Modern Contractor Solutions October 2016 PDF

The equipmenT & Business soluTion for ConCreTe & General ConTraCTors
WWW.MCSMAG.COM
OCTOBER 2016
KNOW YOUR CRANES
FALL ZONE
DIVERSIFY WITH
SNOW REMOVAL
BENEFITS OF
CONTRACTOR
TRAINING
CONSTRUCTION
ETHICS
CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2016
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 10
INDUSTRY NEWS
8
Whats happening in the construction industry
PROJECT PROFILES
14 Demand for Creative Construction Strategies Paves Way for Modern
Concrete Block Suppliers
16 Modern Formwork
610 Lexington rises high despite a small footprint.
18 Fueled and Ready to Work
Ohio site development contractor gains uptime with multi-tank fuel and service trailers.
16
20 Choreographing the Dance of Men and Machines

Restoration and repair of USS Constellation.
EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS
24 Solid Foundation: Solid Performance
The 2016 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab was designed for easy upfitting.
26 A New Age Dawns for Cordless Power Tools: Part 2

28 Unconventional, But Effective
Gravity-fed paver is designed for ease and quality production.
ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
30 Its Daylight Savings Time
Save big on natural lighting with Smart LED System.
MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
34 A Revolution in Power Tool Rentals Is Here
26
But the basics are still in play, including common sense.
36 Contractor Training
Cultivating the trainer within supervisors and managers.
38 Pushing Toward Diversification
Benefits of providing snow removal services in the off-season.
Check out the digital edition of Modern Contractor Solutions at www.mcsmag.com
IN THIS ISSUE
Know Your Cranes Fall Zone............................................................. 50
Diversify with Snow Removal ........................................................... 38
Benefits of Contractor Training .......................................................... 36
Construction Ethics .......................................................................... 42
ON THE COVER
The cover photo highlights five Linden Comansa Tower Cranes, mounted on 10-meter travel
bases, working on a hydro power dam project in upper Manitoba Province, Canada. The
project is owned by the province and being built by the construction consortium BBE Hydro
Constructors.
46
SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
40 Manage Your Jobs Like A Pro
How construction accounting software helps keep track of projects.
LEGAL SOLUTIONS
42 Construction Ethics? You Bet!
44 Feds Eye Effectiveness of State Workers Compensation Systems
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
46 Remote Control Welding Technology
Offering benefits for productivity, quality, and safety.
48 High Demand Applications Demand High Performance Insulation
SAFETY SOLUTIONS
50 Crane Fall Zones Are Larger Than They Appear
MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
52 Changing the Way You Change Your Oil
MODERN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

54 Featured Product: PRESS-SEAL CORPORATION
PSX:Direct Drive Manhole Connector
TREND REPORT
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64 The Real Impacts of Merchant Cash Advances on Your Business

Words from Scott Applegate, COO, CapitalPlus Equity.
EDITORS NOTE
A Modern Approach
Donna Campbell
Editor in Chief
Construction in todays market is showing creativity with the innovative

manufacturing of modern concrete blocks as the foundation for the
Mercedes High School Athletic Stadium (pg 14), the modern formwork
for a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper (pg 16), and the use of JLG
equipment to restore and repair the USS Constellation (pg 20). A
new age dawns for Milwaukee Tool with its digital tool platform for
increased productivity (pg 26) and natural lighting wins with the use
of Smart LED Systems (pg 30). A new way of looking at power tool
rentals is highlighted in the Management Section (pg 34) along with
taking your business to the next level with contractor training (pg 36)
as it relates to safety and productivity. It wont be long before the temps
drop, and depending on where you operate the first snowfall. For
contractors looking to diversify, adding snow removal in the off-season
could be the answer (pg 38). Taking a modern approach to construction
projects may include remote control welding technology (pg 46) and
using high performance insulation (pg 48). October puts the focus on
breast cancer awareness with the color pink. To demonstrate its support
for raising breast cancer awareness, Mack Trucks is showcasing a pink
Mack Pinnacle axle back model at its Greensboro, North Carolina,
headquarters throughout the month of October (pg 55).
Cheers, Donna
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RUSSELL HADDOCK
COO/Publisher
CHRIS GARMON
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DONNA CAMPBELL
VP, Editorial
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INDUSTRYNEWS
TAKEUCHI LAUNCHES TWO NEW TRACK LOADERS
Takeuchi-US, an innovative global leader in compact equipment,

introduce two new track loaders to the market with the TL10V2
and TL12R2. Both track loaders are US EPA Final Tier 4 emission
compliant and come standard with Takeuchis new telematics
system, Takeuchi Fleet Management.
The TL10V2 is the second vertical lift track loader in the
Takeuchi lineup, joining the larger TL12V2. The vertical lift
arrangement delivers a 5 percent greater operating capacity over
the TL10 radial. It also provides increased lift height and greater
balance. The TL12R2 radial replaces the TL12 and features an
operating weight of 12,530 pounds. It delivers over 6.5 percent
more operating capacity, and has a tipping load of 8,629 pounds.
The TL10V2 and TL12R2 are now available. For more information
on the new models or on Takeuchi track loaders, wheel loaders,
excavators, or skid steers, visit www.takeuchi-us.com.
LIFTING GEAR HIRE TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL

COSMIC BOWLING FUNDRAISER
Organized and hosted by Lifting Gear Hire, the 3rd annual

fundraiser, Cosmic Bowling, is set to occur on Sunday, November
13, 2016, and promises to provide an interstellar evening of
bowling, raffles, games, food, drinks, and more.
The event was created on behalf of the Transplant Village, the
charitable arm of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with the goal
to raise money and awareness to continue the advancement of
the hospitals organ transplant research. Transplant Village itself
also provides financial support, counseling, and resources to
transplant patients and their families who endure the struggles
and hardships faced in the difficult beginnings and aftermath of

organ transplants.
Those who wish to lend their support, but not actually attend,
can sponsor the event or make a personal donation. All donators
of any amount will be recognized in the event program. Contact
Christina Czeszewski at 708.598.4727, or via email at christina.
czeszewski@lgh-usa.com. www.lgh-usa.com
PIEDMONT PARTNERS WITH 31 COMPANIES

TO BUILD NEW FACILITY
With construction of a new patient tower slated to begin

January 2017, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital officials have secured
partnerships with 31 companies to help bring the project to life,
pending Georgia Department of Community Healths approval of
Piedmonts Certificate of Need Application.
The tower will offer a patient-centric, integrated healthcare
experience that will improve all aspects of patient care at
Piedmont Atlanta, both in the new tower and the existing
campus, so that we can continue our 110+ year tradition of
serving this community, says Patrick Battey, MD, CEO of
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.
The first phase of the $603 million project will be complete
around September 2020. Phase two of the tower up-fit will
begin in 2022 and one patient floor will be completed per year,
except for 2026 when the final two floors will be built out. The
total project duration will be 10 years. The integrated project
delivery team is led by CBRE as program manager, HKS, Inc. as
architect, and Brasfield & Gorrie as general contractor, along
with other partners.
HardTrack Mobile - Wireless
Concrete Temperature and Maturity System

Flexibility, Wireless, Mobile, Secure
Long Read Distances, RFID Loggers
Wake, Inc.
USA: (800) 957-5606

Canada: (647) 931-6995
AU & NZ: +61 4 0059 9007
HardTrack makes your Concrete Talk
8
| OCTOBER2016
www.wakeinc.com
www.mcsmag.com
INDUSTRYNEWS
CATERPILLAR ENTERS HOME
AND OUTDOOR POWER MARKET
Caterpillar is entering the home and outdoor power market with

the introduction of portable generatorsthe Cat RP Series.
The new generators are designed to provide reliable backup or
recreational power to residential users and portable power to
professional contractors who need to power tools and lights on
the job. The initial models of portable generators in the Cat RP
Series range in size and power from 3.6 kW to 7.5 kW in North
America and 2.5 kW to 4.4 kW in Europe.
This product is available to purchase through a new multichannel distribution approachincluding Cat Dealers, local
retailers, and eventually national retailers and wholesalers
which will serve as Cat Home & Outdoor Power Authorized
Sales and Service Centers. The new products will be introduced
to distribution networks in the U.S. and Canada over the
remainder of 2016 with a move into European networks late
in the year. An expanded home and outdoor power portfolio
is under development with more product launches anticipated
in 2017. For more information on the new generator line, visit
www.cat.com/homeandoutdoorpower.
LIVINGSTONE CASTS SOLUTION

FOR GLOBAL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LEADER
Livingstone, an international mid-market M&A and debt advisory

firm, announces the sale of HawkeyePedershaab, Inc. to Forsyth
Capital Investors, LLC. Livingstone was the exclusive financial
advisor to HawkeyePedershaab. Transaction terms were not
disclosed.
10
| OCTOBER2016
Founded in 1915, HawkeyePedershaab designs, engineers,

and manufactures capital equipment for the production of
concrete pipe, box culverts, and manholes. With manufacturing
facilities in Mediapolis, Iowa, and Bronderslev, Denmark,
HawkeyePedershaab offers a comprehensive portfolio of
equipment systems and aftermarket parts for manufacturers of
precast concrete products ranging from stand-alone production
machines to fully automated plants with robotics and control
technology.
MWE ACQUIRES WESTINGHOUSE

PORTABLE GENERATORS
Midwest Equipment (MWE) announces it has acquired Westpro

Power Systems, a manufacturer of Westinghouse portable
power products. Through the acquisition, MWE adds portable
generators and digital inverter generators to its product offerings
that include compact equipment tracks and tires, undercarriage
components, and portable climate control systems. The
Westinghouse Portable Generators will be sold through various
distribution channels and through MWE as an offering to rental
and equipment dealerships.
The Westinghouse Portable Power line includes a range of
portable gas generators designed for customers and professional
contractors, as well as a line of digital inverter generators
for commercial, outdoor, at home, and anywhere that quick,
lightweight temporary electricity is needed. The line is a
compliment for MWEs ClimateRight of portable HVAC systems
for use on pet houses, RVs, tents, cabins, HD trucks, and small
apartments or houses. The company also plans to begin to offer
www.mcsmag.com
SALES RENTALS SERVICE TOOLING

OPERATOR TRAINING CONSULTING
Anchor/Tie Backs
Rock Drilling
Vibro Hammer
Short Auger
www.revdrill.com
Cont. Flight
4605 Wedgewood Blvd. | Frederick, MD 21703 | 301.662.6552 | Toll Free: 877.41.DRILL
INDUSTRYNEWS
the products to its track and tire customers that include compact
equipment owners, equipment dealers, and rental stores. For
specific Westinghouse portable power equipment information or
to find a dealer, visit www.westinghouseportablepower.com.
JOHN DEERE SIMPLIFIES SNOW REMOVAL
This winter, skid steers, compact track loaders or compact wheel

loaders are capable of tackling even more projects on the jobsite
with the John Deere Snow Utility V-Blades, the latest additions
to the John Deere Worksite Pro attachment lineup. These
attachments provide multifunctional versatility and are ideal for
customers removing snow or performing light dirt work on the
road, trail, or jobsite.
The three new models (BV6, BV8, and BV9) offer increased
flexibility, performance, and productivity. Delivering four
hydraulic angling positionsstraight for making larger cuts,
V-configuration for pushing through hard-pack, scoop (both
sides inward) for easy snow stacking, and 30-degree right or left
positioning for accurately moving snow or dirtthe John Deere
Snow Utility V-Blades offer a variety of standard features to
properly and efficiently tackle snow or light-dirt projects on the
jobsite. For more information, visit www.johndeere.com.
LATICRETE LAUNCHES NEWLY DESIGNED WEBSITE
LATICRETE, a manufacturer of globally proven construction

solutions for the building industry, announces the launch of its
new website, www.laticrete.com.
The website features a new mobile-friendly design, several
new ways to find products, the ability to service markets around
12
| OCTOBER2016
the world and translate content into multiple languages. The

innovative site is designed to accommodate new products and
international regions. LATICRETE migrated all product lines and
product brands into a single site, making it easier to explore the
companys complete array of products and systems. Visitors can
also search for products by product line, brand name, application
or warranty, and a new product recommendation tool which
allows users to find the perfect products for a specific project.
Product pages have been completely redesigned and are
focused on a no dead-ends approach. This allows visitors to
explore the recommended applications for which a product can
be used, find related training opportunities, as well as discover
local distributors who stock products. Select products in the Tile
and Stone Care & Maintenance line can be purchased directly
from the site.
NEW STUMP HOG FOR FECON TRACK CARRIER
Fecon, Inc. introduces the new SH280 Stump Hog stump grinder
for the companys versatile FTX128 track carrier. The SH280
Stump Hog brings big performance and robust construction to
the job when powered by the 60-GPM/4,600-PSI high flow of
the FTX128. The SH280 delivers impressive torque and wheel
speed of 1,000 rpm through a large displacement direct drive
227cc hydraulic motor. The large 28.75-inch diameter wheel
is swept from side to side with the ergonomic control of the
FTX128 joystick. The dedicated auxiliary low flow of the tractor
powers the sweep function so no performance is taken from
the high flow power to the wheel. For more information, visit
www.fecon.com.
www.mcsmag.com
PROJECTPROFILES
Demand for Creative Construction

