Talking Shop
Excavator Upkeep
Feb 16, 2012
When it comes to construction, excavators are often one of the first machines to hit the jobsite. While compact excavators are commonly thought of as “big shovels,” contractors can use them in countless ways during the site preparation and construction processes. more >>
Talking Shop Archives
2010
Sweeper Maintenance Simplified
Jan 09, 2012
Sweeper attachments are some of the most versatile attachments available, and keeping them running smoothly requires daily inspection and proper maintenance. more >>
Rammer Engine Maintenance
Nov 11, 2011
Life on the jobsite isn’t easy. Going from one location to the next, thrown in one equipment trailer and then to another, and working long hour days, all the while receiving little care and preventative maintenance along the way. more >>
Evolving Hydraulics
Oct 17, 2011
If you’re a compact equipment OEM, you probably already know about the impact of Tier 4 emissions compliance on diesel power plants, but if you’re a contractor you probably don’t. more >>
The Ex Factor
Sep 07, 2011
Productivity is the name of the game in the construction industry, and machine downtime costs money. Effective maintenance is very important, especially in today’s economy, when owners are under pressure and looking for ways to increase efficiency and productivity. more >>
The Maintenance of Milling Implements
Aug 25, 2011
The value and popularity of skid steer cold planer attachments is becoming increasingly more evident because of the variety of jobs they can assist with. more >>
Staying on Track
Jul 15, 2011
A compact track loader is one of the most versatile and useful tools within a contractor’s equipment fleet, providing improved capability over soft terrain and increased capacity compared to skid steer loaders. However, the very items that make them unique and so useful also require some special care to ensure reliable service and uptime. more >>
Mini Ex Engine Maintenance
Jun 17, 2011
When digging duties are needed on the job, an excavator reigns supreme with its ability to tear up the earth and expose what lies beneath. At the heart of this machine is its engine — pumping power through its veins to keep you productive and meeting deadlines. In order to stay on the job and avoid costly downtime, it’s essential to be diligent about engine maintenance so the excavator can chug along rather than sit on the sidelines. more >>
Daily Tractor Checklist
May 11, 2011
“A short and sweet inspection today can ward off that long and not-so-sweet costly repair tomorrow,” muses Joel Hicks, KIOTI tractor product support service team manager. more >>
Off the Road Again
May 11, 2011
For equipment owners and operators, regular and preventative maintenance of their utility vehicles should be a given — something that’s done without a second thought. more >>
Now May Be the Time to Invest in Used Equipment
Apr 15, 2011
Savvy contractors know that buying used equipment can be a smart way to reduce investment cost and increase profit margins (especially when all the new models prepare to hit the market). more >>
Electronic Fuel Pump Primer
Mar 02, 2011
No matter the use — construction, industrial, agricultural, lawn and grounds maintenance, power and light generation, military or marine auxiliary power application — when the key is turned, the switch is flipped or the starter cord is pulled, a machine’s engine is dependent upon its fuel supply system. more >>
Service Illuminated
Feb 01, 2011
The light tower can often be an under-appreciated piece of machinery. But if your crew needs to work after the sun goes down, a well-maintained light tower can help make sure the workers get the job done. more >>
Skid Steer Maintenance Regimen
Jan 01, 2011
Skid steers are the staple of almost every contractor’s fleet. From an application standpoint, skid steers can do practically everything. more >>
The Dirt on Earth Auger Attachments
Nov 01, 2010
Hydraulic earth augers are one of the most popular attachments available for skid steers, mini excavators, backhoes and compact loaders of all sorts. Their power, productivity and ease-of-use have made them a go-to solution for both small- and large-scale digging projects. But given their simplicity and dependability, these hole-diggers usually aren’t given much thought, especially since they serve only one purpose — to dig holes. more >>
Don’t Cut and Run
Oct 01, 2010
Maintenance — it’s an obvious requirement that keeps every piece of equipment running at maximum performance. more >>
Protect the Heart of Your Investment
Sep 01, 2010
Protecting your investment is a top priority any day, but it’s especially important in today’s economy. more >>
Smoke Signals
Aug 01, 2010
Learning to read exhaust smoke from your equipment can sometimes feel like deciphering Morse code, but it can be a very valuable skill for anyone responsible for maintaining diesel engines. more >>
TLC for Your CTC
Jul 01, 2010
