Category Archives: Business

Keep an Open Mind to Be Ahead In the Race in the Construction Industry

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Change- that is the only thing that has, that is and that will always be permanent. Whether it is the healthcare industry, education industry, politics or construction, change can be said to be a common characteristic for all. And this change makes it important for people to be on the constant lookout for keeping them updated on the latest events of a particular industry. If you are a professional of the construction industry, keeping yourself updated on the various aspects of the industry is quite important for your business.

Continuing To Learn- The Benefits

Being constantly on the lookout for the latest happenings in the construction industry is beneficial. If you are involved in the construction industry, it is best if you keep a lookout for the latest trends and developments. Here is taking a look at the benefits that being updated has.

  • Constant studying the trends of the construction industry will give you an idea of the way your competitors approach the entire business. And this definitely contributes significantly to you becoming a successful construction big shot.
  • By keeping the window of knowledge of open in the construction arena, you will also be aware of the various rules, regulations and amendments to the rules of the arena. This means that you will always stay on the legal side of things.
  • Continuing the education whilst you are in the construction arena also lets you gain knowledge on the various technological developments on the block. An application of these technologies to your construction business can definitely prove to be fruitful.
  • Constantly remaining updated also enhances your decision making power. You will be able to take better decisions about your construction organisation if you keep your mind open and continue to build on the recent developments going on in the area.

It can, therefore be concluded that keeping an open mind in the construction area works wonders on your business. Not only will you be able to handle the construction projects more efficiently, you can also be sure of raise in the status quo of your company.

Gaining the Knowledge- The Possible Sources

All being said and done, people might wonder as to where will they get information of the changes taking place in the industry.

  • The World Wide Web can be said to be a virtual trove of information.  All the information that you seek can be availed from the various blogs, updates posted on the social networking sites, online construction journals, construction forums and the like.
  • You could also try gathering information from your mentor, the construction union, various seminars and conferences and the like.

Success in the construction industry is directly proportional to your knowledge of the area. It goes without saying that staying updated on this fore is quite crucial for your construction business. Keeping an open mind, therefore, can be said to be one of the mantras to succeed in the industry.

How training helps one to use heavy equipment?

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To use a heavy equipment, the user should know what he is going to do with it. Heavy equipment does the task efficiently and quickly. Its use can be dangerous in novice’s hands. This is the reason which compels many youths to go for a proper training to ensure their safety while handling construction equipment. In most of the cases, training is needed to operate a specific machine, or at best approved by the workers.

For the job hunters, it’s a harsh fact that the industry of construction itself is damn sturdy. No one can deny the fact that it is the world’s one of the fastest growing industries. Those who can handle the constructional jobs with the use of heavy pieces of equipment are in much demand nowadays. They can easily get themselves employed in government sectors, private industries and even can set up a business of construction machines. A systematic training will definitely open the door to the youths with a wide-range of options and fat-salaried jobs.

This field provides great opportunities to all the potential workers. Those who have not yet made up his mind to settle down themselves to achieve their goals or switch to the choices which bring about a job that can lead them to a prosperous life always prefer to go in this realm.

The duration of training related with heavy equipment varies depending on the school which the person has picked up. A person can avoid all the accidents only if he knows exactly how to deal with these pieces of heavy equipment. As its operation is not just a child’s play, it’s always better to get the training at first.

Importance of heavy equipment training

If the reader is interested to know more about the importance of training, he/she should flip through the following article:

  • A construction site deals with different kinds of heavy equipment. During the training, the student will come to know every detail of the various machines involved in the job. He will also be able to applaud the signification of the different kinds of machines.
  • While going through a good training schedule, the student will get acquainted with the safety measures that are necessary to take when he will operate the machines himself. Even a plain forklift can cause hazardous accidents if not handled with care.
  • To get a good job in this domain, the person should develop his skill regarding the use of the equipment which is possible only with an effective training.
  • Training from an institution which is recognised nationally often provides the trainee with the assistance of job-placements which can be extended to some longer period even after graduation. That’s why, if the trainee needs a job in an entirely new location, the school will aid the person to find one.
  • Operation of heavy equipment provides a great path to drive along to those who want to show their skills in the construction field. All these machines have their own subtleties which should be mastered before considering it as safe in the handler’s couch.

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Getting good training can help you become an able heavy equipment operator

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The economists are finding the US economy coming out of the stagnant mode and are hoping that the situation which was for so long grim will soon to change. There will be employment in various sectors and one of the sector that will act as cream on the cake will be the construction sector. When the economy goes up, more and more industry comes in, which means there will be ample requirement to build industries, offices, residences etc. In a nutshell, what many major construction companies can foresee is that it is now their time. In other words, they also would need good number of manpower and not just any manpower but fully competent and able manpower. This demand gives way to ample of opportunities for people who want to make a career in construction industry, be it sales and marketing of heavy equipment, or just becoming a heavy equipment operator.

