Equipment Today October 2021

Helping you optimize ROI on your construction equipment

®

OCTOBER 2021

ALL-NEW 47X

Extending the Western Star X-Series

CHOOSING WISELY

IS TWICE AS EASY.

Legendary Durability Easy Uplift Best-in-Class Safety Proven Powertrain Options Superior Driver Comfort

WESTERN STAR 47X

WESTERN STAR 49X

TOUGH. PRODUCTIVE. VERSATILE. TIMES TWO. Western Star has always been the right choice for a tough truck. And with our X-Series trucks, that toughness is taken to the next level. Both the 47X and 49X are engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of your application with years of dependable performance. Until you can talk to your dealer about which model is right for you, here’s how they stack up.

47X ENGINE DISPLACEMENT 9L to 13L

49X ENGINE DISPLACEMENT 12L to 16L

HORSEPOWER / TORQUE 260/860 to 525/1,850

HORSEPOWER / TORQUE 350/1,350 to 605/2,050

BUMPER TO BACK OF CAB BBC: 111.6" (110.8" with SF Bridge Formula Bumper Mounting)

BUMPER TO BACK OF CAB 121.5"

FORWARD VISIBILITY* 21.7'

FORWARD VISIBILITY* 24.8'

AIR FILTRATION EFFICIENCY & DUST CAPACITY Very Good

AIR FILTRATION EFFICIENCY & DUST CAPACITY Excellent

AVAILABLE SLEEPER LENGTHS 36"/48"

AVAILABLE SLEEPER LENGTHS 36"/48"/60"/72"

TURNING RADIUS 34.0'

TURNING RADIUS 35.4'

*Driver visibility over center of hood.

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Western Star Truck Sales, Inc. is registered to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015.

Copyright © 2021 Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All rights reserved. Western Star Truck Sales, Inc. is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.

Earthmoving: Dumpers & Crawler Carriers Redefine Jobsite Access Helping you optimize ROI on your construction equipment

®

OCTOBER 2021

BREAK UP ATTACHMENT & COMPACT CARRIER MISMATCHES HOW TO AVOID COMPATIBILITY MISMATCHES THAT IMPACT PRODUCTIVITY Page 10

TECHNOLOGY

TRANSPORTATION

Mobile technology improves jobsite productivity

Supply chain challenges mean work truck shortages are likely to linger

#1 Market Leaders

SHORTER-THAN-EXPECTED DPF SERVICE LIFE?

Ash from your engine oil is likely to blame

90

%

OF INCOMBUSTIBLES IN THE DPF COME FROM LUBRICANTS

Incombustible ash particles from today’s heavy-duty engine oils clog the diesel particulate filter (DPF) in Tier 4 Final aftertreatment systems, increasing maintenance costs and sidelining major equipment.

Now there’s a breakthrough solution.

Get the facts at DeloEmissionsControlCenter.com © 2021 Chevron. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC or their respective owners.

DISCOVER Delo 600 ADF: Less ash. More service life.

Delo 600 ADF with OMNIMAX ™ Technology solves the issue of DPF ash buildup while providing outstanding engine protection. By producing 60% less ash compared to today’s low-ash engine oils, Delo 600 ADF extends DPF service life by 2.5X to keep heavy-duty equipment running stronger, longer.

Protect your engine and your aftertreatment system with Delo 600 ADF.

It’s time to kick some ash.

Contents

OCTOBER 2021 | www.ForConstructionPros.com

AVOID A MISMATCH

COVER STORY

BETWEEN SKID STEERS/CTLS & ATTACHMENTS Universal couplers can lead to loader compatibility mismatches.

Here’s how to avoid them.

Case Construction Equipment

Page 10

PRODUCTS 14 Compact Equipment

Check out the latest skidsteer models.

19 Attachments

Select attachments for your skid steers and CTLs.

33 Power Sources 44 Technology Trends 48 Equipment Gallery

DEPARTMENTS 6 Breaking Ground 8 Equipment Introductions

FEATURES

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

DUMPERS AND CRAWLER CARRIERS REDEFINE JOBSITE ACCESS pg 24

How to Overcome Construction Supply Chain Challenges

Size limitations and poor underfoot conditions require alternatives to conventional dump trucks and ADTs.

24

5 BASICS OF AIR COMPRESSOR MAINTENANCE pg 30 Air compressor service could be the difference between a successful application or a costly breakdown.

WORK TRUCK SHORTAGES LIKELY TO LINGER

16 Fleet Management

pg 36

18 Jobsite Solutions

Supply chain challenges continue to restrict truck availability, so decide what you need for 2022 and act now.

32 Power Sources 39 Profit Matters 42 Technology Trends 46 Bridging the Gap 50 Running the Business How to Max Out Your Company’s Tax Benefits

4 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

Best Practices for Construction to Defend Itself from Ransomware Attacks

Here’s how you can protect your data, and the vendors who can help. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21627058

4 Causes of Construction Project Delays & How to Solve Them

Project management software can help ease the headaches delays can cause. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21615269

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES JOBSITE PRODUCTIVITY pg 40 As the industry evolves to do more work with fewer resources, technology is adapting to help achieve better results in less time.

Here are some steps you can take now to ease the heavy burden of pressure being caused by supply chain disruptions. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21627947

Asset Tracking Prevents Lost and Stolen Tools and Attachments

40

www.ForConstructionPros.com

Increase productivity by cutting time spent searching for tools and attachments. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21307267

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T FIT A SMARTGRADE™ DOZER INTO SMALL SPACES? WE FIT ONE INTO A CTL.

THE 333G SMARTGRADE IS HERE. THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPACT TRACK LOADER WITH INTEGRATED 3D GRADE CONTROL. It’s the brain of a SmartGrade dozer inside the nimble body of a CTL. So you can now precision grade in tight spots crawlers can’t reach. The 333G automatically controls the custom-engineered six-way blade, helping both new and experienced operators finish faster. It also helps operators learn faster thanks to the exclusive DozerMode control solution, enabling the electrohydraulic (EH) joysticks to function like a crawler. Precision. Speed. Versatility. It all just fits.

JohnDeere.com/SmartGradeCTL

*Shown with optional SmartGrade feature and SG96 Dozer Blade combination.

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

Business Case for a Diverse Workforce

L

Becky Schultz / bschultz@acbusinessmedia.com

et’s face it, even after intense efforts at change, there is still a common misperception that construction is made up of a bunch of white men in hard hats and safety vests walking around with shovels in their hands. While we all know this is no longer accurate, there is an aspect of

this stereotype that hasn’t substantially changed.

While it varies by region, the largest percentage of the workforce on U.S. construction sites continues to consist of male Caucasians. In “Diversity in Construction: Where We Are, Where We Need to Go” (https://bit.ly/3E2rVaZ), global professional

recruitment consultancy Michael Page cites the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that only 9.9% of construction professionals are women; 30.7% are Hispanic or Latino; 6.2% are black; and a mere 2% are Asian. And while the U.S. doesn’t collect data on the LGBTQI+ representation, UK data shows they make up only 2% of the construction workforce in that region.

Clearly, construction is lagging when you take into account the racial and gender mix of the U.S. workforce, as well as the emphasis placed on diversity and inclusion (D&I) within other industries.

There are a number of factors behind this, including a lack of relevant initiatives among construction employers. While this is changing, there is work to be done.

There is a business case to be made for implementing D&I initiatives within your organization. According to a 2018 report

by McKinsey (https://mck.co/3nqtdXc), gender and ethnic diversity can be clearly correlated with profitability. Firms with diverse executive teams were shown to be up to 33% more likely to outperform their competitors financially.

“D&I initiatives can also deliver intangibles such as innovative ideas and creative problem-solving,” writes Cathy ChatfieldTaylor in “Workforce Diversity in Construction Improves Productivity and Profits” (https://bit.ly/3lb2hrW). “Diverse perspectives quash companies’ tendencies to do things the way they’ve always been done and reduce the risk of groupthink.”

The article quotes Jennifer Suerth, vice president of technical services, Pepper Construction Company, who predicts the industry will see an increase in productivity as diversity increases due to the new ideas that will be brought forward.

A growing number of firms are not only embracing but championing D&I initiatives. In fact, Gilbane, DPR, Turner Construction, Mortenson, McCarthy and Clark Construction formed the Time for Change consortium with the objective of identifying ways to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within the industry.

The consortium is hosting the inaugural Construction Inclusion Week (www.constructioninclusionweek.com), October 18 to 22. Relevant materials and resources on the website can help encourage discussions between teams within your own organization.

The larger goal is to create a workplace environment that can attract the best and brightest from all aspects of society. As the consortium’s site points out, the industry must be willing to grow its culture to be truly inclusive “if we genuinely want to attract, retain and develop the best talent for our industry and maximize the diversity of our suppliers.” ET Read the full blog post on this topic at www.ForConstructionPros.com/21710956.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TODAY?

When hauling material is on your to-do list, Wacker Neuson is ready for action. From the innovative dual view dumpers to powerful skid steers, compact track loaders and wheel loaders we have the equipment you need to keep your project moving forward.

Looking for material handling solutions? Check it off your list with Wacker Neuson.

Contact your local dealer today.

www.wackerneuson.com

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.

Snorkel

RTE Electric Scissor Lifts

CM Labs

Vortex Edge Plus The Vortex Edge Plus portable desktop simulator has a lightweight design that enables it to be easily transported in carrying cases and set up in minutes. Suited for classroom or on the go training, the system can also be used to quickly assess the skill level of new operators. It runs the company’s full fleet of earthmoving, lifting and forestry equipment training packs and consists of a laptop, monitor, industrial-grade joysticks, pedals and steering wheel to support specific earthmoving equipment. The Optional Instructor Operating Station (IOS) allows for instructor-led training. The ability to connect to other Vortex simulators enables collaborative crew training.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21563099

Tamarack

Thawzall XHR 700 Flameless Heater The Thawzall XHR 700 flameless heater has an output of 700,000 btu/hour and a variable air flow of up to 4,000 cfm controlled at the touch of a button. Maximum outlet temperature is 200° F. The unit is powered by a Caterpillar or Deutz Tier 4 diesel engine (no DEF required) coupled with a 60-kW Mecc Alt generator. It has a 190-gal. fuel capacity with a run time of up to 60+ hours. Features include a 5-hp blower, positive air shutoff with auto reset and a PLC-controlled cold start and hot shutdown sequence. The rugged design incorporates only four service items, easy maintenance access and 120% fuel containment. A dual axle allows for troublefree towing.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21521584

8 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

The narrow width S2255RTE and S2755RTE and standard width S2770RTE, S3370RTE and S3970RTE feature an AC electric motor that creates higher torque for improved gradeability, enhanced rough-terrain performance and 62% less noise. Two maintenance-free lithium-ion battery packs with built-in battery management systems deliver at least an eighthour shift on a single charge, or an optional 5.75-kWh battery pack enables extended range. The units offer 27-ft. 10-in. to 45-ft. working heights and lifting capacities ranging from 660 to 1,250 lbs. They come with high-grip, non-marking tires for indoor/outdoor use, four-wheel-drive capabilities with 35% gradeability and an oscillating axle.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21565023

Fecon

225VST Mulching Tractor The Fecon 225VST mulching tractor, available only through Signature Level Vermeer dealers, features a Cummins QSB4.5 Tier 4 Final engine that delivers 200 hp and 576 ft.-lbs. of torque at 1,500 rpm. Its hydraulic system delivers 80 gpm at 5,000 psi to the mulcher circuit to power the RK8620 Bull Hog mulcher. The Power Management system manages engine and hydraulic outputs to deliver strong cutting power in all materials when needed and balanced track power for pulling through tough ground and working slopes. Even weight distribution over the length of the tracks and an oscillating track design keep tracks engaged on all terrains for consistent ground pressure in all working conditions. A spacious operator’s cab provides wide-angle visibility to tracks and the mulching head.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21722861

Link-Belt

120|HT Hydraulic Truck Crane The 120-ton 120|HT has a six-section 38.3to 164.1-ft. pin and latch formed boom and is available with a two-piece onboard offsettable fly and two 16-ft. lattice insert extensions that enable a max tip height of 261.7 ft. SmartFly one-person fly erection technology and a wireless rigging remote control the outriggers, outrigger beams and jacks and winches for faster, easier setup. Full counterweight is 49,100 lbs. thanks to a reduced GVW and increased rating on the front steering axles to 26,000 lbs. each. Other features include a wider single occupant cab, new air ride suspension design and air disc brakes. Powered by a Cummins X12 single overhead cam engine, the unit is capable of a top speed of 62 mph.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21615215 www.ForConstructionPros.com

EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTIONS

LGMG

T72J Rough-terrain Boom Lift The T72J has a platform height of 72 ft. with a working height of 78 ft. and a horizontal outreach of 57 ft.

It features a 661-lb. unrestricted and 992-lb. restricted dual-capacity platform. The standard 8-ft.-long, 3-ft.-wide platform maximizes the working space and accommodates three operators with the maximum load.

The unit has a Tier 4 Final-compliant engine and a throttle controlled by the onboard system to automatically reduce noise and fuel consumption. Other features include 4x4 drive, rough-terrain tires, oscillating axles and a 45% climbing ability. The digital diagnostics system provides immediate fault code information on the display screen at the ground control panel.

Wirtgen

220 SM / 220 SMi Surface Miners

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21615418

The 220 SM / 220 SMi Surface Miners are for use in small- and medium-scale mining operations as well as routing work and infrastructure projects. The compact, multipurpose units feature an unconfined compressive strength of up to 50 MPa selectively and a cutting depth of up to 11.8 in. The 7-ft. 3-in.-wide cutting drum unit is tailored precisely to the specific application and ensures high productivity at low operating costs. Primary resources are extracted in a single, environmentally sustainable operation without drilling and blasting. Windrowing enables the material to be deposited behind the machine in a continuous process.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21602812

Komatsu

PC78US-11 Compact Excavator The 17,747-lb., 67.7-hp PC78US-11 tight tailswing excavator has high-flow auxiliary hydraulics and proportional joysticks for precise attachment control.

The conventional boom design has a greater raising angle to reduce front bucket swing radius, as well as faster boom up/swing speed and responsive quick arm speed. Six working modes tailor the machine to the application. The standard grading blade with new moldboard profile improves backfilling and light grading efficiency. A quiet, climate-controlled cab comes with air suspension seat, Bluetooth radio and high-resolution monitor with rear view camera. The highefficiency power package and viscous fan clutch lower overall fuel consumption by up to 13%.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21710544

Hilti

DD 250-CA Diamond Core Drill

Super Products

Mud Dog 700 Compact Vacuum Excavator The Mud Dog 700 vacuum excavator features a 7-yd. debris body and 600-gal. water tank and is suited for applications from compact urban projects to large-scale excavation, potholing and trenching.

Built to maximize payload, it allows operators to carry and accomplish more while still excavating safely in small work areas. The unit comes as a dump body with an electric vibrator. It has a 50° dump angle with the capability of dumping into a 48-in. container while maintaining a low overhead height and center of gravity for increased stability. Its rear-mounted, extendable, 8-in.-diameter boom reaches 18 ft., has 270° rotation and pivots 10° downward, minimizing jobsite restoration and traffic congestion near roads.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21659995

The DD 250-CA diamond core drill is paired with the Cut Assist Auto Feed unit to give operators an assisted experience by intuitively guiding the drill through the entire drilling process. Intelligent features include automatic surface detection, tracking of drilling depth, water management and hole starting and through-hole detection. The integrated technology provides operator guidance for proper drill setup, real-time drilling feedback and productivity data once drilling is completed. The smart tool is capable of drilling penetrations for ducts, pipes and cables, as well as blind holes for setting anchors or post-installed rebar. The DD AF-CA H auto feed unit can be used to assist with the drilling process.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21627647

www.ForConstructionPros.com

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 9

C O M PACT E QU I P M E N T | By Curt Bennink

Avoid a Skid Steer/CTL & ATTACHMENT MISMATCH Universal couplers can lead to loader compatibility mismatches. Here’s how to avoid them.

John Deere

U

For some attachments, you should consider more than just hydraulic horsepower requirements. The carrier needs enough engine horsepower to effectively perform the task.

10 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

niversal skid-steer and compact track loader (CTL) couplers allow you to mate an attachment with any brand of equipment.

But they can also allow size mismatches between the carrier unit and attachment. Improper attachment use can lead to accidents, downtime and unnecessary expenses.

Perhaps the most important consideration is the physical size of the attachment and how it sizes up to the capabilities of the loader.

“As far as the attachment fitting to the machine, we always recommend that the customer has an awareness of what the machine capabilities are as well as the attachment capabilities,” says Mike Fitzgerald, loader product specialist, Bobcat. “On the machine, you have the rated operating capacity. You want to take into account what that attachment might weigh. We have an approved attachment list for each of the different sizes of machines.”

Attachments are carefully vetted. “One thing we evaluate from the attachment side is the different operating positions,” says Travis Kidder, product specialist, Bobcat. “Even if an operator is grabbing an attachment just to move it around and potentially load it onto a trailer, that operator can get into a lot of trouble.”

When lifting an attachment to put it onto a trailer, the center of gravity changes as you get higher and further away from the loader. So, you really need to pay attention to the rated operating capacity vs. the weight of the attachment, as well as how far that weight is sitting out from the center of the machine.

“The one thing that we

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push our sales staff when we’re training [them on] matching attachments with tractors is know what the rated operating capacity is of the machine,” says Ryan Ruhl, team lead for compact construction equipment and training, John Deere. “Some of those attachments are very heavy.

[How] to keep the tractor good and stable is a conversation that needs to be had.”

Some attachments may require counterweights. “With our lineup of attachments and our tractors, we make notes when counterweights could be a benefit to the machine,” says Ruhl. “We are being more proactive about training our sales staff on matching not just the flow and horsepower, but also the weight and understanding what rated operating capacity is vs. maximum lift weight.”

In some cases, attachments that are too large can result in structural damage to the machine. “If you have a snow blade that’s far too wide for a smaller skid steer, you could catch a curb or rock going across the parking lot and damage the loader arms,” says Kidder.

It is not always the attachment that is too large. “You can definitely get the opposite side where the carrier is too big for an attachment,” says Kidder. In this case, the attachment may not be able to hold up to the applied downforce or hydraulic horsepower of the carrier.

FLOW AND PRESSURE CONSIDERATIONS In terms of hydraulic system performance compatibility, consider the performance and limitations of both the carrier and attachment. Each loader can put out a certain maximum flow and pressure and every

COMPACT EQU IPMENT

Bobcat

In terms of hydraulic system performance compatibility, consider the performance and limitations of both the carrier and attachment. Each loader can put out a certain maximum flow and pressure and each attachment is capable of accepting certain flows and pressures.

attachment is capable of accepting certain flows and pressures.

“You want to make sure those are matched,” says Fitzgerald. If you are not certain, the dealer is a good place to start.

Just because you can hook up the attachment doesn’t mean it is compatible. “With the universal nature of the skid-steer-style quick tach, you can pick up a variety of different attachments,” says Jason Simmons, attachments program manager, John Deere. “You can specifically see mismatch occurring on the hydraulic side.”

A prime example is trying to run a high-flow attachment with standard flow. “You are not getting the optimum performance out of the attachments because the carrier isn’t capable of high flow or vice versa — trying to run a machine on high flow with an attachment that’s only capable of standard flow,” Simmons notes. “It can lead to hydraulic failures on the attachment or other issues with the attachment not being able to withstand that flow rating.”

Too much flow from the carrier will put excessive force on the attachment, causing it to wear faster and reducing performance. “With newer machines that are capable of higher pressure... we do see some of those issues today where the system is capable of higher pressure than the attachment is rated for,” says Simmons.

Hydraulic horsepower to run a specific attachment comes down to two key variables. “The flow and pressure is what gives you the hydraulic horsepower,” says Fitzgerald.

For some attachments, you should consider more than

hydraulic horsepower requirements. “We’ve seen some situations where the attachment will have a flow spec. Let’s say it can operate between 26 and 41 gpm,” says Ruhl. “If you utilize a 75-hp tractor that produces 32 gpm, it meets the need of that attachment, but overall it might not have enough horsepower to push through the material. The tractor can operate the attachment within the hydraulic specs, but it doesn’t have enough horsepower [to perform the task].”

The laws of physics dictate that the more power you have available, the more work you can accomplish. According to Case Construction Equipment, one of the most common mistakes that contractors make is buying a skid steer without enough hydraulic power.

The standard-flow auxiliary hydraulics package is the most common system, Case notes.

Although flow rates differ by manufacturer and skid-steer model, a standard-flow system ranges from 17 to 24 gpm.

