Bill Panunzio was employed by a construction firm and looking for his chance.

“I was running their jobs and thought, ‘If these guys can do it, why can’t I?’” Panunzio says. “So at 49 years old, I started all over again.”

Industry veterans Curtis Collard and Ryan Greenwood were also looking for new opportunities. Collard had been running FP Asphalt & Crack Sealing and Greenwood was running his sealcoating division. The three got together and formed Preferred Paving in 1997.

Wes Turner, project manager and estimator for the company, had joined Collard’s business before Preferred was formed. “At that time, we did primarily crack sealing and small patching,” Turner says. “When Bill came, we bought the paver and got after it.”

Combined they have more than 100 years of construction experience, and that showed in their results. The first year, the company had $1.7 million in revenues doing a combination of commercial and residential asphalt work.

“We all just worked our guts out,” Panunzio says bluntly.

Between them, Ryan Greenwood, Bill Panunzio and Curtis Collard (l. to r.) offer more than 100 years of construction experience.Preferred PavingPreferred Paving now has revenues between $10 million and $13 million, around 40 employees and specializes in commercial grading, site excavation, asphalt paving and maintenance.

“We have the luxury to choose to do the jobs we want to do and do them right,” Panunzio says. In fact, the company motto is “don’t just do it – do it the best.”

Preferred Paving at the High West Distillery.Equipment WorldAll three take a hands-on approach to the business. They have served various roles throughout their time together – basically whatever needs to be done.

Collard now serves as an estimator, project manager and oversees safety. Safety is an integral part of the tight weave that makes Preferred Paving’s jobs run smoothly.

Click here to enter this year’s Contractor of the Year contest. Hurry! The deadline for nominations is Nov. 19th.

Suzanna Allen, who has been with Preferred for more than 20 years, runs the company’s sealcoating division, which provides a variety of repair services. “She’s awesome,” Oredson says. “And at their core, the whole team is about doing things right. They’ve got a good transition team to perpetuate the company going forward.”

In the early days, the company created an accounting system that serves them today. After a general contractor required them to go through complicated invoicing hoops that delayed payment, Preferred Paving developed a work order system that included the job and invoice numbers that the GC signed on the spot.

“The way we do business is really simple,” Collard says. “Our work order is also our invoice number. We have a low percentage of uncollected invoices.”

Core and a spare

Preferred has a fleet of pavers, graders, excavators and rollers.

“The Cat 555-size pavers work out perfect for us because you do both big and small custom jobs,” Greenwood says. The company has four pavers, which usually translates to three out on jobs and one spare. “That spare has really helped us,” Panunzio says.

The Cat 120 grader is also a good fit. “It’s just versatile,” Greenwood says. “You can do both a subdivision with it and a custom driveway.” Same with utility rollers that can be pulled with a pickup and transported anywhere.

“Very rarely is our equipment in our yard,” Panunzio says.

Heated driveways

Residential and commercial customers are now starting to request heated driveways. “They get so much snow up in areas like Park City, and they don’t want to shovel their driveways,” Turner says. “We’re paving asphalt over heat tubeing, and we’re one of the few companies in Utah that will do that.”

This work requires digging down around 10 inches and putting down the road base. Preferred then hires a firm to place the heat tubing that runs a mixture of heated water and antifreeze in a closed-loop system. The sub then connects it to a boiler located in a house or building and pressurizes the system.

Preferred Paving then comes back in, places sand around and above the piping, a job that requires hand placement. “You rake it out by hand, then you can water it and roll it,” Turner says. “At that point, you can put a paver and truck on it, but you can’t turn. You really have to pick your angle and then go straight out and pick another angle.”

Utah homeowners like that, even in a snowstorm, they’ll have a wet driveway with no accumulation.

dvice for those getting into construction

Equipment World

Collard warns contractors not to get too excited about their first big profit on a job. “Don’t make $10,000 and then buy a boat, jet skis and four wheelers,” he says. “If the next two jobs are losers, you’re trying to figure out how to pay for materials. Wait to buy the toys and make sure you have a good accounting system.”

“And don’t do it unless you have access to good people because people are everything,” Collard emphasizes. “You can buy all the equipment in the world, but if you don’t have good people, you won’t go far. If you don’t have experience, you must have people who have experience.”

“They are outstanding professionals,” says client Andrew Carlino with CR England. “They treat people like people and not like numbers, and they’re quick to get a job done. Everybody works hard and everyone works together as a team. In fact, I wish I could load them up and take them with me to the other states I cover.”

“We have plenty of options in the valley with paving contractors, and the fact that we use them almost exclusively speaks volumes,” says Tony Treasure with Noland & Son. “They do excellent work. They know it’s about more than being a contractor; it’s about being a craftsman and truly being bought in to the quality of work you’re putting out.”

How Custom-Painted Equipment Can Boost Your Marketing

November 11, 2021

Duane Smith

Construction Management No Comments

Construction equipment gets its fair share of head turns while operating or parked on the side of the road. But custom-painted equipment? Those are real neck breakers.

