Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Both Caterpillar and Bobcat have carved a niche for themselves in manufacturing heavy duty machinery especially targeted towards the landscaping and heavy mining industries. Their machinery is used for a vast range of applications and uses and both brands are known for their longevity, durability and efficiency.
Caterpillar range of products :
Caterpillar manufactures a whole range of products ranging from heavy duty hydraulic excavators to even loaders. These products are designed to ensure superior performance and long shelf life. Some of the predominant industries that use such heavy duty Caterpillar equipment include the quarry sector, construction that requires heavy duty activity as well as the mining industry.
Service and parts from Caterpillar :
Caterpillar has many distributors who provide ready service of all equipment purchased from them. Irrespective of the place where the original equipment may have been purchased from, these distributors repair and service all parts of such equipment. In addition, these distributors also stock a steady inventory of parts belonging to Caterpillar brand. Several departments, each with specialized parts assigned to them can readily help in replacing damaged parts of existing machinery.
Bobcat brand’s products :
Bobcat is another pioneer in creating cutting-edge and highly sophisticated skid steer loading equipment. While the original parts of Bobcat skid steers are always in demand by the landscaping and construction industries, the used parts are also in demand for their cost-effectiveness. There are many premier distributors who stock such used parts from Bobcat. Right from regular farm work to loading trucks these skid steers can perform the job with ease. Besides, for people who cannot afford original Bobcat equipment, these used parts are a good bargain. The distributors of such used parts ensure to regularly check for electrical, mechanical as well as hydraulic inefficiencies so that all used parts are well worth their value.
How to select a distributor of used parts :
If you wish to purchase used skid steer loaders from Bobcat then you need to approach the right distributor for this. Always select a distributor that has a well-stocked inventory. Compare prices to see that you are getting a good deal. In addition, the sales staff and personnel should be courteous and know about used parts and Bobcat brand. In addition, the distributor should also be ready to help you with parts in case they are not in stock. They should also have tie-ups with other brands so that you have more options to choose from.
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Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
For more than 40 years, the Bobcat Company has been a well known name in heavy equipment for construction and farming purposes. When the term Bobcat is mentioned, it can either refer to a machine known as a skid loader or a compact excavator. These pieces of heavy construction equipments are actually versatile, with various attachments for different purposes, and added to the fact that they are compact, means they can be transported easily from site to site.
Operators of machines like skid steer loaders, or Bobcats, are required to be trained and certified by authorities on heavy equipment, such as the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools (NAHETS).
When it comes to purchasing Bobcat equipment, it pays to find great deals from sellers. These days, you can easily find resources that sell second hand Bobcats, which can be restored for use in farming, construction, or as part of a home business. For those who know how to maximize the Bobcat, purchasing a used one can be a worthwhile investment. For example, a 5 to 6 year old Bobcat Skid Loader can be sold for about $12,000 to $17,000.
Once you have your very own used Bobcat equipment, what are can you do with it? Of course, for those business minded folks, there are lots of ways you can earn from the equipment. Here are some five ways to make money with a used Bobcat.
1. Skid steer loaders and compact excavators are perfect for rent in construction sites, especially small building projects. If someone in your neighborhood is remodeling, a Bobcat can be a good piece to have on hand, especially for moving materials.
2. You can also advertise your private company’s services to clients who need one-day digging projects, such as for gardening, pool construction, and others.
3. Since the skid steer loader can be fitted with an asphalt planer, you can also rent out your used Bobcat for road development projects, or for quick road repair tasks in your area.
4. The skid steer loader may also be fitted with a fork, such that it operates like a fork lift. Perfect for warehouses, deliveries, and wholesale shops that have palletized items.
5. For more heavy duty construction projects, your Bobcat compact excavator can have the breaker attachment or the auger, for digging holes efficiently and quickly.
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Monday, December 1st, 2008
The career outlook for heavy equipment operators is good. The transportation and sanitary systems infrastructure of most cities and states is aging, so rehabilitation is an ongoing activity. As baby boomers who work in this field reach retirement age, there are more job slots than trained employees. This career field is now open to men and women who get the necessary training and get licensed to operate basic and advanced heavy construction equipment like Bobcat equipments, Case equipments, Caterpillar equipments, excavators, bulldozers and diesel front loaders.
