History of the Versatile Skid Steer Loader

One of the most versatile machines on any construction or demolition project is the skid steer loader, a compact, rigid-framed, engine-powered machine with lift arms that can be fitted with a variety of different tools and attachments. 

The skid steer loader was invented in Rothsay, Minnesota in 1956 by a pair of local blacksmiths named Cyril and Louis Keller. A turkey farmer asked the two brothers to make a lightweight machine he could use to clean manure from his barns, and they came up with a three-wheeled vehicle that quickly became popular. The Melroe Manufacturing Company bought the manufacturing rights in 1958 and hired the Keller brothers to develop it further. By 1960, the single rear caster wheel had been replaced by a rear axle, and in 1962 the four-wheel skid steer loader was dubbed “Bobcat.”

Skid steers are ubiquitous on R. Baker & Son demolition projects, and one or more skid steers can usually be seen on any given job site. Skid steers are light, easily transported, and can be lifted via freight elevator or rigged by crane. They are highly maneuverable, using two joysticks to operate, and can turn within their own footprint, allowing them to operate in tight spaces.

There are dozens of attachment options available for the skid steer loader including buckets, augers, hammers, brooms, saws, forks, rippers, scrapers, backhoes and more. Multi-terrain counterparts to four-wheel versions are fitted with tracks. Operating capacities range from 800 lbs. to over two tons. On demolition and construction sites, skid steer loaders are used to move debris, gravel, snow, sand, cement, dirt, etc., and can lift and manage tools and materials such as rebar, pipe, conduit, tool boxes, and air compressors. Demolition attachments commonly include shears and hydraulic breakers for demolishing walls, floors and ceilings. Popular manufacturers include Bobcat, John Deere, Caterpillar, Gehl, Case, and more.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

732-222-3553

https://rbaker.com/rigging-services.php

Qualified Rigging Contractor In Writing

Crane rigging is a specialized activity that requires years of experience, but unfortunately it is not uncommon for contractors that lack rigging expertise and proper training to safely take on rigging responsibilities. There are two main reasons for this: to save money on the budget, and a lack of understanding of exactly what is involved in a rigging project. 

Over our 86 years in business, R. Baker & Son has heard countless stories of equipment damaged during rigging by unqualified contractors. Common ones are racked and twisted air handlers, buckled chillers and cooling towers, and electrical gear supports that are twisted and can’t be set properly, and oftentimes the damage is not repairable. Most equipment manufacturers provide rigging instructions for specific units and require qualified riggers to set and anchor equipment that will support startup and warranty. 

More importantly, construction managers and general contractors should require subcontractors in writing to utilize qualified rigging professionals to ensure the safety of workers. Rigging problems and accidents can happen very quickly when it is performed by workers who lack training and experience. Making this a contractual requirement can prevent the vast majority of equipment damage and lost time and money and allows people to go home to their families safely at day’s end.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

732-222-3553

https://rbaker.com/rigging-services.php

Demolition, Asset Recovery, and the Supply Chain

With high demand for used HVAC, process, and manufacturing equipment due to pandemic-related supply chain shortages, recovered assets from buildings undergoing renovation or demolition have grown significantly in value. In cases where equipment is not suitable for reuse, R. Baker & Son clients are harvesting individual parts from the equipment either for resale, or reuse by the client as spare parts or for equipment maintenance. 

For many years, equipment that was marked for removal during demolition, dismantling, or plant relocation was either recovered for reuse or resale or simply scrapped for the value of the copper, aluminum, and steel that were contained within. Now there is a new emphasis on harvesting individual parts and electrical equipment such as electrical substations, motor control centers, transformers, starters, control panels, boilers, pump skids, heat exchangers, etc. 

Companies that own large buildings or multiple facilities oftentimes have multiple pieces of identical or similar equipment, and pandemic-related parts shortages have many of them harvesting parts for their own critical spare parts and maintenance inventory before equipment is scrapped. Others are recovering parts for reconditioning and resale. This includes items such as starters, contactors, and VFDs that have risen in value because they are currently difficult to find due to shortages that are expected to continue until at least mid-to late-2022.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/investment.php

Rigging & Assembly Made Efficient by Color Coding

On a recent construction project at a New Jersey laboratory, R. Baker & Son was tasked with rigging 18 air handling units that were each shipped in multiple sections, as well as large dehumidifiers, pump skids, heat exchangers, lift stations, etc. Eleven motor control centers and distribution panels shipped in pieces required assembly, as well. With over 150 pieces of equipment and hundreds of parts that needed to be rigged, assembled, and installed in the five-story building in a specific order, the project required precise planning and coordination by the R. Baker & Son rigging team. The schedule was tight and mistakes would be very costly in both time and money.

Two 130-ton cranes with extended jibs were used to rig equipment through exterior panels and louvers into mechanical rooms as well as through a large atrium skylight. Project tasks included clearly marking all housekeeping equipment pads with a number corresponding to equipment slated for installation. Each piece of equipment received was verified by model and serial number and tagged with numbered, color-coded ribbons marked with the pad on which they were to be installed, which direction the unit should be facing, and the order in which the equipment or section should be hoisted. R. Baker & Son rigging teams were provided with a detailed rigging and routing plan and marked-up drawings, and the colored ribbons made it easy for the crane operator to determine what was to be lifted and when. 

The project was completed safely over a four-week period, on time, and on budget. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE),  in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/investment.php

Innovation in Rigging Helps Preconstruction

 

Many R. Baker & Son clients can attest to the marked advantages gained when we’ve gotten involved in pre-construction planning early on. Routing, rigging, and assembling large equipment are complex tasks, and oftentimes we come up with innovative methods others hadn’t thought of that save substantial time and money.

