The Heavy Equipment Podcast

On the first thrilling HEP-isode of 2025, we explore one of the most pressing issues in the trucking industry: parking! We also cover the failures of policy and regulation in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, emphasizing the historical neglect of rail, and whether or not we actually need any of the stuff we need. All this and more – welcome to 2025!

We kick off today's exciting HEP-isode with a safety minute about road rage. Next, we explore what high-speed car electric chargers and the Ark of the Covenant from "Indiana Jones" have in common, interview Fortescue's Andrew Carlisle, and have a nostalgic fever dream about Mama's Family.

Ever wonder whether your minivan could gap the classic Bandit TA in the quarter? On today's exciting HEP-isode we run the numbers, talk through the awesome power of the 675 hp Trackzilla telehandler, ride around in the new electric 580 EV backhoe from CNH, and do whatever we can to avoid another round of Ferengi ear rubbing.

We just got back from Volvo Days 2024 in Shippensburg, PA where we witnessed firsthand the silent power and versatility of Volvo CE's newest construction machinery, and found out what makes it perfect for today's evolving urban landscapes. We also lament the lost art of percolated coffee and marvel at the possibilities of an 8x8 Mack-onoline van. All this and more, on today's exciting HEP-isode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast!

In today's thrilling HEP-isode of The Heavy Equipment Podcast, we ponder the burnout capabilities of Volvo's groundbreaking DD25 electric roller, reminisce about the good old days and the sweet smell of diesel on a spring morning, talk up PITT Ohio's big electric Mack deal, and take a detailed look at Caterpillar's acquisition of Bucyrus Erie. All this and more on the first (and possibly last) HEP-isode powered by Volvo CE!

Hyundai HD is stepping up to fill a massive hole in the market with the debut of their first independently built track dozer, the HD 100, which uses advanced data aggregation to product reliability and robust customer support. Next, the HEP-cats cover NPK's infinitely rebuildable hammers and their new sponsor, Radio Shack! All this and more on this exciting thirty-first HEP-isode!

On this special 30th HEP-isode, we ask: are zero-tolerance drug policies in the trucking industry outdated?This episode kicks off with look into the impacts of marijuana legalization on labor policies within the heavy equipment space. Next, we examine the declining demand for diesel fuel and shine a spotlight on Zeem Solutions' day-to-day operations as we delve into the financial intricacies of transitioning fleets to electric vehicles. Finally, we'll discuss the critical role of labor specialization and how outsourcing maintenance and repair services can streamline operations and reduce expenses for modern delivery fleets.

On this second HEP-isode of the all-new second season, we ask the question: What if the future of heavy equipment didn't just mean bigger and better, but smarter too? We break down the innovations and hurdles shaping the heavy equipment industry, starting with the Komatsu 930e mining rig, talk through the contentious issue of marijuana legalization and its ramifications across the heavy equipment space, and shine a light on John Deere's recent layoffs in the face of a multibillion dollar stock buyback. All this and the biggest Big Boy of them all, on HPE-isode 29.

It's been almost a full year since we launched the Heavy Equipment Podcast, so we're kicking off our return from a long break with the first HEP-isode of a brand-new season! We're diving right back into the socioeconomics of GM's $6 billion stock buybacks and giving Manitou's new forestry-focused telehandler a look, too. All this and more on this week's HEP!

This exciting HEP-isode is our HEAVIEST yet, as we put the spotlight John Deere's groundbreaking 3812 80T pulled scraper pan, venture back to 1956 and Mack Trucks' Arctic expedition, and explore colossal machines like Ohio's famous Big Muskie. All this and a spectral locomotive blasting across grandma's farm on HEP-isode 27!

Prepare to be transported back to a simpler time when two queens on the side of a coffee cup could make your day and spilling scalding hot chocolate on your crotch could ruin your life as Mike and Jo discuss the shortcomings of a Las Vegas landmark, GM's new Ultium-based commercial vehicles, and the Orange EV Husk-e yard hostler with 180,000 lb. GCWR. All this and the same number of blueberries in every muffin on this exciting HEP-isode of The Heavy Equipment Podcast.

