Equipment World Brock 0919 by Tony Brock

equipmentworld.com | September 2019

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TECH SHORTAGE PART 3 Talent is out there. These 27 tips help you find and keep it.

YOU’LL NEVER HEAR THEM SAY “NEVER” WHEN FACED WITH TAKING ON THE TOUGHEST TERRAIN, MANEUVERING THE STEEPEST GRADES, AND HAULING THE HEAVIEST PAYLOADS. BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE’RE ALL COUNTING ON THEM TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE DEPEND ON. THEY ARE AMERICA’S HARD-WORKING TRUCK DRIVERS. AND TO EACH AND EVERY ONE WE SAY THANK YOU. FOR YOUR COMMITMENT. DEDICATION. AND OF COURSE, YOUR DRIVE.

From the proud manufacturer of The Driver’s Truck.™

The World’s Best®

Vol. 31 Number 9 |

Cover Story

table of contents | September 2019

SPECIAL REPORT:

TECH SHORTAGE PART 3 27 ways to attract and retain tech talent

Grant Davis, Nathan Dokkebakken and Alex Lass with General Equipment & Supplies, Fargo, North Dakota.

Photo: North Dakota State College of Science

Equipment 19

Marketplace

Electric wheel loaders from TobrocoGiant, new Doosan excavator, Venieri makes U.S. debut, and product intros from Hitachi, Toro, Wacker Neuson, BOMAG, Boss, Pettibone

24 Machine Matters Directional drills: expanding and improving

47 Maintenance A little time on your tires can produce big savings.

EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019

table of contents | continued

Features 55 Contractor of the Year Finalist Rita Lawrence, L&L Asphalt, Phoenix, Arizona

58 Road Works

Behind the thin orange line: Keeping workers safe in road work zones

equipmentworld.com facebook.com/EquipmentWorld twitter.com/Equipment_World Editorial Director: Marcia Gruver Doyle Executive Editor: Tom Jackson Online Editor: Wayne Grayson Senior Editor: Don McLoud Contributing Writer: Richard Ries editorial@equipmentworld.com Media Sales Geoffrey Love: gdlove@randallreilly.com Pete Austin: paustin@randallreilly.com Drew Ingram: drewingram@randallreilly.com Patsy Adams: padams@randallreilly.com Jordan Arsenault: jordanarsenault@randallreilly.com Art Director: Tony Brock Advertising Production Manager: Leah Boyd production@equipmentworld.com

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Departments 9 On Record

No aimless wandering allowed

11 Reporter

Applications open for 2020 Contractor of the Year; finalists win ConExpo trip

Watch 67 Safety Speed kills

69 Technology Volvo launches Haul Assist real-time load monitoring for artics Data 71 Quick Wheel loaders Word 74 Final The noble professions For subscription information/inquiries, please email equipmentworld@omeda.com. Equipment World (ISSN 1057-7262) is published monthly by Randall-Reilly, LLC, 3200 Rice Mine Road N.E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406. Periodicals Postage-Paid at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS (SEE DMM 507.1.5.2). Non-postal and military facilities: send address corrections to Equipment World, P.O. Box 2029, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 or email at equipmentworld@ omeda.com. Customer service: 1-800-517-4979. Rates for non-qualified subscriptions (pre-paid US currency only): US & possessions, $48 1–year, $84 2–year; Canada/ Mexico, $78 1–year, $147 2–year; Foreign, $86 1–year, $154 2–year. Single copies are available for $6 US, $9 Canada/Mexico and $12 foreign. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Randall-Reilly, LLC harmless from and against any loss, expenses or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel violations of right of privacy or publicity, plagiarisms, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that arise out of publication of such advertisement. Copyright ©2018 Randall-Reilly, LLC, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Equipment World is a trademark of Randall-Reilly, LLC. Randall-Reilly, LLC neither endorses nor makes any representation or guarantee regarding the quality of goods and services advertised herein.

September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Editorial Awards: Azbee Award of Excellence, Special Section National Gold Award, 2019 American Society of Business Publication Editors Jesse H. Neal Award, Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper/Magazine, 2019, American Business Media Jesse H. Neal Award finalist, Best Subject-Related Package, 2019, American Business Media Best Editorial Series, 2018, Construction Media Alliance Eddie award for B-to-B Series of Articles, 2016 Highways 2.0, Folio: magazine Editorial Excellence, Original Research, Silver Award, 2016 American Society of Business Publication Editors Jesse H. Neal Award, Better Roads, 2011 American Business Media Robert F. Boger Award for Special Reports, 2006, 2007, 2008 Construction Writers Association Jesse H. Neal Award, Best Subject-Related Series of Articles, 2006 American Business Media Editorial Excellence Special Section Gold Award, 2006 Midwest-South Region, American Society of Business Publication Editors

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on record | by Marcia Doyle MarciaDoyle@randallreilly.com

No aimless wandering allowed S

o now the countdown is on for ConExpo-Con/ Agg 2020, an event that editors view with excitement (all that shiny new iron) mixed with dread (6 a.m.-to-midnight jam-packed schedules). Adding to the experience of the March 10-14th show: even more steps on your smart watch. In addition to 2,800 exhibitors, 2.6 million square feet of

exhibit space and 150 educational sessions, add … two campuses. Enter the 1.5 million-square-foot Festival Grounds, located on the Las Vegas strip adjacent to Circus Circus, about a mile from the Las Vegas Convention Center. The LVCC is expanding once again, and the former Gold Lot is now being transformed into a 600,000-square-foot exhibit hall. Unfortunately, that means it won’t be ready for next year’s show. This is relocating a lot of big players that formerly exhibited in the Gold Lot, including Caterpillar, Volvo, Liebherr, JLG Industries, Terex and Mani-

towoc Cranes. They will now be located in the Festival Grounds. It will be a logistical challenge, requiring a constant phalanx of rotating mini-shuttles from the main show to the satellite Festival Grounds. (In addition, the free monorail pass included in the show badge can take attendees to the SLS hotel, from which they can enter the grounds.) While acknowledging there are logistics to be dealt with, show organizer Association of Equipment Manufacturers likes to refer to the two areas as a “connected campus.” “We’ll include more buses to get you to and from the show and additional options to get you around the show,” says Dana Wuesthoff, AEM vice president of exhibitions and event services and ConExpo-Con/Agg show director. “We’ve been very strategic about where we put our transportation; it’s really quite robust. We’re making sure that someone doesn’t have to walk halfway across the show to get a direct shuttle to the other area.” All of this means it will be a bad idea to think you can aimlessly wander the show without a blueprint. Right now, the best way to start is to go to the show’s website, conexpoconagg.com. Later, you can download the show’s app and start mapping out your routes in earnest. “Regardless of what you’re interested in, you need a plan,” Wuesthoff says. “Otherwise, you may be overwhelmed.”

EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 9

“BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE.” THREE GENERATIONS. “At Selge Construction, we’re a family business. My son-in-law and even grandson are involved and interested in this great occupation. I’ve built a good name in our marketplace with a reputation for quality work and integrity in the way we do business. And I choose Komatsu because they match my values. Their excavators help my crews and family carry on our goals: to provide the best job for an honest price. It’s these and many other reasons why Komatsu works for us!”

Marv Selge (with Noah & Justin) / Selge Construction, Inc. / Niles, MI

That’s why I am Komatsu komatsuamerica.com

reporter

| staff report

Applications open for 2020 Contractor of the Year; finalists win ConExpo visit

quipment World’s Contractor of the Year program is celebrating its 20th year in 2020 and is offering some exciting changes to the event schedule. Next year’s event will take place during ConExpo-Con/Agg and offer the opportunity for 12 finalists to attend the premier construction equipment show held every three years. Designed to honor contractors who have excelled in their markets, the contest is open to owners of construction firms who have been in business 10 years Apply now or more, have between $3 million and $15 million in annual revenues, have an excelGo to bit.ly/contractoroftheyear lent safety record and can represent the construction industry in a positive way. Questions? Contractor of the Year has been sponsored Contact Marcia Doyle at marciadoyle@randallreilly.com by Caterpillar since its inception. During the event, each finalist and their guest will receive a four-day expense-paid trip to Las Vegas’s Venetian Resort and participate in an industry roundtable, focus group and awards banquet. In addition, finalists will receive passes to ConExpo-Con/ Agg and a VIP tour of the Cat booth. The first 50 applicants to the 2020 The 2020 Contractor of the Year winner Contractor of the Year contest will will be featured as the cover story in the May receive this Cat hat. 2020 issue of Equipment World. Stories on the remaining 11 finalists will be featured in the magazine in subsequent months. The deadline to apply for the 2020 contest is October 4. Applicants can either be self-nominated or nominated by others. Applicants can fill out an online form or download a form to fill out at their leisure (see box). The first 50 contractors to completely fill out an application will receive a Cat hat, courtesy of Caterpillar. –Marcia Doyle

Equipment World’s May 2019 cover featuring Shrock Premier Custom Construction, this year’s Contractor of the Year.

Briefs Kubota has purchased 300 acres in Gainesville, Georgia, with plans to invest more than $85 million at the site as part of a project to establish a new engineering and design center. The project will be Kubota’s fourth major expansion in Georgia since 2013. Doosan Bobcat has opened its new Global Collaboration Center in downtown Minneapolis to bring together teams from around the world to ramp up innovation for the company. The 10,600-square-foot office space includes open work areas, six meeting and conference rooms, a team room, huddle areas, community space and a hospitality area for guests. Ohio Cat has broken ground on a 40-acre facility in Perrysburg, Ohio, that will house its Ohio Cat, The Cat Rental Store and Northern Ohio Peterbilt operations on one campus. The site will include a 65,250-square-foot building for shop space, parts warehouse and office space for machine sales, rental and administrative personnel and a 68,000-square-foot building with 26 service bays for its Northern Ohio Peterbilt subsidiary.

(continued on page 14) EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 11

PARTNER SOLUTIONS | HITACHI

HITACHI DELIVERS A NEW CONSTRUCTION-DUTY WORKHORSE WITH THE ZW180-6 LOADER

ith the addition of the updated ZW180 to its Dash-6 line-up of mid-sized wheel loaders, Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America Inc. has claimed a place among premium production machines for top tier construction contractors, farm operations and infrastructure fleets. Hitachi developed the Dash-6 Series to compete with the industry’s most productive and durable equipment brands. Designed to serve as a true workhorse in loader applications, the ZW180-6 loader is built to stand up to long, hard-working days while adapting seamlessly to a full range of varied loader tasks. Weighing in at 32,100 pounds, the ZW180-6 delivers 26,530 pounds of breakout force, powered by a Cummins 173 horsepower Tier 4F QSB6.7 engine. Customers are offered a choice of a 3.7-cubic-yard

general purpose bucket or a 4.2-cubic-yard material handling bucket. Able to lift as much as 3,000 pounds, the ZW180-6 can reach loading heights up to 9 feet.

Power and versatility

A key element in the ZW180-6’s design for versatility is Hitachi’s new Power Mode switch, conveniently mounted on the steering joystick. A touch of the Power Mode switch gives the operator immediate access to additional rim-pull and breakout force for digging into heavy piles or for climbing grades while carrying a full load. Available in any auto and manual ranges, the switch to Power Mode instantly produces a 10% burst in engine rpm. The Power Mode allows faster acceleration without limiting the loader’s top speed on flat runs. It also boosts hydraulic flow to allow quicker bucket lifts for faster cycle times.

Operator performance and control

The ZW180-6 targets the needs of operators with popular smart technology including ride control, telematics, auto power-up, and an operator-friendly LCD color monitor. The cab is fully ﬁtted out for the operator’s creature comforts and convenience including automatic air conditioning, excellent ventilation and a new sound system with roof-mounted speakers. The compartment is sealed airtight and pressurized to keep out dust and dirt. An extensive range of intuitive controls come easily to hand for responsive power, steering and loading functions. The tilt/telescoping steering pedestal is linked to a pop-up pedal that quickly returns the steering pedestal to its start position. The transmission offers two auto modes and one manual mode to adapt to the day’s applications. A shift-to-hold switch overrides automatic settings to hold the transmission in its current gear until the operator presses it again or changes direction, giving it the extra traction or torque required at that time.

the Hitachi loaders, you get very “ With good visibility, they’re quicker and

they have a tighter turning radius. Our employees are comfortable operating the machine; they don’t feel beat up at the end of the day. And they really brag on the response. ”

— Matt Biegler, president of Southeast Soils

The best visibility in the business

The ZW180-6 offers a seamless front window, rounded engine cowling and a redesigned ROPS frame allow for clean 360º lines-of-sight.

