Tracks & Treads Fall/Winter 2014

A FINNING CANADA PUBLICATION PM #40020055 www.nning.
ca
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Finnings donation
program gives a leg up
Boots on
the Ground
Cat machines power
family-owned B.C.
logging rm
Warm it up!
Tips for keeping your
equipment working
in the cold
FALL / WINTER 2014
T&T_Fall-Winter_2014_p01.indd 1 2014-10-30 11:21 AM
THIS MIGHT
JUST BE THE
SMARTEST
PURCHASE
YOULL EVER
MAKE.
The M Series Motor Grader
will take you to the next
level in productivity and
performance. Whether
youre building a new road
or maintaining one,
Caterpillar

Motor Graders
will help you get the job
done. Advancements in
control, grading technology
and operator comfort help
you accomplish more, all
while burning less fuel
now thats smart.
000TT-MotorGrader-FP.indd 1 2014-10-30 10:12 AM T&T_Fall-Winter_2014_p02-03.indd 2 2014-10-30 11:18 AM
THIS MIGHT
JUST BE THE
SMARTEST
PURCHASE
YOULL EVER
MAKE.
The M Series Motor Grader
will take you to the next
level in productivity and
performance. Whether
youre building a new road
or maintaining one,
Caterpillar

Motor Graders
will help you get the job
done. Advancements in
control, grading technology
and operator comfort help
you accomplish more, all
while burning less fuel
now thats smart.
000TT-MotorGrader-FP.indd 1 2014-10-30 10:12 AM
GR (Mac) Lind has built its business using
Caterpillar machines.
Photo courtesy: Ray Barbour
20
24
13
14
On the Cover Features
14 Keep On Trucking
Tird-generation logger credits
company success in part to its large
Cat eet
18 Trained Professionals
Te Cat Rental Store partners up with
Newalta for specialized training
20 Going Coastal
K & L Contracting is hitting its stride
in B.C.s logging landscape
23 They Know the Score
Tird-party customer surveys help
Finning gauge service levels
27 Best Foot Forward
Program sees Finning employees
donate used workboots
Columns & Departments
4 Finning Focus
Love of machines runs deep
5 Letter to the Editor
6 Groundbreaker
Grande Prairies Finning branch goes big
for charity; Mobile trailer takes service
on the road; Cat Rental Store tries a
triathlon on for size; and more
10 By The Numbers
11 Yesterday & Today
Caterpillar celebrates 50 years of
o-highway trucks
12 Operators Tips
As you face another winter, dont leave
equipment out in the cold
13 Managers Tips
Managing people well starts with integrity
24 Service Spotlight
Fluid sampling is a step toward keeping
equipment healthy
25 Safety First
An ER doctor shares sage advice on
staying ready for work
26 Tech Spotlight
Finning is testing a driver safety system
from Down Under
28 Portrait
Meet Charlene Ghostkeeper
29 Bills Business
Bills loyalty is tested in a survey
30 Count on Us
Contents Fall/Winter 14
www.nning.ca Fall/Winter 2014 tracks & treads 3
T&T_Fall-Winter_2014_p02-03.indd 3 2014-10-31 10:12 AM
Love of Machines
Runs Deep
You are never too young to start
fostering interest in Caterpillar
On a recent trip to our Surrey branch, I spent
some time in the parts area, where I overheard
a conversation between a father and son. Te
boy, who couldnt have been more than four or
ve years old, was fascinated with the equipment
models in the glass showcase.
Tat one is my favourite, said the young boy,
pointing to a skid steer model.
Is it? Tat one is really nice, said
the man.
Actually, no, this one is my favou-
rite, said the young boy, pointing to
the wheel loader.
Tat one is pretty cool, too,
replied the man.
As the man made his way to one of the parts
desks, I struck up a conversation with the young
boy Cody who proudly told me he was four
years old and held up four ngers, struggling to
hold down his thumb.
He challenged me: Count my ngers. Tere are
four of them. Im not sure if Cody had been in talks
with any of my math teachers or professors, but I
accepted the challenge and successfully counted
four tiny ngers. Phew.
Cody told me all about the diggers he had at
home, how much work he did with them, how
much sand he could move in his sandbox and how
much he liked to work outside. He told me that
when he grows up, he wants to run real diggers,
real big real diggers. His eyes were lit up with
excitement and I could practically see the Caterpil-
lar yellow blood running through him.
I tell this story not to boast about my counting
skills, but instead because this little guy embodied the
spirit and enthusiasm that so many of our customers
have for the Caterpillar products they run and the
work they do. Te wonder on Codys face reminded
me of a customer I met last year at our compact
construction branch in Edmonton. It was a damn
cold winter day where very few people were smiling
indoors, let alone outdoors, but as this customer
stood outside loading his rst piece of equipment, a
skid steer, onto his trailer nothing could wipe the grin
o his face. Whether youre four or 54, the love of
Caterpillar products is the same.
Te love of the machines knows no age and it
knows no gender, either. Read the prole of Finning
heavy equipment technician Charlene Ghostkeeper
on page 28 to see what I mean. Charlenes a long-
time Finning employee whos built a successful
career for herself in the oil sands.
BY HILARY ANAKA,
FINNING EDITOR
The love of the
machines knows no
age and it knows
no gender, either.
www.nning.ca 4 Fall/Winter 2014 tracks & treads
PM #40020055
Tell us what you think
Tracks & Treads would love to hear from you. Tell us what you think
of the magazines stories, columns and look, so that we can improve
it and make it a more interesting read.
Send your comments to editor-in-chief Hilary Anaka by email at
hanaka@nning.ca or the old-fashioned way to: Hilary Anaka, Tracks & Treads,
Finning Canada, 16830 107 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5P 4C3
www.finning.ca
Letters & Feedback
FALL/WINTER 2014 Volume 56, No. 3
PUBLISHER
Ruth Kelly
rkelly@venturepublishing.ca
FINNING EDITOR
Hilary Anaka
hanaka@nning.ca
DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM CONTENT
Mi Purvis
mpurvis@venturepublishing.ca
EDITOR
Shelley Williamson
swilliamson@venturepublishing.ca
EDITORIAL ADVISOR
Michelle Loewen
ART DIRECTOR
Charles Burke
cburke@venturepublishing.ca
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Andrea deBoer
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Colin Spence
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Betty Feniak Smith
PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS
Brent Felzien,
Brandon Hoover
CIRCULATION COORDINATOR
Karen Reilly
circulation@venturepublishing.ca
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
Anita McGillis
amcgillis@venturepublishing.ca

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Robin Brunet, Joshuha Connauton, David DiCenzo, Martin Dover,
Keith Haddock, Lucy Haines, Robbie Jeffrey, Jacqueline Louie,
Christy Nich, Seamus Smyth
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Natalie Asperlund, Ray Barbour, Stockwell Collins,
Heff OReilley, Darryl Propp
Tracks & Treads is published to provide its readers with
relevant business, technology, product and service
information in a lively and engaging manner.
Tracks & Treads is published for
Finning Canada by
Venture Publishing Inc.
10259-105 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E3
Phone: 780-990-0839
Fax: 780-425-4921
Contents 2014 by Finning Canada. No part of this publication
should be reproduced without written permission.
NORTH FACING: Hello. After reading the summer edition Tracks &
Treads, I thought I would tell you how enjoyable I found the articles on
the north. Living in the southern part of Canada we never really get a lot
of exposure to this vast area of our country. Keep up the great work.
J. Blair Goertzen
President and Chief Executive Ofcer, Enerex Ltd.
Why thanks, Blair. That praise comes from high places.
Editors
HEAVY BURDEN: In regards to Count on Us, page 30, Summer 2014
issue of Tracks & Treads, who in their right mind would set an 8D battery
on top of an air lter? Probably weighs at least 60 kilograms.
Terry Sherman
Hey, Terry, thanks for the note. The images you see in Count on Us in
each issue are pictures from our extensive archives, which hark back to
decades of sales, service and support of Caterpillar equipment. Maybe
this mystery shopper put the eggs at the bottom of the grocery basket,
too. That much is lost to history.
