Underground Construction articles from October 2003

Underground Construction archives from October 2003

Taking care of business first.(Editor's Log)
October 1, 2003... It's that time of the year when we all begin to contemplate and assess the past several months and our outlook and hopes for the coming year. For most, 2003 will not go down as a banner year (though encouragingly, there were pockets of...

Bundle sales capture shares of telecom market.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... Following in the footsteps of SBC Communications, CoreComm and Insight Communications are capturing their share of the residential telecom market in Central Ohio by expanding their bundled services. This spring, CoreComm Newco Inc. starred...

CPMA safety standards take effect.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... The concrete pumping industry is poised to enter a new era of standardized safety regulations for North American concrete pumps and systems. The Concrete Pump Manufacturers Association (CPMA), a nonprofit organization comprising concrete pump...

Henkels & McCoy work to complete New Jersey project.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... Pipeline crews with Henkels & McCoy Inc. have installed everything from service lines to 48-inch, cross-country pipelines. The company was recently active in Bordentown, NJ, where a 7.5 mile, 36-inch diameter looping project was completed for...

Superior Telecom has plan to emerge from bankruptcy.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... New Jersey-based telecom and cable wire manufacturer Superior Telecom Inc., has filed a plan to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $1 billion in debt eliminated from its balance sheet. Superior Telecom, which has 200 employees in...

Muni water/wastewater systems to contract for homeland security.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... In one of several findings contained in The 2003-2006 Municipal Water & Wastewater Market for Design & Construction Firms, a new market research report by management consulting and publishing firm ZweigWhite, 65 percent of municipal water and...

Annual Otis Eastern golf tourney held.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... Charlie Joyce, Otis Eastern Service, hosts an annual golf tournament each August at the company's headquarters in Wellsville, NY. The tournament is held prior to the Oil Producers Clambake, Among the participants were (left to right): Bob...

GCTA discusses Almeda Road cave-in investigation & design.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... In late October of 2002, pavement near the intersection of Almeda Road and Almeda Plaza located in the Houston area began to notice ably subside. Within a matter of days, the roadway collapsed, causing the temporary closure of Almeda Road. Pate...

New East Coast LNG terminal.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... Weaver's Cove Energy LLC, New York City, has applied to the Massachusetts' Executive Office of Environmental Affairs for approval to build a $250-million liquefied natural gas import terminal in Fall River, MA. Construction is expected to begin...

Ruptured pipeline created panic buying.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... After the pipeline between Phoenix and Tucson ruptured July 30, spilling about 12,000 gallons of fuel, there was panic buying by motorists worried that the city's supply would run out, especially since the operator shut down the pipeline route...

2003 DCCA scholarship recipients.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... The Directional Crossing Contractors Association (DCCA) has announced the recipients of its 2003 Scholarship Program. Ten students will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to be used towards their education. The DCCA established a...

In memorial.(Newsline: for the latest industry developments)
October 1, 2003... Jay Matricciani, past president of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) passed away on, Sept. 3. At the time of his passing, Jay Matricciani was CEO of The Matricciani Company, a third generation utility construction firm based...

Challenges await new INGAA president.(Washington Watch)
October 1, 2003... Don Santa, who took over as president of INGAA on Aug. 1, comes to the job with a considerably different background than his predecessor, Jerry Halvorsen, who left INGAA to head up Washington operations for Entergy. Halvorsen was a trade...

OPS to assess industry efforts on safety communication.(Washington Watch)
October 1, 2003... One of the numerous mandates in the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires pipeline operators to complete self-assessments of their public education programs no later than Dec. 17, 2003, and to modify the program as necessary. The...

McLaughlin Mfg.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2003... McLaughlin Manufacturing produces four Hole Hammer Piercing Tool models, 2 1/8-inch, 2 5/8-inch, 3 1/8-inch, and 4 1/8-inch boring diameters. Optional expanders increase the bore diameter of the 3 1/8-inch model to 4 3/4 inches and the 4...

