Underground Construction articles from February 2003

Underground Construction archives from February 2003

Industry barometers. (Editor's Log).
February 1, 2003... Over the years, the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) has become the leading barometer of the industry. How goes the show, generally, is a pretty accurate predictor of what kind of year lies ahead...

Construction industry forecast improves. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
February 1, 2003... According to CIT Group Inc.'s annual Construction Industry Forecast, the 2003 construction activity outlook has improved for the first time since 1998, as industry executives express "cautious optimism" for U.S. construction activity this year....

Bobcat awarded $7.24 million contract. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
February 1, 2003... Officials at Bobcat Company, West Fargo, ND, announced the awarding of a U.S. government contract to supply Bobcat skid-steer loaders to the U.S. Army. The contract is good for five years with an initial order for 283 units worth $7.24 million....

Garfield Tunnel Interceptor opens. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
February 1, 2003... William Misterovich, Macomb County Chief Deputy Public Works Commissioner and Victor Mercado, Director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) cut the ribbon to officially open the Garfield Tunnel Interceptor recently completed in...

OMI-Thames wins water privatization contract. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
February 1, 2003... A final agreement is pending between city officials of Stockton, CA, Operations Management International Inc. (OMI) and Thames Water North America to privatize the city's water and wastewater treatment services. Mayor Gary Podesto says the...

Budapest plans sewerage upgrade. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
February 1, 2003... Preparatory work is under way in Budapest on a large advanced wastewater treatment complex that Hungarian officials say is the largest current environmental project in Central and Eastern Europe. The project will cost and estimated $307 million...

DCA members network online. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
February 1, 2003... Members of the Distribution Contractors Association can now log on to the DCA web site at www.dca-online.org/ members/and discuss hot topics in the industry with their peers. Further enhancing the networking opportunities available to members,...

GAO echoes congressional concerns over FERC regulation. (Washington Watch).
February 1, 2003... Natural gas pipeline officials in Washington expect some members of Congress to introduce legislation beefing up the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) regulation of pipelines. That expectation, based on Capitol Hill's frustration...

FERC clears way for new LNG terminals. (Washington Watch).
February 1, 2003... It is a rare occurrence when the CEO of one natural gas subsidiary cheers the granting of a regulatory bonanza to a competitor. But Christopher Helms, president and CEO of Panhandle Companies, says FERC's decision to allow the newly-approved...

Kubota tractor. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... Kubota's L48 is offered as either L48TL (tractor/loader) or L48TLB (tractor/loader/backhoe). With the loader and backhoe mounted, the length is 241 inches, width is 75 inches, and overall height is 113 inches. Weighing approximately 7,760...

John Deere. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... The 410G is a powerful backhoe in the mid-size range. An excavator-style hydraulic system delivers immediate response, combined-function metering, and low-effort control regardless of the load or application. Its high-torque 92 horsepower...

Caterpillar. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... The 74 net horsepower 416D backhoe loader offers 14 feet 5 inches of backhoe digging depth with a standard stick and 18 feet 1 inches of digging depth with an extendible stick. The 416D relies boasts several features not found on Cat's C-Series...

Case. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... The Case M Series loader backhoes include five models--the 580M Turbo, 580 Super M, 580 Super M Wide Track ant the 590 Super M. These range in horsepower from 73 to 99 with loader capacities from 6,182 to 7,327 pounds. The M Series offers...

JCB. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... A new generation of JCB backhoe loaders--models 212S through 217S--feature: an all-new automotive quality cab built for comfort and ease of use; JCB Precision Control; an increase in all-round visibility; in-cab noise levels which are up to 2...

New Holland Construction. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... Key features of New Holland Construction's LB series loader backhoes (LB75.B, LB90, LB110 and LB115.B) outstanding visibility and impressive breakout force, increased lift and bucket capacities. The view from the operator's station results from...

Ingersoll Equipment. (Equipment spotlight: loader backhoes).
February 1, 2003... The 7000 Series compact tractor loaders and compact loader backhoes from Ingersoll Equipment offer features like power steering to enhance tire and component life through its advanced geometry. Because hot oil reduces power and breaks down...

John Deere construction & forestry. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... The 27C, 35C and 50C ZTS compacts deliver performance, maneuverability and flexibility. The zero-tail-swing design of the C-Series ZTS compacts enables the body of the machine to rotate 360 degrees within the width of its tracks. This design,...

