Rod Sutton

Editorial Director at Construction Equipment

Editorial Director at Endeavor Business Media

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Articles

How to Handle Equipment Costs Lifted by Tariffs

2 weeks ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

After a rough-and-tumble week of tariff roulette, one thing seems certain: Fleet managers face uncertainty when making long-range fleet decisions. “It’s business as usual right now,” says one manager, “with inquiring eyes peering into the news.”Equipment managers expect tariffs, whatever the value du jour, to increase the cost of equipment and parts for suppliers. And most expect those costs to be passed along to the fleet.
Volvo Upgrades Compactors, Shows Electric Roller

3 weeks ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Volvo has upgraded its SD75 and SD45 soil compactors and PT125 pneumatic tire roller with the capability for over-the-air software updates. Wiring design has been optimized for commonality, cost-effectiveness, and ease of service. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) replacement intervals have been extended from 3,000 to 6,000 hours. LED work lights and beacons replace halogen lights, and telematics systems now include GSM/GPS and SATCOM antennas for optimized machine connectivity.
IPAF 2025 Campaign Targets MEWP Overturns

3 weeks ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Construction Lifting & Concrete PlacementThe International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) 2025 Global Safety Campaign focuses on the consequences of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) overturns. These incidents can result in operators and occupants being ejected from the platform and create complex rescue scenarios for those trapped at height during a partial overturn. “Stop Overturns—Safety Starts on the Ground!” is a response to data from the IPAF Accident Reporting Portal.
Truck Enthusiast Restores 1984 Mack

4 weeks ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Grayce Emmick restored a 1984 Mack R Model and donated it to the Mack Trucks Historical Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The truck was originally custom built for Johnny Prescott and Son Oil, Concord, New Hampshire. Emmick is an eighth-generation farmer and restoration enthusiast. “I've always preferred older trucks over new, and to me there is nothing cooler than an old dog that looks new,” Emmick said in a statement. “Growing up around Mack trucks made it easy to fall in love with the brand.
Wirtgen Emphasizes Technology at World of Asphalt

4 weeks ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Road building equipment is in a “transition from iron to technology,” according to Matt Graves, director of marketing communications for Wirtgen. He made the comment during the manufacturer’s media event at World of Asphalt. Graves then led journalists through a series of product updates, emphasizing new technologies on various Wirtgen products.
Equipment Prices Dip in February

1 month ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Prices of construction machinery and equipment dipped 0.2% in February compared to the previous month, and were up 0.2% over February 2024, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. The overall prices of materials and services used in nonresidential construction rose 0.5% in February and followed an increase of 0.7% in January, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
States Want Green Dollars Transferred to Infrastructure: Report

1 month ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

State officials are asking that “green” funding be reassigned to other infrastructure uses rather than have those funds cut, according to a report in Roll Call. So-called green funding was included in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Trump Administration is signaling a pullback of those funds.
Trimble Signs First Technology Outlet

1 month ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

SMS Equipment is the first equipment dealer signed on as a Trimble Technology Outlet. SMS, a Canadian Komatsu dealer, will now sell Trimble grade control, site positioning systems, and correction services technology directly to its customers. SMS represents Komatsu, Takeuchi, and BOMAG brands, all of which can apply Trimble technology. Trimble Technology Outlets are a part of Trimble’s distribution strategy of adding authorized resellers to its channel.
Sakai Adds Features to Guardman Brake Assist

1 month ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Sakai has added a feature to its Guardman automatic brake assist system that allows two rollers working in tandem on echelon rolling to be close to each other without generating false proximity alarms. Guardman utilizes millimeter-wave radar or 3D LiDAR (depending on the model) to detect potential collisions with personnel or equipment, warn the operator progressively, and automatically brake to prevent accidents if needed.
Komatsu Consolidates Sales, Service in Reorganization

1 month ago | constructionequipment.com | Rod Sutton

Komatsu North American sales and services functions for construction and mining have been consolidated into a new company to be established as a subsidiary of Komatsu America. The new company, Komatsu North America, will be established on March 31. Rodney Bull, currently EVP of Komatsu, will lead the new company as its CEO. Komatsu Ltd., headquartered in Japan, is the parent company of Komatsu America, which operates as a wholly owned subsidiary.