11 MUST-HAVE TOOLBOX ESSENTIALS FOR EVERY HOMEOWNER

Do you need to fix some furniture? Your son’s bike breaks down and needs to be repaired? The wife wants to replace a shower head in the bath or you need to mount shelves to a wall, fix a leaky faucet, or just stop the kitchen table from wobbling? And do you always have to go to someone else to take care of your handyman needs? As the DIYer of the house, one must be self-reliant. He should have the tools and know-how to tackle basic projects around the house. There is so much satisfaction that comes with doing it yourself.

If you are the man-of-the-house who never got around to stocking a tool box, here are 11 items that we think every tool box should have. Our recommendations are basic and by no means comprehensive. And of course, you can get the tool box and all these quality tools and lots more at your favourite store -  Rayneau.  Our top brand tools make a great difference and will last a life time.

Hammer

Hammers are a toolbox workhorse. Go for a classic 16-ounce hammer.  It’s heavy enough for most basic home repair needs. Skip wood-handled hammers – go for something that has a long-lasting synthetic handle or a solid steel handle. Our hammers have good balance and are not head heavy.

Our pick: Stanley 51-110 16 oz Curved Claw Jacketed Fiberglass Nail Hammer. You may also choose one from the brand, Mintcraft

Screwdrivers

Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers are needed for most jobs, especially if you have a few loose screws. In addition to driving screws flathead screw drivers can be improvised for light prying, scrapping and nudging. Phillips screws have pretty much replace flathead screw, so make sure you have a set of Phillips screw drivers in your box. You can also elevate  your screwdriver game with a  ratcheting screwdriver.

Our Pick: The 8-piece CushionGrip™ screwdriver set. Other brands: Mintcraft, and Toolbasix

Pliers

To save you from all kinds of crises –over tightening of nuts etc or while doing it yourselfies, must haves are pairs of slip-join and long-nose pliers - an essential electrician’s tool, long-nose pliers are good for any household project which requires you to cut, bend, grip, or strip wire. 

Vise-grip pliers come in handy when you need an extra hand but only have your own two mitts to work with. Vise grip pliers are pliers that can lock in place.   They hold tight while you do that DIY thing. They are versatile tools that can be used as pliers, a pipe wrench, an adjustable wrench, wire cutters, a ratchet, or a clamp.

Our pick: Stanley Pliers Set, 4-Piece Other top brand: Mintcraft

Tape Measure

A 25 foot retractable metal measuring tape is also a must, as projects and households items - such as televisions - continue to grow in size. Whatever DIY you do, measurements are essential. Lengths have to be measured and cut, and areas have to be worked out when purchasing materials. Woodwork, flooring, fencing, decking, brickwork, fitting kitchens etc. the list really is endless

Our pick: The Stanley Fat Max Blade Armour - 30'. Other brands include Trademaster and Mintcraft

Handsaw

Even in this age of power tools, the traditional handsaw has many uses. It’s quiet, portable, easy to use, requires no electrical power, and can finish more than a few jobs the basic hand-held circular saw cannot. It’s also inexpensive and poses little risk to little hands. A 10- or 12-tooth crosscut saw of 22 inches is a good basic saw that can also rip a board if necessary.

Our pick: The Stanley General Purpose Saw - 22in. Other brands in stock are Toolbasix, Mintcraft, Nicholson and Erwin

Cordless Drill

A good cordless drill is an essential tool to have in your toolbox. It can be used for drilling holes into sheetrock or driving screws into a 2×4. When choosing a cordless drill, you want one with lots of power, which is measured by the amount of voltage in its battery. You can get drills that have batteries that go up to 18v.

Our pick: The Makita HP457DWE 18V Li-Ion Cordless Drill Driver+2 Batteries

Wrenches

An adjustable, crescent wrench is like having 50 wrenches in one. You'll need one to tighten nuts and bolts and loosen plumbing fixtures. When you have a large project that requires you to tighten and loosen a bunch of nuts and bolts, it’s time to put aside the crescent wrench and reach for its more efficient brother. The socket wrench’s ratcheting mechanism allows you to tighten a nut without having to remove and refit the wrench after each and every turn.

