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Why Machinery Demand In The Construction Industry Is At Record Highs

There is some indication that the purchase of machinery in the construction industry will soon be at record highs. Just recently, with the advent of Covid-19, sales have been extremely low for quite some time. Due to the virus, people have been out of work or at least staying at home, which can minimize the need for any type of machinery. Even if they had machinery that needed to be replaced, they held off due to a lack of sales that would provide them with the money to make these investments. There are also other reasons why machinery demand has been low, and why in 2021 it may see record highs for the following reasons.

Growth In China

Machinery Demand In The Construction Industry

Covid-19 is thought to have originated in China. At the very least, it was in this area of the world that production began to slow in all industries. With so many people sick, and also quarantine, the economy of China began to slump first. As a result of this, competing factors began to happen at the same time. First of all, you had lower production rates for all businesses, leading to fewer products being sold and less revenue being generated. Conversely, we also had an abundance of machinery that was just sitting there. This is why, in 2021, there is likely to be a major movement of this machinery to recoup lost profits. China was the first to slow down, but now the economy is speeding up, which will lead to a higher volume in sales.

An Increase In Global Sales

Machinery Demand In The Construction Industry

Subsequent to the movements of the Chinese economy, we began to see other economies begin to recover. As they began to put more people back to work, more machinery was needed, thus raising the demand for Machinery Insurance as well. In the same way that China began to sell more products, other countries began to do the same. Part of that marketing of products involved the use of machinery that was needed by businesses worldwide to recover from the losses in the prior year. This takes us to the United States, where the pandemic was the worst, and where they are now beginning to recover. That is why the forecast is looking promising for machinery demand as America tends to be the largest consumer of machinery used by businesses.

Will This Trend Continue Beyond 2021?

Machinery Demand In The Construction Industry

There is some speculation as to whether this upward trend for the demand for machinery will continue. This, again, has to do with the virus. Many outbreaks began to intermittently occur in places all over the world. This caused additional shutdowns, for months at a time, thus causing problems with the demand for machinery. Fortunately, these outbreaks were short-lived, allowing businesses to recover at a much faster pace. With the advents of the vaccine, which many people have taken, this will likely lead to fewer outbreaks in the future for the countries that have access to the vaccine.

 

What Type Of Machinery Is In Demand In The Construction Industry?

More specifically, it is the machinery in the construction industry that has come into question. Of course, the demand for this machinery, like all others, will ebb and flow depending upon outbreaks of the virus. The construction industry, in particular, can be affected by many different factors. It’s not just the virus that is causing interruptions in machinery demand. For example, unexpectedly, the rise in prices for existing homes has gone up. Despite this, the purchase of homes has been on the increase all throughout 2021. People are buying homes, sometimes outbidding others of the same piece of property, even though fewer people are working now than in the last several decades. Regardless of why this is happening, new construction projects may not be at the forefront, thus minimizing the need for heavy machinery for new projects. As this continues, constant monitoring is recommended, for businesses that produce machinery used by construction workers.

Machinery Demand In The Construction Industry

At the present time, the cost of lumber has begun to rise again. This is far down from the unbelievably high cost of lumber in may of 2021. Since the end of July, prices have remained relatively stable, allowing construction projects to begin to resume. However, the price of lumber is spiking right now, which could inhibit the need for machinery for projects that may not happen at all. It is always good to look at multiple aspects of the construction industry when determining the need for machinery. Right now, the outlook looks promising due to the lower cost of lumber and the demand for new housing.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

What types of machinery are required for construction industry businesses? Although there are many types of machinery, there is essential equipment that all construction companies should own, regardless if they’re an established company or they’re just starting out. Here is the top machinery required for construction industry businesses.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

  1. Excavators

One of the most important pieces of equipment for construction industry businesses is excavators. There are several types of excavators, which can be used for various tasks such as digging trenches, moving materials, and digging holes for foundations to name a few. The key benefits of excavators include:

