Recent content by USVeteran

Hose leaks are the absolute worst-it's usually a $50 prat that ends up costing you $500 in lost time and spilled fluid.

Undercarriage repairs are definitely the biggest "wallet-drainer" on these machines, so catching stuff early is huge. One habit that saves thousands: Take five minutes every few days to dig out teh packed-in mud and rocks with a crowbar or a pressure washer. If that junk freezes or dries hard...

Honestly, for an S150 doing driveways and small lots, dedicated snow tires (like Wolf Paws) are usually the way to go. Standard skid steer tires are basically racing slicks on ice because they're too wide and just "float" on top of the snow. A narrower snow tire puts more pressure on the...

I didn't expect that Xcira is actually one of the brands under RB Global. Once I found that out, it made more sense why their platform feels pretty solid and reliable If you're into online equipment auctions or buying and selling construction machinery, Xcira is definitely one of the platforms...

That's a big move, and honestly, there's no single "right" way to do it. Start by getting scary good at one thing, so you have a solid foundation, but keep your ears open to everything else happening on-site.

From what I've seen, equipment financing can actually help your business credit if you manage it well. Making on-time payments builds a positive payment history, which lenders like to see when you apply for future loans or credit lines.

Yeah, we've been using GPS tracking for a while now. Honestly, the most useful data for us is idle time, engine hours, and basic route history. Idle reports alone helped us cut fuel waste because operators became more aware that machines were being monitored.

Ritchie Bros. is basically the "gold standard" when it comes to auctions, so if you're looking at a machine with Rouse data, you're already starting on high ground.

If you're looking to offload some iron without the headache of hauling it to a physical lot, IronPlanet is basically the "set it and forget it" option for sellers. Since they're part of the Ritchie Bros. family now, they've got a massive reach, but the way they handle the actual sale is what...

Machine feels okay for now, but I don't want it turning into a bigger problem later.

SmartEquip is basically a massive efficiency engine that turns lost time into profit. If a machine throws a code in the field, pull up the diagram on SmartEquip before the service truck even leaves the yard.

I haven't personally sat in a cab with the new Luminar setup yet, but I've talked to a few guys running semi-autonomous drills and haulers in mining.

Just wondering if there are any tricks, special tools, or steps that make the job easier. Would really appreciate any advice from those who've done it

I keep seeing IronPlanet mentioned in a few heavy equipment and surplus groups, but I'm a bit of a newbie here. From what I've gathered, it's an auction site, but how does it actually work compared to a traditional lot?

When exporting equipment purchased at a Ritchie Bros. auction, there are usually a few key documents required before the machine can be released and shipped. Common ones include: Paid invoice / item release ticket Bill of lading or transport document Export customs declaration or proof of...