Pit & Quarry articles from October 2003

Pit & Quarry archives from October 2003

Recognizing that Congress would not complete work on TEA-21 reauthorization before the law expired on Sept. 30.(Top News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Recognizing that Congress would not complete work on TEA-21 reauthorization before the law expired on Sept. 30, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee drafts a six-month extension.

An estimated 429 million metric tons of crushed stone are produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2003.(Top News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * An estimated 429 million metric tons of crushed stone are produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2003, a decrease of 3.2 percent compared with the same period of 2002.

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2003 is 322 million metric tons.(Top News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2003 is 322 million metric tons, a slight decrease compared with the same period of 2002.

Oglebay Norton says it has entered into agreements with its bank group and senior secured note holders to amend credit agreements.(Top News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Oglebay Norton says it has entered into agreements with its bank group and senior secured note holders to amend credit agreements. The company also reports its intent to sell lime and mica operations in an effort to reduce long-term debt.

Metso Minerals Industries Inc. announces the appointment of John Olsen as president, North and Central America region.(Top News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Metso Minerals Industries Inc. announces the appointment of John Olsen as president, North and Central America region. In his new role, Olsen will be responsible for marketing, sales and service across North and Central America in the newly...

Washington wire.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * A bill introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and ranking member Max Baucus (D-Mont.) would streamline the tax collection process for ethanol and, in turn, increase revenues to the Highway Trust Fund by more...

Red flags.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * The American Society of Civil Engineers releases a progress report on its 2001 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, which graded the quality of 12 categories of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit, aviation, wastewater...

Stockwatch.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 1, 2003... StockWatch (AT PRESS TIME) THIS MONTH LAST MONTH Cemex SA * 25.29 24.57 Centex Construction Prod. * 46.77 44.16 Florida Rock Industries ** 49.08 ...

Essential economics.(Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 1, 2003... * At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $512.9 billion, new construction starts in July slipped 4 percent from a strong June, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Nonbuilding construction in...

The producer price index for aggregates rose 0.1 percent to 177.4 in August from 177.3 in July.(Other Economic News ...)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * The producer price index for aggregates rose 0.1 percent to 177.4 in August from 177.3 in July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The index increased 2.4 percent between August 2002 and August 2003, indicating a higher price...

A regrettable failure.(Mark My Words)
October 1, 2003... At this writing, it looks increasingly as if Congress will not act to reauthorize TEA-21 by the September 30 deadline, but will instead seek a six-month extension to try and generate support for an acceptable version of the...

Wheeled dozer.(Brand new: just released to the market)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Komatsu America Corp.'s new WD600-3 is a wheeled dozer for mining, coal stockpile, woodchip and general earthmoving applications where increased maneuverability and/or compaction are required. Rubber-tired dozers like the WD600-3 offer lower...

Tensioning systems.(Brand new: just released to the market)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Appleton Control Systems offers a line of stand-alone belt drive tensioning systems for existing crusher and slurry pump drive installations. Complete jackshaft assemblies with tensioning pulley are available for new installations or as a...

Stacking-conveyor safety.(Brand new: just released to the market)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A unique feature called Safety Stop is now a standard, value-added benefit to Superior Industries' complete line of telescoping radial stacking conveyors. The Safety Stop mechanism is designed to prevent costly damage to the main truss or...

Oglebay Norton turning things around.(A Closer Look)
October 1, 2003... Just a month ago, we reported that Oglebay Norton was going through some tough times. However, two recent developments have marked a turnaround for the company. It's stock price is double of what it was a month ago. First, the company...

NSSGA: Aglime forum a success.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... More than 75 participants attended the 2003 Aglime Forum in Urbana, Ill., with representatives from limestone producers, fertilizer dealers and soils management communities represented. Presentations covered a variety of topics, including...

Vulcan executive to join transportation research group.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... John English, manager of public affairs at Vulcan Materials Co., has been elected a board member of The Road Information Program, a Washington, D.C.-based, nonprofit transportation research group. English, with Vulcan Materials since 1988,...

Limestone quarry closes its doors.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Oldcastle limestone quarry on Lime Crest Road in Sparta, N.J., formerly known as Southdown, will soon, in the words of one employee, be "banging the doors shut." Most of the operations at the facility have apparently been shut down...

Metso Minerals appoints John Olsen president of North and Central America region.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Metso Minerals Industries Inc. announced the appointment of John Olsen as president, North and Central America (NAM) region. In his new role, Olsen will be responsible for marketing, sales and service across North and Central America in the...

