Underground Construction articles from February 2005

Underground Construction archives from February 2005

Big show, big news.(Editor's Log)
February 1, 2005... From the exhibit hall floor of the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT)... Early reports are that attendance is definitely up, attitudes are positive, many new product introductions are going on...

Caterpillar, union workers reach deal.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... Caterpillar Inc. and the United Auto Workers union reached tentative agreement on a new six-year deal for workers in four states on the job without a contract since May 2004, a company spokesperson said. The proposed deal would cover more than...

EMATS Inc. secures contract to install pipe.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... EMATS Inc. has been awarded a $3.7 million contract with Bright's Creek Golf Club to install 165,000 feet of pipeline and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fiber-optic conduit for phase one of a multiyear project. Bright's Creek is a 4,600-acre...

Crosstex Energy to build 110-mile gas pipeline.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... Crosstex Energy, L.P. and producers in the Fort Worth Basin plan to build a pipeline to bring gas out of the Barnett Shale and into major pipelines that serve markets in Texas and the midwestern and eastern United States. Based on...

NUCA signs alliance with OSHA.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... On Dec. 6, 2004, the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) signed an alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that affirmed their joint commitment to reducing and preventing worker exposure to underground...

AGC calls on Congress to strengthen nations' economy.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has announced its new legislative priorities for the next two years, calling on Congress to increase investment in highway and transit improvements, expand infrastructure investment to promote...

Bankruptcy leaves construction jobs unfinished.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... Heyl Construction Ltd., which specialized in water and sewer line construction for cities, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on Dec. 2, in Austin, TX. The company owes more than 300 creditors between $1 million and $10 million,...

ADS selected for large pipe CSO temporary project.(Newsline: the latest industry developments)
February 1, 2005... ADS Environmental Services, a full-service networked flow monitoring and Underground Intelligence provider, has been awarded a four-month contract from the city and county of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. This project includes the...

In memorial.
February 1, 2005... Barney O'Neill, president of Erin Industries Ltd., passed away Nov. 25, 2004 at his home in Calahoo, Alberta, after a losing battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bun, who is assuming control of the company. Friends who so...

AGF report seeks to ease DOT intrastate integrity management concerns.(Washington watch)
February 1, 2005... In an effort to head off a draconian integrity management rule for distribution lines, the American Gas Foundation published in January, Safety Performance and Integrity of the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure. The report was started...

Sandia report not likely to crimp LNG approvals.(Washington watch)
February 1, 2005... A long-awaited study from Sandia National Laboratories does not appear to present problems for siting of new liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals. The 167-page Sandia report entitled Guidance on Risk Analysis and Safety Implications of a Large...

DOT gets ready to enforce transmission integrity rule.(Washington watch)
February 1, 2005... There won't be any public announcements by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (the new DOT agency which includes the office of pipeline safety), but expect the first federal inspections of the gas transmission integrity...

John Deere.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... Powered by a 6-cylinder engine, the 710G's 118-net-horsepower John Deere 6068T diesel provides the power and versatility needed to maximize productivity and is Tier II emissions compliant. A 70-gallon fuel tank allows the 710G to work longer...

Caterpillar.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... 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 boasts several features not found on Cat's C-Series...

Volvo construction equipment.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... The new Volvo BL60 was designed for the operations of multi-machine fleet owners, construction equipment rental businesses, governmental agencies, and owner/operators. The Volvo BL60 is equipped with a low-emission, 83 net horsepower,...

Ingersoll-Rand.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... The BL-570 utilizes an enhanced backhoe workgroup based on proven design and technology with a maximum digging depth of 12 feet. The loader has a rated operating capacity of 3,406 pounds and a breakout force of 9,370 pounds. The BL570 is...

Case.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... The Case M Series loader backhoes include five models--the 580M Turbo, 580 Super M, 580 Super M Wide Track and 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...