Standard-flow auxiliary hydraulics are included on all skid steers from the factory and operate on the same pressure as the machine’s main hydraulics, which is approximately 3,000 to 3,500 psi. A high-flow auxiliary hydraulics system also operates on the same pressures (roughly 3,000/3,500 psi) as the main hydraulic circuits, but offers a flow rate ranging from 30 to 38 gpm.

When even more hydraulic power is required, an enhanced high-flow auxiliary hydraulics package is available. According to Case, this high-performance option has flow rates that are

similar to a skid steer with a high-flow package, yet operates at up to 4,000 psi. Examples of attachments that require an enhanced high-flow system include larger cold planers, larger mulchers used to clear brush and small trees and large rock saws that you might find in an aggregates operation.

TIPS TO OPTIMIZE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE Unlike some of the sophisticated excavator systems where you can adjust flows and pressures from the control panel in the cab, most skid-steer loaders use open-center hydraulic systems where flows can only be adjusted via engine speed.

“Most of our machines are running an open-center hydraulic system,” says Ruhl. “Basically, all that flow for auxiliary is based on engine rpms and that is one way they can adjust it.” Higher engine speeds equate to higher hydraulic horsepower.

There is a common misconception that it’s best to run the attachment “wide open” and use all of the flow and pressure available, Case notes. This is incorrect, and many attachments come labeled with optimal parameters for operation.

Most large attachments come equipped with a pressure gauge to help operators run the attachment well within the recommended pressure guidelines. A good suggestion is to keep the attachment at 5% to 10% off of its maximum pressure to get optimum cooling and performance at the same time. Exceeding these ratings can lead to damage and unnecessary stresses on the machine.

Another way to maximize

www.ForConstructionPros.com

attachment performance is to use attachments that have been optimized for your particular machine.

“Our attachments, the performance, functions and fit-up are optimized first for our equipment,” says Simmons. “We make sure the motor that we have selected for the hydraulic attachments matches the performance of our machine. We make sure the hose routing is optimized to prevent any issues between the attachment to the machine when it is hooked up.

We make sure that steps are placed in the right places so that access and egress from the machine match with our equipment. Everything is optimized for performance.”

Case drains are also a requirement for some attachments. “A lot of rotary attachments, especially in the forestry side, require a case drain to be on the attachment and connected to the loader,” says Kidder. “You do see more case drains standard across the CTL industry, but many older machines didn’t have them.

Customers that try to run those attachments without the case drains hooked up pretty quickly damage the hydraulic motor on the attachment.”

There are a few attachments, such as tree spades, where you also must consider the total volume of oil required from the

of oil that maybe the tractor doesn’t have on hand. So, you should also note the volume of oil required to run a specific attachment.”

PERFORM A CLEARANCE CHECK Just because an attachment mates up to the carrier doesn’t mean there are not interference issues. “Even simple things like checking for clearances in the roll, roll back and dump of attachments, like grapple open, [is important]. While they may fit up and they may work on one machine, [with] different geometries of booms and other locations of auxiliary hydraulic circuits, it’s always good to check clearances through the entire range of motion for the attachment,” Simmons advises.

“You could put a grapple on a machine and when you roll back it will hit your couplers and crack those,” Kidder points out.

“You can run into issues where things just don’t fit up well. Just because it hooks to your attachment interface doesn’t mean it is going to function well with that skid steer. These are all things we see out in the field.”

You need to check clearances and hose routing prior to going to work. “Check hose routing to make sure you have adequate hose length,” advises Fitzgerald. “If the hoses are too long, have the excess hose taken

With the universal nature of a quick attach, you can pick up a variety of different attachments. But you still need to ensure they’re compatible. machine. “With a tree spade, for instance, as that spade goes down into the ground, those cylinders are going to be extended fully,” says Simmons. “That has now taken up several gallons

up somewhere where it will not get caught in debris on the ground or in the tires or tracks.

We make an attachment that has hydraulic hoses on it to fit a variety of machines and the frame

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 11

C O M PACT E QU I P M E N T Case Construction Equipment

don’t have a need for the addon auxiliary type cooler on our machines.

“Keeping your machine clean is the other half of that story, especially in forestry when you are raining down debris onto the coolers,” notes Kidder. “You can start to have overheating issues when you’re not moving enough air through the coolers. Keeping the gates clean and blowing them out with air on a regular basis goes a long way in keeping your machine cool.”

ELECTRICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Some attachments benefit from enhanced high-flow hydraulic systems. Examples include larger cold planers, larger mulchers used to clear brush and small trees and large rock saws you might find in an aggregates operation.

might be smaller on this one and larger on the next one, but the hose has to work on both. That’s where you have to make sure you have things routed and sized appropriately.”

KEEP IT COOL Hydraulic-intensive attachments that require the machine to handle almost constant, highintensity loads tend to generate

BE AWARE OF HYDRAULIC OIL CONTAMINATION POINTS There is an increased chance of hydraulic oil contamination when you frequently switch between random attachments.

“We try to get customers to keep an attachment with a particular brand of tractor,” says Ryan Ruhl, John Deere. “All of the competitors use a different brand of hydraulic oil.”

John Deere, for instance, uses a specific synthetic hydraulic oil. “You don’t want to see contamination issues,” says Ruhl. “We have run into it on our compact excavators in the past and we do have processes in place where we can convert the excavator over to use the same oil that the John Deere skid-steer loaders or CTLs use, or they convert the oil that would go on that excavator.

“One thing that is a concern as far as swapping attachments from one manufacturer to another, especially in the rental segment, is to make sure people are putting these on good machines with good oils,” he adds.

“Most manufacturers today use oils that are compatible and the amount of oil that is in an attachment is normally not significant in the overall system,” says Mike Fitzgerald, Bobcat. “The percentage that comes into a machine is usually fairly small.” The basic contamination you are going to get hooking and unhooking attachments is dust or dirt on the couplers and then what little bit of oil transfers from the attachment.

Oil analysis is a useful tool to monitor any contamination issue. “We do encourage our customers to run oil analysis,” says Ruhl. “Specifically with John Deere, most of our hydraulic oil change intervals on our skid steers and compact track loaders are 1,000 hours if they are using John Deere filters and fluids. Our large-frame machine does have an additional 500-hour filter change.”

12 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

a lot of heat. Proper cooling is a must for these high-performance, high-power hydro-mechanical tools.

Cooling capacity varies by the loader, and some units can be equipped with a roof-mounted auxiliary hydraulic cooler for additional hydraulic cooling capacity when operating in high ambient temperatures.

Understand the needs of your current machines. “In the past on certain attachments like mulching heads, we have offered auxiliary mounted oil coolers for customers that are in higher ambient temperatures — 90˚ F and above running continuous mulching,” Simmons comments. “We’ve done a lot of work in this space with our compact track loaders to improve cooling performance.

It is to the point where we no longer offer an auxiliary cooler mounted either on the attachment or the machine [when running John Deere attachments]. We’ve improved the performance enough to be able to run continuously in those environments and meet customer expectations.”

Similarly, Bobcat loaders don’t require auxiliary coolers to run high-demand attachments. “We design our loaders to work in all of the different applications that we have out there so we don’t have auxiliary coolers available from Bobcat,” says Fitzgerald. “We work on the front side to meet a certain ambient air temperature and a certain load on the hydraulics to make sure our standard cooling system meets that requirement.

With our attachments and the attachments we approve, we

There has been an increase in sophisticated attachments that require electrical connections to the machines.

“In terms of electrical connections, we do see that there is a standard in terms of the Deutsch connector that is used,” says Simmons. “But manufacturers are using different pin-out locations within that connector. This means that what might be the right button to run one function on the attachment on a John Deere machine might run it differently on a competitive machine.”

“It is not only different pinouts, but also the number of pins in the Deutsch connector,” Ruhl elaborates. “Competitors may run a 7-pin connector.

We run a 14-pin connector.”

With a lot of this technology, there is also CAN communication happening. “This requires another connector, as well. Right now, unfortunately, there is no ISO standard when it comes to attachment connections.”

“It seems to be getting more complicated the further we get down the road and there really is no standard,” Kidder states.

“Bobcat uses a 7-pin CAN bus

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system and we have for a while now. “ “On the Bobcat system for our attachments that require multiple functions, we use a small control box on the attachment,” Fitzgerald points out.

“It’s a CAN bus so we only need seven connections. When you’re using direct inputs/outputs, then it takes a larger connector, which is the 14 pin. That is just a positive/negative 12-volt system that activates solenoids.”

The solution to compatibility comes in the form of harness adapters. “On the attachment side, we do make a 14-pin T-harness, which allows you to take a Bobcat attachment and connect a harness that has a 14-pin output,” says Kidder. “On that 14-pin connector coming off the attachment, there is still a lot of differentiation between what carrier manufacturers are putting out from their carrier. A 14-pin Kubota and a 14-pin Case are likely not the same outputs from their joysticks.”

To make the attachments compatible with multiple brands, Bobcat makes an additional electrical harness that runs from the 14-pin output on its attachment to the correct pins on certain loaders.

Third-party vendors have also stepped to the plate to address compatibility concerns.

“There are some companies out there that are basically buying machines or renting machines so they can figure out that wiring,” says Ruhl. “Then they are providing adapter harnesses.”

They are also creating controller adapters. “It’s basically a bridge controller that allows the attachments to talk to the tractor and the tractor to talk to the attachment.” ET

One way to maximize performance is to use attachments optimized for the particular machine.

CONQUERING CHALLENGES. POWERED BY INNOVATION. Big or small, Doosan® equipment is engineered to tackle your most challenging work. When working with the experts at your local Doosan dealer, there’s no job you can’t conquer.

See our full lineup of equipment or find your nearest dealer at DISCOVERDOOSAN.COM/EQUIPMENTTODAY Doosan® and the Doosan logo are registered trademarks of Doosan Corp. in the United States and various other countries around the world. ©2021 Doosan Infracore North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

COMPACT EQUIPMENT Products Kubota SSV65 and SSV75 Skid-steer Loaders The 64-gross-hp SSV65 boasts a 1,950lb. rated operating capacity (ROC) and 4,839-lb. bucket breakout force, and the 74-gross-hp SSV75 has a 2,690-lb. ROC and 5,884-lb. bucket breakout force.

• Vertical lift configuration can dump into a dump truck with 10-ft. sides • Kubota Tier 4-certified four-cylinder diesel engine • Include a spacious, dust-resistant pressurized cabin with an optimized climate control system, slide-up front-entry door and hand-foot controls • Standard two-speed travel • Optional high-flow hydraulics and multi-function lever for fingertip control of major machine and implement functions

www.ForConstructionPros.com/12010695

Sunward SWL3230 Skid Steer The SWL3230 skid steer brings speed, reliability and the optimal amount of power thanks to a 74-hp Kubota diesel engine.

• Rated operating capacity of 2,427 lbs. with breakout force of 5,472 lbs.

• Can easily load up to 8,000 lbs. and has a tipping load of 4,854 lbs.

• 123-in. height to hinge pin • Can quickly maneuver around the jobsite with a max speed of 7.8 mph • Turning radius of just 4 ft. 5 in.

• Generates 22.7-gpm standard hydraulic flow

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Manitou Skid-steer Loaders This lineup of high-performance radial and vertical lift skid steers includes nine models rated from 34.7 to 120.7 hp and powered by top engine suppliers.

• Operating weights range from 4,200 to 11,665 lbs. with rated operating capacities from 1,050 to 4,200 lbs.

• Generate 2,975 to 9,040 lbs. of breakout force • Hinge pin heights range from 107.5 to 143.8 in.

• Deliver 14.5- to 30.1-gpm hydraulic flow (standard) • R1050 offers an overall envelope of only 89” x 48” x 70”

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Caterpillar D3 Series Skid-steer and Compact Track Loaders Takeuchi TS80 Series Skid-steer Loaders

Case B Series Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders

The large-frame TS80 series skid steers feature 74-hp Deutz Tier 4 Final engines that supply 192 ft.-lbs. of torque at 1,800 rpm and incorporate a maintenance-free diesel oxidation catalyst.

• 7,950-lb. radial lift TS80R2 has a 2,825lb. rated operating capacity (ROC), 5,845-lb. bucket breakout force and 10-ft. 5-in. maximum hinge pin height • 8,965-lb. vertical lift TS80V2 has a 3,500-lb. ROC, 5,920-lb. bucket breakout force and 10-ft. 10-in. hinge pin height • Functional, well-equipped cab includes a lower threshold for easier entry and exit • Optional ride control, bucket positioning and high-flow auxiliary hydraulics

The next-generation B Series includes five compact track loaders and eight skid steers in radial and vertical lift patterns, as well as numerous horsepower and size classes.

• Maintenance-free Tier 4 Final engines • Offer enhanced visibility, an updated operator interface and controls, simple startup and operation and powerful breakout force and auxiliary hydraulics • Completely redesigned operator interface includes left- and right-hand posts with simple ignition, push-button operation, easy throttle control and intuitive switches for all core functions • 8-in. LCD multi-function display includes a backup camera view in a split screen with machine data

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Wacker Neuson 100-hp Loader Models The 100-hp models include the SW32 skid-steer loader and ST40 radial lift and ST50 vertical lift compact track loaders.

• Rated operating capacities of 3,200 (SW32), 3,500 (ST40) and 5,000 lbs. (ST50) • Hinge pin heights of 134.8 in. (SW32) and 136.6 in. (ST50) • Kohler KDI 3404 turbo diesel engine with maintenance-free diesel oxidation catalyst and selective catalytic reduction • Cab fully tips forward with loader arms down • Control options include mechanical hand-foot (SW models), electric-hydraulic (EH) hand-foot and selectable EH (ISO and H-pattern)

The D3 Series includes 16 skid-steer, compact track loader (CTL) and multi terrain loader models offering rated operating capacities (50% tipping load) from 2,185 to 6,200 lbs. and 67.1 to 110 gross hp.

• Wider opening cab door for easy entry and exit and an added 3 in. between joystick pods for extra space inside the cab • CTLs feature standard two-speed travel and changes to the undercarriage frame and torsion axles that reduce machine pitching and rocking • Smart Technology automatically recognizes and converts machine controls to align with Smart Attachment needs • Advanced control features include Return-to-Dig and Work Tool Positioner

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JCB Teleskid Available in tracked and wheeled versions, the Teleskid can perform the work of a telescopic handler, masted forklift, compact loader and skid steer, all in one easily serviced machine.

• Telescopic boom combines vertical and radial lift capability • Provides a forward reach of 8 ft., a lift height of 13 ft. and can dig below the chassis to a depth of 3 ft.

• Bucket-positioning leveling system allows the bucket level to be set and maintained throughout the boom’s range of movement • 74-hp JCB Ecomax Tier 4 Final engine provides high torque at low rpm • JCB myCHOICE software allows control responsiveness and joystick sensitivity to be tailored to match operator preferences

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14 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

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COMPACT EQUIPMENT Products KOVACO Elise 900 Electric Skid-steer Loader The Elise 900 Electric skid-steer loader incorporates three electric motors, two of which are used for travel and one that is used for the hydraulic system only.

• Standard battery provides a run time of two to eight hours under load depending on application • Upgrading to 400Ah battery increases working time 30% to 40% and rated operating capacity from the standard 1,948 lbs. to 3,000 lbs.

• Features a boom height of 11.8 ft., side tilt of 47° and a self-leveling platform • Maximum loader speed of 8.2 mph • Can be controlled remotely via a mobile app

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21133219

KATO AS12 Skid-steer Loader

Mustang 4200V Skid-steer Loader

The 21-net-hp AS12 radial lift skid steer delivers enhanced performance in a compact package that comes as narrow as 3 ft. 1 in. and has an overall length of 8 ft. 6 in.

• Offers an operating weight of just over 3,000 lbs. with a rated operating capacity of 728 lbs.

• Features 1,641 lbs. of breakout force and a tipping load of 1,455 lbs.

• 8-ft. 4-in. height to hinge pin • 9.25-gpm standard hydraulic flow • Interior offers clearance of up to 28 in., a comfortable adjustable seat and easy to operate controls

www.ForConstructionPros.com/20992091

The 11,665-lb. 4200V has a 4,200-lb. rated operating capacity and a vertical lift path of almost 12 ft.

• Deutz Tier 4-certified engine rated at 120.7 hp and 354 ft.-lbs. of torque • Standard high-flow auxiliary hydraulics offer hydraulic flows up to 41 gpm • Standard cab with suspension seat, pilot joystick controls, foot or hand throttle, heat and air conditioning • Includes a 14-pin connector for easy attachment use, two-speed and hydraglide for a smoother ride and less material spillage

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21509409

ASV MAX-Series VS-75 and RS-75 Skid-steer Loaders The MAX-Series radial-lift 75-hp RS-75 has a 2,600-lb. rated operating capacity and a 5,845-lb. breakout force, while the 75-hp vertical-lift VS-75 offers a 3,500-lb. rated operating capacity and a 5,920-lb. breakout force.

• 10.5 in. of ground clearance • Next-generation cab available with 360° visibility, a roomier operator area, more comfortable seat, high-tech touchscreen display and more • Options include a pressurized cab, fully suspended seat, 7-in. touchscreen display, dual throttle and more • Standard safety features include a roof escape hatch, ROPS and reinforced windows for impact resistance

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21710601

New Holland 300 Series Skid-steer Loaders The 300 Series skid steers include six models (L316 to L334) ranging from 5,645 to 8,900 lbs. and rated operating capacities from 1,600 to 3,400 lbs.

• 57- to 84-net-hp engines • “Super Boom” design provides breakout forces from 4,180 to 9,323 lbs. and enhanced stability for lift and carry tasks • 112- to 131-in. height to hinge pin • 18.4- to 24.2-gpm hydraulic flow • Feature an 8-in. LCD multifunction display and a factory fit reverse camera that enhances in-cab visibility • Upgraded cab controls • Creep Mode and Auto Straight Line Tracking enhance operator performance

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21136409

Bobcat R-Series T62 and S62 Loaders The R-Series T62 compact track loader and S62 skid steer are radius lift path models that feature 68-hp redesigned Bobcat 2.4-liter, Tier 4 no-DPF diesel engines and 2,150- and 2,100-lb. rated operating capacities.

• Inline engine design and a durable direct-drive system ensure high performance • Include a redesigned cooling system with a larger, higher-capacity radiator and heavy-duty steel louvers on the tailgate • Stronger cast steel lift arm sections and powerful hydraulics improve lifting capabilities • One-piece sealed and pressurized cab • Bob-Tach attachment mounting system

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21200386

John Deere G-Series Loaders

Gehl R190 Skid Loader The 6,800-lb. R190 features a 68.4-hp Yanmar Tier 4 engine and amped-up hydraulic system with an intuitive design for precise controllability.

• 1,900-lb. rated operating capacity and 120.5-in. height to hinge pin • 18.5-gpm standard or optional 31.5-gpm highflow auxiliary hydraulics • Spacious operator station with Level II ROPS/ FOPS, side-folding restraint bar and adjustable armrests, adjustable control pods, optional air ride seat and T-bar, joystick, dual-hand and hand/foot control options • Customizable integrated digital display and upper-left and upper-right instrument panels for easy readout and switch access

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21046507

The 312GR, 314G, 316GR and 318G skid steers and 317G compact track loader feature an optimized boom design that provides lifting heights of over 10 ft. on vertical lift models (314G, 317G, 318G) and a 21% increase in breakout forces on radial lift models (312GR, 316GR).

• 1,550- to 2,124-lb. rated operating capacities • 51- to 65-hp Yanmar Tier 4 Final engines and hydraulic powertrains • 316GR, 318G and 317G offer 24% more engine power and all models provide 11% additional fuel capacity • 316GR and 318G feature two-speed, air conditioning, electrohydraulic joystick controls, an enhanced lighting package and self-level and ride control combination with shockabsorbing boom cylinders

www.ForConstructionPros.com/12165996

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October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 15

FL E E T M AN AG E M E N T | By Ryan Lopes

T

Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America

While you’re inspecting the tire, be sure to look for clues about how operators are using your skid steers.

Also check for uneven wear.

ires represent as much as 30% of the operating and maintenance costs of equipment, so getting the most from your tires is perhaps the quickest way to improve your bottom line. This is doubly true for skid steers, which are designed to steer by varying the speed or direction of their wheels or locking one side while the other side turns. It is a system that is literally built on grinding rubber.

Understanding what skidsteer tires go through every day, or even most days, can help you zero in on your next set of tires.

INSPECT FOR DAMAGE

How GOOD TIRE PRACTICES Can Boost Skid Steer Profits With one out of every three operations and maintenance dollars rolling in and out of your gate every day, it pays to pay attention to your tires.

16 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

The first step is to inspect the tires regularly, looking for nails and other debris poking into the tire, or mud or cement in the tread that could cause the tread to crack.

