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Monthly Archives: April 2020

Employee Spotlight: Paul McDonald

Meet Paul McDonald!

Position at Hugg & Hall:

Field Service Technician, New Orleans branch

What’s that mean?

Hugg & Hall’s definition- Diagnoses and repairs material handling and construction equipment by evaluating equipment to determine needed repairs, performing repairs while providing quote information for customers and managing time for efficiency.

Paul’s definition- I am always on the road taking care of my long-time customers!

Favorite part of the job?

I love working on the road. I love the relationships I’ve built with many customers over the years that seem like family to me.

How long have you been in the service industry?

25 years

What is your favorite memory from your job?

One of my favorite memories was when I went to Toyota Material Handling’s facility in Indiana. That was amazing to see!

Tell us about yourself/family:

I grew up in Kenner, LA and currently live in Metairie, LA. I am happily married with one son and three stepdaughters. My son actually works for M&L Industries, which is a competitor of ours, lol!

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy ATV trail riding, cooking and spending time with family and friends. I also love watching football, NASCAR, and drag racing.

What’s something about yourself that might surprise your coworkers?

I played the drums for 31 years.

What are five words (or less) of advice for others in your profession?

Never stop learning!

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t a Field Service Tech?

Biomedical Technician.

Want to learn more about Paul Mcdonald and our awesome employees? Check out our Employee Spotlights page! 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2020. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in February 2023.

The Advantages of Rebuilding Equipment

Anyone who owns or manages heavy equipment eventually faces this question: is it better to rebuild or buy new equipment? Getting the best value out of your equipment is tricky, but rebuilding can be better for your bottom line and overall efficiency.  

The Advantages of Rebuilding Equipment

Savings

Depending on the type of equipment you want to rebuild, a refurb can offer savings up to 50% – 65% compared to buying a new machine.  Additionally, the price of a refurbishment can typically be deducted from your taxes because it increases resale value. A refurbished asset can be recapitalized on a depreciation schedule at half the value of a new machine. 

Engines

If your equipment was manufactured before 2015, it likely has a Tier 3 diesel engine. If you purchase a new piece of equipment, you’ll be getting a machine with a Tier 4 engine regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). While Tier 4 is better for the environment, purchasing a new piece of equipment can increase your carbon footprint, too. 

Refurbishing a Tier 3 engine can save you money over time. They don’t require DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) fuel and may use less fuel than Tier 4 engines. They may also require less regeneration downtime and less maintenance because they have fewer sensors. 

Check out this article for more information about engine rebuilds. 

Timeframe

Many maintenance teams can rebuild an engine in fewer than 20 weeks. If you purchase a new machine, there can be a 12-18 month waiting period. 

 

Warranty

Most refurbishment programs offer a 1-year warranty, similar to the manufacturer’s warranty on a new piece of equipment. 

Rebuild components

During a refurbishment, your maintenance team will change out all of the major (and most of the minor) components of the machine. They will perform calibration and setting adjustments after replacing components. The finished product is a newly revamped version of your machine that will run like new. 

 

If you are interested in learning more about the specifics of a re-build, check out our Rebuilds page!

Have additional questions? Contact us!

Used Taylor machine before rebuilding Fully rebuilt Taylor machine.

 

Jobsite Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks

What’s new: Temps are rising and the busy season is almost upon us. 

What it means for you: It’s time to give your jobsite or warehouse a thorough spring cleaning. 

 

Below we’ll go over the benefits of maintaining your job site, tips for a thorough spring clean, and preventative measures to keep tidy year-round.

 

Reasons to do a spring cleaning:

1. Minimize slip, trip, and fall hazards.

Especially in the weeks after daylight savings time begins, your workers will be even more tired than usual and more prone to accidents. 

2. Avoid unwanted guests (insects and vermin). 

Don’t give them a place to hide, and they’re much less likely to enter your jobsite. 

3. Decrease the amount of wasted materials. 

If your site isn’t organized, you risk losing materials or ordering extra without knowing what you already have. Your employees will also have to navigate through scattered debris and materials, wasting time and money. 

4. Strengthen your company’s reputation. 

Organization exudes professionalism and quality workmanship! 

5. Keep your employees happy. 

A proper organization system and a clean workspace will also make your workers more efficient. When employees are happy with their work environment, they’re more likely to do the job to the best of their ability! 

 

Jobsite spring cleaning tips and tricks: 

1. Regularly power wash equipment and work area after each use.

2. Keep dumpsters and trash cans easily accessible at all times.

3. Use shop vacuums to easily dispose of loose materials and dust.

4. Section off or create signs for any area that may have unsecured materials.

5. Establish a regular cleaning schedule.

6. Create an organization system for tools, equipment, and other stored items for easy access.

 

Keeping clean isn’t reserved for spring:

Spring doesn’t have to be the only time of year you show your tools and equipment a little extra TLC!

Here are some preventative measures to keep your workplace clean, year-round: 

1. Make it a team effort. 

Set up a housekeeping system that involves everyone on the team. Focus on the importance of cleaning and removing debris after it has been created. 

You can also assign specific tasks to certain employees to promote accountability. 

2. Keep waste properly contained. 

Keeping a lid on waste, literally, is important—especially when the waste could spill, evaporate or smell. Containers and product drums should be sealed tightly and labeled with the proper safety requirements.  

3. Eliminate the problem at the source. 

The less waste that is created at the site, the less disposal and cleanup is necessary. Choose products with minimal packaging. Measure carefully so you order only the materials you need, in the optimal sizes.

 

Takeaways

The best time to do a jobsite spring clean is right now! Getting your jobsite in tip-top shape will make work easier and improve safety. 

You can also keep your jobsite or warehouse clean by implementing daily cleans. If you establish a good housekeeping routine, clean-up hassle will be a thing of the past! 

 

Click here to learn more industry tips, tricks, & trends.