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BEYOND EQUIPMENTBEYOND EQUIPMENTHAULINGHAULINGTRAILERSTRAILERSTODAYTODAYTECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGYUPGRADE UPGRADE SUBSCRIPTIONSUBSCRIPTIONSERVICESERVICESITESITESECURITYSECURITYBACKENDBACKENDSUPPORTSUPPORTOFFSITEOFFSITECONSTRUCTIONCONSTRUCTIONCOORDINATIONCOORDINATIONIS CRITICALIS CRITICALWWW.MCSMAG.COMMARCH 2024

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com4TURN THE TABLES ON EQUIPMENT DOWNTIME WITH BETTER TRAINING & MAINTENANCEGuest Post by Emily Newton CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 2024 OUTLOOKGuest Post by Nathan PattonHOW TO MAKE YOUR BUILDING A FORTRESS AGAINST CYBER ATTACKSGuest Post by Coleman Wolf2840MARCH 2024VOLUME 18 ISSUE 03Inside This Issue32special focusIN EVERY ISSUEIndustry News .............................. Modern Construction Products.......maintenance solution STREAMLINED FUELINGmulti-tank oil trailers simplify fueling and maintenancetechnology solution UPGRADE AS BUSINESS GROWScontractor subscribes to a progressive path to GNSSequipment solutionFROM SAFETY TO ROI3 tips for spec’ing a trailerTRAILERSmanagement solution EYES ON PROTECTIONback-end monitoring centers heighten jobsite securityON THE BLOGDEMCO SIDE DUMPS Choose Demco Side Dump Trailers for smooth delivery and full cleanout. www.demco−products.com30safety solution AVOID DIGGING DANGERS how to reduce excavation hazards24management solutionCOORDINATION IS KEY overcoming offsite challenges18

PROJECT PROFILES School Choice ...................................................... 14Providing the Power ............................................. 16EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONSFrom Safety to ROI ............................................... 18Surface-friendly Innovations ................................. 20Tailor-made Trailers ............................................. 22MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSCoordination Is Key .............................................. 24The Search for a Unicorn ...................................... 26Eyes on Protection ............................................... 28SAFETY SOLUTIONAvoid Dangers When Digging ................................ 30TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONUpgrade as Business Grows .................................. 32Fecon Fusion Platform ......................................... 34Does AI Have All the Answers ................................ 36LEGAL SOLUTIONAvoiding Transaction Pitfalls ................................. 38MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONStreamlined Fueling ............................................. 40www.mcsmag.com 3100 Lorna Rd, Ste 101Birmingham, AL 35216MATT WEBER Editormatt@mcsmag.com MIKE BARKER Publishermike@mcsmag.com RANDY MOON Media Consultantrandym@mcsmag.com KEVIN MCCLARAN Associate Publisherkevin@mcsmag.com GARY BARKER Associate Publishergary@mwsmag.com LISA AVERY Art Directorlisa@mcsmag.com SETH SAUNDERS Digital Media Specialist seth@mcsmag.com INGRID BERKY Office Manageringrid@mcsmag.comSUBSCRIPTIONS For all changes, go to:MCSMAG.COMClick the SUBSCRIPTIONS button in the main menuTIM GARMONCEORUSSELL HADDOCKPresidentCHRIS GARMONCFOJ. CAMPBELL Vice President, EditorialNo part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The views expressed by those not on the sta of Modern Contractor Solutions, or who are not specifically employed by Highlands Publications are purely their own. All Industry News material has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled directly from its corporate website, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to donna@mcsmag.com.For reprint information, contact Chris Garmon at chris@mcsmag.com.Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525. Undeliverables 355 Admiral Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2N1 Modern Contractor Solutions Magazine@mcsmagModern Contractor SolutionsCOVERINGS 2024 Coverings is the largest ceramic tile and natural stone conference and exhibition in the U.S. and North America. Scheduled for April 22-25 in Atlanta, Georgia, Coverings 2024 will feature more than 1,000 global exhibitors from 40 countries and will set the stage for introducing some of the world’s most innovative tile and stone products. For more, visit www.coverings.com.BLAZING TRAILERSTrailers play a crucial role in commercial construction, facilitating the transportation of heavy machinery, equipment, and materials that contribute to the productivity of all operations. Whether it's hauling excavators, tractors, or building supplies, trailers provide a safe and secure method of transportation, minimizing the risk of damage and ensuring the integrity of the cargo throughout the journey.In the construction world, trailers not only function as indispensable assets for equipment transport, but specialized trailers can serve many different uses in the industry. Some trailers provide a means for streamlined maintenance procedures while others offer offsite security monitoring to protect the jobsite. Need a purpose-built trailer designed specifically for your operation? Finding the right manufacturer can answer your customization needs. This issue of Modern Contractor Solutions has a focus on modern trailers in the construction industry, including advances in design and their wide range of applications. Thanks for reading, Matt WeberMatt WeberEditor

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsMARCH IS NATIONAL LADDER SAFETY MONTHBegun by the American Ladder Safety Institute (ALI), National Ladder Safety Month raises awareness about ladder safety and encourages employers and their workers to engage in annual ladder safety training. If your job responsibility includes employee safety, now is the time to sign up at ALI’s Ladder Safety Training site, www.laddersafetytraining.org. The site makes safety training easy all year, offering an organized curriculum organized curriculum, video, and resource libraries—all completely free. Training courses are designed to seamlessly complement and integrate with an organization’s existing training program. Managers can choose as much or as little as they require; use the entire program wholesale, or select a la carte to bolster gaps in their own training. After signing up, trainers and training managers can develop a custom dashboard, called a Trainer’s Toolbox, which can track everything from a handful of trainees for smaller organizations all the way up to hundreds for larger enterprises.Topics covered include single and extension, articulated, mobile, and stepladders, with courses available in English or Spanish. KUBOTA TO QUADRUPLE HOMETOWN PROUD GRANTSKubota Tractor Corporation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local customers, dealers, and communities with the return of the Kubota Hometown Proud grant program. Established in 2021, the fourth annual contest will provide support for even more local communities to grow, build, or revitalize their local projects by awarding 20 grants across the country: two in each of the company’s ten operating districts. After a public voting campaign in August, each district winner will receive $50,000, and 10 district runners-up will receive $10,000, totaling $600,000 in grants this year.The program is now accepting applications. All 501(c)(3) nonprofits within a 50-mile radius of an authorized Kubota dealer are invited to enter their project. Kubota encourages all types of community projects to apply from community gardens, public spaces, and food banks, to increasing access to agriculture education, and more. Visit www.kubotahometownproud.com to submit your application by April 12, 2024.LEEBOY CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF INNOVATIONSince 1964, the Lee family has been building and delivering products for the commercial asphalt industry."Our product development team as well as our sales and service support team are stronger than ever, enabling record production capacity," says Shannon Seymour, president and CEO, LeeBoy.BR Lee developed the first self-propelled commercial paver in 1970. That Model 500 featured three patents—for its tilt hopper, its hydraulic extensions, and its under-auger cutoff gates—and can be said to have Our digital marketing campaigns can identify prospects interested specifically in your product, and then tell you exactly who they are! See what our customers are saying:The reports are awesome! Thank you. If we can get that level of information from all of our suppliers, we will be very happy! We have already made one machine sale to a prospect from the eBlast and I am sure there will be more. Paul Gazik,Business Development/International Salesfor You Need Leads!You Need Leads!We Have the We Have the Solution!Solution!Call us today to get started at 205.795.0223 or email us at russell@mcsmag.com.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com10industry newsopened the door to profitable commercial paving for thousands of paving contractors.BR's son, Mike Lee, is still involved in the business today. "I've seen a lot of hard work over the years to get LeeBoy to where it is today," says Lee. "We are continuously making our products better, faster, and more reliable for our customers and dealers. We value feedback from our customers to build and deliver the best products." For more, visit www.leeboy.com. FTI RECOGNIZED FOR TOTAL HUMAN HEALTH EFFORTS IN CONSTRUCTIONFaith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), a national leader in engineering, construction, manufacturing, and clean energy, received the Mental Health Visionary Award at the third annual Construction Working Minds Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. This award recognizes construction organizations and leaders advancing employee well-being through mental health promotion and suicide prevention programs.“Achieving the Mental Health Visionary Award as a first-time applicant demonstrates FTI’s commitment to the total health and well-being of our team members,” says Alyssa Kwasny, wellness program director at FTI. “Through our Culture of Care, we continuously enable a positive and stigma-free environment where workplace mental health conversations are normalized.”FTI was recognized in the “Large Construction Company” category, designated for organizations with more than 1,500 employees. Award applicants undergo a detailed evaluation of their well-being programs in four areas: program tenure, range of innovation, breadth and depth of offerings, and overall impact. For more, visit www.faithtechinc.com. GOVERNMENT-REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS FALL BEHINDAt current rates of participation and completion, federal and state government-registered apprenticeship programs (GRAPs) will fail to meet the construction industry’s short- and long-term skilled workforce needs, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of recently released U.S. Department of Labor data. ABC estimates that the industry’s federal and state GRAPs had about 250,000 apprentice participants and yielded just 40,000 to 45,000 completers in fiscal year 2023.Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs is concerned that a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Labor, overhauling regulations for all GRAP participants, providers, and state regulators is likely to exacerbate the industry’s skilled labor shortage. Brubeck explains the “proposal will discourage employer participation in the GRAP system by needlessly adding more uncertainty and costs in the form of new recordkeeping and reporting requirements,

