The Equipment & Business Solution for Concrete & General Contractors

May 2010

RACE TO STRENGTH
RAPID SET CONCRETE FOR
TIME-SENSITIVE REPAIRS
seamless
traffic
diversion
moveable barrier
systems technology

saving lives with

fall protection

CONTRACT
LANGUAGE
THAT WINS
 TABLE OFCONTENTS

INDUSTRYNEWS 6

PROJECTPROFILES
12 Race to Strength
Rapid set concrete helps company perform time-sensitive airport repairs.

14 Clearing for iRox Road Expansion

Change in approach adds new dimension to business
and yields increased production.

EQUIPMENTSOLUTIONS
16 John Deere: Meeting Customer Needs Today
18 JRB Quick Couplers: The Product Excavation Partner
20 Always Drilling Forward
From on-grade units to attachments, E-Z Drill delivers a full line
of concrete drilling solutions.

12 22 Krypto Klaw:
More Powerful Than a Thumb or Grapple

ENVIRONMENTALSOLUTIONS
24 Going Green With Machine Control
New efficiencies mean burning less fuel, exhausting
fewer emissions, and realizing material savings.

26 Plastics and Potable Water

MANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS
30 Tips on Giving Effective Performance Feedback
32 Putting the Best Face Forward
The importance and value of one-to-one marketing in a digital age.

LEGALSOLUTIONS
38 Contractors Must Be Prepared
for a New, More Aggressive OSHA

40 Contract Language That Wins

Knowing the rules to avoid risk transfer in written contracts.

24
 TABLE OFCONTENTS

TECHNOLOGYSOLUTIONS
44 Seamless Traffic Diversion www.mcsmag.com
Moveable barrier system used for first time on major arterial in U.S. P.O. Box 660197 | Birmingham, Alabama 35266

Tim Garmon Publisher

SAFETYSOLUTIONS
tim@mcsmag.com

Donna Campbell Editor in Chief

donna@mcsmag.com
46 Fall Protection
Planning, training, and vigilance can save lives. Scott Gordon Art Director
scott@mcsmag.com

48 Compaction Safety Russell Haddock Vice President of Sales

russell@mcsmag.com

Chris Garmon General Manager

MODERNCONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS 50
chris@mcsmag.com

CHRISTY FISHER Administrative Assistant

christy@mcsmag.com

randy armistead National Sales Manager

TRENDREPORT
randy@mcsmag.com

Allen blood Account Executive

allen@mcsmag.com
56 Doing Things Different to Take
Your Company Into the Future David MARLOW Account Executive
david@mcsmag.com

The Safety Solutions section in the March 2010

issue featured an article titled Excavation and
the Competent Person: Training is Vital for Hazard
highlandspublications.com
Prevention. The accompanying three photos of
excavations omitted captions that would have 312 Lorna Square | Birmingham, Alabama 35216
indicated the conditions shown in the pictures were T: 866.251.1777 | F: 205.824.9796
examples of violations of Occupational Safety
LARRY Daughety
and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Any
President
impression that the conditions shown in the photos
were acceptable and met OSHA Standards was Tim Garmon Dennis Daughety
completely unintentional. The photos illustrate the Vice President Vice President
critical role of the excavation competent person in
taking prompt corrective action to eliminate the
unsafe conditions which they depict. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
MCS would like to reiterate that the role of a photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval
successful excavation competent person involves a system without permission in writing from the publisher. The
views expressed by those not on the staff of Modern Contractor
combination of formalized training and significant Solutions, or who are not specifically employed by Highlands
on-the-job experience, and that the employer Publications, Inc., are purely their own. All Industry News material
has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled
has a responsibility to designate an employee directly from their corporate Web site, which is assumed to be
as the competent person based on knowledge, cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and
training, and experience. The true value of a well- can be submitted to donna@mcsmag.com.
trained, experienced, and conscientious excavation Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525.
competent person cannot be underestimated. Undeliverables 355 Admiral Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2N1
A qualified competent person can help ensure
compliance with OSHA regulations and standards,
and, more importantly, eliminate or significantly
reduce the potential hazards and risks associated
with excavation. For additional excavation resources,
visit www.osha4you.com/exc.html.
Conditions shown in these photos are examples of violations
of OSHA standards. For address changes or reprint information, please
contact Chris Garmon at chris@mcsmag.com.
 941-708-3444
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CASE PRODUCES NEW
MILITARY SKID STEERS
In mid-April, Case Construction Equipment welcomed guests
from the U.S Army TACOM (Tank-automotive and Armaments
Command) as the company commemorated the recent production
startup of a new line of military skid steer loaders. The two models
being manufacturerd are the M400W skid steer and M400T
compact track loader. Case is providing the equipment as part of
a $160 million contract with the U.S Army TACOM that could
span 10 years, depending on contract renewals. Case continues a
long tradition of U.S. military support and showcases its quality
craftsmanship on all models produced, whether for the military or
landscape and construction industries. For more information, visit
www.casece.com.
GAINS TO MATERIALIZE
IN SECOND HALF OF 2010
Expected increases in public construction activities will pave the way
for improved cement consumption in 2010 and beyond, according
the most recent economic forecast from the Portland Cement
Association (PCA).
In 2010, PCA anticipates a modest 5 percent increase in
consumption over severely depressed 2009 levels. The 3 to 5 million
metric tons gain in cement use will materialize during the second
half of the year. A 13.3 percent jump is predicted for 2011, followed
by an 18.7 percent increase in 2012.
The 2010 recovery in cement consumption lays largely on
expectations for public construction activity, Edward Sullivan,
PCA chief economist says. Spending from the stimulus bill will
6 | MAY2010
industryNEWS
more than double to $12 billion and that spending is expected to
reflect an increased share of major highway construction and bridge
projectshigh cement-intensive projects. For more information,
visit www.cement.org.
CONSTRUCTION JOB GROWTH SLOW
The U.S. Labor Department reported in early May that the jobs
situation in the construction industrya key driver of the U.S.
economyimproved slightly for the second consecutive month, while
still lagging behind other sectors. The number of construction jobs
increased by 14,000, but construction unemployment still remained
near Depression-era levels at 21.8 percent. Currently, more than 1.9
million construction workers are still looking for work.
KNAACK CELEBRATES
50 YEARS ON THE JOB
Knaack LLC, known as the most trusted name in jobsite security,
is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a year-long roster of events
involving end users, distributors, employees, and the Crystal
Lake community. Founded in 1960 to supply jobsite boxes to a
construction supply house, Knaack began in a modest 2,000 square-
foot facility in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It has since expanded its
headquarters location to more than 400,000 square-feet with 285
employees. Knaack LLC, a division of EMERSON Professional
Tools, also manufactures and markets a complete line of WEATHER
GUARD truck and van equipment, including drawer units, shelving
and cabinets, and racks for full size and compact pickups, vans and
utility vehicles, as well as KNAACK jobsite storage equipment,
including storage chests, work stations, rolling work benches, and
www.mcsmag.com

hand tool boxes. For more information, visit www.Knaack.com and
www.WeatherGuard.com.
BRIDGESTONE BANDAG TIRE SOLUTIONS
ANNOUNCES PRICE INCREASES
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions (BBTS), a division of
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, announced it has increased
prices on its Firestone, Dayton, and Bandag brand products. Effective
June 1, 2010, Firestone brand, as well as Dayton brand, truck and
bus radial tire base prices will increase up to 6 percent in the United
States. Effective May 1, 2010, Bandag retread material prices
increased up to 6 percent in the United States.
NUCOR NU-GUARD-31 W-BEAM
GUARDRAIL POST SYSTEM GAINS
FHWA TL-4 ACCEPTANCE
Nucor Steel Marion, Inc. is pleased to announce that the FHWA
has issued a letter of acceptance for the NU-GUARD-31 W-beam
guardrail post system, stating that it has met the evaluation criteria
in the NCHRP Report 350 for use as a Test Level 4 (TL-4) system.
The system offers great cost savings by eliminating the need for offset
blocks or heavy, expensive thrie-beam guardrail to meet TL-4.
The NU-GUARD-31 system uses specially designed RIB-BAK
U-channel steel posts that allow a standard W-beam guardrail to rise
during impact, dissipating energy in an innovative way, resulting in a
smoother, more predictable vehicle redirection.
The Nucor steel posts are less expensive than traditional I-beam
steel posts. And the specially designed RIB-BAK U-channel posts
are lighter and stack easily. They take up less room in a service truck,
8 | MAY2010
industryNEWS
and are much easier to handle and ship than either wood or I-beam
guardrail posts. The system was previously accepted for use in TL-3
applications. For more information, visit www.nucorhighway.com.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC INTRODUCES NEW
2010 CONSUMABLES CATALOG
Lincoln Electric has introduced its first ever, annual 2010
Consumable Product Catalog. This book includes Lincoln Electrics
full line of legacy welding consumables, as well as new products
introduced in the last year to help customers increase productivity
and improve weld quality.
Similar to the 2010 Equipment Catalog, the new Consumable
catalog will have an online Fast-Flip eBook version that is accessible
on Lincolns Web site. This online catalog features intuitive, book-
like navigation, making Lincolns entire product line more easily
accessible and product selection easy. To access the online version of
the Consumable Catalog, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.
MORBARK LAUNCHES SAWDUST
QUICK SWITCH CONVERSION KIT
Morbark, Inc., now offers a second Quick Switch conversion kit,
allowing grinder owners to further diversify their product offerings
by simply modifying the hammermill of their Morbark horizontal
grinder. The original conversion kit, introduced in 2009, gave
Morbark grinder owners the ability to make high quality standard
size chips. Now, the new Sawdust Quick Switch conversion kit also
allows grinder owners to supply the large volume sawdust market.
This gives Morbark grinder owners the capability to produce mulch,
high quality chips or sawdustwith just one machine.
www.mcsmag.com

Unlike conversion methods from other manufacturers, the
Morbark Quick Switch conversion kit does not require removing the
hammermill from the unit or replacing the hammers with small knife
bits. The Quick Switch actually converts the hammermill into a drum
with full sized knives so it acts just like a chipper. Conversion is
possible in the field, without a crane, and can be done faster than any
other conversion on the market.
The Quick Switch conversion kit is available on Morbark
horizontal grinder models 3800, 4600, 4600XL, and 6600 from any
model year, wheeled or track versions. For more detailed specs or to
watch a video, visit www.morbark.com/quickswitch.
TOPCON FEATURES WORLDS FIRST
WAVE-AND-READ TECHNOLOGY
Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) announces the release of the new
DL-500 digital levels series.
The new Topcon DL-500 incorporates the worlds first Wave-
and-Read technology. This feature provides an additional survey
style option that allows a rod person to wave the staff back and forth,
instead of keeping the staff plumb, says LeRoy Sorenson, product
marketing manager for the TPS Survey Business Unit.
The staff reading becomes the minimum when it stands vertically.
The DL-500 tracks the waved staff and automatically reads the least
value. This innovative technology allows for error-free readings of
waved staffs, while dramatically reducing operators eyestrain, says
Sorenson.
The DL-500 also incorporates the advanced Random-Bidirectional
code (RAB code) for the staff and optimum digital processing
algorithm for staff reading. The DL-500 automatically recognizes the
10 | MAY2010
industryNEWS
staff directions, either upright or inverted, eliminating manual errors
when surveying with normal and inverted readings, Sorenson says.
Visit www.topconpositioning.com for more information.
COLD SPRING GRANITE OFFERS
LIBRARY OF BIM FAMILIES ONLINE
Cold Spring Granitethe leading quarrier and fabricator of
dimensional or cut-to-size stone in North Americahas
announced the creation of a vast online library of Building
Information Modeling (BIM) families.
In response to the growth of BIM and with more product
information becoming readily available in a BIM format, Cold
Spring Granite has assembled their products in Revit families. Cold
Spring Granite established functional details and parameters in the
created models such as sizes, height, and slope. This information
can be taken directly from the project and incorporated into the
production tickets to streamline the manufacturing process.
Cold Spring Granites BIM object families are available in Revit
2010 format on the companys Web site and currently include family
details such as stone wall facings, anchors, thresholds, floors, coping,
and sills. Architects will find both 3D versions for their models and
2D for their drawings. As such, the families offer ease of use for the
design process. Additional stone information, such as panel sizes,
weight, and test data can be found on the Cold Spring Granite
Web site. Currently, Cold Spring Granite has 20 families, with
approximately 50 more building product models in the works.
To view Cold Spring Granites BIM Families, visit www.
coldspringgranite.com/Products-Colors-Finishes/
Architectural/#bim.
www.mcsmag.com
 PROJECTPROFILES

Race to Strength
Rapid Set concrete helps company
perform time-sensitive airport repairs.
By Vince Perez

