Pit & Quarry articles from November 2003

Pit & Quarry archives from November 2003

After weeks of discussion and negotiating delays, the Senate approves a bill.(Top News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * After weeks of discussion and negotiating delays, the Senate approves a bill authorizing and funding surface transportation programs for five months, and the measure is signed into law by the President.

A nationwide survey by Republican and Democratic pollsters finds 69 percent of likely voters would willingly pay nine cents extra per day.(Top News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * A nationwide survey by Republican and Democratic pollsters finds 69 percent of likely voters would willingly pay nine cents extra per day to help fund repairs to outdated roads and bridges and improve highway safety.

U.S. construction equipment exports continue to improve in 2003.(Top News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * U.S. construction equipment exports continue to improve in 2003 with the industry shipping more than $1.86 billion worth of machinery during the second quarter, a 13.2 percent increase compared to the first quarter.

Centex Construction Products.(Steven R. Rowley promoted )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * Centex Construction Products announces that its COO, Steven R. Rowley, has been promoted to president and CEO and elected to the company's board of directors.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.).(introduce legislation that recognizes aggregates industry associations)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) introduce legislation that recognizes aggregates industry associations for the 100 years they have represented the industry.

Caterpillar.(Caterpillar Inc. holds Quarry Days event)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * Caterpillar holds its Quarry Days event in September and October in Tucson, Ariz. The program features a variety of programs for dealers and their quarry-industry customers.

Washington wire.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(Mine Safety and Health Administration appoints Felix A. Quintana, starts Winter Alert campaign)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * Felix A. Quintana has been appointed the deputy administrator for Metal and Non-Metal Mine at the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). He will serve at the national office in Arlington, Va. * MSHA's Winter Alert campaign has...

Red flags.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(haul truck driver seriously injured)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * A Caterpillar 777B haul truck driver was seriously injured when he lost control of the truck while hauling overburden down a 20-percent grade to the dump area. The driver was traveling at an excessive speed and the loaded truck veered left...

Stockwatch.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 1, 2003... STOCKWATCH (AT PRESS TIME) THIS MONTH LAST MONTH Cemex SA f 23.88 25.29 Centex Construction Prod. d 50.85 46.77 Florida Rock Industries d 54.65 ...

Essential economics.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(monthly construction contract value, August 2003 statistical data included)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * New construction starts in August retreated 1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $514.2 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonbuilding construction in August fell 12...

Employment.(in the transportation construction industry, as of August 2003)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... * Employment in most major segments of the transportation construction industry was down in August 2003 compared to the same month a year ago, according to ARTBA. Stone Mining and Quarrying employment fell to 48,000 in August 2003 from 49,400...

The cost of congestion.(Mark My Words)
November 1, 2003... We all know that congestion on the nation's roads and highways is a burden. But what you may not know is that congestion comes with a defined cost. We know that cost thanks to the Texas Transportation Institute's annual Urban Mobility Report....

Tight tail swing.(Brand new: just released to the market)
November 1, 2003... Designed for work on roadways, bridges, in urban areas or any site where space is limited, Komatsu America Corp. has introduced the PC308USLC-3 hydraulic excavator. With an occupied width of 17 ft. 5 in. or less--with a loaded bucket--this...

Conveyor skirt clamps.(Brand new: just released to the market)
November 1, 2003... A new conveyor skirt rubber clamping system designed for easy installation and use is being added to Rockline Conveyor Products, a new family of high-performance, economically priced belt conveyor accessories from Flexco. New Rockline RMC1...

Primary impactor.(Brand new: just released to the market)(MaxCap Primary Impact crushers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Representing a new generation of primary impact crushers, the MaxCap Primary Impact from Universal Engineering is designed to increase profitability by reducing overall operating expenses. The MaxCap series of crushers boasts a hydraulically...

Caterpillar holds 'Quarry Days' event.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Caterpillar's Quarry Days event--held in September and October--featured a variety of programs for dealers and their quarry-industry customers. It has been four years since Caterpillar sponsored a Quarry Days program and this is the first one...