Not only do custom-painted machines look slick, owners say there are numerous marketing benefits too.

Having a professionally branded fleet with a unique color scheme is like having a billboard at every job site. The use of the right color can boost your brand recognition by 80 percent, according to a 2019 survey released by Reboot.

We talked to several contractors with custom-painted fleets to see how the unique paint job has given them an edge.

Here areareas where they’ve seen results, and a few drawbacks to consider:

Marty Lenum’s bright red equipment is hard to miss.Dirt Monkey Excavating

Increased Brand Awareness

Painting your fleet a custom color can create some serious buzz in your community and attract potential customers. With word of mouth still considered a top marketing tactic, a flashy fleet can help increase the frequency of organic conversations about your company.

“Everyone knows it’s us at the job sites,” says Marty Lenum, owner of Dirt Monkey Excavating based in Cashton, Wisconsin. “Branding is a top priority when it comes to building our business, and our fleet is a critical part of that.”

Lenum’s dealer Fabick CAT coordinates the painting of his signature red equipment.

“Why be like everybody else,” says Kimo Clark. “Make people curious about your brand.”Truth Excavation

Stretch Your Marketing Dollar

Is your brand the opening act or the headliner? Making your brand the star of the show helps your marketing dollars go further. Billboards and digital ads have a shelf life, but painted equipment is permanent.

“When I was in a band, I learned that gaining a following is all about self-promotion. I took that experience into the heavy equipment world because nobody was really doing branding or creative videos around 2012,” says Kimo Clark, owner of Maui, Hawaii-based Truth Excavation.

“As soon as I get new equipment, I take the decals off, paint it green and put our name on it. I consider it a marketing expense. A memorable company name paired with painted machines and great photo and video content makes a super-brand.”

In addition to painting your fleet, Clark says, look at the content being created in other industries, like surfing and skateboarding, for inspiration. Marketing for your construction business doesn’t have to be stuffy and boring. Make it fun and memorable.

Stop them in their feed. Custom-painted equipment can help catch the attention of your future workforce on Instagram or TikTok, says Dane Cotten.DC Excavation

ttract New Employees

Custom-painted equipment may also garner the attention of your future workforce. A millennial himself, Dane Cotten, owner of Bozeman, Montana-based DC Excavation, knows that branding, storytelling and a solid digital presence are critical factors in attracting the tech-savvy younger generation. Case in point, a video showing off his newly painted D6 received tens of thousands of views and likes on Instagram alone.

“Our black equipment with the old school CAT decals is a differentiator,” says Cotten. “It has helped us attract employees. Operators want to run the latest equipment, and the unique look doesn’t hurt either. Anybody can have equipment, but custom-painted equipment gets recognized and remembered.”

Cotten thinks more OEMs should offer factory-direct custom paint options due to the increasing importance of branding in the industry.

The Downsides to Painting Your Equipment

While none of the contractors we spoke to listed any drawbacks, here are a few you may want to consider.

Additional Expense

A custom paint job will set you back several thousand dollars. Owners should weigh if the cost is worth the potential benefits.

Issues When Selling

When selling or trading in equipment, some buyers may ask you to repaint the machine to factory colors. Just like that, more money has walked out the door.

Quality Control

Not all paint jobs are created equal. The technology and materials used to paint the machine by a third party may not be to the same quality standards as the factory. Premature peeling and chipping may occur.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cityheartsaberdeen.com/?p=542

Ditch the Shovels with the Mud Dog 700 Vacuum Excavator

November 10, 2021

Duane Smith

Contractor Services No Comments

For contractors who want to prevent underground utility strikes but don’t need big equipment, Super Products is rolling out its new Mud Dog 700 vacuum excavator.

The company equipped the Mud Dog 700 for working in tight, small spaces without sacrificing payload, with its 7-cubic-yard debris body and a 600-gallon water tank. It’s also much safer and faster than using shovels, the company says.

The vacuum excavator can dump at up to a 50-degree angle and into a 48-inch container. It has a low overhead height and center of gravity. The dump body also has an electric vibrator to shake material out of the bed and an auto-deploying tailgate.

The Mud Dog 700 vacuum excavator features a 7-cubic-yard debris body and a 600-gallon water tank.Equipment WorldThe boom can extend to 18 feet and rotates 270 degrees. At 8 inches in diameter, it is mounted to the rear of the truck. It can tilt 10 degrees.

The Mud Dog 700 comes standard as a hydro excavator but can be equipped with an air excavation package. It can be operated by wireless or wired remote control.

The water system pumps up to 11 gallons per minute at 3,000 psi. The vacuum system produces 3,100 cubic feet per minute of suction. A 3,700 cfm vacuum pump is an available option.

Other options include a scale system, grounding system, a debris body level sensor, a toolbox and safety cameras that give a 360-degree view around the truck. A variety of truck chassis configurations are available in either manual or automatic transmission. The Mud Dog 700 displayed at the Utility Expo in September was mounted to a Peterbilt tandem-axle truck.

