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The Current Economics of Equipment Purchases
Dec 19, 2011
All construction businesses require equipment in order to operate, and in the current volatile economy your equipment acquisition strategy is critical to successfully running your business and your bottom line. more >>
2012 Will Be a Slow Year for Construction, Says the Associated Builders and Contractors
Dec 19, 2011
The construction industry is one of the most volatile sectors in the U.S. economy, and as such benefits greatly from economic expansions and suffers greatly in economic downturns. more >>
Cat to Open New Mini Excavator Facility in North America
Dec 19, 2011
Right now, Bobcat Co. is the only American equipment manufacturer that says it builds its compact excavators on American soil, but that might soon change. more >>
Former Volvo Rents Vice President Releases Contrarian Marketing Book
Dec 19, 2011
Nick Mavrick already has one of the coolest names in the construction industry. As vice president of marketing for Volvo Rents, Mavrick was also one of the most tuned-in industry experts when it came to construction equipment trends. more >>
Legislative Update
Nov 11, 2011
Good government needs specific direction. Giving money and power to our leaders sometimes feels like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. more >>
Delo Big Bass Boat Sweepstakes Announced
Nov 11, 2011
It’s often said that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work. Well Chevron Lubricants is putting that old angler adage to the test. more >>
Case Donates Skid Steer Loader to Chicago Children’s Museum
Nov 11, 2011
The next generation of general contractors needs those pivotal childhood experiences to build their love for the construction industry. more >>
Equipements G. Gagnon Honored by KIOTI as Standout Dealer
Nov 11, 2011
For more than 45 years, Equipements G. Gagnon, a multi generational family-owned and operated equipment dealership in Canada, has steadily grown their business to become one of the leading tractor and farm equipment distributors in Québec. more >>
Common Ground Alliance Releases 5 Steps to Safer Digging Videos
Nov 11, 2011
Earthworks have plenty of hazards to avoid — buried utilities, trench cave-ins, property damage and the general safety of working around excavation equipment. more >>
Doosan Portable Power Revs Up Support for a Breast Cancer Cure
Nov 11, 2011
Pink is not the most popular color for construction equipment, which makes it an ideal pigment to promote a great cause. more >>
Obama’s Job Plan
Oct 17, 2011
America’s construction industry needs jobs. We’ve been howling the fact at Washington for two years. more >>
Komatsu CARE Offers Industry-First Complimentary Maintenance Program
Oct 17, 2011
Contractors need to buy expensive machines, and to see a return on that investment pros need their iron to work hard and last a long time. more >>
Miller Electric Launches Welding Calculator for Smart Phones
Oct 17, 2011
Even expert welders need easy ways to optimize performance. A welding calculator is a great way to help determine ideal settings for welding equipment settings, with helpful tips based on the type of metal, thickness and weld technique. more >>
Road and Bridge Building Costs Will Increase More than $100 Billion Without Coal Fly Ash
Oct 17, 2011
The cost to build roads, runways and bridges would increase by an estimated $104.6 billion over the next 20 years if coal fly ash is no longer available as a transportation construction building material, according to a new study by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF). more >>
New Kohler Closed-Loop EFI Engine Accepts All Ethanol Fuel Blends
Oct 17, 2011
While the buzz around biofuels has lulled over the last two years, Kohler Engines has been quietly innovating its next generation of small engines to run on green energies. more >>
Terex Donates Use of PT-100G to First Response Team of America
Oct 17, 2011
On Wednesday, April 27, just after 8:00 p.m. ET, an EF-4 tornado hit Ringgold, Ga. Working in North Carolina when the tornado touched down, Tad Agoglia, founder of First Response Team of America, and his crew packed up immediately and arrived on the scene within hours. Months later, the cleanup effort continues. more >>
Power vs. Efficiency
Sep 07, 2011
This summer President Obama has presided over the first big movements in his fuel revolution. He announced two big sets of standards for both the consumer and commercial vehicle industry, aimed at making our cars and trucks more fuel efficient. more >>
Construction Backlog Up 10 Percent in Second Quarter
Sep 07, 2011
The good news/bad news scenarios flooded the wires this summer. July and August saw some improvement in the construction sector, but nothing that could get experts excited for anything more than conservative growth. more >>
