ASPHALT ANSWERS
from all of the areas where operators
might be and “no-go” areas are clearly
marked. Your ultimate goal above all
else is returning home with everyone
you left with. If everyone is happy and
healthy, trucks get unloaded.
Options equal productivity
While most, if not all, machines today
are ready to work without the need to
add on any options, many options are
vital to productivity. A huge option
these days is a sonic grade control sys-
tem. While it is a tremendous invest-
ment, the cost savings in material can
pay for the system. An expert recent-
ly told me that a customer installed a
grade control system on his motor grad-
er to do a large concrete job. He reports
that he saved enough on the aggregate
alone to pay for the system, not to men-
tion the concrete saved by being dead
on with the grade. On a smaller level,
take sloping screed extensions. When
doing driveway tie-ins, this option frees
up your lute man from creating transi-
tions so he can keep up with the ma-
chine and is free to do other tasks.
Dealers seal the deal
While the short sided purchaser sees
the dealer as just another profit cen-
ter, the educated buyer sees them as a
vital key to his success. Let’s face it,
machines break down. Do you know
how I know? Because there are parts
departments, that’s why! When you are
working late and for some reason your
machine won’t move, who do you think
will be there quickest? That’s right, the
local dealer. This dealer has been trained
on the latest diagnostic techniques and
carries the proper tools and parts to get
you out of the mix and back into the
money. Their job is not only to repair
and maintain your equipment but also
make sure that they are your first call
when it’s time to buy a new machine.
Here is my challenge to you. When you
are considering a new machine, take the
time to calculate what the old machine
actually cost. Taking into consider-
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ation not only what the machine cost,
but maintenance and repairs over the
life of the machine. Then divide that
number by the total number of tons the
machine put down. This gives you the
cost per ton that the machine afforded
you. Take this into consideration when
you discuss the new machine with your
dealer and ask some tough questions
about service turnaround time and
parts availability. Be smart about your
purchase and it will pay off.
Brian Hall is a the territory manager of
Mid South Region at VT LeeBoy, Inc.
You can contact him at [email protected].
Article sponsored by LeeBoy and
Rosco.
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