In the construction and mining industries, profit margins can be razor thin — efficiency and precision are oftentimes the difference between a great month and one you’d rather forget. This is where machine control systems can be a difference maker. Even though they’re becoming much more common on jobsites, there are still misconceptions about what these systems do — and their full potential remains untapped in many applications. What is machine control and how does it benefit construction and mining operations? Let’s take a look. What Machine Control Is — And What It Isn't At its core, machin ..read more

While there’s an increase of electric heavy equipment in the construction market, the uptick in servicing these machines likely won’t be felt for some time yet. That’s because electric machines don’t require as much maintenance — nor as often — as similar diesel models. Plus, they’re still relatively new. The servicing of electric construction equipment, however, will eventually pick up — it’ll likely follow the trend already seen with electric cars, buses, trucks and other more common on-road electric vehicles (EVs). So, if you run a heavy equipment service department, sooner rather than lat ..read more

How do I know if my wheel loader is efficient? As the wheel loader product manager here at Volvo, I hear that question a lot. The answer lies in your ability to both cut costs and move more material per cycle at the same time. If you have a machine that does both, you’ll quickly notice the savings in lower operating costs. To show you what I mean, we put a couple of different sized Volvo wheel loaders up against comparable models from another brand — and these were the results. Test 1 Scenario: Volvo L150H Wheel Loader vs. Top Competitor First, we put our Volvo L150H loader up against a ..read more

You have more control than you may realize over the operating costs for your articulated haulers — and one of the easy line items to cut back on is fuel. Burning unnecessary fuel adds up over time, and the savings you get running more efficient machines may surprise you. To demonstrate the savings you could experience, we put two Volvo articulated haulers up against comparable top competitor models — here’s what we found. Test 1 Scenario: Volvo A30G Articulated Hauler vs. Top Competitor We put our Volvo A30G haul truck up against a leading competitor to see how they compared on fue ..read more

Soil compaction is a key step in a wide range of construction projects, and the efficiency of the process relies heavily on the skills and knowledge of the operator. Below are some key tips to help keep your soil compactor running efficiently throughout the day to boost productivity. Be able to identify the two common types of compacted soils. Soil compactors are used on various materials, but two primary types dominate construction sites: Granular soils: Sand and gravel are common examples of granular soils. The particles in granular soils are larger and don’t typically stick together. They ..read more

Profits in demolition are oftentimes maximized by how much you can save in your day-to-day operations. Lower fuel consumption is one way to lower costs — reduced maintenance and downtime is another. Lowering operating costs ultimately improves your machine’s total cost of ownership (TCO). These tips are designed to help you select the best demolition excavators out there to improve your TCO. 1. Identify what you have versus what you need. Start by asking yourself what gaps you currently have in your fleet or what tasks you’re unable to do efficiently, or at all, on your projects. Whether ..read more

In construction, adaptability is oftentimes the key to success. The ability to seamlessly transition between projects of varying sizes and scopes sets the most efficient contractors apart — and the midsize excavator is the workhorse behind this versatility. Midsize excavators — those in the 15- to 35-ton range with around 120 to 170 hp — strike a perfect balance between power and agility. Their capacity to navigate the demands of both smaller-scale tasks and larger, more complex projects makes them an invaluable asset for any construction team. From simple landscaping projects to major i ..read more

Starting a construction business from scratch can be an exciting venture, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to securing the necessary equipment financing. As a new business, it can be more challenging to establish credibility, build relationships with lenders and find financing solutions tailored to your needs. Here are some key challenges and strategies to address them. LIMITED FINANCIAL HISTORY Challenge: As a new construction startup, you may lack an extensive financial history, making it difficult for lenders to assess your creditworthiness. Stra ..read more

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