Equipment is as important to construction projects as material is. Moving materials is so much easier with construction equipment — especially the right type and size of equipment. Just as it’s vitally important to have the proper materials for the job, so is selecting the correct machine. Knowing how to choose the right-sized equipment comes with knowledge of what equipment is available and how it matches to your job requirements.

Sizing construction equipment varies depending on your specific application or job that needs to get done. The volume of material that needs moving is a big factor. So are the location and confines of the workplace, as well as environmental considerations like site conditions and, of course, weather. Selecting equipment that’s too small can leave you short on production. Equipment that’s too large can be inefficient on costs, time and transportation requirements.

Most contractors would love to have the biggest and most powerful equipment, just in case they find work that requires larger capacities. But that’s often not practical when it comes to owning and operating costs. Bigger is not necessarily better in the world of construction equipment. Machinery sizes vary across all applications, including industrial, commercial and residential worksites.

Small vs. Large Construction Equipment

Today, you’ll often see a wide assortment of machines working on a single job. They range from large earth movers to mini-excavators, and from small skid steers to big loaders. Each machine has its place and purpose. Equipment size classes are across the board, and the best contractors always strive to get more out of their machines to maximize efficiency, which turns into profit.

Knowledgeable construction companies look for versatility in their machines. They strive to achieve a balance between two variables. One is performance, where there’s a large volume of material to handle. The other is where they need to fit into tight and compact areas. These factors make it difficult to choose between large and small construction equipment. Sometimes, medium construction equipment is the right compromise.

Versatile machines strike a happy medium between size and capability. They offer the benefits of power and load-bearing strength, as well as the economics of low cost of ownership, operation and maintenance. Versatile construction equipment is also able to multi-task by using specialized attachments so the machine can operate in different roles without requiring separate machines that add greater costs to the project.

Compact or mini-construction equipment has made huge inroads onto the nation’s worksites. Small equipment has earned a reputation as the epitome of versatility. Thanks to technology, these machines that seem tiny compared to older behemoths are far more productive when it comes to cost per hour and ability to get the work done. Smaller might be better, and that leads to a question asked by every construction equipment owner and operator across the country.

What Size Equipment Is Right for Me?

Determining what size of equipment is best for you depends on many factors. Primarily, it’s the application or exact task you require the machine to do. It also depends on what you expect as a return on investment. Generally, larger and more complex machines have higher purchase and operating costs, and have to be billed out at a higher rate. Smaller machines are more affordable to own and run, but they don’t command the large dollar-per-hour fees their big cousins do.

Equipment sizes vary according to volume demands. Often, the machine’s physical weight and dimensions affect the capacity more than engine horsepower or hydraulic pressure. Transportation is another prime issue when it comes to deciding on the right-sized piece of equipment. Having to purchase or arrange for large-capacity hauling between worksites can be an additional overhead that doesn’t pay back.

You should weigh your decision on the proper size of construction equipment based on the entirety of your needs and operating budget. These are some of the key considerations to take in when choosing what equipment is right for you:

• Job parameters: Your first consideration when searching for the right equipment is the type of job you take on. Job parameters include type, volume and weight of material as well as general tasks performed, such as hauling, leveling and digging. Different machines fit different jobs, and some are more versatile than others. Considering the scope of your jobs will help you determine which sizes will meet your demands.
• Job location: Your job site will include factors like terrain types, slopes, space restrictions and ground conditions. While you might know you have high capacity demands, a large machine might not work with space constraints or muddy ground conditions.
• Technology: Are you looking for automated features like self-leveling? Perhaps you want an improved cab interior compared to your existing older models. Technology considerations can play a role in the size of your equipment. Smaller models may not have the space for all of the most modern features, so if the latest tech is non-negotiable, consider the options across all sizes.
• Attachment compatibility: Work tool attachments can make your machine more versatile. It’s best to think about what requirements you need to meet with each machine, and if you’re capable of meeting multiple demands with the addition of attachments.
• Safety: Many new machines have safety features that protect the equipment and the operators. Machines that are too big for your job site or too small for the demands of the job could compromise safety. Consider these features and how different sizes may impact safety needs.
• Upfront costs: Your budget will always influence the type of machine you choose. Generally, larger machines come with a large price tag. You may have to compromise on a smaller model to avoid larger upfront costs. If you know you need a larger machine, talk to your dealer about financing options to find a payment solution that works with your budget.
• Return on investment: What are the expected maintenance requirements for a given machine? What will insurance cost? What additional expenses will you pay with financing? Consider these expenses to ensure your purchase will have a strong return on investment.

Different Sizes of Construction Equipment

Just as there’s no one machine that can handle every task, there’s no one-size-fits-all with construction equipment. It starts with what machine you need, then determining what capacity you require. And that depends a great deal on where and when you’ll be using the machine.

Earth moving is the largest area of use for construction equipment. That might be a mini-job like backyard landscaping, a small task like trenching, a medium undertaking such as excavating and backfilling a foundation or a large project such as land clearing, road making or dam building. Other construction equipment areas are building material handling and aerial lifting of workers.

Warren CAT is one of the largest and fastest growing Caterpillar^® dealerships in North America. We supply all sizes of top-quality Cat^® brand equipment designed and built to handle every mini, small, medium and large project that you can find. Besides excavating and earth moving, Warren CAT supplies many specialized tools for handling all construction materials and making workers’ jobs easier, faster and safer.

We’ll take a look at how Warren CAT can help you choose the right-sized equipment for your construction work, whether that’s moving earth or any other type of material handling. Earth works are Warren CAT’s largest market segment and our specialty. Cat brand earth-movers are divided into five main categories.

