July 15–16, 2014
CRA Board of Directors Meeting, Lake Tahoe, CA

July 17–21, 2014
CRA RV Campout, Lake Tahoe, CA More...

August 26–27, 2014
CRA Long-Range Planning Committee Meeting, Ontario, CA

August 27, 2014
Inland & Greater LA/Orange Joint Territory Meeting, hosted by City Rentals,
Ontario, CA. Register online now!  More... 


October 15–16, 2014
CRA Board of Directors Meeting, Napa, CA


See CRA's Calendar page for more
information on our upcoming events.

 

CRA’s 2015 Equipment and Party Rental Rally Tradeshow will be held January 26-28 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the South Point Casino Hotel & Convention Center, a great venue with the convenience of having the convention center and hotel on the same property. Exhibit days are January 27-28. CRA welcomes our newest exhibitor, Kubota Tractor Corporation, and thanks our 2015 Rental Rally Exhibitors... See the list!
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Having a reliable power supply is critical on any jobsite. That’s why Kohler Co. is launching an all-new line of portable generators designed to deliver instant power virtually anywhere. The rugged line offers commercial contractors an array of fuel-efficient, customizable, easy-to-use options powered by gasoline and diesel. The nine models range from a 2.0 kW inverter to a 12.3 kW gasoline generator. Each fuel-efficient option delivers clean power – safe for even the most sophisticated electronics. They are specially designed for building contractors who depend on portable power, with numerous user-friendly features and customizable accessory kits including hand truck handle, wheelbarrow handle, lift kit, wheels, cord holder, and wireless remote.
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On July 10, 2014, the Toro Company will celebrate a rare business milestone - achieving 100 years in business. According to Michael J. Hoffman, Toro's chairman and chief executive officer, Toro attributes its remarkable longevity to "the character of our people and channel partners, and their relentless commitment to serving our customers and building market leadership through innovation." Toro's year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary provides an opportunity not only to look back on the company's notable achievements, but also to recognize the ingenuity and dedication of its employees - and to thank its channel partners and end-user customers around the world for their loyalty and trust in The Toro Company.
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A customized RX22 hydraulic breaker from Chicago Pneumatic has been chosen for use in a demanding kiln cleaning application at a leading copper mine in Chile. The rig-mounted hydraulic breaker, which is modified to withstand temperatures of over 1000°C, was supplied by specialist mining contractor Servicios Nettle Hermanos for use at the Caletones copper mining settlement operated by state-owned Chilean mining company CODELCO.
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Doosan Portable Power is taking the guesswork out of mobile generator selection with the introduction of doosanpowerfinder.com — an online generator sizing tool, designed to help customers, Doosan dealers and equipment rental businesses alike quickly and easily match Doosan generators with power demands. "Properly sizing a generator is a complicated process, but one that directly affects machine performance and uptime," says Wyatt Franks, assistant product marketing manager generators, Doosan Portable Power. "The generator sizing tool simplifies the process — identifying the right power solution within seconds, in a convenient mobile-friendly format."
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Bobcat® excavator operators will be able to grab larger, more irregular-shaped material and perform more efficient grading tasks with the new Bobcat Pro Clamp™ system. The optional Pro Clamp system will expand the Bobcat excavator clamp attachment family for M-Series models including the E32i, E32, E35i, E35, E42, E45 and E50. The Pro Clamp system consists of a base that attaches to an M-Series excavator bucket and is equipped with the pin-on adjustable standard tool or reversible grading tool. With enhanced functionality, the Pro Clamp system will add greater versatility to contractors performing applications in construction and demolition, site development, landscaping and logging operations. Both tools can be easily removed if desired to maximize visibility into trenches and provide unlimited bucket curl for reaching above truck height when loading material.
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Atlas Copco-owned Quincy Compressor LLC will consolidate the company’s two U.S.-based manufacturing units into one single location in Bay Minette, Alabama. As a consequence, 152 positions will be affected at Quincy’s operations in Illinois, and a number of new positions will be created at the Alabama location. It is estimated that the transition will be concluded in the coming 12 months. The Alabama operation best positions the company to fully leverage efficiencies and synergies, as well as further enhance the long-term commitment to the customers. Quincy Compressor, within the Compressor Technique business area, employs approximately 550 people throughout the United States in a variety of roles.
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The Ditch Witch® organization announces the release of the Ditch Witch JT9 horizontal directional drill. The 64-hp (48-kW) JT9 is the most powerful drill in its class—33 percent more powerful than the competition. Its high-performance, air-cooled Deutz® diesel engine is Tier 4, so it can provide years of reliable service without the need for an expensive upgrade. Offering 9,000 lb of pullback force in its sturdy yet compact frame, the JT9 combines the simplicity and easy operation of smaller drills with the advanced features of bigger drilling machines—like a heavy-duty anchor system, open-top vise wrenches and an integrated remote display.
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Husqvarna is celebrating 325 years of innovative engineering and products. On its founding date of April 27, Husqvarna reflects on a unique history, from weapons to robotics, constantly pushing the technological frontier. Since starting out in 1689, Husqvarna, now part of Husqvarna Group, has manufactured a wide range of quality products. Excellent engineering skills, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for quality products has led to innovative solutions that has successfully taken the company from weapons, via sewing machines, stoves and motorcycles to today’s cutting-edge outdoor power products.
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As the source for comprehensive benchmark reporting in the rental industry, Rouse Analytics’ Rental Metrics Benchmark Service provides rental companies with a detailed analysis of their position in the rental market compared to their peers. Analyzing company data, they deliver monthly comparisons of key performance metrics, which enable rental companies to make better-informed business decisions. While some of these metrics have been within the Point-of-Rental® software for years, and others are similar to what Point-of-Rental provides, comparing numbers to other rental companies in a store’s region is an additional advantage Rouse offers. To satisfy any Point-of-Rental customers that may want all the metrics and marketplace comparisons available through Rouse’s Rental Metrics Benchmark Service, Point-of-Rental has created an optional module which integrates with Rouse Analytics. Rouse reports all metrics in accordance with ARA guidelines.
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Dedicated to offering customers the most cutting-edge equipment and jobsite solutions on the market, John Deere upgrades three models on the successful G-Series excavator line. The models – 250G LC, 350G LC and 380G LC – are equipped with a powerful Final Tier 4 engine and meet the strictest emissions standards, providing customers with higher productivity, increased uptime, and lower daily operating costs.
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Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has signed California Chamber of Commerce-supported legislation that will help small employers control their health care costs. SB 1446 (DeSaulnier; D-Concord, Chapter 84) allows small employers that renewed their health coverage in 2013 to extend their pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care policies through December 31, 2015. In March 2014, President Barack Obama announced that, with state authorization, small businesses would be allowed to continue renewing pre-ACA health coverage through 2016 and those plans would remain in force until fall 2017. The change to California law allows small employers in California to take advantage of the first year of the extension announced by the President. The extended transitional period will give small employers more time to prepare to bear the costs associated with plans that fully comply with the ACA, minimizing the potentially negative impacts this new burden could have on the continuing economic recovery.