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com12industry newswhile also eliminating flexible competency-based approaches to workforce development that attract apprentices and employers into the system.” ABC plans to submit comments on the DOL’s proposal, and is soliciting feedback from ABC members. JOHN DEERE AND LEICA GEOSYSTEMS FORM PARTNERSHIPJohn Deere announced a strategic partnership with Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, to help accelerate the digital transformation of the heavy construction industry. “The availability of SmartGrade with Leica solution allows John Deere and our dealers to participate and support various jobsites while meeting the technology needs of our customers,” says Mark Colvin, senior product manager, grade management, John Deere. “Working with Leica Geosystems is a tremendous opportunity, as their advanced technology solutions, paired with the power and performance of the John Deere construction equipment line-up, makes for a highly productive, efficient and seamless jobsite for our customers.”By combining the manufacturing expertise of John Deere with Leica Geosystems' leadership in positioning and sensor technology, the two organizations will deliver solutions that improve productivity, reduce material costs and the number of passes required, which can help improve safety by minimizing traffic on construction sites. "Together, we will bring new levels of accuracy, productivity, and accelerate the implementation of safe and sustainable workflows to the construction industry,” says Troy Dahlin, VP heavy construction, US/CAN at Leica Geosystems. For more, visit www.johndeere.com.OFFICE SECTOR DRAGS DOWN CONSTRUCTION PLANNINGThe Dodge Momentum Index, a benchmark that measures nonresidential construction planning, fell 1.4 percent in February due to a lackluster reading in the office sector, according to the Dodge Construction Network. Over the month, commercial planning, which includes office construction, tumbled 2.3 percent while institutional planning ticked up 0.1 percent.The drop in February marks the first decrease since November, where weak commercial planning also dragged down overall planning levels, according to Dodge data.“However, the index remains 25 percent higher than where it was just two years ago,” says Sarah Martin, associate director of forecasting for Dodge. “Dodge remains optimistic that nonresidential planning will stay elevated throughout 2024 alongside rising confidence in 2025 market conditions.”For more, visit www.constructiondive.com

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com14project profileLocated in the southwest corner of McHenry County, Illinois, the Riley Consolidated School District campus is home to approximately 300 K-8 students. Originally built in the 1940s with a 1950 addition, updates to the school have been few and far between. By spring of 2022, it was time for an update to this vintage structure.SPATIAL ADVANTAGEUsha Sundaram, AIA, with U.S. Architects P.C., explains some of the challenges encountered during the planning stages of the school addition: “The site was very tight with existing buildings on the north and west, a septic field on the east, and a septic tank on the south.”Sundaram had discovered Echelon’s InsulTech Masonry System while attending an AIA conference in 2017 and chose it as the primary building material for the school extension. “With only 72,000 square feet to work within, we needed the wall to be as thin as possible,” notes Sundaram. “We ruled out precast concrete since it would not be cost effective for this size building, and the interior walls would have had to be furred out for running wiring and piping, reducing the usable area. Traditional cavity walls measure 19 inches versus InsulTech’s 14-inch walls—we saved 5 inches and 150 square feet of usable area in a space where every inch counts.”TIME & LABOR ADVANTAGEInsulTech’s all-in-one, pre-assembled structural masonry units provided the flexibility needed for this project. The system was engineered with five components—structural CMU (concrete masonry unit), Neopor GPS insulation, air barrier, moisture-management drainage channels, and non-structural veneer face—in a single, preassembled 14.25-inch unit. Along with its space-saving properties, the InsulTech system’s design improved efficiency on the job site. The pre-assembled blocks eliminated the multiple passes that would have been necessary to construct standard cavity walls.“Budget was a big consideration,” says Sundaram, “and we saved costs on installation time by using InsulTech. We were able to get the modern look by using full height block at the addition, and then broke up the pattern by adding some center-scored blocks and accent color in the middle without incurring additional expenses.”CODE COMPLIANCE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGEAlthough the budget was too tight for LEED certifications, Sundaram relies on masonry for lifecycle and sustainable benefits. “The future of our kids depends on green practices that use masonry and other materials,” she says.To meet the current International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and save on the school’s energy costs, the project required a top-performing thermal insulation material. School ChoiceSchool Choiceinsultech advantages on the jobsite and beyondMASONRY SYSTEMBy John Cicciarelli

InsulTech’s patented design utilizes BASF Neopor GPS-molded inserts, resulting in an assembled unit with an effective R-Value of 16.0 at 75° F, meeting IECC requirements in Zones 1-7. Sundaram and her team needed to qualify for the ComEd energy rebate for the school and achieved the needed R-Value of 16.0 based on the 2021 ICC code. For soundproofing and noise control, they used acoustical wall panels, suspended acoustic panel luminaire, acoustical roof deck, and the exterior InsulTech masonry system.InsulTech’s internal stainless-steel metal anchors molded into GPS inserts ensured a strong connection to the structural wall, providing wind-load resistance and fire safety. This was a bonus feature for the school since the cafeteria will double as a tornado shelter.TRAINING ADVANTAGEChris Janic of Burroak Masonry (BMI), a Leland, Illinois-based mason contractor, worked with Echelon’s Len Browning to get up to speed on the new material. “As promised, the Oldcastle team members were on-site to provide training for our block layers,” says Janic. “After a sample panel was built, we had Usha come out for review. She had a few questions answered by the team, and the next day we started building up the walls. The job went very well for our company, and we are very proud of the final product.”Sundaram says, “Burroak Masonry did a terrific job, and it worked beautifully. With the pre-assembled, factory-finished units and careful 3D design with nominal masonry dimensions, they didn’t have to cut any block, saving on labor and installation time. We used 5,956 square feet of basic InsulTech blocks with Harvard Brick finish veneers—a good natural product with an excellent lifecycle. Using CADBLOX-generated shop drawings helped us order the precise number of blocks needed, leading to minimum or zero waste.”With both the structural block and exterior veneer available in both standard finishes and Harvard Brick, Sundaram selected a finish that would complement the existing exterior.“With plenty of Harvard Brick color choices, we were able to complement the existing building color scheme,” she says.Sundaram notes the product works even for a smaller scoped project. “The bids came in within the budget,” she says. “The original bid was $2.22M and the final with change orders was $2.28M.” Sundaram noted that $415,000 of the total budget was for masonry.The school welcomed students back in the fall of 2023, and the reaction to the new addition was overwhelmingly positive. “We chose the InsulTech system to save time and money, gain additional square footage, and conserve energy, and we did not spend extra to make it look great. It all worked beautifully, and I would undoubtedly use the InsulTech Masonry System for other projects.” www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202415about the author John Cicciarelli is director of masonry for Oldcastle APG/Echelon Masonry. He can be reached at John.Cicciarelli@oldcastle.com. For more, visit www.echelonmasonry.com.CUTTING EDGE IMPALEMENT PROTECTIONCARNIE CAP is the most effective way to cap exposed rebar while keeping your workers safe and on the job.National OSHA Compliant • CAL-OSHA ApprovedPatent #5826398, 6073415ORDER TODAY!(888) 743-7725 www.carniecap.comWORKS IN HORIZONTAL, VERTICAL & INCLINATIONAPPLICATIONS✓ ASSEMBLE WITH 2X4 OR 2X6 LUMBER ALREADY ON SITE✓ SAFELY DISTRIBUTES WEIGHT ACROSS ENTIRE SYSTEM✓ NO MORE CAPPING EVERYREBAR!✓

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com16FPT Industrial is actively involved in the construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Denmark and Germany, the world’s longest immersed tunnel with a length of 11 miles, which will be the fastest route between Scandinavia and Central Europe. Through its distributor Bimotor, FPT Industrial, the Iveco Group brand dedicated to the design, production, and sale of low-environmental impact powertrains, provided its F36 Stage V engines for power generation to CGM, a leading producer of gensets. CGM gensets powered by FPT Industrial engines are currently operating at the immense worksite, which also includes the largest concrete factory in the world. Due for completion by 2029 and co-financed by the European Commission, the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is composed of 79 standard and 10 special elements. Each standard element is 217 meters long, weighs 73,500 tonnes, and contains two tubes for motorway, two for railway, and a service passage. When an element is ready for shipment, it gets waterproof bulkheads fitted at both ends and is towed into place using tugs. The elements are then lowered into the 12-meter deep tunnel trench dredged on the seabed and are carefully coupled together. This high-precision work requires a large amount of always ready, reliable energy, and that’s where the CGM gensets powered by FPT Industrial engines come in. The F36 engine for CGM’s gensets meets Stage V / Tier 4F emissions requirements and features high-performance (up to 100 kVA PRP at 50 Hz) and high-efficiency operation. The engine comes in an integrated solution, with cooling pack (specifically developed for harsh conditions) and air cleaner pre-installed on the engine, and with a preassembled and pre-validated ATS, offering fast, simple installation. Best-in-class service interval (600 h), one-side serviceability, hydraulic tappets, and lifetime ATS allow for minimum maintenance costs and maximum uptime. “The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will enable traffic to use the shortest and fastest route, thus reducing CO2 emissions and freeing up capacity on roads and railways,” says Guglielmo Tummarello, head of EMEA dealer sales. “We at FPT Industrial are happy and proud to have been chosen to participate in this huge project that will benefit the whole European transport network, and which is perfectly in keeping with our commitment towards sustainability.” Founded by Giorgio Chilese in 1980 and headquartered in Arzignano (Vicenza, Italy), CGM has produced over 48,000 generators, 15,000 in just the last five years, a testament to the continuous growth of its business, which exports to 124 countries and has 51 certified distributors. Bimotor is FPT Industrial’s authorized distributor for Northern Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Croatia, and Slovenia. Since its foundation in 1981, the company has been dedicated to the distribution and customization of diesel engines for industrial and marine applications. Headquartered in Cirié (Turin, Italy), Bimotor incorporates diesel engines into any type of application that is not purely vehicular. Providing the PowerProviding the Powerpowering construction of the world’s longest immersed tunnel FPT INDUSTRIALBy Daniele Pozzofor more informationFor more on FPT Industrial, visit www.fptindustrial.com. project profileBy Daniele Pozzo

