One thing that a struggling economy provides is opportunity. While one business may be closing its doors, another will be opening. That is where used dump trucks may come in. If you are looking for a fleet of used dump trucks for sale for you business, the Internet is the place to find them. You will be able to find exactly what you are looking for when you search online. Every color you can imagine, ever size and design. The comfort of your drivers will need to be considered when you are buying used dump trucks. They will be happier and healthier when they like driving their truck.
It is a good idea for the drivers to take ownership in their used dump trucks. When they have a feeling of ownership in the truck they will take more pride in the truck and in their job. You want drivers like that since they will also be more willing to do a good job. Trust them with the equipment, allow them to have a sense of ownership, and watch your productivity increase. It works every time. Momentum and attitude is so important for a successful business. Especially when it comes to an item like used dump trucks, they may have to work a little harder, but the drivers are an important part of your team.
What kind of radio systems will you have in your used dump trucks. Will you use two-way radios, or will you let the drivers use cell phones? Whatever communication device you choose for your fleet, you will want to be able to contact your drivers at a moment's notice. When you purchase used dump trucks, there may already be a radio system in the trucks and you can use them for your new business venture. You may have to purchase a base radio, which should not be a problem when you use the Internet to search for them.
Used dump trucks for sale are a great investment. When working with hot asphalt, the dump truck box is a very important part of your business. If you take care of the box, it will take care of you. Always use kerosene in the box before ever putting a load of asphalt in it. You'll immediately know the mistake you've made if you ever forget it. The asphalt will stick to the box like tar on cement. Get ready to succeed in your business, starting with a good deal on a used dump truck for sale.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Start Your Construction Business With the Proper Equipment
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Choosing a New or Used Tractor
You've got some land or property and now you need a tractor. Finding one that suits your needs can be easier than you might think. Here are a few simple steps .
First and foremost, you need to determine your needs. What will you need your tractor to do? Do you have an acre or two that needs mowed once or twice a week? Do you need a tractor for mowing, towing, snow plowing, carrying items, gardening or harvesting fields? Be sure to get enough tractor that will handle the attachments you are going to use.
Gas or Diesel?
Do you need a gasoline or diesel powered tractor? For most residential, mowing applications gasoline powered tractors are the way to go. If you have more than five acres and plan on doing some plowing, hauling, heavier mowing and adding any attachments then diesel is probably the tractor of choice.
Lawn Tractors
Lets look first at your average lawn mower. Something that will be pretty much be used for mowing and nothing else. Your average "lawn tractor" can range anywhere from $1500 - $4500 and range from 15HP- 25HP with gasoline engines. Good reliable used lawn mowers can be purchase from a few hundred dollars up to $3000 depending on age and condition. Some of the higher HP model lawn tractors can also be used for occasional snow plowing and other heavier tasks but are best suited for mowing with or without a grass catcher and pulling a cart. Most all lawn tractors are belt driven with limited parts availability and are designed to last a short period of time.
Garden Tractors & Compact Tractors
Next lets look at property owners that have 3 - 15 acres and the need for plowing, gardening, mowing, cutting and loading. In my opinion we have two classes of tractor we can look at here. You can consider a "garden tractor" or a "compact tractor". A garden tractor is a tractor that is really a lawn tractor with a heavier built to it and with the capability of some like a tiller, a blade, snowblower and larger mower decks (usually 54in - 60in decks). Most garden tractors are also shaft driven and can last for many years if properly maintained and not pushed beyond their limits. They can be gasoline or diesel. They usually sell new for $6000 - $10000 with a mowing deck,and can be purchased used for $2500 - $6000 depending on condition.
My personal recommendation for this scenario would be a "compact tractor". A compact tractor is basically a miniature tractor with full size tractor capabilities such as mowing, cutting, loading, digging, tilling, plowing and hauling. They have diesel engines ranging in size from 15HP - 30HP. Most of them have full hydraulics, 4WD, mid and rear PTO's, high and low range, roll over protection and are built to work. They have a life expectancy of up to 30 plus years if properly maintained. Parts are readily available. These compact tractors can handle many implements like large belly mowers up to 72in., rear mowers, tillers, blades, loaders, plows, backhoes, sweepers and more. The reliability of these tractors makes for a great used tractor. A new compact tractor with a mower can range from $10000 - $20000, depending on the size and model. Great used compact tractors can be found for as low as $5000.
Farm Tractors
If farming is in your future and you have many acres to tend to, you are best advised to consult with a dealer or fellow farmer before making a purchase. There are many, many choices when it comes to large tractors and farming equipment and it is best to make sure you get the right equipment the first time as these tractors can be a very large investment. Once you have the specifics you need, then search for a new or used tractor that will meet your exact needs for HP, and capabilities.