The DPF-free Tier 4 Final solution

By eliminating DPF and the required regen cycles from its Dash-6 machines, Hitachi now takes the industry lead in Tier 4 Final solutions for wheel loaders. The ZW180-6 is equipped with a clean SCR system using just a simple DEF system that lets the machine run efﬁciently without high engine temperatures and eliminates concerns about idle times.

Reputations are built on it

The ZW180-6 is built for the long haul with a robust frame structure, high ground clearance and a resilient cooling package. A visibly reinforced cross-tube design resists torsional stresses on the loading arms of the ZW180-6 features. The same robust strength is evident in the articulation area with its beefy structure, large pins and heavy bearings. An optional belly guard is also available to prevent damage to the powertrain and driveshaft in the most rugged terrain.

Southeast Soils President Matt Biegler currently operates 11 Kawasaki/Hitachi loaders and plans to continue replacing other models with new Hitachi ones. “The Hitachi loaders are the best loaders for our application. In my previous position, I was responsible for the purchasing of loaders. Over many years, and more than 40 loader purchases, I have learned that Kawasaki/Hitachi is the most reliable and dependable wheel loader on the market.” For more information, visit hitachiwheelloaders.us

reporter

| continued

Manitou launches compact equipment with Manitou name, color Briefs (continued)

anitou Group is known in the United States for its telehandlers and forklifts, and now the company plans for the Manitou brand name to also resonate with buyers of compact construction equipment. The company is launching a Manitou compact equipment line worldwide, including in North America. The nine compact track loader models, 10 skid steer models and two articulated wheel loader models will be identical to those the company offers under the brand names Gehl and Mustang (renamed “Mustang by Manitou” last year). But unlike the yellow machines of Gehl and Mustang by Manitou, the Manitou equipment will feature the company’s trademark red and carry the Manitou name. All three brands are manufactured in the same U.S. factories in South Dakota and Texas and share common chassis and components. Rick Alton, president of Manitou Group’s Compact Equipment Products division, said that during the first step of the Manitou brand introduction, the machines will remain similar, but over time, that could change, depending on the market and customer demands. 14 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Manitou Group is a global company based in France and purchased Gehl in 2008, which was 11 years after Gehl bought Mustang. The three brands have mostly separate distribution networks. Adding Manitou to the compact equipment mix makes sense for the company as it seeks to bolster sales in Europe, North America and around the globe, Alton says. The company first launched Manitou brand compact equipment earlier this year in Europe. Dealers can offer customers loyal to the Manitou brand the company’s skid, track and articulated loaders. The same now holds true for Manitou dealers in North America. The company also appears ready to maintain all three brands for the future. Alton says the Manitou brand in North America should grow in tandem with the growth of its distribution network here. “The Manitou brand is distinctive; it’s influential; it’s robust in Europe,” he adds. “We want to make sure that we’re leveraging that and being able to communicate that brand promise within the North American markets, too.” –Don McLoud

Toshiya Takeuchi has been appointed the new president of Takeuchi Manufacturing, becoming only the second president in the company’s history. He succeeds his father, Akio Takeuchi, who founded the company in 1963 in Japan. The company also named Clay Eubanks, president of Takeuchi US, to the board of directors and to director of global sales.

Barry Ruffalo has been appointed the new president and CEO of Astec Industries, parent company of Roadtec and Carlson Paving. Ruffalo comes to Astec after serving as group president since 2016 for Valmont Industries, a global producer of fabricated metal products. (continued on page 16)

“We need to buy equipment without breaking the bank.”

But did you check eBay?

For new, used and refurbished. Visit ebay.com/construction

business supply

reporter |

staff report

Survey: Paperless data becoming contractors’ preferred method

hile the spreadsheet may have launched and sustained many a construction business, contractors are increasingly turning to the cloud and more advanced software to update, access and analyze their records, according to a new survey from Dodge Data & Analytics in collaboration with Viewpoint, a construction management software provider owned by Trimble. The survey – Improving Performance with Project Data SmartMarket Report: How Improved Collection and Analysis is Leading to the Digital Transformation of the Construction Industry – shows the percentage of contractors who use commercial software to collect data has increased from 23 percent to 34 percent in the past three years and is expected to rise to 42 percent by 2022. Contractors also reported significantly higher satisfaction using software rather than spreadsheets or paper forms, but many still have concerns about the security of storing their data in the cloud. As to what contractors want from their software, project-performance data take the top spot, followed by payroll, productivity, safety and equipment tracking data, in that order. The methods contractors use to the collect this data include apps, cameras, sensors and wearables.

Briefs (continued) LiuGong North America has appointed Paul Cranage as its senior manager of sales and business development. Cranage, based at the company’s headquarters in Katy, Texas, will head up dealer recruitment and training, dealer portal initiative, and industry and performance reporting. As to who is in charge of data management, not surprisingly, most of the largest companies have an IT director/manager, while only about half of the smaller firms have a dedicated person in that role. Among the survey’s anecdotal reports, Jake Pepper, vice president of integrated construction services at Pepper Construction, says being able to see data at a glance in a graphic format, rather than line-by-line, makes it easier to understand the week-to-week strategies and upcoming opportunities. For more details of the survey, go to viewpoint.com/analyticsreport. –Tom Jackson

The $215 million sale of Terex Corporation’s Demag Mobile Crane business has been completed. The business was purchased by Tadano, a Japan-based global crane company. Terex also recently completed the sale of its boom truck, truck crane and crossover product lines to Load King. Volvo Construction Equipment’s next Road Institute will kick off in November. The operator and maintenance courses, which run through May, provide handson training as well as classroom instruction. For more details, go to http://bit.ly/RoadIns. For more on each of these stories go to equipmentworld.com.

16 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

JohnDeere.com/Elevate

ELEVATE YOUR LOAD-OUT GAME. INTRODUCING THE 844L AGGREGATE HANDLER. Compared to its predecessor, the 844L Aggregate Handler consumes less fuel, plus features increased first-gear rim pull and a dedicated hydraulic pump for steering and lifting that enable quicker cycles. That means more trucks loaded out on less fuel in a day. And with a larger cab for all-day comfort, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see how all the L-Series Production-Class Loaders can help you Run Your World.

Experience the Progress.

Liebherr Wheel Loaders L 550 XPower® - L 586 XPower® XPower ® is the new generation of Liebherr’s large wheel loaders. Liebherr XPower® is an integrated, innovative machine concept that sets new standards in terms of reliability, performance, robust design and comfort. The XPower® power-split driveline combines hydrostatic with mechanical drive and ensures maximum efficiency, whatever the application. The Liebherr-Power-Efficiency (LPE) System of the XPower® wheel loaders adjusts the power to the job for fuel savings of up to 30 percent - so you handle more, faster. Find your dealer at liebherr.us/dealer-emt. Liebherr USA Co. Construction Equipment Division 4100 Chestnut Avenue Newport News, VA 23607 Phone: +1 757 245 5251 E-mail: Construction.USA@liebherr.com www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction www.liebherr.us

marketplace

| by Don McLoud |

DonMcLoud@randallreilly.com

Zero emissions from Giant electric compact wheel loaders EDITOR’S PICK

Tobroco-Giant has introduced its first electric, zero-emissions compact wheel loaders. The G2200E and G2200E X-TRA are equipped with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery that has a minimum capacity of 12.3 kilowatts. The loaders are designed for indoor operations or urban construction sites. The articulated loaders deliver nearly silent operation. The loaders have two separate electric motors – the 6.5-kilowatt motor drives the machine and the 11.5-kilowatt motor runs its hydraulics. The standard G2200E has a lift height of 9 feet 4 inches and a capacity of 3,657 pounds. The X-TRA version has a lift capacity of 4,850 pounds and lift height of 8 feet for construction and earthmoving applications. The company offers four lithium-ion battery choices with varying charge lengths.

Haul without special permit

‘Do-it-all’ wheel loader

Doosan’s new 19-ton DX170LC-5 crawler excavator is designed for easier hauling from job-to-job by reducing the need for a special transport permit. Doosan had small to mid-size contractors in mind when adding the new model, which is geared toward such jobs as residential basements and commercialbuilding footings. With a gross weight of 38,376 pounds and narrow width of 8 feet 5 inches, the excavator can be hauled with a Class 7 truck and trailer and still result in a combined gross vehicle weight rating of less than 80,000 pounds.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America calls its new ZW220-6 wheel loader a “do-it-all” machine. The first midsize loader in Hitachi’s Dash-6 generation lineup runs on a Cummins diesel engine providing 200 horsepower and 34,170 pounds of breakout force. The engine also features an auto-shutdown feature that results in a 7 percent reduction in fuel costs. Bucket capacity is 4.2 to 4.7 cubic yards, and the machine can reach loading heights up to 13.5 feet. A new Power Mode provides a 10 percent boost in engine rpm. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 19

marketplace

| continued

Automatically adjusts to trenching conditions Toro has expanded its line of walk-behind trenchers with the TRX-250 and TRX-300 models, which feature technology that automatically diverts hydraulic flow from the traction motors to the trench motor when higher torque is needed when trenching. Called Intelli-Trench, the system means the operator doesn’t have to constantly adjust the traction handle, because the system matches hydraulic flow to the digging conditions and speeds trenching times. The system also reduces track wear and provides for more efficient engine operation.

40-degree articulation for tight spots

Compact comfort

The new Venieri VF18.63B wheel loader delivers 40 degrees of articulation for working in tight areas and a lift capacity of 28,374 pounds. The Italian-manufactured loader is being offered by importer and distributor Applied Machinery Sales of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Designed for heavy-duty work, the loader boasts 34,400 pounds of breakout force. It runs on a 228-horsepower, 6-cylinder Deutz engine. It features hydrostatic transmission, rear oscillating axle and “Z” kinematics. The enclosed cab is soundproofed, has heating and air and a rearview camera.

Wacker Neuson’s EZ36 compact excavator is designed to provide the comfort and technology of a larger excavator in a 3.6ton size. The company touts the EZ36’s zero tail swing, dig depth of 11 feet 6 inches and reach at ground level of 18 feet 6 inches. The cab is designed for more head and leg room and features a four-position adjustable windshield. The joystick is ergonomically designed. The seat and armrests can be adjusted. The EZ36 also features Wacker Neuson’s Vertical Digging System, which makes vertical digging on uneven ground easier.

20 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

“Level Best is Best in Class”

Precision grading to

of spec

Doug Whitlock, Sales Ozark Laser, Springfield, MO

“ There are wannabes, but Level Best is tops in fine grading equipment.” AS SALESMAN AT OZARK LASER, DOUG WHITLOCK IS AN EXPERT IN LASER GUIDED GRADING EQUIPMENT. HE’S SOLD ON LEVEL BEST.

“My job is to create happy customers. For fine grading equipment I always recommend Level Best because I know it’s extremely well made, highly maneuverable, and they always have the latest technology. Basically, Level Best makes my customers very happy.” See Doug at Level-Best.com

Lower costs, better bids, more jobs. For about half the cost of a new pickup truck you can grade with unrivaled precision and get a significant competitive edge on nearly every job you bid. Here’s how. Always the latest technologies.

Works in both directions to help maximize production in precision grading.

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Added margin for submitting bids that are more competitive Level Best Standard Bid Practice

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2 to 3 % material overage estimate

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marketplace

| continued

Ditch the shovels

12,000-pound lifting capacity

Boss Snowplow acquired the Snowrator brand last year and has redesigned the stand-on sidewalk snowplow and de-icer to save contractors money by replacing the need for hand shovels. Boss has added a 4-foot hydraulic snowplow and 20-inch polyethylene skin. The Snowrator can now handle all Boss ATV plow accessories and common parts. It features both pretreatment and de-icing capabilities with a standard 20-gallon pre-treatment brine system. A 20-gallon auxiliary brine tank is optional, as well as two de-icing solid material spreaders.

Pettibone’s new Extendo 1246X Telehandler features 12,000-pound lifting capacity for contractors and rental users working in demanding construction jobsite conditions. The telehandler has a max lift height of 46 feet, 6 inches and forward reach of 30 feet. A 30-gallon fuel tank allows for a full workday without needing a refill. The 1246X runs on a 117-horsepower Tier 4 Final diesel engine. The engine is mounted on a side pod to provide 19 inches of ground clearance, curbside visibility and easy service access.