Our choices: The Stanley 10 in Chrome Adjustable Wrench and The Stanley16 pc Socket and Ratchet Set. Other brands in stock are Mintcraft and KC.

Level

If you want to hang anything, or build a frame and check the posts are straight you'll need a level to check everything goes up straight. While a 9 inch level will do the trick, if you see yourself tackling larger projects in the future you should grab the 24 inch level. To get the job done right the first time, you need to use a level.

Our choice: Stanley STHT42496 24-Inch Box Level, Non-Magnetic. Other brands in stock are Johnson, Trademaster and Empire

Utility Knife

While it may not be the most exciting of the tools, your utility knife will never be found gathering dust at the bottom of your toolbox. Every project always provides plenty of things to cut and scrape, hundreds of tasks that cry out for the utility knife’s super sharp blade. There are plenty of brands and styles available. Tip: be sure to always keep a few replacement blades on-hand.

Our brand: Mintcraft

Torch Light

The fact is you won’t often need a torch. But when you do, there’s nothing more annoying than a torch that doesn’t work -  when the lights go out unexpectedly, when an object rolls under a heavy piece of furniture, or when you hear a ruckus in your yard in the middle of the night. The right torch is one that provides adequate light for the intended job, in a beam pattern that is also suitable.

Our brand: Proline

Toolbox 

You will need a tool box to help keep everything together. Otherwise, some of your tools will end up in a junk drawer, others will be in the basement, and the rest will be scattered elsewhere. A tool box, even an inexpensive plastic one, will help keep everything in one place. As your tool collection grows, so should the size of your tool box.

Our choice: The Stanley 2-lid Organizer Toolbox

Did we leave any tools off the list that you think should be in every DIYer’s toolbox. We don’t expect everyone to agree with our recommendations and welcome you to share your own opinions in the comment section, below

 Pay us a visit at our Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch for all your lawn and garden products. Visit our website here.  We’re always happy to serve you #ShopRayneau #EverythingUnderOneRoof.

THE HYUNDAI HX220S - A MORE RELIABLE WAY TO REACH YOUR DREAM

Rayneau Rentals & Sales' new Hyundai HX220S crawler excavator has been developed with a robust structure for:-

• High power, 
• Fuel efficient 
• Fast cycle speeds 
• Precision control. 

Typical applications include construction, digging trenches, holes or foundations, road works, materials handling and laying pipes, as well as moving earth, demolition, or dredging.

“The value of the new HX220. lies in its durability and high productivity. We are impressed with the robust and safe structural design of this machine," our General Manager, of Rayneau Rentals & Sales Savvy Gajadhar says.

Engine

The Hyundai 6BTAA-5.9(HM5.9) engine has been designed with 40% fewer parts than the competition. The weight of the machine is reduced without sacrificing strength. You get a proven power plant that meets ecological concerns, without paying a premium for technology you don’t need.  The six cylinders, turbo-charged, 4 cycle, charger air

cooled engine is built for power, reliability, economy and low emissions

As soon as you step in the cabin of the HX220S, you’re in a different world. Every detail has been planned and designed around your needs. Quick, powerful performance is complemented by precise, intuitive control.

The cab is roomy and ergonomically designed with low noise level and good visibility. A full view front window and large rear and side windows provide excellent visibility in all directions.

Cab View

All the controls are designed and positioned according to the latest ergonomic research. Reinforced pillars have also been added for greater cab rigidity.

The Hyundai HX220S excavator is available locally from Rayneau Rentals & Sales  and available at branches in Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Maarten, Guyana, BVI, Anguilla, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat and Tortola. The HX220S excavator has a gross power ratings up to 110 kW at 2 000rpm, an operating weight of 21 260 kg and a 1.2㎥ bucket capacity.

A state-of-the-art video camera system secures field of vision for operators in all directions, thereby preventing accidents onsite. An Intelligent Moving Object Detection (IMOD) system, with a recognition distance of 5 m, informs the operator when people or dangerous objects are detected within the range of operation.

