速
equipmentworld.com | September 2015
DRILLING for
DOLLARS P. 24
Dirty diesel: NEW ENGINES CAN ONLY HANDLE SO MUCH CRUD
P. 37
NEW TECH, NOISE REDUCTION AND FLUID MANAGEMENT BOOST PROFITS
Road Science:
LEVEL OF SERVICE DEMANDS MET WITH VALUE ENGINEERING
P. 55
Competitive financing available through Daimler Truck Financial. For the Freightliner Trucks dealer nearest you, call 1-800-FTL-HELP. FTL /MC-A-1368. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Copyright Š 2014 Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All rights reserved. Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.
HELPING TEX-MIX KEEP THEIR PAYLOAD MOVING WHILE LOWERING THEIR REAL COST OF OWNERSHIP. Tex-Mix is only as profitable as their trucks are reliable. That’s why they choose Freightliner. We design trucks for easy upfit, productivity and low maintenance. Backed by a support team that’s there when you need us. And because Tex-Mix trucks are equipped with the powerful Detroit DD13 ® engine and Detroit Virtual Technician onboard diagnostic system, it’s not only a tough truck, but also a smart one. Built to increase profitability and lower their Real Cost of Ownership. We’re proud to say that’s why Freightliner has become the industry leader in work trucks. TM
TM
To learn more about how Freightliner Trucks are working hard for Tex-Mix, visit FreightlinerTrucks.com/Tex-Mix.
Cover Story
Vol. 27 Number 9 |
table of contents | September 2015
MACHINE MATTERS:
HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLS This month’s ICUEE show in Louisville promises new innovations such as intelligent hydraulic systems, configurable controls and more from the manufacturers of horizontal direction drills.
Equipment 17
Marketplace
New products include Hyundai’s Series 9 soil and asphalt rollers, Takeuchi’s large frame TS80 skid steer, FAE’s 300/SC stump cutter and Atlas Copco’s Cobra gas-powered handheld breakers.
71 Product Report: Vermeer
79 ICUEE Preview
The InSite Productivity Tools suite eliminates paperwork associated with planning, mapping and recording the bore.
The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, will showcase products from a range of manufacturers including Case, Ditch Witch, Hyundai, Miller Electric, Terex and more.
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 5
table of contents | continued
Features 31 Highway Contractor
Long-term strategies and delegating responsibility lead to small paving company growth
®
equipmentworld.com facebook.com/EquipmentWorld twitter.com/Equipment_World
45 Quick Data
Editorial Director: Marcia Gruver Doyle Executive Editor: Tom Jackson Managing Editor: Amy Materson Senior Editor: Chris Hill Online Editor: Wayne Grayson Online Managing Editor: Bobby Atkinson Executive Trucks Editor: Jack Roberts Spec Guide Editor: Richard Ries editorial@equipmentworld.com
49 Technology
Art Director: Tony Brock Advertising Production Manager: Linda Hapner production@equipmentworld.com
37 Maintenance
Diesel fuel quality, part 1: The chance of contamination is always present Skid steers and compact track loaders Deploying drone fleets in construction companies
55 Road Science
VP of Sales, Construction Media: Joe Donald sales@randallreillyconstruction.com
Optimizing pavement levels of service
61 Trucks
New integrated drivetrains speak a language all their own
Departments 9 On Record
Compact track loaders: the little machine that did
11 Reporter
Caterpillar splits with Navistar; former Liebherr president passes away; Contractor of the Year nominations
67 Safety Watch Safe trenching tactics
75 Contractor of the Year finalist Dan Corrigan C-3 Environmental Specialties Schertz, Texas
3200 Rice Mine Rd NE Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 800-633-5953 randallreilly.com Chairman: Mike Reilly President and CEO: Brent Reilly Chief Operations Officer: Shane Elmore Chief Financial Officer: Russell McEwen Senior Vice President, Sales: Scott Miller Senior Vice President, Editorial and Research: Linda Longton Vice President of Events: Stacy McCants Vice President, Audience Development: Prescott Shibles Vice President, Digital Services: Nick Reid Vice President, Marketing: Julie Arsenault For change of address and other subscription inquiries, please contact: equipmentworld@halldata.com Editorial Awards: Jesse H. Neal Award, Better Roads, 2011 American Business Media Robert F. Boger Award for Special Reports, 2006, 2007, 2008 Construction Writers Association Jesse H. Neal Award, Best Subject-Related Series of Articles, 2006 American Business Media Editorial Excellence Special Section Gold Award, 2006 Midwest-South Region, American Society of Business Publication Editors
90 Final Word Painting rocks
For subscription information/inquiries, please email equipmentworld@halldata.com. Equipment World (ISSN 1057-7262) is published monthly by Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC, 3200 Rice Mine Road N.E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406. Periodicals Postage-Paid at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS (SEE DMM 507.1.5.2). Non-postal and military facilities: send address corrections to Equipment World, P.O. Box 2187, Skokie, IL 60076-9921 or email at equipmentworld@halldata.com. Rates for non-qualified subscriptions (pre-paid US currency only): US & possessions, $48 1–year, $84 2–year; Canada/Mexico, $78 1–year, $147 2–year; Foreign, $86 1–year, $154 2–year. Single copies are available for $6 US, $9 Canada/Mexico and $12 foreign. The advertiser and/ or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC harmless from and against any loss, expenses or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel violations of right of privacy or publicity, plagiarisms, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that July arise out of publication of such advertisement. Copyright ©2013 Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Equipment World is a trademark of Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee regarding the quality of goods and services advertised herein.
6 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
Editorial Excellence News Analysis Gold Award, 2006 Midwest-South Region, American Society of Business Publication Editors Editorial Excellence News Section Silver Award, 2005 Midwest-South Region, American Society of Business Publication Editors Robert F. Boger Award for Feature Articles, 2005 Construction Writers Association Robert F. Boger Award, 2002 Sept. 11th Feature Articles
The KOHLER Diesel KDI is a Tier 4 final with common-rail fuel injection and no DPF. So you skip the DPF maintenance costs, get savings at the pump, and laugh all the way to the bank. 速
KohlerEngines.com/KDI
TRAIL
KING’S
HDG
WE BUILD IT
SO YOU CAN HAUL IT THE ALL-TIME BEST SELLING DETACHABLE ON THE MARKET
HYDRAULIC DETACHABLE G O O S E N E C K
ENGINEERED WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS • Arched Gooseneck Design for ample clearance even at lowest king pin setting • 5-Position Gooseneck Door Adjustment allows for a full 8” range of king pin height settings • One-piece Main Beam Web and Flange Construction eliminates the potential for weak points
in high stress areas
• 10” I-beam Crossmembers on 12” centers in outer bays • Covered Knuckle/Boom Trough allows for low-profile transport • Sealed Electrical System and rubber-mounted LED lights reduce maintenance costs • A 3rd Lift Axle offers on-the-road versatility • Adjustable Ride Height Control conveniently located near rear tail channel • Heavy-Duty Pullout Front Outriggers at concentrated weight pivot point provides extra strength
VISIT US AT ICUEE – THE DEMO EXPO AREA N #2034 | SEPTEMBER 19 – 21, 2015 KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER
Have a heavy haul? Contact your nearest TRAIL KING dealer or call 800.843.3324 to learn more.
on record | by Marcia Gruver Doyle
Compact track loaders: the little machine that did
O
ver the past decade, there’s been no bigger machine success story than that of the compact track loader. And when you look at the financed slice of CTL sales during the first half of this year, two things become readily apparent. One: The South really, really likes these machines. Ten states saw more than a 60 percent difference between the number of compact track loaders financed and skid steers financed during the first six months of this year, and they were all south of the Mason-Dixon line, with the exception of Oklahoma. (And whether Oklahoma should be included in the Mason-Dixon grouping depends on your historical viewpoint.) States that love CTLs State
CTL
Skid steer
Difference
SC
223
32
87%
AL
174
30
83%
TN
260
48
82%
NC
364
78
79%
GA
356
77
78%
KY
171
43
75%
FL
445
125
72%
OK
287
80
72%
VA
277
91
67%
MO
388
153
61%
*Units sold, Jan-Jun, 2015; Source: EDA, edadata.com
Note that the behemoth Texas market – top of the heap for all types of financed machines for the
MGruver@randallreilly.com
past five years – didn’t make this list. Buyers in the state purchased only 39 percent more CTLs than skid steers during the first half of the year. Texas, however, is still number one in terms of CTLs financed through June: 890 units, exactly double that of second-in-line Florida at 445 units. For the first half of this year, in 19 states CTLs were the top new financed machine type in terms of units sold. That’s ahead of compact excavators (leading in 15 states) and skid steers (top in 11 states). Two: Looking at the January-June tallies, it’s clear that the trajectories of CTL and skid steer sales have now crossed streams. In fact, as the QuickData chart on page 71 points out, this actually happened in 2013 in terms of financed units. In the first half of this year, 9,731 new CTLs and 6,660 skid steers were financed, which means that CTLs now have nearly 60 percent of the combined financed market between these two machine types. All of this is not to lay a funeral wreath on CTL’s skid steer cousin. New financed skid steer sales were up 8 percent in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2014. And two states in particular vastly prefer skid steers over CTLs: Wisconsin, where financed new skid steer sales were exactly double the number of CTL sales (442 vs. 221); and Colorado, where 61 percent of financed sales between the two machines went to skid steers. The revolutionary CTL, first developed by ASV in 1990, has extended the construction season, giving contractors the ability to tackle almost everything a job can sling at them. And contactors have responded by making it the number one new construction machine financed in the United States.
EquipmentWorld.com | August 2015 9
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reporter | by Equipment World staff
Caterpillar splits with Navistar, will design and build its own vocational trucks in Texas
C
aterpillar has announced a parting of ways with truck maker Navistar, ending a six-year partnership between the two companies that launched the Cat brand into the vocational truck market. Cat has worked with Navistar to design and build its line of vocational trucks, launching the CT660 in 2011, followed by the CT680 and CT681 since then. Despite the production split, in an interview following the announcement, Caterpillar explained to Equipment World the company would continue using Navistar engines in its trucks for the foreseeable future. Chris Chadwick, director of Cat’s on-highway truck group, said the move marks the company’s firm commitment to the vocational truck segment and will enable the construction equipment manufacturer to better serve its truck customers. “We appreciate the collaboration we have had with Navistar,” Chadwick said in a statement. “As we look to future launches of new truck models, this updated strategy will better position us to help provide our customers with the best products and services for this market.” Beyond more control over the process, Cat customers will likely also appreciate that the move means its trucks will now be manufactured in the United States. The CT lineup is currently built in
Escobedo, Mexico, but manufacturing will be moved to Cat’s plant in Victoria, Texas. The Victoria plant currently manufactures the company’s excavators. Truck manufacturing is expected to add 200 jobs at the facility. Cat says the transition to Victoria will begin immediately with plans to begin production there in the first half of 2016. Navistar will continue to manufacture Cat trucks through the end of 2016. Chadwick said Cat was the main driver of the design phase in its partnership with Navistar and that will continue with both current and planned vocational trucks. “Before launching the product, we spent hundreds of hours on the road with customers, asking them to describe the ideal truck. We know what they want and need – from functionality of the truck itself to comfort in the cab,” he said. “We plan to meet and exceed those expectations as we grow this product offering to fulfill our customers’ needs.” Caterpillar and Navistar announced their plans to partner in June 2008. The 50/50 joint venture was dubbed NC2 Global LLC and resulted in the development of onhighway trucks for North American and global markets. – Wayne Grayson
Briefs
Former Liebherr president Duane Wilder passes away Duane A. Wilder, 62, passed away August 13 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Wilder served as president of Liebherr Construction Equipment, and previously worked for J.I. Case, now Case Construction Equipment. Wilder was active in the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, serving on the AEM Board of Directors, as vice chair of the CE Sector Board and as AEM treasurer. He was also active in Associated Equipment Distributors and Future Farmers of America.
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 11
reporter | by Equipment World staff
T
Contractor of the Year nominations due Oct. 2nd
he Equipment World Contractor of the Year program honors 12 finalists each year, sending them and their guests to Las Vegas for a weekend that includes an indus2015 try roundtable, focus group, awards CONTRACTOR banquet and a day at the Las Vegas of theYEAR Motor Speedway watching the NASLAWRENCE MERLE CAR Kobalt 400. All finalists will stay at the premier Wynn Resort on the Las Vegas strip. Contractors have until October 2nd to apply to the program, which has been sponsored by Caterpillar for the past 16 years. The contest is open to construction firm owners who have been in business 10 years or more, have between $3 million and $15 million in annual revenues and have an excellent safety record. The first 50 applicants to enter will receive a free Cat hat (seen at right). “This gives you an opportunity to come to Las Vegas to meet with the other finalists and discuss ®
equipmentworld.com | May 2015
GENESEE CONSTRUCTION SERVICE DANSVILLE, NY
P.24
Merle’s commitment to quality and integrity, combined with a passion for philanthropy, allows him to rise to the top of his field
the challenges each of us are facing,” says the 2015 winner Lawrence Merle of Genesee Construction Service, Danville, New York. “Winning the Contractor of the Year was probably the pinnacle of my career,” says 2014 winner Jeremy Hiltz, Jeremy Hiltz Excavating, Ashland, New Hampshire. To enter, go to EWContractoroftheyear. com and click on the “Apply Now” button. You can either enter online with a convenient form or download an application form to print and fill out later. In addition to the information on the form, you are welcome to submit up to three supporting pieces of information such as newspaper clips, copies of awards or client reference letters. – Marcia Doyle
AEMP fall symposium focuses on safety, equipment information
T
he Association of Equipment Management Professionals’ Asset Management Symposium will examine “Safety: Mitigating Risks & Using Telematics” on October 6-8 in Cleveland, Ohio. The AEMP speaker lineup includes Bruce Wilkinson, a consultant who works to help companies translate their culture into inspirational leadership and personal accountability. In addition, the two-day symposium will include educational sessions on: • Using incident data in the equipment triangle – how the right protocols for accident reporting and sharing information can reduce risk and keep workers safer in the future. • Key elements of a successful job hazard analysis policy – how to reduce the incidence of accidents by getting out in front of the problem with jobsite hazard analysis. 12 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
• A panel discussion with the fleet managers from many of the country’s largest construction companies on how they’ve increased safety. • How asset managers can use a distributor’s fleet data to improve utilization and lower costs, and how distributors and asset managers can leverage telematics for to make better purchasing, rental and leasing decisions. • Improving operator and driver behavior through technology – Learn how distracted driving and operating can be reduced with invehicle camera and sensors leading to safer workers and reduced insurance rates. • Managing telematics hardware evolution from 2G to 3G devices (and beyond). To register for the event go to www.aemp.org/ ams2015/. Cost for AEMP members is $795; nonmembers, $995. – Tom Jackson
UPTIME SHOULDN’T BE COMPLICATED. With SmartCare, it’s guaranteed.