1. Excavators
2. Backhoes
3. Wheel loaders
4. Bulldozers
5. Skid steers & compact track loaders

Each of these construction equipment machines comes in a variety of sizes. Most are designed for specific capacities and applications. However, these machines are highly versatile, especially when equipped with Cat attachments that convert the machine and let it handle many different types and sizes of jobs. Let’s look at each of the five categories in detail, and what your right size might be.

Choosing the Right-Sized Excavator

Excavators are expected to do earth-moving work across the construction scale. They’re found in huge construction projects, where they work in conjunction with a team of other machines to get big work done efficiently and within a large scale of economics. Most excavators are set on tracks for crawling around rough ground, but some Cat excavators are equipped with wheels for faster movement on more sensitive surfaces like asphalt roads or concrete pads.

Traditional excavators have an extended boom and a 360-degree rotation swing. They’re used for trenching and carving out foundation holes, demolition, rough and smooth grading, as well as specialty tasks like brush removal. Although excavators range from small to large, they’re normally divided into three distinct size groups.

• Mini or compact excavators are typically the most mobile and easiest to maneuver into tight places. They weigh between two and seven tons. Mini-excavators are the tool of choice for landscapers and construction sites where space is limited and mobility is tricky. Compact excavators are ideal for avoiding damage to the finished ground, or where sensitive pipes, cables and gas lines may be buried. Transportation is easy with mini or small excavators. They’re meant to be pulled by a standard pickup and trailer.
• Standard excavators range between seven and 45 tons, and are the most versatile excavators. They’re large enough to handle most construction jobs in the most common working environments. Standard excavators have plenty of power, but require operating space. At the highest tonnage, these machines can present storage and transportation challenges. Standard excavators are also heavy and will damage finished ground.
• Large excavators are the big industrial workhorses. They can weigh up to 80 tons and require heavy trailers with special transportation permits. Large excavators have immense power and are the answer for big commercial projects. They also have large purchase and operating costs. You rarely find large excavators in an urban environment.

1. Tail Swing Is Important in Choosing the Right-Sized Excavator

Another factor to consider when you’re choosing the right-sized excavator is tail swing. This refers to the rearward extension where the excavator’s engine and counterweight are located. Traditional excavators have rear sides that extend beyond the undercarriage or tracks. As the excavator is rotating, the swing from the tail can be hazardous to nearby objects, including structures and workers. As a rule of thumb, the larger the excavator, the longer its tail swing will be.

Zero tail swing or zero house swing features are designed to keep the excavator’s cab, engine and counterweight within the entire confines of the undercarriage. This lets the operator safely work near obstacles like walls and trees. There’s one disadvantage to zero-swing excavators. To compensate for swing, the excavator’s tracks tend to be set wider apart which makes it harder to drive in tight work spaces.

Boom reach is important regardless of the size of excavator you’re considering. A long excavator boom or arm lets you reach further from the machine’s parked position, but it slows the cycle time. This can be important depending on your location or how fast a truck-filling turnaround time you expect. Shorter arms increase speed, but lessen how far you can handle material.

2. Consider Bucket Design and Capacity

Bucket capacity and design is another consideration when picking the right size of excavator. Buckets have two main configurations. One is a narrow profile with small capacity and is equipped with teeth on the leading edge. This is a trenching or ripping bucket, and it’s used to break up hard ground. The other is a bailing or cleanup bucket that’s wide and has a voluminous capacity. It lacks teeth and is used to load large amounts of material out from the ground or on surface piles.

Bucket capacity is rated in volume measured by cubic yards or cubic meters. Mini-excavators can have small buckets with a fraction of a cubic yard capacity, while standard and large excavators have can handle multi-yard material volumes. Determining what bucket capacity you need is a highly important consideration to take in when sizing your construction equipment.

Engine power is dictated by the excavator’s size, weight and lifting capacity. Larger excavators naturally require larger horsepower engines to drive the hydraulic system which delivers power to the boom and tracks. It’s best to determine the operating parameters like size and capacity for your construction equipment first. Your machine’s engine power will then match its service requirements.

Operator Comfort and Safety Are Important in Choosing Construction Equipment

Excavators are machines where operators spend a great deal of confined time. More so than backhoes, wheel loaders, skid steers and dozers, many excavator operators spend their entire day for weeks on end inside the machine’s cab. They’re subjected to temperature extremes, visibility challenges, ergonomic effects from jarring shock and repetitive motions from control handling.

Some smaller, mini-excavators have an open, ride-on operator station, but all standard and large-sized machines have enclosed cabs. They have heating and air conditioning systems, as well as glare-resistant glass and even exterior protection from hazardous materials that can be loosened or felled by excavation activities.

Many new excavators have ergonomically designed controls like joysticks and left/right-hand conversions. Seats and restraints are designed with operator comfort and safety in mind. Some machines even come with audio and communication systems, as well as hearing protection and dust filtration apparatus. All these features should be accounted for when selecting the right-sized equipment. Sometimes, for operator comfort and safety, it’s best to step up one size in machinery.

Backhoes Are Available in Different Sizes

Backhoes perform many of the same tasks as excavators, such as trenching and loading. Like excavators, backhoes are available in different sizes, depending on the intended use. The main size factors in backhoes are their designed depth of digging or reach, as well as their loading capacity.

Where all an excavator’s functions are handled by one boom and bucket, a backhoe is a two-ended machine. The boom with the trenching bucket is on the rear end, while the large loading bucket or scoop is on the front. This makes a backhoe very time-efficient in handling multiple roles without having to stop and change buckets.

Another big time advantage is a backhoe’s mobility. Thanks to their rubber tires, backhoes can travel at much faster speeds than an excavator. They can also be safely operated on finished surfaces like pavement and concrete. Backhoes are indispensable in municipal operations where excavators are limited by tracks and sheer size.

When choosing a backhoe size, consider the role you expect it to fill. That includes location and types of material to be handled. You also need to determine load capacity, which will dictate machine size and engine power. Operator convenience, comfort and safety are also important.

