A message from the CEO
Dear Valued Customer:
I hope your year is going well. As you move further into the busy construction season, it can be easy to focus on production and lose sight of maintaining your machines. Don’t let that happen.
Your newer Komatsu machines are covered for scheduled services for 2,000 hours or three years with Komatsu Care. Our skilled technicians will perform the services on-site, at your convenience. We can also service your older machines and nearly all of your non-Komatsu products. Reach out to your local service department, product support representative, territory manager or branch to learn more about the service plans that we offer and to schedule a service.
One way you can ensure you are keeping up with scheduled services is by utilizing your My Komatsu account. Komatsu’s digital hub lets you monitor your entire fleet — even non-Komatsu machinery that is registered in My Komatsu — from the convenience of your office, home or other locations. Read more about this efficient fleet management system inside this issue. If you don’t have a My Komatsu account, contact us for information about setting one up.
This issue also highlights the many industries that Komatsu serves. Check out the valuable articles on equipment for forestry, demolition and construction. Do you need to log on steep and soft ground? The 951XC is a good choice. Do you want to efficiently do more high-reach demolition? The PC490HRD-11 with a K100 boom change system lets you do boom changes quickly from the cab and reach up to 105 feet. Do you want a productive fleet of construction machinery? Komatsu showcased several great machines during its recent Demo Days event, including the highly efficient HB365LC-3 hybrid excavator.
If you’re looking for parts, consider Komatsu Reman. Its parts and components deliver like-new performance with a great warranty, provide significant cost savings and contribute to sustainability. That’s a win-win-win.
As always, if there is anything we can do for you, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Road Machinery & Supplies Co.
Mike Sill II, CEO
Mike Sill II
A Salute to a Customer pg. 4, 8
Read about RMS' featured customers: Crow River
Construction and Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete LLC.
Under Construction pg. 10
Find out what's in store for RMS' Sioux City, Iowa, location.
Improved Fleet Management pg. 13
Discover more about My Komatsu.
Customer Appreciation pg. 15
Catch a glimpse of the annual RMS Rentals Open House.
Hands-On Happening pg. 16
Explore Komatsu's Demo Days.
Emissions-Free Compaction pg. 19
Check out BOMAG's BW 100 AD e-5 electric tandem roller.
Demolition News pg. 21
Delve into the NDA's annual showcase.
Reaching Higher pg. 25
Look at Komatsu's new PC490HRD-11 high-reach demolition excavator.
On Track pg. 27
Learn about Komatsu's partnership with Williams Racing.
Life Cycle Solutions pg. 29
Choose remanufactured parts.
News and Notes pg. 31
Stay up to date on RMS' news.
Industry Insight pg. 32
Understand the importance of 811.
Corporate
Mike Sill II, CEO
Russell Sheaffer, President
Troy Johnson, CFO
Joe Schmidtlein, VP, Sales
Lance Arnett, VP, Product Support
Jon Anderson, VP, Northern Operations
Ben Schmidtlein, VP, Aggregate
Abby Sill, Director of Marketing and Technology
Jeff Boraas, Director of Finance
Dan Erstad, General Parts Manager
Matt Tapper, General Service Manager
Scott Kropiwka, Used Equipment Manager
TJ Burns, General Manager, Rentals
Justina Soller, Rental Manager
Tom Burrows, PSSR Sales Manager
Pete Anderson, Safety, Procurement & Facilities Manager
Savage
Trent Rezabek, Sales Manager
Adam Wiebusch, Service Manager
Colton Malt, Parts Manager
Duluth
Jeff Little, Service Manager
Virginia
Brad Carlson, Sales Manager
Tim Strom, Service Operations Manager
Drew Guddeck, Service Manager
Marjia Jorgenson, Parts Manager
Rochester
Josh Cummings, Service Manager
Negaunee
Kyle Taisto, Service Manager
John Fair, Parts Manager
Des Moines
Luther Braun, Sales Manager
Steve Grell, Service Manager
Sioux City
Cody Cahoon, Service Manager
Michele Meyermann, Parts Manager
Cedar Rapids
Dan Snyder, Service Manager
L.J. Schneekloth, Regional Parts Manager
East Moline
Ty Gainey, Service Manager
Crow River Construction
Aggressive mindset leads to quick growth for New London, Minn., outfit
In the early stages of a new company, some owners adopt a measured approach — taking jobs they are confident they can handle and growing into larger projects over time.
Not Kraig Hanson.
He started Crow River Construction in 2013. Hanson sold his house, bought a building for his equipment, and the family moved into his camper.
Hanson found the local projects around New London, Minn., to be extremely competitive for a new outfit, so he got his bonding and insurance qualifications in line and started bidding projects. The first one was $200,000.
The second one? A $2.3 million portion of a $12 million project.
“It was a pretty big jump,” laughed Hanson. “Those first six months were aggressive. On top
of it, our crew was kind of thrown together. We only had a handful of employees that first year. We were taking on people we knew — relatives, friends, anyone who was interested. The second season we were up to 14 people and did $6 million in projects.”
Extreme growth and a crew with limited experience is not usually a recipe for success. However, the commitment from those involved trumped any of those would-be hurdles.
“We were all invested in the success,” said Hanson. “It was a complete buy-in from the crews. We worked 26 hours straight one time on a water main repair. We were learning on the job, but we wanted it to be done well and done right. The prime contractors recognized this and kept giving us more work. Our main focus was reconstruction projects, but they had us bid an $800,000 dirt project even though we only had pipe experience. They had confidence in us, and we got it done.”
Those early days set the foundation for how Crow River operates today.
“Had we made excuses or backed away from a challenge in those first two years, we wouldn’t be here,” said Hanson. “No one on those early crews had underground experience, but it was probably the best thing for us. There were no bad habits to break. We learned and grew as a group. We were a family.”