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com18equipment solutionPaving equipment presents a number of unique challenges when it comes to transportation. In addition to low ground clearance and gentle slope transitions from the front ramps to the deck and from the deck to the rear of the trailer, operators must also consider mixed-load versatility to maximize not only efficiency, but overall trailer ROI. Additionally, ensuring the safety of crews, the public, and equipment relies on spec’ing the right trailer. Here are three considerations to help paving contractors select an appropriate trailer for safe, efficient equipment hauling.LOAD ANGLEWhen it comes to hauling paving equipment, one of the biggest challenges is often getting the equipment onto the trailer. Rollers, pavers, and other low-clearance equipment require longer loading inclines, whether loading from the front or rear. Larger capacity models also require a gentler load angle at the rear. Meeting this extreme requirement isn’t impossible, it just takes the right approach. For equipment 25 tons and under, tag-a-long trailer models can be used to transport low-clearance equipment. Load angles will vary by manufacturer with some as low as 7-degrees. However, minimizing load angle is achieved through longer ramps and beavertails. This can limit where a trailer can be loaded or offloaded. Additionally, longer ramps are also heavier, making raising and lowering them manually a labor-intensive process. To eliminate the need to handle heavy ramps, look for a trailer with air-ramp or air-tilt capabilities. This increases efficiency and safety.Removable gooseneck trailers are another option that offer higher capacities for better mixed-load versatility. This design eliminates the need to drive up and over the trailer’s rear axle, saving time, hassle, and expense while extending the life of the trailer. These trailers don’t always provide a low load angle, though, so it’s best to work with a manufacturer for a custom design that’s optimized for any intended load, whether that’s paving equipment or a mix of other construction equipment. Additionally, hybrid models are available that combine the benefits of a lowboy design with specialized features for hauling paving equipment. These units offer a longer loading incline and best-in-class lift capacity. A 26-foot deck and 50-ton capacity allows operators to haul a greater range of equipment, from loaders and excavators to rollers and pavers. Specially designed “bolt-on” ramps provide a more gradual load angle at the rear—15-degrees rather than the standard 35-degree angle—increasing versatility for a larger audience of contractors.Lastly, when considering load angle—regardless of whether equipment approaches the trailer from the front or rear—a smooth transition from surface to surface is imperative. Any bumps between the ground and the deck or the deck and the rear bridge can make loading more difficult and dangerous, since it forces equipment operators to increase power to clear the obstacle. CAPACITYNext to load angle, capacity is probably the most important factor in spec’ing a trailer. Unfortunately, it can also be deceiving at times, because determining a trailer’s true capacity often means looking beyond the number on the spec sheet. Not all 55-ton lowboys are created equal. They might all be capable of hauling 55 tons, but informed operators know load concentration plays a huge role in how well they perform at that weight. Some trailers will From Safety to ROIFrom Safety to ROI3 tips for spec’ing the right paving trailerPAVING TRAILERSBy Troy GeislerSome trailers feature specially designed “bolt-on” ramps that provide a more gradual load angle at the rear—15-degrees rather than the standard 35-degree angle—increasing equipment versatility.Paving equipment presents a number of unique challenges when it comes to transportation, and choosing the right trailer is critical.

need the entire deck length to haul 55 tons safely, while a trailer from another manufacturer might only need half the deck length for the same weight. Since loads are rarely uniform, having a trailer rated in half-deck capacity gives operators a more realistic indication of what the trailer will be able to handle without structural failure. Manufacturers that offer half-deck capacity usually design with a two-point rigid load base that accounts for the tire spacing—or hot spots—of large equipment and heavy machinery. This makes trailers with a half-deck rating more versatile and efficient for these loads. DIMENSIONSIn addition to load angle and capacity, operators must also consider the size of the equipment they will be hauling. Starting with the largest piece of equipment, identify the height, width, and weight. Keep in mind what’s on the spec sheet might not include accessories. Additionally, operators looking to move multiple pieces of equipment in one trip should factor in the combined weight and dimensions.This information will help determine the maximum loaded deck height to keep the load from being oversized—remaining less than 13 feet, 6 inches tall. All trailers are designed with a certain degree of camber, or the arch that forms in the center of an empty trailer, which helps prevent excessive deflection in the main beams. As the trailer is loaded, the arch flattens. A full load means a flat deck, resulting in the advertised loaded deck height. Keep in mind, a trailer that’s not loaded to capacity might be higher because the deck has not completely flattened under the weight of the load.Once maximum dimensions are determined, it’s time to find a trailer that brings it all together. PAVING A PATH TO SUCCESSSpec’ing a trailer for paving equipment might come with a few more considerations, but having the right rig promises increased safety and efficiency for every job. Taking the time to work through the options with experienced dealers and manufacturers helps ensure the right trailer rides between the road and the load for long-term success. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202419about the authorTroy Geisler is the vice president of sales and marketing for Talbert Manufacturing. He has more than 20 years of experience in trailer sales, including more than 10 years with Talbert. Troy earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.Removable gooseneck models eliminate the need to drive up and over the trailer’s rear axle, saving time, hassle, and expense while extending the life of the trailer.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com20equipment solutionFelling Trailers’ Air Bi-Fold Ramp system was awarded a U.S. patent grant, U. S. Patent 11,613,197. The Air Bi-fold Ramp system was introduced to the construction and paving industry in 2020 when Felling Trailers initiated the patent process. The patent-approved Air Bi-Fold Ramps system will be featured on Felling's 22-1/2-ton FT-45-2 LP, a tandem-axle low-profile flatbed tag trailer, at this year's World of Asphalt Show in Nashville, Tennessee. Few manufacturers in the marketplace offer an Air Bi-Fold Ramp system, let alone with the functionality that Felling's offers. A key feature of Felling's design is the operation of the flip ramp. The flip ramp locks out fully when extending, preventing scraping or marring of the ground, which is undesirable, especially if it's a new surface of any kind. Another key feature is Felling's controlled flow air-ramp technology, which provides for soft ground contact of the ramp, keeping new surfaces free from being damaged.Filing for a U.S. patent is an extensive process, taking anywhere from two to three years from start to finish. Felling's VP of Engineering worked with a Registered Patent Agent to complete the many steps in the process, from patent search to application to acceptance. Once a U.S. Patent is granted, it remains in effect for a period of twenty years from the original filing date. The patent protects the intellectual property of the Air Bi-fold Ramp system design, preventing others from creating, making, or selling a similar product. "The patent helps to protect our invention and maintain Felling Trailers' presence in the marketplace as an innovative solutions provider both today and in the future," says Patrick Jennissen, Felling Trailers’ VP of sales and marketing.The Air Bi-Fold Ramps are 45 inches wide by 11 feet. For over a decade, Felling Trailers has offered air ramps with available lengths of 6 to 8 feet. The 11-foot Air Bi-Fold ramps were designed to accommodate the load angle necessary for loading cumbersome low-clearance equipment, such as paving equipment and directional drills. The Air Bi-Fold Ramps’ length gives the operator a gentler, more gradual incline to ease loading/unloading with its 9.5º load angle with the option of air-ride suspension when the air is dropped. Felling Trailers’ Air-Ramp technology allows operators to use the tow vehicles’ onboard air system to power the ramps, eliminating the maintenance of an onboard electric/hydraulic system.“These ramps are available on a wide range of air brake-equipped trailers and allow the safe loading of most paving equipment with ease,” says Nathan Uphus, Felling Trailers’ sales manager. “Air-operated ramps are far more reliable than those powered by an electric/hydraulic pump, making it a clear choice for many paving crews.” The patented air bi-fold ramps system is currently available on 20, 22.5, 25, and 30-ton tag series, with plans to expand into the semi-trailer lines. Surface-friendly InnovationsSurface-friendly Innovationsfelling trailers awarded patent for air bi-fold ramp systemPAVING TRAILERSBy Rebecca Geradsfor more informationFor more, visit www.felling.com.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com22equipment solutionI’ve been around construction for more than 25 years. I’m particularly familiar with moving big RORO (roll-on/roll-off) equipment, I even drove for a while, and have a practical understanding of what it’s like to be in the field and faced with trying to load equipment onto a trailer that’s not well suited to the task.I bring that prior experience to my job at Alta Equipment Company, which operates one of the largest integrated equipment dealership platforms in the U.S. I’m deeply involved in spec’ing our equipment and because of my background, I specialize in trailers.BEYOND THE BLUEPRINTOver the years, I’ve gone around and around with some trailer OEMs and have often been less than satisfied with their willingness to build the specific type of boxes I need. They are often very resistant to modifying existing trailer designs or make significant customization.About nine years ago, I came across a trailer manufacturer with a vastly different attitude about customization. Not only were they willing to entertain design modifications but were enthusiastic about creating uniquely configured trailers purpose-designed to solve problems. Pratt Industries is an OEM trailer manufacturer located in southwest Michigan. The company has been building trailers since 1974. In this article, I’m going to review three projects that I think highlight the kinds of success stories that are possible when knowledgeable professionals collaborate to troubleshoot, brainstorm, and creatively resolve real-world equipment hauling issues. 60-TON DROP AXLE TRAILERI had a customer with a fleet of 45-metric-ton excavators with short sticks and big buckets. No matter what we tried, we couldn’t fit them into the knuckle trough and get their stick height down. Not only was this causing the customer to pay more in permit costs for the excess height, but they were also having to remove the bucket and haul it separately, so they were hauling two loads with each deployment.I took this problem to Clarence Schubach, senior engineer at Pratt, which resulted in an innovative trailer design. Clarence came up with the creative idea of using a unique drop axle, also called a yacht axle, because it’s often used for hauling large boats. The axle drops down about 9 inches in its center. In addition, Clarence repositioned the axles and made other space-saving structural modifications, from recessing the deck to reengineering the crossmembers. The resulting trailer configuration allowed us to fold that entire boom down into the rear bridge, above the wheels. The novel trailer design enabled the fleet to reduce its stick height from approximately 15 feet to about 13 feet and 6 inches. Not only did they save on the reduced height permitting, but they no longer had to remove the bucket for transport. Now they could haul their big excavators in just one trip.SPECIALIZED 60-TON RAISED CENTER TRAILERMost trailer manufacturers build a raised-center trailer that’s about 48 inches from outside to outside of the center beams. So, anything Tailor-made TrailersTailor-made Trailerscustomized trailers meet specific contractor demandsTRANSPORTATIONBy Ben BerardBy using a drop “yacht” axle and space-saving structural modifications, Pratt’s 60-ton drop axle trailer allows users to fold an entire excavator boom down into the rear bridge, above the wheels.

