Don’t Overpower the Safety Features of Power Tools
From screwdrivers and hammers to impact drivers and reciprocating saws, today’s workers are able to achieve levels of productivity earlier generations could only dream about. When hand and power tools are used correctly, they allow us to achieve significantly more in less time and with less effort. But if we …

New Products to Look For at CONEXPO 2023

A Sustainable Fuel Solution
North America is seeing a growing emphasis on sustainability and the role environmental initiatives play in making the world a cleaner, greener place to live. Both the United States and Canada have set targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. As states and equipment manufacturers set carbon neutrality and net …

Cheap Media, Expensive Problems
With proposed infrastructure programs being discussed to offset the economic impacts of COVID-19, aggregate materials could see a spike in demand. This progression can lead to increased profits for mineral processing operations. However, maximizing efficiency to capitalize on this opportunity requires the right equipment. It is critical that operations evaluate …

Dig In
Excavation ranks high on the list of expensive construction activities, and some projects cost more in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world. It’s also the most hazardous of tasks, requiring careful planning and risk assessment, as well as intensive management of project workflow and details – factors that …

Your local Deere & Co dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |
Five Equipment Dealership Trends that will Shape 2023
If you have been working around construction equipment you have probably heard of the "Equipment Triangle," a philosophy that is one of the fundamental tenets of the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP). The theory behind the equipment triangle is that all transactions between end users, distributors, and OEM/suppliers should …

Genie Introduces its Highest Capacity Telehandler for Heavy Industry and Construction
The new Genie GTH-1256 Telescopic Handler builds on the robust design of the Genie 6K, 8K and 10K telehandlers, expanding Genie’s telehandler family. The new 12,000-pound capacity telehandler is purposefully designed to improve durability, lower total cost of ownership and provide maximum productivity on the jobsite. Focused on simplifying fleet …

GOMACO Announces the Death of Gary L. Godbersen, Company’s President, CEO and Cofounder
It is with great sadness that GOMACO announces the death of President, CEO and company cofounder, Gary L. Godbersen. Godbersen peacefully passed away on January 17, the opening day of World of Concrete 2023. He was 83 years old.
Godbersen dedicated his life to the concrete slipform paving industry. …

Minimize Downtime with Dozer Maintenance
As workhorses in the construction industry, dozers are known for their powerful earthmoving capabilities, easily pushing dirt across the jobsite. Dozers consist of many essential components that need to be maintained in order to keep performing at their best.
By following these seven routine maintenance tips from Moo Young Park …

The ‘Finding Fault’ Industry in Design and Construct Contracts and How AI Makes It Unnecessary
The intent of design and construct (D&C) contracts is to cut costs by keeping both the design of the building and its construction to a single entity. The idea is that by doing so, the architects and the construction sides of the business will communicate better and create efficiencies that …

Your local Doosan Portable Power dealer |
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Sierra Machinery |
Ditch Witch West |
Faris Machinery |

The Ongoing Evolution of Jobsite Connectivity
The vision is there.
Wouldn’t it be great if the entire jobsite – the general contractor, subs, designers, owners, equipment vendors and material suppliers – were all working in sync with the data that shifts with each condition change, progress report, change order, telematics warning, and machine inspection? That the …

VOLVO CE Introduces Collision Mitigation System for Jobsite Safety
Delivering on its vision for zero accidents, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) launches its Collision Mitigation System for Volvo Wheel Loaders – an automatic braking feature that supports operator response and helps reduce the risk or consequences of collision when working in reverse.
The first system of its kind from …
7 Predictions for Finance Executives in 2023
Prophix Software's CEO, Alok Ajmera, has pulled together some helpful insights and tips for construction finance executives to consider as we enter into the beginning of 2023, with an emphasis on consistent and rigorous financial planning knowing "cash is king!"

How Do All-Electric Machines Perform in Cold Temperatures?
Recently, JLG partnered with Sunbelt Rentals to evaluate the industry’s first all-electric scissor lift’s performance in below-freezing conditions, and the results prove how far battery technology has advanced in the aerial industry.
“Electric machine operation and productivity in conditions below 32°F (0°C) have traditionally been a huge concern in cold-temperature …

Million Women in Construction Initiative Plans to Double the Number of Women in the Industry
The number of women working in the construction industry recently hit an all-time high of 1 million, and the Department of Commerce plans to take that number even higher with its recently announced Million Women in Construction initiative. The initiative aims to build a new, inclusive American workforce by doubling …

Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Faris Machinery |
Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
Wheeler Machinery |

Shepherd Becomes FHWA’s 11th Executive Director After Dedicating Career to Improving Transportation Infrastructure
With over 23 years of extensive and varied experience with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Gloria Shepherd has been named the 11th Executive Director of FHWA. Shepherd is the first woman and first African American in FHWA’s history to hold this position.
“Our nation’s street and highway infrastructure is changing …

Trimble Dimensions+ Shows Contractors their Future
In November, more than 5,700 owners, design professionals and contractors gathered in Las Vegas for Trimble’s user conference Dimensions+ 2022. It had been four years since Trimble hosted the conference, and attendees were treated to a showcase of innovation and advancement in 480 learning sessions and off-site field demonstrations. …

What to Expect for 2023 and Beyond
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides $973 billion for infrastructure from 2022 to 2026, including $550 billion in new investments. Because new construction projects take years of planning prior to being let for bid, any money spent in 2022 was already moving through existing funding programs.
FMI Corp’s …

10 Things You Need to Know About Compressor Pressure
Applications, regulations, treatments - there’s plenty to consider when understanding your pressure requirements.