Strategies Paves Way for Modern
Concrete Block Suppliers
C
By Douglas
Glenn Clark
onstruction professionals that design and manage

large projects agree that a concrete product supplier
that can quickly create and deliver high volumes of
quality products is an absolute must. Yet the rush to finish a
high school athletic complex on a tight deadline with atypical
foundation specifications revealed that a firm also equipped
to provide customized solutions to meet architectural and
engineering challenges is priceless.
The Mercedes High School athletic stadium in Texas required an unusually tall, 71-foot
concrete block wall.
CHALLENGING PROJECT
The Mercedes High School athletic stadium in Texas required

an unusually tall, 71-foot wall. As a result, special loadbearing concrete blocks would be needed for the foundation.
Since the approval for project funding came late, architects,
engineers and material makers had less than 6 months
to complete the project before the first football game in
September 2015.
However, construction could not begin until the 12-inch
foundation blocks were created with a unique concrete
masonry unit (CMU) mix and then tested for a compressive
strength of 4,000 psi. Standard concrete block products are
1,900 psi on average, so this project required a customized
approach.
Bill Wilson, a 30-year veteran and president of D. Wilson
Construction, was selected to build the complex. He knew
he would need a major concrete product supplier that
could manufacture a large volume of material to meet strict
deadlines. The selected firm also needed to have the capability
of quickly developing and testing a custom- designed block
that could support a tall wall and press box.
SEEKING THE SOLUTION
Innovative Block had set up shop in La Feria, Texas, with a

highly automated facility. Company leaders told Wilson that
they had never made blocks of the size and compressive
strength required for the project, yet they assured him their
firm was ideally suited for the challenge. Why? The longterm game plan began with an investment in sophisticated
equipment needed to mix and manufacture a variety of
concrete products at high volume. They also had recruited an
expert staff that embraced creative problem solving.
Yet, construction of the athletic complex could not begin
until the specialty blocks had been pushed to extremes to test
for compressive strength. Wilson says the key element was the
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
14
| OCTOBER2016
The Mercedes stadium project required colored Holland pavers on the walkways that
connected the various spaces.
corners of the blocks, because thats where the weight, or load,

of the 71-foot wall would be concentrated.
That block was the first we had to lay, so we had our
concerns. It was a unique stadium project, higher than usual,
with a press box on top, Wilson recalls. Although the mix and
compression tests for the blocks ultimately were successful,
Wilson knew other challenges, such as quality control, would
follow.
PRODUCTION QUALITY
Through the years, Innovative Block perfected methods that

guarantee consistent quality and size when manufacturing large
volumes. For example, by running German-made machinery,
under normal conditions it can produce twelve standard
concrete blocks every 20 seconds. But that capacity can be
cranked up to 50,000 blocks per day when needed. In the past,
some firms could simultaneously produce only two standard
Douglas Glenn Clark is a freelance journalist based in Greater Los Angeles. For more information about
Innovative Block products and services, visit www.innovativeblock.com.
www.mcsmag.com
blocks with dimensions of 8 x 8 x 16 inches. Also, the new

companys process avoids variances: Block 12 will be exactly the
same as Block 1, which makes the masons job easier and faster.
MAKING THE WALL
Miguel Chanin, principle owner of Chanin Engineering, recalls

that designing the components of the Mercedes project was
challenging because the walls had to withstand the regions Tier1
rating. The heavy wind loads in the area compare with those in
Floridas Dade County.
In the end, it looks like a simple building, but it required
some extra effort. We knew wed need a higher strength in
the concrete products. When we are looking for a different
perspective on block or need a custom solution, Innovative
Block provides the necessary expertise. For engineers, thats
invaluable, he says.
PROJECT COMPLETION
According to both Chanin and Wilson, construction went

smoothly and the stadium opened in time for the Mercedes
Tigers to fulfill the Texas tradition of Friday Night Lights.
But when fans arrived for the big game, they also got a first
look at all the other elements of the projectrestrooms, a
concessions building, gymnasium, weight room, and an eightlane track that circles the artificial-turf field. These portions
of the complex demanded other realms of expertise that went
beyond the speed and efficiency required to create the loadbearing foundation blocks.
For example, the architectural plan for the 6,000-seat
Mercedes stadium project required colored Holland pavers on
the walkways that connected the various spaces. The pavers are
far more aesthetic than concrete walkways, and they also can
help reduce run-off and thus pollution, which affects many cities
in this nations southerly arid regions. Pavers can be permeable
and help retain or detain the damaging first blush water run-off
during torrential rains.
Unique demands accompany nearly every school, corporate
or institutional project. Therefore, modern manufacturers
of concrete blocks have broadened their services to meet
expanding needs and tastes.
COLOR MATCHING, CAST STONE
While concrete blocks are a much needed commodity in the

construction industry, these days architects and builders of
residential and commercial projects are not satisfied with
standard products. Instead, they want customized solutions
to upgrade the aesthetics of a design. They know that while
gray concrete blocks can be painted, that process creates a
maintenance headache that lasts for the life of the building.
To avoid the inconvenience and repeated expense, Innovative
Block uses iron oxide Lanxess powdered pigments to maintain
color integrity throughout the 60 types of blocks they offer.
Custom colors are ideal for campus buildings that wish to
display school colors, for example. The process also allows a
perfect match of wall and paver colors to better express the
vision of the architect and customer.
ONE-STOP SHOPPING
The Mercedes athletic complex and other types of projects

suggest that concrete suppliers must offer more than
manufacturing capability. By expanding their menu of services,
and welcoming creative staff members, modern firms are
creating one-stop shopping for construction companies.
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 15
PROJECTPROFILES
Modern Formwork
I
n Midtown Manhattan, New York City,

a new residential skyscraper, 610
Lexington Avenue, will rise to 65 stories
after completion. Originally conceived to
house a Shangri-La Hotel and condos, the
712-foot-tall, 4,000-square-foot tower will
instead feature 17 residences on the 52nd
to 63rd floors. Additionally, there will be
commercial space on the ground floor, a
restaurant on the second floor, and office
space on the third floor. The 9th floor will
feature a swimming pool.
610 Lexington
rises high
despite a small
footprint
RIGHT TOOLS FOR HEIGHT
Navillus Contracting brought in Doka

because of their previous strong working
relationship. Also, Dokas hydraulic
climbing systems would offer superior labor
and time savings needed for the project.
THE INNOVATIVE DESIGN

OF 610 LEXINGTON AVENUE
REQUIRED THE FIRST 10 FLOORS
TO BE CONSTRUCTED WITH
ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE.
During the planning process, several
considerations were made which involved
Dokas products. To begin with, in
anticipation of the several belt or transfer
walls, the Xclimb 60 climbing platforms
with custom slab mount shoes were used.
In addition, Dokas large loading or picking
platforms were used to ensure safe and
efficient cycling operation. All loads were
stripped and easily picked from the loading
platforms and then brought up to the deck
by crane.
MAINTAINING THE FINISH
The innovative design of 610 Lexington

Avenue required the first 10 floors to be
constructed with architectural concrete, so
a core ahead approach was implemented.
This approach would allow the formwork
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
16
| OCTOBER2016
In Midtown Manhattan,
New York City, a new
residential skyscraper,
610 Lexington Avenue,
will rise to 65 stories
after completion.
For more information about Dokas hydraulic climbing systems and other products used on this project,
visit www.doka.com.
www.mcsmag.com
to be reused from lift to lift

and maintain the required
finish. This was done using
Dokas MF 240 climbing
formwork with Dokas Top 50
timber beam formwork. The
platforms were anchored into
the slab edge and custom
spacers accommodated the
angle in the walls designed
for simple and efficient
forming. In addition, special
tie cones were used to create
a visually pleasing tie pattern
where the tie cone and
anchor cone had a similar
diameter.
INVENTIVE TECHNIQUES
To accommodate the
innovative design in a small
footprint, several inventive
techniques were used. A
custom dropdown shoe
allowed the platforms to
be set below the slab while
supported by a shoe which
was mounted to the top of
slab. Additionally, custom
angled spacer shoes allowed
the platforms to attach to
the shear walls securely and
safely.
Its working better than
Dokas MF 240 climbing formwork with Dokas Top 50 timber beam formwork was used,
I thought, says Zoltan
allowing the formwork to be reused from lift to lift and maintain the required finish.
Big, NYC union carpenter,
WORKING IN SMALL
Navillus Construction. The
FOOTPRINT
belt wall was up and steel was being installed in one day, this
One of the major challenges on this project was the relatively
would have normally taken days if done by hand.
small footprint, which created a logistical issue. Dokas preassembly service was valuable in advance planning for the
2-DAY CYCLE
small footprint. To work in the limited area, the platforms and
The use of the Xclimb 60 on 610 Lexington Avenue provided
the setup face of the belt walls were delivered in pre-assembled
huge benefits for the contractor. Without the Xclimb 60 system,
units ready to be installed from the truck. Additionally, the
the 2-day cycle would not have been possible. Additionally, the
geometry of the structure has a constant wave on the East and
crane was then free to address other areas of the project, while
West side of the tower, making the use of any exterior system
the forming and safety continued to advance.
difficult. However, the design of the Xclimb 60 system allowed
610 Lexington Avenue is expected to complete concrete work
the openings to be covered safely and easily.
in 2016 and open in 2017.
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 17
PROJECTPROFILES
FUELED
and Ready
to WORK
SiteWork working on
a jobsite outside of
Cincinnati, Ohio.
By Steven Ile
Ohio site development contractor gains uptime with multi-tank fuel and service trailers
we had to use our service trucks

and send them out and do all the
services. But now I can bring out
460 gallons of fuel at a time, 100
gallons of DEF, and take care of most
of it on my own.
The fact that the MTT doesnt
require a CDL or a HAZMAT is very
handy, says Smith. We can have
any of our crewsmost of which do
not have a CDL or HAZMAThook
onto the trailer and take care of their
own fueling needs that way. Versus,
if it was a different solution, weve
only got a couple people on staff
that have HAZMAT, so we would
have to always use them to pull that
trailer.
FINDING THE RIGHT
The trailer also provides an
SOLUTION
industry-leading DEF handling
Faced with the challenges of an
expanding business, SiteWORX was
solution that ensures optimal DEF
quality to protect SCR systems.
in search of a fueling solution that
Each trailer can be outfitted with a
could help ensure uptime and that
100-gallon DEF tank that features
fuel was always available, even when
Thunder Creeks closed DEF delivery
only needed in small quantities. After
looking at its options, SiteWORX
system, including its proprietary
2-in-1 DEF pump, which ensures
purchased a Multi-Tank Trailer (MTT)
The 2-in-1 closed DEF system prevents DEF contamination and
that DEF is never exposed to
and Service & Lube Trailer (SLT) from
eliminates the hassle of dealing with small jugs of DEF.
environmental contaminants.
Thunder Creek Equipment.
Its a self-contained system, so
Before we bought the MTT trailer,
its all sealed. You dont have to
we [had] our fuel supplier bring out
fuel every day and had to have standalone fuel tanks onsite,
worry about cross-contamination, says Buehner. The biggest
problem with [DEF] is that people go and fill open-end jugs or
says Lou Buehner of SiteWORX. For service, we either had
fill up equipment and they get dirt and dust. With this system,
to pay our equipment supplier to come out and service it, or
iteWORXthe largest site

development company
in Cincinnati, Ohiois
currently working on a large
residential development project
called Greenshire Commons in
Cleves, Ohio.
Weve already moved about
300,000 cubic yards of dirt on that
site, put in several miles of pipe,
says Matt Smith, president and coowner, SiteWorx. Its going to be
phased over a 3-year period. Were
currently building the last phase,
and thatll take us into the end of
this year.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
18
| OCTOBER2016
Steven Ile is a territory sales representative with Thunder Creek Equipment. For more information about
Thunder Creek Equipment, visit www.thundercreek.com.
www.mcsmag.com
its all self-contained, so you dont

have to worry about having crosscontamination. Everythings adaptable,
so theres nothing to it.
KEEPING OPERATIONS RUNNING
One recent example of how the fuel

trailer helped maintain operations for
the contractor revolves around Memorial
Day weekend. The company worked part
of that weekend, but was unable to get
fuel deliveries from its bulk fuel supplier.
The trailer helped fill that gap and kept
the fleet up and running.
Memorial Day weekend, we couldnt
get fuel, says Buehner. Our fuel
supplier was closed. I filled it up four
times, took care of all our jobsites, was
able to keep running and get another
full day of service without having to
worry about somebody that couldnt
take care of you. It would be hard to put
a dollar amount on it, but youre talking
thousands of dollars of lost revenue and
lost production if you cant get [fuel to
your] your jobsite.
SERVICE ON THE JOBSITE
As it relates to service: With an entire

fleet of equipment scattered across the
region, its significantly easier to bring

the service to the jobsite than bring the
equipment into the shop. Rather than
buying a high horsepower service truck
to perform this work, the company
purchased a service and lube trailer that
achieves many of the same functions,
but at a fraction of the cost and without
the added maintenance and carrying
costs of a large truck.
Thunder Creeks service and lube
trailer features a modular tank design
capable of holding 440 gallons of
fluid in combinations of 25-, 55- and
110-gallon capacities.
SERVICE TRAILER ADDS UPTIME
With the service trailer we were kind

of at a crossroads where, because of
growth, we couldnt do services in the
field out of 5 gallon buckets anymore,
we needed something bigger and better,
says Smith. [The service trailer] gives
a mechanic the ability to have all of his
stuff with him while hes out doing this
service, hes got his truck and his tools,
and everything that hes familiar with,
hes not moving his tools that he thinks
hes going to need to a different vehicle,
and getting out there and not having
what he needs. It just kind of seems like

the best of both worlds.
The investment in the service trailer
was about a quarter of the cost of a
new service truck that had similar
capabilities.
With a full service truck, its got an
engine that needs the oil changed, and
its probably going to be a larger vehicle
that has air brakes, so youve got DOT
certifications that have to be done on it
annually. Just multiple services that need
to happen on that particular rig that the
service trailer does not require nearly as
much of.
I think the service trailer and the
multi-tank trailer both have helped
our uptime, concludes Smith. The
service trailer we can get in the site
quick, get a service done maybe while
in operators eating lunch, just the easy
access to everything allows that process
to go quicker than if we were trying
to use jugs of oil and things like that.
Then, with the multi-tank trailer, instead
of making those special trips with a
100-gallon tank to help top off fuel, we
can stop in and top everything off at
one time. It definitely has helped our
uptime.
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OCTOBER2016
| 19
PROJECTPROFILES
Choreographing the Dance

of Men and Machines
Restoration and repair
of USS Constellation
Left: The USS Constellation in Baltimores
Inner Harbor is the last existing Civil War
era naval vessel and the last sail-powered
warship built by the U.S. Navy.
Below: The JLG 1500SJ boom lift provided
much-needed support for operators when it
came time to guide the spars into place and
hang the rigging.
isitors who tour the U.S. Sloop of War Constellation (USS

Constellation) in Baltimores Inner Harbor get an upclose look at the last existing Civil War era naval vessel
and the last sail-powered warship built by the U.S. Navy. What
they do not see is all the behind-the-scenes work that goes
into restoring, repairing, and maintaining the National Historic
Landmarkwork that Tim Padden, district sales manager at
United Rentals in Baltimore, which supplied the JLG equipment
used on the project, recently described as a historic dance of
men and machines.
Launched from Gosport Naval Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, in
1854, the USS Constellation was assigned to interdict the slave
trade off the coast of Africa, just prior to the U.S. Civil War.
One hundred years and multiple missions later, the warship
was decommissioned in 1955 and taken home to its permanent
berth in Baltimore Harbor. Since then, the vessel has undergone
a number of repairs and restorations, including recent work on
the spars (the three top masts and three tgallant masts) and the
ships rigging (the ropes, cables, and chains that support the
ships masts).
TOP-TO-BOTTOM REPAIRS
This work in the upper reaches of the ship actually began in

October 2014, when the spars and rigging were removed in
Cianbros Baltimore Yard. The ship was then put in dry dock at
the U.S. Coast Guard ship yard, so that 4,500 square feet of
planking beneath the water line could be repaired or replaced.
Work on the hull was completed, and the ship was returned
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
20
| OCTOBER2016
to Inner Harbor in February 2015, minus its spars and rigging.