Growth has continued steadily. In 2015, Crow River added office personnel and Vice President Devon Lien came on board along with a full-time estimator.
“Once we got through the second year, we made some changes that really helped us stabilize as a company,” said Hanson. “Since then, it’s been steady growth each year.”
Twelve years later, Crow River has around 60 employees and completes projects in a
A Crow River Construction operator uses a Komatsu PC360LC-11 to dig a trench on a sewer reconstruction project.
Kraig Hanson, Owner
Devon Lien, Vice President
Crow River Construction uses its new Komatsu PC490LCi-11 Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) excavator and its D51PXi-24 IMC dozer for the first time on a utility reconstruction project.
five-state area, focusing on sewer and water reconstruction projects.
Accidental diversification
Crow River’s second major growth spurt started in 2019, but it wasn’t intentional. Hanson and his family’s home was right next to the shop. They decided they needed some space, so they bought a new home with an acreage. Then, fate intervened.
“My wife wanted a garden, so I took an excavator and was digging,” Hanson recalled. “Once I took the top layer of soil off, it was nothing but rock. Then, my curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to find out just how much rock there was.”
All of the sudden, the garden project was on hold, and Crow River was on the verge of diversification.
“By the fall of 2020, I had 30,000 tons of rock sitting in my front yard — and no garden,” quipped Hanson. “I only had a permit to keep the rock in my yard for two years. I called a local ready-mix plant, but they weren’t interested in it at the time. I didn’t ever want to start an aggregate division, but I had the material.”
In true Crow River fashion, the company made it work — and fast.
“We had an employee who had ready-mix experience, and he put a list of everything we’d need to be successful,” said Hanson. “About a week later, he got me a list. Two weeks later, we bought a piece of property. In December, we bought six trucks. The construction crew stripped them down to the frames and made them into ready-mix trucks. We got a plant on April 10, and we were pouring concrete on April 26.”
His wife’s would-be garden sparked a diversification that resulted in Crow River adding two new divisions and a 160-acre aggregate pit. Today, Crow River has five dedicated divisions: Underground Utilities and Excavation, Ready-Mix, Aggregate Production, Metal Fabrication, and Calcium Chloride.
Continued . . .
Watch the video about the PC490LCi-11
Watch the video about the D51PXi-24
As for the garden?
“We started another one, but it’s only about three-quarters of the way done,” laughed Hanson. RMS partners in growth
At each opportunity for growth, Crow River required equipment. Road Machinery & Supplies Co. was there to help.
In 2013, Crow River needed a larger excavator to complete the $2.3 million project. RMS provided the company with a Komatsu PC490LC excavator through a rental purchase option (RPO).
When Hanson needed to process the rock in his garden, he again turned to RMS for an Astec GT205S screen plant.
“When I need something, the first thing I type into my phone is RMS, and there’s usually someone’s name after it that can help me,” said Hanson.
“They were there for us from the start. RMS is always looking for solutions for us, and we appreciate that and trust them.”
The relationship has resulted in several Komatsu construction pieces and Astec crushers, screens and wash plants in the Crow River equipment fleet. When Crow River was ready to integrate technologically advanced pieces into its fleet, it again turned to RMS for Komatsu’s Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) equipment. The first IMC purchase was a D39PXi dozer in 2018. The company recently purchased a PC490LCi-11 IMC excavator and two D51PXi-24 IMC dozers.
“[RMS Territory Manager] Mike Buchanan and [RMS Technology Solutions Expert] Chris Potter have been great,” said Hanson. “They went to a job site in North Dakota this spring to train our crews and did a quick demo to get them started. It’s new to us, so that was very helpful that they came all that way to make sure we were able to get the most out of it.”
Lien commented, “The D39PXi purchase was something we needed to make because of our project list. We wanted to add excavators, but we weren’t sure it made sense. Mike met with us and showed us where we could recoup the cost. After that, it made a lot more sense to get the PC490LCi.”
“Having GPS technology in the dozers made it easier to add the intelligent excavator,” added Hanson. “Our crews understand it. They want it. It’s been great.”
Hanson said that through it all, RMS has been a great partner.
“Our crews all have Mike’s and Chris’ numbers,” stated Hanson. “Our mechanics are in touch with their service teams. The open communication is great. We see RMS as an extension of our business. They are invested in us like they are our employees.”
Continued growth
Hanson doesn’t have a plan for specific, large-scale growth in the immediate future. If the company’s history is any indication, he won’t turn away from any opportunity
“Right now, we are focused on steady growth through all of our divisions,” declared Hanson. “We never have been too concerned with growing just to grow, but if an opportunity comes up, we’ll definitely take a look at it.”
*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.
Crow River Construction’s aggregate pit near its New London, Minn., location is stocked with several Astec pieces like this 7203LPPM portable screen plant.
Backfiller Dylan Thrush operates a Komatsu D51PXi-24 IMC dozer. Thrush commented, “The D51PXi dozer is nice. It’s smooth, and the GPS is easy to run. The GPS is 10 times faster than getting out and checking grade constantly.”
Maximize productivity on your job sites with advanced automation technology. Komatsu’s Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) can help you get the most from your machines, crew and carefully designed plans.
•Get new operators up to speed quickly
• Go from mass excavating to finished grading faster than ever
•Helps eliminate potential damage to design surface
• Empower operators to work efficiently, pass after pass
A Salute to a Customer
Total package
Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete LLC adds new GOMACO GP3 to fleet with confidence
Last fall, Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete LLC Owner Chad Demmer made the decision to add a new GOMACO GP3 slipform paver to his fleet. Buying the machine was the simple part. What followed in the months before its delivery that spring ensured his company was ready to maximize performance.
“This would be the first GP3 in our fleet, so we knew we would need training on it,” said Demmer. “That winter, we sent five people to GOMACO University for training, so they’d be able to apply what they learned when they got on-site.”