The progression of most construction and renovation projects follows a similar pattern. Because most mechanical equipment has a long lead time, and process equipment lead times can be almost double that of mechanical equipment, construction managers, engineers, and architects are hard-pressed to continue moving forward with an aggressive schedule while waiting for equipment that will arrive at a future date. 

Rigging and routing plans for this absent equipment are sometimes many months old and may have been prepared by well-intentioned persons who lack depth of knowledge in rigging methods and equipment. To further complicate matters, 3D models may call for putting off construction of certain sections of the facility and installation in anticipation of equipment arrival, which can cause scheduling problems and delays. 

R. Baker & Son’s expert rigging staff has been brought in on many complex projects to assist in the preconstruction phase where early planning for rigging and setting equipment that includes chillers, boilers, cooling towers, large air handlers, reheat hot water package skids, compressed air, etc., can pay for itself many times over. 

For example, on one of our projects, we recommended revising plans that called for delaying construction of several walls, ductwork, and pipe racks to accommodate rigging in the mechanical equipment. Our better solution was to call for specific shipping splits and the installation of a skylight in the mechanical room. This provided easy access for the equipment, which was rigged in using a 130-ton crane, not to mention bringing natural light to the area. 

On another project, concerns about damage to finished epoxy-floored corridors were solved by R. Baker’s proposal to bring in all of the process equipment on air skates. Lyophilizers, isolators, cage washers, and autoclaves were glided into place on a cushion of air, with no damage to any finishes. 

R. Baker & Son’s early involvement on a third occasion led to a far more efficient, less expensive solution for rigging lab equipment and support systems into a multi-floor R&D facility. An elevator shaft was left unfinished and capped with a temporary curb and roof, and when the equipment finally arrived, we strategically lowered it down through the shaft and through the elevator door openings to the appropriate floors. Upon completion, the elevator car was installed and the roof permanently sealed and finished. 

With over 85 years of experienced rigging, demolition, dismantling, and many other industrial services, we’ve seen a thing or two. R. Baker & Son knows the unique capabilities of a wide array of rigging and heavy equipment, and we have the experience to develop safe and innovative rigging techniques on our projects.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php

Successful Demo Projects Start with Good Planning

When hiring a demolition contractor for a project, owners must consider various factors and qualifications. Experience, price, safety, reputation, reliability, financial stability, and work quality are all essential to the decision, but many owners tend to overlook a central consideration: what is the demolition contractor’s overall plan for the project? Demolition usually paves the way for the rest of a project to commence, so a smooth, on-schedule demolition phase is a critical part of most projects. Better demolition contractors like R. Baker & Son can provide considerably detailed plans even before a project is awarded. 

A good demolition contractor will present a plan that addresses important questions. What is the site-specific safety plan? How will equipment be mobilized onsite and through what points of access? What steps will be taken to minimize dust, noise, and vibration? Will demolition progress in phases? What are the specific challenges, and how will they be approached? Is shift work recommended for the project and how will costs be held in check? Bidding demolition contractors may also provide marked-up drawings to demonstrate project plans to potential clients. 

A good demolition plan can distinguish superior contractors from the rest of the field, demonstrating greater caring and expertise as well as a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the project. Added costs due to unexpected issues are minimized or eliminated when a demolition contractor has a better grasp of project details. Early, innovative planning and execution allow projects to proceed smoothly to come in on time and on budget. 

With 86 years of experience under our belt, R. Baker & Son clients can rest assured that we approach every potential project with a solid plan aimed at ultimately delivering a successful project.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/selective-demolition.php

Hurricane Ida Ground Stabilization

 

On September 1, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept across the Northeast, leaving record-breaking amounts of rain in her path. At the time, several R. Baker & Son crews were in the midst of a large, state-of-the-art recycling plant construction project in eastern Pennsylvania where truck loading platforms and six 50-foot outdoor silos were being erected. Our crew of riggers and millwrightswere working 10-hour shifts alongside electricians, process piping mechanics, and instrumentation technicians to complete the project by the end of the month. The storm dumped more than five inches of rain on the job site over the course of the day. 

Construction crews returned to work early the next morning to find deep mud with small gullies threading throughout the site where gravel and soil had been washed out by the copious rainfall. It was immediately obvious that operating several 50-foot boom lifts and an 80-ton mobile crane on the soft, unstable, uneven ground would be impossible. Construction managers considered spreading more gravel over the site, but that plan was quickly ruled out as the heavy equipment would simply push the gravel down into the mud. They were considering calling off work for the day while they figured out what to do, but R. Baker & Son’s project manager and crew had already come up with a solution. 

R. Baker & Son set in motion a plan to quickly transport dozens of steel plates to the job site. While they were awaiting delivery, two Bobcats set to work removing soil from the muddiest areas around the facility, replacing it with dry fill, and topping it with gravel. By mid-morning, the work had been completed. Shortly thereafter, the 46 steel plates arrived on site, and our rigging crew arranged them strategically around the structure on the newly compacted soil and gravel. 

The entire operation stabilizing the ground and allowing free, safe mobility for the mobile crane and various articulating booms and lifts and was completed by noon, and the trades quickly resumed working toward the common goal of meeting the project’s approaching end date.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities of over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son - All Industrial Services
190 Boundary Road
Marlboro, NJ 07746

https://rbaker.com/rigging-contractors.php