2009 LoJack Commercial Theft Study

Crooks and criminals beware — LoJack has its eyes on you! The LoJack Corp. announced the results of its 10th annual Construction Equipment Theft Study in a report that provides valuable information on the ongoing issue of equipment theft — a problem that collectively cost owners 13,452 stolen pieces of equipment in 2009, 82 percent of which were never recovered.

According to the study, which analyzed LoJack stolen vehicle recovery reports for the calendar year 2009, construction theft continued to be driven by organized crime rings, with towables (generators, welders and air compressors) being the No. 1 theft target.

LoJack recovered nearly $11 million in stolen construction equipment — 75 percent of which was recovered in 24 hours or less after being reported to law enforcement. In conjunction with these recoveries, police were able to arrest 18 individuals responsible for operating theft rings and chop shops. Since entering the construction market in 2000, LoJack has helped police recover more than $112 million in stolen construction assets that were armed with the LoJack system — plus the value of other stolen non LoJack-equipped construction equipment that police recovered in chop shops and theft rings.

“Construction equipment theft continues to hold steady and remains a major issue for today’s business owners,” said Patrick Clancy, Vice President of Law Enforcement, LoJack Corp. “On top of the valuable equipment costs, in today’s environment, construction equipment owners simply cannot afford the business downtime, increases in insurance premiums and contract penalties associated with equipment theft. The increase in non-recovered stolen construction equipment makes a stolen vehicle recovery system — such as the one offered by LoJack — that much more critical to business owners who are seeking to protect their equipment and their businesses from financial losses due to theft.”

Professional Theft Rings Continue to Fuel Theft

Poor on-site security, easy access to open cabs, one key that fits all and lack of product identification numbers/records are all issues that continue to make construction equipment easy targets for professional thieves. This year’s study once again showed the ongoing role organized crime plays in the problem of construction equipment theft, with law enforcement uncovering nine theft rings and chop shops through tracking and recovering stolen equipment with the LoJack System.
The study also revealed that newer and versatile equipment is the most common theft target on the jobsite because of their higher resale value/rental costs and ease of transport. The types of equipment most frequently stolen are (in order):
2009 Ranking

• Generators/Air Compressors/Welders
  
• Backhoe Loaders/Skip Loaders/Wheel Loaders/Track Loaders
  
• Skid Steers
  
• Light Utility/Work Trucks and Trailers
  
• Forklifts/Scissor Lifts

These equipment types represented 86 percent of all construction equipment recoveries documented by LoJack in 2009. Sixty-five percent of the equipment stolen and recovered was five years old or less and 75 percent was recovered in 24 hours or less after being reported to the police. A full 14 percent of the equipment was recovered in less than one hour. Thieves appear to be reselling the equipment to unsuspecting contractors or, in a few cases, disassembling the equipment into pieces for valuable resale as parts.

Based on LoJack’s recovery data, the following are the top states with the highest occurrence of equipment theft:

• California
  
• Florida
  
• Texas
  
• Arizona
  
• Georgia
  
• Nevada
  
• New York
  
• Illinois
  
• Colorado/New Jersey
  
• North Carolina

The report also indicated that construction theft continues to be a local issue. In 98 percent of the cases, the stolen equipment was recovered in the same state in which the theft was reported. It was recovered either in a storage facility or in use at another jobsite. Unlike auto theft, which has a higher incidence in major cities around the country, construction theft is not confined to city streets and urban areas. Rather, it often occurs in suburban areas where construction activity is more prevalent.

Caterpillar Equipment Aids Gulf Oil Clean Up
By Jim Angell, Cat Folks

With oil infiltrating the marshes and landing on the beaches along the American shores of the Gulf of Mexico, Caterpillar equipment is helping cover the coast during this ongoing disaster. Under the command of the First Response Team of America (FRTA), a non-profit disaster relief organization that uses compact equipment to help communities rebuild after natural calamities, Cat machines are making an impact on the amount of work getting done cleaning up the oil and protecting unspoiled wetlands.

According to FRTA’s President and Founder, Tad Agoglia, the situation in Louisiana and elsewhere along the Gulf coast is desperate.

“It’s a race against time,” explained Agoglia about how the tides bring more oil each day. “We are here along the Gulf coast racing against time before the oil spreads to the entire coastline. We’re working 24-hours a day constructing dams in an effort to save wildlife preserves, beaches and marshes. We have to try and make a difference wherever we can to protect our shores.”

The team’s Cat 299C compact track loader has been an invaluable workhorse moving pumps, dam material and light towers so the construction of the portable, inflatable “tiger” dams can go on around the clock.

“Our equipment is so versatile and powerful, nothing stops our operations,” Agoglia said. “The 299 can go into the ocean to position a pump and power through sand. Our 6-in. Godwin Pumps are so much better at handling oil in the water than the 3-in. [pumps] the army is using. The oil is clogging the smaller pumps.”

