Pit & Quarry articles from December 2003

Pit & Quarry archives from December 2003

Rogers Group acquires 140 acres of property and additional assets in Gordonsville, Tenn., from Pasminco Ltd.(Top News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Rogers Group acquires 140 acres of property and additional assets in Gordonsville, Tenn., from Pasminco Ltd., according to Area Vice President Rick Turner.

Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA).(Top News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Wisconsin Senator Russell Feingold (D) makes a written inquiry with Labor Dept. Inspector General Gordon Heddell asking for an investigation into possible Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) procurement irregularities.

Terex Corp.(Top News; Association of Equipment Manufacturers chairman )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Ronald DeFeo, chairman and CEO of Terex Corp., is elected chairman of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

Portland Cement Association.(Top News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Tom Chizmadia, Portland Cement Association board member and chairman of the association's Environment and Energy Committee, outlines PCA's proposal to allow for the inclusion of up to 5 percent ground limestone in the portland cement standard...

Vulcan Materials Co.(Top News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Vulcan Materials Co. announces that its Construction Materials division garnered record net sales of $616 million in the third quarter.

Martin Marietta Materials Inc.(Top News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Martin Marietta Materials Inc. reports that net third-quarter sales for the Aggregates Division were $428.1 million, a 7 percent increase over 2002.

The Senate confirmed Utah Governor Michael Leavitt as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.(Washington Wire)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * The Senate confirmed Utah Governor Michael Leavitt as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Governor Leavitt succeeds former administrator Christine Todd Whitman.

The House of Representatives passed the long-stalled FAA reauthorization bill on a close 211 to 207 vote, sending the measure to the Senate for a final vote.(Washington Wire)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * The House of Representatives passed the long-stalled FAA reauthorization bill on a close 211 to 207 vote, sending the measure to the Senate for a final vote.

Red flags.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics; ethanol laws)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Conferees on national energy legislation have reached an agreement on ethanol provisions that will increase the level of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) by as much a $3 billion per year. But there is a catch, notes the National Stone, Sand &...

New construction starts in September increased 1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $518.3 billion.(Essential Economics)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * New construction starts in September increased 1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $518.3 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonbuilding construction in September rose...

Construction put-in-place.(Other Economic News ...)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... * Construction put-in-place during May 2003, the most current month available, was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $869.8 billion, 1.7 percent percent below the revised April estimate of $885 billion, according to the U.S....

Stock watch.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics; quarry industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Stock Watch (AT PRESS TIME) THIS MONTH LAST MONTH Cemex SA d 24.48 23.88 Centex Construction Prod. d 59.36 50.85 Florida Rock Industries d 57.73 54.65...

Essential Economics.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics; construction statistics)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Essential Economics Monthly Construction Contract Value Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, in Millions Change Sept. 2003 Aug. 2003 % Nonresidential Building $132,440 $142,840 -7 Residential...

New MSHA book.(Mark My Words; "MSHA--The Mine Operator and Law")(Book Review)
December 1, 2003... Maybe I'm a bit biased, but there is a great new book out by Pit & Quarry legal columnist Mike Heenan. The book is called "MSHA--The Mine Operator and Law," published by MineWorks Media. These days, when MSHA civil penalties can run into the...

Increase screening productivity.(Brand new: just released to the market)
December 1, 2003... Major Wire Industries Ltd. has advanced harp- and/or piano-style screening technology by adding the benefits of polyurethane strips. Field experience shows that the new LFM Harp significantly increases screening productivity compared to...

Replacing the weakest link.(Brand new: just released to the market)
December 1, 2003... A new Rosta AB oscillating mount suspension system replaces the weakest link of many screens and feeders--the conventional spring-mounted suspension. Offered by Lovejoy Inc., the Rosta AB consists of two metal squares separated by four...

Alternative to blasting.(Brand new: just released to the market)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A new vibration-free rock saw has been developed by Rock Tools Inc. in conjunction with quarry owners, operators and excavation contractors. It is designed for fast, efficient, precise cuts in rock and concrete. The saw can be used for...

Rogers Group acquires Pasminco Ltd. reserves in Tennessee.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Rogers Group acquired 140 acres of property and additional assets in Gordonsville, Tenn., from Pasminco Ltd., according to Area Vice President Rick Turner. "Rogers' acquisition of these assets will lengthen the life of this operation for...