Caked-on mud or a thick coat of dust can hide the debris, bulges, cracks or cuts you’re looking for, and petroleum products like oil or solvents can damage rubber compounds. So, keeping tires clean is an easy way to protect your investment.

If you clean off a tire and see cuts, missing chunks or wear down to the carcass plies, replace the tire immediately.

Trying to squeeze another day out of a tire that is doomed to fail could create a safety hazard.

It is also much easier to call in a tire dealer to swap out a pair of tires in the yard than it is to have to pick up a skid steer with a blown tire and haul it back to the shop for an emergency repair.

MONITOR WEAR While you’re inspecting the tire, be sure to look for clues about how operators are using your skid steers. Is the tread wearing down from hard surface abrasion, or is it being picked at and sliced by broken rock and debris?

Also check for uneven wear.

Operators often charge into a pile to fill the bucket aggressively, spinning the rear tires while popping the fronts up into the air on impact, especially if the bucket is low. The result is fast wear on the rear axle. It can be worthwhile to rotate front tires to the rear about halfway through the

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tires’ life to get the most out of the set.

When you rotate tires on a skid steer, be sure that they match on the right and left sides of an axle. If the tire on one side is bigger than the other, you can create costly drivetrain problems.

CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE If running pneumatic tires, make sure the tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure.

The local tire dealer can help you determine the proper pressure, or you can check online at the tire manufacturer’s website for an inflation table. Figure on the heaviest rated load for that machine with a full bucket, and estimate the top speed of operation.

A few minutes spent measuring tire pressures in the morning, when tires are cold, can extend the life of the tires dramatically.

An under inflated tire will flex too much at the sidewall, building up heat from the friction of its movement. That can damage the tire from excessive rubbing on the rim, or cause the bulging, overheated sidewall to puncture from debris.

An overheated tire is also prone to failure as the heat causes rubber compounds to separate from each other or the materials to which they are bonded. On the other hand, too high an inflation pressure can cause excess wear in the center of the tread (especially on bias-ply tires, which tend to crown in the center) or carcass damage from impacts.

THINK AHEAD, THINK TREAD After you’ve inspected enough tires, you will have a strong sense of the challenges your skid-steer tires are facing in the field. Armed with that information, you can zero in on the tire that will deliver the best performance and return on your investment.

The easiest differentiation is tread pattern. If you find yourself spraying off mud every time a skid steer returns to the yard, invest in R-4 bar tread tires, which

FL EET MANAGEMENT

have horizontal lugs for great traction in mud and soft surfaces.

If you’re more likely to see skid steers coming back with concrete dust or abrasive wear from asphalt, you will get much better tire life from an L-4 block tread pattern with a higher rubber-tovoid ratio — big, chunky, flat blocks with just enough space between them to provide traction. Those blocks work okay in dirt, but the bigger benefit is that they will last much longer against the steady scrubbing against hard surfaces that could grind bar treads down in a matter of hours.

Another design feature to look for in treads of skid-steer tires is a nondirectional pattern, which provides equal traction whether the machine is going forward or backward. Skid steers often spend almost as much time in reverse as they do in forward, particularly if they are equipped with a bucket or forks.

If your machines are going back and forth on pavement, a non-directional block tread tire could provide you with service life so long, you could enjoy residual value from the tread when it comes time to sell the skid steer.

Your local tire dealer can steer you to tread designs and constructions that can deliver the best ROI and lowest total cost of ownership.

WORK WITH YOUR DEALER Your local tire dealer is an outstanding resource that can save you money in a wide range of ways. With a quick inspection of your equipment, they can tell what your tires are up against and which tires

would serve you best in the future, whether they are airfilled pneumatics, foam-filled pneumatics or solid tires.

The tire dealer can steer you to tread designs and constructions that will deliver the best ROI and lowest total cost

of ownership — not necessarily the cheapest purchase cost, but the most hours of performance per dollar.

And working with your schedule to arrange scheduled replacement and repair, your tire dealer can keep your

equipment out in the field, making you money. ET Ryan Lopes is national business and product manager material handling and solid tires for Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America Inc.

COMPACT STUMPEX® STUMP GRINDER ATTACHMENT

WATCH IT IN

ACTION

Fraction of work time compared to conventional stumpers

Low RPM bit leads to easy clean-up and has no high speed flying debris for a safer work zone

No carbide tools to replace

Low maintenance and use on any species of wood

BLACKHAWK® SKID STEER MULCHING ATTACHMENT

WATCH IT IN

ACTION

High Strength steel body construction to withstand the rigors of everyday use Replaceable bolt-on shear bar and wear liner Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America

Bolt-on universal SSL/CTL quick attach Carrier specific hydraulic hoses and couplers

FECON.COM 800 528 3113|

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October 2021 EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 17

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

TEST PLOT

Proves What a Difference an Hour Can Make A one-hour test plot involving a compact track loader and a mulching attachment leads to a long-term land clearing contract.

Y The Bobcat T770 compact track loader steers around desirable “keeper trees” and quickly navigates the landscape, while the Fecon Bull Hog attachment easily chews through material, leaving behind a finely processed end product (bottom photo).

18 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

ou can do a lot in an hour: jot off some handwritten notes, play a game of chess or catch up on your favorite industry magazine, to name a few. Evan Peterson used his hour to sew up a long-term mulching and clearing contract.

The customer owned a farm of a few hundred acres and needed parts of it cleared.

Peterson, the owner and sole employee of Peterson Land Services, recommended forestry mulching but the customer was hesitant. He had hired someone to do forestry mulching before and the end product was less than desirable. Rather than being consistently mulched, the material was inconsistently sized, with larger chunks and smaller pieces throughout.

The owner took Peterson back to the strip of land that had previously been “cleared,” and Peterson agreed it did not look great. Volunteer pines and scrub oaks up to 4 in. in diameter peppered the landscape and brush covered the forest floor. Still, Peterson was certain forestry mulching was what the owner needed — and he

all images courtesy of Fecon

Peterson used a Bobcat T770 compact track loader with a Fecon Bull Hog attachment to tackle the land clearing test. Fecon

was certain he could do a better job.

With the owner still hesitant, Peterson made him an offer: pay him for an hour’s worth of work and if the owner wasn’t happy, Peterson would stop. It was a small investment of time and money, so the owner agreed.

EQUIPMENT THAT’S CUT OUT FOR THE JOB Peterson was confident that he could tackle the job because he knew his equipment — a Bobcat T770 compact track loader and Fecon Bull Hog attachment — could handle it.

As the loader deftly steers around desirable “keeper trees” and quickly navigates the landscape, the attachment easily chews through material, leaving behind a finely processed end product.

Peterson first heard about Fecon as he was researching mulching equipment, but a personal friend and fellow land clearer sold him on it. Even Peterson’s Bobcat dealer ran Fecon heads, further convincing him it was the right way to go.

The Bull Hog is equipped with a DCR rotor head and

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knives with depth control rings suited for processing a fine end product. The smaller bite enables a fast cut with less horsepower to save energy for production.

The smaller bite also means the rotor head is less aggressive but more efficient. Rather than taking a big bite that stalls the motor, the DCR takes small bites and keeps on biting. The attached Viking Axe knives are slicing as it chips, providing a more consistent chip size. The knives also feature dual cutting edges, resulting in faster, smoother cutting.

Without the attachment, Peterson would be left to what he calls the “old school” method of grubbing, a more time-consuming process. Grubbing requires bringing in an excavator to take stumps out and dig out the whole root ball for all the trees on the site, then switching to a compact track loader and grapple attachment to gather the material into a burn pile. Plus, there is the added time to move around the site and stack up material and the day to a day and a half

J OBS ITE S OL U TIONS

MOBILITY AND MAINTENANCE

With a couple hundred acres to mulch but no need for a quick turnaround, Peterson is able to clear the site as time allows, meaning steady longterm work for the contractor. of just brining the material — and the material still had to be removed.

With the loader and Bull Hog, this is already accomplished. Plus, digging up invasive trees could damage the root system of native trees the owner might want to keep. Rather than risking healthy trees and burning his time, Peterson prefers to mulch the material as he’s clearing it,

effectively accomplishing two steps in one.

AN HOUR SEALED THE DEAL At the end of the hour-long test, the customer returned to a neatly cleared and mulched patch. The mulch was finely chopped and consistent, and accentuated the keeper trees that remained standing. The customer was so shocked by the quality of the test patch that he hired

Peterson for the rest of the day and offered a long-term contract to return for periodic clearing.

With a couple hundred acres to mulch but no need for a quick turnaround, the customer agreed to let Peterson come clear it as time allowed. The arrangement is a win-win situation: Peterson gets to fit in the job on an as-needed basis, providing a source of work between projects. And since he can do

the work one day at a time, he can take more manageable bites out of the massive project.

Meanwhile, the customer has a mulching attachment and can do regular maintenance in between clearings.

So, with just one hour of work, Peterson was able to show the customer just what a difference the right equipment makes and secure work for the foreseeable future. ET

As a one-person operation, Evan Peterson brings everything with him wherever he goes. He arrives on site with a Ford F-350 with a Weather Guard toolbox and a 13-ton Big Tex 25GN trailer with another toolbox. His Bobcat T770 compact track loader sits on the trailer with the Fecon Bull Hog attached and greased for the day. The mobile setup allows Peterson to bring everything he needs for the day so he can spend the day clearing, not driving back and forth.

Peterson’s maintenance routine also helps keep him in the field working all day. Each piece of gear gets a weekly washout as well as daily clean outs.

For the Bull Hog specifically, he cleans out the head each day and sharpens the teeth twice a day for 20 minutes. Even he admits it’s an “extreme” routine, but the hour-long process pays dividends with a smooth ride on the jobsite. And if anything does go sideways, Peterson has everything he needs, from grease to spare parts, in one of his two tool boxes.

ATTACHMENTS Products

Dragon Screed Leveling Attachment Minnich A3/A6 Dowel Pin Drills The A3/A6 pneumatically powered, machine-mounted drills can be mounted to an excavator, backhoe or skid-steer loader to form a self-contained and highly mobile drilling solution for fulldepth repair.

• Feature up to six drills • Carrier used to transport the drill, eliminating operator fatigue and improving safety • Available side-shift functionality enables operators to drill a second set of holes without having to reposition the carrier • Optional dust collection system available

The Dragon Screed concrete and gravel leveling equipment can be used for leveling subgrade and screeding concrete on pours from 6 to 22 ft. wide.

• Can be configured to work on the sides or in front of loader, in forward or reverse • Wireless remote control allows operator to select from five vibration speeds • Wide floats, each with a vibrator, drag smoothly behind the screed bar • Hydraulic pivot allows pouring on a pitch or from an uneven surface • Quick-attach handles provide maneuverability in small spaces

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21043528

Danuser Mega Mixer Material-handling Bucket The enhanced Mega Mixer materialhandling bucket is designed to mix, scoop and dispense a variety of materials including bag-mix concrete.

• Features an easy to operate discharge end and 8-in.-diameter with 8-in. pitch steel auger for faster mixing and dispensing • 22.8-cu.-in. motor provides improved torque • Able to dispense 3/4 yds. of material in 26 seconds (up to 1-in.-diameter rock) • Mounts on both sides allow material to be dispensed on the right or left side of the host machine • Two 2-ft. multi-link chutes store on the bucket

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Breaker Technology CX Series Hydraulic Breakers The CX Series small-size hydraulic breakers are suited for continuous duty in harsh environments including concrete breaking, secondary breaking in mining or quarry applications, demolition and trenching.

• Three models (CX4, CX6 and CX8) fit in the 400- to 800-ft.-lb. energy class and weigh from 396 to 734 lbs. with top bracket • Dual blow ratings (long and short stroke) ranging from 350 to 1,100 bpm • Recommended for carriers from 4,400 to 17,700 lbs.

• Standard silenced box with optional side plate mounting and skid-steer bracket

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21118012

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 19

ATTACHMENTS Products Rockwater CB Hydraulic Breakers CB Hammers are available for excavators, backhoes and skid steers ranging from 0.8 to 55 tons.

• Compact, lightweight range for compact excavators and skid steers includes a unique valve system and plumbing design that provide power and efficiency while requiring less oil flow • Medium range for backhoes and excavators offers power and versatility for working with a wide range of operating pressures and oil flows • Heavy-duty range for excavators beyond 20 tons are fully box framed with damping materials to reduce noise and recoils to the carrier, and come preinstalled with an auto grease system

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Seago Maxi-Postmaster

Caterpillar SMART Backhoe Attachment

The Maxi-Postmaster from Autoguide will quickly and efficiently drive up to a 10-in. post of steel, wood or plastic in all shapes with little or no ground disruption.

• Powerful jaws clamp on post so it can be moved to the precise insertion point • Entire post begins vibrating once drive motors are engaged and soil underneath is disrupted so post moves easily into the ground • Weighs 660 lbs. and provides up to 24,750 lbs. of downforce • Can attach to any excavator, mini-excavator or skid steer and requires only 12 to 16 gpm of hydraulic flow for operation

The 2,325-lb. BH130 SMART Backhoe Attachment is designed for Cat D3 Series skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and multi terrain loaders.

• Maximum digging depth of 9.75 ft. with 13.25-ft. reach at ground level from the swing pivot pin • Auxiliary hydraulic system allows pairing with hydro-mechanical work tools • Hydraulically shifts side to side (total of 33 in.)

• Integrated electrohydraulic controls operated using host machine’s joysticks • Attachment control mode allows existing joysticks to be used for boom, stick, bucket and swing functions

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21219909

Fecon Compact Stumpex The Compact Stumpex is a slow-speed, high-torque auger-style stump grinder designed for compact utility loaders.

• Slow auger speed ensures no flying debris and enables faster cleanup • High torque eradicates stumps of any species from 4 to 11 in. in diameter in a single plunge • Robust drive generates up to 4,000 lbs. of torque • Features a hardened auger cone that ensures positive draw into the stump and stepped blades made of 1/2-in.-thick durable AR500 material • Suited for compact utility loaders ranging from 10 to 20 gpm of hydraulic flow and 2,000 to 3,000 psi

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Level Best Precision Grader Blade The GB108 Precision Grader Blade has a 108-in.-wide rugged blade that adjusts in four directions and works with all makes of 2D and 3D guidance systems, including GPS and robotic total station systems, as well as manually.

• Designed to fit popular makes of compact track loaders • Enables highprecision grading of subsurfaces to within 0.1 in. of spec • Features eight-way blade adjustment, a reversible cutting edge and oscillating front axle to stabilize operation • Includes foam-filled tires, a powdercoated finish, convex mirrors for visibility to material, proportional hydraulic valve and hoses with flat-face couplers

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Bobcat Nitrogen Breakers Six nitrogen breaker models are available to fit Bobcat compact track loaders, skid-steer loaders, mini track loaders and compact excavators.

• Offer impact energy ratings from 81 to 996 ft.-lbs.

• Long piston stroke with relatively minimal recoil • Feature minimal internal parts, a single lower bushing and easily accessible grease ports • Valve design lessens hydraulic pressure fluctuation, reducing stress on the carrier’s hydraulic pumps • Loader X-Change mounting frame

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21045626

π LARGEST STOCK OF PALLETS SHIPPING FROM 12 LOCATIONS

SHIPPING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS

Mastodon Model M60-S and M60-C Mulcher Attachments

OVER 7,400 MATERIAL HANDLING PRODUCTS IN STOCK

ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING COMPLETE CATALOG

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The M60-S and M60-C forestry mulchers have a 60-in. cut width and a 160cc variable piston hydraulic motor controlled by E-TECH Smartdrive.

• ECU-controlled power management system adapts and controls motor displacement to produce instant torque and optimal mulching performance • Can be tuned to any machine in seconds using Bluetooth and a smartphone app or with the in-cab monitor • Head on the M60-S produces up to 780 ft.-lbs. of torque with a maximum rotor speed of 2,500 rpm • M60-C includes a hydraulically controlled dual-mode cutting chamber that offers fingertip control of mulch size and degree of broadcasting desired

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20 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

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Bobcat ®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2021 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1463

AT TACHM E N T S Products May-Wes Poly Cutting Edge

Case Precision Grader Blade

Loftness L Series Battle Ax L Series Battle Ax horizontal drum mulchers are suited for skid steers with 16- to 30-gpm hydraulic flow ratings.

• Rotor design includes built-in gauges to ensure proper material flow into the drum • Two-stage cutting chamber for optimal particle sizing • Reversible Quadco blades • Available with 51- and 61-in. cutting widths

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This Precision Grader Blade for largeframe compact track loaders (CTLs) is compatible with the use of single or dual laser receivers, sonic tracers and GNSS/ GPS, as well as total stations.

• “Plug and play” attachment design with auxiliary hydraulics and 14-pin electrical connection of a large-frame CTL • 108-in. moldboard capable of jointly changing elevation and slope through dual lift cylinders and achieving 60° of combined blade rotation and 26 in. of combined blade side shift • Provides 97 in. of grading width even at full rotation • Motion and action controlled through the joysticks of the CTL

These Poly Cutting Edges protect pavement from plow damage and reduce shock to equipment in uneven surface conditions.

• Manufactured with durable non-stick UHMW poly • Available beveled on both sides for horizontal applications such as pay loaders and skid steers • Also offered unbeveled for vertical applications such as truck and ATV plows • Custom hole and counter bored hole drilling and hardware kits available

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EDGE Dirt/Construction Bucket Dirt/construction buckets are offered as standard/extended or heavy duty (with or without flush-mounted teeth) and as standard, high or low heel.

• Feature a .75-in. cutting edge thickness and 34.6in. bucket depth • Heaped capacities range from 11.4 to 23 cu. ft.

• Deliver enhanced cutting edge visibility and high breakout force • Compatible with various Gehl and Mustang skid-steer and compact track loaders

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Stanley MB05 Small Mounted Breaker

SnowEx Heavy-Duty Snowplow The Heavy-Duty (HD) straight blade snowplow provides commercial performance for any skid steer under punishing winter conditions.

• Available in four blade widths • Built with a formed base channel for extra durability • Six vertical ribs, two angled Power Ribs and a large quad design provide added torsional strength to prevent blade twisting • Rugged A-frame constructed of tubular steel for added strength

Kubota Stand-on Track Loader Attachments A line of attachments is available for the SCL1000 stand-on track loader.

• Six buckets in standard and high-capacity options ranging from 36 to 48 in.

• Pallet forks offer 36- and 42-in. fork lengths with a 1,200-lb. capacity • Power rake has a 48-in. working width, center pivot and adjustable hydraulic angling • Trencher comes in 30-, 36- and 48-in. depths with 4- to 10-in. chain widths • Skid auger has a pendulum mount and a reversible gearbox with a 2-in. hex output shaft to attach to a variety of augers • Compact mount performance-matched for the BR360 and BR460 breakers

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The 24-in.-wide ST600 and 39-in.-wide ST1000 feature a drum design that allows both milling and stabilizing.

• Accurate milling to a depth of 9 in.

• Independent level control on both sides of the attachment enable the contour of the pavement to be followed independent of the loader • Large mixing chamber provides efficient mixing of binders into cut pavement • Joystick controls allow full operator control at the touch of four buttons • ST600 suited for use on smaller, lower flow rate loaders while the ST1000 requires a more powerful carrier

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22 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

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The MB05 breaker features a skid-steer bracket with four positions to allow work on both floors and walls.

• Fits on skid steers in the 4,500- to 7,000-lb. carrier size, excavators from 5,000 to 8,000 lbs. and backhoes from 6,000 to 11,000 lbs.

• Delivers 550 ft.-lbs. of impact energy and 650 to 1,550 bpm • 1,500- to 2,000-psi hydraulic operating pressure • Features only two moving parts, a directacting nitrogen chamber and a pin-on or bolt-on design • Added steel reinforcement at lower end of housing protects the housing and power cell

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3 3- F T M A X L I F T H E I G H T 26,60 0 - L B M A X C A PAC I T Y

IT’S A

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MEET THE ALL-NEW 2733 HIGH-CAPACITY TELEHANDLER + Big pick-and-carry capacity of 26,600-lbs with 8,000-lb capacity at max reach – our most powerful telehandler yet. + Bigger versatility and maneuverability than wheel loaders. + Huge innovations like Load Stability Indication (LSI) and optional SmartLoad technology increase operator confidence.

Yeah, the 2733 is a big deal. And you’ll only find it from the biggest name in access, JLG.

S E E I T N O W AT J L G . C O M / B I G T I M E

E A RTHM OV I N G | By Curt Bennink

Dumpers and Crawler Carriers REDEFINE JOBSITE ACCESS Size limitations and poor underfoot conditions require alternatives to conventional dump trucks and ADTs.