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

  • Wide Range Of Applications- As previously mentioned, excavators can be used to carry out an array of tasks. If you need to dig a foundation, the right excavator can help you do it quickly. Digging holes is easy when using an excavator and so is moving materials.
  • Various Types- There are mini-excavators and full-sized excavators. There are different excavators designed for specific jobs too. With so many options, finding the right excavator for your construction industry company is easy.
  • Attachments- Certain types of excavators are capable of having attachments installed. This means they can be used for even more tasks. A few examples of attachments include hammers, augers, and grapplers to name a few.
  1.  Bulldozers

Bulldozers are widely used throughout the construction industry, and this is because are designed in a way to move through tough terrain. It doesn’t matter what kind of construction site you’re working on, a bulldozer will be able to maneuver through the terrain. Whether it’s sandy, muddy, or bumpy terrain, the right bulldozer will easily go through it.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

This piece of equipment is typically used to push or remove various things on a construction site. This includes debris, soil, and sand. Also, a ripper can be attached to a bulldozer, which can then be used to break up rock, concrete, and pavement. The ripper is found on the rear of the bulldozer.

 

Bulldozers can even be used for demolition. One of the best things about bulldozers is they can be used for construction projects of all sizes. Just make sure you choose a bulldozer that is powerful enough to tackle the jobs you will be working on.

 

  1. Trenchers

Trenchers are similar to excavators, but they are solely designed to excavate trenches in the dirt. Construction companies use trenchers to dig trenches before laying out cables, pipelines, and things of that nature. Trenchers are also used to create a drainage system.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

Even if you have a high-quality excavator, you’ll still want to have a trencher on-hand, more specifically a chain trencher. This is because excavators are not capable of cutting through very hard ground. Chain trenchers can be used to easily get through hard ground. Chain trenchers can cut very wide trenches, much wider than trenches that can be created via an excavator.

 

Another type of trencher is a wheeled trencher. These types of trenchers can be used on hard layers of soil. They are also equipped with wheels. This means they are versatile and can dig holes at various depths.

 

  1. Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are very important because they are used to move heavy materials. Dump trucks are also used to dump materials around the site or the materials are transported to an area where materials are allowed to be dumped, such as a landfill. If you’re an established construction company and you’re continuing to grow, then consider getting a fleet of dump trucks and/or a handful of large trucks. If you’re a new construction industry company, then a small or medium-sized dump truck should do the trick.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

When choosing a dump truck, consider how many jobs you typically work on. Consider the size of the projects you’re usually taking on. These will play a big role in what kind of dump truck you should buy.

 

  1. Backhoe Loaders

Another important piece of equipment is the backhoe loader, which is a cross between a bulldozer and an excavator. This means a backhoe loader can perform an array of tasks. One of the best things about a backhoe loader is its weight and agility, as backhoe loaders are typically lighter than bulldozers and excavators.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

 

Backhoe loaders are not that big. This means they come in handy when you’re working on construction projects that involve working within limited spaces. There are lots of different tasks that backhoe loaders can perform that bulldozers and excavators can’t.

 

These machines can be used to dig holes or to drill. Not only that, but you can use it to help you lay pipes. These are only a handful of things that a backhoe loader can be used for. Bear in mind that there are many different types of backhoe loaders, so it’s a good idea to compare as many as possible before settling on one.

 

  1. Wheel Tractor Scrapers

This type of equipment is used to flatten the soil surface. The way it does this is via scrapping. The front part of the vehicle is where the wheeled tractor is located, while a scrapping attachment is found on the rear of it. Once it is in operation, the scraper’s blade digs through the dirt and the soil is excavated.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

Here’s a tip: consider having at least one wheel tractor scraper on-hand. You might not use it regularly. However, it is always a good idea to have at least one of these, even if it’s a small one.

 

  1. Paver

Finally, pavers are essential machinery used in construction. Pavers are also known as asphalt pavers. They are typically used in the construction of roads, driveways, and so forth. Many construction companies use pavers when they are creating various types of surfaces, such as parking lots, foundations, and driveways to name a few.

Machinery Required For Construction Industry Companies

Those are the key pieces of machinery required for construction industry businesses. Before you buy any piece of machinery, it’s a good idea to set a budget and then compare equipment. Compare features, safety mechanisms, and prices, and then you can decide which equipment to buy.