www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202423that has a narrower profile carriage or has a smaller space between its tracks, such as a compact dozer, can have a problem clearing the beams. This results in a lot of raised center trailers hauling small equipment with one set of tracks up on one of the center beams and the other set down on the deck.I brought this problem to Pratt, and they again had a great solution. They capped their center beams at 40 inches outside to outside, because all the baby dozers like a CAT D3 or a Komatsu D31 have 42-inch spaces between their tracks. This design allowed small equipment to straddle the beams and keep their tracks on the flat deck during transport.This brings us to the knuckle-trough issue. The area between the two center beams is where the knuckle comes down when an excavator is folded into its transport position. Most manufacturers will close that opening to 20 inches or less. Unfortunately, for big equipment, you need at least 27.5 inches. Pratt specially engineered beams that would flair out in the rear, at about the last four feet of the deck, so you could fit the big knuckles down in between the beams. The resulting specialized 60-ton raised center is an amazingly versatile trailer that can accommodate almost anything. It allows users to haul everything from a baby dozer to a big excavator, like a CAT 349F.HYDRAULIC DETACHABLE NECK TRAILERThe standard profile of most detachable neck trailers is somewhat pronounced, so you can’t get equipment close to the neck, because it won’t clear it. Once equipment is loaded, there is also a problem with hydraulic lifting power. I’ve seen situations where operators had to reposition excavators in multiple different ways to make them fit. I’ve also seen situations where nothing does the trick.In response, Pratt developed a low-profile, seven-position, all-terrain ratchet neck. The neck enables equipment to be positioned far forward without interference. Pratt also engineered the trailer with four powerful hydraulic cylinders at a slight incline to maximize their physical lifting force. The result is a highly functional trailer that is easy to load and won’t let you down once it’s laden with even the biggest equipment.FINAL THOUGHTSEssentially, I have found that the people at Pratt love a challenge, but I see these qualities less and less in today’s world. Finding the right trailer manufacturer that’s willing to listen, collaborate, and solve customer problems, is worth it when it comes to moving yellow iron. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202423about the authorBen Berard brings over 25 years of seasoned expertise in the heavy equipment industry to his role as Inventory Manager at ALTA Equipment Company. With a background that spans hands-on experience in the yards of major heavy equipment dealerships to managing trucking and trailer operations, Berard’s comprehensive knowledge of the sector is exceptional.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com24management solutionThe construction industry continues to be buffeted by challenges, both longstanding and developing. Many builders are still struggling to find enough skilled labor, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting in November 2023 that there were 459,000 job openings across the construction industry. At the same time, construction supply chains remain impacted by disruptions and cost pressures, while sustainability needs are growing with 2030 benchmark deadlines looming.One increasingly popular building methodology, offsite construction, can help construction firms address these challenges. Last year, Maximize Market Research estimated the offsite construction market is expected to grow at a 5.8 percent compound annual growth rate from 2022 to 2029 to reach $369.72 billion.This approach, in which components are manufactured remotely and then delivered to the construction site for assembly, offers several benefits. Project timelines can be reduced, and safety improved. In addition, offsite construction can eliminate some of the waste associated with building, and jobsite labor needs can be also reduced. Proponents also see quality gains as well as minimized disruption to areas surrounding worksites.However, for the efficiency gains to be realized, it’s critical that schedules be synchronized across all teams, including offsite fabrication facilities. SUSTAINABLE, EFFICIENT WAY TO BUILDThere are different forms of offsite construction. Each of them is slightly different and achieves slightly different ends. “Minimal offsite or kitting,” when the materials needed for a particular scope of work are palletized and shipped to the jobsite, is the least divergent from the traditional construction model. When components such as entire sections of walls or rooms, with electrical outlets and plumbing hook-ups included, are sent to the construction site for incorporation in the final product, it’s known as “mid-level offsite.” Finally, “complex offsite” involves larger portions of a structure being prefabricated offsite and assembled into a truly modular building on site.Because only the precise amount of materials needed for a given project will be used, each level of offsite construction helps reduce waste on projects. Further, because of the repetitive nature of offsite construction, quality can be better monitored with fewer skilled workers required to be on site.However, offsite construction methods also add complexity to a project, as the master schedule needs to be coordinated with an offsite fabrication schedule. In addition, offsite production forecasts need to be coordinated with supply chain lead times to ensure the proper inventory is maintained. COORDINATIONFor offsite construction to really be a more sustainable and efficient way to build, the offsite and jobsite construction teams need the right processes in place to coordinate the demand of the construction components, keep track of the various shipments arriving to the build site, and predict any major supply chain setbacks that could present a problem down the line.Teams looking to utilize offsite construction should adopt a modern project portfolio-management and scheduling solution that can address the complexities of offsite construction. The right management system will help teams maximize the added efficiency of the approach and keep them in constant contact with the third parties that are fabricating components. An open and robust scheduling tool enables the automated bidirectional linkage between project master schedule and offsite/factory production schedules. This type of platform helps ensure the offsite and jobsite teams remain in sync, even when they face unexpected scheduling changes.Additionally, a reliable project-management solution should improve collaboration Coordination Is KeyCoordination Is Keyovercoming challenges for more efficient projectsOFFSITE CONSTRUCTION By Frank Malangone, Oracle Construction and Engineering

between the teams for better quality control of offsite-manufactured assemblies, helping to track the status of production orders and ensure quality before assemblies arrive on a jobsite.If one of the prefabricated pieces needed to complete construction is being delayed at the source or is facing shipment difficulties due to severe weather, advanced project-management software would instantly send a notification and cross-examine the project plan to identify related scheduling issues.OPTIMIZED SUPPLY CHAIN SUPPORTTeams can use technology to monitor supply chains to best manage the efficient procurement of materials, ensuring the manufacturing process is not delayed. To accomplish this, production managers must establish strong relationships with reliable suppliers. Then, with a holistic management platform, production managers can forecast inventory demand, reduce the likelihood of untimely deliveries, and implement strategies to mitigate supply chain risks. Offsite construction can be a powerful way to the many challenges confronting projects. It offers enhanced standardization to both project-management processes and with the modular components that can contribute to efficiency, consistency, and a smoother flow within construction projects. With the right project-management solution to help teams navigate the many moving parts and potential supply chain disruptions, offsite construction can help turn a complex web of deliveries into a navigable set of to-dos. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202425about the authorFrank Malangone is executive director, industry strategy and innovation, for Oracle Construction and Engineering. For more, visit www.oracle.com/construction-engineering.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com26management solutionMany good project schedulers in construction end up managing schedules that are delayed and have fallen off the critical path. In project management, there are no bad project schedules—rather, there are projects which have a project scheduler working on them instead of a scheduling expert.In the project management field, these experts are often referred to as “unicorns” and are defined as:“A project team member who is highly skilled and passionate about their work but, most importantly, a team member who is exceptionally rare.” Scheduling experts are those rare and unique unicorns who are not only top performers on a project but also have an extraordinarily high level of expertise and experience managing project schedules.THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT DOCUMENTConstruction scheduling experts are the “cleaners” brought in to make sense of and shape up the schedule, as well as safeguard it like the precious cargo it is. They understand more than any other team member that the schedule is king.A compelling case can be made that the project schedule is the most important tool related to a construction project. While it’s often viewed as just one critical document of a larger plan, the schedule is the component that assigns work tasks and activities as well as plans their timing and sequence. DOES YOU PROJECT NEED A SCHEDULING EXPERT?Problems occur when there is poor schedule “quality.” Telltale signs of poor quality include schedules containing a high frequency of the negative performance indicators as outlined by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) guidelines. These guidelines were eventually adopted by the construction industry and identify “bad practices” for scheduling as: • Missing logic• High frequency of constraints• High-duration activities• High negative and positive lag• Hidden critical delays To find the true hallmark of a bad schedule, look no further than its results. Does the project have delays, cost overruns, and/or claims filed?A good project schedule does the opposite. It is built with sound logic, incorporates best practices, and is responsive and resilient. A great project schedule has a solid and clear critical path and clearly illuminates future project risks (such as adverse impacts and any delays) before they hit.PROJECT SCHEDULER VS. SCHEDULING EXPERTMost construction projects have a project scheduler, who is hired at the start of the project and plans the construction on behalf of the management team. A project scheduler should have at least 3-5 years of experience, and foundational project management knowledge is a prerequisite, as are primary scheduling skills, essential training, certification (such as Oracle or PMI), as well as the following: 1. Knowledge of how to create a project schedule.2. Having expert knowledge of and proficiency in scheduling software and programs such as Primavera P6 or MS Project.3. Understanding the critical mechanics of a schedule, such as critical path method (CPM) and earned value management (EVM).4. Managing the schedule and providing oversight throughout the extent of the project, including performing routine project updates, running reports, monitoring the project for any changes, and updating stakeholders.These skills represent only the most basic level of scheduling expertise. Most construction projects need a scheduling expert who has a background in project controls management.A scheduling expert has extensive expertise in data analytics, as well as the ability to:1. Identify true critical path delay to assess why a project is late and who or what actually caused the delay.The Search for a UnicornThe Search for a Unicornfinding the next scheduling expertPROJECT SCHEDULINGBy Michael Pink