 

The California Chamber of Commerce is encouraging interested parties to join the Heat Illness Prevention Coalition as it prepares to voice concerns about draft revisions to California’s unique heat illness prevention regulations. The coalition believes the proposal will hurt employers and won’t create safer outdoor workplaces in California. California adopted the first heat illness prevention regulation in the nation in 2005 and remains the only state to regulate the prevention of heat illness.
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The following list summarizes top priority bills for the California Chamber of Commerce and their status as of July 12, when the Senate began its summer recess (the Assembly began its summer recess on July 3). Within each subject area, the list presents bills in order of priority with the highest priorities at the top. The CalChamber will publish a second status report in September, showing the status of priority legislation when the Legislature begins its interim recess on September 13. October 13 is the last day for the Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature on or before September 13. The CalChamber will publish its final status report, showing the ultimate fate of bills sent to the Governor this year, in October. Bills signed by the Governor will become law on January 1, 2014. Urgency and budget-related measures go into effect immediately upon being signed. Each fall, the CalChamber also publishes a record of legislators’ votes on key bills affecting the California business climate. Generally, the bills selected for the vote record have appeared in one of the status reports. This year’s vote record is scheduled to be published on November 8. (Federal bills are marked with an *.)
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Escalating violence in Iraq pushed North Sea Brent crude oil prices to a nine-month high of $115 per barrel (bbl) on June 19. Prices have since fallen to $107/bbl as of July 9, as continued Iraqi crude oil exports have lessened market concerns about an imminent supply disruption. However, the escalation of violence in northern Iraq that started in June has introduced significant uncertainty into the Iraq oil production outlook. In the July Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts Iraqi crude production to average near 3.1-3.2 million barrels per day (bbl/d) throughout the forecast period, which runs through 2015. Compared to the June STEO forecast, EIA has reduced Iraqi production growth in both 2014 and 2015 to take into account recent events, lowering total production by 0.6 million barrels per day (bbl/d) by December 2015. In the updated forecast, monthly Iraqi crude production is not expected to exceed its recent level of 3.3 million bbl/d through the end of 2015.
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A recent Sacramento Business Journal article stated that California now ranks as the world’s eighth-largest economy, the gains driven by technology, tourism, trade and the resurgence of construction. The Golden State now falls behind Brazil but in front of Russia and Italy. California saw a turnaround of construction last year as well as increased agriculture and exports of ag products, according to the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy. The state economy grew by 2 percent in 2013, narrowly outpacing the growth of the U.S average.
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Tom Del Beccaro, former Chairman of the California Republican Party, expressed his opinion of how a responsible government should handle California's drought in a recent post on foxandhoundsdaily.com. Del Beccaro states that to combat the current drought, the California Water Resources Board is proposing to fine citizens they call "water hogs" $500 per day. He thinks that instead of fining helpless consumers, California’s government should increase water supplies.
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The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Newer heavier trucks and buses must meet PM filter requirements beginning January 1, 2012. Lighter and older heavier trucks must be replaced starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent. The regulation applies to nearly all privately and federally owned diesel fueled trucks and buses and to privately and publicly owned school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds.

