Tips for Choosing the Best Heavy Equipment Options

Key Takeaways

• The best way to get the right machine with the perfect options is to have a face-to-face conversation with your dealer and let them see your jobsite firsthand.
• Don’t just focus on the machine’s basic specs — the right options can significantly boost productivity, improve safety and save you money.

As the Equipment Support Sales Representative at Housby, a Volvo dealer headquartered in Iowa, I’ve seen time and time again how a deeper understanding of available construction equipment options can help customers get more out of their machines, and sometimes even save them some money.

With heavy equipment options, there’s a lot to know and understand — you may not realize what certain ones are or how they can help. That’s where we come in. Make a point to talk with your local Volvo CE dealer and let them see your jobsite firsthand. By doing this, we can act as an advisor, helping you select the right features for the specific types of work you do.

Here are some examples where a closer look at options can make all the difference.

Boost Efficiency and Productivity

• Fast Fuel Fill: Time is money, and if you have multiple machines that need to be fueled daily, this option is a game-changer. Instead of climbing on each machine and using a standard nozzle, the quick fill is a coupler system that allows a fuel truck to pump fuel directly and much faster. It also reduces the chance of introducing dirt into the fuel system, which helps prevent contamination (and likely downtime down the road).
• Downhill Speed Control: This is a fantastic feature for articulated dump trucks if you work on hilly terrain. It holds your speed automatically, taking the constant manual braking out of your operator’s hands.

• Operator Training: While heavy equipment operators don’t always want to read the manual, they still need quick answers. If your OEM offers an optional in-cab coaching app, it’s worth checking out. Operator Coaching via Volvo Load Assist actually comes standard on many loader models, but it’s still a great example of what I’m talking about here. It’s a convenient way for operators to quickly find information on controls or features, helping them feel more confident about their daily tasks.
• Long Boom on a Loader: You might think a long boom is only about added dump clearance. But it’s also a visibility booster, giving operators a better view of the ground directly in front of the bucket and between the front wheels. This improved line of sight is especially helpful when spreading materials on the ground or a road, as it allows the operator to see what they’re doing without having to lift up out of their seat. The long boom option also protects the front tires by keeping them further away from the piles, reducing the risk for cutting or damaging them.

Outfit Your Machines for the Environment

• Oil Bath Air Cleaner: This is a great option if you work in extremely dusty environments on fairly level ground. It’s a far better choice than standard air filters, which would constantly plug up and need frequent replacement, potentially costing you a fortune. While primarily for the engine, some models also have an oil bath option for the cab. For machines without a cab oil bath option, a larger air cleaner housing can be installed to reduce the frequency of filter services.
• Tailored High-Heat Packages: At Housby, we had a customer who needed machines for three different tasks in a high-heat foundry. By visiting their site, we were able to see that only one machine actually needed our specialized Hot Slag Application package. We saved them money by not adding options to the other two machines that didn’t need them.
• Counterweights: If you add options like a larger bucket or a high tip bucket to a wheel loader or excavator, you may also need a larger counterweight in the back to balance your machine. Without it, a machine can quickly become unbalanced, which is unsafe for the operator and those around them.

Improve Operator Safety and Comfort

• Joysticks: Speaking of comfort, some high-end joysticks have numerous buttons and thumb wheels. This can be intimidating to an operator who doesn’t need all those functions. Just remember there are simpler joystick options available that may be a better fit for the job and make your operator more comfortable.
• Extra Cameras: When you’re operating a machine on a busy jobsite, blind spots are always a concern, and optional additional cameras should be a consideration. For example, systems like Volvo Smart View (which is standard on several models) use multiple cameras to provide a 3D, 360-degree view around your machine, eliminating blind spots. Some packages (like Smart View) can even differentiate between an object and a person and will alert the operator if something or someone is too close.

The bottom line is that a machine is more than just its basic specs. There’s a world of options available that can improve your crew’s safety, boost productivity and save you money in the long run.

From our perspective here at Housby and across the Volvo dealer network, it’s not about upselling you on options. It’s about making sure the machine(s) you invest in get you what you need in the safest, most efficient manner. And the best way to know what you need is to have a conversation with your local Volvo CE dealer — let them see your operation and discuss your real-world needs. They can ensure you’re getting the right machine with the best options to help keep your business more profitable.