Simplify fleet management with Volvo SmartCare. Volvo SmartCare is a customizable dealer support program that simplifies fleet management and increases uptime by providing telematics reports, customized service agreements, fuel efficiency and uptime guarantees, and more. With SmartCare, smart business decisions just got easier. Talk to a Volvo dealer today, or visit volvoce.com/SmartCare.
reporter | by Equipment World staff
SiteAware, a LIDAR/camera unit, gives equipment 360-degree vision
I
nspired by the lane-keeping, radar and camera systems that have been improving safety and forming the foundation for fully-autonomous vehicles in the automobile industry, Volvo Construction Equipment and Carnegie Mellon University have provided a peek at a still-in-development system which seeks to give heavy equipment operators 360-degree vision. Citing construction industry deaths nearing 1,000 in 2013 alone, Volvo CE partnered with the Integrated Innovation Institute at CMU to develop the sensor-based system called SiteAware. The system presents operators with a central display in the cab giving them a real-time, overhead view of their surroundings. The technology is designed for tight or congested jobsites, specifically road work zones, which tend to be both. Students at the institute were tasked with researching jobsite dangers, and spoke with contractors, operators and site supervisors to gain an understanding of what they see day to day, in order to devise methods using existing technology to increase safety. The CMU students found found the following: Despite technological advancements in the automotive industry, specifically partial or fully autonomous driving, there has been minimal adoption of active safety technology in the construction industry; being struck by a vehicle or mobile equipment is the largest single event for fatal occupational injuries. From there, the aim of the project became to heighten machine operators’ awareness of their surroundings while also increasing their safety and that of those working around them.
How it works The students’ solution uses a combination of sensors and cameras to provide the overhead view. SiteAware equips a machine with an RFID antenna
and two sensor stacks, which look a bit like an oil filter and contain both a LIDAR sensor – a laser-based distance measuring system – and three cameras with a 130-degree field of view. Each worker on the jobsite wears an RFID tag which provides the antenna on the machine with their proximity and location in relation to the machine. The system then plots those worker locations on a real-time map or view of the jobsite that it constructs by combining the data gathered by the cameras and LIDAR. In addition to giving the operator a comprehensive view on the display, the system also provides a combination of visual and auditory warnings whenever a worker outside the machine comes too close. While the SiteAware cab display shows that a worker has broken the safety barrier surrounding the machine, the system also states the name of the worker to the operator. The students found that the system’s ability to recognize worker names through their RFID tags and state them was more likely to attract the operator’s attention. The system also gives workers a visual barrier around the machine using LED lights around the perimeter of the machine. – Wayne Grayson
Briefs
Bobcat breaks ground on West Fargo expansion The Bobcat/Doosan North America headquarters in West Fargo, North Dakota, will see a $9.5 million expansion, increasing the facility size to hold up to 320 employees. Scheduled for completion in late summer 2016, the expansion will double the square footage of the current facility and will offer “state-of-the art facilities for collaboration and independent working, similar to what we’ve done at the Acceleration Center in Bismarck,” says Rich Goldsbury, president of Bobcat and Doosan North America.
14 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
It’s why you’re still running it into
the ground. It worked then. It works now...thanks to genuine Bobcat® parts.
Bobcat.com/BeGenuine Bobcat ® and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2015 Bobcat Company. All Rights Reserved. | P139E
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE When it comes to uptime, there is no compromise. That’s where Takeuchi equipment excels. These machines are built to deliver the performance, durability, easy service and operator comfort you need to get the job done faster. See what more than five decades of quality and innovation can do for you. Check out our new hydraulic excavators at takeuchi-us.com takeuchi-us.com.
©2014 Takeuchi Manufacturing. Contact your dealer for current warranty and financing program details.
FIND OUT WHAT OTHERS KNOW. VISIT TAKEUCHI-US.COM TO FIND THE DEALER NEAREST YOU. Text INFO to 205-289-3715 or visit www.eqwinfo.com
R’S O IT K ED PIC
marketplace | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com
CAPABLE COMPACTION
Hyundai Construction Equipment Equipment’s lineup of new Series 9 rollers includes four single-drum models designed for soil and aggregate compaction, and two compact tandem-drum models for asphalt paving and maintenance. All six models deliver 360-degree operator visibility, up-to-date compaction technologies, quiet and fuel-efficient engines and easily accessible maintenance points. The engine and other components are easily accessible through a wide opening engine hood that provides 270-degree front and side access. Soil compaction models The four Series 9 single-drum compaction roller models, the HR70C-9, HR110C-9, HR120C-9 and HR140C-9, have compaction drums available with a smooth or pad-foot surface and an optional pad-foot kit offers easy installation. The units feature a Perkins engine for the HR70C-9 and Deutz engines on the remaining models in the lineup. The models range in horsepower from 84 to 140, have operating weights in the smooth-drum configuration ranging from 15,652 to 30,644 pounds, have drum widths from 67 to 83 inches and gradeability without vibration from 45 to 50 degrees. Hyundai’s HA control delivers a continuous tractive effort at the axle and drum, allowing for automatic adaptation to various soil types and conditions. Dual frequencies and
amplitudes provide two levels of vibration for efficient surface and deep soil compaction.
Paving compaction models The HR25T-9 and HR30T-9 tandem-drum roller models are specifically designed for aggregate paving applications; however, the machines also can be used for soil compaction. HR120C-9 Both models have front and rear scrapers to prevent material build-up on the drums, and 55-gallon-capacity water spray systems that sprinkle both the pavement surface and the drums, with sprinkling operator-adjustable intervals. The 5,400-pound HR25T-9 model has a drum width of 40 inches, and the 6,600-pound HR30T-9 model has a 50-inch drum width. Both models achieve maximum gradeability without vibration of 35 degrees, and are powered by a 30.2-horsepower Deutz D 2011 L2 I diesel engine.
HR30T-9
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 17
marketplace | continued DEF-FREE MACHINES
Takeuchi has added to their skid steer product line with the TS80, the largest model in the company’s lineup. Featuring a 74-horsepower Tier 4 Final Deutz engine, the TS80 delivers 192 footpounds of torque at 1,800 rpm, and also has a maintenance-free diesel oxidation catalyst that requires no regeneration, cleaning or diesel exhaust fluid. The TS80 is available in both a radial lift and vertical lift model. The radial lift version, the TS80R2, weighs in at 7,950 pounds with a rated operating capacity of 2,825 pounds. The skid steer has a bucket breakout force of 5,845 pounds, a 7,080-pound lift arm force and a maximum hinge pin height of 10 feet 5 inches. The vertical lift model, the TS80V2, weighs 8,965 pounds and has a 3,500-pound rated operating capacity. The model has a 5,920-pound bucket breakout force, a 6,200-pound lift arm force and a maximum hinge pin height of 10 feet 10 inches. The TS80 skid steers are both maneuverable and comfortable, and include a well-equipped operator’s station with a lower threshold that eases entry and exit. Available options include ride control, bucket positioning and high-flow auxiliary hydraulics. Takeuchi’s skid steer lineup also includes the smaller TS50 and TS60 models.
SHRED STUMPS SAFELY
Aggressively power through stumps with the new 300/SC Stump Cutter from FAE USA. Designed and built for prime mover carriers, the attachment has a Danfoss hydraulic motor. The 300/SC’s 40- by 3-inch cutter wheel has 36 carbide teeth. The unit has a 52-inch cutter width and cuts to a depth of 41 inches. Specifications for the 4,666-pound unit include a required horsepower range between 250 and 300; 92-gpm flow and 6,000-psi pressure. When used with the PT-300 carrier, which features a 275-horsepower John Deere engine and an oscillating undercarriage, the 300/SC Stump Cutter is designed to operate safely in any environment. 18 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
EASY ATTACHMENT CHANGES
Simplify excavator attachment changes with Leading Edge Attachments’ AlignAttach, an alternative to quick change couplers that simplifies the changing of attachments directly pinned to the machine. The AlignAttach allows the operator, without the use of a quick coupler, to unpin, change and repin a new attachment without pounding pins or pinching fingers. The AlignAttach helps to relieve the pressure on the pin joints and aids in aligning the linkage bores for easy pin insertion and positioning. The AlignAttach, which is made from high strength alloy steel, can be used with 30,000- to 80,000-pound-class machines with 80- or 90-mm-diameter pins, with more sizes planned.
A Supple
ine
Hammers/She eers/C arsom
2014 equ ipmentwo
rld.com
2014-2015 MORE TH DIFFE AN 40 REN MACHINE T ORGANIZTYPES BY SIZE ED
• Hamm ers/Shear s • Skid Ste ers • Backho /Compact Loaders e Loader s • Excava tors/Shov els • Wheel Loaders/To olcarrier • Crawler s Dozers • Scraper s/Motor Graders • Lasers/ GPS • Off-High way Truck • Trenche s rs/Directio nal Drills • Paving Equipme nt • Air Comp ressors
rs
ghway Tru Dircks ectional Dri Pav llsing Equipm Air entCompresso
To order copies of the 2014-15 Equipment World Spec Guide, simply fill out the form below and fax it to (205) 349-3765 or call 1-800-633-5953, ext. 1173. The cost of the print version is only $49. Go to www.SpecGuideOnline.com.
rld Magaz
s LasersOff /GP-Hi S
Equipment World Spec Guide
October
ipment Wo
pact Loa Bac der kho s e LoaExc derava s tors/SWh hovder elss/Toolcar rie Crarswler Doz Scr ersMotor Gra der
16 th Annual
The
ment to Equ
Fax this form to (205) 349-3765 to order your copy today! Or mail to: Equipment World 2014-15 Spec Guide • P.O. Box 2029 • Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-2029
❑ ✔ Yes! Please send me the Equipment World 2014-15 Spec Guide!
Name __________________________________________________________________________ Company _______________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________ City/State/ZIP ___________________________________________________________________ Phone _______________________________________ Fax _______________________________ E-Mail __________________________________________________________________________ Quantity: ___________________________ Total Enclosed $_____________________________ Add sales tax for the following states: NC 6.5%, PA 6%, WI 5%, AL 4%, GA 7%, TX 6.25% Order by Invoice: Purchase Order #_________________________________________________________________ Order by Credit Card: ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ American Express Name on card _____________________________________________________________________ Account number______________________________ Expiration Date_____________________ Signature_____________________________________ SSC Code _________________________
Includes current specs on: • air compressors • skid steers • compact utility loaders • backhoe loaders • excavators • wheel loaders • toolcarriers • crawler dozers • scrapers • scraper haulers
• motor graders • off-highway trucks • trenchers • directional drills • hammers/shears • asphalt and concrete pavers • cold planers • compactors • lasers • GPS systems.
marketplace | continued
SIMPLIFY MINI-SKID TRANSPORT
Transport a mini skid steer plus attachments with the MS10-55 trailer from Airtow. Designed especially for transporting mini skid steers, the ultra compact trailer offers ground level loading from a non-tilting deck that raises and lowers to the ground hydraulically in less than 20 seconds, allowing for a single person to perform safe loading and unloading. The 2,200-pound trailer has a 5,500-pound load capacity, 120- by 57-inch deck, eight heavy-duty D-rings, a 2 5/16-inch ball coupler, adjustable safety chains, a lockable storage compartment and more. The removable front platform and attachment mounts are set up to enable easy mounting and removal of skid attachments such as augers, trenchers, forks, power heads, buckets and more. The trailer works with a range of compact equipment manufacturers including Bobcat, Boxer, Caterpillar, Ditch Witch, New Holland and Toro.
POWER BOOST
LONGER-LIFE LOADER TIRE
Michelin’s XTXL E4/L4 loader tire, which replaces the XLD D1 tire, is available in three sizes – 26.5R25, 29.5R25 and 35/65R33. The XTXL E4/L4 offers a range of improvements compared to the XLD D1, including improved casing protection, reinforced casing ply and a reinforced bead zone. Performance benefits include a 10-percent improvement in tire life, a 15-percent increase in load carrying capacity, up to 20 percent more torque from the wheel to the ground through the rim interface and up to a 20 percent decrease in out-of-service tires, via an enhanced puncture-resistant crown and 10-percent stronger sidewalls. Michelin’s B2 technology uses a flat bead wire to strengthen the clamping force on the wheel, increasing its contact surface with the rim and reducing rim slip. Solid steel cables, increased metal mass, thicker sidewalls and a new steel belt offers increased protection from punctures in the tread area. The tire’s shoulder design aids in cooling, and the central zone’s large lugs offer cut resistance. Wide grooves and channels provide traction and grip on graded or loose ground conditions.
Boost productivity while minimizing vibration with the latest versions of Atlas Copco’s Cobra gas-powered handheld breakers. The Cobra PROe and Cobra TTe breakers are compact and lightweight, weighing as little as 53 pounds and measuring 24 inches wide from handle to handle. The TTe delivers 1,620 blows per minute and 30 foot-pounds of impact energy, and the PROe has a blow frequency of 1,440, with up to 44 foot-pounds of impact energy. Both models are available with two tool shank sizes – 1 1/8-by-6 and 1 1/4-by-6 inches wide – that are composed of steel made using heat-treated, heavy-duty alloy and coated with a durable finish. High capacity air filters are located at the top of the breaker to ensure easy removal, and the oil level indicator is located just under the handles, which simplifies oil checks. Both models have decompression valves and electric ignitions for easy start in any temperature. The one-cylinder, two-stroke engines can operate with alkalyte or 90 to 100 premixed octane unleaded gas. The Cobras feature multiple vibration reducing systems, including the Hand Arm Protection System, which minimizes harmful vibrations that transfer from the machine to the operator, allowing the operator to work longer. A vibro-dampening system minimizes vibration intensity using leaf springs to spread vibrations over a larger area than traditional rubber bushings or spiral springs.
20 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
START IT UP CHECK US OUT AT BOOTH 4037
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marketplace | continued
ACCURATE ESTIMATING
Generate and share cost estimates while visualizing projects before ever breaking ground, with Topcon Positioning Group’s update to their Magnet Office software suite. Magnet v3.1 introduces Takeoff and Mass Haul modules that are purpose-built to provide material-driven estimates, and enable efficient managing of haul routes to save time and cost. The Takeoff module quickly imports design data from a variety of file formats. With key cost
and material information, estimators can generate and share accurate volume and cost reports. The Mass Haul module enables completing the estimating process through the planning of materials hauling. Project data such as road alignment information and material types are instantly transferred to the Mass Haul module where the most cost effective options can be determined, visualized and shared. Customizable reports are available.
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WEB-BASED HDD TOOL
Ditch Witch’s Horizontal Directional Drilling Advisor, the industry’s first web-based tool for determining tooling configuration, enables drill operators to quickly and correctly select downhole tool options. Useful for determining configurations for both Ditch Witch and Vermeer directional drill string, the tool eliminates the need for time-consuming, paper-intensive tooling identification. The HDD Advisor provides an intuitive tooling-product roadmap and recommends solutions based on a few questions, matching the drill unit and soil conditions on the job. The HDD Advisor also includes the option to save drill string configurations for future reference, and streamlines ordering of replacement parts. Operators can share drill string configurations with their dealer, and print or email summaries from a PC or mobile device.
