Equipment Today April 2022

Helping you optimize ROI on your construction equipment

APRIL 2022

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Technology Trends: Can a Fully Electric Jobsite Become a Reality?

Helping you optimize ROI on your construction equipment

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APRIL 2022

EARTHMOVING How to turn loader operator ignorance into expertise

FLEET MANAGEMENT Engine maintenance tips for peak performance

WORK TRUCK WEEK HIGHLIGHTS ELECTRIFICATION & NEW VEHICLES, TECHNOLOGY AND OPTIONS CUSTOMIZATION TAILOR TRUCKS TO CONSTRUCTION NEEDS #1 Market Leaders

Contents COVER STORY

APRIL 2022 | www.ForConstructionPros.com

WORK TRUCK WEEK Highlights Electrification and Customization

The event showcased electrification, advanced technologies and features to spec your ideal vehicle.

PRODUCTS 16 Earthmoving

Find the wheel loader to meet your jobsite needs.

23 Grading/Site Prep 37 Technology Trends 47 Equipment Gallery

DEPARTMENTS 4 Breaking Ground 6 Equipment Introductions 22 Grading/Site Prep 24 Jobsite Solutions 28 Technology Trends

FEATURES

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

FIRST LOOK AT CHEVROLET SILVERADO EV PICKUP TRUCK pg 12

12

The vehicle will utilize GM’s Ultium platform to produce an anticipated range of 400 miles on a full charge.

TURN LOADER OPERATOR IGNORANCE INTO MACHINE-SAVING EXPERTISE pg 14 You’re never too experienced to learn techniques to extend wheel loader life and performance.

MACHINE CONTROL STREAMLINES EARTHMOVING OPERATIONS pg 19

34 Technology Trends

Use machine control to increase productivity, slash operating costs, reduce labor and eliminate staking.

38 Profit Matters

CAN A FULLY ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION SITE BECOME A REALITY? pg 32

Charging Strategy Required for Battery-Electric Machines

40 Fleet Management

Diesel Engine Maintenance Tips for Peak Performance

Electrification in construction equipment is expected to grow globally, but barriers to larger implementation on jobsites exist.

48 Bridging the Gap

32

50 Running the Business www.ForConstructionPros.com

Page 8

Challenges Subcontractors Face Within The Infrastructure Plan

Challenges include how to pay the rising costs of materials and how to recruit and keep skilled workers. www.ForConstructionPros.com/22131305

Attachments Turn Mini-excavators Into Multipurpose Machines

Here are some attachments that can help you increase mini-excavator utilization. www.ForConstructionPros.com/22093072

Why Temperature in Concrete Infrastructure Matters

How concrete temperature monitoring technology can help our infrastructure to reach its 125-year life span. www.ForConstructionPros.com/22043292

Harnessing the Data Behind Your Worksite Through Drone Surveying Drones are a potential solution to the challenges of jobsite surveying and construction data collection. www.ForConstructionPros.com/22105693

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B RE AKI N G G R OU ND | By Becky Schultz

Shrinking Equipment Supply Shortages

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Becky Schultz / bschultz@acbusinessmedia.com

y now, you’ve hopefully seen an easing of some of the machine and material shortages that emerged in 2021 and continued into 2022.

There were several contributing factors to the supply disruptions that developed, some of which had already begun to ease at the time this was being written, providing

much-needed breathing room for various links along the global supply chain.

Yet, as we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, returning to “normal” is not as easy or quick as it sounds. Availability of new equipment to the construction industry has continued to lag demand.

“New machines are starting to land, so

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I would expect this to start to change and ease over the course of 2022 as we work through these supply chain issues,” predicted Doug Rusch, managing director, Rouse Sales, in a panel discussion hosted

by Rouse parent company Ritchie Bros. in early February. “But these things don’t flip on a dime. There are complicated supply chain logistic concerns that are going to take some time for us to work through.”

Parts and component suppliers have become global enterprises, he adds, and “that just adds even further time to the process of working through these issues.”

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) most recent quarterly survey of its members, more than 95% of ag and construction equipment manufacturers reported experiencing supply chain issues. However, 44% of respondents also indicated the issues were beginning to turn around, signaling that either demand was beginning to normalize or supply chain conditions were improving.

In a State of the Industry panel hosted

by AEM, Bob Crain, senior VP - customer experience, AGCO Corporation, and AEM board chair, stated that AEM members were striving to get customers the parts and equipment they needed.

“We’ve all gotten very, very creative in the past couple years and all of us have successfully adapted our resources, processes, actions, many things to help mitigate the significant impact to our customers and our dealers,” he said. “No doubt we’re still going to face some challenges in the coming months. But we’re cautiously optimistic that in 2022, we’ll see some improvements across most areas.”

“The challenge has been real for the last, probably, 18 months. We’ve had periods where it appeared to be getting better and then it got worse,” added Rod Schrader, CEO, Komatsu America Corp., and AEM board vice chair. “But I would agree with Bob in the fact that we’ve seen a stabilization across the supply chain.

We’ve taken many actions using a variety of ports and transportation modes that we hadn’t been in the past. [We’re] trying to bring on additional suppliers to minimize the risk profile that we’ve had in our manufacturing channel.

“I believe it is going to get better in 2022. I don’t believe it will be back to normal in 2022,” he acknowledged. “But our teams in our individual companies are expending a lot of energy and effort to modify, adapt and to minimize risk not only for today, but also in the future so that we are more flexible and adaptable to these things happening again.”

While we can only hope such steps prove unnecessary in future, they could be the key to ensuring availability of the equipment and resources you need today and in years to come should disruptions in the supply chain emerge again. ET

35 TON SCALPEL. NEVER IDLE Power is nothing without control. That’s why we’re constantly innovating workhorses to be more precise. With integrated tech that enables machines to know how deep and where to dig – even under water or in the dark. Or see what the crew can’t for added safety. Allowing a lessseasoned operator to trench, load, and drill like a surgeon.

DEERE.COM/EXCAVATORS

EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTIONS

These pages feature some of the latest equipment available. You’ll find a solid sampling of both new machines and models that have been recently revamped by the manufacturers. For more information on these products, simply visit www.ForConstructionPros.com and include the eight-digit code shown.

Takeuchi

TB20e Electric Compact Excavator Wirtgen

SP 102i Inset Concrete Slipform Paver The two-tracked SP 102i Inset Slipform paver can handle paving widths from 16 to 40 ft. The oscillating super smoother ensures high surface quality of the up to 18-in.-thick concrete layers, which can have crown profiles with a cross slope of up to 3%. The 3D interface can be combined with a 3D system and total stations from various providers for the realization of extremely precise paving results based on pre-determined planning data. The unit’s fully modular construction means it can be quickly and easily adapted to the requirements of different jobsites by adding or removing the required modules. All components, including the spreader plow and super smoother, can stay mounted on the machine during transport.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22005388

The TB20e is 100% battery-powered with zero exhaust emissions and reduced noise/vibration levels. When fully charged, it offers a continuous working time ranging from four hours to eight hours, depending on the application and environment. The unit has an operating weight of 4,255 lbs., a bucket capacity of 1.34 cu. ft. and a primary auxiliary flow of 9.0 gpm. Maximum reach is 13 ft. 4 in. and maximum digging depth is 7 ft. 10.1 in. Its operator cab is designed to provide a comfortable experience, as well as provide a spacious operating station that includes a new high-definition, multifunctional color display.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22031073

Kubota

K008-5 and U10-5 Compact Excavators The K008-5 conventional tailswing excavator and the U10-5 minimal tailswing excavator offer easy, single-level maneuverability with hydraulic adjustable track width. Tracks adjust from 2 ft. 4 in. to 2 ft. 10 in. on the K008-5 and from 2 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. 3 in. on the U105. The K008-5 has a digging depth of 5 ft.

8 in. and a bucket breakout force of 2,205 lbs., while the U10-5 has a 5-ft. 11-in. digging depth and bucket breakout force of 2,337 lbs. The U10-5’s hydraulic control system offers smooth operation and an increase in digging productivity. Both models have a 10.3-gross-hp engine and offer two-speed operation with a travel speed of 2.5 mph.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22005867

Liebherr

Kato

The THP 80-LP truck-mounted concrete city pump is designed for jobs in urban environments, residential jobs and compact jobsites where space is limited. The flexible boomless pump truck for line pumping applications has a total length of around 28.4 ft. It is quick to set up and easy to control with an HBC option for the remote control. The truck features storage with wide spaces for concrete tubes and accessories on the deck and plastic water tanks for saving weight. The unit is mounted on a two-axle flatbed truck chassis and weighs around 22,684 lbs. The pumping kit features an open loop hydraulic circuit that is simple, reliable and powerful.

The 4,261-lb. 17V5 zero tailswing compact excavator has a 14-hp Yanmar engine and features a maximum dig depth of 7 ft. 2 in. and maximum digging height of 11 ft. 10 in. It also offers a gradeability of 30° and 7-gpm auxiliary hydraulic flow. This V5 generation machine includes an easy entry ROPS canopy design for better access and a roomier operator environment. Its hydraulic expandable tracks and folding push blade extend/retract from 39 to 51 in. wide, allowing for maneuverability and stability in the tightest workspaces. The standard pattern change valve is conveniently located under the operator’s floor mat.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22006050

www.forconstructionpros.com/22043351

THP 80-LP Concrete City Pump

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EQUIPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

17V5 Compact Excavator

www.ForConstructionPros.com

EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENTINTRODUCTIONS INTRODUCTIONS

JLG

Trimble

The electric-drive ES2646 and hydraulicdrive R2646 have a platform height of 26 ft., a capacity of 1,200 lbs. and the ability to work indoors and out. They share a common chassis and platform, offering 32 ft. of working height and the ability to carry two occupants to height in indoor applications (one occupant to height when used outdoors). The ES2646 is available with the optional CleanGuard leak containment system for work on sensitive flooring. The R2646 is equipped with active pothole protection that provides increased ground clearance when working on demanding terrain. The lifts also share common technologies, such as variable tilt to increase the work envelope during use on uneven surfaces.

Horizontal Steering Control functionality on the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform for Soil Compactors provides an automatic steering control solution for soil compactors. This functionality automatically steers the machine using a 3D model or pass line, helping to improve compaction productivity and quality for operators of all skill levels by precisely controlling overlap between passes. Auto steering helps reduce operator fatigue while minimizing over- and under-compaction, providing a more consistent sub surface.

Compatibility with all soil compactor makes and models enables contractors with mixed fleets to achieve a faster return on investment.

Earthworks Grade Control for Soil Compactors

ES2646 and R2646 Scissor Lifts

www.forconstructionpros.com/22056666

www.forconstructionpros.com/22056656

Fecon

135VRT Mulcher The 135VRT has a 4,150-lb. rated operating capacity with integrated counterweight or hydraulic winch kit, and is powered by a 132-hp Cummins 3.8L Tier 4 Final engine. A 50-gpm auxiliary attachment flow provides 119 hp to the VM602SS Bull Hog Forestry Mulcher or other attachments; a 16-gpm reserve allows full machine control without loss of attachment performance. A bite-limiting rotor is fitted with 30 carbide or double-sided tools and maintains rotor rpms to mulch material up to 8 in. in diameter. The full forestry spec cab comes with 1/2-in. polycarbonate side windows, a Level 2 FOPS and a complete guarding package.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22093356

Wishek

Caterpillar

Y2000 Offset Disk

D1 Mulcher

The Y2000 offset disk has a large tubular frame (6” x 12” x 3/8”), strong 36-in. blades and a low bearing-to-blade ratio to ensure durability in site prep, land clearing, soil drying and other construction applications. The unit has a 10-ft. working width and 18-in. blade spacing. It exerts 1,273 lbs. per foot to help the notched blades cut through difficult ground and asphalt. A manual leveling system offers easy depth and pitch adjustment; the gang angle can also be adjusted. Features include heavy-duty 385/65R 22.5 truck tires, a hitch jack, bearing guards and washers, solid mount double scrapers, transport warning light package and more.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22093346

Powered by the 104-hp Cat C3.6 Tier 4 Final/Stage V diesel engine, the D1 Mulcher includes closed-loop hydraulics and upgraded screening that optimize performance while clearing a mix of small- to medium-diameter materials in a 72-in.-wide strip with each pass. The unit is design-matched with the rugged HM518 mulcher, which has a drum speed range of 2,150 to 2,450 rpm and comes with 38 fixed teeth featuring a single-bolt carbide tooth retention design. Its pressurized, heated and air conditioned cab has mulcher controls mounted on the air suspension seat, a 10-in. color touchscreen monitor with standard reversing camera display and an in-cab drum indicator for monitoring drum speed and direction.

www.forconstructionpros.com/22093541 www.ForConstructionPros.com

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TRU CKS & T R AN S P O R TAT I O N | By Becky Schultz

WORK TRUCK WEEK Highlights Electrification and Customization North America’s largest work truck event showcased electrification, advanced technologies and available features to spec your ideal vehicles.

Photo courtesy NTEA – Work Truck Week

A

fter going virtual in 2021, Work Truck Week 2022 returned to a live event in Indianapolis last month, with nearly 12,700 industry professionals participating in enhanced activities centered around electrification and advanced technologies. The Work Truck Show exhibit also showcased the latest in vehicles and accessories, with product introductions largely focused on electric vehicles and charging options.

While electric vehicles like the all-electric Silverado EV (see page 12) and Zeus prototype all-electric work truck were highlights, there were a number of other significant launches in the form of vehicle enhancements, new configurations and available options intended to tailor work trucks to specific applications and jobsite requirements.

Following are just a few of the highlights from this year’s event.

The exhibit hall was filled with commercial vehicles and related equipment from more than 500 work truck industry exhibitors.

RAM PROMASTER SETS SIGHTS ON THE JOBSITE

The purpose-built, highly customizable 2023 Ram ProMaster comes in 19 different configurations, including three roof heights, three wheelbases and four vehicle lengths that enable multiple cargo lengths.

Ram Commercial

8 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

Already targeted to vocational applications, the 2023 Ram ProMaster featured at this year’s show takes direct aim at more heavyduty vocational use, including on construction jobsites. According to Ram, the latest version delivers class-leading features and comfort packaged with a fresh new exterior appearance designed to meet commercial customer demands.

“Ram ProMaster continues to evolve as we listen and respond to commercial customer input, and the 2023 model is a culmination of that effort,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO – Stellantis. “Now available in three roof heights and featuring a broad array of safety, advanced technology and connectivity features, Ram ProMaster delivers confidence for hardworking people every day, no matter their line of work.”

The 2023 edition features the next-generation 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine paired with the TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic transmission. This combination produces 276 hp and 250 lbs.-ft. of torque. As a result, the ProMaster is capable of towing up to 6,910 lbs. and carrying 4,680 lbs. of payload To enable customization to virtually any commercial application, the ProMaster includes a standard upfitter electrical connector, integrated cab configuration, unique front-drive system and body-integral construction — all of which allow for enhanced upfitter/conversion solutions. In addition, virtually all primary vehicle systems are packaged forward of the cargo area for even further adaptability.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22106196.

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TRU CKS & TRANS PORTATION

ACBM staff

ZEUS ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE WITH READING SERVICE BODY DISPLAYED

Mack Trucks is expanding its Mack MD Series offering with the availability of the Allison 3000 Rugged Duty Series (RDS) transmission.

The Zeus all-electric mechanic’s truck was unveiled in the Reading Truck booth at Work Truck Week. For the show, the Class 5, Z-19 prototype vehicle was upfit with a service body provided by Reading.

In addition, the team at EAVX — a business unit of JB Poindexter & Co that collaborates with electric and alternative power chassis producers — integrated the vehicle with the FX Control system, the latest in vocational work truck technology featuring RFID missing tool alerts, vehicle warning technologies, integrated camera systems and more. The concept vehicle demonstrated the latest innovations in driver safety, worksite performance and fleet telematics.

The Zeus Z-19 chassis is pre-engineered to provide seamless integration of all tools and auxiliary functions. The chassis battery powers all the electronic integration in the service body upfit. The streamlined approach to the chassis-body upfit process reduces the upfit time required for integrating the latest electronic technology.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22118952.

Zeus

MACK MEDIUM DUTIES OFFER NEW ALLISON TRANSMISSION Two years after the introduction of the Class 6 MD6 and Class 7 MD7, Mack has announced a single tweak to these trucks during an event at Work Truck Week that will open the trucks up to more heavy-duty vocational applications: the Allison 3000 Rugged Duty Series (RDS) will now be an available transmission option. Mack previously offered only the Allison 2500 Highway Series as standard and the 2500 RDS as an option.

According to Dayle Wetherell, Mack vice president of medium duty sales, “The [Allison 3000 RDS] transmission enables customers to haul more payload and utilize a live power PTO, both of which are critical for our customers desiring a medium-duty vehicle that can handle demanding applications.”

The new transmission option will enable MD Series trucks to take on heavier-duty applications that require increased power and vehicle weight ratings. Vehicles equipped with the Allison 3000 RDS will deliver a 33,000-lb. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), suited for applications such as refuse, recycling, propane and construction. The transmission will also enable MD Series customers to pull trailers up to a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVW) of 45,000 lbs.

A further benefit of the new transmission option is the live Power Take-off (PTO) feature, which delivers uninterrupted power for higher vehicle efficiency and improved ease of operation. “The ability to have a direct-drive PTO is extremely important for some of Mack’s medium-duty customers because they can lift and lower a dump body while driving without worrying about what gear the truck is in,” said Tim Wrinkle, Mack construction product manager.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22106336.

Navistar International

The Zeus all-electric mechanic’s truck unveiled at Work Truck Week was upfit with a service body provided by Reading.

NAVISTAR CLASS 6 TO 8 VEHICLES FEATURE FACTORY TELEMATICS

Navistar announced the standardization of a factory-installed telematics device on all new builds of Class 6 to 8 International Truck and IC Bus vehicle product portfolios.

www.ForConstructionPros.com

Navistar announced the standardization of a factory-installed telematics device on all new builds of Class 6 to 8 International Truck and IC Bus vehicle product portfolios, including electric models. According to the company, this move will provide all stakeholders access to actionable vehicle data, enhanced capabilities with industry partners and further improved integration for upfitting capabilities with truck equipment manufacturers.

The factory-installed and warranted telematics device broadcasts data to OnCommand Connection, Navistar’s connected services platform, which aggregates vehicle health and performance data and turns that into actionable information. OnCommand Connection has more than 30 telematics partner integrations that allow for the platform’s unique open architecture to integrate with all makes and models of vehicles on the market.

The data insights gathered are viewable through the OnCommand Connection and the International 360 portal via desktop or tablet, and will be available through a mobile phone app to be released later this year. The app will make the technology more accessible to smaller customers across all market segments.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22106353.

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TRU CKS & T R AN S P O R TAT I O N

FORD UNVEILS FLEET-FOCUSED PRO CHARGING STATIONS FOR EVS

Ford Pro

Kicking off an event set to showcase a bevy of electrification solutions for fleet professionals, Ford has introduced an all-new scalable lineup of charging hardware for electric trucks and vans at Work Truck Week.

Announced during a pre-show event hosted by Ford Pro, a relatively new and separate business within Ford focused specifically on commercial customers, the charging hardware includes six new home and depot chargers. The chargers are Level 2 AC and Level 3 DC fast chargers that range from 11.5 to 180 kW. The 180-kW chargers are capable of charging up to three vehicles simultaneously.