Goodyear to cut 500 jobs at North American tire plants.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. says it will cut about 500 jobs at its North American Tire manufacturing plants. The move is the latest in a cost-cutting plan under which the company has already axed employer contributions to 401(k) retirement...

Events.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Oct. 22-23, 2003 NSSGA Executive Committee Meeting Arlington, Va. 800-342-1415 Oct. 28-30, 2003 NSSGA/MSHA Diesel Particulate Matter Sampling Workshop Ames, Iowa 800-342-1415 Oct. 29-31, 2003 Amer....

Crane rental deal reached.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Liebherr-Nenzing Crane Co., Houston, has entered into an agreement to sell multiple units of the model HS855SX to Essex Crane Rental Corp. Essex is currently the largest owner of Manitowoc crawler cranes in the world and, until this sale,...

Terex announces organizational changes.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)
October 1, 2003... Andy MacDonald has left Simplicity Engineering to pursue other career opportunities. Jason Adams has accepted the responsibility for ongoing management of the Simplicity group. As general manager, Adams will be responsible for engineering,...

Command Alkon named a top-500 company for 2003.(Stockpile: the latest industry news)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Command Alkon, which provides integrated solutions to the construction materials industry, was named a member of VARBusiness magazine's Top 500 Companies for 2003. It was the sixth consecutive year the company was honored. VARBusiness...

REMco supplies VSI for U.S. military in Middle East. (Stockpile: the latest industry news.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Rock Engineered Machinery Co. Inc. (REMco), Livermore, Calif., has sold one of its largest sand producing machines to be installed as part of the American build up in the Middle East. The machine, a SandMax 1200-ST/AR VSI, is to be used in...

North American Quarry & Recycling Show: the 2003 show will feature live equipment demonstrations, as well as exhibits and seminars.(Special Report)
October 1, 2003... The North American Quarry & Recycling Show will take place Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. It will be held at the new Georgia International Convention Center adjacent to Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport. This venue offers 200,000 sq. ft. of indoor space and 15...

Primary election: a new England producer votes to replace crushers in order to keep material flowing from the primary to the secondary plants.(E&T Crushing)
October 1, 2003... As an obsolescent jaw crusher's parts wear out and get downright fatigued from extensive rock-crushing activities, the crusher can become less and less efficient. There is a limit as to how many adjustments or parts replacements can be...

A cut above: an alternative surface-mining technique that eliminates blasting turns heads at a Holcim operation in Dallas.(E&T New Technology)
October 1, 2003... Crushed-stone quarries worldwide are faced with complaints from local residents and businesses concerning blasting, dust and truck traffic. Many of the quarries and mines in the United States that were founded in the once-isolated countryside,...

High & dry production: high-frequency screening is an environmentally sound solution that can increase saleable product while eliminating water from the process.(E&T Screening)
October 1, 2003... Producers constantly seek new methods to increase production and profitability while meeting tough material specifications and even tougher environmental regulations. Difficult hurdles may cause some to settle for less or simply walk away. But...

Discovering the lost aggregate opportunity: an online forum draws discussion about Shilstone's Specification--eight to 18.(E&T Technical Session--Part 10)
October 1, 2003... Do you ever wonder where aggregate specifications come from? One of the current flavors of the month for concrete aggregates is the eight-to-18 specification. Some may know this as Shilstone's Specification, although the Shilstone that is...

Engineered structures.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Grasan offers custom-engineered structures for virtually any quarry application. The company says that field assembly normally is accomplished without the use of a cutting torch or welder. AutoCad software is used for design and detailing....

Multipurpose tool.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The latest version multipurpose pliers tool from SOG is the new EOD PowerLock. The company says that it is the only compound leverage multitool with an unobtrusive crimper for insulated wire, blasting caps and detonation cord. Average...

ScreenMaster.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Universal ScreenMaster is designed for increased capacity. The company says that the ScreenMaster has greater screening area on each deck because the decks are built 4 in. wider than most competing models. This additional clear screening...

Gear oil.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Petro-Canada has launched Traxon, a new line of premium multi-grade gear oils specially formulated with a protection formula that provides longer-lasting equipment protection for reduced downtime and maintenance costs, says the company. Traxon...

Hydraulic hammer.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Caterpillar's H140D s hydraulic hammer is the first of a new generation of work tools for the construction, demolition, mining and aggregates industries. The new hammer is built on the strengths of its predecessor model, the H140C s, but...