EXCAVATOR UPGRADES
Gradall Industries has upgraded to Tier 4 final compliant engines with their latest excavator models, the Series V hydraulic excavators. Crawler models include the XL 3200 V, XL 4200 V and XL 5200 V, while on/off highway models include the XL 330 V, XL 4300 V and XL 5300 V. The crawler and on/off pavement wheeled models will be available in 2015, with Series V highway speed wheeled excavators available in the future. Along with the new engine, Series V excavators feature an upgraded 24volt electrical system and operator safety option that provides rollover protection integrated into the existing cab structure. The telescoping boom design delivers constant boom forces and speed throughout the dig cycle, and tilts up to 220 degrees with full boom power. Operator cabs are roomy and comfortable, and include standard air conditioning, ergonomically designed seating modules, a removable front window and a switch to select Gradall, SAE or Deere joystick patterns.
THE CONNECTED QUARRY Trimble LOADRITE scales and InsightHQ quarry reporting tools provide visibility to respond to issues, optimize production and productivity. Now you can access to live reports across your operation from your LOADRITE scale equipped loaders, excavators and conveyors, across a range of machine sizes, brands and models, all in one place, accessible via your mobile device or PC. Trimble can even sync with your scalehouse.
9:31 Site Details Zones Stockyard 1 Trucks Bins 3 Trucks Wastepile 1 Trucks
Trucks
HQ34
Sand
BA29
Sand
LO58
Sand
Waiting for 3 mins. Waiting for 3 mins. Waiting for 2 mins.
For more information about the Trimble Connected Quarry, contact your local dealer today. Daily Materials Processing Report Daily Materials Processing Report Report Period
Yesterday (3/9/2015)
Report Period Yesterday Site Winstones Hunua Site ABC Co. Ltd. Extraction Extraction
2,654 9,527 Excavator Excavator 2 Dave's1, Loader
Processing Processing
Loadout Loadout
2,275 12,532 2,275 10,119 Belt 1 Jordy's Loader
Loader 1,Loader Loader 2 Jordy's
Loadrite is now a part of Trimble © 2014 Trimble Navigation Limited
1 of 1
EW_2015/09
1.800.655.860 info@loadritescales.com www.loadritescales.com
Generated 3/10/2015 9:14:50 AM
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 23
machine matters | by Richard Ries
Horizontal directional drills pusH forward
T
he International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) in Louisville at the end of this month promises an innovation showcase
Vermeer
from makers of horizontal directional drills. Intelligent hydraulic systems, telematics, configurable controls, standardization of controls and displays that can be customized
The “S3” in the new line of HDDs from Vermeer is for speed, simplicity and sound. The D24x40 S3 has a carriage speed of 240 feet per minute and a rotational speed of 253 rpm. A full color touch screen provides simple access to real time location information, bore plans, and more. Sound level at the operator’s ear is 82.9 decibels. 24 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
from the type of information shown to colors displayed to units of measure are all appearing on drills. As the cost of these features continues to come down, they’re available on mid-level
machines, not just the biggest and most expensive. Benefits include lower costs, greater productivity and better management of all resources from equipment to operators to drilling fluid. Noise reduction continues. Lower noise means lower stress and fatigue for the operator and others on site. It also reduces complaints from communities; noise abatement may allow longer operating hours in some instances. Can it go too low? “For the engine itself, no, but for operational functions, yes,” says Seth Matthesen, Ditch Witch senior product manager. “Noise reduction is important and is part of our design process, but operators rely on sound to assess the drill’s performance and make adjustments to what they’re doing. If you reduce the sound level too much it’s possible that operator performance could be impaired.” On Vermeer’s new S3 machines, sound has been decreased by at least 10 decibels. “That’s like taking your stereo from a 10 to a 5,” says Jon Kuyers, Vermeer senior global product manager for underground products. “Equipment will never be 100 percent silent, but we are making significant strides in sound reduction because contractors need to reduce their impact when working in more congested areas. Project owners are demanding quieter equipment on jobsites.” The D23x30 S3 has sound levels of 78 to 79 decibels at the operator’s ear.
Fluid factors American Augers will introduce two new drilling fluid recycling systems at ICUEE. Richard Levings, product development manager, has some advice about these systems. “Not all recycling systems are created equal and the differences in design and performance can create big differences in owning and operating costs.” When the system is not designed or operated correctly, costs can increase due to wear from high solids content in the fluids. Vulnerable parts include transfer pump seals and impellers; piping on the cleaning system; drilling fluid pressure pump valves, seats, liners and packings; fluid swivel; drill pipe; and down-hole tools. The only way to mitigate wear costs is to dispose of drilling fluid that has gained weight. Disposal is expensive and frequent disposal just makes matters worse. A good recycling system will hold sands below a half percent and operating clean mud weights below 9.2 pounds per gallon, keeping the fluid usable and minimizing wear. The new American Augers M200D drilling fluid recycling system has a 3,000-gallon total capacity to support drilling systems pumping 200 to 300 gallons per minute. The M500PD has a 7,000-gallon capacity and will support systems pumping up to 500 gallons per minute. Both units use Derrick 503 shakers; one on the M200D and two on the M500PD. The M200D is built in an ISO 20-foot container size with ISO corners for improved transportability and the ability to fit in tight spaces on confined jobsites. The M500PD is a self-contained system providing fluid mixing, cleaning, and pressure pumping functions. Its genset and pressure pump engines are enclosed to reduce noise.
Barbco
The new wireless remote on Barbco’s drills includes thrust and rotation so the operator can run the machine from the best vantage point on the jobsite. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 25
machine matters | continued Controllability Drill operators use remote control to easily load and unload a drill off a trailer, and position it on site. Tethered remotes are common. Optional wireless remotes are increasingly popular as they further improve the safety and ease of these tasks. Barbco includes thrust and rotation controls on their wireless remote. “Prior to 2015 we had basic set-up functions on the remote,” says David Barbera, vice president and general manager. “By adding thrust and rotation the operator has the flexibility to roam the jobsite without restrictions and can operate the machine from the best vantage point.” Rigs can be built with offset cabs to improve visibility when the operator is working from the cab. Recognizing contractors need simplicity when training operators,
Ditch Witch
many manufacturers have opted to use the same controls throughout their lineup, including Vermeer and Toro. Toro uses identical con-
“
Recognizing contractors need simplicity when training operators, many manufacturers have opted to use the same controls throughout their lineup.
”
trols on both of their models, the DD2024 and DD4045 and the control pattern is switchable between
single and double joysticks to suit operator preferences. The dualjoystick provides greater control while the single joystick is suited for simpler projects. says Josh Beddow, marketing manager. “By standardizing controls, the learning curve for operators is reduced or eliminated as contractors switch between classes of drills,” says Josh Beddow, marketing manager. Digital displays make it easier to access needed information. The full CAN bus systems on Vermeer’s S3 machines monitor and collect information on all aspects of machine operation. The D24x40 S3 and larger models feature DigiTrak Aurora displays that integrate with the Vermeer InSite Productivity Tools suite (see story on page 71) to further enhance access to operating information. And operators aren’t the only ones seeking
Offering thrust and pullback of 27,000 pounds and an innovative rotational drive producing 4,000 foot-pounds of torque, the JT25 is designed for installing utility pipe and cables of up to 4 inches in diameter at lengths of up to 500 feet. The JT25 is the quietest among all Ditch Witch drills. 26 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
Toro
Toro’s DD4045 has 40,000 pounds of thrust and pullback and 4,500 foot-pounds of rotary torque. The on-board, infinitely variable drilling fluid pump delivers flow of up to 70 gpm. For hard rock drilling conditions, an air hammer can be easily integrated and controlled from the multi-function color LCD display DD4045 display.
more information. “Real-time information during the job is important to the contractor,” says Kuyers. “Our customers are looking for ways to make better business decisions from planning to job completion and project owners want additional information. Easements are getting more and more congested and project owners need to know specifics about what, where, and how product was put in.”
Hydraulics Advanced hydraulics allow OEMs to make significant changes to their machines. “Part of the objective is power in a small package,” says Matthesen. “Compactness and reduced weight improve transportability and site maneuverability and placement. Hydraulics are the key
enabler.” The rotational drive system on the new Ditch Witch JT25 features a low-speed, high-torque motor that is smooth, quiet and efficient. The radial piston hydraulic motor allows changes in torque and speed with no planetary gearbox. Eliminating the planetary reduces cost, weight, frictional losses and heat. The drive design will be incorporated into other models. Improved rotary hydraulics provide increased power to the rotary spindle on the new American Augers DD110 while using less engine horsepower. The rotary torque has been increased to 15,000 foot-pounds with this hydraulic rotation motor. American Augers developed a new rotary output gearbox to handle this increased power, and carriage
speed has been increased from 100 to 170 feet per minute. “The net result is that the DD110 delivers more performance in a smaller package than the previous model,” says Richard Levings, American Augers product development manager. Since hydraulics provide power for all machine functions, not just the actual boring process, smart hydraulics allow improvements in all areas of operation. Ground drive speed and power have been improved on most models of Vermeer HDDs with a redesigned hydraulic circuit, one proven on larger models of Vermeer drills, that makes more efficient use of horsepower. Barbco has expanded the use of their onboard programmable controller so operators can EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 27
machine matters | continued adjust the clamping force of the drill pipe break-out wrenches. This allows the use of a variety of drill pipe and down-hole tools without the risk of overclamping. The “smart” in smart hydraulics
comes from software. The operating software on Toro’s DD4045 and DD2024 has been streamlined to enable faster and easier navigation. The latest generation of the Toro electrohydraulic control system includes a
number of enhancements designed to increase operator productivity. For example, the DD2024 now features assisted row detection, which increases the speed at which the operator can load and unload pipe.
American Augers
The new DD110 from American Augers is a 110,000-pound self-contained rig. Rotary torque is 15,000 foot-pounds. Its rotating operator’s cab features a control screen mounted on a flexible arm for optimal placement. Dual thrust and rotation controls are ergonomically positioned to minimize fatigue.
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Choose wisely With advancements occurring in all areas of HDD design, it’s important to consider all the factors when choosing a machine. “Get the right machine for the long term,” says Matthesen. “Spec for the bulk of the work you’ll be doing, not the exceptions. Look at the production amount, not just the dollar amount, of the initial investment. And don’t stop at the drill but consider the whole package, which includes the machine, trailer, tow vehicle, water and mud systems, and so forth.” He also says ergonomics help attract and retain the best talent. “It’s their office and operators appreciate a comfortable work environment.” Beddow says the fundamentals are still important. “There’s no magic calculation that says exactly what piece of equipment
“
Consider the whole package, which includes the machine, trailer, tow vehicle, water and mud systems ”
will be perfect for every job, but there are a number of key pieces to consider when it’s time to make a choice.” He says questions that need to be addressed before making an equipment
decision include: • What is the total length of the run? • What is the outer diameter of the pipe to run? • What are the materials and ground conditions at the boring site (clay, soil, cobblestone, boulders, etc.)? • Are there any challenges above ground to consider (tight spaces, traffic, fences, existing infrastructure, etc.)? • What are the below ground conditions, such as variability in the substrate or hardness? Levings says to look for equipment that doesn’t require permits and special transportation equipment to mobilize. As OEMs continue to pack more power into smaller packages, machines with higher thrust and pullback can be transported using standard trailers and tow vehicles.
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EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 29
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highway contractor
| by Chris Hill |
ChrisHill@randallreilly.com
HOW TO GROW YOUR PAVING BUSINESS
Growth for a paving company is all about a quality product, and Robert Smith Incorporated’s Andrew Smith says the best way to do that is effective communication from top management all the way to employees in the field.
Long-term strategies and delegating responsibility lead to small paving company growth
P
roject referrals are like gold to a contractor. Who better than a satisfied customer to sell your capabilities to a new client? While no one can argue the benefit of word-of-mouth business, a paving company can only increase sales so far using this method before growth tapers off. “Businesses stop growing because contractors don’t master the business activities they need to master at their current level, and they don’t prepare for the new challenges they’re going to meet at the next level,” says Bill Silverman, owner of Springboard Business Coaching in Cherry Hill,
New Jersey. Silverman specializes in business coaching for contractors and has advised several paving companies.
Long-range planning Silverman focuses on creating basic five-year plans, in which he reviews several facets of a business and charts projected growth patterns. As he says, the exercise isn’t an effort to try to become a “fortune teller” but rather the first step in figuring out how to plan for growth. These plans account for staff, management changes, equipment, and marketing plans. Then Silverman calculates the number of
customers it would take to reach the forecast sales, saying it forces companies to look at, for example, their current marketing systems, then determine what they need to reach the target growth. “They then can turn the vision of today into a moving picture of the future,” Silverman explains. “So they can say, ‘Wow, when I’m a $2 million business I’m going to have 25 people and five crews. That’s more than I can handle on my own. By the time I’m there, I’m going to need an operations head.’” Working off a five-year plan may seem daunting to someone who’s never looked beyond the next six EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 31
highway contractor | continued
Chris Fink, owner and general manager, Dale’s Paving. months, so Silverman then guides owners in compartmentalizing the long-term approach. “You take that five-year plan, then break it down into a one-year plan. Then you take the one-year plan, break that down, and determine the priorities that move your agenda forward,” he says. “While it’s not an absolute guarantee that growth is going to happen, you do have a method that makes things more predictable and consistent in terms of growth.” One component that comes from this process, Silverman explains, is also the weakest: a marketing strategy. “People try to push a business forward without ever mastering something as basic as a marketing system,” he says. Many contractors Silverman works with say they’re not getting all the clients they want at their current target market, so they believe they should pursue larger clients. “That’s a big mistake,” he says. “I tell them to learn now to get really good at the market they’re attacking today, and once they nail that, move on.”