A new system called EPFC (Electronic Positive Flow Control) allows you to adjust the machine’s speed and performance based on the type of work you do. It also saves fuel with improved electronic control of the pumps. This new system also contributes to fuel efficiency.  According to Hyundai Construction Equipment, excavators with EPFC have shown up to 15% fuel savings as compared to the previous model without EPFC.

A swing lock system improves operating speed and productivity and maintains stability when swing movement needs to be limited. A fine swing control option is also available when a fine swing is required.

Hyundai Heavy Equipment

Easy access to vital components gives an unrestricted view of components and allows easy maintenance and repair. The Hyundai HX220S is definitely designed to enable you to reach your dream.

Give us a call at (758) 450 7368 or drop by today to see how we can help you complete your next big project. We are located at Vide Bouteille along the Gros Islet Highway

 

6 STEPS TO WAKE UP YOUR TIRED LAWN AND GIVE IT THE CARE IT DESERVES!

Achieving a lush lawn doesn't have to be a constant struggle; you don't have to pay big bucks for a lawn service to douse your yard with chemicals either. Growing healthy, green grass is mainly just a matter of knowing what to give your lawn, and when to give it.

 Let’s face it: When you live in the suburbs, a healthy, well-kept lawn is a must, because before anyone even steps into your house, it’s your front lawn that makes the first impression of your home. “Your yard is an important extension of your home and with today's busy schedules, low maintenance care is key.” One of our Lawn and Garden ads seen below speaks to

Here are 6 steps if you follow will help to wake up your tired lawn: 

 Step 1 - Clear lawn of thatch and weeds

Thatch and weeds can be an ongoing problem that keeps your lawn from living up to its potential. Thatch is an almost impenetrable mat of tangled, intertwined grass and other material on the ground surface. Removing thatch helps you get the best from your lawn. To prevent thatch, keep leaves raked and remove some of the grass clippings after mowing.

Eliminate weeds in your lawn and prevent their return by maintaining healthy grass, using a minimum of weed killers and good timing.

Step 2 - Level up the Lawn

 One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to lawns is how to level a lawn. The best time to fill uneven lawn low spots is during vigorous growth, which usually depends on the type of grass grown. Sand is oftentimes used to level lawns but putting sand on lawns can cause problems. Avoid putting sand on a lawn by itself. Using a dry topsoil and sand mix is much better for leveling uneven areas than putting sand on a lawn without mixing.

You can easily make your own lawn patching soil by mixing sand and dry topsoil in equal parts of half-and-half, spreading the leveling mix into low-lying areas of the lawn. Some people also use compost, which is great for enriching the soil. Only add one-half inch of soil mix to the low spots at a time, leaving any existing grass showing through.

After leveling, fertilize lightly and water the lawn thoroughly.

Lawn Care Items Available at Rayneau

Step 3 - Feed the lawn

The trick to a beautifully lush lawn is the application of the right fertilizer at the right time. Fertilizers give plants essential nutrients to survive and thrive. All lawn fertilizers contain three primary nutrients that are labeled in this sequence on the packaging: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK).

1. Nitrogen (N) promotes rapid growth and lush green color. 
2. Phosphorous (P) helps develop healthy root systems.
3. Potassium (K) boosts the overall health of your grass

 Fertilizing your lawn at the right time will help ensure the grass is getting fed when it is most beneficial for the turf. It is recommended that the months April – August are the best months to fertilize your lawn while grass is growing and storing nutrients.

Step 4 - Make the lawn breathe again. 

Aeration can be an extremely vital element to a healthy lawn because it allows air and water to penetrate built-up grass or lawn thatch.

Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.

To aerate the lawn you can use a spike aerator, you simply use the tool to poke holes into the ground with a solid tine, or fork. (photo on the left)

 Step 5 - Prepare and over-seed the lawn. 

Over-seeding is one of the most important tasks involved in growing a healthy, lush lawn. Over time, lawns that have not been over seeded will grow thin and unhealthy, making it much easier for weeds to overtake the lawn. 

Many experts in lawn care recommend the months June – August as the ideal months for over-seeding 'tired', worn or drought damaged lawns. Sowing your grass seed is very easy, follow this simple steps and soon you will have a lawn that will turn your neighbours green with envy. 

