Construction Equipment articles from April 2004

Construction Equipment archives from April 2004

Tear down those walls.(Sutton Report)
April 1, 2004... There's an adage, usually delivered heavy with sarcasm: "This job would be great, if it weren't for all the people." For equipment managers, fleet productivity and financial performance rest on the people who touch the machines, many of whom...

Ingersoll-Rand.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The Road-Development division has created four track-mounted commercial pavers ranging in weight from 7,200 to 15,800 pounds to be sold under the IR brand. The 15,800-pound Model 3120 boasts the most horsepower, at 87, in a commercial paver....

Caterpillar.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... With operating weights from 11.8 to 14.0 tons, model CS-533E and CP-533E vibratory soil compactors offer many features found on the 500E-Series machines. They are designed to provide good operator visibility and comfort, excellent machine...

Maintainer.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... With 12,000 pounds of lift capacity, the 6220/24 crane comes with a full hydraulic extend to either 20 or 24 feet. Features include: proportional crane control, worm gear winch with high torque winch motor, 615 degrees of rotation, and live...

Thomas equipment.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Model T320 marks the company's entry into the tracked skid-steer market. The biggest differences between Thomas' loader and competitors' are the track design, faster travel speed, and ability to change from tracks to tires. The T320 features a...

Gradall.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Telestick Quick Change boom extension for the XL 4000 Series II excavators increases the reach and range to 45 feet 9 inches. It can be installed in less than 30 minutes using the standard boom-end bucket adapter and two pins. Gradall says its...

Bobcat.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The S160 skid-steer loader has new product features that enhance its performance. With a rated operating capacity of 1,600 pounds, the unit comes equipped with a 56-hp turbocharged Kubota engine. It has a high-flow option to boost auxiliary...

Ditch witch.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The XT850 combines features of its mini-skid-steers and mini-excavators. The excavator boom performs in a range (dig depth, loading height, reach) similar to 1.5-ton mini-excavator's, but its swing post is mounted on an arm that swings...

Miskin.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The Model D-19 scraper has a 19-yard capacity, but is under 12 feet overall for easy transport between jobs. It features a Cushion-Ride suspension, allowing high-speed travel and protects the scraper in rough terrain, the company says. The...

Caterpillar.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The IT38G Series II and IT62G Series II Integrated Toolcarriers have been updated with electronically controlled engines that boost fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. A new cooling system with on-demand fan reduces noise and radiator...

Astec underground.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The DD-8B features up to 80,000 pounds of thrust/pullback and 13,500 lbs.-ft. of rotary torque. It is powered by a Tier II-certified, 230-hp Cummins engine with hydrostatic hydraulics and infinitely variable rotary speed capabilities. The unit...

Dressta.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Landfill Arrangement Crawler Dozers (LA) are designed to handle the challenges of landfill applications. Models include the 320-hp TD-25H LA, the 225-hp TD-20H LA, and 175-hp TD-15H LA. All machines have turbocharged engines, and transmissions...

Marini America.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The Italian manufacturer is now marketing nine asphalt pavers in the United States ranging in weight from 10,200 to 44,700 pounds. Marini offers a 10,200-pound tracked unit with slat conveyors, and one of the few rubber-tired pavers in the...

TT technologies.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Grundoburst 2500G static-bursting machine is designed for use when replacing steel and ductile-iron pipes that range in diameter from 24 to 48 inches. Special cutter heads are available for handling the large-diameter pipes. It has 625,000...

Komatsu.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Both the SK818-5 and SK820-5 skid-steer loaders have been upgraded with Tier 2-compliant engines. Those are the company's first two skid-steers to feature a verticallift loader arm. Equipped with Automatic Power Control, HydrauMind hydraulics,...

Caterpillar.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Improvements to the CB-434D double-drum asphalt compactor include automatic speed control with impact spacing indicator, new operator's station, vertical yoke frame, 50/50 articulation, five amplitude settings, greater fuel capacity and more....

American augers.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The 42-600G2 boring machine features a hydraulic/electric clutch system. The machine automatically engages the tracks when set into place so there are no hook rollers to be fastened down, the company says. It also features new hydraulic...