A 4,000 BTU water heater is also available with heated lines for working in freezing temperatures.

The Mud Dog 700 vacuum excavator from Super Products is designed to be compact yet powerful for smaller jobs.Equipment World

Vaccine Mandate Halted; Appeals Court to Review

November 9, 2021

Duane Smith

Construction Management No Comments

A federal appeals court has halted the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for businesses that employ 100 or more workers, so the rule can be reviewed.

The court’s stay of the mandate comes two days after the White House announced that employees of companies with 100 or more workers must be fully vaccinated by January 4 or wear a mask in the workplace and show negative Covid tests weekly. The mask requirement for unvaccinated workers was to take effect December 5.

Those filing the petition November 5 for review of the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s emergency temporary standard include Trosclair family-owned supermarkets and businesses in Louisiana; the states of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina and Utah; and various other businesses and groups. The Trosclairs are being represented by attorneys from the Liberty Justice Center.

Their petition states that the mandate exceeds OSHA’s and Congress’ authority. It adds that the Louisiana supermarket chains, which include Ralph’s Market, Butcher Boy and Save A Lot, employ about 500 workers. The mandate would adversely effect the company because it already faces a worker shortage, and the mandate “would make it even harder to hire and keep employees,” the petition says. That would also “diminish their ability to provide grocery options to the citizens of Louisiana.”

The petition also includes Texas workers of CaptiveAire Systems, which has 1,500 employees. They will be adversely affected because the mandate “will force them, against their will, to show their employer proof of Covid-19 vaccination or risk losing their jobs and livelihoods if they choose not to.” The testing and mask alternative would also be especially unfair and illegal for some of the employees who work mostly alone on roofs “and are highly unlikely to spread Covid-19” to coworkers and customers.

“Therefore, OSHA’s claimed authority over their private lives and vaccine status is an egregious government overreach,” the petition says.

The petition asks for the court’s review and to grant an emergency stay.

On November 6, the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans, granted the stay.

“Because the petitions give cause to believe there are grave statutory and constitutional issues with the mandate, the mandate is hereby stayed pending further action by this court,” the court’s order says.

The vaccine rules were issued November 4. Along with the vaccine or mask and testing rules, it requires employers to provide paid time off for workers to get vaccinated and recover from any side effects from the shots. It does not, however, require them to pay for workers’ weekly Covid testing.

For that reason, the Biden administration argues that workers have a choice on whether they get vaccinated and that “there have been no ‘mass firings’ and worker shortages because of vaccination requirements.”

In a statement, Biden said vaccines have long been required in the U.S. “We’ve been living with them throughout our lives for all sorts of diseases. Safety rules in the workplace are nothing new either. We require hard hats in construction sites and safety goggles in labs. And with today’s actions, we now have requirements to protect people from something that has taken the lives of 750,000 Americans.”

Meanwhile, construction associations have come out in opposition to the mandate.

Ben Brubeck, vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors, says it “is likely to increase compliance costs and cause regulatory burdens that will exacerbate several headwinds facing the construction industry – which is currently facing a workforce shortage of 430,000, escalating materials prices and supply chain bottlenecks – and the American economy.”

The mandate also creates confusion within the construction industry and will lead to workers at larger construction firms quitting to work for companies with fewer than 100 workers to get around the mandate, according to Stephen Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Constractors. “This is something many workers will easily be able to do in a labor market where nearly 90 percent of construction firms are having a hard time finding workers to hire,” he says.

Sandherr says AGC has advocated vaccinations, and instead of mandates, the administration should focus on “providing additional resources and support to encourage workers to do the right thing.”

The federal government has until 5 p.m. November 8 to respond to the petition, and the petitioners have until 5 p.m. November 9 to file any reply, according to the Appeals Court.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cityheartsaberdeen.com/?p=520

Backhoes Adapt to Fend Off Compact Competitors

November 8, 2021

Duane Smith

Contractor Services No Comments

In the past, the backhoe loader’s name was a complete description of what it offered: a backhoe in the back and loader arms up front, nearly always fitted with a bucket.

But that’s been changing as compact equipment eats away at the market share of what once was a mandatory machine for any dirt-moving contractor.

“The backhoe loader, maybe more than any other ‘traditional’ piece of construction equipment, has been affected significantly by the explosion of compact equipment,” says Ed Brenton, product manager, Case Construction Equipment.

One way OEMs have kept backhoes competitive against compact equipment is by adding versatility – an important, but difficult challenge.

Although backhoe-specific quick-attach systems exist, backhoe loader arms aren’t well suited for common quick-attach hardware, such as a skid steer plate.

