Tag Archives: Construction Equipment

Caterpillar Heavy Equipment- A Name to Be Trusted

Heavy equipment form an integral part of the construction industry. If you are someone who belongs to the construction industry, then dealing with heavy construction equipment must come as second nature to you. And for being successful in the field it is important that you select the best quality heavy equipment for your construction purposes. And the range of heavy equipment from Caterpillar no doubt serves the purpose to the best possible extent.

The Caterpillar Corporation

Born out of the fusion of Holt Manufacturing Company and C. L Best Tractor Company, the Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Company has gone on to become a name that is widely relied upon as far as heavy construction equipment are concerned. Having its base in California, it has been providing the construction industry of America with some of the best quality construction machinery for quite some time now. Today the company is a global manufacturer of all kinds of heavy equipment, right from Articulated Dump Trucks, Dozer, and Tractors to Compactors, Drag Lines, Excavators and the like.

The Caterpillar Range of Heavy Equipment

The Caterpillar Corporation has a number of heavy construction equipments to its credit that has been a great help to quite a number of construction companies.

The Caterpillar Articulated Dump Truck is perhaps one of the most popular and ever in demand heavy construction equipment to exist. There are a number of models from which the companies can pick, depending on their requirement. Each Articulated Dump Truck from Caterpillar has been designed in a manner such that it is easy to operate, simple and comfortable, with more productivity and less maintenance hassles.

The next equipment on the block is the Caterpillar Asphalt Pavers, used for paving asphalt on roads, bridges, parking lots and the like. It includes which three major variants, viz, the Wheel Asphalt Pavers, the Track Asphalt Pavers and the Screeds. The Caterpillar Excavator is equally important heavy equipment in the construction arena. The four variants of the Caterpillar 300 Excavator family offers four variants, from which the construction companies are free to choose a make and model of their choice- the small, mini, medium and large Excavators. Like the Excavator, the Dozer family also comes in three variants, viz the small, medium and large Dozers.

The Caterpillar Draglines, available in three variants, viz, 8200, 8750 and 8000 are also supposed to be quite an important tool in the mining and construction industry. It does not really need a genius to figure out the importance of drilling equipment in the construction arena and the Caterpillar Corporation offers two variants of drilling equipment for construction purposes, viz, Rotary Drills and Track Drills.

The Caterpillar compactors have also been designed in a manner so as to cater to the variety of purposes for which it may be required. The Soil Compactors, the Landfill Compactors, the Vibratory Soil Compactors are all designed by the company in such a manner so as to fit the demand of the construction companies.

The Caterpillar Heavy Equipment manufacturing company, therefore, always strives in supplying the construction and mining industry with high end heavy machinery that caters to their particular requirements.

Use Your Mobile Applications to Keep Yourself Updated With Latest News in the World of Heavy Equipment

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Some wise men had said that knowledge is everything. If you are a knowledgeable person, you do not need to run after success but success will kiss your feet. For instance, a good doctor who knows almost everything about his profession is widely liked and honored by others. It’s not because he is a doctor and has the ability to save someone’s life but because he is damn good in it. What made him a good doctor? It’s his knowledge and the amount of practice he has put in his work to master the art. The same logic applies in the construction sector. The more knowledgeable a person is more worthy he is in this industry.

Apart from this, one also needs to understand that learning never ends and the day you feel that you’ve learnt everything about a particular thing, that’s the day you start falling down. Therefore, it is critical to update yourself with whatever new is going on around you that concerns your work and the industry as a whole. This becomes very crucial for people who deal with heavy equipment. Right from dealers, industry pundits to buyers, all must regularly sharpen their knowledge. In order to quick access to any news about heavy equipment, the best they can do is buy mobiles that have applications that gives them the access to google the net or get information on the latest happenings in the world of heavy equipment.

Easy to carry and very user friendly:-  When we need to get some information about a thing, we ideally turn on our computer and Google it on the net. However, if we are travelling and have no access to internet, it’s the mobile app that helps you to keep yourself updated. You need not worry about carrying your laptop all the time. It’s just that you need to flip it out off your pocket and check what you need to know.

Track your machine:-  Imagine you being in a different city or travelling abroad and need to know where your equipment is. You can do it easily with the help of your mobile app. You can track your equipment and also know when it was used the last time and also know the time you need to check its coolant. You get to know almost everything about your machine. It can also alarm you if it finds anything suspicious, like the machine is being used after working hours or if it’s used outside the designated area. This leads to curbing any sort of misuse in your absence and also ensures that the equipment is not being mismanaged by your employees.

