August 28, 2015
First Annual CRA Golf Tournament, Corona, CA More...


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

 

Skyjack kicked off its celebration around the company's 30th business anniversary at The Rental Show, hosted annually by the American Rental Association. As part of the celebration, Skyjack is launching 30 FOR 30 PARTNERS, a charitable campaign in which the company is searching for 30 worthwhile projects, spread across the world, that would benefit from the use of a Skyjack machine or, potentially, some other kind of support such as parts supplies or repairs. These machines plus the assistance would be supplied through Skyjack customers, with Skyjack covering the costs of up to $2,500 per project.
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JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a leading global manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic material handlers, launched its 53-foot rough-terrain scissor lift at the 2015 Rental Show in New Orleans, February 23-25. JLG’s 5394RT is a high-capacity scissor lift that lets operators place more personnel, tools and materials in the platform for more productive shifts.
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Bobcat's M-Series loaders feature three control system options: basic, advanced and selectable joystick controls. To view a video about the company's M-Series loaders, click on "Learn More."
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As the pioneer in the compact utility category, The Toro Company is pleased to introduce the newest and most powerful Dingo® to their lineup - the Toro® Dingo® TX 1000. The newest member of the Dingo family has a rated operating capacity exceeding 1,000 lb, which is the strongest in the category. When the loader arms are fully extended, the hinge pin measures an impressive 81 inches from the ground to allow the TX 1000 to easily reach over the side of dumpsters and one-ton trucks to maximize jobsite productivity.
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Vermeer has introduced the SC40TX stump cutter, featuring a first-of-its-kind ride-on platform providing speed, maneuverability and operator comfort. The SC40TX is the first stump cutter on the market with a stand-on platform to drive the machine. Compared with traditional self-propelled stump grinders, operators will be able to maneuver the machine from stump to stump faster. A counter-rotating track undercarriage also enhances maneuverability by making it easier to reposition when cutting a stump, which greatly benefits straight-line cutting dimensions. The tracks also offer good floatation and the ability to operate in less-than-ideal ground conditions.
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Graco Inc. recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of the stock of High Pressure Equipment (HiP) company for $160 million. HiP is a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of valves, fittings, and other flow control equipment engineered to perform in ultra-high pressure environments, from 10,000 to 150,000 psi. HiP also maintains an engineering and production base in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire U.K.
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The Ditch Witch organization introduces the SK850 footings machine, which is designed to create trenches up to 16 inches (41 cm) wide and up to 36 inches (91 cm) deep for slab construction on residential and commercial jobsites. With its specialized, heavy-duty chain and Tier 4, 37-hp (27.6-kW) diesel engine, the SK850 footings machine creates cleaner, more consistent trenches than an excavator can, and in less time. The machine is more compact than an excavator, so it can be more productive in tight jobsites. Plus, it can trench from either a centerline or offset position, so the operator can dig right up to the backer board. With 43 inches (109 cm) of track on ground, the SK850 footings machine also has the stability to effectively cross-trench.
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Point-of-Rental® Software and Positek RFID together announce the first fully integrated RFID solution for inventory management software in the rental industry. By integrating Positek RFID with Point-of-Rental inventory management software, asset counts are automated, giving businesses the unique ability to update inventory based on RFID scans. Applying this technology to the linen business, Prime Time Party Rental, a longtime Point-of-Rental customer located in Dayton, Ohio, served as the beta-test site for the new service.
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As Kubota Tractor Corporation continues to enter new markets and experience steady growth in the United States, it is expanding the roles of several of its senior leaders. The changes are effective immediately and reflect the company’s vision of strategic, customer-focused product and market expansion. "We have big goals and big plans that will require all members of our company to take on even bigger responsibilities," said Mr. Masato Yoshikawa, president and CEO, Kubota Tractor Corporation. "With that, it is critical that we have strong senior leaders in place to guide the company vision."
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Multiquip is pleased to announce the MQ RAMMAX 1575 Articulated Trench Roller is now available with removable drum extensions. "Our customers have told us the MQ Rammax RX1575 offers superior performance and productivity," said Torsten Erbel, the vice president for product management, engineering and support, for Multiquip. "We improved the roller by adding an option for drum extensions in addition to our standard 24" and 33" drum options." The remote-controlled RX1575 delivers the compaction performance that contractors expect from MQ Rammax products. The roller has two vibration settings; high, producing 16,860 pounds of centrifugal force, and low, producing 8,430 pounds. This enables the operator to adapt performance to suit the job’s soil and lift conditions.
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Doosan Portable Power, beginning with the P185 T4F air compressor, will begin integrating Doosan engines into its product lineup, enhancing machine performance, productivity and lifespan. Development of the Doosan engine-equipped machines is a collaboration between Doosan Portable Power and parent company Doosan, which has 50 years of engine-building experience, developing engines across several industries for construction and industrial equipment, power plants, ships and automobiles.
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The California Landscape Contractors Association is pleased to announce that the application for LEAF scholarships is now available online. Since 1972, the California Landscape Contractors Association's Auxiliary has been offering scholarships to college and university students majoring in landscape-related programs. In 1988, the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF) was formed to carry on the tradition of awarding financial aid to deserving students.
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The California Chamber of Commerce and a large coalition of small businesses, trade associations and local chambers are supporting a bill that promotes using a scientific exposure assessment when deciding whether to warn under Proposition 65. The bill, AB 543 (Quirk; D-Hayward), provides businesses with greater confidence in the utility of conducting scientific exposure assessments by stating that a business does not "knowingly and intentionally" expose individuals to Proposition 65-listed chemicals and thus need not provide a warning if the exposure assessment meets certain requirements.
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The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that in recent weeks, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for near-term delivery declined relative to the price for longer-dated deliveries, deepening the contango in the Nymex WTI futures market. At the same time, the contango in the ICE Brent futures market lessened as the price of near-term Brent crude oil prices rose. In January, global crude oil production continued to exceed demand, resulting in rising inventories and downward pressure on near-term prices for both WTI and Brent. Since then, changes in regional market dynamics, including planned and unplanned refinery maintenance in the United States and increased refinery utilization in Europe, have caused changes in the structure of futures price curves for WTI and Brent and in the spread between the spot prices of the two benchmark crudes. U.S. commercial crude inventories are at a near record level in absolute terms.
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A March 11 article on Fox&Hounds Daily by Michael Bernick, former California Employment Development Department director & Milken Institute fellow, commented on state and federal jobs reports issued on March 6 showing strong job gains with weak wage growth. Both reports showed that job gains were strong, but were being accompanied by weak wage growth; many jobs are being created and/or sustained, but they are not good-paying jobs.
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Q: I heard that there is a new extension available that delays compliance until 2018, is this true?
A: No. However, the Board approved an option that, in specific situations, could delay compliance for up to three trucks until January 1, 2017 for owners that can demonstrate they are financially unable to comply. This option is called the Economic Hardship Extension. The Economic Hardship Extension is a last resort for fleets that were out of compliance for 2014 and have exhausted all of their compliance options. Fleet owners will need to prove they are financially unable to comply with rule requirements.
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The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. 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.

