Recent content by Michael Race

I mostly run Bobcat T770s too.. its hard to beat for fuel use and reliability.

Totally agree about ground checks and tire wear make a big difference. I mostly use forks and a bucket, but grapples look super handy for site cleanup.

Smart sensors and IoT are already cutting downtime with predictive maintenance and fuel tracking, next up is wider adoption of semi-autonomous and remote-operated machines, especially on large-scale or hazardous sites.

Totally agree about LEED still carries serious weight, especially when you're going after big commercial or public projects. Clients love the credibility, and it’s still a solid way to stand out in bids.

Totally agree about clear labels and a solid task board go a long way! We also use Procore to track tasks, deliveries, and RFIs in real time, it cut our downtime by nearly 25% last year.

Absolutely, Victor it’s exciting stuff! The way autonomous tech is evolving, it feels like we’re on the verge of a major shift in how projects are planned and executed. Curious to see how fast it gets adopted across the industry!

Yeah, I’ve noticed the same. Prefab can really speed things up and help avoid some of the usual headaches with scheduling and weather. The upfront cost might not always be lower, but the time and labor savings add up fast. Definitely feels like a smart option for certain types of builds.

Totally agree with the points here! Open floor plans look amazing and feel super spacious, but you definitely trade off a bit of privacy and sound control. If you’ve got a busy household, it can get a little chaotic! Still, for entertaining and keeping an eye on everything, it’s hard to beat.

Hi all, Has anyone here seen a real difference in downtime or delays after adopting new construction tech? I’m curious if tools like telematics, predictive maintenance software, or automated scheduling systems actually make a measurable impact. Would love to hear what’s worked (or hasn’t) on...

Good question! I think it really depends on the scale of the project. For smaller tasks, a portable generator can do the job, but for bigger jobs or extended work, having a backup generator can save a lot of stress. I’ve definitely found it useful in power outages while working on projects!

Hey everyone, I’ve been wondering- what are some of the common warning signs you look out for that mean a piece of heavy equipment needs immediate service? I know weird noises and leaks are red flags, but are there any less obvious things you've learned to catch early? Trying to avoid a major...

Totally—tariff talk can get wild, but historically, equipment prices don’t swing overnight unless something big hits. Back in 2018, steel tariffs nudged costs up a bit, but resale values only spiked in certain sectors. Anyone actually seeing dealers adjust pricing yet, or is it mostly just...

Absolutely, one of the best ways to cut material costs is by locking in pricing through early bids or multi-project agreements. Building solid supplier relationships pays off big too—they're more likely to offer you better terms or give you a heads-up before price hikes. Also, keep an eye on...

Jumping in here, if you’ve got no experience, your best bet is to start as a laborer or helper on a crew. Pair that with an OSHA 10 certification (which only takes about 10 hours to complete), and you're already ahead of the pack. Also, check out local union apprenticeships or community college...

Totally agree!100 hours is a solid baseline, but I also keep an eye on run time and load conditions. If it's running in dusty or hot environments, I’ll usually swap filters and check fluids more often just to be safe. Better to over-maintain than deal with downtime later!