Kubota Sells 1.5 Million Units in the United States
Sep 07, 2011
Spending 40 years together is a great reason to celebrate, and Kubota is honoring its 40th anniversary in the United States with a uniquely orange milestone. more >>
The 26th International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition
Sep 07, 2011
Quality construction equipment can last more than 100 years. It’s a statement often enjoyed by the Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries. more >>
Topcon Video Contest Launched
Sep 07, 2011
How do you Topcon? It’s a strange question, but your answer might win you some sweet surveying equipment or a new iPad 2. “How Do You Topcon?” is the theme for Topcon Positioning Systems’ (TPS) new video contest aimed at showing how customers put TPS instruments to work. more >>
Miller Launches “Nominate a Hero” Promotion
Sep 07, 2011
Heroes walk among us, wielding plasma cutters, TIG torches, welding guns and a love for progressive metalworking. more >>
The Great Shakeout
Aug 25, 2011
The roller coaster ride in the construction industry continues. We expected the 2011 season to be rather flat, but the market continues to hit new peaks and valleys while it slowly chugs along. more >>
Recovery Starts Here
Aug 25, 2011
In FMI’s recently released Construction Outlook: Second Quarter 2011 Report, there are signs that the economy is recovering — even for contractors — but you have to look hard to see them. more >>
Multiquip Hydrogen Light Tower Featured at Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch
Aug 25, 2011
The launch and safe landing of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was the end of an era — the final mission of the beloved shuttle program that explored space for decades. more >>
Restoring the Legacy of an Old Ingersoll Rand Air Compressor
Aug 25, 2011
When Dewey Winstead got word there was an antique air compressor on Craigslist, he was instantly intrigued. When he found out it was a historic Ingersoll Rand 1929 air compressor, he was sold. more >>
Volvo Road Institute Announces New 2011-2012 Schedule
Aug 25, 2011
America’s highways, roads and bridges link our nation. We use them each and every day, for every conceivable purpose. more >>
Caterpillar Announces New Cat CT660 Vocational Truck Give Away
Aug 25, 2011
If you can think of a better way to drive your construction operations than with a new Caterpillar vocational truck, we’d like to hear it. more >>
Supporting Our Soldiers
Jul 15, 2011
Companies are constantly looking for ways to support and honor U.S. military service members and veterans. From writing letters and making care-packages to donating money and simply displaying the American flag, the options are plentiful. more >>
Heavy Lifters
Jul 15, 2011
Working on aircraft in the U.S. Navy always means operating in elevated environments. So when naval personnel needed a towering machine to help replace engines in its high-flying birds, the Navy turned to telehandler expert JLG Industries Inc. more >>
ABC Predicts Construction Industry Recovery May Be Two Years Away, Explains 3 Percent Withholding Tax
Jul 15, 2011
Before the construction industry can rise tall again, it needs to grow tough roots in the rocky economic market. The Associated Builders and Contractors (an expansive national association of construction firms that’s often just called ABC) noted that the growth process might take at least two years. more >>
Drill Bits
Jul 15, 2011
Add another application to the infinite list of skid steer projects — under the title vertical geothermal drilling. The fine folks at RigKits explain that its K1 geothermal drilling mast attachment is capable of drilling geothermal bores 300 ft deep, creating geothermal loops that help heat and cool buildings, pools and other structures. more >>
Sixty-Three Percent of Architects Surveyed Report Stalled Projects
Jul 15, 2011
Architects are the master designers of the construction industry, so they always have insightful visions about progress in the building markets. more >>
Freightliner Honors Veterans with Ride of Pride Truck
Jul 15, 2011
Hard-working employees at a Freightliner Trucks manufacturing plant in North Carolina have customized a Cascadia model truck as a super-sized symbol of the company’s respect for veterans. more >>
The Spirit of Reconstruction
Jun 17, 2011
Cultivating kindness is a valuable part of the business of life. When it comes to global generosity, the equipment titan JCB Inc. understands that to err on the side of philanthropy is seldom an error. more >>
Ox Bodies Donating Materials for Storm Relief Efforts
Jun 17, 2011