Pricing
Before you get sticker shock, realize that tractor purchases are long term commitments and that with proper maintenance and use they can last for 30 years or more. When you consider the life span and work they do, the prices will seem reasonable.
Attachments can also seem expensive as well. A loader for example will cost $3000 - $5000. A simple blade can run $300 - $500.
Once you have a tractor and some attachments, you'll wonder how you ever did without them. I remember when I purchased my compact Kubota four years ago. I took my wife with me and I bought a 60in mower and a loader with it. When my wife saw the price she about died! Since we've owned it, she has on many occasion told me that it has been such a great thing to have. We only have 5 acres but get so much use from the loader. I don't know what we ever did without it
Gray Market Tractors
Because good used tractors are so reliable, there is a high demand and a relatively low supply of them and good used tractors sell very quickly. A tempting way of saving money is buying an "off-brand" tractor or a gray market tractor. These are usually imported machines designed for use in other markets, being sold semi-legally here. While they can be much cheaper than standard tractors, there are a couple of significant drawbacks.
One is that the PTO systems are not always compatible with US standards. Many of them do not have a mid PTO which is needed if you want a belly mower. A second issue is parts availability. It can be difficult or impossible to find replacement parts here if it's a model designed for use in other markets.
What ever you do, make sure you buy a tractor that will do what you need it to. The worst thing you can do is to push the equipment beyond it capabilities. It not only significantly shortens the life span but can be dangerous as well.
Before making your purchase, do your research. Check with other owners, dealers, web forums and manufactures sites for information. When your ready to make the purchase be sure to check here with Tractor Shopper for deals on your next new or used tractor!
How To Choose The Right Portable Generator For You
Before we get into choosing a portable generator, let's review exactly what a portable generator is, and what the standard uses for them are.
What is a portable generator? Typical portable generators are fueled by unleaded gasoline and have standard 120-volt power outlets like the outlets you have on the walls of your home.
What can portable generators be used for? Portable generators are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Among the most common uses of a portable generator are:
- Providing power for a home in an emergency
- Power in locations that do not have access to standard eletric outlets
- Recreational use, such as at campsites and in RVs.
How do I use a portable generator? When the generator is running, you simply plug in your tools or appliances into the 120-volt (standard) electric outlets. Some models of generators also have 240-volt outlets. 240-volt outlets are used for large appliances like clothes dryers.
Now, let's talk about what to look for when choosing the right portable generator for you.
How high of a power capacity do I need?
Generators use two basic power measurements: peak power (sometimes referred to as startup power), and continuous power. Both kinds of power are measured in wattage.
- Peak power is the required wattage that appliances need at startup or when they are running at their highest power consumption levels.
- Continuous power is the required wattage to operate appliances under normal circumstances.
What are standby generators? Standby generators are generators that create anywhere from 5,000 to 25,000 watts of power (sometimes even more). You need to choose a generator that supplies enough peak power and continuous power for the appliances that you need to keep powered.
What are you going to use your generator for? For recreational use, A small 1,000-watt portable generator could be all you will need. If you need to power tools at a remote jobsite, you could require up to about 8,000 watts of power.
Another thing to consider is how many outlets you will need on your generator. Make sure there are enough outlets to power all of the appliances you will be using at one time.
The size of the fuel tank is another consideration and is very important. Depending on how long you will potentially need your portable generator to run, you may need a larger fuel tank. The larger the fuel tank, the longer your generator will be able to run without refueling.
Now that you know what to look for, you can compare different portable generators and find out which one will meet your needs. A good resource for your research can be found at this portable generator reference
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Excavation History and Types
Excavation process basically involves the removal of any topsoil overload by machine. This material might be examined by metal detector for drift finds but unless the preparation site has stayed untouched since its rejection there is perpetually a layer of current material on the surface of partial archaeological interest. In countryside areas, any features are frequently noticeable beneath the surface as opposed to city areas where there might be thick layers of human deposits and as well the only the highest contexts would be primarily be visible and definable by ways of isolation from few other contexts. A plan for sampling the contexts and other features is formulation that might engage total excavation of each characteristic or only portion.
The growth of excavation methods has moved over the years from a wealth hunting process to one that wants to fully understand the series of human activity on a given site and which site's relationship with the surroundings in which it is set and further with sites elsewhere.
Its history started with a simple search for wealth and for artifacts that fell into the group of 'curio'. These curios were the topic of most interest of antiquarians. It was later respected, which digging on a site shattered the proof of earlier people's lives that it had contained. Once the trinket had been detached from its context, most of the information it detained was lost. It was from this understanding, which antiquarianism started to be replaced by archaeology,a process yet to be completed.