Hydraulic shim kits.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Stedman's new hydraulic shim kits help maintain the desired gap settings on Stedman crushers, reducing costly downtime and maintenance and maximizing production. The hydraulic shim kits also eliminate wrench turning to raise or lower apron...

Conveyor belt precleaner.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A new conveyor belt head pulley precleaner named EZP1 marks the initial offering of Rockline Conveyor Products, a family of high-performance, economically priced, do-it-yourself belt conveyor accessories from Flexco. Designed for better...

Capacitance level sensors.(Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... BinMaster Pro Series capacitance probes offer point level detection, plugged chute detection and process control. BinMaster's wide range of electronic and probe options offer solutions to fit a wide array of powder, solid and liquid...

Sand scrubbing process.(Product Highlight)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... LPT Group Inc., a division of McLanahan Corp., has successfully commissioned its first commercial Sand Scrubbing Plant (SSP), which the company says dramatically improves the sand equivalency (S.E.) and durability of sand products. Its...

Screen suspension.(Product Highlight)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Having the highest capacity in the industry, Rosta AB oscillating mounts from Lovejoy replace shaker screen coil springs for substantial reduction in cost of ownership. Rosta AB oscillating mounts typically last five to 10 times longer than...

Conveyor belts.(Product Highlight)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... With its unique, patented Triple-Warp center ply plus two rugged outer plies, Goodyear Conquest conveyor belts are engineered to be a leap forward over traditional multi-ply and straight-warp belt constructions. Designed for the most torturous...

Transportation Committee highlights need to address infrastructure deterioration.(National affairs: key issues)
October 1, 2003... Leaders of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and officials of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) outlined a report highlighting the continued deterioration of the nation's highways, bridges, transit systems...

Report shows transportation sector contributes to environmental progress.(National affairs: key issues)
October 1, 2003... Through the use of high technology, innovative project design and construction, cleaner-burning fuels, and intensive recycling of waste materials, the transportation sector has been the driving force behind much of the dramatic improvement in...

House seeks six month TEA-21 extension.(National affairs: key issues)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Recognizing that Congress will not complete work on TEA-21 reauthorization before the law expires on Sept. 30, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has drafted a six-month extension, according to committee sources. Highway...

Senate bill would boost Highway Trust Fund by millions.(National affairs: key issues)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A bill introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and ranking member Max Baucus (D-Mont.) would streamline the tax collection process for ethanol and, in turn, increase revenues to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) by...

Norlite Corp.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Norlite Corp., an Albany, N.Y., producer of lightweight aggregates, won a contract from the state Department of Transportation to provide 5,000 tons of fill to rebuild Route 9W in Cementon, located in Greene County.

A Federal Mine Safety and Health review Commission judge rejected a small Missouri gravel operation's request for attorneys' fees and expenses from MSHA under the Equal Access to Justice Act.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 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 MSHA under the Equal Access to Justice Act.1111 Concrete Aggregates sought legal fees and...

Nearly 20,000 people attended Halquist Stone Quarry's Dozer Day event in September.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Nearly 20,000 people attended Halquist Stone Quarry's Dozer Day event in September, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Kids got a close-up look at a variety of construction equipment, and were treated to rides in a Humvee.

The St. Charles County Council wants more information before it decides whether to grant a company a permit for underground mining at an existing quarry, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * The St. Charles County Council wants more information before it decides whether to grant a company a permit for underground mining at an existing quarry, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In more than an hour of public comment, council...

Environmentalists are mounting a campaign aimed at ending commercial dredging of sand and gravel from the Kansas River, according to a report from the Associated Press.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Environmentalists are mounting a campaign aimed at ending commercial dredging of sand and gravel from the Kansas River, according to a report from the Associated Press. The Sierra Club and others argue the dredging spurs bank erosion,...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has levied $44,000 in fines against two San Diego County men it says were illegally mining the San Luis Rey River.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has levied $44,000 in fines against two San Diego County men it says were illegally mining the San Luis Rey River. Tim Vendlinski, a supervisor for the EPA's wetlands regulatory office, says Bruce...

Some Peone Prairie, Wash., residents have been battling a Central Pre-Mix plan to launch a fleet of dump trucks hauling sand.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Some Peone Prairie, Wash., residents have been battling a Central Pre-Mix plan to launch a fleet of dump trucks hauling sand as frequently as every 10 minutes along their narrow country road, according to the Spokesman Review. Spokane County...

