• By Admin
• Posted February 11, 2019

All About Selecting and Deploying New Equipment

From software to hardware, implementing new technology or equipment companywide is challenging. It has to be the correct solution and provide the company with numerous benefits. But where can construction companies start? How can they put together a plan for selecting and deploying New Equipment? Taking that a step further, how can they determine which technology to leverage equipment? The first step is to understand the equipment and technology—and there are a few areas that stand out as necessary for the job site. 

There are four categories of new equipment tech that should be on the job site

1. Grade control systems: These guidance systems help an operator know where the cutting edge of the tool is. Technology also automates the cutting edge to make it more productive and it reduces the wear on the equipment. Technology can help a novice operator use the equipment. 

2. Payload weighing system: This system can track the number of materials moving on the job site It can also make sure a truck isn’t overloaded, leading to a fine.

3. Telematics: Telematics can be equipped on every tool on the job site. It provides the hours used and the location of the equipment. Telematics track the maintenance by monitoring the equipment in the field and identifying when something needs to be fixed. It reduces the downtime on the equipment.

4. Drones: The benefit is using them for 3D topography and tracking the status of the project. It helps contractors know the state of the project. Drones are also useful for
inventory tracking of materials and stockpiles. Drones can survey an area much quicker than traditional methods. 

Having new equipment on the job site helps not only the project, but the industry as a whole. It helps qualify the workforce available in the industry. They become more productive. The equipment is more productive. We now have streams of data for the job site and it can be managed better. Machine utilization helps business leaders.

Maximize Construction Site Efficiency 

To maximize site efficiency and competitiveness, both onboard and off-board technologies should be used today. Onboard technology such as grade, payload, and compact will reduce costs with less rework, increased production, less fuel consumption, and fewer material costs. 

Off-board technology such as telematics will allow equipment trackings such as location, hours, maintenance, production, fuel consumption, and fuel efficiency. By monitoring these job site traits, adjustments can be made quickly to maximize uptime, adjust schedules, and provide daily status reports to enhance job site efficiencies.

New or Used Equipment?

Some construction companies are continuing to use older, Used Construction Equipment, but the new equipment comes with a number of benefits.  Technology, for instance, can help improve productivity and site efficiency, but there are a number of other benefits that come along with leveraging new equipment.

Case in point: New equipment also provides advantages in warranty, emission compliance, uptime, and machine efficiencies in higher production, lower fuel consumption, and operator comfort. 

Putting a Plan in Place

As exciting as the possibilities that the technology on new equipment can provide, actually deploying it on the job site to the contractors takes time and planning.
Add grade to one tractor, get the operator used to the system, allow the supervisors/managers to see and document benefits in less rework, faster project completion, less operator fatigue, fewer material costs, and overall improve efficiencies. 

As the technologies for equipment and the job site grow, construction companies will be able to embrace and adopt the new and used construction equipment available. To remain competitive in today’s market, adopting technology will be crucial. And it starts one piece of equipment at a time.