The announcement comes as the fleet-focused F-150 Lightning Pro trim — announced last May — is set to begin landing at dealerships. The 2022 E-Transit electric work vans are already on their way to dealers.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros. com/22106051.

Ford has introduced an all-new scalable lineup of charging hardware for electric trucks and vans.

Manitowoc

MANITOWOC SHOWS SHORT-CHASSIS NATIONAL CRANE BOOM TRUCK Manitowoc sought to demonstrate how the company and its customers can benefit from feedback gathered from its Voice of the Customer program, as well as highlight the infinite configurations that can be engineered to match a truck and crane to customer needs. The result is a short-chassis version of a National Crane NBT45-2 boom truck, on display at the Peterbilt booth at the Work Truck Show.

The short-configuration NBT45-2 is based on the 2023 Peterbilt 567 chassis. Its wheelbase has been shortened by around 23 in., so the vehicle now measures only 250 in., meaning more flexibility in confined spaces and on congested jobsites.

“Our customers were telling us they needed a 40- to 45-ton (US) capacity crane, but on a more compact chassis than standard,” said Bob Ritter, National Crane product manager. “Our application engineers put a lot of effort into fine-tuning the chassis until they delivered a boom truck with a chassis with the tightest turning radius in its class.”

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22093814.

Built for a Class 4 through 7 chassis, the Stellar 18,000-lb.-capacity NXT 18 telescopic hooklift has a 35.63/54-in. hook height and rectangular-style secondary jib.

STELLAR HIGHLIGHTS NEW HOOKLIFT Stellar chose Work Truck Week to feature its next-generation NXT 18 telescopic hooklift. The first telescopic edition in the NXT Series, it features a Z-channel base design and a universal body latching system. The strong, but lightweight unit is capable of loading, unloading and dumping various truck bodies Built for a Class 4 through 7 chassis, the 18,000-lb.-capacity hoist has a 35.63/54-in. hook height and rectangular-style secondary jib. With approximately a 7.5-in. lost load height, it has a low profile that ensures a lower vertical center of gravity and the ability to accommodate down to 4-in. sub-frame heights.

According to the company, the universal body latching system is completely flexible with inside and outside locks that can be moved by unbolting, repositioning and bolting back down. This allows the user to position the body locks in specific locations to accommodate body locks that may not be in the correct spot.

For further customization, the universal hydraulic reservoir can be mounted in four different places — the bulkhead mount or chassis frame mount on either the street side or curbside of the unit — removing any work-around needs if there are chassis items that could interfere with reservoir mounting.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22106413.

10 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

Stellar Industries

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The short-chassis version of National Crane’s NBT45-2 boom truck offers flexibility in confined spaces and congested jobsites due to its shorter wheelbase.

TRU CKS & TRANS PORTATION

IMT DISPLAYS BATTERY-POWERED TELESCOPIC CRANE Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. (IMT) displayed a first-to-industry battery powered hydraulic telescopic crane and compressor package alongside its CMD.CTRL system, which was introduced as a standard feature for Dominator mechanics trucks in January 2022.

The battery powered hydraulic telescopic crane and compressor package is powered by a Vanair EPEQ power system and ELiMENT battery that enables the crane to be powered even when the vehicle is off. The package operates like a traditional PTO and pump setup, which means there is no need for a full re-engineering of the hydraulic equipment in order to gain the benefits of electrification, according to the company.

The new offering is designed to meet the evolving needs of customers. “Our customers are facing stricter emissions standards and tighter margins,” states Tom Wallace, sales manager at IMT. “Electrification solutions help them use less fuel and minimize vehicle wear and tear, ultimately helping their bottom line.”

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22105943.

VANAIR TO ELECTRIFY ONBOARD POWER

GEOTAB AND FREE2MOVE PARTNER ON INTEGRATED TELEMATICS SOLUTION

Photo courtesy NTEA – Work Truck Week

Geotab announced it is partnering with Free2move, the global fleet, mobility and connected data company of Stellantis, to deliver a Geotab Integrated Solution for Stellantis brand vehicles, including Ram, Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler.

The collaborative solution will utilize embedded telematics in Stellantis vehicles to enable the seamless integration of vehicle data from Free2move servers into the MyGeotab platform. With access to one unified and easy to use telematics dashboard, fleet managers can generate reports and measure key metrics to help optimize fleet performance and improve mobility.

Launching later this year, the solution will be compatible with eligible connected Stellantis brand vehicles, including select 2018 and newer models and all 2022 and newer models, through a basic or premium connectivity plan.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/22106320.

WORK TRUCK INDUSTRY’S LARGEST EVENT The Work Truck Week, which includes The Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit, is produced annually by NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry. Held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, North America’s largest work truck event hosted a verified 12,696 industry professionals. The Green Truck Summit, which provided a full-day program focused on clean energy trends for commercial vehicles, set a record with a verified 835 participants.

In addition to the Summit and the Work Truck Show, hundreds of event attendees participated in the Work Truck Week Ride & Drive.

It featured 19 commercial vehicles with the latest advanced technologies, sustainability offerings and alternative fuel applications.

For more Work Truck Week coverage, visit www.worktruckweek.com.

TRI 2

Versatile professional contracting tire for year-round use

800.565.2525 www.ForConstructionPros.com

Vanair previewed its EPEQ Electrified Power Equipment product line, which it plans to make available to customers in 2022. EPEQ is a comprehensive, end-to-end system of zero-emission and clean, quiet Electrified Power Equipment products. Powered by a line of proprietary ELiMENT Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, the system allows users to turn off the vehicle’s engine and run equipment needed on the jobsite.

EPEQ is a fully self-contained and independent system that can be mounted on, or within, combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles or even on trailers. On electric vehicles, it can either work with the host vehicle’s batteries or independently.

The system provides a solution for customers seeking to operate equipment at the jobsite with zero emissions and significantly reduced noise, heat and weight levels, and to reduce equipment maintenance costs and overall vehicle life-cycle costs. It is also suited for van-type vehicles that do not have a PTO or customers who desire to turn their vehicle engine off.

Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/21772002.

H A K K A P E L I I T TA T R I Extend the allseason capabilities of your machinery

GROUND KING

Combining all-terrain mobility with on-road performance

nokianheavytyres.com April 2022 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY

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TRU CKS & T R AN S P O R TAT I O N | By Curt Bennink

First Look at Chevrolet SILVERADO EV PICKUP TRUCK The vehicle will utilize GM’s Ultium platform to produce an anticipated range of 400 miles on a full charge.

T

he 2024 Silverado EV is taking aim at impressive performance numbers, including 10,000 lbs. of maximum trailering capacity, 1,500 lbs. of payload and the ability to provide up to 10.2 kW of off-board power. The pickup, which made its commercial vehicle trade show debut at Work

RST also includes the Advanced Trailering System.

Truck Week 2022, will provide an estimated range of 400 miles on a full charge, and be offered in variants starting with the fleetoriented Work Truck (WT) and the fully loaded RST model.

The WT will launch first for fleet customers and offer 510 hp and 615 lbs.-ft. of torque, as well as 8,000 lbs. of towing and 1,200 lbs. of payload. After initial launch, Chevrolet plans to introduce a fleet model with up to 20,000 lbs. max trailering with the max tow package.

The RST and WT models will come with Tow/Haul mode, trailer hitch provisions and an integrated trailer brake controller and Hitch Guidance. The

that adapt to a range of the company’s trucks and vehicles.

“Standard DC fast-charging capabilities of up to 350 kW enable the Silverado EV to add approximately 100 miles of range in only 10 minutes on public DC fast chargers,” says Nichole Kraatz, chief engineer, Chevrolet Battery Electric Trucks. “Two motors provide power to the available 24-in. wheels on the RST, improving vehicle responsiveness and control. At the push of a button on the RST, Wide Open Watts mode delivers at least 664 hp and... 780 ft.-lbs. of torque at the driver’s disposal, boasting a 0- to 60-mph time of under 4.5 seconds.”

THE ULTIUM PERFORMANCE The Silverado EV harnesses the power of the fast-charging Ultium Platform. The foundation of GM’s EV strategy, this platform features modular battery and drive unit combinations

12 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

ABOVE: Chevrolet will offer several variants of the Silverado EV, starting with the Work Truck and followed by the higher-end RST model in late 2023.

LEFT: Silverado’s eTrunck is a lockable, weatherproof compartment in the front of the vehicle. It is available with a multitude of accessory options based on the unique needs of the customer.

Because engineers didn’t have to work around a traditional propulsion system, a clean slate approach was taken, allowing a new body architecture to be created that efficiently leverages the available 24-module Ultium battery pack as part of the fundamental structure. “This structural design integrates the capabilities Silverado customers have come to expect from a fullsize pickup in terms of strength,

durability and performance while also providing a more comfortable, confident ride both on and off road,” Kraatz states.

“Our goal as the design team was to leverage the flexibility of the Ultium platform to deliver a truck that conveys capability and athletic performance,” adds Ryan Vaughan, director of design, Chevrolet full-size truck exteriors. “The front end is sculpted to direct front air down the body

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side, significantly reducing drag and turbulence. The Silverado EV Work Truck is estimated to have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any available production full-size pickup truck, which helps enable our impressive available range.”

DESIGN FREEDOM MEANS NEW POSSIBILITIES “The Ultium platform allows us to imagine new storage and

All images courtesy Chevrolet

TRU CKS & TRANS PORTATION

The RST and WT models will come with Tow/Haul mode, trailer hitch provisions and an integrated trailer brake controller and Hitch Guidance. The RST (shown) also includes the Advanced Trailering System.

tailgate with six functional positions, there is up to 10-ft. 10-in. load floor and storage capability.”

The Silverado EV will be offered exclusively in Crew Cab models. On the RST, information will be provided by a large 17-in.-diagonal LCD infotainment screen paired with an 11-in.

available accessory power bar, the Silverado EV’s PowerBase charging system offers up to 10 outlets to provide a total of 10.2 kW of all-electric power for worksite or recreational needs, including powering your home, with the required equipment.

“The Silverado EV is capable of charging another EV using the available accessory charge cord,” Kraatz adds.

MORE CAPABILITIES BUILT IN The vehicle’s chassis is designed with independent rear suspension. “Add to that adaptive automatic air suspension system and the Silverado EV can raise and lower up to nearly 2 in. in each direction,” says Kraatz. “Four-wheel steering offers a tighter turning radius at slow speeds and improved handling and stability at higher speeds, including great trailering dynamics.”

In addition, available Super Cruise with trailering provides hands-free driver assistance technology for compatible roads.

“The Silverado EV will offer a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety features,”

utility possibilities that come with a new EV-centric design,” says Vaughan. “Silverado’s eTrunck, a lockable, weatherproof compartment in the front of the vehicle, provides enough space for a large suitcase and has a multitude of accessory options based on the unique needs of the customer.”

Storage capacity of the 5-ft.

11-in. bed is maximized via an available Multi-Flex Midgate,

which provides more than 9 ft. of storage between the cab to the tailgate when open. “A 40/60 second row split offers four configurations that create the ability to haul gear or equipment while still accommodating a passenger in the second row,” Vaughan points out. “An optional tonneau cover adds lockable weatherproof storage to keep cargo protected from the elements. When you add in the available Multi-Flex

diagonal reconfigurable driver instrument display and a multicolor driver heads-up display with a field of view of over 14 in.

Design engineers took advantage of the Ultium structure to shorten the front overhang for a more aggressive stance and enhanced forward/down vision.

The front seats have also been pushed forward to enable spacious rear seat legroom, Vaughan notes.

When combined with the

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Kraatz states. “Together, these features give drivers more confidence behind the wheel.”

Chevrolet plans to make the WT model available in Spring 2023, with the fully loaded RST First Edition model debuting in fall 2023. Once production ramps up, the company will offer a full Silverado EV portfolio, which will include the WT, RST, Trail Boss and other model variants. ET

“Standard DC fast-charging capabilities of up to 350 kW enable the Silverado EV to add approximately 100 miles of range in only 10 minutes...”

— Nichole Kraatz

Storage capacity of the 5-ft. 11-in. bed is maximized via an available Multi-Flex Midgate, which provides more than 9 ft. of storage between the cab to the tailgate when open.

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E A RTHM OV I N G | By Becky Schultz Manufacturers are designing features into today’s wheel loaders to automate certain functions, enabling efficient highproduction operations without sacrificing component life.

Turn Loader Operator Ignorance into MACHINE-SAVING EXPERTISE

Hitachi

You’re never too experienced to learn techniques to extend wheel loader life and performance.

E

John Deere

Understanding how all of the functions operate on a particular loader will improve productivity and minimize the risk of misapplication, which can shorten component life.

ven the most skilled operator can shorten a wheel loader’s life and reduce its productivity by misusing certain functions or by operating the machine in a way that accelerates component wear. The risks increase dramatically when a new user gets behind the controls.

Operator training is essential, and even more so when a new machine comes into the fleet.

An operator jumping on a new

14 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

machine for the first time may not even realize they’re using it incorrectly. Without education about its idiosyncrasies, features and technologies, they are likely to run the loader the same way as any other machine. But with technology changing so fast, uninformed operation can cause a lot of issues that could cause damage or wear.

The operator’s manual is yet another invaluable resource.

Along with basic operator training, studying the manual is one of the best ways an operator can get up to speed quickly and become more productive, both of which can have significant payback to your company in getting more work done.

Here are some common problem areas with wheel loaders and tips on how to address them.

1. TAKE IT EASY ON BUCKETS The most common wear areas on loaders are the front pins, bucket, bucket wear plates and teeth; this wear is accelerated by lack of general maintenance. For example, lack of greasing will speed wear of the front pin. So, it’s important to stick to greasing and other daily service guidelines found in the operator’s manual.

Monitor the buckets and turn or replace wear plates on the front before it starts tearing up the bucket itself. It can get very costly if you let the wear plates get gnawed down to the point that you start wearing on the bucket prematurely.

The choice of bucket can also affect wear and tear on the front end of the machine. Pick buckets

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suited to the application and material. Buckets should enter the material easily to reduce undue stress on the pins and bushings where the attachments attach to the loader.

Avoid running the engine rpms wide open and hitting the pile too hard, since this can stress the bucket and cause bushing and pin wear on the front of the machine. Plus, it burns more fuel than needed in the process.

2. COOL IT ON THE BRAKES All loader brakes (except hydrostatic machines) work by friction, which generates heat.

Brakes that are over-applied can cause overheating and premature wear, which can make brakes fail before their time. Common causes include: ˜ untrained operators going too fast and then making short, quick stops ˜ unintentional application by “riding” the brake pedals ˜ hurried operators (under pressure to be more productive) going heavy on the throttle and then heavy on the brakes to stop fast or in a shorter distance

EARTHMOVING

Matching the bucket to the application and material will reduce the amount of force required when driving into the pile. This in turn can reduce wear on the front pins, bucket, bucket wear plates and teeth.

TIPS WORTHY OF OPERATOR ATTENTION

3. DON’T TAKE SHIFTING SHORTCUTS Transmission and transmission clutch wear can be a concern, depending on how the machine is being operated. Improper shifting can cause added wear and tear on the transmission and clutch.

High-speed shifts are the most common culprit. In other words, the operator uses the transmission and torque converter to change direction: The operator reverses the loader, “shoves” it into forward gear and hits the accelerator, or vice versa. If they are loading trucks all day and never touch the brakes, all that added force goes into the transmission and torque converter, overheating those components.

While this practice can lead to faster cycle times, it can also cause premature failure of very expensive components.

Thankfully, manufacturers are taking the choice of whether or not to brake out of the operator’s hands by automating shifting, among other functions, to reduce excess wear and tear.

4. TAKE TIME FOR WARM-UPS AND SHUTDOWNS Loader operators may be tempted to skip the warm-up during startup, but this can be hard on the engine and hydraulics. Cold oil doesn’t lubricate as well, so getting up to operating temperature before operation will increase component life.

When starting the loader, allow it to warm up per manufacturer guidelines. Other systems such as hydraulics and axles will warm up as the machine is being worked, so the operator should expect that the machine won’t have full performance until they come up to temp.

In addition to warm-ups, make sure all the fluid levels are correct during daily maintenance.

Shutdowns are just as important at the end of the day.

Turbochargers on large diesel engines can reach speeds averaging 40,000 to 50,000 rpm. If you don’t let the machine idle and cool down for at least two to three minutes, the turbo will still be spinning as much as 30 minutes later with no oil going to the bearings. This generates both heat and a lot of internal wear.

Letting the machine cool down before you turn it off means the turbo won’t spin as long after shutdown.

As technology continues to evolve, even the most experienced loader operators can benefit from operator training. It can not only extend component life, but enhance productivity on the jobsite.

Manufacturers are working to reduce such risks by adding timed shutdowns on their machines. If offered as an option, consider it a bargain compared to the high cost of replacing a turbocharger.

5. HOW TO STOP SPINNING YOUR WHEELS Inexperienced operators are prone to spinning the tires, which is one of the worst things for a wheel loader. The machine is unable to use the differential locks the way they should to lock the front axle up, so all that power goes to both front tires instead of just one, which would reduce the spinning.

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Volvo Construction Equipment

To extend brake life, train operators to slow down earlier and let the weight of the machine and load bring the loader to a near stop before applying the brakes.

Doosan Infracore

• Clean the interior of the machine. Dirt can build up under the brake pedal, preventing the brakes from completely releasing. This can cause premature brake wear and overheating.

• Keep the exterior clean, too. Dirt buildup can have an abrasive effect on moving parts that promotes wear, and an insulating effect on major components that traps heat and can cause accelerated deterioration of fluids and seals. Buildup of dirt in the cooling cores will also reduce cooling efficiency, resulting in higher operating temperatures and overheating.

• Stay out of the water. Working in water can cause liquid to get into the axles and transmission, which can damage bearings, gears and brakes.

Avoid operating the loader through deep water as much as possible.

• Follow manufacturer instructions for daily greasing. Lack of required greasing can dramatically accelerate component wear.

• Check for problems at the start, and end, of a shift. Just as a walk-around inspection at the start of the day/shift can identify problems, a shutdown inspection can let you spot and address problems before the next work cycle. Operator’s manuals frequently have daily checklists that can be copied and used as a guide.

Premature tire wear is the result.

Fortunately, a number of manufacturers are designing in features to automatically minimize wheel spin risk.

Improper inflation pressure is another common cause of excess wear on expensive loader tires.

With radial tires, low air pressure produces heat buildup because of the rubber flexing with all that weight on top of it. Without the recommended tire pressure to keep a stiff sidewall, the tires will overheat badly, degrading the rubber compound and shortening tire life.

In some cases, tire spin is the fault of the tire, not the operator.

One reason is having the wrong

type of tire on the wheel loader for the application. Make sure that the tread pattern meets the application requirements.

For example, a high tractive tire with a more open tread pattern will wear faster on paved surfaces. So, if the loader will operate primarily on concrete or asphalt, an L4 or L5 will cut down on wear. If the loader will be working mainly in dirt, a more aggressive, tractive tread pattern is the better choice. ET Information sources: Doosan Infracore North America, Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America, John Deere and Volvo Construction Equipment.

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EARTHMOVING Products Sany SW405K Wheel Loader The SW405K has an operating weight of 40,786 lbs., a full turn tipping load of 28,881 lbs. and a 252-net-hp Deutz TCD 7.8, four-cycle, turbocharged, electroniccontrolled diesel engine.