Repairs to these elements were completed throughout the spring
and summer. At the end of the summer, as tourist season drew
to a close, the ship returned to Cianbros Yard, where the work
of reattaching the spars and rigging began, under the watchful
eye of Chris Rowsom, executive director of Historic Ships in
Baltimore and vice president of Living Classrooms Foundation.
Integral to the project were two pieces of equipment from
JLG Industries, Inc. provided by United Rentalsa G6-42A
telehandler and a 1500SJ boom lift. The telehandler played a
key role moving materials from the upper to the lower yard as
the assembly project began.
JLG is a leading manufacturer of lift equipment for uses in all industries. For more information about the
JLG G6-42A telehandler and a 1500SJ boom lift, visit www.jlg.com.
www.mcsmag.com
Its amazing what you can do when

you have the right equipment, says
Rowsom. Remember, the ship is about
179 feet long, and the spars weigh
anywhere from 850 to 4,500 pounds.
The telehandler provided the material
handling and logistics capabilities we
needed to move the spars and all the
related parts, allowing us to position
them for the crane that eventually
hoisted them.
Thats because the JLG G6-42A offers
a lift capacity of 6,600 pounds and a
maximum lift height of 42 feet 1 inch.
All-wheel steering and single joystick
controls contributed to smooth operation
and maneuverability at Cianbros Yard,
and multiple attachments provided
the versatility necessary to move the
various components of the spars and
rigging. As the telehandler moved
parts and accessories from the upper to
the lower yard, it really lived up to its
nickname as a pick-and-place machine,
maneuvering around objects to place
ship components precisely where they
needed to be, says Padden.
aboard the USS Constellation, as well as

the USCG Cutter Taney, Submarine Torsk,
Lightship Chesapeake, and the Seven
Foot Knoll Lighthouse.
These are wonderful programs that
teach participants about the lives of
sailors who served aboard these ships,
long before they had boom lifts and
the many conveniences we take for
granted today, says Rowsom. But

we certainly cant forget about those
boom lifts, because as work on the USS
Constellation demonstrates, the lifts
have played a critical role in enabling
us to continue to use this vessel as a
way to bring American history to life
for thousands of interested visitors
each year.
BOOM LIFT GUIDES

AND SUPPORTS
Equally important to the task at hand, the

JLG 1500SJ boom lift provided muchneeded support for operators when
it came time to guide the spars into
place and hang the rigging. Its 150foot platform height, telescoping jib,
and rotating basket made it a versatile
machine, allowing us to get into some
tight spaces when we needed to and be
close to the job at hand, says Rowsom.
That was helped by the fact that the
boom lift was so easy to operate.
Its true that Cianbro supplied an
80-ton crane for our use, he continues.
But a crane can only do so much. With
the boom lift, operators in the basket
were able to receive the components
from the crane and assemble them,
guiding the spars into place, making the
necessary connections, and hanging the
rigging. Taking place high above the
deck of the ship, this is what Padden
describes as the dance of men and
machines.
With the help of the boom lift, work
on the spars and rigging was completed,
and in December 2015, the ship was
once again returned to its berth in
Inner Harbor. There, it continues to
welcome visitors, who tour the ship
and participate in hands-on learning
experiences. Living Classrooms
shipboard education programs take place
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 21
EQUIPMENTSOLUTIONS
Solid Foundation: Solid Performance

The 2016 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab
was designed for easy upfitting
to meet your business needs
By Rachael Plant
am trucks are not usually known

for being dainty and petite. Theres
a reason for that. When you have
a job to do, you want reliable uptime
and enough power to complete the task
at handevery time. Rams Chassis Cab
lineup is a good option for tough jobs
and heavy equipment haul/towing
particularly the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab.
The Ram Chassis Cab line-up boasts,
Outstanding PTO choices, upfitterfriendly design, multiple fuel tank
options, available dual alternatorsand
one of the best warranties youll find.
The 5500 is the beast of the lineup, with
a GCWR up to 37,500 lbs, a payload
capacity of nearly 12,000 lbs, and a
towing max of 29,600 lbsdepending
on the engine and cab size.
POWERING THE BEAST
A 6.4-liter HEMI V8 gas engine putting

out 370 hp at 4,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft
of torque at 4,000 rpm powers the 2016
Ram 5500 Chassis Cab. The engine
features variable-valve timing and Fuel
Saver Technology cylinder deactivation.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
24
| OCTOBER2016
The standard 6-speed Aisin AS66RC

automatic transmission with PTO
capability complements the engine. Not
one to limit your options, Ram offers two
optional engine/transmission pairings for
the 5500, as well.
The available 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo
Diesel enginepaired with a 6-speed
G56 manual transmission with PTO
capabilitydelivers 320 hp at 2,800
rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque at 1,400
rpm. Of course, if you dont feel like
thats enough power for the job, theres
always the option of a 6.7-liter HighOutput Cummins Turbo Diesel. Paired
with a 6-speed Aisin AS69RC automatic
transmission with PTO capabilities, the
High-Output Cummins engine delivers
325 hp at 2,400 rpm and 750 lb-ft of
torque at 1,500 rpm.
The Ram 5500 Chassis Cabs available
PTO Prep Package has programmable
engine rpm when PTO is engaged
and single-set PTO speed and torque
converter lockup in PTO mode. Running
a standard 180-amp alternator, dieselequipped models have available dual
220-amp alternators. The 5500 Chassis

Cab also offers available dual 52- and
22-gallon fuel tanks for a 74-gallon total
capacitythe highest fuel capacity in its
segment.
SIZE MATTERS
The Ram 5500 Chassis Cab is available

as a regular or crew cab. Each cab
option has a number of cab-to-axle (CA)
lengths and wheelbases.
Regular cab 84-inch CA with

168.5-inch wheelbase: A longer
wheelbase means added balance
and stability, while the wider body
allows for better maneuverability
when turning.
192.5-inch wheelbase: This CA/
wheelbase combination offers
superior balance and control for
heavy-haul applications.
204.5-inch wheelbase: According
to Ram, this CA/wheelbase
combination is the maximum
For more information about the 2016 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and other Ram Commercial products and
services, visit www.ramtrucks.com/en.
www.mcsmag.com
available CA length for hauling

your biggest loads. This truck goes
to great lengths to accommodate
popular 14- and 15-ft upfits.
Crew cab 60-inch CA with 173.4inch wheelbase: The addition of this
crew cab offers room for your crew
and enough CA length to handle
popular 8- to 9-ft upfit bodies.
Crew cab 84-inch CA with 197.4inch wheelbase: This CA/wheelbase
combination offers the most popular
setup of all the Ram Chassis Cab
trucks for heavy-duty hauling. The
wider body offers better handling.
on the fly. The 5500 Chassis Cab also has

one 115-volt and two 12-volt outlets on
either side of the console center stack
and optional USB port on the drivers
side.
The 5500 comes standard with a 3.5inch vehicle information center screen
that features fully customizable functions
and configurability, letting you monitor
systems from transmission temperature

to navigation. And, since its better to be
safe than sorry, the 5500 can be ordered
with the optional ParkSense Package.
The ParkSense Package complements
the 5500s backup camera offering and,
together, these two features improve
cost of ownership and reduce potential
damage.
ENGINEERED FOR DURABILITY
With the 5500 Chassis Cab, Ram hit

the mark for durability and ease of
upfitting. In providing best-in-class
towing and GVWR capability, the 5500
needed a solid foundation. Its front
suspension springs handle heavy loads
while maintaining front ride height and
improving roll stiffness. Advanced 5-link
front suspension provides improved ride
and handling for use with heavy front
loads, such as snowplows. A Hotchkiss
rear leaf spring suspension provides
0-degree rake angle at max load.
The 5500 Chassis Cabs fame is built
with high-strength 50,000-psi steel and
is designed for upfitting. Its one-piece,
C-channel rear frame rails have no
components or lines above them, making
upfitting easier and more expedient. The
under-cab DEF tank and through-frame
plumbing and electrical feature allows
more room and a flat plane for easy
mounting of bodies and accessories.
GET A LOAD OF THE INSIDE
There is something satisfactory about

an aesthetically pleasing, comfortable
truck capable of tackling the tough jobs.
The Ram 5500 Chassis Cab has those
features. The 2016 model features new
amenities, including new center console
design on all trims, available Bluetooth
connectivity on entry-level radios, an
8.4-inch Uconnect system, matching
material throughout the interior, and
premium, durable materials on the
doors.
The 5500 Chassis Cab has a switch
bank below the HVAC arrangement that
features easy-to-use controls for multiple
functionsdepending on the model and
optionsincluding exhaust brake, tow/
haul, and electronic stability control.
There is also an adjustable integrated
trailer brake control, allowing the driver
to add or reduce trailer brake function
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 25
EQUIPMENTSOLUTIONS
A New Age Dawns

for Cordless Power Tools
Part 2
By Shane Moll
ordless power tool

technology is about to take a
giant leap forward in delivering
the raw power, performance, and
productivity demanded by the
professional contractor. The technology
being introduced today, and over the
next few years, will change users
preconceived notions about the
capability of cordless power tools and
the extent to which they can deliver
improved productivity on the jobsite.
This advancement will fundamentally
change the way professionals work,
and make a significant impact on the
overall operations on a jobsite.
Lets continue in part two of this
article to highlight Milwaukees lighting
improvements, greater performance,
and the digital platform for tools for
added productivity.
LIGHT IT UP
With advancements in lithium-ion have

also come improvements to other tools.
Jobsite lighting is a critical part of a
contractors job. Much of the lighting
seen on jobsites today are tethered to
a power cord, requiring users to lay
out extension cords and maneuver
for limited power on the jobsite.
Managing power cords alone can be
a drain on productivity. Additionally,
during critical times when there is no
power, users can be left without light.
Through a combination of high output
LEDs, advanced battery technology,
and intelligent electronics, Milwaukee
now offers the industrys first system of
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
26
| OCTOBER2016
cordless high output LED lights which

deliver full day runtimes in portable
packages. These innovative lights
feature high definition light technology
with the capability of taking the place
of traditional halogen and incandescent
lights. With their extreme durability
and cordless convenience, the
productivity and overall cost savings
vs. traditional halogen will change the
way contractors light up a jobsite.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Challenges on the jobsite, such

as battery runtime and overall
performance, are being addressed
every day as cordless technology
improves. This investment in
technology has also unlocked

capabilities the industry never thought
possible. The capability to not only
deliver traditional productivity
realized when using cordless tools,
but also provide additional value to
the contractor that was never possible
due to technology limitations. The
investment contractors make in power
tools can be substantial and the value
those tools provide continue to evolve
with improvements in technology.
The breadth of tools offered in a
cordless platform, the warranty
provided, after sales service and overall
performance on the job are just a few
of the considerations when making an
investment in a power tool platform.
Shane Moll is the president of Power Tools for Milwaukee Tool based in Wisconsin. For more
information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com.
www.mcsmag.com
DIGITAL PLATFORM
Recently, Milwaukee Tool introduced

the first digital platform for power
tools and equipment, ONE-KEY.
By integrating industry-leading tool
electronics with a custom-built cloudbased program, ONE-KEY provides
a new level of control and access to
information that is revolutionizing the
way work gets done. Power Tools with
ONE-KEY technology enable users to
connect wirelessly to their tools via
their smart phone or tablet, unlocking
solutions that provide value and
productivity never possible.
ONE-KEY enables a user to
customize, track, and manage
their tools. Tool control allows you
to harness the power and speed
of M18 FUEL, and completely
customize your tools around the
work you do. Using ONE-KEY, you
wirelessly sync with your drills and
impacts to program custom speed
and torque settings directly into
the tools memory. Integrated tool
tracking allows contractors to have
full visibility of tool utilization across
your network of jobs and users. The
ONE-KEY app will automatically keep
www.mcsmag.com
records of the last time your mobile

device was within 100 feet of your
tool, allowing you to quickly pinpoint
any missing tools on a map quicker
and increase the accountability of
your crew.
As the first to integrate this
technology standard in the tool,
ONE-KEY Tool Tracking provides a
free, easy to use web and mobile
platform to keep a virtual eye on
your tools when you cant. Additional
functionality being introduced in
late 2016 will provide even more
tool security allowing users to lock
and unlock their ONE-KEY tools.
Also, inventory management creates
a central place for contractors to
track all tools and equipment across
your network of jobs and users
while keeping detailed records of
all inventory, any manufacturer, or
brand. ONE-KEY enables instant and
easy information-sharing between
the field and backoffice by assigning
locations and owners to each
inventory item. Contractors will have
a full picture into the allocation and
location of equipment, how that
equipment is performing, how to
maximize tool potential, and save

settings that achieve the very best
results. This type of information has
true impact on productivity on and
off the jobsite. Contractors will see
ONE-KEY technology in a broader
range of Milwaukee tools and other
future products.
JUST THE BEGINNING
This new age for cordless power

tools has already made a tremendous
impact with contractors and on
jobsites everywhere, but this is just
the beginning. Logging hundreds of
hours on the jobsite, we interact with
professional tradespeople on a daily
basis to learn about their frustrations
and ideas. This not only inspires
true innovation, but drives us to
develop solutions professionals need
to perform their job productively.
Milwaukee will continue to invest
in technology to deliver disruptive
innovation for the jobsite since the
future will only be built by userdriven solutions. With momentum
and continued advancements,
the industry will catapult into the
future.
OCTOBER2016
| 27
EQUIPMENTSOLUTIONS
Unconventional, But Effective

