Page 11 - July/Aug 2015 Vol. 33 No. 2
P. 11
ment and you get so much downtime “In our type of work, we have a lot of first life, there are usually two options:
– and that usually means the parts are people on the ground and other equip- resale or rebuild. When your agency
more expensive. In the long run, we want ment involved, and we’re often out in chooses a product that is desirable as a
dependability and availability of parts traffic. The operator needs to have good second-hand purchase or trade-in, or can
and service so we can experience the vision in front, back, sides and every- be rebuilt, it not only saves money but
benefits and get long service out of our where, and any extra safety measures that demonstrates a commitment to resource
machines,” said Colbaugh. will help that situation are a real benefit,” conservation and sustainability.
Colbaugh said. “There are citizens travel-
The training provided by an equip- ing on our county roads; we have to pro- The next time your agency begins the
ment dealer can ensure proper use of tect them in our work zone, and having process of acquiring a piece of equip-
machines and result in fewer problems better safety equipment – lights, mirrors, ment, consider including a variety of fac-
stemming from misuse. You can often back-up devices – is really helpful.” tors beyond the initial acquisition price
add value to your equipment purchase to add long-term value to your equip-
by ensuring that the dealer can provide As a machine is nearing the end of its ment purchase.
detailed operator and maintenance train-
ing to your team.
“Being trained and knowing the opera-
tion of the machine means a whole lot.
You need training for a piece of new
equipment to get the ins and outs, even
if the operator is a good operator,” added
Colbaugh.
Equipment design matters, too. Up-
time can be impacted by whether or not
a machine is user-friendly, and the way
a machine is designed and built factors
into its longevity and can contribute
to jobsite safety. While all brands meet
minimum safety requirements, some go
above and beyond with sturdier hand-
rails, ergonomic cabs, extra visibility,
rearview cameras and more.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 11
– and that usually means the parts are people on the ground and other equip- resale or rebuild. When your agency
more expensive. In the long run, we want ment involved, and we’re often out in chooses a product that is desirable as a
dependability and availability of parts traffic. The operator needs to have good second-hand purchase or trade-in, or can
and service so we can experience the vision in front, back, sides and every- be rebuilt, it not only saves money but
benefits and get long service out of our where, and any extra safety measures that demonstrates a commitment to resource
machines,” said Colbaugh. will help that situation are a real benefit,” conservation and sustainability.
Colbaugh said. “There are citizens travel-
The training provided by an equip- ing on our county roads; we have to pro- The next time your agency begins the
ment dealer can ensure proper use of tect them in our work zone, and having process of acquiring a piece of equip-
machines and result in fewer problems better safety equipment – lights, mirrors, ment, consider including a variety of fac-
stemming from misuse. You can often back-up devices – is really helpful.” tors beyond the initial acquisition price
add value to your equipment purchase to add long-term value to your equip-
by ensuring that the dealer can provide As a machine is nearing the end of its ment purchase.
detailed operator and maintenance train-
ing to your team.
“Being trained and knowing the opera-
tion of the machine means a whole lot.
You need training for a piece of new
equipment to get the ins and outs, even
if the operator is a good operator,” added
Colbaugh.
Equipment design matters, too. Up-
time can be impacted by whether or not
a machine is user-friendly, and the way
a machine is designed and built factors
into its longevity and can contribute
to jobsite safety. While all brands meet
minimum safety requirements, some go
above and beyond with sturdier hand-
rails, ergonomic cabs, extra visibility,
rearview cameras and more.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 11