Basic Types of Excavation
There are two basic types of modern archaeological excavation:
1. Research excavation -When time and resources are obtainable to excavate the site fully and at a relaxed pace. These are now approximately completely the preserve of academics or concealed societies who could even muster sufficient volunteer labor and funds. The size of the excavation could as well be determined by the director as it goes on.
2. Development-led excavation - Undertaken by expert archaeologists when the site is endangered by building development. Normally funded by the developer meaning, which time is more of a factor as well as its being paid attention only on areas to be affected by building.
Buy, Sell, or Rent a Used Excavator Online!
You’re in charge of heavy equipment inventory at a construction, demolition, or mining company and you notice that some of your excavators are wearing down. You can’t begin any construction project without the digging power of excavators to break ground and start the project running, so what do you do?
You could call a repair place that specializes in excavators, but repairs to heavy equipment easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. You could buy a new excavator or two, but any person in charge of finances at a construction, demolition, or mining business knows that heavy construction equipment is easily the largest expense at the company. A new excavator could cost a quarter or a half or even all of the money made at any given construction project!
That’s where a used machinery classifieds Web site comes in. Better yet, some of these Web sites offer completely free basic membership. You can post FREE For Sale, For Rent, and Want - ads in which you, as a buyer, detail what kind of used excavator or other used machinery for which you’re searching and have a seller come to you with an offer—completely free each month.
You can find a good condition used excavator at these web sites for as little as $18,000! Since many sellers of used excavators offer their used machinery at negotiable rates, you might even be able to procure a better deal and save your company thousands more!
Maybe you want to rent a used excavator until you can get your usual set of excavators repaired or because you only need another excavator for one job. A good used heavy equipment classifieds Web site has For Rent Ads, too. Since you can rent a used excavator for a few thousand dollars per month instead of spending tens of thousands on purchasing one you won’t need for very long, you have nothing to lose by renting a used excavator!
Perhaps you have too many excavators and you need to get them off of your lot so you can replace them with newer models or other heavy equipment. You can use a free membership at a used construction equipment classifieds Web site to sell or lease your used excavators, too! Search Want Ads and see if there’s anyone out there who wants a used excavator like the one you need off of your lot right now and sell it for all or part of the price you spent on the excavator! If you lease your used excavator, over time you can make a profit on the excavator and still have the machine to use and lease!
Even with a free basic membership, you can include detailed descriptions and pictures with each of your listings as well as full company contact information. Some of these sites never take a percentage of any transaction, so there are no penalties for selling used construction equipment at any price. In some cases, Free membership also gives all members a free company store link so potential buyers can see all of your company’s listings at once, increasing your chance of multiple sales to one customer.
When looking to buy, sell, or rent an excavator, a used construction equipment classifieds Web site can be the answer to all of your used excavator needs. Find a great deal on a gently used excavator or a new excavator, rent a used excavator for however long you need one, or sell or lease a used excavator at a reasonable price to make back a large part or all of your original cost. When membership at the used heavy construction equipment classifieds Web site is free, what have you to lose by signing up and giving it a try?
Excavator Training Overview
Excavator Training is crucial to the construction industry.
Proper heavy equipment training will benefit both new and experienced operators of excavators by showing safe, efficient and productive applications along with various techniques to improve the safe operation of excavators. New excavator operators who are properly trained will benefit from industry recognition, trained skills, and obtain a higher wage.
Many programs exist for excavator training. Proper techniques should be covered when training a prospective operator prior to entering a job site. Accidents and unprepared excavator operators can cost a company invaluably. Safety is crucial and a very integral part of the training program. Excavator training programs can range from a few weeks to a few months. With the proper training, an operator may begin accumulating invaluable hands-on experience operating an excavator.
Excavator training begins by identifying the various parts and components of the machine. Maintenance concerns are covered in detail as well as pre-op inspection. Safety standards are also stressed during this phase of training. Safety is key and most fundamental to operating and training of any heavy equipment. Many training programs will cover both OSHA and industry safety standards.
Comprehensive excavator training includes trench digging, trench servicing and backfilling, loading haul units, and benching and sloping. Training will also cover respective safety concerns during these processes.
Understanding the fundamental procedures for proper setup, maintenance, use, and safety of the excavator and its operators will ensure successful candidates to enter sites well prepared. The demand for heavy equipment operators, including excavator operators, is on the rise. Operators can make a great living after proper training and certification.
About the Author:
Heavy Equipment, especially excavators, are a passion of mine.