In this week's HEP-isode, the boys bare witness to a watershed moment in American labor history as the United Auto Workers plant a victory flag deep in the heart of the South at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant, try to explain why everyone and their brother is putting a boom arm on their excavator, and ramble on like lunatics for a good 11 minutes. All this and the CIA's invisible purple paint, on HEP-isode 25!

This week, the guys are joined by Mats Sköldberg, head of technology for Volvo Construction Equipment, to chat about their all-new, battery-free EW240 Electric material handler. Then, they explore whether or not a sinister triumvirate of forces – the Mothman, the Jersey Devil, and a pack of WWII-era German Gremlins – could have been involved in the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse, and what that deadly disaster means for American shipping. All this, and a little bit of Airwolf, makes this a HEP-isode for the ages!

In this HEP-isode, Mike Zappone and Kevin Hollingshead from Tempest Storm Rentals join Mike and Jo to talk about disaster response and saving lives. Next up, the boys talk about the Teamsters, the fall of Yellow, why the latest 1075 hp Cummins Ram is perfect for hot shot cargo runners, and the new John Deere P series dozers. All this and an offer we can't refuse – enjoy!

This latest HEP-isode marks the debut of the new "Space Cowboy" opening segment, a visit to Work Truck Week with the new electric Kia commercial van, Caterpillar's $700 million investment in a new engine plant, and a new electric scissor lift from JCB. All that, and a little bit of Reaganomics to close out your busy week.

In this HEP-isode, we sit down with Marc Kermisch, CIO of CNH Industrial, to talk about how Case Construction is approaching automation and helping farmers become their own source of futuristic fuel.  Case' project Zeus and New Holland's electric tractor concepts win design awards, the boys discuss a massive PACCAR recall, China's marketing challenges, and Jo makes a startling confession that could tear the show apart. All this and more, on The Heavy Equipment Podcast.

In this exciting HEP-isode, Mike and Jo are joined by Chris and Rob from Moog Construction, whose innovative new ZQuip modular batteries could revolutionize the future of job sites. We also talk safety, work fitness, automation, and why South Park's anti-immigrant rally cry doesn't make a whole lot of sense. All this, and the power of Duracell batteries in our FIRST-EVER twentieth HEP-isode!

In this exciting, first-ever 19th HEP-isode, we invite you to come along, on an enthralling voyage through the dynamic realm of trucking and construction technology, where Mike and Jo talk about the new JLG mini-dumper, explore the revolutionary new Revoy EV trailer that converts diesel semi trucks to hybrids in minutes, and dissect the meaning behind all those WARN letters the UAW guys are getting from Ford. All this and Marissa Tomei, on the Summer of George!

The new product reveals are coming hot and heavy in the days after CES, with World of Concrete happening and the new Tier 5 emissions standards coming online driving innovation in ag and construction – but the big news is the all-new Volvo VNL line of Class 8 commercial trucks. Mike and Jo talk it all out, and throw in some suggestions for how to win a new Paccar Kenworth, too!

Get ready to deck out your rig with the most unexpected trinkets, as Mike and Jo take you on a road trip through truck stop America, uncovering the quirky side of these roadside havens. From alligator heads to cheese ornaments, we explore how these eclectic finds become part of the heavy equipment family, where Berkshire Hathaway  is steering the Pilot Flying J ship, and explore some of the great con/ag tech on display at the CES show in Las Vegas. All this and the Cleveland Browns, too, on this ... the very first HEP-isode of 2024!

In this special Christmas HEP-isode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast, Mike and Jo unwrap President Biden's gift to labor, discuss ways to get more women into the industry, go round and round about the fate of America's middle class, and talk about the EPA's role in Cummins' record diesel emissions fine. All this and the Caddyshack theme song, too – enjoy!

It's a huge week for pickup truck news, so Mike and Jo are breaking it down for you on this first-ever "Truck Week" HEP-isode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast! We start off with the new-for-2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD ZR2, roll into the first deliveries of the long-awaited Tesla Cybertruck, and talk about the right tool for the right job with the Mexican-market RAM 700. All this and a little bit Bob Seger on HEP-isode 15.

This week, Mike and Jo unravel the fascinating 107-year journey of Gravely – a brand that's more than just a name in the industry. The boys pull no punches as they tackle some contentious issues like planned obsolescence and value engineering, John Deere's "Right to Repair" lawsuit, and getting more kids into the trades. Also: Top Gun.