In addition to training, Demmer and his team took a tour of GOMACO’s Ida Grove, Iowa, factory to see the machine in production and meet with GOMACO’s leadership team.
“It was really nice to go there and talk to the people at GOMACO about the machine and see the process of assembly,” said Demmer. “It was a good experience for everybody.”
When GOMACO delivered the GP3 in late April, Eastern Iowa teamed up with GOMACO and Road Machinery & Supplies Co. for the final touches before putting the paver into action. Its first job would be a 20-by-9,400-foot pour with a roundabout for the Tower Terrace Road project in Marion, Iowa.
“We had the machine delivered already set up for its first job, but there’s still work that goes into getting it ready,” said Demmer. “It was a new machine to us, and GOMACO and RMS had techs there to help us get it set up, provide some final training, and help with any adjustments that needed to be made.”
Demmer added, “It was great to have a competent team around us. Once we started pouring, it went really well.”
Through the whole process, Demmer and his Eastern Iowa team were in contact with GOMACO and RMS to make sure that they were in the best position to succeed on the project.
“RMS has always been great to us,” said Demmer. “If we have questions or need anything, they have someone who can come out and help us. That’s what you need when you’re on a job site — you need someone who’s going to be there to help you.”
Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete is able to maximize the performance of its new GOMACO GP3 slipform paver thanks to the education, training and factory tour provided by GOMACO and RMS.
Watch the video
Chad Demmer, Owner
Wacker
Wacker Neuson is
Compaction - rammers, plates and rollers.
Compaction - rammers, plates and rollers.
Concrete Technology - vibrators and screeds.
Concrete Technology - vibrators and screeds.
Worksite Technology - pumps, generators, light towers, and heaters.
Worksite Technology - pumps, generators, light towers, and heaters.
Wacker Neuson equipment - helping contractors get the job done right.
Wacker
www.wackerneuson.com
www.wackerneuson.com
rmsrentals.com
HQ: Savage, MN (952) 895-9595 (800) 888-9515
Duluth, MN (218) 727-8611 (800) 888-9535
Virginia, MN (218) 741-9011 (800) 752-4304
Savage, MN (952) 895-7033 (800) 888-9515 Rochester, MN (507) 701-0199
Cedar Rapids, IA (319) 363-9655 (800) 616-6615
East Moline, IL (309) 755-7203 (800) 633-9114
Des Moines, IA (515) 282-0404 (800) 555-1445
Negaunee, MI (906) 475-6488
Sioux City, IA (712) 252-0538 (800) 633-9104
Breaking ground
RMS officially breaks ground at new Sioux City location
Road Machinery & Supplies Co. held an official groundbreaking ceremony for its new Sioux City, Iowa, location on Wednesday, May 15.
The new 12,000-square-foot facility will replace the current branch, which was built in 1950.
The event was attended by RMS employees, the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Bob Scott, local news, and other key partners involved with the project.
“This facility is going to be a substantial upgrade from what we have had in the past,” said RMS CEO Mike Sill II. “Sioux City is an important
market for RMS. It is the gateway to western Iowa, and we represent a number of brands in Nebraska and South Dakota that we can service out of this location. Our ability to take care of those customers will be significantly enhanced.”
The branch is located on the southern end of Sioux City between the Sioux Gateway Airport and Interstate 29 — a major north-south artery that follows the border of Nebraska and Iowa and continues into the Dakotas.
The facility will have three drive-through bays with high ceilings, overhead cranes, a wash bay, a parts warehouse, a large equipment yard, and offices for employees. The layout and design will mirror those of the new buildings in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Byron, Minn. This will be the fifth facility RMS has opened since 2017 and fourth new build since 2020.
“The site is spectacularly located,” said Sill. “The building is 12,000 square feet. It has tall ceilings and good crane capacity that will allow us to do complete machine rebuilds and work on the vast majority of equipment that we sell and support.”
Construction began at the location earlier this year and the branch is expected to be open in the fall of 2024.
Road Machinery & Supplies Co. and other key partners in the new Sioux City, Iowa, branch project throw the ceremonial first shovels of dirt at the official groundbreaking ceremony.
Watch the video
The new 12,000-square-foot facility will have three drive-through bays with high ceilings, overhead cranes, a wash bay, a parts warehouse, a large equipment yard, and offices for employees.
ROCK TO ROAD
Guided by a Customer-Centric Approach
Our new RP-195 and RP-175 highway class pavers are redesigned with you in mind. Modern, adjustable controls are right at your fingertips, providing optimum visibility. These new pavers are quieter, cooler and feature simpler maintenance, yet they maintain the same exceptional mat quality you expect from Astec. Keep things running smoothly with the new RP-195 and RP-175 track pavers. Sold and Supported by
See the new RP-195 asphalt paver.
Mixed fleet? No problem.
My Komatsu gives you the ability to manage it in one convenient location
Do you want an easy way to track telematics data from your mixed fleet? My Komatsu, Komatsu’s comprehensive digital hub, gives you an efficient way to monitor all of your assets in one complimentary fleet management tool that gives users machine-specific views for utilization and health and production information without the need for multiple user IDs and passwords.
With ISO 15143-3 API integration, My Komatsu can pull data from Komtrax and ISO API 15143-3 (AEMP 2.0) information from other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), using the ISO feed to import numerous key data points defined by the Association of Equipment Management Professionals. You can quickly view and manage information on one dashboard, receive alerts and order parts, troubleshoot to help minimize downtime, monitor machine location, benchmark performance, track fuel consumption, and manage fuel efficiency.
“It’s a huge benefit in time and cost savings that you can monitor an entire fleet on a single platform, regardless of OEM,” said Tommy Hergenreder, North American Manager, Digital Product, Komatsu. “Another is that Komatsu
doesn’t charge for connecting other APIs, which some OEMs do. Currently, there is a long list of other manufacturers that you can get API credentials for, and it’s growing all the time.”