• Z-bar linkage design delivers nearly 40,000 lbs. of breakout force • Comes with a 4.2-cu.-yd. bucket capacity and has a 123-in. maximum dump height • High-pressure, load-sensitive hydraulics offer a 10% to 15% reduction in energy usage • Features a boom suspension system, bucket self-leveling, return-to-dig and automatic transmission kickdown

www.forconstructionpros.com/21045807

Wacker Neuson WL95 Articulated Wheel Loader The heavy-duty WL95 has a standard 2-cu.yd. bucket and straight bucket tipping load up to 14,394 lbs.

• 136-hp Deutz 3.61 engine and variable hydrostatic transmission provide optimal traction and travel speeds up to 12.4 mph • 31-gpm standard auxiliary hydraulic flow • Standard multifunctional joystick and jog dial, 7-in. color display, return-to-dig function, ride control and reversing fan • Telescopic version (WL95T) offers a 17-ft. 10-in. reach

Doosan DL250-7 Wheel Loader The 30,528-lb. DL250-7 wheel loader is powered by a 172-hp Doosan DL06 Stage V-compliant engine and has a fullturn static tipping load of 21,134 lbs.

• Offers a 3.3-cu.-yd. bucket capacity and a dump height of 9 ft. 2 in.

• Includes Eco, Standard and Power engine working modes plus standard auto idle and auto shutdown • Five-gear transmission boosts acceleration performance • Limited-slip differentials at the front and rear • Cab features an 8-in. touchscreen, suspension seat with lumbar support, heating, Doosan Smart Touch and more

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The Venieri VF5.63C articulated loader has a four-cylinder Deutz engine and boasts an 8,598-lb. lift capacity, 14,100-lb. breakout force and a static tipping load at full turn of 9,700 lbs.

• Maximum weight of 13,820 lbs.

• Features ”Z” Kinematics, a rear oscillating axle, hydrostatic transmission and four-wheel drive • Enclosed cab offers 360° visibility, ergonomic seating, a detailed LCD dash screen and very accessible controls for operator efficiency and safety

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Caterpillar Next Generation 966 and 972 Wheel Loaders

The G Series wheel loaders now include a Smart Power Mode that improves communication between the engine and transmission based on workload.

• Touchscreen display provides tablet-like performance for accessing all critical machine settings and operational data • Adjustable electrohydraulic controls allow operator to independently set lift (boom) and tilt (bucket) responsiveness to match preference and loading situations • Electrohydraulic parallel lift functionality • Payload system integrated directly into primary display to provide bucket weight, pass counts, accumulated/running weight, job tracking data and more

The 321-hp 966 and 339-hp 972 have 51,124- and 54,858-lb. operating weights, offer 3.75- to 18.25-cu.-yd.

Performance Series buckets and deliver 38,999- and 44,072-lbf. breakout force.

• Continuous variable transmission (966 XE and 972 XE) • Feature standard Cat Payload with Assist • Cat Autodig with Auto Set Tires delivers high bucket fill factors and promotes proper loading techniques • Application Profiles sets multiple machine parameters at a press of a button • Standard seat-mounted electrohydraulic joystick steering system or optional HMU steering wheel

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16 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

The L60H and L70H wheel loaders offer improved fuel efficiency and enhanced productivity features.

• Tipping load increased by 1.7% for the L60H, 1.6% for the L70H and 3.4% for the L90H and dump height is increased 3 in. for the L90H • Lockup torque converter (L70H to L90H option) • Smart Control function ensures correct torque in all situations, while the Rim Pull Control function reduces wheel spin and slippage • Electro-servo hydraulic controls (L70H and L90H) • Optimized design of the loader arm results in increased payload

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Vermeer ATX720 Compact Articulated Loader

Ranko Venieri VF5.63C Loader

Case Enhanced G Series Wheel Loaders

Volvo L60H, L70H and L90H 2.0 Wheel Loaders

The ATX720 compact articulated loader has a telescopic boom that extends 29.1 in. for loading materials to a dump height of 114 in. (hinge pin height).

• Rated operating capacity of 2,155 lbs.

• Measures 44.5 in. wide with narrow tires or 50.4 in. wide with the wider tires • 25-hp Kubota D1305 Tier 4 Final diesel engine • Multi-tool attachment plate

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Takeuchi TW65 SERIES 2 and TW80 SERIES 2 Compact Loaders

John Deere L-Series Utility Wheel Loaders

The TW65 SERIES 2 and TW80 SERIES 2 offer 11,354- and 12,700-lb. operating weights, 4,050- and 4,445-lb. rated operating capacities and 11,600 and 13,960 lbs. of bucket breakout force.

• Reach and dump heights up to 8 ft. 6 in.

• 73-hp Deutz turbocharged, water-cooled, Tier 4 Final engine with a maximum torque of 192 ft.-lbs. at 1,800 rpm • Standard travel speed of 12.4 mph, or up to 24.8 mph using the high-speed road gear option and ride control accumulator • Improved cab with automotive-styled interior design, a frameless door, easy to operate function switches, inching pedal and precision pilot controls

The 124-hp 444L, 249-hp 644L, 231-hp 644L Hybrid and 268-hp 724L feature a redesigned Z-bar loader linkage, updated ergonomically designed cab, electrohydraulic (EH) controls and a more robust HVAC system.

• Single-lever hydraulic joystick control comes with a standard forward-neutralreverse switch plus two multifunction buttons • Operator can select how abrupt the bucket or boom stops and adjust hydraulic flow percentage using the monitor for specific attachments • Bucket vibrate feature aids when dumping or sprinkling loose material • EH precision mode enables fine metering when placing pipe or heavy objects

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Engineered to do more www.liebherr.com

Earthmoving machines

Liebherr USA Co. • Construction Equipment Division • 4800 Chestnut Avenue • Newport News, VA 23607 • Phone +1 757 240 4250 Construction.USA@liebherr.com • www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction • www.liebherr.us/dealers-emt • www.liebherr.com

EARTHMOVING Products Mecalac AS900tele Swing Loader

Yanmar Compact Wheel Loaders The V4-7, V8, V10 and V12 range in operating weights from 8,422 to 15,432 lbs., offer bucket capacities from .65 to 2.35 cu. yds. and have lift capacities of 7,451 to 15,962 lbf.

• V4-7, V8 and V10 powered by a Yanmar electronically controlled, Tier 4 Final diesel engine, while the V12 has a Deutz Tier 4 Final-compliant engine • Travel speeds range from 11.8 to 22 mph • Include intuitive multifunction joysticks plus a fixed travel speed mode, fully automatic accelerator mode and auxiliary hydraulics with proportional control • Oscillating rear axle securely transmits traction force to uneven ground • Hydraulic quick couplers

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Hyundai HL930A Wheel Loader The HL930A is sized to meet the needs of utility and general construction contractors, with the HL930A XT offering a 25,595-lb. operating weight and 2.5-cu.-yd. standard bucket capacity.

• 130-net-hp Cummins B4.5 Performance Series Stage V-certified diesel engine with Engine Connected Diagnostics • Enhanced onboard weighing system with automatic/manual cumulative weighing function • Eco Report analyzes loader operation status based on operator performance • HiDETECT system with radar detects rear obstacles (day and night) without blindspots and reports status of nearby moving or stationary objects

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The 8-ton AS900tele features telescopic technology, enabling a lifting height of 15.5 ft., outreach of 11.5 ft. and carrying capacity of 5,004 lbs. at full extension.

• Swing design enables operators to swivel a fully loaded bucket 90° on either side • 22.2-gpm auxiliary hydraulics allow use with a range of attachments • Two-wheel, four-wheel and crab steering options • Well-balanced design and automatically locking rear axle mean safe maneuvering in all positions and on various terrains

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Kubota Next-generation R540 and R640 Wheel Loaders The R540 and R640 come in canopy and cab models with redesigned arms offering better visibility for connecting attachments without leaving the cab.

• R640 boasts an operating weight of 11,563 lbs.,a 64-hp Tier 4 Final engine and a maximum breakout force of 9,869 lbs. and 8,161 lbs. of lifting capacity • R540 has a 10,285-lb. operating weight, a 54-hp Tier 4 Final engine and a maximum breakout force of 8,183 lbs. and 6,767 lbs. of lifting capacity • High-visibility cabin with 360° panoramic view and standard multi-function control lever

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Bobcat L65 and L85 Compact Wheel Loaders The 55-hp L65 and 68-hp L85 offer 9,944- and 11,164-lb. operating weights with rated operating capacities ranging from 3,133 to 3,759 lbs. and 3,974 to 4,786 lbs., respectively.

• Redesigned 2.4L, turbocharged, Tier 4 engine and electronic hydrostatic transmission (E-HST) • Include articulated steering, two-speed travel, advanced attachment control mode, bucket level indicator, differential lock, Bob-Tach System and more • Z-bar linkage design • Roomy cab offers low noise levels, intuitive controls, a 5-in. display with Jog Shuttle and comfortable seat with adjustable, seat-mounted joystick

Avant 860i Compact Loader

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JCB 457 HT High-lift Loader A high-lift (HL) loader arm option for the 4.5-cu.-yd. 457 HT enables a hinge pin height of 15 ft. 5 in.

• HL loader arm improves roll-back torque for easier curling of heavy attachments at full operating height • Advanced kinematics on loader end for enhanced visibility to attachment • 44,428-lb. operating weight • 258-hp MTU four-cylinder diesel engine meets Tier 4 Final without a DPF • CommandPlus cab provides high central operating position, seat-mounted controls and enhanced visibility

www.forconstructionpros.com/21123317

18 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

The 5,600-lb. 860i with standard telescopic boom offers a lift height of up to 137.8 in., a maximum tipping load of 4,190 lbs. and up to 4,850 lbs. of breakout force.

• 57-hp Kohler KDI 1903 TCR diesel engine • 21.1-gpm high-flow auxiliary hydraulics can run all of the company’s attachments • Optidrive drive circuit improves performance by as much as 10% • Hydrostatic drive transmission with a maximum 18.6-mph travel speed • 53.9-in. inside turning radius • Enclosed cab with A/C available

Liebherr L 550 and L 556 XPower Wheel Loaders

Komatsu WA480-8 Yard Loader

The 222-hp L 550 XPower has a 40,896lb. operating weight, a 27,558-lb. tip load and a 4.45-cu-yd. bucket capacity, while the 249-hp L 556 weighs 43,211 lbs. and has a 30,314-lb. tip load and 4.8-cu.-yd. bucket capacity.

• Power-split travel drive • Increased hydraulic performance enables dynamic lift and tip functions regardless of size or weight of working tool • Structural modifications to lift arms enable higher breakout, holding and retrieval forces • Available assistance systems include active personnel detection at the rear with a braking assistant

The 299-hp WA480-8 has a 7.2-cu.-yd. bucket designed with curved side edges to minimize spillage and internal space and shape for smooth material flow.

• Long bucket jaw and decreased strike plane angle help deliver easy fill and low resistance during pile penetration • Integrated load meter system shows operator how much material is in bucket • Includes optimized visibility, easy to operate Advanced Joystick Steering System and air suspension seat • More than 1,400 lbs. of added counterweight, low-profile tires and heavy-duty front and rear axles enhance capacity and stability

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Hitachi ZW100-6 Wheel Loader The ZW100-6 has an operating weight of 17,042 lbs., a bucket capacity of 1.4 cu. yds. and a 101-hp Tier 4 Final DPF-free engine.

• Hydrostatic transmission control system • Oscillating rear axle • Traction control system helps avoid tire slippage when working in sensitive ground conditions • Cab offers 360° panoramic visibility, an optional rear view camera, improved sound insulation and several storage compartments • Updated heavy-duty axles, a heavy center pin and robust box frame enhance machine durability

www.forconstructionpros.com/21771962

By Curt Bennink | GRADING/S ITE PREP

Machine Control Streamlines Earthmoving Operations

B

y now everyone is familiar with machine control technologies utilized in earthmoving applications.

But as the costs continue to drop and the technology continues to advance, make sure you are not one of the contractors who gets left behind.

“There are very few earthmoving applications that won’t benefit from machine control in one way, shape or form,” says Jeremy Dulak, product manager, Case Construction Equipment.

“As acceptance and adoption is increasing, the contractors you are bidding against on a regular basis may already be using it to streamline their operations and make their bids more aggressive.”

Before adopting any technology, you need to develop an understanding of what it can do for your operation. In the case of grade control, there are many competing technologies, ranging from indicate-only systems to full automation.

There are important differences between guidance and automation. “Many of these solutions are guidance or indicate-only solutions,” says Richie Snyder, marketing manager, CE Digital and Precision Solutions & Telematics, CNH Industrial.

“This means that it is providing the operator with feedback on the screen that helps guide his or her actions. The solution still relies entirely on the input of the operator. It is simply letting them know where they are as it relates to their desired result and helps them dial in their work from there.”

Many of the recent advancements are being made in automation. “The automatic solutions are where true machine control takes place,” says Snyder.

“This is where the system actually takes over the hydraulics of the machine and the blade to automate that performance.

This is particularly helpful when working in a 3D world and

trying to build complex grades and site profiles.”

Automation helps level the playing field by elevating the performance of less experienced operators while also improving the performance of your best operators.

BUILDING BLOCK APPROACH MAKES TECH ACCESSIBLE Many systems will allow you to invest in lower cost 2D and use the components as building blocks as you move up to 3D. “It’s important to note that many of the components are the same for 2D; the foundational building blocks are already there,” says Snyder. “When you are ready, you can easily transition to 3D. “2D grading is machine control at its simplest form,” he continues. “Its tools work in two dimensions: plane and slope.”

This is accomplished through basic technologies like lasers and sonic tracers.

The capabilities expand as

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All photos courtesy Case Construction Equipment

Use machine control to increase productivity, slash operating costs, reduce labor and eliminate staking. you progress into more advanced systems. “3D is where things get really fun and it allows you to expand beyond working with just a slope or a plane,” says Snyder. “These machines can be indicate only, but reach the full potential of machine control when they are automatic. You do need to add some additional geospatial technologies to make it work, such as a GPS or a GNSS receiver or a universal total station. These systems still allow you to do plane and slope work, but really simplify those more complex curves and site plans.”

You need to choose the correct technology for your worksite. “2D is great for those jobs that are consistent in nature and are often very simple,” says Nathanial Waldschmidt, product manager, Case Construction Equipment. “If you’re typically working on a single slope away from a fixed point of reference — which is often to ensure proper drainage — then a 2D system

Your choice for acquiring machine control technology depends on if you already own the grading equipment or if you are purchasing a new unit. Options include aftermarket, aftermarket at time of purchase or factory fit.

April 2022 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY

19

GRA D I N G /S I T E P R E P

MacMor Construction was one of the first contractors to take delivery of a Case factory fit dozer. The goal with adding machine control was to be more competitive with production on jobs.

is going to be more than adequate. If you are doing driveways or parking lots, or simple final grading in residential neighborhoods where all you are doing is making sure the grade is pitching away from the home or building, 2D will work. If you are only creating building pads and doing flatwork, 2D will definitely work for you and help you ensure that you have that flat, clean plane that you are looking for.”

If you are going to add more complex work in the future, you may want to look at systems that can be easily adapted to 3D. “As your business grows, you evolve and the solution can grow with you to add on to that the next step,” says Waldschmidt. You can step up the capability of the machine control solution as you grow your business.

3D is for more complex projects, including large infrastructure projects

where there are countless points of reference throughout the site that must be hit.

It makes contouring and more complex designs considerably easier.

Some 3D systems can perform in both 2D and 3D modes. This is important when you want to shift between simple plane surfaces and more complex 3D designs.

Consider a Leica Geosystems solution matched with a Case machine that

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can easily go between 2D and 3D. “[On a] machine that is running 3D, that 3D panel also allows you to turn it into 2D mode,” says Snyder. “You absolutely can switch to 2D, even though it is a 3D system.” For example, you can replace the GPS antenna that’s on top of a mast with a laser receiver.

“Now we are operating that 3D machine in a 2D environment.”

“It is important to note that not all manufacturers can offer that solution of scaling back down and operating in a 2D situation,” Waldschmidt points out.

Another consideration for machine control technology is the ability to increase jobsite safety. “Any machine control solution that we have running a 3D panel with the current software, we actually have the ability to put a sensor on a safety vest or on a vehicle so the operator is aware of someone coming in close proximity,” says Snyder.

UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS You have a few choices for acquiring machine control technology depending on if you already own the grading machine or if you are purchasing a new unit.

“With machine control, you really have three options when you are adding it to your fleet,” says Snyder. “You can do it aftermarket, at the time of purchase with an aftermarket solution or at the time of purchase with a factory fit solution.

“Aftermarket is pretty self-explanatory,” he notes. “You own a machine or you bought a machine and then you decide after purchase that you want to add machine control to that machine.”

You will want to work with your dealer to determine the best solution. There will be some downtime for that machine to be equipped and calibrated with the technology.

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If you are going to add more complex work in the future, you may want to look at systems that can be easily adapted to 3D.

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GRADING/S ITE PREP

“You will need to work that into your schedule,” says Snyder.

If you know ahead of time that you want machine control outfitted on a new dozer or motor grader, you can consult with the dealer during the machine purchase. “The advantage here is that at the time of purchase, you’re analyzing the combination of that machine and solution and working with an expert to ensure they are all wellsuited to work together,” says Snyder. “We focus a lot on scalability. If you start out with a 2D system as an initial investment, you’ll have the building blocks to expand into more advanced systems as your business grows.”

Some OEMs offer pre-installed solutions that remove the hassle of installing an aftermarket solution. “We recently introduced factory fit machine control on our dozers,” says Dulak. “The factory fit provides a few strong advantages. The first is simplified ordering. You can group the system to best fit your needs with the purchase of the machine. This combines all elements in the investment into a single payment, a single financing package and a single interest rate.

It also reduces paperwork and administrative time, making it all very seamless.

“The factory fit solution also ensures that when the machine arrives at the dealer, it’s just about ready to go,” he continues.

“The machine and system are purpose built together, ready to work. Ordering or buying the dozer with a factory fit machine control will also increase the residual value of the machine.”

Rental can provide a way to test machine control before making the decision to purchase. “We’re seeing more dealer and independent rental operations making machine control available to their customers,” says Dulak. “Your local rental house may be a great way to dip your toes into machine control for a project or two without making a big first investment.”

There is also less wear and tear on your equipment. “If you can complete a job in half the passes, you can complete a job with half the wear and tear on the equipment,” says Dulak. “The amount of work doesn’t change. That is constant.

You know what you have to do to complete the job. Machine control lets you do it with significantly less time on the equipment, which has huge lifetime implications.”

This also allows better equipment utilization. “We had a contractor in the Carolinas who was able to go from two dozers on each site to one because the company was able to complete both the cut and the final grade with the same machine,” recalls Dulak. “The second dozer was able to be off on the next job working instead of sitting idle, which allows contractors to be smarter about how equipment is deployed.”

There are definite labor benefits that need to be considered. “First off, you typically have a person that’s checking grade for you,” says Snyder. “You can have that person off doing some other work that’s more productive.

“Depending upon the size of the site, many contractors will set aside a whole portion of their budget to account for re-staking. Stakes either get moved, they get run over, designs change and so on. This can get very costly,” he states. “With machine control, the data points don’t change and the design remains consistent within the system unless you do a design change, at which point a new design is simply uploaded rather than re-staking the whole site.”