Bobcat company. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... The Bobcat 442 excavator is the company's first model mini excavator with zero-tail swing (ZTS). The right-hand corner of the machine is designed to swing within the width of the tracks so the machine can have a full 240-degree swing range....

Vermeer Mfg. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... Vermeer enters the compact excavator market with the introduction of the CX224. The CX224 is one in a line of seven new compact excavators. Weighing in at 5,400 pounds and measuring 4.8 feet wide, the CX224 features 14.9 feet of reach and a...

Kubota tractor. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... The KX161-3 Tight Tail Swing compact excavator features Kubota's Load Sensing System and Auto Idle System. The tail section projects only 4.75-inches beyond the width of the tracks while still maintaining the stability of a conventional tail...

Terex. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... Terex has added a new mini excavator to its compact equipment family: the 7,720 pound HR16 Mini Excavator. Powered by a 36 horsepower, 4-cylinder Mitsubishi diesel engine, the HR16 can dig 11 feet 2 inches deep and has an 18 feet 2 inches reach...

Komatsu America. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... Komatsu's new PC58UU offers operators many new features to increase job site productivity. The PC58UU features the offset knuckle-boom that enables operators to dig exactly where the tracks can travel. This feature allows trenching or digging...

Gehl. (Equipment spotlight: mini excavators).
February 1, 2003... Gehl Company offers three compact excavators that range from 3,582 pounds to 4,288 pounds. With digging depths of 7 feet 2 inches, to 8 feet 2 inches, the models (153, 193 and 223) feature improved hydraulic performance and faster cycle times...

City officials budget cautiously; hope for best. (6th Annual Municipal Sewer & Water Infrastructure Survey).
February 1, 2003... Rocked by 9/11 and a reeling economy, uncertainty ruled the sewer and water construction and rehabilitation market as the industry entered 2002. Early projections by municipal managers hoped for, at best, flat spending rates for the year. Now,...

New law mandates 3-digits one-call dialing.
February 1, 2003... Contacting one-call centers to arrange the locating and marking of buried utilities will be easier when provisions of a new federal law are implemented. One element of new pipeline safety legislation, passed by Congress last year and...

CGA Regional Partners Program kicks off.
February 1, 2003... A Common Ground Alliance Regional Partners Program is building momentum, reports Robert Kipp, executive director of the national CGA organization, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to implementing a comprehensive damage-prevention...

New congress may impact SRF funding: issues regarding taxes, IRS, OSHA may impact undergrounds construction industry.
February 1, 2003... The big underground construction issue before Congress at the start of the 2003 session is whether Republicans and Democrats can increase the funding ceilings for the wastewater and drinking water state revolving funds (SRFs). The water...

Ditch Witch enters mini skid-steer market. (1st Look).
February 1, 2003... Ditch Witch has added a mini skid-steer loader to its lineup of trenchers, vibratory plows and horizontal directional drilling equipment. The new machine, the SK500, was unveiled at last month's UCT show in Houston. The basic unit, two...

Annual contractors roundtable. (Underground Construction's).
February 1, 2003... Question 1 Labor: Are skilled laborers currently available to fill vacancies? And, with a down market, are contractors having problems retaining those remaining? Michels The construction sector probably has a greater turnover of...

Gas distribution outlook: O&M remains a top priority.
February 1, 2003... The nation's growing gas demand is expected to slightly spur U.S. gas distribution spending in the coming year. Supporting this is Underground Construction's Annual Pipeline Survey that indicates gas utility spending next year to serve new...

DCA President's profile: Michael Murphy.
February 1, 2003... Michael D. Murphy draws upon a lifetime of utility construction experience to fulfill his obligations as president of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA). Murphy is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Murphy...

DCA charter member Midwestern Manufacturing celebrates its 50th anniversary.
February 1, 2003... Midwestern Manufacturing Company of Tulsa, OK, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The company began as a part of Midwestern Equipment Company, one of the charter members of the Distribution Contractors Association. Armon Bost,...

Aerial gas leak detection system unveiled. (1st Look).
February 1, 2003... A Texas company soon will begin offering owners and operators of natural gas pipelines a new way to conduct leak surveys. DavConn Construction Co. Inc., Early, TX, has developed an aerial survey procedure using infrared camera component...