The first step to adding non-Komatsu machines is obtaining API credentials from your OEM representative. Once you have those, log into your My Komatsu account and follow these steps:
• Click on the My Fleet page
• Navigate to the Other OEM Configuration screen and click the +Add OEM Configuration button
• Enter your credential information
• Test the connection
• Save your API (a green confirmation text box will indicate that you saved successfully)
“One API credential from the OEM covers all of the manufacturers’ machines that you may have and want to input into your My Fleet page on My Komatsu,” said Andrew Casey, Digital Solutions Analyst, Komatsu. “This is a very cost-effective, convenient solution to managing a mixed fleet without any additional cost to implement My Komatsu.”
My Komatsu lets you access telematics data from non-Komatsu OEMs with an ISO 15143-3 API integration. You can import numerous key data points and quickly view and manage your mixed fleet on one dashboard.
Tommy Hergenreder, North American Manager, Digital Product, Komatsu
Andrew Casey, Digital Solutions Analyst, Komatsu
The whole range
For everything a driller needs, rely on Road Machinery & Supplies Co. and Epiroc. Rigs l Hammers l Service l ⎜Parts United. Inspired.
HQ: Savage, MN (952)895-9595
Duluth, MN (218)727-8611
Rochester, MN (507)701-0199
Virginia, MN (218)741-9011
Cedar Rapids, IA (319)363-9655
Des Moines, IA (515)282-0404
Sioux City, IA (712)252-0538
East Moline, IL (309) 755-7203
Negaunee, MI (906)475-6488
Customer Appreciation
Open for fun
RMS Rentals hosts annual open house
RMS Rentals hosted its annual open house on Thursday, April 25, at its Savage, Minn., location. Nearly 200 customers, vendors and employees came out for the event. This year, the open house featured 15 vendors, RMS Hydraulic Solutions, and a booth set up to showcase RMS’ technology solutions and recruiting.
The annual event is a great opportunity for RMS Rentals staff and customers to get a chance to connect in a setting different from the job site and build stronger relationships.
“Everyone appreciates a low-pressure environment where there’s no obligation,” said TJ Burns, General Manager, Rentals. “They can come in, have a good meal, enter some drawings and interface with people from RMS they may see every day but in a more casual environment.”
Attendees received a welcome bag, and lunch was catered by three local food trucks — The Purple People Feeder, Turbo Taco and Pretty Great Cheesecake. The day was capped by a live
Potain Hup M 28-22 tower crane demonstration by RMS Rentals Crane Specialist Scott Solberg.
“We wanted to demonstrate how easy the Hup M was to set up and take down,” said Solberg. “In 30 to 40 minutes, we can have it set up and ready to work. It’s a great machine to get on a job site. People think cranes are only suited for large commercial roofing jobs, but there is a lot of opportunity in smaller markets like single family or townhome construction. We felt this would be a great opportunity to showcase that.”
In total, 15 manufacturers were featured during the open house. Potain, Husqvarna, BOMAG, LeeBoy, Haugen Attachments, Multiquip, Gar-Bro, MBW, Cratos, Allen Engineering, Wacker Neuson, Bring Fuel, Allmand, JLG and Komatsu each had equipment on display.
“Overall, this event was a success for us,” said Burns. “We were able to generate some equipment sales and set up a number of rentals as a direct result of the open house.”
Crane Specialist Scott Solberg demonstrates how quickly and easily a Potain Hup M 28-22 tower crane can be set up for attendees at the annual RMS Rentals Open House in Savage, Minn.
Watch the video
Demo Days
Customers learn how Komatsu equipment, solutions can help improve efficiencies, performance during event in
Georgia
Learning about what equipment can do provides valuable insights into how it can help your operations. The ability to experience a machine for yourself from the operator’s seat takes it to another level. Komatsu gave attendees opportunities to do both during its recent Demo Days event at its Cartersville Customer Center in Georgia.
More than 30 products were available for customers to see up close and operate, ranging from compact excavators to large construction, demolition, forestry and mining machines. Representatives from Komatsu and Komatsu affiliates Montabert, Lehnhoff and Hensley Industries provided insight on how to effectively implement the equipment and attachments into attendees’ operations.
Komatsu Smart Construction and Smart Quarry representatives had display areas set up to provide information on solutions available for job site management such as Smart Construction Remote, Office, Field and Drone, as well as Smart Quarry Site and Smart Quarry Study. My Komatsu representatives provided information about Komatsu’s central hub for fleet management.
“What we’re hoping our customers take away is our dedication to them and their business,” said Andrew Earing, Director of Operator and Technical Training at Komatsu’s Cartersville Customer Center.
“We have more than 100 Komatsu employees here, ranging from service engineers to product
management, to answer questions and listen to customers in an effort to learn more about their needs and how Komatsu can help them improve their job site efficiencies.”
Mix of equipment
Each day began with informative presentations about equipment, Smart Construction solutions and Smart Quarry solutions that Komatsu offers to increase productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Hands-on operation followed, letting customers operate a mix of standard and Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) equipment in working environments on the 38-acre site.
“It’s neat to see all the yellow iron together, from motor graders to dozers to excavators, loaders and the intelligent machines,” said Eli McDonald, Equipment Coordinator for Reece Albert Inc. and CSA Materials Inc. in San Angelo, Texas. “It’s rare to see this many assets in one spot. I hope to take away the knowledge to go back and reassess our fleet and improve our operations.”
IMC 2.0 dozers ranging from the D39EXi-24 to the D71PXi-24 and IMC 2.0 excavators ranging from the PC210LCi-11 to the PC490LCi-11 — all of which are equipped with factory-integrated GPS machine control — were highly popular during the event. Customers could also operate a PC138USLC-11 with 3D Machine Guidance, a Smart Construction solution that brings 3D to most conventional excavators and gives operators in the field and managers in the office access to 3D design and topography data that helps drive accuracy.