When we talk about an able heavy equipment operator, there are few things that one needs to understand before they see a career in it. We would be discussing in length about those points.

Knowing a bit about heavy equipment:-

When we talk about becoming a heavy equipment operator, it is definitely not a cake walk that anybody can easily become one. People who have absolutely no interest in heavy equipment or do not have any knowledge may find it difficult to become an operator. A heavy equipment operator’s duties are not only limited to keep the machine function during working hours but they also have to ensure that they know a little about the intricacies of the machine which may come handy if the machine breaks out in the middle of nowhere. A person with no interest may not do anything extra to know about the equipment and will wait for the mechanic to come and fix the problem. This will only result in loss of work till the time the machine does not get fixed.

Getting admitted in a reputed institution:-

Passing out from a reputed institution will help the individual to hone his skill and acquire a job in a big construction company. The applicant will have the opportunity to learn from teachers/professors who have seen the in and out of the heavy equipment industry and know which machine is required for what purpose. Getting training under such proficient teachers will in turn make them more competent operators. Moreover, such institutions have the facility to conduct job interviews in their campuses. Interviewers from construction or mining companies come to such institutions to pick the right candidate. It is thus the candidates will get early exposure in this profession which will help them a long way in establishing a promising career.

Coming in touch with veteran heavy equipment operators:-

A person gets to learn a lot from veteran heavy equipment operators. They are quite experienced when it comes to operating machines and it will be always better for a newbie to get trained under an experienced hand.

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Tips of cleaning a job site with the help of Skid Steer

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Choose a skid steer from a reputed rental company and read the safety tips in the operator’s guidebook to get information on how it is operated. It is a heavy machine which can turn at a swiftly, tips over effortlessly and changes direction suddenly. Here the tips to get started with the skid steer

Learn to control the machine-Skid steer loaders are controlled by two steering handles, each one situated on each side arm where the machine rests. These steering handles contain the control buttons for accessories, situated on the tops like triggers on the machine’s forward part. Usually there is a figure which gives details about the console beside each attachment.

Bring the machine on the job site- In order to get rid of the dirt, debris and other inert materials fetch it on the job site.

Find out the location of the controls which starts the machine-The start or ignition is normally functioned by a key having similarities with that of a car. There are some skid steers that have a button for starting up, and the latest and innovative machines have a key pad for punching in a code and start the engine.

Look for the throttle handle-A throttle handle is a flat bar made up of metal. It has a rubber grip on top of the console extending to the right side of the right arm resting with a hole for sliding in forward and backward direction.

Undo the control switches and buttons-Many skid steer s have a lock system attached in the machine. It also consists of the control switches near the mechanism panel which enables lock symbols situated under them, and a lot of time it is found it has a red lamp operating as soon as the switch is put off, however the lamp turns to green color when the switch is put on. You will have to control the power switch to put on to start the machine to operate. This could be done by fastening the seat belt or turn over a switch.

Shift the bucket or front part up off the land- It means dragging one of the control levers, in, toward the middle of the device, for example, you will bend the stick in the left hand side towards the right hand side, and this is generally the stick that lifts up and lowers the machine bucket. Owing to these joysticks which perform numerous functions, be cautious not to move about the joysticks obliquely; instead try to move it straight in the right direction or the left.

Lift up the attachment far above the ground to find a clear sight of what is in front of you, bring it down; lift it again, to experience its movement- If the machine’s left stick lifts up the bucket, then the stick at the right will alter its position. By bending the lever at the right to the left, you will lift the front side of the machine’s bucket in a scooping movement, and by moving to the right hand side with the help of the right stick, you will unload it. Lift and bring down the bucket, scoop and dump it, and you will feel the movement.

Drive slowly in front putting on the control sticks. The engine will go forward, and if the throttle is not operating, and you progress both sticks slowly and at the same pace, you will be able to move it effortlessly without delay. While you drag back on the control levers, you will back up, and have less view about what is happening behind.

Move about the joysticks separately Pushing merely the right stick will turn the machine to the direction in the left. Driving on the left side lever will manoeuvre the machine right.

