Published Nationally
Western Edition
® April 23 2023 Vol. XXIV • No. 9
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
‘Unlike Anything in Recent Memory’
Qualcon Contactors, Caltrans Clear Unprecedented Precision Concrete & Excavation Ramps Up California Snowfall, Storms Work to Meet Demands..8 By Irwin Rapoport
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Caterpillar Crowns Global Champion...10
Kenworth Celebrates Milestone With 100-Year Anniversary...39
Caltrans highways in the Eastern Sierra Nevada have and are feeling the brunt of the heavy rains and snow falls hitting the area in rapid succession and via intense short periods, which in turn have led to avalanches, mudslides and flooding that have closed roads for extended periods and damaged infrastructure. While many in California welcome the precipitation to help relieve drought conditions impacting the state, the influx of heavy downpours and snowstorms since last winter have taken its toll in this mountainous region of the state. Caltrans personnel and crews are responding effectively. This includes Christopher Andriessen, District 9 maintenance public information officer and customer service liaison. “This winter and this avalanche are unlike anything District 9 has faced in recent memory,” said Andriessen. “The severity and duration of these storms were stronger see SNOW page 28
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Aggregate & Recycling Section . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-19 Attachments & Parts Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-33 Truck & Trailer Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39-43 Auction Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46-51 Business Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
California has seen some of the most snowfall it has ever experienced in recent memory over the last few months, prompting the emergency work from Caltrans and Qualcon Contractors to remove hundreds of inches of snow from highways.
Combatting Construction Fraud Never-Ending Fight Requires Due Diligence, Jobsite Management, More By Lucy Perry CEG CORRESPONDENT
Funding sources, competition and thin margins can result in construction fraud. Contractors are often more vulnerable than owners because they juggle so many aspects of the project: materials, vendors, equipment, subcontractors, site safety and their own employees. A limited system of checks and balances can create more fraud risk. Construction contractors understand the pressures that are simply the nature of their work. Jumping interest rates, volatile material costs, see RISK page 22
Remote jobsites challenge asset tracking and theft prevention. Offsite work presents the opportunity to spread fraudulent costs over multiple contracts and thus conceal embezzlement.