In order to make these things possible, you need to install certain devices in your mobile which will then enable you to make use of these technologies. Nevertheless, the crux of the matter is you need to have a mobile which supports this technology and is compatible to install all these necessary devices.

Shield Your Heavy Equipment From The Deadly Winter

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Winter is welcomed in many parts of our country but in some parts, it is indeed a pain as one has to go through a good deal of trouble to protect themselves from the ferocious weather. It is just not for us that this season comes with pain but also for the construction segment as a whole. Imagine in cities where it snows for most of the time in the year, winters are just deadly. Folks from the construction domain are more worried about their heavy equipment as this season not only dampens their business but also the working capability of their machines. It just takes away the power from the equipment leading to enough complication once the weather changes. This leaves them with a damp business and few rotten machines. Though, the equipment can be fixed, it takes time to get them back on their toes.

What should one do to winterize their equipment?

The owner of the construction equipment needs to follow some very basic principles. The first would be to lubricate the machine before the start of the season. It would be practically impossible to do the lubrication thing once it starts snowing. No one can dare to deal with the machines in such a rough weather. Therefore, it would be prudent to do away with the oiling and maintenance stuff at the very beginning and before you start feeling the cold breeze swaying your cheeks.

Winterizing your equipment begins with checking each point of your machine that you feel should be lubricated. It would be wise if you prepare checkpoints before you begin working with it. The checkpoints will help you identify the various points in the machines that you need to work on. As you keep completing the work, keep ticking the checkpoints. This will ensure that you leave nothing behind and have taken care of everything mentioned on the list.

Get a good mechanic to get this job done

One of the most important steps towards shielding your construction equipment from winter is to get the overall machine checked by a good mechanic. It may not cost you much to hire an experienced mechanic who knows the in and out of the equipment and knows what needs to be done to protect them from winter. If he finds any part of the machine to be faulty, that should be replaced immediately. There are instances where the equipment owner gave the job of winterizing the equipment to the operator and they with their limited knowledge tried doing everything possible to prevent the machine but eventually, it took its toll. The machine weren’t working with the beginning of the next season and the owners were left puzzled. Had they given the work to an expertise, things would have been favourable to them.

Once you are done with the repair job, the next thing is to store the equipment in a cool and dry environment. It should not be exposed to outside climate or else it might develop complications.

Following these steps will ensure a safe winter for your heavy equipment.

 

Insure Your Heavy Equipment and Become Worry Free

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Being in the construction business and not having to deal with heavy construction equipment is like learning to swim without actually getting wet, in short, impossible. When dealing with construction equipment, it is obvious that mishaps and accidents are going to be a commonplace affair.

Why Is Insuring Your Heavy Equipment So Important?

It goes without saying that heavy equipment cost quite a fortune, the damage of which contributes significantly to the loss of precious time and money. While the time factor cannot be apparently helped with, the money factor can definitely be. Insuring your heavy equipment with the best insurance companies on the block seems to be a good means of coping up with such unprecedented financial loss.

Safety and security measures apart, there still remains a certain danger of mishaps which sometimes seem to unavoidable. Financial losses owing to heavy equipment can occur in more than one way. Your heavy construction equipment may be stolen, damaged by fire, or any other accident, or may be liable to casualty in any other way. In such a scenario, insuring your equipment comes across as a good thing to do as that proves to be of immense help financially in case of such losses due to such damage.

Looking For the Best Insurance Companies- Things to Keep In Mind

Now that it has become quite clear that insuring heavy equipment plays a major role in recuperating with the losses that occur due to the damage of such equipments, it would also do god to know the best way in which construction companies can go about insurance company hunting. Like everything else, this also has a check list, the ticking off of which before approaching a company for insurance seems to be a good approach.

  • There are a number of insurance companies available on the block. It would be prudent to choose a company that offers insurance policy that best caters to your needs. You should be well aware of the potential hazards that your heavy equipment can face and look for a policy accordingly.
  • It is also crucial for you to pick the insurance companies that cover most, if not all, the areas of cause of damage that your heavy construction equipment might be susceptible to. You would certainly not like to settle for an insurance company that does not cover half of the areas required that is required.
  • Comparing the policies of different companies also seems to be a worthy decision as it will ensure that you are not missing out the best policies available on the block and also enables you to have a fair idea of the various schemes and offers doing the rounds.