Adopting “Green” Construction Equipment
Electric energy, often referred to as “green” energy, is becoming more common in the construction industry, specifically in compact equipment like mini excavators. In recent years, a number of equipment manufacturers have displayed prototype or pilot machines powered by batteries.
Recognizing the global trend toward becoming carbon neutral and considering …

Your local Iowa Mold Tooling Co Inc dealer |
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Southwest Products Corp |

Data Center Sustainability: The Role of General Contractors
While sustainability in data center operations has long been an industry focus, sustainable data center construction is anticipated to play a larger role in achieving the near-term 2030 goals set by the Paris Agreement.
General contractors are the crux of the construction industry. They directly affect the energy, water, and …

Don’t Compromise on Vibrating Screen Health
Vibrating screens work at the heart of an operation; every ton of material must be screened at least once before it is loaded into a truck for sale. And just like the human heart, they need to be kept strong and healthy to do their job well.
Maintenance crews have …

The Future is Now: Examining Construction’s Power Alternatives
At the center of any construction alternative power discussion is diesel.
Diesel remains the go-to power on jobsites – according to the Diesel Technology Forum, 98 percent of construction’s energy use in the United States comes from diesel.
But with global initiatives underway to reduce carbon emissions to net zero …

Three for 2023: Top Trends to Track in the Coming Year
Our industry is in a unique position - one of tremendous opportunity in part due to investment from the federal government, and one of challenges that include inflation, supply chain delays, a prolonged labor shortage, and increasing environmental accountability. These market dynamics have many contractors adjusting conventional practices, rethinking workflows …
Helpline that Provides Mental Health First Aid for Unionized Sheet Metal Workers Marks Fifth Year
FALLS CHURCH, VA — In 2017, as awareness of mental health and substance use disorder struggles increased, the unionized sheet metal industry launched its Helpline, operated around the clock by a licensed counselor and available to dependent families and members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and …

Your local Metso Minerals Industries Inc dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |
Trimble and Hilti Announce Product Integration to Help Contractors Streamline Tool Tracking and Job Cost Allocation
LAS VEGAS, NV — Trimble and the Hilti Group, a company that provides tools, technology, software, and services to the commercial construction industry, announce that the Hilti ON!Track asset management system will integrate with Trimble Viewpoint Vista, an ERP solution within the Trimble Construction One suite.
The announcement was …
Will We Reach the Point Where Jobsites are Autonomous?
MILWAUKEE, WI — It is hard to ignore the increasing attention autonomous construction equipment is receiving. Heavy equipment autonomy announcements in just the past year include:
- SafeAI and Obayashi Corporation demonstrating a retrofitted autonomous Caterpillar 725 articulated truck
- Shantui developing an unmanned dozer
- SRI International’s video on its prototype …

Building a Net Zero Future: NAPA’s The Road Forward Initiative Encourages the Asphalt Industry to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050
More and more National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) members are committing to building a net zero future by joining NAPA’s industry-wide initiative, The Road Forward: A Vision for Net Zero Carbon Emissions for the Asphalt Pavement Industry. The initiative calls on the U.S. asphalt industry to advance technologies, products, and …
Compact Construction Equipment Takes the Electric Lead
MILWAUKEE, WI — When it comes to alternative-powered construction equipment, there is little doubt that electric-powered compact machines have gained the most traction.
“The 48-volt battery packs and the duty cycles of compact machines are well matched,” said Ray Gallant, Vice President of Product Management and Productivity for Volvo …
Get Smarter About Electric Construction Equipment
MILWAUKEE, WI — Sustainability in the construction industry is being advanced by the public and private sectors. Governments are adopting more clean-air regulations at local and regional levels and companies are adopting sustainability policies and asking partners to help them meet their targets.
Consequently, many manufacturers have already developed — …

Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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SITECH Rocky Mountain |
SITECH Southwest |
SITECH Northwest/N C Machinery |

National Hispanic Contractors Association Appoints Terreros as New President, Hispanic General Contractor Growth a Top Priority
Working his way up from his beginnings as a tradesworker, Sergio Terreros now encourages opportunities for growth in the Hispanic construction community through his recent appointment to President and CEO of the National Hispanic Contractors Association (NAHICA).
Terreros has years of experience in advertising, marketing, and leading teams of Hispanic …

Safety Strategies When Working Near Bodies of Water
Even when construction projects take place on dry land, the presence of adjacent bodies of water can create deadly hazards – both in terms of the potential for drowning and the possibility of electrocution. Water is all around us, and it’s important for workers to treat it with respect. Whether …

Templeton Named President & CEO of USGBC and GBCI, Will Direct Efforts to Increase the Reach and Impact of Green Building
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) announce the appointment of Peter Templeton as President and CEO. Having served at USGBC and GBCI for over 20 years, Templeton has played a leading role in the development, launch, and ongoing operation of the LEED program and …