Centex sees spinoff early next year.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; Centex Corp)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... U.S. homebuilder Centex Corp. says, according to Reuters, that it expects to complete the previously announced spinoff of its interest in Centex Construction Products Inc. early in 2004, rather than in December 2003. The company says the...

Teichert Aggregates goes six in a row.(A Closer Look: Mine Safety and Health Administration award )
December 1, 2003... Go through one or two MSHA inspections without getting a citation and people think it's great, but go six in a row and you start to attract serious attention. Teichert Aggregates' Vernalis plant in Tracy, Calif., has accomplished that...

Vulcan Materials elects director.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Vulcan Materials Co. announced that Vincent J. Trosino has been elected a director of the company. Trosino is vice chairman of the board, president and COO of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. He joined State Farm in 1962. He was...

Oglebay Norton to sell lawn and garden unit.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... As part of its ongoing business restructuring, Oglebay Norton Co. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Stone Corp., has sold its lawn and garden business unit to Oldcastle Retail Inc. Terms of the asset purchase agreement were not...

California sues Hanson.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; Hanson PLC)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... California Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed a $200 million lawsuit against Hanson PLC, alleging the company stole sand it mined from San Francisco Bay and underreported its sales. For the past 10 years, California taxpayers have lost about...

Vulcan receives award for reclamation.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; Vulcan Materials)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Vulcan Materials' Morongo Project near Banning, Calif., has received the U. S. Department of the Interior's Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award. The award is part of the Bureau of Land Management's Reclamation and Sustainable Development...

Caterpillar engines earn J.D. Power and Associates award.(Manufacturer News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... For a record fourth year in a row, on-highway truck engines from Caterpillar Inc. have won a prestigious award for customer satisfaction in a North American industry report. International marketing information firm J.D. Power and Associates...

Goodyear closes plants.(Manufacturer News; Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America Ltd.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America Ltd. plan to close the tire manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Ala. The closure will affect about 1,100 hourly and salaried associates at the facility. Goodyear, in the...

State of the industry: with TEA-21 reauthorization bogged down in a Washington quagmire, the industry remains in a holding pattern.(Special Report)
December 1, 2003... The September 30 deadline for the reauthorization of TEA-21 passed, not with a bang, but a whimper. Bogged down in the quagmire of congressional committees and disagreement over key elements, there was nothing left for Congress to do but pass a...

The easy weigh.(Tech Watch: cutting-edge solutions; 7461 Truckmate )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Mettler Toledo 7461 Truckmate truck scale combines a proven weighbridge design with economical analog load cells for weighing highway vehicles during low-to-moderate traffic applications. The modular steel deck scale is designed for fast...

Impact on profit.(Tech Watch: cutting-edge solutions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... McLanahan Corp. offers a solution to in-pit primary crushing for low silica materials such as limestone or gypsum. The McLanahan Impact Feeder-Breaker can handle reduction ratios from 72 in. to 6 in. and capacities up to 2,500 stph. With...

Belt splicing: vulcanized or mechanical?(Tech Watch: cutting-edge solutions; conveyors)
December 1, 2003... Neil Because the ends of a conveyor belt must be joined together to create a continuous belt, even the most properly specified belt is only as good as its splice. That's why operators must use the utmost care when employing either of two common...

StoneSummit 2003.(quarry indistry)(Panel Discussion)(Industry Overview)
December 1, 2003... Pit & Quarry's Eighth-Annual Equipment & Technology Supplier Roundtable in San Antonio included not only manufacturer representatives, but producers, distributors and association officials. Because of the diversification of the group and the...

Two equals three: an Illinois producer gets maximum production after replacing its rigid-frame haulers with articulated trucks.(E&T Hauling; Prairie Group Co.)
December 1, 2003... Of course two does not equal three. Unless, that is, we are talking about two new haul trucks equaling the productivity of three old ones in a quarry operation. An example of this is Prairie Group Co. of Pontiac, Ill., which replaced three...