Akkerman. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... Precise line and grade installations of small diameter pipelines are possible with Akkerman Guided Boring machines. Capable of installing 4" to 24" diameter reinforced concrete, vitrified clay, steel casing or HDPE pipes, the Akkerman GBM uses...

Ballantine. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... Ballantine's newly designed compact Fluted Reamer increases attack angle and reduces weight. Deeper, wider flutes pump fluids to product and allow for better pressure and flow control. The reamer's low energy profiled carbide teeth provide...

Hobas Pipe USA. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... Hobas Pipe USA Inc. will be displaying our centrifugally cast fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar pipes, 12" to 102", assembled with gasket-sealed joints. Installation methods include open cut, sliplining rehabilitation, tunnel waterway...

Rain For Rent. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... "Pump Smart--Rent Smart with Rain For Rent." One of the top bypass pump providers in the nation, Rain for Rent offers one-stop shop convenience for all your bypass pumping needs. From engineering to on-site personnel, no job is too big or too...

The Estimator 6.0 is Quest's newest version of their flagship digitized takeoff and estimating software program. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... The Estimator 6.0 is Quest's newest version of their flagship digitized takeoff and estimating software program. Estimator 6.0 supports the use and tracking of alternates and features two new Visual Assemblies, XML file format support, as well...

Lamson Vylon Pipe. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... Lamson Vylon Pipe is an engineered PVC gravity flow sewer pipe that comes in 21" to 54" diameters for both new construction and pipe rehabilitation. Vylon also manufactures HDPE pipe in 4" to 16" diameters for pipebursting and continuous...

McLaughlin. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... New Fault-finder Locating System by McLaughlin. Locate, trace, identify depth of buried cable and pinpoint ground faults of electric, CATV and telecommunication cables, with one instrument. The affordable Verifier Vision FF by McLaughlin,...

DCI. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... As well as our full line of MK series products, DCI will be displaying and demonstrating its new Eclipse SST (steering tool) system and Eclipse dual frequency transmitter. In addition, the newly developed TensiTrak downhole product tension and...

Pearpoint. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... Pearpoint's P600 Mini is an ail-inclusive, portable, self-contained tractor based mainline inspection system equipped with a full 360 degree Pan & Tilt camera on a tour/six wheel drive steerable tractor. Approved, labeled and listed for...

Ditch Witch. (NUCA Exhibit In Print).
February 1, 2003... The Ditch Witch JT4020 All Terrain horizontal directional drilling system offers rockdrilling capabilities no other directional drilling unit in its size class can match. Using an exclusive mechanical dual-drive drilling system, the...

Lansas. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... For over 45 years Lansas has been the innovators of our industry. The new Lansas "Air Jack" is the next generation of manhole jacks. Equipped with an inflatable bladder, the air jack will create a perfect seat in the line every time. The "Sir...

American Augers. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... American Augers and Trencor, now known as Astec Underground, are industry-leading manufacturers of trenchers; horizontal directional drills, boring machines, mud systems and downhole tooling. Our equipment is in service all over the world...

Wyo-Ben. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... Buy Less and Do More. Wyo-Ben's group of high performance products allows contractors to maximize rig efficiency and reduce overall costs. As footage rates decrease, making the most of your drilling time is essential. Tru-Bore and Uni-Drill...

Vermeer. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... The Vermeer CS418 core saw can cut a variety of materials including asphalt and concrete reinforced with rebar. A versatile fleet tool that can be truck or trailer mounted, the CS418 allows access under pavement for utility locating, jacking,...

NO-DIG. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... NO-DIG, Sewers Without a Trench, with over 214,000 linear feet of pipe installed using microtunneling, pipebursting, and in-cased and open bore, makes it a proven U.S. designed and manufactured pipe. The Equalizer, the dynamic compression ring...

Mud Dog[R].(NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... From its compact design (for maneuverability) to its common sense ergonomics (like wireless remote control as standard equipment) to its wide range of options (like water tanks from 1000-2000 gallons) to its unmatched performance and...

McElroy TracStar 500. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... The new McElroy TracStar 500 Series II is the result of a thirty-year bloodline of fusion equipment that gives you the confidence of dependability coupled with added versatility. It has been beefed up from stem to stern, fuses true 20" pipe and...