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Preventing Construction Site Accidents Is Now Easy With Heavy Equipment Back-Up Cameras

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The construction area and the use of heavy equipment has somewhat become synonymous to each other. One cannot really think of being involved in the construction arena and not work with heavy equipment. And working with heavy equipment has been found to be directly proportional to the hazards on more than one occasion. It is to prevent such mishaps from occurring that the people in the construction arena have come up with a number of safety devices. And one such safety device that has turned out to be somewhat indispensible is the use of the back-up camera.

The Heavy Equipment Back Up Camera

Manoeuvring heavy equipment without damaging it or causing damage to those present in the vicinity is not really an easy thing to do. Unwanted accidents and mishaps can take place anytime. For instance, there is every chance that a concrete truck backing up will hit somebody or the other in its vicinity and cause a whole lot of damage. The heavy equipment back up camera can prevent a lot of such unwanted accidents and more.

How Can Construction Sits Make Use Of The Heavy Equipment Back Up Cameras?

The back-up camera has become an indispensible part of the heavy equipment at construction sites. Not only does the entire set up proves to be a great measure as far as safety is concerned, it also plays a crucial role in certain other operations as well.

  • The blind spots are supposed to be the most susceptible areas for accidents. The back up camera installations has been found to be pretty useful when it comes to the prevention of these accidents.
  • The back-up camera proves to be of great help when it comes to safety purposes. They are elemental when it comes to the prevention of injuries and saving lives from unwanted mishaps.
  • The back-up camera system also proves to be a great option for the economy of the construction company. By preventing accidents and mishaps, they do save a lot of money that would have otherwise gone into meeting insurance claims, repairing damaged vehicles and other such damage control measures.
  • The safety aspects apart, back up cameras prove to be great tools when it is working with precision in question. For instance, they can be put to use for getting a perfect view of the digging area by attaching the entire mechanism on a dipper stick with an excavator.
  • The back-up camera system is also put to use in case of demolition applications. Its use gives the operator a wider view of the area that needs to be turned down.
  • The heavy equipment back up cameras has proven to be quite an important tool in the arena of miming as well what with its contribution to prevention of flat tires on the mining site.

Not only for the purpose of safety, the heavy equipment back up camera has fast proving itself to be an indispensible tool when it comes to other areas as well.

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Get To Know the Articulated Dump Truck- The Past and the Present

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Have you ever tried swimming without ever getting wet? Or have you tried riding a bicycle without falling down even once? Well, the obvious answer to all these questions is a resounding no. In a similar manner, it is not possible to be a part of the construction site and not getting involved with heavy construction equipment that form an integral part of the entire business. And the articulated dump truck is one of those heavy equipment that have become an indispensible part of the entire construction arena.

Articulated Dump Trucks- Then and Now

The construction arena had not taken the advent of the articulated dump truck very kindly half a decade back. Though it was and is quite a useful earth moving equipment, those in charge of the construction organisation just couldn’t see enough uses of it.

The need for a new kind of machine arose when the articulated hauler was no longer found to be capable of negotiating terrains of all kind. Thus, emerged the articulated dump truck, which was to change the outlook of the construction arena forever. The first articulated dump trucks were designed to reposition the main drive axle at the rear end of the tractor so as to provide maximal traction. The machine had levers operated by means of hydraulics in place of steering wheels. All of these features combined by the fact that the two parts of the equipment were joined together to form a unit proved to be favourable for the construction arena.

The advancement in the field of technology has brought about quite a change in the entire equipment to produce a machine that is powerful, versatile and easy to operate. Equipped with manual and automated shifts and “all-wheel drive” features, the articulated dump truck as we know today has the capability of getting around all kinds of terrains. Not only in terms of lever and machinery, the modern articulated dump truck also comes equipped with side dumps, standard dumps, scarper beds and the like to cater to the different earth moving requirements at construction sites.

Articulated Dump Trucks at Construction Sites- The Benefits

The advent of the articulated dump truck has been successful in completely revolutionising the way in which earth moving was viewed in the construction industry. The number of benefits that this one equipment comes loaded with should be enough for any construction organization authority to go for it.

  • As opposed to the conventional trucks used at construction sites, the articulated dump truck has the ability to manoeuvre through tight corners and rough terrains. This means that earth moving is now possible on every type of surface imaginable.
  • The tires of the articulated dump truck also have been designed in such a way so as to be absolutely compatible to all types of terrains. This means that the center of gravity and sideways stability is completely balanced with the design of the rear end and the width of the tire.
  • Since they can operate on such a versatile mode, construction site owners can be assured of increased job adeptness.

Hence, one could conclude that the articulated dump truck has come along a long way from the traditional designs, thus, making it an indispensible part of the construction industry.