US Rural Roads & Bridges Have Significant Deficiencies, High Fatality Rates, and Lack Adequate Capacity
WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s rural transportation system is in need of repairs and modernization to support economic growth and improve traffic safety, but the U.S. faces a $180-billion backlog in funding for needed repairs and improvements to the rural transportation system. This is according to a new report released by …

Construction Salaries are on the Rise According to NCCER 2022 Construction Craft Salary Survey
Skilled craft professionals continue to earn high wages, according to NCCER’s 2022 Construction Craft Salary Survey. More than 135 commercial, industrial and residential construction companies across the U.S., representing over 337,000 employees, participated in the survey. The individual craft areas reported provide average annual salaries, not including overtime, per …

Your local Sullair Corp dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |

Five Tips for Mini Excavator Maintenance
Maintenance might not be your favorite thing to do, but this minor inconvenience can help you avoid major headaches in the future. Good maintenance practices not only keep the machine running at peak performance, but they also minimize downtime from repairs that come from ignoring key maintenance requirements. Here are …

How the US Will Deploy Intelligent Transit Networks That Enable Connected Vehicles
While America’s transportation infrastructure continues to be one of the country’s greatest historical accomplishments, as well as the lifeblood of the American economy, the system itself continues to have serious challenges during the last two decades.
This is mainly due to the rise in traffic congestion which has ensnarled hundreds …

Is Poor PR Driving Construction's Labor Shortage?
The global upheaval of the last few years has undoubtedly rocked the construction industry – and stories of labor shortages driven by COVID-19 abound. Add to that an aging workforce further stressed by current conditions, combined with a lack of skilled replacements, and the current struggle makes sense.
But beneath …

Labor Shortage is a Universal Issue in the Construction Industry
The ever-growing labor shortage is a universal issue, affecting nearly every business sector that relies on the availability of a workforce. It’s an issue that was happening before the COVID-19 pandemic and has persisted.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are 11.3 million job openings in the U.S., …

Managing Screen Media Selection, Installation and Maintenance
It doesn’t matter how much aggregate is produced in a day if it is contaminated or not sized correctly. Though screen media is a minor cost when compared to larger equipment in a quarry or mine, it is a crucial part of any operation’s profit machine. One unexpected break and …

Your local Trail King Industries Inc dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |
Poor Project Data and Miscommunication Responsible for 52 Percent of All Rework
Most people in the construction industry will say that on any given work site, there is always an amount of waste that could have been avoided. Whether it be poorly handled materials, re-work, weather damage, or working from out of date documents, there are plenty of ways that humans can …

Telematics Expert Gives Industry Outlook
Most construction jobs run on tight timelines and margins, and to keep everything running on schedule and within budget, fleet managers use telematics to give visibility into their equipment’s location and operating condition any time of the day or night.
Telematics has been around for quite a while, however, it …

Pulse Flow Reverse Osmosis Offers Higher Water Recovery and Lower Brine Reject
As droughts and growing population affect water security around the globe, desalination becomes an increasingly important option. In communities searching for sustainable, long-term solutions, new technology can increase the efficiency of water treatment efforts.
Initially developed in the late 1950s, reverse osmosis (RO) desalination evolved into the leading desalination process. …
Construction Retrofit Opportunity
Construction professionals have a golden retrofitting opportunity as commercial facilities expand their precautions against viruses: an effective new type of “germicidal” LED fixture that can be quickly and easily installed in existing structures. This specialized, enclosed LED fixture draws in air and irradiates it with ultraviolet light (UV), significantly improving …

For Workforce Wearables on Construction Sites, Comfort and Mobility Must Go Hand In Hand With Assistance
A few years ago, I worked with a warehouse stocker named John who had injured his back and was looking to get back to full duty. His job was important to him because he had a family to support, which included taking care of an adult son with special needs. …

Your local Volvo Construction Equipment dealer |
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Faris Machinery |

Horizontal Directional Drilling Operator Training Pays Dividends
For over a decade, the team at Rays Electrical Services in Elgin, Illinois has worked diligently to earn the reputation of being a quality residential and commercial electrician for the greater Chicago area. Since Ray Sakolari opened the company in 2008, he’s made a commitment to employees, customers, and family …

Next Gen Demolition
A nation’s buildings stand as a visual representation of its history. In New England, that history is written in stone and red-brick facades overlooking century-old neighborhoods. Recent trends are bringing people and businesses back to these urban centers, forcing developers and city managers to find ways to reimagine spaces to …

Preventing Heavy Equipment Theft
Heavy equipment theft of everything from forklifts, skid steers, and trucks to bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, and wheel loaders can be a serious issue for business owners, whether at the rental yard or jobsite. Stealing batteries, catalytic converters, and entire vehicles can be a relatively low-risk, high-reward opportunity for thieves unless …

Terex Trucks Becomes Rokbak
Articulated hauler specialist Terex Trucks rebrands as Rokbak and announces its vision for an exciting new future. The Scottish manufacturer unveiled the new brand at a digital launch event on September 1, attended by dealers, customers, media, and Volvo Group colleagues from around the world.
Rokbak is the new name …

The Impact of BIM on Construction Projects
BIM (building information modeling) is an intelligent 3-D model-based process that gives architecture and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage projects.
Forgoing the traditionally siloed architecture, engineering and construction disciplines using BIM can develop more integrated workflows to improve collaboration through the …

Your local Wirtgen America dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |

BIM Industry Standards Create Predictability and Cost Efficiency
The adoption of technology in the construction industry in 2020 hit a record high, outpacing even the most aggressive forecasts and there are no signs of this momentum slowing. In fact, the annual Global BIM Industry Report has projected the global building information modeling (BIM) market will grow from $4.5 …

CTS Maintenance Tips to Extend Equipment Life
Landscapers and dedicated green industry professionals know that the key to success lies in their machines. Whether operating a ride-on trencher or walk-behind machine, it’s the performance parts – the chain, teeth and sprockets (CTS) – that often determine the productivity of an operation. In other words, when faced with …

Heavy Equipment Dealers Increase Profitability with GPS Tracking
Heavy equipment dealers’ profitability depends on efficiently renting out their assets and keeping it in good working order for the long term, whether that involves tractor trailers, semi-trailers, or moving trailers; buses or RVs; backhoes, bulldozers, cranes, excavators, scrapers, graders, dump trucks, or all-terrain forklifts.
To maximize profitability, dealers need …

How Innovative Technology Can Support the Response to the Infrastructure Damage Caused by Wildfires
As California concludes another hot, dry summer, the state faced another historic wildfire season. Not only are residents subject to unhealthy levels of smoke and significant property destruction as a result of the wildfires, but they must also face damage to public infrastructure caused by the fires or other related …

Optimizing Self-Cleaning Screen Media to Reduce Blinding and Plugging
In the aggregate industry, efficient screening is critical to achieve not only high production but also accurately sized product for particular applications and projects. However, two of the most common production bottlenecks – screen blinding and plugging – must be minimized to run an effective, profitable operation.
Blinding occurs when …

Your local Atlas Copco CMT USA dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |

Six Tips for Selecting the Right Traveling Axle Trailer
Finding a level surface with plenty of room to load a trailer on today’s congested jobsite is challenging. Towing and recovery operators have it even worse – struggling to move dead equipment, often singlehandedly, while also contending with traffic, poor visibility and soft shoulders. Operators in the towing and recovery, …

Weekly News and Year-Round Value
When David Gordon joined the Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) as Executive Director in December 2020, he focused on one main goal.
“As we continue to grow our membership, we have to continue providing year-round value,” he said. “Our mission is to help our members be more profitable and successful …

Why Smart Roads are Just as Important as Autonomous Vehicles
There’s no doubt that self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), are much safer than the average person-manned vehicle. In fact, more than 90 percent of serious crashes are due to human error, which means autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce the number of collisions and save lives.
However, …

Electrical Safety Awareness for Non-Electrical Contractors
Electrical safety awareness isn’t just for electricians. Believe it or not, non-electrical workers actually run the largest exposure to electrical hazards. Without the electrical training that licensed electrical professionals receive, one careless mistake can turn into a big accident – or worse.
By paying attention to the small details, you …

Instant Concrete Moisture Measurement Ensures Construction Quality and Speed
In the construction industry, the quality of cast-in-place concrete foundations, superstructure, slabs, stairs, and architectural features, along with the speed of project completion, can largely depend on getting moisture measurement right – and the same is true with the masonry mortar used to build brick, block, or stone walls.
Water …

Your local Case Construction Equipment Inc dealer |
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Century Equipment |

Integrated Precision
Hitachi continues to provide customers with efficient, reliable and durable equipment featuring advanced technology – the newest being factory-integrated Solution Linkage 2D and 3D Grade Control.
“We gave a sneak peek of Hitachi’s grade control technology at CONEXPO-CON/AGG last year,” said Justin Steger, Solutions Marketing Manager, Site Development and …

Proper Care Pays Off Over Time
It’s become a fact of life: When you need to work for extended periods of time in high, hard-to-reach places, you turn to mobile elevated work platforms, or MEWPs (also known as aerial work platforms). Over the years, two of the most popular MEWPs – scissor lifts and boom lifts …

The Risks of Not Knowing Who’s On Your Job Site
The pandemic has driven general contractors (GCs) to diligently record who is at their job sites and headquarters. This primarily includes workers, subcontractors, developers, realtors, and property managers. With so many different people coming onto a job site and staying anywhere from 30 minutes to several weeks or months, it …

The Simple Keys to Vacuum Excavation Success
Vacuum excavators are one of the fastest growing machine segments in the underground construction industry. Originally popularized by their role in daylighting existing utilities on directional drilling jobs, these machines are now being used for irrigation installation, landscaping, and even nursery tasks.
One reason for this growth is that vacuum …

Tier 3 Nozzles Optimize Sewer Crew Efficiency and Profitability
For contractors responsible for sewer, storm and sanitary line cleaning, hose nozzles are an essential tool that directs pressurized water to clear out obstructions such as silt, sludge, grease, mineral buildup, and tree roots as part of required maintenance or to prepare pipes for re-lining. In this way, the nozzle …

Your local Deere & Co dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |

Hooklift vs Cable Hoist, What’s the Best Choice for Me?
When it comes to loading containers or truck bodies onto a truck chassis, regions around the world have traditionally opted for different equipment. The North American waste and recycling market usually favors the cable hoist, while the hooklift has been more prominent internationally.
One trend that all customers are impacted …