Selecting the best insurance companies certainly comes across as a good decision as the policies that they put forth for the insurance of heavy equipment satisfies most of the requirements of the concerned customer. Such organisations also take good care of their customers and do not delay in meeting out the financial help that construction companies might require in dealing with the loss owing to the damage of heavy equipment. So, if you are still having second thoughts about insuring your heavy construction equipment, then it is best that you leave such thoughts aside and settle for the best insurance company for assured financial help in time of need.

Check out eight important things before using a machine

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Check out eight important things before using a machine

Today’s life is totally machine dependent, we are helpless without machine. Growing technology benefited us in a way that without them we can’t even take a step. With advance technology you can make various shaped equipment (heavy), complicated designs easily. These help users to use machine smoothly.

While using a machine you should always be careful about certain accidents or any unwanted incident. Also to handle machine skillfully and to get great output you should know its proper usages thoroughly.  But sometimes some accidents happened with the users, especially when the user is a new operator. So, safety is a big issue while operating a heavy machine. However, you have to follow basic rules depending upon what machine you are using to avoid bad things or any kind of trouble.

At construction sites, heavy equipment like cranes or other giant machines should be handled carefully. Operators of these machines must have good knowledge and they must be well-trained at this field.

 

Follow these rules before operating a machine:

  • Safety GearWearing: Steel-toed boots, masks, gloves, hats and glasses are safety gears. In minor work you should not be careless about safety gears, because in construction site heavy equipment generates so much pollution that can harm your skin, respiratory infections and can cause eye irritation too. Beside these, there are always some life risks as well. Therefore it is better to maintain this rule.
  • Inspect Machine Regularly: If the machine itself is not good then wearing safety gear will not help you at all. Visual and physical monitoring on machine is always needed even if the work is minor in order to avoid accident. Inspection needed after and before use of machineries. If any minor damage found, then it must be eliminated.
  • Acquiescing Instruction: you should remember one thing that every machine must have a certain capacity to bare load. Some heavy equipment are able to take certain loads, if it exceeds, accident can happened anytime. So, you should check out the capacity of heavy equipment before using it.
  • Signals and Signs: At construction sites high decibel noise and chaos are very common. So, it is impossible to hear each other’s word. But while using heavy machineries it is necessary to have good communication with other. So, there are set of signs and signals to communicate with other workers. Similarly there is warning signs to alert workers while working.
  • Wide berth: Every year many workers die on site, crushed by heavy equipment, struck by backhoes or pinned. So wide berth is needed for heavy equipment.
  • Double check: Double check is a good thing while working with heavy machines. You should double check your machine loads before lifting it; make sure it is not exceeding the limit.
  • Familiar partner: It is better to work with familiar people; it helps to understand each other’s signal easily which is very important at construction site.
  • Be observant: Crane operators and workers of load lift areas should be informed before operation start. Otherwise certain accident can occur anytime.

Know Your Heavy Equipment- How to operate them?

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Are you new in the construction industry and need to find out about heavy construction equipment? When it comes to the field of construction, all one can visualize are the tall buildings that are yet to take shape, raw materials such as bricks, gravel, mortar and the like and heavy construction equipment. Have you ever wondered how all those equipment work? How with their enormous mechanical build do they help in constructing those skyscrapers that makes you a proud resident of your city? Well then its time we try and answer some of the basic questions related to the operation of heavy equipment.

 

Among the many heavy equipments used in the constructing industry, the dump truck, excavator, motor grader, bulldozer and much more. The dump truck, or the more recent version of it, the Articulated Dump Truck (ADT), is perhaps the most resilient commercial heavy equipment automobile to be built in the construction industry. Distinguished from the semi trailer trucks, the Articulated Dump Truck has a permanently hooked cab, unlike the former, which has a divisible automobile. Ideal for running over rugged terrains, its uniqueness lies in the mode of its steering. The twin hydraulic rams veer the whole cab as opposed to the pinion and rack depending on the front axle. The articulated frame is detached from the cab with the help of an oscillating harness and it is this arrangement allows the entire machinery to move with ease as the body and cab can move independently of each other. The presence of a “moveable chassis” only adds to the positive features of the ADT.

 

The next heavy equipment on the block that one needs to know about is the excavator. As the name indicates, excavators are used to meet the purpose of shoveling materials that are used for construction purposes as debris, mortar, and other such stuff on a large scale. An excavator works on the simple working principle of “input force” exercised and “output force” expended. This heavy equipment has wheels made of steel or rubber resembling that of a war tank. The cab built of tough polymer is stationed over a pivot which allows it to rotate a full three sixty degrees, so that the operator cab observe things from every possible angle. Excavators have a single arm, the singular bend of which accounts for its movement through sweeping angles. This heavy construction equipment also has a container, meant for the purpose of excavation. It has to be kept in mind that the build of an excavator depends on the activity that it has to perform.