1. Review the employment prospects and career options for heavy equipment operators at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website. Use their links to find wage data on various construction jobs and job categories (see Resources below).
2. Review career entry points for construction equipment jobs. Decide which career path fits your needs. This can vary from a few hours for basic equipment handling to hundreds of classroom hours.
3. Get on-the-job training under the supervision of a skilled construction crew boss.
4. Start this career through formal union- or employer-sponsored apprenticeship programs. The average apprenticeship program is at least 3 years, but students are often paid while they learn.
5. Get operator advanced training through technical schools that offer certified construction technology programs. Check private school courses and coursers offered by large construction and engineering companies
6. Complete the required classroom and field training for your state’s Class “A” commercial driver’s license license. Get the exam study materials. Pass the knowledge test for the driver’s license. Practice as necessary before taking the skills test for a heavy equipment operator’s license. You must take the skills test on equipment that is similar to that used in construction, not a personal motor vehicle.
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Tuesday, November 25th, 2008
The use of trenching equipment depends upon the project, terrain, equipment, and total cost. Once the project owner decides on what must be accomplished and how the project should be accomplished is it easier to select and arrange for the Trencher Rental.
Before a project begins, contractors must know the type of soil they’re handling and what lies under the soil, such as cables and pipes. They also should look at existing drawings that tell them the best routes to dig the trenches without disturbing existing utilities.
Open cut trenching is the conventional method used for installing underground utilities. Specialized equipment is not required to cut or dig open trenches although some equipment manufacturers do make vibratory plows and saws that cut into the ground neatly and quickly.
Typical trenching methods work on water mains, sanitary sewers and storm sewers. Commonly after the site is graded, crews use the equipment to dig various size trenches using backhoes, dozers and loaders and trenchers making use of level lasers for precise excavation and pipe lasers for pipe installation.
Trenches must be dug from the building to the street or to the main connection for water and sewer. For very large storm sewers or box culverts, a crane in brought on-site to lower the sections of pipe.
Trenching equipment has become more compact, is easier to use and offers current technologies. Bobcat equipment includes the LT414 trencher attachment that operates on various Bobcat compact track loaders and skid-steer loaders. The attachment is suitable in all ground conditions and also features a larger diameter auger with a tapered design to remove more material from the side of the trench, limiting the amount of spoil falling back into the trench.
Ditch Witch manufactures a line of trencher equipments suitable for residential and short-run commercial service to heavy-duty underground construction and vibratory plowing. Its pedestrian trenchers are compact and are designed for short-run commercial applications up to 36 inches deep. Vibratory plows are then used to install smaller and shorter cables and utility service lines.
Commercial contractors use the heavy duty Ditch Witch trenchers for mainline utility work with capabilities to dig to 99 inches and plow to 48-inch depths. The RT line of Ditch Witch heavy-duty trenchers offers four-wheel drive, hydrostatic ground drive, turbocharged diesel engine, and attachment systems.
Vermeer Manufacturing Company produces trenching equipment, including a line of ride-on trenchers that are applicable for small to large trenching projects. Its line of ride-on trenchers features five different models that dig various depths for medium-size utility projects. Four models of rockwheels are equipped with shank rotary carbide teeth that increase cutting performance through rocks or rocky soil.
Vermeer’s newest trencher is the RTX1250 with rubber tracks that is an addition to its line of 10 other track trencher models. This ride-on trencher features quad track design for more stability on rough terrain and can work in a wide range of weather and ground conditions with increased traction and less ground disturbance. The RTX trenches depths up to 72 inches and widths up to 18 inches for larger utility applications.
With the variety of trenching equipment, many of which feature updated technology, utility contractors can add to their fleet and offer more options to any project even though trenching methods have stayed the same.
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Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Wholesale construction equipment is a great way to save money for any one who is planning to run a successful construction work. Basically, this equipment is cheaper than that available in the local retail market, because wholesalers sell their stock at a price lower than the marked market price. Packaging and transportation are very cost effective when wholesale purchases are made. Both heavy and light construction equipment can be purchased in wholesale.
