News

This months product spotlight is on the compact JLG G5-18 Telehandler

For the job site where space is at a premium and productivity is a necessity, the G5-18A telehandler delivers the maneuverability and versatility you need. This is a small versatile telehandler that is low profile and able to fit into a parking structure and great for landscaping too.

Important features include

– Superior Maneuverability Tight turning radius, narrow width and low machine height
– Versatility Wide variety of attachments to handle job site challenges
– Comfortable Cab Spacious cab with single joystick control and 360-degree visibility
– Maximized Serviceability Easy access to components for service and repair

Key Specs

• Maximum Lift Capacity: 5500 lb / 2494.76 kg
• Maximum Lift Height: 18 ft 4 in. / 5.59 m
• Maximum Reach: 10 ft 11 in. / 3.33 m

Key Features

• Comfortable cab to reduce operator fatigue
• Tight turning radius to maneuver through crowded jobsites
• Fuel-efficient Tier 4 final Deutz engine
• Variety of attachments for versatility in handling jobsite challenges
• Universal skid steer adapter compatible with existing skid steer attachments

G5-18A-Brochure

G5-18A-Spec-Sheet

The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that approximately 1 billion dollars of construction equipment is stolen each year in the United States.¹ Even with modern advantages like 24/7 webcams and motion sensor detectors to trigger lighting, theft and vandalism is an increasing problem.

Job sites are generally easy targets because:

• Multiple pieces of equipment use the same keys
• Large unsecured areas are common
• Tools and supplies are often left out in the open
• Lumber is left out and not secured
• Metals (especially copper) and other supplies are not secured.

Many times the crimes are not planned, simply crimes of opportunity. Someone walking or driving by a site happens to notice tools left out at the end of a day, or spools of copper wire left out in plain sight.

Other times when crime is planned, the results can devastate an individual contractor. 

In North Carolina not long ago, three men were arrested for stealing two work trucks, two trailers and two mini excavators from a construction company. In a separate incident four men were charged in Cleveland for stealing over a million dollars of construction equipment. 

Besides targeting tools and machines, materials like lumber and copper make attractive targets, especially today with rising material prices and shortages due to Covid, etc. 

Generally theft happens when job sites are not well monitored and when barriers have not been put in place. Too many entrances and exits can complicate security even when barriers and climb-deterring hardware is installed.

Another important area of concern is when a disgruntled worker walks off the site with tools or materials. Being present as a supervisor can make a huge difference in maintaining good working relationships as well as raise red flags when a worker or workers are dissatisfied. Having regular meetings with workers allows a boss to address problems quickly and lets workers know that they are also being monitored.

Loss of equipment leads to a loss of efficiency and therefore a loss of profit. 

Andrew Lambert, a group program manager at Milwaukee Tool,…says industry research shows that 30 percent of tool and equipment purchases are made to replace lost or stolen items. Even when equipment hasn’t been stolen, it can be misplaced by workers on a construction site. Lambert said 35 percent of the typical worker’s time is considered nonproductive, and a majority of that time is spent looking for items needed to execute work.₁

New technologies are giving contractors better tools to fight crime. 

Common sense low-tech solutions help and need to be part of an overall security plan. Contractors should take advantage of asset ID tagging and barcodes, worksite barriers etc. Increasingly however, high-tech solutions are becoming more available, more effective, and more affordable. 

Milwaukee Tool has its One-Key solution. It offers multiple approaches for different kinds of goals like bluetooth technology (something like Apple’s new Air Tags) for showing the last known location of an item and pinging your device as you get close. They have tags that are meant for harsh outdoor conditions as well as small tool tags.

One-Key also offers Geofencing. This alerts you when equipment walks away. You can create an invisible perimeter around any site and assign equipment to that place. When a tool assigned to one of your geofences is seen outside of it, you’ll be notified.

Pro-Vigil is a company that offers remote video monitoring along with artificial intelligence to identify sounds and distinguish between something like breaking glass verses canvass flapping in the wind. Its motion activated system turns on lights, alarms and plays recorded announcements to scare off intruders. 

These high-tech solutions to construction theft might have been too expensive in the past to be practical for many contractors. Over recent years, not only have costs come down, effectiveness of these systems has increased. When factoring in the rising costs of materials and machinery along with the downtime associated with idled workers, the cost benefit ratio has made considering high-tech security options a must.