Vermeer.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2003... Vermeer's 1 3/4 inch and 2 1/2 inch Active Head Hammerhead Mole pneumatic piercing tools are designed to work in difficult soils such as cobble, hard clays and hard pan. The Active Head tool's performance and size--only 37.9 inches long and...

Allied Construction.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2003... Hole-Hogs open clean, compacted tunnels for pipe, cable, conduit or wiring at the lowest cost per foot, while the larger model 4000 is utilized in pushing steel casing under roads and railroads. Through continuous process of engineering...

TT Technologies.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2003... The Grundomat piercing tool from TT Technologies is ideal for water, sewer, landscape and irrigation, gas, electrical and plumbing contractors. Twelve models, ranging in diameter from 1 3/4 inches to 7 inches, are available for horizontal...

Ditch Witch.(Piercing Tools)
October 1, 2003... Ditch Witch piercing tools are a reliable, productive, low-maintenance family of reversible pneumatic tools designed for short-to-medium range compaction boring projects, pipe ramming and pipe pushing. Available in three sizes ranging from two...

Komatsu America.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Komatsu America offers five compact wheel loaders: the WA 30 and WA 50 offer the versatility of a skid steer loader while the WA 65, WA 75, and WA 95 combine advanced features. Features such as standard, hydraulic quick coupler, and a true...

John Deere.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Deere has introduced the 304H four-wheel-drive loader, the third model in the new 300H Series line. It joins the 324H and 344H to complete the 300H Series wheel loader lineup. Competing in the under-100-horsepower-loader class, the 304H...

Kubota tractor.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Kubota's fully-articulated 4WD, multi-functional wheel loaders, models R420 and R520, provide a small turning radius for exceptional maneuverability for working inside existing structures or confined spaces and offer excellent performance on...

Bobcat.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Go from a four-wheel steer to skid-steer mode with the flip of a switch. The new Bobcat all-wheel steer loader is a revolutionary compact loader with four steerable axles. That means less tire wear, less ground disturbance and less operator...

Terex.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... At 7,390 pounds and 50 horsepower the SCL515 compact wheel loader provides the perfect combination of transportability, maneuverability and power. With features like the universal skid steer coupler, auxiliary hydraulics, 4-wheel drive and the...

Case.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Case extends its 21 Series compact wheel loader line to include the 21D, 221D and 321D, ranging in engine power from 53 to 71 net horsepower and maximum bucket capacity from 1.0 [yd.sup.3] to 1.44 [yd.sup.3]. A Z-bar loader linkage delivers...

Daewoo heavy industries.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Daewoo has expanded its tool carrier line with the Mega 160 TC compact wheel loader. The 104 horsepower Mega 160 TC is equipped with a quick coupler and allows quick change of various hydraulic accessories like general and multiple purpose...

Caterpillar.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... Caterpillar now offers a reversing fan system for the 924G, 924Gz, 928G and IT28G wheel loaders. The new system reverses airflow to purge debris from the radiator and inlet screens without requiring the operator to stop the machine and manually...

Volvo construction equipment.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... The Volvo compact wheel loader's versatility is found in the quick change bracket and a selection of more than 60 attachments that come standard. Articulating-oscillating steering creates high maneuverability and efficient loader linkage...

New Holland Construction.(Compact Wheel Loaders)
October 1, 2003... New Holland's LW50.B compact wheel loader's fully redesigned cab features increased visibility and functionality; improved suspension seating; diverter pedal allows the operator to "inch" machine and divert power to the hydraulics; improved...

Amitech USA Ltd.(2003 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement )
October 1, 2003... Amitech USA offers new Piping Systems with the Corrosion Resistance of Plastics & Strength of Concrete Amitech USA Ltd introduces Flowtite Reinforced Fiberglass Pipe and Meyer Polycrete Pipe and Structures; two innovative piping systems for...

