Five years as an admin buyer for a construction company means I've answered a lot of questions. You want to know about CASE equipment, forklifts, and concrete mixers—and, apparently, a few AirPods requests too. This FAQ covers the questions that actually cross my desk, plus a few I wish someone had asked me sooner.
What is CASE construction equipment?
When someone in our industry searches for "case," they almost always mean CASE Construction Equipment—the brand behind excavators, wheel loaders, backhoes, skid steers, and other heavy machinery. CASE is part of CNH Industrial, and the company has been building equipment since 1842. They also manufacture agricultural machinery under the CASE IH brand.
From a purchasing perspective, the dealer network is the brand's strongest asset. I've ordered CASE parts at three different companies, and the parts availability near job sites has consistently been better than other brands I've worked with. That's worth a lot when a machine goes down mid-project. Their product line ranges from mini excavators to full-size dozers. If you drive past an interstate highway project or a residential development, there's a good chance a CASE machine is on site.
What is a forklift?
A forklift is a powered industrial truck that lifts and moves materials over short distances. On construction sites, you'll see three main types: counterbalance forklifts (the classic sit-down model), rough-terrain forklifts with pneumatic tires, and telehandlers—which are sort of a hybrid between a forklift and a boom lift. Actually, telehandlers deserve their own category, but that's the gist.
The spec that matters more than lift capacity is the load center distance, mast height, and tire type. And according to OSHA (osha.gov), every forklift operator has to be certified—so that training requirement should be in your budget when you plan equipment purchases.
What should I know about buying a concrete mixer?
Concrete mixers fall into two basic categories: portable units that handle one to three bags of mix, and truck-mounted drum mixers that carry eight cubic yards or more. For most contractor crews, a portable mixer is enough for footings, repairs, and small pours. For anything bigger, ready-mix delivery is almost always more cost-effective than owning a drum mixer.
Everything I'd read said to buy the mid-range mixer and skip the budget option. I ignored that once—ordered the cheapest unit to save $850 up front. The gearbox failed after nine months. The replacement cost $1,400 installed. Now I calculate total cost of ownership before buying anything, not just the sticker price.
Where can I find CASE tractor parts or service?
If you're searching "crewe tractor" or a similar dealer name, you're probably looking for a local CASE dealership. CASE operates through a network of independent dealers, and these local shops stock genuine parts, handle warranty work, and offer service for CASE construction and CASE IH agricultural equipment.
I can't speak to Crewe Tractors specifically—I'm based in the U.S.—but this is how the dealer model works in most regions. One piece of advice from years of ordering parts: set up an account with your local dealer before the machine breaks down. It takes a few minutes and gives you access to their parts inventory and delivery schedules. That can save you a full day of downtime later.
How has equipment procurement changed in the last five years?
What was best practice in 2020 doesn't fully apply in 2025. When I started this role, I was faxing quote requests to dealerships and waiting days for answers. Now most of my ordering happens through dealer portals, and telematics systems alert us to service codes before operators even notice a problem.
The fundamentals haven't changed—equipment is still a long-term investment, and the cheapest quote rarely has the lowest total cost—but the execution has transformed. Online parts catalogs, digital fleet tracking, and remote diagnostics are standard now. Honestly, I'm not sure where pricing goes from here. We've seen identical specs quoted at different dealers vary by 20-30%—or sometimes 30-40%, depending on the month—since 2022.
Can I get an AirPods case replacement through company procurement?
No. This is my favorite recurring request. A foreman asked me just last month if he could order an AirPod 4 case replacement on the company account—he lost the lid and couldn't charge his AirPods on site. It's not an equipment question, but it does come across a procurement desk more often than you'd think.
Whether it's a full AirPods case replacement or just a charging lid, that's a personal expense at most companies. Our procurement policy covers equipment, materials, and site supplies—not employee electronics.
Actually, this question is a useful reminder. The word "case" can mean a CASE excavator, a concrete mixer, a tractor dealer, or an AirPods replacement. They're all valid searches, but they live in very different budgets.