Gravity-fed paver is designed for ease and quality production
By Jeff Winke
oadtec employed some

unconventional, but impressive,
inspiration when designing the
SP-100e Stealth Paver. The U.S. Militarys
stealth aircraft are known for a radical
shape and unusual paint that allow them
to do things no other planes can do.
The company used a similar strategy
to create a paver they claim is unlike
any others on the market. The Roadtec
Stealth Paver is designed to reduce
operating costs with its limited wear
parts and high ft/min paving. The angular
design and black paint are designed to
pay homage to the planes it emulates.
The 32,360-pound machine is
designed to be a low-maintenance,
completely gravity-fed paver specifically
for operating in conjunction with a
Roadtec Shuttle Buggy material transfer
vehicle.
The SP-100e accepts the hot-mix
asphalt (HMA) at the top of the machine,
where gravity feeds the material
through flow gates directly to the
auger from the cone-shaped mass
flow hopper. Gravity flow eliminates
the need for slat conveyors, hopper
wings, push rollers and tandem front
boggiesand the cost of replacing
the wear parts to these components.
There is no need for the engine
power and fuel consumption to
run all of those moving parts. The
simple design is intended to reduce
maintenance costs and initial purchase
price in other words, cheaper to buy
and cheaper to run.
By combining the SP-100e Stealth
Paver gravity fed system with the
Roadtec Shuttle Buggy, it is intended to
address several common issues found
in conventional asphalt paving. The SP100e hopper is designed to create further
material segregation prevention as the
material moves through the machine.
Finally, the head of material in front of
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
28
| OCTOBER2016
the augers is automatically controlled

by an electronic control system. All
taken together, the HMA is expected to
be delivered in one smooth motion to
provide a uniformly placed mat with
consistent density and smoothness.
The solid-rubber wheeled Stealth
paver is equipped with a Tier 4i,
Cummins QSB 6.7 173 hp two-speed
hydraulic engine, which operates at
THE ROADTEC SP-100E STEALTH

PAVER IS DESIGNED TO PRECISELY
EXECUTE ITS OWN MISSION
PAVING A SMOOTH-FINISH MAT.
2,200 rpm. This is a smaller engine that
uses less fuel. Due to the light weight of
the machine, Roadtec engineers were
able to derate the engine and provide
fuel savings.
The machine features a 10-foot
electrically-heated, vibratory screed
with a 32-inch long screed plate.
Screed options include the standard,
fixed-width Roadtec S-10, the frontextendable Carlson EZ III-10, the 48inch housing with unsegmented rear
moldboard Carlson EZ IV-10, the rear
extendable Roadtec Eagle 10, and the

10-foot rear extendable Carlson EZR2.
The Stealth can be operated from
either side of the paver. Operator
platforms can swing out to provide a
line of sight for the machine operator.
The machines controls and display
screen move with the seat to allow for
safe and convenient machine operation.
Operators also sit up high, allowing them
to see more of their surroundings.
Greater operator comfort is
expected to be achieved through
Roadtecs FXS airflow system that
creates an air barrier between the
back wall of the hopper and the
operator. This feature is designed as
an air curtain to push the asphalt
fumes and heat up and away from
the operator platform.
All engine maintenance and
inspection areas are designed to be
easily reached through access doors
on the sides and top of the paver.
The hood lifts hydraulically and has a
manual-lift back-up feature. The engine
compartment is engineered to be roomy
enough to make component access
possible.
In the end, just like the military stealth
aircraft, the Roadtec SP-100e Stealth
Paver is designed to precisely execute its
own mission paving a smooth-finish
mat.
Jeff Winke is a business and construction writer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His portfolio can be
seen at jeffwinke.contently.com.
www.mcsmag.com
ENVIRONMENTALSOLUTIONS
Its Daylight Savings Time:

Save Big on Natural Lighting with Smart LED System
ommercial property owners of

hotels, resorts, condominiums,
and apartment buildings
hammered by the rising cost of
electricity, have turned to solar in
growing numbers to protect their
pocketbooks. Beyond rooftop solar, one
of the most popular strategies to cut
electrical bills, as well as functionally
beautify living space, is residential
daylighting, which
directs natural daylight
far into the home via
inconspicuous rooftop
domes and highly
reflective tubing in
place of costly electrical
lighting.
By Del Williams
or in dual configurations to attain

predictable lighting results for mediumsize spaces. It also can be used to create
specific architectural effects using wall
washes and soffit lighting, making the
Smart LED System an intelligent solution
for achieving ambient light levels in
spaces with ceiling heights up to 10 feet.
Functioning as a whole, the daylighting
system allows natural light into living
NIGHTLIGHTING
CAPABILITY
Now commercial
daylighting has become
even more attractive with
the addition of a LEDpowered nightlighting
capability. This
revolutionary commercial
LED lighting system unites
advanced LED technology
with a proven daylighting design to
deliver an unbeatable sustainable
lighting option and energy-efficient
commercial lighting solution.
Starting at the roof level, patented
dome technology captures daylight and
transmits it indoors through the reflective
tubing to spaces once thought impossible
to reach, like interior hallways, with
natural lighting. At the same time,
proprietary SunSense Technology
monitors daylight levels in the system
and automatically triggers the LEDs
when daylight levels get too low.
As far as design goes, the Smart
LED System was designed to operate
individually to illuminate small areas
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
30
| OCTOBER2016
spaces during the day, while making it

safer and easier to navigate hallways,
bathrooms, and stairwells at night.
During the day, the Smart LED System
lights interiors using no-cost, natural
light. As the sun starts to set and light
levels fall, energy-efficient LEDs activate
automatically to provide illumination
for early morning and evening use.
The result is a commercial daylighting
solution that significantly cuts electricity
use and delivers up to 94 percent in light
energy savings.
BETTER HEALTH AND AESTHETICS

Recent studies have shown that getting
enough natural daylight can enhance
energy, concentration, and mood

and commercial daylighting is making
this more accessible to hotels, resorts,
condominiums, and apartments.
Compared to the often yellow or
bluish hues of artificial lighting, bringing
natural daylight also allows true colors
to be seen more vividly. In bathrooms,
this means makeup is applied more
accurately. In bedrooms and walk-in
closets, this means that
clothes are matched more
appropriately.
While traditional
skylights have long been
used to allow more
sunlight in, they have a
number of drawbacks.
Because skylights must be
near the roof and often
require wall construction
through attic space to the
ceiling, this substantially
raises cost and can take
several days.
From a functional
point of view, skylights
are prone to leaks, and
sunlight directly entering
the skylight can leave
some areas in the home too sunny and
others in shade as the sun crosses the
sky. The direct sunlight also allows in
a lot of heat, which increases cooling
costs, as well as UV light which fades
carpets, fabrics, and even hardwoods.
TUBULAR DAYLIGHTING DEVICES

Unlike skylights that allow sunlight
to enter only from upper levels of the
home, commercial daylighting systems,
also known as Tubular Daylighting
Devices (TDDs), can direct natural
light through up to 30 inches of highly
reflective tubing that can accommodate
45 and even 90-degree angles. The
natural light exits decorative fixtures to
Del Williams is a technical writer based in Torrance, California. For more information, visit
www.solatube.com.
www.mcsmag.com
evenly brighten interior rooms, closets,

hallways, bathrooms, and more.
While skylights can be several feet
across or more and require reframing or
the cutting of joists or support beams,
tubular skylights can be more effective
at 10 or 14 feet in diameter and fit
between rafters.
By efficiently capturing daylight
at the roof, transporting it through
reflective tubing, and delivering it inside
the home through optically engineered
diffusers, a first-rate TDD can be several
times more effective than a skylight or
window in terms of daylight delivered
with minimal heat transfer, explains
Dana Carlson, a product manager at
Solatube, a global leader in residential
and commercial daylighting systems.
The company has developed better
ways to capture, transfer, and deliver
sunlight without the heat, UV light,
or maintenance of skylights through
advanced domes, ultra-reflective tubing,
customizable diffusers, and other means
in the past 25 years.
Solatubes Raybender and LightTracker
technologies, for example, capture and
redirect maximum amounts of daylight
into the tube, including low-angled
light, such as early morning, late
afternoon, and winter sunlight.
Unlike traditional light sources,
LEDs expend significantly less energy
to produce light. For this reason, they
can last up to three times longer than
compact fluorescent lamps, eight
times longer than halogen lamps,
and a whopping 25 times longer than
incandescent lamps. The LED bulbs in
the Smart LED System are designed to
last up to 20 years, making maintenance
easier since re-lamping will be
unnecessary for decades.
While skylights can take days to

install, Solatube Daylighting Systems
take about two hours due to a unique
fastening and tube telescoping system.
Typical obstructions and structural
changes are avoided too, as angle
adapters and extension tubing make it
easy to go around rafters and joists for
fast installation.
Engineered to work with all roof

typesincluding shingle, slate,
tile and metalits powder-coated
seamless flashing with one-piece
metal construction also eliminates the
possibility of leaks. Plus, the circular
design allows rain and debris to bypass
the rooftop dome, making them virtually
maintenance-free.
SUNSENSE TECHNOLOGY
The Smart LED System constantly

monitors daylight levels using
proprietary SunSense Technology.
When exterior daylight conditions
are too dim, the LEDs automatically
activate to maintain acceptable light
levels, day or night. When daylight
levels are sufficient, the LEDs turn
off automatically. This hands-free
approach eliminates the need for light
level adjustments, providing added
convenience for building occupants.
Units can be connected to a wall
switch or an optional occupancy sensor
to ensure the LED lights only come
on when there is a person present in
the space.
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 31
MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS
A Revolution in Power Tool Rentals Is Here

But the basics are still in play, including common sense
By Tim Truesdale
hile power tool rentals have

been around for years, a world
of peer-to-peer power tool
rentals opens up new opportunities and
new risks, both to the tool owner and
the tool renter. For the tool owner, it
may create untapped revenue streams,
particularly during periods of low
activity, or when a business has an
underutilized power tool inventory.
By comparison, the tool renter may be
able to take advantage of the sharing
economy to rent highly specialized
power tools at lower rates than ever
before. For smaller operations, this may
mean access to tools they would have
otherwise had to subcontract to another
vendor.
For example, at Bosch Power Tools,
the BH2760VC, BH2760VCB, or
BH2770VCD Brute breaker hammers
are often available as rentals. These
are big specialty tools that not every
contractor wants to or needs to own
outright. Depending on the nature
of the tool, it may make good
business sense to rent it only
when needed rather than
making an investment in
a specialized piece of
equipment. Owners
of such a tool may
find that they dont
use a tool theyve
purchased as much as
they originally thought,
creating a business
opportunity to rent
their unused tool
inventory.
to select tools that are well made

and functionalto the point of being
intuitive. Look for tools that are easy
to use, well-made, and ergonomic.
Tools with those attributes keep people
working longer and are repeatedly
rentable, which makes it more valuable
over the long haul to the owner.
Look for table saws and miter saws
equipped with an easy-to-use and
transport stand. For example, the Bosch
Gravity-Rise stand. It comes with
integrated expansion rails and supports,
adjustable telescoping leveling legs for
greater stability on uneven
surfaces, a universal
mounting system, and
integrated rubber
wheels for easy
transport around
the jobsite. For rental
companies, table saws
and miter saws equipped
LOOK FOR THE

RIGHT FEATURES
Whether using a
traditional power toolrental provider or a peerto-peer service, its important
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
34
| OCTOBER2016
The Bosch
Gravity-Rise
stand.
with these features are more portable

and make loading or unloading a saw
from a pickup truck easierwhich makes
these products great rentals.
SAFETY SHARES
Consider a tools various features and be

sure to pass along the basics to users.
Here are some things to consider:
Read the instruction manual. Every
tool comes with operating and safety
instructions, so provide them to your
customer with every tool rental. Reading
and understanding these instructions can
make the difference between satisfaction
and frustration when your customer
operates a power tool. If any of your
fleet is missing manuals, they can be
replaced free of charge by calling
the manufacturer or downloading
the information from the
manufacturers website.
Wear proper attire to do the
work. Loose or baggy clothing
and jewelry should never be
worn while operating a power
tool. Also, long hair should
always be tied up. Any of
these items might catch
in a power tools moving
parts and possibly drag
the user toward the
tools cutting element
or edge. Wearing
approved safety goggles
and ear protection is
mandatory.
Work in the right
environment. Operators
should work only in an
environment that is free of
hazards. It should be dry,
well lit, and free of clutter
and distractions.
Inspect power cords
before operation. Prior
to operating any corded
Tim Truesdale is a product manager, cordless, with Robert Bosch Tool Corporation. For more information,
visit www.boschtools.com.
www.mcsmag.com
tool, users should check that electrical

cords are free of kinks, frays, or exposed
wires. When renting a tool to a customer
make this inspection part of the
checkout procedure.
Examine the tool. Before powering the
tool, make sure guards operate smoothly
and quickly, switches function properly,
and accessories are tightened in place.
This is also something that should be
inspected before the tool goes out as
a rental.
Choose the right accessory. Like the
tires on a car, the blade or bit on a tool
is the only thing that stands between
the operator and their work. If a blade
is dull or not the right width, or a bit
is stripped or worn, it can create an
issue for the customer, not to mention
ruin their work. Always select the right
accessory for the job. Start by asking
the customer about their anticipated
application.
Position your body for best operation.
Instruct customers to properly balance
their footing and body position
during tool operation, and to avoid
overreaching. As with all power tools,
the work being done with the tool
should be at a comfortable level.
Working above the head or below the
waist can cause a tool operator to lose
some strength and leverage over the
tool. Working in an awkward position
can result in slower reaction time in the
event of kickback or a bind situation.
Use side-assist handles. Power tools
are powerful machines. Manufacturers
supply side-assist handles and
secondary-grip handles on tools to
give users optimal control because
bits sometimes bind and blades can
kickback. By using extra handles as
outlined in the tools instruction manual,
your customers can reduce potential
exposure to injury.
Pay attention. When operating any
tool its important to give it 100 percent
of your attention. Being able to react is
only possible if you know something is
happening.
have adapted to this by spacing out their

work or identifying inside jobs for coldweather months, both tool renters and
tool-rental providers may be able to take
advantage of seasonality when it comes
to pricing by choosing power tools that
may be in low seasonal demand.
When renting tools, consider longerterm rentals that may offer a lower price.
While many tools are available by the

hour, they may come with better rates
on daily, 3-day, or even a weekly basis.
Like any business, both tool renters
and tool renter providers need to do
their homework about the tools theyre
offering, the tools theyre using, and how
trends in tool rentals can potentially
benefit their business.
BUCK THE TRENDS.