Dump body manufacturer Ox Bodies is helping residents of Tuscaloosa recover after the devastating storms of April 27. As part of its recovery efforts, Ox Bodies has donated more than $20,000 in mesh and vinyl tarps to aid in the cleanup and rebuilding of the surrounding area. According to Ox Bodies marketing manager Debbie Puckett, helping out is part of being a member of the community. more >>
First Quarter 2011 GDP: Nonresidential Investment Falls
Jun 17, 2011
In the deepest downturn in nearly two years, investment in nonresidential structures — the construction of new buildings — dropped 21.7 percent in the first quarter of this year following a 7.6 percent increase in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the April 28 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report by the Department of Commerce. more >>
Report Warns of Strain on U.S. Cities to Build Infrastructure as Federal Funding Shrinks'
Jun 17, 2011
America’s infrastructure investments — levels of which have long trailed behind those of Asia and Europe — will be further stifled this year by pressures to cut federal spending and reduce the deficit, compelling cities to be evermore creative and resourceful in securing partnerships to start or continue infrastructure projects. That’s according to Infrastructure 2011: A Strategic Priority, a report recently released by the Urban Land Institute and Ernst & Young. more >>
Cat Dealer Challenges Equipment Operators to Prove Skills in Rodeo Events
Jun 17, 2011
You’re always bragging how you’re the best backhoe operator in the West. Now it’s time to prove your skills at one of 12 Western States Rodeo events. The big regional Caterpillar dealer announced its first ever equipment rodeo at locations across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, aimed at determining the best equipment operators in the area. more >>
Transportation Contractors Offer Bleak Market Assessment in Latest ARTBA Survey
Jun 17, 2011
Transportation contractors continue to deal with a challenging economic environment that is impacting employment and capital spending decisions, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) latest report. More than half of survey respondents are saying they are working below 75 percent of capacity. more >>
Utility Construction Outlook
May 11, 2011
While the broader construction industry struggles through the worst recession in everyone’s lifetime, executives of utility infrastructure firms have much to be thankful for. more >>
Tough as Nails Contractors Win “Carhartt Tough” Contest
May 11, 2011
The most resilient professionals and products tend to have the most lasting power in the construction market. That’s an image Carhartt wanted to promote with its “Are You Carhartt Tough?” contest. more >>
John Deere Drive Green Challenge Tours the United States
May 11, 2011
John Deere is synonymous with the green industry, so it only makes sense that for the third consecutive year, John Deere is hosting Drive Green events at dealerships across the country. more >>
New Homes Strengthen Economy Year-Round
May 11, 2011
While the housing industry celebrated New Homes Month in April, home builders wanted Americans to know just how much of a positive, direct impact residential construction has on the U.S. economy throughout the entire year. more >>
Construction Recession Lingers as Industry Loses Jobs and Spending Drops
May 11, 2011
The construction industry remains mired in recession as sector employment and spending continued to shrink even as the overall economy is showing increased strength, according to an analysis of federal employment and construction spending data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). more >>
Northern Exposure
Apr 15, 2011
It’s often said that Americans are benevolently ignorant about Canada, while Canadians are malevolently well informed about the United States. more >>
New Holland Launches the Super Boom Road Show
Apr 15, 2011
New Holland Construction announced in March the launch of the Super Boom Road Show, an open house customer event held at New Holland dealerships across North America. more >>
Pro-Tech Plows Sponsors Snow Removal Contractor Documentary
Apr 15, 2011
Pro-Tech Mfg. and Distribution is sponsoring a new documentary titled Project Sno Fighter, which will highlight the lives and jobs of snow removal contractors. more >>
Yokohama Tire Corp. President Discusses the Turbulent Tire Market
Apr 15, 2011
The economic downturn in 2008 and 2009 caused severe repercussions within the tire industry, including a major slowdown in production. more >>
Virtual Welding Training for Real World Applications
Apr 15, 2011
Industry professionals will get a number of chances this year to simulate real welding experiences in virtual environments with the VRTEX 360 virtual reality arc welding (VRAW) training solution from Lincoln Electric. more >>
Workers Wanted?