New Holland construction.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... All B Series backhoe loaders feature an all-new 4.5-liter New Holland turbocharged engine that delivers greater horsepower and torque to handle tough conditions. Oil jets cool the underside of the engine pistons for perfect temperature control....

Terex.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... The TX 760B loader backhoe from Terex boasts an operating weight of 15,820 pounds, a standard digging depth of 14 feet 8 inches and an extended digging depth of 19 feet 3 inches. An 80-horsepower engine powers the TX 760B. Flow compensated,...

Allmand Bros.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... With a 6,000-pound digging force, the Allmand TLB-535 heavy-duty compact loader backhoe reaches up to a 10-foot digging depth. Dual cylinder, 180-degree hydraulic cushioned swing allows precise work in tight areas, while joystick controls...

Komatsu America.(Backhoe Loaders)
February 1, 2005... Five newly upgraded backhoe loaders from Komatsu include: the WB 140-2N, WB 140PS-2N, WB 150-2N, WB 150PS-2N and the WB150AWS-2N. New features include faster backhoe swing speed for improved cycling efficiency, optional Pressure Proportional...

Case CE.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... Case Construction Equipment has upgraded four of its CX Compact Excavators to be Tier 2 certified, increasing horsepower, hydraulic pressure and hydraulic flow at the same time. The upgraded Case CX27B, CX31B, CX36B and CX50B Compact Excavators...

Bobcat Company.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... The latest in Bobcat compact excavator innovation is the 435 Zero House Swing (ZHS) machine. The ZHS feature enables the machine to work next to existing structures while still providing operators with 320 degrees of unrestricted motion. With...

Vermeer Mfg.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... Vermeer Manufacturing Company introduces an expansion to its proven product line with the introduction of the CX224 compact excavator. The CX224 is one in a line of seven new compact excavators including the CX216, CX218, CX219z, CX229, CX234...

Komatsu America.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... Komatsu America introduces the new PC27MR-2 compact hydraulic excavator for contractors in small- to mid-sized applications. Offering the same productivity and comfort features of a full-sized excavator, the PC27MR-2 provides a compact package...

Caterpillar.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... The Caterpillar 301.5 Mini Hydraulic Excavator provides the customer with a versatile machine suitable for a wide range of tasks with Caterpillar Work Tools. The 301.5 is versatile, easy to operate and service, and has options to rent, lease or...

Ditch Witch.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... The mini excavator family from Ditch Witch includes the MX272, MX352 and MXS02. These revamped mini excavators come with high-efficiency Komatsu engines and significant upgrades in nearly every major performance category, including digging and...

John Deere Construction & Forestry.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... With numerous productivity-boosting features and a nimble nature, John Deere's new D-Series Compact Excavators can go almost anywhere to get the job done. Productivity and maneuverability are maximized by a zero-tail-swing design, up to 35...

Volvo construction equipment.(Mini Excavators)
February 1, 2005... Volvo compact excavators offer a complete range of seven tracked excavator models with digging depths ranging from 6 feet 9 inches to 12 feet 6 inches and operating weights from 3,164 to 11,130 pounds, combined with a variety of attachments....

UCT, AEM plan expanded program at ICUEE; leading industry educational program developing special underground sessions.
February 1, 2005... The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) and Underground Construction Technology (UCT) announce the co-location of a special UCT Educational Program at ICUEE 2005 to provide attendees with high quality educational...

Fiber-blowing lawsuits settled.
February 1, 2005... The resolution of patent infringement lawsuits regarding the use of fiber blowing equipment and methods has the new year off to a good start for telecommunications companies and contractors who use this technology to place fiber optic cable...

Despite funding challenges, work goes on.(8th Annual Municipal Sewer & Water Survey)
February 1, 2005... Though funding prospects are still a top concern for America's municipalities, overwhelming piping infrastructure rehabilitation needs should result in a 3.5 percent increase in overall municipal sewer and water spending this year. This...