Valuation trends: return-on-equity, profitability, asset turnover and leverage can impact an aggregate company's value.(Special Report)
December 1, 2003... Things are looking up. The third quarter 2003 gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 7.2 percent was more than double the second quarter 2003 rate of 3.3 percent; the average unemployment rate was 6.1 percent during the third quarter, down...

Boxed housing breakers.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... BTI offers a severe-duty application option for its TB-XC Series of boxed housing breakers. Cast abrasion strips and the wear-resistant plate can be ordered with a new unit or applied to units in the field. These features provide exceptional...

Hydraulic excavator.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... Caterpillar offers the 321C LCR hydraulic excavator, which features a compact swing radius for high productivity in tight areas such as near buildings, on highways where lane closures must be limited, and on logging roads. Tail swing radius is...

Belt cleaning systems.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... Arch Environmental Equipment Inc. offers the Dust Shark cleaning system that works above and beyond the capability of a conventional scraper. The two-stage washing action cleans the load side with a dual spray system that is squeegeed by two...

Primary impactor.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... The KRH1515, Grasan's largest road-portable primary impact crushing plant, can be configured for concrete/asphalt recycling (side discharge) or crushing limestone (end discharge), providing reduction ratios as great as 30:1 in closed circuit....

Material sampler.(Product Highlight)
December 1, 2003... HSS, A Division of McLanahan Corp., designs Sweep Samplers, which provide an automated method to remove a "cut" or "increment" of material from a moving conveyor belt. The sample removed from the belt is then transferred down a chute to a...

Ground penetrating radar.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... Geographical Survey Systems Inc. (GSSI) offers the HandyScan, an all-in-one system with a new full-color transflective display screen providing clear, easy-to-read data images, for use in the repair and maintenance of concrete buildings and...

Hydraulic drive systems.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... Hagglunds Drives launched a new valve program that optimizes the full potential of its Compact brand industrial motors. To match the Compact motors capabilities to stand tough environments, the design of these new valves is compact and robust,...

Vibration monitor.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... Instantel's Minimate Blaster vibration and overpressure monitor is quick and easy to setup and operate because it contains a simple set of functions that are critical for recording blast vibration and overpressure. In addition, important...

Coupling.(Product Highlight)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Changing out a spider or element of a flexible coupling can be a time consuming activity. If the coupling is in a confined area, this task becomes even more difficult. Some couplings also have numerous fasteners that need to be removed before...

Hydraulic shim kits.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... Stedman's hydraulic shim kits help maintain the desired gap settings on Sted-man crushers, reducing costly downtime and maintenance and maximizing production, the company says. The hydraulic shim kits also eliminate wrench turning to raise or...

Modular screens.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
December 1, 2003... W.S. Tyler is offering a Ty-Deck polyurethane screen panel in a 1-ft. x 4-ft. pin and sleeve, modular design. The panels have up to 10 percent increased open area over traditional pin and sleeve panels and continue to offer the advantages of...

Senator calls for investigation into MSHA procurement practices.(National affairs: key issues; Mine Safetyand Health Administration)
December 1, 2003... Wisconsin Senator Russell Feingold (D) has made a written inquiry with Labor Dept. Inspector General Gordon Heddell asking for an investigation into possible Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) procurement irregularities. One of the...

Construction rises one percent in September.(National affairs: key issues)
December 1, 2003... New construction starts in September increased 1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $518.3 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. September showed a mixed performance by the...

Association of Equipment Manufacturers elects officers, directors.(National affairs: key issues)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Ronald DeFeo, chairman and CEO of Terex Corp., has been elected chairman of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Other officers elected were First Vice Chairman Charles Stamp Jr., vice president public affairs worldwide, Deere...

U.S. mayors say highway proposal vital for addressing traffic congestion.(National affairs: key issues)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Citing the immediate need to fully address the nation's growing congestion, highway safety and economic problems, leaders of the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed a U.S. House proposal that would invest $375 billion in highways and transit...

Aggregates Equipment, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... A new look at an old problem Screens have been the bottleneck in both crushed stone and gravel plants since the dawn of quarrying. Whether due to undersizing, low efficiency or blinding and pegging, the conventional vibrating screen always...

Breaker Technology, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... A history of success B reaker Technology, Inc. (BTI) has for decades led the way in equipment and services for the construction, aggregate and mining industries. Applications range from primary and secondary sites involved in construction,...