Leica Geosystems has built out an ROI calculator that lets you input real jobsite metrics and statistics to help you calculate realistic payback on a machine control system. This isn’t a guarantee on ROI, but it definitely helps paint the picture of what is possible. ET

MACHINE CONTROL ADDS VALUE FOR CONTRACTOR AND PROJECT OWNERS MacMor Construction began operations in July of 2013 and has grown to specialize in heavy highway construction along with site work. According to Bryan Golden, owner, “Basically, we have everything to do with the complete site excavation. We will do clearing, grubbing, site work and then all of the utilities.”

Unknowns are among the trickiest complexities when performing site work. You may think that there is a 2-ft. layer of shale and it turns out to be 8 ft. deep. An open line of communication with the project owners helps cope with these surprises. “We try to keep as open line of communication with folks as we can,” notes Golden. “We don’t try to hide anything.”

To offset any surprises, MacMor is always on the lookout for different ways owners can save money on projects. “We do some value engineering with them,” says Golden.

Machine control offered the ideal opportunity to add that value, though Golden wasn’t 100% sure about the technology at first. But the goal with adding it was to be more competitive with production on jobs. So MacMor became one of the first contractors to take delivery of a Case factory fit dozer.

The benefits have proven to reach beyond production. “It’s on the cost side, as well,” says Golden. “It takes us from having a surveyor out on a project putting in stakes that had the potential of getting knocked over. We always use a rule of thumb that each stake costs you about $75. If you knock over 100 of them, that is $7,500.”

Machine control eliminates this cost.

Operators also have greater vision of the site. “It takes the question out of what is it supposed to look like,” Golden explains. “[Operators] can see it more with the screen and see what they have going vs. a guy putting in a bunch of grade stakes.”

Machine control also provides peace of mind during production. “I’ve seen no issues with this machine on any application we put it on,” says Golden. “It does a great job. Whether you run a 3:1 or a 2:1 slope with it, you know you are going to hang on. The ability to track in slopes... everything works very well on it. It doesn’t give me any worries about that machine doing what it is supposed to do.”

DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE THE SOLUTION Not every machine in your fleet requires a separate machine control solution. “Machine control is very versatile,” Dulak comments. “You can have multiple machines, but you don’t have to have the finishing kits on every single machine.”

If machines are wired and the mounting points are installed, the technology can be transferred between machines. “You can transfer the hardware from one to the next.

When one job is done, you can take those pieces of hardware and put it on another dozer,” Dulak explains. “It is a very flexible system tailored to your needs.” You can even use the technology on rental machines that are pre-wired for the technology.

Benefits can be immediately realized.

“Machine control will give you much better control over your job costs,” reports Snyder.

“It’s going to make your work schedules much more predictable and it’s really going to help you out when you’re being competitive on your next bid.”

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April 2022 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY

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GRA D I N G /S I T E P R E P | By Jessica Lombardo

Recycling of virgin or waste concrete and asphalt on the jobsite eliminates transportation fees and lowers costs.

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another job or transported and stored for future work — saving space in landfills and saving money.

Recycling on the jobsite also mitigates the cost of buying virgin stone, and it can be stockpiled to build something else on the property. Other advantages of recycling concrete and asphalt right at your location include: ˜ Eliminating or reducing tipping fees and disposal costs ˜ Eliminating usage demand for much needed landfill space ˜ Eliminating or reducing transportation costs ˜ Helping preserve virgin deposits and protect the environment

Superior Industries

he construction industry is one of the largest recyclers in the country, recycling and reusing asphalt and concrete in massive amounts. Today’s mobile crushers are suited for use in a wide range of applications, including for asphalt and concrete or for mixed construction and demolition waste.

For larger road construction or demolition projects, on-site recycling and crushing of materials can be beneficial to the project bottom line. Processing, screening and crushing existing concrete and asphalt on-site eliminates unnecessary transportation costs and hassles. The recycled product may be used on the project at hand, sold to

Today’s mobile crushers are ideal for use in a wide range of applications, including as a mobile recovered concrete crusher, or for asphalt and mixed C&D waste.

Every time material is moved around or off the jobsite, labor and expenses are involved. Mobile crushers bring the machine right to the pile and allow for efficient material processing.

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EQU IPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

˜ Lowering aggregate material ˜

cost for construction projects Lowering traffic impact and reducing energy costs

HOW MOBILE CRUSHING WORKS Screening and crushing plants receive the material from the initial crushing process and are small enough to be mobile.

Additional crushing further reduces large particle sizes, while the screener sorts out material, allowing the right size material to pass through and returning the larger particles back to the crusher for further processing. In order to smooth out the gradation of the crushed particle and ensure a higher quality material, the new aggregate can be fed into the crusher hopper and mixed with the recycled material.

Recycled aggregate materials can offer superior compaction, better yield and greater durability over virgin (quarry or pit) aggregate bases. The use of recycled aggregates is typically authorized by State Transportation Departments for use in roadbeds and drainage projects.

To perform on-site crushing, contractors need to either own or rent specialized equipment.

For smaller projects, a crushing attachment or small portable crusher can be useful for turning concrete into usable aggregate.

For larger jobs, mobile crushing units are ideal.

The stand-out feature of the

mobile crusher or tracked impactor for recycling applications is its mobility combined with high productivity per hour. Units are fully self-contained on a tracked undercarriage and can be easily driven off a trailer by one operator and quickly put to work, with the capability for moving directly to materials. Some models are even capable of tracking (moving about on their tracks) while crushing.

Every time material is moved around or off the jobsite, labor and expenses are involved.

Mobile crushers bring the machine to the jobsite, right to the pile and allow for efficient material processing.

CRUSHERS: RENT VS. OWN When it comes to investing in crushing equipment, buying vs. renting can offer distinct trade-offs. Buying crushing equipment usually requires a larger investment than renting, though financing options are able to ease the acquisition. Renting can allow for a smaller initial investment; but depending on the job length and frequency of use, rental costs could add up over time.

Larger volumes of material will require a dedicated crusher, which is not only a large capital investment but a heavy time and space commitment, as well.

Crushers require a substantial amount of room and take

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time for setup. When you fold out a screen plant and set up a jaw crusher, you need to plan for their footprint on project sites. You will need room for the stockpiles, as well.

Large crushers also require support equipment, such as an excavator to feed the crusher and a dozer to move the recycled material to the stockpile.

In addition, your crew will need to be trained on how to use the equipment and how to troubleshoot the machine in case of a breakdown. For these and other reasons, renting this equipment or hiring a specialized crushing subcontractor may be beneficial.

If you employ well-trained team members, buying and maintaining crusher equipment may be no more costly than renting regularly serviced equipment. Employing team members on site could also resolve unexpected problems more quickly than waiting on service from your rental partner.

Carefully consider the economics before committing to on-site crushing. Justifying this expense requires that you have sufficient material to crush.

Many say having a crusher on site is not worth the expense unless there is 3,000 tons of material or more. Ultimately, it will come down to how much you will use the equipment and if you can keep it busy. ET

Kleeman

Mobile Crushing Saves Time and Money

GRADING/SITE PREP Products Leica 3D Machine Control for Swing Booms The MC1 one-for-all software platform now provides a 3D machine control solution for compact excavators and backhoes with a swing boom.

• Provides flexible data flows and easy to use interfaces • MC1’s portable control panel can be used across multiple machines • Cloud-based collaboration platform Leica ConX can be used to share and report as-built documentation with office and field stakeholders • Utilize a swing boom sensor or manually defined angles • Prism and total station configurations possible for high-accuracy jobs

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LBX Link-Belt Precision Grade The Link-Belt Precision Grade powered by Trimble Earthworks upgrade kits are available for the LinkBelt 145 X4 excavators.

• Provide all necessary components, hardware and software required to upgrade a standard machine to 2D/MG (Machine Guidance) or 2D/MC (Machine Control) • Can also upgrade a machine with 2D/MG already installed to a 2D/MC-capable machine • Integrated into the excavator’s Spool Stroke Control hydraulic system to deliver enhanced accuracy and controllability

Komatsu PC290LCi-11, PC360LCi-11 and PC390LCi-11 with iMC 2.0 The intelligent Machine Control 2.0 (iMC 2.0) is now available on the mid- to large-size PC290LCi-11, PC360LCi-11 and PC390LCi-11 excavators.

• Updated, factory-integrated systems help to minimize over-excavation and empower operators to dig straight to grade quickly and accurately • Auto tilt bucket control assists operators by aligning bucket parallel with the slope so finish grading can be accomplished without needing to align the machine with the target surface • Bucket angle hold control automatically holds bucket angle to the design surface during arm operation to enable finish grading using only arm input

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Case M Series Crawler Dozers The M Series dozers range from the 68-net-hp 650M to the 214-net-hp 2050M, offering operating weights from 16,405 to 45,398 lbs., blade capacities from 2 to 7.29 cu. yds. and maximum drawbar pull from 39,086 to 80,979 lbs.

• FPT Tier 4 Final engines with selective catalytic reduction technology • Hydrostatic transmissions • Optimized cab-forward design, sloped hood and floor-to-ceiling glass ensure optimal visibility to the blade edge • Soft, medium and aggressive reversing and steering mode settings • 750M to 2050M available with factory installed and calibrated Leica 2D, dual mast 3D and SiteControl CoPilot precision machine control solutions

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Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform Version 2.0

Liebherr PR 736 Generation 8 Hydrostatic Drive Dozer The 56,218-lb. PR 736 G8 dozer has a 217bhp Liebherr Tier 4 Final diesel engine with Eco mode.

• Straight, semi-U and six-way blade options available in capacities ranging from 5.36 to 7.27 cu. yds.

• Electronically pilot-controlled work hydraulics for swift, precise work cycles • Liebherr OAS – Operator Assistance Systems offers a “Free Grade“ level for active blade stabilization during fine grading, “Definition Grade“ level for automatic blade positioning when creating 2D grades and “3D Grade“ option to model complex terrain shapes • Roof-mounted GPS/GNSS antennas standard along with onboard Active Sensor Control to stabilize all blade axis

Trimble Earthworks 2.0 includes Horizontal Steering Control for dozers, which automatically controls the machine to follow any horizontal alignment without operator assistance.

• Augmented Reality for excavators enables users to easily understand 3D models, cut/fill information, slope data and other bench points and reference points on the in-cab display in context • Mastless motor grader configuration provides an improved range of blade motion • Integrated LOADRITE Payload Management displays grade control and accurate payload data on one screen

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Topcon MC-Mobile Machine Control for Compact Equipment The MC-Mobile portable machine control solution provides the user experience and performance benefits of full-size machine control guidance solutions for compact excavators, skid steers and compact track loaders.

• Provides design, build and check functionalities and a feature-rich Topcon software experience • Operators can use modular components for a range of applications, including grade checking, creating designs on the fly and self-performing site layouts • Displays and other components can be easily shared across numerous machines and moved from grade checking/layout rover pole to machine and back • Easy to set up and use

www.forconstructionpros.com/22093795

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John Deere SmartGrade Remote Support

Caterpillar 120 GC Motor Grader

John Deere offers SmartGrade Remote Support on its newest SmartGrade dozers, motor graders, excavators and compact track loaders.

• Includes Remote Display Access and Wireless Data Transfer and will be available on most SmartGrade products for six years from factory invoice date • Available on 700L/750L/850L SmartGrade dozers, SmartGrade motor graders, 210G LC and 350G LC SmartGrade excavators and compact track loaders • Enables remote transfer of project files to machines and troubleshooting of any grade control-related issues

The 120 GC features a powershift transmission and balanced machine design that ensure appropriate drawbar power to the ground with the fuelefficient C4.4 engine.

• Electronic throttle control adapts engine power and torque to application demands • Standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive • Transmission with torque converter eliminates need for an inching pedal • Drive system’s no-spin differential automatically unlocks in the turn to eliminate required operator input • Standard drawbar circle moldboard includes hardened circle teeth and replaceable wear inserts

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J OB S I T E S OL U T I O N S

CTL HELPS LAND IMPROVEMENT COMPANY Conserve Business Growth

Over 18 years, K&D Land Improvement’s services have expanded to all types of work, including land and water conservation; field tile repair; septic and sewer work and demolition (pictured here).

K&D Land Improvement has built its business around compact equipment and attachments.

Bobcat Co.

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or Iowa contractor Dan Hansen, a love of the land was strong enough to motivate him and his wife to start K&D Land Improvement, a business largely focused on timber and prairie preservation. And even though the company provides a broad range of services, it is the conservation-focused work that Hansen enjoys most.

Hansen and wife Karen (the “K” in K&D Land Improvement) started the business in 2003. Over the next 18 years, K&D’s services expanded to land preservation and restoration, including tree and brush clearing for private landowners and the Department of Natural Resources; field tile repair; implementing water and soil conservation practices, such as saturated buffers and bioreactors; septic tank installation; demolition; street sweeping; and sewer work.

Although Hansen is committed to any project K&D takes on, the conservation work strikes a different chord. “I literally grew up in the woods not far from here,” he says, while working on a timber improvement job in his hometown of Lehigh, IA, where the business is based.

“We’ve found a niche being versatile, and services like sewer work are a necessity, but I’d

much rather be working in the timber. It’s who I am.”

BUILT TOUGH FOR TIMBER AND LAND CLEARING The Hansens have a son, Zach, who has been completing jobs with his dad full-time since graduating college; their two daughters are not part of the business.

“It’s just my wife and me and our son. You don’t get much smaller than that,” Hansen says.

“But we have nice equipment that truly is our livelihood. It’s my business; it’s my desk.

Hansen started out using a competitor’s skid-steer loader before developing a relationship with Capital City Equipment Co. He rented, then leased and eventually purchased a Bobcat 773 skid-steer loader. Now, the company has a T770 compact track loader (CTL), which is its 10th Bobcat loader, as well as an E63 compact excavator and MT50 mini track loader.

K&D’s services run the gamut of what Bobcat machines and their attachments can support, resulting in a fleet of 20 Bobcat attachments for the contractor’s three machines. The Hansens believe their root grapples are the most versatile attachments they own because they can be used for so many types of work.

In timber restoration and land clearing, the forestry cutter and application kit for the T770 has proven extremely efficient.

“The forestry cutter is perfect for this type of work,” Hansen says. “Safety and protection wise, you get the cab with the special door and windows and different guards... This is a really tough attachment doing work that can be brutal on a machine.”

Specific to the T770 loader’s size and strength, he adds, “We cannot have a big, heavy footprint on most of our sites, and for this class of machine, Bobcat is definitely the toughest.”

Hansen calls Bobcat engineers and dealer salespeople “understanding” when it comes to machine and attachment innovation, especially for his primary types of work. “They are continually updating and getting better,” he says, “but they ‘get’ my business and get what I need.”

Hansen realizes, however, that getting the most out of any machine requires a commitment from its owner and operator. As such, he is adamant about preventive maintenance on the equipment. “Considering the investment and how important they are to the business, you’ve got to take good care of them,” he emphasizes.

PRESERVING THE FUTURE K&D Land Improvement has earned a strong reputation in the area without formally advertising. In fact, it has a lot of repeat business, particularly related to timber improvement and restoration.

One landowner near the Brushy Creek State Recreation area in Lehigh has been hiring the company to help clear and maintain his land for 15 of K&D’s 18 years in business. Although the customer marks trees and brush to be removed, as a Natural Resources Conservation Service commissioner, Hansen can help select trees and brush to remove or keep based on state forester

Bobcat Co.

24 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

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standards. Karen, a conservationist for Webster County, IA, can help, as well.

Hansen appreciates the fact that many of his neighbors and customers care as much about the land as he and Karen do.

“I’m not a political guy but conservation is important,” he states. “We’ve got to pay attention to our natural resources and protect and preserve what we have. We can all do this together, but everyone needs to do their thing.” ET

Dan Hansen (right), who co-owns K&D Land Improvement with his wife Karen, has his son Zach (left) working alongside him on jobs.

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TE C H N OLOG Y T R EN D S | By Margaret Farmakis

Regulations to Know Before Starting a Drone Program Drone surveying is one of the most effective ways to upgrade your construction workflow, but it’s important to understand a few key laws and processes.

A key best practice is to always check the rules surrounding the airspace in which you intend to fly so you can conduct your flight without issue.

S

witching from traditional base and rover surveying to drone surveying is one of the most effective ways to upgrade your construction workflow, setting you and your team up to make better, datadriven decisions.

Drones are more efficient, shaving days or weeks off typical surveying time. Since today’s drones are cheaper and simpler to use, you’ll be able to capture on-site data more effectively without expensive surveying equipment. Drone imaging allows you to collect and analyze data whenever you need it and, with the right processing software and ground control, you can achieve survey-grade accuracy throughout your site.

One of the biggest perceived obstacles to starting a drone program is airspace and flight regulations. These regulations are actually easy to follow, and by understanding a few key laws and processes, you’ll be collecting survey-grade data with drones in no time.

To that end, this article will cover the following:

28 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

˜ What makes something a ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

drone Registering your drone Getting licensed to fly Licensing resources (study guides, where to take the test) Understanding where you can fly Airspace restrictions Special waivers

COMMERCIAL DRONE REGULATIONS A drone is a type of aircraft, albeit a tiny one. All unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs) are regulated by a country’s aviation authority, and rules around how, when and if you can fly differ by country.

Each country and region has different UAV rules and regulations, with Australia and the EU introducing new regulations in 2021. For locations in the Asia Pacific region, refer to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s guidelines.

In the United States, each drone must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the FAADroneZone website

(https://faadronezone.faa.gov), and every commercial drone operator must hold a current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (https://www.faa.gov/uas/ commercial_operators/). This certificate is for anyone who makes money by flying a drone, including survey teams and photographers, and is meant to ensure drone pilots have a basic understanding of what other commercial pilots are doing in the surrounding airspace.

The “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)” test to obtain the certificate is straightforward and involves a multiple-choice test with 60 questions centered around keywords and understanding a sectional chart, a specialized airspace map that doesn’t require GPS to be read. There are free practice tests online (https://bit. ly/3uTCzhX), as well as multiple study guides you can use along the way. To take the actual test, simply establish an FAA tracking number (https://bit.ly/3v0t6Wl) and schedule a test time on the FAA website. Once you pass, fill out the FAA Form 8710-13,

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obtain your certificate and renew every two years. (Access the full breakdown on how to become a drone pilot at https://bit. ly/3GVSnDk.) Licensees operate under the FAA’s Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule, which has two major tenets: a drone must be kept within the operator’s visual line-of-sight and below 400 ft. in altitude. These requirements can become difficult to follow when surveying large sites that may have dangerous topography or small spaces that are challenging for surveying teams to navigate.

Luckily, the FAA can grant Part 107 waivers to individual surveyors or surveying teams, allowing them to bypass these requirements. To apply for a Part 107 waiver (https://bit. ly/3rTwCQj), applicants simply include a full description of how they use their drone and how the pilot will comply with specific performance-based standards.

This waiver unlocks much more freedom in equipment use and is instrumental for larger construction sites.

A key best practice is to

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

All images courtesy Propeller Aero

Since today’s drones are cheaper and simpler to use than traditional surveying options, you’ll be able to capture on-site data more effectively without expensive surveying equipment.

Understanding whether the airspace in which you intend to fly is restricted is another important step before beginning a drone program. always check the rules surrounding the airspace in which you intend to fly (https://bit. ly/3LEi1Qw), so you can conduct your first flight without issue. Finally, keep in mind that these regulations will differ between countries, so make sure to stay informed on the latest restrictions in your region.

NAVIGATING RESTRICTED AIRSPACE Once you obtain the necessary license and comprehend national regulations, understanding whether the airspace in which you intend to fly is restricted is another important step before beginning a drone program.