Maintenance, attention to detail, vigilance, prudence and, hey, maybe even a little enthusiasm will keep your machines up and running and your crews rolling throughout the work season. more >>
Don’t Be an Idle Fool
Jun 01, 2010
One of the top priorities for fleet managers is to reduce fuel consumption. In fact, when it comes to fuel consumption, they are facing a perfect storm. more >>
Idling & Maintenance Control
May 01, 2010
In the world of equipment maintenance, what you don’t know can cost you. Consider the case of one mining company that kept a compact wheel loader running all day to pick up overburden. When asset managers installed a GPS tracking device that also captured data on machine movement, they learned that a staggering 72 percent of the machine’s ignition-on time was spent idling. more >>
The Ideal Dealer
Mar 01, 2010
Having confidence that you can rely on a dealer to provide reliable, competent service and access original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair and replacement parts quickly are key considerations that influence contractors’ new equipment purchase decisions. To get a better sense of a dealer’s service capabilities and the ability to get parts in a timely manner, contractors should do some homework. more >>
2009
Hot Wheels
Aug 01, 2009
From the tiniest nails to the largest steel beams, the debris littering a construction site can easily wear or even puncture the tires on equipment such as backhoe loaders and compact wheel loaders, costing money both in productivity-robbing downtime and tire repair and replacement. more >>
Cutting Through the Clutter
Jul 01, 2009
The brush-shredding industry is perhaps one of the most difficult, abusive applications that a fleet of equipment can be subjected to. Just travel and meet a few contractors involved in this industry. more >>
A Sensible Introduction to Tier 4
Jun 01, 2009
What is Tier 4? How does it work? Why do we need it? When must manufacturers have Tier 4 engines in our construction equipment? How will Tier 4 affect the non-road equipment owner? more >>
Spring into Tractor Maintenance
May 01, 2009
Spring is a rejuvenation time for construction and landscape professionals, when the work season begins to grow anew. It’s also the ideal time to reassess your mechanical fleet of workers, which includes your squadron of utility tractors. Whether your small tractor has been in the shed all winter or out tackling the toughest of winter chores, it’s time for a thorough spring cleaning inside and out to get ready for that long list of upcoming spring and summer projects on your acreage, small farm or project site. more >>
Ensuring Excavation Operations
Mar 01, 2009
Digging a hole doesn’t mean you have to be buried in large expenses or missed timelines. more >>
Biodiesel 101
Feb 01, 2009
With growing demand for alternative fuels, the biomass market is quickly maturing. Construction and landscape equipment manufacturers are releasing news of biodiesel-ready machines, so alternative fuel producers are popping up across the country. more >>
Air Support
Feb 01, 2009
With winter in full swing for much of the country, the need to properly support the snow-related items you carry on your truck is important. more >>
2008
Getting Hitched
Oct 01, 2008
Skid steers are the workaholics of the equipment fleet. Not just satisfied with dig-and-load operations, these mighty tool carriers often find themselves doing double-duty on a daily basis. Running hundreds of different attachments gives skid steers the great flexibility to do a little of everything on ever-demanding jobsites. more >>
Fuel for Thought
Aug 01, 2008
With the growing demand for alternative fuels, the biomass market is quickly maturing. Construction and landscape equipment manufacturers are releasing news of biodiesel-ready machines, so alternative fuel producers are popping up across the country. New sources of biofuel are being discovered at an incredible rate, and a distribution network is being built to meet the supply and demand. As the market becomes popular, professionals will need to understand their alternatives in the expanding fuel source industry. more >>
Avoid the Unexpected
Jul 01, 2008
Hydraulic systems are ubiquitous in mobile and off-highway applications. When high power and precision are required for moving, positioning and braking systems on vehicles as diverse as landscaping equipment to refuse trucks and construction equipment, the hydraulic system is the ideal workhorse. more >>
Tractor TLC
Apr 01, 2008
Well-oiled machines need constant attention to continue to work hard. Versatile equipment like compact tractors work in a myriad of unique applications that take a toll on the iron parts, lubricated joints, vulcanized wheels and electronic systems of your landscape and construction machines. more >>
No Heavy Lifting
Feb 01, 2008
You can’t turn a corner without hearing talk of the labor shortage in construction, particularly when it comes to mechanics. more >>
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