#ConstructionLife 5/6

5 Things You Need to Inspect When Buying a Used Excavator

RALPH COPE

Apr 22, 20213 min read

5 Things You Need to Inspect When Buying a Used Excavator

Used excavators are pricey and represent a large capital outlay. Here are five things you need to look at before pulling the trigger. #1...

6 Signs that the South African Economy is Moving Faster than Expected Lead by the Mining Sector

RALPH COPE

Apr 15, 20213 min read

6 Signs that the South African Economy is Moving Faster than Expected Lead by the Mining Sector

It is easy to get locked into the downward spiral of negative news in South Africa but here are a few signs to indicate that important...

Outlook for the South African Construction Industry

RALPH COPE

Apr 14, 20214 min read

Outlook for the South African Construction Industry

The construction sector was the worst-performing sector in 2020 contracting 20.3%. Statistics SA data shows that the civil industry...

Is Operating Heavy Equipment the Career for You?

RALPH COPE

Apr 7, 20213 min read

Is Operating Heavy Equipment the Career for You?

There is high demand for heavy equipment operators in South Africa and throughout the world. A quick Google search indicated that on...

Track versus Wheel Excavators - which is Best?

RALPH COPE

Apr 6, 20212 min read

Track versus Wheel Excavators - which is Best?

In this blog, we are going to throw two heavyweights into the ring and let them slug it out to see which machine is best. In the...

4 Ways to Lower Operating Costs in Earthmoving

RALPH COPE

Mar 26, 20213 min read

4 Ways to Lower Operating Costs in Earthmoving

There is one business maxim that is pretty much universal: the more you spend, the less you make. Many businesses focus on chasing...

Keys to the Safe Operation of Heavy Machinery

RALPH COPE

Feb 8, 20212 min read

Keys to the Safe Operation of Heavy Machinery

When you operate and work around heavy machinery, you are well-advised to have a healthy respect for these monsters. Whether you are...

RALPH COPE

Feb 4, 20213 min read

The Seven Different Types of Excavators

Excavators are large, often yellow, earthmovers that stand out in the crows on account of their buckets, booms, swiveling cabs, and...

4 Reasons You Should Repair Your Machinery With Used Parts

RALPH COPE

Jan 28, 20212 min read

4 Reasons You Should Repair Your Machinery With Used Parts

Replacing heavy equipment components can be tough on the wallet, especially when it comes to brand new equipment. However, like cars,...

TLB vs. Excavator: Which Machine Is Best for Your Project?

RALPH COPE

Jan 14, 20213 min read

TLB vs. Excavator: Which Machine Is Best for Your Project?

Some people have difficulty differentiating between a TLB and an excavator. To start off, let's explain the differences. What Is a TLB?...

4 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Heavy Machinery

RALPH COPE

Jan 8, 20212 min read

4 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Heavy Machinery

Any investment in heavy machinery represents an important capital outlay. In order for this machinery to continue being a productive...

Quick Guide to Transporting Heavy Machinery and Parts

RALPH COPE

Nov 18, 20202 min read

Quick Guide to Transporting Heavy Machinery and Parts

The transport of heavy equipment is a complicated exercise that requires close attention to the safety of the machinery and the people...

How To Stay Safe when Operating Heavy Equipment

RALPH COPE

Nov 17, 20202 min read

How To Stay Safe when Operating Heavy Equipment

Any site on which heavy equipment is stored or operated is inherently dangerous on account of the pure size and weight of the equipment....

Understanding the Tax Implications on Operating Leases in South Africa

RALPH COPE

Nov 9, 20202 min read

Understanding the Tax Implications on Operating Leases in South Africa

The objective of this blog is to understand the difference between input and output VAT on operating leases in South Africa, and the tax...

Accounting for Leases in South Africa after Jan 2019

RALPH COPE

Nov 3, 20202 min read

Accounting for Leases in South Africa after Jan 2019

In the past, the accounting treatment of operating and capital leases was very different. In short, operating leases were off-balance...

Understanding the Leasing of Heavy Equipment

RALPH COPE

Nov 3, 20205 min read

Understanding the Leasing of Heavy Equipment

In 2013 I ran the New York marathon for a charity that provides free financial education to the Mexican community living in New York. The...

Six Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Fuel Bill

RALPH COPE

Nov 2, 20203 min read

Six Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Fuel Bill

Any business operating heavy machinery knows that their fuel bill makes up a big chunk of their total monthly expenses. The objective of...

Three Ways to Reduce Maintenance Costs on Heavy Machinery

RALPH COPE

Nov 2, 20202 min read

Three Ways to Reduce Maintenance Costs on Heavy Machinery

Keeping costs under control in any business is a good strategy. In the heavy machine industry, one of the single biggest expenses...

3 Reasons You Should NEVER Pay Cash for Your Heavy Equipment

RALPH COPE

Nov 2, 20203 min read

3 Reasons You Should NEVER Pay Cash for Your Heavy Equipment

In business, there are three things you should always do without thinking. Firstly, manage your cash. Secondly, talk to your customers...

RALPH COPE

Nov 1, 20204 min read

Should You Rent or Buy Heavy Equipment?

The world's concept of ownership is changing. South African companies have traditionally purchased yellow metal equipment outright. There...