New graphics-oriented dispatching software.(2003 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement )
October 1, 2003... HCSS, the well-known provider of HeavyBid Estimating Software and HeavyJob Field Management Software recently introduced The Dispatcher to streamline construction dispatching operations and integrate them with other company systems. The...

Stewart & Stevenson introduces the DCT 800.
October 1, 2003... Stewart & Stevenson is pleased to introduce you to rime DCT 800, our newly developed Directional Coiled Tubing unit for Horizontal Directional Drilling, which provides a faster, more convenient directional drilling system for installing...

Applied Felts.(2003 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement )
October 1, 2003... Applied Felts' seasoned expertise in the textiles engineering helped create the cured-in-place (CIPP) pipeline rehabilitation process, as well as its first liners, more than 25 years ago. Since then, over 22 million linear feet have been proven...

Heavy-duty auger boring machine offers nearly one million lbs. thrust.
October 1, 2003... Auger boring has proven to be the most practical and cost-effective method for installation of large diameter steel casing. In comparison to directional drilling, it requires less capital equipment, thus a much lower cash outlay, and less...

What is the ROI on your HDPE fusion equipment?
October 1, 2003... Return On Investment: It's something that is easy to overlook when making capital equipment purchases. Most of us instinctively want the fanciest model available, with all the "bells and whistles." But your investment is your total cost of...

"School days ...": ISCO announces 2004 Fusion Academy dates & locations.(2003 Capabilities Guide)(Advertisement )
October 1, 2003... Louisville, KY-bascd ISCO Industries has announced dates and locations for its 2004 Fusion Academy. The free, full day sessions feature intensive, handson instruction in the latest HDPE fusion and connection techniques in a casual, informal...

UCT 2004: it's all about underground: Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition January 13-15.
October 1, 2003... Details are being finalized and preparations fine tuned for the big event of 2004: the 10th annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference Exhibition. Scheduled for Jan. 13-15 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in...

Use of ductile iron pipe with HDD, pipebursting growing.
October 1, 2003... The number of potable water system and sanitary sewer projects that include the installation of ductile iron pipe made by horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is steadily increasing, say representatives of the ductile iron pipe industry. ...

Tale of 2 cities, 1 sewer/water service.
October 1, 2003... Ever been to Texarkana? To paraphrase one slogan used by local boosters, Texarkana is where life is so large it takes two states. Another tells us that Texarkana is: "Twice as nice." The emphasis on "two" is because there are two...

Unique tunnel project.
October 1, 2003... A collaborative effort by Asarco Inc., Montgomery Watson Harza Inc. (MWH) Construction Inc. resulted in the construction of a unique tunnel project in Arizona that overcame a variety of construction challenges. The project, completed in...

Challenging Delaware terrain tests HDPE's strengths.(Plastic Pipe)
October 1, 2003... Artesian Water Company is a 100-year old investor-owned Delaware-based water company with over 950 miles of pipe and 68,000 service connections. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, southern Delaware gained popularity for its proximity to the...

Tampa keeps open mind on pipe selection for trenchless.(Plastic Pipe)
October 1, 2003... Selecting the best components and methods of construction to rehabilitate and expand America's drinking water systems is a continuing challenge. Much of the buried infrastructure is in areas where conventional open cut construction is...

New plastic pipe proves economical for gas utilities.(Polyamide-11 Plastic Pipe)
October 1, 2003... A plastic pipe that has been around for 50 years may hold promise as the next generation for higher pressure gas distribution piping systems. Atofina Chemicals Inc., along with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), have been performing field...

New HDPE demonstrates benefits with Michigan project: new resin meets project challenges; saves $1 million.(Plastic Pipe)
October 1, 2003... A high density, polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline project in northern Michigan is serving as the latest example of technology evolution for polyethylene (PE) pipe used in underground pipe applications--and offers a telling case study for a new PE100...