What's New: The Truck and Bus Reporting System Updated for 2015 Compliance Options (December 18, 2014): The Truck and Bus regulation reporting system and the Online Reporting Guide have been updated to include 2015 compliance requirements and options.
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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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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).

The reporting period for 2015 compliance closed January 31, 2015. Vehicle owners that already reported will need to update their vehicle and owner information as it changes. If you bought or sold vehicles from your fleet, installed filters or upgraded engines on any of your vehicles you must report that information within 30 days of the change. If you reported for a mileage-based extensions such as the low-mileage construction truck extension, the agricultural vehicle extension or the low-use exemption, you must report your vehicle's January 1 odometer reading by January 31 each year. Also, if you sell a vehicle that was using the extension, then you must report the ending odometer reading.
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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.

CRITICAL ENGINE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
June 30, 2015: This will be the last day ARB will accept initial registration applications for Interim Tier 4 engines rated 75 bhp and above.

Effective July 1, 2015: For initial registration into PERP, all diesel engines must meet the Final Tier 4 certification tier level or be a Flex engine certified under the flexibility provisions of Federal 40 CFR 1039.625, or CFR 89.102, or California Code of Regulations section 2423 (d). The PERP eligibility requirements take effect six months after the federal and CARB non-road engine emission standards for engine manufacturers change.
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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.

Posted December 8, 2014: Fleet Average Calculator for Small Fleets has been made available for public use. The Small Fleet Average Calculator is for small-sized off-road fleets (2,500 or less total horsepower), and covers all compliance years. The calculator is available here. Fleet owners utilizing the calculator are advised to first read the User Guide in order to familiarize themselves with the calculator.
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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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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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