Making the Right Choice with Terex Trucks
Terex Trucks comes from a strong hauling heritage: with over 70 years of experience in building robust, reliable and tough articulated haulers, the Motherwell, Scotland-based manufacturer knows how to design machines that are trusted by customers to deliver a powerful performance in all conditions. Its two models, the 30.9-ton payload …

NETA Shares Outlook for the Work Truck Industry
The work truck industry includes some of the largest motor vehicle businesses in the world supplying truck chassis (incomplete vehicles) that will be completed by upfitters, using specialized bodies and equipment. These companies are all part of the complex process of producing work trucks, which starts with vocational fleets ordering …

Succeeding with Standardization
For fleet owners looking to standardize their operation, selecting a trailer manufacturer might feel more like picking a favorite sports team than a strategic move to maximize hauling equipment investments. To some extent, it is. Teams with dedicated fans play smart and deliver results year after year. Similarly, original equipment …

Thunder Creek Fueling Efficiency in the Big Woods for H2Dig LLC
Tucked away amongst wide swaths of agricultural fields and small, rural communities the Big Woods private waterfowl preserve is being developed by H2Dig LLC. The company specializes in premium outdoor recreational development and oftentimes is working in remote areas without great access to service stations, fuel, or equipment maintenance …

Your local Deere & Co dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |

Why Tank Chances?
Water is an essential component of any construction or roadbuilding project. From dust control to site prep and compaction, thousands of gallons of water are required every day. How it is hauled and applied can significantly impact overall productivity and safety. Though water tanks appear basic, certain factors can have …

Cutting Inefficiency, Not Corners
Demolition, like every industry, is constantly evolving. To keep ahead of the curve, contractors seek out the machines and methods that increase productivity while decreasing the physical toll on workers.
Concrete sawing is viable option for fast, effective removal. However, savvy contractors are finding that adding remote-control demolition robots to …

Eight Factors to Consider When Selecting an Exosuit for Your Workers
A construction site can be a bad back waiting to happen.
Whether it’s a brick mason, concrete finisher, roofer, or any other necessary occupation for a job site, workers are at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) because of the nature of the job – the awkward postures, repetitive lifting, …

Heavy Equipment Underground Waste Disposal Systems
Heavy equipment dealers, rental companies, and service centers with underground waste disposal systems – floor drains or sinks in service bays that connect to a septic system or dry well (i.e.- catch basins) – are regulated by the EPA.
During normal vehicle repair and maintenance, fluids such as engine oil, …

Improving Efficiency in Roadbuilding
Let’s face it, road widening, aggregate placement, backfilling, and other road construction tasks have always been messy, backbreaking operations. Busy road construction seasons, limited budgets, and a number of other elements have constrained equipment innovation for decades. This has left road crews in the dust, relying heavily on traditional methods …

Your local Doosan Portable Power dealer |
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Sierra Machinery |
Ditch Witch West |
Faris Machinery |

Utility Inspection Systems and Their Benefits
It is obvious that knowing the condition of underground sewer and water infrastructure is necessary to properly maintain essential services, and today’s CCTV (closed circuit television) inspection systems visually identify structural and maintenance issues like cracks, broken or collapsed pipe, infiltration, grease, and roots, as well as other issues.
Mainline …

Vacuum Excavators Help Maryville Municipality Expand and Maintain Its Underground Infrastructure
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the City of Maryville, a suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee, is going through a growth spurt. With a population of nearly 30,000 people and climbing, the town has experienced a big spike in utility development within the last two to three years. …

Enhancing Safety in the Heavy Equipment Rental Industry
Renting heavy machinery has become increasingly popular in the construction and mining industries with many companies now opting to rent instead of purchase equipment. In fact, market analysts predict that the heavy equipment rental industry is set to grow by 11 percent over the next three years as construction companies …

Enhancing Safety in the Heavy Equipment Rental Industry
Renting heavy machinery has become increasingly popular in the construction and mining industries with many companies now opting to rent instead of purchase equipment. In fact, market analysts predict that the heavy equipment rental industry is set to grow by 11 percent over the next three years as construction companies …

Five Tips for Maintaining Low-Level Access Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
Even though preventive maintenance can be the single most crucial factor in keeping an equipment fleet operating in peak condition, while lowering a machine’s total cost of ownership, it is easy to have an “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. Especially in lean years, maximizing each piece of …

Your local Gomaco dealer |
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Faris Machinery |
Tri-State Truck & Equipment Inc |
Wheeler Machinery |

Getting the Most From Compact Track Loaders
Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and – thanks in part to growing attachment diversity – CTLs can be used for more applications than ever. A strategic purchase of …

Getting the Most From Compact Track Loaders
Compact track loaders are an increasingly vital part of contractors’ businesses. The sheer versatility of these machines allows them to thrive in a variety of working conditions, and – thanks in part to growing attachment diversity – CTLs can be used for more applications than ever. A strategic purchase of …

How to Maximize Bridge Repair Productivity with Hydrodemolition Attachments
For decades, road and bridge repair contractors have relied on the power and precision of hydrodemolition robots to increase efficiency for concrete removal and surface preparation applications. Traditional methods of bridge deck repair took hours of manual labor using handheld water jetting equipment or handheld pneumatic tools. By switching to …

Performance-Based Smoke Detection Reduces Cost and Enhances Safety
Today, the owners of a growing number of non-standard building designs like museums, arenas, stadiums and structures with atria or large open spaces are turning to performance-based design for substantial cost savings and enhanced safety while maintaining architectural concerns.
As an International Code Council (ICC) accepted alternative, performance-based design allows …

