Monthly Archives: March 2018

Hugg & Hall Receives Doosan Diamond Award

(Pictured from left to right, John Hugg, Dennis Barker (South Regional Business Manager at Doosan Infacore Forklifts) and Robert Hall) 

Doosan Industrial Vehicle America Corp. recently awarded Hugg & Hall Equipment Co. with their Diamond Award, recognizing our superior achievement in the area of “2017 New Truck Sales.” We were excited to accept this honor and look forward to our continued relationship!

To see our Doosan equipment availability visit www.hugghall.com

NEW ANSI RULES TO AFFECT RENTAL PRICES

NEW ANSI RULES TO AFFECT RENTAL PRICES

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is expected to soon release new standards for boom and scissor-type lifts. The new ANSI rules have significant implications for the construction, equipment rental and equipment sales industries and are expected to affect prices and balance sheets.

The new standards dictating design, calculations, safety requirements and test methods (A92.20- 201X) for aerial work platforms, now referred to as Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), are nearing implementation, according to the Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA).

The new regulations are replacing prior ANSI standards A92.3, A92.5, A92.6 and A92.8 which covered manually propelled aerial, booms, scissors and under-bridge inspection machines. The updates are focused on moving North American equipment toward current global standards. The updates to regulation will include: terminology changes, platform load sensing technology requirements, new wind force requirements, new stability testing, new railing height requirements and new platform entry requirements.

These adjustments will force manufacturers to invest heavily in production to supply compliant machines within the one-year from implementation requirement. Manufacturers are expected to raise prices of machines to offset the additional production costs. Therefore, direct buyers, including rental companies and dealers, will tenably be forced to raise rental fees in order to purchase compliant machines.

A good indicator of how the new ANSI standards may affect rental and dealer prices is to examine how prior regulation updates have affected the industrial equipment industry. The most recent update which had a sweeping impact on the industry was Tier 4. Tier 4 is the government mandated reduction in harmful exhaust gases for diesel powered equipment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enacted diesel engine regulations, at the manufacturing level, which required new engines be certified to restricted levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).

Tier 4 reportedly increased the price of machines by an approximate 12 percent, according to an article published by ForConstructionsPros.com.

The price of renting new, ANSI-compliant machines will depend on many factors, including: the increase in price on the wholesale level, how quickly rental companies incorporate new machines into their fleets and how the rental market balances the new cost-load with competitive pricing among industry contenders.

Manufacturers will be required to supply ANSI-compliant machines within one year of publication of the new standards. That is, machinery manufactured in the year after publication can be built to comply with either the old or the new standards. Any machinery built after this time will be required to comply with the new standards. Existing machines will not be required to comply with the new standards and will remain approved for use.

At this time, it’s unclear how exactly rental prices will be affected but it is clear that prices will, eventually, rise. Hugg & Hall is dedicated to transparency and is committed to keeping customers informed with the most up-to-date information regarding the construction and industrial equipment market.

Hugg & Hall’s Rental Department Online Auction to Benefit Arkansas Children’s Foundation

 

We were able to raise more than $5,000 last month in the first edition of our Online Rental Equipment Auction benefiting Arkansas Children’s Foundation! Thank you to everyone who participated and a huge thanks to the winners- ACE Glass, Elite Steel Erectors and Progressive Trail Designs

We just launched our April edition and hope you will participate! If you plan on renting equipment this month or anytime this year, why not place a bid and help Arkansas Children’s at the same time? The winner can use the piece of equipment ANYTIME during 2018!

April’s featured rental equipment and starting bids are as listed:

1930′ Electric Scissor Lift- $150.00

45′ Electric Boom Lift- $555.00

5,000 lb. Cushion Tire Forklift (Propane or Electric, winner’s choice)- $445.00

 

When different rental equipment pieces in the following months become available for bid, the details will be communicated via social media and/or emails. In order to participate in the auction, simply email hh4kids@hugghall.com with the details of your bid. Please include which piece of equipment you’re interested in, your bid and your contact information. Our Client Engagement Team will monitor bids and post updates on our social media platforms.

Winners will be notified by the Rental Sales Representative in their territory and payment can be made directly to Arkansas Children’s Foundation.

 

For more information, find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter or please reach out to me or my colleague, Sarah White (sarah.white@hugghall.com ). Join us in our excitement of this Online Rental Equipment Auction Fundraiser to support Arkansas Children’s Foundation!

Thank you,

Brian Robinson Regional Rental Sales Manager 

brianr@hugghall.com

 

 

Optimize Engine Efficiency

Optimizing Engine Efficiency Through Maintenance

Performing regular service on your equipment can help optimize your engine efficiency. Learn more about engine maintenance and the products that can help keep your equipment in good shape. 

Fuel

Appropriate fuel usage is one way to improve engine productivity. Water-based fuel is a major limiting factor for engine efficiency. Fuel with ethanol (a water-alluring substance) can cause corrosive patterns and damage carburetors. 

Fuel stabilizers keep fuel fresh, remove water to prevent corrosion, and cleanse carburetors.  Another option is to use ethanol-free fuel. Both can help keep your engine running smoothly and optimize its efficiency. 

Oil

Regularly scheduled oil changes are vital to engine productivity. Most engines require oil changes every 100 hours of operation. However, smaller utility equipment, which utilizes air-cooled engines, require oil changes every 50 hours of operation. Always review the manufacturer’s guidelines for engine maintenance recommendations and engine oil guidelines. 

Setting up a preventative maintenance schedule for your equipment can help protect it further. Your service team may use full-synthetic oil when performing oil changes. Full-synthetic oil is designed to accommodate longer usage intervals in higher-heat environments. Some synthetic oil options also include anti-wear components, which may improve engine viability. 

Air

Maintaining proper airflow is an important aspect of engine efficiency. Smaller, air-cooled engines require fresh air to maintain a high level of performance. Regularly changing engine air filters is an important maintenance routine. Always use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) filters. Never settle for a cheaper option. OEM/cyclonic filters are higher-performing and better for your engine. 

Read more about OEM parts in our blog post.

 

It’s a good idea to regularly review your equipment manuals to ensure comprehensive, appropriate maintenance is performed regularly.