Delegating responsibility Silverman says he’s seen growth stop for paving contractors because they get so large they no longer can 32 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
Dale’s Paving recognizes that developing and maintaining a competent work force is key to business growth, says Chris Fink. effectively run the business. “Many of them start off doing seal coating jobs, and then they grow and get to a point where they have several crews, but the owner is still trying to do everything,” Silverman says. “The business just stops growing because the owner becomes the bottleneck.” Silverman explains owners must install a management team, promote themselves to CEO, and put processes in place that allow them to place more responsibility on the management team. This sounds easy on paper, but often meets resistance across a company because employees often fear change and are unsure of their abilities. Plus, an owner can be reluctant to step away from certain tasks. “Because he doesn’t want to let go, he doesn’t always train his management team to do the things that he needs to, and then he turns around and realizes the plan doesn’t work,” Silverman adds. Chris Fink, owner and general manager of Dale’s Paving in Bossier City, Louisiana, realized several years ago he was stretched too thin and made a shift. In addition to paving, he and his wife also ran a car wash business. “When my father was around it
was easier,” he says, referring to his late father Dale W. Fink, Sr., who established the company in 1982 and passed away in 2008. “It was just too difficult to run the car wash and run the paving business,” he says. “I felt like I was never 100 percent anywhere – I was a third at home, a third at Dale’s Paving, a third at the car wash and 100 percent nowhere. So we sold the car wash and really ramped up and focused on Dale’s Paving.” Running and managing his business has changed; he now delegates responsibilities to seasoned and capable employees. “My management honestly is more hands off now for me than ever before, which is scary, but I feel necessary considering our growth,” Fink says. Silverman recommends owners continue the activities that provide long-term return on investment, such as creating strategic relationships, planning a new service and following up with large customers to make sure they’re happy. “You want to make sure your clients clearly know they are a priority and are being taken care of,” he says. “At the same time you can’t have the attitude that clients only want to see you, the owner. That’s a recipe for being small forever.”
highway contractor | continued Effective communication Silverman’s point about the importance of following up is a facet that Andrew Smith says he staunchly practices. Smith, vice president and project manager for Robert Smith Incorporated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, says he works to grow his business by separating himself from his competition via top-notch customer service. “It’s an entire approach from us,” he says. “I follow up with people quickly and return phone calls and emails right away. We get their budget numbers to them, sit down on the design end if needed, and then come alongside people during the permit process. We’re focusing on customer service from beginning to end.” To Silverman’s point, Smith says he maintains a top-level contact position, a step he says helps maintain trust with a customer. “I am one central point of contact. If somebody calls Robert Smith Incorporated, they’ll talk to me on the front end, then they’ll see me out there with all the guys during the project, and then on the back end we’ll walk through the job together,” he says. Part of this strategy is making sure his employees are crosstrained. His company is big on its employees wearing multiple hats, with no one employee doing just one function. He gives himself as an example. “You’re talking to me as an estimator, a partner in the company, and someone who can make a decision in the field, so there’s no disconnect between the field and change orders,” he explains. Smith also says a simplified hierarchy helps keep customers apprised of project activity and timeliness, and maintains a high level of quality control. “We found that best way of maintaining project quality is effective communication from me 34 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
to all the guys out in the field,” he says. “But then also from me to customer representatives and the engineers. There isn’t a lot of breakdown because there aren’t a lot of people involved.” Effective communication also includes marketing. Smith and Fink both take pictures of their projects and use them in social media platforms and as part of presentation packages, but Smith takes things a step further by serving as an advocate of his primary product, roller compacted concrete (RCC). He proactively seeks out opportunities to promote RCC by speaking at industry conventions and “lunch and learns” with engineers. “I am an ambassador of this product,” he says. “I want it to be used in the right applications and sold for the right projects.”
Bill Silverman, owner, Springboard Business Coaching.
Andrew Smith, vice president, project manager, Robert Smith Inc.
Employee development In tandem with delegating responsibility to senior level staff, Silverman recommends a continuing career development process for employees, which in turn will benefit any long-term growth strategy. This development, he says, starts with the atmosphere at the company. “Owners should work to create a positive work culture that reflects the business they want to have,” he explains. Another part of this culture is developing a hierarchy of responsibility and recognizing how an effective work crew is developed. “If you create the right structure, hold employees accountable and expect they’re going to rise to the occasion, many times they exceed your wildest expectations,” Silverman adds. Doing this directly relates to delegating responsibilities because it helps identify employees who can, or have the potential to, fill those higher-level positions. “Reaching the next level of growth an owner has identified is only enhanced by having procedures in place that makes it easy to create one good crew, and then ‘clone’ them so that each successive crew is as effective as the last one,” Silverman adds. Fink recognizes that developing and maintaining a competent work force is key to growth, saying that his success is “110 percent” due to his employees. Most of his crew has been with Dale’s Paving for at least 10 years. Smith’s “multiple hat” approach, in addition to making sure he has a six-month backlog of work before hiring additional staff, allows him to develop long-term skills for his employees as well as a small turnover rate. “That’s another reason we’ve grown, because we try to really put our guys first, so we don’t overhire and then we don’t have to lay off or cut back in lean times,” Smith explains.
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maintenance | by Preston Ingalls and Richard LeFrancois
Diesel fuel quality
FroM the reFinery to the delivery trucks to your storage tank, the chances for contamination are ever present
M
ost of us know that clean fuel is necessary for the high-pressure common rail fuel injectors (HPCR) used in today’s Tier 4 Final engines. Fuel system pressures approaching 40,000 psi require particle filtration as small as one or two microns. The problem is that as fuel system requirements are becoming more stringent, actual diesel fuel quality is going down. Maintaining diesel fuel quality and cleanliness has never been easy. To give you an idea of how long the industry has been dealing with this issue, a Caterpillar Operators Manual published 90 years ago stated “dirt and water causes 90 percent of all the problems with diesel fuel systems.” So, who is designated with that responsibility? The old adage, “When it’s everyone’s job, it is no ones’ job” seems to be the modus operandi for most companies. Nonetheless, it’s now critical for operators, mechanics, fleet managers and fuel suppliers to pay even more attention to the issue of diesel fuel cleanliness.
Lubricity challenges resulting from ULSD In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated the shift from low sulfur to ultra low
sulfur diesel (ULSD), reducing sulfur in the fuel from 500 parts per million (ppm) to 15 ppm. After the transition to ULSD people started complaining about higher than normal
LAYERING EFFECT IN A FUEL TANK AIR & CONDENSATE
VENT
DIESEL BACTERIA WATER SLUDGE
A typical diesel storage tank requires fuel monitoring and good maintenance practices to keep sludge, water, and bacteria from becoming a problem. Source: Authors
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 37
maintenance | continued corrosion in diesel fuel storage tanks, fuel dispensing pumps and related piping configurations. One of the concerns with ULSD fuel was lack of lubricity. The cheapest way to remove sulfur during refining involves hydrotreating, a process that removes sulfur and cetane by treating it with hydrogen. Unfortunately, hydrogen is highly reactive and also reduces the lubricity, or lubrication properties, of the end-product. Sulfur serves as a lubricating medium and the reduction of that sulfur (from 500 ppm to 15 ppm) causes a reduction in lubricity. After numerous complaints, refiners started adding lubricity additives to the process to compensate. Many people who service equipment still complain of evidence of poor lubricity, especially in older engines.
Diesel is a perishable commodity Even if everything else is managed correctly, when you store diesel over time, chemical reactions can compromise the fuel’s quality and cleanliness. There are two main types of chemical reactions. One is oxidation, which occurs when the fuel is exposed to oxygen or oxygen-bearing matter. The second reaction is hydrolysis, which occurs when the fuel is exposed to water. Both reactions produce chain reactions within the fuel, resulting in a fuel that appears darker in color and more translucent. Contaminates produced under these conditions include varnishes, gums and sludge that separate out of the fuel and settle. Most all diesel fuel, including ULSD, has a shelf life from three to six months. This can be extended by adding stabilizers, restricting water intake through proper storage, filtration and restricting heat. But diesel is far more susceptible to water solubility issues than gasoline. 38 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
“
Since some water is inevitable, one solution is a routine treatment of fuel storage tanks with a biocide treatment program to kill tank bacteria microbes.
”
Ethanol creeping into diesel supplies Another problem that’s cropping up is corrosive damage to diesel storage tanks. This once took years but now happens in mere months. According to a study conducted by the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance, “Diesel tanks suffering from extreme corrosion contained trace amounts of ethanol and had low pH values in the 2.5 range. A low pH value means the fuel is high in acid. A pH level below 7 is considered acidic; those below 5.5 to 5.6 are considered problematic. The low pH from the study was a result of acid from the bacterial interaction, in particular from a bacteria called acetobacter, which is attracted to ethanol. So how did the ethanol get into the diesel? One possible source is the issue of “switch loading.” Fuel-hauling tanker trucks are not used exclusively for one particular fuel. One day they could be transporting ethanol-blended gasoline and the next day transporting diesel. The ethanol gasoline remaining in the
bottom of the tanker from yesterday would end up mixing with diesel fuel for today’s run.
Water: an ever present concern Because diesel is heavier than gasoline, water is more soluble and more readily held in suspension in gasoline as compared to diesel. This is especially true of ethanol-supplemented gasoline. Also, volatility (how easily a fuel vaporizes) is lower in diesel than gasoline, which allows air and dampness to penetrate the diesel fuel in both vehicle and bulk storage tanks more quickly than with gasoline. Additionally, diesel fuel tanks are subject to water condensation because, unlike gasoline, diesel fuel has no vapor pressure to displace or push out air. When a fuel tank warms up on hot days, the air expands and is forced out. As the tank cools at night, thermal contraction causes humid air to be sucked back into the tank and water condenses on the cooler inner tank wall surfaces.
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maintenance | continued A 7-degree difference in air temperatures can cause this to be an issue. This is one reason to keep diesel fuel tanks topped off, if possible. A full tank provides less surface area for condensation droplets to collect. Then there are poor maintenance practices. Water can enter a fuel system through a defective or poorly sealed tank, an open fill port, or when rain enters a drum through a bung plug or chime that has been left open or unsealed. Or it can simply be transferred from another tank that is contaminated with water, like bulk fuel transport tanks.
Water + diesel = microbes and sludge The presence of water in diesel fuel also adds to the problem of microbial growth. Fungus, mold and other types of bacteria can flourish and use diesel fuel as a food source. The residue and re-
A dessicant breather on your bulk diesel storage tank can eliminate much of the water vapor that would otherwise condense on the inside of the tank when temperatures cool down overnight. Source: Donaldson Filtration
40 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
“
It is absolutely critical that the equipment owner address fuel filtration at the inlet and outlet of any storage tank within their operation.
”
sulting bonding from this bacteria damages fuel quality, clogs filters and can lead to equipment failure. Diesel fuel will always contain a certain level of water content. The objective is to keep this water content within suitable limits, which is well below the saturation point. Since some water is inevitable, one solution is a routine treatment of fuel storage tanks with a biocide treatment program to kill tank bacteria microbes.
Drain it, filter it, or block it with nitrogen The ideal way to remove large volumes of settled water in diesel is to drain the tank. Of course this is neither economical nor expedient but would be needed for high levels of water contamination. The good news is ambient moisture and condensate can be restricted from entering the diesel through the use of appropriate desiccant breathers in combination with a dry air or nitrogen blanket. Nitrogen blanketing is an effective means to store highly volatile substances or substances disposed to oxidation issues. Tank blanket-
ing with nitrogen (an inert gas) is a safe and reliable technique. Humid or moist air in the head space is replaced by pure inert and dry nitrogen. A valve control system causes the tank, as it fills and empties, to have the dead space of oxygen replaced with carefully regulated nitrogen gas. It serves as a protective blanket, thus the term nitrogen blanket or tank blanketing. When we were in the deserts of Oman, we used these blankets due to the high day and low night temperatures. They worked well under these conditions.
Filtration is your responsibility According to Rick Romney, mining manager for McLellan Industries, Hanford, California, “One never knows what is being contaminated in storage tanks, via nozzles or everyday work habits, McLellan provides a double headed filter visibly mounted on their fuel/lube trucks so the operator knows it is there and that the filters need regular PMs the same as the truck or equipment.” A PM can be generated to routinely service and
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maintenance | continued inspect these filters. Bob Shipman, chief engineer at Carco Industries, Portland, Oregon, estimated that “only four out of 10 fuel/lube truck buyers are really concerned about fuel filtration.” Carco is a major manufacturer of lubrication and service equipment for the construction, aggregate and mining industries. To address these needs, Carco utilizes filtration products from Cim-Tek for meeting any required requests for fuel filtration on their fuel/lube trucks.
Get technical with your suppliers Other than good diesel storage protocols and housekeeping practices, what can an equipment owner or fleet manager do? Perhaps the best place to start is to ask your fuel supplier to provide
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the Certificate of Analysis for the fuel you are purchasing, which will include the formulation date. You can also ask your equipment dealer to supply you with the minimum OEM recommended ISO Code for fuel cleanliness that will provide adequate service life for the fuel system on your machines. After all, refiners must conform to the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D975 standard that addresses parameters such as cloud point, water and sediment, viscosity, sulfur, cetane number and lubricity when they dump diesel fuel into the pipeline.
Filter to ISO fuel cleanliness specs Note, however that this fuel may pass through three or more storage tanks where contamination can oc-
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cur before it reaches your equipment. Because of this scenario, it is absolutely critical that the equipment owner address fuel filtration at the inlet and outlet of any storage tank within their operation. The goal for fuel cleanliness entering and exiting a bulk fuel tank (stationary or mobile) should meet ISO Code 4406 for contamination. With proper filtration, this spec can be achieved. The recommended ISO values for Code 4406 are 18/16/13. For example: An ISO cleanliness code of 18/16/13 refers to the following: 18 = 4 micron particles, 16 = 6 micron particles, and 13 = 14 micron particles. Adding filtration at the inlet and outlet points just makes sense. It directly impacts fleet reliability and repair costs. New rules will make fuel quality even more important.
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On July 13, 2015, federal regulators formally For further information published their Phase 2 GHG (Green House Gas) Emissions Reduction Proposal that will tighten If you would like to further your knowledge on the topic greenhouse-gas emissions for trucks, improve their of fuels filtration check out www.pecofacet.com. PECOfuel economy and regulate trailer efficiency for the Facet is a worldwide filtration manufacturing company first time. located in Mineral Wells, Texas. The company operates The tougher standards for medium and heavy-duty in the oil and gas industries, aviation industry and in trucks would not be phased in until 2021 through industries where fluids filtration is paramount to safety 2027, but unless there is a drastic re-design of the and operational efficiency. The company operates a Fuels diesel engine and its fuel injection system, clean Technology Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and a Natural Gas fuel will become even more important in trucks Technology Center in Mineral Wells, Texas. than it is today.
About the authors
Preston Ingalls
Richard LeFrancois
With more than 43 years of experience, Preston Ingalls, President/CEO of TBR Strategies has led reliability improvement efforts across 30 countries for Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon, Occidental Petroleum, Hess, Mobil Chemical, Aera Energy, Toyota, and many other companies. He consults with construction industry fleets in equipment uptime and cost improvement (www.tbr-strategies.com). Richard LeFrancois has more than 30 years experience in the commercial truck and construction equipment industries. As founder of Equipment Maintenance Innovators, Littleton, Colorado, he has acted as a senior level consultant with a focus on emerging technologies that impact equipment management.
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quick data | by Marcia Gruver Doyle
Skid steers/ compact track loaders
|
MGruver@randallreilly.com
A snapshot of new and used sales trends from Randall-Reilly’s Equipment Data Associates and TopBid auction price service.
Skid steers: Up 3%
Auctions High: May 2011
$24,000
$
$23,000 $22,000
21,474
$
$21,000
Average:
19,971
Top three states for skid steer and CTL buyers*
$20,000 $19,000 $18,000
Low: Sep. 2012
$17,000
$
$16,000 $15,000 $14,000 $13,000 $12,000 $11,000 $10,000 $9,000
17,006
Current: July 2015
$
Auction prices for the top 10 models of skid steers and compact track loaders have increased by $2,199 since January of this year, and in the month of July were at the highest point since April 2012. During the past 5 years, the average auction price for these models was $19,971.