Editors
NO CLOWNING AROUND:
You may not want to join the
circus, but this advertisement
from the archives shows
how versatile Caterpillar
equipment has been over
the years, even having a
presence under the big top.
tandem axle enclosed trailer, which is capable of servicing a variety of
machines for the diverse industries around Prince George, most notably
mining and construction. The ashy-looking trailer, loaded with an air com-
pressor and bench, can complete machining and line boring on site. Its a mix
of functionality and air. Theres denitely a wow factor when it rolls up,
says Peterson. Its eye-catching. And its nice to have this all-encompassing
unit. We show up at jobs ready to go.
The look is professional. But the speed in which it is deployed, as well as
24-hour stafng from two machinists who work 12-hour shifts, is whats
making a difference for both Finning and the customers. Efciency has hit a
new level. Its denitely efcient, says Broster. A customer calls and were
able to back it up and go.
Because of the level of service at Finning, we charge more per hour. But this
was an opportunity for us to leverage that higher dollar and get things done in a
faster time frame. I havent seen anything like this.
Staff at Finnings branch in Prince George, B.C.,
are known for their professionalism. Providing
exceptional service is one thing, but acknowledg-
ing where you can improve is another.
Branch manager Russ Peterson says he and his
staff recognized that they could be serving custom-
ers quicker when it came to repairing equipment.
So customer service manager Cody Broster came
up with a plan implementing a portable service
trailer that would expedite the maintenance of
the customers machinery. We werent reacting
quickly enough to customers, says Peterson. This
trailer has allowed us to do that.
In the summer of 2013, a marketing team
got to work designing graphics for the 16-foot,
before but never here in
the Valley, Podrasky says.
When Brandy suggested it,
it really piqued my interest.
This is an issue that has
touched me and others in
the community very deeply
and I am very proud of the employees for raising it, and the operation and the
company for supporting this, Podrasky also told thefreepress.ca in June.
The staff members at the Sparwood branch were happy to get in on the
radical transformation. We painted it at the branch, says mining account
manager Bob Arnott, who goes way back with Podarsky to when they worked
together at Teck Elkview Operations in the early 1990s. We told our painter
that we needed the ofcial Breast Cancer Awareness colour and the supplier
ran with it. There was this initial shock when people rst saw it. But when you
explained why its pink, everyone supports it.
When you think Caterpillar, you immediately
envision yellow. Its branding on a different level.
So if youre going to mess with the traditional
colour that is at the core of what makes a piece
of Cat equipment a Cat, you better have a
good reason.
Members of the Finning branch in Sparwood,
B.C., had exactly that. Late in the spring, branch
members teamed with local mining company
Teck to paint a Cat D10T bulldozer an astonish-
ing pink. Why? To raise awareness for
breast cancer.
The cause is especially important to Tecks mine
operations manager Clayton Podrasky, who got
the idea to paint the Cat pink from one of his
dozer operators, Brandy Duff. I had seen it done
Service on the Go
TECK GOES PRETTY IN PINK
BY DAVID DICENZO
Scott Mason met Rob Deverall about ve years ago on a local Harley
Davidson group ride. The president and CEO of Tycrop, a Rosedale,
B.C.-based company that designs, engineers, builds and supports mobile
equipment for specialized markets around the globe and Finnings biggest
power train customer became friends with Deverall. By 2011 the pair and
their respective wives, Patty and Lorraine, embarked on a 15-day group ride
that covered about 9,000 kilometres and 11 states.
Long-distance journeys have become common for the two friends. With
cancer in his family history, Deverall, a retired scientist and owner of ALS
Environmental in Vancouver, was always an eager participant in the Ride to
Conquer Cancer (RTCC) fundraiser.
Tragically, Rob was also diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in the fall
of 2012, says Mason. So in 2013, he was also riding for himself. After
radiation and ongoing chemo treatments, Rob bravely completed the ride
but it was obvious there was nothing easy about it.
Deverall wasnt well enough to get on the bike this year. So his good
friend took over the reins. Mason was the lone representative of Tycrop in
the 2013 RTCC but for this years event, he constructed a massive team of
22 from various companies to take on the challenge of a two-day, 250-kilo-
metre cycling journey in gruelling weather conditions this past June.
We were frozen, we were wet, Mason said when addressing his staff
before rafing off a donated Corvette. When you stopped at every 25K
mark to grab a snack, or use the bathroom, you were so cold you didnt
want to stay still.
The Cycletrons, as they called themselves, got split up amidst the challeng-
ing conditions in the rst leg of the ride that covered the rst 125 kilometres.
Day two was different. If people are struggling, well come up alongside
them, put our hands on their back and pull them along, says Mason.
Guess what? We worked as a team. The spirit was great.
Seven at tires, a few downed riders and a handful of injuries later, the
Cycletrons ended up raising a staggering $131,000 for the Canadian and
BC Cancer Societies. Deverall not only cheered the team on through their
journey but he was present for the Corvette rafe and drew the winning
name of a Tycrop employee. Hes my hero, an emotional Mason told the
Tycrop staff of his good friend.
Kevin Thoveson wasnt a member of the Peace
River Cat Rental Store for a long time but his
presence there will never be forgotten. Thoveson
has a wall dedicated to him at the store, featuring
his hard hat and a beautiful canvas with a picture of
him atop his motorcycle. Its a constant reminder to
his colleagues, who are still dealing with the pain of
losing their friend to pancreatic cancer in April.
Kevin was such an outgoing guy, always there
helping people, Ashley Bacon, the stores rental
coordinator says of the shipper-receiver. He was
cheerful and liked to joke around, the type of person
that would always lighten the mood.
Despite Thoveson only being at the location for
about 18 months, he made a huge impression. So the
wall wasnt the only manner in which they honoured
him. In June, the Cat Rental Store employees entered
a team in the Canadian Cancer Societys Relay for Life
in Peace River, a 12-hour overnight walking event. Six
staff members and their families, rooted on by Kevins
wife Hilary and the couples ve children, did contin-
uous laps on the Glenmary track in Peace River, from
7 p.m. to 7 a.m. About four hours into the event, the
store staff lit numerous candles to pay tribute.
Kevin was our driving force for this event, says
Bacon. He kept us strong and in good spirits, even
during his last days. He was always positive, still joked
with everyone and had one rule no crying! Kevin
made sure to keep in contact with everyone until his
last few days. He was the glue that held everyone
together during his difcult journey.
Bacon says that the presence of Hilary and the
children was inspirational for the team.
The Peace River team ended up raising almost
$2,000 for charity. But of equal importance, the event
produced even more memories of a loved, departed
friend.
Smells Like Team Spirit Paying Tribute
To A Friend
Stroke of Genius
work together, Klassen says with a laugh. The water guns were a good way
for them to take out their aggressions.
Riders were asked to raise a minimum of $50 or pay for their own spot. The
initial goal was to raise $3,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, but the
Grande Prairie group came up large and produced a whopping $4,230. That
was really good to see, says Klassen. Its a great way to give back and its
so much fun that we would like to challenge other branches by booking their
own Big Bike ride in Alberta and B.C.
When the Heart and Stroke Foundation came
calling on Grande Prairies Finning branch, the
staff stepped up big. Really big.
Back on June 27, 25 members of the Grande
Prairie branch, each armed with water guns,
climbed aboard their giant bicycle to participate in
the annual Heart and Stroke Big Bike Ride.
It initially seemed like a lot of people to try and
get involved, but once word started to spread
around the branch, it was a pretty easy pitch,
says the branchs marketing coordinator, Celeste
Klassen. We were trying to do something on the
charity front that would involve everyone and this
was a great event, Klassen adds. Everyone was
really excited.
Excited and, ultimately, soaked, thanks to the
powerful water guns distributed among the
participants, the 20-minute ride proved to be fun
and galvanizing for the group. When you have a
whole group stuck on a bike like that, you have to
small power generation pieces and a
150-foot boom that was used for TV
production, as well as tracking the
professional racers with timing chips.
We had a couple of mechanics
on call in case we needed adjust-
ments, says Litke. We got the
equipment prepped, got out to
the site and ipped the switch and
let it go. It all worked out really
well. Finning Power Systems was also
involved, supplying the necessary juice to
run all of the TV production.
Litke says that the Cat Rental Store is
occasionally called on to help at big events around
Alberta such as the Big Valley Jamboree. But this
was a particularly neat one to be a part of. The com-
pany had been involved with similar triathlon events
previously, but this Grand Final was on another
level. This was a uniquely Edmonton thing, says
Litke. It was the only Canadian stop on the tour. It
was denitely cool to be a part of something that
doesnt happen every day.