Dual swingout operator stations

four pavers to two models – one wheeled, the CR 1030 W, and one with rubber tracks, the CR 1030 T. The Sideview feature enables the seats and consoles to swivel out at four different angles for views down the sides and of the screed end gates. The operator can also see the screed’s spreading augers.

BOMAG’s new line of highway-class wheeled and tracked pavers feature dual swingout operator stations and other innovations to give operators better views of their work. The pavers’ introduction also streamlines the company’s 10-foot lineup from

These product introductions are just a few of the many featured regularly on equipmentworld.com. 22 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

machine matters

| by Richard Ries

DIRECTIONAL DRILLS

Expanding and Improving

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;DRâ&#x20AC;? in the model name of the Vermeer D40x55DR indicates a dual-rod machine. Dual-rod models are easier to use than other rock-drilling designs and provide more versatility when soil conditions vary significantly along the bore path. Powered by a 140-horsepower John Deere engine, the D40x55DR has up to 40,000 pounds of thrust and pullback and 5,500 foot-pounds of torque. 24 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

The Ditch Witch Next Generation AT40 All Terrain is designed for optimal downhole performance in hard rock. An inner-rod design provides a flush system for improved tool joint durability and steering. The RockMaster housing adapts to fit 2.875- and 3.5-inch drill bits using a standard API connector.

irectional drilling garners less attention than it did a decade or two ago. But it hasn’t gone away. If anything, it’s expanding. There were 42 models listed in the 2009 Equipment World Spec Guide; there are 56 models this year. Here’s an overview.

A triple-purpose machine Barbco has expanded its catalog

to include more than two dozen auger boring and directional drilling models. This broad range means Barbco can match a machine to a customer’s needs…most of the time. The challenge comes when a customer has diverse requirements, and a single type of machine won’t do them all. Enter Tribor, which Barbco describes as a hybrid of three types of machinery: an auger boring machine, a guided boring machine

and a horizontal directional drill. Providing three modes of operation “cuts costs for operators who participate in multiple fields,” says Jack Barbera, Barbco marketing associate. The Tribor lineup includes three models, the Tribor30, Tribor36 and Tribor 48. As an auger boring machine, Tribor can install up to 48-inch casing in lengths up to 20 feet in one continuous push. As a guided boring machine, Tribor uses theodolite EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 25

machine matters

| continued

The Tribor36 is in the middle of the Barbco Tribor lineup; there’s also a Tribor30 and Tribor48. The Tribor36 has a 300-horsepower engine providing up to 60,056 foot-pounds of torque. Push is 500,142 pounds and pull is 375,107 pounds through a three-speed rotary gearbox at 84 rpm.

pilot tube technology for high accuracy. The system is compatible with air hammers for boring through rock. As a directional drill, Tribor features a hightorque, multispeed rotary gearbox and a rear spindle fluid swivel for high-volume mud pumping. Removable dual wrenches break tough joints, and Tribor accommodates downhole steering systems from a conventional HDD transmitter housing, mud motor, air hammer or camera-assist target housing. Among the safety features incorporated into the Tribor design is a rollover anticipation circuit, which senses when the machine is lifting off its tracks and shuts down operation to prevent rollover. Tribor also has the option to be operated fully by remote.

Uptime protected Uptime is a critical factor for directional drillers, says Cory Maker, horizontal directional drilling product manager at Ditch Witch. If a directional drill goes down, production stops. So Ditch Witch has made a number of changes to ensure maximum uptime. The JT25 and JT/AT40 use an SAI motor rotational drive, a single motor that does away with planetary gears. “The SAI motor removes a possible failure point on an HDD,” says Maker. “OEMs buy off-the-shelf planetary systems that aren’t necessarily well-suited to the stress and shock loads inherent in the duty cycles of directional drilling.” He says the SAI radial piston hydraulic motor better handles such demands. 26 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Measuring noise Noise can be measured a number of ways, most commonly by sound pressure, sound power and sound intensity. Their measurements are all in decibels (dB), but the values they express are quite different. Guaranteed sound power is what Vermeer shared with us, and we can expect to see the term gain wider acceptance and increased usage. Why? Because simply saying a machine emits a certain dB level tells us little. At what position is that measurement relative to the machine – front, rear, sides? What distance from the machine? Under what conditions – engine at idle or operating speed? While working or sitting motionless? On a hard surface (such as concrete) or a

soft surface (such as sand)? In the field? In the factory? In an acoustic chamber designed for measuring sound? In the cab? There are standards for deriving sound power. ISO 6393:2008 is for earthmoving machinery in stationary test conditions, and ISO 6395:2008 is for such equipment in dynamic (working) test conditions. Guaranteed sound power can be thought of as a not-to-exceed number; the manufacturer warrants the machine will not be louder than the guaranteed sound-power number. This number will always be higher than the dB ratings used in the past because it represents the maximum sound power, not an average, typical or optimal number.

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machine matters

| continued

The Ditch Witch JT20XP package combines the JT20 horizontal directional drill with the XP44 mixing system. The package is designed for contractors in the mid-size utility installation market. The system features wireless communication for line-of-sight distances up to 300 feet. The XP44 features a high-pressure, 65-foot retractable hose with quick-disconnects to minimize the loss of fluid and help maintain an environmentally friendly jobsite.

Daily checks are often overlooked, resulting in early and catastrophic failure and downtime. So Ditch Witch eliminated daily checks. Remarkably, the only zerk fittings on its machines are for track tension. Component life cycle remains good through the use of bronze bushings, sealed bearings and other maintenance-free, durable parts. A slide cartridge supports the carriage if carriage rollers fail. Maker says this allows the machine to finish the day and prevents costly damage to the rack-andpinion assembly. Ditch Witch engineers and develops its full line of pipes and downhole

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tools, ensuring compatibility with its machines and further increasing uptime.

Accommodating the operator Maker says Ditch Witch emphasizes commonality in its controls. While the number of features increases when moving up in the product line, the basics remain the same. An operator comfortable with the joysticks on the JT20 would carry that comfort forward when moving onto larger machines. The standard configuration for Ditch Witch is thrust and rotation on the right joystick. But this can be changed to divide those functions to the left and right joystick to meet operator preferences. This feature is available on models from the JT20 to the JT100. Typically this option is selected as part of the spec’ing process and is part of the factory

build, but it can be accomplished by the dealer as a retrofit. A real-time position indicator driven by encoders shows the location of the carriage throughout its travel. Older machines showed carriage position only in the fully forward and fully retracted positions. The JT40 has additional operatorfriendly features. Patent-pending open-sided vise wrenches are rotated toward the operator to improve visibility. A unique add-apipe design allows the operator to manually insert sticks of drill pipe when pipe runs out.

XP44 fluid system The Ditch Witch XP44 is a self-contained fluid management system. It comes standard on the JT20XP. The standard JT20 is well-suited for fiber installation and urban applications given its size and feature set. Adding the XP44, which has its own 44-horsepower drive, allows maxi-

mum productivity from the drill unit by leaving the full 74.5 horsepower of the drill’s engine available for rotation, thrust and pullback. Combining the XP44 and JT20 yields an effective gross of 118 horsepower. Because the full power of the Deutz diesel engine is available for drilling, Ditch Witch was able to increase performance specs from the JT20 to the JT20XP. Torque goes from 2,200 foot-pounds to 2,500 foot-pounds. Rotational speed moves from 200 to 240 rpm, and fluid flow jumps from 25 to 39 gallons per minute. The XP44 can be plumbed into the fluid management system of other Ditch Witch models and even competitors’ machines. In those instances, the XP44 can provide all fluid management functions or can augment the functions of the stock onboard system for greater overall performance. The XP44 handles both fluid mixing and fluid delivery.

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vacuworx.com EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 29

machine matters

| continued

The Vermeer D23x30DR is a dual-rod machine featuring the Vermeer Firestick for 7 percent downhole steerability. A narrow footprint and weight of only 16,500 pounds make the D23x30DR ideal for fiber, electrical, gas and water installation in hard rock and other challenging ground conditions. A Deutz TCD3.6L4 engine provides 24,000 pounds of thrust and pullback.

Vermeer and technology As with all global players, Vermeer has to work hard to keep up with a patchwork of regulations and market demands, says Tod Michael, product manager, trenchless core products. He points to emissions regulations as the classic example. While Europe is moving to Stage V, the United States remains at Tier 4 Final, and lesser-regulated countries march to the beat of an entirely different drummer or no drummer at all. Another example is noise. Traditionally, the European Union has focused on protecting the community

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from noise, while in the United States, the emphasis has been on shielding the operator from noise. Because the directional drilling market in the United States hasn’t been especially attentive to noise attenuation, Vermeer decided it was time to make big gains in this area with the design of its Series 3 machines. The effect is noticeable whether using the EU’s sound measurement standards or those of the United States. With the DX24x40 S3, for example, guaranteed sound power dropped from 116 to 104 decibels, and noise at the operator’s ear dropped from somewhere in the 90-plus range to less than 80 dB. “Customers generally don’t ask for reduced noise, but everyone wants it once they’re exposed to it,” says Michael. (See sidebar “Measuring noise” on page 26.) Vermeer has an extensive offering of productivity tools. Of those,

Michael says, BoreAssist stands out. Licensed users can load, create and edit bore plans on the DCI DigiTrak Aurora display on site. With the addition of LogWhile-Drilling, the operator gets a rod-by-rod schematic of the actual bore in real time, which can be compared to the plan to reduce potential corrections throughout the bore. “Bore plan software used to benefit mainly the back office,” says Michael. “BoreAssist integrates back-office planning with on-site operation for improved performance.” Other developments Michael mentioned include locators that are better at managing interference, both passive (such as rebar) and active (electromagnetic interference from radios, lights and other electronic sources). Target steer has increased in popularity over the past several years. Setting up the locator and boring to it at

a set depth keeps workers out of harm’s way when boring under roads and in other elevated-risk environments. Remote tracking allows the operator to move the machine on or off the transport trailer from the ground for improved visibility and safety. The HDDs are equipped with modular mixing systems, so customers can mix drilling fluid to suit the needs of each situation. Vermeer offers both single- and dual-rod machines. Single-rod models are suitable for most soil types. Dual-rod is best for working all day in hard soil. Among dual-rod machines, the D40x S3 and D23x30 S3 are sized for utility work. Michael notes that although directional drilling remains the preferred choice for most jobs, crowded underground conditions are leading to more soft-dig practices in congested areas.

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Tech Shortage special report

Part 3 of a four-part series

Participants in John Deere’s new earn-whileyou-learn apprenticeship program will get structured onthe-job training and technical instruction with an experienced mentor at participating dealerships.

27 WAYS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TECH TALENT

“W

by Marcia Doyle, Wayne Grayson, Tom Jackson, Don McLoud

e’ll try anything.” When it comes to technician recruiting and retention, Ann Pollert, director of workforce development, General Equipment & Supplies in Fargo, North Dakota, is open. “One thing I love about this company is we never say no to trying new things. I feel like I have more lessons to learn rather than lessons learned.” In part two of our series on the diesel technician

shortage, we talked about how the industry was partnering with tech schools. This time, we’re casting a broader net and looking at the tactics that seem to resonate with those involved on the front line of technician recruiting and retention, including those in other industries. Some caution tape, however, should surround these tips. These are not easy buttons. Some ideas may produce great results in certain locations and nada in others.

EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 33

special report

Tech shortage | continued

A Diesel Laptops instructor goes over automotive diagnostic software. But the stakes are high and, as Pollert says, all ideas are welcome. “This will be one of the top three success factors in the construction industry over the next 10 to 15 years,” says Bill Chimley, Komatsu America director of training and publications. “Whoever figures out the workforce equation is going to be in the driver’s seat.”

Since it might be difficult to get face time with the drivers or crews during a race, consider sponsoring a car. For local races, the price for getting a sticker on somebody’s car isn’t prohibitive and it will get you access to the community. Or step up your game (admittedly this is quite a step up) and sponsor a whole team. That’s what Al Niece of Niece Equipment did, creating the Niece Motorsports NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series team. “It’s both Go where the gearheads hang out a marketing tool and an employee retention tool,” says General Equipment gave a pop-up tent to an employee Niece, who heads the water and lube truck manufacwho regularly competes in truck mud-runs. The tent has turer. “It builds team unity. It gives us more Monday a “looking for diesel techs” message along with Genermorning water cooler talk that is something outside of al’s name and phone number. “Our thought is, who’s he daily work.” hanging out with? Other mud runners,” says Pollert. Two other likely gearhead hangouts are auto parts This illustrates the opportunistores and quick-lube places. ties available at local motorsports Look for helpful counter people Have a great technician events, such as sports car races, and good service providers. recruiting or retention idea? NHRA, motorcycle and motoThey’re likely not a trained cross events. The spectators may diesel mechanic, but they know We’d love to hear it! The more voices on not be trained diesel techs, but something about cars, engines this subject, the better. Email most of them have a mechanical and mechanic work, and they marciadoyle@randallreilly.com. interest. have the people skills.

