What word is synonymous with versatility? In the construction world, the answer is attachments. With the right mix of work tools, a single piece of equipment can carry out tasks that would otherwise require an entire fleet — and do so across different job sites and different seasons of the year. Here are three ways attachments can help you get more done and earn more profits:
1. Bid on More or Different Jobs
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that buckets are the most common construction equipment attachment. You can get a lot of work done with the right bucket — but what other tasks could you complete if you expanded your attachment portfolio? Hammers, thumbs and grapples are great for demolition projects. Brushcutters, mulchers, rakes and stump grinders work well on site clearing and site prep jobs. Think about how you could configure an existing machine with new (or used or rented) attachments to meet demand for work in your area.
2. Increase Equipment Utilization
Utilization is measured by how much a piece of equipment runs over the course of a shift. When it’s not running, you’re not making money. Take a look at the equipment on your site. Are there times when certain machines are sitting idle? If so, could they be performing another productive task if equipped with the right attachment? Adding a set of forks or a jib arm, for example, allows you to put a wheel loader to work as a material handler when it’s not digging and loading.
3. Extend Your Working Season
Do you work in a part of the country that receives a decent amount of snowfall? Rather than letting equipment sit idle during winter weather, consider investing in attachments that allow you to expand into the profitable snow-removal market. Hydraulic brooms, buckets and angle blades — along with snow wings, pushers, plows and blowers — can transform your motor graders, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and skid steer loaders into snow removers.
Concerned about the time and effort it takes to switch between attachments?
Don’t be. Today’s quick couplers alleviate that worry, with no need to drive pins in and out to swap tools. The Cat Fusion Coupler, for example, lets operators detach from one work tool and attach to another one right from the cab in just seconds. You can also take advantage of technologies like the Cat PL161 Attachment Locator, which makes it easy for operators to view the location of various attachments on site, grab what they need and get to work faster.
For a deeper dive into your different attachment options as well as kits that can easily configure your machine for auxiliary tool functionality, tune into this free Cat Construction Now webinar. You’ll get expert answers to commonly asked questions and tips for choosing the right attachment based on your equipment and application.
