10 minute read
New Products
JLG
JLG Industries Quad Tracks
• Quad Tracks from JLG are made up of four triangular rubber track systems, each measuring 34 inches high, 54 inches long and 18 inches wide. They bolt directly to the boom lift’s standard wheel hubs, offering increased machine utilization and flexibility for working on a range of surfaces, including sand, mud, gravel, grass, paved streets with curbs, potholes and sharp transitions.
The Quad Track’s design is low profile and developed to minimize impact on ride height, track width and maximum drive speed.
These features provide floatation, minimal rutting at jobsites, improved traction, greater comfort over obstacles and no “break over” effect. When the work is done, the Quad Tracks can be swapped out for regular tires or for used on other models.
The Quad Tracks do not require additional wide load transport accommodations for machine shipping when properly loaded and tied down for transport. Quad Tracks are available with 600S and 660SJ machine orders, as well as through aftermarket on select, two-wheel steer models.
forconstructionpros.com/22005916
Jess Tools Bell Auger
• The Jess Tools Bell Auger is a skid steer attachment for belling pier holes. The belling auger reshapes a straight augured hole into a bell shape and cleans out the dirt, leaving the surrounding soil undisturbed, all in one quick and easy process. It will save money in labor and improve concrete pier quality. The Bell
Auger is designed to survive the harshest conditions. It includes 1-inch solid steel control arms, a robust central shaft, hardened bushings and bolts and a width gauge that indicates how wide the bell is, so users can cut to the size they need. The attachment is available in four sizes: • 9-inch hole, 18-inch bell • 12-inch hole, 24-inch bell • 18-inch hole, 36-inch bell • 24-inch hole, 48-inch bell
forconstructionpros.com/22131896
Jess Tools
Skyjack Accessoryzers
• Skyjack’s Accessorizers are designed to add functionality to the machine and convenience for the operator. A tool caddy/tool tray takes minutes to install on any Skyjack scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts and booms. These tool caddies or tool trays help operators maintain a clean and efficient working environment by keeping their tools easily within reach. Skyjack offers various types of pipe racks. This helps keep the load secure, optimizes operator movement on the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) and eliminates potential tripping hazards, all while preventing damage to the machine or railings. Similar to the MEWP itself, these pipe racks have different load capacity ratings depending on the model they’re designed for. Board carriers and glazier kits are designed specifically for applications that require holding and lifting of sheet materials. This secured method of transporting boards, glass and drywall means one individual can safely transport material to height, as opposed to using additional resources by bringing in another person.
forconstructionpros.com/21091887
Skyjack
Hy-Brid Lifts
Hy-Brid Lifts Pipe Rack Option for Pro Series Lifts
• Hy-Brid Lifts released the latest attachment for A92.20 Pro Series scissor lifts: a heavy-duty pipe rack. Details of the new product include: • The easy-to-install accessory kit helps users organize up to 100 pounds of materials while maximizing platform space. • The pipe rack is designed to sit on a scissor lift’s rails and not be obtrusive to operators. • Fleet managers can add the pipe rack kit to A92.20 Pro Series machines without the need for additional counterweights or height restrictions. • Available immediately, the Hy-Brid Lifts pipe rack is a factory option and can also be retrofitted on Pro Series models generation 5 or later.
forconstructionpros.com/22119094
Toro Vacuum Excavation Attachment
• Toro’s new Vacuum Excavation Attachment is available for use with the Toro Dingo compact utility loader product line. The Vacuworx PS 1 portable vacuum lifting system is ideal for concrete removal projects and is designed for both interior and exterior applications. The PS 1 delivers productivity for concrete removal jobs without sacrificing run time. The unit is powered by a 12-volt rechargeable battery, and depending on the application at hand, operators can expect a run time up to eight hours between charges. The vacuum lifting system is engineered to lift a variety of hardto-transport materials, including concrete, marble, granite, thick plastic materials and most types of metal. The PS 1 vacuum lifting attachment is compact and simple to operate. With dimensions of 14.25 inches high, 6.5 inches tall and 11.5 inches wide, maneuverability is simple, regardless of the restrictions of the jobsite.
The unit weighs only 25 pounds and includes an 8-foot standard vacuum hose and a standard pad.
Available size options for the pad include: 8 inches by 12-inches, 12 inches by 16 inches and 16 inches by 16 inches.
forconstructionpros. com/22005951 Compact Buckets for Kubota’s SCL1000 Stand-On Track Loader
• The SCL1000 comes equipped with wide tracks, narrow body and a rated operating capacity of 1,000 pounds to meet the demands of landscape contractors and rental yards alike. And now, with the new attachment package, contractors will be able to add compact buckets, trenchers, pallet forks, a compact mount for breakers and a skid auger or power rake to the SCL1000, increasing functionally on a jobsite. There are six compact buckets available for the new SCL1000, including both standard- and high-capacity options. Standard-capacity buckets include the CL136L, CL142L,
CL236L and CL242L, which are either standard 36-inch or 42-inch bucket options and available with bare edge, bolton edge or bolt-on teeth. High-capacity buckets include the CL148H and CL248H, both of which offer 48-inch bucket options with bare edge, bolton edge or bolt-on teeth.
