With the rise in the growing economy there has been increase in the development of the infrastructure. For this construction work has been on rise, which have led to the demand of construction equipment. Construction equipments are of various types and serve different purposes.
Heavy construction equipment include bulldozers & track loaders, rubber tire loaders, cable cranes, hydraulic cranes, stationary cranes, graders scrapers & rollers, paving equipment, rock crushers, screeners & washers, trenching equipment, etc. There has been technical advancement also in the attachments and part required for the construction equipment. Three are various types of buckets, blades, couplers cutters, forks, grips, hammers and shovels.
There has been a growth in companies opting for rental construction equipment or leasing them. The main reason behind this is lower capital investment and lower maintenance. Moreover, good construction equipment is available at great bargain prices. This construction equipment give good productivity paralleled to new equipment. Also the smaller fleet ar able to squeeze out construction equipment.
Apart from purchase, leasing and rental of the construction equipment, there are also security issues attached to them. These days companies and constructors are much worried about securing their construction equipment. Since construction equipment do not have any tracking number on them thus recovery of any stolen construction equipment is very difficult. Most of the time the construction equipment is recovered several kilometers away from the construction site. But recovery of equipment is very difficult. Thus a new system of putting the tracking number has been put into effect. Earlier, for security purposes companies used to tie up the construction equipment with chains and padlocks but of late these have been proved to be inefficient.
Now-a-days construction companies are asking the manufacturers to instill laser-cut identification labels with key identification numbers. These key numbers would prove to be the tracking number just like engine number and chassis numbers in automobiles. A proposition of seventeen-digit global numbering system has been put forward in the construction industry to prevent stealing of construction equipment. This would ensure recapturing of stolen construction as well prevention of shipment of stolen construction equipment to other neighboring countries.
Advancement in the construction industry has led to development of operator comfort–air-conditioned cabs, steering wheels that can be tilted and devices to prevent noise pollution. Producers are featuring global positioning satellite technology for improved surveying and for use in driver-less trucks operating on a fixed route.
Increase or decrease in the construction sector directly affects the sale or purchase of the construction equipment. If the economy of the country is growing at a healthy pace, it leads to development of new projects as well as upgrading the older ones. All this requires construction equipment either to be purchased or leased by the construction companies. Further, an association for the inspection and certification of used construction equipment has been formed. This has been done to promote online sales of used heavy construction equipment. This is required by the companies taking up projects at various locations in the foreign land.
With the steady increase in construction projects nationwide year after year, it’s no wonder the average price of the typical piece of heavy equipment is over $135,000. Let’s face it; we wouldn’t be able to get our jobs done if we didn’t have these behemoths available. But there are some hidden costs within their benefits.
Technology –
The technology used in heavy equipment is far beyond anything we have seen in the past and the costs to hire someone to operate a particular piece of equipment is skyrocketing. The national average for a heavy equipment operator is in the $60,000 range.
Maintenance –
Powerful heavy equipment is useless if there is no around to fix it. Working with heavy equipment is no easy task. If your company has purchased some type of machinery that has no maintenance agreement included, one major repair jobsite can wipe out the profit you had built into the project.
Theft –
Every year, millions of dollars worth of heavy equipment is stolen from the job site. Heavy equipment is tempting for thieves. The stolen heavy equipment is either parted out or taken to another area where it is sold or used by another business.
Underutilization –
When heavy equipment is underutilized your costs of acquisition skyrocket and your loss in value is occurring unnecessarily. Heavy equipment is not a cheap undertaking and you should find ways to maximize the value of your machinery. One thing to consider is renting or leasing your equipment when it is idle.
Worker injury –
Construction equipment is inherently dangerous to work around, especially for employees on foot. While heavy equipment is being operated, potentially dangerous materials may be present, electric circuits may be live, flammable or noxious liquids or gases and other potential dangers will exist. How are you prepared for these events should one occur? Remember: The best policy around heavy equipment is to take no chances.
