Encouraging fleet managers and business owners to spend cautiously is not a tough sell right now: The construction industry in Texas ran out of fat to trim months ago. Company owners managed to save money the smart way (improved efficiency) and the tough way (personnel reductions). Where else can one save while riding out the storm? PAUL PARKER One place is in the decision to lease or finance heavy equipment. Your approach could be the difference in saving money on a deal or, in some cases, being able to acquire the equipment you need at all. Gerald Cook has seen

In the movie “Any Given Sunday,” Al Pacino plays a football coach who is wise but worn down by life. In a pregame speech he talks about football being a game of inches. Take a few minutes and look at your job site. Can you see where you’re losing money? The “inches” are all around you. “The inches we need are everywhere around us,” goes Pacino’s speech. “They are in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch.” Your “inches” are dollars. The Pacino monologue is dramatic, but the point is

Heavy equipment owners make their living and help sustain our economy with machines that some consider environmentally irresponsible. It’s a harsh judgment that becomes less accurate every day. When it comes to the environment, it’s tough to escape scrutiny. If you drive a car, consume fossil fuel, electricity or purchase goods that come in a disposable container you’re under the microscope. Encouraging businesses to be “green” and shoulder financial implications that accompany those efforts can stir emotions. It is in our best interest to get past the political posturing and rhetoric and address the real issue: How can we meet

You’d be hard pressed to meet a heavy equipment owner who doesn’t understand the need to extend machine life and minimize down time. Getting the most from a fleet is a priority for owners and managers, but not their only one. Budgets and time constraints have left more than one piece of equipment waiting for repair until it became critical. PARKER Whether cutting costs or simply ignoring equipment, consequences can be exponentially expensive if overlooked. Consider the following maintenance tips: Follow Manufacturer Guidelines How often do you check the torque on your bed articulation hitches? When did you last look at