AMSA, WIN proposing new funding mechanism for sewer/water; active year for underground issues expected in Washington, D.C.
February 1, 2005... Underground construction issues will very much be above ground in Washington this year. Nothing illustrates that better than the expected, controversial legislation aimed at establishing a new federal mechanism for funding the considerable...

Telecom market: faces encouraging yet uncertain future.
February 1, 2005... As the U.S. telecommunications industry comes to life again, contractors experienced in outside plant construction are trying to get a reading about what the future will hold, and Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) is one hot topic. Verizon,...

Cautious optimism: contractors anticipate improved market prospects over the next few years.(Distribution Contractors Roundtable)
February 1, 2005... In mid-November, Underground Construction and Pipeline & Gas Journal magazines hosted their annual contractors round table for the distribution and transmission underground construction markets. Industry leaders participating were: Paul M....

Astec introduces 1st rig in new line-up.(First Look)
February 1, 2005... Astec Underground has introduced the new DD-3238--the first of the company's new Earth Pro line of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment. The machine had its first public showing last month at the 2005 Underground Construction...

DCA president's profile: Keith Swerdfeger.(DCA 44th Annual Convention)
February 1, 2005... Distribution Contractors Association 44th Annual Convention February 23-27 Walt Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Orlando, FL The improving economy is providing a brighter outlook for the nation's utility contractors, believes Keith...

Expanding the envelope: developments at the Trenchless Technology Center.(Trenchless Technology Center)
February 1, 2005... The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) was initiated as the Trenchless Excavation Center in 1989 and formally established as the Trenchless Technology Center in November 1991. It was created to promote research, development and technology...

UCT Seminar Series announces 2005 Municipal Trenchless Workshops plans, sites.
February 1, 2005... As America's economy steadily heats back up, attention is again being focused on the aging, and frequently inadequate, underground sewer and water piping infrastructure. That focus comes from not only the general public concerned about failing...

Rental companies expecting strong year.(Rental Focus)
February 1, 2005... Equipment users who regularly rent equipment--or those who are considering doing so this year--will find a healthy rental industry ready to be of service. Inventories of late model equipment--including machines used specifically for...

United Rentals' CEO looks at the rental industry.(Rental Focus)
February 1, 2005... With 730 locations in 47 states, seven Canadian provinces plus Mexico, United Rentals is North America's largest rental organization. Underground Construction asked Chief Executive Officer Wayland Hicks for his company's perspective of the...

Two manufacturers view the rental market.(Rental Focus)
February 1, 2005... The Charles Machine Works (CMW), Perry, OK, and Vermeer Manufacturing Co., Pella, IA, are major underground construction equipment manufacturers with strong ties to the rental industry. In addition, Vermeer's environmental division products are...

United Rentals contributes to tsunami relief effort.(Rental Market Update)
February 1, 2005... United Rentals Inc. announced it will contribute up to $100,000 in financial support for relief to the Asian countries devastated by the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The funds will be donated to the American Red Cross International...

Rental Service elects new CEO.(Rental Market Update)
February 1, 2005... Effective Jan. 1, Tom Zorn has been appointed Business Area Executive for the Rental Service business area, and CEO for Rental Service Corporation. He succeeds Freek Nijdam, who will remain in the position as chairman of the legal operation....

Volvo construction equipment posts third quarter increase.(Rental Market Update)
February 1, 2005... Volvo Construction Equipment had a 17 percent increase in net sales in the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003. An adjustment was made for currency effects. The company's results, announced as part of parent company AB...

Monthly tips from Cat Rental Store.(Rental Market Update)
February 1, 2005... The Cat Rental Store website offers monthly tips for operators of rental equipment. Go to www.catnewsinfo.cat.com to view the monthly online product information tip.

ASC Construction purchases LM Smith dealerships.(Rental Market Update)
February 1, 2005... ASC Construction Equipment USA Inc. is the new owner of 12 LB Smith dealership operations in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and eastern Tennessee. The dealership specializes in Volvo Construction Equipment along with other products...