As you see there are other things you need to consider as your fleet of heavy construction equipment grows and there are no easy answers. Talk to others in your area about how they manage their inventory and how they maintain, operate, move, and utilize their equipment.
Today backhoes are commonly found on almost every construction job. It is hard to imagine any dirt moving job without some backhoe work.Backhoes are compact and easy to maneuver. One of the reasons they are so popular is the ability to quickly do small jobs otherwise done by hand. Rubber tires give it mobility to handle material and load out unused spoil from excavations. They can also work around obstructions and in tight areas.
The commonly seen tractor with a front bucket and a rear mounted backhoe was first built in 1953 by a British company known as JCB. In fact, for years a backhoe tractor was known as a JCB no matter who built them. In 1957, Case Tractor Company bought out the original manufacturer. With the acquisition by Case came many improvements to the original design.After the acquisition was complete, Case engineer Elton Long and his team brought in resources from throughout the company to finish development of an integrated loader/backhoe under a very tight deadline. By early spring, Case had successfully merged technologies to create the Case 320, the first fully integrated loader/backhoe made and warranted by one company.
Many people think the term back hoe refers to the fact that the digging attachment is located on the rear of the tractor. However, the term originally referred to the action of the bucket. The digging operation is carried out by using hydraulic power to pull the bucket back towards the tractor.Now, the backhoe can be even more versatile with a backhoe attachment for your Bobcat or other skid steer loader. Industrial Products and Equipment has now made arrangements with the manufacturer to market a simple yet very efficient dirt moving machine.
The skid loader backhoe attachment, quickly converts the skid steer into a excavator or trencher. With the addition of a thumb, your loader can also be used to carry and place heavy and bulky items. If you need to transport, the dirt from a trenching operation, the bucket can be quickly swapped using the loaders quick attach feature.While a traditional tractor style backhoe is highly maneuverable, nothing beats a skid steer loader for getting into small tight places. Having a simple quick connect back hoe will add a great deal of versatility to your machine.
Powerful crawler equipment with a blade is called a bulldozer. Even though any heavy engineering vehicle is known by the term “bulldozer”, practically the term refers only to a tractor with dozer blade.Earlier tractors were used to plough the fields and the first bulldozer was adapted from this tractor. During the First World War a bulldozer was used as an armoured tank because of its versatility in grounds which were soft.
A big thick metal plate is fixed on the front of the bulldozers for use in earthmoving jobs, raising dams and digging canals. As the tractor advances, the blade in front removes layers of soil. To move coal in the coalmines, to move large boulders or cut tree stumps various specialized blades are used. Earlier, the driver used to sit on top of the bulldozers, which lacked a cabin. When powered down bulldozers were introduced in the 1930’s it became the excavation equipment preferred by contractors.
When equipment was needed to execute large-scale earth works, several bigger models were manufactured by various engineering firms. These machines were noisy, large and powerful and that’s where it got its name “bulldozer”.More powerful engines, better tracks, more reliable drive tracks, raised cabins and instead of the usual cable operations, hydraulic arms were some of the important improvements included in the bulldozer development. More precise blade manipulation was made possible by hydraulic systems. To loosen soils which were rocky, or for pavement bread-up, a ripper claw was also added to bulldozers.
Throughout the world, these durable and tough machines are used by construction units of the military, they are also the preferred equipment for civil construction. Some of the other uses of bulldozers include demolition of enemy structures and clearing mines.The tracks on the bulldozers give good hold on ground and easy mobility over rough terrain. In order to prevent it sinking in muddy or sandy ground, the wide tracks help the distribution of the weight of the bulldozer over large area. The torque divider in the bulldozer converts its power into ability to drag.
The power of the bulldozer can be gauged by its ability to tow tanks weighing around seventy tons. Areas of obstacles such as shrubbery, and burnt vehicles can be cleared easily.
Over time, bulldozers have been further modified to become a new machine capable of working in various ways which was not possible with the original bulldozer, for instance a hydraulic arm and a large bucket, which can be raised or lowered to scoop earth and load it into trucks.