1. Rake or scarify the existing lawn 
2. Spread the seeds
3. Tread the seeds into the lawn

It's best to try and keep of the lawn area for around 6 weeks after sowing. This is to allow the seeds a chance to get established.

 Step 6 - Caring for the young plants.

So, you've recently planted some new grass seed. But now you're wondering, What am I supposed to do next? Not to worry. Your work to this point will be in vain if you do not care for the young grass plants as the seeds germinate and begin to grow. After you've planted your grass seed, continue to water it at least twice a day assuming no rain. Once your new grass is established, you can go back to a normal watering routine. 

At Rayneau, we can help you with the right advice and the right products to ensure you get the results you are looking for. Keeping your lawn lush, green and weed free can be accomplished with the right lawn equipment. You’ll find everything you need to cultivate a healthy lawn from the roots up in our Lawn and Garden Department.

                           It takes work, but it is not impossible to give your lawn a facelift

 Pay us a visit at our Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch for all your lawn and garden products. Visit our website here.  We’re always happy to serve you #ShopRayneau #EverythingUnderOneRoof.

ST JUDE'S HIGHWAY PROJECT MOVING ALONG SMOOTHLY

Works update as of January 16, 2022

Work is moving at a tremendous pace on the rehabilitation of the St Jude's Highway. The works which started a little under two weeks ago is very much at an advance stage.

Due to the poor condition of the road, the first phase of the works tackled the stretch of road from the St Jude's Hospital Junction to the Cedar Heights Junction which is about 45 yards south of the Windward Island Brewery building.  

Works completed in that phase so far include:-

• Demolition and Removal

The removal or grading of the existing old asphalt surface .

• Grading and Sloping

With a clean slate, technology helps Construction and Industrial Equipment's asphalt professionals prepare the surface for appropriate water drainage. 

• Prepare the Sub Base

The most important part of the new asphalt surface is actually the sub base. The sub base provides a stable surface to support new pavement.

• Proof Roll, Undercutting and Sub Base Repair

Once the sub base is fully graded and compacted, CIE completed an extra step, called a proof roll, to ensure the underlying surface is strong and ready to support new asphalt.

• Binder and Surface Course  

Once the sub base was laid and any soft areas were identified and repaired, it is time to add the binder. The binder layer is large aggregate mixed with oil, making it very strong and durable.

Installing the "binder and surface course" was very important taking into consideration the dry weather and dust pollution which such a project can cause to affect the residents in the vicinity. In order to mitigate the dust pollution to give the residents a relieve, CIE worked diligently to make sure that this part of the project was completed before the weekend.

Weather permitting, a new asphalt surface  for this phase will be installed soon. CIE deeply regrets any inconvenience cause to motorists and the residents during this construction phase.

RAYNEAU ASSISTS ST LUCIA'S RESPIRATORY HOSPITAL IN COVID-19 BATTLES

A team from Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products (RCIP) Ltd on Monday morning January 17, 2022 presented two trolleys to the Victoria Respiratory Clinic

With the recent spike in Covid-19 cases being admitted at the Victoria Respiratory Clinic, these trolleys could not have been received at a better time than this.

Trolleys Presentation: L-R: 1.Clauzel 2.Serieux 3. VH official 4 Jn Baptiste 5. VH official

“These trolleys will be used in the transfer of medical gas to the wards,” So says the Minister of Health, Moses Jn Baptiste who was present at the presentation ceremony.

He continued, “This gift is very important to the team at the Victoria Hospital, as they continue to assist their patients. Thanks to Mr. Rayneau Gajadhar for helping in this Covid - 19 battle[s].”

The Minister believes that if each and every one does something positive to manage Covid-19 the spread of the virus will be contained.

With these trolleys, Mr Clauzel is of the view that the frontline health workers will be able to manage transportation of medical oxygen more efficiently to patients’ bedside. He went on to say, it was through “...…a request made by a personal friend of mine who works at the hospital and was explaining the difficulties in transporting the oxygen to the patients so I spoke to Rayneau and he decided to make a contribution to the medical facility.” 