J

obsite access is perhaps the most important consideration when materials need to be moved across a construction site. Two alternatives to conventional earthmoving machines that have gained traction in North America are the site dumper and the rubber track (crawler) carrier.

Due to confined work areas, European contractors have long relied on site dumpers to efficiently move and place materials.

“Traditionally, the North American site dumper market has been behind other parts of the world, such as the UK, which is the current volume leader for these machines,” says Jay Quatro, commercial product manager, Wacker Neuson. “One market in particular we have seen growth in is the golf course industry. Utilizing turf tires, bulk material such as sand and topsoil can be hauled across the golf course at higher rates of speed than a traditional tractor or skid steer and placed precisely were needed.”

“In the UK market, every jobsite would have a site dumper almost without exception,” Peter Bigwood, general manager, Mecalac North America, agrees.

“Here, we are seeing growth in certain applications for site dumpers. Concrete contractors like to use them to bring concrete into areas where they don’t want to bring a big mixer truck or a pump. We have a concrete chute accessory that we bolt on so you can precisely place

24 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

your concrete and not splash everywhere.”

Another big application is the handling of landscaping materials. “For landscaping, hardscaping, golf courses, cem-

eteries, we put higher flotation turf tires on them so you are not tearing up the ground as you are working,” notes Bigwood.

“Site dumpers are gaining popularity in North America, especially with rental equipment companies and in specialty applications,” adds Ryan Carter, Mecalac regional sales manager.

CONSIDER DUMPER BENEFITS There are many upsides to using dumpers

on a jobsite. “Site dumpers are excellent for moving bulk materials,” says Quatro. “They typically have a smaller footprint and can easily maneuver in confined areas and on busy jobsites,

as well as travel over rough terrain.”

They are designed for off-road applications. “The articulated pivot point provides off-road capability and excellent traction, allowing dumpers to access areas on the jobsite that other material movers simply cannot go,” says Quatro.

“Additionally, they provide excellent visibility to the load when compared to a dump truck.”

EARTHMOVING

The use of site dumpers can open up the potential labor pool.

“A great benefit is that any operator can run the machine. It’s easy to operate with intuitive controls, and does not require a commercial driver’s license or extensive training as you would have with a dump truck or ADT,” says Carter.

The dumpers really solve a problem on cramped or sensitive jobsites. “I don’t think anyone would argue that site dumpers, which are very compact, will replace dump trucks on most large construction sites,” Carter acknowledges. “However, there are situations where access is limited or ground conditions are sensitive. That

is when site dumpers, like our MDX series, really shine.”

He adds, “Site dumpers excel at precise material placement and work in confined spaces.

They are compact and highly maneuverable in a range of ground conditions, while being capable of carrying payloads of up to 9 tons.”

A site dumper can be paired with other compact equipment to make an earthmoving system.

“Looking at macro

trends with the growth of miniexcavators, it makes sense that you would have a mini-excavator and a site dumper,” says Bigwood. “They work very well in tandem.”

ACCESS DIFFICULT AND SENSITIVE TERRAIN There are key attributes that enhance dumper maneuverability.

“On our site dumpers, the steering is articulated and the way we design them, the wheels are perfectly symmetrical and the same distance from the pivot post,” says Bigwood.

“When you are driving through heavily rutted jobsites in the mud, the wheels follow each other in the same track.” This provides a smoother ride.

“There are some site dumpers out there that are asymmetrical and that gives you a much rougher ride.”

“An articulated, oscillating chassis ensures excellent maneuverability and off-road capability,” Carter states.

“When space

is tight, a site dumper is a heavyduty solution for maximum efficiency.”

Dumpers do not tear up the ground. “You can go into areas with the turf tire option, deliver the material and not tear up the ground like a skid steer would,” says Bigwood.

“The main benefit of a dumper is it’s a dedicated machine that moves material on a job. They have incredible offroad capabilities,” says Quatro.

“While a dump truck is much better on a road to move material down a freeway or highway, dumpers are much better in off-road applications moving material around on a [jobsite].

They have a permanent hydrostatic four-wheel drive. It’s easy to operate for anybody.”

Dumpers are designed for off-road applications. The articulated pivot point provides off-road capability and enhanced traction, allowing dumpers to access areas on the jobsite that other material movers simply cannot go.

Wacker Neuson

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 25

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arbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning can be fast and deliberate. No one killed or injured by the deadly gas predicts exposure because it cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. CO, recurringly called “the silent killer,” hits fast. In a work culture that values endurance, a CO gas headache can often be passed off as a mere nuisance to “shake off.” Disastrously, by the time the strongest human feels the effects, the outcome may already be deadly.

Gas emissions from gasoline-powered equipment like generators and cut-off saws can place construction workers at a higher risk of CO poisoning when used in confined work environments. Unfortunately, many find tunnels, crawl spaces, basements, and cramped retail spaces an everyday worksite

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reality. For instance, enclosed, poorly ventilated areas like tarps and sheeting shells can build up pockets of CO emissions.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration stresses the importance of identifying exposure and developing proper prevention methods that include proactive training, suggested monitoring, and ventilation processes.

Today’s crews have a new mindset and expectations for jobsite safety, realizing inhaling gas fumes is no longer acceptable. Changing how professionals complete work in confined spaces will significantly improve and advance safety for construction workers on jobsites. Batterypowered equipment proactively protects workers in enclosed and confined spaces by relinquishing harmful gas emissions and other hazards such as noise and vibration.

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Along with battery-powered tools, construction workers remain reliant on AC power sources to supply specialty powered tools, charging batteries, and charging sensitive electronics such as tablets and phones.

Where electrical output is not

EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

available, crews have past relied on gas generators to supply power on jobsites.

With the presence of these deadly gas emissions exposing construction crews, OSHA recommends gas-powered generators be removed from use in (or near) confined and occupied spaces. While this eliminates the exposure of CO inhalation, the problem of power remains, forcing crews to use extension cords.

Unfortunately, this can lead to another set of safety concerns involving long extension cords posing as tripping hazards on jobsites.

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The power supply also adds the bonus of no engine maintenance and gasoline expenses. In use with a typical gas-powered generator, construction workers can use anywhere from one to three gallons of diesel or gasoline per hour, depending on the size and demand of the generator. By eliminating the repetitive motion of a pull start, the push-button start enables users to access power in seconds, delivering 3600 peak watts/1800 running watts of pure sine wave energy.

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E A RTHM OV I N G

Dumpers are versatile, as well.

“Contractors are using them to move all sorts of material, from gravel, backfill, sand, dirt, traffic signs, trash and whatever they have to move on the job,” says Quatro. “Concrete is another application that we see for dumpers. Think of them as oversize concrete buggies. You can use them to place concrete for large flatwork jobs as well as for smaller jobs.”

DIFFERENT SIZES FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS There are several sizes of site dumpers available. Mecalac offers dumpers from 1 to 9 tons, with or without enclosed cabs.

“The skip on the 3-ton Mecalac machines will hold between 1.3 and 1.6 cu. yds. of liquid, depending upon the

5,000 lbs. Its hopper (or skip) will hold approximately 2 cu. yds. of material struck evenly with the top of the hopper and approximately 2.5 cu. yds. if the material is heaped.

The 3-ton model is Mecalac’s most popular size class. “The 6- and 9-ton models you might find on a typical road construction application, in golf course construction and maintenance and many other applications where larger payloads are required,” says Bigwood.

“In the UK, where dumpers are everywhere, they will use a 9-ton when they are clearing the site and they will bring in a 6-ton when they are moving the material around,” he continues.

“Then it goes down to a 3-ton when the houses start to go up.

When they are doing the final

technology that features forward and swivel tipping mechanisms — allowing the load to rotate 90˚ on either side while being tipped — and you have a win-

both straight and swivel skip models. Contractors looking for a little extra capacity, and fewer moving parts, may want to consider a straight skip. Swivel skip

outperform a traditional dump truck. Backfilling trenches and working on the shoulder of a highway in a single lane of traffic are two examples of where a

With the swivel skips, dumpers are able to precisely place materials in confined spaces.

Mecalac

model,” says Bigwood. “Concrete would be a typical application. The 3-ton size tends to be a sweet spot for concrete contractors.”

As the name implies, this model can carry about 3 tons, though capacity depends on the material being handled. The machine itself weighs about

landscaping, they might use a 1-ton because that will easily get between the buildings.”

Even the largest Mecalac models are relatively compact.

“Weighing in at 9 tons, our largest model is approximately 15 ft. long, under 8 ft. wide and approximately 11 ft. tall,” says Carter. “Add in Power Swivel

28 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

ning combination for working in the tightest of spaces. If there is low headroom, for example, the operator can still work with ease.

The compactness of the machine also makes it easy to transport from jobsite to jobsite.”

PRECISELY PLACE MATERIALS Dumpers are available with

models, on the other hand, can swivel the skip 90˚ in either direction to precisely place materials in confined spaces.

“Most of Wacker Neuson’s site dumper models have a 180˚ swivel skip that allows the operator to place material to either side,” Quatro comments. “That is where they

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dumper is very efficient.”

“We’ve always had a lineup of small dumpers — 3-, 5-, 6-, 9-ton wheel dumpers — for confined space hauling for a situation where you don’t want to... or you don’t have the space to get dump trucks in and you don’t need a full-sized haul truck,” says John Dotto, product application specialist, Wacker Neuson. “If you are doing some site work that requires a good bit of material hauling and you don’t have a lot of space, a dumper makes a lot of sense.

“There is one downside when looking at conventional dumpers,” he continues, “and that is when they are fully loaded, visibility becomes a concern.

New technology is available to eliminate this concern and there are some unique features that can make a dumper more productive and safer on your jobsite.”

ROTATING OPERATOR CONSOLE ADDS SAFETY Wacker Neuson’s Dual View (DV) range of dumpers has a feature that enables the entire operator console to swivel 180˚.

This allows the operator to face

EARTHMOVING

either the front of the machine or turn and face the skip.

“We took the operator’s platform and made it a 180˚ swivel console,” says Dotto. “You can stare at the skip when you are working. When you are ready to haul, you pull down a lever, spin the whole console around and you have your steering wheel and your joystick, all your operational features, [spinning] with you. Now, you are traveling in a direction looking basically out the rear of the machine, which is now the front.”

With the seat and console swiveled 180˚, you are essentially looking out the windshield of a mini haul truck. “You don’t have that visibility concern of heaped material in front of you,” says Dotto. “You don’t have debris flying back in your face if you are in an open ROPS dumper. It addresses a couple of those safety concerns and inconveniences of driving in the direction of the material and just flips it around 180˚. We have [DV models] available in foldable ROPS fourpost canopy and full HVAC cabs in the 6-, 9- and 10-ton size classes.”

The ability to rotate the operator platform 180˚ does add to the purchase price. “It’s going to be about a 10% to 15% premium over our standard dumper,” says Dotto. “I think that you will more than make up for it with the productivity gains that you will be able to get by being able to turn that seat around and drive in the travel position.”

RUBBER TRACK CARRIERS MEET LARGE CHALLENGES For those who need to maximize material-handling capacity in poor underfoot conditions, a rubber track carrier provides a versatile solution. Rubber track carriers combine the speed and smooth ride of a tire-equipped vehicle with the traction of a steel-tracked unit.

“A crawler can be an everyday piece of equipment, but it particularly shines over soft or uneven terrain — any time material needs to cross a stream, for instance,” says Mick Heibert, KATO-CES crawler carrier product manager. “When a heavy rainfall might stop your fleet of dump trucks and therefore your site prep for multiple days, crawlers can easily continue

operating. The uses are really endless.”

He adds, “New users are seeing the benefits of crawler carriers in different industries like utilities and oil & gas, and they understand how that can translate to certain applications in their line of work.

“Crawler carriers can safely reach places that a truck cannot go due to grade, elevation or ground conditions,” says Heibert. “The wider tracks of a crawler displace the weight of the equipment and its payload across a greater area, significantly reducing ground pressure ratings. When working in soft mud or otherwise unstable soil conditions that can stop a wheeled dump truck, the crawler carrier cannot be matched. Additionally, the lower ground pressure is a cost- and time-saving feature in environmentally sensitive areas, where preservation of the ground’s structure is required.”

Low ground pressure and a lower center of gravity are what really separate a crawler carrier from a dump truck. “The ability to safely move materials over rough terrain, larger grades and in poor soil conditions allows

jobsites to operate more efficiently,” says Heibert. “The added safety aspect is also beneficial for everyone on site.

“To a lesser degree, the superior maneuverability of the crawler is helpful in tighter quarters,” he adds. “With zeroturning capability, a crawler can operate in smaller spaces than a traditional dump truck.”

Morooka USA has been supplying these machines since 1958 and currently offers a lineup with maximum load capacities ranging from 8,378 to over 40,000 lbs. “Crawler carriers can access jobsites that dump trucks cannot get to,” says Morooka’s David Byrd. “With the machine’s weight spread out across the large rubber tracks, ground pressure is kept to a minimum. This prevents the machine from sinking into soft ground. With more rubber on the ground, crawler carriers have an easier time navigating obstacles, as well.”

The ability to swivel the upperstructure of the crawler carrier also allows access into confined work spaces. “Morooka offers a complete line of rotating track carriers,” says Byrd. “In severely confined jobsites where

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turning a traditional machine around is impossible, the Morooka rotator spins 360˚ to drive out in any direction.”

The benefits of the rubber track carrier have led to continued market growth. “The growth in this segment is highlighted by the number of competitors entering the market over the past five years,” says Byrd. “A field previously offering only a few choices is now four times larger and the number of crawler carriers entering the workforce is steadily growing — roughly 10% annually.”

Congested or tight access jobsites are driving the popularity of smaller crawler carrier models. “We are finding a lot of popularity among trail builders, typically using one of our smaller models such as the KATO IC37 or IC55,” Heibert comments. “When you are working so far off the highway and literally building the trail as you go, you are often working with some incredibly tight and rough terrain. Our equipment can easily and efficiently transport materials for small hiking trails or larger trails for ATVs and sideby-sides.” ET

In severely confined jobsites where turning a traditional machine around is impossible, the ability to rotate the upperstructure 360˚ and drive out in any direction is an advantage.

Morooka

“When a heavy rainfall might stop your fleet of dump trucks and therefore your site prep for multiple days, crawlers can easily continue operating.”

— Mick Heibert, KATO-CES

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 29

PO WE R SOU R CE S | By Alexis Sheprak

5 BASICS of Air Compressor Maintenance Air compressor service could be the difference between a successful application or a costly breakdown.

A

s with any piece of equipment, a strong maintenance program for air compressors will ensure a longer life and optimal performance. Not only that, but properly caring for them will maximize the time they’re available to use on your jobsite.

“Proper maintenance extends equipment life, reduces unexpected breakdowns and improves resale value,” says Bryan McCarron, Mi-T-M Air Compressor Division manager. “Good running equipment provides the customer a good experience.”

Fortunately, these worksite staples don’t require a lot of expensive upkeep or time-consuming fixes. However, because of that, it can be easy to forget or neglect them, which makes for a costly oversight.

To help keep air compressors up and running over the long run, here are some top maintenance tips from suppliers.

TIP #1: READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL Reading the owner’s manual is step No. 1 and the most

important. Air compressors differ significantly from model to model, so checking the manual first will make sure

you’re maintaining it properly for that distinct model’s specifications and factory maintenance intervals.

The manual will detail simple tips that will help you get a longer life out of your compressor and will highlight important steps that you might not have known about otherwise. It will also point out specific time intervals during which maintenance items need to take place in

30 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

ABOVE: Kaeser Compressors offers an auxiliary diagnostic tool that allows the user to view additional information, which can be helpful in evaluating higher level messages from the equipment prior to contacting the local service provider for support.

LEFT: To ensure proper maintenance of the compressor, units should be inspected daily for fuel level, oil level and battery voltage.

order to avoid costly equipment failures or breakdowns.

While some may think they’re smarter than the manual, it’s safe to say that your equipment’s future will be better off if you take the time to read it.

equipment for any damage that might have occurred during prior use.

When it comes to daily prechecks, check hoses for kinks, inspect electrical wiring for cuts and fraying, examine tubing and piping for damage and make sure connections are tight. Then, look over controls, gauges, accessories and instruments, making certain there are no loose mountings or damage.

Before use, run through the list of basic maintenance checks to ensure the unit is functional.

“These preventative maintenance checks only take a few minutes, but they can add months or years to the service life of a machine,” says Dan Leiss, president, Jenny Products.

TIP #2: DAILY PRE-CHECKS

TIP #3: CHECK OIL LEVELS

Checking your equipment every day will help you avoid costly equipment failures. It’s important to thoroughly check

Like your car, many air compressor models feature oil and either a dipstick or an indicator (like a sight gauge) to monitor

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its levels. According to Tehran Browne, product engineer, Mobilair, Kaeser Compressors, compressor oil is extremely important to the function of the compressor.

“Compressor oil lubricates the rotors, seals the rotors to prevent air leakage and removes heat from the air. One underrated quality of compressor oil is that oil is also responsible for cleaning the air of dust and particulates that make it past the air filter,” Browne explains.

Compressor oil should be checked daily prior to operation in order to ensure it is topped off and clean. You should be changing the oil completely if it’s contaminated, or on an annual basis to ensure maximum functioning. Regardless, it’s critical to use the compressor oil specified in the service manual.

“Compressors are designed with a specific type of oil in mind in regards to heat absorption, and incorrect compressor oil can lead to overheating or

POWER S OU RCES

Jenny Products

Jenny Products

Kaeser Compressors

As a quick check, remove the oil fill plug and check the level, then insert a screwdriver into the crankcase. Inspect the oil on the screwdriver for signs of contaminants, such as water and dirt, and change the oil if contamination is found. be fully opened and the tank(s) drained. The condensate may contain oil, so it should be collected and disposed of properly.”

The key to this step is to slowly open the compressor’s release valve(s). Opening them carefully helps to prevent scale, rust or debris from being expelled at a high rate of speed. potential damage to the compressor rotors,” says Browne.

It’s also important to use lubricants with the correct viscosity. A high lubricant viscosity might prevent the compressor from coming up to speed fast enough or at all.

High oil consumption indicates a potential problem. “This could be caused by a light duty cycle; damaged piston rings or excessive end gap; or a plugged oil crankcase vent,” Leiss notes.

“If the compressor becomes excessively hot, check the inlet filter and discharge line filter for dirt and ensure the lubricant level and type are correct.”

TIP #4: INSPECT FILTERS The air around a construction site contains millions of particles of dirt, dust and other contaminants. These pollutants can become a problem for air compressors, causing valve malfunctions, obstructing lines or inflicting unnecessary wear and tear.

A dirty air filter ultimately hurts the compressor and forces it to work harder than it needs to, decreasing energy efficiency. Therefore, it’s imperative to inspect, monitor and change air

Before use, run through the list of basic maintenance checks to ensure the unit is functional. Such checks only take a few minutes, but can add months or years to the service life of a machine. filters. They should be checked for excessive grime buildup each week, with filters changed per manufacturer recommendations.

This can be every six weeks or 1,000 to 2,000 operating hours, depending on the model.

The environment will also play a factor in filter changes.

Depending on the climate, air filters may need to be changed at higher frequency than what’s listed in the maintenance schedule. In high-moisture or humid conditions, service might be required more often.

In addition to checking the engine oil, coolant and fuel levels, Browne advises checking air inlet filters and the fuel water separator. A clogged air inlet filter can lower efficiency and increase operating temperatures. If the filter is lightly contaminated, you can blow it off. If it’s deeply contaminated or hasn’t been changed in the last year, replace it.

The fuel water separator and fuel filters ensure clean fuel is delivered to the engine. If fuel has too much water, it can wear off the lubricants on the

fuel injectors. Contaminants can cause wear and tear on the engine and compressor components. Thus, making sure the compressor has the cleanest fuel possible will keep it running the most efficiently and will prevent unnecessary engine and compressor failures.

TIP #5: DRAIN MOISTURE FROM THE TANK Air compressors have a receiver tank, which is responsible for collecting the moisture from the air that accumulates while the compressor is in use. Most tanks have a valve or two for draining this moisture, and your maintenance program should include draining them every day.

“At the end of each day, if not more frequently, drain condensation from the air tanks,” says Leiss. “Begin by disconnecting the power source. If the unit is portable, move it into an inclined position with the drain at the lowest point. Slowly open the drain and bleed the air from the tank(s). When the pressure drops to 10 psi, the valves can

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DESIGNED FOR EASE OF SERVICE

also display battery voltage and fuel level. Make sure to check the compressor’s electronic controller for any service-related warnings and address them as needed before use.

