BRIAN HALL
ASPHALT ANSWERS
Is It Time For A New Piece
A piece of equipment you may not have considered may make the difference for you in 2024 .
Of Equipment ?
The answer may surprise you .
BRIAN HALL
2023 has certainly been a great year to be in the asphalt business . What started out to be the most significant supply chain challenge we may ever see has turned into a hot market . As a manufacturer , we have had to juggle workforce issues , rising raw material costs and lack of parts all while demand is as high as we have seen in a while . What should be a time of deciding what machines you may need to invest in for tax purposes has turned into a juggling act of forecasting work and finding a machine . What used to be an easy job of heading to your local dealer ’ s showroom floor and kicking tires is now a job of relying on the next shipment . So what is a smart business person to do ? While the answer is not an easy one , the solution doesn ’ t have to keep you up at night . Now more than ever you must rely on relationships . Relationships with your colleagues in the industry , relationships with the factories and relationships with the local dealerships . This month , let ’ s discuss the thought process that goes into looking at asphalt equipment and the pitfalls that come with that process . Like every other business decision , there is not one clear cut answer for every contractor . Every situation is different , and every solution is different .
Do you rebuild your current equipment ? While the newest models might seem appealing , your current machine might just need a makeover . Asphalt paving equipment , especially the paver , is different than any other piece of construction equipment . The continuous heating and cooling of components , not to mention working with hot materials in the middle of summer , takes its toll on the steel and rubber hose components that make up the machine . The winter months are a perfect time to consult with your local equipment dealer to do your rebuild . The shops are less busy and under less of a time crunch so it ’ s the prime time . Many times , just a tune-up of the components is all you will need to stretch the life of your machine . A qualified , factory trained technician can look at your equipment and quickly tell how deep he will have to go . Is a used machine the way to go ? Just like with automobiles , the used equipment market is hot right now . While there are many great machines on the market , there are quite a few out there that just have a “ new paint overhaul .” But how are you to know the difference ? Many dealers keep a good amount of used machines in stock when they can and can many times offer a type of “ certified pre-owned ” type of guarantee with these machines . But many times , the machine you are looking at is at a 3rd party or some other private seller . In this case , you have to know what your are looking at or know someone who does . Never be afraid to take a qualified set of eyes with you when you inspect a machine . And , just like with anything else , be ready to walk away if something doesn ’ t seem right . An experienced technician can look quickly at a machine and know what should be done before putting your investment to work . Remember , if the price seems too good to be true , it probably is . When is a new machine the right decision ? In many cases , you may decide that you will need a new piece of asphalt equip-
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