More contractors are opting to simply farm out equipment care. The firm instead uses its technicians to monitor equipment, while repairs are shunted to local dealers. Some customers are pushing to leverage lots of business into better outsourcing deals. I'm telling 'Mother Cat' that I want a national deal. These come with warranties similar to those for new parts, but often at half the price.
Engines get the most high-tech treatment.
Parts are checked with diagnostic tools normally found in race car shops, such as a dynometer and fuel injection test bench. Some dealers, such as Binder Machinery Corp., which sells Komatsu equipment in Plainfield, N.J., test both reman and contractor-rebuilt parts. For firms looking to shed most equipment responsibilities, Walker cites nearly 60 contract labor firms, including Bechtel Leasing Services Inc., Morrison Knudsen Corp. and H.B. Zachry Co., that provide on-site equipment management and maintenance.