¹ https://www.constructormagazine.com/solving-a-billion-dollar-problem/

The construction industry has a back problem. Active workers face a staggering incidence of back pain and injury. In America as a whole more than 50 million adults suffer chronic back pain. Each year 264 million days of work are lost to back pain totalling $100 billion in loses to American companies each year. 

Not surprisingly back pain among those in the construction industry is higher than for Americans as a whole, in fact about 20% higher. That figure holds the same across different age groups, so youth is not necessarily as much an advantage as we might think.¹

Back pain is a symptom. The problem is the nature of the work, and it’s not just heavy lifting. Twisting, flexing, bending and reaching all play a roll, as well as constant repetitive motion. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR):

…many construction occupations require bending or twisting of the body and repetitive motions in work performance. Brickmasons are more likely to use bending, twisting, and repetitive motions during most of their work than other occupations, followed closely by painters and drywall installers. Many construction jobs also involve kneeling, crouching, stooping, and crawling, which increase the risk of WMSDs as well. Concrete workers, heating and air conditioning mechanics, roofers, and painters have to work in such postures for at least 60% of their working time. Overall, about three-quarters (75%) of workers in construction production occupations need to kneel, crouch, stoop, or crawl for at least half of their work time. ²

Solutions

Typically relief from back pain takes the form of addressing symptoms through anti-inflammatory medicine, opioids, physical therapy, and surgery. Safer practices like warming up before activity, proper form when lifting or bending help, but ultimately fail because of the unpredictable nature of the work. 

Robotics have just started to be used more often in construction. They are increasingly more helpful at placing materials where needed and saving the workers twisting and bending so much when working with something like cinder blocks. Innovation in this field has been accelerated because of Covid. Keeping safe work distances and working with fewer crew members have made robotics a good way to assist contractors in keeping workers safe while staying efficient.

Exosuits

An emerging field of technology to help avoid injury is the exosuit. Unlike simple braces or wraps to support a worker’s joints exosuits can be effective in fighting fatigue and back injury. Exosuits have become relatively inexpensive, practical and much more comfortable in recent years. They don’t have to be heavy or restrictive and can provide support for repetitive movements assisting in lifting and bending over through the course of the workday.

Valuable information can be found on the latest in exoskeleton technology around the web including Sites like ExoskeletonReport.com 

Back pain and injury are clearly a big problem in the construction industry leading to downtime for workers and sometimes chronic injury. For contractors this not only leads to a less productive and cost-effective work force, but may open the door for law suits or medical expenses that hopefully can be avoided. Embracing newer options like robotics and exosuits might seem a bit too sci-fi until you see how effective these modern solutions can be for this long persistent problem.

¹ https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/construction-safety/safety-equipment-other/article/21404043/herowear-llc-heavy-lifting-isnt-the-only-reason-behind-constructions-expensive-back-pain-problem

² https://www.cpwr.com/research/data-center/the-construction-chart-book/chart-book-6th-edition-hazards-and-exposures-exposure-risks-for-work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-and-other-illnesses-in-construction/

The JLG 1255 Telehandler

JLG redesigned their telehandlers in 2015 to help you navigate terrain more confidently and move materials more efficiently. The new cab design of the 1255 gives you better field of vision while an optional reversing camera and reverse sensing system alert you to objects behind your machine. It features the Stabil-Trak rear axle stabilization system and a new hood made with a heat-resistant polymer that is more durable than ABS or fiberglass.

You can depend on them to carry loads up to a 5,000 lb capacity at maximum lift height, and still have enough power to handle the biggest jobs. The new cab design gives you better field of vision while an optional reversing camera and reverse sensing system alert you to objects behind your machine.

With an array of attachments and accessories, this versatile machine is ready for a huge range of jobs!

ANSI – The New American National Standards Institute updated standards for Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) in June 2020,. Operators and Supervisors MUST be certified for having completed MEWPs training. 

We’d like to point out one rule that’s often overlooked.

Operators and supervisors have often forget the requirement that Manuals are to be on the machine, specifically the ANSI manual. 

You must reminder to make sure the correct manual(s) is on your machine. An ANSI Manual is required to be on a MEWP at all times, as well as the operations & safety manual and the AEM manual. This has been mandatory for some time now even under the previous standard. The ANSI manual is a shortened version of the full standard manual and having it on the machine is considered LAW by OSHA. 