“Our big excavators are 90% Komatsu, including IMC machines, and we also have IMC dozers,” said Dan Earley, Co-owner of LEi in Rapid City, S.D., noting that his company also uses Komatsu’s Smart Construction Office and Dashboard. “It makes my operators way more efficient. There’s so much data in there we can collect and see where production is on a daily basis. Now, with Office and Dashboard, we can see in real time what was done that day. Did we
Andrew Earing, Director of Operator and Technical Training, Komatsu
Eli McDonald, Equipment Coordinator, Reece Albert Inc. and CSA Materials Inc.
Dan Earley, Co-owner, LEi
(L-R) Road Machinery & Supplies Co. Territory Manager Phil Major checks out the equipment on display at Demo Days with Veit & Company’s Paul Salzl and U.S. SiteWork’s Rory Paggen.
get enough moved? The information is invaluable. I appreciate coming down here and getting to run what we want. I hope to keep coming back. This is a great event.”
Hybrid highlight
Komatsu also featured its HB365LC-3 hybrid excavator that delivers eco-conscious performance as energy is captured during swing and stored in the ultracapacitor. When swinging, all available hydraulic power is sent to the boom, arm and bucket for improved cycle time, reduced fuel consumption and increased production.
“It seemed like it was stronger on the swing and something that I think we would really like in our company,” said Troy Henderson, Part Owner of KTA Construction in San Diego. “Being in California with the emissions that we have to deal with, the hybrid is a great choice to improve our fleet and reduce emissions.”
Harry Olsen, Chief Operating Officer and Co-owner of Hugo Tree, a company that does land clearing, sitework and demolition in Hugo, Minn., commented, “With the hybrid specifically, I really like that the fuel consumption has dropped down. I think one of the things Komatsu’s always done really well is made a very efficient, smooth machine, and I think the hybrid is the next evolution. We do a lot of stacking and material handling, so being able to have that very finite swing is nice. It’s efficient.”
Learning opportunity
Additionally, there were demonstrations of Komatsu’s new PC490HRD-11 high-reach demolition excavator equipped with a K100 boom change system that allows for hands-free boom changes from the cab of the machine, as well as a soon-to-be-available Komatsu PC360LC-11 straight boom demolition machine. Attendees could also check out
demonstrations of Komatsu’s Smart Construction Drone and Komatsu’s RF-5 reclaim feeder.
“One of things we are proud of here is we let customers get in the equipment, touch the quality, feel the performance and get the full experience of our product, but Demo Days is about more than that,” stated Earing. “It’s an opportunity for both us and our customers to learn more about each other. It’s a great platform and venue to connect with our customers and truly understand their needs.”
*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.
Customers test out various machines during Demo Days at Komatsu’s 38-acre demonstration site in Cartersville, Ga.
Troy Henderson, Part Owner, KTA Construction
Harry Olsen, COO/Co-owner, Hugo Tree
(L-R) Mortenson’s David Trobeck and J.R. Ferche Inc.’s Jason Ferche and Tamara O’Hara explore Demo Days with RMS Territory Manager Phil Major.
Harry Olsen with Hugo Tree (left) and Vince Kasper with RMS test out some excavators at Demo Days.
RMS’ Joe Moran (left) and Rice Lake Contracting’s Dennis Muggli enjoy Demo Days.
BOMAG BW 100 AD e-5
New electric tandem roller brings powerful, emissions-free compaction to the light roller market
BOMAG has introduced sustainable, low-noise and zero-emission compaction to the 2.5-ton-class market with its new BW 100 AD e-5 electric tandem roller. With a 39.4-inch rolling width, the machine makes short work of parking lot, driveway, asphalt repair, and soil compaction work. Plus, due to its quiet operation, the roller is perfect for compacting in noise-sensitive areas.
The BW 100 AD e-5 features a low-voltage, 48-volt system with long-lasting 25-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion batteries. The system requires no special safety precautions for maintenance, and the batteries offer plenty of capacity for a typical day’s work before recharging. With its recuperative system, valuable energy is recovered during braking, converting mechanical energy back into electrical. The roller has a flexible plug and charging options to meet customers’ needs.
The new tandem roller’s efficient e-PERFORMANCE system is equipped with two electric motors: one dedicated to travel and the other for steering and vibration. A 26.8-horsepower electric motor propels the front and rear driven drums at working speeds of up to 3.1 miles per hour and travel speeds reaching 6.2 miles per hour. When traveling, the roller only uses one motor to conserve energy. The roller’s unique ECO function helps to further save battery power.
Affording excellent visibility to the drum and drum edge, the roller’s isolated platform reduces vibration feedback to the operator to improve comfort throughout the shift. With no warmup necessary, the roller is ready for work at the push of the ignition button, and its uncomplicated design allows operators of all experience levels to quickly pick up roller control. A digital 5-inch color display gives operators a quick glance of critical operating parameters, including speed, energy output, asphalt temperature, compaction progress, operating hours, battery charging capacity, duration, and power. BOMAG TELEMATIC allows
fleet managers to monitor roller location and operating data from anywhere at any time.
Individual vibration control
Similar to the diesel-powered BW 100 AD-5, the electric BW 100 AD e-5 allows for individual vibration control to both drums, and vibration actuation is conveniently controlled through the soft-response travel lever.
Tailoring compaction output to the job, the roller offers two vibration frequencies of 3,900 and 3,360 vibrations per minute with a single amplitude of 0.20 inches, generating 7,194 and 5,395 pounds of centrifugal force. Its intelligent vibration control (IVC) helps operators know when compaction has been optimized to save on passes. Featuring a pressurized water spray system with a 54.2-gallon tank, the scraper bars are wind-protected to ensure uniform drum coverage in adverse weather. Two scraper bars on each drum help prevent material pickup in both travel directions.