Representing the company at the presentation ceremony were Mr. Anselm Clauzel and  Mr. Germaine Serieux, Executive Business Director and Marketing Manager respectively while The Honorable Moses Jn Baptiste, Minister of Health and other hospital officials  represented the  respiratory clinic.

While all our stores follow the strictest of protocols in its fight against Covid-19 we heed the call from the Minister of Health when he says, “Each one can do something positive to manage Covid - 19 and reduce its spread.”

Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd reminds St Lucians to follow the protocols established by the Ministry of Health and encourages everyone to:-

• Protect family members
• Get Vaccinated
• Wear a mask.
• Stay 6 feet away from others
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
• Test to prevent spread to others
• Sanitize
• Wash your hands often
• Cover coughs and sneezes

Pay us a visit at our Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch.   Visit our site  for  a wide range of products and services.  You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We’re always happy to serve you #ShopRayneau #EverythingUnderOneRoof

WHEEL LOADERS - THE WORKHORSES OF MOST CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

When examining a contractor’s fleet, a wheel loader reigns supreme as a sturdy, earthmoving workhorse. With the ability to

•         switch out attachments,
•         move large loads and
•        keep operators comfy in their spacious cabs,

Wheel loaders can deliver big power and productivity in a variety of different sized units.

Size options include:

• Compact wheel loader
• Small wheel loader
• Medium wheel loader
• Large wheel loader

People often mix up the available types of loaders, not knowing which one to use for each particular task. The four main types are a backhoe, skid steer, dozer, and wheel loader. Today’s article places emphasis on wheel loaders and their benefit to your fleet.

One of the main advantages of wheel loaders is that they’re compact enough to easily maneuver smaller jobsites, yet big enough to load, move and haul large amounts of material. With a coupler and the right attachment, they’re versatile enough to perform a variety of tasks on any particular jobsite.

Contractors live by safety first on the job; wheel loaders provide excellent visibility and features that promote safe use. For example, features such as large access steps, convenient grab handles and programmable speed-limit settings all help operators work safer.

Not to forget, most loaders are made of the finest material, which is why it is easy to maintain them during the long term. All you need to do is, get them checked at the convenient service points and use quality components to improve longevity. Once the loader is serviced, you won't have to worry about maintaining it for the next few months.

Fuel economy is always important when selecting any piece of equipment, particularly wheel loaders. Features such as auto shutdown and auto idle are popular among various brands and great for helping operators better manage fuel usage.

Wheel loaders are certainly making a name for themselves on the job as hard-working, versatile machines. They are an asset to any fleet. By asking the right questions and identifying an operator’s needs, a buyer/renter can find the ideal wheel loader for his or her fleet.

When you rent one of our Hyundai wheel loaders to supplement your fleet, you'll experience all of the following benefits:

• No storage requirements: You'll only have to store the equipment during your rental term, which keeps your space requirements to a minimum.
• Minimal maintenance: Our skilled employees will maintain the rental machinery, saving you on service expenses.
• Zero depreciation: When your owned machines depreciate, they impact your return on investment. When rental equipment loses value, it doesn't affect your company at all.
• Latest technologies: You can rent the newest, most high-tech machinery from us without the high upfront costs of buying.
• Application-specific function: Our rental equipment is ideal for one-time projects and unique applications.

You can find high-quality wheel loaders for rent to suit your needs at Rayneau Rentals & Sales. We're committed to helping customers secure the parts, products and services they need using our extensive knowledge and expertise.

Give us a call at (758) 450 7368 or drop by today to see how we can help you complete your next big project. We are located at Vide Bouteille along the Gros Islet Highway.

ST JUDE'S HIGHWAY - PUTTING A PLAN TO ACTION, TO ASSURE YOUR SATISFACTION!

Vieux-Fort South residents are now happy that works have eventually started on the St Jude’s Highway. This stretch of road from the Laborie/Vieux Fort Highway Junction to the entrance of the St Jude’s Hospital has been in a deplorable condition for some time now.

Recently the Member of Parliament for Vieux Fort South, Dr Kenny Anthony assured his constituents that work on this road would commence shortly and true to his word work has indeed commenced as of last week.