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How to buy Used Construction Equipment

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The early morning search is the most popular and the easiest way to find best deals of buying used construction. Monday morning is the best time to find used construction equipment because maximum people give advertisement on the web sites at Sundays.

If you want a piece of equipment badly don’t be scared to communicate with the seller and questioned him about his fixed price. Most of the auction web sites are strictly against this type of arrangements but it depends on you and how bad you want that piece. The dealer will either sell you the piece or tell you to bid in a natural way. So sometimes it can save your time and energy.

If you are checking a piece which no one else is looking for then doesn’t bid on it instantly. Wait for the last day of auction and then bid on it. The most important point for getting a great price of equipment you want for a long time is don’t bid on it. It is a very difficult point to get but it always works. Bidding on the piece that you want at very first moment you saw it, draws unnecessary attention and that you shouldn’t do in an auction. So just wait for the very last moment and then bid on it.

Sometimes people make bid on those pieces which other people are bidding on. So putting your bid on the equipment you want from a very long time in your hand is a very bad choice. It could make your chances extremely low and you cannot buy that thing. If you get into bidding battle it will only raise the bar high. Just sitting and watching till the last moment and then making your move is so far the best way to save your money in an auction.

Purchasing used items in business is the best way to avoid unnecessary expenses. But checking the safety of the equipment is the first and the most important thing to do when you buy a used piece of construction equipment. So if someone buy a used piece of equipment and used it after the important instruction, then the shape of their business will always be good. So every person who is thinking of buying this kind of stuff by the auction should always keep remember these important rules.

If the buyer is careful to follow all the necessary instructions before handling the construction equipment, then this thing can provide very good return on investment to the business.

If you didn’t check the safety equipment before using then many problems can occur such as job injury, time loss, media’s bad coverage, legal action etc. So it’s very important that you do a thorough check up before buying it.

Safety features are different in various models. It totally depends on the model. So you have to check the safety features before buying the equipment.

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How to develop a lubrication program for your heavy construction equipment?

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Lubrication is the technical process which helps to reduce the wear without the interference of human. Lubrication is done   by mediating a substance known as lubricant (which can be solid, liquid, or sometimes gas) which helps to carry the load between the opposing surfaces.

It is important for every equipment to get it properly and regularly lubricated so that it can go in the long run. Without lubricating heavy construction equipment, your machines will fail to withstand the wear and tear of time. But, don’t be afraid! You just need to follow some guidelines and you are on the way of increasing the life span of construction equipment even without wasting any money on the technicians.

There are three main things which can develop a lubrication program-

  • Procedure which support a broader maintenance tactics.
  • What needs to be set up?
  • From where to start the procedure?

These lubrication programs can be accomplished in many different ways. The procedure listed below is the most easy and effective while bringing uniformity to the task.

  • You should be dedicated enough to give your attention to find out what parts of the equipment should be lubricated. To cover the areas of lubricating the heavy construction equipment, you first have to make a proper schedule and for this time and effort is needed.
  • You can also look into the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) manual to find out what kind of lubricant should be used for the machine. In the OEM number of lubrication points are also mentioned. These OEMs are really very helpful for the beginners in this field. A comparison of OEM selection with the AGMA standards is also very essential.
  • You should plan lubrication properly to avoid any kind of damages. Everyone dealing with lubrication program should be endowed with responsibility.
  • If you really want to become an expert in lubrication then, you should have to learn when to stop the lubrication procedure. If you over lubricate a heavy equipment, then be careful, you are unaware of the damage that you are causing to the construction equipment.
  • For lubricating the condition based machines, ultrasound technology is ideally suitable. This ultrasonic inspection helps you to know which bearing needs to be lubricated and how much lubricant you should apply to it.
  • Apart from normal wear, bearing is also greatly affected by the thickness of a relative film by an adequate lubricant.
  • As the lubricant is susceptible to weather, the container with the lubricant should be kept in a controlled climatic condition (dry, covered and at constant temperature).
  • For lubrication program correct viscosity is also another important factor. This viscosity is determined by operating temperature, environmental conditions, shaft speed, and type of the lubricant, tooth geometry and loading. The tooth form directs the sliding and rolling. Whereas the speed, viscosity and surface area of the gear dictates the operating frictional mode.

Most of the person who carries on with his lubrication work does not exactly know how to schedule their lubrication procedure. By following these simple steps, you can easily be an expert in this field.

