Designed for tough landscaping, construction and agricultural applications, the new EDGE Tree Puller/Grabbing Tool attachment from CEAttachments is the perfect companion for your hardworking skid steer.

The new standard-flow attachment features a single cylinder that opens its powerful jaws to easily grab and pull fence posts, rebar and invasive trees or shrubs (including roots) out of the ground with ease. The jaws measure 27 in. in length and open to a maximum of 12 in. to grab a hold of trees or shrubs at the base and pull entire plants out of the ground. The overall length of this handy attachment is 34.5 in. with overall width of 47.5 in. and height of 20 in.

Other features include three welded brackets to secure the hydraulic hoses away from the jaws, and hoses and flat face couplers all come standard with the attachment.  Lift capacities of the attachment are based on the lift capacity of the machine. An optional hose saver kit is recommended.

For more information, visit www.ceattachments.com.

Construction spending inched down less than 0.1 percent in January, following a large upward revision in December and November, according to a new analysis of federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. All forms of residential construction did well for the month and year-over-year, while private nonresidential spending was mixed and public construction declined amid continued congressional delays in passing a host of long-term infrastructure and tax measures.

“The strong gains in single-family homebuilding in December and January probably have a lot more to do with the unusually mild weather compared to year-ago conditions, than surging demand for new homes,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Meanwhile, private nonresidential activity dropped after an exceptionally large jump in December, but the January total was still up an impressive 17 percent from a year ago.”

Simonson noted that private residential spending, which climbed 1.8 percent for the month and 6.7 percent compared with January 2011, was higher across-the-board. New single-family construction posted gains of 2.5 percent for the month and 5.5 percent over 12 months; new multi-family construction was up 0.7 percent and 20 percent, respectively; and improvements to existing residential structures moved up 1.3 percent and 6.4 percent.

Private nonresidential spending was at the second-highest level since December 2009, despite the 1.5 percent pullback in January, Simonson noted. The largest private category, power construction—which includes shale-related activity as well as traditional and renewable electric power—dropped 1.8 percent in January but was up a robust 28 percent over 12 months. Simonson also cited large year-over-year gains for the next three-largest types: manufacturing construction (-5.9 percent for the month, +38.5 percent over 12 months); commercial—retail, warehouse and farm—construction (-1.0 percent for the month, +8.5 percent over 12 months); and health care construction (up 1.7 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively).

Simonson noted that public construction spending was nearly flat in January, declining 0.2 percent from December and 0.5 percent from January 2011. Highway and street construction, the largest public category, edged down 0.2 percent for the month but climbed 4.5 percent year-over-year, while other transportation spending—comprising transit, ports, airports and passenger rail—rallied 2.5 percent for the month but tumbled 10 percent from a year ago.

Association officials said that despite growing private sector demand, the construction industry was being held back by partisan gridlock in Washington. They said the fact that Congress has failed to enact a host of long-term infrastructure and tax measures was making it hard for many firms to make business investment and hiring decisions.

“Construction firms fear two things: declining demand and market uncertainty,” said the association’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr. “Unfortunately, Washington’s failure to enact long-term investment and tax measures is delivering drop in construction activity and making it impossible for contractors to make investment, hiring and many other fundamental business decisions.”

When it comes to mixing and dispensing heavy, viscous yards of concrete with a skid steer, nothing works better than an auger bucket. But an auger bucket does more than concrete work. It also eliminates the backbreaking labor of mixing, transporting and dispensing wildlife feed, sand, asphalt, agricultural grains and washed gravel (3/4 in. maximum). Good auger buckets have a quick-attach frame on either side to control the discharge from the left or right and come complete with a 2- and 3-ft chute, hoses and couplers.

When purchasing an auger bucket, you will need to make a decision on a mixing or dispensing bucket. Seeing how the mixing bucket is only a few hundred dollars more and does both jobs, most customers will choose the mixing bucket so they can handle any task. To operate the auger bucket, you will need a skid steer with a minimum of 12 gal per minute (gpm). Always operate the bucket at idle speed. As you add heavier materials, you may need to increase the speed so the auger will not stall. Operating the auger in reverse will mix your materials. Once you have the consistency you are looking for, stop the auger. This will hold the material inside the bucket. Transport the material to the desired location and run the auger forward to empty the material from the bucket.