W
ithin strict time framesand under the threat of strict
liquidated damages if the runway or taxiway is not
returned to airport operations on timea California-
based material supplier is repairing airport pavements from coast-
to-coast with a rapid-setting, high-strength specialty concrete,
produced in volumetric mixers.
With airport repairs, the mix design is always a race to
strength, says Jeff Throop, president of George L. Throop Co.
The sooner you can achieve the required strength, the more work
you can do.
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
Throop has used this setup on a number of airport projects in
cities across the country, including Los Angeles, San Diego,
Burbank, San Francisco, and Denver. Recently, Throop was called
onto a panel-replacement project at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport (ATL) where time was of the essence.
The job came with high stakes: We are the worlds busiest
airport and cant afford to have runways or taxiways closed very
long, says Quintin B. Watkins, P.E., ATLs airside area manager.
Consequently, there was the ever-present threat of liquidated
damages.
The liquidated damages on the ATL project were $1,000 a
minute for runways and $500 a minute for taxiways. Although
fines can vary, airports typically have similar strength
requirements. The Federal Aviation Administration has its
requirements as far as what is needed to open pavements
to aircraft, Throop explains, but some airports will have a
variableit will be either 500 flex or 550 flex, and around 5,000
psi. We get there in an hour and a half to two hours. There will be
one strength for opening to aircraft, and another for the 28-day
strength.
Pavement replacement at airports generally follows a set
patternpanels are typically saw cut in previous shifts and left in
place. On the night of replacement, the pieces are lifted out (with
no impact allowed), and dowels are drilled and installed on all
sides. Any electrical lighting is also installed, when needed, before
the concrete is produced. The pavement is reopened the following
morning with a minimum flexural strength of 500 psi.
After the prime contractor cut the 25- by 25-foot panels,
Throop replaced them, ultimately placing more than 800 cubic
yards of Rapid Set cement to restore 25 panels. Throop was the
first concrete producer to replace two panels in one night, says
Watkins. He would bring in two volumetric mixers and knock
out the job right there.
With this cement and our volumetric mixers, we were able
to give the demolition crew plenty of time to do slab removal,
says Throop. Then, with the concrete mixing for only 15 to 18

CTS Cement Manufacturing Corporation manufactures Rapid Set professional-grade cement products for concrete
formore repairs and new construction projects. Contractors, owners, engineers, and architects choose Rapid Set to
eliminate problems they have with other concrete repair materials, to save time and money, when superior durability
INFORMATION is required, and results need to be aesthetically pleasing. For more information about CTS Cement and Rapid Set,
visit www.ctscement.com.

12 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 seconds, the concrete was placed within a 15-minute period. It
had great workability, with a full 30 minutes for the crew to get
the concrete finished, sealed, textured, and cured.
BURBANK AIRPORT REAPS BENEFITS
At Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California, George L.
Throop Co. provided Rapid Set for numerous repairs and
upgrades. Bigger aircraft parking closer to the terminal
required the modification of most of the airports hardstands.
Various contractors removed areas of existing asphalt and
prepared the areas for Rapid Set concrete, which George L.
Throop Co. produced on site. After contractors placed and
finished the Rapid Set concrete, the hardstands were returned
to service within a few hours of placement.
Next, installation of new fiber optics and power required the
runways to be crossed with a trench measuring 48 inches by
200 feet by 48 inches deep. Two backhoes face-to-face from the
center of the runway excavated the trench. Then, 16 pieces of
4-inch conduit were placed in the trench. Rapid Set concrete
was used to backfill the trench and enabled this portion of the
project to avoid stiff penaltiesfailure to open the runway on
time at 5 a.m. would have resulted in $2,000-per-minute fines.
When the FAA required upgrades to the airports lighting
system for aircraft to meet national standards, Rapid Set
concrete was once again used to backfill the trench. This
allowed aircraft access to any taxiways after placement of
Rapid Set concrete. Black oxide color was mixed in to match
the existing asphalt. Sidewalks at passenger drop-off points
were replaced with Rapid Set concrete to eliminate plates
or barricades that can create trip hazards. With all work
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completed at night, the airport returned to normal use by
5 a.m.
TEAM EFFORT
While Throop is responsible only for producing the rapid-
setting concrete, ensuring a job well done means keeping on top
of all steps of the process.
The subgrade prep is the responsibility of the demolition
contractor, says Throop, but we are anxious to make sure the
prep work is done correctly. At times, voids can form when the
panels are removed, in which case Throop uses his volumetric
mixers to create a hot patch for the base by removing the
retarder from the normal mix, placing it, then putting a vapor
barrier between the base, and the poured concrete.
Because impact demolition is not allowed at airports, 60-inch
concrete saw blades are used to remove the slabs. The saw
cutting is done in shifts before our crews show up, says Throop,
so that when the crews arrive and lights are set up, they can
go to work immediately pulling up the slabs. It takes a while to
pull those blocks out, and it needs to be done carefully, so that
no adjacent panels are damaged.
We like to approach work as a team effort, says Throop,
and if we see something that can be done quicker, we will bring
it to the contactors attention.
WINNING THE RACE
While the combination of volumetric mixers and Rapid Set
cement provides the backbone of GL Throops fast-track airport
repair operations, the companys key to success ultimately lies in
its understanding of what the race to strength entails.
MAY2010 | 13

Clearing for
iRox Road Expansion
By Larry Trojak
I
n construction, there is one tenet that rings true for everyone
from the smaller general contractor doing residential work, to
the largest heavy highway firms at work today: having the right
tool for the right job can be key to any projects success. When
that project isdollar for dollarone of the largest in the country,
the importance of adhering to that rule grows exponentially. For
David Foote Environmental Services, that meant re-evaluating
their approach to grinding, then purchasing new equipment to
better meet the situation at hand. It was a big move but a necessary
one, they feltand the outcome has proven them right. Doing
so not only enhanced their on-site productivity, it solidified their
position as a valued team member and helped the joint venture
firm heading up the job (Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. and Ajax
Paving Inc.) capitalize on a sizeable early-completion bonus.
SEASONALLY AFFECTED DISORDER
Under normal circumstances, the 35-mile stretch of I-75 between
Naples, Florida, and Fort Myers, is easily travelled. During
peak times, however, when the areas population swells with
the arrival of snowbirds from the north, that same section can
become extremely congested. To alleviate that problem, Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) has committed $469
million to a project called iROX (I-75 Road Expansion), which
will widen the interstate from four to six lanes in the area linking
these two main southwest Florida cities. Getting to that point
involved a good deal of land clearing and tree removal, specialties
of Fort Myers-based David Foote Environmental Services.
According to company vice president, Jim Foote, the scope of the
project was as broad as they come.
Aboutthe Larry Trojak is president of Trojak Communications, a Minnesota-based marketing communications firm.
Author He has written for the construction, recycling, demolition, scrap, and aggregate processing industries.
14 | MAY2010
PROJECTPROFILES
Change in approach adds new dimension
to business and yields increased production
In addition to clearing sections of the median to make way for
the additional lanes, we were also clearing for retention ponds,
drainage runs, sound walls, emergency stopping sites, and so on,
he says. During the early parts of the project, we were processing
material through a Morbark Model 1300 tub grinder which, while
an unbelievably powerful machine, can occasionally send debris
flying from the tub. So when we were doing material from the
median and other areas directly adjacent to traffic, we would have
to cut and pile the debris, then haul it from the right-of-way to
any of several ponds that had recently been cleared. There, it was
run through the tub grinder, turned into mulch and carted off for
sale to area landscapers for use as site mulch.
While that was a workable solution, he says, it was certainly not
the most efficient, nor the most economical. The firm looked for
an alternative approachand found it in an alternative grinder: a
Morbark horizontal Model 6600 Track Wood Hog.
TRACKING HORIZONTAL
A much different animal than their tub-type counterparts, which
are designed to handle bulkier items such as stumps and root-balls,
horizontal grinders instead excel at longereven tree-length
debris. Another inherent value of the horizontal, however, is its
ability to yield high production volumes without the risk of debris
being thrown. It seemed the ideal solution for Foote and company.
We already owned a horizontal unitan axle-mounted Model
5600 from Morbarkand knew what it could do production-
wise, says Foote. We felt that if we could get some outstanding
throughputs, and at the same time move along the right-of-way,
we could really ramp up production. We looked at the Model 6000
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 Track Wood Hog, a mobile 1,000 hp track unit, and knew wed
found our answer.
A track version of the companys highly successful Model
6600, the Track Wood Hog combines aggressive, productive
grinding with outstanding on-site mobilityeven in harsh
ground conditions.
Changing the way we approached grinding was a huge step
for us, adds Foote, and one that we thought long and hard
about. But we felt that the 6600 could give us everything we
were getting out of our tub grinder and really enhance our
grinding capability. As luck would have it, iROX was the perfect
project for proving that.
MUD ON THE TRACKS
Floridas high water table, coupled with persistent rains in the
area, meant much of the clearing effort on iROX was being
done in extremely muddy conditions. According to Foote, armed
with the new track grinder, tackling what was once a grinding
nightmare was now just another day at the office.
There were about 15 retention ponds located at various sites
throughout the project at which material had to be cleared,
and most of those were literally mud holes when we arrived.
The 6600 got in there, did the work, and got out again with no
trouble at all. It really was a godsend in an environment like
that.
On large sections, we would go in with a feller-buncher, cut
off trees off at the base, and run the whole tree through the
6600. At that point, all that was left was the stumps, which we
would pop and send through as well. The throat on that 6600 is
huge, so very rarely did we even have to pre-shear stumps prior
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to grinding. Our business model at the time was to consolidate
our machinery in anticipation of a slowdownthe versatility of
the new grinder played right into that plan.
PLAYING IN TRAFFIC
Because they could now clear immediately adjacent to traffic,
mobility was key for the firm in decent conditions as well.
Suddenly, they could simply track along the side of the road and
grind material 20 feet from the edge of the pavement.
This was a huge change for us and over the course of the
project it paid real dividends in time savings. If we had to
continue hauling debris to be processed as we had done at the
start, theres no doubt in my mind that we would have been in
there at least 30 percent longer.
That savings has no doubt contributed to the iROX teams
amazing accomplishment to date: adding two lanes of traffic to
one of the busiest corridors in southwest Florida, working on 37
bridges, complete reconstruction of two interchanges, doing it
all without any daytime lane closures, yet still being more than
100 days ahead of schedule.
There is as much as $15 million in incentives being offered
for early completion of the project and it looks like a good
portionif not allof that money will be claimed, says Foote.
The Model 6600 Track Wood Hog helped us streamline the
entire clearing process and Id like to think that the work we
did in advance of the construction itself played a big role in
helping the joint venture team get that bonus. More important
to us though, is the fact that it has added a new dimension to
our grinding capability, and that sets us up nicely for future
work.
MAY2010 | 15
 706-234-6163
www.progrindsystems.com
 equipmentSOLUTIONS

John Deere:
M ee ti n g C u st o m er N ee d s Today

J
ohn Deere Construction & Forestry Division, a leading producer of heavy and light
construction equipment, keeps building on its history of innovation and fulfilling its
pledge to listen and respond to customer needs.

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Formally organized into a division in the mid-1950s, construction equipment offerings
today consist of:

Backhoe loaders Articulated dump trucks

Crawler dozers and loaders Landscape loaders
4WD loaders Skid steer loaders
Excavators Compact track loaders
Motor graders

John Deere is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction,
lawn and turf care, landscaping, and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and
formore manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has
INFORMATION extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment, and innovation around the globe. John Deere Construction
& Forestry produces more than 120 machine models and distributes its construction, forestry, and worksite products
through a network of more than 1,300 dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com.

16 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 HISTORY OF INNOVATION
John Deere Construction & Forestry customers have
witnessed a number of innovations and industry firsts:
Two-lever backhoe control
The six-way PAT dozer blade
First articulated grader
The hydrostatic front-wheel-drive grader
First load-sensing hydraulics on loaders
First dual-path hydrostatic crawler in North America
NeverGrease pins
First inboard-mounted wet disc brakes
Deere responded to calls for a Creeper mode, too,
with an enhanced operator productivity option, called
the EH Performance Package, so an operator can make
wheel speed adjustments independent of engine speed
to create a machine that perfectly fits his application
or skill level.
EMISSIONS AND
SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES
Deere also continues responding to customer needs in
the areas of emissions and sustainable technologies
with education and expertise, including wide-ranging
information resources available on www.JohnDeere.
com, fleet emissions training for customers and
electrification/hybrid research and development.
The division has also confirmed its choice of
technology path for Interim Tier 4 emissions regulations
(cooled EGR) as the right technology at this time.
Deere is forging ahead on options to help owners meet
upcoming Final Tier 4 requirements.