 

Noteworthy heavy equipment on the block is the dozer or more popularly known as bulldozer. Also known as the crawler tractor, the dozer makes use of a broad metal blade for moving soil, sand, bricks, mortar and other such stuff on a large scale. Apart from the extensive blade, dozers also make use of “rippers”, a claw like and lengthened device that is attached to the end of a dozer. They can consist of a single or multi shank that is used for “ripping” objects, such as rocks and other materials. Dozers have now been evolved to suit a variety of purposes. Significant developments include “drive trains”, “hydraulic cylinders” and “automated controls” amongst others. Dozers that come with “stump busters” are generally used for the purpose of clearing land.

 

The use of heavy construction equipment in the construction industry is one of paramount importance. Hence, it comes across as a wise decision to gather a working knowledge about how these equipments before working with them.

How to make a bright business in the field of selling heavy equipment at a domestic sphere?

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There are always two aspects of every matter. About selling heavy equipment in the domestic market also, there is the same issue. One factor is that there are very few buyers for heavy equipment; the other factor is that, if you can sell your heavy equipment properly, then you can get a big profit. In the modern civilization, almost every field requires heavy equipment for doing the task. Whether it is a farmer, or a construction worker or simply a worker at a factory, every person in every field, needs heavy equipment for doing the job. Man has become so dependent on machines that working without this heavy equipment is unimaginable. Therefore, there is no doubt always a need for heavy equipment. The selling and buying heavy equipment is an ongoing and continuous process.

When a person needs to sell his heavy equipment or needs to buy heavy equipment the first thing he does is to go a dealers or broker. Unlike the automobile market, the heavy equipment market has different segments and for buying or selling a particular type of heavy equipment, you have to go the correct dealer or broker. This however does not need any license. In most of the states these brokers regulate the business as automotive dealers.

Five things to do if you want to sell your heavy equipment in the domestic sphere:

  • You must check the market trend and rate. If production is high and economy is down, then the companies will themselves sell the equipment at a low cost and the market for reselling your heavy equipment will not be suitable for the time being. Therefore, demand, market price and other conditions must be checked before selling the equipment. Not all the time there is a market for a reselling of heavy equipment like the market for reselling a used car.
  • Learn the local trend, the companies selling equipment there and decide which category of equipment will be sold best there. If you want to sell a high rise construction equipment at a farming zone or a farming equipment at a industrial belt, then also you will be losing the market.
  •  If you want to have a good profit, then making the customer aware of all the features of the equipment is very important. Hiring a person who can do this job will help you sell your equipment.
  • If you want to have a good business then you must keep a range of heavy equipment available to you. When the equipment companies will give you discount, then you can by them for reselling. It is a very good idea for making a bright business in this field.

Check out the tips in order to become a good mechanic

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that the demand of repairing and other services related to the heavy diesel machines like tractors and other construction equipment will increase up to 11 percent within 2016. Those who are interested in this field and want to make his or her career in this field should be aware of the basic qualifications that need for this job. A heavy equipment mechanic has to know all the proper ways to repair or control the heavy equipment in his shop. There are many types of heavy equipment so the job or services are also different for different category such as a diesel engine mechanic has to work on the trucks or other vehicles on the other hand a construction equipment mechanic should take training on such machines that are required for construction sites. The electrical, hydraulic and other operating systems should be learned by those mechanics.

 The duty of a diesel engine mechanic is to maintain the engine properly and understand everything related to the diesel engine. A construction equipment mechanic has huge responsibility as they are not only allowed to work on the engine but also the other damaged parts of equipment are repaired by them. So they have to increase their knowledge about the essential items that are needed for the construction sites like bulldozers, earth movers, cranes, paving machines, mixers and much more construction equipment.

While you are working on a construction site or in other sites related to this field you always should carry personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the time of your working. This is a very important safety rule that everyone should follow. The mechanics are required to follow this rule in order to maintain their safety.

All the employers want to hire such mechanics who can work really well on the heavy equipment and also they should highly knowledgeable about their work. In order to get the job of a mechanic it is not sufficient to gather experience, you also have to enhance your bargaining skill for wages.

It will be best for your career if you take a certificate or a degree on this course from a reputed organization. Many technical schools and community colleges provide such degrees for those people who really want to work on diesel and heavy equipment repairing services. You will be able to gather experience on different types of heavy equipment as well as different brands from them. These programs also offer internship opportunity and also a work experience certificate. Many employers want to hire those who have such degree or certificate on this course.
So all these things are very important for a mechanic and if you get a proper training then you will definitely be able to become a good mechanic.