The applications for the auger bucket are many. Some customers use the auger bucket on a feed lot to mix and feed livestock. Others have used the bucket to mix their own concrete by combining sand, aggregate and cement or by simply using bags of mixture. This gives you complete control of the slump, and you never have to worry about the quality of the concrete in the truck traveling from the plant to your jobsite. Several people have mixed their grass seed and fertilizer and dumped it into a spreader. You can use it for sandbagging to prevent flooding. Use it to line landscape beds, driveways or mailboxes with decorative rock or fill the bucket with corn and refill deer feeders which are normally 6 to 8 ft tall. Asphalt companies have used the auger bucket to patch roads, bridges, parking lots and lots more. The auger bucket can also be used to reach difficult areas for footings, slabs, sidewalks, fence posts, sign posts, deck posts and piers. Auger buckets make great rental tools.

A rental business would need to make sure the bucket is cleaned thoroughly between rentals to ensure longer auger and bucket life. Most concrete trucks cannot get to many locations due to the size and weight of the trucks, so the auger bucket can save time and money and eliminate the need for a pump truck. They are also mostly maintenance free. There is usually only one grease zerk used to lubricate the motor seal.  The zerk is typically located in the motor mounting plate. Grease the motor seal after every 40 hours of use. Thoroughly clean the auger bucket after each use and apply a water based, non-corrosive releasing agent. On site, dump 5 gal of water in the bucket and run it in reverse to get most of the material out of the bucket. This will allow the bucket to be transported back to the shop where it can be hosed out completely. Just remember: Do not allow concrete to dry or water to freeze in the bucket.

If you take care of it, an auger bucket can be a great addition to your skid steer’s attachment arsenal. Most auger buckets have a half-yard capacity. A half yard of concrete weighs around 2,000 lbs and can be emptied in about 50 seconds. The bucket capacity can be increased to 3/4 yd as long as your skid steer can handle the extra weight. The bucket also has the ability to self load from loose piles. This unique implement does a lot of work. If you’re in the concrete business, you should definitely check one out. – Post written by Glenn Danuser, vice president at Danuser Machine Co., based in Fulton, Mo.

When Joe Contractor needs a dedicated digging machine, he turns to an excavator. It’s a tool devoted to putting precise holes in the ground. But what if Joe needs a digging machine that can also quickly travel from jobsite to jobsite? In the past, construction professionals would settle for a less productive digger like a backhoe loader or a tractor with a digging attachment, because wheels increased cycle times over the slow and steady march of an excavator’s dedicated track undercarriage. But today there is another option rarely explored by North American contractors -- the excavator that rolls from job to job using tires.

The wheeled excavator is a niche machine in America, so a lot of contractors don’t even know about these machines. Volvo Construction Equipment has a 16 part series explaining its Volvo C-Series wheeled excavator, and how it should be operated. To watch an intro video, just click play below. To view the rest of the videos, visit Volvo Construction Equipment’s global video site on YouTube.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently announced a new comprehensive framework for housing finance system reform that would transition Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to a new mortgage securitization system for single-family and multifamily conventional mortgages.

“Our plan seeks to overhaul the housing finance system to ensure that housing credit is available and affordable in the future and is delivered through a competitive, efficient, sound, safe and stable system,” said NAHB chairman Barry Rutenberg, a homebuilder from Gainesville, Fla.

To achieve this goal, Rutenberg said the system must include: private, federal and state sources of housing capital; offer a reasonable menu of sound mortgage products for both single-family and multifamily housing that is governed by prudent underwriting standards and adequate oversight and regulation; and provide a federal backstop to ensure that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages are available at reasonable interest rates and terms.

Replacing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a new securitization system for conventional mortgages backed by private capital and a privately funded federal mortgage-backed securities fund must be done in an orderly fashion over time. During this phase-in period, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would remain operational until the alternative system is fully functioning.