More recently, Deere was the first to offer telematics

on construction equipment and introduced the 764
High-Speed Dozer (HSD), which combined the speed of
a grader with the flotation of a crawler dozer, with a
key benefit being unprecedented speed.

RESPONDING to customer
needs TODAY
In addition to the start-of-sales for the 764 HSD,
the first new machine form the construction industry
has seen in decades, Construction & Forestry also
launched the G-Series graders in 2009, revolutionary
for giving customers a choice of controlsincluding
the industrys first-ever fingertip controls that mimic the
traditional pattern and still allow the use of a steering
wheel.
Customer preferences and input also dictated the
design of nine new D-Series skid steer loaders and
compact track loaders (CTLs). Gregg Zupancic, Deeres
product marketing manager for skid steers and CTLs,
details how.
Customers have been asking us for more
comfortable cabs similar to those on larger pieces
of Deere equipment, so weve introduced an all-new
operating environment, Zupancic says.
Overall, D-Series cabs feature 24 percent more
room than their predecessors and 6 more inches of
headroom. They are also 50 percent quieter, positively
pressurized and easier to get in and out of, due to a
larger door opening.
As a result of further customer suggestions, Deeres
D-Series contains several industry firsts. D-Series skid
steers and CTLs have electronically controlled Tier 3/
Interim Tier 4 engines coupled with a new auto idle
feature, providing quieter operation and fuel savings.
The optional reversing hydraulic fan is a variable speed
unit working with a computer program that monitors
engine and hydraulic fluid temperatures to ramp fan
speed up or down as needed.
Spinning only as fast as needed saves fuel and
reduces noise, Zupancic says. Like bigger machines,
it has cool on demand-type advantagesone is
that there will be less debris intake into the cooling
system if the fan runs slower on average throughout
the day, another is the reversing option for high-debris
applications.

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 17
 equipmentSOLUTIONS

JRB Quick Couplers

The Productive Excavator Partner
By Doug Amerman

A
dd a quick coupler to an excavator and turn it into a
multi-tasking, time-saving advantage. Contractors want
them light, yet robust, fast, and easy to engage with
attachmentsat the same time providing top safety features to
ensure that their high-dollar equipment investments and workers
are safe. The newest excavator partner, the JRB VersaLoc quick
coupler, provides three safety advantages while offering the lowest
offset in the industry. This coupler didnt evolve overnight though.
Since 1988, JRB has pioneered the manufacturing of excavator
couplers through ongoing design enhancements in the key areas of
safety, speed, reliability, versatility, and cost.

COUPLERS WERENT ALWAYS POPULAR

When JRB started manufacturing excavator couplers, contractors
were still trying to grasp the concept. A contractors only coupler
choice was a dedicated pin spacing coupler that attached to one
particular pin diameter and pin spread, or the center line of one
pin to the center line of the other. This was great for picking up
similar types of attachments or multiple attachments within a
brand, which often worked well because many contractors were
still dedicated to one or two main brands.
JRBs dedicated pin spacing coupler evolution began
1988 CamLoc: The locking mechanism rotates on a cam-
like device to grab and lock around the link pin. Contractors can
stay in the cab and switch between multiple attachments without
having to manually knock out or align pins.
1993 SlideLoc: A linear wedge slides into a groove
underneath the link pin for a tighter, safer hold. Contractors that
switch out attachments semi-regularly find it very effective, while
those that rarely change attachments find it can get stuck over
time.
1996 PinLoc: It also uses a wedge that secures to the link
pin, but it requires manual placement of a pin to prevent the wedge
from getting stuck, providing the same tight hold without the need
to retract the coupler regularly. This is still available today.
1996 SmartLoc: For contractors that dont want to get out
of the cab, this is the ideal mesh of safety and convenience. Using
the same wedge system, it has a spring-loaded arm that requires
the contractor to curl the coupler up and make contact with the
excavator stick. The mechanical arm pivots around a spring-
loaded axle and secures the coupler until the operator unlocks it by
pushing a button in the cab. This is also still available today.
IMPROVING COUPLER COMPATIBILITY
As couplers became more popular, contractors wanted more
versatility. Along came the modern day multi-pin grabber coupler,
which has a pivoting jaw on the rear end that adjusts to any
pin diameter, ear spread, and pin spread within a specific class.
Every manufacturers coupler has different measurements, so this
makes it easier for a contractor to find a wide array of compatible
attachments.
JRB is leading the way in multi-pin grabber couplers
2002 RotoLoc: A pivoting rear jaw locks hydraulically by
utilizing a cam-like device that goes over the stick pin. A gravity
lock comes down in front of the stick pin and prevents the cylinder
pivot from retracting. This lock also keeps the attachment from
falling off should something happen to the rear lock arrangement.
NEW JRB VERSALOC COMBINES
SAFETY & VERSATILITY
Today, safety is the top concern contractors have about couplers,
so in 2009, JRB developed the VersaLoc to put those concerns
to rest. The multi-pin grabber coupler has three safety locking
mechanisms:
1. Slide wedge style lock that captures the link pin, which is
locked with a pilot operated check valve that locks the cylinder
so it cant retract if hydraulic pressure is lost.
2. Redundant (two) pivoting locking arms that pivot from side to
side and into place to prevent the wedge from retracting.

formore For more information on JRB excavators and attachments, call 800.428.2538; e-mail: tmulhollen@
INFORMATION paladinbrands.com; or visit www.paladinconstructiongroup.com.

18 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 3. Spring-loaded detent lock for the stick pin and link pin
for redundant locking in the front and back. This virtually
eliminates accidental retraction in the case of operator error.
The JRB VersaLoc offers the lowest offset in the industry,
with the least amount of distance from the new pin location
from its original pinpoint. This ensures that the contractor will
achieve maximum lifting strength and range of motion with every
attachment. It is compatible with pin spreads ranging from 13.7
inches to 24.9 inches and pin diameters from 2.5 inches to 4.3
inches on excavators from 25,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds.
GUARANTEED ACCIDENT PREVENTION
JRBs quick couplers are the safest in the industry. But no matter
what coupler is used, here are a few safety tips thatif followed
will virtually eliminate all accidents:
Never touch the switch or control buttons to lock or unlock the
coupler until the attachment and coupler is fully curled.
Never lift or connect any attachment from any other point
except the lift eye.
Perform a ground test every time an attachment is connected:
With the excavator stick in the vertical position, lift the
attachment 4 to 6 inches off the ground in a safe, clear area.
With mid to high RPMs on the engine, try to uncurl the
attachment and push the stick out at the same time. If the
attachment stays attached, an accident wont occur.
Ensure that the control box is located where the operator can
see the appropriate lights and hear the buzzer at all times.
Anytime maintenance is performed on the hydraulic hoses or
cylinder, or when a new coupler is attached, lock and unlock
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the hydraulic cylinder 25 to 30 times without an attachment to
ensure it works properly.
Inspect the coupler and attachments every day for obstructions
(rocks, sticks, etc.) or fatigue, cracking, and welding issues.
JRB regularly offers safety training through its qualified dealer
network free of charge. Operators, ground people, supervisors,
parts staff, and mechanics can all use these classes to prevent
accidents before they happen.
PROVIDING THE IDEAL EXCAVATOR
As a leading manufacturer of high-quality quick couplers and
attachments for construction, utility, demolition, government,
military, and related markets since 1983, JRB knows how to get the
most out of excavators. Its CustomWorks operations in Davenport,
Iowa; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Kernersville, Florida, are
structured to provide its manufacturing partners with a fast, cost-
effective way to meet the production goals of the contractor with
the addition of a coupler. These facilities customize excavators
according to specific dealer/manufacturer requests so they ship
fully equipped with the coupler and attachment(s) ready to work.
THE FUTURE OF COUPLERS
After recently becoming part of Paladin Construction Group, JRB
now has the financial backing, support, and more than 25 years
of engineering experience to continue manufacturing the safest,
most versatile quick couplers available. JRB will soon introduce
an excavator coupler with hydraulic controls integrated into the
coupler cylinder, which will reduce install time, ease of install, and
increase reliability.
MAY2010 | 19
 equipmentSOLUTIONS

T
he world of concrete drilling Perry, Oklahoma. Over that time,
and doweling has changed From on-grade units E-Z Drill has strived to take the
dramatically since 1987. standard it first set in pneumatic
Prior to that time, construction to attachments, concrete drilling and doweling
companies had essentially two
options for drilling, and each
E-Z Drill delivers a equipmentand continually
improve upon it. And in working
presented its own significant full line of concrete to innovate and offer flexible
drawbacks.
The hand-held rock drill was
drilling solutions. options to meet any contractor
need, E-Z Drill has developed an
the most common equipment extensive line of concrete drills.
choice. While not expensive, A wide variety of on-grade
it created an incredibly slow, models have been specifically
labor-intensive process that designed for straight-line drilling
often posed a significant risk on a level subgrade, and are ideal
of injury. A recently designed for airport work, lane additions,
alternative at the time was and large patchwork jobs. Each
the hydraulic-powered dowel unit features a compact frame
drill. It drilled holes faster that allows for work within tight
and was more ergonomically areas.
sound, as there was no need Several slab-rider models are
to hold the drills by hand. But available as well. These drills
performance advantages were reference from the top of the
often overshadowed because the concrete slab, which provides for
hydraulic units were also more optimum accuracy and eliminates
expensive and cumbersome, disturbance of the subgradea
and they required additional key requirement in many state
equipment for operation. contracts.
WCCI of Stillwater, All E-Z Drill products
Oklahoma, was among those offer numerous features to
companies struggling to find an increase production and help
efficient, cost-effective method prevent downtime. Quick-
for drilling dowel holes. So the release bit guides correspond
company literally took matters with any style of bit for a
into its own hands when WCCIs Leon Hake fast, simple exchange, while
engineered and built an automatic pneumatic vertical height adjustment
drill system. The innovation proved to deliver levels enable each unit to
both increased productivity and a higher level of drill on center whether
accuracy to drilling jobs. Operators found the new the slab is 6 inches or
system to be user friendly, dependable and safe. And 24 inches thick. Drill
just like that, a new product carriages easily can be
manufacturing company was replaced, as needed, with
bornE-Z Drill, Inc. basic tools, and quick coupler air
fittings further simplify maintenance.
DRILL LINE
E-Z Drill started small, with GETTING ATTACHED
only a welder and a draftsman. Some drilling applications can entail work to be
In 23 years, the company performed over long stretches of roadway. Often
has grown into a diverse its most efficient to tackle these jobs with
manufacturing business equipment-mounted drills that can more easily
employing 40 people at a be moved when there is significant distance
22,000-square-foot facility in from one patch to the next.

E-Z Drill manufactures slab rider drills, on-grade models, and equipment-mounted drills, as well as
formore vertical utility models and drilling accessories. For more information on E-Z Drills complete line of
INFORMATION concrete drilling and doweling equipment, visit www.ezdrill.com.