Towers of Tomorrow
Despite COVID-19’s tumultuous toll on urban living, there will come a day when normalcy returns to large metropolitan areas. Human beings are resilient; they will continue to work, learn, live, and play following economic downturns and unprecedented times that temporarily rid cities of normal activity. Downtowns have a future, and …

Your local Iowa Mold Tooling Co Inc dealer |
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Southwest Products Corp |

Using Technology to Solidify a Unified Team Culture in 2021
Whether it’s on the front lines of a battlefield, a supply chain or a construction site, culture is a fundamental aspect of human existence. Culture keeps us bonded to groups of people – whether it’s within the context of our families, our communities or even our workplaces – and allows …

A Good, Hard Look at Prestressed Concrete
When it comes to bridge design and construction, concrete is the material of choice. It’s easy to make, affordable, and can withstand a tremendous amount of compressive stress. However, concrete is not naturally flexible. It’s weak in tension, which can cause deflection on bridges and lead to cracks, which opens …

Elon University Puts Vacuum Excavator to Work in a Wide Range of Applications
Traditionally, vacuum excavators have been used by contractors for daylighting buried utilities, minimizing disruption to the impacted area, and leaving behind a negligible mess. Today, the benefits of soft digging – the process of using a combination of suction and high-pressure water and air to remove dirt and other materials …

Finding a Snow-Worthy Track Loader
What’s better for clearing snow, a skid steer or a compact track loader? The common perception is that a wheeled machine would fare better, and it’s often true with many track loaders. It’s why many compact track loaders are parked for the winter while their wheeled counterparts keep working. However, …

Four Strategies for Construction Companies to Rebound from COVID-19
It has been almost a year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and unfortunately, we don’t have an answer as to when life will go back to normal, or even what the “new normal” will look like. Disruptions in the hard-hit construction industry – such as supply chain shortages and …

Your local Metso Minerals Industries Inc dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |

Sustainable Construction Waste Management and LEED
There was an estimated 600 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated in the United States in 2018 alone, which is more than double the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (i.e. normal garbage). Concrete accounted for the largest portion of this C&D waste (67.5 percent), followed by asphalt …
2021 Manufacturer Forecast
After a difficult 2020, many of us are looking for things to turn around with the new year. Significant progress on a vaccine and the possibility of new funding for infrastructure projects has many in the construction industry optimistic that 2021 will put the U.S. economy back on track. We’ve …

ABC 2020 Review and 2021 Construction Economic Forecast
Despite chronic difficulties sustained by contractors and others with securing human capital in January 2020, the nation added 214,000 net new jobs. It followed that up with an even more blistering 251,000 jobs in February.
For 113 consecutive months, the nation had added jobs – an unprecedented winning streak in …
ARTBA 2021 US Transportation Construction Market Forecast
Transportation construction activity is forecast to decline 5.5 percent in 2021, as transportation authorities, state, city, county, and local governments face unprecedented revenue shortfalls, budget pressures and lower demand for travel and freight services, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) model shows. The 2021 market will reflect the …
Equipment Leasing & Finance 2021 US Economic Outlook
Equipment and software investment growth fared better than overall GDP growth in 2020 as businesses invested to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, and growth should remain well into positive territory in the beginning of 2021. Annual equipment and software investment growth of 7.8 percent is forecast for 2021. Annual U.S. …

Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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SITECH Rocky Mountain |
SITECH Southwest |
SITECH Northwest/N C Machinery |

How AGC of America is Making Sure Politicians Learn the Right Lessons from the Election
The 2020 elections appear to have delivered simultaneous rebukes to both President Trump and the liberal agenda. While he performed better than most polls predicted, as of writing, the President’s ongoing efforts to contest the election appear to have little chance of success. Yet enough down ballot elections broke Republicans’ …

McCarthy Building Companies Partners with Adaptive Construction Solutions in Support of Veterans
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announces a new partnership with Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc. (ACS) to recruit and train veterans for careers in the construction trades, addressing a national workforce shortage. Together, the two organizations will identify and enroll veterans with military occupational specialties in an apprenticeship program that can lead …

Wells Fargo 2021 Economic Outlook
The longest U.S. economic expansion since the end of the Second World War came to an abrupt end earlier this year as the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut down the economy. Following an unprecedented plunge in Q2-2020 – real GDP nosedived at an annualized rate of 31.4 percent – economic activity …
Construction Industry Companies Putting Employee Well Being at the Forefront
No one can argue that 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic have created major stressors in our personal and professional lives and have caused many of us to experience greater levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. Even before COVID-19, one in five Americans suffered from a mental health condition and …

Demolition Doctors
Like many cities with a long history, the skyline of San Diego, California, has changed significantly over the centuries. Even in the modern era, demolition and construction continue to transform California’s second-largest city. However, with growing populations and congested urban environments, demolition contractors are forced to find safer ways to …

Your local Sullair Corp dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |

High Efficiency ‘Shaped’ Wire Screens are the Way to the Future
For aggregate producers, efficient and accurate sizing of material during processing is essential to profitability. One renowned screening expert has termed plant screening stations as the "cash box" of the operation. Square opening, woven wire screen is still the media of choice in most aggregate operations. However, carryover of prime …