Also, make sure you’re maintaining appropriate battery voltage. Low voltage can lead to unexpected errors on an electronic controller. It can also prevent the compressor from starting. According to Sharma, Sullair compressors include a battery disconnect to help ensure that battery drain does not occur when the machine is in between jobs or not in use.

With newer technologies and smartphones now more prevalent on jobsites, some companies have turned to QR codes to help with maintenance. For example, Mi-T-M places a QR code on each compressor, which will direct the user to the owner’s manual for easier reference for any service and maintenance questions. ET

Serviceability is an important factor for any equipment.

Manufacturers like Sullair are working to make that easier for air compressors.

“Some portable air compressors, like the Sullair 375, now include access (doors) on all four sides of the compressor.

This allows a technician ample space to work on the machine and quickly and easily access every component,” says Navendu (Nav) Sharma, director of product management.

Certain compressor models feature electronic controllers that alert users when maintenance is needed.

For example, all 185-cfm and larger Kaeser Mobilair Other important maintenance items include: compressors come equipped ˜ Inspect the belt guard and ensure proper belt tensioning. with electronic ˜ Listen for unusual noises or vibrations. controllers that ˜ Tighten all fasteners and bolts. provide the user ˜ Check hoses regularly and watch for leaks. with fault mes˜ Test the safety shutdown system. sages and service ˜ Clean the fuel tank. interval reminders ˜ Clean the heat exchangers. for each mainte˜ Check vibration pads. nance item (oil, ˜ Check operation of system controls. filters, etc.). The ˜ Test release valves. controller will

ADDITIONAL SERVICE TIPS

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 31

PO WE R SOU R CE S | By Joseph Norris

to Correctly Size a Generator The answers to these simple questions can ensure you have the right generator for your jobsite.

C

orrectly sizing a generator is vital to ensuring optimal power for your project. You want to make sure you have enough power, but not so much that there will be issues with light loading, inconvenient regens or lockouts.

Following are six simple questions to help ensure the generator you select is right for the application.

1. Will the load be singlephase (1Ø) or three-phase (3Ø)?

This is one of the most important items to know before starting. Understanding what phase the generator needs to be placed in will address what voltage requirements are needed to properly operate on-site equipment.

2. What is the voltage required: 120/240, 120/208 or 277/480?

Once the phase requirements have been met, then you can set and lock the appropriate voltage per the generator’s selector switch. This presents an opportunity to fine-tune the generator to the voltage for proper operation of the equipment. There is a minor voltage adjustment knob (potentiometer) conveniently located on

the face of the control unit to do any minor voltage modifications once the unit is on site.

3. Do you know how many amps are required?

By knowing what amps are required to run the piece of equipment, you can properly utilize the correct generator size for the job. Having this information can be vital to the success or failure of the application.

Too big a generator for the appropriate load and you will under utilize the generator’s potential and cause engine issues such as light loading or wet stacking. Too small a generator and the equipment may not run at all.

4. What is the item you are trying to run (motor or pump, its horsepower, etc.)?

In all cases, when sizing a generator to a particular application, assessing what will be operated is extremely helpful.

Identify what type of equipment you will be running at the location and build a “load profile” based on this information.

For example, will you be using submersible pumps to move liquid products? Then, knowing the horsepower and/or

32 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

the NEMA code of the pump is critical in choosing the properly sized generator for the task.

5. Is the application standby, prime or continuous?

One of the key components of sizing is the run time. The buildup of heat in a generator’s windings can cause a de-rate in ability. Both altitude and run times can have a dramatic affect on the generator’s performance.

In the simplest of terms, consider that mobile diesel generators are rated in prime power, operating for eight hours per day in a typical application. The longer the run times at higher loads, the more harm can occur to the generator’s windings. The reverse is also true. Long run times with zero loads can hurt the generator’s engine.

6. Will multiple items be run at the same time?

Knowing what types of loads will be running simultaneously is also a determining factor when sizing a generator. The use of multiple voltages on the same unit can create a difference in performance.

For example, if you plan to use a single generator for an application, what types of tools

will need to be powered by it at the same time, including lighting, pumps, grinders, saws, etc.?

If the primary voltage being used is three-phase, then only the convenience outlets are available for minor single-phase voltage output. Conversely, if the unit’s main output needs to be singlephase, then three-phase power will not be available.

Answering these questions before acquiring a generator can greatly increase on-site productivity. By doing due diligence and information gathering, you can ensure that you are getting the properly sized generator for your application.

Joseph Norris is national service manager for ANA Inc.

HELPFUL SIZING FORMULAS Converting three-phase rating to single-phase rating for generator output 3Ø three-phase kVA x .58 = 1Ø single-phase kW (+/- 5%) 3Ø three-phase kW x .72 = 1Ø single-phase kW (+/- 5%) Single-phase 1Ø Formulas kW = (volts x amps x Power Factor) ÷ 1,000 kVA = (volts x amps) ÷ 1,000 Amps = (kW x 1,000) ÷ (volts x Power Factor); use if kW is known Amps = (kVA x 1,000) ÷ volts; use if kVA is known Three-phase 3Ø Formulas kW = (1.732 x volts x amps x Power Factor) ÷ 1,000 kVA = (1.732 x volts x amps) ÷ 1,000 Amps = (kW x 1,000) ÷ (1.732 x volts x Power Factor); use if kW is known Amps = (kVA x 1,000) ÷ (1,732 x volts); use if kVA is known

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ANA Inc.

SIX QUESTIONS

Doing due diligence and information gathering can ensure you are properly sizing the generator to the application.

POWER SOURCES Products Makinex SKU: GEN-23-US-480 Three-phase Generator

Generac MDG25 Generator The MDG25 diesel generator provides three-phase 25-kVA prime power in a compact cabinet that is easy to maneuver and tow.

• Isuzu Tier 4 Final diesel engine requires no diesel exhaust fluid or DPF • 56-gal. fuel capacity with 28-hour run time • Weighs under 3,000 lbs. to allow for easy towing with no trailer brakes required • Easy to use Deep Sea DSE7310 MKII controller provides full programmability and status screens • Rugged steel body design with 67-dBA sound rating • Optional 100% fluid containment

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21123041

Mi-T-M AR1-PK37-M Compressor The AR1-PK37-M rotary screw, singlestage air compressor produces 115 cfm at 100 psi.

• Compressor pump includes an integrated air/oil separator, integrated thermostatic bypass valve, banded four V-belt drive system, easy to read oil level indicator and high oil temperature shutdown • Electric-start gasoline engine comes with low oil level shutdown and a 10 1/2-gal. fuel tank for extended run time • Powder-coated steel frame with 1 1/4-in. roll cage, handle, four-point lifting hook, winch point and tie-down anchors • 15-in. pneumatic tires

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The SKU: GEN-23-US-480 23-kW 480V threephase generator features permanent magnet brushless alternator technology with completely independent circuits for 120V and 480V. • Can run single-phase and three-phase equipment simultaneously • Weighs 410 lbs., fits through doorways and can safely be taken in internal/external elevators • 50A, 30A and 20A outlets standard • Provides 10 hours of run time at 50%

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21114611

Caterpillar XQ230 Mobile Diesel Generator Set The 60-Hz XQ230 is a Tier 4 Final mobile diesel generator set rated at 182 kW and equipped with heaters, a battery charger and a permanent magnet generator (PMG).

• Optional 600V generator available • Able to produce power at 600V, 480V, 240V and 208V • Standard EMCP 4.2B control panel • Automatic paralleling controls available with optional EMCP 4.4 • Cat Connect technology available to monitor machine remotely

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21061213

VMAC Stacked G30 Air Compressor

Allmand Maxi-Air Compressors

The stacked G30 rotary screw gas-driven air compressor produces 30 cfm at 100% duty cycle and features a 30-gal. air receiver tank, yet weighs under 210 lbs.

• Footprint of just 2.5 sq. ft. at 38 in. tall, 20.5 in. wide and 18.15 in. deep including the belt guard • Fits neatly into the existing rear compartment of most service trucks or in the bed of a pickup truck • Honda GX390 air-cooled, four-stroke OHV engine is EPA and CARB compliant and includes a 1.6-gal. fuel tank

The MA100, MA375-DP and MA400 portable compressors have a heavy-duty, oversized rotary screw airend designed to run at lower rpm for longer life and improved fuel efficiency.

• Developed for ease of use and easy starting • Tier 4 Final engines • Deliver powerful airflow from 100 to 400 cfm in all climate conditions • MA375-DP and MA400 designed to meet high-pressure application demands with the MA375-DP featuring a flexible dual pressure design

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Cummins C12D6RE Mobile Generator Set The 12-kW C12D6RE is powered by a Tier 4 Final-certified, four-cycle, liquidcooled diesel engine and can operate reliably across extreme temperatures, heavy airborne dust and highly humid conditions ranging from -20° to 120° F. • Enclosure incorporates weatherproof sound attenuation • Sound-controlled housing covers the cooling system and muffler, further simplifying the installation process • Features a rugged, robust design and heavy-duty trailer • Built-in self-diagnostic capabilities simplify troubleshooting

What does it take to be better? You have to be strong.

Be smart. Be resilient. Be innovative. You’ve got to go above and beyond. And that’s precisely why people choose JCB construction equipment time and time again: Because good enough is never good enough.

Check out our full line of JCB products at your local dealer or visit JCB.com today. /JCBNA

@JCBNA

JCBNA

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October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 33

PO WE R SOU R CE S Products JCB Towable RS Generators The RS generator range includes five Tier 4 Final-compliant models delivering prime power output of 56 to 500 kW (70 to 625 kVA).

• Designed to be towed with operating weights from 7,239 to 25,209 lbs.

• Easy to access controls with automatic mains failure (AMF) and synchronizing capability, with touchscreen controls on larger models • Automatic voltage regulator adjustment can be made from the front of the control panel • Standard JCB LiveLink advanced telematics

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21123054

Doosan Evolution Series Air Compressors

Atlas Copco QAS 150 and QAS 200 Generators

Kaeser Mobilair M118 Portable Compressor The Mobilair M118 portable compressor delivers up to 405 cfm at 100 psig.

• Standard power-saving Sigma Profile rotary screw airend • Heavy-duty Deutz four-cylinder, Tier 4 Final diesel engine • Onboard Sigma Control Mobil controller enables variable pressure ranges between 87 and 145 psig • Fully weatherproofed polyethylene canopy protects internal components • Includes wide-opening gullwing doors, a steel chassis, torsion bar suspension and oversized tires • High-capacity cold start battery

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21138339

The Evolution Series includes four models equipped with the latest Doosan Tier 4 Final engines and an upgraded fuel system designed for reliable operation in dusty environments.

• Three models (including two in the 185cfm class) offer FlexAir technology for electronically adjusting air pressure to a wide psi range via the control panel • XP185-VHP165WDO-T4F can provide 200 psi at 165 cfm or up to 185 cfm and from 100 to 200 psi, plus an optional 4-kW onboard generator can charge handheld electric tool battery packs

The QAS 150 offers a power rating of 150 kVA/120 kW of prime power and the QAS 200 delivers 200 kVA/160 kW. • Dual frequency capable and powered by a John Deere 6068 Tier 4 Final engine • AREP alternator excitation system offers quick and easy motor starting capabilities • 335-gal. fuel tank allows for extended run times at 100% load • Standard variable-speed fan, voltage switch for switching to a new voltage within seconds and environmentally friendly spillage-free frame • Available in skid-mount or trailermounted configuration

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21497080

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BOSS MechanX 150 Gas Compressor/ Generator/Welder The 400-lb. MechanX 150 portable compressor/generator/welder comes standard with a 14-hp Kohler four-cycle, OHV gasoline engine with electric start capabilities and automatic engine idle.

• Heavy-duty, single-stage, cast iron, twincylinder compressor delivers up to 13.1 cfm (17.9 cfm displaced) at 100 psi • Welder features an auto resettable thermal overload breaker and provides 150 amps at 100%, 180 amps at 65% and 210 amps at 10% • Generator provides 4.0-kW AC continuous output • 10-, 22- or 28-gal. remote air tank

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21124183

Sullair Mid-Range Series Air Compressors The Mid-Range Series Tier 4 Final portable lubricated rotary screw air compressors incorporate electronic spiral valve technology, which matches air supply to demand.

• Choice of a Caterpillar 7.1L or Perkins 1206J Tier 4 Final engine • Features include a 23-Series variable capacity airend, 7-in. Sullair Touch Screen (STS) and multiple service doors with push-to-close latches • 800HH/900H model delivers 800 to 900 cfm at 150 to 200 psi and the 920H/1100 model delivers 920 to 1,100 cfm at 100 to 150 psi • Optional Airlinx for telematics and remote monitoring capabilities

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21283152

Milwaukee MX FUEL CARRY-ON 3600W/1800W Power Supply

TOP OF THE LINE

COUPLING COMPONENTS SINCE 1924

WWW.PREMIER-MFG.COM

34 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

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The 49.7-lb. MX FUEL CARRY-ON 3600W/1800W Power Supply provides 3,600 peak watts and 1,800 running watts of pure sine wave energy to power everything from high-demand 15A tools to sensitive electronics.

• Compact size, zero emissions and quiet operation allow use in confined indoor spaces, while roll cage provides durability for outdoor use • Push-button start • Can be powered by a single battery or two batteries for double the run time • Kit includes the power supply, MX FUEL REDLITHIUM XC406 Battery Packs and a detachable charger cord • Offers ONE-KEY compatibility

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Products POWER S OU RCES

ANA AIRMAN PDS400SC-6E1 Air Compressor The 400-cfm AIRMAN PDS400SC-6E1 air compressor has a built-in aftercooler that cools the discharge air through a radiator and removes 70% of the water and oil from it.

• Standard powder-coat paint, stainless steel hardware, corrosion-proof air intakes and an antiwater intrusion door seal keep water and debris out and noise in • Curbside service and maintenance with convenient external fluid drains provide ease of service and safe operation

Curb Roller Hydra-Pack HP1300

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21203803

Miller Electric EnPak A60 The redesigned EnPak A60 power system features Advanced Auto-Speed technology, which automatically adjusts engine speed to match compressed air, battery charge and weld demands.

• Integrated multi-process welding provides up to 325 amps at 100% duty cycle • Available integrated hydraulic pump offers up to 16-gpm hydraulic output • Rotary screw air compressor offers 60 cfm of uninterrupted airflow • Provides up to 150 amps of DC power for 12/24-volt battery charging and up to 300 amps for crank assist • 7,500-watt generator delivers continuous 120/240-volt, 60-Hz power

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The Hydra-Pack HP1300 portable heavyduty hydraulic power unit has a 13-hp Honda GX390 engine and a 5- to 8-gpm hydraulic flow, providing the power to operate the Curb Roller CM4000 and Hydra-Screed HS3000 systems.

• Can also be used to power hydraulic hand tools or equipment for extended periods • Delivers two-way directional flow with up to 2,250 psi • 11-gal., 12-gauge steel reservoir for hydraulic fluid and cooling capacity • 13-in. puncture-proof, flat-free tires • Compact enough to fit in the back of a pickup or job trailer

Sullivan-Palatek D900HAF Portable Air Compressor The D900HAF is powered by a 300hp Cat C7.1 Tier 4 Final engine that delivers high power density suited for applications requiring powerful yet compact solutions.

• Electronic Control System enables users to dial in the exact pressure for precise, fuel-efficient operation • Large access doors for easy service • Rugged galvanneal enclosure designed to withstand harsh environments • Smaller size and relatively light weight enable loading onto a truck without the need for a high-capacity crane or forklift

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Jenny Skid-mounted Air Compressors Four models of skid-mounted air compressors are offered with single- and two-stage pumps and are powered by Honda GX-Series engines.

• 30-gal. ASME-certified air tanks • Single-stage models provide 16.4 to 21.3 cfm at 100 psi or 16 to 20.9 cfm at 125 psi, while two-stage models provide 21 to 41 cfm at 100 psi or 17.6 to 34.7 cfm at 175 psi • Heavy-duty cast iron compressor pumps with large flywheels and directional air shrouds • “Ultimate Blue” synthetic pump oil with splash lubrication system

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Chicago Pneumatic CPG 150 and CPG 200 Generators The CPG 150 and CPG 200 offer dual frequency capabilities and are powered by a John Deere 6068 Tier 4 Final engine.

• CPG 150 has a rated prime power of 150 kVA/120 kW and the CPG 200 is rated at 200 kVA/160 kW • AREP alternator excitation system • Internal 335-gal. polyethylene fuel tank • Deep Sea 7310 controller with a 3-in. display • Powder-coated steel, weatherproof, corrosion-resistant enclosure • Standard dual axle trailer or optional skid-mounted unit

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Vanair Aluminum Reliant RC40-L and RS85 The aluminum canopy and airend reduce the weight of the Reliant RC40-L onboard air compressor by 40% and the Reliant RS85 by 30% over the standard model.

• Rust-resistant, durable RC40-L offers 40 cfm of air power with hydraulic cooling assist for additional hydraulic systems • Include a relocatable instrument panel for mounting flexibility on and off the vehicle and reversible hinged hood for flexible positioning • Easy to read display panel available as a standard mechanical gauge or optional telematics-capable LED electronic panel provides maintenance, over-pressure and over-temperature alerts

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Learn more online at:

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Easy Financing: $1,500 down payment based on our jobsite ready, 690-gallon Multi-Tank Trailer and patented 100-gallon, 2-in-1 DEF system. Subject to approval. Offer valid until Dec. 31, 2021.

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October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 35

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

As manufacturers prioritize production of high profit margin consumer trucks and SUVs, commercial trucks struggle to keep up with demand due to continued microchip and component shortages.

WORK TRUCK SHORTAGES LIKELY TO LINGER Supply chain challenges continue to restrict truck availability, so decide what you need for 2022 and act now.

36 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

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Dave Haglund

TRU CKS & TRANS PORTATION

When it comes to work trucks, there is not much inventory left on dealer lots.

Curt Bennink

I

f you are struggling to find improve, it will take at least a June 2020 to June 2021, the new work vehicles, you are year.” average value of a used Class 8 not alone. There is currently Anticipating future needs and truck is 68% higher, with averlimited availability coupled putting a plan in action to proac- age miles and age lower by 5% with elevated prices. tively acquire trucks is a strategy and 2%, respectively.

It’s no secret that supply that can help ensure you don’t get “For the first time since we chain shortages, most notacaught short. “Planning is very started following the used truck bly microchips, have rippled important,” says Pannemann. market almost 20 years ago, the through the automotive indus“Anticipate your needs and make average price of three-year-old try, emptying inventory on purchase decisions far in advance trucks with 300,000 to 400,000 dealer lots and creating long lead of the need. Inventory can, and miles on them broke the sixtimes for new vehicle orders. is, running out.” figure barrier,” says Steve Tam, This has created a perfect storm vice president at ACT Research. as demand continues to rise and USED TRUCK VALUES SKYROCKET “The feat is made even more inventories are near all-time Don’t count on a supply of impressive when one considlows. For commercial customused trucks to solve the supers prices for these late-model ers, the problem has been compoundLead times for new truck purchases have increased and there are ed as manufacturers often no guarantees of when the truck will actually arrive. place an emphasis on directing the available resources to higher-profit vehicles, making work trucks of all sizes even more difficult to source.

Major commercial truck dealerships are feeling the pinch.

“In-stock trucks are very hard to find,” says Ray Pannemann, Ford Truck Sales Manager, Badger Truck & Auto Group. “Inventories are at allply issue. The net result of the trucks started the year at just time lows. Fleet work trucks new truck shortage is that used over $70,000. can be up to 10-month lead truck valuations have risen “Arguably, the trucks did not times.” Product availability has dramatically. change to justify the increase in become unpredictable. “Any “The value of used trucks price,” he continues. “Rather, estimates regarding lead times has experienced a significant the simple law of supply and would be considered unreliable increase,” says Pannemann. demand has created a scarcity information.”

“With the shortage of new situation, and there is no viaAs the supply chain continues inventory, a rise in interest to ble substitute to the venerable to recover, we may have already purchase a used truck becomes Class 8 truck. Hence, prices are seen the worst of the shortage. an alternative. All of this is through the roof with no relief “Availability has made a slight driven by the need for the serin sight.” improvement,” says Pannemann. vices the trucks are used to But don’t expect major improveaccomplish.”

HOW DID WE GET HERE ments for a while. “As far as According to ACT research, You may be wondering how when we will see availability on a year-over-year basis from the ongoing inventory crisis

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happened in the first place.

The slowdowns at the component manufacturing plants due to the COVID-19 pandemic were, of course, the main reason.

But there are several contributing factors, including worldwide outsourcing of key components, the just-in-time supply of components and a fire in one of the largest vendor plants.