CCI conveyor pulleys.(Corporate Capabilities; CCI Conveyor Pulleys Manufacturers )
December 1, 2003... Product scope CCI Conveyor Pulleys Manufacturers conveyor pulleys for the aggregate and mining industry. The company manufacturers a complete line of drum and wing pulleys, as well as take-up frames, lagging and wear products for...

Terex Cedarapids.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... History In 2003 Cedarapids Inc. is celebrating 80 years of serving the Crushing and Screening Industry. Starting with the portable One Piece Outfit through the Commander Plants of the 1950's and 60's to today's full line of wheel mounted...

Conoco.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Company overview Conoco Lubricants, a ConocoPhillips brand, celebrates over 120 years of history and innovation and offers a comprehensive line of quality products to help keep equipment running at optimum levels. In 2002, Conoco, Inc....

Continental Conveyor.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... The most cost effective components Industry professionals choose Continental because they know that it's the total life-cycle costs that counts. They choose Continental because they want to avoid unexpected maintenance and labor costs....

Continental Tire North America, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Product focus Continental Tire North America, formerly Continental General Tire, is continuing its tradition of leadership in the off-the-road tire market by introducing a new line of Continental OTR radial tires. Using a combination of...

Craft Bearing Co., Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Made in the USA Craft Split Bearings are manufactured in the U.S.A. at our Newport News, Virginia facility and are quickly becoming the global industry standard for split roller bearings. Not just in one industry, but wherever an extremely...

Deister Machine Co., Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Deister is number one Today, Deister Machine Company, Inc., is the leading manufacturer of feeding, scalping and screening equipment designed to significantly increase efficiency and productivity within the crushed stone, sand and gravel,...

Eagle Crusher Company, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Highest quality Eagle Crusher Company of Galion, OH, manufactures the highest quality equipment for the toughest jobs in the aggregate and recycling industries. UltraMax Eagle Crusher offers a broad range of portable plants,...

Eagle Iron Works.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... History For over 130 years, Eagle Iron Works has worked hard to provide a history of manufacturing quality equipment to the aggregate industry. This proud history continues into the twenty-first century with "attention to detail"...

Emerson Power Transmission.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Efficient solutions Emerson Power Transmission provides efficient solutions for the tough problems of the aggregate industry. EPT engineers have a long history of designing systems and products for demanding conditions. Torq Taper Plus...

Excel Foundry & Machine, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Excel is your complete solution for after-sales crusher parts and service For 75 years Excel has been dedicated to providing first-class service and support to the heavy equipment industry. Professionalism, integrity, and an uncompromising...

FMC Technologies, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Syntron and Link-Belt solutions for bulk material handling When it comes to experience, FMC Technologies has a lot to offer--more than 60 years of proven material handling solutions to the mining and aggregates industries. If moving sand,...

Fisher Industries.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Fisher solutions generate profitable operations Fisher Sand & Gravel entered the aggregate market in the early 1950's. Our main focus at that time was to locate, process, and deliver sand, gravel, aggregate, and crushing services to contractors...

Grasan.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Crushing and handling systems for aggregates and concrete recycling Grasan was founded in 1970 as a manufacturer of conveying, crushing and screening equipment for the aggregates, coal and construction industries. With a 65,000-sq. ft....

GreyStone, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Full capabilities and solutions From individual equipment to complete classifying and washing systems, GreyStone, Inc. offers a full array of site solutions, system & controls engineering, equipment manufacturing, structure fabrication...

Hazemag USA, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Total customer satisfaction Since a modest beginning back in 1947, Hazemag has grown to become a leader in impactor design and control technology. Having now sold over 70,000 impactors throughout the world, they attribute this success to...

Kennametal, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Global leader Kennametal, the global leader in the manufacture and sale of premium-quality tooling systems for underground mining and road rehabilitation, brings its field-proven application expertise and product innovation to crushing...

Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... KPI and JCI Kolberg-Pioneer (KPI) along with their sister Astec company, JCI (Johnson Crushers International) collectively engineer, manufacture and support the industries broadest product line available from a single source. Industry...