Construction equipment for sale encompass cranes, bulldozers, well drilling machinery, cable plows, generators, loaders, earthmoving equipment, backhoes, scrapers, draglines, rollers, and light towers. Wholesale construction equipment is resale goods to retailers, professional business, and other related services. Wholesalers purchase goods directly from the manufacturers. Depending on the type of merchandise, they buy the equipment in large quantities and sell them to retailers or other customers.
Wholesale construction equipment might be Hitachi equipments, Caterpillar equipments, Bobcat equipments, Case equipments etc is in large demand around the world. It is sold in such a way that it supports effective competition at the retail level and can bring in much larger profits. When buying wholesale construction equipment, customers have the benefits of purchasing new merchandise with full manufacturer’s warranty. For the retailers, it reduces the cost of product introductions and promotions. They also get huge discounts on bulk purchases.
Wholesalers of construction equipment assemble, sort, and grade goods in large lots; then repack and redistribute them in smaller lots. They provide full details about the products including price, model, and quality. In addition to the sale of goods, they provide marketing and support services such as packaging and labeling, inventory management, and shipping. They also engage in the sales promotion, equipment training, and handling of warranty claims.
Wholesale construction equipment is distributed to many local and regional retailers for value-added processing and is a dependable asset for retail shop owners. To make construction equipment an attractive business item, one needs a quality wholesale supplier. Internet is a safe way to find consistent wholesale construction equipment suppliers.
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Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Nowadays there are various career options open for the youth of today. A career in heavy equipment repair is one such avenue. It is an ideal career choice for people who are dexterous, have a mechanical bent of mind, and like the idea of dealing with some of the large heavy equipment machinery used in various heavy duty industries.
There is a huge demand for heavy equipment repair technicians in industries like trucking, transportation, construction, etc., and employers find it very difficult to find qualified people to troubleshoot and maintain the specialized equipment. So if you are keen in making this your career, you can join Lansing Community College, which is in partnership with AIS Construction Equipment, one of the premier heavy-equipment suppliers of the area, to provide students a new gateway to acquire knowledge and become accredited heavy equipment repair technicians.
These training programs will teach you to repair and maintain heavy equipment like backhoes, wheel loaders, forklifts, skid steers, bulldozers, excavator equipments, and the like. The training courses can show you the right path and lead you to career prospects, in order to grow in this field. Such programs are practical, hands-on, and can result in a career starting from $10 - $25 an hour. With more experience, the pay scales rise even higher. For example, five years down the line, your experience and level of expertise may give you a hike of $70,000 per annum.
Such courses are available throughout the year. Some of them are offered in the evenings, while others are available during the daytime. Due to such flexible timings, it becomes easier for you to adjust your schedule.
Transportation Technologies :
Heavy equipment repair technicians are in demand in the field of transportation technologies. Those who are mechanically skillful, who love hands-on work experiences, and who like challenges and variety in their job are the ones who flourish in this field. If you choose a particular course or training in this field, they provide you many learning opportunities that impart the skills you need in order to get jobs which can pay in the range of $10 to $25 an hour or more.
Various Career Prospects in Transportation Technology :
. Automotive
. Aviation
. Heavy Equipment Operator
. Heavy Equipment Repair
. Truck Driver Training
. Collision Repair
If you have the skills and competence to repair heavy equipment might be Caterpillar equipment, Clark equipment, Hitachi equipment, Terex equipment, Bobcat equipment etc and are aware of what it takes to be a good mechanic, then being a professional technician in the heavy equipment careers mentioned above is an ideal choice for you. Once you know you have the ability, in order to grow in the field it is important to get the credentials to become a professional technician.
The growth prospects range from starting off being a service technician to becoming a service manager, and perhaps of even being the owner of your own repair shop some day. This rise begins with the academic career training programs provided by various institutes.
Once you complete the certification programs successfully, you are ready to take off on your chosen career path. Not only does it provide job satisfaction, but the pay scales are attractive as well. While initially the pay scales may be relatively modest, it can increase substantially with experience, more expertise, and your ambition to grow in this field.
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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Bobcat is the originator of the most versatile piece of maintenance and heavy construction equipment. Bobcat introduced its first self-propelled compact loader nearly 50 years ago. The three-wheeled machine featured two drive wheels and a rear caster wheel, with lift arms and a simple utility fork attachment up front. This quick, agile loader replaced a pitchfork and a strong back to save hours of hard labor in areas too small for conventional machines. That was soon followed by development of the world’s first four-wheel-drive skid-steer loader—a revolutionary concept in machines that literally changed the way the world works.