Over the years, vehicles have become much more sophisticated with advanced electrical systems that increase safety, productivity and comfort. The microchip has

become a basic building block for these electronic systems. Key components of these microchips are the semiconductors. There are literally millions of semiconductors used on each microchip, depending upon the complexity of the task. The semiconductors utilized in microchip production have become in short supply due to production disruptions during the pandemic, a disaster and increased demand.

It is important to point out that the United States currently only produces around 12% of

the world’s supply of semiconductors. This creates a foreign dependency that is difficult to address. While there have been proposals to increase U.S. production of these components, the reality is that this is a longterm strategy that will have no impact on the current situation. The raw materials for the semiconductor business often come from Japan and Mexico, with many of the chips made in Taiwan and China, according to a report by the BBC. The semiconductor manufacturing rate was reduced during the pandemic due to COVID restrictions. Couple this with just-in-time manufacturing practices and the fact that Renesas, a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer that supplies almost 30% of the chips for the auto industry, experienced a fire in mid-March, and you have a perfect storm.

While production has been restored Curt Bennink and the semiconductor industry has ramped back up, it will take a while for the supply chain to fully recover. Auto customers are likely to feel the impacts until at least the second quarter of 2022.

OEMS CONTINUE TO FACE UNCERTAINTY The current supply chain issues are creating pricing and supply uncertainty on critical components for the truck manufacturers as ordering for 2022 progresses. Don Ake, vice president of commercial vehicles

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 37

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

A shortage of Class 8 trucks has pushed the value of used trucks to record levels.

“As far as when we will see availability improve, it will take at least a year.”

— Ray Pannemann, Badger Truck & Auto Group

for FTR, explains, “July ordering was similar to June in that OEMs took a limited number of orders for delivery in 2022.

semiconductors begin flowing into the OEMs in sufficient quantities, we will be playing catch up.”

Fleets need a significant number of new trucks right now and they perceive this need will continue throughout next year.

However, OEMs are having difficulty establishing reasonable 2022 pricing, with commodity and other costs elevated. It is uncertain if current higher production costs are transitory or will persist into 2022.

“Also complicating the situation is that shortages of semiconductors have limited Class 8 production,” Ake continues. “It is estimated that supply of trucks is falling approximately 25% behind market demand.

We are running out of time for OEMs to catch up. Most of the unproduced orders will roll into the first quarter of 2022. If those months are already booked solid, it creates even more headaches for the industry. Things won’t approach any degree of normalcy for months. Until

The industry forecast of new orders of Class 8 trucks is expect to remain robust.

“U.S. and Canada Class 8 industry retail sales are estimated to be in a range of 260,000 to 280,000 vehicles,” says R. Preston Feight, CEO, PACCAR. “As has been discussed in recent months, industry truck production has been tempered by the undersupply of semiconductor chips.

Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF had a good [second] quarter and delivered 40,100 trucks with an additional 6,500 awaiting key components.

“While it’s very dynamic, we currently anticipate supplier constraints improving toward the end of this year,” he states.

“There was a lot of uncertainty around the supply base and the deliveries in the third quarter and beyond. Alot of that will depend on the ability of the

38 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

supply base to deliver, especially in the semiconductor area.”

Short-term availability of trucks is sold out and availability of microchips is anyone’s guess.

“We have excellent demand...

We’re sold out through the year in all our markets,” says Feight. “So, with this great demand, great market — ­ need for trucks around the world really — customers are looking for trucks as quickly as they can get them. And we’re building them as quick as we can get [the components].

“We had a good second quarter in our deliveries at 40,000.

Obviously, you can do the math; there’s several thousand sitting there that are waiting for a component. And as we get the components, which is unclear on the semiconductor front, we complete the trucks and get them to our customers,” he continues.

“We wish we could give you more clarity on how that semiconductor supply is going to proceed through the third and fourth quarters, but we just don’t have any more than that right now.”

Dealer inventories are limited, which will extend the market, as well. “We have about 1.6 months of inventory at the dealers. And I think the industry is 1.9 or 2,” says Feight. “It’s less than we’d like it to be, of course, but that does bode well for a strong extended demand cycle.”

Many manufacturers have mostly completed trucks waiting around for missing components.

“We’ve had some trucks that we built minus components and we received a batch of components for those and have shipped those out only to find ourselves in different circumstances, like the Malaysia COVID outbreak, which then causes a constraint of a different component,” notes Feight. It’s a very dynamic situation.

DEMAND KEEPS ADDING PRESSURE As a result of high demand and component shortages, manufacturers have been forced to make strategic product decisions. Some have idled factories and stopped making select vehicles in order to allocate chips to in-demand and highly profitable vehicles such as pickups and SUVs. To keep plants running, Ford and General Motors both resorted to building vehicles without

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chips and parking them until the parts arrive. In order to conserve the limited availability of microchips, manufacturers have also taken to de-contenting vehicles.

Some premium features are temporarily unavailable.

Adding pressure to a seller’s market, auto sales have mostly recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Overall U.S. vehicle sales came in at 8.3 million units in the first half of 2021. This is just 95,000 shy of the same period in 2019 before the pandemic, according to J.D. Power. The data shows that 14% of the vehicles were sold to fleet customers compared to 22% in 2019.

Major manufacturers are all reporting a recovery in vehicle sales during the second quarter.

For instance, General Motors announced it sold 688,236 vehicles in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2021 — an increase of 40% compared to a year ago — in a unique market that has seen strong demand, but has been constrained by low inventories resulting from the global semiconductor shortage. Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup sales are up a combined 36%.

General Motors expects strong demand to continue coupled with very tight inventories.

“The agility and creativity of our supply chain, purchasing, engineering and manufacturing teams, in collaboration with our suppliers and dealers, have helped us continue to satisfy customers and gain market share in some of the highest demand segments of the market,” says Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president, sales operations. “Although the situation remains fluid, we’re focused on continuing to leverage every available semiconductor to build and ship our highest demand products.”

Given the current supply and demand forecasts, it is safe to assume that the vehicle shortage will continue to be acute in the work truck segment well into 2022. If you will be needing to add trucks to your fleet, procrastination is not a viable strategy.

You will have to be proactive and order well in advance. In certain situations, you may need to get creative about alternative ways to source your work truck fleet until some form of normalcy returns. This may include a strategy to extend the life of your existing trucks. ET

By Vicki Speed | PROFIT MAT TERS

A MASTER PLAN for Technologyenabled Earthmoving Efficiency All photos courtesy of Trimble

dozer and motor grader on a roadway slope repair project in Page, AZ,” Tindell notes. “Our operators said that it was pretty user friendly, and by the time we were done, we were so impressed that we decided to purchase several platforms.”

Today, Rummel has grade control systems on a large majority of its equipment, a fleet that numbers in the dozens, as well as about 21 base and rover kits for surveying.

The mastless Trimble Earthworks system eliminates masts and cables, giving “We transitioned operators an improved range of grader moldboard motion. to six Earthworks systems in the last few years ummel Construction is to work excavating and finfor motor graders and just got a Scottsdale, AZ-based ishing surfaces, while a drone our first Earthworks-equipped construction company above helped track the material dozer,” says Tindell. “Even betthat specializes in mass quantities. ter, three of the motor grader earthmoving, relying on skilled “Grade control in particular systems are mastless, which is operators and advanced technolreally pays off when balancing amazing for both flexibility and ogy to deliver smooth surfaces material ahead of finished gradsafety.” to specifications. It’s a mindset ing on a project this size. It’s a The mastless grader system that would come in particularly one-and-done process that leaves gives operators an improved handy on a recent project. a beautiful, finished product that range of blade motion, allowing In support of an almost is exactly to spec,” says Tindell. for machine control in appli3,500-acre master planned This is just one of many proj- cations where it was previously community project, the comects that have benefited from not possible. The system puts pany was contracted to excavate Rummel’s technology-forward one GNSS receiver on the cab 659,000 cu. yds. of materiapproach to projects, a quest that and one on the gooseneck of the al and finish 773,000 sq. yds. began about 16 years ago. machine to eliminate the tangle Shaun Tindell, GPS manager of masts and cables traditionally at Rummel, says, “Nearly every TECHNOLOGY EVOLUTION located on the blade. type of our technology-enabled The economic downturn in “And we don’t have operators equipment — from GNSS rovers 2007 hustled Rummel into a hanging out of the cab to put an to machine-controlled graders to strategic shift. “When residenantenna on,” Tindell adds. drone mapping systems — was tial work dissipated, we moved All of Rummel’s rovers are used on this site development.” to more commercial and minequipped with the Siteworks Specifically, the crews relied ing work, and then to heavy civil software, which Tindell says is on the Trimble SPS986 GNSS and highway work. That move very efficient at handling the 3D Smart Antenna as a rover system really facilitated our interest and data sets. to complete site layout, verify investment in technology,” says survey and check grade. Then, Tindell.

PARTNER ADVANTAGE the company’s motor graders, With help from SITECH When asked about traindozers and scrapers — nearly all Southwest, Rummel was introing on the rovers, grade control of which were outfitted with the duced to Trimble’s machine systems or associated software, Trimble Earthworks grade concontrol family of products.

Tindell says it’s been pretty trol platform or the GCS900 3D “We tried the GCS900 3D much on the job. grade control system — went grade control system on a rental “We’ve never sent operators

R

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to a class, or anything. We’re or videos for an owner,” Tindell just too busy,” he states. “That’s says. “We believe that will where our relationship with expand this year to include SITECH Southwest has been site progress mapping and terrific, especially with the new management.”

Earthworks systems. They proNo matter the scope and vided a manual for the routine scale of the project, Tindell operations, but they’ll show up believes the benefits are clearly on our jobs and walk us through evident in the bottom line and more advanced stuff dependthe finished product. “We’re ing on if we’re working on a easily 20% to 30% more effiroad alignment or a community cient today than just five to development.”

10 years ago,” he points out.

This responsiveness has “That’s the clear value of techbeen particularly valuable as nology.” ET Rummel has grown. “Not only has the scope and scale of our Vicki Speed is a freelance writjobs grown significantly, but so er specializing in the architecture, has our fleet,” says Tindell. “We engineering and construction space. went from 10 blades and five rovers eight years ago to now having 66 pieces of equipment.”

In December 2019, Rummel added a drone division complete with Trimble Stratus with Propeller RTK platform for mapping topographical information and capturing highquality project All of Rummel’s rovers are equipped with Trimble photography and Siteworks software, which has proven very efficient at videography. While handling 3D data sets. use of the drone was limited in 2020, the potential is substantial on large projects such as the master planned community development.

“This is an enormous community that we will likely be working on for another 10 years.

Right now, we use our drone almost Nearly all of the earthmovers used on the community exclusively for calculation of exca- development project were outfitted with the Earthworks grade control platform or the GCS900 3D vation quantities, and occasionally to grade control system, with a drone above helping to shoot a few pictures track material quantities.

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 39

TE C H N OLOG Y T R EN D S | By Jessica Lombardo

Mobile Technology Improves Jobsite Productivity

HeadLight

As the industry evolves to do more work with fewer resources, technology is adapting to help achieve better results in less time.

A project inspector at a state DOT utilizes HeadLight as part of the inspection process.

T

he construction industry has historically been slow to adopt technology. While this may have been acceptable in the past, the increasing amount of challenges infrastructure projects are facing requires the use of advanced technologies to ensure both project accuracy and jobsite efficiency.

Si Katara, president and cofounder of HeadLight, started his company recognizing the challenges the industry faces.

He and his team spent months meeting with construction business owners, DOTs and municipalities to look at what their existing processes were and what they needed to do to deliver projects. The team found that many existing processes were still predominantly paper based.

“We really wanted to understand what the business challenges were so we spent six months in the field,” Katara says.

“Before we wrote a line of code

or designed a single interface, we really wanted to learn what was the process and the communications up the stack — from inspectors to chiefs to project engineers to management — to complete the project delivery.

And we saw just an incredible opportunity to apply technology to help solve that problem.”

From their research, the team developed HeadLight, a photobased inspection technology that can be used on projects to quickly and efficiently capture project data. This encourages greater collaboration between stakeholders, quickly resolves problem areas, minimizes disputes, and ultimately ensures successful, ontime project completion.

HOW IT WORKS The majority of information collection on construction projects is still done using a notebook. The notes are then hand entered into a computer at

40 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

the end of the day in a time-consuming and inefficient process.

“Paper-based operations are not only inefficient, but it’s almost impossible to integrate and share all that information in a timely manner,” Katara states.

“HeadLight flips this form-based mentality on its head, allowing field staff to capture events as they occur naturally, not as the paper-based form is laid out.”

According to Katara, what comes from this method of data entry is close to a Facebook feed for your project, with photos being a core pillar of the technology. These photos are used to help project stakeholders communicate quickly and with all of the information wrapped in the context of the project.

“You get automatic location information, automatic time stamping and you can tie all that information directly to contractrelevant items,” Katara explains.

“This also allows the information

that’s collected in real time on a project to be used for many different purposes. That information is now available for state DOTs or public owners so they can share it directly with contractors for real-time issue resolution and things can get fixed much more quickly.”

The time savings can add up fairly quickly and in monetizable ways.

“With HeadLight, they can literally push a button and be done and go home after they’ve been collecting information throughout the day, which saves them almost an hour and a half of extra time each day as opposed to hand entering the information. So, there’s a big administrative savings there,” Katara points out.

“On the flip side, with the owners using it, they can share the information the state is collecting and allow contractors to see it in real time, as well,” he

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continues. “As a result, there’s no extra work for the contractor. They get access to a whole rich set of information and they know what the state is seeing and what they are noting as items that need to be addressed. And what it does is it basically creates a second set of eyes for the contractor through the state’s eyes.”

IMMEDIATE IMPACT The technology was recently put to the test by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). The state’s research department found that

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Edwin Folven

Hurricane Delta bearing down on the state.

The study also revealed that inspectors using HeadLight collected and shared 1.9 times more jobsite information while increasing the number of photo and other media observations, which contributes to a more complete record of the project. With more details about projects, employees and contractors can collaborate more effectively and readily address challenges, as well as easily prevent issues, disputes and claims made in relation to a project.

Since adoptStreetsLA is using online technology to speed up the inspection process on street projects. ing the technology, DOTD has reduced claims by more than 75%, ensur- can and should be completed “This isn’t an industry where what we’re going to be required ing the agency’s funds are spent more efficiently with the techyou can just throw technology at to deliver as an industry without on the development of projnology available. people and then walk the other innovation, without technolects, and issues are addressed “We’ve been doing things in a way,” says Katara. “We take a ogy and without really thinking quickly and in partnership with certain way for so long, that just very hand in glove approach to about creative solutions to be contractors. changing whatever it is —wheth- be on jobsites in the field with much more effective and much er it’s a technology-based or them, to help them make that more efficient.” ET CHANGE IS GOOD process-based change — is just a connection of what’s the practiChange in the construcdifficult thing to make happen, cal business problem that they tion industry has been slow and especially at the organization are dealing with every day and difficult, but as solutions like level,” Katara acknowledges. “No how does the HeadLight techHeadLight are proving, processes matter what change you make, nology rise to the occasion to you have to communicate... in help them meet that and do it a way that creates a very clear better. And it’s that environment understanding to contractors, or on the jobsite that really makes to whomever the stakeholder is, those connections occur. When on what is the benefit and the you do it that way, it really helps practical impact of the change to ease that burden of change, that you want to make. because you’re doing it all the “On the DOT side, if we can way to the ground level.” say this change is going to save The company also created you an hour and a half a day and a Best Practices Guide to help you get to go home and see your train and create consistency kid’s softball game, that resoacross the organization for everynates,” he adds. “And that helps one that uses the technology. with getting through change.”

While change can be hard, Any technology-based change it will be essential to success being made in this industry in an evolving construction needs to be accompanied by environment. proper training, Katara empha“If we are able to secure a sizes. HeadLight first works to long-term investment in infraidentify the problems a specifstructure, there’s going to be a ic organization wants to solve; flood of work and activity that maps out how to use the prodwill come with a long-term — Si Katara uct to do it; and then takes the plan,” Katara comments. “With Photos are used to help project stakeholders communicate quickly, with technology out in the field where that raised level of activity, it’s they validate it with the end user. going to be really hard to deliver all of the information wrapped within the context of the project.

HeadLight

inspectors using the HeadLight photo-based inspection technology experienced a 28% increase in productivity when creating and submitting daily work reports that provide an overview of project progress. The increase in productivity for departmentwide adoption is estimated to produce 117,000 hours per year that can be leveraged to accelerate additional projects for the taxpayers of Louisiana.

In addition to supporting infrastructure projects across the state, the partnership between Louisiana DOTD and HeadLight also played a critical role in addressing the devastation caused by Hurricane Laura and a historic hurricane season in 2020.

According to Entergy, the DOTD faced thousands of miles of impacted roadways and more than 360,000 people in Louisiana were without power after Hurricane Laura hit. The power outages across the state disrupted legacy systems, making it impossible to access them.

Because HeadLight is a cloud-based solution, DOTD employees were able to access the system and view real-time updates from their colleagues across the region. DOTD’s strategic use of advanced cloud-based technology and HeadLight’s ability to customize its platform enabled the agency to complete 1.1 million cu. yds. of debris cleanup following Hurricane Laura even with

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“They know what the state is seeing and... noting as items that need to be addressed... it basically creates a second set of eyes for the contractor through the state’s eyes.”

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 41

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

Barton Malow Tests Technology to TRACK TOOLS ON JOBSITES Barton Malow is incorporating tool tracking technology into its projects to improve efficiency and cut tool costs.

A

The ability to capture data on how a tool is being used and how it’s performing on a project can provide useful insights that can be used to enhance both tool and operator productivity.

s tool technology continues to advance, the price of items such as concrete drills, cutoff saws and other powered hand tools found on construction projects tends to grow along with it. So, each time a tool disappears or is misplaced, it’s a further expense to replace it. A tool here, a tool there — the costs can add up to a lot during the course of a project or over an extended period of time.

To combat such cost creep on its construction projects, Ohiobased Barton Malow is testing available technology to see how it can help improve management of tool tracking and logistics and potentially save on tool costs long term.

MANY, MANY ITEMS TO TRACK Barton Malow has been in business for nearly 100 years and has 15 offices throughout the

Milwaukee Tool

42 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

East Coast, with projects scattered across the country.

Employing more than 2,000 workers, it operates in the commercial, institutional, industrial, energy and manufacturing sectors, as well as self-performs civil operations, concrete — including walls, foundations and flatwork — rigging, structural steel, interiors, refractory, boilermaker and other work.

“One of the things that we pride ourselves on is that diverse market,” says Matt Hedke, director of virtual design and construction. “We try to have a pretty equal portfolio. Operating in all those different markets gives us flexibility. We don’t want to have too much work in one specific area.”

Working on projects throughout the U.S. means equipment and tools are distributed to several disparate locations at any one time. Tracking those resources is a primary challenge, according to Ryan Tow, operations manager. Tow oversees the equipment yard in Oak Park, MI, which supports all of the self-performed trades.

Nearly all the equipment, tools and accessories Barton Malow requires on projects are moved in and out of yard operations, so each item must be carefully tracked and managed. This adds up to a lot of individual items.

“All of the [concrete] accessories, all the panels... are tracked and managed and rented out of our yard operations,” Tow notes. “Some of the things that are the most challenging, I would say, are a lot of the smaller items that we have where there tends to be a huge

inventory. Formwork is one of them... because we have multiple formwork systems and there are a lot of accessories that go along with them.

“Being able to track and manage those from project to project and at the same time keep our inventory up to our standard, and then be able to redeploy to the next job — there’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes,” he comments.

Consequently, it’s not the heavy equipment that is typically the biggest issue on large jobs.

“It’s hand tools like the cordless impacts, saws, stuff like that.

We have more of an issue as a company tracking those specific items than we do our equipment,” Tow acknowledges. “For the most part, we have a pretty good handle on all of our [heavy] equipment.”

Barton Malow uses a sizable number of small tools. If they go missing, costs mount.

“Everybody knows the price of everything just keeps climbing and climbing,” Tow says. “It was a $60 drill. Now, it’s a several hundred-dollar drill and then you have a $150 battery, two or three of them. So, you have a good amount of capital tied up into a cordless power drill.

“We’ll walk away from a yearto-year job and there’s a huge dent. There’s a lot of missing stuff on certain projects, especially the further out we get where they’re not our ‘regular’ staff,” he notes. For example, laborers brought on for these jobs may not fully understand the company’s processes, there

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lt

DeWa

DeWalt just recently introduced the Tool Connect Construction Asset Gateway, which can be deployed in jobsite boxes, vehicles and tool cribs to automatically audit inventory and provide total jobsite visibility in its Site Manager platform. may be theft, tools may be picked up by other contractors, etc. “There’s a bunch of different scenarios, so we have more issues on that end.”