The 97-horsepower New Holland B95C has a 14-foot 6-inch dig depth and 11-foot 5-inch height to hinge pin. Backhoe digging force is 12,969 pounds. Loader breakout force is 14,712 pounds and lift capacity is 11,118 pounds. (All figures are maximums and vary with configuration.) The B95C LR Long Reach model provides greater dig depth and a 22-foot 4-inch reach. The B95C TC Tool Carrier model features mechanical self-leveling of the loader both up and down.New HollandRyan Anderson, product marketing manager, New Holland Construction, says there are no backhoe-specific attachments such as a cold planer made for use with a compact track loader. Despite this, customers are ordering attachments, he says.

Brooms and forks are popular. Machines that retain a bucket on the front are often fitted with a 4-in-1 bucket for versatility. On the dipper, hydraulic hammer/breakers and compaction tools are the most common options, and a thumb is a staple component.

The intrusion of compact equipment into backhoe market share varies somewhat depending on the part of the backhoe catalog being considered.

“The bigger backhoe loaders, those of 90 or more horsepower, still do what they’ve always done,” says Anderson. This includes road, water and drainage tasks. “Smaller jobs often go to compact track loaders and compact excavators.”

Economics weighs into a customer’s choice of equipment. “A backhoe may be $100,000 and a compact track loader and compact excavator together may be $110,000,” Anderson says. “So for not much more money, you’re getting two very versatile pieces of equipment.”

The 420 XE is one of five new models from Cat in the 14- and 15-foot size classes. Common to all five models is the use of a Cat C3.6 engine, adjustable auxiliary flow to the backhoe and a redesigned operator display featuring soft-key controls for simpler navigation. The 420 XE also has seat-mounted controls that swivel with the operator, electronic loader controls that enable selectable parallel lift and programmable loader kick-out and return-to-dig functions.CaterpillarBrenton says there are markets and applications where backhoes retain good market share: municipalities, utilities, large site construction and development and road construction.

What traits make backhoe loaders well suited for these jobs?

“The roading speeds. The ability to work as a loader, trencher, excavator and material handler,” says Brenton. “It’s a versatile piece of equipment that you can drive from site to site.”

He uses the example of a broken water main at 2 a.m. and the ability of a worker to drive the backhoe to the site and start digging before a compact excavator could be put on a trailer.

Yet even in these traditional markets, backhoes have had to make changes to improve performance and increase productivity.

Move to electric

Another way OEMs are seeking to expand the backhoe market is the development of electric models.

The electric Deere 310 X-tier most closely aligns with the company’s 310L. The X-tier model has a 14-foot 1-inch maximum dig depth, 6,602-pound loader capacity and 22.8 mph maximum travel speed. The two backhoes vary significantly in weight, however, at 14,669 pounds for the 310L and 16,119 pounds for the X-tier. All these specs are preliminary and subject to change before the X-tier goes into production.John DeereDeere gave contractors and others a first glimpse of the 310 X-tier E-Power at The Utility Expo in September. “The 310 X-tier is geared toward customers who have stated carbon emissions-reduction goals,” says Justin Steger, Deere solutions marketing manager.

The 310 X-tier is in real-world testing with utility client National Grid. Deere consider this to be part of its early first-phase development of clean energy solutions. Phase 2 testing will begin in 2022.

Case has introduced the 580 EV electric model, which was delivered to National Grid in January. The machine is powered by a 480-volt, 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. A full charge is expected to be sufficient for an 8-hour workday, depending on application.

Charging can be done with any 220-volt, three-phase connection. Because the battery separately powers the drivetrain and hydraulic motors, Case says, the 580 EV has breakout force equivalent to its diesel counterpart and provides better performance than that diesel model when both the loader and drivetrain are in use.

Shift in philosophy

As backhoes’ share has dwindled in recent years under the assault of compact equipment, manufacturers have had to change not just their machines but their philosophy.

It was once assumed every contractor would have a backhoe and nearly all did. Now OEMs have to consider what segment of the overall market still uses backhoes and what features they seek.

“Electronics are coming in,” says Anderson. “The next generation of backhoe loaders will have much more technology in the controls plus advanced displays.”

He says CNH Industrial is investing heavily in electrification, and that will affect backhoe design at some point.

Brenton says that in the current climate of highly competitive bidding, backhoes can provide critical cost savings that allow contractors to remain in contention for jobs. Carrying costs and fleet management for smaller contractors and owner/operators can be challenging, and backhoe loaders allow those businesses to own and maintain a single piece of equipment that serves many functions. “That won’t work for everyone,” he says, “but it’s a model that many owner-operators have been leaning on for years.”

Cab amenities on new Case backhoe loaders include hands-free Bluetooth radio and new cushioning on their air-ride seats. A new optional air-ride, heated seat features multicolored, hand-stitched fabric. A new electronic fuel priming system, standard on all 580N and larger models, purges air from the fuel lines to simplify filter changes.Case CEBrenton lists Case features that add to the do-all capabilities of backhoe loaders. PowerBoost gives a momentary increase in hydraulic power. Direct Drive engages the engine and transmission directly for improved gradeability and faster roading speeds. A factory-installed thumb mounts independent of the bucket and so remains in place after a bucket swap. New loader control functions and backhoe control roller switches improve control at both ends of the machine. (Features vary by model.)

