Weekly Iron Recap: Demolition Training, 20-Ton Excavators, Used Equipment Trends
The Weekly Iron is back with another quick jobsite briefing. In just 89 seconds, this week’s episode hits three stories fleet managers and operators should know right now. Watch the quick recap, then dig into the full stories below for the details that matter to your operation.
CM Labs Simulations Expands into Excavator Demolition Training
Demolition is one of the toughest jobs you can hand an excavator operator. It mixes force, finesse, and risk. Fleet managers know this. It's why they crave well-trained demo experts. I have good news for those cravings. Montreal-based simulator specialist CM Labs just rolled out a new demolition training curriculum inside its tracked excavator program. Basically, operators use a cool simulator to learn about safe and efficient demolition techniques on excavators. Sounds like fun, really. The update adds attachments like hydraulic hammers, shear jaws, and grapples. The full package debuts at Conexpo (maybe you’ve heard of it) in Las Vegas the first week of March. Read more…
20-Metric-Ton Excavators Market Overview of the Midsize Crawler Segment
The 20-metric-ton excavator class sits in a great power and size band. Not too big. Not too small. Just right for serious production without oversized transport drama. These mid-size crawler excavators typically dig past 20 feet, land around 45,000 pounds (though some in this overview go over 60,000 pounds), and can load trucks all day long. They also accept a wide menu of attachments — buckets, breakers, rippers, tiltrotators and beyond. This is why fleets keep buying them. Twenty-tonners live on commercial sites, utility jobs, and roadwork. They trench and backfill. Units can be equipped with grade control and cut grade. They can lift trench boxes, set pipes, hammer concrete, and load dump trucks. Read more…
January Used Equipment Report: Inventory Drops
The January used equipment data from Sandhills Global delivers a familiar mixed bag of information. I’ve tried to make sense of it all for our fleet readers. Below I’ve broken down trends for the top five categories of used equipment, mostly with a construction-focused bent. Inventory continues to shrink across most construction and truck categories. Prices remain under pressure. Still, several markets posted month-over-month value gains. For fleet managers and operators, Sandhills Global’s data on used equipment for January holds some interesting insights. Read more…
About the Author
Keith Gribbins
Keith Gribbins is the head of content at Construction Equipment, where he leads editorial strategy across print, digital, video, and social channels. An award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, Keith has won 17 national and regional editorial awards and is known for his hands-on reporting style, regularly visiting manufacturers, operating equipment, and covering major industry events worldwide.