What does the most models of skid steer loaders for sale available in the industry mean to you? Coupled with the most options and attachments in the industry means you can find the right sized loader with the right features at the right price to meet your specific needs. Choose a compact, standard wheelbase machine for maximum maneuverability and a radius lift path for great all around performance. Or select a smooth-riding long wheelbase model, with either a radius lift path or a long-reaching vertical lift path for optimal loading efficiency.
All K-Series Bobcat loaders are equipped with such standard equipment as an engine/hydraulic systems shutdown, deluxe cab, dual function (maximum flow or variable flow) front auxiliary hydraulics and front and rear working lights. And don’t forget serviceability. It’s unsurpassed.
These Bobcat equipments for sale are built for long, dependable operation in the most demanding jobsite environments. Drive chains never need adjustment and axle bearings never need greasing. Engine and hydraulic system shutdown automatically protects the machine from possible catastrophic failure.
Bobcat loaders are designed as a balanced system to make the most of your horsepower and your money. That includes balancing such factors as wheelbase, tread width and weight distribution. As a result, Bobcat loaders tend to weigh less and require less horsepower to achieve top performance. Other money-saving features include belt drive, instead of direct drive, and a dual-path cooling system, both of which reduce operating costs and extend engine life.
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Friday, September 26th, 2008
The first skid steer loader, the Melroe M-400, was introduced more than 45 years ago and since its inception the compact equipment workhorse has evolved into a monster machine. Much more supreme than it’s 1960 self, the modern skid steer has evolved everything from its hand and foot controls to its overall brute strength.
Today’s skid steers are giving operators capabilities they have never before imagined, and they are doing it in style and comfort. While skid steers of the old ages caused aches and pains, modern loaders are smooth rides with easy-to-use joystick controls.
Keeping the customer in mind, skid steer manufacturers have developed a new pilot joystick control system. Before Caterpillar first introduced the new controls, operators had combination hand and foot controls. The hand levers would operate the movement while the foot pedals moved the bucket levers. With today’s system everything can be controlled with two joysticks.
There are two different control options available with the pilot joysticks, the ISO pattern and the H pattern. With the ISO pattern, the right joystick controls the attachments movement. Moving the joystick forward or backward will move the loader arms up or down, while tilting the joystick left or right will tilt the bucket up or down. With your other hand, the left joystick controls the movement of the machine. Pushing or pulling it will move the machine forward or put it in reverse, while tilting the controls left or right will rotate the machines direction.
With the H pattern, the loader arm and machine controls are split between the joysticks. To move the machine forward or put it in reverse you need to push or pull back on both of the joysticks at the same time. To rotate the direction of the machine push forward with one joystick and pull back with the other. To control the attachment, the right joystick moves the bucket (left or right to control the tilt) and the left joystick moves the loader arms (left or right to raise and lower them).
Some operators prefer the H and others the ISO, so to make it convenient some manufacturers such as Bobcat offer both, with their Selectable Joystick Controls you can change from the H to the ISO pattern with the flick of a switch.
A feature that was introduced in 1998 by skid steer manufacturer Case is Ride Control, which is often a popular feature to use with the joystick pilot controls because it minimizes material spills by stabilizing the loader arms on rough-terrain sites.
In today’s day and age luxuries are everywhere, and there is no reason to stop short with skid steers. Its understood by most skid steer operators that comfort goes together with productivity, because the more comfortable you are, the longer you are going to be able to operate the machine. Because of this many manufacturers today offer cab packages that can give you any luxury you want. With features such as cooled glove boxes for a drink or boxed lunch, enclosed cabs with air conditioning and heat for extreme temperatures, deluxe suspension seats for bumpy rides and power outlets for music players or fans you might not ever want to get out.
In addition to this, cabs today are also much quieter than before because of sound insulation around fans and other noise generators. Some companies such as Mustang monitor noise levels in the cab before the loader ever comes off the production line.
With efficiency the number one factor behind the design of the industry’s compact workhorse, it’s understood that comfort and ability are compliments to the goal. What was once strictly a get-the-job-done machine has evolved to a first class comfort ride, and everyone is benefiting.
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