these challenges, the company maintains its reputation as a quality employer and reliable supplier. When asked about Thompson’s legacy, Seay keeps it simple: “A nice company to work for. They take
their employees. It’s just a good company.”
A workforce coordinator connects the dots between dealers, OEMs and educational institutions.
“They make stuff happen,” said McGuire. “We’d go and have a workforce meeting with a couple dealers, a community college and a local politician to talk about the needs of our industry. Everybody would say ‘we should start a program.’ We’d get back on the plane and nothing would happen short of the politician issuing a press release.”
“The workforce development position is geared to make sure things happen,” added McGuire. “We have dealers on school advisory committees.”
Dealer internship programs are in place as well. And the Foundation has arranged career days where students learn about careers in the equipment industry.
In some cases, hundreds of students attend a single day event.
“In Ohio, just under 500 students came through,” said McGuire. “In Illinois last fall, over 500 kids were there. Some rode the bus for an hour to get there.”
The events include mock interviews as well as equipment demonstrations where the students “get to do a little digging,” he said.
He admits all these efforts are a drop in the bucket of workforce needs in the equipment technology sector. But it’s a place to start, he said.
“The Foundation board knows that 5,000 techs and 10,000 workforce entries doesn’t add up to what’s needed,” he said. “But it’s getting accrediting programs online and filling them as a start to address the problem.”
And though a lot of people in the industry recognized the problem and were working before, it was not the coordinated effort Vision 2025 is shaping up to be.
“The Foundation board was direct in saying ‘Vision 2025 is not a replacement for all the things you should be doing,’” said McGuire. “You should be recruiting locally. You have to continue doing the things you’ve been doing. But this is an overlay.”
Both McGuire and Watters believe this effort is valuable not just for distributors, but for the entire heavy equipment industry.
“Manufacturers need distributors to have a solid gold, youthful workforce for technicians into the future to repair their machines,” said Watters. “The skills needed today are different than they were 20 years ago. Today, technicians must be digitally and software confident.”
The industry needs to change the image of what a mechanic looks like, he added, comparing the machine technician’s job to that of a lab technician.
“You’re dealing with software codes and [and understanding of] what the computer is telling you,” said Watters.
He believes young people need permission to bypass college for a trade career, and preferably one in equipment technology.
“We — all distributors and manufacturers — need to change the perception of what a mechanic does in our industry and the need for college in general.”
Watters said the biggest challenge for Vision 2025 is get-
ting more of the industry to pledge to help reach the initiative’s goals.
“There are 1,000 member dealers, another 200 member manufacturers, another 200 associate dealers,” he said. “We’ve reached $8 million, but if you count the number of donors that’s about 15 percent of our membership.”
Overall, said McGuire, Vision 2025 has been very embraced by AED Foundation membership.
“These dollar numbers come from 95 unique contributors. They are a mix of service providers, dealers and OEMs that have come to support Vision 2025.
The Foundation is not seeking deeper pockets, but broader participation from membership, Watters said. “And it doesn’t have to be a lot.”
Both Watters and McGuire believe the initiative’s goal is achievable in the time period the Foundation set.
“We sailed through our original goal,” said Watters. “Now, we’re so close, we’re in that final lap. We just need to get more support.”
McGuire said the need never stops. “When we’re no longer begging for techs to join the workforce, it’ll be mission accomplished.”
So, McGuire’s question is simple: “If you’re in the equipment industry and you haven’t supported the program, why not?
He stressed there’s only one foundation working on this issue specifically for the equipment technology industry.
“You can give money to a lot of causes. But one that’s actually working for the benefit of your industry — I’ve got to believe there’s room for that.” CEG
“We’re building a parking lot for a new hangar complex,” said Hathaway. “The good part is we’re working with engineers who have done the blueprints and will come out and oversee things, like do compaction tests and make sure it’s to spec.”
Northark has been offering the class since the 1970s. Hathaway has been teaching it for nearly 10 years.
“One of the reasons we keep going is because we do stuff for our local community, schools, charities, local county stuff,” he said. “It’s good for the students, because they’re going to see the real problems they run into on a real job site.”
According to Hathaway, most of the equipment the students use is Case.
“I grew up on a Case backhoe. When I was 12 years old, I was running a Case 580E. Probably 90 percent of the backhoes I ran were Case,” he said. “Jim Richiert of our local store [Luby Equipment] has been a big supporter of this program for years. They’ve gone out of their way to help us. They’ve loaned us equipment. They’ve given us deals on rentals. They’ve been really good to us.”
Luby Equipment has nine locations throughout Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas
“Jim Richiert of our local store [Luby Equipment] has been a big supporter of this program for years,” said Chad Hathaway, program instructor. “They’ve gone out of their way to help us. They’ve loaned us equipment. They’ve given us deals on rentals. They’ve been really good to us.”
and serving the oil and gas industry in West Virginia. Luby offers brands such as Case, Toro, Fecon, Virnig, Vail, Indeco, Leica and more.
When asked what his favorite part of his job is, Hathaway said watching the students move on.
“The majority of our students are employed before they graduate,” he said “Most have a job offer two months before graduation. It’s rewarding to see them go out and start a career.”
For more information, visit northark.edu and lubyequipment.com. CEG