Monthly Archives: March 2019

Steve Hefner Retires After 28 Years of Dedicated Service

Steve Hefner Retires After 28 Years of Dedicated Service

Steve Hefner

After 28 years of dedicated service, Hugg & Hall Equipment Company (Hugg & Hall) is celebrating the retirement of Steve Hefner.

Hefner has been a central component of the parts team at the Hugg & Hall location in Little Rock, Ark., for nearly three decades. He has worked as a parts shipper/receiver throughout his time with the company and delivers parts to the Walmart Distribution Center in Searcy almost every day. While the company has grown tremendously since Hefner first started in his role, he recently confessed that switching to a computer was his biggest challenge.

Hefner and parts warehouse manager, Steve Butler, have spent many hours together organizing the parts warehouse throughout the years.

“Steve Hefner has been a mainstay for the parts warehouse operation for 28 years,” said Butler. “I have never worked with a more dedicated and dependable employee.”

“Along with retired employee Gary Paine, we reorganized the entire warehouse over a period of several months,” said Butler. “All the work was done nights and weekends to prevent interruption of the parts operation. It was only his willingness to work whenever asked that made it possible to complete the project. For most of 28 years I totally depended on him to see that things were done timely and correctly. The parts department will certainly miss him and we all hope he has many blessed retirement years.”

Hefner is well-known throughout the organization for his thoroughness and dedication.

“Steve has been a very dedicated and hard worker for Hugg & Hall,” said Tracey Gibbs, regional director of parts. “He was always known for his thoroughness and when he did shipping and receiving was quick to call the requesting branch to ‘make sure’ that was how they wanted a transfer shipped. We all knew if we shipped something Next Day Air within the state, we were going to get a call.”

Hefner looks forward to spending more time reading westerns (his favorite) and hopes to boat and fish more. He is particularly excited about taking his camper to Nimrod Lake to fish.

The company would like to send out a huge thank you and congratulations to Hefner and wishes him a very happy retirement.

Steve Butler and Steve Hefner

Steve Butler and Steve Hefner

Steve Hefner's Retirement Party

Steve Hefner and John Hugg

Steve Hefner's Retirement Party Steve Hefner's Retirement Party

Steve Hefner's Retirement Party Steve Hefner's Retirement Party

Steve Hefner's Retirement Party

Hugg & Hall Employee Donates To Children With Hair Loss

Carla Hale Donates To Children With Hair Loss

Good neighbor alert!

After noticing her significant haircut, some coworkers learned that Carla Hale, payroll administrator at Hugg & Hall Equipment Company (Hugg & Hall), recently donated many inches of her own hair to Children With Hair Loss.

Children With Hair Loss is a non-profit organization providing hair replacements (at no cost) to children and young adults struggling with medically-related hair loss, according to their website. When a child loses hair to cancer treatments, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns and other issues, it can cost thousands for a custom human hair replacement. Children With Hair Loss relies on donations to provide hair replacements at no cost to the donee.

Beginning as an accounts payable clerk, Hale has been with the company for more than 11 years. Her day-to-day responsibilities range from processing payroll to assisting employees with questions/concerns and much more.

Hale loves to fly fish, spoil her grandkids and spend time with family and friends.

“I also donate my time and sometimes my hair to help others who may be less fortunate,” said Hale.

Her bucket list includes traveling to Paris with her daughter.

Hugg & Hall would like to send out a big thank you to Hale for all of her hard work and generosity!

 

Hugg & Hall Tech Completely Refurbishes Taylor TXH350 Forklift

Jace Ewing, a shop service technician at Hugg & Hall- Fort Smith, recently completed a total refurbish of a Taylor Machine Works TXH350. 

“I’ve been with the company for about two-and-a-half years,” said Ewing. “I’ve started refurbishing forklifts and I’ve been working on this one since November. When it came in, it was in really rough shape. The customer decided it would be better to refurbish this than to buy one with Tier 4. I think that’s a smart move.” 

Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift

Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift

Ewing spent 497 hours refurbishing the machine, from start-to-finish, beginning on November 28, 2018 and completing on March 15. 

The project consisted of the complete overhaul of the cab, mast, steer axle, drive axle, brakes and more. The refurbishment included the installation of a new engine, transmission, drive shaft, hydraulic hoses, electrical harnesses, cylinders, lights HVAC components, decals, driver seat, tires, backup cameras and batteries. 

Hugg & Hall would like to thank Ewing for his hard work on this project and others. 

Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift  Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift  

Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift

Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift

Jace Ewing Refurbishes Taylor Forklift

The final product

Definition Recognition: Service Terms

Definition Recognition Part Three: Service Terms

Every industry houses familiar terms and idioms and the construction and industrial equipment industry is no different. So, we’ve created the Definition Recognition series to help those less familiar navigate industry terms/phrases, with the purpose to educate and facilitate informed decisions. In part three of Definition Recognition, we cover some of the most common service-related terms in the industry.

Field service– service in the field. Field service technician jobs may include responsibilities that entail providing services and customer support through dispatched visits. Field service technicians regularly handle any installation, repair and maintenance tasks required by customers. Bottom line, field service technicians are dispatched to customer locations to diagnose issues, determine proper solutions and (often) fulfill any necessary repairs.

Preventative maintenance (PM)– preventative maintenance refers to precautionary work performed on equipment with the express purpose of limiting the possibility of unexpected failure. Equipment owners can schedule planned preventative maintenance visits to keep their equipment running optimally.

Telematics– telematics is a relatively new technological advancement that is transforming the way fleet managers maintain their equipment. Telematics has streamlined methodologies from equipment maintenance, reporting, safety/training procedures to operations and more. Telematics combines telecommunications with data processing, storage and retrieval systems.