If youre a Caterpillar backer, youre used to
coming out on top. After entering a team in a cor-
porate event at the World Triathlon Grand Final in
late August, three members of the Cat Rental Store
in Edmonton found out thats not always the case.
The Cat Rental Stores mini triathlon relay team was
comprised of safety advisor Warren Babiuk, who did
the 750-metre swim component; branch manager
Rhett Nickerson, responsible for the 20-kilometre
bike ride; and marketing manager Chris Litke, who
anchored the team for the ve-kilometre run.
The Rental Store guys did not win. But at least
they had a good excuse. There was a team with
Simon Whiteld, Andrew Ference and Dallas Eakins
on it, Litke says with a smile. They won the
whole thing.
Theres certainly no shame in nishing behind
an Olympic triathlon champion, NHL defenceman
and a t NHL head coach. And though they didnt
take home the hardware in the relay, the Cat
Rental Store did play an integral role in the four-day
triathlon showcase. The store supplied an extensive
package of rental equipment, including light towers,
TEAM TRIPLE THREAT IN ACTION
BY DAVID DICENZO
For over 100 years, Calgarians have played host
to one of the premier Western heritage events
in existence. The Calgary Stampede is a must for
those who like their hats big, horses frisky and
steers tough to rustle.
For the past 15 years of the event, Finnings
Calgary branch has carved out its own little piece
of Stampede history with an annual breakfast.
Its a great customer appreciation event, says
Calgary-based Darren Riley.
If you think its hard to get food ready for a
family in the morning, think about what it must
A Flipping Good Time
be like to serve up 800 people, which is what the Finning staff did this
past July. Customers, employees, family members, retirees, and students
and teachers from the community were all in attendance to grab some
early-morning grub before enjoying a day at the Stampede. Its always
good to run into some former employees and people in the trade during
the annual Stampede breakfast, says Gordon Liew, a mechanic at Finnings
D34 in Calgary.
In addition to the food, the breakfast had an interactive component. There
were some classic cars and Cat equipment on display, including a Sitech
grader simulator. Its a great opportunity for our customers to see us techs
and show off our machines on display with our cowboy hats on top of the
cab, says fourth-year mechanic apprentice Michelle Karambowich.
By the Numbers
The year the worlds rst UFO landing pad was
built, which is located in St. Paul, Alberta.
1967
of all alcohol consumed in Canada is
beer.
The time of Edmontons latest sunrise of the year (on December 29).
80%
8:51 a.m.
32%
With the 60,000
miles of blood
vessels in the
human body, its
the same distance
as if you circled
Earth 2.5 times.
2.5
The age of
the oldest
evid sea
sponge,
which
was found
fossilized
just last
year in a
rock.
760
million
years
15,500
of the worlds 25,000 polar bears
live in Canada.
one inch
Also known as the bumblebee bat, the Kittis
hog-nosed bat reaches just over an inch long
with a ve-inch wingspan, and weighs about the
same as a quarter. Its the smallest mammal when
measured by skull size.
Caterpillars market share of construction
equipment sales in North America.
Caterpillar celebrates a half-century of o-highway truck production
Te Long Haul
In the mid 1980s, Caterpillar began to focus on
larger equipment to meet the demands of the surface
mining industry. It launched the 136-tonne 785 in
1985, followed by the 177-tonne 789 in 1986, and the
218-tonne 793 in 1990. All mechanical drive trucks,
these models matched the most popular shovel sizes
of the day, with a target design of three or four passes
per load.
Caterpillar reached the ultimate in o-highway
truck design in 1998 with the launch of the 797 with
326-tonne capacity, the largest ever recorded for a
mechanical-drive truck. Measuring 9.2 metres wide
and 7.2 metres high, this massive vehicle carried a
24-cylinder Caterpillar 3524 engine developing 2,395
kilowatts. Te Alberta oil sands are one of the most
popular places employing these trucks, the latest of
which is the 797F with 363-tonne payload.
Caterpillars most recent development in
off-highway trucks is a line of electric-drive models
with advanced AC drive systems. These include
the 313-tonne 795F AC, the 221-tonne MT4400D
AC, and the 291-tonne MT5300D AC, with the
latter two developed from the former Unit Rig
line acquired through the purchase of Bucyrus
International. All feature Caterpillars own AC
electric drive system and combine electric dynamic
retarding capability with mechanical braking
capability utilizing wet disc brakes.
Caterpillar moved into full production of its rst off-highway truck back in
1963. Entering a new market for Caterpillar, the model 769 rigid-frame rear-dump haul
truck of 32-tonne capacity turned out to be the forerunner of the extensive truck line
now oered by the company, which includes some of the worlds largest.
Caterpillars truck program actually began as far back as 1956 when market
surveys indicated room for an improved, high-speed quarry and construction
truck. Te rst concept hauler started testing in 1959, and various other prototypes
were tested up to 1962, when a decision was made to commence production. Te
769 was a completely new design from the ground up, not based on any existing
model or previous design. Caterpillar was indeed brave to enter the specialized
o-highway truck market when the competition already had decades of experience
and well-established markets.
Te rst 769 was powered by a 280-kilowatt ywheel power D343 diesel engine
and could attain a top speed of 65 kilometres per hour. Important features included
independent pneumatic-oil suspension, oil-cooled disc brakes on the rear drive
wheels, and an air-suspension drivers seat. Its smooth, rounded curved lines
could have been designed by a race-car designer. Its cab, hood, fenders and body
all display pleasing curves in sharp contrast to the square corners and sharp edges
evident on competitive trucks of the era.
Upgrades were made to the 769 according to experience gained in the eld.
Flywheel power increased to 298 kilowatts in 1964, and then in 1966 the 769B
appeared with 310 kilowatts of ywheel power, still sporting the same D343
engine. But it wasnt until 1970 that Caterpillar launched a larger-capacity model,
the 45-tonne 773. Four years later, the 77-tonne 777 appeared, with both models
sporting many of Caterpillars signature and proven features. Over the years, the
769, 773 and 777 truck models have each sold many thousands of units worldwide.
Tey have evolved through several upgrades to the present advanced 770, 773G and
777G models of 36-tonne, 53-tonne and 91-tonne capacities respectively.
Caterpillars rst off-highway truck, the 769, which went into full production in 1963. Caterpillars latest development in off-highway truck offers a range of electric drive
units. This is the 313-tonne-capacity 795F AC.
BY KEITH HADDOCK
As you face another winter in the eld, dont leave
equipment out in the cold
Te Winter Amnesiac
because the oil viscosity is a lot thicker in the winter-
time.
After that, you should exercise all of your hydraulic
cylinders by picking up each side of the excavator so
the tracks are clear of the ground. Rotate that track
forward and in reverse in order to get the oil in the
nal drives and the drive motors circulating properly,
he says. Pick up a dozer using the blade and the ripper,
but be extremely careful you can break the ripper
if youre not paying close attention. Tis will cycle
the oil in the transmission, the nal drives and the
undercarriage. You have to do this before you put the
entire force and weight of the machine on cold oil and
cold steel, Nunn adds.
What you need to be most aware of, however,
has more to do with common sense than technical
prociency. You really need to pay attention to what
your outside ambient temperatures are, Nunn says.
Tis will determine the correct type and viscosity of
oil to use. Tis varies based on site location, and its
easy to forget to change the oil type if you experience
an abrupt change in temperature. Tis is especially
important in locations like central British Columbia or
central Alberta, where you get extreme temperature
dierences, he adds.
You can conquer winter. When prepared for it, itll be a
cinch. Just dont forget that its coming next year, too.
Perhaps youve heard of a strange afiction affecting Canadians. Its not
exactly contagious, but when your friends and family are aected, it tends to rub o
on you. It comes around once a year, and though youve certainly had it, you wouldnt
remember its symptoms resemble amnesia. Yes, if you havent clued in by now, you,
too, are aicted. Im speaking about that thing that happens every year: we forget
about winter.
Sure, you dont really forget about winter. Nevertheless, you wait until the week before
Christmas to buy a new winter jacket, you wont switch boots until the snow is piled
up to your kneecaps and to you -25C is just an exceptionally cold autumn day, even
in November. Ten by the time that rst day of summer rolls out its verdant knolls and
sunshine, youre drinking margaritas on a patio and wondering why you dont wear
khakis and oral-pattern button-downs year-round.