2. Analyze schedule compression and schedule changes or updates to gauge the feasibility of those changes.3. Utilize historical data to perform predictive analytics and forecasting to deliver projects on time.A scheduling expert's qualifications and skill sets extend well beyond those of a regular scheduler. Scheduling experts should have a minimum of 8 years of experience and have at least one of the following certifications:• PMI (SP): Project Management Institute Scheduling Professional• AACE International PSP: Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International, Planning and Scheduling Professional Scheduling experts not only enter data but study the data. Rather than just focusing on keeping an end date at all costs, truly great scheduling experts will be singularly focused on the truth. They will follow best practices even if that means studying the data at length and reporting uncomfortable truths or the reality that the project may have failed to meet deliverable goals and deadlines.FINDING THE SCHEDULING EXPERT UNICORNScheduling expert “unicorns” are in high demand, difficult to find, and can be expensive. They are usually hired after things go wrong (i.e., when claims have been filed or disputes are underway), so their services often come at a significant cost. That’s why I recommend hiring a scheduling expert for every project and hiring them early. Although they will eat into your project budget, the savings they generate in terms of time, resources, and finances make them worth it. If brought on early, their fees are a fraction of what delays, overruns, and disputes will eventually cost the project without one.One method for finding your own scheduling unicorn is by searching on LinkedIn using the keywords “scheduling expert” or using certification terms such as “Planning and Scheduling Professionals” or “PMI SP,” etc. Networking, word-of-mouth, and finding scheduling experts on networking organizations such as AACE International are also good options.If budget constraints are an issue, another solution is to utilize new technology and software already out there to crush the data for you. By leveraging construction analytic software on your next construction project instead of a scheduling expert, you can realize significant savings in both time and money to ensure the best project outcomes. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202427about the authorMichael A. Pink is CEO of SmartPM Technologies, a leading provider of software for schedule data analysis. You can follow him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mapink/.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com28management solutionThe cost of building materials has skyrocketed almost 40 percent over the last four years. At the same time, vandalism and theft at construction sites are at an all-time high, costing the industry more than a billion dollars per year. The need to secure commercial construction sites has never been greater. To combat the issue, much of the focus has long been on the first line of defense. Physical barriers, access control points, and closed-circuit TV cameras have been enlisted with some degree of success. While new, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled mobile security trailers are proving highly efficient at spotting a security threat, the focal point is now shifting from bytes to brains. How humans within a security-monitoring center react to those AI-triggered events is becoming the great differentiator for construction companies in pursuit of a zero-loss jobsite. Advancing AI, which can quickly distinguish car lights, a stray cat, or even changes in cloud cover from a legitimate threat, will remain essential for mobile security. However, after a genuine security event is flagged, it is sent to a centralized monitoring location where each event must be assessed in real-time by humans to determine the appropriate next steps. According to construction executives charged with increasing site safety, too often this part of the equation delivers substandard results. “We’ve had occurrences where the person doing the monitoring must have fallen asleep or something, because things went missing off a job site, but they never reported seeing anything,” says Edward Glover, a Phoenix, Arizona-based assistant project manager at Layton Construction, a nationally ranked commercial contractor. ASSET SECURITY MONITORINGLike Glover, many construction companies are making the switch from outmoded security-monitoring firms—focused predominantly on setting up the hardware on a jobsite—to companies that deploy a centralized Security Operations Center (SOC) with integrated AI capabilities. These facilities provide 24/7 alert monitoring, trained security response experts, and daily hardware checkups. In addition, some of these SOC providers even make weekly visits to the construction site to ensure operational efficiency. Layton Construction is working on a massive 100-acre industrial park in Arizona with multiple buildings with numerous blind spots. They enlisted several security-monitoring systems to guard the project and are currently recording about two alerts per week, which have been vetted by a monitoring expert. “I get a text alert and then a phone call the moment anyone attempts to come on-site,” explains Glover. “A link is also sent, so I can view the footage and see why the camera went off. Then we determine what needs to be done, which may include calling the police. We've caught several perpetrators this way.” Recently, an incident occurred at the Layton industrial park project when someone onsite falsely identified themselves as a subcontractor. Glover was able to quickly review the onsite footage, and the security-monitoring team alerted the police who apprehended the individual. “If we did not have this type of advanced security monitoring in place, I can almost guarantee something would have been stolen,” adds Glover. PROTECTIVE PREFERENCEWhile calling the police is one option, security-monitoring experts can employ additional measures. This is significant during the current nationwide shortage of law enforcement officers, which could increase response times. As an example, some security monitoring trailers provide a talk-down speaker that delivers impressive results. "We had one case where we warned an active trespasser,” recalls Jason Gratton, VP of Stallion Infrastructure Services, a national provider of mobile security, video surveillance, and communications services. “They were still Eyes on ProtectionEyes on Protectionback-end monitoring centers heighten jobsite securityTHEFT PREVENTIONBy Greg RankinEyes on ProtectionEyes on Protectionback-end monitoring centers heighten jobsite securityTHEFT PREVENTIONBy Greg Rankin

holding a bunch of materials they were trying to steal. So, our SOC operator yells out: ‘Drop it, now!' The guy actually does, and almost falls over while running to his car."While those instances demonstrate an effective approach to a trespasser, the primary goal is to intervene before the perimeter fence has been breached. “We have seen instances where Stallion’s monitoring picks people up beyond the fence,” says Mason Mellema, project manager at DPR Construction, a general contractor focused on highly complex and technical projects. “They are looking to stop an unwanted entry before they actually step foot on the jobsite.” ADAPTIVE SECURITYDPR is working on a high-profile healthcare facility in the Phoenix area, which started out as a greenfield project. “The first thing that went up were the fencing, screening, and secured-access points,” explains Mellema. "Once the materials and equipment began arriving, we needed security and monitoring. As the building started coming up and more assets arrived, our monitoring needs changed. This required us to reconfigure the number and location of the monitoring equipment.”“You have to be able to accommodate that type of change,” says Gratton. “Construction is such a dynamic environment—things literally change every single day.”In this context, security-monitoring experts function like onsite consultants. Through daily video exposure and weekly in-person checkups, they can understand the nuances of each site, as well as the needs of each phase of production. “The security-monitoring team might say something like ‘Hey, you guys are getting ready to button up drywall—maybe it’s time to move the monitoring equipment,’” adds Glover. “What we are getting is really more proactive than reactive.” Other times, the construction crew might try to be vigilant but inadvertently cause visibility issues which need to be addressed.“We have seen workers park equipment closer to the camera, thinking this enhances security, but what they're doing is actually blocking the view of the camera,” explains Gratton.When this happens, Stallion, for example, generates an immediate security ticket, which escalates to the security-monitoring experts who contact the relevant jobsite personnel to clear the view. “If we need a station repositioned, they are quick to respond,” explains Mellema. “We feel our site is now more secure than ever.” The goal for any construction project is to maintain a zero-loss site. That is increasingly dependent on how well security-monitoring experts can address a threat and implement the right action plan. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202429about the authorGreg Rankin is a Houston-based freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience writing about security, safety, and equipment within the construction industry.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com30safety solutionWhether you’re using a hand shovel or an excavator, an earth drill or a trencher, a hole is a hole, and there are several safety precautions that come along with a digging project. Sharp tools present the opportunity for dangerous situations, even more so when combined with the power of a mechanical or hydraulic rig. Choosing a safe machine, calling before you dig, and operating the machine according to manufacturer recommendations are all things to consider. Keeping safety in mind before starting any job is crucial to avoiding injuries, some of which can be serious.SELECT A SAFE DRILLChoosing a drill with safety-enhancing features can make or break a project. No matter what kind of drill you’re looking for—mechanical or hydraulic, a larger rig or smaller piece of equipment—there are certain features that ensure the safest operation.First, make sure the drill has a torque bar. This addition protects operators from the harmful effects of a drill’s torque by transferring kickback from the auger to the power source. By distributing force to the engine carriage as opposed to the handles, one person can safely and comfortably operate these drills. In addition to protecting the operator from harm, torque tubes reduce operator effort and fatigue.Torque tubes are the only way to ensure safe operation of a one-man drill. The torque tube eliminates the kickback common with competitive earth augers, making one-man drilling safe, fast, and productive. Many two-man drills exist, but if they’re not operated correctly, they present a handful of potential issues. If one operator slips or lets go, the other operator risks being thrown and injured. A one-man earth drill is designed to be a safe and efficient piece of equipment. Additionally, mechanical drills are often equipped with a centrifugal clutch. If the auger encounters an object beneath the surface or if it’s overloaded, the clutch automatically slips to protect the operator from serious injury.CALL BEFORE YOU STARTCalling before you dig can make the difference between smooth sailing and a potential disaster. There are millions of miles of buried utilities below the surface, including gas lines, underground sprinklers, sewer pipes, and more. Buried gas or power lines are the most dangerous, with the potential for electrocution, fire, severe burns, or even fatalities. Always call the national diggers hotline at 811 at least 48 hours prior to digging to have underground utilities marked. When the inspector arrives, pay attention to the details because state laws differ when it comes to how long your permits are valid and what the paint or flags indicate. There may be multiple utility lines to be aware of. Besides underground utilities, you should have a general idea of what lies below. Fill material, wood, rocks, and more can be hidden underground. Take a survey of your site beforehand. Not only does this provide another level of safety, but it helps you make the right decision on which kind of drill bit to select. OPERATE SAFELYAfter you’ve equipped yourself with the safest drill and underground utilities have been marked, it’s time to start your project. If you’ve chosen a one-man drill, it’s important to operate the drill alone, as the handles are designed for a solo operation. Bystanders should be at least 10 feet away, and everyone should be wearing hard hats and safety goggles.Avoid loose-fitting clothing, including gloves. If work gloves are too loose, they can hinder your ability to appropriately operate the drill. Wear work boots or quality athletic shoes, avoiding hanging shoelaces that could get caught in the auger. Once the auger is running, position it perpendicular to the ground for the best possible control and optimal results. Touch the Avoid Dangers When DiggingAvoid Dangers When Digginghow to reduce excavation hazardsEARTH DRILLINGBy Joe HaynesPosition the auger perpendicular to the ground for the best possible control and touch it to the ground before it starts rotating. Adjust the downward pressure based on the soil conditions.