Centex Construction names Rowley CEO.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; Steven R. Rowley)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Centex Construction Products Inc. announced that its COO Steven R. Rowley has been promoted to president and CEO and elected to the company's board of directors. Rowley will continue to have line operating responsibility for all four of CXP's...

Missouri quarry in dispute over school.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; Conco Quarries )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... A dispute over the site of a proposed $20 million high school has pushed the school's target completion date back to late 2005 or early 2006, as tensions have mounted between some residents and owners of a local quarry, according to the...

Court of Appeals rules in zoning case.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; limestone mine)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... A divided Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned a fiscal court's decision in a zoning dispute because of alleged bias by two county commissioners, according to the Associated Press. The majority decision prompted a long dissent by Judge William...

ConocoPhillips teams up with Sage Oil Vac Inc.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Specifically, Hilltop claimed that two county commissioners--Cathy Flaig and Robert Hay--prejudged the issue, evidenced by opinions the two allegedly expressed to residents before the fiscal court voted. Judge David Barber of Prestonsburg said...

Mobile video surveillance company grows into a new office development.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Safety Vision LP)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Anticipating its future growth, Safety Vision LP is relocating to a new facility. The Houston-based mobile video surveillance manufacturer has acquired seven acres of prime real estate on the beltway between Tanner and West Little York, Texas....

Quarry battle holds county accountable.(A Closer Look; zoning)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Fulton County, Ga., Superior Court Judge Gail S. Tusan in April had ordered the county to rezone land a quarry wants to use for expansion. The Judge ruled that the county ignored her order to rezone the property, and the commission now faces...

Limestone mine moves forward.(Stockpile: the latest industry news; St. Charles County, Mo)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The St. Charles County, Mo., Council appears ready to approve a revised plan for an underground limestone mine near New Melle, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Councilman Joe Brazil said nearby residents whom he talked with are...

Events.(National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... Dec. 7-8, 2003 2003 NSSGA Transportation Forum Fort Worth, Texas 800-342-1415 Dec. 8-10, 2003 Amer. Institute of Chemical Engineers Powder & Bulk Solids Handling Courses New York 978-392-0300 January 22-26, 2004 NSSGA Annual Convention...

Hanson appoints new nonexecutive director.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Sam Laidlaw)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Hanson PLC has appointed Sam Laidlaw a nonexecutive director. Laidlaw is executive vice president for Chevron Texaco Corp. and is a member of its executive committee. Previous roles include that of CEO of Enterprise Oil PLC from 2001 to...

Jumping to painful conclusions: falls are always near the top of the list in injuries and fatalities.(Special Report: Safety)
November 1, 2003... The only difference between a jump and a fall is how it starts. It is common for miners to jump from the back of a pickup. It's a short distance. No thought is involved. Everybody knows that the jumper gets away with it. Those times the jumper...

A backward look at safety: rear-vision cameras keep Oldcastle Materials' equipment operators in plain view.(Special Report: Safety)
November 1, 2003... Forward-looking Oldcastle Materials places the utmost importance on vehicle safety. To eliminate backing accidents, they've begun looking backward with rear-vision camera systems. Steve Benton, co-chair of the Oldcastle Group Safety Best...

Blowing smoke or blowing whistles: it's up to you: an MSHA instructor/trainer warns producers about the hazards of visible emissions.(Special Report: Mine Safety and Health Adnministration)
November 1, 2003... If your visible emissions ever become, well, visible, then most likely you are open for potentially damaging results. Between the federal and state regulatory requirements and the potential problems with employees, neighbors and media exposure,...

Coming to America.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions; Liebherr wheel loaders )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Liebherr wheel loaders have been introduced to America and will be distributed through Liebherr Construction Equipment Co., Newport News, Va. The initial product introduction includes four models, the L 538, L 544, L 564 and L 580. Tipping...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2003... In the October Tech Watch, the photos on page 20 of various conveyor guarding were of Superior Industries equipment, not Lovejoy Inc. equipment. The photos should have been on page 21 with the Conveyor Talk column.

Inventory management.(Software Solutions)
November 1, 2003... The cycle counting feature of FastPic4 inventory management and control software from FastPic Systems provides quarrying and mining industry companies with an efficient way to monitor inventory levels in automated storage and retrieval systems....