Youll survive. But if you pass this aiction on to your heavy machinery, it might
not. You have to know how to ease your equipment through this cruel season, lest
you come out the other end with serious damage and lost productivity. Luckily, Brad
Nunn, Finning application specialist for heavy construction and mining, is here to
light your way through the snowstorm with advice on helping your Cat machine get
through the winter.
With some machines, you can get away with running the same kind of oil all
year, he says. Assuming so, however, is risky. In some cases, that can cause dam-
age, and more often than not, youre going to have unneeded warnings come up,
and the machines are going to be more sluggish, which is harder on the equipment
in the long run.
Tere are also proper ways to warm up your dozer. Some operators make the
rookie mistake of equating a warm cab to a warm machine. Te rst thing you
should do is exercise all the functions on the machine at a lower RPM, Nunn says.
On an excavator, for example, this will get the cylinders warmed up and lubricated
BY ROBBIE JEFFREY
LUBRICANT VISCOSITIES FOR AMBIENT TEMPERATURES
Compartment or System
Oil Type and Performance
Requirements
Oil Viscosities
C F
Min Max Min Max
Engine Crankcase for
Machines
Cat DEO-ULS Cold Weather SAE 0W-40 -40 -40 -40 104
Cat DEO-ULS SYN Cat DEO SYN SAE 5W-40 -30 50 -22 122
Cat DEO-ULS Cat DEO SAE 10W-40 -18 40 0 104
Cat DEO-ULS Cat DEO SAE 15W-40 -9.5 50 15 122
Tips

Managing people well in the workplace
starts with company-wide integrity
Equality Is King
direction. Whats the single biggest problem I see? asks Moir. Sta are scared to
ask for help; they dont want to look weak or like they cant handle the job, he says,
adding the same is true for the entire organization. Even if Moir asks the CEO how
something is done, the right answer is always, Ill get back to you. Ten, he says, its
important to go and nd out and follow through on that promise. You need to take
fear out of the equation, Moir explains.
Everyone should understand his or her role and be able to complete whats
necessary. Tat being said, says Moir, People are going to fail and you have to accept
that. He points out that its important to not let that sway the way you make decisions
as a manager. Equality is king, says Moir, adding everyone should be given the same
message and expectations are best if they are the same across the board. Emergencies
come up, accidents happen, deadlines get missed. Te trick is realizing when the same
person is responsible repeatedly and dealing with it in a timely manner. By the same
token, it is crucial to provide training and upgrading of skills for your sta.
Nothing is more motivating than accomplishing something you havent done
before, so if your company provides upgrading and you notice someone who could
benet from it, oer it to them. If they feel like they are a valued member of the team,
they arent going to take that new-found skill, elsewhere, says Moir. He concludes
by saying that money is not always the biggest motivator instead, job satisfaction
is, and the more a manager does to ensure all members of the team are happy, the
further it will go in ensuring they like coming to work and giving it their all.
What does it take to be a good manager?
Eective managers take the goals of the organization and
work them into his or her methods is the simple version.
Tey dont do the work themselves; they delegate. But the
trick is delegating to the right people. And of course that
starts with the employee selection process.
According to Steve Moir, a manager with more
than 20 years experience in various industries in
Calgary, what makes a great manager starts with a
company-wide culture: integrity, communication and
the ability to admit you dont have all the answers.
Hopefully, when you are appointed manager of
a team, says Moir, you are given the opportunity to
review its members individually and get to know
everyones strengths and weaknesses. Te trick is to
build a cohesive team, he explains. Tat can involve
making the hard decisions including who to let go.
But you also have the opportunity to hire, train and
promote. When it comes to hiring, during the initial
interview, Moir suggests taking each candidate for a
tour of your operations, outlining the job expectations
and selling them on the company. It gives you a chance
to see how they react and to answer any questions they
may have from the get-go.
Taking this simple step goes a long way in retention
and job satisfaction, Moir says. He notes that it is also a
good idea to check in daily with your supervisors to see if
there are any concerns for your team, and to also provide
lots of recognition for a job well done. Tere isnt anyone
who doesnt like recognition and praise, he says.
In terms of goal-setting, you need to ask for clarity
from your superiors so that you can explain it to your
sta. Give clear, concise instructions to everyone,
but handle the specic directions face-to-face. At
this point, you can see if they understand the goals
and it gives sta a chance to ask you for further
There isnt anyone who doesnt
like recognition and praise, says
Steve Moir, a 20-year veteran in
management.
BY CHRISTY NICH | ILLUSTRATION BY STOCKWELL COLLINS

BY ROBIN BRUNET PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY BARBOUR
Third-generation logger credits companys
success in part to its large Cat eet
TRUCKING
Keep on
ndustry leaders have long acknowledged that B.C.s logging
sector needs two key ingredients to take advantage of a highly
anticipated increase in oshore demand for wood: young, dedicated
crews and the right equipment.
Princeton-based logging contractor Reid Lind, who is partner in the
GR (Mac) Lind Logging family business, is fortunate to have both. Te
majority of his 20-member crew are in their 20s and 30s (Reid himself
is only 35); and his equipment inventory overwhelmingly Cat is in
prime shape, with the recent addition of a new piece of equipment that
is ideal for the rigours of a revitalized B.C. forestry industry.
GR (Mac) is currently using Caterpillars largest skidder, the 555D
series. Weve been running it for the better part of 2014 and its
I
YOUNG AND TOUGH: Princeton-based GR (Mac) Linds crew is
made up of about 20 members in their 20s and 30s and the logging
rms eet is overwhelmingly Cat equipment and in prime shape.
TRUCKING
Roberts sons, Mac and Jim, eventually joined the
company, and when Robert retired in 1981 Mac pur-
chased the logging side of the business and Jim bought
the trucking side the latter of which, consisting of
ve vehicles, is still going strong today.
Reid recalls, It was during this time that a Finning
salesman paid dad a visit and managed to convert him
into a Cat man. But frankly, it was an easy sell: all the
equipment performed extremely well under adverse
conditions, and then, as is the case now, Finning
provided excellent support. Plus, they have great
mechanics.
From the perspective of Trevor Dueck, Finnings
Kamloops-based general lines sales manager, the Linds
are ideal customers. Tey really focus on staying cur-
rent, hence the 555D, and theyre serious about their
equipment change-out plan, he says. Tis, combined
with running a very clean operation along with a focus
on cost, safety and nurturing new talent, makes them
typical of B.C.s new generation of loggers.
Today, GR (Mac) Linds eet consists of two 541 and
one 741 feller bunchers; the 545C; two 535Cs; three
320Ds with Waratah Harvesting heads; a 324D and a
320 log loader; an excavator; bulldozers; and a 14m and
160m motor grader. We also have John Deere equip-
ment, but that was inherited earlier this year along with
ve more employees and three trucks when we bought
out a local contractor, says Reid, pointing out that
the transaction expanded GR (Mac)s annual capacity
from about 180,000 square-metres to at least 250,000
phenomenal, Reid says. We put it alongside our
545C, which itself is a great machine, but in terms of
performance in rough terrain and the 555s ability to
carry large loads, theres no comparison.
Reid has a special kinship to the skidder because,
to a certain degree, he helped design it. When the
555 was in the prototype stage in 2012, Caterpillar
invited a bunch of loggers to Cats LaGrange,
Georgia, manufacturing plant to examine it and make
recommendations about how it could be improved,
he recalls. When we returned a year or so later to
view the updated model, we were amazed that the
majority of our
recommendations
had been enacted.
Finning and GR
(Mac) go back a long
way, which is some-
what ironic consider-
ing the family-owned
company rst made
a name for itself with
equipment from the
competition. Tat
brand was the preference of my granddad, Robert
Lind, laughs Reid. He entered the business in the
1950s on the trucking side, and he soon founded R.A.
Lind as a logging operation and grew both businesses,
falling and building roads for Northwood which was
eventually purchased by Weyerhaeuser.
EXERUPTUS ET: rehento blaborepe voluptat
ut estius endesti ut is mi, quam id et atur si
consequi quis arum hition con repelen daniant.