 

Never Give Up Your Hopes Even If You Suffer Loses In the First Few Years of Your Business in the Construction Domain

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A business is entitled to two very important aspects and they are profits and losses. Either you make money in your business or you lose out. These are the two significant factors that keep your business going. We see another trend in business. Guys who have newly set up their business tend to incur losses than making profits which is kind of demoralizing. This is perhaps the major reason why many of the folks who have started their business thinking of making it big end up completely giving it away. There is perhaps a wrong notion that runs in peoples’ mind that business is the only way to make them rich. Which is why without giving much thought to it, they start doing a business and then all of a sudden realize that this was not their cup of tea and eventually scrap it off.

This was one bunch of folks. There is another bunch of people who no matter what stick to their position even after having incurred huge losses in their business. They are the one who either make it big or get perished completely. They are probably the ones who do not like to give up their hopes and want to continue to see the end of their journey. Well, it is better that we all fall in the second list because you have to give time to your business to grow. If you not financially sound or don’t have much patience, business is not for you.

Incurring losses in the first few years of your business is inevitable:-  When you form a business, you do not have clients, you do not have proper infrastructure, you do not have all the necessary things that is needed to shape up your business. You gather them all in the phase of time and during this time you also do things which an experienced person will not dare to. It is only because you are learning things. You go wrong many times and also do not find anybody to correct you or to guide and show you the right way. In such scenarios, making losses is inevitable. You just can’t expect to get returns from your business because it lacks a lot of things that are important to gain profits in a business. During the troubled times, it is imperative to stick along and not take decisions like to wind it up.

Learn from your mistakes:-  The best way to set your foot in the construction business is to learn from your mistakes and not to repeat it ever. You rarely get people to guide you as folks don’t want competition in business. Many feel that by giving right advices they might give birth to a strong competitor which may pose as a challenge to them in the later years. Therefore, you are on your own and always keep your learning antenna on.

Listen to others but do that you feel is right:-  When you are new, you will come across people who care giving you advices on your business. They may not know much how to deal with situations but always have advices for others. It’s better to give them a hearing ear but use your brains to rationale their advices.

 

 

 

Know the Educational Requirements to become a Proficient Heavy Equipment Operator

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A heavy equipment operator needs to operate complex Heavy Equipment for various construction and mining projects in the building site. They need to undertake comprehensive and in-depth formal training in order to be skilful and dexterous in this field. Read this article carefully to learn if you are a heavy equipment operator.

Apprentice programs

Generally the heavy equipment operators start their career as apprentice or trainee. The apprenticeship training is given at various technical colleges and trade unions. Also post secondary institutions as well as professional associations are available. The technical and community colleges offer programs that are accredited by National Joint Apprentice and Training Committee and approved by state labour departments. The eligibility of the students enrolling for this course has to be 18 years of age and must have a driving license. The driving licence is required since sometimes the heavy equipment needs to be operated on roads. The duration of the courses span up to 4 years. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics the students undertaking the apprenticeship programs have better chances of landing jobs, as they are well equipped and have comprehensive knowledge about varieties of heavy equipments than the college goers.

Classroom Job Training

In the classroom job training students wanting to become heavy equipment operators are given education on safety processes and policies. The safety procedures include operation of safety equipments as well as pre functioning process. The courses thoroughly comply with guidelines laid by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The courses also give emphasis on eliminating hazardous wastes.

Among other popular courses heavy equipment protection and repairing them. Operators are given training on greasing machine parts or joining machine parts by soldering or welding.

Practical Training

Like other professional courses practical training is very important for the heavy equipment operators to hold them in good stead and prepare them for a bright career ahead. Here they are given training on the application of the heavy equipment such as landscaping and grading a site using tractors or bulldozers.

 

 

Extra Requirements:

Operator’s need to have a  commercial driver’s  licence(CDL) since they sometimes will have to transport the equipments from one place to another in the construction sites.

Career Prospects:

Graduates can find lucrative careers as operators in pipeline operations, CPR and waste operations. They can also peruse their career as trouble-shooters or equipment repairer.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics has divulged that the average salary per annum for operating engineers is high and lucrative. Some years ago the highest -paying business organisations asked these heavy equipment workers to perform support activities for road shipping, scientific investigation services, health and surgical infirmaries, and generation of electricity. Each of these workers or operators was remunerated a per annum average salary of $58,500 or in excess of that.

The BLS predicts that employment prospects for construction heavy equipment operators will be enhanced by 19% between the year of 2012 and 2022. Operators accessible to work in urban areas with technical know-how are expected to be the most benefitted ones with bright employment prospects. The operator who knows to operate more than one heavy equipment is also believed to have optimistic career.

So if you are planning to become a heavy equipment operator undergo some practical training. It will prepare you for a bright and lucrative career ahead. With increase in construction projects it has already become a popular career option among many and in future it is likely to grow as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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