Unlocking the Full Potential of Construction Fleet Physical Security Integration
For construction firms with significant fleet vehicle and equipment assets needing to be protected from theft or vandalism, fully integrating the latest capabilities of physical security and access control systems can drive down costs significantly.
This “virtual” approach combines video surveillance, access control, and information technology (IT) integration to replace …

Advanced Water Treatment to Increase Efficiency and Meet Environmental Standards
More and more, concrete repair contractors are turning to robotic hydrodemolition, and the reasons why are simple. The method provides faster, safer, and more efficient removal than traditional means. Recent technological advances have also made hydrodemolition machines more versatile, compact, and durable than ever before. But, one important question still …

Avoiding Costly and Potentially Deadly Shortcuts in Netting System Selection
Construction managers, general contractors, and building owners are certainly familiar with safety netting systems and the reasons to install them, which include protecting workers and debris from falling from structures, as well as façade and ceiling containment. They also believe these passive systems create and maintain a safe work environment. …

Bomanite Cares
Humanitarian, hero, and three-time heavyweight champion of the world, Mohammed Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Revered for his accomplishments in the ring and beloved the world over for his sharp wit and big heart outside of it, Ali’s …

Your local Trail King Industries Inc dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |

HDD Training Teaches More Than Just Basic Skills
When it comes to horizontal directional drilling (HDD), simple training is not enough – it needs to be the right training. Because HDD is an art and a science, the right training, education, and experience is a critical combination in knowing the right balance between the two.
As HDD expands …

Making the Whole Person Matter
The construction worker offers much for which to be celebrated. They transform blank canvasses of earth to create spaces for work, education, or play and build structures to cross bodies of water that connect communities. Bottom line, the construction worker helps to build a country’s future.
Driving this ability is …

Mortenson Pushes the Boundaries With Large-Scale Modular Projects
The construction industry has proven to be one of the most difficult industries to revolutionize. Many aspects of constructing a building have not changed for centuries. It is becoming increasingly difficult to build in downtown urban settings where sites are tight, streets are crowded, and skilled labor is difficult to …

Tire Tales
Tires are witness to everything that goes on in a truck and are filled with information that can tell you a great deal about your fleet.
There are many reasons tires are removed from service outside of normal wear – ranging from driver- related behavior, to running the wrong type …

Don’t Get Caught in the Cold
When we think winter maintenance, we start thinking about cooling systems and antifreeze, fuel systems and fuel storage, engine oil, Hydraulic oil and systems, batteries and all the fluids, components and systems that suffer the ravages of cold and freezing temperatures. If its equipment, it needs winter maintenance. If operates …

Your local Volvo Construction Equipment dealer |
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Faris Machinery |

Living on the Cutting Edge
Mining and quarrying are deep-rooted businesses. The oldest known mine is located in Southern Africa and was active, quite appropriately, during the Stone Age – an astounding 43,000 years ago. Possibly even more incredible are the ancient mines that are still producing.
Fast forward to today, where we find an …

Pulling Augers No Longer Needed
One of the most time-consuming tasks while auger boring is pulling augers to check line and grade and adjust steering constantly,” said Walter Keyes, a 25-years auger boring veteran and Team Leader/Superintendent with S.J. Louis Companies. “Typically, on large-diameter sewer jobs, crews will pull augers every 20 feet, …

Ready to Roll
Near the Kansas City International Airport lies a well-traveled stretch of road that connects NE Cookingham Drive to I-435. A 20-mile jaunt separates the airport from downtown Kansas City, and while some drivers might make their way via the direct I-29 route, others choose the I-435 route that might take …

Technology Enables Construction Continuity
As we look ahead and try to make predictions about the future of construction, some aspects are murky. No one would have predicted the situation we found ourselves in during 2020, with a global pandemic bringing the economy to its knees, delaying construction projects nationwide, and changing the way we …

Virtual Reality Leaps Forward, Providing New Value to Stakeholders
The AEC industry has been experimenting with the use of virtual reality (VR) for well over 20 years, and the medium has successfully provided value and Return on Investment (ROI). However, for many projects, the form factor, technical requirements and user friction for delivering walkthroughs has prevented the medium from …

Your local Wirtgen America dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |
CII and AGC Bring Together a Panel of Industry Leaders for COVID-19 Webinar
The Construction Industry Institute (CII) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) recently held a webinar called “Roundtable on Perspectives and Best Practices in Owner-Contractor Collaboration During COVID-19” to provide updates on a variety of industry topics concerning the virus. The panel for the webinar featured two CII owners, …

Hilti Exoskeleton Improves Performance and Safety
In construction there’s always a couple of major concerns on the jobsite – performance and safety. Strangely, as performance slips so does the on-the-job safety factor.
Any job function that requires a construction worker to keep their arms raised up and over their head is where this risk is a …

Leadership Through Extreme Circumstances
When Robert “Bob” Lanham, Jr., P.E., started his tenure as 2020 President of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), he set three main goals: expand member engagement, increase federal investment in construction, and reduce and reform federal regulations on construction and development.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. …

Point and Measure
Traditionally, moisture tests require laborious effort and are slow to return results from the laboratory. The risk of damage increases during transit of the materials potentially altering or destroying the entire sample, making this option much less practical for construction sites. Industry innovators have developed a simplified approach with testing …

Restoring the Interstate Highway System
At 64 years old, an age at which many Americans are approaching Medicare eligibility and reduced workloads, the Interstate Highway System is deteriorating, its traffic load of cars and trucks continues to increase, and the system lacks an adequate long-term care plan.
The Interstate Highway System remains the workhorse of …

Your local Atlas Copco CMT USA dealer |
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Wheeler Machinery |

Ten Equipment Trailer Maintenance Tips
Heavy-haul trailers trek thousands of miles during their service lives and encounter many challenges – from rocks and ruts to bumps and jolts, no trailer gets out unscathed. To get the most from trailers, here are some tips to prevent costly damage and keep your trailers in top shape.