RECRUITING TIPS

34 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Turner Mining’s social media posts make a point of highlighting its people.

Look beyond justout-of-high-school “You have to think differently,” says Tim Spurlock with AmeriNiece Motorsports driver can Diesel Training Ross Chastain has provided Centers. “Everyone plenty of water cooler talk at Niece Equipment this year. wants the 17-year-old high school kid, and the real key is to look for that 25-year-old who’s had some life experiences.” Spurlock argues that these people make great entrylevel change-the-filter techs. “New hires don’t need to know how to rebuild engines. You’re looking for attitude, attendance and soft skills.” He continues: “Look for people who are perhaps working in factories making $15 an hour running a punch press or fulfilling orders in an Amazon warehouse. The average age of people coming into our program is 26.7 years. We like mature people who have gotten their life started. They may have a family, they have responsibilities. The unifying thread amongst all of them is that they realize that this is their chance. Those folks are everywhere now.” “A lot of companies don’t require a certification or a degree. We certainly don’t,” says Larry Cox, Sunstate Equipment’s vice president of culture. “We just need somebody that wants to be a hardworking technician, and we can train them throughout their career.” Get good at social media… “We’ve built our workforce 100 percent on the back of social media – Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn,” says Keaton Turner of Turner Mining Services. “It’s worked

out unbelievably well for us. The beauty of it is that it’s all free. We don’t spend a dime on any prepaid ads or sponsored ads, and we don’t have anyone working full time on it. It’s quick and easy.” Turner encourages employees to put up regular short posts of their jobs, milestones and success stories, which grow exponentially on social media. For example, a technician completes a rebuild on a big engine. He snaps a selfie standing next to his project and posts it to his account with a few comments on what a challenge it was. Ten of his friends see it and put the post on their sites, where 10 of their friends see it and post it. Before long, this one post has racked up hundreds of views – all positive about the company. Occasionally, Turner will hire a professional photographer to photograph people in the field for the company’s social media content. And office personnel make sure photos are taken for anniversaries, promotions and other celebrations, which quickly get posted to the company site. Those celebratory postings are a nice way of reminding family, friends and acquaintances that the person in the post made a wise decision by going to work at Turner Mining Services. Turner relies almost exclusively on employees doing their own posts. There’s a rule that you don’t stop work or do something unsafe to get a photo, but he says it’s not a problem. His workforce is smart enough to police itself. “Our people hold each other accountable,” he says.

...but don’t dismiss the tried and true Old-school methods can still hold sway, including helpwanted signs on company property or trucks, word-ofmouth and employee referrals. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 35

Tech shortage | continued

Photo: Dakota County Technical College.

special report

One-on-one mentorships can be an effective way to transfer knowledge. “We love the referrals from our employees, especially when they refer their brother or uncle or sister,” Cox says. Sunstate also keeps track of what methods work. Within the first two weeks on the job, a new tech will get a welcome call from upper management, and one of the questions they get asked is how they came to the company. “For many, it’s either been a referral, or ‘I saw your trucks,’ or ‘I drove by and saw a sign on the fence,’” Cox says.

Explore what’s available digitally Bone up on how you can target an online audience, says Tyler Robertson, CEO of Diesel Laptops, which offers tech training software and hardware. “Unless you really know what you’re doing in terms of setting up your online ads, creating a landing page and cultivating that information, it’s going to be difficult,” he says. Carolina Cat uses geotargeting on its Facebook tech recruiting ads. “People are moving away from traditional job boards and more toward social media,” says Lauren McMillan, the dealership’s recruiting manager. The dealership also uses sites such as Glassdoor and Indeed, which allow users to read a review and apply while they’re in the app. “Techs have to be able to apply on their mobile devices,” McMillan says. “The easier you can make it to apply, the better.” Some dealers have found success in using a targeted data set in recruiting, says Melissa Moss, senior director of digital services at Randall-Reilly. Using EDA data on tool buyers (example: individuals who have financed Snap-on and Matco tool sets), these buyers can be tar36 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

geted on Facebook, job boards and with search-engine marketing. “We like to have a multichannel approach,” she says. (Note: EDA and Equipment World are Randall-Reilly brands.) “We advise clients to be transparent in their messaging,” Moss says. This includes being direct about starting base pay, hiring and relocation bonuses along with highlighting company culture. But these campaigns will fail if there’s no timely lead follow-up, ideally within 5 minutes after a lead comes through, Moss says: “Don’t use text or email as your first touchpoint. These are good follow-up methods, but your first method of outreach should be a phone call. If they’re reaching out to you, they’re also reaching out to your competitors. When a lead is contacted by phone within 5 minutes, the chances of actually speaking to the person go up 900 percent.”

Make sure you’re inviting to women and minorities “If there are any two topics that are closely intertwined, it’s diversity inclusion and workforce development,” says John Messe, senior director of heavy equipment at Waste Management. “When we’re doing a bad job at tapping into diverse groups, we are more likely to have a workforce problem.” Current U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show women make up less than 4 percent of all maintenance and technician workers. The statistics are similar in Canada, says Jacqueline Anderson, director of stakeholder relations at Women Building Futures, an Edmonton, Alberta-based group working to educate and introduce

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special report

Tech shortage | continued

women to jobs that have typically gone to men. The group offers a four-week preapprenticeship program for women interested in becoming diesel technicians. After the initial four weeks are up, each budding technician spends one year working with one of four partners of the program, which include Cummins, Westcan Bulk, DFI and SMS Equipment. From there, their training advances. At Waste Management, diversity in the workforce is a corporate goal, Meese says. “We recognize that the more diverse the company is the more viewpoints we have to tap into. It’s such a broad focus because our workforce has to mirror the community,” he says. “Our customers are all from diverse backgrounds and how can there be any empathy for a customer if you have not been around that diverse group that you’re serving?”

Make it a company priority to grow your own techs It’s difficult to hire off the street and there are not enough tech school graduates to fill the need, Spurlock argues. This means it’s on you to grow your own. Although it started as a brick-andmortar operation, ADTC now takes the approach that diesel tech training needs to be embedded inside companies to meet the demand. And always take time to train an inexperienced newbie, says Turner. “I really believe that if you bring in an 18-year-old kid to wash parts or sweep the shop floor, if he’s got a good head on his shoulders, he’s not going to be washing parts or sweeping the floor very long. He’s going to be standing next to the guy that’s doing the work and asking questions. If he’s showing that kind of interest, then it’s on you to help him develop his skills.” Up the ante Consider whether putting money on the table will make the difference, 38 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Jake Meenk gets hands-on experience in Sunstate Equipment’s apprenticeship program. especially since your competitors for tech talent are likely offering everything from subsidized to free training, tool reimbursements and guaranteed jobs. In some cases, Sunstate will offer a $5,000 signing bonus. “It’s the kind of thing you have to do to get people to understand how serious you are about hiring them,” Cox says. “You have to be competitive – like professional sports.” Sunstate recruiters make it a point to ask job candidates in interviews if they have education loans, Cox says. The company reimburses the student as the student makes payments, up to $30,000. It also begins the reimbursement without a required period

of employment. “We’ll start it right away,” he says. To help cover tool expenses, the company offers up to $20,000 spread over a two-year period. “We believe it’s our responsibility to create the environment where they don’t want to leave,” Cox says. “And so we’re not afraid to put an investment in these kids or adults, and we’re convinced that we can retain them.” Spurlock says he’s seeing an 85 percent retention rate if students receive assistance from an employer, usually in the form of paid training. “The real issue here is a funding issue. If you remove the two barriers of time and money, it opens up a massive pipeline of people.”

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special report

Tech shortage | continued

Have a recruiting plan on the short horizon. “I chuckle at Elon Musk’s fame “If you’re proactive with your recruiting strategy, you’re for autonomous cars when we’ve had massive autononot going to hire out of desperation,” says Jay Goninen, mous trucks running in mines for more than 20 years,” CEO of the Find a Wrench technician search service. says Komatsu’s Chimley. “We have to tell that story.” “Don’t be like the 60-year-old who suddenly wants to Sunstate is also working on a plan to take about 100 start saving for retirement.” students from Universal Technical Institute’s Orlando This includes active recruiting even though your shop is campus to the American Rental Association’s Rental Show currently at capacity. Set next year in Orlando. a goal of tech interviews There they will be able and come up with a plan to see the equipment, to make yourself acmeet employers, and as countable for executing Cox puts it, “Get wowed it. “Once you get caught about what the rental up, don’t stop,” he says. industry is all about.” “That’s an absolute killer. Make sure you’re conTalk about the long sistently evaluating what game but be honest works and what doesn’t. Successful diesel techs, Be intentional. Set up with their innate equipreminders to stay on ment knowledge, task. The better you get can carve out a steep at this, the better your upward trajectory. But business is going to be.” candidates have to earn Eventually there will the next rung on the be a market correction, ladder through oldGoninen says, and if you fashioned effort. There’s have a plan in place, going to be hard work, it will allow you to be grease and dirt involved. aggressive and hire good New hires are not going Road Builders Machinery & Supply’s inaugural Signing Day included techs when others might to get a $70,000 job right incoming student/employee Zach Stanford (at the table) with, left to be laying off. “When out of tech school. right, Alan Bell, HR director; Doug Mehner, corporate service manpeople are running But also emphasize ager; and Rusty Coons, Kansas City service manager. one way, try to run the there’s a career runway. “One of the things about other,” he says. millennials is they want a lot of responsibility,” Turner says. “They want it now, and they want to move fast. Celebrate incoming tech interns When you get the right ones, you won’t have any Washburn Tech in Topeka, Kansas, is credited with having the first National Technical Letter of Intent problems with them begging for more responsibility.” Signing Day in 2014, an idea that has spread to more than 70 institutions. Modeled after the NCAA’s NationRecruit the parents al Signing Day for athletes, students typically sign a “It’s the parents that we’ve got to convince,” says letter of intent and don a cap featuring the institution Greg Settle, director of national initiatives, TechForce or sponsoring employer. Foundation. Host an event at your shop and invite the The idea has spread to construction dealerships parents along with the students, he says. “Have your such as Road Builders Machinery & Supply, which techs actually working in their areas and showing held its first Signing Day ceremony in May with three how they work on equipment, so they can actually incoming students. “Signing Days help solidify the see what they do and what it’s like to work there.” commitment,” says Doug Mehner, corporate service Adds Chimley: “Recruiting talent is no different than manager. “It gives them a vision and the knowledge a college football coach coming into somebody’s livthey have an official spot.” ing room and telling the parents, ‘I’m going to take care of your son,’ or a women’s college softball coach Brag about the industry coming in and saying, ‘I’m going to take care of your Construction is dinged for being a technology laggard, daughter. When they come to us, we’re going to make but there’s plenty of technology that’s already here and sure they do well.’” 40 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Look into apprenticeships Dealers and manufacturers are establishing registered apprenticeship programs, such as the one just started by John Deere. Apprentices who participate in this earn-while-youlearn program will get structured on-the-job training and technical instruction with an experienced mentor at participating dealerships. While in the program, apprentices will track and report their OJT learning and technical training time in conjunction with their employer. Started a year ago, General Equipment’s apprenticeship is geared to those who have been out in the workforce for a few years. The company currently has approved apprenticeships for a diesel tech, an aggregate equipment technician and for a parts technician. “We’ve been doing this informally for 35 years, because that’s how we’ve trained our employees, but this just formalizes it,” Pollert says.