The 555 allows us to run in
a lot of snow, mud, adverse
skidding. It doesnt slow
down as much. You ll the
grapple and it goes.
Reid Lind, GR (Mac) Lind Logging
BREAKING GROUND: Reid Lind, partner in his family
business, was involved in the early stages of testing the 555
skidder when it was in the prototype stage back in 2012.
square-metres of wood, on behalf of Weyerhaeuser.
Reid has witnessed a lot of challenges to his family
business over the years, including most recently having
to relocate operations to Kamloops for three years
and then working for West Fraser for a season before
returning to Weyerhaeuser and Princeton this year.
While Robert, 81, is enjoying his retirement, Mac is
still actively involved in the company, and father and
son share a similar approach to business. We value
our people and maintain a fairly easygoing relationship
with them as opposed to the hard-ass attitude you still
nd in the contracting community, says Reid. Were
fully aware that its a challenge to recruit and retain
new talent, so whenever we come across someone
who is serious about getting out of bed at 2 a.m. every
morning and learning some skills, we grab that person
and train them thoroughly.
When Tracks & Treads talked with Reid in late
September, he and his crew were falling in the vicinity
of Apex Mountain Resort. Were harvesting spruce,
r and balsam on fairly steep, rocky terrain, he says.
In general were chasing more wood than ever before,
and that will certainly be the case in the future. So you
denitely need big equipment to be ecient, and the
555 ts the bill.
Reid adds, Were relying heavily on the new
skidder, because theres a lot of over-the-bank stu
in long slope conditions. Te 555 allows us to run in
a lot of snow, mud, adverse skidding. It doesnt slow
down as much. You ll the grapple and it goes. In
normal operation, all four wheels of the skidder move
independently; but in the type of poor ground conditions familiar to Reids crew, the
independent front and rear dierential locks can be engaged separately for better
pulling and manoeuvrability.
Reid was one of several teams of contractors to participate in the D Series skidder
launch earlier this year in Peachtree, Georgia, an event that brought customers and
distributors from all over the world to see the machines in action. Of his contribu-
tion to the design of the nal product, he says, Te prototype was actually pretty
much perfect when we rst saw it. All we did was suggest neater hosing and wiring,
accessibility to the drive shaft, guard panels: simple adjustments, nothing major. It
really impressed me that the nal model incorporated these suggestions.
For the record, the D Series outperforms the C Series thanks to a six-speed
transmission with more gears in the working zone; lock-up torque converter and
independent front and rear dierentials for more pulling power and control; high
capacity cooling system and reversing fan; a roomy, quiet and cool operator station;
and tilting cab for servicing.
Its also more stable and gives the operator a smoother ride due to optimization
of the wheelbases and component layout, according to Matt McDonald, product
specialist for Caterpillar Forest Products. Te customer has a more versatile
machine that is highly eective in sensitive applications such as rst thinnings,
while maintaining the stability for working in tough conditions.
McDonald adds that a new hydraulic system gives the D Series faster multifunc-
tioning capability and greater lift capacity: You can move your loaders to a new job
site quickly and get on with the work.
Reid notes that his 555 operator, Ryan Young, enjoys working with the skidder so
much that when a processing job within the company opened up earlier this year,
he turned it down. It would have been a bump up for Ryan, and even though itll
be some time before another opportunity to advance comes along, he told me he
preferred working with the 555, he says. Improved visibility and a balanced cab that
provides a smoother ride are just two of the reasons for Youngs enthusiasm.
As for meeting quota, Reid is cautiously optimistic that by year-end, the 555 will
have helped enable the company to exceed its 250,000-square-metre target. Initially
when we bought out the local contractor we gured meeting the additional harvest
volume would be a challenge, but everythings worked out far better than expected.
Although in September Reid was still unclear of the options that 555 eld testers
such as he will have once testing is over, hes adamant about making the skidder a
permanent part of his eet. Teres no question about it, we need this machine for
our future operations. Te next few years are going to be very busy for us: Wey-
erhaeuser is asking for more wood and the industry as a whole is rebounding. We
need machines like the 555 to handle volume.
To which Dueck says by way of conclusion, Reid is determined to own the rst
555D in Canada, and Ill be most happy to sell it to him.
n the ve years since its inception, The Cat
Rental Store in Edmonton has been growing.
Much of its success can be accredited to its
customized training programs.
We found out that one of the most valuable
aspects of our business was the equipment safety
training, says Tim Ranson, health and safety manager
at Te Cat Rental Store, which is Finnings chain of
equipment rental specialists. Customers identied
mobile equipment safety training as important to
their business.
I
BY MARTIN DOVER
Ranson explains that customers have a legal require-
ment to provide operational and safety training to their
sta, and they are looking for solutions to provide the
best, most comprehensive training possible. Having a
safety program that is known for its excellence makes
the provision of equipment easier and more reliable,
Ranson says. For sales sta, having that safety program
so well entrenched in the process means that Te Cat
Rental Store sales reps can speak about training with
condence. Tis is something the customers want
to hear, he adds. Safety is more important to the job
Trained Professionals
The Cat Rental Store partners with
businesses to offer specialized
safety and operational training
IN TRAINING: The Cat Rental Store sees
the value in offering specialized training
to its customers on its equipment.
employees or processes that can be shared up the
chain of command. Training and competency testing
are great tools for identifying standout employees.
Wickham says that everyone benets from training,
from the fresh new hire without much experience,
to the grizzled veteran at the controls. Equipment is
always changing, and everyone can learn, he says.
Sometimes, training reveals bad habits that
operators didnt even know they had. Tis is where the
other business benets come in: these are the positives
that come with a well-trained group of operators.
Tey are more productive and work more eciently,
says Wickham. Tey incur less wear on the machine,
which means less downtime. Tey can spot indicators
of future problems on the machines before they
become big problems.
But the biggest benet? Everybody goes home when
the day is done.
than completing it nancially successfully is.
Of course, there is no such thing as one-size-ts-all
when it comes to training. It has to be customized,
says Doug Wickham, equipment training manager for
Te Cat Rental Store. He says that once a company
understands that safety is at the root of operational
training, it truly becomes a partnership. We want
everyone to go home safe, he says. In partnership
with Finning general construction equipment
representative Roy Cooper and manager Barry Harris,
Wickham was able to support the sale of equipment
with the Newalta. Its a customer that holds the same
entrenched safety mentality, and is a company that
provides engineered environmental solutions to the
heavy oil and industrial sectors.
Fleet coordinator at Newalta, Roxanne Craigdallie is
in charge of buying and leasing the companys rolling
eet. With 87 branches, its very important for us
to have a safe environment for our employees and
contractors, she says. With Te Cat Rental Store, op-
erators learn to use the equipment correctly. At many
of its branches, Newalta engages Te Cat Rental Store
to conduct training for new sta and contractors, new
equipment, incident response and a change of brands,
among other reasons.
Dougs group introduces full walkarounds as a rst
look at safety, Craigdallie says. Its an easy step, and
it trains operators to get in the habit of checking small
things that could lead to incidents loose lug nuts,
bolts, a uid puddle. It builds good habits and pro-
vides a means of spotting a spark before it can become
a ame. Building those good habits just wont happen
without a good reason. Dougs group takes the time
to make sure the operators understand why they are
looking for these potential problems, Craigdallie says,
and what they might mean.
Ranson describes Newalta as a global company
with roots in Western Canada. It works in potentially
hazardous sites and maintains safety as its most
signicant concern, he says. At Newalta and else-
where, training from Te Cat Rental Store happens on
site in real-world conditions, and it engages employees
to learn fresh skills, testing those skills later. We back
up the equipment sale to customers, says Wickham.
Customers can get all of their service requirements,
equipment resources and safety training tailor-made
to the site and situation. We are very mobile we will
go anywhere, he adds. After customers receive initial
delivery familiarization, Te Cat Rental Store trainers
arrive for the competency testing aspect.
Testing provides valuable insight to customers like
Newalta, which helps the company further improve
its safety and business practices. For example,
Craigdallie says, testing identies potential in-house
mentors and it also identies those employees who
need mentorship or who might be more valuable
at a dierent position in our company. She says
it sometimes reveals positive information about
iewed from the road off the Trans-Canada
Highway anking the southeast mountains
of B.C.s Fraser Valley, K&L Contractings
headquarters is a ranch-style home that one would
expect to accommodate horses in a backyard corral.