Under this project the contractor, Construction and Industrial Products (CIE) Ltd, a subsidiary of Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd., is responsible for the design, finance and construction of the St Jude’s Highway road project - totaling 2-3 km. 

The Highway is to be constructed with asphalt and along with the pavement construction there will be the associated drainage construction required along the road.

The Rayneau Group has a proven track record in handling these types of projects.  Remember the Laborie Village/Banse La Haut project, the Ciceron road project and most recently the roads in Gros Islet and Castries North, they all stand testimony to the quality of work Construction & Industrial Equipment Limited (CIE) can delivered. CIE - Setting standards in construction!!

Large fleets of equipment, available from Rayneau Rentals and Sales, from rollers, graders to skid steer loaders as well as a large contingency of workers are presently on site seeing the project through.

In this “Design-Build-Finance” (DBF) agreement between the Government and Construction & Industrial Equipment (CIE) Ltd, the latter assumes responsibility for the majority of the design work, all construction activities, the short-term financing for the entire project, together with the risk of providing these services for a fixed fee.

The Rayneau Group of Companies is pleased to be assisting the Government of St Lucia in bettering our communities.  We're Committed to superior quality and results! 

CIE TO COMPLETE ROSEAU UPPER RIVER BANK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BY END OF JANUARTY 2022

The Roseau Upper Bank Housing Development

 Construction works for the Roseau Upper Bank Housing Development which commenced on the first half of 2020 is nearing completion. So says an engineer with the Construction and Industrial Equipment (CIE) Ltd. company.

The Roseau Upper Riverbank Housing Development is like no other. Creating an integrated community concept, one of the two buildings has dedicated spaces for commercial purposes. The new complex includes extra amenities such as shopping; parking and children’s play area,

Residents of Roseau Central are said to benefit from the government’s Housing Revolution with the fifty-two new apartment buildings located at Upper River Bank.

The Member of Parliament for the Roseau Central Constituency, Hon. Melissa Poponne-Skerrit noted. “It is certainly an upgrade from the other apartments that I have seen in other areas; and that is what we are trying to do, elevate the lives of our people and elevate their living standards…….”

 

                                                                Slideshow with photos of housing development

“This new 52 residential apartments which consist of a three-bedroom, two-bedroom, and one-bedroom units will be completed by the end of January 2022,” says Pawan Joshi, an engineer with CIE.

“This is part of our commitment to the residents of the city of Roseau. As you know Roseau has had a particular challenge for many decades, of people not having access to lands in the city to build. And one of the things that we wanted to do was to maintain the uniqueness of the city of Roseau. So it is important for us to keep and maintain that uniqueness and so the commitment to the city of Roseau is to build 150 residences in total,” PM Skerrit explained.

CIE is pleased to have been associated with the Housing Revolution concept adopted by the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

RAYNEAU 2022 - A YEAR OF RENEWED COMMITMENT TO DELIVER ISLAND-BEATING. CUSTOMER SERVICE

2021 was a challenging year for Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd;The company extends thanks to the team for its effort, energy, resilience and commitment.

A Customer Service Representative Team at RCIP

We believe that as we start this New Year with greater clarity, a greater determination to succeed and a renewed commitment to provide exceptional customer service, we must ask just one thing from each of us as employees – Be Better.

• Be better in our work – think creatively, efficiently and get the details right.
• Be better with our customers – in how we prepare, how we communicate and how we add value.
• Be better with our teammates – in how we support each other, how  we communicate and how we care about them as people.
• Be better in our community – in how we give of our time and effort to make our town, city, village or neighborhood a great place to live.
• Be better with our planet – in how we recycle, minimize our footprint, and how we appreciate the natural beauty around us.
• Be better in our relationships out of the office – in how we communicate, encourage and support.
• Be better to ourselves – in our self-talk, in our personal expectations and in our commitment to being all that we can be.

Our Team Leader is convinced that we control how we approach our days in and out of the office. He also thinks we must commit to being better every day, learn more, be more responsive, be more connected, be more aware, be tougher, be more resilient, be more creative and be more present.  In short, we should just be better.

The Management of Rayneau Group of Companies Ltd express gratitude to every member of Team Rayneau for their loyalty, effort, and looks forward to a great, productive and successful New Year.