“As we get further and further away from that centralized hub, a lot of those things get more complex and harder to manage,” says Hedke. “There are all these moving parts that, over time, we have evaluated and refined. And we continue to try to figure out how do we leverage technology to help drive that process and educate not only our own people on our projects but our trade partners, as well.”

TOOL MANAGEMENT, COST CONTROL AND MORE To enhance tool management, Barton Malow has been using DeWalt’s Tool Connect on select projects. “I’ve been pretty heavily involved in the DeWalt portion of it for about two years.

We’ve used it on a few projects, smaller jobs,” says Tow. A more recent addition has been Milwaukee Tool’s Tick, a

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Barton Malow

Bluetooth tracking device that provides location updates when the tool comes within 100 ft. of a phone that has the One-Key app installed. “We use it on our small power tools — SDS-plus hammer drills, 1/4-in. impacts, 1/2-in. drill drivers,” says Tow. “There’s an assortment of smaller cordless power tools that we have those on.”

The potential advantages in logistics management have proven readily apparent. In the past, when a tool couldn’t be found on the jobsite, the crew would simply order a new one. With tool tracking, that’s no longer necessary.

“You have the capability to be able to say, ‘All right, I know I [had] a tool that was here this morning,’ and then be able to pull up some software, look on a map and know it’s over in the southeast corner [of the jobsite],” Tow explains. “When you can say, ‘Let’s go get it’ instead of having to buy another one, you’re saving resources and capital.”

Also offering significant advantage is the ability to create geofences. “From a theft

perspective, by creating that geofenced perimeter, that tool shuts off if it leaves or you get a notification that it’s left [the specified area],” Hedke says. “Those are all things that I think we, as an industry, can see huge benefits in.”

The ability to capture data on how a tool is being used and how it’s performing on the project offers benefits, as well. “From my perspective, Milwaukee Tool and others started to look at opportunities to get data out of their tools,” says Hedke. “That [opened the door] for us to... try to figure out, ‘How do we make that connection between the user and that data and learn from that data? How can we start to look at the data holistically and use it as a way to learn and get insights on tool utilization?’”

“If a grinder pulls, if the brake e-clutch is engaging — the same with the hammer drill — being able to pull those analytics off for safety and being able to train your staff is a benefit,” Tow agrees. “Some people aren’t necessarily going to be trained correctly in how to use power

tools from a safety standpoint, so you can use that information.”

The data could also be used to assess the type and number of tools that will be needed to complete a project or task. “Tools have a useful life. You can figure out how many tools you’re going to need by how many dowel holes you’re going to be drilling, or whatever it might be,” says Tow. “A lot of it is just to be able to get that information off of that tool and use it in a productive manner.”

LEARNING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS Setting the stage to maximize the overall benefits of tool tracking technology is an ongoing process for Barton Malow, involving input from multiple sources.

“The only way that we’re going to learn is if we get plugged into it and we start to identify and partner with the tool manufacturers and partner with our project teams to set up a roadmap to say ‘Here’s our basis for a pilot and here’s some low-hanging fruit that we think we can get. If we can achieve

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that first step in just capturing this data, here’s some benefits that we see,’” Hedke comments.

“And I think, organically, you’re just going to learn that there are other benefits that maybe we’re not yet seeing.”

As such, Barton Malow continues to partner with more than one supplier and test the systems’ performance. “We haven’t really kicked things off on a single source because it does take a yard operation, staff behind the scenes and the project team to actually use it and [determine] what the capabilities are,” says Tow. “And not every job is structured to where it marries up perfectly.

Sometimes, there are too many moving pieces, it’s too large a job, they don’t have the staff on the jobsite, etc.”

There’s also the matter of whether data can reach where it needs to be. “When you start

Milwaukee Tool

Nearly all of the equipment, tools and accessories Barton Malow requires on projects are moved in and out of yard operations, so each item must be carefully tracked and managed.

to have... all these smart tools out in the field, there’s certainly a jobsite connectivity concern,” says Hedke. “I think that’s an industry-wide problem.”

Then there’s the issue, and opportunity, with software integration. “There are a lot of different project management solutions out there,” says Hedke. “We’re a big Autodesk user; we use BIM360. [We’re learning] how we get that data and that tool tracking technology integrated into our project management solution. That’s another opportunity that we’ve been having a lot of discussions with the folks at Milwaukee Tool about.

“Again, it just brings up a lot of really, really cool opportunities that we’re excited about that we want to be a part of coming up with a solution for, and certainly looking to partnerships with Milwaukee and others to try to solve them,” he continues.

“I think the technology is going to allow us to really open the door for how we track and manage our tools, use the data we get from them and integrate it with other solutions.”

Still, there is value in taking a measured approach. “There’s an endless amount of data that it can probably be overwhelming if we’re not careful,” Hedke acknowledges. “But I think if we’re smart, we can start to use it in a smart way and learn from it and better ourselves for years to come.” ET

Milwaukee Tool’s Tick is a BlueTooth tracking device that provides location updates when a tool comes within 100 ft. of a mobile device that has the OneKey app installed.

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 43

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Products Leica Updated BLK3D 3D Handheld Imager The BLK3D updated handheld imager has doubled its operating range and in-picture measurement accuracy for many indoor and outdoor applications, such as exterior building measurements for scaffolding, façade, roofing and architecture projects.

• Can capture image with centimeter accuracy in seconds • Enhanced image processing algorithms and workflow adaptation allow for capturing multi-shots with up to four shots • BLK3D with Publisher license enables seamless collaboration among teams with increased accessibility to published 3D images through the cloud

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ConcreteDirect Concrete Order Management App The ConcreteDirect app helps you manage orders, track deliveries and monitor performance of concrete pours from the palm of your hand.

• Can be used across various technology platforms (iPhone, Android and PCs) • Follow truck positions live on GPS and message customer care representatives within the app • Share tickets, view active orders and order history, correct order mistakes in real time and monitor crew performance from any location • Includes touchless tickets, contactless delivery, QR code tracking system, pins as signature replacement, GPS routes and Field Level Risk Assessment

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Soil Connect eRegulatory Module Available through the Soil Connect digital marketplace, the eRegulatory module automatically captures and saves essential truck, load and route data, allowing users to easily share with regulatory bodies and other stakeholders.

• Includes documentation settings for both clean fill and contaminated dirt • Turn-by-turn GPS tracking provides an end-to-end record of the truck and material route • Enables contactless e-signatures • Digital database for manifests provides a record of all routes and deliveries in one place • Information can be easily shared with local regulatory bodies in a PDF format

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Milwaukee Tool One-Key Asset ID Tags Durable ONE-KEY Asset ID Tags allow users to easily manage smaller tool and equipment inventories by providing instant documentation as assets are transferred between jobsites and users.

• Scan tags to record time and location data using a smart mobile device with an integrated camera and ONE-KEY app • Come in small (.69” x 1”) and large (1.5” x 2”) and in sets of up to 200 designed to adhere to plastic or metal surfaces • Offer water and chemical resistance, fade protection from UV light, scratch resistance and maintain adhesion through significant temperature fluctuations

Tenna Equipment Fleet Management App

Earthwave Fleetwatcher Materials Management Solution

The Equipment Fleet Management app provides access to asset information from Tenna’s One Platform at your fingertips.

• Scaled-down version of online platform is synced to the cloud and allows user to create new assets, edit existing assets and connect installed trackers to the platform • Access and update pertinent asset details such as status, condition, location, assignee and more • Scan assets and inventory with QR codes to automatically update location and edit details • View utilization data on individual assets or assets by projects • Enables working offline if out of range

The Fleetwatcher Materials Management Solution is a wireless telematics system for paving contractors that uses load cycle analysis to allow users to see where problems are occurring and correct them in real time.

• Enables users to identify traffic problems in real time and reroute trucks on the fly • E-ticketing modules eliminate points of contact • Transponders can be hardwired into trucks or installed via cigarette lighter adapter • Mobile app accessible via cell phone or tablet • Integrates with popular accounting and payroll applications and scale systems

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Command Alkon TicketPro Digital Ticketing Solution The TicketPro solution digitizes 100% of material and haul tickets that enter a production facility or a jobsite.

• Ticket signer simply selects a project, chooses the material being hauled and snaps a picture of the paper ticket • Can utilize scanner integration or capture tickets directly from a scale printer • Allows for job cost reporting, accruals reporting, invoice reconciliation, tracking quantities delivered and more • Takes all data on the invoice and matches it against actual ticketing data

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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 via a seamless plan, fly, process workflow

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TRUCE Contextual Mobile Device Management Platform Contextual Mobile Device Management automatically adjusts access to mobile apps and features based on a given work environment and additional contextual indicators.

• Includes a web-based Management Console, mobile app and available Beacon technology that can detect movement or be used to define boundaries • Employer defines how to protect employees based on location or proximity to high-risk areas or equipment, movement including speed, time of day or day of week and user or work group • Apps and functions that help employees are kept front and center, while those seen as distracting are temporarily hidden

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Mecalac MyMecalac Fleet Management System The MyMecalac telematics solution comes standard on the company’s excavators and loaders.

• Simply log in to the web portal or app to access all machine data in real time • Delivers high-level summaries to specific machine details to empower fleet managers to boost efficiency and machine uptime • Alerts can be set up to notify user when maintenance is required or when a fault code appears, as well as if the machine moves from a designated zone or operates outside of designated hours • Enables dealer technicians to remotely diagnose machine issues

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TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Products Lytx Badge Driver Identification Solution The Lytx Badge driver identification solution detects driver ID using a QR code without requiring any additional hardware.

• Driver scans a unique QR code from a badge or cell phone using the installed DriveCam Event Recorder • Driver’s name recorded along with vehicle data for visibility into driver hours, how much time the vehicle is moving during each shift and how much idle time occurs • Automatically assigns events captured by DriveCam to the appropriate driver • Works with Driver Safety, Risk Detection and Fleet Tracking modules

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ezNova ezClocker ezClocker is a simple to use time tracking and scheduling software solution for small construction companies with crew members who work at different locations.

• Online job scheduling feature allows employer to create shifts for crews and assign them to a location • Timesheet export feature sends hours to accounting for payroll or enables calculation of how much each job cost in labor • Cloud-based time clock app enables employees to use their own phone to clock in and out and supports multiple smartphone devices • GPS stamp automatically saves employee location when they clock in or out so employer can verify they were at the correct location

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Zonar Next-generation EVIR Solution The mobile version of the electronic verified inspection reporting (EVIR) solution improves and verifies Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandated pre- and post-trip inspections.

• Includes features of the original EVIR in a mobile-friendly app with additional features and functionality • Inspections can be completed quickly and accurately and results digitally stored without the need for extra hardware • Intuitive Asset Map View shows aerial views of vehicles and equipment with guides for tag placement, plus training videos and links within application • Inspection history and data can be accessed through the Ground Traffic Control web-based platform

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Senzit Predictive Maintenance Platform This subscription-based predictive maintenance platform for heavy-duty fleets consists of a user-friendly mobile app and web portal that enables remote monitoring of the health and location of equipment.

• Allows users to remotely monitor air filter dust load percentage and remaining hours of use, view engine hours, optimize routes and prevent theft with machine trip history and more • Use digital log book to record service and maintenance with notes and photo documentation • Utilizes predictive machine learning and smart AI to notify user of filter changes before breakdowns occur • Viewable via a desktop or mobile device

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TRUX Contactless Ticketing Solution TRUX Contactless Ticketing is a robust e-Ticketing solution that integrates sales orders and scale tickets directly into technology solutions for all participants in the material supply chain.

• Allows contractors, dump truck drivers and material producers to safely and digitally record and track data from construction projects • Leverages unified digital dispatching, hauling and site contact load tracking and resolution software • Meets established requirements from the leading state DOTs across the country for digital ticketing

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HCSS myField Mobile Time Tracking and Engagement App JLG R Series Scissor Lift Mobile Control App The JLG Mobile Control app enables users to drive, steer and load R Series scissor lifts while in a stowed position from an iOS mobile device.

• Available as an option on new lifts or as an aftermarket option • Assists operators in positioning lift into areas with low clearances and to the best location to see jobsite obstacles • Allows machines to be loaded onto trucks without the need for an operator in the platform or walking next to the machine • Easy to use and equipped with an intuitive user interface that displays all essential features to run the machine • Displays battery and machine status plus includes a horn symbol that allows operators to easily alert jobsite personnel when the machine is operating nearby

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21048175

Core LaborOS/Crews by Core Pro The Crews by Core Pro Labor Operating System (LaborOS) offers the capability to hire and manage crews with a task and labor management tool that syncs with existing systems.

• Connects teams across the field and office via a single system on a desktop or mobile device • Desktop control center (C4) can be used to manage project status, real-time updates and communication, tasks, subs and crews • Easy to use app for workers to see which tasks are most important and chat using real-time messaging • Provides reports and insights on task completion and labor workload

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21563101

www.ForConstructionPros.com

myField is a mobile employee engagement and time tracking solution for heavy construction operations.

• App allows crew members to directly clock in or submit their time and information, as well as review their hours logged • Foreman receives a copy and can review events and times per employee • Can also be used for individual time tracking, quick equipment safety inspections, cost code work, documentation, safety observations and maintenance requests • All clock in/out locations stamped with longitude and latitude

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21330877

Trackunit Kin Asset Tracker Trackunit Kin enables all on-site machines and equipment to be tagged and connected, tracked and managed using a single, easy to use application.

• Compact, robust tags can be attached to any small, medium or large asset and activated, installed and onboarded in seconds via a mobile device • Cloud-based IoT platform offers real-time intelligence to precisely locate equipment, accessories and tools • Users can track the utilization of attachments and tools including the correct attachmentto-machine pairing • Up to 400m of line-of-sight detection • Connects to the RAW (TU600) installed network of devices via the Trackunit Go app

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21319393

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 45

B RID G I N G T HE G A P

What Does Workforce Management Mean for CONSTRUCTION? How construction workforce management can help you more effectively engage with your people. ˜ Data management: Organizing and

housing all of your people and project data in a secure manner that creates time savings and new efficiencies. ˜ Communication: Efficiently sharing project, scheduling and additional updates on an individual or workforcewide basis to ensure everyone stays in the know and has all of the information they need to be successful. ˜ People management: Ensuring your roster stays motivated, develops new skills and stays up to date on certifications so your organization can tackle any project at any given time. ˜ Planning: Having information you can depend on to ensure your company can forecast ahead for new projects and know when to ramp up your workforce.

When paired with labor scheduling, the elements listed above help paint the full picture of what workforce management entails.

BENEFITS OF DIGITAL SOLUTIONS Like others, you want to optimize the productivity of your staff and effectively forecast labor needs for future jobs. From a basic point of view, it’s simply knowing where your people are today and where you need them in the future.

By identifying and onboarding workforce management software, you can gain direct and actionable insight into your workforce. The platform can provide realtime information about people’s skills, certifications, location and more, while also communicating project updates to your entire team, or only to those who need to know. In addition, the nature of scaling up and scaling down on construction projects means the size of your labor pool will fluctuate; a digital workforce management platform can help you manage those fluctuations.

With a better understanding of your needs and a definitive labor plan, you will be better positioned for growth because

LIFTING SOLUTIONS

SMARTER. BIGGER. STRONGER. THE NO-WORST-CASE POSITION LIFTING POINT

RUD ACP-TURNADO NOW IN M36 AND M42 AS WELL AS 1 ½” + 1 ¾” FOR LIFTING HEAVIER LOADS. Call 815 229-5667 or visit www.slingandlashing.rud.com/acp-turnado/en/ for more info today!

46 EQUIPMEN T TODAY | October 2021

www.ForConstructionPros.com

©ktasimar – stock.adobe.com

P

eople are a company’s most important asset and that’s why it’s important to focus on them when building a strategy for your construction business. One of the most noticeable differences between companies that thrive and those that fail is usually workforce management — or a better way to say it is how contractors engage with their people.

While most people think construction workforce management is the same thing as scheduling labor, labor scheduling is only a portion of the full definition. Yes, you have to schedule your people, but workforce management means managing your roster beyond a schedule.

From data management and communication, to people management and planning, a cloud-based workforce management platform can open new doors for your people and business. Let’s break each of these areas down by what they mean for the construction industry:

you will be able to identify exactly what is required to take on additional projects. This single source of truth builds confidence within your organization, makes bidding future jobs more accurate and gives you extra insight into what makes sense for your business.

MEETING NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE No matter the industry, workforce management can play a vital role. You can only schedule, not manage, your workforce on a spreadsheet, whiteboard or piece of paper.

There’s no planning ahead, active communication or real-time information available.

Construction companies from Slotegraaf Construction in Ontario, Canada, to P2K in Atlanta, GA, are already using digital tools to learn from the past and plan for the future and win future jobs. For example, P2K, a civil contractor founded in 1998, previously spent hours going over Excel spreadsheets, under-utilizing staff in unproductive labor meetings and misplacing worker information in its files.

By implementing the LaborChart workforce management platform (https://bit. ly/2UwUPOb), it is now able to: ˜ input new employee information and track certifications; ˜ effectively forecast how many workers will be needed with any given project throughout the year; ˜ provide project managers with a holistic view of each worker, jobsite and overall costs; ˜ and “tag” workers who are certified to work on certain tasks and those authorized to work on government projects.

There is a risk that companies who aren’t adopting new technology will slowly fall behind. Workforce management can help them to optimize their workforce and identify new management efficiencies in order to realize their full potential. ET Information provided by LaborChart.

NOVEMBER 3-5 | LAS VEGAS

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Attitude Speaker & Coach Attitude: How to Improve Your Company Culture from the Ground Up

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Kreekspeak Business Solutions Inch by Inch: Creating and Sustaining Peak Performance

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Save $300 Off Promo code IGNITE300 Register Today!

See the full speaker lineup and agenda at

IgniteConstructionSummit.com FROM THE PRODUCERS OF:

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.

GSSI UtilityScan GPR System The UtilityScan compact GPR unit is highly portable, easy to maneuver in tight survey areas and ruggedly built to withstand challenging field conditions.

• Features a robust wireless antenna that can handle required data rates • Electrical design uses HyperStacking technology to increase depth penetration in challenging soils while providing high near surface data resolution • Includes backup Ethernet connection if WiFi is not desired or allowed on a particular jobsite or facility • Can be used with the LineTrac accessory to help locate specific underground power sources including AC power and induced RF energy present in conduits

www.ForConstructionPros.com/12008564

JLG 450AJ HC3 Hi-Capacity Boom Lift Gradall Fixed Thumb Grapples Fixed thumb grapple attachments expand the capabilities of Gradall excavators in emergency applications after severe weather, as well as for routine jobsite cleanup and demolition.

• Can be used to reach out and remove brush, debris and tree limbs that may block roadways • Able to move bulky, irregularly shaped objects, waste and building materials • Maintain a strong, positive grip on loads and can be precisely positioned with the excavator boom • Available for Storm Recovery Series wheeled excavators, Series V excavators and Discovery Series models

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21244754

The 450AJ HC3 boom lift has a 45-ft. platform height and 25 ft. of horizontal outreach.

• 660-, 750- and 1,000-lb. capacity zones provide ability to carry up to three occupants and tools to height in every zone • Zero calibration, automatic loadsensing system keeps machine within the allowable work envelope by limiting range based on platform load • Chassis tilt alarm alerts operator when the machine is on a slope greater than 5° • LED display and ground controls improve visibility by sensing ambient light conditions and adjusting brightness

Crary Bear Cat CH1015H Chipper The CH1015H engine-powered chipper has a 10-in. capacity to allow for chipping larger trees and less pruning of smaller trees.

• 57-hp Kubota gas engine equipped with a block heater for cold environments • Rotor includes six reversible blades and four paddles for efficient chipping and discharge • Digital Display Controller (DDC) offers push-button control, in-field troubleshooting and hydraulic system diagnostics • Self-contained hydraulic system with flow control to allow optimization of feed rate • Easily towable trailer with a four-position, 18-in. telescoping hitch pole

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21565151

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21354791

RimRiser Bolt-adjusted Manhole Leveling Solutions

Komatsu Expanded Hydraulic Breaker Range This line of breakers is compatible with PC78 to PC490 excavators.

• Accumulator eliminates hydraulic pump cavitation • Blank firing protection standard • JTHB-G line uses hydraulic flow and pressure plus a nitrogen-filled chamber to provide striking energy and features only two moving parts, a patented tie-rod design, hydraulic cushion at the cylinder base and key slot dampers (larger models) • JMHB-H accumulator-type models don’t require nitrogen recharge, have a single power cell instead of tie-rods and offer sound-dampening housings, a pressure regulator valve, vibration dampening system and automatic lubrication

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21415750

MBW AP/GP18 Vibratory Plates The GP12, GP15 and GP18 singledirection vibratory plates weigh 130 to 184 lbs. and are available with or without a water tank.