Lincoln Douglas, K&Ls president and general
manager, is indeed a horse lover: he used to be a
professional chuckwagon racer on the stampede
circuit. But instead of a corral theres an industrial
garage out back, and farther down the road is a gravel
pit where Douglas oversees the aggregates portion of
his business.
If one were to travel another hour east to Merritt
and then to Boston Bar, the logging ground area
that comprises the bulk of K&Ls activity would be
fully revealed and for a company that got into
the industry in 2008, that activity is impressive.
Altogether I have between 80 and 100 people on my
payroll, about 60 per cent of whom are First Nations
members, says Douglas, 53, who himself is a chief of
the local Cheam band.
V
BY ROBIN BRUNET
FORMIDABLE FLEET: K & L has an extensive
inventory, dominated by CAT machines, from
the 568D log loader to a D8 dozer.
Going
Coastal
K & L Contracting is hitting its stride
in B.C.s logging landscape, forging
partnerships as it goes
As for equipment, K&L has an extensive inventory
dominated by Cat machines: nine in all, including a
new 568D log loader and 568D road builder; a 325D
road builder; a 324D processor; a 330C log loader; a
320C excavator; a 518 skidder; a D6 and a D8 dozer.
Its no secret that the B.C. coastal logging industry
is on the verge of a long overdue upswing, and
throughout the province companies and governments
are forming partnerships with First Nations in a bid for
aboriginals to play a more meaningful role as opera-
tors, business owners and licensees.
But Douglas, when asked what led him to be able
to gather so many employees and a large inventory
in so short a time, points out that hes spent a whole
lifetime working, rst for his father (who was also
a logger). As a teen, he became procient handling
Cat dozers. After that I got into construction, helped
build the Coquihalla Highway and other projects, ran
equipment at a sand and gravel site, partnered with
my sister to operate a gravel pit you name it, he
says. We launched K&L in 1999 as a sand-and-gravel
operation that now markets over 450,000 cubic-metres of product annually.
Douglas methodically acquired his Cat eet over the years. He always respected
the reliability of the brand, but his appreciation intensied when he signed a
contract to log a 64,000-cubic-metre Cheam Non-Replaceable Forest Licence. I
studied dierent vendors, but Cat machines had the most durability, starting with
inch-thick steel rather than ve-eighths, so I bought the 330C, he says. Plus,
Finning had an excellent service program, which is essential considering coastal
loggers routinely work in steep terrain with wildly uctuating weather conditions.
As K&L Contracting secured more contracts, the 330 was quickly followed by
a new 325 road builder with power clam, then a new 324 with processing head. A
bonus for Douglas and his crew came earlier this year in the form of Rob Martino,
Finnings Surrey-based general line sales representative. Hes especially good
to work with because hes a former mechanic, so we speak the same language,
says Douglas.
We have a great working relationship, agrees
Martino. Lincoln and his crew rely on our expertise to
guide him through repairs and other issues involving
older equipment. Its a
good balance of them
performing maintenance
on their own and us
coming out on more
serious matters.
K&L Contractings
success means economic
opportunities for the
Cheam and surrounding
First Nations, and Douglas is inspiring a new gener-
ation of aboriginal people to forge industry careers,
case in point: 23-year-old Kelsey Pelegrin, who trained
as a heavy-equipment operator through a First Nations
training program in the region and now works for
K&L as a road builder. Its always been a struggle for
First Nations members to become self-sucient, but
Kelsey is a good example of how far weve come, says
Douglas. As for his own success in the volatile logging
eld, he smiles and shrugs: Its a matter of partnering
with the appropriate people and knowing where and
when to log, he says. Im aggressive in assessing and
seizing opportunities, and Ive also learned how to
delegate, which is crucial in achieving growth.
Casting an eye to the future, Douglas intends to
further develop his companys resources. Weve
enjoyed a huge growth rate in the last three or four
years, but we still dont have every tool in the box we
have contract processors and contract trucks, and that
may change down the road.
As for the industry itself, it looks like the next three
years, if not more, will be very strong. By that time well
have all our equipment paid, so well be in terric shape.
And with the equipment being Cat, were condent about
successfully handling any contract we undertake.
ROAD BUILDER: K & L employs about 100
people, 60 per cent of whom are First Nations.
With the equipment being
Cat, were condent about
successfully handling any
contract we undertake.
- Lincoln Douglas, K & L Contracting
Tird-party customer surveys help
Finning gauge its service levels
Tey Know
the Score
Finning Canada is Western Canadas dealer, for both sales
and service, of Caterpillar heavy equipment. Finning sets itself
apart in a competitive industry with its superior after-sales service
and customer care: according to Finning, the sale is the start of the
relationship, not the end.
We want your experience with Finning to be best-in-class, says
Steve Chorney, general manager, product support, for Finning Can-
ada. Only by continuously checking with customers can we ensure
that our improvements are noticed, consistent across all branch
locations, and are sustainable in the long term, he says.
As part of the customer relationship, Finning has conducted a
number of customer loyalty surveys over the years. Finning began
surveying its customers in February 2011 and stopped surveying in
July of that year, when it launched a new system for doing quotes,
parts and work orders. Implementing the new system was a major,
major change that wasnt easy for customers through the mill for
a year and a half, says Michele Gauthier, customer experience
coordinator for Finning Canada, based in Edmonton. Tis is a key
reason that customer loyalty surveys are more important than ever
for Finning.
Customer loyalty surveys help Finning gauge how its doing. We
are improving every day and trying to measure that improvement
through customer feedback, Gauthier says.
To ensure its providing a high level of customer service, Finning
has contracted the Daniel Group, an impartial third-party provider,
to contact each customer no more than once per quarter, to collect
feedback on the level of service that Finning provides. Te company
reviews the feedback and does followup as required with each
customer. Honest feedback is very important, Gauthier says, because
it helps Finning improve its customer service.
Te Daniel Group, which is based out of South Carolina and does
surveys for 37 other Caterpillar dealers in North America, conducts
approximately 250 customer surveys for Finning Canada each month.
Each survey can take anywhere from three to ve minutes depending
on the customers feedback. One question within the survey, the net
promoter score, is based on a customers willingness to refer others
to Finning Canada. It is Finnings passion to provide customers with
unrivalled service, and it strives for a nine or 10 on this question.
All customers are equally important, no matter how they score,
Gauthier says, noting that Finning Canadas goal is to contact every
customer who has completed a survey, to thank them for their
feedback and for taking the time to respond to the survey. Without
your feedback, we cant x what we dont know is broken.
Its true that customer loyalty equates to a score, but much more
than that, We want the relationship with the customer, Gauthier
says. Te point is to let customers know we are looking for their
open and honest feedback. Tats why followup is important. Te
score is one thing, but having the conversation about their customer
experience is more important.
For her part, Gauthiers entire focus is on how Finning can
enhance the customer experience. Tis is all I do. I live and breathe
loyalty eight hours a day. As the administrator for the database that
houses the survey, Gauthier reads all of the surveys as they come in,
forwards the surveys to branches, and lets each branch know when
they need to call a particular customer right away. She will also enter
notes into the system for calls where no resolution is required.
We can get best practices that way, explains Gauthier, who will
share best practices between branches. As just one example, when
a customer commented that the local Finning branch could benet
from more signs so that people would know where to go, the branch
not only added more signage, but also placed stickers inside the cabs
of all of its equipment, with contact names and phone numbers for
its parts and service department.
Gauthier reports on the survey results on a monthly and quarterly
basis, works with branches on a variety of dicult scenarios and puts
together training documents to help each branch continually up
their game.
Gauthier who started in her position, a brand new role at
Finning Canada, in January 2011 believes the customer surveys are
making a real dierence. I read every survey. I see the dierence in
the comments, she says. We are improving month over month. Its
a work in progress, and were getting there, thanks to the feedback
from our customers.
BY JACQUELINE LOUIE
cus1o:tv txvtvttct
Spot light
BY SAMUS SMYTH
Fluid sampling is an important step toward keeping
Caterpillar equipment running healthy
A Well-Oiled Machine
The doctor will see you now.
Te Finning industrial machine doctor that is.
