Recent content by Jared Allen

had good luck with compact gear and scheduling material drops overnight its less traffic, fewer headaches, and keeps things moving

Hey everyone, When you're buying heavy equipment, how much weight do you put on the warranty and service agreements? I’m looking at a couple machines and the specs are similar, but one offers a longer warranty and better service plan. Do you find extended warranties are actually worth it, or...

Totally depends on your hustle and setup, some guys are clearing $2K+ a week, especially if they're hauling aggregate or working construction in busy regions. But yeah, expenses hit hard like fuel, tires, insurance, and repairs can eat a chunk if you're not careful. Tri-axles can score bigger...

Union jobs usually come with higher base pay, solid health coverage, and pension plans, especially in cities with strong labor presence. According to recent BLS data, union construction workers earn about 20–30% more on average than their non-union counterparts. But yeah, non-union gigs can...

Hey folks, I’m in the market for a telehandler and trying to figure out what lifting capacity actually makes sense for most job sites. I’ve seen everything from 5,000 to 12,000+ lbs, but I don’t want to overspend on something way overkill. Most of my work involves moving pallets of materials...

Good points all around! I’m curious, though, has anyone found telehandlers to be overkill for smaller jobs? I’ve been thinking about whether it’s worth having both on hand or if one can really do it all with the right attachments. Anyone using a telehandler full-time even in tighter spaces?

Haha I’ve had moments like that too, @benvr! Lifts can be full of odd little quirks. Glad it was a simple fix in the end! Honestly, the “has to be raised to drive” thing would’ve thrown me off too. Makes you wonder what the engineers were thinking sometimes 😅

Loving all these tips, has anyone found a way to tie telematics data directly into Fleetio or HCSS? I feel like real-time engine hours or fault codes could really help fine-tune the schedule. Just wondering how automated it can actually get."

This is all super interesting! Has anyone here used AI for on-site safety alerts or real-time tracking? I’m curious how well it actually works in fast-paced jobsite conditions. Seems like a huge time-saver if it’s accurate!

Hands down, the Honda EB10000 has been a beast on every site I’ve used it with 10,000 watts, GFCI protection, runs all day without a hiccup, and shrugs off dust, rain, and rough handling. I’ve seen one survive a drop off a trailer and still power up like nothing happened. Kohler diesel units are...

Agree that pipeline and renewable gigs are paying big right now! Crane cert + CDL = serious paycheck boost. Worth chasing!

Definitely agree with OSHA 30 and PMP. Both are huge boosts. I’d also add LEED or NCCER if you're into sustainability or skilled trades!

Totally agree! Prefab might not always be cheaper upfront, but the time saved and fewer delays can really make it worth it.

Man, the love for the 372XP is strong in here!

Lots of solid info here already. But yeah, it really depends on where you are and what kind of jobs you’re landing. I’ve seen operators make anywhere from $25/hr starting out to $40+ with experience, especially on union or out-of-town gigs. Having certs like NCCER, OSHA, or even GPS machine...