auger to the ground before it starts rotating. For the best control, adjust the downward pressure based on the soil conditions. If the soil is soft, ease up slightly. If the ground is harder, apply a little more pressure, but not so much that rotation slows or stops.Once you’ve reached the desired depth, there’s a proper procedure for safely removing the auger from the ground. Release the throttle control and allow the auger to come to a complete stop. Once the auger has stopped turning, it can safely be removed from the hole. Hydraulic rigs feature a forward/reverse lever to make it easier to lift the dirt out. This allows the operator to ease the drill out of the ground as opposed to tugging heavily on the equipment, greatly minimizing the physical effort required to get the job done. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202431about the authorJoe Haynes is president of Little Beaver Inc., a manufacturer of safe and productive drilling equipment for three generations. For more, visit www.littlebeaver.com.WE BUILD STUFF, TOO.Like better business practices and stronger bottom lines.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com32technology solutionWhitefish, Montana-based Eagle River Construction and Excavation, LLC has made a name for itself as a go-to specialty contractor for commercial earthworks and utility jobs throughout Montana’s Flathead Valley. Founder and owner Corey Hale recalls building his career in construction following his work in the oil fields. “In the early days, I was a one-man operation using a mini excavator to take on small jobs such as spec houses,” he says. “Largely self-taught, I spent a lot of time improving my skills both as an operator and as a project manager and emerging business owner.”He officially founded Eagle River in 2017, soon after getting his first commercial job performing the earthworks for a new Starbucks building. Hale recalled, “That opportunity gave me an entry into the commercial space and to the potential of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) that I had seen on some equipment.”Subsequently, he contacted Caleb Ihrig at SiTech Western States to look at pricing, and soon had his first base and rover to check grades. In 2022, he tested the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform on a dozer. “That opened my eyes to what machine control, and specifically Trimble Earthworks, could do for me,” he continues.He then considered putting grade control on one of his excavators and a compact track loader. “It was during this time that Caleb brought up the Trimble Works Plus Subscription option,” he says.The Trimble Works Plus subscription is a flexible program available in the U.S. and Canada that lets contractors invest in the latest hardware and software. The fixed monthly fee includes installation, hardware and software upgrades, full factory warranty, repair or replacement of accidentally damaged hardware, and SiTech support for everything from on-machine grade control systems, to off-machine base stations, to data collectors and rovers. Also, every subscription bundle includes a single license of Trimble WorksManager and Trimble WorksOS field-to-office software to easily transfer data to and from devices over the internet. “I really liked the fact that it’s just a monthly payment over a certain amount of time,” says Hale. “But the biggest benefit is that my hardware and software is always current. This program has made it super easy to invest in GNSS across my fleet—and I have the full support of SiTech and Trimble.”Currently, Hale has his base stations, rovers, and Trimble Earthworks licenses on his subscription.“If I buy any more machines or need any more Trimble equipment, I will definitely go through the Works Plus subscription. It just makes investment in technology much more manageable,” he says.TALENT/TECHNOLOGY CROSSOVERThe flexibility to invest in technology across his fleet through the Works Plus subscription has provided Hale with an unexpected benefit of talent development. “Like many in the industry, we’re having a hard time finding operators,” he says. “When we do find someone, even if they don’t have a lot of experience, the technology helps get them up to speed very quickly. The software is user-friendly, and once they use it a few times, it’s pretty straightforward, especially on a dozer.”While the excavator is a bit more complicated, Hale says the Trimble Earthworks “autos” or automatics mode is a lifesaver. “I've taught everyone on my team how to use it on every piece of equipment, Upgrade as Business GrowsUpgrade as Business Growscontractor subscribes to a progressive path to GNSSGNSS MACHINE CONTROLBy Vicki Speed

including the excavator. It's super simple, because the operator controls the stick, and Trimble Earthworks controls the boom and bucket. It's been really nice.”COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGEHale recalls one of his first jobs with GNSS-enabled equipment was in Columbia Falls, supporting the construction of a new 18,000-square-foot ACE Hardware store. As the earthworks subcontractor, Eagle River was tasked to dig and pave the parking lot, sidewalks and curbing, prepare retention ponds, a storm-detention system, sanitary sewer systems, and install erosion control. “We built the entire job using our 3D model and GNSS,” he says.Hale’s workflow is entirely 3D. He receives the design files from the engineer, then has a local service build the model, loads the designs on the equipment with WorkManager, and gets to work. “We pretty much built this entire job off my 3D model with Trimble Earthworks,” he adds. “Interestingly, we couldn't get the surveyors out there to survey the building corners because they were so busy—but we had the control network, so we got to work. It worked great.”A more recent project is the earthwork on a senior affordable housing complex in Kalispell. As the earthworks subcontractor, Eagle River is tasked with all of the earthwork for the construction of the three story, 31-apartment structure. Those efforts include installing storm drains, digging and installing the water, fire, and sewer utilities, paving the parking area, and constructing curbs and gutters.“We are doing this entire project with grade control. I dug 100 percent of the foundation with my Cat 320 hydraulic track-hoe excavator equipped with Trimble Earthworks. Once I completed a section, I verified the depth with the rover,” says Hale. “The whole process is straightforward and accurate. It’s definitely a huge time-saver, while also saving on material costs.”While he hasn’t calculated the ROI from using the GNSS, he sees benefits in operator efficiency, job productivity and accuracy, and customer satisfaction. His goal is to GNSS-enable all of his equipment and have his entire team—now numbering 10 operators—trained on every piece of equipment.“I see that happening soon with help from the Works Plus subscription,” he says. “Once we have technology on everything, we can do projects faster with a smaller team. That makes us very competitive when bidding on ever more complex jobs against much larger earthworks contractors. That’s the GNSS advantage.” www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202433for more informationFor more, visit www.trimble.com.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com34technology solutionFusion, available from Fecon LLC, is a new user-friendly telematics platform that uses state-of-the-art features such as automatic machine calibration, location services, and performance tracking to make productivity gains in mulching operations. Fusion automatically calibrates the attachment to the carrier in real-time to optimize performance, minimize downtime, and expand the machine’s lifespan. Fusion is initially available on high-flow Bull Hog and Blackhawk attachments.The system is designed to bring intelligent control technology to a new level in the mulching industry, drastically improving mulching operations. The ingenuity of Fusion’s performance lies in its simplicity. From the get-go, Fusion automates mulcher setup to improve performance and productivity through its Plug n’ Play design, which eliminates manual setup and tuning. With this feature, customers can attach their mulcher to any compatible carrier and run the machine with increased performance. The mulcher is optimized to the carrier and working conditions at all times, with no extra work for the user. Another attractive feature is how the technology continually collects and adapts to information based on dynamic conditions such as temperature, altitudes, carrier settings, and carrier efficiency. At the start of the day, Fusion will detect a cold carrier and automatically adjust and tailor machine settings to those that work best in colder temperatures. As the machine warms up throughout the day, Fusion will tune the settings for those higher temperatures. The machine starts learning as soon as it is attached to a carrier, but an operator can choose to initiate a learn sequence through the Fusion app. This learning system ensures a Fecon mulcher is always operating at peak performance. “One of the biggest struggles both dealers and operators face is tuning the mulching head to the carrier,” says Ryan Bricker, Fecon senior product manager. “We’ve completely removed that hassle and any associated delay by offering this Plug n’ Play design. It ensures that no matter the carrier, its age and condition, or the location and temperature, our customers will receive maximum performance out of the Fecon mulching head. And it makes it easy for them to swap carriers.”Fusion’s benefits are not exclusive to its automatic calibration, as its continuous collection of mulcher operational data enhances productivity in a variety of ways. Fleet managers, for example, can use the data to assess and improve machine performance, note a machine’s last location, or identify problems in operations. Dealers can use the data to better service their customers by quickly identifying the source of a problem in machine function and make swift corrections. According to the manufacturer, with Fusion, users can see up to 50 percent faster rotor recovery times, 30 percent fewer stalls, and a 40 percent increase in jobsite efficiency.Fecon Fusion PlatformFecon Fusion Platformintelligent control for mulching equipmentTELEMATICSBy Courtney HaagFecon unveils Fusion, a telematics platform that uses smart technology to make productivity gains in mulching operations.Fusion, Fecon’s new control technology, automatically tunes your attachment to your carrier in real-time and boasts state-of-the-art features that include automatic machine calibration, location services, and performance tracking.