Key machines

The design philosophy at Kubota includes adding versatility, but it is tightly focused on providing features that make backhoes better at what they’ve always done.

The largest of Kubota’s three backhoe loaders, the M62 has a 63-horsepower Kubota engine and six-range HST Plus transmission. Four-wheel drive with differential lock on the front axle is standard. Loader lift capacity is 3,960 pounds. Hydraulic flow is 30.9 gallons per minute, and rear PTO specs are 46 horsepower and 540 rpm. Backhoe dig depth is 14 feet 1.8 inches. Operating weight with loader, backhoe and ROPS/FOPS is 8,925 pounds.KubotaThe two larger models in its three-model lineup, the L47 and M62, include a backhoe crawling mode allowing the operator to creep the machine forward or backward for repositioning while at the backhoe controls. A throttle-up switch increases the power and speed of attachments while maintaining consistent travel speed.

A hydraulic two-lever quick coupler on those two machines allows fast and easy attachment swaps on the loader arms. Popular loader-end attachments are buckets, pallet forks, grapples and brooms.

The backhoe also has a quick coupler to expedite bucket and attachment changeovers. These features are especially valuable in disaster relief and cleanup, an increasingly common task for municipalities.

Matt Walker, product manager, Kubota Tractor Corporation, points out that the B26, the company’s smallest TLB (Kubota refers to these machines as tractor loader backhoes, hence TLB) still offers plenty of performance. “The innovative B26 has an operating weight of 4,001 pounds, front loader lifting capacity of 1,102 pounds and a backhoe dig depth of 8 feet 4 inches. With its integrated front loader and quick-detach backhoe, the B26 is compact in size but capable of taking on big jobs.”

The John Deere 310SL is powered by a Deere PowerTech engine rated at 103 net horsepower. A Deere PowerShift transmission features AutoShift that automatically shifts the transmission based on engine rpm and ground speed. Mechanical front-wheel drive with limited slip is standard and can be momentarily engaged on the fly with a button on the loader control. Lift mode boosts lift capacity up to 15% by setting the engine to 1,400 rpm and maximizing hydraulic pressure for lifting.John DeereL Series models from John Deere have redesigned loader control valves to reduce hydraulic drift and improve metering and control. Maximum auxiliary hydraulic flow has been increased to 35 gallons per minute to run a wider variety of higher-flow attachments. The loader lever linkage has been redesigned to reduce resistance and improve throw and feel.

The Deere 310SL is a 14-foot dig depth model that yields up to 16% greater productivity in trenching over previous designs. An optional LED boom light kit now includes two boom-mounted work lights.

The 310SL now has pressure-compensated, load-sensing (PCLS) hydraulics for better multifunctioning, smoother machine control and up to 15% greater craning capacity in Lift Mode.

Precision mode cuts hydraulic flow by 55% for precise backhoe work without loss of overall hydraulic lift capacity. Autoshift is now standard. Optional Auto Ride Control eliminates the need to turn ride control on and off during load and carry applications.

“We also offer the 310L EP,” says Juston Steger, solutions marketing manager, Deere. “Since its introduction in 2012, the 310L EP continues to deliver exceptional value to price-conscious customers and rental companies.”

The powertrain in the current model features a synchromesh hydraulic transmission. That transmission in addition to a more basic operator station enables a lower acquisition point than the model’s previous design.

The B95C remains New Holland’s backbone backhoe and is especially popular with cemeteries and government customers. It is also available with a TC (toolcarrier) configuration, “but that’s a small percentage of total B95C sales,” says Anderson.

In its most popular configuration, the JCB 1CXT has a 49-horsepower engine that requires no aftertreatment; an enclosed cab with HVAC; ISO/SAE changeover; 8-foot extending dipper for a dig depth of 10 feet 1 inch; and skid steer quick hitch. Buckets include a 24-inch excavator bucket with teeth and a 71-inch general-purpose loader bucket with toeplate. Tracks are 12.8 inches general purpose style.JCBOf its eight backhoe models, the one JCB chose to highlight for this article was the 1CXT, which is a hybrid between a compact track loader and a backhoe loader.

“The 1CXT combines skid steer and excavating capabilities in a compact machine with a small footprint, versatility and maneuverability,” says Galvin Rodriguez, backhoe product specialist, JCB. Overall width is under 6 feet, and height is 7 feet 6 inches.

The 1CXT is JCB’s response to the encroachment of compact equipment on backhoe market sectors. It offers typical compact advantages, such as a small footprint, excellent maneuverability, great versatility, compatibility with skid steer attachments and ease of transport, while delivering backhoe operations in confined spaces.

The Power Management System (PMS) gives the operator control of speed, responsiveness, tractive effort and anti-stall. The 1CXT kingpost side-shifts the entire width of the machine. Vertical stabilizer legs allow parallel trenching along walls and fences.