20 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 E-Z Drill has three multi-gang drill attachments available, the
Model 210-3 EQ MT, Model 210-4 EQ MT, and Model 210-5
EQ MT. Each unit is totally pneumatic and will attach to almost
any backhoe or excavator. Standard features not found on any
other equipment-mounted unit in the industry include the side
shift function, which allows an operator to drill a second set of
dowel holes in a patch without having to reposition the carrier.
These drills also include a floating bucket curl pin to ensure
fast repositioning, an extra height adjustment for extreme overlay
conditions, and a safety swivel lock to provide safe transportation
from patch to patch. Hole diameters can be drilled between
and 2- inches to a maximum depth of 18 inches. A minimum
of 300 CFM (8.4 m3/min) is needed for operation.
E-Z Drills Model 210 Twin Vertical concrete drill attachment
goes outside the realm of doweling to accommodate other
concrete drilling applications. This rock drill system contains two
adjustable vertical drills, making it ideal for pulling patches, slab-
jacking, and under sealing. The unit is designed for maximum
productivity and is completely pneumatic, which eliminates the
need for electric or hydraulic hook-up.
The 210 Twin Vertical utilizes CP 69 rock drills and has
the capability of drilling a hole between and 2- inches in
diameter. It features a maximum drilling depth of 17 inches and
requires a minimum of 260 CFM (7.3 m3/min) for operation.
Drill spacing adjusts easily from 5 to 10 feet on center. The feed
system also includes an angular adjustment, allowing the drills to
be positioned between 90 and 45 degrees.
For quick, convenient operation, the system can be controlled
from the cab via pneumatic remote, which is powered by
the same air compressor as the drills. To further enhance
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productivity, the patented roller bearing feed eliminates friction
on the carriage to reduce replacement costs and help prevent
downtime.
THE LATEST SOLUTIONS
E-Z Drill continues to innovate with its newest products to hit
the marketthe Model 240B (on-grade version) and Model
240B SRA (slab-rider version) combo drill systems. This new
product concept combines the features of a standard drill with
the capability of converting to a pneumatic core drill. This
technology enables contractors to tackle drilling jobs where
concrete contains rebar or other metal that cant be avoided, thus
requiring a core drill instead of a rock drill.
By catering to both rock drilling and core drilling applications,
these all-in-one units eliminate the need for separate drilling
systems. The combo drills ultimately provide the opportunity to
drill concrete in whatever way is most efficient for the demands
of a specific job. The conversion process requires just a few
simple tools and can be quickly conducted while on the jobsite.
EXPERIENCE COUNTS
E-Z Drill started out exactly where contractors areon the
front lines of the jobsite, working hard to get things done.
Its that experience that drives the companys commitment to
its customers. From custom designs and solutions for specific
projects to the unique features of the standard product line, E-Z
Drill prides itself on manufacturing superior quality drilling
and doweling equipment that provides the dependability and
productivity to lower costs and increase profits for contractors
everywhere.
MAY2010 | 21
 equipmentSOLUTIONS

Krypto Klaw:
tm

MORE POWERFUL THAN A THUMB OR GRAPPLE

R
ocklands Krypto Klaw is the ideal tool for demolition and
land clearing applications where precision and maximum
clamping force are required. The unique Krypto Klaw
design brings the bucket and thumb together as one collective
working unit resulting in maximum operator efficiency and full
use of the excavators reach throughout 100 percent of the curl
cycle. The Krypto Klaw is designed to work with all sizes of
excavators from mini excavators to the larger machines.
The Krypto Klaw performs like a grapple while retaining the
advantages of an excavator bucket. Operators love the Krypto
Klaw because once the load is clamped, all they have to do is
use curl control to position the load. Its multi-rib, open design
allows for maximum operator visibility while manipulating
material. The Krypto Klaw mates directly with the stick, saving
time and money during the installation process. Pin or couple
the Krypto Klaw to the excavator, plug in two hydraulic lines,
and go to work, no welding or additional miscellaneous parts
required.
The Krypto Klaw is manufactured from long wearing, high
strength, quenched and tempered steel, and reinforced with
AR400 in all critical wear areas, to include the cutting edge,
doubler plates, and bottom side wear plates. It is covered
by Rocklands no nonsense, 1-year, 2,000-hour warranty.
Performance is guaranteed.
For over 60 years, Rockland Manufacturing Co. has designed
and manufactured construction equipment for dozers, loaders,
excavators, and motor graders. Every Rockland product is
designed for a specifi c application and is guaranteed to improve
machine productivity. During those 60 years, Rockland made
several unique contributions to the construction equipment

Rockland Manufacturing has designed and manufactured high end, specialty and standard attachments for loaders,
dozers, excavators, and graders for over 60 years. The company has built its reputation on its quality custom attachments;
formore simple, straightforward warranties and unparalleled customer service. Rocklands custom and specialty products are
INFORMATION engineered to fit the customers specific application. Standard attachments are designed to fit all makes of equipment.
The companys 130 standard products include buckets, thumbs, blades, rakes and forks. For more information, contact
Rockland Manufacturing Co. at 800.458.3773, e-mail sales@rocklandmfg.com, or visit www.rocklandmfg.com.

22 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 industry. Most significantly, they proved that wheel Its All About the Thumb
loaders could handle shot rock by designing and
Clauss Construction is very familiar with Rocklands Krypto Klaw, having used two of the attachments
manufacturing the first spade nose rock bucket ever
put in a quarry. The unique Rockland RF-3 Rake for the demolition cleanup of the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. Both Krypto Klaw buckets were built in
was proven and patented in the late 50s. This was a skeleton design to sift out the sand and dirt when scooping up debris. Clauss Construction used both
the first land clearing rake to have both reversible attachments: one on the Caterpillar 365C and one on the Caterpillar 345C.
and adjustable teeth. Next, they astonished the On the job for about 3 months, the Krypto Klaw on the 365C moved over 300 loads of steel, in the
construction equipment industry by offering the range of about 20,000 cubic yards of demo material. According to Frank R. Wright, Clauss Construction
first lifetime warranty when they guaranteed the supervisor/operator, the bucket was used to sift dirt out of the concrete slabs, making the process more
RF-3 for life against any failure from defective efficient and saving time by not hauling so much dirt.
design, materials, or workmanship, and that even
Claus Construction mainly does demolition work, and the configuartion of the Krypto Klaw allows more
included bent teeth. Soon after introducing the RF-
precise placement of materials due to the range of motion of the bucket.
3, Rockland applied lifetime warranties to both the
Straight Edge and Spade Nose rock buckets with the The best thing about the Krypto Klaw is the thumb, says Wright. Normally, we have to secure the
same powerful coverage. thumb and thats extra weight and its in the way. With the Krypto Klaw, I set the quick connect, drop
the bucket, hook on the
THUMB DESIGN INNOVATION hammer, and Im good to
During the past decade, Rockland set the standard go; I dont have to worry
for excavator thumb design, offering narrow thumbs about the thumb being in
for common sense 3-point pickup. Rockland was the way.
also the first to offer thumbs ready to install
simply weld the mounting plate to the bottom of the
Krypto Klaws pin on, so
stick. They also offer key features such as lubricated
they can be used with pin
and sealed pivot points, cylinder rod guards, and the grabber couplers whenever
patented Rockland Thumb Lock that eliminates required. The easy
down drift. As thumbs for backhoes became more installation feature makes
popular, Rockland introduced the Smart Thumb Krypto Klaws the ideal
tool for multi-machine
the worlds only rigid strut thumb with hydraulic
fleets or rental yards.
clamping action that is easily removed or installed in
less than a minute.

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 23
800-831-0042
Morbark.com/QuickSwitch
 ENVIRONMENTALSOLUTIONS
Going Green
with Machine Control
New efficiencies mean burning less fuel, exhausting
fewer emissions, and realizing material savings.
By Daniel C. Brown
I
n recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
focused an entire body of regulations on exhaust gas emissions
from off-road equipment. Indeed, the EPA has steadily
tightened permissible limits on NOx gases and particulate matter
being emitted from new off-road enginesand continues to do so.
Yet now, empirical evidence points to the fact that earthmoving
equipment fitted with GPS-based machine control systems
is much more efficientand more greenthan manually-
controlled equipment. Grading goes faster. In some applications,
dozers can move up to twice as fast with new-generation machine
controls compared to first-generation controls. Jobs require
significantly less time.
For that reason, machine control technology is a green
technology. How so? If projects are completed in less time, dozers
and graders emit fewer exhaust emissions per project, consume
much less fuel, and require no wooden stakes for guidance. And
because grading is more precise with machine control, there are
fewer passes, and less crushed stone or base material is used, so less
energy is consumed to produce it.
Going forward, the use of automated machine controls will
increase exponentially on a global scale. That means the green
benefits will increase dramaticallyaround the worldover the
next 20 years.
At John Deere Construction and Forestry Division, we have
seen steadily increasing take rates on factory-enabled grade-
control ready packages and embedded automated features like the
cross-slope system on the new Deere GP motor graders, says Kent
Stickler, product marketing manager for motor graders.
Between factory-installed options and field-installed options,
our motor graders and dozers have been experiencing install rates
of 10 to 20 percent, depending on machine size, and we expect
this rate to at least double in the next 5 years, says Dan Drescher,
Deeres product marketing manager for dozers.
EARLY COMPLETION
On a Florida road-building project, Steven Counts, Inc., applied
the Topcon 3D-MC2 system to a John Deere 764 HSD, a new
high-speed dozer. The state of Florida commissioned the Counts
firm to expand County Road 484 from two lanes to four lanes.
Aboutthe Daniel C. Brown is the principal of TechniComm, a communications business based in
Author Des Plains, Illinois.
24 | MAY2010
The 764 HSD
did subgrade
preparation, base
rock grading,
mass dirt in
water retention
areas, and a lot of
our final grading
in ditch lines,
says Chuck
Counts, director
of surveying for the contractor.
Because of the fuel it saves, Counts says the Topcon 3D-MC2
is a very green product. The machine control system produced a
40-percent fuel savings overall on the grading work for an 80-acre
prison site near Mayo, Florida. With the accuracy and speed of
that machine control system, you move dirt, you place it once,
and its where it needs to be, says Counts. Obviously improved
productivity is what were after.
GREENER SYSTEMS
For sure those machine controls are greener systems, says Randy
Gray, owner of Graystone Construction, Inc. He has Topcons 3D-
MC2 system mounted on two bulldozersone Caterpillar and one
Komatsu. Gray says the machine controls astronomically speeded
up the grading for a high school in Brampton, Ontario. We used
our Komatsu D85 with machine control to cut the parking lots, the
soccer fields, and the running track.
Whats more, Graystone used both its GPS-equipped dozers
to handle the grading chores for a 360,000-square-foot industrial
building in Milton, Ontario. The paving company attempted to
tell us that our grades were wrong, says Gray. They were trying
to say that our grades were 2-inches low, and wanted to charge us
for 2 inches of rock, plus extra grading time. With our GPS system
we were able to prove them wrongboth that time and on the
high school.
CALIFORNIA AIR QUALITY
In California, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality
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 Management District incorporates air quality guidelines as
recommendations in the environmental impact statement for
some construction projects. They want new low-emissions
equipment on the project, as compared to the average for all
construction equipment in the state, says Scott Spong, project
manager for Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Inc.
When construction equipment exhausts fewer total emissions
that may be a positive for air quality, but all they care about is
how clean the exhaust emissions are, says Spong. Its pretty
obvious that the less time the equipment is operating, the fewer
emissions are getting blown into the air.
Veerkamp runs Topcon GPS machine control systems on
four pieces of equipment: a Cat D9N, a Cat D6M, and two
Cat 14H motor graders. Spong says the GPS systems helped
the contractor realize a 25- to 30-percent time savings on the
Prichard Lake Restoration Project for Sacramento County
Airport Systems. The project required about 50,000 cubic yards
of excavation.
Olin Ellsworth runs two Topcon 3D-MC2 machine control
systems, one on a Caterpillar dozer and one on a Komatsu dozer.
We were the first ones in Tennessee to have that upgrade,
says Ellsworth, grading division manager for Ronald Franks
Construction.
Ellsworths company is building a new wetland area at
Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee. The plans call for grading
a complicated topography that would be very difficult to do
with stakes and manual controls. Its an extremely detailed
job, says Ellsworth. I wouldnt even have bid that job without
machine control. It probably would cost twice as much to build
with stakes and manual control. I bid the dirt for $1.25 a cubic
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yard, and thats pretty cheap, but we can make money where other
contractors cannot.
MATERIAL SAVINGS
DeLong Construction, Inc., swung into action on an Iowa airport
job with a Caterpillar dozer fitted with a Topcon 3D-MC2 system,
as well as a Cat motor grader with a Topcon 3D-MC system.
Located at Iowa City, Iowa, the project called for recycling the old
concrete runway and crushing it for base aggregate under the new
runway.
Both the subgrade for the runway and the crushed concrete were
required to be finished to within 0.03 foot, says Paul Ruckman,
DeLongs GPS technician. The crushed concrete went down in
an 8-inch layer. Yes, when they call for 8 inches, and we grade
it with a GPS system, we know it is 8 inches on the money, says
Ruckman. We dont run over on rock. There are no pockets in it.
Similar materials savings resulted from using a Topcon 3D-
MC2 system on a John Deere 750J dozer to grade a parking lot
in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Operators for contractor Kelly Cortum, Inc.,
were able to tell exactly where the islands and edges were located
on the parking lot, says Jon Thompson, grading supervisor.
In former days when stakes were used, the contractor would
simply pave over the island areas, then remove the island asphalt
later with jackhammers. But with GPS machine control, the digital
terrain model defines exactly where the islands are, so theres no
need to pave over them.
So with GPS machine control, less fuel is used and fewer
emissions are exhausted into the air. Less wood is used for stakes.
And less rock or concrete has to be crushed for pavement base
material. What more could a green contractor want?
MAY2010 | 25
 ENVIRONMENTALSOLUTIONS
Plastics and Potable Water
Environmental considerations for
contractors using plastic piping.
R
emember the scare a few months ago about those
reusable plastic water bottles everyone was toting
around? These water bottles were touted as an
environmental friendly solution to bottled water, and the
premise was simple: buy a bottle, open up the tap, and fill.
No plastic bottles clogging the landfills. Then suddenly
these unassuming bottles were labeled as hazardous, because
they leached Bisphenol-A, a monomer in epoxy resins, into
the water inside the bottle.
A phthalate or monomer, like Bisphenol-A, is a chemical
compound added to certain plastics to make it behave like
a plasticmoldable, either flexible or rigid, and durable.
As it turns out, these additives are dangerous compounds
capable of causing changes in the human body. Often linked
to health issues like reproductive and endocrine system
damage and dysfunction, these compounds may even cause
some cancers. The worst thing about these persistent bio-
accumulative toxins (PBTs), is that they are stored in the
body indefinitely, accumulating gradually over time. The
more exposure gained throughout a lifetime, the greater the
risk of illness.
What about all the pipes that bring fresh water to faucets
in the first place?
JOBSITE PLASTICS
Plastics, once rare on the jobsite are now commonplace.
In the wake of recent record copper prices, the traditional
supply piping for potable water, many builders and
contractors have been choosing plastic supply pipes instead.
Aboutthe Astyn Richard is a LEED AP and NCARB certified Architect living and working out of Birmingham,
Author Alabama.
26 | MAY2010
By Astyn Richard
Plastic pipe is lighter, easier to install, and cheaper than
copper. And since their lighter weight uses less fuel to
transport, and their composite materials are themselves
recycled or are potentially recyclable, plastic pipes are
gaining ground with the sustainability and environmental
movement.
However, all plastics are not created equally. In fact, there
have been some major issues with some types of plastic
pipes that have given all plastic piping a bad name.
Polybutylene (PB) pipes, nicknamed the pipe of the
future in the 70s and 80s, PB caused many class action
lawsuits for damages associated with pipe breakages.
Chlorine in drinking water was found to degrade these pipes
and fittings leading to sudden and disastrous breakages.
Although the Polybutylene industry has redesigned their
products to combat these problems, the lawsuits have
damaged its reputation as a reliable productleading some
codes and municipalities to restrict its usage entirely.
By far the favorite plastic piping material in the US,
accounting for around 65 percent of the potable water
supply market is Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). It is light,
cheap, easy to work with, and takes less energy (and less
petroleum) to manufacture and transport to a jobsite than
copper. So why would organizations like Greenpeace,
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice, and the
Sierra Club want to restrict its usage in the construction
industry? For one, the leaching of dangerous compounds
into the potable water over the life cycle of these pipes is a
serious concern. In addition to phthalates and monomers,
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 the gas released during the manufacture the polyethylene molecules is especially contaminating potable water were very
of PVC is one of the most potent and environmentally friendly due to the process small.
deadly known carcinogens. Dioxin, the gas not requiring any additional chemicals. The plumbing industry has come a
released during the manufacture of PVC, One potential drawback is that PEX long way from the lead piped system of
stays in the atmosphere for a long time, cannot be used in direct sunlight, as it the Roman Empire. Contractors can only
slowly accumulating in human tissues and is photo degrades rapidly. California, hope that through constant innovation and
causing a host of health problems like an environmentally progressive state, awareness, they can continue to strive for
asthma, cancer, birth defects, and liver/ has recently added PEX to its stringent that balance that keeps clients comfortable
kidney failure. Fish swimming in the plumbing code after tests found that without harming the environment and
Great Lakes have been contaminated by the potential of hazardous compounds themselves.
dioxin originating in PVC manufacturing
plants in the southern U.S. Not only can
burning PVC emit poisonous hydrogen
chloride gas, it is not readably recycled. In
fact, due to these hazards, and pressures
by environmental agencies, some areas are
banning PVC. Already the European Union
has issued a moratorium on PVC piping,
and the U.S., since signing the Stockholm
Treaty, has promised to phase out this
material.