BOMAG’s BW 100 AD e-5 electric tandem roller delivers excellent compaction with zero emissions and low noise in the 2.5-ton class. It features a low-voltage system with long-lasting lithium-ion batteries and a recuperative system that recovers energy during braking and converts the mechanical energy back into electrical.
Model
ROCK TO ROAD
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National Demolition Association
Annual NDA showcase gives attendees the opportunity to see the latest demolition technology, operate equipment
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the National Demolition Association’s (NDA) annual demolition show at San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center featured a wide range of products and innovative technology. With more than 1,400 industry professionals in attendance, manufacturers such as Komatsu introduced new machines, and during the outdoor demonstration day, attendees could put machines through their paces.
After years of success in Europe, Komatsu introduced its PC490HRD-11 high-reach demolition excavator to the North American market at the event. The PC490HRD-11 has an extended reach of up to 105 feet and features a K100 boom change system that allows the operator to quickly change the configuration
conveniently, from within the cab and without manually disconnecting either the hydraulic or electrical lines.
“We think that the PC490 high-reach excavator with the K100 system can be an excellent machine for a variety of applications; it’s capable of doing most demolition work that comes along,” said Simon Saunders, Product Marketing Manager for Working Gear Machines and Special Products, Komatsu. “We had a couple of demonstrations with it in North America before the show, and the feedback from users was that it was very impressive. The customers who tried it, and those who have used it in Europe, have called it a game-changer.”
Continued
The Komatsu PC360LC-11 with a straight boom is part of a lineup of new demolition-focused excavators that will be available in the near future.
Simon Saunders, Product Marketing Manager, Komatsu
Matt Buerstetta, Product Manager, Komatsu
Scott Ruderman, Product Marketing Manager, Komatsu
Watch the video
Komatsu also showcased a PC360LC-11 with a straight boom, part of a lineup of new demolition-focused excavators that will be available in the near future. Those excavators will feature more reach than most standard excavators and have added guarding on the front and top windows and around the revolving frame. The machine has programmable flow and pressure control in the monitor for up to 15 attachments, and the excavators come with factory-installed plus-two hydraulic attachment piping.
At the event, the PC360LC-11 was equipped with a Lehnhoff (a Komatsu-owned company) SQ80V fully automatic symmetric quick coupler that allowed the user to quickly switch among several Montabert (also a Komatsu-owned company) hydraulic demolition attachments without leaving the cab.
All attachments are distributed by the Komatsu Attachments Group.
Customer feedback
Attendee Rodney Loftis, President of Rodney Loftis & Son Contracting, currently runs more than a dozen Komatsu machines and was excited to test out the PC360LC-11.
“I have been looking forward to this machine coming to North America for a long time,” said Loftis, who has seen similar machines running in Europe on social media. “The extra reach will give us the capability to take down taller buildings. Having almost 10 feet of extra reach over our standard PC360 is going to mean a lot.”
Neil Edwards, the owner of RENDCO Inc., currently uses several Komatsu excavators in
his operations and came to the show to see how he could expand his business.
“I want to see the new technology and gain knowledge about what’s out there in the field now with demolition attachments,” said Edwards. “I attended some education sessions. It’s a great event.”
Committed to the industry
According to Komatsu personnel, the annual demolition show is a very unique event.
“There are not many like this where attendees can see and operate a wide variety of equipment and attachments and compare them at the same time,” said Matt Buerstetta, North American Product Manager for Demolition Machines, Komatsu. “NDA was a great success for us. It really gave us an opportunity to demonstrate that Komatsu is committed to the demolition industry.”
Komatsu Product Marketing Manager Scott Ruderman said Komatsu is already looking ahead to next year’s show, which is scheduled to be held in New Orleans on March 5-8, 2025.
“Komatsu is focused on the demolition industry, and we have a wide range of products to help facilitate customers’ success in going after jobs and being competitive in the industry,” Ruderman emphasized. “You need the right tools and the right machine for the application, and Komatsu’s here with machines that can fit your needs. The NDA live demo event is a perfect opportunity to showcase machine and attachment performance in close to real industry applications, giving customers the opportunity to crush concrete, pick rebar and shear I-beams.”
Rodney Loftis, President, Rodney Loftis & Son Contracting
Neil Edwards, Owner, RENDCO Inc.
Komatsu’s new PC490HRD-11 high-reach demolition excavator features a K100 boom change system for faster reconfigurations.
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Reaching Higher
PC490HRD-11
New Komatsu demolition excavator helps increase efficiency with fast boom change system, reach of up to 105 feet
From hammering to processing to loading, demolition often involves quickly changing tasks. With easy attachment switches and the ability to work at heights of up to 105 feet, Komatsu’s new PC490HRD-11 high-reach demolition excavator helps achieve greater efficiency, according to Matt Buerstetta, North American Product Manager for Demolition Machines, Komatsu.
“The PC490HRD-11 is a highly versatile machine that’s easily reconfigurable for changing work demands and can run a wide variety of attachments, including grapples, hammers, processors and buckets,” said Buerstetta. “One of the biggest advantages is our K100 boom change system that lets operators quickly switch out booms. What would normally have taken up to a day in the past can now be done in a mere fraction of the time.”
The in-house K100 boom change system uses oversized quick connectors for the hydraulic lines that minimize back pressure and oil heating without restricting oil flow. The system also features hydraulically powered pins mounted inside the main boom structure to help reduce the risk of damage to the equipment during reconfiguration. With the K100 system, operators can easily reconfigure the machine from the cab, improving safety, productivity and efficiency.
Expandable undercarriage
The PC490HRD-11 has a base weight of 128,199 pounds and a weight of 161,500 pounds with the extended high-reach boom. At full extension, it can handle a maximum attachment weight of 5,512 pounds. A 360-degree Working Range Indicator system with side stability provides a pre-alert function.