An optional handheld auxiliary tool circuit converts the 1CXT into a self-contained power source for worksite tools, including disc cutters, drills, impact drills and trash pumps.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cityheartsaberdeen.com/?p=505

Deere to Strikers: We Gave Our Best and Final Offer

November 6, 2021

Duane Smith

Construction Business No Comments

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, a Deere & Company executive said its second offer to UAW strikers was its best and final offer.

Strikers are still on the picket lines at 12 Deere plants after UAW members this week voted down the second Deere offer by 55%. The strike impacts the production of several types of construction products, including wheel loaders, graders and articulated trucks made at its Davenport, Iowa, plant.

Mark Howze, Deere chief executive officer, told WSJ, “There’s not more bargaining to be done. We’ve done all we can do. We don’t have a better offer to provide. This is it.” Howze went on to say its second, now rejected, offer would have cost Deere an additional $3.5 billion over the contract life.

Howze told Fox Business that the company plans to take its case directly to workers in the hopes they will accept the deal.

The WSJ article said that the UAW had no specific response to Howze’s comments. UAW’s posted statement after the vote said, “The strike against John Deere and Company will continue as we discuss next steps with the company. Pickets will continue and any updates will be provided through the local union.”

Howze told the WSJ that “some U.S. employees are working around the clock at some sites.”

Working under what it calls the “next phase” of its Customer Service Continuation Plan, Deere says it will use salaried “employees and others” to enter factories and keep operations going. At the beginning of the strike, Deere said, “Our immediate concern is meeting the needs of our customers, who work in time-sensitive and critical industries such as agriculture and construction.”

After the second offer was rejected by union members, Deere pointed out, “Employees at parts facilities in Denver and Atlanta have voted in support of a separate agreement with identical economic terms.”

Reconstruction of First I-40 in N.C. Wins Top National Award

November 5, 2021

Duane Smith

Construction Business No Comments

A $102 million reconstruction of the first section of Interstate 40 built in North Carolina has won a top national transportation award.

The I-40 section was built in 1958 and has been reconstructed into a 1.2-mile gateway to Winston-Salem. It was recently named the Grand Prize winner in the 2021 America’s Transportation Awards. The honor is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The roadway had been known as I-40 Business, but in February 2020, it opened as the new Salem Parkway – six months ahead of schedule, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. The contractors were able to achieve the faster schedule after a decision was made to close both lanes of traffic on the highway – a first for the state.

“This has been an unprecedented feat,” said NCDOT Division 9 Engineer Pat Ivey at the time of the parkway’s opening. “Never in the history of our state has a section of freeway been closed in both directions at the same time for reconstruction.”

One of two new pedestrian bridges over the reconstructed Salem Parkway in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.NCDOTIt was estimated the project would have taken six years without the complete closure. Instead, it was completed within two years.

The contractor was a joint venture of Flatiron Constructors and Blythe Development. It hired 41 contractors and subcontractors, involving about 600 workers, according to NCDOT.

The project consisted of 10 bridge replacements, two new pedestrian bridges, a walking and biking path and extended sidewalks, as well as aesthetic improvements. Other improvements included pavement rehabilitation, safety upgrades and reconstructed shoulders and ramps.

People’s Choice Award

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s project to revamp an old Kansas City interchange that had been a dangerous eyesore won the People’s Choice Award, which is based on online voting.

The Turner Diagonal Interchange was built in the 1960s and was supposed to have toll booths, but they were never installed. That left miles of “obsolete and hazardous ramps, cutting off land prime for development,” according to AASHTO.

The $30 million KDOT project redesigned the interchange to make it safer, reduce traffic congestion and improve access to public transit. It also boosted the local economy by improving access to area businesses and created thousands of jobs, AASHTO says.

The reconstruction of the Turner Diagonal interchange in Kansas City, Kansas, won the People’s Choice Award in the America’s Transportation Awards competition.Kansas DOTThe NCDOT and KDOT each won $10,000 to be donated to a charity or transportation-related scholarship program of their choice. They were chosen among a field of 80 nominations and 25 state DOTs.

For more details about the award, click here.

XCMG Deploys Autonomous Rollers, Pavers on China Highway Project

November 4, 2021

Duane Smith

Contractor Services No Comments

Chinese construction equipment manufacturer XCMG reports that it has successfully used unmanned asphalt compactors and pavers on maintaining a section of one of the country’s busiest highways.

The company says it deployed 10 autonomous tandem rollers and two autonomous pavers on a section of the Nanjing-Shanghai Expressway. The autonomous paving equipment was commanded via BeiDou satellite positioning. The “fleet completed the scheduled tasks including driving, steering and rolling compaction,” the company says.

“The unmanned fleet has met all construction and maintenance requirements through the grid format tests of thickness, compaction and friction coefficient.”

XCMG also deployed its continuous asphalt thickness measurement radar technology to the project, which it says measures paved asphalt thickness without traditional core measurements. It says it can reach a depth of 120 millimeters and has a measurement error of 1 millimeter.

“The technology provides an accurate basis for real-time control of the paving thickness and improves paving accuracy and construction quality,” the company says.