TT Technologies. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... Trenchless equipment manufacturer TT Technologies, Aurora, Ill., recently introduced the new Grundoram Apollo pneumatic pipe rammer. At 32 inches in diameter, the Grundoram Apollo is considered the world's largest pneumatic pipe rammer. The...

Thompson Pump. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... Since 1970, Thompson Pump has specialized in assisting contractors and engineers worldwide with high quality pumps, dewatering equipment and engineering expertise. Thompson pumps are available in sizes 2" to 16" and are certified by the...

Godwin Pumps. (NUCA Exhibit In Print 2003).
February 1, 2003... Godwin Pumps, worldwide manufacturer/ rental supplier of portable pumping systems, enhanced its web site, www.godwinpumps.com, to provide immediate access to descriptions, specifications and performance curves for its Dri-Prime[R] pumps. Home...

NASSCO continues strong growth: eventful year for NASSCO, says outgoing president Mike Hogan.
February 1, 2003... Michael Hogan soon will end his term as president of NASSCO, a national organization dedicated to establishing and implementing standards for rehabilitating underground utilities. Hogan has been a member of NASSCO since 1988, filling various...

Trenchless municipal workshop scheduled for Tampa: April 22-23, Tampa, Fl. (UCT Seminar Series).
February 1, 2003... Tampa, FL, will be the site of the next UCT Seminar Series' Trenchless Municipal Workshops scheduled for April 22-23, at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. For the fifth straight year, Underground Construction and Rehabilitation Technology...

President's profile: Charles Duff.
February 1, 2003... When Charles Duff was elected 2002 president of the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) last March, he took over the reins of a group that was already experiencing the effects of a serious economic slump. And 2002 didn't get...

Rental stores provide important worksite extras: renting offers attractive benefits over owning equipment, especially during periods of economic slowdowns. Renting fills immediate equipment needs with products specifically suited for each job, and rented machines can be returned when the project is completed.
February 1, 2003... Renting equipment continues to be increasingly popular with organizations that operate, construct and maintain underground utilities. Not only do public and private utilities and the contractors who serve them rent items to fill occasional...

FINN Corp. names national rental manager. (Rental Update).
February 1, 2003... Affirming their commitment to the equipment rental industry, FINN Corporation, a manufacturer of the Eagle compact skid-steer, has appointed Mel Love as national rental manager. Love joins FINN with 15 years experience at a heavy equipment...

United Rentals makes Forbes 400 Best Big Companies list. (Rental Update).
February 1, 2003... In what Forbes called a daunting year for business, it included United Rentals, based in Greenwich, CT, on The Forbes Platinum List--The Best Big Companies. All the companies on the list had more than $1 billion in revenue and showed the...

Volvo Rents signs three new franchises. (Rental Update).
February 1, 2003... Volvo Rents, Asheville, NC, has signed rental franchise agreements with three new rental companies that will open Volvo Rents equipment rental centers within the next few weeks. The new franchisees are Allied Rental Centers, Virginia Beach, VA,...

Thefts target backhoes, air compressors, skid-steers and generators. (Rental Update).
February 1, 2003... Four types of equipment account for 70 percent of thefts, according to LoJack Corp., Westwood, MA, which markets the LoJack System--a stolen vehicle-recovery technology--in 20 states and to law enforcement in 20 other countries. Backhoes...

Distribution Construction Co. (Business: general industry reports).
February 1, 2003... Fred Cripps, owner/chief executive officer of Distribution Construction Company, has announced the appointment of Donald L. Owings from executive vice president operations to president and chief operations officer. Owings' background and...

Baxter & Woodman. (Business: general industry reports).
February 1, 2003... Baxter & Woodman Inc. Consulting Engineers, an employee-owned firm serving local communities and agencies in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, welcomes five new shareholders. Year 2003 shareholders include: Pavel Hajda, Ph.D., P.E....

Multiquip. (Business: general industry reports).
February 1, 2003... 2003 is Multiquip's 30th anniversary, marking three decades of new product development, sales and service support, and the commitment of more than 500 employees to providing the construction and rental industries with light- and medium-sized...