forconstructionpros.com/21509511
Kubota
Vacuworx
Bobcat Co. Grapple Attachment
• To meet the challenging demands of landscaping and site clearing jobs, Bobcat Co.’s grapple attachment is designed for mini track loaders and small articulated loaders. Whether felling trees, loading logs onto trailers or transporting material, this free-hanging attachment adds force and agility where operators need it most. Features of the attachment include: • Equipped with heavy-duty teeth and reinforced tines; • Rope bollards for an additional anchor point; • A 56-inch-wide opening; • Rotates in all directions; and • Comes with an integrated tree pusher, ensuring material falls in the intended direction.
forconstructionpros. com/21354283
Bobcat
Grubber
Werk-Brau Grubber Attachment
• The Grubber attachment can slice roots and extracts brush in one easy motion and is available in models to fit most excavator sizes and classes, including minis. It’s constructed with an extra-heavy-duty upper channel, AR400 steel cutting edges and triple pass welds on the high-stress areas, and it’s available with a replaceable bolt-on edge V-edge or straight edge. The attachment is suited for select extraction of brush and nuisance vegetation and can help minimize ground disturbance, reduce erosion and promote grass growth.
forconstructionpros. com/22030996
‘INFRASTRUCTURE
DECADE’Won’t Happen Without Construction Pros
During his State of the Union address in March, President Biden announced an ambitious list of projects to repair U.S. infrastructure and set the stage for the country to enter an
“infrastructure decade.” The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act (IIJA) involves construction projects across the country. These projects —installing 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations, fixing more than 65,000 miles of highway and repairing 1,500 bridges—have the potential to create millions of jobs, contribute to economic equity and help insulate Americans from the effects of climate change.
The work is critically needed and long overdue, both here in the United
States and abroad. According to
McKinsey, a $3.5 trillion investment in global economic infrastructure is required per year through 2035 to keep up with the demand for water, roads, airports, ports, electrical grids and communication networks.
Meeting the global demand for infrastructure transformation is a daunting challenge, but construction professionals worldwide are up to the task. To be successful, construction leaders must work together to overcome the industrywide propensity to underprice projects, which often leads to scope creep. A McKinsey report from 2020 found construction projects typically take 20% longer to finish than scheduled and are up to 80% over budget. Our own research found that two in five (40%) construction-related projects exceed their original timelines, and nearly three-quarters (73%) end over budget.
The world relies on the next generation of construction professionals and organizations more than ever before. To lead local, national and global transformation efforts, the construction industry and its professionals need to transform, as well. Here’s how it can be done:
Encourage Young People to Consider Construction Careers
As news headlines and job reports have reminded us over the past year, skilled labor shortages have become a major issue in many industries, and construction is no exception. Depending on the source, the construction industry is short 650,000 to 2.2 million workers. Over the coming decade, a surge in retirements will further drain talent.
According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research, more than 40% of the U.S. construction workforce is expected to retire by 2031. Our research predicts more than 61 million project managers will be needed in the manufacturing and construction industries by 2030—a 13% increase over 2019.
I believe more Millennials and Gen Xers would consider careers in construction if they understood the breadth of different roles, skill sets and opportunities for growth available within the industry. Yes, it’s true construction is among the least digitized industries globally and has shied away from innovation due to limited margins and general risk aversion, but that’s changing. As more construction organizations experiment with artificial intelligence, drones and other forms of robotics, young people may recognize holding a highly sought-after job in technology doesn’t necessarily mean working for a “tech company.”
Adobe Stock/kokliang1981
Ensure Construction Pros Have the Right Skills
As the construction industry
@Kurhan.adobe.stock.com
modernizes, organizations and the individuals who work for them must invest in upskilling to ensure they have the skills necessary to bring this infrastructure behemoth to fruition.
What are those skills? Today, a construction professional needs a combination of business acumen, technical abilities to keep up with the digitization of the industry and interpersonal skills to ensure the work is done accurately and safely. And, because delivering on this infrastructure investment will likely take an entire decade—if not longer —construction professionals must be committed to lifelong learning so they can stay up to date as the industry continues to evolve.
Fortunately, many resources are available to industry professionals looking to gain the skills necessary to “future-proof” their careers. For example, many different organizations offer full certifications for project professionals in construction. These certifications are designed for industry professionals to learn and master the skills and knowledge needed to bring large, complex projects to life and transform the global construction industry.
Put Project Managers in the Driver’s Seat
Every industry relies on project managers to break down bold, ambitious ideas into manageable tasks and monitor progress. Completing projects on time and within budget is nearly always a challenge. This is particularly crucial performing in the public sector, as project managers play a pivotal role in efficiently tracking taxpayer-funded resources and delivering project outcomes for governments around the world.
Project management is about more than box-checking and notetaking. The most highly skilled project managers are agile problem-solvers, adept at building relationships and flexible enough to pivot as needed throughout a project’s life cycle. In construction, project managers understand the key causes of scope creep and know how to hedge against them. As labor shortages, climate change and inflation continue to impact construction projects, project managers will be more critical than ever in keeping them on track.
The 2020s can be an “infrastructure decade,” but only if we have the right people to bring these projects to fruition. Rebuilding American infrastructure will require onboarding millions of new construction workers and equipping them with the skills they need to be successful. Project management professionals will be important in ensuring this work is completed accurately, resulting in a crucial transformation for the livelihood of millions of people.
Finally, infrastructure projects that land on time and budget will ensure maximum return on the significant investments now authorized under the IIJA bill. If we’re willing to make them, the return on these investments will be immense—as is the risk we take if we delay this critical work.
Brantlee Underhill
Managing Director, North America
Project Management Institute