Check out the true valuations of the heavy equipment

 Due to many important reasons, the original valuations of the heavy equipment always not match with the proprietor’s idea of what the machine actually deserves. It can be happened that sometimes you have paid more money for it or may you have pay less. Or you also can buy a replacement or personalized the equipment in a different way then you will find out that the equipment actually deserves a different value than the original value made by its appraisers. So the point is value doesn’t match with the price and to some extent it depends on how the experts approach value.

The actual meaning of the equipment appraisal spins the meaning of value. As example, if a popular institution asks a valuation of heavy equipment that governed by the construction business in order to get a collateral loan, Orderly Liquidation Value is sometimes applied in order to give the lender the best value of the equipment.

In another way, when you are going to make valuation for manufacturing equipment that requires in your business always remember that normally it needs a real document for taxation or due diligence. People usually choose the ‘Fair Market Value in Continued Use’ because it is able to provide the best or appropriate value of the equipment.

If you want to make an insurance claim for you equipment then you always have to show the equipment valuation. Such valuation are divided into two different categories that are either the possessor of the equipment want to engage with the insurance company through the valuation or the insurance company asks for the report of the valuation of your equipment before filing the claim. 

If you have a big collection of heavy equipment then you should definitely make the valuation for the insurable values of your equipment. Your assets and the appraised value of it both will be insured under the insurance policy. All the insurance companies sometimes fix values only for regulating the price of insurance for your assets related to your business. But end of the day it is up to you and completely under your responsibility.

It is true that the value of the assessed construction, agricultural or manufacturing heavy equipment often become much higher than the original amount of it. The company may have paid a very little amount many years ago in order to buy it but you will find that now its calculated value is really very high. However you will feel that your company gained an excellent profit through this but there are other important factors that you should consider.

All the big, reputed companies always try to buy asset at a very low price than the real market price and in auction you will get such equipment at very low cost. But those prices actually show liquidation values so they are not helpful while the heavy equipment valuation report is required along with a ‘variation of Fair Market Value’. You should also aware of the fact that all those low cost equipment do not add any kind of extra costs.

Selling Construction Equipment Better Option than Keeping It Lying Idle

It’s human psychology to go for new things, to let go the old belongings when we get something better than that. The case remains the same with heavy construction equipments. The moment we come across equipment that technologically surpasses the old machine we have, we start planning to buy it. Of course we all want superior stuffs especially when it is concerned with our business. However, that leaves us with the thought of what we should be doing with the old piece of iron. Letting it sit idle and rot makes no sense. In such a situation, selling it off may sound to be the most appropriate alternative.

In a way, it also helps you to go for the advanced model. The money you get by selling the old equipment, you can add some more money and buy the new stuff. This takes off the pressure from you and you may also not have to approach a bank for a loan. Nevertheless, before you start giving ads, it’s imperative to polish the machine and make it look saleable. At the same time, get some work done on the machine. Catch hold of some good mechanics and ask them to change any faulty part in the machine. Paint it well and check if you need to be doing anything more to it to make it look better. Once you’re convinced that it’s ready to sell, you can begin the process.

We’ll be talking about the options available through which you can post the Ad.

Word of mouth:-  People would know that you’re selling the old equipment if only you spread the news to them. Speak out to people in your business circle if anyone they know would be interested in buying used construction equipment. Who knows, they might know someone who could be your potential customer. Therefore, keep all the doors open as the prospect may enter from any of them.

Use help of newspaper classifieds:-  This is another medium through which you can reach to many people at the same time. All you need to do is to know the newspaper that’s widely circulated in your city. Post your ad in that newspaper quoting the price of the item. If ever you’re ready to negotiate the price, do mention that in the ad.

You may not have to write the technical stuffs about the equipment. If anybody shows any interest by calling you, you can email the specifications on his email address. Also, if they have any questions about the machine, those could be addressed. Allow the prospect the freedom to visit you and if they want test the machine. That will only add up to his confidence that he is going for a good deal.

Sell it online:-  By using this option, you may reach out to maximum people. Here you can add some pictures of the machine and give a brief description. If you intend to keep the description long, you have the liberty to do so. Prospects can simply click on option which suggests they want to buy it. Once they do that, they pay you online and the deal is done. You can then ship the item and the necessary documents along with it.

Using the above means will help you a long way in selling off your used heavy construction equipment.