The 15-Day Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text is now available. These modifications extend the compliance date for the second truck in the small fleet option, revise the new option for fleets that cannot afford to comply, modify the requirements for cattle livestock trucks, and include other minor modifications. The deadline to submit public comments is July 17, 2014.
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The Truck and Bus Regulation will reduce diesel exhaust emissions from privately owned and federal government diesel trucks and buses. Privately and publicly owned school buses have different requirements and do not need to be reported. This CARB site has the Truck Regulations Upload and Compliance Reporting System (TRUCRS).

2014 Opt-in Period for Work Truck Option Ends on July 31. The CARB Board approved amendments to replace the low mileage construction truck extension with a new Low Mileage Work Truck Option that allows a higher mileage limit and has an expanded definition. Owners that have work trucks that meet the expanded definition and will operate less than 20,000 miles in 2014 may retroactively claim the Low Mileage Work Truck extension by reporting no later than July 31, 2014.
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Owners or Operators of portable engines and certain other types of equipment can register their units under the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) in order to operate their equipment throughout California without having to obtain individual permits from local air districts.

Portable Diesel Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure
On January 1, 2013, the Portable Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) fleet emission standards went into effect. The ATCM required owners of portable engines to submit a Fleet Compliance Report to the Air Resources Board by March 1, 2013. The next Fleet Compliance Report will be due March 1, 2017.

Changes to Fleets
The ATCM also requires owners to ensure the average PM emission level for their fleet does not fall out of compliance due to changes in the fleet. Owners of portable diesel engine fleets who are adding or removing engines are strongly encouraged to re-calculate their fleet average. Other changes, such as modifying a registration to be low-use or emergency only-use can also affect the fleet emissions average.
We recommended that once you have completed the calculator, save it and update it any time your portable fleet changes. Diesel engine owners submitting applications for PERP registration for the first time must include a Fleet Compliance Report. This includes transfer of existing registrations for engines you have purchased.

Effective July 1, 2014 - For initial registration into PERP, all diesel engines must meet the following certification tier levels:
• 50 to 74 bhp - Final Tier 4
• 75 to 174 bhp - Interim Tier 4
• 175 to 750 bhp - Final Tier 4
• Over 750 bhp - Interim Tier 4
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On July 26, 2007, the Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a regulation to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from in-use (existing) off-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in California.

What's New? (posted April 29, 2014)
Fleet Average Calculator for Medium Fleets has been made available for public use. The Medium Fleet Average Calculator is for medium-sized off-road fleets (2,501 to 5,000 total horsepower), and covers all compliance years. The calculator has also been updated with additional features to better aid large fleet owners in planning out their compliance strategies. Fleet owners utilizing the calculator are advised to first read the revised User Guide in order to familiarize themselves with the calculator.
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The ARB's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program were adopted into law in 1988 to control excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. The regulations Title 13 CCR, sections 2180-2189 for HDVIP and Title 13 CCR, sections 2190-2194 for PSIP, which govern these programs, were last amended in 2013.

The HDVIP program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering and for engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Tests are performed by ARB inspection teams at border crossings, CHP weigh stations, fleet facilities and randomly selected roadside locations. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation.
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This area of the Off-Road Mobile Sources website pertains to off-road large spark-ignition (LSI) equipment greater than 25 horsepower, including farm, construction and industrial equipment, powered by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other alternate fuels. Typical applications that use LSI engines include forklifts, specialty vehicles, airport service vehicles, large turf care equipment, portable generators and a wide array of other agricultural, construction and general industrial equipment. The U.S. EPA has sole authority to control new farm and construction equipment under 175 horsepower.
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The small off-road engine (SORE) category consists of off-road spark-ignition engines below 25 horsepower, including small utility equipment, lawn mowers and weed trimmers. This category does not include compression-ignition engines, watercraft or recreational vehicles. The following includes general information regarding small off-road engines and ARB's SORE program:
Small Off-Road Engines Fact Sheet and Certification Guidelines - Online access to relevant certification documents for manufacturers.
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All diesel-fueled trucks, buses, trailers and transportation refrigeration units operating in California, including those based out of state, have requirements to reduce air pollution and improve the state's overall air quality.

See the new 2014 Reporting Guide!
The Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance, and Reporting System (TRUCRS) and the Online Reporting Guide were recently updated. Also, see more information for:

Course #521: How to Comply with the Truck and Bus Regulation.
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In December 2011 major amendments to the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation, which include delaying the first compliance date to no earlier than January 1, 2014, became effective. The changes to the regulation are reflected in the fact sheets, advisories and answers to frequently asked questions available on the Knowledge Center for the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation web page.
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Driving Toward a Cleaner California (DTCC) is a coalition of owner-operators, farmers, construction contractors and other business and community leaders committed to working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to craft a sensible truck and bus replacement rule that both cleans the air and keeps California's economy moving forward. However, we have to apologize -- with a high volume of news, we have been overwhelmed with keeping up with the latest industry news. Our staff will be working on getting you the latest updates. In the meantime, you may also visit our sister affiliate site for the latest on CARB, AB32, and any related news to the industry. Click on "Learn More" to access this site.
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