For the first two weeks the team has been along the coast, its main focus was to set up as many tiger dams it could. The dams are stretched out along a beach and filled with seawater. They are formed in such a way to trap the oil in 10- to 20-ft wide strips that allows for efficient oil collection.

The National Guard is also utilizing FRTA’s hovercraft to examine marshes for dam building. As a non-profit entity, FRTA does not charge a dime for its work. All their work is covered by private and corporate donations. They have been fixtures in the United States during tornado seasons and have recently been working in Haiti helping with recovery operations and in helping communities recover from a series of storms around the Progress Rail facility in Albertville, Ala. For more information about First Response Team of America, go to www.firstresponseteam.org.

JCB + World Cup Soccer = GOAL!!!

A team of nine JCB Teletruks were called up for general materials handling duties during the final construction and fit-out stages of hospitality suites and visitor facilities in and around the six principal 2010 World Cup tournament venues in time to welcome thousands of fans from around the world in South Africa.

Two of the JCB Teletruks, manufactured by JCB Utility Products at its Cheadle plant in Staffordshire, England, were deployed at Soccer City, Johannesburg, the main 94,000-capacity World Cup stadium that will stage the opening games as well as the 2010 World Cup Final.

There were also two machines working at the Durban Stadium and at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium, while there was one machine on each site at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Free State Stadium at Bloemfontein and Peter Mokaba Stadium at Polokwane. All of the Teletruks were supplied by Clarklift South Africa (PTY) Ltd., the JCB Industrial dealer in South Africa.

“The tasks at the World Cup stadiums required a forklift truck that was flexible and capable of working on rough ground and the JCB Teletruk fit the bill perfectly,” said Mike Poxon, International Sales Manager for JCB Industrial. “The Teletruk provides a superior lift capacity and forward reach that extends over debris and stock piles of building materials, as well as a compact size and four wheel drive capability to handle limited working spaces and rugged site conditions.”

This is not the first time that JCB machines have been called up for World Cup duty — a 22-ton JCB JS220 tracked excavator was used in the construction of the showcase Allianz Arena in Munich — the main stadium for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and now home to FC Bayern Munich.

25 Years of Cat Certified Rebuilds Brings Multiple Lives to 5,000 Machines

For a quarter of a century, Caterpillar has been restoring pre-owned machines to like-new standards. The company initiated the Cat Certified Rebuild (CCR) Program in 1985, and this year, 2010, the 5,000th machine will be rebuilt under the program. In 2009 alone, Cat dealers worldwide completed 500 total-machine rebuilds, which, on average, cost each machine owner 40 to 50 percent less than buying a comparable new machine — even though the process involves disassembling the machine to the bare frame and then rebuilding to like-new specifications. The major structures and components of a Cat machine are designed to maintain their fundamental integrity throughout a lifetime of service, allowing the machine to be rebuilt, economically, under the strict guidelines of the CCR Program.

The long-term success of the CCR Program prompted Caterpillar to add the Certified Power Train (CPT) Program in 2001. The concept of the CPT Program is the same as that of the CCR Program, but CPT is limited to the machine power train. Most customers who opt for the power-train rebuild, however, usually have additional work performed on the machine.
The extensive CCR and CPT programs incorporate the very latest Cat technology and critical engineering updates into each machine or power train at a fraction of the cost of buying new. Only trained dealer service professionals and only Cat parts are used to complete a certified rebuild. The result is an array of proven options for Cat customers when it comes time to make the decision to repair, rebuild or replace.

Each CCR or CPT begins with a thorough inspection and evaluation of the machine and components. Testing in the CCR process (evaluation, in-process and final) involves more than 350 detailed checks, and the CPT process involves more than 200 tests. Based on evaluation testing, the Cat dealer (certified by Caterpillar to perform authorized rebuilds) then develops a customized rebuild plan for the machine, together with a cost estimate.

The CCR process includes automatic replacement of more than 7,000 parts (including wiring harnesses) and more than 3,000 parts are replaced in a power-train rebuild. Remaining parts are measured against Caterpillar strict reusability guidelines, and those not measuring up are either replaced with new or Cat Reman Parts or reconditioned to meet specifications.

A total machine rebuild includes work typically not part of an overhaul. The CCR can include procedures such as straightening and reinforcing frames, replacing worn linkage pins and shaft bearings, restoring hydraulic systems to original levels of performance, reliability and cleanliness (ISO 18/15) and replacing electronic control modules and software. Integrating significant technical enhancements, such as emissions control, is a critical aspect of the rebuild process.
New paint and a new serial number complete the CCR process.

All replacement parts carry a new parts warranty, and the like-new condition of the machine qualifies it for available Extended Power Train Coverage from Cat Insurance.

Case Rocks Out for the Troops

Case Construction continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting the U.S. Military. The equipment manufacturing giant is proud to sponsor the annual Rockin’ for the Troops concert, July 17, at Cantigny Park in Winfield, Ill., to support military families and veterans.

