The Contractor's Best Friend

We know that our trade is one of the riskiest industries from a safety standpoint. What if we remove the human element from harm’s way? How do we create a solution for the skilled labor shortage? Is it operating equipment without people? Brad and the subject matter experts discuss how Caterpillar has evolved the progression of their equipment on the jobsite and what the future might hold. Listen n...

Get ready to sharpen your pencils and lower operating cost with Brad, Lonnie and Jason. The team discusses how to utilize the data machines are gathering and how to generate reporting with the Vision Link App. Brad and the Caterpillar subject matter experts talk about understanding what reports are vital to profitability and how you, as a contractor, can become even more competitive in the industr...

Not all filters are created equal. Brad, Lonnie and Jason will discuss how to maintain your fleet for optimal usage. You’ll learn about Caterpillar’s newest technologies such as CAT inspect app, how to utilize your team effectively, and how to reduce maintenance cost. You don’t want to miss this episode, take a listen now! Moderated by: Brad Humphrey, The Contractor’s Best Friend, Pinnacle Develop...

What are the benefits of Compaction Technology on the jobsite? Can I ask for a demonstration or test drive with my Caterpillar dealer? What type of read outs do I see on the display? The team answers all these questions and takes a deeper dive into the topic of Compaction Technology. What are you waiting for? Take a listen now! Moderated by: Brad Humphrey, The Contractor’s Best Friend, Pinnacle De...

The Compaction Process is a big topic on the jobsite. It can attribute 5% of total cost of value stream and is the most important process. In part one of this two-part podcast, you’ll learn about two types of Intelligent Compaction Caterpillar offers and how these technologies will help eliminate rework. The team will help you say goodbye to old techniques and educate you on new technologies of In...

Every company wants it, a highly trained operator that can get the job done well. In this episode the team shares the training opportunities and resources they recommend to turn a rookie operator into a seasoned pro. You’ll learn about Caterpillar’s immersive virtual reality simulator for equipment training, along with the other tools they offer contractors and dealers to help create a winning tea...

The #1 problem amongst contractors is labor, with a shortage of over 1 million workers in the industry. In episode three, Brad and Caterpillar experts, Lonnie and Jason, address how to find AND keep labor, as well as how to attract millennials to your company. They spill the beans on millennials being the generation of engagement and the training techniques needed to keep them. Listen now! Moderat...

Choosing the right machine to match your job’s mission is no easy task. Subject matter experts Jason, Lonnie and Brad dive deeper into decision making during part two of the two-part episode. Jason spills what equipment you should be looking at in the quarry and mining industry and which products to invest in, while Lonnie takes you through the graduation of equipment in construction, explaining t...

Don’t waste costs by bidding the wrong machine for the job. Many contractors believe one size fits all when it comes to machines and base decisions and costs off old equipment and dated knowledge. The ‘A-team’ brings you up-to-speed on the considerations you should be making when looking at new purchases, the top measurements worth tracking to get the most out of equipment, and common things contr...

Keeping the conversation going, Brad Humphrey chats with the Caterpillar team of experts, Jason Hurdis and Lonnie Fritz, about both employee AND jobsite safety. You’ll hear all about future safety improvements coming down the pipeline, along with tips and tricks for implementing safety as a priority in the workplace. Plus, Caterpillar shares how they have continued to be proactive to safety proced...

As you’ve probably heard before, safety is always #1 and it has come a long way within the construction industry. Brad Humphrey and Caterpillar’s Jason Hurdis and Lonnie Fritz, give you the low down on how safety affects company culture, how to engage employees in safety practices, and why you should hold employees accountable. From rearview cameras to backup sensors, technology advancements in sa...

When should you start forecasting the equipment needed for your fleet? How can you include dealers in your strategic planning for the future? What to prepare for when renting equipment? Brad and the Caterpillar team, Jason Hurdis and Carey Nicholson, tackle all these questions in part two of How to Make Smart Planning Choices. Hear it from the best as they uncover everything you need to know about...

Looking to add to your equipment fleet? Brad Humphrey and Caterpillar experts, Jason Hurdis and Carey Nicholson, bring you the dirt on renting vs. buying equipment. The team explains key considerations when making equipment acquisition decisions, including project size and depreciation. Do you buy new, used, or rent your jobsite equipment? Listen to decide which choice is smart for your business....

Join Brad Humphrey, and the Caterpillar team -- Lonnie Fritz, Jason Hurdis, and Scott Hagemann, in part two of technology and the future of your business. Hear their projections of technological developments within the next 3-5 years, as well as maintenance and upgrade costs and how they will impact the construction industry. Maintenance of equipment is a huge talking point during this episode as...

Understand how technology will impact your business’s growth and how to plan accordingly, with this new episode of The Contractor’s Best Friend Podcast. Part one covers the business mindset as technology continues to be a top priority on the worksite. The Caterpillar experts (Lonnie Fritz, Jason Hurdis, and Scott Hagemann) discuss the key to longevity, telematics, and operational efficiency. Addre...

In the second part of the two-part episode, Brad and Caterpillar experts: Lonnie Fritz, Jason Hurdis, and Scott Hagemann, talk about how an owner can use technology to retain employees at their company. From equipment simulators to giving operators ownership by painting their names on equipment doors, the group dives into the tried and true concepts used to keep employees and understand your team....

Covering a hot topic in the industry, Brad and the Caterpillar team (Lonnie Fritz, Jason Hurdis, and Scott Hagemann) come together again for an episode on how technology retains employees. They focus on implementing training technology through apps and equipment screens to provide operators with accessible information at their fingertips, resulting in empowered workers! Struggling to engage younge...

Continuing the topic of millennials, Brad speaks with Lonnie Fritz, Jason Hurdis, and Scott Hagemann from Caterpillar, on training and retaining millennials in the industry. Millennials ask ‘why’ questions to learn the bigger picture and expect touchpoints to keep them engaged, make sure you exhibit the ‘reasons for loyalty’ so millennials stay with your company! Bonus: learn how one contractor us...

In the first part of Millennials in the Workplace, Brad and Caterpillar experts, Lonnie Fritz, Jason Hurdis, and Scott Hagemann, share how to prepare for millennials on the jobsite. They touch on the apps Caterpillar has created to aid in training millennials and the digital solutions they have provided. You'll also learn the importance of teaching how things fit together on the jobsite for employ...

Drones continue in the second part of Drones & Jobsite Management. As Brad and the Caterpillar team dig deeper into the topic of drones, they uncover drone flying tips and planning your missions. Lonnie and Jason explain how Caterpillar uses drones in their fully implemented training course on road construction, as well as the kind of person to look for as your drone operator. You’ll never guess w...

Brad and Caterpillar experts, Lonnie Fritz and Jason Hurdis, kickoff the podcast series with a trending topic in the construction industry, drones! They explain in detail the evolving uses for drones on a jobsite – from site evaluations to measuring and capturing data for site estimates to promotional videos and photos of projects to help market your business. Caterpillar experts explain the cost...