ALTERNATIVES FOR
CONTRACTORS
So what is a builder/contractor to use if
they want to save money with plastic piping
without endangering the building occupants
or the environment? So far, two alternate
types of pipes are available at comparable
prices. And while they arent completely
without drawbacks, they offer environmental
solutions that the previous examples do not.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is
most commonly known as the plastic used
to bottle beverages and package foods.
Unfortunately, petroleum is crucial to the
manufacturing of virgin HDPE. However,
HDPE is the most widely recycled plastic,
so excess trimmings and retrofits are
immediately ready to be recycled in our
conventional recycling streams and easily
made into bottles, bags, or other building
materials like decking. HDPE has an
insulating effect, thus resulting in less
energy loss throughout the system. Installers
prefer using HDPE because a hot knife cuts
sections while a heat gun fuses all joints
seamlessly without solvents or specialized
tools. Since HDPE has a history as a food
safe plastic, leaching risks are minimal.
Cross linked Polyethylene (PEX) shares
many of the same properties of HDPE,
with the added benefits of reducing water
noise and water hammer (since the pipes
are flexible instead of rigid), and higher
resistance to freezing than both copper
and PVC. PEX originated as piping for
radiant floor systems before becoming
a potable water supply pipe. What gives
this polyethylene is strength is the cross
linking process. There are three cross
linking options available, and the option
that uses an electron beam to cross link

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 27
 managementSOLUTIONS

Tips on Giving Effective

Performance by Roz Turner

Feedback
E
specially in todays difficult and
challenging environment for
construction companies, with
lay-offs and a slimmed down staff,
its important that each employee gets
ongoing on-the-job feedback. Employees
need to know what they are doing
well and what they need to
improve. That means observing
employees in action and
communicating oftennot just
during the annual performance
review.

SOME BASICS FOR

GIVING FEEDBACK
At heart, giving feedback needs
to come from the commitment to anothers
development, not from the place of being critical.
If feedback is approached from this place, then the boss
and the employee will benefit from the feedback process. A
supervisors intentions need to include:

Staying open to become aware of the employees

perspective or point of view.
Helping the employee to better understand his/her
strengths and development needs.
Giving useful feedback and keeping the employees self
esteem intact.
Creating a sense of partnership with the employee.
WHY THERES NOT ENOUGH FEEDBACK
As a manager or leader, giving and getting feedback are
important factors in the managing process. Yet in our
consulting practice, time and time again, we find that
managers and leaders fail to give effective feedback. And a
lack of feedback can result in lower productivity and overall
performance. Remember that when people dont receive
feedbackthey interpret that what they are doingor not
doingmust be working out okay. Then they are surprised
when they finally get the feedback that they need to change.
So why arent more managers and leaders providing
consistent feedback? In our experience, most managers and
leaders say I know I needed to tell John or Susan about the
problems with XYZ, but I just havent had the time to sit down
and have a face-to-face conversation with him/her. Its known
that managers and leaders are busier than ever before, but
talking with employees about their performance is part of the
jobnot extra. The real reason there isnt more feedback may
be that managers and leaders are just uncomfortable giving it.
Some possible reasons why people are uncomfortable giving
feedback:
Managers may not really want to be straight and say what

Roz Turner is the founder of Roz Turner & Associates, a management consulting and leadership development firm,
Aboutthe based in Bellevue, Washington. The construction industry is a focus of her consulting practice and she has helped
Author many construction companies develop performance management and feedback processes. She can be reached at
roz@rozturner.com or 425.746.8757.

30 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 needs to be said because they want
their employees to like them.
Another reason might be that the
manager may not know how to fix
what the person is not doing well.
Please remember that the goal is
not to fix anyone, but by sharing
what is seen, the manager and the
employee can be in a dialogue about
possible solutions.
3. State the expectations. Clearly state
the behavior or actions expected.
4. Create an Action Plan. Involve the
employee in creating an Action Plan
and ask for their commitment to
this plan.
can become the best they can be and
5. Follow-up and reinforcement. Be
sure to take the time to follow-
up with the employee to reinforce
expectations and acknowledge their
results.
Be a contractor that takes the time
to give honest, developmental feedback
on a regular basis. That way, employees
can avoid having situations explode into
bigger problems down the road.

A manager might also be afraid of

the employees reaction to hearing
job performance feedback. Though
in a position of leadership, many
people do not like conflict and
perceive that giving feedback will
lead to conflict. Some leaders
erroneously believe that its not that
big a deal and maybe if I dont say
anything my employee will figure it
out for him/herself. Thats why so
many situations that begin small end
up as big problems.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE

CHALLENGE AND GIVE
EFFECTIVE FEEDBACK
1. First, dont give feedback on the fly.
Take the time to really think about
what the employee needs to start,
stop, or continue doing.

2. Next, work on sticking to the facts

and personal observations. If theres
a need to give feedback regarding
interactions or performance that has
not been directly observed, be sure
to fully understand the situation
before feedback is given.

3. Clearly understand the impact

that the employees behavior and/
or performance is having on the
organization and the impact that it
could have on the employees career.

4. Finally, follow the 5 steps outlined

below.

5 STEPS FOR
GIVING FEEDBACK
1. Focus on behavior. Be specific.
Describe behavior in concise and
observable terms. Use behavior
descriptions that create a clear
picture of the issues. Avoid
generalities.

2. Describe the impact. Explain the

tangible effects of that behavior
being addressed.

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 31
 managementSOLUTIONS

Putting The Best Face Forward

By Spencer Fleury

T
hese days, every self-styled marketing guru with a business You cant just sit back and expect satisfied customers to tell
card is pushing Twitter and Facebook as a one-size-fits-all, their friends, admonishes Anderson. Sure, some of them will,
cant-live-without-it marketing tool. Yes, social media has but most wontunless you specifically ask them to tell their
its place in the marketing toolbox for just about any business, but friends.
most contractors would probably Is that all it takes? Often it
be better served by getting back is, Anderson says. People really
to basics before getting online. like to be asked. And once a
What does that mean? For customer recommends you for
most contractors, there are the first time, theyll usually do
more effective ways of making it again. But you have to take
connections than using social that first step and actually ask
media, and they often involve a for it.
lot of direct interaction with other But be carefuldont assume
contractors and potential clients. customers will be reluctant to
Especially if new to a particular criticize if the work is slipshod,
market, dont waste time on the late, or over budget. They wont
computer. To get ones name out be. Customers who feel burned
there, start by spending time will often go out of their way
making quality, face-to-face to drag a companys name
connections. through the dirt for the benefit
For most successful of everyone they know. And that
contractors, there will come a kind of toxic word-of-mouth
time when they should strongly can sink a companys reputation
consider working with an outside in no time flat, even with a
marketing company, says truckload of positive referrals on
Matthew Anderson, president of their side.
Sarasota, Florida-based Milestone
Marketing Associates, Inc. But ITS ALL IN WHO
even if youre not quite ready to YOU KNOW
take that step, there are a number People often underestimate
of low- and no-cost marketing the benefits of being a trusted
techniques you can use to member of a professional
promote your business. community, Anderson says.
The most powerful, most Knowing the right people
meaningful, and longest-lasting in your area can open a lot of
business relationships are built face-to-face, Anderson adds. doorsyou might hear of upcoming bids that you didnt know
Businesses that understand this simple truth and know how to about, you might find yourself being recommended for more
follow up on it have a very real advantage over their competitors. subcontracting opportunities, or you might hear that a job you
were planning to bid isnt as attractive an opportunity as you
TELL FRIENDS initially thought it was.
Most people will at least pay lip service to the importance of But who, exactly, are the right people? Thats hard to saythe
word-of-mouth advertising. But as it turns out, not everyone right person in one situation might be hopelessly out of the
knows how to make it work for them. Doing quality work and loop in another. So, the best bet is to get out to local business
waiting for word to spread isnt good enough, and any contractor networking events and meet everyone possible. And dont just
who stops there may not last long enough to reap the marketing limit connections to other contractorsone never knows where
benefits of a string of jobs well done. that next lead will come from.

Spencer Fleury is a professor at the University of South Florida and a copywriter for Milestone Marketing Associates,
Aboutthe a full-service marketing company based in Sarasota, Florida. Spencer has over a decade of experience working
Author with the construction and software industries. Milestone provides print, web, video, and event marketing services
nationwide. For more information, visit www.milestone-marketing.com or call 866.794.1989.

32 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 GUILT BY ASSOCIATION FAIL TO PLAN, You have to know what your goals
It takes a lot of time and effort to build PLANNING TO FAIL are, understand how you can reach
legitimacy in the business world. This As effective as these tools can be in them, and commit to putting the time
is especially true for contractors, since kick-starting a contractors marketing in, he says. You cant just sign up for
unscrupulous and unskilled imposters can efforts, theyre not foolproof. the local builders association or go
make it hard for customers to sort out Anderson stresses that a well- to a trade show and consider it done,
the dedicated, skilled professionals from thought-out marketing plan is just as like you were checking something off
the poseurs. Customers need as much important for face-to-face marketing a list. You have to work hard at your
information as they can get in order to as it is for a million-dollar advertising marketing, no matter how much or how
figure out who is worth hiring and whos campaign. little youre spending on it.
not.
One easy way that contractors can help
their businesses achieve legitimacy in the
eyes of prospects is by joining professional
associations for contractors and builders.
Association membership conveys
legitimacy, stresses Anderson. It tells
people that you have acquired a certain
skill level and that you have a history of
professionalism in your business dealings. If
youre not a member, prospects will wonder
why not.
Joining professional associations also
helps with networking. Its one of the
most effective methods there is for ramping
up your professional networking efforts,
Anderson adds.
No matter a contractors location
or specialty, there is almost certainly a
professional association to join in the
local area.

