Videos – Construction Publications Inc

Fleet Optimization From Komatsu’s Business Solutions Group

Alissa B — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 14:39:07 +0000

A Fleet Optimization Study from Komatsu's Business Solutions Group Could Save You Money

Could you save enough to buy additional machines?

Is your operation as productive as it could be? As efficient as possible? It likely is; but, if you would like to find out for sure, we can help you with a complimentary on-site fleet optimization study by Komatsu’s Business Solutions Group.

Is your haul road too long? Do you have the right size equipment? Could you be more productive with smaller machines? Representatives can work with you to study your specific operations, answer these questions and offer suggestions about how you could significantly increase your production and efficiency.

Read below for a case study that shows how the Business Solutions Group helped optimize one customer’s operations, showing them how to become more productive with smaller equipment.

Complimentary analysis by Komatsu’s Business Solutions Group leads to big savings for material supply company

A few years ago, Joe and Sofia Regalado acquired Madden Materials, adding to the couple’s already hefty workload as they operated a trucking company and another material supply business.

The new venture came with challenges, so they turned to their local Komatsu distributor, who connected them with the Business Solutions Group to help formulate an action plan.

The Business Solutions Group offers bottom-line tactics that maximize production and efficiency. The group studies customers’ existing operations, considers alternatives and provides recommendations. There is no charge for the service.

In Madden Materials’ case, the Business Solutions Group partnered with the distributor to conduct an Optimized Fleet Recommendation (OFR) study on how to move sand from the pit to a new wash plant most effectively. Members of the Business Solutions Group took into account the productive potential of various sizes of excavators, wheel loaders and trucks to identify the most efficient fleet, depending on production needs and other factors.

“They assessed the site – how we load, haul distance, tons of product the plant needed per hour – and determined that smaller units would be best,” said Owner/Chief Executive Officer Joe Regalado. “They projected operating costs by considering fuel, operator pay, maintenance and more.”

Before the study, Regalado was convinced he needed to add a large truck, possibly a 60-ton rigid frame, and pair it with an existing 50-ton-plus excavator. The Business Solutions Group showed him other options, including using a Komatsu 30-ton articulated dump truck and a PC360LC excavator.

Fleet optimization study's money-saving strategies

“The same production with smaller equipment means less fuel and maintenance as well as lower overall costs,” said Regalado. “The study saved us enough money that we could buy a second WA380 loader. The assessment was done at no charge. That’s an incredible benefit, and they have finished a second OFR study to determine our present and future needs as we continue to expand and move farther away from the plant.”

Click here for more information

2000 Feet in 1 Day with Komatsu’s PC360Lci-11

Alissa B — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 14:18:23 +0000

2000 Feet in 1 Day with Komatsu's PC360Lci-11 Excavator

After watching an inexperienced operator exceed his company’s goals by digging more than 2,000 feet of footings in a single day using an intelligent Machine Control (iMC) PC360LCi-11, PWS President and CEO Lee Meyer was convinced it would make his company more competitive and profitable.

So, he bought it.

“We were going so fast, the concrete guys behind us could not keep up,” he said. “They actually asked us to slow down. We knew at that point we had to have the excavator in our arsenal.”

PWS discovered that, like all of Komatsu’s iMC excavators, the PC360LCi-11 features Auto Grade Assist and Auto Stop Control to help prevent overdigging. That means you reach your target depth faster and with less guesswork, which helps you complete jobs sooner so you can get more done.

Read below to see how intelligent Machine Control can benefit your operation.

Water and sewer firm trims costs with iMC excavator that reaches target depths faster, with less labor

As an owner in his family’s multi-generational business, it would appear to most that Lee Meyer’s future was already set in place. That was until he purchased a specialty water and sewer company and set off on his own path.

“We partnered with the company on some jobs, and I knew they did good work,” recalled Meyer. “When I heard there was an opportunity to buy it, I jumped on it.”

Meyer bought the business in 2014, changed its name to PWS and began expanding. While specialized water and sewer projects remain the primary focus, the operation introduced other services, such as excavation and demolition, that Meyer carried over from his previous work.

As he began to secure contracts, Meyer knew that finding more efficient methods would improve PWS’ competitiveness and profitability. Upgrading his fleet to include additional GPS-equipped machines became part of the plan. PWS demoed a Komatsu intelligent Machine Control (iMC) PC360LCi-11 excavator with factory integrated GPS and acquired it immediately.

“We dug footings with it,” detailed Meyer. “We had a number we wanted to hit, and we crushed it, digging 2,000 feet in one day with an operator who didn’t have a ton of experience. We were going so fast that the concrete guys behind us could not keep up. They actually asked us to slow down. We knew at that point we had to have the excavator in our arsenal, so we bought it.”

More aggressive bidding

Like all iMC excavators, PWS’ PC360LCi-11 features Auto Grade Assist. As the operator moves the arm, the boom automatically adjusts the bucket height to trace the target surface and minimize the chance of digging too deep. Auto Stop Control halts the working equipment when the bucket edge reaches the design surface.

“The excavator is set up so you can’t overdig the footings,” added PWS Vice President Rich Schmid. “The machine won’t let you dig deeper than the target depth you set it to. The equipment cost per unit for performing our work is amazing; we see a higher proficiency in production with a lower equipment and labor cost factor. It allows us to be more aggressive in our bidding.”

Komatsu Smart Construction: Saving Money for 2 Wisconsin Contractors

Construction Publications, Inc — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 18:23:13 +0000

Komatsu Smart Construction: Saving Money for 2 Wisconsin Contractors

See how Smart Construction technology and support from Roland Machinery increase productivity and reduce costs for CornerStone One & A.W. Oakes on the new headquarters site for Komatsu Mining in Milwaukee

To learn more about this unique technology and what it can offer, follow this link. Read about the different capabilities and how they could help your construction business.