MAKE A BUCK.
The best financial minds advise to buy

when others are selling. Power tool
rentals often follow retail trends. As a
result, tools may cost more in the spring,
as demand returns, than they would
in the winter. On the other side of the
coin, most tools may go on sale in the
spring as tool companies anticipate a
surge in buying. While many contractors
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 35
MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS
R
O
T
C
A
CONTR
TRAINING
Cultivating the trainer
within supervisors
and managers
By Eric Baker
raining why do it? The short

and simple answer to the question
of why bother with construction
training is twofold: safety and
productivity.
Accidents and injuries are a costly
unnecessary risk to valued employees,
expensive equipment, and company
morale. And well-trained employees are
not only safer, but feel more competent
and confortable on a worksite, which
translates to higher productivity and
emanates beyond a site fostering a
positive reputation within and outside
the company.
Travel most anywhere and watch
construction crews. There are great
ones and crews that really struggle.
The struggle can be battles with each
other or the lack of training to do the
task assigned to them by the foreman or
above.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
36
| OCTOBER2016
The idea of training is broader than a

formal function occurring in a classroom
or at a field site. Training should be
considered a responsibility of every
supervisor and manager, since they are
in the best position to help cultivate their
crews skills and knowledge. Supervisors
and managers are promoted to their
positions because of their experience
and expertise they know what theyre
doing.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
For success today, management should

only be allowed to keep their positions
if they are also effective communicators
in sharing what they know. People who
are afraid to share knowledge should
never lead and people that belittle others
for not knowing as much as they do
will never inspire others to grow and
succeed. Good, strong managers and
supervisors inspire their crews to do

great things and be productive. Senior
company management needs to support
this concept that everyone is responsible
for training. With managers and
supervisors functioning as leaders and
mentors generous with their knowledge
and help, workers learn to help their
coworkers avoid mistakes and perform
tasks better.
As new technology, ideas, processes,
and procedures get introduced to
the company there is a need for the
managers or supervisors who excel at
training to be tapped.
In-the-company trainers should
be chosen out of the best you have
available. The thinking cant be, Hey, I
cant lose that guy to training! Generally
speaking, a contractors cream of the
crop manager has done every aspect of
the job and can relate to what the crews
Eric Baker is the marketing manager at Roadtec, Inc. For more information, visit www.roadtec.com.
www.mcsmag.com
face day in and day out. And who better

can teach than that individual?
Trainers should be able to
communicate effectively and be able
to keep the hard hat on and not thrown
down in frustration. Contractors who
have found workers who want to work
is half the battle today. Keeping them
engaged in the process is where a trainer
can help. The work is hard and the days
and/or nights are long, so if the trainer
is screaming, they will not receive the
respect they deserve, nor will they be
motivated.
A trainers personality and humor
can go a long way with crews and
make workers want to come back for
additional training. Being able to teach
a person and show them the correct way
will build a relationship between the
trainer and the trainee.
received? Trainers at the site need to be

100 percent capable of making quality
adjustments that improve productivity
and ensure best results. Their presence
on the jobsite can send a powerful
message to the crew and the owners of
the project.
So why train? Because it works. It
promotes safety and quality results.
It can inspire a worker to be a part

of something bigger something
greater. Clearly, when a construction
contractor commits to making its
workers the best, the workers will give
their best. When workers are inspired
to go to work and do their best for the
company, this is the ultimate return on
investment.
CONSISTENCY IN MESSAGE
In-the-company trainers need to teach the

same things to each crew. Consistency
is vital for a productive crew. For
example in asphalt paving, crews that
take off from the joint consistently, carry
a consistent head of material, keep a
consistent travel speed, and use the
grade control systems consistently are by
far more productive. Not only will they
be productive but they will be together
longer as a crewand this is a sign that
training is paying off. People want to be a
part of the best crew; its human nature.
Trainers should promote teamwork.
Cross training every position within the
crew is key. When a crew member is
out; they have another who can take the
place and perform. Not only can they
fill the position but they also understand
the importance of that persons position
on the teamthe old walk a mile in
my boots.
Trainers need to be involved with every
significant project from the start. When
the project starts, so should a trainer.
Every company has rework that could
have been prevented. Consider that one
asphalt-paving job of remove and replace
on a high profile job can be justification
enough for having proper training before
the project starts.
EMPOWERMENT
Senior management at a contractor needs

to empowers its trainers to ask the tough
questions at a worksite and jump in to
troubleshoot when necessary. They need
to be asking if everything is running O.K.,
are tasks being safely performed, are the
workers implementing the training they
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 37
MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS
ont let the

construction offseason throw off
profits. Contractors avoid
the winter blues when they
diversify their businesses
by offering snow and ice
removal services. They
extend their companys
existing capabilities and
resources and increase
revenue year-round
because their equipment
and employees dont
sit idle.
Here are five benefits of
diversifying your business
with snow and ice removal
management services.
Pushing Toward
diversificaTion
Benefits of providing snow removal
services in the off-season

By Randy Strait
PROFIT ALL YEAR
When youre not limited

to one business area, you
keep work and profits
consistent. Customers
often demand snow
removal services because
they need to keep roads
and businesses open and
prevent dangerous, slippery
conditions. Depending
on the region, freezing
temperatures and snowy
conditions affect about a
third of the year, usually
December through March.
A business increases its
profit by almost 33 percent
in a fiscal year by adding
snowplowing services.
Adding snow removal services offers businesses the opportunity for steady year-round work and
increased profit potential.
RETAIN HIGH-QUALITY EMPLOYEES
Diversification allows your business to better retain employees

by offering year-round employment. This helps avoid additional
expenses, such as hiring and training replacements, as well as
elevated unemployment insurance costs. Research shows that
the turnover costs for one minimum wage worker averages
more than $5,000. This adds up quickly, especially for larger
businesses with dozens, even hundreds, of seasonal employees.
STRENGTHEN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
By offering multiple services, a business creates a one-stop

shop for customers various needs. Lets say a new supermarket
in town needs a parking lot poured, but also requires snow
removal every year thereafter. A diversified construction
company can build the relationship to handle both.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
38
| OCTOBER2016
KEEP EQUIPMENT
ACTIVE
When your equipment

is up and running, so
is your business. And
since you already have
the skidsteer or loader,
the only thing left is
the pusher and possibly
secondary equipment.
Before making a pusher
investment, analyze
your existing fleet and
fit the appropriate size
pusher to your machine.
Snow pushers come in
a variety of sizes, from
8 feet to more than 20
feet. An 8-foot snow
pusher works best for
a small skidsteer while
a 16- to 20-foot pusher
pairs well with larger
equipment. Secondary
equipment includes
sand and salt spreaders,
liquid anti-icing
applicators, or snow
brooms, depending on
the extent of services
you plan to offer. These,
too, give year-round
usage to equipment
already in your fleet,
whether a pickup or
skidsteer.
GET HIGH RETURN

ON INVESTMENT
A high-quality snow
pusher will typically pay for itself in the first 30 inches of
snowfall. Youll see a fast ROI since many areas of the country
average this amount in the first few months of winter. Look
for pushers with features that increase efficiency, cut back on
salt usage, and reduce potential property damage. Sectional
moldboard designs, for example, reduce property damage
since the pushers trip edges lift over obstacles while the
rest of the pusher stays tight along the ground for the best
clearance. Research and evaluate all pusher components
including moldboard, cutting edge, side panels, and hitch
before purchasing.
Diversification requires research and a well-thought-out
strategy. It doesnt hurt to dig into the details and understand
the benefits and risks involved before making a decision. It all
comes down to what is right for your business, and the right
decision might just be diversifying.
During 40 years in the snow removal business, Randy Strait, owner and president of Arctic Snow & Ice Control
Inc. and Arctic Snow & Ice Products, has tackled everything from his own driveway to parking lots at some of
the nations largest businesses. He believes the key to quality work and reduced liability is to be prepared for
each and every snow removal jobno matter the size. www.sectionalsnopusher.com
www.mcsmag.com
SOFTWARESOLUTIONS
Manage Your Jobs

Like a Pro
How construction accounting
software helps keep
track of projects
By Eric Goldstein
ny contractor will tell you, their

business revolves around jobs.
There are many factors that have
to be considered when trying to track
and analyze the performance a job.
Most of all it is important to ensure that
the jobs you perform end up turning a
profit. This can be difficult to do if you
do not have a system where you can
effectively track and monitor your jobs.
All contractors do have some type of
method in place but it may not be the
most efficient. Construction accounting
software is by and far the most efficient
way to track your jobs and make sure
that they are all profitable.
Two ways companies try to manage
their jobs are with either a paper-only
approach or through Microsoft Excel.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
40
| OCTOBER2016
Some use a combination of both.

Unfortunately, there are some real
disadvantages to using this approach.
DISADVANTAGES
All over the place: Unless there is a

comprehensive cataloging method
in place, it can become very difficult
to find certain information about
a particular job. There is so much
information that it makes it difficult to
properly store and keep track of all of
this in either Microsoft Excel or through
paper alone. It may become necessary
to hire additional staff to help keep
track of everything.
Inaccurate information: If everything
is done manually, then you will likely
have some inaccurate information.
Human error is inevitablebut

you increase the odds of mistakes
happening when you rely solely
on individuals to manage every
aspect of a job. There may be typos,
incorrect calculations, and misplaced
information. These can all throw off the
ability to effectively track and manage
a job.
There is another more effective and
cost efficient way to track and manage
your jobs. Construction accounting
software is a great tool to help you stay
on top of your jobs.
ADVANTAGES
All in one place: The main advantage to

using construction accounting software
to track jobs is that all of the critical
Eric Goldstein is the president of C/F Data Systems. With over a quarter of a century of experience in the
construction software arena, Eric has led C/F Datas ongoing development of the companys flagship solution,
STRUCTURE, a leading construction accounting platform. C/F Data Systems also develops and sells integrated
project management and job-costing software. For more information, visit www.cfdatasystems.com.
www.mcsmag.com
job information is in one place. You

can generate AIA bills if need be. Track
spending in inventory, labor, material,
etc. All of your critical job information
is within the system and only a couple
of clicks away.
More accurate information: No
longer will there be a need for someone
having to use a calculator to manually
track how much of your budget has
been used for labor. Construction
accounting software does that and so
much more automatically. Simply type
in some information and items over
labor or material are automatically
calculated and reported back to you.
Change orders: Change is a part
of business. That is particularly true
for construction jobs. Construction
accounting software is able to manage
and keep track of all change requests
and change orders. You can create
Change Order proposals from within
the system and organize them by date,
job, or customer. With all of your
change orders in one central location,
contractors wont have to worry about
performing work that goes unbilled.
Once the Change Order is created in
the system, it can be added to the AIA
with a simple click of the mouse.
Budget it your way: Construction
accounting software allows you to
create your budget in any way you
choose. You can budget it in dollars,
hours, units, by cost, or by cost type.
Now, with a paper-only approach, you
can do this but it will take more time
and more manual work to get done.
With construction accounting software,
all you have to do click through sorting
options. All of the job information is
already in the system. You can track
your cash flow in real time. As you are
working a job, you have the ability
to see how much of your committed
dollars have been spent thus far. You
can see how much you are spending on
labor. Track whether you ordered too
much or too little of a certain material.
Forecast how many dollars youll need
to complete the job under budget and
much more. This allows you to make
necessary changes on the fly. Also, if
you already use estimating software,
thats fine too. Many construction
accounting platforms integrate with
many estimating programs. So, all you
would have to do is import your budget
into the software.
Extensive reporting: By far one of
the biggest advantages is the reporting
www.mcsmag.com
features construction accounting

software offers. Elaborate reports on
almost every aspect of the job can be
obtained. Now it is possible to get
reports on your open jobs, WIP reports,
Details Costs, Stock Slips, and more.
In order to properly track your jobs,
there are many tasks that must be
completed. Construction accounting
software helps you streamline those

taskstransforming an hours-long
process into one that takes minutes.
The amount of time saved by using
construction accounting software
allows you to free up staff to work on
other important tasks. Imagine just how
much more efficient a company can
become.
OCTOBER2016
| 41
LEGALSOLUTIONS
Construction
Ethics?
You
Bet!
By Thomas L. Rosenberg
octors, lawyers, and many

other professionals are subject
to specific codes of ethics
that govern their performance and
conduct. Architects and engineers are
often governed by codes of ethics.
What about construction contractors?
Sometimes, when we work on public
construction projects, we have to
sign an ethics statement. The ethics
statement may be something as simple
as affirming that we have not provided
campaign contributions over a certain
amount to the officials of the awarding
authority. Sometimes, it is simply a
non-collusion affidavit. But what about
true construction ethics? In our daily
performance as contractors, are we
ethical?
ethical, common in the industry, and

even occurs in ones own company.
Consider the following:
DISCUSSION ON ETHICS
I have studied this issue for years.