20,689
2011
2012
2013
2014
Texas, 2,101 buyers
2
Minnesota, 1,406 buyers
3
Wisconsin, 1,210 buyers
Bobcat S650, 1,157 units
Jul.
Apr.
Jan.
Oct.
Jul.
Apr.
Jan.
Oct.
Jul.
Apr.
Jan.
Sep.
Jul.
Apr.
Jan.
Oct.
Jul.
May
Jan.
Oct.
Jul.
Jan.
Apr.
2010
1
Top financed new skid steer loader*
$8,500
PRICE
CTLs: Up 18%
*Comparison of number of skid steers and compact track loaders financed July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, and July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. Source: EDA, edadata.com
Skid steer and compact track loader auction prices, 2010-July 2015 $25,000
New year-over-year change*
2015
Trend prices for the top 10 models of skid steers and compact track loaders sold at auction, not seasonally adjusted. Source: TopBid, topbid.com (Note: TopBid reports skid steers and compact track loaders together.)
70,000
$
TOP SKID STEER BID:
Top auction price, paid for 2013 and 2012 Cat 299D compact track loaders with 310 and 679 hours, respectively, in Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Int’l sales on Oct. 14, 2014 in Hillsville, Virginia, and on Feb. 16, 2015 in Orlando, Florida.
$45,000 for a 2013 Cat 272D with 135 hours, Nov. 11, 2014, Ritchie Bros.
Other top selling machine: Cat 262D, 995 units
$
0 6,0
0
0 0 0 , $70
AVERAGE
LOW
Aug. 1, 2014-July 31, 2015; prices of skid steers and compact track loaders 5 years old and newer, U.S. sales only. Only includes bids $5,000 and above. Source: TopBid, topbid.com (Note: TopBid reports skid steers and compact track loaders together.)
HIGH
Final bids unit count: 2,232
50 3 , $23
New skid steer
Skid steer, CTL buying patterns* 30,000
20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0
UNITS
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Cat 259D, 1,658 units
New CTL
2013 was the cross over year when the number of new compact track loader units financed exceeded the number of financed skid steers. Total new financed units sold in 2014 for both types of machines, however, were almost 50 percent below the 2005 high.
25,000
Top financed new compact track loader*
2014
Other top selling machine: Kubota SVL90-2, 1,435 units *In terms of number of units sold July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015. Source: EDA, edadata.com (Note: EDA reports are continually updated.)
*New and used financed equipment, 2005-2014, number of units sold. Source: EDA, edadata.com
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 45
technology | by Wayne Grayson | WayneGrayson@randallreilly.com
How RogeRs-o’BRien ConstRuCtion DeployeD a DRone fleet tHRougHout its woRkflow
A DJI Phantom drone hovers above Rogers-O’Brien employees on the job.
D
How many drones does it take to fix a leak? As Blake Potts tells it, just one.
uring a recent presentation at a conference for construction IT professionals, Potts, a virtual design and construction specialist for Texas-based general contractor Rogers-O’Brien Construction (ROB), recounted the warranty call
that would mark the beginning of the company’s deep integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). After receiving the call, ROB sent a crew out to the building where the client reported an interior wall leak on the sixth floor. “This build had a pretty complicated facade; curtain
wall, brick, a lot going on,” Potts explained. Unable to find the source of the leak through an interior inspection, ROB’s project manager had a choice on how to put workers within reach of the leak’s source and snap a couple of pictures: use a swing stage or a boom lift. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 49
technology | by Wayne Grayson Neither choice was ideal. For starters, there wasn’t much room between the building and one of its neighbors to comfortably fit a boom lift, and while a swing stage would have worked, the project manager wasn’t thrilled with the cost, time and danger involved for what should be a simple task. So he went to Potts’ virtual design team and asked if they had any ideas or gadgets that could get the job done fast and cheap. Long desiring to experiment with a drone, the team grabbed the opportunity. Potts told the PM he could buy a $1,500 drone that day to take the required pictures. “It took us about 30 minutes to fly it and it took the warranty guys 30 minutes to review the video and that’s all she wrote,” Potts says.
Risk and great reward That was more than two years ago. Now the company owns 10 quadcopter drones (the majority made by DJI) and employs the footage and photos gathered by the aircraft throughout its building process, from pre-construction site plans all the way through to the wrap-up photography it hands over to clients in the closeout phase. Potts says ROB’s full-blown adoption of drones took time. The leak inspection was just the catalyst. “That warranty call proved to upper management and to our head of risk that this is a viable technology,” he says in an interview with Equipment World. “It’s safe. It’s something we can do easily and quickly. And once we had them on our side we were able to go company-wide.” But even with everyone on board, the question of legality surrounding the commercial use of drones re50 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
mained. Potts says the company has had its legal team involved with the implementation of the technology from day one and the company is in the process of applying to become one of the hundreds of construction companies granted a commercial drone exemption by the FAA. Flights are typically restricted to after 3:30 p.m. when most workers have left the jobsite. “As far as UAVs go, I think everybody in the industry has got to start planning for it right now,” Potts says. “If it’s not something on their radar, it needs to be. I really do honestly think we’re going to see an explosion; we’re going to see these aircraft everywhere. When people ask me ‘What should I do?’ I say do it. Just do it. I know we’re still in this kind of weird area with the FAA but just get one and figure out how to integrate it into your workflow.”
Drones spark deep change Through the enthusiasm of one ROB superintendent the company discovered an interesting construction drone application. After having a heated discussion with a sub, “one superintendent now wants to have a quadcopter fly his
sites twice a day,” Potts says. “The sub said the facility being built had been completely framed out and the superintendent disagreed. Within 50 minutes the superintendent had snapped a photo using a quadcopter showing all the work left to do, and that ended that discussion.” ROB is also using its fleet of UAVs for the more conventional use of aerial progress photos. “On every Rogers-O’Brien job we have a budget for aerial photography once a month. Now with the quadcopter we’re able to fly sites once a week,” Potts says. He explained that the company is still using traditional helicopter and plane photography services on tight or highly-populated jobsites where it’s not yet feasible to pilot a UAV. But the footage and photos ROB’s UAVs are capturing are so good the company has begun using them in its marketing materials. There are also possibilities with safety. “I see quadcopters in the future flying over a jobsite, taking photos and videos and there’s a system in the background looking at those photos and detecting when a worker isn’t wearing a safety vest, or someone isn’t tied off properly,” he says.
technology | by Wayne Grayson
ROB’s drone photos deliver incredibly useful overhead project progress updates.
How to operate a drone for construction and not get sued
U
nmanned aircraft are in use on jobsites all over the United States. The only questions that remain, at least until the FAA issues its final ruling on commercial use of the aircraft, is whether or not your company should begin flying drones right now and how it can do so legally. As to whether or not you should, the resounding answer we’ve heard from those who have already taken the deep dive into the technology is “yes.” The future of construction is expected to involve drones at a deep level. Best to start familiarizing yourself with the technology now rather than get beat to it by your competitors. And as to the legal question, the following is likely the best answer you’re going to get on that front as things stand. It comes from Jonathan Ziss, a lawyer with 30 years’ experience, much of that in the aviation industry. He’s represented pilots, air carriers of all sizes and counsels commercial airlines. And now, with the meteoric rise of drones in the past year or so, he’s talking about the legal ramifications of the technology and how they’ll impact aviation. And here’s his advice in one sentence: “You may not fly your UAS for commercial purposes without the express consent of the FAA.” Ziss made this comment at the Associated General Contractors of America’s conference for construction IT professionals in Chicago in late July. In other words, the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet issued official rules on commercial drone use and does not condone such use until then. In February, the FAA released a set of proposed commercial drone rules that laid the groundwork for public comment as the agency works to establish the final regulations. Ziss
52 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
expects a year or more before the agency settles on such regulations. Therefore, the only 100-percent-legal way construction companies can operate the aircraft on their jobsites in the meantime is by obtaining a Section 333 exemption under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. You can begin the application process at the FAA website faa.gov. By mid-August, the FAA had approved more than 1,100 of these applications, with a large chunk of those coming from construction or surveying companies. Once granted, the exemption applies to a single operator and single drone. However, the exemption does apply to multiple jobsites. And just in case you think your company’s use of drones doesn’t technically fall under commercial use since there’s not a direct tie to profit, think again, says Ziss. “A perceived gray area is profit, but any use of a drone in the course of business is commercial use of a drone,” he says. Of course, that hasn’t stopped many companies from operating without an exemption. But, as Ziss explained, many of these companies have at least begun the exemption process and most of them are “keeping their heads down and managing to stay out of trouble without accidents.” And if you are granted an exemption, Ziss recommends considering getting insurance coverage for the aircraft. “Not every insurance agent or broker is conversant but make sure your risk managers pay attention to use of drones,” he says. “You can’t dabble with drones. You have to take it very seriously.” With all of that says, Ziss doesn’t want to discourage construction firms from exploring the technology now. Ziss tells contractors, “You want to be ready already.”
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road science | by Tom Kuennen
OPTIMIZING PAVEMENT LEVELS OF SERVICE
Photo: Tom Kuennen
A
pavement’s level of service is a measure that combines a pavement’s design criteria – such as freeway, primary arterial, collector and local street or road – with traffic conditions such as speed, travel time, freedom to maneuver, user comfort and convenience, traffic interruptions and safety. As pavement performance and durability impacts a highway’s level of service (LOS), road contractors are in a position where they can favorably influence a highway’s LOS today and tomorrow via best-practice construction techniques, such as providing exceptional smoothness for concrete or asphalt pavements. That exceptional smoothness often is rewarded by bonuses is just one more reason to consider the effect of future LOS on road construction. Frequently, contractors may enhance future LOS via value engineering. After examining the plans, jobsite and materials, the right team – contractor, civil engineer, soils engineer and equipment manager – may employ value engineering to revise original specs or plans for a product equal to, or better than, the original design in terms of service and durability, often at a substantial reduction in costs. Or the contractor may demonstrate how a marginal increase in initial cost can result in a significantly better-performing pavement with
Smoothness is a key criteria in measuring a pavement’s level of service.
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 55
Photo: Tom Kuennen
road science | continued
better service to taxpayers, with added value well beyond the higher initial cost. Current highway funding contains several directives to both set and monitor pavement performance targets.
Not always this way It wasn’t always this way. The original interstate construction build out (1956 to 1991) emphasized construction speed, for example. The entire 42,000-mile system was to have been completed in 20 years, so the focus on was productivity, not longevity, and certainly not smoothness as defined today. Deep-section pavements like today’s asphalt Perpetual Pavements were not allowed, and the goal was to put down pavement as fast as possible, toward a goal of total system completion by 1975. This whole philosophy reflected that early federal-aid funds were for 56 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
construction, not state maintenance activities. Maintenance – today the key to sustained high LOS – was to be the complete responsibility of the states. Congress and the Federal Highway Administration even made sure states did not enhance their pavement designs to reduce future maintenance responsibilities. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) called for engineers to take a close look at how they were evaluating paving materials. One particular problem was rutting in asphalt. “Rutting became a national epidemic in the 1980s,” says Gerry Huber, associate director of research, Heritage Research Group in Indianapolis. This led to the most important development in hot mix asphalt and pavement design, the shift to performance-graded (PG) liquid asphalts, as evidenced in Superpave.
Photo: Oregon DOT
Durable interstate pavement with extended life cycle begins with base stabilized to engineering designs, or value-engineered to save money while providing enhanced longevity.
Oregon, 1968: Interstate highways were built for speed of construction, not durability or longevity.
This performance-based approach offers more durable pavements specifically designed with local temperature extremes and traffic loads in the equation. Superpave designs are providing longer-lived asphalt pavements that will stand up to local climate and traffic volumes at lower long-term costs. In the meantime, concrete also went through massive changes. The appearance of high-performance concrete (HPC) pavements in the late 1990s – and the adoption in 2006 of a 12-point “Road Map” for concrete pavement research – put portland cement concrete pavements onto a fast track that is moving PCC pavement designs far beyond those of the Interstate boom. Today, with the prevalence of mandated life-cycle costing, performance-graded asphalts, durable high-performance concretes, pavement preservation, Perpetual Pavements and Highways for Life as promoted by the FHWA, the focus is on absorbing higher initial construction costs to ensure long-term pavement performance and LOS. Now, engineering designs permit contractors to build a high level of service into a highway, while maintaining high LOS.
Elements of LOS “Level of service” in surface transportation is a general term that can apply to traffic operations as well as pavement performance. Roadways that are overly congested compared to their capacity are not meeting a traffic operations level of service. But it’s extended to other applications as well. For example, the forthcoming National Cooperative Highway Research Program report, NCHRP 14-27: Guide for the Preservation of Highway Tunnel Systems, will say a state agency’s level of service goals and objectives for tunnels might include: • Reliability, the ability to keep a tunnel open and operational
• Safety, maintaining safe conditions for the traveling public and workers • Security, reducing the vulnerability to technological or natural hazards • Preservation, increasing the remaining life of the asset • Quality of Service, improving the experience for the driving public, and • Environment, reducing the environmental impact. Following initial construction, the major activity that will lead to sustained high LOS will be preservation work. And to optimize
preservation expenditures, they need to be administered through a pavement management program (PMS) as part of a wider asset management program. Government asset management philosophy compels government agencies to borrow private-sector concepts of inventory, initial value and net present value and apply them to their physical assets. That in turn helps agencies optimize their limited financial resources. Asset management automatically puts the emphasis on life-cycle costing, and how limited expenditures now can ensure optimal value later.
Illinois, 2006: Perpetual Pavement is placed on I-70 in Illinois, part of a new era in long-lived, high-LOS pavements. Photo: Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 57
road science | continued PMS and asset management The nexus between PMSs and asset management programs can be complex and involve multiple software programs running on a single, or multiple platforms. For example, Fort Collins, Colorado’s system of integrated asset management is helping that city control costs and program maintenance by combining its varied infrastructure inventories into a single platform. The result will be an integrated pavement, bridge and utility management tool that – among many other things – will overlay sewer condition, water line condition, pavement condition and bridge condition to permit city management to program maintenance and capital projects, and help determine where to spend city funds. “The great value of the system is that it gives us a clear understanding of the condition of the entire network, be it bridges, pavements, or eventually, utilities,” said Rick
Richter, director of infrastructure services, City of Fort Collins. The city selected the dTIMS infrastructure asset management system from Deighton Associates and migrated eight years of pavement condition data into the new system. “It was really important not to lose that history because it gave us a real benefit in setting up our baseline,” Richter said. “When we first started in 1989 we had no history, but by 1997 we had a good idea of how the pavements had performed over the previous eight years, and we could sit down and develop the baseline, the deterioration curves, and treatments and triggers. We then moved into the development of the full-function program.” The program gave Fort Collins some new capabilities in forecasting pavement maintenance and preservation activities. “We had a greater ability to determine the process used to predict
deterioration of roadways,” Richter said. “Being able to enter our data so the curves and predictions were accurate was a big benefit.” Another benefit: the ability to forecast budgets and perform cost benefit analyses of different pavement treatments. “We could see what would be needed to maintain a condition, versus what would happen under a constrained budget, and produce both scenarios in graphs and charts. It was a huge leap for us,” he says.