Choose a Wheel Loader According to Capacity Requirements

Wheel loaders are commonly called front-end loaders. They’re not like backhoes that have a trenching and digging boom. Wheel loaders have one main purpose, and that’s to quickly and efficiently scoop up loose material and place it into containers like dump trucks and box trailers.

You’ll commonly see wheel loaders scurrying around gravel pits or aggregate supply depots. They depend on a combination of speed and load capacity to be efficient. Wheel loaders are continually switching between forward and reverse, and are required to make tight turns in small spaces.

The most important consideration in picking the right wheel loader is its bucket capacity. This determines the machine’s size. You need to consider your working environment and time frame allowed for loading. You can nicely get by with a small loader if you’re only dealing with light-duty trucks that take landscape supplies, but if you’re in the gravel or large aggregate industry, a big loader is the only way to go.

Another factor to consider is portability. If the loader remains stationary in a yard or pit, a larger machine may be suitable. However, if you regularly mobilize a wheel loader, you need to consider trailer and truck size. Here, a smaller machine might have a better return. Even if it takes a few more scoops per truckload, it might be more cost effective to slip down a size or two.

Bulldozers Have One Primary Purpose

Dozers are designed to push and spread volumes of earth across a relatively flat area. The volume or amount of material you need to move is the primary factor in sizing a bulldozer. The nature of the material also comes into play, as wet, heavy soil requires a larger machine than dry, granular material.

For light-duty applications, a small dozer may be fine. For large operations, however, there’s nothing like the brute strength and sheer pushing power a huge machine can deliver. Besides the blade size, the other main consideration in picking a dozer as construction equipment is its physical size or footprint. Larger machines take larger space. They also take larger mobilization equipment, and it all adds to greater cost.

When picking the right-sized bulldozer, make a careful assessment of the conditions you’ll be operating in. Like other machines, it’s wise to err on the side of caution. Too large a dozer may be hard to move and handle. Too small may be unable to do the job.

Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders Are Highly Versatile

The main difference between a skid steer and a compact track loader is the mobility system. Skid steers are usually rubber tires and rely on locking either the left or right wheels to turn. Compact track loaders use a dozer-like system where one side of the tracks turns faster or slower than the other. Each machine has the ability to turn in its own radius.

These versatile machines are extremely popular on construction sites. They vary in size, but all are designed to be mobilized on a trailer or back of a dump truck. Often, skid steers are used in teamwork with other construction equipment because they’re fast, compact and economical. They’re also easy to operate and require minimal skill and training.

Choosing a skid steer or compact loader size really depends on where and what it’s intended to be used for. Like other machines, the larger units have bigger capacity and perform heavier duties. But there’s a cost involved, and that needs to be weighed. It’s a matter of return on investment compared with the ability to complete a given job.

Attachments Make All Sizes of Construction Equipment Versatile

One thing that makes skid steers and compact track loaders so versatile is the remarkable array of attachments available. Attachments turn the machine into something altogether different at a fraction of the cost of buying another dedicated machine. Warren CAT has a wide assortment of Cat brand attachments for all sizes of skid steers and compact track loaders. Here are a few of the most popular Cat attachments.

• Augers
• Backhoes
• Blades
• Brooms
• Bucket options
• Compactors
• Forks
• Mowers
• Rakes
• Stump grinders
• Thumbs
• Trenchers

Adding attachments to your fleet can be an excellent way to elevate your newest fleet additions. For example, if a backhoe is not in your current budget, using a backhoe attachment on your skid steer can help your operation until you’re ready for a larger investment.

These attachments can also add extra support to a given task. For instance, you may have wanted a bigger dozer, but your job site did not have the space. Use a range of blade and bucket options to keep up with earthmoving demands utilizing a smaller machine.

Warren CAT Is a Top Supplier of Cat Construction Equipment

No matter what size of construction equipment is right for your job, Warren CAT is here to help you select it. Warren CAT serves customers in many locations in West Texas and Oklahoma. Whether you need a small skid steer with multiple attachments, or a large excavator with a long reach and big capacity, Warren CAT has the inventory and experienced staff to help you make the right choice.

Our capability to serve customers and our reputation as a world-class dealership make Warren CAT the perfect Cat brand construction equipment outlet to partner with. Contact us online today for more information.

If an emergency could impact employees, customers or the workplace itself, do you have a plan for how business operations might continue?

According to a 2010 study by Forrester Research, 7% of businesses did not have plans to develop a formal business continuity plan in the event of disaster, although 14% of businesses had plans to develop a plan within six to 12 months.

Ensuring you have a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan in place is key. It requires plenty of preparation before problems occur, the right response while facing those problems, recover procedures to address damage and mitigation strategies to reduce damage from the next disaster. It doesn’t even have to be an earthquake or large-scale power outage to have drastic consequences. Small challenges such as burst pipes and fires can create significant work stoppages. Many internal emergencies should be preventable.

Unfortunately, 90% of business can fail within a year if operations shut down for five days or more. Following an emergency preparedness plan will not only protect employees and infrastructure, but it also should mitigate damage. Read on to learn the top emergency preparedness tips.

What Types of Disasters Can Affect Your Business?

You should know your region and the types of disasters likely to impact your business. Business emergencies take many forms and can often be completely unexpected. Depending on the location of your business, however, some potential emergencies are much more likely than others.

Possible emergencies that impact all businesses include:

Fires and explosions. Fires and explosions occur in approximately 70,000 American businesses. Even everyday products can present fire hazards under certain conditions.

Severe weather such as extreme temperatures, hurricanes and tornadoes. Keep in mind that roughly 1,200 tornadoes occur every year in the United States.

Local disasters such as earthquakes and flooding. There’s a possibility of quakes in most states.

Chemical releases and spills, which may require the use of protective clothing, gloves and goggles.