SHOW AND TELL FOR

GROWNUPS
For a contractor, a trade show can feel like
a giant toy store. But as much fun as they
are, trade shows also represent a golden
opportunity to do some serious marketing.
Trade shows have been described as the
malls of the business world, but Id say that
understates their importance and benefits,
Anderson says. At a trade show, you know
going in that everyone youll meet will be
there because they share a common interest:
your industry. Youll have an unmatched
opportunity to meet existing customers and
reach out to new ones you might never have
found if they hadnt walked right past your
booth.
Many businesses see trade shows as
excellent lead generation opportunities and
set up booths to display their products and
literature, while others prefer a less formal
approach and attend simply to socialize
with the people they need to socialize with,
like clients, prospects, and competitors.
Either way, trade shows are an excellent
face-to-face marketing opportunity and
should not be overlooked.
Whether youre actually exhibiting or
just there to look around, you should make
it a goal to attend at least one or two trade
shows per year, adds Anderson.

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 33
800-458-3773
rocklandmfg.com
www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 35
36 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 legalSOLUTIONS

T
he rules and
regulations of By James A. Lastowka
the Occupational
Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA),
and visits from an
OSHA inspector, are
part of the everyday
working environment
for commercial and
general contractors.
Most employers in
the industry have a
fundamental commitment
to maintaining a safe
workplace, and most
know by now the actions
to avoid that otherwise
will cause safety problems
or raise an OSHA red
flag. Its good business
and common sense to
have a systematic safety
approach that documents
all safety effortsefforts
that should include
establishing and
enforcing safety and
health requirements, new hire and periodic safety training, full Protecting Americas Workers Act (PAWA)) that nothing
documentation of safety efforts, attention to injury and illness focuses attention like the possibility of going to jail and that
recordkeeping requirements, and prompt response to all safety serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
audit recommendations. (OSH) that result in death or serious bodily injury should be
Contractors that have been aware of all of this and already felonies. Michaels also testified that the governments burden
have safety systems and plans in place to deal with OSHA of proof for criminal convictions under the OSH Act should
inspections may think they are in good shape to avoid problems be lowered from willful to knowing. Because knowledge
with OSHA. But its time to think again and to revisit existing is a required element for all OSHA violations, PAWA would
systems and plans. There is a new OSHA with a new message: essentially criminalize any serious OSHA violation causing
There is a new Sheriff in town. Sheriffs aggressively enforce serious injury or death. Backing up this attitude and approach is
the law. That is exactly what OSHA intends to do in the Obama the fact that the Department of Labor has added over 100 new
Administration. inspector positions.

OSHAS NEW LEADERS OSHAS TOP PRIORITIES

The tone of an agency is set by those at the top, and OSHAs
new leaders have made their agenda clear. Secretary of Labor
Hilda Solis has declared, [T]he Department of Labor is back
in the enforcement business. We are serious, very serious.
The head of OSHA, David Michaels, has testified to a House
subcommittee considering OSHA reform legislation (the
The top priority of the new OSHA can be summarized in
two words: strong enforcement. This will be accomplished
in a variety of new ways. Vigorous support for the PAWA
OSHA reform legislation, and its substantial increase in civil
and criminal penalties for safety violations, is just part of the
equation, as is the substantial increase in OSHA inspectors and

Jim Lastowka, a partner in the Washington office of McDermott Will & Emery, has practiced exclusively in the field
Aboutthe of occupational safety and health for 35 years, and has a national reputation in OSHA law. He counsels on OSHA
Author compliance, safety and health audits, due diligence reviews, and OSHA enforcement and whistleblower litigation.
He can be reached at jlastowka@mwe.com.

38 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 inspection activity. The agency also will be implementing a
Severe Violators Inspection Program focusing on employers
whose histories of OSHA violations demonstrate, in OSHAs
view, that they do not take their compliance obligations
seriously and need to be targeted for aggressive enforcement
in order to get the message. Supporting this ramped up
inspection effort will be a reduction or elimination of
funding for Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and
moving VPP resources to OSHAs enforcement function.
At the heart of ramped up enforcement will be an increase
in the number of inspections conducted, the number of
citations issued (particularly for serious, repeat, and willful
violations), and the amount of penalties proposed for
violations. OSHA will be focusing on specific enforcement
issues through National Emphasis Programs (NEPs),
including NEPs for process safety management compliance
(PSM) at refineries and chemical plants, combustible dust
hazards, and injury and illness recordkeeping requirements
which the new OSHA believes is a flawed system subject to
widespread cheating. The consequences of violations will
be more severe, and OSHA will be working more closely
with the U.S. Department of Justice to increase the number
of criminal prosecutions for workplace fatalities, injuries, and
illnesses.

RESPONDING TO OSHA
Given that the current direction of OSHA is so clear,
contractors have all the warning needed, as well as an
opportunity to ensure that their OSHA-compliance houses
are in order before OSHA arrives at their doorsteps.
Proactive planning is a must. Verify through compliance
reviews that OSHA-required safety and health programs are
written and implemented, and OSHA-required injury and
illness records are accurate and up-to-date. Conduct wall-
to-wall inspections to identify and eliminate all obvious and
not so obvious safety and health hazards in the workplace.
Include industrial hygiene issues in reviews, such as
exposures to harmful chemicals and availability of personal
protective equipment.
Consistently focusing on key worksite risksthose faced
by employees on a frequent basis and presenting the most
exposure to a risk of serious injuries, illnesses, or deathwill
go a long way toward not only greatly reducing OSHA
enforcement risks, but also demonstrating a level of care
about the safety and health of employees and taking OSHA
compliance obligations seriously. So too will a demonstrated
top down commitment of all executives and supervisors to
worker safety and health. Without the demonstrated interest
and commitment of company executives, as well as the front-
line workers, the results of safety and health efforts will not
be maximized. Also essential to risk and liability reduction
is a well-thought-out plan to manage accidents if they do
occur, along with the inevitable follow-up investigations.
Finally, have a plan to analyze any OSHA citation received
for its validity and its potential adverse impacts, including
not only future repeat violations but also possible negative
effects that an OSHA violation will have on the ability to
bid on and qualify for future work from owners who include
OSHA violation history as part of their prequalification
process.
Bear in mind that these efforts are no longer optional, they
are essential for successfully dealing with the new OSHA
mindset.

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 39
 legalSOLUTIONS

Contract Language That Wins

Knowing the rules to avoid risk transfer in written contracts.

By Michael Davis

R
isk is involved in all construction
projects. Consequently, each party
seeks to minimize the amount of risk
it accepts for the purpose of maximizing
potential profit. The true battleground of
risk lies in the written contract between
all project participants.
It is rare for a construction project to
be completed without any disputes. As
construction industry professionals can
attest, there are a wide range of issues that
can arise on a project, including scope
and quality of work, and timeliness, to
name just a few. With so many issues to
be addressed by all of the participating
partiesdesign professionals, owners,
contractors, subcontractors, suppliers,
etc.it is inevitable that all or nearly all
projects will have some disputes of varying
types and magnitude.
There are, however, basic guidelines
construction professionals can follow in an
effort to avoid the shift of liability from
owners, designers, and prime contractors
onto subcontractors, which could result in
an all too common dispute.
Remember these five fundamental rules
before the next contract signing.
Cardinal Rule Number 1:
Always Bid Conditioned upon the
AIA-A401, Consensus Docs 750 or
Other Mutually Agreeable Terms and
Conditions.
By following this basic rule, two
important goals can be accomplished.
First, it greatly reduces the ability of a
general contractor from forcing the sub
to either sign his contract, or face not
receiving payment. As often happens,
work begins, costs incur, and upon
submitting the first pay application, a
subcontractor is told to sign the general
contractors boilerplate contract or else not
get paid. The general contractor may stress
nothing was said about not signing their
contract when the bid was made. This
is greenmail! As a direct side benefit,
conditioning the bid also precludes the
general contractor from suing the sub
for promissory estoppel, in case he hires
someone else to perform the scope of work
because of refusal to sign his agreement.
Second, and just as important, it
establishes a point of strength for all
future negotiations, including change
orders, scheduling, and claims. Do not
underestimate the importance of the
appearance of negotiating from strength.
At the beginning of the relationship,
establishing the appearance of leverage
in the bargaining will aid negotiation
throughout the project.

Michael P. Davis, Esq., Construction Group of Chamberlain Hrdlicka, maintains a construction law practice and represents a
wide variety of trade contractors, prime contractors, owners/developers, and design professionals. His practice focuses primarily
on construction contract disputes in state or federal courts, and arbitrations, mediations throughout the United States. He has
Aboutthe successfully represented a broad spectrum of specialty trade contractors and prime contractors in a variety of construction
disputes involving construction defects, labor inefficiencies, UCC warranty issues, constructive accelerations, and increased
Author scope of work. He has achieved settlements, judgments and awards that have ranged up to several million dollars. Mr. Davis
has significant experience in labor and employment law, including matters involving traditional labor law (National Labor
Relations Act), OSHA, Wage & Hour, employment discrimination, and restrictive employment covenants, primarily focusing on
construction clients. Contact Mr. Davis at 404.588.3424 or e-mail him at Michael.Davis@chamberlainlaw.com.

40 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 Cardinal Rule Number 2:
Never Sign a Contract Without
Reading and Understanding!
This may seem like an obvious rule
to follow, but many subcontractors do
not fully and completely read their
agreements. Often, the first occasion
a subcontractor becomes aware of an
onerous term in his or her contract is
when the general contractor (or the
lawyer) writes a threatening letter,
stating the subcontractor is in violation
of an obligation under the contract.
Needless to say, by this time it is too late
to do anything preventative.
the project goes perfectly as planned
(which almost never happens), as
opposed to unlimited or unknown
liability if something goes wrong. The
latter can readily occur if a sub agrees
to indemnify others for their own
negligent acts or, as another example,
if a sub agrees to a pay-if-paid clause
and the general contractor does not get
paid because he has a dispute with the
ownerthe subject of which is totally
unrelated to the subs work.
It is important to think about what
can occur on the project in light of the
contract language, how much profit
could be earned, and decide whether
or not one is willing to assume the
risks because the reward is worth it.
Sometimes the best contract is the one
not taken.

Cardinal Rule Number 3:

Do Attempt to Negotiate Changes to
the Contract.
As the saying goes, you never know
unless you try. This can be said for
negotiating changes to a contract. Many
subcontractors believe there is no real
point in trying to negotiate changes
because they know their general
contractor will not make any revisions
or, alternatively, other subcontractors
will sign it so I have to sign if I want the
work. This is a defeatist attitude and
ignores reality. At the minimum, some
general contractors will agree to make
some changes.

Cardinal Rule Number 4:

Make a Priority List of Must Have
and Would Like to Have Changes.
This approach will get subcontractors
thinking about what is very important,
if not critical, to a successful project. For
example, if the schedule is extremely
tight, yet the contract language gives
the general contractor total control
over the schedule, and is combined
with a no damages for delay clause, a
subcontractor would be well advised to
prioritize one or both of the provisions
for change. Also, with two lists, one of
must-haves and one of like-to-haves,
a sub will have some negotiating chips
to leverage. Go for the whole enchilada
and the sub will most likely end up with
at least some negotiated revisions to the
contract language.