Finning Canada, a leader in heavy-duty mechanics
and machinery has been providing scheduled oil
sampling for years, but never has it been more
important.With rising costs and an economy with an
ever-accelerating pulse, broken-down machinery arrives
with a serious cost to time and nances that can be
easily avoided by a few simple appointments.
Te Finning team nds no better method of
explaining how its uid sampling process works than by
using a favourite analogy, one that alludes to a medical
procedure.Te uid is the blood. We go and get the
blood work done and from the blood, the doctor can
determine our health, explains Katrina Ostriko,
maintenance product manager. For the machines, we
take uid samples, oil samples, coolant samples, uent
samples, and by conducting the tests, we can determine
the health of the equipment.
For Finning it is big business. For the customer,
a quick check-up can drastically lower owning and
operating costs.
Early detection of a problem, through oil analysis,
can enable a repair before failure and the savings are not
just limited to the cost of repairs, says Jody Exell, uid
analysis manager.Being able to repair a unit when it
is not being utilized also saves the costs of unplanned
downtime (when the equipment could be earning
revenue). Early detection of the problem allows for
exibility in scheduling the repair.
Finning mechanics are trained in the latest and most
specialized equipment, even being certied in Caterpil-
lar programs to ensure maximum prociency.
Acknowledging that not everyone has strictly Cat
equipment, the laboratories are capable of testing more
than just their own product.We analyze everything
from Cat 797s to a weekend mechanics favourite hot
rod, and everything in between, says Exell.
Finnings labs in Edmonton and Surrey, B.C. have
data analysis that help pinpoint future issues and areas
that require immediate uid upgrading or lling. Te
labs are ISO 9001 accredited and they follow ASTM
International (American Society for Testing and Materi-
als) methods using the standard industry instruments
for the most accurate analysis.
Exell says that the team is constantly updating information and learning about new
methods and new technologies that may serve as benecial to present and future
clientele.Tings have denitely changed since the 70s, she says, when discussing the
modern-day intricacies and the latest and greatest machines tend to provide.
One thing that dierentiates Caterpillar dealer labs from other labs is that we have
interpreters looking at every sample, ensuring the trending and results are within
specications for that particular uid and compartment, Exell says.
Each lab features supervisors, interpreters and certied technicians. When a
customer buys a new piece of equipment, they receive a pack of 10 oil samples, and it
is highly recommended that a customer takes advantages of these samples during the
warranty process.
Many will wonder how often one should have his or her equipment checked. Exell
says that virtually every compartment of machinery tends to have its own unique,
biological clock.Engine compartments, for instance, may need to be checked every
250 hours.If a piece of equipment is running 24 hours a days, it could mean every 10
days it needs to be checked, she explains.
Issues detectable in coolant, for example, include excessive water additions;
excessive Supplemental Corrosive Additive (SCA) additions; oil/fuel contamination;
coolant condition; and overall cooling system health.
Te end goal, for the consumer and for Finning is to keep machines running
as long and as ecient as possible in order to avoid any sudden replacements
or repairs.
Te uids are there to protect your equipment from premature wear. Checking
the uids will help prevent premature wearing by capturing what is going on in the
uid, says Exell.
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OIL IS WELL: Checking the uids regularly at a
Finning lab keeps machines running well.

There are days when we will almost run
out of plaster because there are so many
broken wrists, says Dr. Darren Nichols, an
emergency room physician.
Of Ice and Men
An ER doctor shares sage advice on
staying ready for work and out of
the hospital this fall and winter
I ask Dr. Darren Nichols if hes ever suffered a winter-specic
injury, hoping this writer who once spent the winter on crutches
after a slip would be in good company. I remain uninjured, he
says, condently. You know the expression, Good judgment comes
from experience, which usually comes from bad judgment? I get
some proxy experience.
Nichols is an emergency room doctor at the University of Alberta
in Edmonton and he sees his fair share of wintertime injuries. While
colloquially, these are accidents, in reality most are preventable.
Even those of us who grew up through Canadian winters still forget
to put our winter brain in, he says. Especially for those who dont
have a lot of experience with Canadian winters, its worth having a
conversation. So here we are with a list of major winter pitfalls that
are easy to avoid with common sense.
Dangerous roads lie ahead. Te perils of winter driving are
well known. Put winter tires on as soon as possible and have an
emergency kit in stow. Speed and alcohol are obvious contributors to
motor vehicle collisions, but most notably, says Nichols, is attention
management. Distracted driving is the big killer, he says. Also
make sure to leave more time for your vehicle to slow down before
stopping. In short, he says, Respect physics.
Aches and ladders. Ladders behave dierently in the winter than
they do in the summer, so string your lights with caution, not Christ-
mas cheer, he warns. Even if we have safety gear, its hard to put on
over a parka, Nichols says. Were aware that theres a higher risk in
the winter, but were also more lackadaisical; we just want to get it
done. Take all the safety precautions you would during the summer,
and if your ladder is aging, invest in a new one. Te easiest insurance,
of course, is to hang your lights before the rst snowfall.
A clear path to the ER. As soon as we get a little freezing rain or
ice, its ridiculous, says Nichols. Tere are days when we will almost
run out of plaster because there are so many broken wrists. Maintain
your walkway, your neighbours walkways, your parents walkway
and your grandparents walkway, he advises. Its a lot of work, but you
dont really believe you can safely descend glare-ice steps all winter,
do you?
Dont twist and shout. Any activity that makes you bend and
twist, like lifting a child out of the back seat of a car, puts your back at
risk, he says. And we do this repeatedly when we shovel snow. Like
a new ladder, an ergonomic shovel that saves you from the bend-and-
twist regimen is a smart investment.
Hockey night in hospital. More time on the road means an
increased likelihood of motor vehicle collisions, for one. Also, as
soon as hockey season starts up, you recognize that your knees are a
year older, Nichols says. If you havent been working out o-season,
youre at risk, and you should ease into it. Teres also the heavy
hitter concussions, which Nichols says have increased severalfold
in the last decade. Not a day goes by where Im not seeing someone
come in with a concussion, he adds.
Room for recovery. Heres some age-old advice should injury still
befall you: With respect to musculoskeletal injuries and physical
therapy, the advice is the same today as it has been for the last 10,000
years, Nichols says. Listen to your body. If you have pain, its there
for a reason. Dont lie around in bed, but dont overdo it either. And
if you have a head injury, you need cognitive rest as well dont use
a concussion as an excuse for binging on Netix, he says. Tats what
New Years Day is for.
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BY ROBBIE JEFFREY
Picture it: youve been driving for several
hours and you just want to get home. You are slightly
mesmerized by the yellow line in the pool of light cast
by your headlights. Suddenly, you feel your head jerk up,
and you correct your steering to align the car with that
yellow line again. You have just had a micro sleep the
worlds most dangerous nap.
Most drivers can pull over to stretch their legs or
grab a coee. Truck drivers and heavy equipment
operators have less latitude over their schedules and
they drive far bigger machines. With that in mind,
Finning has inked a deal to oer sales and service on
a new technology that will help managers help their
crews stay alert at the controls.
At rst, I had my doubts, confesses Finnings Alex
Docherty, director of technology. He worried that
operators might bear the burden of the fatigue-ghting
system. Fortunately, the technology produced by
Australian company Seeing Machines has a big manage-
ment component.
Seeing Machines creates operator monitoring and
intervention sensing technologies and services. Te fo-
cus of the agreement is a driver safety system, for which
Finning Canada has become the sole Western Canadian
enterprise to oer sales and support. Te company
produces a combination of hardware and software that
installs camera-based technology in the cab to watch an
operators face as he or she watches the road. It works
with algorithms that read a drivers face for signs
of tiredness and it sends the data to Tucson, Arizona
for processing. Te goal: to prevent fatigue-related
incidents in o-highway trucks and other machines.
At its basest, if a driver nods o the system rouses
him, perhaps with a vibration in the seat or an alarm. At
a higher level, it monitors a customers entire crew over
time, recording and processing data in such a way that
management can review it and, where necessary, alter
workow to mitigate weak points.
Imagine a crew working round-the-clock in a
mine, Docherty says. Lets say theyre scheduled for
coee breaks at 3 a.m. Well, if the system is recording
micro-sleeps in several crew members between 2:30
and 3, management might bump the coee break up
to 2:15. It can also identify a particular employee who
registers several micro-sleeps. Maybe they have sleep apnea, Docherty speculates.