Medical emergencies

Terroristic acts

Cyber attacks

Flu pandemics

Equipment failure and power outages

Before You Create Your Disaster Preparedness Plan for Business

In addition to knowing the possible emergencies that could occur in your area, you should also:

• Review your area’s history — Review a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) from a local emergency management agency to determine what emergencies have occurred in the past.
• Consider your building and location — Consider your facility’s physical capacity to withstand damage and proximity to hazards such as seismic faults, hazardous materials, nuclear power plants, flood plains and dams.
• Know your Achilles’ heel — Are there particular dangers that could be particularly damaging to your business? What are critical operations, and how might they be impacted? What if electrical power gets interrupted for an extended period? Or, what if a piece of vital equipment breaks down when the business is busy?
• Understand your insurance coverage — Consult with insurance companies to ensure you have proper coverage for disasters likely to impact your business, including liability and property insurance. Take notice of what the policy covers and what it excludes, considering any and all deductibles limiting coverage for a loss. Be sure to keep business insurance coverage up to date and address any coverage gaps. Get flood insurance if your business is located in a potential flood zone and ensure that computer equipment and data are covered under a policy. Business interruption insurance will cover costs necessary to ensure the business survives. Don’t wait to check your insurance coverage when disaster strikes.
• Document valuable business assets — It’s wise to take an inventory of valuable business assets before anything gets damages, including make, model, serial number and purchase price. Taking photos of equipment can help verify their condition before a disaster occurs. Getting a business valuation could mean getting paid more when disaster strikes, since it makes it easier for insurers to make more accurate determinations of loss. Don’t wait until you’re close to selling a business to get a valuation report.

Who Should Your Emergency Plan Cover?

When designing an emergency plan, you should address the needs of your:

• Employees — This requires an examination of chain of command, leave policies, sick-day policies and communication infrastructure. Be sure to have contact numbers for all employees and keep that information up-to-date.
• Vendors and suppliers — Keep contact numbers for vendors on hand and consider plans for any disruption in product distribution. Also, consider recommending disaster preparedness measures to vendors since a disaster shutting down a key supplier can be devastating to your business.
• Customers or clients — Keep contact numbers for customers on hand and ensure there’s a plan in place for any interruption in service.

What You Need to Include in Your Disaster Preparedness Plan for Business

An effective plan includes:

A designated leadership structure — During emergency situations, you need a clear chain of command. This involves determining key individuals, their emergency roles along with skills. A large company may need a more extensive emergency management organization to coordinate evacuations.

A warning system — You need to be able to communicate with employees during an emergency. How would you let employees know an emergency has occurred? If you have a building has a PA system, create a plan to utilize it. If no PA system exists, consider installing one or an alert siren.

Exit maps — Your employees need to know how to safely exit your building. Maps should clearly mark critical utility and emergency routes. Make it easy for people to locate stairways, exits, fire escapes, fire extinguishers, hazardous material, restricted areas, fire hydrants, utility valves and utility shutoffs.

Considerations for those with special needs — Your plan should address the needs of anyone with disabilities or medical conditions. This may require first identifying co-workers with special needs and also engaging them in emergency planning.

Communication — You will need to communicate with employees, families and the media during and after an emergency. Keep in mind that ordinary communications may be disrupted during an emergency. Having a place to assemble becomes important when communications are down.

A place for employees to assemble — After evacuation, your employees should know where to meet and have shelter during extreme weather. Evacuation coordinators can account for all employees, visitors and customers using a roster or checklist.

First-aid procedures — Your plan should cover how to address internal medical emergencies. You should educate employees on where to locate medical supplies and training them on basic medical care, such as CPR. Consider having at least one medically trained employee per department.

Equipment and supplies — You should identify what may be useful during an emergency, as well as the names of people who you can call for repairs. You should keep a stock of basic repair items, as well as create relationships with repair companies so you know you’re covered.

A list of people and resources — Establish an emergency number so employees can check in after an emergency. A good way to go about this is to have department members check in with their immediate supervisors and then have supervisors report to one central person.

Emergency drills — At least once a year, make sure employees know what to do in the event of an emergency. This will also help test the effectiveness of existing procedures to determine if changes are needed.

How to Create a Business Continuity Plan

A business continuity plan, also called a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), is key to proper emergency preparedness for businesses. It should help keep the business operating while experiencing an emergency or disaster and while recovering from an emergency. Your COOP should:

1. Designate employees to develop the plan — Involve co-workers from all levels, including managers and employees with technical skills, to comprise an emergency management team. Ensure that people understand individual responsibilities and there are others who can assist as backup.
2. Determine activation procedures — You should know when to activate your COOP. Determine if different procedures are needed for different business locations.
3. Identify essential business functions — Ensure you have the staff to carry out these functions.
4. Establish procedures with suppliers and vendors — For those critical to daily operations, your plan should cover what to do in the event of an emergency.
5. Identify a location to continue conducting business if the facility is inaccessible. Can work be conducted from an alternate location or home? Since it can take weeks to restore a facility after a disaster, it helps to consider alternatives facilities to house the business. Identify records that must be accessible to perform essential functions and ensure you can continue meeting payroll. Determine what equipment or supplies are needed to ensure business continuity. Stock up on spare parts to expedite repairs.
6. Protect vital equipment — The plan should outline what needs to be done to protect business-critical equipment. Protect systems such as computers and telephones from failure and attack. Uninterruptible power systems and surge protectors should be installed on key circuits. You also should ensure you’re installing antivirus software and firewalls, as well as updating system protection regularly.
7. Set up an electronic backup system — Your plan should cover how to protect vital business records, ensuring arrangements are made for offsite storage or placing items in a fire safe. While many companies now use the Cloud for storage, a physical location is also helpful in case an online system isn’t accessible. You should consider backing up tax returns, bank statements, financial statements, accounting records, insurance policies, employee contracts, site maps, asset records and records of corporate meetings. Don’t forget to create backups regularly and store them in another secure location.
8. Maintain an updated list of vendors and customers — You need to know who to notify of any interruptions in work.