Underground rental universe holds steady.(Rental Market)
October 1, 2003... Despite turmoil in a volatile rental industry and a troubled economy that has curtailed levels of construction, the number of rented construction machines on North American job sites continues to increase. Machines used for underground utility...

Free HSS RentX rent and spec guide.(Rental News)
October 1, 2003... National rental chain HSS RentX offers more than a thousand models of tools and small to mid-size equipment for contractors and builders, facility and maintenance managers, municipalities, cleaning professionals, landscapers and more. Obtain...

CRA elects officers, board of directors.(Rental News)
October 1, 2003... The (California Rental Association (CRA), headquartered in Woodland, CA, recently held its annual election for seats on the executive committee and to fill expired terms on the board of directors. CRA represents more than 1,000 rental-related...

Volvo expands rental centers, updates software program.(Rental News)
October 1, 2003... WDB Rental Inc., Cincinnati, OH, has opened another Volvo Rents equipment rental facility. The new rental center, located at 135 Spears Lane, Crittenden, KY, is the second independently owned and operated rental franchise under the Volvo name...

Rental pumps provide universal solutions.(Rental News)
October 1, 2003... Rental equipment operators satisfy contractor demand for handling challenging, water handling requirements with Pumpex submersible pumps. Pumpex submersible sludge pumps feature an innovative, narrow profile design that is suited for...

Parts washing system eliminates hazards, risks.(Rental News)
October 1, 2003... Rental Service Corporation's more than 500 branches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are switching from a heavy solvents-based part washing method to a system that eliminates hazardous wastes, air pollution and safety risks. The SmartWasher,...

Drillgear.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... The John Lawrie Group has expanded its North American piling and construction division Drillgear with the opening of an office in Pennsylvania. The move reflects Drillgear's increasing focus on the supply of piling and micropiling products to...

The Robbins Company.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... The Robbins Company has appointed Scott Fisher as Field Service manager for small boring units (SBUs) and auger boring machines (ABMs). His responsibilities include field service, servicing rental equipment, sales and set up of SBUs and ABMs....

Contech.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Kellie Grob has been named director of marketing communications for CONTECH Construction Products Inc. Grob joins CONTECH from HSR Business to Business where she was a senior consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and...

Thompson Pump.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Thompson Pump has recently expended their Southeast Region sales force with the addition of Alan Worley. Worley will be working closely with contractors who rent or purchase a Thompson pump for &watering and bypass systems in the eastern North...

Aecon.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Aecon Group, Canada's largest publicly traded construction company, reported a smaller loss in the second quarter as the firm cut costs. Aecon reported a net loss of $1A3 million ($0.08 per share) compared with a net loss of $3.9 million ($0.17...

Pipeline Supply celebrates 20th anniversary.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Founded in 1983 to service the pipeline construction industry, Pipeline Supply Company, Middlesex, N.J., just celebrated its 20th anniversary. President Jim Westerman reminisced recently about the company start-up on a shoestring and how it...

WennSoft.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... WennSoft has released version 7.5 software. The product upgrade includes several enhancements designed to streamline the business process, improve access to data and increase operational efficiencies. WennSoft provides business management...

New sales and marketing director joins Akkerman.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Rob Tumbleson has joined Akkerman Inc. as the director of sales and marketing. A portion of his responsibilities include sales strategies for domestic and foreign sales, develop and support outside sales representatives or distribution and...

Tenbusch patent awarded in Germany.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Tenbusch Inc. was recently granted a patent in Germany for the Tenbusch Insertion Method. The Tenbusch System is a patented process that replaces sewer, water and other underground pipelines with new rigid pipe products. This technology...

Stone Construction.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Stone Construction has appointed three new district managers and one sales representative to serve the needs of equipment dealers and rental houses in their respective regions: Dan Mathis, district manager for Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, and...

E. H. Wachs Company.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Edward H. Wachs, chairman and CEO of the E. H. Wachs Company, of Wheeling, IL, has announced the promotion of Rodger P. Soeldner to the position of president and chief operating officer. Soeldner has been with the company fur more than 20 years...