Mar 02, 2011
January was not a promising start to an optimistic 2011. The construction unemployment rate jumped to a whopping 22.5 percent for the first month of the year, according to federal employment data. While harsh winter weather likely contributed to some of the industry layoffs, construction has lost 130,000 jobs over the past 12 months — twice the overall rate of national unemployment. How long can this downward spiral possibly continue? more >>
John Deere Launches New Line of Subcompact Tractors
Mar 02, 2011
Contrasting the gloomy tractor news to the right, John Deere just launched a new line of subcompact tractors in February. more >>
CNH Announces Temporary Closure of Compact Tractor Plant in Georgia
Mar 02, 2011
To further optimize its manufacturing footprint and reduce fixed costs, CNH recently announced it will close its compact tractor assembly facility in Dublin, Ga., during the first quarter of 2011. more >>
Traverse CONEXPO-CON/AGG Using Your Phone
Mar 02, 2011
Anyone who has attended CONEXPO-CON/AGG knows how hard it can be to navigate your way through the monstrous booths and sea of attendees. more >>
Win a Hunting Trip with Ted Nugent at CONEXPO
Mar 02, 2011
It’s a hunter’s dream come true: a three-day hunting trip for you and a buddy at the famed Y.O. Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas, with Ted Nugent as your hunting host. more >>
Cat to Unveil New Vocational Trucks at CONEXPO
Mar 02, 2011
Since June 2008, we’ve been reporting that the world’s largest manufacturer of earth moving equipment was teaming up with North America’s biggest producer of mid-range diesel engines and Class 6 to 8 commercial trucks. more >>
Win-Win: Project Delivery in a Recession and Beyond
Feb 01, 2011
“It’s the price, stupid.” The paraphrase of that old viral phrase made famous during the ’92 Clinton presidential campaign could be pasted on the office wall of any owner putting a project out to bid or any contractor chasing after those projects. more >>
Case IH Surveys Farmers, Identifies Leading Issues Impacting Business
Feb 01, 2011
Farmers are faced with new challenges and opportunities every day — from feeding an expanding global population while meeting strict new emissions requirements, to producing more food on fewer acres while minimizing their environmental footprint. more >>
JLG Enters Alliance with Bridgestone
Feb 01, 2011
When considering where the rubber meets the road (or perhaps unscapped construction site in this case), JLG telehandlers will now come equipped with Firestone tires. more >>
Construction Employment Declines by 16,000 in December
Feb 01, 2011
Although the calendar has been turned to a new year, the construction industry’s discouraging unemployment rate from 2010 is still looming. more >>
United Rentals Expands Environmental Stewardship with Sustainability Program
Feb 01, 2011
From Greenwich, Conn., United Rentals Inc. recently announced the launch of an extensive “green” sustainability program designed to foster growth and benefit customers, employees, suppliers and communities. more >>
Progress vs. Stagnation
Jan 01, 2011
It’s not getting any worse, but it’s also not getting any better. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), in its 2011 economic forecast for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry, things will stay status quo for next year. more >>
bauma China 2010 Exceeds Expectations
Jan 01, 2011
bauma China 2010 has again broken all records with regard to exhibition space, exhibitor numbers and visitor numbers. more >>
AEM Introduces Updated Industrial/Agricultural Mower Safety Manual
Jan 01, 2011
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has extensively updated its industrial/agricultural mower safety manual — both the English-only and Spanish/English versions. more >>
Construction Employment Expands in 29 States, but Situation Still Volatile
Jan 01, 2011
Construction employment expanded in 29 states between September and October, while fewer people are working in construction compared to last year in 39 states, according to the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC) analysis of state employment data released in December by the Labor Department. more >>
John Deere Launches Green Fever Sales Event and Sweepstakes
Jan 01, 2011
John Deere has taken its annual preseason equipment sales promotion to new heights with the creation and launch of the Green Fever Sales Event and Sweepstakes. more >>
The Infrastructure Bank
Nov 01, 2010
Within hours of President Obama’s speech at LaborFest Milwaukee on Sept. 6, everyone in the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry had heard the news: a $50 billion upfront investment in transportation initiatives starting with “immediate improvements in the nation’s surface transportation ... airports and air traffic control systems,” followed by “a long-term framework to reform and expand our nation’s investment in transportation infrastructure.” more >>