I have developed a program for
our local builders exchange on
construction ethics. We convene
young and veteran personnel from
construction companies representing
construction managers, general
contractors, subcontractors, suppliers,
and even architects and engineers.
I pose numerous scenarios for
discussion. Lively debate follows as
we ask whether or not the practice is
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
42
| OCTOBER2016
The general contractor accepts

a bid from the subcontractor to
include in the general contractors
bid submitted to the owner.
The owner accepts the general
contractors bid. After learning
of this acceptance, the general
contractor calls the subcontractor
demanding that it reduce its bid in
order to receive the work.
A general contractor front-loads
or increases the alleged amount of
work performed during the initial
stages of the project in order to
obtain more money upfront from
the owner.
The owner requires the general
contractor to review the details
of the design and assume
responsibility to provide work
omitted from the design, but
claimed to be needed for a
complete system.
A subcontractor or supplier gives
different bid estimate amounts to
general contractors in order to
favor one general contractor over
others in getting the work from the
owner.
The contractor is aware of defects

in the plans, but bids anyway
without telling the owner or
architect because it knows it
can form the basis of a claim for
additional compensation during
the project.
In analyzing the above scenarios,

it was common for our participants
year-in and year-out to say that these
practices are unethical, yet common
in the construction industry. Often,
they generated lively discourse. For
example, the first one sounds improper,
but could it be nothing more than
value engineering? Most would say
no. Second, should the subcontractor
acquiesce to a demand to lower its
bill to get the work? A subcontractor
who gets known for agreeing to reduce
its bid will probably be asked to do
so time and time again. However,
a subcontractor faced with such a
dilemma may feel it has no choice in
order to obtain the work. This was a
primary concern during the recession
when subcontractors realized that work
was at a premium.
Thomas L. Rosenberg is a partner at Roetzel & Andress, LPA, which is a full-service law firm with offices throughout
Ohio and Florida and in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Based in Roetzels Columbus, Ohio, office, Mr. Rosenberg
has more than 30 years of experience as a construction lawyer and leads the construction law practice at Roetzel,
which has been recognized regionally and nationally as one of the top law firms for construction and construction
litigation. Mr. Rosenberg has received numerous honors as a construction lawyer and is actively involved in local,
state, and national construction law organizations. He can be reached at trosenberg@ralaw.com.
www.mcsmag.com
Front-loading was deemed extremely

common but there is a split of authority
as to whether it is ethical. Those who
contend it is ethical complain significantly
about owners who are slow to make
payment and will not make payment for
many upfront costs, such as mobilization
and the like.
Shifting responsibility to the general
contractor to review the details of a
design and provide work omitted but
needed for a complete system was clearly
viewed by the contractors in the room
as being unethical. It is shifting design
responsibility to the general contractor.
Architects, however, indicated that often
material suppliers and fabricators are in a
better position to provide the information.
Further, architects and engineers complain
about how compacted their time frame
for doing the work has become and the
need to shift responsibility in certain
circumstances. Delegated design is
becoming more and more common as
architects and engineers are being pressed
in terms of fee and production, they claim.
TO BID OR NOT TO BID
Providing different bid estimates to general

contractors in order to favor one or the
other was viewed as entirely proper if it is
based upon a relationship with a general
contractor. General contractors who pay
fast may get better bid estimates than those
who pay slow. General contractors who
provide a lot of work to a subcontractor
may get a better price than a general
contractor who does not. However, rigging
the deal in order to determine who will be
the low bidder was viewed improper.
It was considered highly unethical to
bid a project with knowledge of a defect
in plans knowing it could create a claim
later. However, it was also viewed by
our participants as very common in the
industry. Many contractors say that they
must bid based on what is in the drawings.
Others say you need to bring defects to
the attention of the owner or architect.
But, whether or not others bid knowing of
the defect, many of our participants said
while they do not do it, they are aware
that others do.
SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES
Contractors are professionals who want to

see the best performance by themselves
and others in our industry. We also live
in a competitive environment with work
often going to the lowest bidder. The
above are certain scenarios that one
should think about as to how they would
react in a similar circumstance.
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 43
LEGALSOLUTIONS
Feds Eye Effectiveness

of State Workers
Compensation Systems
By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP
new report by the U.S.

Department of Labor (DOL)
highlights the ways in which
monetary compensation and medical
care for workers harmed in workplace
accidents has been undermined in
recent decades, and could signal a
willingness to change its traditional
hands off approach to these systems in
the next administration. The U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics estimates that, on an
annual basis, nearly 3 million serious
occupational injuries and illnesses
occur, and approximately 4,500 workers
are killed on the job.
WORKERS COMP
Workers compensation systems were

created, in some cases, nearly a century
ago, to provide the injured or ill worker
with all lost wages, medical care, and
rehabilitation costs under the principle
that workers would receive timely
benefits that would replace their lost
wages in exchange for giving up the
right to sue employers for their injury.
It is typically a no fault system,
meaning that a workers own negligence
in causing the injury is rarely a basis
for disqualification from benefits (with
narrow exceptions, such as impairment
by alcohol or illegal drugs, or being
the aggressor in a workplace violence
situation).
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
44
| OCTOBER2016
Each state runs its own workers

compensation system, usually the laws
are enacted by state legislatures, and
employers are required to be insured
in most states (although the size
threshold that triggers this requirement
can vary wildly). Many of the workers
compensation laws also include antidiscrimination provisions, protecting
workers from retaliation, or blacklisting
because they file or have a history of
workers compensation claims. These
state law protections can dovetail with
the protections of Section 11(c) of the
Occupational Safety & Health Act of
1970, the newly codified provisions in
29 CFR 1904.36 (the new anti-retaliation
protections for injured workers included
in the OSHA e-recordkeeping rule that
takes effect November 1, 2016), and
even the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
COVERING THE COST
A 2015 study by federal OSHA found

that current workers compensation
programs, on average, cover only about
20 percent of the total cost of workplace
injuries. The injured worker, his/her
family, and private insurance pick up
as much as 63 percent of actual costs,
with the remainder covered by taxpayerfunded programs such as Social Security
Disability Insurance.
The DOL report was initially triggered

by investigative reports that questioned
whether state workers compensation
programs adequately protect injured
and sickened workers, followed by
an official letter from 10 Democratic
members of Congress seeking action.
The Congressional letter, dated
October 20, 2015, observed (in part):
Since 2003, legislators in 33
states have enacted changes to
workers compensation laws that
either reduce benefits or make
it more difficult for workers to
qualify for them. . . . The race
to the bottom now appears to
be nearly bottomless, as some
states are adopting opt-out laws
which enable employers to set up
their own ERISA-based workers
compensation programs where
employers can establish certain
exclusions, heightened thresholds
for causality, and abbreviated time
periods for employees to report an
injury. Where injured employees
want to appeal an employers
decision, opt-out plans permit
an employer-controlled appeals
process and injured employees
could lose access to state courts
or workers compensation
commissions.
Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP, is an attorney and safety professional who is president of the Law Office
of Adele L. Abrams PC, a nine-attorney firm that represents employees in OSHA and MSHA matters
nationwide. The firm also provides occupational safety and health consultation, training, and auditing
services. For more information, visit www.safety-law.com.
www.mcsmag.com
One problem, identified by both

the DOL and Congress, is Federal
court review of private ERISA plans,
which is constrained because courts
cannot evaluate the adequacy of a
plans benefits. Review is limited
to a determination of whether the
employers conduct was arbitrary and
capricious in interpreting their plan.
From a federal perspective, there is
concern over the shifting of workers
compensation actual costs. Programs
covering the benefits gap include
Social Security Disability Insurance,
Medicare and Medicaid, and food
stamps, which combined can cover
the lost wages and medical costs
that are no longer being adequately
provided by workers compensation
due to declining awards and benefits.
It is estimated that these cost-shift
amount to up to $12 billion per
year, from the employer/workers
compensation insurance carrier to the
US taxpayer.
The October 2016 DOL report
describes factors that have undercut
financial protections and medical
benefits for injured workers including:
www.mcsmag.com
Exclusionary standards that result in

an increased rejection of claims
Procedural and evidentiary rules
that create barriers for injured
workers who file claims
Restrictions on types and duration of
medical care for injured workers
Elimination of special funds to
cover injured workers, such as
situations where an employer failed
to purchase workers compensation
insurance
In the end, DOL concludes: As the

costs of work injury and illness are
shifted, high hazard employers have
fewer incentives to eliminate workplace
hazards and actually prevent injuries
and illnesses from occurring. Under
these conditions, injured workers, their
families, and other benefit programs
effectively subsidize high hazard
employers The current situation
warrants significant change in approach
and action at the national, state, and
private sector level.
IMPROVING THE SYSTEM
In response to the DOL report, one of
the Congressional authors of the 2015

letter, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH),
indicated he will sponsor legislation in
the next session of Congress to address
the problems identified by DOL. The
next Secretary of Labor will no doubt be
called upon to use this report as a guide
to improving workers compensation
systems, to the extent that the federal
government has the power currently,
or is granted additional authority in the
future by Congress.
Labor Secretary Thomas Perez stressed,
in response to the report: A nation built
on the dignity of work must provide for
workers safety, as well as take care of
them if they get hurt on the job. When
workers are hurt, a robust workers
compensation program can make the
difference between poverty and recovery.
It is time that we look at whether this
basic bargain is fraying and how we
fortify this critical lifeline for millions of
working families.
The full DOL report is
published at: www.dol.gov/asp/
WorkersCompensationSystem/
WorkersCompensationSystemReport.
pdf
OCTOBER2016
| 45
TECHNOLOGYSOLUTIONS
Offering benefits for productivity, quality, and safety
By Brian Hammers
ompanies are always looking

for ways to become more
competitive, productive, and
profitable. Accurately bidding on jobs,
having the right equipment and skilled
welding operators, and completing
projects on deadline are all imperative
to reaching those goals. Safety on the
jobsite is also absolutely criticalit is
important that companies take steps to
minimize hazards that could lead to
employee injury.
There are opportunities in the welding
operation to implement efficiencies and
ensure greater safety, including the use
of remote control technologywhich
in todays marketplace has evolved to
provide significant benefits to that end.
Remote control technology (like
Miller ArcReach) gives welding
operators the ability to set welding
parameters at the weld joint, which
reduces the need to walk back and
forth to the power source to make
adjustmentsreducing safety risks like
trips, slips, and fallsand provides more
time to weld. It also eliminates the need
to settle for less than optimal welding
parameters, resulting in better welds and
less rework.
This technology is beneficial for
industries where a welding operator is
not welding next to the power source.
These include large jobsites found in
industries such as construction and
shipbuilding, where welding can take
place hundreds of feet in the air or far
away from the power source.
AVAILABLE REMOTE
TECHNOLOGY
There are two main types of remote

control welding technologies available
in the marketplace, but they are not
all equal.
1. Remote control or RC feeders
require weld cables, as well as
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
46
| OCTOBER2016
Remote control technology gives welding operators the ability to set welding parameters at the weld joint, which
reduces the need to walk back and forth to the power source to make adjustmentsreducing safety risks like trips,
slips, and fallsand provides more time to weld.
an additional control cord, which

offers full wire feed speed and
voltage control at the weld joint.
2. The most advanced option available
for MIG welding includes a voltage
sensing or VS feeder with complete
remote control technologyoffering
wire feed speed, voltage control,
and process control via the existing
weld cablesno additional cord
required. For TIG and stick welding,
amperage, arc control, and process
control are available via a remote.
The control cord is not required.
(Note: The remainder of this article
will focus on this type of remote
control technology.)
Eliminating the control cordwhich

can contain in excess of 14 wires
wrapped in a bundlereduces cable
management by 33 percent, while giving
the welding operator complete control
at the weld joint and reducing the need
to purchase or maintain expensive
cords. These reduced costs can add up
on jobsites that have dozens or even
hundreds of welding machines. In
addition, reducing unplanned downtime
for the repair and maintenance of older
corded options can also eliminate
unnecessary costs.
Another benefit: There are no lineof-sight limitations, as the weld cables
provide the remote control capability as
opposed to radio waves, which can be
Brian Hammers is an engineering manager with Miller Electric Mfg. Co. For more information, visit
www.millerwelds.com.
www.mcsmag.com
disrupted by obstructions or distance.

As long as the cables are proper sized
for the job, they will have the ability to
communicate to the power source.
considering OSHA cites falls as being

responsible for 349 out of 874 total
construction site deaths (39.9 percent)
in 2014.
PRODUCTIVITY AND
QUALITY GAINS
NUMEROUS ADVANTAGES
TO CONSIDER
The ability to control welding

parameters at the weld joint offers
significant productivity and quality
benefits. It reduces the time a welding
operator spends walking to the power
source to adjust welding parameters.
Eliminating that downtime helps
improve productivity by allowing more
arc-on time. Further, control over the
welding parameters makes certain
that the welding operator has the most
productive weld settings for the weld
joint, allowing for the completion of
more work in less time.
Likewise, this technology helps
prevent weld defects, such as poor
penetration or other issues that could
require costly and time-consuming
rework. Once the welding operator
strikes an arc, he or she can see
the exact voltage and amperage for
the process.
The voltage provides the welding
operator with the means to control
the weld puddle size and shape,
which varies depending on whether
welding occurs in a flat, vertical, or
overhead position. Without this control,
the welding operator may tend to
manipulate the welding process via wire
stickout (for MIG welding), travel speed
or angle of the gun or torch. Similarly, a
welding operator may try to burn a stick
electrode faster or slower by increasing
or decreasing the arc length and travel
speed. Ultimately, these adjustments
may prevent a welding operator from
creating quality welds and it could
reduce the speed at which he or she
completes it, negatively affecting
productivity.
When it comes to operating a safe,

efficient, and profitable welding
operation, its important to look at

all aspects that contribute to success.
Remote control welding technology
that operates without a control cord
provides numerous benefits that can
help a company increase productivity,
improve quality, and reduce operating
costs, while also providing the benefits
of greater welding operator safety.
SAFETY BENEFITS
Remote control technologies offer safety

benefits for the welding operator in
several ways. Reducing unnecessary
trips to and from a power source to
make adjustments not only reduces
exposure to hazards on a jobsite, but
it also helps reduce welding operator
fatigue that can result from navigating
large jobsites. Eliminating the need for
the control cord also reduces jobsite
clutter, which helps improve welding
operator safety by minimizing trips,
slips and falls. This is a real benefit,
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 47
TECHNOLOGYSOLUTIONS
High Demand Applications Demand