Cardinal Rule Number 5:

Conduct a Risk/Benefit Analysis.
If unsuccessful at negotiating changes
to the contract in certain key provisions,
what is the potential exposure to liability
or losses on the job versus the maximum
potential for profit? Sometimes, it can
be a no-brainer, as when looking
to make $50,000 if everything on

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 41
www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 43
 TECHNOLOGYSOLUTIONS

Seamless Traffic Diversion

Moveable barrier system used for first time on major arterial in U.S. By Paul Grant

I
n Utah, construction has recently been
completed on 3500 South in West Valley
City, which was completely reconstructed
by (Utah Department of Transportation)
UDOT Region 2 from the Bangerter
Highway to 2700 West. This arterial carries
traffic from West Valley toward downtown
Salt Lake City and the University of
Utah. The construction added two center
lanes that are now the first dedicated Bus
Rapid Transit lanes in Utah, and replaced
sidewalks and added raised medians.
With a significant averge daily traffic
(ADT) that runs between 38,000 and
48,000 vehicles throughout the corridor,
keeping traffic moving was the most
important and the most difficult task during
construction. The first phase of the project
called for two lanes to be open for traffic
in each direction, and plastic barrels were
used to separate directional traffic and to
delineate the work zone. The work zone
area was confined and restricted, and it
lacked positive protection, which created
dangerous conditions as confused motorists
occasionally turned into the work zone.
In addition, accidents occurred when
drivers made left turns into businesses
through the barrels, which contributed to
congestion. The contractor needed a larger,
more protected work space, and the traffic
management plan needed a way to limit
the number of left hand turn options for
motorists without restricting traffic flow.
For the second phase of the project, it was
decided that a moveable barrier system
would be used to create a larger work zone,
while minimizing the impact on traffic and
limiting left-hand turns. Moveable concrete
barrier has historically been used only on
highways and bridges, and this would be the
first time that moveable barrier was used on
a major arterial in the US.
TWO-PART SYSTEM
The moveable barrier that was implemented
on 3500 South is a two-part system. The
first part consists of one-meter sections of
highly reinforced concrete that are pinned
together at each end to form a continuous
barrier wall. The barriers have a modified
T top, which acts as a lifting surface for
the transfer machine. The second part of
the system is a Barrier Transfer Machine,
which lifts the barrier and passes it through
an inverted conveyor system, transferring
the barrier from 4 to 18 feet in one pass.
The ends of the barrier are protected with
the ABSORB 350 crash cushion from
Barrier Systems, Inc. The ABSORB 350
is a water-filled crash cushion that is also
pinned together with a T top so that it can
articulate through the transfer machine for
seamless operation of the entire system.
SECTIONING TRAFFIC
It was determined that the moveable
barrier could keep two lanes open to traffic
in the peak direction by using a total of
only three lanes, instead of the four lanes
required when using barrels. This would
give the contractor an extra lane to expand
the work zone, keeping workers safe and
accelerating construction, while still giving
motorists two lanes in each direction. 1.7
miles of moveable barrier was deployed as
a positive barrier separation between east
and westbound traffic, and the barrier was
moved multiple times daily to create a 1/2,
2/1 traffic pattern based on peak traffic
needs. The barrier was transferred 12 feet,
or one lane width, in one pass at 5 mph.
The entire transfer took approximately 20
minutes, including repositioning the traffic
control and signage.
EXPANDED WORK ZONE
With the expanded work zone, the
contractor was able to use larger, more
efficient equipment and work unimpeded

Paul Grant is a road safety consultant who has been involved with moveable barrier for over 10 years. Barrier
Aboutthe Systems, Inc. (BSI) is the world leader in moveable barrier technology. BSI also manufactures crash cushions, specialty
Author barriers, and guardrail products. For more information, visit www.BarrierSystemsInc.com or call 707.374.6800.

44 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 for longer periods of time while the accelerate construction. The QMB system provides the ability to separate more of the
barrier was in place. This resulted in the reduces congestion by enabling more lanes highway corridor for use by the contractor,
elimination of one complete phase of to be open during peak hour traffic. The which aids in completing the work more
construction, reducing the total number of work zone is expanded during off peak quickly moveable barrier is definitely
phases from three to two. The accelerated periods for greater access for work crews. beneficial in high volume corridors where
construction schedule helped the contractor This speeds construction by reducing the morning and evening traffic split vary
to finish the project 7 months early. In the number of stages and increasing significantly. This traffic control strategy
a report commissioned by UDOT and construction efficiency. Regarding QMB should be considered for use to manage
compiled by T.Y. Lin International, the user moveable barrier on the 3500 South job, the congestion and improve safety on future
delay savings from the early completion T.Y. Lin report states: Moveable barrier projects.
were estimated at US$1.3 to $1.4 million
(vehicle operating costs were not included).
The benefits that were determined from
the use of moveable barrier included
reduced user costs, shorter travel distances,
improved safety, lower impacts to businesses,
early project completion, less fuel use,
and reduced air emissions. The report
conservatively estimated the total benefits
of using moveable barrier on the project
between US$1.7 to $2.4 million, with a
benefit/cost of 4:1. The authors also stated
that if all benefits were considered (such
as the reduced air emissions and benefits
of early completion for businesses), the
benefit/cost for moveable barrier would be
greater than 10:1.
The barrier limited left-hand turns except
at five major intersections, which reduced
accidents and helped keep traffic running
smoothly. The report estimates that based
on the average number of left-hand turns
in the corridor, the barrier eliminated 20 to
25 left-turn crashes while in operation, with
an estimated reduction in crash costs of an
additional $1,000,000.

VERSATILITY IN APPLICATION
On 3500 South, moveable barrier was used
as a moveable median, where the barrier
is placed between directional traffic and
shifted to change the number of lanes
available in the peak traffic direction.
Moveable barrier is also commonly used
in edge-of-road applications, where
construction is taking place on the shoulder
or median. In this configuration, the barrier
is used to expand and contract the work
zone, giving more lanes to the contractor
during off-peak hours, and returning lanes
to traffic during peak hours to respond to
peak demands. For full-width construction,
the contractor can close one side of a
divided road or highway completely and
divert all traffic to the other side during off-
peak hours, using the barrier as a moveable
median while accelerating construction and
maximizing safety for crews and motorists.
Quickchange Moveable Barrier
(QMB) has been used in construction
work zones in the United States and
internationally for more than 25 years to
improve traffic flow, increase safety, and

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 45
 SAFETYSOLUTIONS

By Ken Lane

Planning, Training, and Vigilance Can Save Lives

N
ow more than ever it is essential for employers with Residential construction and wall openings
personnel who work at heights to provide comprehensive
fall protection. Last year 6,771 fall protection citations OSHA Subpart M establishes the criteria and practices for fall
were issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration protection systems, including guardrails, safety nets, personal fall
(OSHA), placing second on OSHAs 2009 list of the ten most arrest, positioning devices, warning lines, controlled access zones,
cited violations. safety monitoring, protection
Over 100,000 fall- from falling objects, and fall
related incidents are protection plans.
reported every year, with
falls ranking number FALL PROTECTION
one in construction PLAN
industry fatalities. A well-designed, written
According to data from Fall Protection Plan is the
the Bureau of Labor surest way to reduce risk and
Statistics, there were save lives. OSHA mandates
442 construction worker that the Fall Protection Plan
fatalities during 2007 as be developed by a qualified
a result of falls. Recent person who has acquired
cases from OSHAs 2010 knowledge through education
fatality reports include or extensive training, to
a Louisiana worker successfully implement an
who was knocked from effective fall protection
a manlift by a beam, program. A copy of a site-
plunging 16 feet to his specific and up-to-date plan
death, and a worker should be maintained at the
in Texas who died worksite, and only modified
from multiple injuries by a qualified person.
following a 10-foot fall An effective process
from a ladder inside a This photo depicts an incorrect application of a personal fall arrest systemno harness, lanyard, or for implementation of a
anchorage pointa violation of OSHA standards.
manhole. successful Fall Protection
Clearly, employers Plan would include:
need to implement stronger fall protection programs to increase
worker safety and to help lower the grim statistics. A review of the Performing a thorough hazard analysis to determine the areas
OSHA Standards for Construction is a good first step in the fall of risk;
protection process. (Follow this link www.osha4you.com/falls.html Engineering out the hazards if possible;
for fall protection checklists and additional resources.) Implementing fall prevention systems such as guardrails,
handrails, and warning lines wherever possible;
OSHA STANDARDS Selecting appropriate fall arrest equipment for the worksite and
The OSHA Standards for Construction require fall protection at 6 personnel;
feet or above for: Choosing and installing appropriate anchorages, along with
necessary horizontal and vertical equipment;
Unprotected sides and edges, including wells, pits, and shafts Developing contingency plans and determining appropriate
Walking/working surfaces, including ramps, runways, and rescue equipment;
walkways, and leading edges Designing and delivering a comprehensive training program on
Hoist areas, and roof holes, including skylights all aspects of fall protection and rescue.
Formwork and reinforcing steel
Excavations and above dangerous equipment The complete Fall Protection Plan should include a statement
Overhand bricklaying and related work of policy, a detailed list of the fall prevention measures being
Roofing work and precast concrete erection implemented, and delegation of ongoing responsibilities to a

Ken Lane, instructor at Northern Californias OSHA Training Center near San Francisco, has over 30
Aboutthe years of safety training experience including responsibilities as a construction manager at Lawrence
Author Livermore National Laboratory. For more information, visit www.OSHA4you.com or OTC@clpccd.org.

46 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 fall protection competent person to
oversee inspection, record keeping,
maintenance, equipment replacement,
incident reporting, enforcement, accident
investigation, training, and changes to the
plan.
A well-formulated rescue strategy for
each potential fall situation is an essential
aspect of a Fall Protection Plan. According
to OSHA, the employer shall provide for
prompt rescue of employees in the event
of a fall or shall assure that employees are
able to rescue themselves. The timing of
a rescue can mean the difference between
minor injuries and death. For example,
workers who fall in a harness can tolerate
a very narrow limit of hanging/suspension
time before they face a risk of excessive
pressure on the femoral artery. If they are
not able to rescue themselves, planning
ahead for other options is crucial, whether
its ensuring that ladder trucks are able to
reach hanging workers or determining that
medical and rescue teams can reach the
worksite quickly if necessary.
Other important features of a thorough
Fall Protection Plan include:
A written discussion of alternative
measures to reduce or eliminate fall
hazards, including the use of scaffolds,
ladders, and/or vehicle-mounted work
platforms;
Documentation of the reasons why
the use of conventional systems is
not feasible or would create a greater
hazard;
Designation of areas where
conventional systems are not used
such as controlled access zones (CAZ)
requiring a safety monitor;
Documentation of proper equipment
care, including inspection before each
use for corrosion, deformation, cracks,
cuts, abrasions, and other potential
hazards;
A complete list of all employees at the
worksite.
Fall hazards in the work area;
The correct procedures for erecting,
maintaining, disassembling, inspecting,
and operating the required fall
protection systems;
The correct procedures for handling
and storage of equipment and material;
The limitations on the use of
mechanical equipment during work on
low sloped roofs;
The erection of overhead protection;
The role of employees in the safety
monitoring system and in the fall
protection plan.
ESSENTIAL HANDS-ON
TRAINING
In addition to having extensive knowledge
of Subpart M of the OSHA Standards
for Construction, the fall protection
competent person is responsible for
providing hands-on training to every
employee who might be exposed to fall
hazards. The training should enable
employees to recognize the hazards of
fall exposures and instruct them on the
procedures to be followed for each type
of fall protection. The training should
include time to learn and demonstrate the
skills needed to effectively use each piece
of equipment, provide clear explanations
of equipment/hardware compatibility, and
show how to calculate free fall distances.
A comprehensive written test, as well as
performance testing on the equipment
and the systems being used should be
administered during the training.
A certification of training record should
be maintained, listing the employees
name, the date of the training, and
the trainers signature. It is also good
management practice to keep a list of
equipment and the types of systems
on which the employee was trained.
Retraining is required when an employee
does not have a clear understanding of
the requirements and procedures, or when
there are changes in the workplace or in
the types of fall protection systems or
equipment being used.
The vigilant employer that provides and
successfully executes a well thought out
Fall Protection Plan, a highly qualified
fall protection competent person, and
a comprehensive training program for
all employees will be well on the way to
establishing a workplace that complies
with OSHA standards, greatly reduces
falling hazards, and ultimately saves
lives.

A well written Fall Protection Plan

serves as the centerpiece of a strategy that
promotes safety and dramatically lowers
potential risks.