Airspace is the portion of the sky that’s controlled by a country above its territory. In the U.S., airspace is divided into six classes, which indicate its use and restrictions. For example, airspace at or below 2,500 ft. near airports with control towers is Class D and it’s controlled, so you would need authorization before attempting to fly in this area.

Without getting into the many airspace nuances and allowances, make sure you stay vigilant for the following when assessing your construction site: ˜ If your site is near an airport or helipad ˜ If your site is near a military base ˜ If your site is in an urban environment If you discover the airspace you need to fly in is controlled, you’ll need to gain additional authorization, usually from the airport or military.

If you’re looking to fly near one of 500 participating airports, you can get authorization via the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) program, which will drastically cut down on the time spent waiting for authorization to fly drones in controlled airspace. All you need is to prove you’re operating within Part 107 regulations and flying under a certain height within a square mile of the airport, and you can get authorization immediately. You can obtain LAANC authorization through several

FAA-partnered companies and apps, like AirMap. Finally, if you’re using a DJI drone and have obtained a hardware unlock (which will tell the hardware of the drone it’s okay to fly) and an airspace authorization waiver such as the LAANC, you can use the DJI Fly Safe portal to streamline the process of requesting to unlock restricted airspace, especially if you often fly in these zones.

TAKING FLIGHT Navigating drone licenses and regulations might seem daunting at first, but the steps to reach your first flight are clearly laid out and the restrictions are straightforward. With your remote pilot license and a knowledge

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of the space in which you’ll be flying, you and your team can confidently take to the skies to obtain survey-grade site data in a fraction of the time. ET Margaret Farmakis is the vice president of customer solutions for Propeller Aero.

If you’re using a DJI drone and have obtained a hardware unlock (which will tell the hardware of the drone it’s okay to fly) and airspace authorization waiver such as the LAANC, you can use the DJI Fly Safe portal to streamline the process of requesting to unlock restricted airspace, especially if you often fly in these zones.

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TE C H N OLOG Y T R EN D S | By Larry Trojak

Concrete Contractor Forms Advantage with ROBOTIC SURVEYING Contractor benefits from robotic total station on a $400 million research center expansion project.

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rlando, FL-based Universal Forming, Inc. (UFI) offers a wealth of services ranging from preconstruction to formwork to complete concrete structures.

While the formwork facet of the job has long relied upon total station technology, the company recently upped its game with the addition of a robotic solution.

The decision fits perfectly into Bill Nagele’s penchant for getting better results while minimizing manpower-intensive efforts and reducing the risk of error. That’s a key reason his company relied heavily on a Topcon robotic total station on the recent $400 million expansion of the Moffitt Cancer Research Center in Tampa.

FOCUS ON PRODUCTIVITY UFI was formed in 2005 when Nagele and Todd Volheim decided to combine their 40 years of successful concrete construction experience and establish a company that could expertly build and provide construction management of large, complex concrete structures.

Today, the company employs more than 400 people, has weathered downturns that others couldn’t and has established itself as one of the leading concrete structure builders in the state of Florida.

“I own the company, but at heart, I am a production person and always have been,” says Nagele. “When I was younger, I would watch guys work and instantly spot ways in which they could improve their efforts.

If they were putting two nails per foot, I could see that putting one nail every 10 in. could save time without forsaking quality. And I think that’s why we’ve been successful as a company; we

ABOVE: Getting better results while minimizing manpower was a key reason UFI used a Topcon robotic total station on the $400 million expansion of the Moffitt Cancer Research Center.

LEFT: While construction survey/layout efforts have traditionally been a two-person operation, robotic total stations have opened the door to those tasks being performed by a single individual.

are far more productive than our competition.”

That focus on productivity extends to Nagele’s choice of

30 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

instrumentation used for layout.

He notes that he’s been doing work of this type since he was 15 years old starting out with

a Wild T-1 theodolite, and has seen an impressive evolution of survey technology along the way.

His survey gear preference leans toward those that can provide the accuracies demanded on the jobsite but are easy for his crews to understand. That’s what led him to Topcon.

“I liked the fact that Topcon solutions were designed for simple operation, which meant I could easily train my staff,” he says. “That helped us really get going in the early days.

Once we got into it, however,

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we went full bore into total stations, then added a prism-less capability. As a company, we evolved right along with the technology.”

RESISTANCE TO CHANGE That evolution hit something of a speed bump when robotics entered the scene as a means to further enhance total station performance. While many of UFI’s younger and more tech savvy personnel embraced the technology and saw the benefits it could provide, a good many of the

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

ABOVE: UFI is responsible for creating the shell for the structure. In that capacity, surveyors appreciated the speed and ease of use of the Topcon GT-503V robotic total station.

LEFT: The robotic total station takes some of the heavy reliance on math skills out of the equation, broadening the labor pool.

“seasoned” crew members were resistant — and remain so to this day, says Nagele.

“It’s a tough sell to a person who will not even use the simplest of data collectors,” he comments. “What I see as streamlining the workflow, they see as threatening to take their jobs away. However, I currently have a little more than half of my people embracing the solution and that number will continue to climb as the older personnel retire.”

Because Florida is such a transient state, getting workers to buy into construction as a career is challenging enough.

Getting people who are capable of tackling some of the math associated with layout is another matter entirely.

“The robotic unit takes some

of that heavy reliance on math skills out of the equation, broadening the labor pool for us,” Nagele points out. “And the simplicity of the solution makes it much easier to train a person in layout work. The ones who use this robotic total station on a regular basis swear by it. Unlike the older crew members, there’s no need to convince them of its value.”

FAST, EFFICIENT SOLO SOLUTION Dave Yanna, one of UFI’s layout/survey technicians, got his training with the U.S. Forest Service in Michigan before entering the private sector in 1986. Since then, his life has revolved around layout work for building construction.

Yanna’s most recent layout effort was at the Moffitt

expansion project where UFI is responsible for creating the shell for the structure. In that capacity, he appreciated the advantages of the Topcon GT-503V robotic total station.

“The biggest and most obvious benefit is the speed of the gun,” he says. “I’ve used many other total stations over the years and this, by far, is the fastest. Even when I’ve been several floors below the instrument and laying out for the adjacent power plant building, it tracks me and holds me better than anything I’ve ever used. And should something come between me and the gun, it quickly reacquires my prism and resumes tracking.”

While construction survey/ layout efforts have traditionally been a two-person operation,

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the advent of robotic total stations has opened the door to those tasks being performed by a single individual in many cases. Yanna does occasionally work alongside another person but sees working alone as far more efficient.

“Bill has asked me in the past if I needed a helper and I said I’d take one if I had to, but I really don’t need anyone else,” Yanna comments. “On this Moffitt job, working alone with the robot, I am placing hundreds of points on each floor.

I am doing things faster, better and more accurately than if I was working with someone on the other end of a radio telling them to go left 1 ft., right 6 in. and so on. I have all the [information] right on my data collector, so as fast as I can move, I can mark a point.”

And although other trades such as plumbers and electricians still have to gather their own layout points for water lines, waste and gas lines, pass-throughs, etc., they are doing it based off Yanna’s control points, resulting in a savings to them, as well.

“I love the robotic approach because I tend to know exactly what I want to stake and where I want to do it,” Yanna says. “If I have a rodman who’s not in tune to the project, there will be a delay. And because many facets of this job are repetitious, I

can often put the rod down and be within an inch of where I need, which is much faster than explaining to someone what needs to be done, then doing it.

“In fact, if I had a helper right now, the only help he would provide is carrying my gear up six stories,” he adds.

“For me, this is the only way to work.”

MORE EFFECTIVE TEAMWORK It’s important to note that while some of UFI’s people, like Yanna, function well as a solo act, there is just as much value to be derived when the robotic solution is used as part of a team effort.

“One-person crews are great from a layout perspective, but our work is about more than just shooting forms,” says Nagele.

“There are elevations, inbed locations and so on that have to be done. So, in those cases, we still utilize a team — but it is a far more efficient team with the robot.

“When robotic total stations first hit the market, I was admittedly skeptical,” he acknowledges. “However, once I saw the accuracies the GT-503V could get us, I was totally on board with the solution. In this business, if you lag behind, you’re left behind. And lagging behind anything has never been an option for me.” ET

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TE C H N OLOG Y T R EN D S | By Becky Schultz

Can a Fully Electric Construction Site BECOME A REALITY? W

hether you accept the potential role jobsite electrification could play in climate change mitigation or not, electric power is headed to a jobsite near you in one form or another, and is expected to continue to be an increasingly larger part of construction’s future. But to what degree it will be fully implemented in the U.S. is uncertain.

“Electrification is coming,” stated Carl Gustaf Goransson, a corporate senior advisor and former CNH Industrial executive, in a panel discussion hosted in early February by Ritchie Bros. He cited production models introduced in 2021 that are already in operation globally.

KATO-CES

Companies such as Kato-CES led the charge toward electrification with the first nontethered battery-electric machines.

“Machines are going to market and they are operating very well — good feedback from the customers, and they know they’re meeting the regulations that are coming more and more.”

Chris Sleight, managing director, Off-Highway Research, agreed, noting, “We’ve had a year of electric machines actually genuinely being available on the market. Call me cynical, but there is a big difference between walking around bauma or CONEXPO and seeing [units] on display. But we’re genuinely seeing them in the market now.

“The numbers are small,” he acknowledged. “You’re talking about a global market of about 1.1 million to 1.2 million machines per year worldwide, and the number of electric machines sold in the world last year is at best 1,000 to 2,000.”

But that could change rapidly.

“The expected pace of electrified equipment in numbers is… not a huge thing,” Goransson said.

“But I think it’s going to be.”

A recent report by IDTechEX (www.ForConstructionPros. com/22119110) corroborates this, forecasting the global electric construction equipment market to grow to $105 billion by 2042. It notes that because construction equipment represents roughly 1.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it has drawn growing scrutiny in many countries. This scrutiny is already leading to regulatory changes in some regions targeted at decarbonization of non-road mobile machinery.

STARTING OUT SMALL Of course, battery-electric power has been a solution for specific construction product segments (e.g., aerial lifts) for a number of years, but movement into other machine types has proven slow given the added complexities involved. Change frequently must start small and

32 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

such has been the case with broader adoption of electrification.

Though there were early efforts in diesel-electric technology in full-size machines — for example, Caterpillar’s D7E diesel-electric tracktype tractor and Komatsu’s Hybrid hydraulic excavators — the first batteryelectric production models emerged in the compact equipment segment. With their lighter duty cycles, machines such as mini-excavators and compact wheel loaders have proven far more practical targets for battery-electric power.

Companies such as KatoCES, which specializes in compact equipment, led the charge, so to speak, with the first non-tethered battery-electric machines. But it wasn’t until Volvo Construction Equipment made a surprise announcement in early 2019 that it would end new diesel engine-based development in its compact equipment lineup in favor of battery-electric power that the industry really took notice, with the drive toward electrification taking a firmer hold.

Volvo began North American sales of its first two battery-electric models — a mini-excavator and compact wheel loader — in late summer 2020, with units appearing on jobsites starting in the first half of 2021. The company has since announced three

ACBM staff

Electrification in construction equipment is expected to grow globally, but barriers to larger implementation on jobsites exist.

The 580 EV (Electric Vehicle) from CASE Construction Equipment was the construction industry’s first fully electric backhoe-loader.

additions to its electric-powered compact offering, with production on these models starting in Q2 2022.

IGNITING THE SPARK IN HEAVY EQUIPMENT While compact equipment was the first to reach the production stage, heavy equipment isn’t as far behind as you might think.

Concepts and prototypes have been shown in abundance over the past handful of years, with select models already moving beyond research and development into the test phase in real-world conditions.

There have even been a handful of production models introduced over the last two years. For example, Case Construction Equipment premiered a production version of the 580 EV, the “first fully electric backhoe-loader,” at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020.

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Moving even further up in size classes, Liebherr introduced “unplugged” versions of select crawler crane models, including the 220-ton-capacity LR 1200.1, as well as the 55-ton LB 16 drilling rig, both of which are capable of several hours of operation solely on battery power.

As electric power continues to move up into higher utilization/higher duty cycle machine types, far greater power density will be required. IDTechEX estimates the “arduous duty cycles” of heavy-duty machines over 20 tonnes will require more than 300 kWh of energy to deliver a full eight-hour workday. The current limitations in battery technologies mean sizable battery packs will be needed to meet this demand. Their higher cost, onboard space requirements and long charging times may hinder speedier product development in larger machine size classes.

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

ACBM staff

Manufacturers such as Bobcat are moving toward all-electric machine designs that eliminate the traditional hydraulic system. Bobcat showed this concept at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 and has since launched a production version as the T7X compact track loader early in 2022.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has emerged as a potential solution. While the technology comes with its own set of challenges, it has the capability to deliver the power densities required for many forms of heavy utilization machine forms on the jobsite. (“Large Machinery OEMs Explore Hydrogen Future”, www.ForConstructionPros. com/21940605)

COST AND DURABILITY ARE CRITICAL Though an all-electric jobsite is becoming more plausible, the U.S. construction industry is nowhere near reaching that point just yet. There are still too many variables, and questions, that must be addressed.

“Critical to the deployment of electric machines will be the total cost of ownership,” wrote IDTechEX in an excerpt of its report “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2022-24”.

“There is a premium on electric machines over diesel, primarily related to the cost of the large battery packs.”

The global market research firm goes on to note that while the savings in maintenance and fuel costs of an electric miniexcavator could be sufficient to offset the price difference vs. diesel, the costs of electrification of larger machines “likely remains prohibitive, and OEMs will need significant regulatory and financial support to promote uptake.”

Then there’s the question of residual value vs. traditional diesel models. When asked during the Ritchie Bros. panel discussion whether electric equipment will be able to retain its value three years from now, Sleight responded, “I think the answer is ask me in five years.”

Sleight cited battery life as a critical factor. “I think there are concerns about the long-term durability of the batteries,” he stated, pointing to the all-toocommon experience of having a battery in a mobile phone or tablet go out after so many charging cycles. Yet, he also cited advantages on the lifecycle cost front.

“You’re starting to get

ACBM staff

Volvo Construction Equipment

Gehl’s concept 165E electric compact skid-steer loader, featured at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, incorporates 12 removable battery packs, weighing 48 lbs. each, which can be easily removed, replaced and recharged as needed.

Volvo began North American sales of its first two battery-electric models in August 2020, with units appearing on jobsites starting in the first half of 2021.

manufacturers that have a fully electric machine — from battery to [electric] drive motors for the tracks, to electric actuators for the boom or the bucket,” Sleight pointed out. “The maintenance problems that you get with [diesel-powered] machines are burst hoses, something blown in the engine or an injector has dropped into the cylinder... [With all-electric], you have a much, much smaller component count to get the power to where it’s needed.”

A fully electric machine doesn’t require a circuit of highpressure hoses, and there is far less fluid to monitor and fill, or filters to replace. “A lot of that goes away,” said Sleight. “From that point of view, if there’s less to maintain on a machine, there’s less to go wrong. So the residual values should be strong, I would think.”

But only time and experience will determine where residual values will actually land.

CHARGING TIME AND AVAILABILITY Also a concern with batteryelectric equipment is charging time and charging infrastructure, particularly for machines used in remote areas with limited or no access to the power grid.

“My suspicion about a lot of these electric machines is that overnight they may be charged on a diesel generator which, if you have to do it, fine, but that’s not really seeing the big picture,” Sleight commented.

He noted that swappable

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battery technology is being used as the solution in certain applications, including in an electric asphalt paver developed for a Dutch contractor. When the current battery charge is depleted, the battery can be switched out with a fully charged replacement in minutes. Though there is added cost in acquiring multiple batteries, the solution can help to eliminate the cost of chargingrelated downtime on a project.

“The big problem is charging time and availability,” Sleight continued. “If you take the battery out and put a fresh one in, that deals with one of the big, big problems around electric equipment.”

Other solutions to extend both battery life and provide access to further charging solutions are currently under development. (Turn to page 34 for further insight.)

MORE INCENTIVES REQUIRED Perhaps the biggest barrier to an electric jobsite is the lack of incentive, and sense of urgency, present for contractors in this U.S. Whereas other countries are actively committing to a net-zero carbon future, the U.S. has yet to move fully in that direction. Until that occurs, regulations prompting increasing electrification are unlikely to emerge outside of select project requirements, community restrictions and/or state regulations.

Then there’s cost. The premium price associated with electric equipment will gradually diminish as sales volumes increase, but current pricing is restrictive for many construction firms.

Until the economies of scale kick

in, growth in adoption of electric machines is likely to remain slow for the foreseeable future, concentrated among those companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint or those needing to meet specific project restrictions.

Yet, incentives do exist. As previously noted, there are potential life-cycle cost savings to be gained with electric, especially as fuel and fluid costs climb and parts availability and pricing under ongoing supply chain restrictions remain uncertain.

And though greenhouse gas emissions remain the primary force behind the move to electrification in many global regions, IDTechEx argues there are other drivers to support it, including health and safety concerns centered around diesel engines in use on construction sites.

“Electric machines are significantly quieter, offering the potential for improved communication, safety and productivity on site, while reducing the inconvenience of noise pollution for the surrounding area,” IDTechEX points out. “The elimination of toxic exhaust emissions could improve air quality on jobsites and in the surrounding vicinity, improving the work environment for construction workers.”

That said, the dichotomy that currently exists between value and cost is likely to keep electrification’s position in the U.S. construction industry unclear, at least for the near term. But there’s no denying that we will continue to see and hear more about the technology, with a growing number of electrified production models sure to be in construction’s future. ET

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TE C H N OLOG Y T R EN D S | By Curt Bennink

Charging Strategy Required for BATTERY-ELECTRIC MACHINES You need to change strategies and plan ahead when moving to battery-electric construction equipment.

B

attery-Electric Vehicles (BEV) promise many benefits in construction, including reduced exhaust and noise emissions and simplified maintenance. The popularity of battery-electric powertrains continues to gain traction as mainstream suppliers such as

source available. It is also worth noting that most machines cannot be used while the battery is being charged.

CONSIDER CHARGING OPTIONS Volvo, Bobcat, JCB and others continue to add battery-powered compact machine offerings.

To benefit from electrified machinery, however, you really need to understand the impact of battery charging strategies.

Unlike conventional equipment, you will need to rethink your

“refueling” strategies to prevent unintended downtime.

While diesel-powered machines can be quickly refueled within minutes at any point in the day, battery-electric machines take time to charge. This time varies depending upon the type of charging device and the power

Your charging solution will be largely influenced by the power source available on the jobsite.

Many BEVs offer a choice of single- or three-phase charging. There are key differences.

With single phase, power flows through a single conductor, while three phase flows through

three conductors. This means three-phase charging allows a higher charging capacity than the single-phase — almost three times. Most U.S. households are powered by single-phase electricity, with two hot wires each carrying 120 volts and a ground wire. The two hot wires produce a total of 240 volts for heavy appliances.

Available charging options can currently be divided into three different levels: ˜ Level 1 utilizes the standard

Volvo Construction Equipment recommends a Level 2 AC charging setup using an SAE J1772 charging adapter or J plug for its electric machines. While a common household 12-volt outlet will work, it will take longer.

Volvo Construction Equipment

34 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

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TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

KATO-CES

KATO-CES electric excavators feature an eight-hour run time with a charge time of eight to 12 hours. They can be charged overnight and provide the full eight hours back the next day.

a major impact on the charging rate. For example, a 32-amp circuit would allow nearly a 7-kW charge rate. If you need to charge faster, a three-phase charging circuit would charge at triple the rate.