Quality control: a trend toward automated belt sampling and analysis.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions; conveying equipment)
November 1, 2003... The producer's mission is to boost production and profitability while maintaining ongoing quality control. As such, an accurate, precise and highly efficient material sampling and analysis program is key. Although "stopped-belt" manual...

Out of the park.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions; horizontal shaft impactors )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Grand Slam Series of horizontal shaft impactors from Stedman uses high-chrome metallurgy to significantly increase the wear life of machine components, reducing metal replacement costs, says the company. Tackling a variety of applications...

From waste material to cash money: new, cost-efficient VSI technology supports a waste-not, want-not production push.(Crushing; vertical shaft impact)
November 1, 2003... Historically, many aggregate producers have allocated loaders and labor toward pushing waste materials (such as pea gravel) into the pond or onto an ever-growing stockpile. That's been an acceptable practice and one that seemed a necessary...

Loading up and hauling out: a Kansas City company finds wheel loaders to be a valuable tool in keeping production up and costs down.(Loading; Kaw Valley Sand & Gravel)
November 1, 2003... It is said that in 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition camped at the mouth of the Kansas (Kaw) River where it flows into the Missouri River. A century later, steamboats navigated both the Missouri and the Kaw Rivers, exchanging goods from back...

Operation: upgrade: when Dayton materials decided it was time for a new plant, it turned to a small, local OEM and Precision Pulley & Idler.(Material Handling; RocTech)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2003... When it came time to build a new crushing plant, Jeff Wass, manager of Dayton Materials, was not sure where to turn. He knew he wanted something with good flow, lots of product options, low maintenance and a 450-tph capacity. The first...

Discovering the lost aggregate opportunity: this segment of our 12-part series examines road base plasticity testing.(Technical Session--Part II)
November 1, 2003... The acceptance or rejection of road base or granular materials often lies with an acceptable Plasticity Index (PI) result. Other road base material tests such as sieve analysis, moisture content and sand equivalent are also employed. However,...

Weight lifter.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... The Siemens-Milltronics Weight Lifter mechanically raises and lowers the static weights used to calibrate Siemens-Milltronics belt scales. It stores the weights securely above the belt scale calibration arms, and allows the operator to lower...

Belt scales.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... Schenck Weighing Systems offers two lines of conveyor belt scales--BX Series and the BEMP. The BX Series includes two models--the BX-2 and the BX-4, which are heavy-duty, two-idler and four-idler scales, respectively. The BEMP includes both a...

Cone crusher.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... The new 1300 Maxtrak cone crusher plant from BL-Pegson features the exclusive Automax "all-in feed" cone design and is engineered for high tonnage, meeting specifications and product flexibility, with low operating costs. The self-contained...

Reclaimer.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... The new 883 Reclaimer from Finlay Hydrascreens is engineered for fast setup, high mobility and long service life in high-volume sand/gravel, crushed-stone, topsoil, coal, compost and recycling applications. The plant design features a...

Clutch/brakes.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... Posidyne oil-shear clutch/brakes from Force Control Industries Inc. come in 11 basic models offering a range of capabilities--up to 600+ cycles per minute (CPM) or 500 brake hp with up to 10 times longer service life, says the company....

Railcar maintenance.(Product Highlight)
November 1, 2003... RipTrack is an Internet-based tool from DTE Transportation Services designed to efficiently manage railcar maintenance data. This highly interactive software helps users identify issues early, with easy retrieval of maintenance history and...

Rockbreaker system.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... Breaker Technology Inc.'s new MBS Series rockbreaker system is designed to be an on-plant solution for highly portable aggregate and recycle applications. Unlike conventional boom systems that must be removed from the crushing plant or...

Grease formula.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... Citgo Petroleum Corp.'s newest product offering, Polyurea MP No. 2 Grease is formulated to help construction, mining and industrial equipment stand up to a variety of harsh operating conditions. Purple-colored for easy identification by...

Material sampler.(Product Highlight)
November 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...

Crusher plant.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... The Grasan KRH1620 horizontal-shaft primary impact crusher plant is available in pit-portable and stationary models for high volume aggregates and concrete/asphalt recycling operations. The crusher can reduce 24-in. limestone down to 6-in....