COMPETENT PERSON KEY

The OSHA Standards outline the need
for an on-site fall protection competent
person who has the ability to predict local
hazards and the authority to take prompt
corrective action. The fall protection
competent person must be fully trained
and qualified to monitor:

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 47
 SAFETYSOLUTIONS

Compaction
Safety !
By Andrea Gammon and Ron McCannell

S
afety is the primary consideration in all manufacturing
design of construction machinery, but safety concerns are just
as important after the machine leaves the warehouse. Weber
MTs walk-behind soil compaction equipment provides excellent
compaction results, exemplary operating comfort, and rugged
design, but safety depends on its users.
The first step in operational safety is using the right tool
for the job. Weber MT offers a full range of hand guided and
remote controlled walk-behind soil compactors to accommodate
projects of all sizes and scopes. Soil compactors are traditionally
categorized by size, weight, model, and type. Each model has
advantages and limitations and has been designed for specific soil
compaction needs.
Rammers, more commonly called jumping jacks, utilize a
percussive compaction system and are best for small areas and
moist soil.
Vibratory plate soil compactors move in one direction for
compaction depths from 6 to 12 inches.
Reversible vibrating plate soil compactors are better for larger
areas with compaction depths from 24 to 42 inches.
Improved functionality enhance safety of machine and operator: modern compaction
Walk-behind smooth drum rollers are designed for both soil control systems like this Weber MT COMPATROL-MSM system not only display
and asphalt compaction. compaction results in real time, but monitor machine functions and alert the operator
Trench rollers use sheep foot style drums for maximum traction about maintenance or machine issues.
in trenches and on site work for heavy construction. These
machines are operated by remote or hands on control.
any obstruction, causing the machine to stop immediately and
Weber MT has incorporated many safety features into the shift into neutral.
design of their hand-guided soil compactors. These provide 4. Full engine cover and newer engines like the Hatz 1B30
protection both for the operator and the machine: reduce noise by 3db(A).
1. Strategic points for molded isolator rubbers to limit the
amount of vibration from the exciter to the guide bar, thereby While safety features help keep people safe, they are insufficient
limiting the operators hands and arms to exposure to excessive without a responsible operator. Safe operation demands constant
vibration. diligence and should always be the operators number one priority.
2. Hydraulic shift controls that automatically return to a neutral Before operating any soil compactor, there are several things the
position when the operator releases the shift control handle. operator should understand and keep in mind:
3. Safety stop switches that are activated when the anti-crush Using the right tool is essential to safety. The operator should
device (or so-called dead man control) comes in contact with understand the designated use of the machine and use it only

Ron McCannell is the vice president of technology for Weber MT in Bangor, Maine. His experience includes over 25
years in the construction industry, primarily focusing on hand-guided soil and asphalt compaction. Andrea Gammon
Aboutthe is a professional copywriter and editor with Pulse Marketing in Bangor, Maine.

AuthorS For more information on compaction issues in general, safety concerns for this equipment in particular, or walk-
behind compaction machines, contact Sales Coordinator Priscilla Frenette at Weber MT, Inc., at 800.709.3237 or
e-mail usa@webermt.com.

48 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 for its intended purpose. This includes monitoring the soil type
and restricting usage to compatible soil.
Safe operation requires a qualified operator. Equipment
operators should be at least 18 years old and should read
and understand the Operation and Maintenance Instruction
booklet prior to use.
Protective clothing and devices are always recommended for
the safety and comfort of the operator. This includes a hard
hat, ear plugs or protectors (noise levels may exceed 90 db(A)),
work gloves, and steel-toed safety shoes.
The hand-guided soil compactors should be used in well
ventilated areas to reduce the chance of exposure to harmful
exhaust fumes from their gasoline or diesel engines.
Extreme caution should be taken when operating a machine
on unstable ground such as on slopes or at the edge of an
overhang or brink. If it is necessary to compact the soil on a
slope, the operator should always position himself on the uphill
side of the machine. This way, if the soil becomes unstable and
the machine rolls over, the operator will not likely be harmed.
Preparation is always the first step in safe operation.
Though safety instructions often seem like common sense
and reading instructions seems to be a waste of time, Weber
MT encourages all operators to read the Operating and
Maintenance Instruction booklet provided with each hand
guided walk-behind soil compactor before using any machine.
The instructional booklet provides general safety instructions,
detailed information for the safe operation of all types of
hand guided walk-behind soil compactors, and a legend for
pictograms that highlight important information for the
operator and service personnel. Before operation, the user
www.mcsmag.com
should be familiar with the pictograms to ensure personnel
safety and improve machine performance and life.
Improved functionality and user experience enhance safety.
With this in mind, Weber MT continuously innovates design
features for superior performance. Other manufacturers are
only beginning to offer compaction control systems that Weber
MT patented years ago. COMPATROL and COMPATROL-
MSM, Weber MTs continuous compaction control systems,
monitor machine function, store engine maintenance data, display
soil compaction results, and signal the operator when maximum
compaction has been achieved.
Weber MT has incorporated a lifting point into the design of
every one of its walk-behind models. The lifting points allow the
soil compactor to be transported by crane or lift from the end of
a chain hook, lifting strap, or cable sling, and provide a balanced,
safe access in and out of tight spots like trenches and building
foundations. The lift point is either part of the main frame of the
machine or a separate hinged heavy duty loop added to the engine
protection frame.
Any walk-behind soil compactor should only be used in
accordance with its designed capabilities. Any use beyond the
compaction of sand, gravel, asphalt, crushed aggregate, and trench
stabilization is prohibited and could result in damage to the
machine or harm to individuals. Adhering to proper and safe usage
is the sole responsibility of the owner and users of the machines.
Weber MT encourages all operators to be mindful of safety at
all times to keep the machines running smoothly and to maintain
a safe working environment for the equipment operator and the
jobsite personnel.
MAY2010 | 49
 MODERN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

FONTAINE TRAILER COMPANY

Offers the new Fontaine Magnitude 55MX
Fontaine Trailer, the recognized technology leader in the platform trailer industry, is
introducing a heavy-haul trailer that handles a wide variety of hauling jobs with ease
the new Fontaine Magnitude 55MX. This advanced technology extendable heavy-haul
trailer features a modular design that provides exceptional convenience and versatility.
Fabricated with 100,000# minimum yield steel flanges, the Magnitude 55MX is very
durable and designed to deliver years of service. It boasts a 29 ft clear deck length in
the retracted position and easily extends to 50 ft. The loaded deck height is 20 with 6
ground clearance. The adjustable ride-height mechanically locks to give you the perfect
deck-to-fifthwheel relationship for your specific hauling job. A built-in tool box and
storage compartments are added for greater convenience. For more information, call
423.893.8998 or visit www.fontainetrailer.com.

HYSTER COMPANY
Introduces New Electric Stand Lift Truck Series
Hyster Co. introduces its E30-40HSD2 series of electric stand-up lift trucks. The three-wheel
lift trucks feature lifting capacities of 3,000 to 4,000 pounds and suspended floorplates with
anti-fatigue mats that reduce the amount of vibration and shock transferred to the operator.
The trucks also have multi-function control handles and hydraulic controls that enhance
operator ergonomics, according to Hyster. Controls in the operator compartment allow a side-
or 45-degree stance for employee comfort and visibility. The lift trucks also have contoured,
padded backrests with integrated thigh and knee pads. The three-wheel configuration of the
E30-40HSD2 series offers a tight turning radius for maneuverability, and dual steer wheels
add to stability and provide a smooth ride, according to the company. The overhead guard has
a grid-style pattern that enhances visibility. The trucks also feature brushless AC traction and
hydraulic motors powered by transistor controls. For more information, visit www.hyster.com.

KOMATSU AMERICA CORP.

Launches the New GD655-5 Grader
Komatsu America Corp. introduces the new GD655-5 motor grader, powered by a
powerful and highly fuel-efficient, EPA Tier 3 emission certified Komatsu SAA6D107E-1
engine, with an increased maximum horsepower of 218 and an increased standard
configuration weight of 35,351lbs. Komatsu engine technology provides a three-
stage 2-Mode system that produces higher power with reduced fuel consumption. This
2-Mode system allows the operator to select either an economy mode or a power mode,
depending on the work application. The three-stage system offers three levels of power
from gear one through gear eight, producing more productivity with a 20 percent fuel
consumption savings when compared to the previous model. The console mounted
hydraulic controls are arranged in the industry standard pattern on each side of the
steering wheel, with Komatsu-designed control valves built specifically for graders. For
more information, visit www.komatsuamerica.com.

50 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com
 MODERN CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

JENNY PRODUCTS, INC.

Offers Gas-Powered, Wheeled-Portable Compressor
Jenny Products, Inc. introduces its J11HGA-30P single-stage, gas-powered
compressor. The wheeled-portable unit meets high volume requirements, while
upholding a durable, compact design. The J11HGA-30P includes a 30-gallon air tank
and features a belt driven J pump, which is a single-stage, four-cylinder pump
with a high compression ratio for producing maximum air flow. It delivers 21.3 CFM
at 100 PSI or 20.9 CFM at 125 PSI. An 11-horsepower Honda GX gasoline engine
powers the compressor, and the units special unloading valves and large flywheel
allow easy recoil starting. For more information on its line of equipment, contact
Jenny Products, Inc., at 814.445.3400 or visit www.jennyproductsinc.com.

HAMMERSMITH MFG
Introduces the FlexxRight Mini
Introducing the FlexxRight Minia new, dynamic and patent-pending excavation bucket
for the pipeline and utility location and inspection, excavation and site prep industry. The
FlexxRight Mini is flexible, safe and strong. Targeted at compact and mini-excavators
weighing 6mt or less, the FlexxRight Mini is available in an 18 diameter size. The
FlexxRight Mini is a flexible bucket with a penetrating profile, a non-marking body
design, tremendous strength and service, exceptional maneuverability and a universal
coupling system. Best-in-class manufacturing and design from Hammersmith Mfg. makes
The FlexxRight Mini the most flexible and safest bucket choice for utility and pipeline
contractors. Excavate and locate safely and with ease. Eliminate expensive damage, reduce
costs and dig safer. Dig Flexible. Dig Right. Dig Safe. For more information, 913.338.0754,
e-mail info@flexxright.com or visit www.flexxright.com.

METABO CORORATION
Offers New Dustless Grinding System
Metabo Corporation, a leading international manufacturer of professional grade
portable electric power tools and abrasives for industrial, construction and welding
applications, now offers a compact, lightweight 5 Angle Grinder Surface Prep Kit
for grinding in smaller areas and vertical applications. The new system includes a
Metabo WE14-125 Plus variable speed small angle grinder and a dust control shroud
that protects users from harmful dust generated during surface grinding applications.
Made from virgin polyurethane, the 5 convertible shroud opens with ease, allowing
operators to work into corners eliminating secondary work in hard to reach places.
Molded vacuum ports in the shroud allow vacuum connections for 2- internally
and 2-1/2 externally. A punched relief hole prevents vacuum lock. For more
information, call 800.638.2264 or visit www.metabousa.com.

www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 51
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www.mcsmag.com MAY2010 | 55

Doing Things Different to Take
Your Company Into the Future
By Ted Garrison
Doug Woods is the cofounder and the D
of DPR Construction. He leads DPR
Construction, a forward-thinking
national commercial general contractor
with more than 2,000 employees. Dougs
35-plus years of technical expertise is
now focused on the business, helping to
take care of customers and employees, and
keeping DPR on track to be consistently
considered one of the most admired
companies for the long haul.
TheTREND REPORT
conserve your cash, keep training your people, and keep investing
in technology. This will get you poised to take advantage of the
recovery.
Woods says, This industry hasnt changed the way it does
business a whole lot in the last hundred years. We stand for
something. He explained that despite working for a very good
contractor for 20 years, he felt that they didnt try to advance the
industry or the way the industry was perceived.
He explains that three things are critical to most owners:
cost, schedule, and quality. While it seems that cost always wins
out, at the end of the project there are always problems with

D
oug Woods is a maverick.
William C. Taylor
and Polly Labarre
thought so as they included
him in their book Mavericks
at Work. They gave him that
title in part because he is a
forward-thinking contractor,
and for many people thats
an oxymoron. But forward
thinking with the perception
and the ability to allocate
an organizations resources
is the true definition of a
leader, which is what makes
Doug Woods a leader in the
construction industry. When
Woods and his partners
founded DPR Construction,
they wanted to do something
different.
He might not be
conventional, but hes certainly
not a gunslinger either. Instead,
he uses common sense. For
example, he reports the
company started out talking about being a customer-centric the punchlist and getting paid. He adds that DPR attempted
business, but they quickly backed off that and said, We are to create a new culture where they challenged themselves to
about our employees. Woods says that is one of their most do better. They created a matrix to track performance in those
important functions because they are the people who take care critical areas to learn how they could get better. Technology is
of the customers. He also says its important to stick to what one providing great opportunities today, so even though we are in
is good at. Woods laughs that contractors often have big egos a recession, you cant stop moving forward. If you do, when the
and think they can do anything. This is especially true during recession is over, you will be left behind.
an economic crisis, where we may take chances we shouldnt, To hear Doug Woodss complete comments on adapting the
which tends to get us into trouble. He advised that during future of the construction industry, go to http://www.jackstreet.
a recession, its important to stick to what you are good at, com/JackStreet/WCON.Moderncontractor.Woods.cfm.

Ted Garrison is a construction expert who writes, speaks, and consults on the future of the construction
Aboutthe industry. He is also the host of the Internet radio program New Construction Strategies. He can be
Author reached at Ted@TedGarrison.com.

56 | MAY2010 www.mcsmag.com