High Performance Insulation
By John Woestman
ertain building projects and

conditions require higher
insulation performance and longterm resilience. The unique closed-cell
composition of extruded polystyrene
foam insulation (XPS) provides greater
density than other types of rigid
foam polystyrene insulation, making
XPS superior at moderating extreme
temperatures and deterring moisture
permeation and thereby minimizing
the performance degradation related
to water absorption. Two applications
where these attributes are critical are
frost protected shallow foundations and
protected membrane roof assemblies. In
both of these building techniques, XPS
outperforms other forms of rigid foam
polystyrene insulation.
FROM THE GROUND UP
Lets take a closer look, starting from

the ground up. A frost protected shallow
foundation is an energy-efficient and
cost-saving building technology, making
it attractive to both builders and property
owners. These foundations consist
of a monolithic slab with rigid foam
insulation installed vertically on the
exterior of the foundation and additional,
strategically placed insulation wings
extending horizontally off the bottom
of the foundation. In climates where
there is seasonal ground freezing, the
placement of rigid foam insulation
around the foundation prevents frost from
developing below the wall and footer,
protecting the building from potential
damage caused by freeze-thaw cycling
and/or frost heave.
Theres a triad of science related
to the thermal interaction of building
foundations, insulation, and the
surrounding ground that makes a
frost protected shallow foundation so
effective. First, the technique recognizes
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
48
| OCTOBER2016
Judy Davis/Hoachlander Davis Photography
that proper insulation around the exterior

sides of the foundation retains heat. Next,
the insulation wings off the foundation
reduce heat transfer from the surrounding
earth, effectively increasing the ground
temperature and preventing frost from
forming under the building. Third,
an insulated frost protected shallow
foundation helps to conserve natural
geothermal heating below a building.
THERMAL PERFORMANCE
Just as the depth of footings are key

for the structural integrity of typical
foundations in areas that experience
ground freezing, with a frost protected
shallow foundation, the long-term
thermal performance of the insulation is
equally critical. The foundation must be
constructed using insulation that resists
moisture permeation and maintains long
term R-value performance.
By definition, ASTM C578 requires
extruded polystyrene foam insulation
to absorb no more than 0.3 percent
water by volume. In contrast, expanded
polystyrene insulation must allow no
more than two to four percent water
absorption by volumethats six to 13
times more than XPS. Because water
conducts heat well, the more water that
insulation absorbs, the greater the loss in

R-value, and the corresponding reduction
in energy efficiency.
The American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE) 32-01 standard: Design
and Construction of Frost-Protected
Shallow Foundations established
the industry accepted method for
frost protected shallow foundation
construction and in establishing those
standards, found that XPS had lower
moisture absorption and greater R-value
retention than EPS. The ASCE Standards
Committee completed an objective
analysis of the in-service performance
of XPS and EPS insulation in below
grade applications, in both vertical and
horizontal orientations that would take
into account varying moisture exposure
in a frost protected shallow foundation
assembly. Their conclusion, as per
ASCE 32-01, is that in below-grade
applications, after long-term exposure,
XPS insulation retained 90 percent of
its R-value in vertical installation and
80-81 percent of its R-value in horizontal
orientation, surpassing the retained
R-value of EPS at 80 percent and 65-67
percent, in the respective below grade
orientations. Determining the minimum
R-value of the insulation needed for
John Woestman is director of codes and standards for the Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association (XPSA). He has
more than 25 years of experience in the construction and building products industry with various responsibilities in
construction, manufacturing, human resources, marketing, and codes, standards, and regulations. Woestman has a
diploma in building trades, a degree in mechanical engineering, and an MBA. He is a member of the International
Code Council (ICC), ASTM International, and the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).
www.mcsmag.com
a frost protected shallow foundation

depends upon the air freezing index at
the building location.
An additional consideration when
selecting insulation for a frost protected
shallow foundation or any below grade
installation is the products compressive
strength. Here too, XPS has shown to
offer superior performance.
a membrane of hot rubberized asphalt

to provide the moisture resistance and
structural integrity that were essential to
this project.
IN SUMMARY
Both vegetative roofs and below grade

foundation applications are challenging
environments which require insulation
that can provide superior thermal

performance, moisture resistance and
compressive strength. Understanding the
distinct properties of specific rigid foam
insulation products enables contractors to
choose the best product for job, whether
its protecting the structural integrity of a
foundation or ensuring the durability of a
green roof.
PROTECTED MEMBRANE ROOF
Moving up from the foundation we

find another construction application
in which XPS excels: the protected
membrane roof, also called an inverted
roof membrane assembly. In this type of
installation, the rigid foam XPS insulation
and ballast are placed on top of the roof
membrane, providing protection to the
membrane from environmental elements
or other physical damage.
A protected membrane roof assembly
is commonly used on vegetative or green
roof installations, which may be totally
or partially covered by plants. Vegetative
roofs offer economic, environmental
and aesthetic benefits. These roofs have
higher thermal mass than traditional
flat roofs and therefore can contribute
to reduced heating and cooling costs.
The vegetative covering reduces the
membrane exposure to harmful UV light,
thus extending the useful life of the roof.
While adding beauty, green roofs also
retain water and reduce storm water
discharge.
In order to function effectively
and provide these economic and
environmental benefits, vegetative roofs
require insulation that resists moisture
absorption, retains long-term R-value and
offers significant compressive strength.
XPS meets all of these criteria and for this
reason, is the recommended product for
vegetative roofs in which the insulation is
installed above the membrane.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
One crowning example of XPS in a

protected roof membrane assembly for
a vegetative roof is at the U.S. Coast
Guard headquarters in Washington, DC,
which opened in 2013. This 12-millionsquare-foot, 11-story office building is
covered with an extensive configuration
of more than 300,000 square feet of
vegetative roofs, designed and built by
Clark Construction Group. The green
roofs are part of a storm water retention
system in which the runoff is routed to
a basin and then recycled for irrigation
on the property. Extruded polystyrene
foam insulation was laid directly over
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 49
SAFETYSOLUTIONS
Crane Fall Zones Are

Larger Than They Appear
By Michael C. Wright, PE, CSP, CPE and Mark E. Williams
of the loads weight is still

on the hook and/or the
supporting structure under
the load cannot bear the
entire weight of the load, the
load still is considered to be
suspended.
oncerning crane
suspended loads,
OSHA states that the
fall zone is considered to be
the area (including, but not
limited to, the area directly
beneath the load) in which
it is reasonably foreseeable
that partially or completely
suspended materials could
fall in the event of an
accident. Although OSHA
does not limit the fall zone to
the area directly beneath the
suspended load, that limited
perception is often translated
to operators and workers
when being trained on safety
practices involving suspended
loads. Loads suspended by
cranes present a high risk to
construction workers as 42
percent of all crane-related
occupational fatalities have
been due to workers being
struck by falling objects
during a cranes operation.
COMMUNICATE
TO WORKERS
FALL ZONE
The fall zone projects out

beyond the suspended load
just past the area directly
below the object. The fall
zone of a load, among other
items, is affected by the
height of the load as well as its size,
shape, center of gravity, and connection
points. These variables determine
the direction and distance the load
may swing or fall and roll should an
accident occur. It is imperative that
the fall zone be accurately identified
for crane operators and workers on a
construction site.
Employees must clearly know what
is meant by partially or completely
ABOUT THE
AUTHORS
50
| OCTOBER2016
suspended materials when addressing

the necessity of safe practices around a
load. In review of pertinent regulations
and Review Commission judge opinions,
once 75 percent of the weight of the
load is off the hook, it is no longer
mandatory to consider the load
suspended, provided that the supporting
structure can reliably support the entire
weight of the load in the event of crane
load failure. However, when 25 percent
Whether the fall zone is

outlined through removable
barriers or communicated to
workers through diagrams
and verbal instructions,
workers onsite need to be
aware of what area around
and below the suspended
load is considered to be
the fall zone. In addition,
workers can use equipment,
such as aerial lifts, to stay
above a suspended load, as
well as outside of the fall
zone should it fall. Equipment
such as stepladders, mobile
platform stairs, scissor lifts,
mobile scaffolding, or fixed
scaffolding should not be
used around suspended
loads as they typically place
personnel in the fall zone.
Employers can also provide
their workers with simple
tools, such as tag lines, pike
poles, boat hooks, or EZ Reachers to
allow workers to guide or adjust the
final placement of the load from a safe
distance.
To simplify control or steady a load
being hoisted and to minimize the
need for workers to be in the fall zone,
workers could eliminate nonessential
lifting devices connected to the crane
block hook, increase the crane hook
size to contain additional nylon slings
Michael C. Wright, PE, CSP, CPE, president and Mark E. Williams, director of training, are part of the consulting
team for Safety through Engineering, Inc.a known pioneer in the integration of engineering and safety. STE
also provides plaintiff and defense expert witness support for OSHA related issues. Both are actively involved on
ANSI and ASTM committees. For more information, visit www.ste4u.com.
www.mcsmag.com
for stability, shorten the drop hanger

sling length from the bottom of the
lifting beams, use alignment guides to
facilitate self-alignment of the load,
and/or use a multiple part crane hoist
line to create more precise lifting
function, just to name a few options.
Additionally, employers could use
cranes with micro-mode capabilities
for both lifting and traveling functions
to allow for more precise movement
and eliminate the need for personnel
to be in the fall zone providing manual
or physical control to the load. Lastly,
crane operators should consider the
use of mobile fixtures, such as mobile
transfer tables or mobile work tables, so
that the majority of the suspended loads
weight can be transferred to the mobile
fixture prior to approaching a fall zone.
Workers should keep in mind that any
additional lifting device attached below
the crane hook or hook block is still
considered to be a suspended load, and
poses the same threat to workers below
should the cranes connection fail. With
that in mind, any time it is an option to
connect the load directly to the hook
without the use of additional lifting
devices, workers should do so.
www.mcsmag.com
GO LOW TO THE GROUND
Whether using lifting devices or not,

the load should always be suspended
as low as possible to the ground so that
the load has less distance to fall, the
fall zone is less, and the load has less

potential of rolling should the cranes
connection fail. When utilizing a lifting
beam or an additional lifting device to
assist in suspending a load, the lifting
attachment points should be located
to the side of the lifting beam or the
additional lifting device to decrease
the fall zone from the crane hook. The
slings should be attached to the load
first and then to the lifting device to
minimize the size of the fall zone area
and to avoid workers being in the fall
zone area when connecting to the
crane hook.
Since the use of cranes on
construction sites is often a vital
component of the work being
performed, it is imperative that
employers and employees understand
the risks of harm associated with
suspended loads dangers and recognize
the breadth of the fall zone should
a cranes connection fail while
suspending a load. Employers need
to raise awareness of the potential
fall zone area around a hoisted load
and take necessary steps to ensure the
safety of the men and women on the
construction site.
OCTOBER2016
| 51
MAINTENANCESOLUTIONS
Changing the Way You Change Your Oil

C
onducting routine
By Matthew
maintenance on
your equipments
engine can sometimes be
a cumbersome ordeal.
And yet we know that
frequent maintenance
is essential to the
performance and longevity
of the equipment and
its engine. Engine
maintenance involves
various tasks to perform,
some being simpler than
others. Changing the
engine oil is probably one
of the simplest of these
maintenance tasks but can
also be one of the messiest,
and most frustrating of jobs to perform. An oil
change on a major piece of equipment can have
oil going everywhere; and what if you simply
want to take a sample? Good luck! Sometimes, the
drain plug location is in such a weird spot, that when
you drain the oil it shoots out sideways, hitting other
various engine components before finally draining all
over the ground; the only thing its actually missing
being the catch-pan youre trying to get the oil it into.
Many ask the question Why dont the engine
manufacturers make an easier, more efficient way to
change the oil?
WHAT IS A FUMOTO VALVE?
Almost 40 years ago, Fumoto Giken Co. Ltd., a

company based out of Japan, engineered a way to solve
the tedious and messy job of an oil change with its
invention of the Fumoto Valve. These engine oil drain
valve are specifically designed to replace the OEM oil
drain plug on your equipments engine, screwing into
the oil drain port with ease. This simple, yet ingeniously
designed ball valve has a lever to open and close the
flow of the oil, making changing your oil so much easier
and giving you the option to take a sample. Some of
the Fumoto Valve models even have a nipple-barb on
the exit-end of the valve so that you can conveniently
attach a hose for an even more customized oil draining
experience. There are Fumoto valves to fit just about
any engine oil pan application out there and they are
currently installed and trusted on heavy-duty trucks,
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
52
| OCTOBER2016
Benjamin
construction equipment,
light-duty cars and trucks,
generators, boats, and
motorcycles at the OEM
and aftermarket levels
around the world.
HELPS TO PREVENT
COSTLY REPAIR
The Fumoto Valve makes

it effortless to change
your oil; it actually
helps prevent the costly
replacement of your oil
pan due to stripped out
threads. Consistently
changing the oil on your
engine(s) is a good and
right maintenance habit,
but in doing so you are naturally
increasing the risk of stripping out
the oil pans drain port threads. A
stripped out pan is a common problem
in fleet maintenance and a headache to deal with. By
installing the Fumoto Valve, you will no longer have the
constant strain on the oil pans threads which is caused
by reinstalling the standard plug over and over with each
oil change. By only needing to be installed once on your
engines oil pan, the Fumoto Valve essentially eliminates
the risk of a stripped out oil pan. Imagine not having
to worry about an expensive repair or replacement to
your engines oil pan saving you literally hundreds, and
The new, patent pending and trademarked Fumoto SX-series allow for a
360-degree orientation of the valve body, utilizing the through bolt and banjojoin design for a fully customized installation.
Matthew Benjamin is the associate director of marketing, manager of inside sales and customer care,
and Fumoto USAs public relations manager. Matthew has worked for Fumoto Engineering of America,
also known as Fumoto USA, for almost 2 years and is involved in many of the daily aspects of the
companys operations. For more information about the Fumoto Valve, visit www.fumotousa.com.
www.mcsmag.com
sometimes even thousands of dollars.