Of course, there are other considerations when choosing a charger. Maybe one of the most important is that you cannot exceed the charging capacity of the battery itself.

Charging time to fully top off a battery depends on the charging rate of the charger utilized, as well as the charge state of the battery itself. Consider the case of a 60-kW battery. If this battery was completely discharged and you hooked it up to a 6-kWh charger, it would take 10 hours for a full charge.

Rarely will you actually run a battery completely down before charging. The life of lithium-ion batteries can be extended if they are not always fully discharged and recharged.

2 AC charging setup using an SAE J1772 charging adapter or J plug for its electric machines.

While a common household 120-volt outlet will work, it will take longer.

“To have an optimal charging time for the machines, it’s strongly recommended to have a 240-volt, Level 2 AC setup — the same as for electric cars,” says Lars Arnold, product manager electromobility, Volvo Construction Equipment. “This is because on the L25, for example, charging time would take approximately 24 hours on a

“To have an optimal charging time for the machines, it’s strongly recommended to have a 240-volt, Level 2 AC setup — the same as for electric cars.”

— Lars Arnold, Volvo

For off-grid applications, Volvo Construction Equipment offers a Beam solar fast charger that has its own battery pack. The charging time of this setup is the same as on the 240-volt, Level 2 AC setup, which is six hours on the ECR25 and 12 hours for the L25.

CONSIDER CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE Volvo Construction Equipment is a leader in the BEV market with five compact, battery-powered construction options in its lineup, including the L20 Electric and L25 Electric wheel loaders, and the ECR18 Electric, E18 Electric and ECR25 Electric compact excavators. Volvo recommends a Level

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Volvo Construction Equipment

grounded 120-volt AC outlet, which can be found virtually anywhere. This also provides the slowest rate of charge. ˜ The Level 2 charger uses a 240-volt AC outlet. It offers twice the charge rate of a Level 1 charger. ˜ A Level 3 fast charger uses DC current rather than alternating household current. It charges through a high-power 480-volt plug often hooked up directly to the electrical grid.

The method of charging will affect battery life. According to Volvo Construction Equipment, the best for maximizing battery life is AC Level 2 charging, which is slow charging compared to DC rapid charging. But the best choice will depend on customer needs.

The available volts, amps and watts help determine the charging speed. Most power outlets have a standard potential of 240 volts. Amperage is the measure of the actual flow of electrical current through the cables. Watts is the electrical power, and it is defined by multiplying the volts and the amperage.

Consider the case of a standard 240-volt, single-phase electrical socket with 10-amp capability. This would allow you to charge 240 volts times 10 amps, which equals a 2.4kW charging rate. Increasing the amperage of the circuit can have

common 120-volt household network. We highly recommend customers be prepared with a 240-volt, 32-amp charging infrastructure to accommodate electric Volvo construction equipment. This will reduce charging time to six hours vs. 12 hours on the 120-volt outlet.”

Volvo reports that it takes six hours to charge its ECR25 Electric excavator from empty to full and 12 hours to charge the L25 wheel loader from empty to full with the 240-volt Level 2 charging setup. With this setup, which comes along with the machines, the L25 Electric loader takes 9.5 hours and the L20 Electric loader takes four hours to charge to a level of 80%. The ECR25 excavator takes six hours to charge to a level of 80%. The ECR18 excavator takes under five hours and the EC18 takes about six hours to charge to a level of 100%.

On a common 120-volt household outlet, it would take 12 hours to charge the ECR25 Electric excavator from empty to full and 24 hours to charge the L25 wheel loader from empty to full. The difference between the electric wheel loader and the electric excavator is that the ECR25 excavator has three batteries while the L25 wheel loader has six.

An off-board DC charger is available for customers who need to rapidly recharge the machine on site. With the fast-charge options, the ECR25 can be at

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TE C H N OLOG Y T R EN D S Volvo Construction Equipment

The popularity of battery-electric powertrains continues to gain traction.

But to benefit from electrified machinery, you need to understand the impact of battery charging strategies.

80% power within one hour of charge time, and the L25 within two hours of charge time.

offers a Beam solar fast charger that has its own battery pack, allowing you to charge totally off the grid. The charging time OFF-THE-GRID CHARGING of this setup is the same as on CAPABILITY the 240-volt, Level 2 AC setup, For off-grid applications, which is six hours on the ECR25 Volvo Construction Equipment and 12 hours for the L25. “[This] is an off-grid, noconnection, free-standing solar charger that has a battery similar to the size of the one inside the L25,” says Arnold. “A nice benefit is that the solar panels are always at the correct angle because We’re proud that Dominion Rubber Tracks are the they follow the movement of the sun.”

Volvo is also working on a Benning DC rapid charger that will be able to charge the ECR25 excavator from empty to full in one hour and the DEPPARTS.COM 800-365-7260 L25 loader from empty to full in

ARE YOU IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT TRACKS? #1 SELLING RUBBER TRACK BRAND IN AMERICA!

36 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

two hours. This charging system would require a 480-volt, threephase power grid.

“It charges the 48V batteries direct with 48 volts and up to 360 amps,” notes Arnold. “As a result, the charging times are dramatically reduced. This unit isn’t off-grid, though, so it would need to be wired into a 480volt, three-phase power grid at the location where you want to charge.”

KATO-CES currently offers two battery-electric models, the 9VXB battery mini-excavator with a 5-ft. 2-in. digging depth and a bucket force of 2,360 lbs., and the 17VXB battery mini-excavator with a 7-ft. digging depth and a bucket force of 3,687 lbs. “Both machines are lithium-ion battery powered,” says Bart DeHaven, national sales rep, KATO-CES. “They feature an eight-hour run time with a charge time of eight to 12 hours, so they charge overnight... and they get the full eight hours back the next day.”

There is a quicker option available. “For a little more money, you can buy a fast charger,” says DeHaven. “You can fast charge the machine in about two and a half or three hours and get another eight hours out of the machine as far as the run time goes.”

KATO-CES supplies a specialty charger for each model, which is specific to that machine. “The only thing that we have run into is it is a 110volt outlet, but it requires 20 amps. That’s been a little bit of a learning curve. It does require that heavier amperage to charge it,” DeHaven acknowledges.

“The sales team has to explain to the rental house or the customer buying the machine what is going to be required to charge the machine.”

Another consideration is machine design. There can be parasitic loads associated with the electronic control unit or telematics devices that can discharge the battery over time.

“You cannot let it sit for two or three months and not charge it,” says DeHaven.

PLAN AHEAD TO ENSURE UPTIME The worst-case scenario with an electric machine would be the realization that the battery doesn’t have enough charge to complete the task, which would

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result in downtime to charge the machine. A little advance planning can minimize unnecessary downtime.

Simple solutions include plugging the machine in during breaks in operation throughout the day, such as when it isn’t being utilized for a task or during the lunch break. Since the batteries have no memory effect, this does not harm the battery and can allow you to work through the rest of the shift and into the evening if necessary.

“As for when to charge, this takes a bit of a change in mindset,” Arnold states. “These machines can perform on one charge for four to six hours during a typical application like utility work, but if they’re used in harsher environments, they may require a quick charge over lunch to ensure they are ready to go for the afternoon. Some additional planning on when you use the machine may be needed, but the early adopters who are already using these machines are finding success with this approach.”

Volvo is developing an Electric Machine Management Application to provide real-time insight into a single or entire fleet of electric machines. This web application helps you manage the charging process more efficiently by tracking battery status and machine location.

Customizable alerts notify you when the charge reaches a userdetermined preset level. You can keep track of the remaining battery level and estimated working hours. This can help you make informed decisions about machine availability.

You should also consider the jobsite environment with the realization that wet, muddy jobsites and electric charging devices need to be treated with respect. There are precautions that should be considered when charging electric machines.

“You have electricity going to something and it’s sitting outside in the rain, sleet, snow,” says DeHaven. The worker goes out to unplug it and maybe somebody has run over the cord. “You want to keep them in a decent environment.”

Electric construction machinery is a promising solution on many jobsites. However, contractors need to be aware of the fleet management differences and adjust accordingly. ET

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Products

Skyward Mapping & Modeling with Pix4D Skyward Mapping & Modeling, powered by Pix4D, enables customers to create, view, measure and export 2D orthomosaic maps and 3D photogrammetric models right from Skyward’s web app.

• Plan flights, receive approval to fly in controlled airspace with LAANC, fly with Skyward’s InFlight ground control station and process data using Pix4D from within the Skyward platform • Provides access to business-ready data sets through a seamless plan, fly, process workflow

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AGTEK SmartDirt RTK The SmartDirt RTK app turns Apple or Android phones or tablets into GPS/GNSS receivers for on-site grade checking, drone/UAV ground control point set out and site data collection.

• Allows users to know where they are in relation to plan sheets, cut/fill maps, satellite images and street maps • Can determine the volume of a stockpile, find the daylight line between cut and fill and calculate balanced regions in the field • Records site details with RTK accuracy and uses the camera on mobile devices to record site progress • Provides drone/UAV workflow support, as well as high-accuracy positioning with no need for a base station

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Topcon GTL-1200 Scanning Robotic Total Station The GTL-1200 combines the power of a robotic total station with a laser scanner (LIDAR), enabling users to perform digital layout and capture high-resolution 3D scans, all with a single setup.

• Provides near real-time construction verification and documentation • Features improved scanning resolution and adds WiFi capability to enable wireless data transfer to field controller software • Workflow includes seamless integration with ClearEdge3D software for as-built and advanced construction QA workflows • Collage Site offers field-centric workflows that eliminate extra data management steps traditionally performed in the office

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Leica FieldGenius for Construction Inspection FieldGenius for Construction Inspection increases efficiency and accuracy of daily work reporting in civil engineering infrastructure projects by streamlining how survey data is collected and reported.

• Project data collected with any of the company’s compatible GNSS rovers • Data recorded in the app, which automatically associates project item information with survey data collected • Inspection file can be exported and uploads directly into the Appia construction management service • Enables stakeless job inspections as well as as-built verification for ongoing maintenance and design

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Kapro ProLaser 842 Bambino Cross Laser Level Series

Trimble TSC5 Field Data Controller

HCSS Aerial for Heavy Civil Contractors

The TSC5 Controller utilizes an Android 10 operating system and features a 5-in. screen, keypad and all-day battery for reliable field data collection.

• Ergonomic, lightweight, easy to grip design plus is resistant to shock, dust and water • Brightly lit, anti-glare screen and backlit alphanumeric keypad enable fast, efficient operation in tough conditions, even while wearing gloves • Battery provides all-day power on a single charge, with optional removable battery doubling the power for extended use • Fully integrated with the company’s land and construction surveying instruments and software packages

The latest version of the HCSS Aerial drone-based data analytics platform contains design visualization and digital inspection enhancements.

• Displays designs on the model as 2D clamped to the ground • Image Duplication Detection and Validations ensures uploaded image set doesn’t contain duplicates, analyzes location data and time of capture and warns if images do not have complete GPS information • Ground Control Points cannot be set as a checkpoint if it is not marked on at least two different images • Auto geo-referencing models now support RTK flights

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The 842 ProLaser Bambino Cross Laser Level series is based on the heavy-duty 872 ProLaser PLUS Cross Laser Level and incorporates many of its features.

• Include intersecting horizontal and vertical beams at 90° and feature an indoor laser range of up to 50 ft.

• Accuracy of 0.0004”/1” and self-leveling range of +/- 3° • Manual mode for angular layout/marking with a visual “out of level” warning • Flexible omni-set tripod for mounting and attaching the levels to virtually any surface • Available in red (842S) and green (842GS) versions

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Microdrones mdLiDAR1000LR mdLiDAR1000LR is a fully integrated system for producing 3D point clouds optimized for land surveying, construction and other applications.

• Combines a drone, LiDAR payload, fully integrated LiDAR processing and photogrammetry software workflow • Improved image acquisition configured to match the laser scanner field of view • Compatible with streamlined point cloud colorization and FORMap data processing modules within the mdInfinity platform • GE industrial drone line brings 10% increased motor efficiency, LED light rings for enhanced visibility and a ground collision avoidance feature

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Sokkia iX-1200 and iX-600 Total Stations The iX-1200 and iX-600 total stations are professionallevel positioning tools for survey and layout in the building construction and infrastructure trades.

• Engineered for integration with field controllers, software and GNSS receivers • UltraTrac technology combines optical sensing and ultrasonic motors to help users stay locked onto the prism • RC-PR5A remote controller option used on the prism pole allows user to quickly and simply reestablish connection between prism and total station • Optional Hybrid Positioning technology upgrade

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Propeller PPK This turnkey processing solution harmonizes hardware and software to minimize time in the field for surveyors, reduce drone photogrammetry to drag and drop and make earthworks more accurate.

• AeroPoints eliminate need for complex surveying equipment • Survey using one of the company’s approved drones • Team of GIS experts analyze captured data sets • Accuracy report for each data set provides total transparency on survey-grade accuracy

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PRO FI T M AT T E R S | Larry Stewart

Grade Control Launched Contractor into DATA CENTER MEGAPROJECT Aldridge Electric cut its surveying costs in half with its first investment in GPS grade control on a 1 million-sq.-ft. data center project.

F

amily-owned electrical contractor Aldridge Electric cut its surveying costs in half with its first investment in GPS grade control on a 1 million-sq.-ft. data center project. Aldridge was initially contracted to install the main underground utilities for both telecommunications and power, along with an on-site substation, for the first phase of the new Dekalb Data Center’s 500acre campus. The work included fabricating and installing 60,000 linear feet of cable, 100,000 linear feet of duct bank, 1.2 million feet of conduit and 225 manholes that link the substation and the data center.

Aldridge created a connected, technology-enabled planning, design, fabrication and installation workflow that seamlessly plugs into the larger project’s conceptto-construction workflows. This integration helped to win multiple contracts on this campus.

Building information modeling (BIM), modular prefabrication and the use of five machines equipped with 3D grade control made up Aldridge’s arsenal.

NEW GRADE CONTROL PARADIGM “Before this project, we did not have even the GNSS survey equipment,” says Jeff Buckley, director of PreFab/BIM at Aldridge. “So, we went into this project full bore. We bought survey equipment and outfitted excavators with it.”

Aldridge initially purchased two Trimble Earthworks grade control platforms for excavators.

Soon after, the company added three more Earthworks systems, two for more excavators and one for a dozer.

“We set the excavators up with Trimble units so [operators]

would be able to visibly see their dig on a screen inside of their cab,” says Buckley. “The excavators are set up with the same surveying unit that a surveyor with a stick would be using in the field. So, that machine shows them the location they’re digging through; they know the path.”

The equipment is helping to eliminate a surveyor climbing in and out of trenches and excavations, or even hanging over the side of embankments to get the right shots.

There’s a BIM team designated to the project, and Devin White, BIM coordinator, manages details so elements from Aldridge’s PreFab department align and the job runs smoothly.

Aldridge provided a full 3D model with clash detection, working with the project’s engineers. Ongoing designs were signed off in the coordination model, from which Aldridge personnel could then export the appropriate elements. “We broke that out for our prefab scope, and then Devin provided the Trimble modeling inside Trimble Business Center for all the machine grade control systems,” says Buckley.

“Setting up the models for grade control is pretty straightforward,” White comments.

“The operators, many of them first-time users of grade control, really like the technology because they can see what they’re going to be digging and what it’s going to look like, and the machine keeps them positioned accurately. They don’t need a surveyor every time they put a bucket down. We have one excavator without grade control and nobody wants to use it.”

Earthworks models are used to represent the exact locations

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of structures, the duct bank and utilities, so the machine operators always know exactly what they need to do. “This made our excavator operators more efficient and reduced rework while reducing emissions and fuel,” says Buckley. “With GNSS, our crews could install objects to within a half-inch tolerance.”

To streamline work on the massive project, the site was broken into phases and survey control points were set throughout the site.

“We had two surveyors on site during peak construction, but usually have just one, and that’s largely thanks to the use of GNSS-enabled equipment,” says Buckley. “We are able to do more with less of the surveyors out there holding a rod.

“We don’t have to have a fulltime surveyor sitting there with the excavator shooting surveys.

The excavators can actually do it themselves,” he continues. “We give them initial layouts, they dig and then we have a surveyor come back and shoot the final.

“The site work is so accurate that the general contractor often looked to us to verify work completed by other contractors. That was a big confidence builder for us, knowing the new program we learned for this project provides value beyond our own scope of work,” he adds.

According to Buckley, Aldridge is looking at this project as a blueprint for what future data centers will look like for this client. As such, this work is “leading the charge” for the company.

BIM CRUCIAL TO PREFABRICATION Aldridge’s success with prefab has been one of its competitive

Building information modeling, modular prefabrication and a suite of 3D grade controls for four of its machines equipped Aldridge Electric to do the work on the new Dekalb Data Center project. advantages in continuing to be selected to work alongside other contractors on the Dekalb Data Center campus. Designing, fabricating and installing millions of feet of cable, conduit and manholes requires considerable planning, coordination and collaboration to keep the project safe and on time.

Prefabrication plays such a big role in Aldridge’s work on the project that there’s no way it could be completed on schedule without BIM. Along with clash detection and collaborating with all the project partners, the BIM team’s construction background is critical to understanding the sequencing of work, developing a bill of materials to use on bulk material purchases and identifying prefabrication opportunities.

“We tie our BIM group with our PreFab group because they do lean heavily on each other,” says Buckley. “All the clash detection between the other trades is done inside the 3D model so that we know what we’re going to build isn’t going to be in conflict with anybody else’s work. Then we can release it for fabrication.

“There were a few things in this project that were very repetitive. We were working with a very tight schedule, so being able to prebuild duct bank sections

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while prepping the site allowed us to just set our packages in place, when those areas were available, utilizing the Trimble units for layout,” he continues. “We knew how it was going to be installed and what it was going to look like to speed up the process.

“Once we get one installed, we might tweak it for the next portion of the work for a quicker install,” he adds.

White says project teams see clear advantages in production, attitude, quality and safety with the technology additions to Aldridge’s workflow. “There is no way we could have worked as fast and accurately without this technology. We likely would have had to quadruple our workforce to get the project done in the given timeline,” says Buckley.

The value of connected technologies, from BIM to grade control, was quickly proven on this data center job, and the workflow is translating to other Aldridge projects across the country.

Buckley sums it up: “Technology allows us to deliver a product that is not just built ‘as planned,’ but is delivered ‘as intended,’ often allowing us to make recommendations and deliver a final outcome that exceeds original expectations.” ET

PROFIT MAT TERS

All photos courtesy Trimble

ABOVE: The work is precise enough to require one full-time surveyor and another part-timer.

LEFT: Trimble Earthworks installed in excavator cabs shows the location of the bucket cutting edge relative to the design grade, improving excavation productivity and accuracy.

LOWER LEFT: Aldridge initially purchased two Trimble Earthworks grade control platforms for its excavators. Soon after, it added trhee more systems, two for excavators and one for a dozer.

BELOW: Sections of duct bank can be prefabricated while the trenches are being excavated, and design files on the excavators’ Earthworks systems simplify setting them accurately into place.

www.ForConstructionPros.com

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HATZ

FL E E T M AN AG E M E N T | By Alexis Sheprak

Hatz advises precisely following the maintenance schedule in the engine owner’s manual and adjusting the intervals if the engine is operating in harsh or unusual conditions.

Diesel Engine Maintenance Tips for Peak Performance Three engine manufacturers share their top service tips to maintain peak engine performance year round.