Photo: NDSCS

Talk about the opportunities Equipment technical requirements are creating new careers. “There’s always been the sales person selling the machine and the technician fixing the machine,” Chimley explains. “Now, right in the middle of those two, we’ve created a technical solutions expert, which serves as a customer consultant to the emerging technologies.” The training and experience they receive as a technician is foundational to this and other career advancements, he says. Another career possibility is becomGeneral Equipment student Grant Davis and a North Dakota State ing an equipment manager. The average College of Science instructor go over a repair. member of the Association of Equipment Management Professionals manages a fleet of 1,333 pieces of equipment worth end of active duty service a month and one two-week $21.3 million and has an annual purchasing authority of mission a year. The rest of the time, they are civilians $1.85 million. This level of fleet management obviously with civilian jobs. Not all Guard or Reserve units have isn’t taught at your local tech school. AEMP fills this mechanics and technicians, but a high percentage of training and career gap by providing high-level educathem have motor pools. tion and certification for up-and-coming technicians to Sunstate created the Sunstate Foundation in partnership help them achieve the job of fleet manager. with Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and TechForce Foundation to set up scholarships for veterans. In addiHire a hero tion to the scholarship, the foundation also pays the gap Know that the Reserves and the National Guard are between discharge and when G.I. Bill benefits take effect, sweet spots for recruiting because their units are all usually around $1,200 to help cover living expenses. locally based. Their members work and serve in your “There are a lot of great technicians coming out of the community – a phone call away. military, and so we spend a lot of time at the recruitThese are the “weekend warriors” who pull one week- ing and career fairs at military bases in our area,” says

EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 41

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Tech shortage | continued

Kathy Taylor, chief people officer at Carolina Cat. “The good thing about military people is that they are used to moving, so they might be willing to move to the job location.”

Get to know…really know… your local educators Sunstate has become a premier employer with UTI, which refers the company to students, according to Cox. That 10-year relationship with the tech school is bearing fruit, bringing in not only entry-level mechanics but experienced ones as well. In a recent survey of its 500 technicians, Sunstate found that 20 percent of them were UTI graduates. “That did not mean that they graduated from UTI and found us,” Cox explains. “They graduated from UTI and then went to work and then changed jobs or got laid off, and then they found us.” Sunstate, like many equipment rental companies, has been experiencing rapid expansion. “When we go into a new territory, we get to know the UTI campus director,” he says. “Having that relationship with a school allows us to walk into the campus – and they know us – and talk to their students about the options that exist in our company and our industry.” Take back the high schools High schools can be a tough recruiting challenge, says Sunstate’s Cox. Students typically rely on guidance counselors who may not know that high-paying jobs are going unfilled in their local area. “The students aren’t going out and talking to employers when they’re a junior in high school or a sophomore,” Cox says. “They’re talking to counselors.” Cox went so far as to write a letter to 3,500 guidance counselors and educators in Arizona. He was surprised at the feedback, with many of the comments along the lines of, “I had no idea.” Deere dealer 21st Century Equip42 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

ment goes on more than 80 high school visits a year to connect with students in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, says Wayne Brozek, corporate vice president of aftermarket. “There’s enough talent inside our own fences; we don’t need to try to poach from other places,” he adds. “We just need to educate the people who are at our back door.” And before they even get to high school, Fox Valley Technical College introduces younger girls to diesel tech and other trades through summer camps, says Jennifer Fuerst, coordinator of K-12 programs. “If students can figure out which cluster they are interested in before leaving middle school,

she says. “What does a job look like? What are they going to like doing every day? I know that when I stand in front of a classroom of 22 students, that maybe only two are interested in exploring being a diesel tech. My goal is to find those students and then get them to visit our shop and explore what they’re interested in.” In the meantime, she’s also giving value to the rest of the students and hopefully leaving the impression that General Equipment is a good place to work.

Never stop recruiting “The dealers that have dedicated HR resources for recruiting technicians

Dineah Lucero left the automotive world to join Sunstate Equipment’s apprenticeship program in Denver, where she has advanced to field service mechanic. they can head into high school knowing which classes are most relevant for them to take,” she says.

Take back the high schools, part 2 Pollert makes general presentations on career exploration, teaching high-schoolers how to research and choose a career and a company. It’s only tangentially about diesel tech careers. “I go into what does a four-year college degree look like versus a two-year or a one-year certification,”

are the ones filling their jobs,” Chimley says. “They wake up and that’s their focus.” Adopt some tactics floating in automotive circles. Have a business card made up with your elevator pitch on it, outlining the top three reasons why people should work for you. Or make it simple: show a piece of construction equipment with text that reads, “Your next job here” with your contact info. Hand them out with a comment such as, “I’m Joe, and I hire diesel technicians.”

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special report

Tech shortage | continued

Newman Tractor’s “Deconstruction” video series feature technicians such as “Kickin’ Kenny” Young.

RETENTION TIPS

“The number one key to the tech shortage is retaining the techs you have,” says Duke Fancher, vice president of aftermarket for Lonestar Truck Group. Here are some ways to keep your techs:

Culture, culture, culture “Culture is how we feel when we are at work, and what drives us to do a better job every day,” Fancher says. “You need to make them part of the family.” Lonestar has started sending each each new technician a handwritten note welcoming them to the team and telling them they’ve made a great decision to join the company. Included in the note is a business card with all the important company numbers that the techs can keep or hand to their significant other. “We’re at full capacity with the exception of a few jobs,” Fancher says of the company’s 23 stores. “How did we get there? I think it really boils down to culture,” Fancher says. “You gotta let them know you care.” “One of our biggest successes is just doing our best in our communities and making sure people know that General Equipment is a great place to work,” Pollert says. “It all ties together with culture, because I wouldn’t encourage my friends to work here if I hated to work here.”

Thoroughly examine your internal processes “Companies really need to focus on being as efficient and productive as possible in their shops,” Diesel Laptop’s Robertson says. “If you can decrease the amount 44 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

of hours you need to troubleshoot, for example, you can free up your techs to do other things.” Carolina Cat used technician focus groups at all its branches to delve into its technician retention processes, says Taylor. “We asked them what we needed to be considering,” she says. “We really got a good sense of where some of the pain points were for technicians.” One of the messages was techs wanted more career progression. “We realized we were using some artificial requirements,” she says. “Instead, we’ve made it more competency-based.” In examining its employment data, Carolina Cat also discovered that turnover was most likely to happen in the first three years of employment. So it adjusted its compensation package for this group. Look at your on-boarding process, Fancher says, and at the ways that you make someone feel welcome. For instance, don’t make techs wait for a uniform until a trial period is up. “Think about how that makes the new employee feel. You’re literally saying ‘you’re not part of the team’ until they get past their initiation.”

Listen “I ask all the time: ‘What can I do to make your job better?’” Pollert says. Sure, there are quick-come-back answers, such as more Dilly Bar Fridays, but there’s also gold to mine. For example, the techs asked Pollert why they couldn’t wear jeans. She explored the question and found the no-jeans decision was rooted in a 15-year-old problem with cleaning grease from denim. Since there are now solutions to handle those stains, the techs can now wear

jeans. Simple question, simple solution, yet it added to the job satisfaction of those working in the shop. Lonestar Truck Group asked its techs in one facility about installing air conditioning in the shop. “The technicians got together and said, ‘If you really want us to be more productive all year around, we could use some overhead cranes,” Fancher says.

Designate a mentor Road Builders Machinery established a formal mentor program about six months ago and is already seeing the benefits, Mehner says. “A lot of students coming in now need consistent feedback,” he says. “Mentors give them someone to turn to; they are part psychologist, manager and friend.” Mehner emphasizes that mentors need to volunteer for the job and that they need to go into it thinking they can learn as much from the student as the student does from them. Mentors are critical, agrees Fancher, especially during the onboarding process. “They tell them how things are done, how to navigate their way around the big learning curve,” he says.

struction” videos. Using work that’s in the shop at that moment, Newman technicians speak directly to the camera on such topics as rebuilding the valves and cam bearings on a Cummins engine or repairing an artic’s suspension. “My goal is to not slow them down while they’re working,” says Justin Newman, who serves as company videographer. “I’ll just occasionally say, ‘Tell me what are you doing’ while filming.” The videos showcase the technician’s expertise. Not only do they tell their audience what they’re doing to fix things, they explain why a component failed. To entice viewers to keep watching each video, Newman puts in outtakes and bloopers at the end. “We realized people will engage if we’re more vulnerable,” Newman says. Another rule: no hard sales pitch. The series has netted its technician stars a small amount of fame. “Our guys have been recognized when they’re out,” Newman says. “And when you’re getting numbers like 40,000 views on a video, people are paying attention.”

Rock stars, part 2

Sister companies Mack Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment each sponsor Make female techs welcome global dealer tech-knowledge Your culture and employment contests. Volvo CE’s Master policies should already have Competition is 30 years old, a welcoming atmosphere in and now the children of the place, but also pay attention to original competitors are in the Left to right, Justin Malone, Joey Wardrip, Aaron these potential snags, says the fray, with one former winner’s Toomer and Ted Pfister from Bruckner Truck Sales TechForce Foundation: Don’t daughter making it to the finals won this year’s Mack Masters and landed on the ask your female techs to wear in March. “Not only does the cover of this Mack publication. a man’s uniform. Make sure contest identify the best of the you have a dedicated women’s best, it also boosts the reputarestroom and changing faciltion of hard-working dealers ity. And look at additional flexibilities you could offer everywhere and shows just how much skill is needed to single moms (and dads) to help keep them in your to deliver a world-class service to our customers,” says employ. Hans-Juergen Salau, Volvo CE global manager of technical training. Make your techs your rock stars, part 1 The Mack Masters contest wrapped up earlier this year Celebrate each progression of the tech’s journey via social with more than 500 dealer teams and 2,000 techs commedia. “Anytime I can plug my students or their stories, peting for the honor. This time, the contest also featured “apprentice” teams in which the combined experience of I’m there,” Pollert says. Any tech that gets certified through all four team members could not exceed 16 years. the Association of Equipment Distributors Foundation’s And trucking firm Ryder awards a $50,000 first prize Certified Technician program has their name on General during its annual Top Tech contest from among its 6,300 Equipment’s “Wall of Fame.” U.S. and Canada-based technicians. Technicians are the stars in Newman Tractor’s “DeconEquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 45

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maintenance | by Tom Jackson

TJackson@randallreilly.com

TIRE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT

A little time can produce big savings

Daily inspection of the tread and sidewalls for damage can reveal most small problems before they grow into big headaches.

nless you do the math, you may not realize that after labor and fuel, tires are your third-highest operating cost on a wheeled piece of heavy equipment. So starting a simple maintenance and management program could save you substantial amounts of money. Creating a tire maintenance and

management program may seem like an administrative burden for a small company with a limited fleet, but even a little effort can yield big savings. “If you are not able to look at your tires daily and manage them in that manner, you need to move into a tire maintenance and management program,” says Johni Francis, global OTR product manager for Titan International.

Photo: BKT

There is a perception that tire maintenance and management programs are more suited to the big fleets than small contractors, but Chris Rhoades, manager of engineering and training for BKT tires, turns that myth on its head. “For the small operator a $6,000 tire is really important,” he says. “It’s just as important to the small contractor as it is the big companies, if not EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 47

maintenance

| continued

Regularly checking the tread depth of your tires ensures that you get the best performance, that loads are carried safely and that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t risk ruining a casing that might be retreaded. Photo: Titan

A LONG WAY

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48 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

more so. They have to move a lot of material to make up that loss.” The benefits of a tire maintenance management program can be gleaned whenever a fleet has two or more pieces of equipment that use the same size and type of tires, says Tom Clauer, senior manager of commercial and OTR product planning at Yokohama Tire. Managing your tires can be as simple as setting up a rotation schedule or retreading cycle, or it can be more in-depth by using data-intensive, cloud-based analysis programs, he says. Basically there are three steps to a successful tire maintenance management program: track your tires, seek expert advice from your tire vendors and coach your operators.

Tracking tires This can be as simple as calculating your tires’ cost per hour by checking the hour meter on the machine each time you install new tires and

each time you replace them. Record the results on an Excel chart or spreadsheet and use that to determine what brands or types of tires give you the most bang for your buck, which environments are the easiest or harshest on your tires, and which operators are careful with the machine and which ones are cowboys. Aside from running cost-per-hour calculations, other data points can be collected to get a better handle on your tire costs. One of these is failure analysis, says Francis. Failure analysis is simply recording the cause of a tire being pulled from service. If your tires experience a lot of cuts and chipping, you may want to examine how clean your loading and dump sites are. Spillage and loose rocks are hard on tires. If you find a lot of heat-related failures, you may need to look into the design of your haul roads. Are they too steep, are the curves too

sharp, or are your trucks overloaded for the road design? Bigger outfits will carefully engineer their haul roads, but at a minimum, you can ask your tire servicing dealer for an analysis or recommendation.

Working with your servicing dealer Few contractors are tire experts, so in most cases, you should seek the knowledge and expertise of your tire servicing dealer. “All servicing dealers have tire tracking tools, but a lot of contractors may not be asking for this service,” says Rhoades. “If you’re not, ask the dealer. Tell him you want tire tracking as part of the deal.” “Any time the end user wants to reach out and have a sales rep or a field technician come out, if they need that kind of support or have questions, that’s a part of what we do daily,” says Francis. “It’s a constant communication. That channel has to be open.”