Fusion works with the Fecon mobile application, available in the Apple App Store, allowing users to easily incorporate the benefits into their day-to-day operations. Users can use the Fusion app for several tasks, including changing the mulcher settings, initiating the learn function, or simply viewing real-time information on how the mulcher is running. The real-time display offers operators convenient access to crucial information. Fecon plans to expand the benefits of the system by adding additional features to the software, such as performance modes that will allow users to automatically adjust machine settings to match the current job. Similar to a four-wheel drive vehicle, where a user has the option to select “snow” or “mud” based on current conditions, the upcoming performance modes will tailor the mulcher to the optimal settings for that particular application. While automated technology in equipment can sometimes seem intimidating, Jeff Stanley, Fecon’s senior vice president of product development, assures customers there is nothing intimidating about it. Stanley says, “With Fusion, we’re adding so much value to the customer and simplifying the product. It has more technology, tools, and expanded data capabilities, but it’s important that customers realize how easy it is to use.” www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202435for more informationFor more, visit www.fecon.com.1-877-350-5584

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com36technology solutionIt’s hard to ignore the impact artificial intelligence (AI) has on many industries. Virtually every sector is starting to experiment with the technology, and the once-tech-adverse construction industry is no exception. The use of AI in construction safety is particularly promising.Risk is part of the job in construction. Any process with so much manual labor and heavy equipment will naturally entail some hazards, but that doesn’t mean firms must settle for their current safety figures. Some believe AI could unlock a new era in construction site safety.Despite this technology’s newness, firms have already found multiple uses for it under the umbrella of construction safety.SAFER PROJECT PLANNINGHazard prevention begins before a project enters the construction phase, as do AI applications. Machine learning models can analyze past incidents to learn what conditions make certain hazards more or less likely. They can then perform in-depth, reliable risk assessments for each project.Early examples of this technology have seen 25 percent reductions in recordable incidents among some companies, reports Business Insider. That’s because AI’s more accurate assessments lead to relevant safety planning and employee training.REAL-TIME MONITORINGThe benefits of AI in construction safety extend into the actual building phase of the project. Internet of Things (IoT) devices and connected cameras can gather real-time data on a work site that AI monitors to alert you of emerging hazards.For example, federal law requires fall protection for any ladder above 24 feet, but that exact benchmark can be hard to spot in the moment. AI can analyze video feeds from on-site cameras to detect when ladders approach that height without fall protection and alert workers to the issue. Alternatively, the systems could monitor data from smart vests or connected helmets to notify employees when they’re nearing exhaustion, suggesting they take a break.PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCEPredictive maintenance (PdM) is a more familiar AI application for many construction firms. This strategy is another example of AI monitoring IoT data but applies to equipment’s operating conditions. AI alerts maintenance personnel when real-time factors suggest a machine will need repair soon.PdM can catch potential errors before they’re outwardly noticeable, as AI is better at spotting trends in data than humans. Consequently, it’s better at preventing equipment breakdowns that may endanger operators or nearby workers.ONGOING IMPROVEMENTSYou can also use AI in construction safety to enable long-term improvements. The same kinds of models that perform site-risk assessments can detect larger trends by analyzing incident data across multiple projects. This analysis can reveal common mistakes or hazards to address to make future projects safer.This kind of analysis is challenging to do manually, as trends and their causes can be easy to miss in large data pools. However, that’s exactly what AI is best at, so this use case can yield significant improvements.Does AI Have All the Answers?Does AI Have All the Answers?the future of construction equipment safetyARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCEBy Emily Newton

CHALLENGES OF AI IN CONSTRUCTIONAI may seem like the answer to all construction safety woes if you only look at these benefits. However, this technology has several downsides that limit its practicality—at least for now. It’s important to understand these challenges before investing in AI.One of the biggest limitations of AI in any context is its need for huge amounts of information. Machine learning models require thousands or even millions of data points to produce reliable results. Gathering all that information and ensuring it’s accurate and clean is a time-consuming, expensive process.Generative AI in construction may provide a solution, as it can generate synthetic data to train other models. Alternatively, you could look for off-the-shelf, pretrained AI systems, which are becoming more common. However, remember that AI still needs large datasets to be as accurate as possible.As reliable as AI often is, it’s far from perfect. AI can only identify and respond to trends in data. It can’t technically judge truth from fiction. Consequently, using generative AI in construction can lead to hallucinations—instances where AI spouts outright falsehoods as fact—which can create serious safety issues if you act on them.Similarly, detection models are prone to false positives. While it’s better to be safe than sorry regarding safety, too many alerts can lead to complacency and hinder on-site productivity.CYBERSECURITY CONCERNSAI can introduce new cybersecurity concerns. Because AI requires so much data, models may attract more attention from cybercriminals. Construction is already the most-targeted industry for ransomware, according to file-encryption software company NordLocker, so many firms can’t afford to become even bigger targets.AI is also vulnerable to data poisoning attacks, where criminals insert misleading information into a training dataset, causing the model to become unreliable. These attacks could lead to significant missteps if you take AI analyses at face value, so protecting against them is crucial when using AI. Restricting access permissions and encrypting datasets can help, but many firms lack cybersecurity expertise.GET READY FOR THE AGE OF AIDespite these concerns, AI is increasing in construction safety. All these issues are addressable. Best practices will emerge as more key industry players find ways around them, enabling safer, more reliable AI rollouts.AI’s benefits are too advantageous for the industry not to capitalize on. This shift is already taking place, so AI could redefine construction safety before long. It’s now a matter of when and not if. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202437about the authorEmily Newton is an industrial writer who specializes in covering how technology is disrupting industrial sectors. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Revolutionized where she covers innovations in industry, construction, and more.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com38legal solutionGetting to the proverbial “closing table” is not as easy as it looks. Every commercial real estate transaction comes with ups and downs and unexpected challenges. Overcoming potential hurdles, as outlined in this article, can minimize common pitfalls in a transaction.THE LETTER OF INTENTMany transactions begin with a letter of intent. Letters of intent should be comprehensive and include all pertinent deal terms. Although typically non-binding, most letters of intent include limited binding provisions such as confidentiality and exclusivity. You should thoughtfully identify binding and non-binding provisions. Allowing legal counsel to review draft letters of intent often leads to more effective and efficient negotiation.THE PURCHASE AGREEMENTBare ground purchase agreements negotiated by do-it-yourself (DIY) developers without the assistance of legal counsel often lack fundamental protections. THE FREE LOOKImmediately non-refundable earnest money is almost always a mistake. A developer should expect a reasonable inspection period to investigate the physical condition of the property without any risk of losing its earnest money. If the developer decides not to pursue the project during this period for any reason, it should be entitled to walk away and receive a full refund.WHEN THINGS GO SOUTHOne grave error we see DIY developers make is agreeing to allow a seller to pursue all available remedies in the unfortunate event the developer defaults. A seller’s remedy should always be expressly limited to earnest money as liquidated damages. Agreeing to all available remedies gives the seller the right to sue for damages beyond the earnest money, perhaps even damages equating to its lost benefit. Those damages could be substantial.THE SELLER DEFAULT—OUT-OF-POCKET RECOVERYThe common starting point in the event a seller defaults under a bare ground purchase agreement is a Door A/Door B decision. The developer has two options: Ask a court to force the seller to perform, known as specific performance (Door A), or opt to terminate the purchase agreement and receive a refund of earnest money (Door B). The latter is where the DIY developer sometimes goes wrong. The developer may have high dollar amounts invested in predevelopment expenses prior to default. The developer should always push to recover at least a portion of those expenses.DUE DILIGENCEAppropriate due diligence varies for every deal. However, the analysis of real estate should typically include a review of title and survey, environmental reports, zoning and property condition reports, leases, services contracts, and other agreements effecting the nature and operation of the subject property. Agreements with short inspection periods should be avoided when reliant upon third party reports, which may have unpredictable delivery times.FINANCINGThe capital stack for a deal may include multiple layers, which can change due to a variety of circumstances, but debt and equity generally remain constants. Including legal counsel when negotiating and finalizing joint-venture or other equity and loan documentation can be particularly important when it comes to negotiating the rights a developer will have if the deal goes south or encounters other unexpected challenges. Some of the most common key provisions that cause friction in debt and equity relationships are responsibility for major decisions, cost overruns, manager removal, and guaranty obligations. Effective legal counsel will help negotiate a middle ground on many of these items and make sure the developer makes informed choices about the risks of not pushing for the middle ground.CLOSING COORDINATIONThoughtful closing coordination is an essential component of getting deals done. Keeping legal counsel in the loop throughout a transaction helps ensure they know the cast of players and can help the developer and its team identify critical path items and consolidate informational requests from multiple parties. Developers can also leverage the administrative resources of a law firm to track original documents, coordinate notaries, and manage deliveries to parties like escrow agents or title companies. Avoiding Transaction PitfallsAvoiding Transaction Pitfallswhere developers go wrong when they go it aloneCOMMERCIAL REAL ESTATEBy Misha Rabinowitch, Robert Inselberg, Joseph Kremp, Samantha Hargitt, and Danielle Waltz