We Have a Plan — Now What?

To ensure successful response in the event of an emergency, you need to:

• Train employees — It’s important that employees understand the types of emergencies that can occur and know what to do when they do. Community organizations can help employees acquire preparedness training. Employees should be responsible for the knowing their role during a disaster and being aware of evacuation procedures.
• Practice your plan — It’s extremely important to conduct regular evacuation drills as well as COOP activation, shelter-in-place procedures and medical emergency responses. This will ensure that employees know what to do when emergencies arise.

Steps You Need to Take Now

When it comes to protecting your business and employees, you need to:

1. Identify a planning committee or first aid team — These individuals will help design an effective emergency plan.
2. Obtain necessary safety equipment such as disaster preparedness equipment — You should gather items needed for emergency preparedness. The top 10 emergency preparedness items include first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and shelter-in-place supplies such as sanitation supplies, portable battery-powered radios (e.g. NOAA weather radios), blankets, dust masks, work gloves and emergency food and water. Safety latches can secure cabinets, and fasteners can secure bookcases to walls. Hook-and-loop fasteners can be used to keep more valuable items such as computers from falling.
3. Ensure emergency backup power and lighting — Portable battery backup should permit the limited use of equipment during loss of electric power. Additionally, you should consider having portable light towers ready to ensure lighting needs are covered.
4. Take precautions against fire — To protect against fires, install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and an automatic sprinkler system. Have the facility inspected for fire safety.
5. Use a backup generator — Consider installing a fixed or portable generator powered by diesel, gasoline, propane or natural gas. A commercial generator can decrease business interruption during a power outage, although they will need to be refueled periodically during long power outages. Generators are ideal for short-term blackouts to keep critical systems running until normal power returns.

Keep in mind that improper installation or operation can cause fires and serious injury. You should use the services of a licensed electrician to set it up. Don’t connect generator outlets into wall outlets and never use them indoors since they require proper ventilation. A generator should be grounded and never overloaded. A regular maintenance schedule will help ensure continued safety.

When purchasing a generator, consider your equipment needs first. A permanent generator typically runs longer than a portable unit. The device will be wired directly into the business using a transfer switch, which will reconnect wiring back to the utility lines upon restoration of power. A portable generator, on the other hand, can be moved to different locations based on power needs.

How to Encourage Personal Preparedness of Employees

While having a well-thought-out plan in place is crucial, it will mean nothing if your employees are not well prepared. To ensure a proper response, you should offer first aid, CPR/AED and emergency preparedness training to your team. It’s helpful if at least 10 to 15% of employees are skilled in first aid and CPR.

You should also encourage employees to consider alternative routes when entering and exiting the facility, and keep emergency preparedness kits at work. Remind employees to keep emergency contact information current.

Additional Resources

Be sure to review emergency plans annually, since preparedness needs do change. You can obtain up-to-date information from:

• American Red Cross — For assistance in assessing the emergency preparedness of your business, you might consider the American Red Cross Reading Rating, a 1-2-3-point self-assessment of preparedness to reveal areas for improvement.
• Ready.gov — This site offers a sample business emergency plan, along with advice on how to build disaster kits and prepare for emergencies.
• FEMA — FEMA also provides resources on emergency preparedness in addition to disaster specific information.
• Small Business Administration — If you’re a small-business owner, the Small Business Administration offers tips on preparing for disaster and other helpful information. The SBA has a disaster recovery loan program to provide capital to get through the recovery process.
• OSHA — You can access an eTool to help small, low-hazard services and retail businesses implement emergency action plans.

Contact Us Today for Help With Your Emergency Response Plan

Whether you’re working on a small-business emergency response plan, or you’re a large corporation, Warren CAT can help. Contact us today for assistance developing your plan.

Maximum uptime is the goal of every construction crew. You won’t get paid for sitting around, and you won’t have flexibility in your budget to win the next contract. More operating time also gives you the option to hire a bigger or more experienced team, take on more work and earn more profit.

Ways To Reduce Downtime

If you’re looking for ways to avoid downtime and make the most of your uptime, these seven strategies can help:

1. Keep your equipment uptime-worthy

Pilots check their machines before every flight. While you may not be worried about dropping out of the sky, failure to prioritize your machinery could easily send your business down in flames.

Construction equipment isn’t cheap, and you won’t pay it off if it’s not moving. Some things are out of your control – such as an unexpected hydraulics repair – but if you neglect regular equipment maintenance, there’s no one to blame but yourself.

Depending on your machines and how you use them, you’ll need to keep up with equipment maintenance daily and weekly.

Regular wear and tear can also turn into an uptime killer if you’re careless. However, more serious problems can be corrected easily if you catch them before they sideline your equipment. Don’t forget to regularly check for the early signs of more expensive equipment maintenance or repairs:

• Hairline cracks on the frame and along welds
• Track, tread and tire wear
• Small pits, star-breaks and cracks in windshields
• Bucket wear
• Digging tooth and bucket pins

Train your team to take your equipment seriously. Whenever possible, do your equipment maintenance on-site, rather than in the shop. If necessary, create a maintenance plan and service checklists for your foremen to sign off on to prove that machine health is a priority.

2. Let your dealers manage your equipment maintenance

If you’re like most business owners, focusing on daily tasks often pulls your attention away from running your company. And auditioning independent mechanics and services takes time and can lead to costly repairs if you’re given cheap oil filters, air filters or other important parts.

We can easily keep track of your fleets’ regular maintenance and provide a long list of optional services to keep your uptime as profitable as possible. Choosing your dealer’s service plan ensures that you’ll get trusted Cat^® filters and parts. Your dealers know every nut and bolt on your equipment — more importantly, they want your return business.

