Construction Tools & Equipment

Has the era of fuel cell tech finally come to the construction equipment industry? By all indicators, it has begun to make its mark in the form of an "ultra-powerful" methane fuel cell that will power both light and heavy construction equipment—equipment that now relies on diesel and gas combustion.

The California Silicon Valley company that's producing the power system is claiming that their fuel cell is far more powerful than older technologies and therefore more efficient and of course, environmentally friendly. According to one "green beat" report concerning the subject of methane, alcohol-based fuel cell tech, "the cell will power the electrical systems of vehicles like pallet loaders used in large warehouses. The cells can also be used in new vehicles, but also for retrofitting older vehicles."

But while methane is being touted as "ultra-powerful" compared to earlier cell technologies, is it more powerful than the more popular, but still seemingly elusive hydrogen? According to some experts, while hydrogen offers more thrust, the alcohol-based methane is easier and simpler to obtain. It's also a good bet that it's cheaper.

Whatever type or variety of fuel cell you eventually choose for powering the construction equipment in your future, one thing is absolutely clear: fuel cell tech is here to stay. Or, almost here anyway.

Do you foresee a day when your diesel-powered Mac truck or gas-fired skid steer runs on fuel cell tech? Do you really think you'll derive the same power as that in a combustion engine? Is there any romance to the clean and quiet power generating fuel cell?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Construction Tools & Equipment, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Construction Tools & Equipment today.

As the owner of an upstate New York commercial general construction outfit, you'd think my father would own a heck of a lot of heavy construction equipment. Fact is, he used to own dump trucks, compressors, cement mixers, trailers, cargo trucks, even on-site conveyors. But as the years have past, my dad has slowly given up on purchasing big equipment items in favor of renting.

Why?

The answer is simple. While the obvious tax incentives of owning a piece of commercial construction equipment are certainly desirable, they don't always offset the cost of maintenance. In order for a piece of machinery to earn back the many thousands in purchasing costs, it has to be in use at all times. Machinery that's parked idly in the construction yard is not only rusting away, it's burning a hole in your bottom line.

But can't renting get expensive too?

While the cost of renting can be pricey, you can't beat its flexibility. If it's a backhoe you require on a project, chances are a reputable rental company can deliver it to the site immediately. The rental cost is simply transferred to the owner. The problem with these recession-plagued days however, is that rental companies are not as flexible as they used to be. According to one construction equipment rental expert who recently attended the 2009 Rental Show sponsored by the American Rental Association, "It was the slowest rental show I've seen in 30 years…Rental centers aren't buying and neither are the chains."

With this lack of inventory and therefore, flexibility, it's a good bet that making the decision to own your equipment outright or continue to rent will be a harder one to make.

Do you prefer buying your construction equipment? Or, like my dad, do you steadfastly adhere to the rental market? Are you noticing a lack of inventory at the rental companies, or have things been business as usual despite the sluggish global economy?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Construction Tools & Equipment, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Construction Tools & Equipment today.

Are you a heavy equipment and/or an excavation company project manager who's having trouble managing your operators and work crews? Maybe you feel like your employees aren't giving you the respect you deserve as "the boss?" Or maybe you're just fed up with project delay after project delay and never quite getting the field crews to perform the way you expect. Maybe, deep down inside, you believe you "deserve" more respect.

Nothing could be more foolhardy than for a boss to believe he or she deserves an operator's respect simply because of their title, or because they sign the paychecks. According to one construction industry expert, for owners and "managers who want respect, remember that it does not come automatically with the job. It's the person, not the position that people admire. And it's behavior, not title that impresses them to act."

So then, what are the three main attributes of a respected business owner/manager?

Consistency: one must never be "two-faced" when it comes to making important decisions that affect your crew. Treat everyone on an equal and consistent playing field.

Fairness: you just won't get respect by catering to your favorite operators and workers.

Freedom: don't be a control freak. Give your operators room to maneuver, make decisions on their own, and to develop their own platform of respect from their subordinates.

How have you as a heavy construction project manager and/or owner, managed to earn the respect and loyalty of your operators and work crews? Have you made crucial mistakes along the way in your career that you vow never to repeat? If so, how have you learned from your mistakes?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Construction Tools & Equipment, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Construction Tools & Equipment today.