TBE Group. (Business: general industry reports).
February 1, 2003... TBE Group, a full-service national consulting engineering and planning firm, has appointed Shawn W. Kamp as project manager for its Salt Lake City, UT, office. TBE's Utah office offers subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and utility...

The Bayou Companies. (Business: general industry reports).
February 1, 2003... The Bayou Companies recently promoted Mike Kress to vice president of business development and marketing for all of the Bayou Companies, which includes Bayou Coating LLC, Bayou Flow Technology, Commercial Coating Services International, and C&L...

Thompson Pump & Mfg. (Business: general industry reports).
February 1, 2003... Donathon Johnson, branch manager at Thompson Pump & Manufacturing's Pensacola Service Center, has been elected vice president of Conventions for the Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF). Johnson will serve on the board of...

Petroflex NA/advanced pedestals. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... FAUX-CRETE Utility Marker Posts feature an attractive simulated concrete/stone appearance for use in locations where utility marking is required and when visual aesthetic balance with the surrounding environment is important. The marker posts...

Technical Toolboxes. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... Technical Toolboxes' PipeBLAST is a new user-friendly Windows software program for detailed assessment of pipeline response to buried explosive detonations. The mathematical model implemented within the software application is based on a...

Link-Belt. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The 330 LX has an operating weight of 78,000 pounds and features an Isuzu AA-6HK1XQB engine with 247 horsepower. The 330 LX is configured with a 21 feet, 2 inch boom and has three available arm lengths: 8 feet, 8 inches; 10 feet, 8 inches; and...

Mini-excavator/backhoe transforms into horizontal drilling machine. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The new hydraulic boring attachment from McLaughlin Manufacturing transforms your mini-excavator or backhoe into a horizontal drilling machine. Install pipes up to 4 1/2 inch in diameter, sprinkler systems, CATV and utility lines without...

Hancor. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The Hancor family of products has expanded further to include the FloGard+Plus Catch Basin Filtration System. With increasing emphasis placed on the treatment of storm water, FloGard+Plus provides pollutant and debris capture at point of entry...

Protavale oxford. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... Protavale's Pacetrace makes locating live power cables a simple task. Pacetrace can detect current carrying cables down to a depth of five meters (16.5 feet). Pacetrace has only one knob and a meter that is used for both estimating cable depth...

McLaughlin Mfg. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The Verifier Digital Locator is a micro-processing pipe and cable locator that is dependable and accurate for detecting and identifying underground services. The powerful 3-watt transmitter is fully adjustable to power up for longer locates....

Multiquip. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The MT-55F, MT-65H and MT-84F are 4-cycle Mikasa rammers from Multiquip that offer a new look, stronger crankcases, a narrower width to allow greater utilization in trenches, and a built-in primary engine air filter to simplify service and...

Plastic Trends. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... Plastic Trends now offers Injection Molded DWV fittings in sizes ranging from four to 12 inches. Fabricated DWV fittings also are available up to 24 inches. Also new to the SCH 40 DWV line are four- and six-inch Injection Molded Backwater...

Bobcat launches T300 compact loader. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... Bobcat Company extends its line of compact track loaders with the introduction of the vertical lift-path T300, which has a rated operating capacity (ROC) of 3,000 pounds, making it the largest in the Bobcat track loader lineup. The machine's...

Ground Heaters. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The AC1100 Ground Heater enables contractors to prepare building sites and pour concrete, both indoors and out, all winter long. Able to thaw up to 1,650 square feet of frozen ground at a rate of one-foot deep per day, the AC100 can also heat...

Fisher research laboratory. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The Fisher M-97 is designed for finding buried or paved over valves, boxes, manhole covers, or any concealed metallic object. It also locates targets made of aluminum, brass and lead. Push button tuning allows the user to pinpoint buried...

Kenco. (New products: the latest products).
February 1, 2003... The Universal Ripper from Kenco Corp. easily cuts through rock, shale and frost. Its unique design provides for maximum penetration and allows for use with any brand of excavator. The Universal Ripper is equipped with a replaceable ripper tooth...

Calendar: important upcoming industry events.
February 1, 2003... 2003 Feb. 19-22, Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International Education Day, Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN, Contact: Cole Publishing, PH: (800) 257-7222, FX: (715) 546-3786 Feb. 24-27, Auger Boring and Pipe Jacking Operator...