ARB, Contractors, California Agree on Proposed Changes to Diesel Emissions Rule
Nov 01, 2010
Diesel emission regulations have been big news in the construction industry for the last decade, and California has been at the forefront, trying to interpret and push emission legislation (specifically for off-road construction equipment). more >>
John Deere Builds 500,000th Gator Utility Vehicle
Nov 01, 2010
Since the early 1990s, John Deere has helped pioneer the utility vehicle industry with its long-line of green Gator UTVs. In September, the John Deere Horicon Works (the company’s south-central Wisconsin Golf & Turf division home) announced production of the company’s 500,000th Gator utility vehicle, marking the milestone by building one of John Deere’s latest models, the XUV825i — the fastest and most powerful Gator ever manufactured in a long line of work and recreational machines. more >>
Construction Backlog Indicator No Longer Expanding
Nov 01, 2010
Recovery remains slow. It’s a mantra we’ve heard repeated throughout the summer months. As expected, improvement will be gradual in the near future too. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the association reported that its latest Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) remained virtually unchanged in mid-summer. more >>
Kubota Enters Strategic Marketing Alliance with Both Paladin and Vermeer
Nov 01, 2010
Kubota Tractor Corp. had a busy October. First the company announced a marketing alliance with Paladin Construction Group, which will make buying attachments a lot easier for Kubota fans. Then the company announced it was partnering with Iowa equipment pioneer Vermeer, offering foraging equipment at dealerships. more >>
Construction Spending Slips
Nov 01, 2010
In a sign that the construction industry is mired in its own recession, private nonresidential construction spending slipped 1.4 percent in August, according to the Oct. 1 report by the U.S. Census Bureau. more >>
Corporate Citizens
Oct 01, 2010
Helping others get ahead has always been the vision of companies like Komatsu, Thompson Pump and ITT Corp. more >>
JCB Backhoe Trip Achieves New World Record
Oct 01, 2010
A 3,000-mile road trip across America has earned JCB a spot in The Guinness Book of World Records. JCB’s 3CX backhoe loader has earned a world record by completing a 26-day, 3,185-mile road trip across the United States. more >>
Congressman Reichert Visits Terex AWP Headquarters
Oct 01, 2010
With November mid-term elections bearing down on our elected officials, Congressmen and women are making the rounds and pressing the flesh on their campaign trails. more >>
Honda Generators Are Ready for College Football
Oct 01, 2010
To harness the complete collegiate football experience, die-hard fans require the proper tailgating accoutrements — TV, grill, radio, space heater, kegerator — and perhaps a small generator to power it all. more >>
Elevating Fleets
Oct 01, 2010
Deftly rolling over uneven terrain, the long-arm of a compact telehandler gives contractors increasingly high reach in aerial work environments. more >>
Grab Your Helmet and Hit the Trail — “Destination Polaris” Second Season Is Here
Oct 01, 2010
Last year, Ron Schara Productions and Polaris Industries forged a partnership with “Destination Polaris,” a program about the passions of America’s off-road riders. more >>
Off the Road Again
Sep 01, 2010
Off-roading in a utility vehicle often feels more like fun than work, which is probably why UTVs are often considered more of a recreational machine than a construction-focused mini-truck. more >>
Money Matters — GDP Up in the Second Quarter, Good News for Contractors
Sep 01, 2010
Despite the nation’s sluggish economy, nonresidential fixed investment jumped 17 percent in the second quarter of 2010 following a revised 7.8 percent increase in the first quarter, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s July 30 gross domestic product (GDP) report. more >>
A.R.E. Creates Tornado-Tough Project Truck for “Storm Chasers”
Sep 01, 2010
To travel through 100-mph winds and softball-size hail, tornado chaser Tim Samaras, star of the hit television show “Storm Chasers” on Discovery Channel, needed a dependable truck he could drive into the eye of the storm. more >>
Caterpillar Gets Dirty with Mike Rowe
Sep 01, 2010
Mosquito Control Officer, Tar Pit Cleaner and Lava Evaluator are just a few notches on Mike Rowe’s seemingly endless resumé. more >>
Construction Unemployment Falls to 17.3 Percent in July