The unmanned project follows the company’s deployment last year of autonomous rollers and pavers to build a section of China’s Panzhihua-Dali Highway, also known as the Panda Expressway. A remote monitoring data center submitted instructions to the autonomous machines’ onboard control system.

The technology for the autonomous machinery was developed in a partnership of XCMG, Sichuan Railway Investment Group and Tsinghua University. XCMG is also testing the machinery on other highways in China.

Other OEMs developing autonomous paving equipment

Another Chinese equipment manufacturer, Sany, reported at the beginning of 2021 that it had used an autonomous fleet of two pavers, two single-drum rollers, two tire rollers and one double-drum roller on a concrete paving and compaction project in China.

One of Sany’s robotic rollers used on a road project in China.SanyThe company said it used a mobile base station and control room within a short distance of the equipment for remote-control operation. The machines used parameters programmed in advance for route, paving speed, rolling speed, rolling times and width.

Other equipment manufacturers are also experimenting with autonomous paving equipment and have unveiled prototype machines.

Most recently, Volvo CE rolled out its concept CX01 asphalt compactor that would run by remote control or autonomously. The concept uses a split drum, with each drum able to be operated separately, and a self-balancing control system.

The Volvo CX01 prototype compactor features guarding and emergency stops on each corner.Equipment WorldLast year, BOMAG brought its concept ROBOMAG, a fully autonomous tandem vibratory asphalt compactor, to ConExpo. It uses GPS, LIDAR lasers and positioning sensors to guide its path. It detects objects to avoid collisions. It can also be operated autonomously by manually entering movement patterns, and it can be operated manually by remote control.

At ConExpo, Tim Eisfeld, BOMAG director of marketing and product management, said autonomous paving equipment is still years away from being a viable product, though the technology is here.

“As a manufacturer, we would be ready faster than the market is ready for taking it,” he said.

BOMAG’s concept autonomous tandem vibratory compactor, the ROBOMAG.Equipment World

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cityheartsaberdeen.com/?p=475

Product roundup: Hammerhead Takes On Small-Diameter Steel Pipe Extraction

November 4, 2021

Duane Smith

Contractor Services No Comments

Hammerhead Trenchless is now offering the SLX1300 trenchless pipe extractions system for small-diameter steel natural gas services.

The system replaces coated and bare steel service lines 0.5 to 1.25 inches in diameter up to 100 feet in length. The hydraulically powered SLX1300 produces up to 13.3 tons of pulling force to extract the pipe from the ground while simultaneously pulling HDPE or MDPE pipe into the same location as the existing pipe, mitigating risk to surrounding utilities.

The 4-foot-wide by 4-foot-long unit features an on-board pipe shear the operator uses to cut pipe material as it’s extracted into manageable segments for disposal. The unit can be transported on the back of a standard pickup.

While the SLX1300 is designed for steel pipe, preliminary field testing on additional pipe materials is underway.

Faster, easier HDD tooling connections with Vermeer Ultra X3 drilling system

Dowel pins, rather than splines, join the tooling to the rod for quicker change outs.Vermeer

Vermeer has expanded its horizontal directional drilling tool lineup with the new Ultra X3 Drilling system for utility-size rigs. It uses a non-torqued spline connection and is compatible for a wide range of pilot bit and pullback configurations.

Two knock-out dowel pins allow you to swap tooling quickly, and in certain applications, you can eliminate starter rods and adapters. It also gives you the capability of reaming directly from the transmitter housing.

By eliminating a spline-type connection, the tooling doesn’t have to be threaded on, and there is no need for breakout tongs to make and break the torqued tooling connections. To join the tool to the rod, you simply align the spline on the tooling with the spline on the housing and then secure the two pieces by tapping in the dowel pins.

The system is capable of handling reaming diameters up to 10 inches in most conditions from the transmitter housing. It’s also set up to use a full offering of plate bits and rock tooling like the Vermeer Gauntlet, Lance and single roller cone bits.

The Ultra X3 housing uses a standard API rear connection and also works with quick-connect systems like the Vermeer QuickFire HD connection system. In some applications, the Ultra X3 system can reduce the size of the exit pit since it doesn’t require the housing be removed for most pullbacks and crews can changeover from pilot to pullback in a smaller space.

The Ultra X3 is available in three sizes covering all HDD models rated up to the 40,000-pound drill range.

Direct-attach bumpers for PACCAR medium-duty trucks simplify winch installations

Both of Braden’s new bumper and winch systems are designed in compliance with SAE J706 and will accommodate the PD18 Planetary Recovery Winch.

Braden has introduced new direct bolt-on utility winch bumper options for new PACCAR medium-duty trucks as part of its UBX20 and PD18 utility bumper and planetary recovery winch systems. Available for Kenworth and Peterbilt Aero and Vocational models, the designs allow the bumpers to be attached directly to the chassis with no need for custom mounting brackets or welding.