A state Supreme Court justice will decide the legality of a moratorium that temporarily halts new mining operations in the town of Erwin, N.Y. Lawyers representing the town and Dalrymple Gravel and Contracting Co.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * A state Supreme Court justice will decide the legality of a moratorium that temporarily halts new mining operations in the town of Erwin, N.Y. Lawyers representing the town and Dalrymple Gravel and Contracting Co. Inc. of Pine City appeared...

An annual special-use permit has been granted to Burroughs Material.(Producer Briefs)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * An annual special-use permit has been granted to Burroughs Material to continue gravel mining on a 243-acre site in a local township, reports The Detroit News.

EPA issues final new source review rule.(National affairs: key issues)
October 1, 2003... EPA issued the final New Source Review rule that provides exclusions from having to install costly air pollution controls when replacing equipment for routine maintenance or repair at major sources under the Clean Air Act. The new source...

Federal prosecution of managers.(Law: key issues)
October 1, 2003... Managing or supervising a pit, quarry or other mine is a heavy responsibility. Just keeping the operation going can be taxing, but when one considers the myriad business, environmental and safety demands, the challenges are greater and the...

Commission further defines when an accident must be reported.(Legal highlights: key issues)
October 1, 2003... An incident in which a miner received a 7,200-volt shock, fell 18 ft., and required CPR was an "accident," the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission held, finding that a mining company violated Part 50 reporting regulations in...

Two questions.(Safety: key issues)
October 1, 2003... In April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the startling announcement that, in 2002, 42,850 people had been killed on U.S. highways in 38,356 fatal crashes. In 2001, 42,116 were killed in 37,795 fatal crashes. ...

PCA: manufacturing sector on the rebound.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industry)
October 1, 2003... The Monitor, a monthly analysis of trends in the construction and cement industries published by the Portland Cement Association (PCA), reports the positive momentum reverberating in the U.S. economy has begun to spill over into the...

Initial slab track research yields positive results.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Testing is underway on two, 250-ft.-long sections of slab track developed under the Portland Cement Association's (PCA) Cooperative Concrete Slab Track Research and Demonstration Program for Shared Freight and High Speed Passenger Service....

July ready-mix concrete production up.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Estimated ready-mix concrete production for July 2003 is 40.6 million cu. yd., 6.8 percent higher than production in July 2002. Year-to-date production through July is estimated at 223.7 million cu. yd., 0.5 percent higher than the production...

Concrete featured in new high-rise.(Supply chain: news from affiliated industry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The nation's first environmentally responsible residential high-rise building was unveiled Sept. 5, just blocks away from ground zero in lower Manhattan. Sustainable characteristics include durability, energy efficiency and use of local and...

Coming in November.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Quarry safety * Crushing * Breaking * Manufactured sand

Whole lot o' shakin'.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions)
October 1, 2003... Recently, a major producer in the southeastern part of the United States developed a serious problem: One of its tower shaker screens was vibrating so badly that it was unsafe to operate at full capacity. Excessive vibration in a shaker screen...

Merlin magic.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Sandvik Rock Processing's new vertical shaft impact crusher--the Merlin-VSI--features the Bi-Flow system, which allows for directional control of bypass material. This, the company says, provides optimum control of product gradation and reduces...

Conveyor safety: it's never just an option.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions)
October 1, 2003... While today's economic climate leads to rampant budget slashing, it is never advisable to cut costs where conveyor safety is concerned. Safety features and safety training programs should never be eliminated in an attempt to achieve lower...

Grote Industries has a new look to its Web site, www.grote.com.(eBusiness)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Grote Industries has a new look to its Web site, www.grote.com. The company says customers can move quickly and easily through the new site to find exactly the products and technical information they are looking for, while having their...

Menardi has set up a comprehensive Web site, www.menardifilters.com, useful to anyone involved in the technical aspects of gas or liquid filtration.(eBusiness)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * Menardi has set up a comprehensive Web site, www.menardifilters.com, useful to anyone involved in the technical aspects of gas or liquid filtration. In addition to information on Menardi corporate details, product lines, services, contact...

The power of two.(TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Goodyear has developed an innovation called the Two Piece Assembly, a cost-effective product designed to keep aggregates trucks running longer, faster and with less downtime. The Two Piece Assembly uses an extra-wide tread belt that is...