Measure Twice, Cut Once: What to Consider When Purchasing a Piece of Construction Equipment
Written by Ziegler CAT Marketing
As the old saying goes: measure twice, cut once. This simple practice can save a lot of time and a lot of money, particularly when you are talking about equipment use.
Before any new project begins, there are many things that you should consider about your equipment needs. First, you will need to identify the full scope of work. Next, you will need to build a budget that accommodates that scope of work. And last, but certainly not least, you will need to think about what type of machinery you need to get the job done.
Understanding your full breadth of options when it comes to purchasing, leasing, or renting equipment gives you the best opportunity to have a safe, productive, and profitable jobsite. We’ve assembled a few things to think about to get you moving in the right direction.
- Make sure that you have a clear understanding of your jobsite and its potential challenges. How large is it? What are the environmental conditions? Are there any regulatory requirements or restrictions? Will weather be a factor? Are there special safety concerns? Thinking these factors through, will help guide your purchase decisions.
- Based on the jobsite, consider the size of equipment you will need. Larger machinery may help you get the project completed more quickly, but you also have to weigh that against fuel efficiency, maneuverability, storage, and potential maintenance costs.
- Try to determine if there will be idle periods for the equipment while you focus on other tasks. Equipment that is not in use still has to be paid for, so you want to minimize machinery downtime. In other words, plan ahead to maximize the equipment’s usage schedule.
- Think about any specialty items or attachments that would make the job easier. Identifying specific uses up front will help you avoid unnecessary delays or unexpected costs once work has started.
- Review available technologies that could be equipped to the machine to make your operators more efficient, safe, and productive while working. Taking full advantage of machine capabilities makes your jobsite more efficient. Some forms of technology appear within new models, while others can be added on.
- Specific job uses mean that certain machines are better suited than others. Talking with an educated sales representative or product specialist can help identify which model is best suited for you.
- Product support – what comes with the purchase of the equipment? Who will walk you through or train your operators on new features? How certain are you that any potential issues that arise will be taken care of? Having a contingency plan built in, in the event that you encounter maintenance or repair issues can impact your job. How, when, and where will these issues be dealt with?
Positioning yourself for success means expecting the unexpected and having the support available if the need arises. Considering these simple things ensures that your job gets done safely, on time, and within budget.