Galvanized equipment.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)
November 1, 2003... Eagle Iron Works now offers the option of galvanizing for its line of fine material washers, coarse material washers, log washers, classifying tanks and structure components. Galvanized steel in industrial applications will reportedly last...

Motorbase.(Product Highlight)
November 1, 2003... Belt tension must be properly maintained in order to transmit required torque to driven equipment. This is especially true with v-belt drives that have one or more belts. Failure to maintain optimum belt tension can lead to serious loss of...

Traffic congestion continues to increase according to a new analysis of 75 U.S. cities.(National affairs: key issues)
November 1, 2003... A newly released national study of transportation congestion in 75 U.S. urban areas shows that congestion continues to increase in urban areas of all sizes--costing the communities $69.5 billion each year. "The 2003 Annual Urban Mobility...

Congress extends TEA-21 for five months.(Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... After weeks of discussion and negotiating delays, the Senate approved a bill authorizing and funding surface transportation programs for five months, and the measure was signed into law by the President. The Senate approved the measure on a...

Water bill passed by the House, awaits Senate review.(National affairs: key issues; Water Resources Development Act)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Overcoming the same obstacles that held up the Water Resources Development Act last year, the House last week approved H.R. 2557 by a vote of 412 to 8 and it now heads to the Senate for consideration. The $4.5 billion bill authorizes water...

Construction machinery exports continue to improve.(National affairs: key issues)
November 1, 2003... U.S. construction equipment exports continued to improve in 2003 with the industry shipping more than $1.86 billion worth of machinery to global markets during the second quarter of this year, a 13.2 percent increase compared to the first...

Murray: residential housing market still robust.(National affairs: key issues; Robert A. Murray)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... New construction starts in August were paced by a robust housing sector and hurt by a decline in nonbuilding construction, says Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge. "While new construction...

MSHA urges heightened awareness during colder months.(National Affairs; Mine Safety and Health Adminstraion)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reminds miners and mine operators of the increased hazards that colder weather creates at both underground and surface mines. MSHA's Winter Alert campaign, which runs...

Resolution recognizes 100 years of aggregates industry associations.(House Concurrent Resolution 280)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-Wis.) have introduced House Concurrent Resolution 280, which recognizes aggregates industry associations for the...

'Excessive history' penalties.(Law: key issues; Mine Safety and Health Administration)
November 1, 2003... Question: When does a $60 civil penalty from MSHA become $1,000? Answer: When MSHA says you have an "excessive history" of violations, this is exactly what can happen. A mine is deemed to have an excessive history when it averages more than 2.1...

Small gravel operation loses bid for legal fees from MSHA.(Legal highlights: key issues; Mine Safety and Health Administration)
November 1, 2003... A Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission Judge rejected a small Missouri gravel operation's request for attorneys' fees and expenses from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) under the Equal Access to Justice Act in an...

Pushing for TEA-21 reauthorization.(Economics: key issues; transportation infrastructure; Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century)
November 1, 2003... Stone producers across the United States are growing increasingly weary of legislative battles over transportation funding and generally continue to support a $375 billion package proposed by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska). Meanwhile, states...

August construction slips one percent.(Economics: key issues)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... New construction starts in August retreated 1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $514.2 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. The housing sector stayed robust, but its August...

NRMCA expands training program.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industries; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Responding to industry feedback, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has expanded training instructor options for its Certified Concrete Sales Professional (CCSP) program. Sponsoring bodies that are holding a CCSP class will...

Associations support World of Asphalt.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industries)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... World of Asphalt 2004 will be held March 15-18, 2004, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Among the supporting organizations already providing input and resources for educational sessions at World of Asphalt 2004 are the...

Lehigh wins environmental award.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industries; Lehigh Inland )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Lehigh Inland won a Cement Industry Environmental Award for its innovative cement practices, programs and projects throughout North America. The awards are sponsored by CementAmericas, the Portland Cement Association and the Cement Association...

Coming in December.
November 1, 2003... * State of the Industry * Stone Summit 2003 * Supply Chain * Corporate Capabilities