ASE-certified– ASE, or Automotive Service Excellence, certification refers to technician certification through the independent organization. ASE works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.

In addition to passing an ASE Certification test, technicians must have two years of on-the-job training or one year of on-the-job training and a two-year degree in automotive repair to qualify for certification. To remain ASE-certified, professionals must retest every five years.

Resident technician– the term resident technician refers to technicians who are on-call to serve the remote markets in our service regions.

Types and Uses of Forklift Forks

The Types and Uses of Forklift Forks

There might be more forklift fork options than you know. Forklift forks are designed for specific functions and as there are many different ways that forklifts support projects and organizations, there are many different types of forks to match. Toyota Forklifts published a list of some of the varied types of forks available, evoking the loquacious tallying of shrimp dishes by Bubba in Forrest Gump, in a blog. Likewise, we’ve listed some of the common forklift fork options and their associated uses. Check it out:

  • Block Forks –  block forks are designed to move blocks or bricks around a job site.
  • Stainless Steel Clad Forks – stainless steel clad forks are used in highly sanitary applications such as the food and beverage industry.
  • Fork Extensions – fork extensions for forklifts increase the length of your existing forks, which increases the versatility and load-bearing power of the equipment. They allow forklifts and their operators to handle large and odd-shaped loads with better stability.
  • Shaft Forks – shaft forks are created for pin-type carriages. This kind of fork is mounted on a pole on the carriage. These are used to suit all pin-type carriages and are also commonly used on telehandlers and wheel loaders.
  • Quick Disconnect Forks – quick disconnect forks are designed for quicker removal and installation. This is made possible by a single hanging point which differs from the standard hang-on modal.
  • Lumber Forks – lumber forks are specifically engineered for applications involving stacks of lumber. This function is achieved with custom, finely tapered tips which can be found in a variety of sizes/modals.
  • Spark Retardant Forks – spark retardant forks are ideal for environments containing hazardous materials. These forks are engineered to resist sparks by incorporating a coat of brass in the design. For projects containing significant levels of flammable chemicals, spark retardant forks may be essential.
  • Bolt-On Forks – bolt-on forks are a common choice for large forklifts and associated applications. These forks are designed to limit fork movement and are ideal for functions which require forks to stay in place. Holes in the fork shank facilitate the bolting of forks to the fork carriage. Because of this design, the load-bearing capacity is lower than standard forks and are not right for every application.
  • Folding Forks – folding forks are hinged which allow for simple foldability. This is ideal for machines that often need to maneuver through tight spaces (such as elevators).
  • Gypsum Forks – gypsum forks are specifically engineered to handle gypsum wallboard and similar materials. Slide-in pads for the upright part of the fork is often the avenue manufacturers take to achieve the unique design necessary to efficiently handle these materials.
  • Inverted Fork – inverted forks, or upside down forks, are engineered to be mounted upside down. They are often used to lift large bags with loops and similar loads. These forks are also ideal for material handling in low ceiling areas.

While this list does not cover all the types of forklift forks on the market, it may provide a general idea on the options and applications available to forklift owners/users. For further assistance on determining what type of forks are appropriate for your forklift/project, give your local Hugg & Hall parts department a call!

Slab vs Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts

Slab vs Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) with platforms that are parallel in size to the base of the machine and only lift vertically. These types of lifts are commonly used because of their high weight capacities and adaptable applications. There are a few things scissor lifts users should know before choosing the right type for their project (or projects), so we’ve put together an informational guide to help those needing assistance making a choice between the two major options: slab and rough terrain.

Slab scissor lifts: what to know

Slab scissor lifts are designed for function on flat, slab surfaces and feature a limited footprint when compared to other lifts. Their compact size is a major benefit of this option and slab scissor lifts easily fit through narrow entries and can be used for indoor or outdoor use, while also featuring capacious lift height options (up to 45 vertical feet).

Slab scissor lifts are ideal for projects requiring high-level maneuverability on firm, level surfaces and generous platform space. These lifts are available in a spectrum of size/capacity options. Genie offers lifts with capacities spanning from 500 to 1200 pounds and working heights spanning from 19 to 45 feet.

Smaller scissor lifts are often used indoors, in parking garages and in urban areas. Other common uses for slab scissor lifts include: electrical system installation, painting, retail store assistance, sprinkler system installation and much more.

Rough terrain scissor lifts: what to know

Rough terrain (RT) scissor lifts are designed for function on rougher terrain/landscapes, opposed to slab scissor lifts. Major benefits of this type of lift include four-wheel drive, traction control, the ability to level the machine on slopes, higher weight capacities and more.

This type of lift usually provides more workspace than smaller, slab scissor lifts which provides room for multiple workers. RT scissor lifts are available in several sizes. Genie  offers RT lifts featuring platform capacities spanning from 1000 to 2500 pounds and working heights spanning from 32 to 59 feet. This option is ideal for those needing a machine which can be used to navigate difficult access points while carrying multiple workers.

RT scissor lifts are often used for tilt-up construction, building maintenance, outdoor construction, welding, exterior finishing, to assist general contractors and more. For those working on slopes and/or uneven surfaces, RT scissor lifts are the best option.

Diesel vs. electric

Typically, most electric scissor lifts fit into the slab scissor lift category while most diesel scissor lifts fit into the RT scissor lift category. This is an important consideration for users to evaluate because electric models are better for indoor applications where lower noise and emissions are important. However, not all electric scissor lifts are slab lifts and there are some electric RT scissor lift options.