Pavement preservation and LOS Maintenance of a high pavement condition LOS is intimately bound to best-practice pavement preservation. Pavement preservation is an important tool used to extend public agency resources to increase the useful life of roads at a significant cost savings over the life of the road. Research shows spending $1 to preserve a road in good condition precludes spending $6 to $10 to reconstruct it later, after it’s too
To order, call (800) 430-4540 or visit www.equipmentworld.com/roady-order-form Email: roady@equipmentworld.com 58 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com Roady_EW_halfpage_EW0415.indd 1
3/25/15 8:52 AM
high volume pavement practices. Research is taking place now under a nine-year SHRP2 project, R26: Preservation of High-Traffic-Volume Roadways, and FHWA is publicizing the benefits of select pavement preservation treatments for these critical highways.
Thirteen states are currently participating in R26 projects. Ultimately 135 projects in 38 states will be included in the $130 million budget. * Do an internet search for “Guidelines for the Preservation of High-Traffic-Volume Roadways” and its companion report, “Preservation Approaches for High-Traffic-Volume Roadways.”
In Escondido, California, ‘scrub’ seal is placed on a city street; sustained pavement longevity and LOS are dependent on best-practice pavement preservation techniques.
Photo: Western Emulsions, Inc.
far gone to maintain. Crack sealing, chip seals, slurry surfacings and thin overlays are elements of the pavement preservation tool box. First funded locally, pavement preservation became eligible for funding in MAP-21, and it’s included in the current U.S. Senate’s 2015 surface transportation reauthorization bill (the DRIVE Act). Pavement preservation practice extends pavement life, avoiding high future reconstruction or rehabilitation costs by spending smaller amounts at critical points in a pavement life. This helps federal highway dollars go further, along with creating less roadwork disruption, and less environmental impact.. The next era of pavement preservation – that of high volume pavements like dual lane highways and interstates – is underscored by two recent publications from the second Strategic Highway Research Program* (SHRP2), which provide a snapshot of current and future
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Equipment reviews by owners for owners Equipment World’s Reader Reviews is your new go-to source for an in-depth unbiased look at how contractors evaluate the models they own.
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trucks | by Jack Roberts | JRoberts@randallreilly.com
New integrated drivetrains speak a language all their own – and that’s a good thing for fuel-conscious users Kenworth’s T680 pairs Paccar’s MX-13 engine and Eaton’s Fuller Advantage Series automated 10-speed transmission to optimize fuel economy.
O
ne surprising trend over the past few years has been the unprecedented market share growth of automated manual transmissions. Many OEMs now are reporting AMT take rates that would have seemed improbable when the first units appeared on North American shores. Volvo, Daimler Trucks North America and Paccar all report AMT specifications in more than half their tractors sold so far this year. While some drivers remain resistant to AMTs, every year more are won over by their ease of use and additional safety advantages. Fleet managers have found them to be largely bulletproof in terms of overall durability, performance and decreased maintenance costs in terms of clutch replacement. OEMs say that AMTs by themselves can deliver a fuel economy increase between 5 and 7 percent for
a Class 8 tractor depending on application – another benefit enjoyed by users. Now there’s a new wrinkle to the AMT proposition. Integrated powertrains were born out of the ability of vertically integrated OEMs to design diesel engines and AMTs that communicate electronically using sophisticated proprietary telemetry to further optimize the fuel economy advantages offered by AMTs. Other OEMs and component suppliers saw opportunities to offer similar systems, and soon cooperative partnerships with proprietary code sharing sprang up between Eaton and both Cummins and Paccar.
Multiple benefits Fleets quickly recognized the advantages of integrated drivetrains. “Almost three-quarters of the
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 61
trucks | continued trucks we sell today have integrated drivelines, and acceptance is still growing,” says John Moore, product manager of drivetrains for Volvo Trucks. “The product was launched in 2007 with limited production in the first year, so we reached this level in approximately six years.” Trucking fleets report even older drivers – traditionally resistant to AMT – now enjoy driving with them. For the fleets, the significant safety enhancement and fuel savings of AMTs are additional pluses. Fleet demand is one reason that Ryan Trzybinski, product strategy manager for Eaton, sees a bright future for integrated powertrains. He says his company has been integrating its line of automated products with every major engine supplier in North America for more than a decade. “During that time, market acceptance has grown every year, so we have a very good feeling about where the technology is going,” Trzybinski says. “When you take into account the fact that we are already deeply integrated with multiple engine makers, including those made by Cummins, Navistar and Paccar, the future looks very bright for integration. Soon, vehicle telematics systems are going to help make that acceptance even more obvious to our customers.”
Under the same roof Moore says integrated drivelines help maximize the AMT’s inherent advantages by using proprietary data communication protocols between the engine and the transmission to enhance a tractortrailer’s drivability and fuel economy. This is the core of the vertically integrated approach espoused by both Daimler and Volvo. “The Volvo engine and Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission are designed to speak the same language to achieve common project goals set by Volvo engineers,” Moore says. The transmission “knows” the efficiency map for each engine rating, and by continuously monitoring vehicle speed, acceleration, torque demand, weight, grade and both rolling and air resistance, the transmission predicts and selects the engine’s most efficient utilization, shifting gears to match conditions to the engine’s efficiency map. “This level of teamwork between components is a big advantage of the integrated driveline,” Moore says. The I-Shift’s sensor pinpoints the grade and helps determine which gear to select first, where to put the shift points and if it can skip-shift. “When one company can design, build and sup62 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
Volvo’s XE integrated powertrain packages for its D11, D13 and D16 engines can downspeed cruising rpm for added fuel savings.
Eaton’s Fuller Advantage Series automated 10-speed transmission is now being offered on select International ProStar trucks with the N13 engine.
Cummins and Eaton are initiating more profound levels of integration for their joint SmartAdvantage powertrain partnership.
Detroit’s Integrated Detroit Powertrain features the DD15 engine, DT12 transmission and Detroit axles.
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trucks | continued port an entire powertrain, there are really no barriers to what can be done,” says Tim Norton, product manager of powertrain marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. The Detroit DT12 transmission’s shift points are matched to fuel maps in the Detroit engines to ensure the engine always is operating as efficiently as possible and that the transmission never hesitates to find a gear. The engine and transmission also communicate on a dedicated proprietary network that can share more information faster than a standard J1939 connection. This allows the engine to use DT12 sensor data for Active Driveline Protection and also allows the engine brakes and transmission downshifts to work in conjunction to slow the truck safely on downgrades. “These are just a few examples of what we can achieve by integrating components,” Norton says.
Many partners Not surprisingly, Eaton has a different opinion on the importance of vertical integration for these advanced drivelines.
Rubbertrax_EWSG13_PG45,135.indd 1 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com 64 September
“We have always worked with multiple engine makers and to this day continue to have ongoing conversations with all of the OEMs,” Trzybinski says. “That gives us an inherent understanding of where the market is going, where the technology is going, where integration is going, and how our transmissions can be designed to take advantage of all of that, both today and into the future.” Trzybinski says the technology partnership that his company has with Cummins, and the success of the subsequent Cummins-Eaton SmartAdvantage powertrain, is the latest example of how Eaton’s diversity benefits both companies’ mutual customers. “It isn’t the only example,” he says. “We have been able to take from that and what we have learned from that and apply similar technologies with other engine makes, including the Paccar MX13 and Navistar N13 engines.” One other area where Trybinski believes Eaton benefits is the company’s ability to integrate the clutch with the transmission. “By designing and manufacturing the clutch to work in harmony with the transmission and understanding the intricacies
8/21/13 9:05 AM
of these two components, Eaton can deliver a total package,” he says.
Fuel-saving spec Regardless of which design approach OEMs choose, they are convinced that integrated powertrains will remain the spec of choice for fuel-conscious fleets. “When we launched the DT12 transmission, we said it makes all the drivers in the fleet perform like experienced pros,” Norton says. “Intelligent Powertrain Management goes beyond what even the most experienced driver can do – by proactively preparing the powertrain for upcoming terrain that the driver may not even see.” These functions can be new and different for drivers. IPM is programmed to drop speed before a hill’s crest in anticipation of the upcoming downhill. “Drivers may think their cruise control has stopped working, but IPM knows the speed will be made up on the downgrade,” Norton says. “As advanced electronics and powertrain technology like this become more commonplace, it is very important for fleets and drivers to understand the benefits and
let the truck perform the way it was designed.” Moore says Volvo already has taken its integrated drivetrain technology to higher levels of efficiency with its new XE drivetrain. “Our eXecptional Efficiency package is an integrated drivetrain designed to downspeed,” he says. By running at 200 rpm less at cruise speed than a comparable nonintegrated driveline, the XE package can improve fuel economy by an average of 3 percent. “Nonintegrated drivelines typically are not used in downspeeding due to shifting and performance issues.” Trzybinski says customer observations are critical to further enhancements. “We have been getting a lot of feedback on better and smoother shifting,” he says. “As the communication between the engine and transmission keeps getting better, we are also hearing reports on vehicle performance benefits because the shift decisions are more precise and more accurate. He says Eaton’s other products that aren’t yet as deeply integrated also benefit from these technologies, especially in terms of fuel efficiency gains. “All of these new advancements are going to have a positive effect on everybody,” he says.
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 65
OUR LONG-LASTING EQUIPMENT NEEDS LONGER-LASTING OPERATORS.
Find a wide range of jobsite safety tips and other resources at ditchwitch.com/safety.
safety watch | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com
Trenching tactics
Taking the proper precautions will protect you from a collapse
The bottom line: A post-accident investigation determined the day of the accident was the first day of work for the two crew members, who had received no training prior to the accident, and provided fraudulent documentation in order to be hired. The workers were both underage and therefore should have been unable to obtain construction work. The investigation further determined the workers, who spoke no English and had job duties translated by bilingual coworkers, had not been assigned duties inside the trench, and had no reason to be working there.
Proper preparation counts With this accident, a variety of mistakes contributed to the deaths of the workers. Lax procedures enabled the hiring of underage workers, whose inexperience was compounded by the lack of a training program. Failure to properly supervise the workers, who spoke no English and may not have under-
Illustration by Don Lomax
The accident: A crew was assigned to dig a trench and install conduit for a new two-story, 390,000-square-foot building under construction. The crew’s backhoe operator dug an 8-foot-deep by two-foot-wide trench, while the remainder of the crew performed cleanup tasks. Sometime later, two workers entered the trench. The trench collapsed, covering both workers. The remaining crew members uncovered the workers, who were pronounced dead at the scene from skull fractures.
stood what jobsite locations posed a danger, allowed the workers to be in a place where they were at extreme risk. Take the following precautions to make sure you don’t find yourself in a similar situation: Avoid unprotected trenches. You cannot tell if the walls of a trench are stable simply by looking at them. Although your company’s competent person will inspect the trench each day for hazardous conditions that could create a cave-in, stay out of the trench unless you are assigned to be there, and then only enter the trench once an adequate protective system is in place, such as shoring, shielding or sloping. Don’t take on a task you’re not trained for. Prior to performing trench work, you must complete your company’s safety
program that will allow you to use hazard recognition to identify unsafe conditions. If you haven’t completed the appropriate training for the job, let your crew leader know so he or she can assign you to a different task and schedule training at a later time. Ask for clarification if you need it. If you speak no English or English is your second language, speak up if you don’t understand your job assignment. Ask for additional information as needed, especially with respect to hazards you might face over the course of performing your job. If you’re new to the company or to the jobsite, ask the crew leader to take you on a jobsite walkthrough and point out situations and obstacles you need to know about. Sponsored by
Information for this Safety Watch is from an accident report (FACE 2003-07), the Center for Disease Control’s NIHS Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program, www.cdc.gov/niosh/face, and OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1926.21. It is meant for general information only.
Date of safety talk: Attending:
Leader:
_____________________ EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 67
alerta de seguridad | por Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com
Tácticas de zanja
Tomar las precauciones adecuadas le protegerá de un derrumbe
Conclusión: Una investigación posterior al accidente determinó que el día del accidente era el primer día de trabajo para los dos miembros de la cuadrilla, quienes no habían recibido capacitación antes del accidente, y que habían presentado documentación fraudulenta para ser contratados. Ambos trabajadores eran menores de edad y por tanto no deberían haber obtenido trabajo en construcción. La investigación determinó además que a los trabajadores, que no hablaban inglés, y cuyos deberes en el trabajo eran traducidos por compañeros bilingües, no se les había asignado deberes dentro de la zanja, y no tenían razón de estar trabajando ahí.
Una preparación adecuada es importante Una variedad de errores contribuyeron a las muertes de los trabajadores en este accidente. Unos procedimientos demasiado relajados permitieron la contratación de trabajadores menores de edad, cuya inexperiencia se veía amplificada por la falta de un programa de capacitación. La falta de una supervisión apropiada a los trabajadores, que no hablaban inglés y que podrían no haber entendido el peligro que entrañan las áreas de trabajo, permitió que los trabajadores se hallaran en un lugar donde estaban en extremo peligro. Tome las siguientes precauciones para asegurarse de que no se encuentre en una situación similar: Evite las zanjas no protegidas. Uno no puede juzgar la estabilidad de las paredes de una zanja simplemente con mirarlas. Aunque la persona competente
Illustration by Don Lomax
El accidente: A una cuadrilla se le asignó cavar una zanja e instalar un conducto para la construcción de un edificio nuevo de 390 mil pies cuadrados de dos pisos. El operador de la retroexcavadora de la cuadrilla excavó una zanja de 8 pies de profundidad por dos pies de ancho, mientras el resto de la cuadrilla realizaba tareas de limpieza. Tiempo después, dos trabajadores ingresaron a la zanja. La zanja se desplomó, cubriendo a los dos trabajadores. El resto de la cuadrilla desenterró a los trabajadores, que fueron pronunciados muertos en la escena debido a fracturas craneales.
de su compañía inspeccionará cada día la zanja en busca de situaciones peligrosas que pudieran crear un desplome, manténgase lejos de la zanja a menos que esté asignado a estar ahí, y luego sólo ingrese a la zanja una vez que se haya instalado un sistema protección adecuado como lo es un reforzamiento, una contención o una gradiente. No emprenda tareas para las cuales no ha sido capacitado. Antes de realizar trabajo en zanjas, usted debe completar el programa de seguridad de su compañía, que le permitirá hacer uso de un reconocimiento de peligros para identificar condiciones inseguras. Si usted no ha completado la capacitación adecuada para el trabajo, déjeselo saber al líder de su cuadrilla para que él o ella le asignen una tarea distinta y programe su capacitación para después. Pida clarificación si la necesita. Si usted no habla inglés o si el inglés es su segunda lengua, hágase escuchar si no entiende la tarea asignada. Pida información adicional a medida que la necesite, especialmente con respecto a los riesgos que deba enfrentar mientras realiza una tarea. Si es nuevo en la compañía o en el área de trabajo, pídale al líder de la cuadrilla que recorra con usted el sitio de trabajo y le señale las situaciones y obstáculos de los que necesita estar enterado.