Rain for Rent helps give family extreme makeover.(Rental Market Update)
February 1, 2005... A family has been given the gift of a dream home, from the hit ABC show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and support of the Bakersfield community in California, which includes rental company, Rain for Rent. In June 2004, the father was...

Bursting, bypass pumping: help reading solve rehab challenge.(Rehabilitation Technology)
February 1, 2005... The city of Reading, PA, has taken advantage of pipebursting technology to replace and upsize deteriorating segments of its sanitary sewer system. The trenchless procedure prevented the need to excavate busy downtown streets and eliminated the...

Prosperous year for NASSCO.(Rehabilitation Technology)
February 1, 2005... NASSCO Convention March 2-4 Diamond Head Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach, FL In his role as 2004 president of NASSCO, David Fletcher has helped steer the association through a prosperous year. NASSCO is a national organization dedicated to...

Proactive rehab: heads off potential crisis.(Rehabilitation Technology)
February 1, 2005... In Clayton County, GA, the sewer line under 40 feet of embankment and eight feet of backfill showed signs of imminent failure and the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) opted for a proactive approach. Rather than wait for the line to...

T.D. Williamson.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Bruce Binkley has been named to lead Tulsa, OK-based T.D. Williamson Inc. The newly named president and COO replaces Pete Samoff who is retiring June 30 after leading the company for the past nine years. Since 2001, Binkley has served as senior...

Wyo-Ben.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Wyo-Ben Inc. will be relocating to their new corporate office building on Jan. 24. Wyo-Ben will move to 1345 Discovery Drive, Billings, MT 59108. The mailing address will remain the same: P.O. Box 1979 Billings, MT 59103. Similarly the phone...

Godwin Pumps.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Godwin Pumps of America Inc., manufacturer of portable rental pumps, announced the appointment of Kathy D'Orsaneo, CMA CPA, to the position of chief financial officer. D'Orsaneo will be responsible for overseeing the company's overall financial...

Volvo Construction Equipment.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has sold its LB Smith dealership operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and eastern Tennessee to ASC Construction Equipment USA Inc., Charlotte, NC. The appointment of ASC...

CertainTeed.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... CertainTeed Corporation announces that Rose Lee has been named vice president of the Pipe & Plastics Group and general manager of the Pipe and Form-A-Drain businesses. With experience in engineering, manufacturing and operations, Lee will be a...

Miller Pipeline.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... After nearly 42 years, Dan Watters retired from Miller Pipeline Corporation, effective Dec. 31, 2004. He continues to serve with the company as a consultant. Watters began his career with Miller in 1961 as a Welders Helper and rose to the...

Hard Dollar.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Hard Dollar Corporation, a provider of integrated estimating and job control software for the construction industry, has become a Panasonic Toughbook Premier Partner. The Hard Dollar/Panasonic partnership enables Hard Dollar to meet the needs...

John Deere donates skid steer to technical college.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... As any dealer or contractor knows, expert technicians are crucial to operations involving heavy equipment. John Deere participates in training the technicians of the future--in fact, a recent donation of a John Deere skid steer to Wake...

Ficap S.A.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Ficap S.A., a leading South American cable manufacturer, appointed Michele Merola as International Sales Director with the task of expanding the company s business outside its regional South American market. The new sales role has been created...

Cohesant Technologies.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Cohesant Technologies Inc. Has reported record sales and earnings for the fiscal year and record earnings for the fourth quarter ended Nov. 30, 2004. Net sales increased 12 percent to $19,312,180 from $17,276,183 for 2003. Net income increased...

Thompson pump expands regional presence.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Thompson Pump has relocated to expanded facilities. The new regional branch is now located at 504 South 70th Street in Kansas City, KS, and the new facility adds an enlarged parts and accessory department to better serve their Midwest region....

Garney construction opens Nashville office.(Business news: the latest industry news)
February 1, 2005... Garney Construction, one of the largest contractors in the U.S., recently hosted local business and community leaders to celebrate the opening of its Nashville office at 6401 Centennial Boulevard in west Nashville. TN. Founded in 1961, 100...