Under this scenario, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be gradually replaced by private housing finance entities (HFEs) that would be chartered to purchase single-family and multifamily mortgages from loan originators and package the loans into securities for sale to investors worldwide. The federal government would guarantee the securities, not the mortgages.

The HFEs would only purchase mortgages that are well understood and have reasonable risk characteristics, such as standard 30-year fixed-rate loans. The HFEs would operate under the oversight of a strong independent regulatory agency to ensure all aspects of safety and soundness. NAHB believes the 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks could serve as HFEs.

Federal support to the conventional mortgage of the future would consist of a privately funded insurance fund where the government would guarantee its solvency in a manner similar to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s backing of the fund that insures savings deposits. Under this system, mortgage originators would pay premiums to capitalize the insurance fund, which would cover losses and ensure full payment to investors. The federal government would be required to pay investors only if the insurance fund was depleted.

“The intent is for the government to be in a secondary position and to be the insurer of last resort in order to reduce the risk to taxpayers,” said Rutenberg.

View the full white paper at www.nahb.org/GSEwhitepaper.

News flash: Bobcat is getting into the light construction business. The company announced today its 2012 lineup of light construction products, featuring a line of air compressors, generators and pressure washers, as well as compaction equipment, including plate compactors and upright rammers. Powered by fuel-efficient, Honda engines, these durable models are designed to provide reliable performance for jobsite development and cleanup operations.

Air Compressors
Three portable air compressor units supported by durable frames and strong cylinders provide power for pneumatic tools. The 8-gal models feature cast iron compressors and puncture-proof tires. Two single-stage compressor pump models, including a 5-gallon unit offering 4.1 cfm at 100 psi and an 8-gal model delivering 13.1 cfm at 100 psi, make up the smaller units. Rounding out the air compressor line is an 8-gallon two-stage unit that provides 17.2 cfm at 175 psi.

Generators
A team of three generators with outputs of 3,000, 4,000 and 7,500 watts provide power for remote electricity generation needs. All models feature low-oil shutdown, large low-tone mufflers to reduce noise and USDA/USFS-approved spark arrestors. The heavy-duty frames increase durability, yet the lightweight design can be easily wheel- mounted or transferred to vehicles for transporting.

Pressure Washers
The redesigned tire-mounted Bobcat pressure washer line features two portable cold water gasoline direct-drive models with 3,000 and 3,400 psi, respectively, for routine cleanups and wash jobs. Those units are joined by one portable hot water gasoline direct-drive model delivering 3,500 psi, and two electric models; a direct-drive unit that offers 1,500 psi and a belt-drive model that operates at 3,000 psi.

Vibratory Plate Compactors
Engineered with high centrifugal forces, the BC15, BC19 and BC22 single-direction vibratory plate compactors effectively and efficiently compact granular soils and crushed aggregates to depths of 12 to 16.5 in. The units are also equipped with a water sprinkler system with removable water tanks for the compaction of hot mix asphalt.

The BC15 delivers 3,400 lbs of centrifugal force from a compact frame using a 17-by-22-inch plate. The BC19 has a 20-by-22-in. plate and compacts with 4,000 lbs of centrifugal force. The BC22 has a 22-by-22-in. plate and offers the highest compaction rate with 5,700 lbs of centrifugal force. These compaction units range in operating weight from 150 to 220 lbs, allowing them to remain highly maneuverable and portable.

Upright Rammers
Two upright rammer models, the BR55 and BR72, offer a low center of gravity and a lightweight design for backfilling and narrow trench compaction. The rammers’ impact force is applied to material by a durable steel-plated wooden foot that measures 9 in. by 13 in. on the BR55 and 11 in. by 13 in. on the BR72. The BR55 provides an impact force of 2,600 lbs, while the BR72 delivers 3,400 lbs of force. Both ramming tools provide powerful compaction in a small, self-balanced design that stands under 44 in. off the ground.

For more information on Bobcat light construction products, visit www.bobcat.com/LCP.