Your various dealers may not be the cheapest option, but they’ll stand behind their work, making corrections easier and cheaper. When your equipment gets older and engine service and repair is more expensive than a new machine, your dealers will have options readily available. Remember to look into trades and used equipment when it’s time to replace your fleet.

Keeping the relationship with your dealers in place will make it easier to borrow loaner equipment while yours is in the shop — or to try out new machines when you’re in a tight spot.

3. Allow easy team communication

If a problem arises with a vendor or subcontractor, how quickly will your employees contact your foremen and site managers? How soon will you know about it?

Without a clear and simple flow of information, even your uptime can start to feel like downtime. Material shortages, quarry delays and machine repair can take twice as long to correct when nobody can reach the person with the solution.

Have a communication plan in place. The people at the bottom of your organizational chart will usually be the first reporters of issues that can lead to downtime. Make sure they know who their primary and secondary contacts are. Small hang-ups, such as an occasional hydraulics repair or clogged air filters, won’t sideline your crew if the right people know about it as soon as it happens.

Let your on-site team see ahead to when future jobs will be released. Give them some access to information that will affect their work schedules down the road, so you don’t end up on the hook for unexpected overtime pay.

Communication gear is also getting more job-friendly. Invest in sturdy tablets or phones that can pull up site plans and vendor emails on the spot, so your people spend less time in the swivel chair and more time on-site. Look for equipment cases that resist water and dirt, or cases that can be used with gloves.

4. Be the team physician, not the hospital

Hospitals are always reacting to problems and setbacks. They don’t see the emergency until someone arrives with a problem. But sports teams keep physicians on staff to monitor their athletes during regular training. Team physicians know all of the weaknesses and stress points they’re responsible for, and they prevent injuries before they occur.

Your construction team has stress points. It’s up to you to spot the weaknesses in personnel, equipment, vendors and clients before you run into problems that can ground your team. Being aware of potential setbacks can help you work towards maximum uptime.

5. Plan for emergencies

Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Many small companies are one bad day away from shutting down forever. From storm damage to injury and death, you can’t plan for the catastrophic, but you can be ready for it when it happens to your team.

When team members are hurt or killed, uptime isn’t your main concern. Prepare in advance to provide counseling and HR flexibility to your team and their families when they need them most. Your men and women should also know who to contact during emergencies, and they should be familiar with your policies. Keep an updated resource available and require regular signoffs on it.

Some emergencies don’t require counseling, but they can still destroy your uptime. If a major project folds and you’re left with empty weeks on the schedule, do you have backup jobs to keep your team productive?

6. Make the most of your “normal” downtime

Most companies have built in normal downtime every night. It’s too dark to work and too expensive to pay three shifts, so your job sites are quiet and still for half the day.

Make the most of this time by running a skeleton crew after your regular team goes home. Do some research to find vendors and trade partners who keep odd hours. If you offer enough regular business, other companies will accommodate you.

It’s possible that the downtime you’re worried about is seasonal, not every night. If your company can work on roofs, paving, digging or other outdoor jobs for part of the year, there are options to cut some of your loss:

• Explore equipment leases based on machine hours, not the calendar
• Look for out of state contracts during the slow months at home
• Knock out workforce training, certifications and office tasks

7. Maintain a motivated team

You can do everything else right, but it’s the boots on the ground that determine your success or failure. The best laid plans won’t stand a chance against disgruntled team members.

Take a look at your people. Do they require constant supervision? Will they take initiative while you’re off-site? Do you trust them with equipment maintenance, day-to-day decisions, and minor conflict resolutions, or do you need to micromanage them?

The more time you spend dealing with site issues that your team should be able to handle, the less time you can spend on strategic thinking. Think about what motivates your team. Are they satisfied with their positions, or are they daydreaming about their next job? Do they know how much their efforts contribute to your success? Invest some time learning how much encouragement matters to them, and how often they need it.

Maintaining healthy relationships with the people you manage is easier, cheaper and more satisfying than constantly firing and hiring. If you’re miserable to work with, you won’t keep it a secret and you won’t attract the talent you need to keep your sites running. Uptime doesn’t equal productivity if your team isn’t giving 100%.

Work Strategically to Increase Uptime

There’s a lot of competition out there, and no one gives handouts to companies that just try really hard. You’ve taken the time to build your team and your business, now put it to work as strategically as you can.

Eliminate your downtime, and spend your operational hours making money and winning new contracts — not wishing you’d been more prepared

Compared to the world’s population, a relatively small percentage of people get to witness the capability of Caterpillar machines, from their massive power to their delicate precision. That’s one reason Caterpillar recently launched its Built For It™ trial series.

Built For It Trial No. 1: The Stack Tower

For example, Built For It Trial No. 1, the Stack, resembles a large-scale version of the popular game people play on their coffee table with friends. Caterpillar held the stack challenge in a test facility in Edwards, Illinois, using 27 blocks that weighed 600 pounds each. Skilled operators proceeded to push, pull and pile a total of 8.1 tons of wood from a nine-level stack into a 15 level stack.

The challenge involved a combination of brute force and gentle touch to demonstrate the extreme controllability of Cat^® machines and their attachments:

Built For It Trial No. 4: The Sand Castle

Another impressive example is Built For It Trial No. 4, the world’s tallest Sand Castle, built in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and certified by the Guinness Book of World Records at 41 feet, 3.67 inches tall. The challenge demonstrates that Caterpillar brings not only the sheer power to dig and carry the sand but also the precision and accuracy to pile it high, compact it and sculpt its perfectly shaped features.

Big and small machines helped master the challenge.