VSK100G--small package, big benefits.(New products: the latest product developments)
February 1, 2005... McLaughlin Boring Systems, Greenville, SC, has introduced a small portable vacuum system to its product line. The VSK100G/D, 100-gallon unit, is designed for potholing, soil excavation, and other wet or dry vacuum applications. The unit will...

Leica geosystems.(New products: the latest product developments)
February 1, 2005... A new automated machine guidance system for excavators, the MC200 Digger, permits the machine operator to dig rapidly, accurately and on-grade from inside the cab, minimizing the need for workers in the trench. The system's rugged LCD display...

Multiquip.(New products: the latest product developments)
February 1, 2005... Multiquip's two new GloBug light towers are lightweight, illuminate to distances in excess of 150 feet, and are ideal for shedding light on construction job sites. Best of all, the light is glare-free, 360 degrees. GloBugs are offered as a...

Safe-T-Shore.(New products: the latest product developments)
February 1, 2005... Safe-T-Shore four-inch single and double wall steel manhole shields are designed for manhole installations and other four-sided trench shielding applications. Key features include: reinforced twin-tube top rails; 1/2-inch top rail plates: flat...

WennSoft upgrades version 8.0 software.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... WennSoft, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, has announced the general release of version 8.0, delivering new functionality and enhancements across its core product offerings. The 8.0 version release benefits customers by helping them to...

PumpSmart Control Solutions.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... PumpSmart Control Solutions, a division of ITT Industries, has introduced PumpSmart Model 200 Version 4.0. The Model PS 200 Version 4.0 is a microprocessor based, variable speed drive, programmed specifically for water and wastewater...

PFERD.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... A new catalog from Advance Brush introduces expanded lines of power and utility brushes from the PFERD Company. The 128-page color catalog covers over 2,500 individual brushes, broom products and accessories. It includes over 13 separate...

Pipeline Inspection Co.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... Should type Model 915 and 925 SPY holiday detectors feature infinite voltage settings over a range of 1,000 to 5,000 volts. Infinite settings enable these holiday detectors to be quickly fine tuned for accurate inspections of virtually any...

Perma-Liner introduces "turn key" trailers.(Rehab Products)
February 1, 2005... Perma-Liner recently added a valued component to the company's list of offerings. The "turn key" trailer is a quality designed and manufactured piece of engineering. With this addition, President Jerry D'Hulster feels his company has filled a...

Subterra.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... The Subline system from Subterra uses standard polyethylene (PE) pipe to create a close-fit liner within an existing pipe. It is specifically designed for thin-wall applications in diameters up to 1,600 mm (64 inches). In the Subline system, PE...

Sprayroq.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... SprayWall is a spray-applied, cured-in-place (CIP) manhole process designed to be a part of a total system solution for an entire sewer system. The SprayWall process results in a rigid, durable, monolithic, corrosion-resistant,...

CIPP Corp.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... Cured-in-place (CIP) materials mold to the host pipe. This seamless pipe prevents infiltration and exfiltration, restores structural integrity, eliminates joints that can weaken and allow root intrusion. CIP pipe actually increases flow...

Sealing Systems Inc.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... Flex-Seal Utility Sealant is an inexpensive and permanent method of sealing the grade adjustment ring area and joint sections in a manhole or catch basin from the inside of the structure. This state-of-the-art urethane material is packaged in a...

Nu Flow Technologies.(New products: the latest product development)
February 1, 2005... Nu Flow Technologies has designed another tool for the rehabilitation tool box--the Heavy-Duty Microcutter. The Microcutter is able to negotiate 45 degree and 90 degree bends for more versatility on the job. Cast iron pipe refurbishing is...

2005.(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... 2005 Feb. 14-17 American Rental Association The Rental Show Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, NV PH: (800) 334-2177 FX: (309) 764-1533 Web: www.ararental.org Feb. 15 Louisiana Pipeliners...