Sep 01, 2010
Despite being in the height of the construction season, the nation’s nonresidential building construction sector shed 1,800 jobs in July, according to the Aug. 6 employment report by the Department of Labor. more >>
GM Second Quarter Results Show Impressive Progress
Sep 01, 2010
Since the company filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in June 2009, everyone’s been keeping their eyes on General Motors Co. more >>
Want to Rent a Skid Steer? Volvo Has an iPhone App for That
Sep 01, 2010
Volvo Rents is getting in on the iPhone app craze. The worldwide provider of small-to-medium size construction equipment is taking the construction equipment industry to a new level of ease and accessibility with its new iPhone application. more >>
Hard Knocks
Aug 01, 2010
Opportunity follows struggle. It follows effort. It follows hard work. All will be needed to keep the construction sector marching forward in 2010, with expanding opportunities for next year. more >>
Wacker Neuson and Caterpillar Sign Strategic Alliance for Mini Excavators
Aug 01, 2010
Continents are colliding, partnerships are forming and next generation machines are being designed using the expertise of two bigwigs of global manufacturing. more >>
Moving and Shaking
Aug 01, 2010
Over the past several years, there’s been a tech boom within the equipment industry. No longer are machines limited to gears and levers. more >>
Toro Hosts an Extreme Makeover of the Playful Kind
Aug 01, 2010
Building curious minds is always a big part of the project. For five consecutive years, The Toro Co. has teamed up with the Minnesota Vikings and KaBOOM! to build new playgrounds for Twin Cities communities in need of a fun and safe outdoor play environments. more >>
Honda Power Equipment Sets Milestone, Sells 30 Million Power Products in the U.S.
Aug 01, 2010
We’re not sure what the traditional gift for that 30-million-sold celebration is, but for automotive, engine and outdoor power equipment pioneer Honda, we figure the precious “milestone” is a nice gem of choice for the global equipment manufacturer of great consumer and commercial products. more >>
Equipment Expansion — Kubota Enters the Compact Track Loader Industry with Two Models
Aug 01, 2010
Kubota may have grown its equipment roots with the tractor on Japanese farms, but today the company has spread its product line to the heart of the American construction and landscape industry — especially with the release of two new compact track loaders. more >>
Call of Duty
Jul 01, 2010
Case Construction Equipment has enlisted the help of its compact equipment to strengthen America’s armed forces. more >>
John Deere Evolves Its Gator Utility Vehicle at Its XUV Press Event
Jul 01, 2010
The 50-hp, three-cylinder engine growled as the new John Deere Gator 825i XUV ripped through the rutted off-road corner. 23 mph…28…32…40… The Gator held steady at 44 mph before CE editor Jason Morgan let off the gas to take the next corner. more >>
Automated Military UTVs — The Gator Goes Robotic for Our Armed Forces
Jul 01, 2010
The 825i wasn’t the only ground-breaking utility vehicle John Deere showed off at the XUV press event. John Deere’s Top Secret military XUV — The R-Gator — ok, not so Top Secret because CE editor Jason Morgan has seen it, was also displayed for the press. The R stands for “robot.” more >>
JLG Awarded $6 Million Contract to Build Specialty Vehicle for the U.S. Navy
Jul 01, 2010
Waving the red, white and blue, JLG Industries Inc. just announced that it has received an order to build 38 Engine Installation and Removal Vehicles (EIRV) for the U.S. Navy. more >>
Bobcat Launches All New 2010 Machines at Atlanta Press Event
Jul 01, 2010
Red mud caked both machine and man at the Bobcat press event Thursday, June 3, in Atlanta. Behind the expansive Bobcat Atlanta dealership, right near the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, editors got behind the wheels and joysticks of skid steers, track loaders, excavators and utility vehicles, testing new machines for readers. more >>
Caterpillar Equipment Making Impact on Gulf Oil Clean Up Protection
Jul 01, 2010
With oil infiltrating the marshes and landing on the beaches along the American shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Caterpillar equipment is helping cover the coast during this ongoing disaster. more >>
Big News at Bauma
Jun 01, 2010
After battling volcanic ash, a sea of attendees and my rusty German, Compact Equipment was able to attend Bauma (the international construction equipment show in Munich, Germany, held April 19-25). more >>
Construction Material Prices Edge Up in April
Jun 01, 2010