Built For It Trial No. 5: The Lantern Festival

Built For It Trial No. 5, the Lantern Festival, demonstrates Caterpillar delivers power wherever it needs to go, including to the people of the Yuhu Village in China living at an altitude of 7,900 feet. Cat trucked one generator up the mountain to produce 252,000 watts of power and light 8,840 lanterns.

Roots of the Lantern Festival can be traced back 2,000 years. Very important to the Chinese people, it marks an end to the Spring Festival, commemorates the Chinese New Year, and symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.

This trial shows how Caterpillar “brings it” for a delightful purpose in the same way it has to address the bleak challenges of massive blackouts, power failure and backup electricity needed for all kinds of private and commercial situations.

You can check out Caterpillar’s other Built For It Trials here.

Displaying massive power and astounding capabilities is nothing new for Caterpillar. For over 85 years, Caterpillar has been building some of the world’s largest and coolest equipment and world wonders. Here is a look at some of Caterpillar’s top projects throughout history.

The Best Heavy Equipment Brand for Fighting Fires

Warren CAT delivered in early April 2015 a custom-built Cat CT-660 truck that enables New Mexico’s Quay County Fire Departments to battle blazes better and more efficiently than ever. The new Class 5 wild land fire truck allows unprecedented versatility to reach and quench wildfires in rural areas, plus offers the versatility to help firefighters do their job in urban settings, too.

Warren CAT spent 16 months building the custom truck and making sure it conforms to all the requirements listed in the National Fire Protection Association’s book of standards for wild land fire apparatus.

You have to buy the book to see all the NFPA’s specifications, but the National Wildfire Coordinating Group lists a few of the musts for such trucks:

1. At least a foot of ground clearance
2. Steep approach and departure angles of at least 20 degrees
3. Axle clearance of at least 8 inches
4. Ability to operate for extended periods at high temperatures
5. Safety capacity
6. Chassis and vehicle components
7. Carrying capacity for loaded weights
8. Electrical systems
9. Pumps and drains
10. Power train and instrumentation

Quay County’s newest vehicle is the third such fire truck Warren CAT has built, and the fire departments will strive to add a Cat all-wheel drive fire engine to the fleet in coming years to give it more off-road firefighting access to remote locations.

Making the Best Construction Equipment

There is practically no limit to the specialization Caterpillar can build into and onto a Cat CT-660 chassis for any vocation. Jaime Duenas of California Fuels and Lubricants says it’s one of the best trucks he’s driven in a long career.

CFL’s workers say the Cat trucks handle more like a new car, with superior steering on any grade and surface, even with the loads of fuel they haul that naturally move around during transport. CFL’s owner says he runs the trucks 10-12 hours a day, six days a week, and that Caterpillar has figured out how to make it easier for drivers to drive.

The CT-660 masters a multitude of vocational challenges with power, performance and features needed across many types of businesses, with these features:

• CT13 diesel engine with direct injection
• 365-475 horsepower
• 4.96-inch bore
• 6.54-inch stroke
• 49-inch height
• 1,000 rpm peak torque
• 6 forward speeds and one reverse
• 906-pound overall weight
• Four fuel-tank-capacity options available
• Three-axle options available

Using the Biggest Cat Dump Trucks for Recovery

Caterpillar power and innovative technology makes progress possible, and not just lately. For the past 88 years, Cat dozers, trucks, power solutions and many other types of equipment have done the hardest jobs in some of the harshest climates from the hottest to the coldest on Earth.

Cat machines operate now or have operated on all seven continents and in most major countries: Africa, America, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela.

Caterpillar’s impressive history speaks for itself.

When the worst happens, those devastated by it have called on Cat equipment such as the biggest Cat dump trucks and the largest Cat dozers to help them recover from the most unbelievably destructive natural disasters and other events:

Hurricanes — Diane on the East Coast in 1955, Camille in Mississippi in 1969, Agnes on the East Coast in 1972, Hugo in South Carolina in 1989, Andrew in Florida in 1992, and Katrina/Rita/Wilma on the Gulf Coast in 2005.

Tsunamis — Caterpillar machines have helped with reconstruction following many tsunamis throughout history and continue to be a big part of the recovery efforts following the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean that devastated the entire region.

Earthquakes — 1906 in San Francisco, 1936 in India, 1949 in Ecuador, 1959 in Montana, 1970 in Peru, and the earthquake that caused the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

Floods — 1950 in Canada; 1953 in the Netherlands; 1964 in California, Oregon and Washington; multiple years in the aftermath of hurricanes, tidal waves and tsunamis; 1993 along the Mississippi; and many flood-control projects in various watersheds.

Fire — Cat machines have helped fight flames ignited by many natural disasters around the world, and helped extinguish what is perhaps the longest, most infamous fire event after Coalition forces liberated Kuwait in 1991, when 750 oil wells were set on fire.

Bombing — Cat equipment helped clean up the devastating effects of the 1993 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Using the Largest Cat Dozers for Construction

Major industry naturally turns to Cat heavy equipment for big and small jobs alike for general and heavy construction, agriculture, mining, government, paving, materials handling, landscaping and many others.

Caterpillar machines have been a part of some of the biggest, most ambitious construction projects in the world, including:

1. Highways (tens of thousands of miles)
2. Olympic Games
3. Air and rail travel
4. Dams, canals, waterways and aqueducts
5. Undersea and underground cables
6. Oil and natural gas pipelines
7. Electric lines and power generation
8. Massive excavation

Here are some examples of places where Cat machines have helped reconstruct cities and buildings:

World War I

Cat machines were sent overseas to England, France and Russia for agriculture from 1914-1918, and the governments put them to work assisting troops to haul equipment and weapons.

World War II

Caterpillar pitched in for the war effort from 1941-1945 to produce 51,000 track-type tractors by doubling its workforce and running factories seven days a week.

Apollo 11

NASA counted on Cat engines in 1969 to power communications between Houston and the worldwide tracking stations that enabled Apollo 11 to land safely on the moon and for people everywhere to hear astronaut Neil Armstrong’s famous words.