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here has been a major shift in the construction industry, with manufacturers making a push toward more electric and battery powered equipment in order to promote greener, cleaner operation. This electrification trend hasn’t missed the engine manufacturers, who have had to deal with a host of expanded fuel options and stringent emissions regulations that require new and evolved technologies.

The EU Stage V emissions standard is the most stringent

regulation to date for the offhighway equipment industry, while the U.S. is currently meeting Tier 4 Final standards. With new advanced engine technology comes new strategies as well as technologies available to help monitor their performance and manage proper service schedules.

These factors contribute to equipment users and business owners redefining maintenance and efficiencies within their operations for proper engine care. To assist in this process, we asked the engineering and

40 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

technical service teams at Hatz, as well as Andy Miller, Perkins service training manager, and Steve Nendick, marketing and communication director at Cummins, for their tips on engine maintenance, what to pay attention to in terms of cooling systems, the different fuel types, and more.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR TOP SERVICE TIPS FOR LARGER DIESEL ENGINES TO MAINTAIN PEAK PERFORMANCE YEAR ROUND? Hatz: Precisely follow the

maintenance schedule in the engine’s owner’s manual (including daily and weekly checks) and adjust the intervals as necessary if the engine is in harsh or unusual conditions. For example, if the engine is in a dusty environment, keep a close eye on the air filter. It may need to be changed more often than required by the engine manufacturer.

Be careful when power washing the equipment and engine.

Newer engines have a lot more electronic components that may

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be damaged by high-velocity water.

Make sure you are monitoring your diesel particulate filter (DPF) status and performing the requested regeneration. Don’t just keep overriding the warnings for a passive regeneration or your engine may stop running during a shift. If you cannot run a regeneration immediately upon the first warning, make sure someone runs an active regeneration at the end of the day.

If the engine is seeing a lot of idle time or low-load conditions, make sure you run the engine at full load for at least 30 minutes at the end of a shift to ensure the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is reaching the appropriate burnout temperatures.

Pay close attention to any error codes, or DTCs, and address them immediately by performing the proper maintenance or repair. It greatly helps to have the manufacturer-specific diagnostic tool and factory service training.

Cummins: Use the correct parts. Cummins genuine parts are now available on SmartEquip, making it easier to ensure you have the right parts for your engine to maintain your machine’s performance and productivity.

Following recommended maintenance schedules is critical to ensure that equipment provides optimum performance.

Poorly maintained machines will use more fuel for the same amount of work than a wellmaintained one. Preventive maintenance saves fuel costs and major repairs in the long term and maximizes the productivity and life of the engine.

Use the correct fuel, oil and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

Following the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure the correct fluids are used and kept at the required levels will ensure machine performance stays within its specification. Additional checks on tire air pressure and air filter cleanliness are also important for optimal operation and fuel efficiency.

Engine filters are becoming more technologically advanced to prevent harmful contaminants affecting the engine. They must meet the manufacturer’s approved standards to provide the quality of filtration necessary

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to achieve the engine’s design life. If other brands are substituted, there is a risk that the service intervals will be reduced and engine damage could occur.

Use Quickserve online. The website quickserve.cummins.com gives you access to all the service information for your Cummins engine simply by entering your serial number.

Perkins: As larger diesels tend to have higher load factors and operate longer hours, keeping the engine oil healthy is critical.

Scheduled Oil Sampling is highly recommended to be able to pinpoint when the oil is degrading to be able to change it at the right time. It is also important to select the correct grade and viscosity based on the conditions the engine will operate in.

Over the last 10 years or so, diesel engine oil has gone through several upgrades, so it’s important to make sure you’re using the correct formulation for your engine. Always refer to manufacturer guidelines.

An overheated engine can lead to seal failures and damaged components such as cylinder heads, turbos and manifolds. As larger engines with high load factors put high demand on the coolant and cooling system, it’s critical to make sure these are operating flawlessly. Simple things such as ensuring there is enough airflow across the radiator or heat exchanger can make all the difference. Also make sure they are kept clean from dust and dirt buildup, and that the cooling fins are not damaged. Coolant formulation is important as certain engines may need additional additives to ensure optimal performance.

Today’s engines are equipped with highly sophisticated fuel systems with extremely low tolerances inside the fuel pumps and injectors used to move fuel through the system. Through all aspects of the fuel filling process, make sure surfaces, containers and transfer pumps are clean and void of any other types of fluids.

Ensure all fuel filters are replaced at the same time, and that OEM recommended filters are used to ensure best possible protection.

If the engine is used year round but is in an environment where the ambient temperatures can change dramatically between

seasons, make sure the engine is prepared for that change. In the fall going into winter, make sure any cold weather startup aids are functioning, such as block heaters, air inlet heaters or ether aid systems. If an alternate diesel blend is needed, make sure it’s getting switched over early enough that no fuel gelling issues will impact operations in the early stages of winter. Going into the summer months, it’s important to ensure the cooling system can deal with the higher temps.

If the cooling system airflow was reduced in the winter to address overcooling, has it been returned to normal for the higher temps that could lead to overheating?

Most engines today in North America and Europe are equipped with aftertreatment systems that utilize DEF. Ensure that the utmost attention is given to cleanliness when filling the DEF tank. Make sure tank fill necks are clean, containers are clean and not contaminated with other fluids, etc. DEF needs to be stored out of direct sunlight and in an environment that doesn’t exceed 95° F to ensure it performs as desired.

Q: NEW ADVANCED ENGINES AND COOLING SYSTEMS ARE CHANGING COOLING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. WHAT SHOULD CONTRACTORS PAY ATTENTION TO? Hatz: The most important thing to make sure of is that you’re using a factory recommended coolant. Every engine manufacturer uses a different exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler made from various materials, which interact with the chemicals in a lot of the standard coolants and cause issues with the EGR portion of the exhaust aftertreatment. Don’t assume that just because one engine manufacturer approves a specific coolant that it’s the same requirement for all engines. If possible, get the actual chemical requirements for the coolant itself; for example, Hatz requires coolant to be Nitrate- and Nitrite-free.

Cummins: Off-highway equipment operates in a wide variety of climates, so it’s important that the cooling system is maintained to ensure the engine continues to operate as it should.

Regular visible checks should be made to:

˜ check for damaged hoses

and loose or damaged hose clamps; ˜ check the radiator for leaks, damage and buildup of dirt; ˜ check belts, pulleys and tensioners for wear and tear; ˜ check the coolant level and top-up as needed.

To ensure proper additive levels and coolant pH, coolant test strips are an easy way to eliminate guesswork and validate that the cooling system is operating at peak performance.

Perkins: Diesel engines today are producing more power out of smaller packages, which increases demand on the cooling system to keep temps under control. Along with that, newer aftertreatment systems are introducing more heat into the cooling system that must be managed.

Manufacturers have done a great job of sizing the cooling systems to deal with this to make it transparent to the operator.

That being said, it is important to make sure that the coolant formulation is following manufacturer recommendations. With the additional loads on the cooling system, there is less room for error using subpar coolants.

Q: WHAT ABOUT PROPER FUEL MAINTENANCE? Hatz: Newer diesel engines are much more sensitive to lowquality or compromised fuel.

Dirty fuel, or fuels past their prime, can cause the engine to run poorly and gum up the injectors and high-pressure pump, as well as the metering unit and pressure control valve.

The high-pressure fuel systems are by far the most expensive part of newer engines and can cost an owner more than $10,000 to replace.

Poor quality fuels will also wreak havoc on the aftertreatment systems, possibly poisoning both the DOC and DPF, lowering their life expectancy. Make sure you are following all the fuel guidelines outlined in your engine’s manual.

Cummins: One of the key technology changes for diesel has been the move to super-efficient and clean high-pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel systems. They operate with extremely tight tolerances, meaning fuel quality and fuel filtration are critical areas to consider.

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Customers with Cummins electronic engines can view prioritized engine faults using the Guidanz mobile app on their cell phones paired with the INLINE mini.

Cummins

Tightening emissions regulations have dictated the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

This is defined as diesel fuel not exceeding 0.0010 mass percent (10 ppm) sulfur content. Diesel fuel sulphur levels that exceed the recommendation will shorten the life of aftertreatment components, such as DOC, DPF and selective catalyst reduction.

The diesel fuel used needs to be managed correctly to prevent contamination. Contamination can cause premature clogging of diesel fuel filters and premature wear of critical fuel injection system parts. Depending on the size and nature of the particles, this can reduce component life, cause component malfunction or cause fuel system and engine failure.

Perkins: Along with clear guidance on cleanliness, newer engines equipped with aftertreatment require ULSD. In North America and Europe, most fuel suppliers have been offering this for many years. However, it never hurts to check to ensure you’re getting the right fuel for your engine. If higher sulfur fuel is used in a newer engine with aftertreatment, it can lead to increased DPF maintenance, more frequent regenerations

“As larger engines with high load factors put high demand on the coolant and cooling system, it’s critical to make sure these are operating flawlessly.”

— Andy Miller, Perkins

April 2022 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY

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FL E E T M AN AG E M E N T

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN FUEL TYPES AND WHAT SHOULD EQUIPMENT OWNERS KNOW ABOUT THEM? Hatz: While there have been a number of advancements in biofuels and synthetic diesels, user beware. Make 100% sure that your engine manufacturer has approved the specific fuel type and diesel percentage that you want to use. Not only can a non-approved fuel damage the engine and aftertreatment systems, but most will also change the engine’s emissions levels to the point that they no longer qualify for the required EPA standards.

Some engines will allow biofuel, but only up to B20; some even limit it to B5 or B10. If one of these new fuel technologies is required by the end user, ensure you work with the engine manufacturer to get approval.

Sometimes, a different engine dataset and power curve will be

required in order to stay EPA compliant.

Also note that even if the fuel is approved by the engine manufacturer, it may have an impact on the maximum power output of the engine. If you are running your engine close to full load on standard diesel, going to a bio- or synthetic diesel may cause the engine to behave erratically while the engine is cold, or lower the power output and cause the engine to stall during standard operating conditions.

Most engine manufacturers will require some real-world testing prior to approving the use of non-standard fuels.

Always make sure to check the owner’s manual for approved fuels and any additional requirements for your preferred fuel type.

Cummins: Cummins’ latest Performance Series engines can operate on B20 biodiesel and HVO100. B20 means a mix of 80% diesel with 20% biofuel that meets the correct fuel specification (ASTM D7467).

Operation with B20 biodiesel blends can potentially result in

a slight decrease in fuel economy and/or power, depending on the application. Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a synthetic diesel made from waste products such as frying fat, animal fats or wood pulp. It can be mixed with normal diesel oil.

Biodiesel needs even more stringent management than standard diesel to minimize moisture and microbial growth. Due to its poor oxidation stability, it has an expiry date of six months.

For this reason, biodiesel is not recommended for low use or seasonal applications.

Q: WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP MONITOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND MANAGE SERVICE SCHEDULES? Hatz: Hatz Diesel is offering its “Connectivity” services on all electronic engines, which allows the engine to be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) for remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. This service can adjust the required maintenance intervals based on the engine’s load profile and warn

the owner of upcoming maintenance requirements. It allows the owner to see the engine’s operation in real time, as well as the history of the engine so patterns can be noticed. For example, the owner can see if the DPF needs more frequent regenerations when it’s used by one particular operator or at one particular jobsite.

Having remote monitoring will also allow local dealers to have visibility on the engine population in their territory, making it easier to stock the proper maintenance kits and spare parts.

Hatz also offers an online engine registration where you can see if your engine serial number has any recalls or maintenance bulletins, as well as log the maintenance performed and what parts were used. This allows for a complete engine maintenance history that can be viewed by both the owner and Hatz factory and can help in troubleshooting any issues that may come up.

Lastly, Hatz has an electronic

If the engine is used year round and is in an environment where the ambient temperatures can change dramatically between seasons, make sure the engine is prepared for that change.

Perkins

42 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

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diagnostic tool that can be used on all electronic engines.

This allows the user to view the engine’s parameters in real time, perform several diagnostic tests and view the entire error code history. Having this error code history is invaluable when finding the correct path for repairs.

Cummins

or possibly system replacement depending on severity.

Cummins INLINE Adapter Cummins: Cummins has a range of digital solutions to help manage equipment. One of the simplest and most effective is the INLINE mini-Bluetooth adapter.

Customers with Cummins electronic engines (dating back to Tier 3 emissions) can view prioritized engine faults using the Guidanz mobile app on their cell phones paired with the INLINE mini. It provides critical information that can quickly be shared with operations managers or service providers. By either emailing the operations manager directly from the app or calling Cummins Care, initiating the service process is faster and easier than ever with data available at the fingertips. The app also links customers to an online service locator, helping them identify the closest certified repair location.

Perkins: Telematics systems that connect the engine or machine to backoffice databases are now becoming the norm.

These tools greatly improve the ability to track engine performance. Common insights such as fuel consumption, fault code alerts, geolocation, etc., are making it much easier to maintain engines and keep them running at peak performance.

Simpler tools are also available, such as smartphone apps that allow you to track and document completed maintenance, look up service parts or connect to individual engines and monitor parameters on sight. ET

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FL E E T M AN AG E M E N T | By Curt Bennink

Vehicle Diagnostics Systems Slash Equipment Repair Time Self-diagnoses reduces downtime and allows contractors to track machine repair history.

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odern construction equipment has journeyed through a transformation from mechanical systems to electronically controlled systems over the

past couple decades. This has a major impact on the role of the service technician.

“Repairs used to be mainly mechanical,” says Bruno Gattamorta, vice president of

sales and marketing, Cojali USA. “There were some thermal dynamics and some basic electronics, but it was pretty much mechanical.” The solution was typically pretty easy to identify.

All images courtesy Cojali

Diagnostic software will allow you to identify the fault code downstream and track it upstream all the way to the maintenance issue.

Using a diagnostic tool allows the user to quickly identify the problem, which saves time and cost.

44 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

This changed as electronic engine controls were introduced to meet ever more stringent emissions regulations.

Technicians once trained to fix mechanical issues now must address electrical and emissions systems issues, which requires a different skill set.

“We need a solution for fleet managers or rental yards to be able to connect to these machines and identify what’s wrong, because it is no longer a mechanical issue,” notes Gattamorta. “There’s code behind it. There is a fault code.

That’s where the necessity of diagnostics comes along. It helps you build a game plan to see what is wrong.”

For example, emissions systems now account for a significant amount of the downtime issues. This is something rather new to the more senior technicians. “If you are a technician that has been in the field for 20 or 30 years, you had to learn on the fly, so it turns into a big problem,” says Gattamorta.

Diagnostic tools, such as Cojali’s Jaltest, can help the service department identify and head off costly oversights. “If I have to run a regen — because my operator didn’t run the manual regen and you have to do a forced regen — you are talking $600 to $1,400 per operation. That’s an automatic impact on the bottom line,” says Gattamorta. “Having the right tool is just the forefront to building a maintenance plan.

What this tool offers you is the opportunity to identify, build a game plan and control the elements so you’re always in that situation where uptime is increased.”

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BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT Relying on outside services, such a dealer, to troubleshoot machine fault codes can lead to increased wait times vs. identifying the root cause yourself.

Technicians can almost immediately identify the value of diagnostic tools. The challenge comes when the customer needs to purchase five or 10 of the diagnostic tools for the shop, which can turn out to be a significant investment.

Yet, the return on this investment needs careful consideration. “It’s a matter of giving your team the right tools,” says Gattamorta. “What good is it to have the best mechanics in the world and not give them a tool to identify what is wrong? It allows you to take advantage of your human resources, which are one of the most important things that you have. Everybody knows how difficult it is to find a good diesel technician, so why have a good diesel technician and have to call a dealer or have a mobile mechanic come out and do these actions for you?

“Sometimes you get guys who have never worked with a diagnostic solution,” he acknowledges. “They have only been able to call the dealer. They have

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a great relationship with the dealer. It’s been solving their issues.” But using a diagnostic tool allows you to quickly identify the problem yourself, which saves time.

The software guides the technician to the exact problem. It’s not hit or miss, and you are no longer throwing parts at the problem.

“It will allow you to identify the code downstream and track it upstream all the way to the issue,” says Gattamorta. “All the way through the value chain, you are going to be able to see, point and identify. It is going to turn your average tech into a rock star.”

DIAGNOSTICS MUST BE USER-FRIENDLY Technicians and service managers are great with machines. “Are they great with software? Some yes, some no,” reports Gattamorta.

One key to the success of adopting a diagnostic solution is the user interface.

Sometimes the user interface makes the diagnostic software difficult to use. “The learning curve is probably of the biggest hurdle for adoption. We try to simplify that so it can be intuitive and easy to use,” says Gattamorta.

Right now, the aftermarket offers basic code readers that use the J1708 and J1939 industry standard protocols. “They are lowlevel code readers, small guidance and it’s going to be better than nothing. But it’s not going to be that dealer level function that you want to go into,” Gattamorta points out.

“Then you can jump into the higher-level tools,” he continues. “These are the ones that are actual game changers. The focus is on proprietary data. That means getting the codes with the exact same reference that the OEM has.”

These tools transcend simple reading devices and allow bidirectional communication so you are able to calibrate injectors, run regens, etc.

“The technical information that gets embedded into these tools and the guidance, those are very important elements,” Gattamorta states. With the emergence of digital media, there are online videos and tutorials that can walk a technician through how to use the tools, including specific tutorials on how to run a regen, how to calibrate an injector, etc. “These things are important because just having the right tool doesn’t mean you are going to know how to take advantage of it.” It is a constant learning

curve and the vendor needs to be there and available.

“Everything is shifting to a digital model, so we’ve created what we call the Jaltest Crash Course,” says Gattamorta. “When you buy a tool, there is a set of videos. There are about 12 videos that you can connect on your own time on YouTube.” There are also quarterly webinars on what is new and how to use it.

HISTORY IS CRITICAL Sophisticated diagnostic systems do more than read fault codes. “We like to say that we are more than just diagnostics,” Gattamorta comments.

“Sometimes you have multiple technicians in the shop and they don’t know what the last guy did, or they don’t remember what happened four months ago. So, [Jaltest] integrated a Garage Resource Planning (GRP) system. Every time that you do a diagnostics report, every time you do a maintenance report, it gets stored.

That is directly associated to the machine’s vehicle number.

“How many times have we gone into a shop and seen a work report covered with grease,” he continues.

“That’s not going to last very long. It is going to disappear, and that paper is going to disappear. How many times do you need a PDF document with key operating values on components on a specific engine that are

supposedly in the shop and realistically they are not?”

The GRP system eliminates these issues. It allows the technician to pull the history of the machine to see which PMs were done and which ones are due. You can check maintenance notes, including notes on how to perform the procedures. Wiring diagrams, technical values and images are all included.

“You have troubleshooting trees associated with the fault code,” Gattamorta points out. “It is going to tell me my 10 steps or seven steps to do, and in between those steps there’s going to be a hyperlink to carry out that action.” This can make technicians who may not be experienced with a particular model very productive. “They are going to be more confident on the repair process.”

A key consideration is to pick a tool that will interface with all machines in your fleet. Most contractors run mixed fleets with several different brands represented. You want one solution that integrates with all of the different available machines.

things that are going to be coming online shortly,” says Gattamorta.

Big data and artificial intelligence promise a path toward proactive repair.

“You’re going to be able to see that this machine tends to break at X hours,” Gattamorta notes. So, you can identify what is likely to break and adjust your PM structure to better manage uptime.