 

Essential Tips for Machinery Maintenance

Whether it’s a construction, manufacturing, or mining project, downtime is the last thing any business wants. This is because unexpected downtimes come with huge financial losses, a hit in reputation, and can even cause your company to lose business to the intense competition. According to a study done by Vanson Bourne, over 80% of companies have experienced unplanned downtimes over the span of 3 years. On average, those downtimes lasted for 4 hours and cost businesses an average of a whopping $2 million.
In the manufacturing industry, to be specific, heavy machinery is the backbone of the operations. This calls for preventative maintenance as it’s the best way to prevent unexpected downtimes. Proactive maintenance fosters a safe working environment, saves energy consumption, and ascertains better performance and productivity.
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That being said, here are some simple and straightforward tips for heavy machinery maintenance:

Document Machinery Use and Monitor the Operations

Machinery wear and tear or breakdown are usually made worse as a result of unskilled handling. Documenting the machinery use and overseeing daily operations will certainly help narrow down where and when the equipment is being used by unskilled workers.

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GPS is one of the new and effective ways to monitor large machinery operations. This gadget tracks the movement and records it digitally, and organizes the information for easy retrieval. With such a solution, you can catch problems early and effectively prevent breakdowns.

Lubricate Parts on the Regular

All heavy machinery relies on lubrication for optimum performance. Lubricants are vital as they reduce friction around the moving parts, thus reducing wear and tear. The liquids also help keep the machinery’s interior clean by preventing soot building. Ensure you bear the following in mind:

Essential Tips for Machinery Maintenance Machine Insurance Melbourne Australia

  • Check the level of lubricant regularly. Also, check for oil seal leaks and excessive grease build-up.
  • Use the right lubricant amount. Excessive lubrication will result in grease build-up, causing performance issues. On the other hand, using too little runs the risk of increased friction, leading to premature wear and tear.
  • Use the lubricant recommended by the manufacturer or the operator’s manual.

Check the Machinery for Wear and Tear

There are many factors that can contribute to machinery wear and tear. These include accidents, subpar operating habits, aging, and environmental factors. Regardless of how many precautions you take, aging will ultimately affect the critical components of the machinery. For example, over time, bolts will bend or stretch out, seals will dry out and crack, and belts will warp. That’s why it’s important to check all the machinery for wear and tear.

Essential Tips for Machinery Maintenance Machine Insurance Melbourne Australia

In addition to the mechanical components, ensure you assess the electronics and wires as well. Environmental factors like water and dust, vibrations from misaligned belts and gears, and high temperatures from extended use can damage the circuits and wires. Don’t forget to check the alternators, starters, and other electrical components to ascertain the optimum and smooth performance of the machine.

Clean the Machinery Thoroughly

One essential aspect of ascertaining proper lubricant levels is a thorough cleaning. Unfortunately, most operators tend to overlook this step until it’s too late. Dust, dirt, and soot can clog seals, vents, filters, and cooling fans, thus reducing the overall performance. So, ensure you assess every part of your machines carefully.

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Pressure washing is the easiest way to clean any heavy machinery. However, there are some components like brass bearings, iron chains, and pins that are hard to clean using a water hose. Also, they contain contaminants like grime and grease, which require special cleaning methods like acid or steam washing and certain cleaning agents.

Train the Workers

As mentioned earlier, lack of operator training is one of the primary causes of machinery wear and tear and even breakdowns. Training the workers is the best way to ascertain your machinery works within the set limits as they learn about the machines in detail. In addition, federal, state, and local laws may require you to hire trained and certified operators to handle a certain kind of heavy machinery.

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Ensure all operators know exactly how the equipment works, safety precautions to take during work, and the emergency plan in case something goes wrong. More often than not, employers just provide training during the installation of heavy machinery, and that’s it. They fail to realize that operator training isn’t a one-time thing. Employees come and go, skills become rusty and the machinery may get hardware or software updates over time. That’s why it is imperative to assess and update operators’ skills and knowledge base on a regular basis.

In some situations, the workers may be tempted to skip some safety measures or skimp in order to speed things up, particularly when they are behind schedule. You should never allow them to rush as it increases the chances of mistakes or even fatal accidents. In addition, do not allow the workers to use phones or other distractions while handling heavy machinery.

Machine insurance Melbourne Australia

With these tips, you should be able to stay on top of both your employees’ and machinery’s performance.