Kubota Tractor Corp. is increasing its support of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program by a whopping 67 percent. A Safety Day sponsor for seven years, Kubota becomes a silver sponsor of the program.

“Providing safety education for our customers and their families is a significant emphasis for Kubota,” said Greg Embury, vice president of sales and marketing for Kubota Tractor Corp. “By increasing our sponsorship of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day education program, we proudly support an effort designed to make safety education and training available for children and their families year-round -- together, we can do more to educate about safety than we could ever do alone.”

“Kubota Tractor Corp. has generously sponsored the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day program for seven years, allowing more than 9,500 rural youth to attend a farm Safety Day,” says Randy J. Bernhardt, chief administrative officer for the Progressive Agriculture Foundation. “We are pleased to continue and expand our longstanding partnership with Kubota to provide crucial farm safety and health education for rural youth.”

Through contributions from Kubota and its nearly 80 corporate sponsors, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation is able to advance its commitment to keep rural children safe and healthy. The Foundation provides training and resources to help local community members conduct one-day farm safety and health programs that are age-appropriate, hands-on and fun for rural children and families. Since the program was founded in 1995, it has grown to become the largest rural safety and health program for youth in North America.

Total nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.8 percent in January to $566.4 billion, according to the March 1 report by the U.S. Commerce Department. However, total nonresidential construction spending was up 7.9 percent from January 2011.

Private nonresidential construction spending was down 1.5 percent for the month, but was 16.6 percent higher than one year ago. Public nonresidential construction spending was down 0.1 percent for January, but was up 0.4 percent from the same time last year. Construction subsectors posting the largest monthly decreases in spending included manufacturing, down 6.3 percent; lodging, 3.9 percent lower; and religious-related construction, down 3.5 percent. Subsectors with the largest year-over-year decreases in spending included religious, down 23.1 percent; conservation and development, 17.8 percent lower; and transportation-related construction, down 6.5 percent.

Five of the sixteen nonresidential construction subsectors posted spending increases for the month, including water supply, up 9.7 percent; amusement and recreation, 2.1 percent higher; transportation, up 1 percent; health care, up 0.9 percent; and public safety, up 0.3 percent. Eleven of the sixteen subsectors posted increases in year-over-year spending, including manufacturing, up 38.3 percent; power, up 24.4 percent; and health care, up 9.7 percent.

Residential construction spending increased 1.6 percent in January and was 5.4 percent higher than the same time last year. Overall, total construction spending -- which includes both nonresidential and residential -- slipped 0.1 percent in for the month, but was up 7.1 percent compared to January 2011.

“Today’s data release should be viewed as rather disappointing,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Because of January’s unseasonably warm temperatures across much of the nation, it seemed likely nonresidential construction volumes would increase.

“Instead, nonresidential construction spending dipped nearly one percent in January – adding to a list of data points that have been somewhat disappointing lately,” Basu said. “For example, the most recent release regarding durable goods orders also indicated a degree of slowing in business spending.

“However, one month does not indicate a trend,” said Basu. “Even in certain categories that experienced construction spending declines in January, like power and manufacturing, year-over-year gains remain meaningful. In addition, December construction spending data was revised substantially higher, rendering the decline in January less worrisome.

“A handful of construction segments experienced monthly spending growth, including transportation, water/sewer and public safety, which may be reflective of stabilizing state and local government capital budgets,” Basu said. “The amusement and recreation category also experienced increases in spending in January, perhaps because the U.S. consumer has been demonstrating a renewed willingness to spend on discretionary items.

“Many economists expect that the U.S. economy will continue to expand moderately during the months ahead, which should generally be associated with modest gains in construction spending,” said Basu. “However, if business spending continues to slow, stakeholders can expect construction spending to be roughly flat in the coming months.”

To view the previous spending report, click here.

Rod Schrader, a 25-year veteran of Komatsu America Corp., has been named the new CEO and vice chairman of the company effective April 1, 2012. Schrader will replace Dave Grzelak, who is stepping down as CEO, but will remain chairman of Komatsu America until the end of June 2013.

