Part three: Operator coaching This is the final part of our series on Load Assist, the Volvo program that provides wheel loader operators real-time payload data and other machine information. In part one, I covered the differences between 1% and 2% accuracy modes, and part two I went more in dep

No maintenance technician wants to spend more time than needed on a service job — and certainly no construction equipment owner wants his machine offline and unproductive longer than necessary. But sometimes technicians take short cuts to speed things up, and one of the more common shortcuts I h

As the director of attachments at Volvo, it never ceases to amaze me how many people put Volvo excavators to work using unique attachments and modifications. In fact, many of you have actually captured and shared great videos of the interesting and unique ways you use your Volvo excavators. Chec

As a Volvo Field Technical Support Specialist, I work alongside technicians to troubleshoot construction machine maintenance issues on-site. I’ve seen a lot, and several of these issues are more common than you think — and they’re preventable. Below I’ve listed the top five mistakes I see compan

Used machines are smart ways to compliment or round out your fleet — and if you know what to look for (and ask about), you can feel more confident that your used equipment purchase will be with you out in the field and not in the shop. It’s never a guarantee, obviously, but here are some tips on

We say it a lot, but purchasing a piece of used equipment can really be a smart investment. That’s especially true when it comes to a Volvo Certified Used machine, where you can get the exceptional Volvo quality, efficiency and performance we’re known for in a machine that’s thoroughly inspected

What’s the next big thing? It’s hard to say in a world that’s rapidly changing and getting harder to predict each year. Several historical trends and key factors today contribute to our uncertainty about the future: Rapid urbanization will very much change what our needs will be in the future.

I often hear excavators called the “Swiss Army knife” of the construction industry, and it’s true — they’re multi-tasking machines capable on practically any jobsite. A lot of people attribute their flexibility to a broad range of class sizes with multiple attachment options, but you may not rea

Construction business owners and equipment managers are increasingly interested in understanding the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their machines. It’s a more complicated equation than you may realize, but if you have access to the right tools — especially telematics data and software — the i

Enclosed spaces like cabs can harbor germs and viruses like the coronavirus — during times like this, cleanliness is incredibly important. Keeping surfaces disinfected is a responsibility for everyone to help keep each other protected. At Volvo we are doing our part to help keep customers safe,

Many of you are likely looking to maintain or repair your machines faster and cheaper. You may be opting to do it yourself, and in many instances — especially if you have a skilled and experienced technician — it can be a smart move. But for some repairs, there’s the potential to cause further d

As an excavator owner and/or operator, you know it’s not wise to just hop in the cab in the morning and start working right away. While time is money on most of your jobs, not taking a few minutes to do an inspection can hurt your uptime, cause unnecessary damage and wear to your machine, and co

As technology in wheel loaders continues to evolve, contractors continue to praise the ability of these machines to make operators of any skill level faster and more efficient. Advanced machines — with operators who know how to take advantage of their features — can drastically improve profitabi

We often associate harsh weather with the winter, but summer can be hard on construction equipment, too. The sun, hot temperatures and humidity can all cause issues, and added strain comes from the simple fact that summer is peak construction season and machines are putting in more hours. These

If you’re an operator, you may think your day-to-day performance is what really matters when it comes to your job — how many yards of dirt you moved or how many loads you carried. But most owners and fleet managers love to see an operator who’s not only productive, but also works hard to be effi

Some of you may be apprehensive about buying construction equipment during COVID-19 — and that’s understandable. The desire to avoid face-to-face contact, plus varying state travel restrictions, can make it tricky. It’s one reason why online purchases, which have been on the rise for years, have

The recent transition to remote work has prompted an increased reliance on technology and a need to innovate in nearly every business sector. Local brick-and-mortar businesses are transitioning into a more e-commerce based focus, while the healthcare industry is relying on remote consultations a

In mining, it’s important to match excavators to your haul trucks to lower your total cost of ownership (TCO) for these machines. If they’re mismatched, you’ll be inefficient and burn extra fuel. If you can mitigate that, you’ll lower your operating costs over time and start realizing high

For those who run high-reach demolition excavators, they know tearing down structures efficiently is the key to profitability — but it’s also the machines on the ground that can really add to the bottom line. Why not get paid for both? To tear down and process sites efficiently and safely, you h

Getting the best price and most value out of a trade-in for your construction equipment can sometimes be a challenge — but understanding a few simple do’s and don’ts can help. Things like equipment condition, type and age, plus market demand are a few of the challenges you might face when trying