Accelerator for America Introduces New Partnership on Infrastructure Playbook
Accelerator for America recently hosted a webinar with some of the country’s most determined mayors to discuss the organization’s New Partnership on Infrastructure (NPI) initiative.
Founded by CEO Rick Jacobs, Accelerator for America is an organization led by an advisory council of mayors and other local leaders from across …

Construction Business as Project Business: Project Business Automation
All project businesses essentially operate the same way. Whether you are in the construction, engineering or architecture industry, the overarching commonality is that your company delivers goods and services to your customers through projects, making your company a project business.
Only by recognizing your company as a project business are …

Fluid Bridge Repair
Infrastructure repair is a hot topic today, and rightfully so. From potholes to deteriorating bridges, keeping up with repairs – and finding the money to do so – is a constant struggle. In an effort to complete jobs faster and win more bids, contractors are always looking for ways to …

Modular Design Trends, Challenges, and Increased Construction Liability Risks
Once again, the U.S. economy has hit a crossroads. Even before the current COVID-19 outbreak, the predictions for the coming year were mixed at best.
On the one side, the Association of Equipment Managers (AEM) said that “Steady and solid growth is likely to continue for the construction sector. As …

Your local Case Construction Equipment Inc dealer |
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Century Equipment |

Preventative Maintenance Creates Longevity for Drills
It’s a common situation: Your equipment isn’t working as effectively as it was the day it came off the manufacturing line. With most tools and machines, regular maintenance and replacement of worn-out parts can be the key to restoring it back to maximum power. Earth drills are no exception. Knowing …

The Complex Made Simple
The history of the construction excavator goes back quite some time. The very first excavator is said to have been built in 1882 by Sir W. G. Armstrong & Company in England, where it was used in the construction of Port of Hull docks. Unlike today's excavators that use hydraulic …

The Importance of Safely Purchasing, Handling and Storing API Certified DEF
As restrictions are being lifted across most states in the country and with warm weather upon us, it is important for truck drivers to consider proper management of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) used in most diesel-powered trucks.
DEF is made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water …

We Only Get to the Stars by Starting from the Ground
Given the excitement with SpaceX and NASA’s recent historic manned launch, many people are looking to the stars. To many, space means rockets and satellites. However, every major component of these missions are built, designed, tested, launched, and controlled in one or more ground-based facilities. And every one of those …

Cloud-Based Employee Time Tracking
There is no doubt that technology has increased project management efficiency and safety in the construction industry. Case in point: construction worker illnesses and injuries went from 10.9 incidents (in 1972) to 2.8 incidents (in 2017) per 100 people, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, there are …

Your local Deere & Co dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |

Going the Distance
The hardest part of a project for most contractors is the bid. Balancing customer specs with overhead costs to produce a number both sides are comfortable with takes skill and a deep understanding of an operation’s capabilities. Partnering with industry-leading OEMs to provide efficiency-optimizing equipment can give contractors an edge …

How Technology is Advancing One of the Most Dangerous Jobs in America
Construction was recently listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America by CNBC. So when it comes to day-to-day operations, what can construction managers do to ensure workers receive the information they need to produce quality work and stay safe on the job? One company, MindForge, is …

RP Develops Square Sided Water Tank
Creative thinking and the willingness to take a new approach is often what sets innovators apart from their peers. These qualities are also the fuel that propels industry forward. Construction is one of the oldest industries, but thanks to continuous advancements in technology, techniques and materials, today’s structures have come …

Steering Through Sandy Soils
The economy in Garden City, Kansas, is strong with the recent opening of a Dairy Farmers of America plant. Approximately 4 million pounds of milk from regional farmers make its way to the dairy plant each day, which has led to expansion for many other companies throughout the area. To …

Why Productivity in Construction is Flatlining
Let’s face facts, the construction industry does not do well when it comes to completing projects on time and within budget. Approximately 98 percent of megaprojects suffer cost overruns of more than 30 percent and 77 percent are at least 40 percent late, according to a McKinsey & Company report. …

Your local Deere & Co dealer |
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Honnen Equipment |
Construction Employment Rises by 16,000 in March and 246,000 for the Year
ARLINGTON, VA — Construction employment increased by 16,000 jobs in March and by 246,000 jobs, or 3.4 percent, over the past year, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials called on federal officials to double funding for career and …

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Announces Philipps as New President
SILVER SPRING, MD — The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) announces that its Board of Directors has selected Michael Philipps to serve as President. Philipps comes to NRMCA with more than 30 years of experience in the concrete products and construction industry, most recently as Vice President of Business …