• Suspension system reduces hand-arm vibration and better isolates all upper mass components from vibrations produced by the exciter • Optional UHMW paving pad • GP18 includes a modified spray bar, added clearance to allow use of a paving pad, standard Honda GX160 engine and side plate handles • Designed to be easy to lift and maneuver around the jobsite

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21354560

48 EQUIPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

LiuGong 950E Crawler Excavator The 950E has an operating weight of 108,467 lbs. and a bucket capacity of 2.88 cu. yds.

• Maximum digging depth of 25 ft. 9 in.

• Features a 64,745-lbf. arm digging force and 71,939-lbf. maximum drawbar pull • 400-hp (gross) Cummins QSG12 Tier 4 Final diesel engine with 1,500 lbs.-ft. of torque • Optimized load-sensing hydraulics • Cab includes ergonomically designed controls, clear and informative displays, increased visibility and enhanced comfort

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21205490

Carlson Paving EZIV Front Mount Screed The EZIV Screed provides a reliable, heavy-duty screed platform for commercial, municipal and highway-class applications.

• Available in 8- and 10-ft. models • Can be mounted to all current North American asphalt pavers offered by major manufacturers • Can be retrofitted onto most previous North American highway-class pavers

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21342414

The RimRiser adjust-to-grade systems for manholes, catch basins and precast tops make the process of leveling cast iron manhole rings, inlet frames/grates and precast concrete tops simpler, faster and more accurate.

• More than 35 RimRiser-ready castings available including models specified for 15 states • Eliminate hazards from lifting with prybars, overhead machines or slings and prevent accidental drops on hands or fingers • Bolts are small enough to fit in a pocket, making them easy to store and carry • Castings all utilize the same boltadjustable system so there’s no need to order special sizes in advance

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21603084

CLC Work Gear Molded Base Tool Bags and Tool Carriers This line includes a Molded Base Tool Backpack, Technician’s Tool Bag, Open-Top Toolbox, Contractor’s Closed-Top Tool Bag, BigMouth Tote Bag and Electrical/HVAC Tool Carrier.

• Durable 1680D ballistic polyester with extra webbing around pockets and handles • Molded bottom base attached with double-stitched tape binding • Include a padded shoulder strap, ergonomic carrying handles, large metal zipper pulls, heavy-duty hardware and multiple pocket arrangements • Different configurations of sizes, zippered compartments and pockets depending on trade-specific needs

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21603312

www.ForConstructionPros.com

WHAT’S ONLINE?

PODCAST: WHAT IS A DIGITAL TWIN IN CONSTRUCTION?

HOW TO USE DRONES TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

Dave Burns, vice president of project delivery and emerging tech at McCarthy Building Companies, talks about digital twins and how they work in the construction industry.

Contractors are leveraging drone technologies to minimize risk and keep workers safe, which involves keeping them away from worksites as much as possible.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/21627001

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation

LISTEN IN: www.ForConstructionPros.com/21648101

(Requester Publications Only)

1. Publication Title

2. Publication Number

3. Filing Date

September 15, 2021 369-290 Statement Statement of Ownership, of Ownership, Management, Management, and Circulation and Circulation

Equipment Today

4. Issue Frequency

Jan, Feb, Mar, 1. Publication1.

Title Publication TitleApr,

May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec Equipment Jul, Equipment Today Today

5. Number of Issues Published Annually

(Requester(Requester Publications Publications Only) Only) 6. Annual Subscription Price

12 2. Publication2.

Number Publication Number 369-290

Free toDate Qualified 3. Filing Date3.

Filing

SeptemberSubscribers September 15, 2021 15, 2021

369-290

7.

Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Street, City, County, State, and Zip+4) 4. Issue Frequency 4. Complete Issue Frequency 5. Number of5.

Issues Number Published of Issues Annually Published Annually

Contact 6. Annual Subscription 6. AnnualPerson Subscription Price Price

7. Complete Mailing 7. Complete Address Mailing of Known Address Office of Known of Publication Office of(Street, Publication City, (Street, County,City, State, County, and Zip+4) State, and Zip+4)

(920) 542-1259 Contact Person Contact Person

AC Jan, Feb, Mar, Jan,Business Apr, Feb,May, Mar,Media Jun, Apr, May, Jun, 201 North Main St., Nov, 5th Floor Jul, Aug, Sep, Jul, Oct, Aug, Nov, Sep, Dec Oct, Dec Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-1807

12

Angela Free to Qualified Free to Franks Qualified SubscribersSubscribers

12

Telephone

AC Business ACMedia Business Media 8.

Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher 201 North Main 201 North St., 5th Main Floor St., 5th Floor AC Business Media, 201 North Main St., 5th Floor, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-1807 Fort Atkinson, FortWI Atkinson, 53538-1807 WI 53538-1807

Angela Franks Angela Franks

Telephone

Telephone

(920) 542-1259 (920) 542-1259

9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher (Name and Complete Address) 8. Complete Mailing 8. Complete Address Mailing of Headquarters Address of Mailing Headquarters or General Business or General Office Business of Publisher Office of Publisher

Sean Dunphy, GroupMain Publisher AC Business ACMedia, Business 201Media, North 201 North St., 5th Main Floor, St.,Fort 5th Floor, Atkinson, FortWI Atkinson, 53538-1807 WI 53538-1807 201 North Main St., 5th Floor

Fort WI 53538-1807 9. Full Names9. and FullAtkinson, Complete Names and Mailing Complete Addresses MailingofAddresses Publisher,of Editor, Publisher, and Managing Editor, and Editor Managing Editor Editor (Name andand Complete Mailing Address) Publisher (Name Publisher and Complete (Name Mailing Complete Address) Mailing Address) Becky Schultz, Editor Publisher Sean Dunphy, Sean Group Dunphy, Publisher Group 201 North Main St., 5th Floor 201 North Main St., 5th Floor FortWI Atkinson, WI 53538-1807 Fort Atkinson, 53538-1807

Editor (Name and Mailing Complete Mailing Address) Editor (NameManaging Editor and Complete (Name and Mailing Complete Address) Address)

Becky Schultz, Becky Editor Schultz, Editor 201 North Main 201 North St., 5th Main Floor St., 5th Floor Fort Atkinson, FortWI Atkinson, 53538-1807 WI 53538-1807

VIDEO: GET AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE RAISED ON BLACKTOP ASPHALT PAVER

Managing Editor Managing (NameEditor and Complete (Name and Mailing Complete Address) Mailing Address) 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock . If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address.)

Full Name Complete Mailing Address 10. Owner (Do 10. not Owner leave (Do blank. notIfleave the publication blank. If the is owned publication by aiscorporation, owned by agive corporation, the namegive andthe address name of and theaddress corporation of theimmediately corporationfollowed immediately by the followed by the

ACBM, LLC, Ron Spink, CEO 201 North Main Floor, Atkinson WIthe53538-1807 names and addresses names and of all addresses stockholders of all owning stockholders or holding owning 1 percent or holding or more 1 percent of theortotal more amount of theof total stock amount . If notof owned stockSt., .by If not a5th corporation, owned byFort agive corporation, the give names and addresses names and of the addresses individual of the owners. individual If owned owners. by a Ifpartnership owned by aorpartnership other unincorporated or other unincorporated firm, give its name firm, give and address its name as and well address as those as well of as those of each individual each owner. individual If the publication owner. If the is published publicationby is apublished nonprofitby organization, a nonprofit give organization, its name give and address.) its name and address.) or Mailing Holding 1 Percent Full Name 11.

FullKnown Name Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning Complete Complete Address Mailing Address or more Spink, of TotalRon Amount of Bonds, If none, check here.

None ACBM, LLC, ACBM, Ron LLC, CEO Spink, CEO Mortgages or Other Securities. 201 North Main 201 North St.,5th Main Floor, St.,Fort 5th Floor, Atkinson FortWI Atkinson 53538-1807 WI 53538-1807 Full Name Complete Mailing Address

With a Kubota turbocharged 11. Known Bondholders, 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, Mortgagees, and Other Security and Other Holders Security Owning Holders or Holding Owning 1 or Percent Holding 1 Percent or more Amount of Total of Bonds, Amount Mortgages of Bonds,orMortgages Other Securities. or OtherIfSecurities. none, check If here. none, check  None here.  None diesel engine, a 9-ton hopper or more of Total Full Name Full Name Complete Mailing Complete Address Mailing Address and its exclusive gray paint job, 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) . (Check One) the Leeboy 8520B Raised on The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income Blacktop Edition asphalt paver is tax purposes:  Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months  Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months one you don’t want to miss.

PS(For Form 3526-R Facsimile, July 2014 organizations 12. Tax Status 12.

Tax completion Status (For by completion nonprofit by organizations nonprofit authorized to authorized mail at nonprofit to mail rates) at nonprofit . (Check rates) One). (Check One) 14. Issue 13. Publication 13. Publication Title Title 14. Issue Date for Circulation Date for Circulation Data Below Data Below

SEE VIDEO: www.ForConstructionPros. com/21648026

The purpose,Equipment The function, purpose, and function, nonprofit and status nonprofit of thisstatus organization of this organization and the exempt andstatus the exempt for federal status income for federal income Equipment Today Today September September 2021 2021 tax purposes: tax purposes:  Has Not Changed  Has Not During Changed Preceding During 12Preceding Months 12 Months Average No. Average Copies No. Copies No. Copies No. of Single Copies of Single  Has Changed  Has During Changed Preceding During 12Preceding Months 12 Months 15. Extent15. andExtent Nature and of Nature Circulation of Circulation

PS Form 3526-R PS Form Facsimile, 3526-RJuly Facsimile, 2014 July 2014

b. Legitimate b. Legitimate

WHAT YOU’LL FIND

ONLINE

➊ All the latest news impacting the construction industry

➋ Exclusive articles on equipment,

business management, safety and more ➌ New Product Directory hosting over 19,000 products ➍ Video Network with thousands of videos covering equipment, industry trends, applications and more ➎ Podcasts on equipment, technology, trending topics and more ➏ Profit Matters channel to help build profits in your construction business ➐ Blogs by the industry’s leading construction editors ➑ Current issues from five of the nation’s top construction industry publications ➒ AND MUCH MORE...

Each Issue Each During Issue During Issue Published Issue Published Preceding 12 Months 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date Preceding Nearest to Filing Date

a. Total Number a. TotalofNumber Copies of (net Copies press(net run)press run) (1)

ADVERTISER INDEX

Outside County Outside Paid/Requested County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Mail Subscriptions stated on stated on PS Form (1) 3541.

PS Form (Include 3541. direct (Include written request direct written from recipient, request from telemarketing recipient, telemarketing and and Internet requests Internet from requests recipient,from paid recipient, subscriptions paid including subscriptions nominal including rate subscriptions, nominal rate subscriptions,

employer advertiser's requests, proof advertiser's copies, and proof exchange copies, and copies.) exchange copies.)

Paid and/orPaid and/or employer requests, RequestedRequested (2) In-County (2) In-County Paid/Requested Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Mail Subscriptions stated on stated PS on PS DistributionDistribution Form 3451.

Form (Include 3451. direct(In written cluderequest direct written from recipient, request from telemarketing recipient, telemarketing and internet and internet requests from requests recipient,from paid recipient, subscriptions paid including subscriptions nominal including rate subscriptions, nominal rate subscriptions, (By Mail (By Mail employer advertiser's requests, proof advertiser's copies, and proof exchange copies, and copies.) exchange copies.) and Outside and Outside employer requests, the Mail) the Mail) (3) Sales(3) Through SalesDealers Through&Dealers Carriers, & Street Carriers, Vendors, Street Counter Vendors, Counter Sales, andSales, Otherand PaidOther or Requested Paid or Requested distribution distribution Outside USPS. Outside USPS. (4) Requested (4) Requested Copies Distributed Copies Distributed

by Other Mail

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USPS. first-Class (e.g. first-Class Mail) Mail) c. Total Paid c. Total and/or Paid Requested and/or Requested Circulation Circulation [Sum of 15b(1), [Sum of (2),15b(1), (3), (4)](2), (3), (4)] (1) Outside (1) County Outside Nonrequested County Nonrequested Copies stated Copies on stated PS form on3541.

PS form 3541. (include sample (include copies,sample requests copies, over requests 3 years old, over requests 3 years induced old, requests by a premium, induced by a premium, bulk sales andbulk requests sales including and requests association including requests, association names requests, obtained names from obtained from d. Nonrequested d. Nonrequested business lists, directories, and otherlists, sources) and other sources) DistributionDistribution business directories, (By Mail (By Mail (2) In-County (2) In-County Nonrequested Nonrequested Copies stated Copies on stated PS form on3541.

PS form 3541. (include copies,sample requests copies, over requests 3 years old, over requests 3 years induced old, requests by a premium, induced by a premium, and Outside and Outside (include sample bulk sales andbulk requests sales including and requests association including requests, association names requests, obtained names from obtained from the Mail) the Mail)

75,580 75,580

68,342 68,342

68,460 68,460

60,221 60,221

0

0

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0 190

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0

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ADVERTISER PAGE Bobcat.......................................................... 21, 52 The Caldwell Group.......................................... 46 ChevronTexaco.................................................2-3 Dominion Equipment Parts LLC....................... 22 Doosan Infracore................................................ 13 Eager Beaver Trailers.......................................... 51 Fecon LLC......................................................... 17 IGNITE Construction Summit......................... 47 Iron Capital Group.............................................. 6 JCB Inc.............................................................. 20 JLG Industries Inc.............................................. 23 John Deere Construction Equipment................... 5 LDJ Manufacturing........................................... 35 Milwaukee Electric Tool Company...............26-27 Premier Manufacturing Co................................ 34 Schweiss Doors.................................................. 49 Uline.................................................................. 33 Wacker Neuson Corp........................................... 7 This index is provided as a service. The publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions.

0 165

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e. Total Nonrequested e. Total Nonrequested Distribution Distribution (Sum of 15d (Sum (1),of (2), 15d and (1), (3)) (2), and (3)) f. Total Distribution f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c (Sum andofe)15c and e)

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i. Percenti.Paid Percent and/or Paid Requested and/or Requested Circulation Circulation 91.8% 91.8% (15c / 15f x(15c 100)/ 15f x 100) *if you are*if claiming you areelectronic claiming electronic copies, gocopies, to line go 16 on to line page 163.onIf page you are 3. If not you claiming are notelectronic claiming electronic copies, skip copies, to line skip 17 on to line page 173.on page 3.

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Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation

PS FormPS 3526 Form -R Facsimile, 3526 -R Facsimile, July 2014July 2014 16. Electronic Copy Circulation

(Requester Publications Only)

Average No. Copies

No. Copies of Single

Each Issue During

Issue Published

Preceding 12 Months

Nearest to Filing Date

2,448

9,797

b. Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15C) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)

71,098

70,183

c. Total Copy Distribution (Line 15F) + Requested/Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)

77,269

77,330

a. Requested Electronic and Paid Electronic Copies

d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies) (16b divided by 16c X 100)

92.0%

90.8%

x I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic & print) are legitimate requests or paid copies 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the October issue of this publication.

18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner

Ron Spink, CEO

Date

September 15, 2021

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

PS Form 3526 -R Facsimile, July 2014

www.ForConstructionPros.com

October 2021 | EQ U I P MEN T TO D AY 49

®

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

How to Max Out Your Company’s Tax Benefits How the proposed tax bill may impact tax risks, plus two options that could provide major tax deferrals.

W

hile I planned to continue the own vs. rent commentary this month (and plan to do so in the near future), with the release of President Biden’s proposed tax bill, I believe now is the time to discuss the changes it contains so you have time to plan out the rest of this tax year, as well as 2022 and 2023.

To keep you from chasing around trying to find the tax proposals, you can download a review of the bill at www.ForConstructionPros. com/21722633 that covers just about everything you need to know.

It was compiled by Steve Pierson, a CPA at Seldon Fox (www.seldenfox.com), who has been working with me for at least 20 years and specializes in the issues I normally come across with dealers, rental companies and contractors. He can deal with just about any tax issue that comes up, especially those related to equipment and other types of depreciable assets.

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.

What you will find in the memo is a discussion about how Bonus Depreciation and Sec 179 will change and the impact to expect for 2022-27. Bonus Depreciation will be phased out by 20% per year starting with 2023, going from 100% deduction to 80% deduction and so on. In other words, the tax benefits related to new and used equipment purchases will decline and thus raise taxable income compared to what you can do today.

This change in the deprecation deduction increases your risk of higher tax bills and thus a use of cash you were able to avoid with the 100% Bonus deduction. This new risk is a result of owning assets with a zero tax basis (the cost was deducted) which, when you sell them, will be 100% taxable at the new proposed higher income tax rate. Up to this point, many contractors were able to mitigate this tax issue because they had Bonus Depreciation to cover taxable profits.

Read the review for more information.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX DEFERRALS Also of major importance for 2020 and 2021 are government programs that are not discussed very often but are able to provide major

50 EQU IPMEN T TOD AY | October 2021

Publication Staff Publisher SEAN DUNPHY, sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com Editor BECKY SCHULTZ, bschultz@ACBusinessMedia.com Senior Field Editor CURT BENNINK, cbennink@ACBusinessMedia.com Contributing Writers GARRY BARTECKI, JESSICA LOMBARDO, ALEXIS SHEPRAK, VICKI SPEED, GIGI WOOD Art Director DAVE HAGLUND Senior Production Manager CINDY RUSCH Audience Development Manager ANGELA FRANKS

Advertising Sales (800) 538-5544 tax deferrals as well as dollars from the government similar to the PPP loan programs. They include the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), and Cash Basis accounting available for contractors. (Steve is also quite conversant about these topics in case help is needed.)

If you qualify for the ERC, you can receive a refund of a percentage of the employment taxes paid for each quarter in 2020-2021.

In order to qualify for 2020, your total sales for the quarter had to be 50% less than the same quarter in 2019, which was a little tough to do. But with a change to 20% for 2021, your chances of having a positive outcome increase when comparing each quarter of 2021 against the same quarters of 2019.

For 2020, the max credit per employee under the ERC was $5,000. For 2021, it is $7,000 per employee. If you have 100 or fewer employees, all wages are eligible. ERC is taxable but the overall result is still very positive. Steve’s partner Paul Rozek knows this area very well and can help guide you through the process.

Cash Basis accounting really helps conserve cash because taxable income is based on funds received vs. accrued income where your funds are sitting in accounts receivable (AR). So, if you have a good year and wind up with a significant AR balance, you could wind up straining cash because collections are slow. On the other hand, if your AR and work in progress (WIP) go down, you may have a higher taxable income on a Cash Basis compared to what it would have been on the accrual basis. In short, Cash Basis accounting is a deferral of tax due that could reverse if AR and WIP balances fall compared to the prior tax year.

Both of these tax-related concepts should be reviewed as a way to build cash and reserves to mitigate any pandemic or economic pitfalls that may come your way.

REVIEW YOUR TAX POSITION freedigitalphotos.net

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Steve, Paul and I and our colleagues make it a point to meet in the fall with clients to review the tax planning from the prior year and how that turned out, and then estimate the tax position for the current year and the related tax requirement. This gives us three to four months to work out ways to reduce the tax burden.

This takes a little work but keeps management informed about both former and current tax planning results. Management then knows what to expect for a tax liability and can gather the cash to cover the amount due.

There is one other tax program I want to review with you, as well, and will do that next month. These topics will also be covered at the Ignite Construction Summit program in November. ET Interested in learning more on financials? Attend the Ignite Construction Summit — the construction industry’s only conference and networking event for construction business owners and high-level managers — November 3 to 5, 2021, to hear from Garry Bartecki on these issues and more!

To access previous Running the Business columns, as well as additional business management information, visit www.ForConstructionPros.com.

www.ForConstructionPros.com

SEAN DUNPHY; NIKKI LAWSON; KRIS FLITCROFT; TADASHI SOMA

ForConstructionPros.com Editor-in-Chief WAYNE GRAYSON Editor LARRY STEWART

AC Business Media Chief Executive Officer..............RON SPINK Chief Financial Officer...............JOANN BREUCHEL Chief Digital Officer..................KRIS HEINEMAN Chief Revenue Officer...............AMY SCHWANDT VP Audience Development.........RONDA HUGHES Director, Demand Generation & Education.............................JIM BAGAN Dir. of Digital Operations & IT...NICK RAETHER Group Content Director.............JON MINNICK

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Vol. 57 No. 10 October 2021

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