La información para esta Alerta de Seguridad proviene de un reporte de accidente (FACE 2003-07), del programa de Evaluación y Control de Víctimas Fatales del NIOSH del Centro para el Control de Enfermedades, www.cdc.gov/niosh/face, y de los Estándares 29 CFR 1926.21 de la OSHA. Tiene únicamente fines de información general.
Fecha de la charla de seguridad: Asistentes: 68 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
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BOTTOM LINE The UltraShift PLUS VCS. Built for your job. Your spec. And your competitive edge. When your sights are set on the jobsite. And you choose a transmission that isn’t just as good as your best driver. It’s better. With a Creep Mode that’s so precise, you’re curbing at less than one foot per second. And Hill Start Aid that gives you real launch control. When Gear Selection Logic is so smart it knows when to skip gears to max out fuel efficiency and driver focus is where it should be – on the job. All backed by the solutions, support and expertise of the Roadranger® network. Drive your choice. Drive On. Find your Eaton® edge at ultrashiftplus.com
©2015 Eaton. All rights reserved.
product report | by Marcia Gruver Doyle | MGruver@randallreilly.com
Vermeer’s InSite Productivity Tools eliminate paperwork, provide white board for horizontal directional drilling bores
Vermeer’s InSite Productivity Tools can be purchased individually, but are designed to sync together to battle the paperwork challenges of directional drilling contractors.
P
lanning, mapping and recording the bore; keeping everyone informed as in-field adjustments are made; providing as-builts and finally invoicing: the paperwork behind horizontal directional drilling can quickly bury you as deeply as the lines you’re installing. “When you go into a contractor’s office, paperwork is everywhere,” says Jon Kuyers with Vermeer. “There’s a lot of waste in the current situation.” Vermeer created its InSite Productivity Tools suite to attack this challenge. Combining two pieces currently available – InSite Fleet and InSite Bore Aid – with four new tools being released early next year, the complete set is designed to help contractors concentrate on drilling, not paperwork.
The possibilities have caught the attention of Erik Carlson, president, Pinnacle Construction & Directional Boring, North Charleston, South Carolina: “We’ve got 35 employees and this software suite will allow us to provide the same service, the same documentation as a contractor with 1,500 employees,” he says. “It levels the playing field.”
InSite Fleet/FleetEdge It starts with InSite Fleet telematics, now available on certain Vermeer drills. Fleet gives basic telematics information, including machine location and geofencing, machine idle times, maintenance alerts and fuel consumption. With the addition of InSite FleetEdge in January, users will get actionable machine information such as productivity tracking, main-
tenance prioritization, fuel savings estimation and project time management. FleetEdge consolidates a log of relevant machine data such as forces, pressures and flows and identifies fuel savings opportunities. “This measures the productivity of the machine, telling you how much the machine is working, tramming, changing tooling and idling,” Rob Arndt with Vermeer says. FleetEdge also assists operator training; the software can judge how well an operator is doing compared to recommended loadings, thrust, rotation and pullback on a drill. Instructions on the machine prompt the operator to, for instance, speed up their tramming or increase their rpms. As the operator gets familiar with seeing these indicators, they learn how to better optimize machine operations, Arndt says. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 71
product report | continued InSite Projects InSite Projects creates a repository for all job information, available for sharing electronically to interested parties. Projects can be used on whatever device you have: computer, tablet or smart phone. At the end of the job, a report can be downloaded, helping expedite invoicing. “It’s about having the right information on the job, and bringing the right information back from the job to the office,” says Reinhard Beschel with Vermeer. This includes 811 locate information, parking permits, supply lists, safety checks and juggling different work orders, Beschel says. It also fuses surface, subsurface and topographical views into one view. InSite Mapping Get a group of contractors together and complaints about engineering plans are likely to come up. The plans can be confusing, don’t reflect reality or fail to take into account critical job components. In addition, it’s difficult to consolidate jobsite data, such as locates, white lines and landmarks. “Contractors care about where they need to put the product, their connection points, and how they can communicate that information to the next person on the team,” says Nathan Copeland with Vermeer. “Most of the time, the crews meet in the morning and then they scatter the rest of the day. Our InSite Mapping and Projects programs gives them the context; it serves as their white board for the bore.” InSite Mapping uses a GPSdriven receiver (such as Trimble’s R1 GNSS) to white line, or mark, the proposed bore ahead of time, sending the data to InSite Projects for planning. During the bore, the crew can record obstacles, such as a tree that’s in the bore path. This file can then, for example, be sent off to the project owner to get instructions on a redirect. After the bore is complete, you can use the 72 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
InSite Bore Assist, using a DCI Aurora display in the operator’s station, gives operators the ability to see how well the bore is going compared with the bore plan, and make on-the-go adjustments, including creating a simple bore plan. receiver to walk the bore path and record it as an as-built. “You can use your choice of a receiver, as long as it pairs with our system,” Copeland says. The tablet or smart phone you’re using in the field becomes the interface for recording the information directly into Projects. “Not only can I share the bore information with the next person, my supervisor knows what’s going on and where I’m at,” Copeland says, especially handy if a crew is completing several jobs in a day.
InSite BoreAid Currently available, this planning and design software guides users through the bore planning process, using soil conditions, the type of product being installed, physical obstacles, etc., to identify possible drilling issues. Used in the pre-bore phase, it generates rod-by-rod plans for the anticipated bore path using industry standards for pipe bending and installation loads, feeding information into bid documents and operational plans. “This gives you a bore that’s in line with HDD best practices, since industry standards for installing steel
and plastic pipe are built into the program,” says Kipp Ulferts with Vermeer. “It’s really pipe centric,” he says. “Our emphasis is on creating a good bore plan for the type of pipe installed.” Since the software has competitive drill rigs loaded into the system, contractors also can use it with non-Vermeer rigs.
InSite BoreAssist BoreAssist is used during drilling, and is designed to get rid of handwritten rod-by-rod logs on a clipboard. Developed with DCI, the on-rig app shows the bore plan on DCI’s Aurora display in the operator control station; the bore plan is loaded into the display and the operator follows the rod-by-rod plan. The bore head’s ever changing position is tracked directly from the DCI F5 locator used by a crew member walking the bore path. The operator can note field condition deviations from the bore plan, and record in-field bore plan modifications. In addition, if a simple bore plan modification is required in the field, it can be created on the display, saved and sent to the office. ICUEE booth: K-225 & K-332
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CONGRATULATIONS
to the 2015 Contractor of the Year winner and finalists IN
R
E
N
W
Lawrence Merle
Andrew Allen
Jason Ciavarro
Sean McDowell McDowell Construction Corporation Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Supreme Metro Corp South Plainfield, New Jersey
R.J. Allen, Inc. Garden Grove, California
Joseph Delgado
Andrew Brown
Dan Corrigan
Bradley Grubaugh
TCW Construction Lincoln, Nebraska
Andrew Brown General Engineering, Inc. Paso Robles, California
C-3 Environmental Specialties Schertz, Texas
Bradley Excavating, Inc. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Genesee Construction Service Dansville, New York
David Spurr
Allen & Tyson Feller
Spurr Company Paso Robles, California
Feller Enterprises St. George, Utah
Timothy Humerick Humerick Environmental Construction Service College Grove, Tennessee
Sponsored by:
Jeff Pettiecord & Nick Wylie J Pettiecord, Inc. Des Moines, Iowa
contractor of the year | by Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com
Hard work, diverse offerings and a highly skilled crew bring success
A Dan Corrigan (left) with Dustin Pratt.
Dan Corrigan Schertz, Texas
C-3 Environmental Specialties Year started: 2005 Number of employees: 40 Annual revenues: $3 to $5 million Markets served: Erosion control, channel armoring, gating structures, revegetation, clearing and grinding
fter a few years of working for other contractors in Austin, Texas, Dan Corrigan saw an opportunity 70 miles south in San Antonio. At 27 years old, with a pickup, a trailer and one helper, he set up shop just north of the Alamo City and went into business for himself. The first year was rough, Corrigan admits. “I lived in the shop. Worked on bids at night and in the field all day. For the first four years all I did was work, sunup to sundown, lived it and breathed it.” he says. “It takes a toll on everything you do. You won’t see your friends anymore, unless you work with them. And your wife has to be pretty understanding.” But thanks to strong relationships he had built in his previous work and the diversity of jobs he could handle, the business continued to grow and thrive. It also helped that his second in command, Dustin Pratt, who now runs the day-to-day operations, was with him from the start. They had met in Austin and worked for the same employer before Corrigan went out on his own.
Recessions and floods When the recession hit, C-3 Environmental Specialties did what it took to survive. “We went from 40 employees to 15, took a bunch of equipment that was underutilized and sold it and consolidated the fleet to run more efficiently,” EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 75
contractor of the year | continued
With plenty of stubborn mesquite and live oak roots to clear, C-3 gets plenty of work out of it’s elevated sprocket dozer. Pratt says. Things have gradually improved, though. This year saw some real ups and downs. The first quarter was horrible, Corrigan says, because of the constant rain. But now that the rain has stopped, the company is back on track and has a huge backlog of work. Jobs can range from the Rio Grande Valley to Waco and Houston. For 2015, Corrigan set a goal of increasing revenues by 20 percent, to be accomplished by bidding work further out in the state, looking at a different client base and capturing more market share in the San Antonio area. Corrigan also tried his hand at running quarries, and even though he sold that business last year, it taught him a lot about efficiency and keeping his costs down. The quarry experience also taught him a valuable lesson. Corrigan learned not to fall in love with his yellow iron.
Equipment strategy “The older equipment does not make you any money,” he says. “Keeping up with the repairs ate 76 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
us alive. We finally learned that we have to reinvest everything. We trade up or we trade out. Dustin does a good job of covering our utilization, so if we’re not using something we don’t stay attached to it. We get rid of it. We’ll typically trade it or sell it for assets we know we can use.” Most of his acquisitions today are new equipment, Corrigan says, or low-hour, well-maintained machines. But almost everything the company buys is from a dealer, whether it be trucks or equipment. “We’re firm believers in a good warranty,” he says.
The oil patch: opportunities and challenges When unconventional drilling methods started unlocking new petroleum reserves in South Texas it presented C-3 Environmental Specialties and many other contraction companies a tantalizing choice – whether to take some of that site work or not. “Oilfield work is a great thing, but the boom builds a false sense of security for some guys,” Corrigan
says. “They go down there chasing the money and they get used to it. But most don’t save any money. It happens about every 10 years. It’s pretty easy to lose down there.” The other problem is the upward pressure the oil boom put on wages. “For whatever reason, guys who work there think their base pay should be around $30 an hour and that isn’t doable for us,” Corrigan says. “How do you compete against that? I’m glad we didn’t chase a lot of it. We had the opportunity, but we were busy enough up here at the time.” What Corrigan is not going to lose out on are the good deals he’s seeing on used equipment now that work in the oil field work is declining. “A lot of those guys didn’t own equipment. They would RPO-it (rental-purchase option), and now all the equipment yards are stacking them up,” Corrigan says.
Social media recruiting When C-3 Environmental Specialties is hiring it will use everything from small community newspapers to word-of-mouth to its website. But both Corrigan and Pratt are firm believers in the power of social media combined with word of mouth when it comes to finding entry-level candidates. Their formula is to get all the employees and all their friends and relatives to use their social media channels to tell everybody that they are hiring. That not only expands the outreach exponentially, it gets the message out to young people who are a known quantity and more likely to be good candidates than the average stranger walking in off the street. Diversity and experience = success Corrigan says his company’s key strength is its size and the ability it has to offer more services. “We are a one-stop shop. That’s how we got
into tree grinding,” he says. “We would always have to wait for the grinding crew to get to our job, so we bought one.” Owning a tub grinder was intimidating at first, Corrigan says. “We didn’t know much about it. We knew enough to get it done, but how productive we would be was a big question.” Solution? Corrigan hunted down David Bogue, one of the most knowledgeable grinder operators in the area with 20 years of experience. “He had left the industry and was doing something else, but he still had a passion for it.” Corrigan says. To start, Corrigan convinced Bogue to run their grinder on weekends, but he eventually came on full time with the company. “It’s been a great relationship,” he says.
Customer testimonials A big part of C-3’s success lies in its diversity and the experience
Building culverts and channels for stormwater runoff is a big part of C-3’s business. of its crews. “We’ve been doing work with them almost since they started,” says James Kearns of DNT Construction. “They always show up on time, they are fast and they do good work. They’re one of the sure things that we have.” After a coming storm looked like it might ruin a nearly finished site, Kearns called Corrigan at 3 pm. “The crews got there at 4 pm and worked well into the dark to secure the site,” Kearns says. “That kind of thing happens so often I don’t even notice it anymore.” Lauren Alaniz at Haynes Geo, a company that sells geotextile fabrics and erosion control supplies, says she’s impressed at well trained the crews are and the level of cross training among C-3’s employees. “The estimators know how everything goes in the field and every-
body is on the same level as far as professionalism and knowledge,” she says. “When times were good, instead of buying boats or building huge offices he reinvested in his company. They’re one of the few large contractors we deal with who didn’t drop out during the recession,” Haynes says.
Advice for new contractors “The best advice I can give them is get a good bank, and accountant,” says Corrigan. “But it’s a lot of work. Expect the first few years to be really tough.” Relationships also matter. “Everything in any business is relationships, building and nurturing relationships,” Corrigan says. “I spend a lot of time with them. Today it has paid off.” EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 77
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ICUEE preview | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com
he International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition, to be held September 29 through October 1 in Louisville, Kentucky, is set to provide attendees with the latest technologies, innovations and trends affecting the utility industry. The show will include hands-on demonstrations of a
broad range of construction and utility equipment over 25 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits. ICUEE also features a comprehensive education program featuring industry experts on safety, regulatory, operational and technological topics. Products to be featured at the show:
Bronto Skylift Booth N2054
Bronto Skylift will demonstrate truck-mounted aerials at ICUEE, including the SI197 HDT insulated aerial and the S-173 XDT with the Bronto Skylift +4 operating system. Mounted on a TOR 8X6 all-wheel steer chassis, the SI-197 HDT is capable of work on power lines up to 765 Kv AC and 560 Kv DC. It has 197 feet of working height and a 1,000-pound capacity from its standard 6 1/2-foot by 3-foot platform, with a 72-foot horizontal outreach, 360-degree continuous turntable rotation, push-button outrigger deployment and automatic outrigger leveling. Set up time to full elevation is less than 15 minutes. The heavy duty S-173 XDT is mounted on a 6X6 Peterbilt chassis, and has a 173-foot working height, 100-foot horizontal outreach, 1,400-pound capacity and 23-square-foot standard platform. The S-173 XDT will show the latest in Bronto’s computerized operating and maintenance technologies, and introduce enhanced remote data collection capabilities.