“Rod has been an invaluable member of the Komatsu team for the past 25 years and has consistently delivered excellent results both in sales and customer satisfaction,” said Grzelak.“I am privileged to have been a part of the Komatsu America leadership team and retire as CEO knowing that the company is in excellent hands.”

“I am very honored that the Board has selected me to lead Komatsu America Corp.,” Schrader said. “By building on the success the company has had under Dave’s excellent leadership, I intend to continue to implement our strategy and take advantage of the growing market opportunities for Komatsu.”

Prior to being named CEO, Schrader was executive vice president and general manager of the mining division, Komatsu America Corp. He began his career with the company in 1987 and held positions in varied areas within Komatsu including product manager; manager, large equipment sales; director, marketing; vice president of product marketing; and president of Komatsu Utility Corp. Schrader was appointed as a Komatsu America Corp. board member in July 2010.

Schrader received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. He also serves as a board member for Junior Achievement of Central Illinois.

Grzelak served as chairman, CEO or president of Komatsu America for 15 years. He began his career with the company in 1990.

Ivor Hill, currently vice president of service, will be promoted to vice president and general manager of the mining division.

The cost of repairing and expanding U.S. drinking water infrastructure will top $1 trillion in the next 25 years, an expense that likely will be met primarily through higher water bills and local fees, a groundbreaking study by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) shows.

The report, titled “Buried No Longer: Confronting America’s Water Infrastructure Challenge,” analyzes many factors, including timing of water main installation and life expectancy, materials used, replacement costs and shifting demographics. Nationally, the infrastructure needs are almost evenly divided between replacement and expansion requirements. The report is available at www.awwa.org/infrastructure.

Cities will be impacted in different ways depending on their sizes and geography. Many small communities will face the greatest challenges because they have smaller populations across whom to spread the expenses.

“Because pipe assets last a long time, water systems that were built in the latter part of the 19th century and throughout much of the 20th century have, for the most part, never experienced the need for pipe replacement on a large scale,” the report states. “The dawn of an era in which the assets will need to be replaced puts a growing stress on communities that will continue to increase for decades to come.”

Among the Key Findings
The Needs Are Large: Investment needs for buried drinking water infrastructure total more than $1 trillion nationwide over the next 25 years (between 2011 and 2035), if pipes are replaced at the end of their useful lives. Over the coming 40-year period, through 2050, these needs exceed $1.7 trillion. Replacement needs account for about 54% of the national total, with the balance (about 46 percent) attributable to population changes over that period.

Pipe replacement expenses account for more than 84 percent of the $278 billion need in the Northeast and Midwest regions through 2035. Meanwhile, in the rapidly growing South and West, expansion to meet a growing population amounts to about 62 percent of the projected need of $277 billion in that same time period. Replacement-related needs are a less important factor in these regions.

The required national-level investment will double from roughly $13 billion a year today to almost $30 billion annually by the 2040s (in 2010 dollars). This level of investment must then be sustained for many years, if current levels of water system performance and service are to be maintained.

Household Water Bills Will Rise: The amount water bills rise will vary depending on past investment, community size and geographic region, but in some communities the infrastructure costs alone could triple the size of a typical family’s bill.

Small, rural communities may face the biggest challenge. Places with fewer people living far apart have more pipe “miles per customer” than large, urban systems. The study suggests that the most impacted households could see their drinking water bills increase between $300 and $550 per year above current levels to address infrastructure needs.

There is Still Time to Act: Postponing infrastructure investment in the near-term raises the overall cost and increases the likelihood of water main breaks and other infrastructure failures. However, the $1 trillion investment necessary through 2035 does not have to be made all at once. There is time to implement asset management plans and set rates that more closely reflect the cost of water service.

“The needs uncovered in ‘Buried No Longer’ are large, but they are not insurmountable,” said AWWA Executive Director David LaFrance. “When you consider everything that tap water delivers -- public health protection, fire protection, support for the economy, the quality of life we enjoy -- we owe it to future generations to confront the infrastructure challenge today.”