Contractors' Choice: Attachments add to productivity and profitability

Heavy lifting

If the application at hand requires removing material in a more dramatic and decisive fashion, then you may want to attach a Slab Crab® to your skid steer, backhoe, or excavator. Manufactured by Pennsylvania-based Kenco, this attachment is designed to quickly and easily remove slabs of concrete or large pieces of asphalt, making it ideal for sidewalk and driveway repair.

"Removal of concrete has never been easier," says Kenco operations manager Tracy Black. "Just slide the Slab Crab teeth under the slab, and lift slightly to break the bond. Tilt it back to secure the slab, and place it directly on a waiting truck."

As Black points out, the Slab Crab's tapered mouth locks the slab into place, allowing for its quick and safe removal. Another nice feature, he adds, is the attachment's flat, tapered bottom that eliminates damage to the sub base. There is little cleanup and operators can move literally tons of concrete in minutes.

Kenco specializes in manufacturing lifting attachments. The Slab Crab is available in 15 standard models to handle slabs 4 inches to 10 inches thick, but it can also be custom built to fit nearly any machine.

Because it's quicker and easier to use than a crane or grapple, the Slab Crab offers pavement contractors the best of two worlds, a way to get more work out of a skid-steer, backhoe, or excavator while at the same time increasing job productivity.

Prep work, too

There's no rest for the weary, either, especially for your now multi-tasking skid-steer. With a few more attachments from Wisconsin-based CE Attachments, you can transform your machine into a vibratory roller, trench filler, land leveler, or compaction plate. There's even an EDGE grader ideal for re-shouldering, sub-grading, and preparation for paving.

The EDGE grader easily hitches to the front of a skid-steer with a universal mount, hoses, and flat-faced hydraulic couplers, all included. Among features is an 8-foot blade, in-cab remote control to change settings directly from the operator's seat, and large tires for better maneuverability and flotation.

For precise grade control, the EDGE grader (with optional laser poles) can be equipped with a laser system that includes a transmitter, receivers, and installation kit. The laser system saves time and materials by automatically adjusting to the proper grade. With this setup, there is no need for the operator to do anything but move the grader, which means little operator training required to get an area to grade.

CE Attachments promotes having "Every Attachment for Every Job." For pavement contractors and pavement maintenance contractors, the statement is very enlightening. There probably is an attachment for every job in your application arsenal. Your operation may not be big enough to support a dedicated grader or self-propelled planer, or maybe the demand for more specialized equipment is just not worth the investment. Either way, having the ability to transform a machine so it can step into another role is good for you, your customer, and your bottom line.

Based in Neenah, WI, Rod Dickens is a freelance writer specializing in the construction industry.