Get ready for a very special HEP-isode as we sit down with Volvo Penta's Darren Tasker and try to navigate the road to zero emissions. We also talk about the latest push for overtime pay for truckers by the Teamsters' Union, and ask ourselves why a Republican senator would challenge a 4th generation Teamster to a fistfight on the Senate floor. All this and more on a Black Friday edition of the Heavy Equipment Podcast (be sure to drink your Ovaltine!).

In this special Thanksgiving HEP-isode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast we revisit the hilarious WKRP Turkey drop, delve into some serious discourse around speed governing technology, and discover the all-new JCB Digatron, a backhoe-inspired monster truck that's continuing JCB's legacy of motorsports innovation. Also: Bigfoot, and the day's secret word.

In this HEP-isode, Mike and Jo check out the all-new 663 HP RamCharger hybrid pickup, how an Ohio equipment dealer called Company Wrench is getting it right, the growing cost of headlights, and go full "pew-pew" with frickin' laser beams to clean a bridge. We even get a little musical singing a classic musical diddy by the great Ty Webb. All this and more make this the greatest HEP-isode, yet!

This is it, kids — the absolute PINNACLE of HEP-isodes, and the boys are getting right into it with a deep dive into the greatness of the new Mack MD line, the Illinois lawsuit against John Deere and owners' Right to Repair, and we explore the many ways to establish neighborhood dominance with the new Gravely Axis. Also: Goofy Gophers and a cross-dressing Rabbit. It don't get any better than this!

In this HEP-isode, Mike and Jo explore California Governor Gavin Newsom's controversial take on autonomous semi trucks, what the Teamsters are doing to keep America trucking, and we find out exactly what kind of gear Mike is bringing onto the set of Equipment Gladiators. All this and taste of Canadian Maple Syrup, too — enjoy!

In this HEP-isode, Mike and Jo talk about California's looming EV requirements, noise regulations, and Americans' need to "have their cake and eat it, too." Volvo CE's Vice President of Product Management and Productivity, Dr. Ray Gallant, makes an appearance, and the boys explore the heavy equipment industry's ever-present need for drivers and operators. Also: the Illuminati and Hai Karate!

HEP-isode 7 has news about the new Mercedes electric semi, a pair of next-gen CAT track loaders, more talk about the UAW strike as it enters its second week, and why it's important to use the right tool for the right job. Also: if you can't work within fifty yards of a school, that's a problem!

HEP-isode 6 has news from MOVE America in Austin and Utility Expo in Louisville, a look into what Mike and Jo think the UAW strike is really all about, JLG breaking away from Caterpillar, and how upfitters like Knapheide are rising to the challenge of uncooperative OEMs. Also: the people of Lake Placid don't think Mike is funny!

HEP-isode 5 brings us our FIRST-EVER guest on the show, Wave's VP of Business Development, Ben Auslander joins Mike and Jo on the Heavy Equipment Podcast to discuss wireless fleet charging, the challenges facing fleet managers using telemetry on a mixed fleet, and the Celina 52's unique approach to answering questions about hygiene etiquette. Also: Large Marge!

In this HEP-isode, we talk about the multi-billion dollar collaboration between Cummins, Daimler, and Paccar/Kenworth, Toyota's utopian hydrogen factory at the Port of Long Beach, new advanced in microwaved food technology, and Tiger's latest upgrades for aging airport equipment. Also: Arnold's nude scenes better be CGI in this next one!

In this episode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast, Mike and Jo talk about their new company rides, talk about short-circuiting car dealers, and defend the brilliant guys and gals working to make the world a better place. Also: the lifeless corpse of Jimmy Buffet gets flown over Burning Man, Weekend at Bernie's-style!

In this FIRST-EVER second episode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast, Mike and Jo discuss the hidden costs of poor nutrition, running on everything, the robots running today's farms, and the importance of safety on the job. Also: a whirling wrecking ball smashing through a busload of orphans, Gladiator-style!

In this FIRST-EVER episode of the Heavy Equipment Podcast, Mike and Jo discuss Nikola's hydrogen fortunes, the automation of America's truck stops, and the importance of meeting the needs of drivers. Also: a 400 lb. nitro-methanol Shriner kart that spits blue fire and runs 7s out of the box!