When it comes to excavators used for demolition cleanup, many contractors think of them simply as commodities — machines that are interchangeable with other machines and used for the same purpose, with no real value of one over the other. As a result, they opt for less-expensive models or even l

The winter cold is good reason to make sure you and your operators are inspecting machines thoroughly each day and following proper operating procedures to prevent accidental wear and tear, or even downtime. If you plan to store machines during the winter, there are preventive measures you can a

This year the owner or fleet manager of your company may have turned to you more often to handle heavy equipment repairs, maintenance or even machine down issues. While it makes sense to potentially save money, it can also be a bit risky — if you don’t fully understand a machine’s systems and gu

When it comes to maintaining your construction equipment, the lubricants you choose matter. If your dealer or OEM recommends premium lubricants, they may cost a bit more up front, but the benefits to your machines over time can actually lower your operating expenses. When we talk about premium l

With the electrification of cars, buses, trucks and other transport vehicles years in the making, it’s only natural that construction equipment is finally primed to join in. The goals of zero emissions, fuel savings and lower noise, plus improved feel and handling with comparable power, have led

One of the things I find myself saying quite often about our new Volvo electric excavator and wheel loader and our concept machines is that we don’t even know yet all the interesting ways they could be used. The benefits of these machines are so new and exciting that it’s important to keep an op

The more you spend, the less you make. It’s a pretty simple concept, but one you should focus on from time to time to evaluate how your business is performing. Is your site optimized to eliminate unnecessary waste? Are your operators using machines in the most efficient ways? Answering these typ

The bidding process in the construction industry has become so competitive in recent years that a lot of the small and mid-size contractors out there may feel like they’re working just to break even. Bids separated by a mere dollar per yard, unheard of years ago, have become much more common — a

We’ve written several posts in the past answering questions like: When is a machine rebuild a better option than a replacement? When is certified used equipment a better choice? And when it is, How do you evaluate used equipment online? While these posts provide a lot of valuable information to

We’ve seen a lot of advancements in Intelligent Compaction (IC) over the past few years aimed to reduce the guesswork in the paving process. In fact, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) continues to work with many states and manufacturers to enhance IC systems that provide real-time inform

As the product manager for electromobility here in North America, I’ve spent a lot of time helping with the design and development of our new compact electric machines. When some people think about electric-powered construction equipment, they tend to jump to the conclusion that it will be infer

Over the years I’ve helped a lot of customers evaluate different types and sizes of excavators to help ensure they’re buying a machine best-matched to their particular type of work. During a demonstration, it’s important to have a holistic view from your entire team — from the owner and fleet ma

When it comes to operator performance, we’ve seen a lot of men and women out there flat out getting it done. Whether it’s smooth technique, mind-boggling agility or a keen eye for precision, a lot of construction operators know about and use all the features manufacturers build into their equipm

Asphalt compaction is an essential part of the flexible paving process. The production, laydown and compaction of hot mix asphalt (HMA) or warm mix asphalt (WMA) are time-bound — that’s why delays really can’t be permitted in this construction process. Even moderate delays may interfere with the

As more and more companies consider electric construction equipment to supplement their existing fleet, several contractors have expressed hesitancy — and for good reason. For one thing, emobility is new to the construction industry. Also, while electric makes sense for many now, there are a lot

At The Utility Expo 2021 in Louisville, three of our favorite Volvo enthusiasts visited our booth to test drive our ECR25 Electric excavator and L25 Electric wheel loader. So what did they think? First up, Juan Ibarra of Discovery’s Gold Rush got an up-close look at the ECR25 Electric excavator.

We all know winter can be hard on even the toughest machines. The good news is the issues — like hard starts, higher fuel consumption, less power output and more — are avoidable with the right preparation before the cold weather sets in. Here are some of my top tips for construction equipment di

Many paving projects use a common practice that contractors should avoid — rolling too fast with the breakdown compactor, especially when using a vibratory compactor. Many operators attribute excessive speed to the perceived need to keep up with the paver. But when this happens, contractors typi

If you’re new to electric construction equipment or just looking for a resource to brush up on terminology, this article is for you. It can help you better understand electromobility so you’ll have more meaningful conversations with others when talking about electric heavy equipment. Common Ele

If you’re currently leasing heavy construction equipment, we want to be your partner in saving you time and money when you return it. Below are top tips to end your heavy equipment leasing experience as smoothly as it started — many of these tips include helpful reminders if you’ve leased