“As a manufacturer who provides backhoes, skid steers, wheel loaders and forklifts for the U.S. military, the support from Case for our troops runs deep,” said Pat Hunt, director, Strategic Accounts, Case Construction Equipment. “We’re proud to co-sponsor this event and aid the great work Operation Support Our Troops provides.”

Featuring entertainment from actor Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band, the Rockin’ for the Troops outdoor concert annually draws 10,000 people to Cantigny Park’s military museum in west suburban Chicago.

Operation Support Our Troops — Illinois is a volunteer-based organization that produces the fundraising event. The organization supports the Hines Veterans Health Administration Hospital and multiple military-related causes, including providing care packages for U.S. troops deployed overseas. Through its first four years, Rockin’ for the Troops raised $1.5 million on behalf of eight service organizations.

Case recently announced the production of several thousand military skid steers and compact track loaders as part of a $160 million contract with the U.S. Army TACOM that could span 10 years. The equipment is manufactured in Wichita, Kan.

Bobcat’s New Mighty Mini Digger

Digging big red chunks of Georgia-red dirt, the new 1.5-ton Bobcat compact excavator showcased its 13.9-hp diesel engine and its bucket digging force of 3,620 lbs in the open field behind the dealer lot during the Bobcat press product launch last month.

What impressed UC Managing Editor Keith Gribbins the most about the 324 was its power inside a uniquely small package. While Bobcat does make a smaller mini ex (the model 323), the 324 has a hydraulically retractable undercarriage, going from a width of just 38.6 in. (for travel through gates and doorways) to a width of 53.7 in. (for more stable performance). And even though the 324 was just one of many cool new compact products Bobcat released at its media days, it was maybe the toughest for its size.

The new excavator utilizes a redesigned work group, which allows the new Bobcat 324 compact excavator to reach farther, dig deeper and dump higher. The 324 is a cataloged as a conventional tail swing unit in the 1.5-ton operating class, but because its boom cylinder is attached to the top of the boom instead of the bottom, it has more protection from damage while digging. It also features a lighter-weight yet durable boom fabrication with cast pivot joints. As a result, the 324 offers a maximum dig depth of 8 ft 6 in., reach at ground level of 14 ft and dump height clearance of 8 ft, 8 in. — all of which are best in class.

The 13.9-hp, Tier 4 water-cooled diesel engine powers the 324 and two travel speed ranges are standard. Another super cool feature that foils the retractable undercarriage is the standard dozer blade, which features two self-storing extensions that provide a working width of 54 in. When the tracks expand and retract, so does the dozer blade. Auxiliary hydraulics with boom-mounted, flush-face quick couplers also make changing attachments easy.

The boom swing on the 324 excavator is 80 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right. Bobcat’s exclusive in-track swing frame keeps the swing castings and cylinders within the width of the tracks when digging in an offset position, helping the operator dig flush against an obstacle.

Godwin Pumps Celebrates 40 Years in the Dri-Prime Pump Industry

The John Deere Military Affairs Group has created a sentient Gator to keep the men and women that operate it out of harm’s way. It’s amazing technology that allows it to complete tasks on its own. It’s basically a UTV with a brain. Tell it to go somewhere by inputting coordinates into the computer and it goes there. Flip a switch while driving a path and it remembers the path and can drive it continuously by itself. Or pick up a Microsoft Xbox 360 controller and pilot it like your favorite racing video game. All this technology is real. And it works. It’s surreal to see a Gator driving itself.

Mark Bodwell, Worldwide Military Affairs Group Manager for John Deere, was on hand to talk about the technology at the John Deere Gator Press Event at the Carolina Adventure World in South Carolina last month. The R-Gator can use both cellular or GPS signals to map its whereabouts and find its routes. Its wireless signal works off a broadband Wi-Fi hub. The importance of the availability and ease of use of the technology was paramount, Bodwell explained.

For example, the motivation for implementing an Xbox 360 controller as the way to remotely operate the R-Gator was two fold: 1) guys play video games and it’s a much more intuitive control system for them as opposed to a complicated control scheme where you have to worry about pitches and vectors and angles and 2) if a controller breaks or isn’t working, you can pick one up for $40 at any store or grab one from a soldier’s bunk.

The R-Gator also packed on some muscle compared to its civilian counterparts. The John Deere team refined the chassis of its popular autonomous vehicle to give the go-anywhere R-Gator an independent suspension and improved ground clearance. The updated R-Gator also boasts a faster top speed, travelling up to 35 mph in manual mode.

“Since we’re always looking to improve our products, we’ve been running R-Gator exercises with soldiers and marines,” said Bodwell. “Through those exercises, we’ve come to appreciate just how important it is to be able to navigate hilly or rough terrain quickly. The improved R-Gator was developed in direct response to the military feedback we received.”
To help soldiers with their loads, John Deere and Boeing Defence UK teamed up to develop the assisted carriage system, which can support and unload 1,400 lbs of individual equipment. It is designed to carry an increased level of ready combat supplies for more effective patrolling and re-supply operations.