Both bumper systems are engineered to deliver maximum winch line pull ratings of 20,000 pounds. They are available for Kenworth T480, T380, T280 and T180 models and Peterbilt 548, 537, 536 and 535 trucks.

The UBX20 utility bumper is available with TR20 and PD18 planetary recovery winch models. Featuring a lighter and more aerodynamic design, the UBX20 has a reinforced steel frame with two tow-eyes for maximum pulling capabilities.

Both of Braden’s new bumper and winch systems are designed in compliance with SAE J706 and will accommodate the PD18 Planetary Recovery Winch.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.cityheartsaberdeen.com/?p=471

Industry Roundup: Herc buys Reliable Equipment and more

November 3, 2021

Duane Smith

Contractor Services No Comments

Herc Holdings, parent of Herc Rentals, has purchased Reliable Equipment, which has branch operations in Dover and Londonderry, New Hampshire. The acquisition reflects Herc’s initiative to expand its presence in U.S. urban markets; Reliable’s locations are in the north Boston metropolitan area.

Founded in 2010, Reliable provides aerial, material handling and earthmoving equipment as well as specialty climate-control and power generation equipment. With more than 50 employees, the company’s service coverage extended from Boston to Portland, Maine. Herc says the purchase expands its presence to eight locations in New England.

Underground Machinery adds Merlo

St. Louis-based Underground Machinery Rental had added Merlo’s telehandler products to its offering. Started in 2019, Underground Machinery also carries Ditch Witch and Fat Truck products.

Cross Country divests Canadian operations

Cross Country Infrastructure Services (CCIS) is divesting its Canadian operations, allowing it to reshift focus on its U.S. operations, headquartered in Aurora, Colorado.

In turn, a newly formed independent company rebranded as Cross Country Canadian Rentals and Supplies will operate in Canada, led by Tim Martin, general manager, and equity partner Kade Demuth.

CCIS acquired its Canadian division with the purchase of Sideline Specialty Equipment in 2015.

Loftin named Atlas Copco dealer

Loftin Equipment of Phoenix, Arizona, has added Atlas Copco Power Technique portable generators, light towers and energy storage systems to its lineup. The company will offer sales, rentals, parts and service throughout its Texas branches located in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Midland.

B.J. Rees becomes IRock dealer

B.J. Rees’s Enterprise, Valley View, Ohio, will represent IRock Crushers in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. Started n 1975, the Rees firm will offer IRock’s line of crushing, screening and conveying equipment.

The team at B.J. Rees’s Enterprise receives its first unit, an IRock TJ-2745 Mobile Jaw Crusher.IRock

MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS

Park named Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas president

ParkHyundaiTwenty-seven-year Hyundai veteran Stan Park has been named president of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas.

Park most recently served as the vice president of marketing and dealer development.

“For more than 20 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to grow with Hyundai. Today, I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead the company to the next level,” says Park.

“Stan is a pillar of HCEA in North America and is well known throughout the organization domestically and abroad,” says Mike Ross, vice president of sales.

Park will be charged with driving growth for Hyundai’s brand in North America. He replaces J.Y. Kim.

CNH announces reorg of off-highway business

After spinning off its on-highway Iveco Group, CNH Industrial has announced a new strategic structure.

“We are implementing a new organizational structure and enhancing our senior leadership team to elevate our focus on customers and dealers, improve productivity and accelerate profitable growth,” says Scott Wine, CEO, CNH Industrial.

CNH says the structure “embraces a lean and agile approach to business and delineates clear accountability.” CNH’s three global business units are now headed by the following presidents:

Construction: Stefano Pampalone

Agriculture: Derek Neilson

Financial Services: Oddone Incisa

In addition, Brad Crews has been named president of CNH’s North America corporate region.

RoadSafe buys Barricade

RoadSafe Traffic Systems, providing traffic control and pavement marking system, has acquired Barricade Services & Sales, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

RoadSafe says the acquisition of Barricade will further establish its position in the Mountain West region and expansion into the Utah market. RoadSafe also acquired Innovative Marking Systems, Bluffdale, Utah, earlier this year.

Barricade founder Gary Shields will continue to lead the Utah traffic-control operation alongside the current management team.

Somers promoted to AEM VP

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has announced John Somers as its new vice president of the construction and utility sector, taking over from Megan Tanel who will serve as president.

Somers previously served as senior director of the utility sector and joined the company in 2007. As vice president, Somers will lead the overall strategy for construction and utility programs and services for AEM membership.

AEM produces industry trade shows, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG, The Utility Expo, World of Asphalt and the International Fluid Power Exposition.

“We All Just Worked Our Guts Out”: Contractor Pulls in $1.7M in First Year

Core and a spare

Heated driveways

How Custom-Painted Equipment Can Boost Your Marketing

Increased Brand Awareness

Stretch Your Marketing Dollar

The Downsides to Painting Your Equipment

Ditch the Shovels with the Mud Dog 700 Vacuum Excavator

Vaccine Mandate Halted; Appeals Court to Review