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maintenance

| continued

In harsh environments where cuts, punctures and other pneumatic-tire killers are likely, a non-pneumatic tire, such as foamfilled products or Michelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tweel (shown here), may be the best alternative. Photo: Michelin

50 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Smaller fleets with fewer tires may not get as many site visits as the big fleets, but they should expect the same professionalism from their supplying dealer. Off-road tires are a major investment and should be respected with a high level of dealer involvement, regardless of fleet size, says Clauer. Getting a tire vendor to do your tire monitoring is as simple as asking. Most have software tracking programs that do everything except change the tires and input the data. “Most customers don’t want to get into the tire management process,” says Rhoades. And since the dealers will usually be the ones to change the tires, it makes sense for them to input the data. “They typically do the input and provide reports as a value-added service,” he says.

Coaching operators: things to avoid Rough operators hack the life of your tires. Intoxicated with the

power of a big diesel machine, they may not realize they’re abusing one of its most important components. “The number-one thing is to give the operator ownership, so they treat the equipment like it’s their own,” Francis says. “Once you ingrain that into the culture, things will change.” Operators should avoid exceeding the limits of their equipment, including the tires, says Clauer. Knowing the haul restrictions – weight capacity, length of haul and haul speed – are vital to maintaining the tires’ integrity, he says. They should also be coached on the long list of tire-damaging behaviors, including running over debris, static steering and counter-rotation (on skid steers), that accelerate wear and damage. Operators should avoid running tires in abrasive or abusive conditions when wet, or at a minimum, they should gently maneuver in

wet conditions. “A wet tire cuts 10 times easier than a dry tire,” says Ray McElroy, manager of technical services at BKT. Even overwatering your site or your haul roads with the water truck can increase the potential for deep cuts on a tire. Likewise, you want to go easy on your maneuvers when operating on pavement in high temperatures. “In Phoenix, when it’s 120 degrees outside, they’ll leave 1/32nd of rubber on the pavement every time they turn the wheel,” says Ron Tatlock, global manager of training for BKT.

Coaching operators: things to do In addition to avoiding certain behaviors, you should coach your operators on how to improve tire life, says Justin Brock, marketing manager, construction and Tweel, Michelin North America. These include: Check tires for correct pressures. Every shop should have a

EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 51

maintenance

| continued

master air gauge, and all drivers should have an accurate pressure gauge and be instructed to check the tires on their equipment or truck daily as a best practice, or weekly at a minimum. Make sure that sealing valve caps are in place. A tire that is run 10 percent underinflated will lose 10 percent in tread wear and will come out of service quicker. A tire that is 20 percent below the optimal air pressure will experience casing fatigue that could lead to a catastrophic failure or a zipper rupture. If the tire has been run 20 percent underinflated, it should be removed from the vehicle and scrapped. Conduct a visual inspection prior to operating. Look for signs of irregular wear in the tread or shoulder and examine the tires for bubbles or bumps, which may be 52 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Photo: Yokohama Tire

If your tire servicing dealer is changing your tires or making site visits, consider asking the dealer to set up a tire management program for you. caused by air infiltration or foreign objects. Look for signs of cutting, chunking, stone drilling or debris penetration, signs of irregular wear, deep cracks, cuts or other major problems. If any symptoms of tire damage are discovered during inspection, do not operate the vehicle until a trained service technician can diagnose the severity of the problem and make the proper repairs. Check the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual or the load and tire information placard to determine precise pressures for the loads that the vehicle is designed to carry. Select the best tire for the application. Check the wheels for damage or distortion, missing bolts or cracked studs. Store tires properly when they are not in use â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in a cool, dry place

away from direct sunlight to avoid premature aging. Prevent exposure to ozone sources such as sun, arcwelders and mercury vapor lightbulbs, as well as ultraviolet rays and inclement weather. Tires should be stored standing up on their tread, not stacked in a pile on their sidewalls. Beware of mixing tires on your vehicle, especially across an axle. Try to match tires with the same tread depths, same tread patterns and same height (or diameter). Using two different types of tires could damage the vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal components, because the tires do not work together to provide the same traction and handling performance. Keep your tires clean! Wash them with warm soap and water. This will help prevent premature aging and rubber deterioration.

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Rita Lawrence, L & L Asphalt City, State: Phoenix, Arizona Year Started: 2001 Number of 14 employees: Annual revenue: $3 million to $5 million Markets served: Paving for airports, water treatment facilities and municipalities

Company rises out of the ashes of spoiled retirement

ita and Arlyn Lawrence were living the good life in Phoenix, Arizona, where they had relocated after Arlyn retired from running a heavy highway construction firm in Illinois. But in a sudden twist of fate, the retirement money they were relying on from his former company disappeared. “We looked at each other and said,

‘What are we going to do now?’” relates Rita. Arlyn had the answer: “We’re going back in business, and you’re going to be the boss.” With Arlyn as her mentor, Rita took on 100 percent ownership of L & L Asphalt, working for the city of Phoenix as a small-business enterprise. “We bought shovels and a dump truck and hired a few guys and just started filling potholes,” Rita says.

The work had its challenges. “This area has about 25 different mixes for asphalt, and everyone thinks they have the best spec,” she says. With Arlyn serving as her chief estimator, the two tackled all the bids they could handle. At the end of the first year, Rita examined the bottom line. “I thought, ‘Wow, if we could make that much just filling potholes, we need to crank EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 55

contractor of the year finalist |

continued L & L Asphalt has completed several projects at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport and currently has a $1.8 million job on the books.

it up,’” she says. “So I bought a paver.” Unfortunately, the new paver was a lemon. “It broke down every time,” she remembers. “I raised so much hell the dealer sent me another paver to replace it, and that one wasn’t much better.” Eventually Rita hired an estimator, and so Arlyn finally got to retire... again.

Then along came the recession When the Great Recession hit, it hit L & L hard. “I cried and prayed a lot,” Rita says. “We were tapped out on our line of credit, and we had a few jobs go wrong. Then the bank froze our account.” Rita negotiated with the bank. “They gave us six months. We had to sell all of the equipment we owned. We all took a pay cut.” The company’s numbers improved; it made its payments. Eventually the bank doubled the line of credit. 56 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

“We learned how to pick and choose jobs,” Rita says of the experience. “I now know we don’t have to take on everything just to exchange dollars.” What makes her proud though is that “nobody left me, even after the pay cuts. Everyone stayed,” she says. “We all just kind of hunkered down.”

Public works concentration The company concentrates on the public works market within a 100mile radius, including municipalities, airports and water treatment plants. “A lot of the larger companies don’t want to mess with the smaller jobs,” Rita explains, “but with us there’s really nothing that’s too small.” But that doesn’t mean they don’t take on larger projects, such as a current $1.8 million job at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. “If the project fits, and it’s for one of our top clients, we’ll try to do

it,” says John Doerfler, chief estimator, who was hired by L & L after several years of experience with another firm. The company’s equipment fleet includes pavers, skid steers and rollers. “We’ve really stepped up in the past two years with our rollers,” Doerfler says. “We used to rent them, but they were hard to find. With owning them, you don’t have to worry about that. And Rita was not happy with how much we were spending on rental.” Doerfler continues: “This type of work is hard on equipment, so buying it after someone has already used it is tough to do. With buying new, we have the warranty. It’s really the only way we can go with pavers.” There are tough realities with working on an asphalt crew in the deep Southwest. “Asphalt comes out at 300 degrees out of the truck, and it’s already 110 degrees out there,” Doerfler says. “It’s not an

Left to right, Harland Begay, Daniel Gonzalez and John Doerfler confer on the job.

Rita’s son, Jon Conkling, heads up L & L’s equipment maintenance. easy job. If they make it the first week, though, they’ll usually stay.” Rita’s son, Jon Conkling, serves as L & L’s chief mechanic. “He so good at working on machines,” she says. “The people we have now are the best crew we’ve ever had,” Doerfler says. “Our superintendent Daniel Gonzales is on top of everything.” Mike Elkins with B & F Contracting offers this observation about the can-do attitude of L & L crews: “We do a lot of emergency work for the city of Phoenix, and we’re working until dark or as long as the plant can run. They never tell us they can’t help us.”

Mama Bear “We call Rita ‘Mama Bear,’” Doerfler says. “You can approach her about anything, and if you need help, she’ll help you.” Part of Rita’s caring perspective comes from being a cancer survivor, diagnosed with lymphoma in 1984. After two years of remission, the aggressive cancer came back. Her life was saved by a thenexperimental treatment that is now FDA-approved. Rita calls the experience a miracle. When doctors ask her, “Do you know what a bullet you dodged?” she says, “Yes, I sure do.”

ASA Diva Along the way, Rita joined the local chapter of the American Subcontractors Association and became the chapter’s chief membership advocate, passing out membership brochures on jobsites to other subs. One year, she was responsible for inviting 20 new members to the group. She even has a license plate that reads, “ASA Diva.” For her efforts, Rita received the national association’s Timothy L. McLaughlin Exemplary Leadership Award in 2017. “Within the ASA community, you can simply say ‘Rita’ and everyone automatically knows who you’re referring to,” says Carol Floco, CEO of ASA of Arizona. “She’s our construction version of Cher.” “Joining ASA really put my company out there,” Rita says. “It made a huge difference. There’s so much you can learn from an association.” “L & L isn’t just interested in getting your business,” adds Darin Bailey with Hunter Contracting. “They are always there to help valueengineer options and provide their expertise and experience.” Talk to the owner Rita has seen a number of changes in the 18 years she’s been in business, especially as a woman in a

male-dominated industry. “People would call and say, ‘I want to talk to the owner,’ and I’d tell them that was me, and they’d say, ‘Do you have a male there I can talk to?’” She pauses, then says: “I don’t hear that anymore.” “I was a control freak in the beginning,” Rita continues. “I was so afraid that we were going to lose the business I felt I had to control everything. It took a long time to find the right people, but once I learned to let go and put people in those positions, I learned to delegate.” “I call myself the politician of the company,” Rita adds. “I got out and went to meetings and got involved with legislative issues affecting contractors.” This involvement reflects husband Arlyn’s example. “That’s what he did with his former company, and it just makes a huge difference in your company’s reputation,” she says. “Rita could teach others how to be a good business owner and manager – which are not always the same thing – and the importance of connecting with and caring about employees, and championing the issues that impact the industry,” says ASA’s Floco. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 57

BEHIND THE THIN OR Keeping workers safe in roa road works | by Don McLoud

| DonMcLoud@randallreilly.com

he No. 1 killer of workers in road construction is struck-by accidents, according to federal statistics and industry experts. Those risks are coming at workers from both sides of the orange cones and bar-

58 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

rels they work behind – from motorists crashing into the zone and from coworkers not following proper safety procedures. “We call the cones and the barrels the orange line,” says Lee Cole, vice president of environmental, health

RANGE LINE ad work zones and safety at CRH Americas Materials. “So on one side of the orange line is the protection of the motoring public. The other side of the orange line is protection of the worker. … “And it’s a thin orange line.” Crews were paving June 2 on Interstate 95 in Henrico County, Virginia, when a pickup truck crashed into a contractor-owned, truck-mounted crash cushion. Photo: Virginia DOT Richmond District

The rising death toll and high number of injuries (see sidebar on page 60) have led the roadbuilding industry to launch public service campaigns to make drivers more aware of the dangers of work zones. At the same time, it is developing innovative ways to protect workers while also stressing the importance of safety training for all involved in roadwork, from planning to construction.

