Recent content by Mark Michael

Agreed - Class 5 seems to hit the sweet spot for most small crews, but I'm ucrious where people start to feel limited and wish they'd gone Class 7 instead.

I’d recommend a reversible plate compactor if you want versatility-it handles gravel, soil, and tight spots pretty well.

biggest things to watch are hidden fees, hour limits, and who's on the hook for maintenance-those can turn a cheap lease pricey fast.

definitely it's crazy how fast roles like BIM, drone ops, and even data analysts are becoming essentials on modern job sites

lots of solid points here

pretty wild times for construction tech, huh? I’m especially curious if anyone tried out transparent wood yet... does it actually hold up like they claim?

solid tips.... tossing a few mothballs or traps around too, keeps rodents from turning your cab into a condo. Anyone tried ultrasonic pest repellents for storage?

Great question! I've been wondering the same thing! Does the software really help cut down on idle time or unexpected breakdowns, or is it mostly just about organization? Curious to hear if anyone's tracked actual savings after using one for a few months.

Stihl wins on ruggedness and torque, especially for tougher wood, but Husqvarna’s smoother operation and better airflow give it the edge for longer sessions. If you’re cutting a lot, vibration control and filtration really start to matter. Both have solid mid-size models like the MS 261 and...

Totally agree on the essentials, ratchet straps and D-rings are non-negotiable. I’d add a winch if you're hauling equipment, and LED work lights for those early morning or late evening loads. A spare tire mount and chock blocks can also save you big headaches. Anyone here using strap winders or...

Absolutely! Stick to daily inspections, grease all moving parts, and change filters on schedule. Also, tracking hours for service intervals and using telematics can seriously boost uptime and catch problems before they get pricey.

Just saw a couple listings here in Texas, used backhoes with 2K–3K hours are going for around $45K–$60K, and new ones are definitely pushing past $100K depending on brand and attachments. JCB and Case are still solid bets for value!

Totally agree with what’s been said—AI in construction software is like having a supercharged assistant that never sleeps. I’ve seen it streamline everything from takeoffs and scheduling to identifying safety risks before they become real problems. Tools with AI can scan blueprints for errors...

Hey @bumble_bee123, solid question. Choosing the right motor grader can make or break your grading game. I’d say look hard at articulation and hydraulic responsiveness—those really affect how smooth and precise your work is, especially on tighter sites. Also, don’t sleep on operator comfort and...

Hey @Dozerbuddy, love this thread! One trick I swear by is marking out the trench path with spray paint before digging—it really helps keep everything straight and clean. Also, keeping the RPMs steady instead of constantly revving saves fuel and makes for smoother controls. And yeah, regular...