“The more information that you have, the better you can manage it,” Gattamorta adds. “The better you are going to be at managing your uptime.” ET

One key to the success of adopting a diagnostic solution is the user interface.

It must be designed to be simple and intuitive to use.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE Remote diagnostics is the future. “It’s an exciting time for the electronics and repair business and there’s a lot of

Diagnostic tools, such as Cojali’s Jaltest, can help the service department identify and head off costly maintenance oversights. www.ForConstructionPros.com

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FL E E T M AN AG E M E N T | By Garland Morrison

How to Ready Your Excavator for Spring Inspecting your equipment and getting it ready for Spring will help you set the tone for a productive year.

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or those of you working in colder climates, it may seem that winter will never end — but the snow will stop falling eventually and temperatures will rise. When that happens, it’s time to get your excavator in gear for upcoming jobs.

I’ve been in the construction industry for 43 years, including over a quarter century with a Volvo Construction Equipment dealer in Alaska, so I know machines and I know the cold. Inspecting your equipment and getting it ready for Spring will help you set the tone for a great year.

With that in mind, here are eight Spring startup tips for your excavators: ˜ Fluids, filters and grease: Check the levels of hydraulic oil, engine oil and coolants, fill accordingly, and replace all filters. Grease major points thoroughly. ˜ Seals: Look for weeping or damaged seals and replace as needed. Note that black rubber (Nitrol) O-rings shrink in the cold, but after being cleaned and warmed up, they may reseal. So, make sure they’re actually damaged before replacing them or calling in someone like me for something that’s not a problem.

˜ Undercarriage: Clean the

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undercarriage free of debris and adjust the tension. Check for loose track pads and repair as needed.

Boom and arm: Look for excessive pin and bushing wear, as well as any damage to hard lines and hoses.

If there are signs of excessive “play,” replace the pins and bushings. Do not wait; that could lead to an extensive repair job that causes significant downtime during the season. Also, shim the boom, arm and bucket to eliminate side play.

Engine: Inspect all belts to ensure they are properly tightened. Replace any that are cracked or otherwise damaged. Also check the integrity of all hoses, looking for signs of wear, cracking, swelling or damage from chaffing. Replace as needed. Assess the engine for oil and coolant leaks and address immediately. These are signs of what could become much bigger issues later if ignored.

Battery: Even if you removed the battery at the end of the season, inspect the terminals and posts, cleaning as necessary. Check the electrolyte

˜

˜

levels and the specific gravity and top off the charge.

Interior and exterior: Thoroughly clean the cab and replace cab air filters. This helps protect the machine’s electronics and makes the space more comfortable for you. I’ve pulled cab air filters out of a machine that are nasty — and that’s the air the operator is breathing. Remove snow/debris with a broom or blow it off with compressed air. When possible, move the machine into a warm storage facility to thaw any ice.

Check that there is no ice around the swing mechanism, motor or transmission, as it can tear seals, leading to damage and downtime.

Additional functions: Be sure to check that the lights, wipers, heater and air conditioning are all in working order, addressing repairs as needed.

PREPARING FOR EVEN HIGHER TEMPS Summer can be hard on equipment, too, so here are a few additional uptime tips for when the temperatures keep climbing. ˜ Run your AC properly. One of the biggest issues we see in the summer is operators running the AC and having the

˜

˜

˜

doors or windows open at the same time. If you do that, all you’re doing is putting unnecessary load on the AC component.

Fill the fuel and DEF tanks at the end of each day. If you’re down to the last quarter or so in the tanks, that fluid is extremely hot because of the return cycles. Hot fuel/fluid draws moist air through the breathers into the tanks, and even small amounts of water mixed in with your diesel will cause performance issues and maintenance hassles.

Manage your greasing intervals during hot spells. Most OEMs have outlined greasing intervals in the operator manuals. It’s very important to follow these guidelines, especially if you’re in an extremely dusty or hot application where your grease may thin out faster or be exposed to more contaminants.

Give machines more time to cool down. The most important component — and the reason for a normal condition, two-minute idle time before shutting off the key — is the turbocharger.

Turbochargers are lubricated with engine oil and rotate at

extremely high rpms. If not allowed to idle down, turbocharger shafts and bearings can be damaged.

DEALER AND OEM EXPERTS CAN HELP You may choose to conduct machine inspections yourself or have a member of your team oversee the job. There is also the option to have a technician from a dealer or equipment manufacturer inspect the excavator. You could benefit from the expertise this technician has with the brands of excavators you run and with the experience they have from servicing machines from multiple customers. They could also look at fault codes; and if it’s a Volvo machine, they can download a MATRIS (Machine Tracking Information System) report. This report provides an in-depth look at operator behavior and operation data throughout the life of the excavator.

Whatever approach you take, it’s critical to perform thorough inspections to reduce the risk of downtime and costly repairs as you enter the Spring season. ET Garland Morrison is field technical support specialist, Volvo Construction Equipment.

All photos courtesy Volvo Construction Equipment

It’s critical to perform thorough inspections to reduce the risk of downtime and costly repairs.

46 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | April 2022

Fill the fuel and DEF tanks at the end of each day to minimize the risk of water ingress into the fuel system.

www.ForConstructionPros.com

Check the levels of hydraulic oil, engine oil and coolants, fill accordingly, and replace all filters prior to the start of the spring season.

EQUIPMENT GALLERY Products

Here is a collection of products designed to enhance jobsite efficiency, productivity and/ or safety. For more information, use the URLs shown or visit the New Product Directory at www.ForConstructionPros.com.

Wacker Neuson Updated DW30 Wheel Dumper The 3-ton payload class DW30 articulated dumper has a modern, compact, rugged design suitable for moving bulk materials in tight spaces and across rough terrain.

• 180° swivel skip enables load to be precisely placed where needed • Features a 45.3-hp Perkins Stage V diesel engine and hydrostatic allwheel drive • Includes a single joystick control for all machine functions and a toggle auto stop switch that shuts down the engine after five minutes of idling • Up to 15.5-mph travel speed • Available in ROPS and cab editions with construction or turf tires

www.forconstructionpros.com/21808635

Case SV215E and SV217E Vibratory Rollers The 154-hp SV215E and the SV217E weigh 33,420 and 36,500 lbs. and deliver centrifugal force up to 73,063 and 74,861 lbs., respectively.

• Compatible with ACEforce intelligent compaction technology • Standard dual frequencies and amplitudes plus auto vibration control enable performance to be set based on material type and lift depth • Comfortable, intuitive operator environment with an adjustable seat that swivels up to 80° • Optional SiteWatch telematics • Designed for easy groundline serviceability

www.forconstructionpros.com/21903862

Doosan DTR3275 Trench Roller The 3,197-lb. DTR3275 articulates left to right while also oscillating up and down, increasing roller ground contact to complete the job in fewer passes.

• 20.7-in. drum diameter with a drum width of 33.5 in.

• Centrifugal force settings of 8,093/16,860 lbs.

• Yanmar 3TNV80F diesel engine • Operated via solar-powered wireless remote • Maintenance-free central articulation joint for increased uptime

www.forconstructionpros.com/22056655

Bobcat UW53 Toolcat Utility Work Machine The UW53 Toolcat comes equipped with a variety of enhancements both inside and outside the cab, plus offers enhanced attachment versatility.

• Redesigned LED lighting includes embedded road lights integrated within the front fenders and rear work lights • Updated dual-drive response system provides smoother acceleration and deceleration and automatically recalls drive response settings • Redesigned interior has an overhead dashboard with integrated 5-in. display, all controls in one place and easily accessible components and storage • Larger fuel filter, increased corrosion protection, larger in-cab access points, improved wiring harness and more

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Concrete Pencil Vibrator The M18 FUEL concrete pencil vibrator with REDLITHIUM battery pack offers a completely cordless compact solution when working in confined and restricted spaces.

• Available in 4- and 8-ft. lengths with a 1-in. square head size • POWERSTATE brushless motor delivers continuous maximum power with 12,500 vpm for optimal concrete consolidation • Engineered to generate 1.8 peak hp • Consolidates up to 20YDS3 of concrete per charge • REDLINK PLUS intelligence ensures optimal levels of performance and protection

www.forconstructionpros.com/21903020

www.forconstructionpros.com/21927840

JLG Quad Tracks for 600S and 660SJ Boom Lifts

Skyjack XStep Scissor Lift Option The XStep option mounts on the mid-rail of a scissor lift and creates an additional 19 in. of working height.

• Top railing design and height provide operators with the same degree of security as a conventional platform • One-person, no-tool installation plus can be moved from machine to machine • Swing-down base maximizes machine platform area when not in use • Available as a factory fit or field install option for the company’s previous models

www.forconstructionpros.com/21784517

Quad Tracks are now available for new machine orders of 600S and 660SJ boom lifts, as well as through aftermarket on select twowheel-steer models.

• Made up of four triangular rubber track systems, each measuring 34 in. high by 54 in. long by 18 in. wide • Bolt directly to the lift’s standard wheel hubs • Low-profile design minimizes impact on ride height, track width and maximum drive speed • Enable enhanced flotation, minimal rutting at jobsites, improved traction, greater comfort over obstacles and no “break-over” effect

www.forconstructionpros.com/22005916

www.ForConstructionPros.com

April 2022 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY

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B RID G I N G T HE G A P | By Paul Robinson

How to Attract Today’s Workers and Fill Growing Labor Gaps Recruiting a new generation of workers requires a new approach. Here are insights to help you recruit today’s more diverse workforce.

S

everal years ago, the construction industry was faced with a looming concern: the overwhelming number of workers set to retire over the next decade. A study conducted in 2019 (https://bit.ly/3v8C8kb) determined that 41% of the construction workforce at the time was expected to retire by 2031. This concern has shifted from a future thought to today’s reality, as a large portion of retirement-aged workers have begun to leave their jobs.

Simultaneously, the industry is expected to continue to grow in 2022 and beyond, especially following the passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Many new construction jobs are predicted to come from this legislation as the country updates roads, bridges and

other vital infrastructure, leaving construction stakeholders scrambling to figure out how to fill the positions that this growing industry demands.

RECRUITING A NEW GENERATION Targeting the younger generations, especially Millennials and Generation Z, for recruitment is a potential solution. However, recruiting this younger population is not as simple as it may seem.

Millennials and Generation Z are the most ethnically diverse generations in U.S. history and have grown up in the age of the internet and connectivity. They do not communicate in the same way as Generation X and Baby Boomers — those most often in hiring positions at large general contracting firms. Methods that have worked for potential employee pipelines in the past are

48 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

less effective at engaging young people and showing them the merits of a career in construction.

So how can your company adapt? Unfortunately, there is no cookie-cutter, plug-and-play strategy that will automatically churn out new recruits for you.

It takes time, investment and internal changes. Consider the following to effectively recruit a younger, more diverse audience: Is your culture conducive to minority success? With minorities making up most of the potential labor pool, it is crucial that construction companies invest in building a culture that can help them flourish. This goes beyond hiring a more diverse population to fill job openings.

You need to create a framework within your culture that is healthy and ready to welcome diverse talent.

By performing internal company assessments, conducting team training and ensuring continuity of values from the top down, you can help foster a space that appeals to this younger demographic. Creating an inclusive culture demands involvement and commitment at every level of your company.

Another strategy to help prepare your company for a more diverse workforce is investing in field leaders who are trained and have the people skills to manage people of different demographics. If your company is not set up to help minorities thrive, recruiting and retaining younger employees will prove difficult.

Have you built relationships with educational institutions?

Many secondary and post-secondary schools, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE)

www.ForConstructionPros.com

schools, offer construction programs with a strong potential pool of workers. As a team, you should be thinking through what your construction company’s presence at these institutions should involve and how to develop a relationship with the institutions’ leaders. Establishing a relationship with the dean of the program, for example, could develop a key pipeline for you.

Having a presence in schools does not require only in-person engagements. A hybrid approach including in-person workshops and virtual speaking engagements could be a very effective strategy.

How do you provide value with community involvement?

Presence in the community is good; but providing value in your interactions will help progress relationships and build up your pipeline. At schools, is there an opportunity for you to help update their curriculum in construction-related subjects so that students are learning applicable skills? Or maybe you can volunteer to lead a workshop during the school day to harness the curiosity of young minds.

You should also seek out community organizations that are involved with young people, especially if they are engaged with young Hispanic, black and female populations. Offer to speak on career opportunities or provide hands-on experiences with these organizations. Since Millennials and Generation Z are more diverse than past generations, finding ways to meet these groups where they are and provide value to them can help you build relationships with potential candidates for future hiring.

How can you engage the community through construction projects? The most visible

BR I D G I NG TH E GAP

part of every construction company is worksites. Worksites provide ample opportunity to interact with people in a physical setting that showcases potential career opportunities.

Consider hosting site visits, virtual walkthroughs and workbased learning opportunities.

Giving young people hands-on applications of skills can open their mind to the real potential that a career in construction could have. Think about how you can create exposure for your company while educating potential workers at your project sites.

Do you have formal internship, mentorship and new hire programs? You simply cannot fix a problem if you do not understand what caused it. For that reason, you should have metrics set up to test the effectiveness of your internship, mentorship and new hire programs. This will allow you to evaluate the structures in place, the reach of your programs and your standard operating procedures. If the goal is to attract and retain young talent, then how you introduce the construction industry to them is important.

An easy way to analyze your practices is setting up a process for feedback. This will help you align leadership strategies with employee opinions.

It also shows that you value the voice of everyone on your team, which is important to younger

WHAT’S ONLINE?

hires who want to know that they are not just a cog in the machine, but a valued member of the team.

FINAL THOUGHTS Preparing to fill the impending gap in the construction workforce must begin now, as it is already starting to affect many organizations. There is a huge opportunity to hire from the younger generations, but a focus on understanding this unique group and how to best communicate with them is imperative to effectively recruiting them.

Additionally, it will take time to implement the significant changes to your company culture and processes needed to attract this demographic.

The key is to be forwardthinking in your strategy and lead in vulnerability, as the actions you take today are the building blocks for the future of your construction company. By embracing these talented individuals with a welcoming and nurturing environment designed to help them grow professionally — not simply filling empty positions in your workforce — you will see your company thrive in 2022 and beyond. ET Paul Robinson is the founder of ConstructReach, which has become a partner for many brands and general contractors across the country looking to connect with Millennials and Generation Z.

THE ‘INFRASTRUCTURE DECADE’ WON’T HAPPEN WITHOUT PROJECT MANAGERS Launching a local, national and globe-transforming “infrastructure decade” is going to require project managers. But the construction industry, and its professionals, need to transform.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/22106375

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WHAT’S TRENDING Professional development and training offerings could be the key to attracting Millennials and Generation Z to your workforce. www.ForConstructionPros.com/22031397 www.ForConstructionPros.com

April 2022 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY

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®

RUNN I N G T HE B U S I N E S S | By Garry Bartecki Published by AC Business Media

More Productivity is a Must to Make a Profit Doing more with less is essential to secure both bids and profits on construction projects

I

n thinking about this column, straight away, I planned to review what I knew I would learn at the Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) annual meeting in Orlando, because the speakers were going to discuss the 2022 construction markets, as well as changes they would need to make when dealing with contractors going forward. And wow, what a program! Anyone connected with the construction industry would have taken away ideas on how to improve profitability while dealing with: ˜ Inflation ˜ Supply chain issues ˜ Workforce needs ˜ Interest rate hikes ˜ Cap-X plans ˜ Maintenance issues ˜ Technology to address contractor activities Some of you reading this list are thinking these issues don’t apply to you. If that’s what you’re thinking, you are 100% wrong. You are wrong because the construction industry realizes it has been on the wrong side of the productivity equation for the last 100 years and is now taking steps to cut costs while becoming more efficient. Just read the daily ForConstructionPros.com Headline News e-newsletter if you don’t believe me.

STICK WITH WHAT YOU DO BEST Tom Christerson, director of sales at EquipmentWatch, started out the IEDA meeting with an example of what to expect in the market. He summarized a study that showed contractor input costs had increased between 25% to 29% in 2021, with an expectation of remaining at this level for some time. As part of the study, a group of contractors were provided with plans for nonresidential structures to be built in 2022. The participants were asked to submit their bids for these projects, which they did with an average 13% increase in costs.

All of the contractors bidding did so at levels well below their

Garry Bartecki is the managing member of GB Financial Services LLP and a consultant to the Independent Equipment Dealers Association. He can be reached at (708) 347-9109 or gbartecki@comcast.net.

from the IEDA activities and the key point to help improve productivity: Do what you do best and let someone else do the rest.

Offload internal transactions that are not key to providing your work product. Such transactions could include: ˜ managing equipment costs and related maintenance ˜ office and billing procedures that could be improved by upgrading the use of your current system or finding a new one that is more efficient ˜ providing for the cost of ownership and operating costs of owned equipment ˜ shopping material costs and ensuring they are delivered in a timely fashion ˜ ensuring you have enough experienced staff to get the job done in a timely fashion Equipment costs are now between 20% to 30% of a project; they used to be about 13% to 15%. The American Rental Association is projecting another big increase in rental activity (see www.

ForConstructionPros.com/22068755). Their penetration index — percent of rental equipment compared to all equipment being used in construction — is close to 60%. I expect this number to keep climbing as contractors figure out owning equipment is not a break-even proposition.

What I’m seeing is the larger contractors are working to find ways to become up to 40% more efficient using new systems to manage workflow, equipment use, employee costs and material costs. The systems are out there, and if you add in outsourcing what other folks can do better, the more efficient you will become.

COST CONTROL

Since I was one of the presenters at the IEDA meeting, my goal was to make the equipment dealers aware of the watershed changes taking place within their customer base and what these customers may expect from them going forward. After all, if contractors have to cut costs, they expect their vendors to do the Productivity Example Productivity Results same and thus help them meet their goals. I, for 10% Bill> 5% for Labor and Equip one, asked the dealers to absorb the cost of ownBilling 50,000 55,000 50,000 55,000 ing and operating the equipment in terms of Labor -20,000 -22,000 -19,000 -20,900 owned equipment or rental units.

Material -10,000 -11,000 -10,000 -11,000 As part of my presentation, I put up a slide Equipment -7,800 -8,580 -7,400 -8,151 Subs -2,050 -2,255 -2,050 -2,255 (shown at left) to demonstrate how productivity improvements can increase profits. I compared GP 10,150 11,165 11,550 12,694 % 20.30% 20.30% 23.1% 23.08% a 10% increase in billing against a 5% decrease in both Labor Cost and Equipment Cost. The Op Exp -6,000 -6,600 -6,000 -6,600 change is meaningful.

Int -750 -750 -750 -750 I would ask that make sure you are passing PBT 3,400 6.80% 3,815 6.93% 4,800 5,344 9.71% on current costs in your billing and locking in PBT > 415 12% > 1,400 1,529 41% your current interest rates. Review your costs to own and operate your equipment. And please, And productivity is free! investigate the technology that can assist you in costs, and I guess they can do that if they find ways to cut costs and becoming more proficient. If you are going to make a Cap-X investcomplete jobs faster than they normally would. In other words, they ment, make it a technology investment. would need to do more with less material costs, less equipment costs By the way, the title of my presentation was “Making It Through and less payroll costs. Thus, the title of this month’s column, which 202???” That about says it all. ET shouts that improving your productivity is not just an idea to mull over but a must!

To access previous Running the Business columns, as well as additional business In other words, contractors need to tighten up the ship from stem management information, visit www.ForConstructionPros.com. to stern. Easy to say but tough to do. In summing up what I learned

50 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | April 2022

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