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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded 1957.” October 8, 2011 • Vol. VII • No. 21 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215/885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215/885-2910 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Inside
Judge Asked to Lift Block On Megaloads
John Deere loaders, including this 755K crawler loader, are the most targeted pieces of equipment by thieves.
AED/Lawson Hol d 2011 Executive Forum...8
Case Wins Third Straight Silver Award...8
Construction Equipment Theft on the Decline By Erik Pisor CEG CORRESPONDENT
Ritchie Bros. Sale a Success in Houston...42
Table of Contents ................4 Crushing, Screening & Recycling Section ........11-18 Attachment Section ....27-32 Truck & Trailer Section33-36 Auction Section ..........40-47 Business Calendar ............45 Advertisers Index ..............46
Construction equipment theft activity in the United States is declining on a yearly basis. In 2010 a total of 6,474 pieces of heavy construction and farm (non-mower) equipment were stolen — an 8 percent decrease in theft activity compared to 2009 (7,044 thefts), and a 23.8 percent decline compared to 2008 figures (8,496 thefts). Of the 6,474 pieces of heavy equipment stolen in 2010, the two most popular types of machinery nabbed were loaders (1,362 stolen) and wheel-type tractors (1,286 stolen). A total of 551 backhoes, 437 backhoe loaders, 361 forklifts, 299 excavators, 255 track-type tractors, and 182 bulldozers also were swiped, according to a National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report released in early September. The majority of stolen equipment is pilfered from job sites. Individual sites that are remotely located or feature minimal fencing, no video surveillance, or lack of a night watchman are more prone to theft. “Those in the business of stealing equipment know what’s under construction and what specific equipment will be on a job site [during different stages of construction],” said Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs for NICB, adding thefts occasionally occur at rental yards or company headquarters. Stolen heavy equipment is typically loaded onto a trailer or into a large, covered mobile container by thieves. Following a heist, it is rare for equipment to be parted out similar to a stolen car or truck. “The value of heavy equipment is in the complete unit,” Scafidi said. In 2010, 28 percent — or roughly 1,812 — of the 6,474 pieces of heavy equipment stolen were recovered. Of the 1,362 loaders and 1,286 wheel-type tractors pilfered, 365 loaders and 325 see THEFT page 26
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) A Montana judge said he will rule in October whether to repeal or change his order to keep an Exxon Mobil subsidiary’s oversized oil refinery rigs bound for Canada off Montana highways. Judge Ray Dayton, of Anaconda, issued a preliminary injunction on July 19 that blocked the transporting of more than 200 so-called megaloads through Montana en route from Idaho to the oil sands of Alberta. The Missoulian reported that Dayton heard two hours of arguments Sept. 22 as to why he should or shouldn’t rescind or modify his order. After the arguments, Dayton said he recognizes the Imperial Oil’s desire for a speedy decision, but will have to sift through a lot of testimony. Ken Johnson, the project manager of the Kearl Module Transport Project, told the judge that all of the modules that the Exxon subsidiary wants to transport from South Korea to Alberta are now in the United States. Some have been hauled to the work site in Canada, but most are waiting at ports in Washington and Idaho, he said. With winter coming and deadlines looming at the Kearl Oil Sands consee BLOCK page 10
Job Demand on the Rise in Homer By McKibben Jackinsky and Michael Armstrong HOMER NEWS
HOMER, Alaska (AP) Foundations going in, walls going up, roofs going on. Who knew this year’s construction season was going to be so busy? Not Steve Bowen of Little Knife Construction. Every job that came Bowen’s way this spring, he took. As it’s turned out, the seven projects — some done by his company, some done as a project manager for Bruce Petska of Big Mountain Builders — are not only keeping Bowen busy, but also boosting his reputation as a builder. “He’s been running my projects and doing most of the work this summer,” said Petska. “A lot of people are starting to know him.” For Petska, the tempo of this year’s construction season is just about what he’d anticipated, with the bulk of his work focused on building homes or garages. “It’s been right on par with about an average or as busy a year as we’ve had,” said Petska. To keep busy, howevsee JOBS page 10