Tag: construction tech: Page 5

Construction Equipment

German heavy truck battery supplier plans Detroit production facility

Darmstadt, Germany-based electric systems company AKASOL is planning a production facility in metro Detroit with production slated to begin next year. AKASOL, founded in 1990, is Europe’s largest supplier of battery systems for commercial vehicles and buses with hybrid or all-electric drives and is a leading manufacturer of high-performance, lithium-ion battery systems for buses, commercial […]

August 15, 2019

Vocational

Cemen Tech’s cloud-based Accu-Pour software now works with more volumetric concrete mixers—including competing models

Cemen Tech, makers of volumetric concrete mixers and technology, has announced expanded compatibility of its Accu-Pour cloud software suite. Unlike drum mixers, volumetric concrete mixers act as mobile batch plants mounted to a truck chassis or a trailer. Using a segmented body, they carry unmixed sand, cement, coarse aggregates, water, and any other admixtures or […]

August 12, 2019

Safety

Sony’s portable air conditioner could become a sought-after gadget on construction jobsites

You probably know this already but it’s hot outside. Record-breaking hot, actually. This past June is now the hottest June on record. Beyond that, it was “the 414th consecutive month recording above-average global temperatures,” according to weather data reported on by CNN. And few people know this harsh reality more than the folks working on […]

August 2, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to calculate your DEF use

Running out of diesel exhaust fluid is about as dumb as running out of diesel fuel. Engine manufacturers set DEF burn rates at about 2 to 5 percent of fuel burned. (For every 100 gallons of diesel a machine consumes, it will burn 2 to 5 gallons of DEF.) So multiply the fuel consumption of […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to adjust the tension on your tracks

Almost all tracks are tensioned by pumping grease into a piston. The grease fitting is typically located behind a cover plate in the center of the undercarriage. This extends the piston and stretches the tracks. (You let grease out of the fitting to reduce tension on the tracks.) Your owner’s manual will give you specs […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to repair a grease zerk

When a grease zerk won’t accept grease from your grease gun, the simplest solution is to unscrew the zerk, clean it out with a wire, brake cleaner or compressed air, reinstall the zerk and try it again. If it still won’t work, you have bigger problems and may need to call in a mechanic. As […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to get a good oil sample on construction equipment

According to Dan Arcy, global OEM technical manager for Shell Lubricants, an engine oil analysis program requires users to follow a few fundamental procedures that often don’t get the attention they deserve. Some tips: • Provide a proper oil sample to the lab. If you take your sample when the oil is being drained, catch […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

7 things to do before an equipment auction

If you want to get a good deal buying heavy equipment at auction, doing your homework – hours of homework – is essential. Things happen fast at these auctions and you can miss out on great opportunities or overplay your hand if you’re not ready. Here are some tips: Identify your needs. Make a list […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

How to calculate construction owning and operating costs

Owning costs = purchase price of machine + financing + taxes – disposal price (what you get for that machine when you resell it). Operating costs = labor + fuel + maintenance + replacement costs of tires, tracks and other components + overhead. Add the owning to the operating costs and you have your O&O […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

Make sure your load is secure

Moving heavy equipment safely is no small task. If not done properly, the results can be disastrous. During loading, keep the following in mind: Do not operate or load equipment that you do not know how to safely operate. When possible, place the equipment against a vehicle structure to help prevent forward movement – unless […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

Know your limits: Towing more than 5,000 pounds with a half-ton pickup is against the law

That commercial showing a pickup taking on a heavy load sure does look good. But you first need to read the small print in the manufacturer’s owner manual. Half-ton pickups have a 5,000-pound towing capacity, period. This can be problematic when you just want to haul your compact machine to the next jobsite. The weight […]

July 29, 2019

How to do Everything Better

7 tips for jumpstarting heavy-duty equipment

When the mercury drops, equipment can sometimes get cantankerous when starting. Clore Automotive says these tips will get your engine humming again: Make sure you use a jumpstarter that can be used on heavy equipment. Keep your jumpstarter charged, especially during extreme temperatures, which are hard on a battery. If possible, store it above 50 […]

July 29, 2019