Work zone intrusion “Most people nowadays, when they get in the car, feel weird if they don’t have their seat belt on, and know it’s really stupid to drive if they’ve had a couple of drinks,” says Brian Turmail, spokesman for the Associated General Contractors. “But few people seem to have the impression that it’s really stupid to go speeding through a work zone.” Each year, AGC members respond to a Highway Work Zone Safety Survey. In 2016, 39 percent of surveyed construction firms reported an intrusion crash in a work zone. This year, the number rose to 67 percent. “You can’t talk to a highway contractor and not have them tell you a story about something awful that happened at one of their jobsites,” Turmail says. In response, AGC launched a public service campaign. The message: driving safely in work zones doesn’t only protect workers but protects drivers and their passengers as well. For instance, 132 workers died in road work zones in 2017. But in all, there were 710 work-zone crash fatalities reported that year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. This campaign asks motorists “to act in their own self-interest,” Turmail says, “because they’re the one who’s most likely to get injured or killed in a highway work zone.” Following best practices within the zone Along with public service campaigns, the industry continues to focus on improving training and pushing best practices for road workers. For the past 15 years, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association has offered its internal traffic control planning program, training about 40,000 indus-

n response to the high number of work-zone injuries and deaths, the ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation launched the Safety Certification for Transportation Project Professionals in 2016. To date, the program has certified 400 transportation construction professionals. For more on the program, go to: http://bit.ly/SCTPP. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 59

road works | continued try members as well as state transportation agencies, says Brad Sant, senior vice president for safety and education. One of the big pushes of the program is to think of work zone safety as an overall process rather than a piecemeal approach. For example, one technique is to create separate equipment-free and worker-free areas. “Create acceleration and deceleration zones, not just for the traffic side but also on the internal side and make sure those are clear and that no workers are assigned to work there,” he says. That also means ensuring the portable toilets, water coolers and employee parking areas are not located where workers have to cross lanes used by work vehicles and equipment. “Sometimes you talk about this and people think, ‘Oh, you’re just making us do more work,’” says Sant. “But when you plan the process and the workflow and the traffic pool and where the workers are, you’ve not only created a safer work zone, you’ve actually created one that runs much more efficiently. So it’s actually a business incentive.”

On the road “One of our biggest initiatives and responsibilities we have before sending an employee to the field is to make sure they are properly trained,” says Dwayne Edmondson, Gallagher Asphalt’s safety director. The company has won numerous industry awards for its excellence and safety, including Diamond awards from the National Asphalt Paving Association. “I preach ‘be in command and demand respect’ when you’re flagging and make sure you’re communicating with your crew and with the motorist,” Edmondson says. Just recently Edmondson was out in the field in the Chicago area and saw that worker-to-worker communication pay off. A car driver wasn’t paying attention, failed to stop for the flagger’s stop sign and came speeding into the work zone. A worker was about to cross the street when another worker beeped his horn and yelled to him. The worker stopped abruptly. “We deal with a lot of this stuff on a daily basis,” Edmondson says. Drivers come through the zones angry and distracted. “I’ve had a middle finger 60 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Work zone deaths: the numbers

etween 2011 and 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 609 workers died in road work zones where construction, maintenance or utility work was underway. About 46 percent of them – 279 – were struck by some type of vehicle or mobile equipment in runover or backover incidents. Of those struck and killed, BLS reported, 79 were hit by a car, and 49 were hit by a dump truck. Forty of the dump truck accidents occurred when the truck was being backed. Next in line in for vehicle struck-by incidents that killed road workers during the five-year period were pickup trucks (48), tractor trailers (26), and SUVs (26). The data do not distinguish whether the deaths were caused by drivers intruding into the zone or internal accidents. Brad Sant, senior vice president for safety and education for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, says past data have indicated that the breakdown between internal and intrusion struck-by worker fatalities was about 5050. He says he has seen some more recent numbers that indicate safety training over the years may be reducing the percentage of internal struckby incidents, but the association has not confirmed that data yet. Other statistics and anecdotal evidence show that work zones are becoming increasingly more dangerous because of motorists. The number of fatal crashes in work zones fluctuate from year to year, but from 2013 to 2017, they increased by 183 deaths to 719, a rise of 34 percent, according to the National Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse. For that same five-year period, work-zone worker fatalities also rose – from 105 to 132, a 25 percent increase. Thousands of people are also injured in work zone crashes each year. In 2017, there was a total of 94,000 crashes, injuring 37,000 people, according to estimates by the safety clearinghouse. Fatal occupational injuries at road work zones by state, 2011–15

5 or fewer

6 to 7

8 to 12

13 to 18

19 or more

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Photos: Caltrans

The driver who ran into this crash cushion on a highway in California where a Caltrans crew was mowing was reaching for a cup of coffee. Fortunately, a worker saw the truck coming, ran up a hill and took shelter behind a tree. No workers were injured, and the pickup driver only had a scratched nose. stuck up at me three times already this week,” he says. “When you’re dealing with people like that, you have to stay calm and be professional. You’ve always got to remember your training.” And if the driver starts to get out of hand, “we encourage our employees to maintain their position but contact their foreman immediately through the radio.” He also encourages flaggers to communicate with motorists to help prevent potentially volatile situations. “People respect you when you’re in control,” he says. “This is what I tell my guys all the time: ‘Get eye contact with the drivers. Motorists need to hear your directions. Most of the time the driver doesn’t have a clue of what’s going on; they’re looking for a sense of direction. It is our responsibility to help in that effort.’ “If we can’t provide that, they typically get agitated

and develop a lack of respect for the flagger,” he adds. “So I tell these guys, ‘Communicate with the motorist; let them know we’re paving, and we should be letting you go soon.’” To prevent backover incidents, Gallagher always deploys a well-trained designated “dump man” to its work zones. Everyone knows the dump man, Edmondson says. He wears an orange safety vest, while everyone else wears lime green, so he stands out. He’s the only one who acts as a spotter for the dump trucks, and the truck drivers know they’re not supposed to move unless they are given directions from the dump man to do so. When a truck hauling asphalt approaches the site, the dump man halts it until the paver is ready for loading. He also handles the load and unload tickets. The dump man communicates with the driver and then ensures no one is nearby or in any of the truck’s many blind spots. “He literally controls that whole situation,” Edmondson says. “The dump man has a huge responsibility.” Edmondson believes in instilling a heightened sense of awareness among the workers, starting with their first day on the job. After new employees go through safety training that involves real-life scenarios to simulate what’s happening in the field, he also goes out on the job with them for follow-up to make sure everyone understands what they’re doing and to answer any questions. “You’ve got to let these employees know from the get-go how serious it is,” he says. “If you don’t, they’re going to take it for granted, and they could potentially lose their lives.”

Becoming AWARE But sometimes, training and best practices aren’t enough to keep road workers safe. In 2013, CRH Americas Materials (then known as Oldcastle) lost four workers in a series of devastating crashes in separate work zones. A drunken driver crashed into two workers on the back of a paver; 18 hours later, a flagger was killed in another part of the country by a distracted driver on a cellphone, and in another fatality, a drunken driver crashed into a compactor, pinning a worker. The company was known for its work-zone safety and had published a booklet on the subject for the industry. But that wasn’t enough to stop the uncontrollable drunken or distracted driver. Cole says that CEO Randy Lake decided to seek another solution. That’s when the company began talking to a military defense contractor that had developed a missile-defense system to protect soldiers traveling in war zones. “A distracted driver, whether by intoxication or cellphone, is an incoming threat like that missile,” Cole says. EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 61

road works | continued CRH’s AWARE Sentry system lights up and sounds an alarm to alert speeding motorists who fail to stop for a work zone or who are approaching too fast. It also activates a pager-size device worn by the flagger and other workers to alert them of the coming intrusion.

A worker attaches the AWARE system’s alert unit, called Worktrax, which vibrates and sounds an alarm to warn of an intruding vehicle.

Photos: CRH Americas Materials

“Maybe this system can be adapted and alert workers.” Five years later, CRH has deployed and is seeing positive results from the new technology it calls AWARE, which stands for Advanced Warning and Risk Evasion. AWARE consists of two systems: Lane Intrusion and Sentry. More than 100 Sentry units are already being used on CRH work crews. It is designed for workers on two-lane road projects with flagging operations. Using radar and GPS, the system detects when a vehicle is approaching a work zone at high speed or if a driver waiting at a flagger’s stop sign tries to pull out and go around. The system alerts the driver by flashing light and sound, and it sends a warning sound and vibration to a pager-sized device worn by the flagger. It also sends warnings downstream to other workers. Cole points to a recent incident in Alabama in which a distracted driver blew past a flagger. “The flagger had 62 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

already gotten the alert long before the driver got to him, and he was out of harm’s way, off the road away from it,” Cole says. The distracted driver eventually stopped, causing no injuries. The system also has a video component, allowing CRH to review incidents. Cole says the company has plenty of videos of cars driving past flaggers, getting the warning and then getting back into position. “We’re really seeing now the benefits of the past five years – lives being saved, workers excited about going out there,” Cole says. “If you almost get hit by a car one day, you really don’t want to go back out there the next day. With this system, our folks really feel like they’re protected.” The second AWARE component is the lane-intrusion system designed for working on multilane highways with speed limits of 50 mph and above and when a lane is closed with advanced warning signs. A radar

perimeter is established so that any intrusion beyond the cones or barrels alerts the distracted driver with audio and visual warnings. Workers are also alerted, and the pavers and compactors have AWARE alarm units on them as well. This lane-intrusion system is still being developed, but Cole expects it to be ready for use next spring. He also notes that it is not the sole answer to preventing accidents. “We realize that we should not depend solely on technology to protect our workers,” he says, “but rather use the best practices that we continue to develop in conjunction with technology to provide the best defense.”

“

I’ve had a middle finger stuck up at me three times already this week. When you’re dealing with people like that, you have to stay calm and be professional.You’ve always got to remember your training.

–Dwayne Edmondson, safety director Gallagher Asphalt

”

Positive protection Some in the paving and construction industry would like to see more use of barriers between traffic and workers, known as positive protection, and for the federal government to provide funding or incentives for their use. Sant says there are several types of positive-protection devices that have been developed in the last 15 years that can help protect workers from intrusion. Those include mobile barriers that can be set up for short-term repairs on an interstate. The systems are rigid-wall, semi-trailers connected to tractor trailers. Steel barriers instead of concrete barriers are another option. Though steel barriers are more expensive, they are lighter and easier to transport, which can lead to lower transportation costs, and they can be installed quicker, Sant says. State DOTs have also seen success over many years with crash cushions mounted on the back of unoccupied vehicles to protect workers from errant drivers. The device came in handy in a recent incident in California, EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 63

road works | continued

After two flagger deaths in two years, the Oregon Department of Transportation has expanded its use of automatic flagging devices, which workers can operate remotely out of harm’s way. when a driver became distracted while reaching for a cup of coffee and headed toward a Caltrans mowing crew. The car hit the cushion instead of a worker, who saw the vehicle coming, ran up a hill and took shelter behind a tree, according to Heidi Crawford Ruiz, Caltrans public information officer.

DOT deploys auto-flagger Two flagger deaths in the past two years led the Oregon Department of Transportation to expand its use of automated flaggers. The devices can be controlled remotely by a flagger standing out of harm’s way. A human flagger can operate two of the devices if both of them are in view, and on larger projects, a worker is assigned to one auto-flagger each. ODOT only uses them on brief projects on two-lane roads with work zones less than 800 feet long, says Katherine Benenati, assistant communications manager. “The Automated Flagger Assistance Devices will not only keep our human flaggers safer on the job, they also warn workers that a motorist has passed the auto flagger, and that warning may be the difference between someone going home tonight or not,” she says. 64 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

The auto-flaggers are primarily being used in eastern and central Oregon, with plans to expand them statewide.