FMSM.(Business: general industry reports)
October 1, 2003... Michelle Uptain, a Geographic Information (GIS) specialist located in Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott and May Engineers Inc.'s (FMSM) Louisville office, has successfully completed ESRI's Authorized Training Program. Uptain will be conducting training...

Ditch witch.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The SK500 is a track-mounted, walk-along mini skid steer. Powered by a 24-horsepower Honda engine, the SK500 is engineered to help even a novice operator work proficiently in a short amount of time. Only four levers are needed to run all...

Superior Signal.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... Superior Signal offers a choice of classic smoke generators or sewer smoke fluid. Smoke can be used to trace uncapped lines, illegal connections, odor problems and leaky manholes. Classic smoke generators offer the highest obscuring power,...

John Deere 280 skid steer features increased power.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The new John Deere 280 skid steer meets a growing demand for more powerful skid steers that are easy to run and comfortable for the operator. The 280 emerges on the worksite as the largest of the 200 series that now includes the 240, 250, 260,...

Godwin pumps.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The Critically Silenced enclosure houses the versatile Dri-Prime CD range and HL range pumps in a specially designed, acoustically-silenced enclosure. The Critically Silenced unit is intended for use in any application where pumping is required...

Daewoo Solar V Excavator Series offers Tier II engines, new features.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... Daewoo Heavy Industries American Corporation has introduced an entire new line-up of 11 powerful crawler and wheel excavators (eight crawler models and three wheel models). In addition to Tier II certification, the Solar V Series offers new...

Leica Geosystems.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The GS20 Professional Data Mapper (PDM), combines the accuracy of a submeter GIS mapping system, the ease of a handheld GPS receiver and the convenience of wireless connectivity. The GS20 is a GPS receiver, antenna and data collector, all in an...

Protovale Oxford.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... Metal covers on control valve boxes are often lost during resurfacing of roadways or from nearby excavation work, making the location of the valves difficult for traditional metal detectors. With the aid of Protavale's Totalscan TS62 Industrial...

Caterpillar.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The D6R Series II track-type tractor from Caterpillar features an electronic C9 engine that meets emissions requirements for the U.S., Europe and Japan. The engine is rated at 165 net horsepower when the machine is equipped with a standard...

MBW Inc.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... MBW's GPR 65/65 series of non hydraulic reversible vibratory plates are ideal for narrow utility trench work or confined areas such as tight footing or foundation work where turning space is limited. Powered by 5.5 horsepower Honda engines, the...

McElroy Mfg.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The redesigned TracStar 900 Fusion Machine offers options that expand versatility without raising price. McElroy now offers the TracStar 900 in several configurations: AT9000101 MF Cylinders with the Coach Control System New Configurations;...

Rx for your valves with SpinDoctor.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... To make sure that underground valves are in good working order, they need to be "exercised" periodically. Hurco's SpinDoctor makes the job easy and fast. With the SpinDoctor's turnkey operation, one person can make certain that all valves will...

Poweram.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The Poweram Model 7000 Rod/Pipe Puller helps speed replacement of existing underground utility lines. Poweram pipe splitting or bursting techniques involve pushing a steel rod through the old existing pipe to a receiving trench where a bursting...

Mersino pump & power.(New products: the latest products)
October 1, 2003... The Global TAP series of pumps are centrifugal trash pumps driven by diesel or electric engines. The TAP series of pumps are automatic priming because they utilize an engine-driven compressor that forces air through a venturi system that...

Calendar: important upcoming industry events.(Calendar)
October 1, 2003... 2003 Oct. 15-17, 8th Annual Congress DCA-Europe, Dorint-Hotel Quellenhof, Aachen, Germany, Contact: Dietmar Quante, PH: +49 (0) 241-9019290 Oct. 21, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, PVC Pipe Design, Specification and Installation...