A hydraulically expandable undercarriage enables the tracks to be narrowed for transportation and expanded for working.
The tilting demolition cab can be tilted up to 45 degrees and allows the operator to use joysticks to position the cab for an optimal view.
Full demolition guarding helps protect components and keep the PC490HRD-11 running in harsh conditions. It has guards on the revolving frame and undercover, as well as level two window guards for the front and top glass. A dust protection system minimizes dust and debris in the engine and cab.
“The PC490HRD-11 has a heavier counterweight, coming in at about 18 tons, which is bigger than our standard PC490 excavator,” said Buerstetta. “It has been a proven winner in Europe for several years already. We’re excited to bring it to the North American market, and we encourage anyone who has large demolition work and wants a versatile machine that will handle a wide variety of tasks to contact their local distributor.”
Komatsu’s PC490HRD-11 is a proven demolition machine that can quickly and easily be reconfigured with the K100 boom change system to tackle a wide variety of projects and applications. It offers six working arrangements, with a boom extension for higher reach or extended digging.
Watch the video
Matt Buerstetta, North American Product Manager for Demolition Machines, Komatsu
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A PRODUCT YOU TRUST.
Dynamic duo
Komatsu and Williams Racing reignite historic partnership with
multiyear deal
Komatsu is back in the racing game after signing a multiyear deal with Williams Racing to become the British team’s principal partner for the start of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) season. Komatsu’s logo and branding will feature prominently on the 2024 Williams Racing livery, as well as the team’s overalls and kit, during the F1 season.
Komatsu was a key F1 partner of Williams Racing during the 1980s and 1990s, a period of abundant success for the team. The most notable achievements were in 1996 and 1997, when Komatsu supported Williams Racing to Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve, respectively. With an eye to the future, both brands are excited to build on their shared history as they embark on a new era.
Komatsu’s official designations with Williams Racing reflect the companies’ shared focus on the long-term development of engineering, technology and new generations of talent: Official STEM and Early Careers Partner, Official Esports Partner, and Official Construction Machinery Partner. These areas will overlap and combine within the partnership, as Komatsu endeavors to engage and bring focus to the next generation of innovators through STEM events enriched by the Williams Racing esports platform.
“Komatsu and Williams Racing have shared values around innovation and the development of our people,” said Hiroyuki Ogawa, President and CEO of Komatsu Ltd. “Through our partnership, we look forward to creating value together, both on and off the track. Our partnership with Williams Racing is aligned with Komatsu’s mission to create value through manufacturing and technology innovations to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet can thrive together.”
Foundation for cross collaboration
One of the driving forces behind the partnership was the alignment of vision that the two brands share. The characteristics embedded in Komatsu’s DNA and values, such as cutting-edge technology, outstanding quality and unwavering reliability, are all demonstrated by Williams Racing at the highest level of motorsports. This new partnership creates a foundation for cross collaboration between the companies into the future.
“Williams Racing is delighted to be rekindling our relationship with Komatsu,” said James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams Racing. “We have enjoyed huge success together in the past and reuniting is a significant step in Williams Racing’s long-term mission to return to the front of the grid. Both Williams Racing and Komatsu are committed to attracting and developing the best young talent in pursuit of our goals, and we look forward to working together again.”
(L-R) DeCook Excavating Inc. Owner Chris DeCook, Boomerang Corp. President Bryce Ricklefs, RMS Vice President of Sales Joe Schmidtlein and Komatsu Business Development Manager Blake Sloan tour the Williams Racing pit before the Miami Grand Prix.
Promote profitability
Remanufactured parts and components could help decrease your machinery’s total cost of ownership
Doyou want to save money without sacrificing quality and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time? Using remanufactured parts and components could be the answer.
“Fewer raw materials are used in remanufacturing than new parts manufacturing,” said Matt Beinlich, Senior Director, Remanufacturing Business, Komatsu. “According to a paper from the Rochester Institute of Technology titled ‘Capturing Energy and Resources through Remanufacturing,’ the rule of thumb is that 80% of the mass of a component is reused through the remanufacturing process, reducing the need to extract new materials from the earth. Remanufacturing is necessary and good for the industry and the environment because it contributes to sustainability.”
It can also contribute to profitability, Beinlich added.
“Remanufactured components are a much more cost-competitive option compared to new ones because fewer raw materials are required,” Beinlich emphasized. “The quality of genuine Komatsu remanufactured parts and components is better than will-fit items. That’s why we back them with a one-year, unlimited-hours warranty and a quality assurance program of up to 10,000 hours on major components.”
Enhancing availability
Beinlich leads a new team of Komatsu remanufacturing personnel that is committed to increasing customer utilization of reman parts and components. It includes longtime remanufacturing specialists such as Senior Product Manager Goran Zeravica, as well as Remanufacturing General Manager Isamu Hamai, Parts Sales and Marketing Manager Eric Uehara, Reman Procurement Manager Krutarth Desai, Senior Quality Engineer Cody Clark, and Quality Assurance Specialist Bryan Davis.
“When customers buy a Komatsu machine, they expect that those machines will have readily available, reasonably priced, high-quality parts
and components necessary to keep them running throughout the machine’s life cycle,” said Zeravica. “Genuine Komatsu remanufactured components can play a significant role in meeting that expectation. Our goals include improving availability and utilization so that our customers have a better total cost of ownership.”
Zeravica added, “To promote our customers’ success with remanufacturing, we have brought a lot of people together from various parts of the Komatsu family including suppliers, our parts depots and distributors. Ordering reman parts and components will be easier too, as we bring that into the digital age by making them available through My Komatsu.”
Using remanufactured parts and components can help promote profitability and sustainability as well as help control your machinery’s total cost of ownership.