www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202439about the authorDanielle Waltz is a partner in the Charleston, West Virginia, office of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (Dinsmore). She also is a member of the Construction Law Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel. She can be reached at danielle.waltz@dinsmore.com. Misha Rabinowitch, Robert Inselberg, Joseph Kremp and Samantha Hargitt are partners in Dinsmore’s Indianapolis, Indiana, office. Mr. Rabinowitch can be reached at misha.rabinowitch@dinsmore.com. Mr. Inselberg can be reached at robert.inselberg@dinsmore.com. Mr. Kemp can be reached at joe.kremp@dinsmore.com. Ms. Hargitt can be reached at samantha.hargitt@dinsmore.com.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com40maintenance solutionWe do power. That simple statement is the foundation for Grade Tech Power Services, a civil contractor and family-owned business that grades and excavates sites exclusively for power generation companies. Their work includes right-of-way paths for installing power lines, as well as sitework for building, expanding, and demolishing substations across the western United States. Supplying these services is where the Midvale, Utah-based company excels—from both a safety and quality standpoint. “We got into this work years ago, working on the local substations and all the upgrades for the Olympics back in 2002 in Salt Lake City,” says Rory Hall, co-owner and operations manager, Grade Tech Power Services. “To stay in the work that we do, we have to travel, 100 percent.”With the travel required across Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, California, and more comes logistical considerations. “The initial struggle was fuel on site,” Hall explains. “And then, one of our biggest challenges was with the auto greasers. We were spending hours filling them up with a little hand grease gun.”Recognizing that this approach to maintenance was costing time, money, and labor, the company turned to Thunder Creek Multi-Tank Oil (MTO) Trailers in the 690-gallon capacity. Since making the investment, Grade Tech Services has seen significant benefits in time, efficiency, and labor. STREAMLINING FUELING & MAINTENANCEWhen prepping the sites for power companies, Hall and his crew run a diverse fleet of compact and heavy equipment to grade and excavate. They regularly build the pads for structures and utility poles and excavate and backfill for structural concrete at the front end of the job. Once the power company has completed the wiring and power line installation, Grade Tech then reclaims the area to its natural state. “We run a lot of small equipment, whether it's mini skidders or cast slingers for putting in gravel and backfilling foundations. Then we go all the way up to D8 dozers, power wheel scrapers, and graders,” Hall says.The Thunder Creek MTO has proven to be a reliable solution in caring for the equipment. This multi-fluid trailer offers fuel and preventive maintenance solutions, can hold up to six service fuels, including oil, diesel, coolant, and tanks for waste-oil reclaim with additional systems for grease and DEF. “The MTOs have been a huge problem-solver for us,” says Hall. “Depending on our crew size, we only need to get fuel once a week. We can leave the trailer on site. At the end of every week, we either fill them up locally, or the fuel companies come out and fill us up.”That efficiency is in stark contrast to the process Grade Tech relied on before investing in the MTOs. Previously, the crew carried tanks and smaller containers in their trucks that could require multiple trips to refill during the weeks they were on a project—time that Hall needed crew members on site. “If we only had a couple of trucks and were in the middle of nowhere, we’d fuel up our iron and have to send someone back to town,” he explains. “We're not usually close to anything. We're 30 minutes from the closest town on average. We don’t have to worry about that lost time with the MTOs.”Hall has also seen increased efficiency with routine maintenance, because the MTOs feature a system for grease. “Before, we’d have a box of grease and make sure we had enough charged grease-gun batteries,” says Hall. “We’d sit there and pump the grease pots full every day.”Hall and his crew also like the DEF system included on the MTOs, since it eliminates the need to load two-gallon jugs into truck beds and allows for faster fill times.According to Hall, in addition to saving time, the MTOs have helped increase the daily care of equipment.“We have a very structured system now. At the end of a shift, we fuel all our equipment. We grease everything,” he explains. Hall adds there is less opportunity for maintenance activities to be overlooked, since the crew now has all the tools onsite. Along with fuel and daily fluids, Grade Tech has a compressor, generator, and other tools on Streamlined FuelingStreamlined Fuelingmulti-tank oil trailers simplify fueling and maintenanceMTO TRAILERSBy Bill Elverman

their MTO. The company also supplements the MTOs with one of Thunder Creek’s No HAZMAT Multi-Tank fuel trailers (MTT), which supplies Hall and the crew with additional diesel when needed.ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGEAlong with the efficiencies that Grade Tech has gained with the MTO, Hall appreciates the added environmental benefits the trailer offers. “We work in very environmentally sensitive settings. Before, if we had five-gallon buckets of oil or other fluids, we’d run the risk of making messes,” he explains.With the MTO, Grade Tech has fluids at the ready and doesn’t have to worry about extra oil containment.“When we’re moving the trailer and fueling each piece of equipment, we’re not creating a little spill zone,” Hall adds. “Plus, the way these trailers are built, we don’t get any scrutiny from anyone on the environmental side of things.” Not only is this design more environmentally sound, but it eliminates the need for Hall’s crew to carry HAZMAT endorsements. In many instances (depending on truck and trailer combinations, and local regulations), crew members may not need a CDL either. From a labor standpoint, those benefits are important. “Any of our younger crew members, under the age of 21, wouldn’t have valid HAZMAT or CDLs when we leave the state. And we leave the state week in and week out,” explains Hall. “So that's another huge advantage.”LOOKING FORWARDGrade Tech has carved a place for itself serving the power generation industry. Hall says the company relies on organic growth to build the business and prides itself on retaining crew members, especially with the travel required for the job. “We don't go chasing work unless it's with our relationships and we're asked to go there. And that's worked very well for us,” he says. As the company moves forward, Hall and the crew will continue to look for further ways to streamline their operations. www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202441for more informationFor more, visit www.thundercreek.com. WE BUILD STUFF, TOO.

www.mcsmag.com MARCH 202443featured productExpress Blower, Inc. designs and manufactures the ultimate in pneumatic blowing machines. Its equipment provides fast and precise blown-on application for large or small quantities of aggregates, soil blends, compost, and mulches—even to distant or challenging areas. The TR-HD model is no exception. Its relatively small footprint is easier to maneuver in congested areas, making it the perfect machine for urban green roofs, atriums, upper story courtyards, or any project where onsite loading is available.COMPACT POWERDon’t let its size fool you. This compact trailer version has all the power of the full-size Express Blower® TM-45HD and TM-70HD models, even though it can be towed with a one-ton truck. The HD in the model name designates the Heavy Duty Blower and Hydraulic Package upgrade and includes the John Deere PowerTech™ PSS 9.0L diesel engine rated at 350 horsepower. Along with the blower at 2400 CFM @ 20 PSI, the HD models are the most powerful pneumatic blower machines of their kind on the market. All Express Blower HD machines are workhorses for aggregates, long distance applications, and very high green roof material installations.In testing and equipped with flexible hose, the production rate of the TR-HD at 200 feet with 3/4-inch round rock was 48 tons per hour. When switched from flexible hose to a hard pipe configuration, the production rate nearly doubled to 93 tons per hour. A combination of hard pipe and flexible blower hose is often the better option for long-distance abrasive material jobs, such as those with rock. Not only does it increase production from flexible hose alone, but there is less hose to wear.While results may vary depending on specified materials, project parameters, and operator experience, aggregates, rooftop soil mixes, and mulches are routinely blown vertically 20 stories or more. Application distances of up to 2,000 feet have also been recorded with processed soil blends, using a combination of flexible blower hose and hard pipe to increase distance and production. With green roofs and other applications in high density areas, the TR-HD helps eliminate unnecessary equipment such as cranes, manlifts, and other equipment that can create public walkway and roadway hazards. It also significantly decreases the amount of labor and time needed to accomplish jobs versus traditional methods.For nearly 30 years, Express Blower, Inc. has led the pneumatic blower truck market with innovation, state-of-the-art systems, and practical experience. Whether it is for erosion control, green roofs, landscaping, construction, playgrounds, aggregates or Terraseeding®, EB equipment reduces labor requirements, saves job time, expands capabilities, and provides great profit potential. When you work with the people at Express Blower, you are working with the people who know blower trucks and the markets best. For more, visit:Express Blower, Inc.541-434-7100800-285-7227 info@expressblower.com www.expressblower.com.The Express Blower® TR-HDcompact. heavy duty. rock solid.

MARCH 2024 www.mcsmag.com44featured productThe Power Behind It Allpre-validated open genset-ready power unitsIsuzu is known for reliable, eco-friendly, durable, and technologically advanced engines that power construction, agricultural, industrial, medical, and rental markets in the Americas—all with quiet, fuel-efficient products for customer-specific applications. PRE-VALIDATED RELIABLE POWERIsuzu Pre-validated Open GenSet-Ready Power Units come in three sizes: 4J, 4H, and 6H. As delivered, all are at least 90-percent pre-validated. The 4J-Series is equipped as a 3.0L, 4-cylinder, 70.8 kW (95 HP) constant speed @1800 RPM diesel engine. The 4H-Series is equipped with a 5.2L, 4-cylinder, 127.5 kW (171 HP) constant speed @1800 RPM, and the 6H-Series 7.8L, 6 Cylinder, 193.8 kW (260 HP) @1800 RPM. These are all Tier 4 Final Certified and branded under Isuzu REDTech™ (Reliable, Eco-Friendly, Durable, and Technologically Advanced Diesel Technology). Isuzu Open GenSet-Ready Power Units are built using all components and features necessary to successfully meet all installation testing criteria associated with long engine life, while also maintaining optimized performance. Isuzu REDTech™ Pre-validated Power Units have been engineered for use with several different generator manufacturers’ products. These engines carry one of the best warranties in the industry, 5 years/5000 hours, and their power-unit components offer 2 years/2000 hours limited warranty. DURABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY GENSET POWERThe standard power unit packages are engineered to include an air intake system with dual element air cleaner, exhaust gas after-treatment system, a complete cooling package, vibration isolators (engine and cooling package), and all engine filters. The power unit engine-control module and wiring harness incorporates oil pressure, coolant temperature, intake air pressure, and temperature and engine-speed sensors and shutdowns. These complete power units can also be assembled to a customer-supplied design of pre-validated skid base/generator combination, resulting in a 100-percent pre-validated Open GenSet Power Unit. SAVING RESOURCES, TIME AND MONEYThe Isuzu REDTech™ Open GenSet Power Units have also been designed with a generator-ready skid base that has been 100-percent validated for one or more selected generator model/frame lines. If you use one of these complete (GenSet-Ready) Isuzu REDTech™ designs (power unit with cross member, mounting/isolators, and optional controller) with a pre-validated generator, it is possible for immediate turnarounds on inventory. In addition, various cross members mount as many as seven different common generator brands/models. When using a pre-validated 4J, 4H, or 6H Isuzu REDTech™ Open GenSet Power Unit, all that remains is a few days of vibration testing. This could also help reduce inventory by using pre-validated Isuzu Open GenSet Power Units that have been pre-engineered for several generator manufacturers’ products. The power behind it all.™