Finding a bargain is becoming even harder these days as the price of construction materials and supplies continues to rise — growing by 1.1 percent in April, according to the May 18 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department. more >>
AEM Promotes Consistent Terminology for Compact Tool Carriers
Jun 01, 2010
Walk-behind tool carriers have been on the market for nearly 30 years, but everyone still calls them something different — compact utility loaders, mini skid steers and mini tracks loaders (that’s just for starters). more >>
First U.S. Demonstration of Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Prototype
Jun 01, 2010
Honda is truly one of our favorite companies. Not only does the Japanese equipment titan make great engines, gen sets, outdoor power equipment, jet planes and cars, it’s also amazing at researching and manufacturing robot technology that will help humans advance far into the future. more >>
Ramrod Equipment Celebrates 30 Years of Compact Equipment
Jun 01, 2010
Pop the corks and pull out the party favors, Ramrod Equipment (a division of Leons Mfg.) is celebrating three decades of designing and distributing innovative compact tool carriers. more >>
Rebuilt and Renewed
May 01, 2010
The economy’s stranglehold on many of the nation’s once booming industries has taken its toll, leading business owners to reevaluate spending and explore innovative cost-saving solutions. The heavy equipment that supports these businesses and their projects is a major expenditure, one that may not fit newly trimmed budgets. more >>
Coalition of the Willing
May 01, 2010
Change is a challenge. When we are no longer able to change a situation by ourselves, we are challenged to change the way we think and the way other people think too. The construction industry is definitely transforming and that transition needs your help to adapt. And that road leads to Washington. more >>
Wacker Neuson Cautiously Optimistic, Looking for Market Share
May 01, 2010
Wacker Neuson is becoming a big player in the U.S. compact equipment realm, bringing its Euro-style small machinery to North American jobsites, including wheel loaders, dedicated dumpers, mini excavators and a lot more. In a recent press release, geared toward its upcoming exhibits at BAUMA (the biggest tri-annual trade fair of equipment in the world, held in Germany, Wacker Neuson noted it was cautiously optimistic for fiscal 2010 and anticipates an upturn in business. more >>
Volvo Construction Sells Rights Related to SuperPac Parts to MinnPar
May 01, 2010
Volvo Construction Equipment North American is staying lean in this tough economy with key partnerships. Two months ago, it announced a deal to stop manufacturing its skid steer line and instead custom-manufacture its skid steers through JCB. The company recently announced it had sold the rights to manufacture and sell service and replacement parts for all models of the SuperPac compaction line to MinnPar LLC, a subsidiary of PartsZone LLC. more >>
Happy 40 Years Thompson Pump!
May 01, 2010
Ruby is the traditional gift for a 40th anniversary, but for portal pump pioneer Thompson, the precious “milestone” of four decades of great pump products is probably the gem of choice. more >>
The Cost of Health Care in the Construction Manufacturing Industry
May 01, 2010
Health care is on the tip of the American public’s tongue, and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like at least one part of the new legislation — and that includes those in the construction industry. Large companies across the board, including John Deere and Caterpillar, are speculating that they will lose as much as $100 million due to a lost drug-benefit tax break in the health care overhaul. more >>
Difficult Times Open Creative Opportunities for Water and Wastewater Markets
May 01, 2010
The single-most valuable resource today — water — is practically being given away. Crucial for energy production, manufacturing, agriculture and public health, the raw economics of water consumption and management are both compelling and challenging: water security, economic development and GDP are all tightly interlinked. more >>
A Shot in the Arm
Apr 01, 2010
The construction industry may be down on its luck right now (sitting at more than 20 percent unemployment), but it’s certainly not down for the count. more >>
Last Year’s Fading Trade Numbers
Apr 01, 2010
Last year was a tough one. And although we don’t like to dwell on the past, it should be noted that U.S. construction equipment exports dropped more than 38 percent in 2009 compared to the previous year for a total $12.8 billion worth of machinery shipped to other nations, with declines of between nearly 30 to 50 percent for major world regions. more >>
Caterpillar Contemplating Shift of Excavator Production from Japan to U.S.