Seeing it every day Many of the stationary devices, such as barriers and auto flaggers, are typically used for nonmoving paving and road operations. And barriers are not always allowed by state departments of transportation on moving asphalt projects due to traffic and other concerns. “In the asphalt paving world, the entire work zone is mobile, it’s constantly moving,” Cole says. “We have to depend on other things.” And with increasingly distracted drivers, it becomes even more crucial for workers to be visible to the public night and day and for contractors to have well-planned internal and external traffic control on either side of that orange line. “We have to go beyond compliance; we have to go beyond the rules and regulations,” Cole says. And above all, workers must be trained to stay alert. “One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a worker that can put him at risk is becoming complacent,” Cole says. “Complacency is probably our worst enemy.”

safety watch

| by Tom Jackson |

TJackson@randallreilly.com

storm was approaching and the crews were marching double time to get the roof deck of a five-story building buttoned up before it hit. Although the roof deck had been completed, several large openings were in it, including a 26- by 24-inch plenum to provide make-up air for an elevator shaft. The vertical plenum reached from the building basement to the rooftop. A worker had covered the rooftop opening of the plenum with a curb, so it was not visible. The victim was in the process of securing some nearby plywood sheets and attempted to pick up or slide the curb toward the plywood but did not realize that the plenum formed a gaping hole immediately underneath it. He stepped into the opening, lost his balance and fell into the hole, tumbling to the basement’s concrete floor. The victim was wearing a fall harDate of safety talk: Attending:

Illustration by Don Lomax

Speed kills

ness and lanyard but was not tied to anything. Emergency crews responded, and the victim was transported to a local hospital where he was declared dead. After the accident, investigators discovered that the contractor in charge had taken over the job from another contractor who had been fired for failure to meet the scheduled deadlines. The new contractor was tasked with doing “catchup work” on the project. He had five employees working for him, and they had all put in four 10-hour days at the time of the accident. The employer had been trained in the Management and Union Serving Together (MUST) safety training program earlier in his career when he worked for other contractors. And one of the employees had also been through the MUST training, but the victim had not. Although he provided some safety training for his workers, the employer did not require or offer MUST training for his non-union crews. Leader:

How this accident could have been prevented: • Employers should ensure that employees are protected from fall through holes more than 6 feet above the next level or surface. For openings higher than 6 feet, fall-arrest systems, covers or guard rail systems should be employed. Covers should be labeled and meet the fall protection standards. • Employers should conduct a daily hazard assessment to identify and mitigate hazards, such as roof openings, and note any changes on the jobsite that might affect safety. • Employers should provide task and jobsite specific safety training to all workers and ensure that workers tie off fall protection gear when needed. • Workers and employers should understand that haste can lead to mistakes and accidents and that tired workers often make poor decisions. For more on this accident and safety solutions, go to: http://bit.ly/HoleFall

_____________________ EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 67

alerta de seguridad

TJackson@randallreilly.com

La prisa mata

eniendo una tormenta cerca, las cuadrillas trabajaban a toda prisa para cerrar la plataforma del techo de un edificio de cinco pisos. Aunque ya habían completado la plataforma del techo, quedaban varias aberturas, incluyendo una cámara vertical de 26 por 24 pulgadas para ventilación de un agujero de ascensor. La cámara iba desde el sótano hasta el techo del edificio. Un trabajador había cubierto la abertura del techo para la cámara con una caja a manera de bordillo, por lo que no era visible. La víctima estaba fijando planchas de madera contrachapada y trató de levantar o deslizar el bordillo hacia la madera contrachapada sin darse cuenta del agujero de la cámara justamente debajo. Pisó en la abertura, perdió el equilibrio y cayó en el agujero haciendo todo el recorrido hasta el piso de concreto del sótano. La víctima estaba usando un arnés para caídas y un cordón, pero no los tenía atados a nada. Las cuadrillas de emergencia respondieron al accidente y transportaron a la víctima al hospital de la localidad donde se pronunció su muerte. Después del accidente, los investigadores descubrieron que el contratista a cargo había reemplazado en el trabajo a otro contratista que había sido despedido por no haber cumplido con las fechas programadas. Al nuevo contratista se le dio la tarea de “ponerse al día” en el trabajo del proyecto. El nuevo contratista tenía cinco empleados que trabajaban para él y todos llevaban cuatro días trabajando 10 horas diarias cuando ocurrió el accidente. El empleador había sido capacitado en un programa de seguridad de Management and Union Serving Together (MUST) cuando, al comienzo de su carrera, trabajaba para otros contratistas. Y uno de los empleados también había recibido capacitación de MUST, pero no así la víctima. Aunque ofrecía alguna capacitación de seguridad para sus trabajadores, el empleador no exigía ni ofrecía capacitación de MUST para los miembros de su cuadrilla que no estaban sindicalizados. Fecha de la charla de seguridad: Asistentes: 68 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Líder:

Cómo pudo haberse prevenido este accidente. • Los empleadores deberían asegurarse de que los empleados estén protegidos de caídas por agujeros que están a más de seis pies por encima del siguiente nivel o superficie. Para aberturas de más de seis pies de alto, deberían emplearse sistemas de detención de caídas, cubiertas y sistemas de barandas. Las cubiertas deberían ser etiquetadas y cumplir con los requisitos del Estándar de Protección contra Caídas de MIOSHA. • Los empleadores deberían conducir diariamente una evaluación de riesgos para identificar y mitigar riesgos como aberturas de techo, y notar cualquier cambio en el área de trabajo que pueda afectar la seguridad. • Los empleadores deberían ofrecer capacitación de seguridad específica de tareas y del área de trabajo a todos los trabajadores y garantizar que los trabajadores amarran el sistema de protección de caídas cuando lo necesitan. • Trabajadores y empleadores deberían entender que una prisa excesiva puede llevar a cometer errores y accidentes, y que cuando los trabajadores están agotados suelen toman malas decisiones. Para conocer más de este accidente y de las soluciones de seguridad visite: http://bit.ly/HoleFall

Illustration por Don Lomax

| por Tom Jackson |

technology

| staff report

Volvo intros Haul Assist real-time load monitoring for artics

olvo has launched a new load monitoring system for its articulated haulers that enables operators to use real-time data and project management tools to improve productivity. The feature, called Haul Assist, lives on Volvo’s 10inch Co-Pilot display in the cab and is integrated with the company’s On-Board Weighing system. The system allows operators to use Haul Assist in one of two modes: • Project Mode – Operators can set up projects, add dump zones and material types, and provide targets, Volvo says. This mode and layout make it easier for the operator to monitor production and provide the office with progress reports. The system can generate reports to provide productivity and efficiency information about the truck over a given period of time, or it can generate a report that specifies, by cycle, information for a given time period. All reports and data can be stored in the cloud or exported to a USB drive. • Trip Meter Mode – The operator receives a payload counter, which can be reset; a cycle counter; and other payload information. Operators also have access to what Volvo calls a “productivity dashboard,” providing real-time productivity stats like tons per hour, tons per gallon or liter, carry-back and payload utilization. Operators can decide which of these stats to display on the screen, and a target value can be added for each. Volvo Haul Assist is standard on the A35G through the A60H haulers and will be an option on the A25G and A30G. –Wayne Grayson

Sony launches credit-card-size portable cooling device

ony has launched a successful crowdfunding campaign for a gadget called the Reon Pocket that’s about the size of a credit card and can cool the user’s body by 23 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a report from Gizmodo providing details from Sony’s Kickstarter-like website First Flight. Weighing only 3 ounces, the Reon Pocket is slipped into an undershirt with a special pocket on back at the EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 69

technology |

continued

base of the neck. The device uses thermoelectric cooling to cool you down, but it can also be used on cold days to warm you up. The Reon Pocket boasts 24 hours of battery life and can be controlled from your iOS or Android device. It will cost about $175 if the Japanese pricing in the crowdfunding campaign is carried over to the actual launch of the product next year. A cheaper version that did not feature smartphone connectivity and was priced at about $117 was available as part of the campaign as well. –Wayne Grayson

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brandt.ca 1-877-533-3133 70 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

Raken app makes it easier to conduct toolbox talks

aken’s Toolbox Talks app eliminates the need to search for the paper copy of the talk topic, print it, collect signatures on the paper and then email or fax the document to the office. With the app, foremen can gather workers’ signatures by having them tap their names and sign with a finger or by automatically adding a photo of a paper sign-in sheet. The signatures are stored with the talk and can be searched to see which workers attended the session. The app also allows safety managers to upload talk topics, schedule talks for multiple jobsites and collect and download completed reports. It includes a library of company-approved talks, which foremen and superintendents can search to find the appropriate talk for the day. They can also find such information as compliance statistics, attendance and task progress. –Don McLoud

quick data

| by Marcia Doyle |

Wheel loaders

MarciaDoyle@randallreilly.com

A snapshot of new and used sales trends from Randall-Reillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EDA equipment financing data and TopBid auction price service. Year-over-year change*

Auctions

NEW: UP 2%

Wheel loader auction prices, August 2018 - July 2019

USED: UP .5%

$90,000 $85,000 $80,000

*Comparison of number of wheel loaders financed July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, and July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Source: EDA, edadata.com

$75,000 $70,000 $65,000 $60,000 $55,000 $50,000

1-year average: $

High: $80,703 August 2018

74,354

Top three states for wheel loader buyers*

Low: $65,782

New

July 2019

$45,000 $40,000

July average auction prices for wheel loaders tracked 18 percent below the highest price for the top 10 models during this time period, and 12 percent below the 12-month average.

$35,000 $30,000 $25,000

Aug.

Sep.

PRICE

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

2018

Apr.

May

Jun.

Jul.

Trend prices for the top 10 models of wheel loaders sold at auction, not seasonally adjusted. (Does not include compact wheel loader models.)

380,000

OTHER TOP BID:

Top auction price paid for a 2016 Caterpillar 982M with 1,508 hours at an Alex Lyon & Son Auctioneers sale Feb. 7, 2019, in Kissimmee, Florida.

220,000

# of buyers

Texas

542

Florida

526

California

376

Used

2019

State

# of buyers

Texas

582

Florida

354

Michigan

302

Top financed new wheel loader*

2015 Deere 824K-II with 2,682 hours, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Jun. 4, 2019, in Chehalis, Washington.

,56 $ 103

HIGH

0 0 0 , $ 27

AVERAGE

Aug. 1, 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 31, 2019; prices for wheel loaders 5 years old and newer, U.S. sales only. Only includes bids $5,000 and above. (Does not include compact wheel loaders.) Source: TopBid, topbid.com

LOW

Final bids unit count: 418

New

Wheel loader new, used financed sales trends, 2009-2018* 12,000 11,000 10,000 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000

,00 $380

Komatsu WA270-8, 398 units

Used

Used low: 2009, 5,884 units

Other top selling new machine: Cat 926M, 359 units

Top financed used machine* New high: 2018, 9,199 units

Used high: 2016, 8,096 units New low: 2009, 2,556 units

UNITS 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 *Financed equipment, 2009-2018, number of units sold by sale or lease. Source: EDA, edadata.com

2016

2017

2018

Deere 544K, 296 units *In terms of number of new and used financed units sold July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Source: EDA, edadata.com (Note: EDA reports are continually updated.) EquipmentWorld.com | September 2019 71

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final word | by Tom Jackson

TJackson@randallreilly.com

The noble professions

ugust turned ugly with mass shootings and the subsequent blame games on the nightly news. Practically everybody has a favorite scapegoat. It’s not a new problem, but as memory serves, in all of these shootings over the last two decades, I don’t think there was one where the shooter worked in construction, farming, the medical or teaching fields. These specific jobs are my slightly altered version of what Chinese tradition calls “the noble professions.” They’re noble because they’re essential to the survival of our species. They also require teamwork and interdependence. Doing this kind of work makes people feel good about themselves. And teamwork, as in any situation, chastens big egos and builds character. But over the last 50 years, the United States has created an increasingly higher percentage of jobs that fall short of these ideals. Today you can make millions creating frivolous games like “Angry Birds.” You can join an army of government functionaries creating an ever growing mountain of bureaucratic regulations. You can work on Wall Street and create a thousand financial shell games that benefit nobody but Wall Street. Fifty years ago, almost every job was essential. The mix of blue-collar and white-collar jobs was self-balancing, and there was little room for people who couldn’t contribute to the common good. But something happened along the way. The techno-utopian vision of our future, the financialization of our economy, the push to give every kid a college education, the daily barrage of emails and apps

74 September 2019 | EquipmentWorld.com

to handle the emails and apps to handle the apps have created a surplus of nonessential work. Meaningless jobs don’t make people shoot up Walmarts. But one has to wonder if the people who are crazy enough to shoot up a Walmart wouldn’t be a little more stable and a little less homicidal if they worked at a job that gave their life meaning and purpose – a job that mattered. I’ve never known anybody in construction or its allied professions who exhibited the kind of nihilism these August shooters showed. The Future Farmers of America kids I knew growing up were as stable and levelheaded as anybody you will find. Same with doctors, nurses and teachers. They all serve a cause bigger than themselves. Seeing something you helped build, harvesting a field of food, healing a broken bone or teaching a child to read can help anyone stay sane in an insane world. To quote the motorcycle mechanic turned philosopher Matthew Crawford: “The satisfactions of manifesting oneself concretely in the world through manual competence have been known to make a man quiet and easy. They seem to relieve him of the felt need to offer chattering interpretations of himself to vindicate his worth. He can simply point: the building stands, the car now runs, the lights are on.” If you’re in construction, you should do everything you can to make our industry attractive to as many young people as possible. There is nothing better for young men looking for a purpose in life than to get into construction. What our industry offers is what young men in America desperately need.

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Everything we put into Bobcat ® equipment is designed to make more of whatever you bring to the job. Whether it’s strength, versatility, speed or agility, it’s built around you. Bobcat is a Doosan company. Doosan is a global leader in construction equipment, power and water solutions, engines, and engineering, proudly serving customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat ®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2019 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1392