Liebherr Mining Equipment Co.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... The Liebherr Group of Companies-Advanced technology for various industries Liebherr is a progressive group of international companies, headquartered in Bulle, Switzerland. The Liebherr name is synonymous with innovative quality products...

Lippmann-Milwaukee, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Lippmann's large model jaws offer new advanced features Lippmann has been supplying the aggregate industry with its legendary jaw crushers since 1923. Today, Lippmann introduces its large model jaws featuring innovative, easy to replace...

Metso Minerals.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Crushing and screening supplier Metso Minerals is the world's leading supplier of crushing and screening systems and solutions for rock and mineral processing. Its extensive product range encompasses a full line of stationary, mobile and...

Orica.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Crushing and screening supplier Operating globally, Orica is the world's leading supplier of commercial explosives. Committed to innovation, we are continuously working with customers to deliver value beyond blasting. As part of the Orica...

Sandvik Rock Processing.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... The proven crushers you trust Sandvik Rock Processing ranks among the leading manufacturers to supply the aggregate, recycling and minerals processing industries worldwide. We manufacture the renowned crushing equipment material producers...

Simplicity Engineering.(Corporate Capabilities)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2003... Product focus As a major supplier of Vibrating Equipment, Simplicity is continually driven to develop new equipment and improve our existing equipment. You will find our Inclined Screens, Horizontal Screens and Grizzly Feeders in quarries...

Superior Industries, Inc.(Corporate Capabilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Focused on product innovation Superior Industries is widely recognized for quality conveying systems and components. Part of the Astec family of companies, Superior products are used in many industries including sand and gravel, crushed...

Tabor Machine Co.(Corporate Capabilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Company description Tabor Machine Company has manufactured heavy-duty vibrating screens and feeders since 1961 to serve a diverse range of industries and applications; aggregate, mining, coal, cement, phosphate, recycle, fines recovery and...

Volvo Construction Equipment.(Corporate Capabilities)
December 1, 2003... Wide range Volvo Construction Equipment is a major international company developing, manufacturing and marketing equipment for the construction and related industries. Its products include a comprehensive range of wheel loaders, hydraulic...

Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Co.(Corporate Capabilities)(Company Profile)
December 1, 2003... "The Williams Way" Williams Patent Crusher & Pulverizer Company has been manufacturing size reduction equipment the "Williams Way" for over 100 years. "The Williams Way" is not just another advertising phrase. It really describes the way...

On getting fired: one man is thinking, 'Why ask why?'.(Safety: key issues; safety whistleblowing)
December 1, 2003... When tactfully used, a devilishly effective tool for reducing injuries, property damage and interruptions of process is a series of five whys. Ask "why" five times. When five whys are not tactfully used, the ultimate result, in anything but a...

Not just any doctor will do.(Law: key issues; employee rights)
December 1, 2003... A case called Echazabal v. Chevron USA Inc. was described in my Pit & Quarry articles "Pre-employment physicals" in January 2001 and "Common sense prevails" in July 2002. I thought that with those two articles, I had said all I needed to say on...

Court upholds injunction against Utah sand and gravel company.(Legal highlights: key issues; Darwin Stratton & Son Inc.)
December 1, 2003... A Utah sand and gravel company lost its court challenge to a permanent injunction barring the company from resisting MSHA inspections of its sand and gravel pits. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a permanent injunction...

Company supervisor, superintendent agree to pay MSHA's personal liability penalty.(Legal highlights: key issues; River Cement Co.)
December 1, 2003... A control room supervisor and a production superintendent agreed to pay in full MSHA's proposed penalties totaling $1,500 for their "knowing" violations of the safe access standard. Both men work at River Cement Co.'s Selma Plant Quarry & Mill...

Economy rebounding, but still no highway bill.(Economics: key issues)
December 1, 2003... Although the U.S. economy appears to be on the mend, stone producers across the country continue to express concerns about the lack of a federal transportation package. Taken in the context of budget shortfalls at the state and local levels,...

Through the eyes of the PCA.(Economics: key issues; Portland Cement Association)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The lobbying for a highway bill is taking place against the backdrop of reports that paint a somewhat bullish outlook for the U.S. economy as a whole. Like analysts elsewhere, economists at the Portland Cement Association (PCA) say job creation...