Apr 01, 2010
Very few compact excavators are actually made in North America, which makes sense as most small excavator product lines migrated from either European or Japanese construction markets. more >>
Case IH Talks About Sustainable Farming Solutions
Apr 01, 2010
Ask farmers what sustainability means, and you’ll likely hear a wide range of opinions. more >>
Green Machine Giveaway
Apr 01, 2010
One talented landscape contractor will win a New Holland skid steer loader at the 2010 GIE+EXPO show. New Holland Construction is sponsoring the 2010 Landscaper’s Challenge, a nationwide contest to find the best design/build project of the year. more >>
Construction Academy Prepares Women for Leadership
Apr 01, 2010
You’d better think twice before thinking that construction is a man’s world. more >>
Running a Clean Operation — Where Should Contractors Start on Emissions Compliance?
Apr 01, 2010
John Deere has the answers in its newest monthly series, which offers tips for emissions-conscious contractors. more >>
Equipment Alliance
Feb 23, 2010
Volvo and JCB are two global powerhouse equipment manufacturers. Both make compact equipment that work on jobsites around the world — from the backdrop jungles of Asia to the muddy grass fields of Europe to the dusty construction sites of America. more >>
Brand Awareness
Feb 23, 2010
A paladin is a knightly, heroic champion — defender of a noble cause. For the Paladin Construction Group that means championing the attachment industry for tool carriers like skid steers, tractors and mini excavators. Paladin Brands announced the joining of its Paladin Light Construction and Paladin Heavy Construction companies to form Dexter, Mich.-based Paladin Construction Group in February. These brands are: Bradco, JRB, Sweepster, C&P, CustomWorks, FFC, Harley and McMillen. more >>
Danuser Celebrates 100 Years of Innovation, Attachments and Machinery
Feb 23, 2010
Fourth-generation family-owned and operated, Danuser marks its 100th year in 2010 with a big range of products — attachments for skid steers, backhoes, excavators and tractors, manufacturing abilities for OEM customers and even recoil reduction devices for hunting and shooting enthusiasts. The company’s been busy growing for a century. more >>
Terex Sells Off Portions of Its Equipment Business
Feb 23, 2010
In tough times, you work a little leaner. Terex was a company that certainly grew into one of the world’s largest manufacturers over the last 15 years with lots of acquisitions — from its purchase of PPM Cranes in 1995 to its acquisition of ASV in March 2008. But in January and February, the equipment mogul started the process of sliming down, selling off two of its product lines — power buggies and generators — in hopes of getting back to what it does best. more >>
New Manners of Articulation
Feb 23, 2010
It looks like Gehl might be cutting a few corners with its brand new compact articulated loader models (the 140, 340 and 540). These multi-talented machines utilize a heavy-duty oscillating joint, offering 45-degree turning angles to the left and right and 10 degrees of oscillation in both directions, to optimize maneuverability and (yes) cut a few corners on the jobsite. Each machine’s narrow width allows access to tight, confined spaces that most skid steer loaders with comparable operating capacities cannot access. more >>
First Response Team of America Update from Haiti
Feb 23, 2010
In our timely cover story in January — “Equipped to Respond” — we interviewed Tad Agoglia, the CEO of the First Response Team of America, a non-profit disaster relief organization that uses compact equipment to help communities rebuild after natural calamities. more >>
Crime Stoppers
Jan 18, 2010
Abducted machines, chop shops, bad guys, big busts and the long arm of radio frequency technology topped LoJack’s “best of” recovery stories for last year. more >>
Smart Equipment Defense
Jan 18, 2010
Regardless of who owns the equipment, when it’s on your jobsite, you want to keep it there and keep it working. more >>
Navistar Defense Wins Foreign Military Sale from Israel
Jan 18, 2010
Besides making tough trucks for the U.S. commercial and construction markets, Navistar is one of the world’s prime suppliers of military transports and mine resistant ambush protected trucks (MRAP) armored vehicles. more >>
Mustang Unveils New Web Site
Jan 18, 2010
Smart equipment owners know Mustang skid steers, excavators and wheel loaders are good stock. more >>
Charge of the Light Brigade
Jan 18, 2010
Compact utility loaders are small and nimble machines, but they’re still heavy enough to do damage. Operation requires safety precautions and so does hauling on the road. more >>
Volvo Construction Equipment to Consolidate North American Operations
Jan 18, 2010
Companies that want to grow in the future must recede a little in this shrinking economy. more >>
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