Condux Tesmec Booth L180
Condux Tesmec will show their entire line of stringing equipment at ICUEE, including hydraulic pullers, tensioners, puller-tensioners and stringing blocks, which include features such as negative self-acting hydraulic brakes, integrated hydraulic dynamometers, hydraulic cooling systems and complete user controls. Hydraulically controlled systems allow pullers to eliminate conductor galloping, providing maximum pulling control.
Case Construction Equipment Booth K277 The Case Construction booth will include the CX210D excavator, part of the company’s lineup of five D Series crawler excavators. The 160-horsepower CX210D weighs in at 48,973 pounds and has a bucket digging force ranging between 31,923 and 34,621 foot-pounds. Like all models in the D Series line, the CX210D offers operational gains when compared to the previous series, including cycle times up to 12 percent faster, up to 14 percent greater fuel efficiency and up to a 6 percent increase in breakout force. The CX210D meets Tier 4 Final emissions standards via cooled exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalytic reduction and diesel oxidation catalyst technologies – without a diesel particulate filter or associated costs. Additional machines on display at Case include the TR340 compact track loader and the Tier 4 Final lineup of N Series backhoes.
EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 79
ICUEE preview | continued Fabco Power Booth 4641
Fabco Power will display the company’s Hydro Arc 7500 welder generator, which enables welding while supplying other equipment with AC power. The hydraulically driven unit produces 7,500 watts AC or DC power while providing 240 amps DC and 120/240 volts AC, and operates tools, air compressors, lights and more. Weighing 165 pounds, the welder generator is a compact size at 27 inches long, 17 inches high and 10 inches wide.
Fecon Booths 3504,
Ditch Witch Booths K155, 1270
N2014
Ditch Witch will feature their MR90 mud recycler, which can be transported full of fluid to boost cost-efficiency. The self-contained unit can mix and recycle drilling fluid as well and handle spoils. By reclaiming, recycling and reusing mud, drill operators can save on disposal and transport costs. The 25-horsepower MR90 has a hydraulic pit pump that provides the mud for recycling. Pump hydraulics can be controlled by an optional remote control, and an automatic pit pump control prevents overflow. The MR90 is equipped with a 110-gallon clean take and 340-gallon first-pass mud tank. Each tank has a 3-inch connection at the drain for vacuuming out mud to minimize jobsite cleanup. A 300-gallon freshwater tank provides extra drilling fluid capacity and support for equipment cleanup, along with a high-pressure wash pump. The mud-filter system is a two-screen system with six 2.5-inch hydrocyclones that clean mud for reuse.
Fecon’s ICUEE lineup will include the Stumpex stump grinder for skid steers with as little as 20-gpm hydraulic input. Low rpm and as much as 33,600 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 psi enables the 1,500-pound Stumpex to draw down into any 10- to 28-inch-diameter stump up to 20 inches deep in a single pass. The Stumpex processes stumps of larger diameter with additional passes.
Be a cool operator Vanair Booths 3819, L417
When you work hard in small spaces, you need AC big time!
Vanair will introduce their rotary screw Viper series with towable running gear, which is available in either gas or diesel. The Viper is suitable for all pneumatic tool needs, and offers an economical alternative to a 185-cfm tow-behind. Delivering up to 80 cfm at up to 150 psi, the Viper can operate a 90-pound jackhammer and piercing tools. Additional features include auto engine off and restart smart technology, and a variable throttle control based on air demand to minimize fuel consumption and noise. The unit has a Tier 4 Final certified diesel Kubota engine. Vanair will also showcase the PowerFlex series diesel driven systems including the PowerFlex AEH and HPU.
With over 700 different kits engineered and developed, count on Arctic Wolf™ for factory-style integrated air conditioning systems in ready-to-fit kits. Loaders. Dozers. Excavators. Graders. Tractors. If your equipment has an engine and a cab on it, we can put cool air into it. Call today. 1-800-2 MR COOL or go online at www.hammondac.com and order your system and parts today.
1-800-267-2665 • sales@hammondac.com • www.hammondac.com EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 81
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ICUEE preview | continued
McLaughlin Booth K120
Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas Booth K345 Hyundai will feature the company’s seven HX Series of excavators, which includes the HX220L, HX260L, HX300L, HX330L, HX380L, HX480L and HX520L. Powered by Cummins (models 220 through 380) and Scania (models 480 and 520) engines, the machines meet Tier 4 Final standards and have improved hydraulics that deliver 10 percent more fuel efficiency when compared to the 9A Series excavators. Features include a larger cab with 13 percent more leg room, reduced sound levels, new climate control system, 8-inch touchscreen cluster monitor with haptic controls and more. They also include the AAVM, or All Around View Monitoring System, which enables operators to access a 360-degree virtual operating view.
McLaughlin will introduce an all-new version of its most popular vacuum excavator for utility potholing, the VX50500, at ICUEE. The next generation of the VX50-500 has a no-hassle hose configuration, a modular truck mount design and a Kubota Tier 4 final engine with a common fuel rail system. The no-hassle hose allows contractors to hang the suction hose on the side of the machine when moving between jobsites. This eliminates the need to coil or disconnect the hose, which increases productivity while reducing operator fatigue. Aluminum blower and water belt tensioners keep consistent pressure on the belt, extending its life and simplifying service. The VX50-500 also has McLaughlin’s cam-over rear door design, three-stage cyclonic filtration system and in-tank wash down system.
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FREE! Miller Electric Booth 3342
Miller will showcase work truck solutions that help reduce truck idle time, fuel usage, engine hours and maintenance costs, including the latest advancements in engine drive technology. Information will be available on welding and gouging, powering electrical tools, providing hydraulic power and more, and visitors can discuss their product and technology questions. Products to be featured include the 2015 Work Truck Show Green Award Winner, the EnPak power system, as well as the Trailblazer 302 AirPak welder generator, Bobcat 250 welder generator, Multimatic 200 welder and the Maxstar 200 welder.
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EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 83
ICUEE preview | continued
Pengo Booth 4438 Stellar Industries Booth N1012
Stellar will be showcasing the most popular model in their newest line of cranes – the Model 7621 telescopic service crane equipped with the CDTplus crane control system on a TMAX service body. Offering 21-foot extension and a 7,500 capacity, the 7621 has boom articulation of -10 to 80 degrees. The TMAX Series body has stainless steel billet style hinges, three-point compression hinges, a rotating master lock system and an isolated crane compartment with a torsion box understructure. Stellar’s CDTplus crane control system is a two-way communications and feedback feature that includes real-time information displayed on the remote handle, including current load, boom angle, current reach, remaining reach, remaining capacity and percentage of maximum capacity. All truck equipment is controlled by Stellar’s E-Link equipment control system, which is available as an option.
Pengo’s TruLink Torque pin and monitor system for piledrivers charts depth and time for each pile driven, and automatically documents results in Excel format and stores them on a USB drive. The system, designed to complement both Revolution Series drives and non-Pengo drive units, is available in four class sizes ranging from a 45- to a 114-mm pin. The maximum torque ranges for the four classes are 20,000, 70,000, 150,000 and 300,000 foot-pounds, respectively. Features include an anti-rotation block that holds the pin in place, strain gauge technology and a 4- or 8-inch touchscreen color display monitor for time, date, torque, depth and pile number. The weatherproof, shock-resistant monitor easily mounts in the operator’s cab and has a simple power supply that uses an auxiliary power port or cigarette lighter.
Equipment reviews by owners for owners Equipment World’s Reader Reviews is your new go-to source for an in-depth unbiased look at how contractors evaluate the models they own. Current reviews include: • Bobcat S650 skid steer • Case 580 Super N backhoe • Cat 336E L excavator
Go to EWReaderReviews.com to find out how contractors rate the machines they own. 84 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
Subsite Electronics Booths K270, 1858
Subsite Electronics, a Charles Machine Works company, provides underground professionals with a comprehensive suite of electronic products, including utility locators, horizontal directional drilling guidance equipment and equipment machine controls. For ICUEE, Subsite will showcase new products in both their indoor and outdoor booths, including the TK HDD Guidance systems and the UtiliGuard Utility Locators.
Terex Booth L316
Terex will feature updates to its General 80 digger derrick, including a new fiberglass 4th section. The insulated, retractable section, which replaces a non-insulated steel section on previous models, enables operators to extend and retract in minutes using the winch line. The General 80 has a 79.9-foot sheave height, a 26,600-pound lift capacity at 10-foot radius when fully retracted, an 1,840-pound lift capacity at zero degrees when fully extended and a 36.4-foot digging reach. Designed with fewer hoses and a smaller collector block, the General 80 features improved maintenance and accessibility, while using the same hydraulic controls and offering the same fullpressure open-centered hydraulic system as the rest of the Terex digger derrick lineup. Other enhancements include boom extension rollers that boost support around the boom, a digger hanger shaft that keeps the unstowed auger centered below the boom for even loading and a load moment limiter.
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EquipmentWorld.com | September 2015 85 ATI_Equip0115_PG.indd 1
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ICUEE preview | continued GPS Insight Booth 3617
GPS Insight will showcase their tracking product designed for small businesses, GPS Insight Standard. Useful for fleet management for businesses with fewer than 50 vehicles, GPS Insight Standard enables business owners to reduce fuel and labor costs, improve safety, increase productivity and simplify maintenance management. The tracking product has a simple interface and provides quick access to vehicle details as well as delivering reports and alerts that provide fleet intelligence.
Thunder Creek Equipment Booth 3237
Thunder Creek Equipment will feature their newest series of trailers, the FST Series, for ICUEE. Available in 500-, 750- and 990-gallon diesel capacities with a 100-gallon DEF tank, the FST Series combines fuel, DEF and service transportation technologies in a single design. An optional field-installed rear utility box is 55 percent larger than previous designs and enables owners to build out their own mobile service trailer. Options include a three-in-one welder/generator/air compressor, auxiliary oil tank, Worksight light tower and Field Max tire kit. All Thunder Creek trailers have a low profile and baffled fuel tanks, ensuring suitability for traveling both on- and off-road.
Jarraff Industries Booth N2012
Jarraff Industries will display the latest models of their All-Terrain Tree Trimmer and Mini-Jarraff Rear Lot Trimmer. The All-Terrain Tree Trimmer provides right-of-way maintenance contractors with a 360-degree range of motion, 40-degree lateral tilt and 75-foot cutting height. The Mini-Jarraff, designed for residential and municipal tree trimming, has a minimal footprint and compact profile. The self-leveling carrier enables the unit to travel on all types of terrain, eliminating the need for traditional outriggers.
TT Technologies Booth K108
TT Technologies will display their full line of trenchless Grundomat piercing tools, Grundoram pipe ramming tools and Grundoburst and Grundocrack pipebursting tools at the show. The Grundomat tool lineup includes 17 models from 1 3/4 inches to 7 inches in diameter available for horizontal boring distances ranging between 50 and 150 feet. The Grundoburst static pipe bursting system uses a specially designed bladed cutter head to make bursting ductile iron and steel pipe possible. Grundocrack pneumatic bursting tools can be used to burst pipe from 4 to 54 inches. Additional products on display include the Grundodrill 4X compact directional drill, the Grundopit pit-launched mini directional drill and the Grundomud bentonite systems for directional drilling and pipe bursting applications. 86 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
UTI Booth 2042
Underground Tools will feature their expanded line of directional drilling pipe, HDD tooling and trencher parts. The company’s HDD down-hole tooling features an improved design and includes drive chucks, starter rods, reamers, sonde housings, pilot bits and carriage chain. UTI also offers drill pipe for almost every make and model of drill rig. The readily available pipe is composed of high quality materials with precise threaded connections. The company’s trencher parts line includes chains, cutting systems and sprockets made from high quality steel and carbide, and heat-treated to ensure strength.
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Buyers Products Co.
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RAM Commercial Trucks
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Eaton Corp.
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EquipmentWorld.com • September 2015
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final word | by Kirk Landers
Painting rocks
T
his must be what it’s like for sportswriters during Super Bowl week: Every story that can be written has been written a hundred times, every arcane rock of trivia turned over and painted, every fact fought over and parsed to the tenth power … and yet, the event is so big, so oxygen-consuming, there is nothing else to talk about. So it is now, if your journalistic beat is roads and bridges. Other important things are going on every month. Progress is being made on materials, design, maintenance and safety. Great careers are ending in retirement and new ones are being launched. Enthusiasm for building and maintaining great roads continues … But if you are a highway journalist, the only story that counts is the work being done – or, not done – on the next long-term federal transportation act. Whether you hate or love government, federal money is the lifeblood of the major roads and bridges in these United States, including, but not limited to, the Interstate highways. Since I started covering road and construction subjects in the 1980s, we Americans have hatched a new six-year Federal Transportation Act every six years. The centerpiece for each bill was the highway program, with federal money covering about half of the cost of building and maintaining the nation’s highest-volume roads and bridges. Different political dramas clouded the birth of each new bill. The most dramatic was probably President Reagan vetoing the first bill set before him because it had too many pork barrel
90 September 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com
projects attached; the legislation was resubmitted months later with a fraction of the pork and President Reagan signed it – along with an increase in the federal fuel tax to pay for the aggressive new program. The last six-year program our federal government passed was signed into law by President George W. Bush during his first term. In 2012, Congress managed to pass a two-year bill that has been extended many times since. Through it all, the most critical challenge has been dodged – how to restore fiscal health to the Highway Trust Fund. The rational answer to that question is ridiculously simple: we need to raise the highway user fee, the fuel tax, for the first time in a couple of decades. But politics aren’t rational, and although the vast majority of representatives and senators in both parties agree that we desperately need to invest in our roads and bridges, no one is willing to pursue a fuel tax increase – or any other kind of tax increase, for that matter. The political consequences are seen as too dire. So, as we go to press, the House and Senate are working on separate six-year bills that would at least modestly increase highway spending each year … but they are not talking about funding. As volatile as taxes are in politics, with the 2016 presidential election season well under way, it’s hard to imagine a fullyfunded six-year bill getting passed and signed into law before the elections. Which leaves us road journalists looking for more rocks to paint.
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CaseCE.com/3YearWarranty *The free 36 months or 3000 hours, whichever comes first, includes the manufacturer’s base warranty period, plus an additional two years of manufacturer’s warranty. Offer valid June 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 on the following new CASE skid steer loader and compact track loader models: SR130, SR150, SR160, SR175, SR200, SR210, SR220, SR240, SR250, SR270, SV185, SV250, SV280, SV300, TR270, TR310, TR320, TR340 and TV380. The precise protection afforded is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the plan as issued. Programs may be changed or cancelled without notice. ©2015 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. CASE is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.