Since the standard has changed this means that the old ANSI Manuals must be replaced with the new ANSI manuals. Per ANSI: It is the operator’s responsibility to make sure the correct manuals are on the machine, including the current ANSI manual.

This is an example image that show how to distinguish between an old and a new ANSI manual as well as the other required manuals. An easy way to tell if you have the correct ANSI manual is that it will say MEWP on it. Since this is a new term it would not be on any previous versions of the ANSI manual.

Also attached below are some pictures of the new training room. 

Give us a call about Training Thursdays and get your certification here at Elite right away. Elite provides MEWPS training to the most current standards. Don’t risk the danger or liability that could come from having untrained workers. Ask us about classes and certifications today!

This month, we’d like to feature a popular and versatile boom lift: the JLG 1350SJP Ultra Series Telescopic Boom Lift. This series of lifts features 100,000 psi steel – 40% stronger than the competition and they’ll lift a thousand pounds. Our customers love the reach and power of these lifts.

Key Specs

• Platform Height: 135 ft / 41.15 m
• Platform Capacity – Restricted: 1000 lb / 453.59 kg
• Platform Capacity – Unrestricted: 500 lb / 226.80 kg
• Horizontal Outreach: 80 ft / 24.38 m

Key Features

• Ground to 135 ft up in 95 seconds
• Strong 100,000-psi steel and a dual 1,000 / 500 lb capacity give you stability and capacity
• Equipped with a fuel-efficient Tier 4 engine 

When you want a machine that gives you confidence; that’s built to perform and that’s designed to meet any challenge—that’s the JLG Ultra Series. Check out our Elite wrapped 1350s in action!

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is one of the oldest industries on the planet. Partly because of this it has been slow to move to new technology. “Construction productivity has actually declined in some markets since the 1990s; financial returns for contractors are often relatively low—and volatile.” *

The construction industry is one of the least digitized.

Some of the challenges to the industry include multiple sectors which are geographically dispersed and dramatic differences between projects. Think of the difference between building a bridge verses building an airport.

There is a tendency for every project to be thought of as unique and not scalable therefore making embracing new technology may seem impractical. 

The argument for the construction industry to accelerate technological innovation is powerful and one of the most promising areas today is in the use of Augmented Reality or AR.

What is AR? It is technology that uses a combination of sensors, cameras and databases to integrate your physical surroundings with computer-generated information to provide an efficient, enhanced view of your surroundings. AR differs from VR (Virtual Reality) in that VR is an entirely digital experience without integrating elements of the real world around you.

AR is effective for Project Planning. It can allow you to project 3D models onto a 2D plan.

It can give clients a realistic view of the project and allows for changes before starting the project that might otherwise lead to large cost overruns. The technology allows for quickly measuring height, width and depth on site and transferring those measurements onto updated models making sure that the on site spec and the planned models agree.

Combining a physical view with digital information can be invaluable for locating pipes, walls and beams and inform the user in real time of obstacles to a desired revision.

Augmented Reality allows complex data to be simplified and more immediately useful. Data overload can bog down progress and create confusion for anyone. AR can help by:

• allowing project managers to use machine visualization to ensure that equipment they’ve ordered will fit the workspace
• that any accessory they consider will fit the machine they’re using. 

Some of the most powerful aspects of AR is increased efficiency, higher utilization rates and increased ROI.

In order to maintain a competitive advantage all of these factors are essential.

Making sure that machines are well maintained and being utilized effectively means companies can make more money back on their investments.

AR makes it easier for operators to use their machines safely, can translate control functions and decals to their preferred language and streamline operator efficiency to keep machines in use, as opposed to idling while trying to consult a manual.

AR can help ensure that equipment ordered for a project will actually reach the necessary height and handle projected loads, while still fitting into the dimensions necessary.

There are still drawbacks to AR just as there are with any emerging technology. It is not perfect and can be restricted by bad internet connection in remote places. Not all AR glasses can be worn with a hard hat. 

The potential of AR and other new technologies to revolutionize the industry is profound. If the construction industry is ever going to increase efficiency and productivity in a meaningful way there is no choice but to integrate and embrace new technology. The industry as a whole is well positioned to come back after Covid and AR will be an integral part of its future growth.

JLG’s AR app is a suite of five tools:

• Machine Visualization: Make sure you have the right equipment for any job by placing and moving virtual machines in your actual job site.
• Kit Visualization: Stock or buy the right accessories for any job by viewing them on your real equipment or in the space where they will be used.
• Operation Guidance: Promote safe machine operation with control panel guidance in your choice of languages.
• Decal Viewer: Ensure operator safety with a viewer that shows decal information in your choice of languages and explains symbols and images.
• Inspection Assistance: Increase efficiency with inspection details and information shown on the machine you’re inspecting.