(L-R) Komatsu’s remanufacturing team includes Eric Uehara, Krutarth Desai, Isamu Hamai, Goran Zeravica, Arek Krynski, Pierre Deering, and Matt Beinlich.
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RMS Rentals debuts rebrand
RMS Rentals is undergoing a rebrand to better align with flagship company Road Machinery & Supplies Co. This comes in coordination with ongoing efforts to offer RMS Rentals’ products in new territories, including from its Byron, Minn., branch. The rebrand includes a revised logo and color scheme to match the RMS brand.
RMS Rentals will continue to be a one-stop shop for general and specialty construction contractors with a comprehensive lineup of manufacturers, including LeeBoy, Potain, JLG, SkyTrak, Wacker Neuson and more. RMS Rentals also recently added Komatsu utility excavators to its fleet as well.
Steve Grell hired as Des Moines Service Manager
Steve Grell has joined Road Machinery & Supplies Co. as Service Manager in the Bondurant, Iowa, branch. Grell brings 23 years of heavy equipment experience to the position. He comes to RMS after five years as Service Manager at Mid Country Machinery in Des Moines, Iowa. Before that, he was the Service Manager at Housby Mack for two years.
“When this position opened up, I decided to make the jump to RMS,” said Grell. “I was comfortable doing this knowing that I was joining a well-established company. There are a lot of great people here who have a lot of great experience and knowledge.”
Grell fills a vital role in enabling RMS to meet its customers’ service needs. He will be responsible for scheduling and coordinating service and repairs both in the shop and field for RMS’ central Iowa customer base.
“The Des Moines market is critically important to the success of RMS, and we have an incredible employee base there to support a wonderfully diverse set of customers,” said Vice President of Product Support Lance Arnett. “Steve’s depth of industry knowledge, coupled with his proven leadership track record, positions the Bondurant branch for growth and success for many years to come. We are delighted he decided to join the RMS team.”
Adam Johnson hired as Technician Recruiting Manager
Adam Johnson has been hired as Technician Recruiting Manager. In this role, Johnson will be dedicated to growing the technician workforce at Road Machinery & Supplies Co. He’ll work to recruit high school and college students who are aspiring to become diesel technicians, guiding them into one of the programs sponsored by RMS or one of RMS’ partner manufacturers.
“There is a severe shortage of workers in construction and heavy equipment industries, especially when it comes to technicians,” said Vice President of Product Support Lance Arnett. “For RMS to excel in meeting the needs of our customers, we must build up our roster of technicians. Adam has the knowledge and passion for the industry to accomplish that. We are very excited to have him on our team.”
Johnson’s background includes 12 years as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Extreme
Sandbox, a Minnesota-based enterprise offering construction experiences where customers operate heavy equipment and the opportunity to “play in the dirt.” Extreme Sandbox had an equipment agreement with Komatsu while RMS handled equipment servicing and hosted multiple events at the facility. Johnson worked closely with both RMS and Komatsu to promote the trades to high school students in his role.
“My mission is straightforward — create a pipeline of qualified technicians and develop/retain our current ones,” said Johnson. “RMS has an incredible history of best-in-class service, products and a culture of investing in our team — all packed into a family atmosphere! I plan to use my skills to effectively promote our amazing brand to local communities, schools and organizations to find like-minded individuals who will fit seamlessly into our culture. I also hope to implement talent recruitment and retention processes for generations to come.”
Steve Grell, Service Manager, RMS
Adam Johnson, Technician Recruiting Manager, RMS
Call before you dig
Survey of homeowners shows large number of respondents don’t plan to contact 811 before starting an excavation project
ACommon Ground Alliance (CGA) survey found millions of homeowners planning do-it-yourself digging projects will not contact 811, putting themselves and their communities at risk of utility service disruptions, costly fines and repairs, and even serious injury or death. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number anyone can use to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags.
“Spring weather brings more digging projects, for homeowners and professionals alike,” said CGA President and CEO Sarah K. Magruder Lyle. “To keep our communities connected to water, electricity, gas and communications lines, everyone needs to contact 811 a few days before beginning an excavation project — whether it’s gardening or major construction. Utility lines can be buried just
inches below the surface. Everyone must contact 811 before every digging project.”
Censuswide, a global insight-driven research center, conducted the online survey of among 1,000 U.S. homeowners aged 21 and over, on behalf of CGA. Respondents cited the belief that “shallow” digging does not require contacting 811 and unfamiliarity with the 811 notification process as top reasons they do not plan to get utilities marked before breaking ground on DIY digging projects.
Overwhelmingly, however, homeowners value contractors calling 811 or submitting an online request to have the underground utilities on their property marked, with 95% citing this step as important. Nearly half (45%) of homeowners reported being affected by utility service interruption of three hours or longer over the past year, with the highest rate of interruptions occurring in the South.
Call or click
Everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local 811 call center that collects the information and communicates it to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark it. Once a site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging around the marked area. You can also contact 811 through its website: www.811beforeyoudig.com
“With more than $1 trillion in new infrastructure breaking ground across America, contacting 811 before digging has never been more important,” said Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Before starting excavation work, homeowners, contractors and landscaping professionals should always remember to contact 811 — every dig, every time.”
Before putting a shovel or bucket in the ground, it’s important to call 811 to have utilities located. This one simple action can prevent the risk of serious injury or worse.
Your trusted partner
In the heavy equipment industry, you need a partner that you can trust to meet all your equipment needs. That’s why RMS supplies the equipment, support, and technology solutions that enable our customers to build infrastructure and industry in the communities we serve.
Call or stop by one of our branch locations today to see how we can help with your next job!
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906-475-6488
Des Moines, IA 515-282-0404
Sioux City, IA 712-252-0538
Cedar Rapids, IA 319-363-9655
East Moline, IL 309-755-7203