Pikes Peak

Caterpillar produced the first tractor to climb the famous mountain and reach its summit at 14,109 feet in 1919 and to operate at that altitude.

Hoover Dam

Cat machines helped excavate 3.7 million cubic yards of rock in the mid-1930s to make way for the astounding dam that is 1,244 long and 726 feet high.

Golden Gate Bridge

Caterpillar machines helped construct this engineering wonder that has become an American icon.

Operation Deep Freeze I, II and III

Engineers and researchers look to Cat equipment for assisting with projects in Antarctica that began in the 1950s and continue today.

Interstate Highway System

Cat equipment helped pave the way, literally, for the 42,800-mile U.S. highway system that allows motorists to drive east-west from coast to coast or north-south from lowest to highest tip.

More roadways

Caterpillar made other new routes available as it helped build the 1,600 miles of Alaskan Highway, sections of the Autobahn, the Pan-American Highway that links North and South America, and the superhighway through the Andes Mountains in Venezuela.

World Trade Center

Cat machines helped build the massive complex in the 1960s and 1970s, then played a huge role in recovery after terrorists bombed it in 2011.

Pipelines

Hundreds of Cat machines have helped build thousands of miles of pipeline that carry oil and natural gas; for example, the 2,600-mile line from Houston to New York; the 2,250-mile Trans-Canada line; the 989-mile line through the Great Lakes; the 800-mile line across Alaska; the 280-mile line through the Alpine Mountains; the 193-mile trans-Andean pipeline; and others.

Olympic Games

Caterpillar played important roles in preparing to host this oldest and biggest of world events during 1956 in Australia, during 1960 in California, from 1966-1968 in France, from 1971-1972 in Germany, during 1992 in Spain, during 1994 in Norway, during 2002 in Utah, from 2001-2004 in Greece, and from 2004-2008 in China.

Big Dig

Cat machines continue doing huge work in Boston’s enormous, ongoing project begun in 1993 and often called the most ambitious public works project in America.

It involves building 161 lane miles of the Central Artery, excavating 16 million cubic yards of dirt, pouring 3.8 million cubic yards of concrete, reconfiguring massive underwater tunnels, constructing or expanding several bridges, creating 300 acres of new park land and relocating no less than 29 miles of utility infrastructure.

Hydro Electric Scheme

Caterpillar completed major tasks for this Australian project that took 25 years to complete and involved 16 dams, seven power stations and 140 miles of tunnels, pipeline and aqueducts.

Inga-Shaba

Cat machines made way for this 1,100-mile, extra-high-voltage transmission system that stretches across Zaire, Africa.

Chunnel

Europeans needed the best heavy equipment to create a 32-mile underwater rail tunnel between the coasts of England and France, which when finished shortened travel time to a small fraction of what it had been by ferry.

The Best Heavy Equipment Brand for Astounding Loads

While many types of Cat equipment help get the job done, the most massive, crazy-big machines continue to amaze those who see or hear about the jobs, as well those who use the equipment.

The most enormous Cat truck, the 797F Off-Highway Truck, brings a C175-20, single-block, 20-cylinder engine that carries huge capacity. Features include:

• 4,000 horsepower
• 1.38-million-pound operating weight
• 6.9-inch bore
• 8.7-inch stroke
• 40-degree steer angle
• 138-foot turning circle clearance diameter
• 400-ton nominal payload capacity
• 42 mph top speed loaded
• 1,000-gallon fuel tank
• 59/80R63 tires
• 20 brake discs in front (10 per side)
• 30 brake discs in back (15 per side)
• 2.58-foot loaded ground clearance
• 48.6-foot overall body length
• 23.58-foot wheelbase
• 6.58-foot dump clearance
• 51.5-foot raised height

As big as the 797F is, the service points sit grouped at ground level for easy access. Operators board it with wide, powered stairs, and the cab features ergonomic controls for excellent all-day comfort.

You can customize the truck to fit your application with a range of optional equipment:

• Cabin-air pre-cleaner
• Throttle lock
• Engine shutdown timer
• Body heat
• External digital payload display
• Coolant and oil heater for cold-weather starts
• Road-analysis control
• Extra and portable fire extinguishers
• Torque-converter guard
• Brake-wear indicator

Largest Cat Dozer Tackles Any Job

The D11T is the biggest of the track-type dozers and brings sheer power with sophisticated characteristics to tackle any job. The mammoth D11T even works by remote control if you’re in places too dangerous for a human operator, and its features dominate hard work. They include:

• 908 net horsepower
• 3,500 psi hydraulic power
• 3,500 psi hydraulic power
• 5.7-inch bore
• 6.4-inch stroke
• 229,848-pound operating weight
• Up to a 505-gallon fuel tank capacity
• 26.6 inches of ground clearance
• 175 inches of track on the ground
• Elevated final drives for protection from elements
• 7.2-mph speed

The selection of work tools for any wheeled or tracked dozer can help you pound, dig, rip, scoop, lift, grade or do just about any other task needed. The D11T blades have a high-capacity universal blade to carry large loads far. A semi-universal blade penetrates the most challenging of materials, and operators can adjust the blade-pitch angle with dual tilt. Caterpillar makes the bit ends and cutting edges for a long and productive life from its trademark DH-2 and DH-3 steel.

Rippers come in single- or multiple-shank options that can adjust to the depth you need using a single pin. Big, single-shank rippers are also available for the deepest depths, and the D11T has rear counterweights to give you superior balance (and safety) as you work.

All You Need in a Machine: Talk to a Sales Rep Today

From the most monstrous mission to the most delicate and sensitive tasks, it’s easy to confirm Caterpillar machines as the best. Contact Warren CAT to find out more about the equipment that will help you master whatever big or small challenges you may have.