The Fumoto Valve also helps prevent
oil spills on the ground, which can be
environmentally harmful, and again,
a tedious job to clean up. By utilizing
a nipple-barbed Fumoto Valve with
a hose attached, you can funnel the
engine oil right into a desired container
without spilling a drop of oil. Fumoto
has recently introduced a valve that
even fits your DEF fuel tank.
features a banjo-joint and throughbolt technology to allow for a fully

customizable orientation of the valve
body. The Fumoto SX Series valves are
designed to fit into those extra tight
spaces and also have less of a profile,
which is great for lower clearance
applications. Once again, Fumoto is
leading the way in engine oil draining
innovation and is constantly looking

for ways to increase the end-users
experience and convenience.
With more than over 10 million of
these ingenious engine oil drain valves
sold and circulating in the market, they
are the undisputed industry leader and
set the gold standard for quality and
longevity.
MADE WITH QUALITY

ENGINEERING
These handy engine oil drain

valves will last the lifetime of your
equipments engine without ever
needing to be replaced. The Fumoto
manufacturing plant in Japan has
exclusively constructed valves for more
than 80 years. They manufacture in
addition to the world famous Fumoto
Valve: compressed gas, LPG, fire
extinguisher, specialty gas, ball valves,
and many others. The experience of
the engineering and the quality of the
manufacturing are one of the main
reasons these valves have stood the test
of time. When speaking of the Fumoto
Valves quality, and the precision of
the manufacturing process, president
of Fumoto Engineering of America,
Richard Harder, had this to say: They
live, breathe, design, test, and create
only the most precise and reliable
valves that millions of customers rely
on every day. They are partners and part
owners of Fumoto, people we can trust,
not an outsourced factory. Were proud
to stand behind the work of our worldclass valve fabrication facility.
According to Fumoto Engineering of
America, The engineers that build our
valves, unlike those that build imitation
products, are the primary source of our
quality; they have a deep fundamental
understanding of the product design
and high quality materials we use,
as well as why we use them. This
is why theyve elected to keep true
to the ingeniously straightforward
original drain valve concept that
requires no special knowledge, tools,
or attachments to operate. The quarter
turn ball valve is self-cleaning, doublesealed, and does not rely on spring
tension to prevent failure.
LATEST FUMOTO NEWS
Fumoto introduces another innovative

engine oil drain valve to its lineup, the
SX-Series. See a close up of this valve
on the opposite page. This new design
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 53
PRODUCTS
Featured Product
MODERN CONSTRUCTION
PRESS-SEAL CORPORATION
PSX:Direct Drive Manhole Connector
PSX:Direct Drive is a high-performance watertight pipe to
manhole connector. It is the premier manhole seal in the
industry for providing watertight connections to manholes
and other sanitary and storm sewer structures. PSX:Direct
Drive meets and/or exceeds ASTM C923, Standard
Specification for Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced
Concrete Manhole Structures, Pipe, and Laterals.
PSX:Direct Drives patented stainless steel power sleeve
and adjuster installs quickly and easily, providing a flexible
watertight seal for the most demanding applications. It
differs from most competitive manhole connectors with
its all stainless steel components, no plastic parts, no
welds or rivets. Use in manholes, wet wells, pump and lift
stations, stormwater structures, on-site treatment structures,
grease interceptors, or any application requiring a flexible
watertight connector.
With easy installation and long-term performance in
one convenient product, PSX:Direct Drive fits right into
your production methods, ready to seal your toughest
applications every time.
For more information,

visit www.press-seal.com.
EYE TRAX
Wireless Camera System
TESMEC
Rock Hawgs
Tesmec Rock Hawgs are surface
miners employed for bulk excavation
projects, continuous surface mining,
and open-pit quarry applications.
There are two available models:
1150XHD and 1475. Both models
are designed and manufactured by
Tesmec and can provide the best
cost efficiency and productivity
while avoiding primary crushing.
Tesmec Rock Hawgs have many
possible applications, including
excavation of big channels (largediameter pipeline), quarries (surface
mining), bulk excavation of rock
for construction and heavy civil
infrastructure, and road construction.
For more, visit www.tesmec.com.
54
| OCTOBER2016
Eye Trax adds the Predator series to its

wireless camera system product lineup.
The Eye Trax Predator camera system uses
available wireless and cellular networks
to transmit information, eliminating the
need for the infrastructure of a computer,
phone line, internet connection, router
and power. The Predator camera system
can monitor human and vehicle activity
up to 250 feet away with an optional
battery-operated, wireless motion sensor,
while the night vision capability provides
125 feet of invisible infrared light. The
Predator series also has the capability to
stream 30-second video increments via
a low-resolution VGA stream (640 x 480
pixels). For more, visit www.eyetrax.com.
MATTRACKS
Rubber Track Conversions
Mattracks expands its track offerings for
automotive/truck applications with the
release of its 400M1A1 model. The 400
series is ideal for use on commercial
vehicles weighing up to 40,000 lbs
that require off-road mobility. The
400M1A1 track conversion system
features a 20-inch wide front track
and 30-inch wide rear track. The 400
series is a hub-mounted design in order
to facilitate a fast conversion from
tires to tracks with little to no vehicle
modification. This model also features
Mattracks exclusive, patented rubber
torsion anti-torque system, steering assist
option, rocker suspension, and rear
external idler for optimum sprocket wrap
and fender clearance. For more, visit
www.mattracks.com.
www.mcsmag.com
LINCOLN ELECTRIC
New VIKING 3350
Steampunk Welding
Helmet
FELLING TRAILERS
X-Force SL Series
Felling Trailers, Inc.s, X-Force
Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck
model line now offers a Super Low
deck height with the X-Force SL Series
featuring an 18-inch usable level deck
height with a 6-inch ground clearance.
The SL Series are offered in four
capacities: XF-70-2 HDG-SL (35-ton
capacity), XF-100-3 HDG-SL (50-ton
capacity), XF-110-3 HDG-SL (55-ton
capacity), and XF-120-3 HDG-SL
(60-ton capacity). Popular options on
the X-Force SL Series include: bolt-on
load bearing wheel covers, several
main deck to trunnion approach angle
options, gooseneck fenders, amber LED
strobe light system, and rear beavertail
and ramp configurations. For more, visit
www.felling.com.
Lincoln Electric launches a new

VIKING 3350 Series helmet featuring a
Steampunk graphic theme. Steampunk,
a popular subgenre of science fiction
and sometimes fantasy, incorporates
technology and aesthetic designs inspired
by 19th-century industrial steam-powered
machinery. References to Lincoln Electric
and welding can be seen throughout the
steampunk-inspired graphics in this latest
helmet design. This VIKING 3350 helmet
provides one of the largest viewing areas
in its class and the best optical clarity
available in a welding helmet today with
Lincoln Electrics 4C Lens Technology.
For more, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.
L.B. WHITE
COMPANY INC.
Tradesman 125
The Tradesman 125 portable forced air
LP heater is engineered to last with a
steel combustion chamber and burner
plate. A continuous electronic spark
ignition system insures the heater will
light under adverse conditions. The
output ranges from 70,000 to 125,000
Btu/h. with 400 CFM of airflow. An
auto shut off circuit protects against
overheating and an adjustable heat
angle directs heat where most needed.
As durable as it is economical, the
new Tradesman 125 comes with an
industry leading 2-year warranty
and it is certified to meet or exceed
CSA standards. For more, visit
www.lbwhite.com.
MACK TRUCKS
Pink Mack
Pinnacle Model
KM INTERNATIONAL
Infrared Asphalt Recycler
KM Internationals line of infrared asphalt
heaters brings a whole new level of
efficiency to asphalt repair. Infrared
asphalt repair takes 1/3 the time as
traditional saw cut methods while also
being 1/3 of the costs. KM Internationals
line of infrared asphalt heaters is the
most innovative on the market, being
equipped with heat cycling technology
and utilizing a 1-inch ceramic refractory
blanket as the heating medium. KM
International offers infrared heaters
ranging from as small as 16 square feet
all the way up to 48 square feet to fit the
needs of your business plan. For more,
visit www.kminternational.com.
www.mcsmag.com
Demonstrating its support for raising

breast cancer awareness, Mack Trucks
is showcasing a pink Mack Pinnacle
axle back model at its Greensboro,
North Carolina, headquarters
throughout the month of October. The
truck is on display in conjunction with
National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, an annual campaign to increase
awareness of one of the most common
cancers among women in the U.S.
Dedicated to quality, reliability and
total customer satisfaction, Mack
Trucks, Inc., has provided its customers
with innovative transportation solutions
for more than a century. For more, visit
www.macktrucks.com.
PACKER BROTHERS
Arrow Masters
Hammer-Compactor
The Arrow Hammer 1350 is a versatile,
highly productive concrete breaker and
soil compactor. Featuring a John Deere
diesel engine and patented Creeper
Drive mode, the Arrow Hammer breaks,
cuts, scores, and compacts trenches
like no other. With an impact energy
of 13,000 lbs, no concrete, rock, or
asphalt will stand in this machines
way. This monster compacts soil in
layers of 3 to 6 feet at 95 to 100
percent efficiency for foundations and
trenches. Arrow Hammers will increase
productivity and the difference will be
seen in your bottom line. For more, visit
www.packerbrothers.com.
OCTOBER2016
| 55
56
| OCTOBER2016
www.mcsmag.com
Polaris TLS
LIDAR/GPS/Software
With an integrated high-resolution camera,
inclinometers, a compass, a GPS receiver,
and weather-proof housing, the Polaris can
be deployed in many environments and
orientations. The Polaris leads the market
in price versus performance, starting at a
price that rivals short-range scanners while
outperforming most long-range scanners. With
accelerated performance and all the built-in
features surveyors need, a single Polaris
TLS executes more applications than ever
before. Whether on a tripod, vehicle, or moving
platform, the outstanding performance of the
Polaris makes it the most versatile terrestrial
laser scanner on the market.
LONG-RANGE CAPABILITY
HIGH-SPEED DATA ACQUISITION
100% SCANNER EFFICIENCY
WIDE, SELECTABLE FIELD OF VIEW
INTERNAL DATA STORAGE
AUTOMATIC TARGET RECOGNITION

USER-FRIENDLY WORKFLOW
PROJECT PLANNER
MULTIPLE LIDAR RETURNS
TILT COMPENSATION
GPS RECEIVER
www.mcsmag.com
Teledyne Optech Official Dealer

for Alabama, Florida & Georgia
Contact Michael Higgs

Phone 813-230-0069
michael.higgs@higgshydrographictek.com
OCTOBER2016
| 57
Introducing the most affordable

GPS Fleet Tracking solution:
SA2000
Only $18.95
Per Month!
Plug-and-Play
Low flat monthly rate
Hardware included
Find closest vehicle
Payroll verification
Improve driver
behavior
Much more
Schedule a Demo Today!
888-760-4477
www.SkyBitz.com/Local Fleets
58
| OCTOBER2016
www.mcsmag.com
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 59
Available for Lease:
Sectional Barges
Spud Barges
from 75x32 to 195x70
Hydraulic Dredges
Truckable Tugboats
from 300 600 hp
www.sunflowerboatandbarge.com
60
| OCTOBER2016
Traditional Tugboats
Support Equipment
563-583-0556
www.mcsmag.com
Applied Polymer Systems

www.siltstop.com 678-494-5998
Manufacturing products for erosion control, water clarification,
pond and lake management, mining, and pH reduction
Passive Treatment Systems for Erosion and Sediment Control

Mine Tailings & Waste
Pile Ditches
Road Construction
Runoff Ditches
Metal, Turbidity &
Inanimate Nutrient
Reduction
www.mcsmag.com
Stabilization of Tailings &

Waste Piles
ANSI/NSF Standard 60
Drinking Water Chemicals
Stormwater Drainage from
Mining, Construction &
Building Sites
48 hr or 96 hr Acute
Toxicity Tests by Third
Party EPA Certified
Laboratory
7 day Chronic Toxicity
Test by Third Party EPA
Certified Laboratory
OCTOBER2016
| 61
GRADEBLADE
6 Different Sizes
SQUEGEE BLADES
throw away those rakes & shovels!
CRUMBLING BLADES
smooth surfaces from
a toothed bucket!
All Steel
100% American Made
EXCAVATOR BLADES
squegee & crumbling blades
for the big jobs!
Phone: 319-470-3033
Email: bhall@gradeblade.com
Web: www.gradeblade.com
62
| OCTOBER2016
www.mcsmag.com
www.mcsmag.com
OCTOBER2016
| 63
THETREND
REPORT
The Real Impacts of Merchant

Cash Advances on Your Business
Words from Scott Applegate, COO, CapitalPlus Equity
recently spoke with a subcontractor

who was struggling with cash flow
and was looking for help. They had
recently started working with a merchant
cash advance company and did not
realize the major effect it would have
on their cash flow. They thought that it
was their only option to get access to
quick cash and were now in an even
worse situation than before they started
working with them. This seems to be a
reoccurring situation we are encountering with the recent rise
in the merchant cash advance industry.
What is a merchant cash advance?
Any form of accessing capital for your business that pulls
funds automatically from your business either via your credit
card processing or your bank account. Often times they will
claim it is not a loan; however, they are giving you money up
front that you will then have to repay
and you will lose control of when and
how you make the payment. This form
of financing is often unregulated and
carries with it an extremely high interest
rate of 15-39+ percent AND monthly
maintenance fees.
to be unclear about how they present their interest rates. They

will often position it by telling you they will take 10 percent
of your account or sales each day so it appears that it is a
10 percent interest rate when in fact it can be upwards of 39
percent or more.
I regularly speak with contractors and subcontractors who
did not realize the impact having money automatically taken
out of their bank accounts would have on their business
and their cash flow moving forward. For contractors who
were already having periods of difficulty with their cash
flow, having another regular drain on their account can be
detrimental and we even recently heard from a contractor that
was forced into bankruptcy after working with a cash advance
company.
For the many contractors and subcontractors we hear from
who have partnered with a cash advance company and still
need additional help unfortunately the fact that they are
working with a cash advance company could make them
ineligible for other types of financing including factoring
servicesreducing further their options
and cash flow headaches.
OPTIONS, SUCH AS
FACTORING OR EQUIPMENT
LEASING, CAN HELP GIVE
YOUR COMPANY CASH FLOW
ASSISTANCE.
How does a merchant cash advance

affect my business?
For many small and new construction
businesses there is a concern about
cash flow. It can be very difficult and
time consuming to apply for a bank loan or line of credit
and forget about it if you have been in business a short
time or have not so great credit. Some of these businesses
turn to cash advances because with
them those issues seem to be solved.
There is very little paperwork and
high approval rates. With that quick
and easy turn around comes a
very high cost that
can be confusing
and often
overlooked. The
cash advance
companies tend
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
64
| OCTOBER2016
What options do I have for my business?

The best option for your business is to
only use a cash advance company as a
last resort if you absolutely have to. If
your business
is having cash
flow challenges
you should
exhaust all other
options before
approaching a
cash advance
company.
Options such
as factoring
or equipment
leasing can
help give your
company the cash
flow assistance
needed without
draining your
bank account in
the process.
Scott Applegate is the chief operating officer for CapitalPlus Equity, LLC, a factoring company
specializing in helping construction companies with their cash flow needs. For more information,
visit www.capitalplus.com.
www.mcsmag.com

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