* https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/imagining-constructions-digital-future#

An analysis of government data by the Associated General Contractors of America showed an increase of 84,000 jobs in October. The association warned though that a growing number of of construction projects are being canceled or delayed. (Survey Here) 

Despite the fact that total Construction employment grew to 7,345,000 jobs in October, up 1.2% from September, employment is down 3.9% or 294,000 jobs since February. Nonresidential construction including heavy and civil engineering construction remains 5.6% or 262,000 jobs below February levels. Residential construction has faired better down only 1.1% or 32,000 jobs.

There were significant differences in construction activity between states. Between February and October, New York lost the most construction jobs (-41,600 jobs or -10.1 percent), followed by Texas (-41,500 jobs, -5.2 percent). Vermont had the largest percentage loss (-21.8 percent, -3,200 jobs), followed by North Dakota (-13.2 percent, -3,900 jobs).

Thirteen states added construction jobs as well as the District of Columbia. Virginia added the most jobs (7,100 jobs, 3.5 percent), then Kentucky (4,300 jobs, 5.4 percent) and Alabama (4,300 jobs, 4.5 percent). South Dakota added the largest percentage gain (9.4 percent, 2,300 jobs), followed by Kentucky.

California added the most jobs between September and October (26,300 jobs, 3.1 percent), then Texas (9,400 jobs, 1.3 percent). The largest percentage gain for the month was in Alaska (10.1 percent, 1,500 jobs), followed by Iowa (7.0 percent, 4,700 jobs).

“The survey results make it clear that the months-long pandemic is undermining demand for projects, disrupting vital supply chains and clouding the industry’s outlook,” said Ken Simonson, the Associated General Contractors of America chief economist. “Without new federal relief measures, these challenges pose a significant threat to current construction employment levels.” *

The association’s October survey included responses by over one thousand contractors in residential and non-residential construction. Three quarters of them reported that a project had been canceled or postponed. Overall they reported more cancelations than starts.

Industry groups are still hoping congress will pass another stimulus package before the end of the year. Additional investment in infrastructure, liability reforms and new Paycheck Protection Program flexibility and tax relief could help offset impacts of the growing number of project delays and cancelations. 

“Congressional leaders understand that employers cannot afford to wait until next year for relief from the broad economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “We stand ready to work with Congress to make sure any new relief measures include new infrastructure investments, tax relief and liability reform so honest firms don’t fall victim to predatory lawyers seeking to profit from the coronavirus.” *

Whether a lame duck congress will take the initiative is partly dependent on industry professionals activism. If a deal is reached before the end of this year, it’s likely to be much smaller than previous stimulus packages. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that he backs another stimulus package but it seems he wants to keep it in the range of $500 Billion instead of the $2 trillion sought by Democrats.

Now might be a good time to reach out to your representatives to make sure they are motivated to act to protect this essential industry and the overall economy with more financial stimulus.

*https://www.agc.org/news/2020/10/28/more-contractors-report-canceled-projects-starts-survey-finds-construction-0

Elite Construction Equipment is excited to now offer the Hilti PS 1000 X-scan Concrete GPR System to rent. This compact and innovative devise can scan through concrete up to 16 inches deep. You can map out and avoid drilling into reinforcing bars, cables and locate cavities before you start.

The PS 1000 concrete scans show objects in a 2D or 3D plan view and cross-sectional view for immediate analysis, or an in-depth view on the PSA 100 monitor. The unit includes a high memory capacity for clearly interpretable color images of the objects concealed in concrete structures. Users can also quickly locate objects, allowing their positions to be marked directly on the working surface.

Key Features:

·       Scans stretches of up to 10 m in length

·       Inspection and detection in steel-reinforced and prestressed concrete structures

·       Compact and cordless system consisting of scanner and monitor

·       Advanced software for comprehensive reports and documentation

Video demonstration of how powerful this can be on job sites.

PS-1000-X-Scan-Radar-Detection-System-Brochure-ASSET-DOC-LOC-4351975

Elite Construction Equipment offers a comprehensive range of test and measurement equipment with a variety of rental terms for periods ranging from a day, a week, a month or a year or more.