Pay us a visit at our Corinth (450-7247) Monchy (450-7248) Vide Bouteille (450-7246) or Babonneau (450-5759) branch.   Visit our site  for  a wide range of products and services.  You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We’re always happy to serve you #ShopRayneau #EverythingUnderOneRoof

7 STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING FUEL EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY ON THE WORK SITE

If you own a fleet of construction equipment, fuel is likely one of your top expenses every month. Diesel rates and equipment usage fluctuate constantly, and without the right tools, it can be difficult to track, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to limit your fuel costs where you can.

With this in mind it’s worth considering the ways you can improve fuel efficiency on the job site to improve your bottom line.

Unfortunately, we can’t control the price of fuel, but we can provide some helpful tips on ways to reduce your monthly fuel expenses, as well as some noteworthy solutions currently available today.

Let’s dive deeper into how you and your crew can maximize fuel efficiency for heavy diesel engines.

But what really is fuel efficiency? Like miles per gallon – which attributes a specific result to every gallon of fuel burned – yards per gallon is one of the more accurate measurements of fuel efficiency for heavy equipment. Other variations might be trucks per gallon or buckets per gallon. Determining that metric will vary in every application. In truck loading, where there is a consistent pattern, it may be easy to determine the number of trucks loaded or total yards of dirt hauled in a day.

It’s important not to confuse fuel efficiency with fuel economy, which is a simple measure of fuel consumed. When we talk about fuel efficiency, it’s directly related to the amount of fuel burned to accomplish a goal. So, as an example, you may have a machine that burns the same amount of fuel per hour as another machine, but loads three extra trucks per day due to machine speed or other benefit. They may have the same fuel economy, but the latter machine is more fuel efficient.

Rayneau Rentals & Sales shares 7 tips that could benefit contractors using diesel-powered equipment.

1 - Keep machine in Top Condition - Diligent maintenance not only saves fuel, but reduces repairs, improves reliability, and minimizes exhaust emissions. Replace air filter, oil filters, and change oil (using recommended oils) per manufacturer’s recommendations.

2 - Use trained operators – Having trained people who can operate machinery at their optimal levels will maximize fuel efficiency and reduce potential damage to the unit. Poorly trained staff will likely be more aggressive when using the machine, increasing fuel consumption.

3 - Tire Slippage - Insufficient ballast creates excessive slippage and increases fuel consumption, along with premature engine wear. Remove ballast for light loads. Match the weight to the job for the proper rolling resistance.

4 - Size Machine For Job - Too much or too little horsepower can drastically affect fuel efficiency. Machines should be driven at a consistent speed with windows open for optimal performance. Our job at Rayneau Rentals and Sales is to help you match the right machine to the job you’re doing.

5 - Gear up – Throttle Down - Select the gear that provides the desired ground speed at a reduced engine rpm without overloading. Studies have shown 5 -15% fuel efficiency at 75% power and 15 – 30% efficiency at 50% power.

6 - Minimize idling – Idling wastes fuel, however efficient the engine is. If machines are left idling for a long time, this will increase emissions as well as costs. It can also impact the engine life, with unnecessary wear on components.

7 - Telematics Technology - One of the many benefits of a telematics technology solution, like Hi Mate from Hyundai, is actionable data and insight into fuel utilization and idle time. Hi Mate telematics monitors fuel consumption on every Hyundai in your fleet, and the data can be segmented by machine, by the hour, or combined to see your entire fleet at once.

The platform is easy to use and can is accessible from anywhere, so you don’t have to be on the job site to know exactly what’s happening with your machines. 

Combining these strategies to reduce your heavy equipment fuel consumption by the hour will greatly impact your profitability and extend the life of your equipment. 

In closing, the best machinery out there has been designed with maximum fuel efficiency in mind. Today’s cutting edge equipment often is built with fuel efficiencies already included – Hyundai Construction Equipment takes the prize.

For more tips on reducing your equipment operating costs, contact the experts at Rayneau Rentals and Sales located in Vide Bouteille along the Gros Islet Highway. Call Us 758-450-RENT (7368).