The construction business is booming and for many men and women it’s a perfect place to begin a career. There are many different job choices available in this industry and one is operating the large earth movers that pave the way for new homes and buildings to be built. If this is of interest to you, consider taking a course in heavy equipment training.
Most major cities are home to several companies that offer these types of courses. In fact, if you are interested in a position with a particular organization they may offer heavy equipment training as a bonus when you sign on for employment. They view this as not only a means to help their new recruits gain the knowledge they need to do an effective job, but the heavy equipment training is also a great way to avoid any future accidents that may occur.
Many incidents and accidents that do occur on the job site are caused by inexperience. When a person is responsible for operating a piece of heavy equipment and they lack the necessary knowledge, a problem can occur. This can lead to injury of the worker and their colleagues. Inexperience can also result in damage to expensive equipment.
A typical class that focuses on introducing individuals to the equipment and the operation of it will stretch over the course of several days or weeks. Although the equipment itself seems easy to operate, a big part of keeping everyone safe is dealing with any problems that may arise. Heavy equipment training includes instruction on any potential difficulties and how to best deal with them.
Part of the time spent in instruction will be practical and you’ll be able to operate the equipment with the instructor present. The other percentage of time is devoted to classroom instruction. They are both essential to understanding all of the mechanics of heavy equipment training. You’ll have the opportunity to ask the instructor any questions you have before you start working with the equipment at your place of employment. Many companies do still have a training period where a seasoned equipment operator works with new hires. This is helpful as well as it gives you time to understand your job responsibilities while at the same time having an experienced person nearby offering guidance.
Upon completion of the instruction you’ll receive a certificate. This is important as you can present it to any future employers to demonstrate that you have the fundamental skills needed to safely and effectively operate equipment in the construction industry. Heavy equipment training is essential if you are interested in a long and prosperous career in building.
While most contractors are generally not directly involved with the financing of a construction project, understanding the process of financing and how it relates to a construction business is extremely important. The following outlines many of the most common sources for obtaining construction loans.
Commercial Banks:
Commercial Banks make single-family short-term and a limited number of long-term loans. They are generally the largest construction lenders on multifamily and commercial projects. They also make short-term loans to mortgage banks and to real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Savings and Loan Associations:
Savings and Loan associations are the largest of all lenders of both construction and permanent or long-term loans on single family housing. They also make a considerable number of construction loans for multifamily residences such as apartment houses and condominiums.
Mutual Savings Banks:
Mutual Savings Banks are generally located within the northeastern United States. Their mortgage investments are
generally concentrated in single family permanent mortgages. They tend to make only a limited number of construction loans, but do make long-term loans to mortgage bankers and to real estate investment trusts which in turn make construction loans.
Mortgage Banking Companies:
Mortgage Banking companies make a significant number of loans for construction and land development but are mainly intermediaries between borrowers and lenders.
Life Insurance Companies:
Life insurance companies do a minimum amount of temporary construction lending. Their principle commitments are long-term loans on commercial and multifamily projects.
Real Estate Investment Trusts:
These trusts provide long-term mortgages on commercial and multifamily projects and a limited amount of construction loans.
Government Agencies:
Approximately every sixth house built in the United States is financed by the GI loan program. The Veterans Administration (VA) makes construction loans on housing for veterans, their dependents, and other beneficiaries of deceased veterans. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures mortgage loans made by approved lending institutions, however, FHA does not lend money.
Other Sources for Loans:
Finally, miscellaneous sources of loans which should not be overlooked include individuals, syndicates, service organizations, and Community Housing Authorities.
Lenders need assurance that a contractor is financially responsible, of good character and reputation, and able to carry out
the work stipulated in the specifications and construction documents.
A full financial statement from the contractor stating his or her assets and liabilities, investments, property owned, life insurance and other pertinent information, including a credit report is generally requested by the lender. In addition, a complete set of drawings, plans, and specifications as well as the names of all the subcontractors and their specific tasks are also generally required.
Finally, the lender appraises the site of construction and compares it with the contractor’s final cost estimate. Once this is in place, the lender submits the application to the loan committee for approval.