Medical treatment can help.
Te technology behind some Seeing Machines products has its genesis in 20-plus
years of U.S. Department of Defence research and academic R&D into cognition and
assessment and the development of eye-tracking. Once Docherty and the others at
Finning Canada understood the potential benet to safety, they were quickly onside.
We have the relationships with customers, he says. Teyre interested in any po-
tential safety gains. We engage with the manufacturer to explain the system and install
the product. Te rst Finning installation of the system took place at a customer site
in Fort McMurray on October 8. Everyone is looking forward to the rst results of the
pilot, Docherty says.
Its a wonderful partnership, says Russ Armbrust, vice-president of business devel-
opment for Seeing Machines. Finning and its customers are aware of the dangers
of fatigue and distraction its a major issue in the mining and over-road trucking
construction business. Tis technology helps prevent human tragedy that may result.
Armbrust says that Finning has done a great job explaining to customers and
operators the benets of retrotting driver safety systems. Te customers are
enthusiastic, he says. Its about protecting people on the worksite.
Armbrust and Docherty agree that safety is the main concern, but there are also
bottom-line benets. Docherty explains that the dirt berms that ank open-pit
mining roads can wind up being de facto rumble strips for operators. Te sound of
dirt scraping the tire wall can rouse a driver from the edge of a micro sleep. But that
warning is also the sound of tire wear a big maintenance cost on a Cat truck.
With les from Lucy Haines
BY MARTIN DOVER
Finning is testing a driver safety system from Down Under
to combat fatigue in operators by looking at their faces
Seeing is Believing
Spot light
FACE TIME: Camera-based technology works with algorithms to read a drivers face for fatigue signs.

Program that sees Finning employees
donate used workboots helps those
living in poverty get a leg up
shoes for all seasons and for kids and women, as well. Its so that the
population thats living on or below the poverty line have access to
good footwear which is so important when thats your only form of
transportation, says Dermott.
Curran-Morton says all types of footwear make it into the bins,
and all are welcome. Te foot is the most important tool for
someone who is homeless, because it allows them to be mobile and
get around. Boots protect and allow for day labour, too. From our
standpoint, thats a fantastic way to help them, he says, noting giving
boots no longer in use is a simple step for many people. To us its
just an old pair of workboots, but for those living in poverty it could
open all sorts of doors.
Edmonton is the fastest-growing city in Canada, and with that
you get more people who cant make ends meet, yet the job market
is among the best in the country. Te workboot program is just one
small step to giving those workers a chance to get established.
Finning Canada employees are doing their part to combat
poverty in Edmonton, one steel-toed boot at a time. Part of her role
with United Way of the Capital Region sees Jenn Dermott act as a bit
of a go-between for Finning and Homeless Connect to collect and
then distribute the needed footwear. She has witnessed how crucial
this step can be. Tere are so many people who are willing to work
in the construction eld and in labour positions that just dont have
the means to go out and purchase workboots and coveralls and all
the safety gear needed, says Dermott.
Craig Curran-Morton, the Finning mining project manager
coordinating the Finning program this year, says there is an annual
allowance for hourly employees to purchase new workboots. But
what happens with the old boots? Edmonton Finning employees are
encouraged to donate them in the bins provided in the shops during
the campaign from April to May each year, to help the working poor
get back on their feet.
Te Homeless Connect event, which runs in spring and fall
through Homeward Trust, makes it easier to be employed in a trade
as a day labourer, and hopefully also onto longer-lasting positions.
Te steel-toed boots can be quite expensive, so this is one less thing a
person down on their luck has to worry about.
Homeless Connect is an ongoing program in Edmonton which
provides everything from haircuts to training throughout the year.
Alex Abboud, director of communications and fund development
for Homeward Trust, says the organization is happy that Finning
employees are supplying their workboots, which are always in high
demand. I do know that many people who are day labourers or who
have other jobs that require workboots come to the event looking for
them, he says. Teyre usually all gone early in the day.
Curran-Morton wants to see the workboot program, which
Finning has participated in for three years in Edmonton, expand to
all Finning branches and he also wants employees to become more
aware of the potential good they can do. He estimates that 100 pairs
were dropped o last year; he would like to see that number climb to
150 or more.
Dermott adds that the recipients denitely wont turn down
new boots either, and the program also encourages the donation
of other types of good footwear like winter boots, hiking boots,
runners, and even sandals in the summer. Te program provides
Best Foot
Forward
BY CHRISTY NICH
Dont tell Charlene
Ghostkeeper that toil-
ing 12-hour days as a
journeyman mechanic is
a job for a man.
Its a job for a dedicated
employee willing to learn
the ropes.
Te well-liked and
respected Finning heavy
equipment tech started
out in shipping-receiving
15 years ago, and shes
the rst to admit that it
has been a steep learning
curve. At rst I couldnt tell
the dierence between a
transmission and a starter,
Ghostkeeper says.
When it was time to
make a change, the lure of
xing heavy equipment
was strong, so she signed
on for an apprenticeship as
a mechanic. Ghostkeeper
worked at the Shell Albian
Sands site for 10 years, and
moved to the Fort McKay
branch a year ago. Nothing
beats the big machines.
You cant work on a bigger
truck than a 797 and you
cant work on a bigger dozer
than a D11, she says. Te
best part is when you do
everything and then you
move it out of the shop.
Everyones happy to get
their machine back.
Working on the equip-
ment keeps her going, and
so do the people at Finning.
Lots of people have been
here at least 10 years, she
says, that says a lot about
the company.
When shes not sporting
coveralls and working
alongside her crew of 30,
Ghostkeeper enjoys time
o in Edmonton to work
out, spend time with friends
and play rugby. She likes
the shiftwork, too. Its nice
to be able to just sleep in
and then enjoy a coee on a
Wednesday when everyone
else is working, she says.
Portrait: Charlene Ghostkeeper
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START YOUR ENGINES!
The year is 1969 and Caterpillar marine engines are
at the helm of two of the biggest shing boats ever
built, the Eastward Ho and the Royal Venture.
The 107-foot identical twin sister ships are powered
by Caterpillar D38 turbocharged and after-cooled
marine diesel engines. Also onboard are two D330s
for the Eastward Hos auxiliary power and a D330 for
skiffs for each boat.
The Eastward Ho is owned by Fred Kohse of
Vancouver, a sherman for Nelson Bros Fisheries,
while the Royal Venture is being treated like a queen
by her owner Emil Jensen, a long-time Caterpillar
customer and contractor with Canadian Fisheries.
Count on Us
YOUR
#1 SOURCE
FOR THE BEST
GEAR AROUND!
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000TT-HeavyDutyGear-FP.indd 1 2014-10-22 10:29 AM T&T_Fall-Winter_2014_p30-32.indd 31 2014-10-30 10:58 AM
*Offer valid between October 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015 on select new models of machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. Building Construction Products Division. Offer based on the purchase and nance of new
qualifying models. Financing terms and conditions are subject to credit approval through Cat Financial. Customers can elect to skip three months of payments at front end of loan period. A credit of $250 will be given
for the purchase of a fabricated work tool(s) (buckets, forks, work tools without nomenclature) and a credit of $1,000 will be given for the purchase of a hydro-mechanical work tool(s) for a Cat Skid Steer Loader, Multi
Terrain Loader, Compact Track Loader, Compact Wheel Loader, and Mini Excavator, Backhoe Loader and Small Wheel Loaders. This offer is available only at participating Cat dealers. Offer is available to customers in
Canada only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer subject to machine availability and may change without prior notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
Contact your local Finning sales representative today.
DONT PAY
FOR
3 MONTHS
WHEN YOU FINANCE A NEW
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FOR 42
MONTHS
0
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OR
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1000
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*Offer valid Oct.31, 2014 Jan.31, 2015
ON MACHINES, PARTS & SERVICE,
COMPONENTS AND MORE. BIG SAVINGS
000TT-BigEvent-FP.indd 1 2014-10-22 10:32 AM T&T_Fall-Winter_2014_p30-32.indd 32 2014-10-30 10:58 AM

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A FINNING CANADA PUBLICATION PM #40020055 www.nning.

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Tracks & Treads Fall/Winter 2014

Tracks & Treads Fall/Winter 2014