Finlay hydrascreen.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... The 694 Supertrak can produce up to four or five products in a single pass. The compact, track-mounted unit has a 20-foot by 5-foot triple deck screen box, four on-board stockpiling conveyors, and a 14-foot belt-feed hopper. This combination is...

Caterpillar.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... Model 16H motor grader is powered by an electronically controlled Cat 3196 engine, offering 9 percent greater rimpull and improved fuel efficiency. Its optional Variable Horsepower system provides more precise delivery of power as the system...

Transcraft.(Market Watch)
April 1, 2004... A rear-axle slide option is engineered to redistribute the weight of cargo to meet specific State Bridge Laws. The slides can be California legal when in the closed position and provide a wide spread setting in the open position, the company...

Two-stroke basics.(Toolbox Tips)
April 1, 2004... Clean Exhaust Port and Muffler Most manufacturers recommend cleaning carbon deposits from the exhaust port at intervals ranging from 75 to 300 hours. Observe cautions for positioning the piston during cleaning, and for purging carbon...

Basic engine operation.(Toolbox Tips)
April 1, 2004... At the heart of two-stroke engine operation is the fluctuating pressure in its crankcase as the piston moves. As the piston rises in the cylinder, thus creating a larger open volume in the crankcase, a low pressure results. When the piston...

Compression testing.(Quick Tip)
April 1, 2004... Two-stroke symptoms such as hard starting, starting when cold but not when hot, poor idle and rough running could indicate fuel or ignition problems. But, it's a good idea to first check compression. Test the engine cold, close the...

Air cleaner.(Quick Tip)
April 1, 2004... Two-stroke engines use a variety of air-cleaning systems, which should be serviced with strict regard to the manufacturer's recommendations. Typically, systems are either neglected or over-serviced; both approaches are poor economy. If foam...

Four steps to PM success.(Maintenance Tips)
April 1, 2004... David Taber, coordinator of product technical services for 76 Lubricants and Kendall Motor Oil brands at ConocoPhillips, listed four things he considers most crucial to a successful PM program: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1) Use the correct...

Pull-type scrapers use GPS control.(Application Ideas)
April 1, 2004... Nyen Excavating, an earthmoving contractor in Chaska, Minn., invested in a GPS grade-control system for one of its dozers in 2000. The system worked so well, says president of the firm, Tony Nyen, that the company bought a second system last...

Encyclopedia of equipment.(Resources)
April 1, 2004... The 2004 "brown book" for construction equipment, Hot Line Construction Equipment Guide, provides serial numbers; specifications; retail, loan and auction pricing; and transport dimensions on more than 200 equipment manufacturers. In its 17th...

Training operators saves money.(Maintenance Management)
April 1, 2004... Changing from one-shift operations to two shifts at Rinker Materials' quarry in Macon, Ga., three years ago showed up almost immediately in the rising cost of truck brakes and retarders. "This pit has substantial down grades, and heat was...

Training tips for operators.(Resources)
April 1, 2004... VISTA Training joined forces with the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) to create two separate new videos--TIPS from the Pros: Crawler Excavator and Wheel Loader. They collected information from professional operators and...

Public construction spending.(Status & Forecast)
April 1, 2004... Activity has been stuck for three months at $214 billion, exactly the 2003 average. The early 2004 spending outlook is for steady or even slightly lower activity. Contractors are waiting for the new federal highway funding legislation, for...

Construction employment.(Status & Forecast)
April 1, 2004... Contractors laid off 24,000 people in February after 10 monthly gains totaling 147,000. Nearly 100,000 additional jobs are still expected over the course of 2004, mostly for nonresidential building and heavy project work. A larger share of...

Construction equipment shipments.(Status & Forecast)
April 1, 2004... January equipment shipments from U.S. factories were at a 5-year high of $2.06 billion. Imports increased similarly. Fleet managers are replacing and adding equipment in anticipation of new projects funded by an expanded federal highway program...

Housing starts.(Status & Forecast)
April 1, 2004... New residential starts fell to a 1.908 million annual rate in January following four boom months that averaged 2.007 million. Starts will gradually slide to less than 1.8 million by the end of the year. Still, the 2004 starts total will match...

Commercial construction spending.(Status & Forecast)
April 1, 2004... Spending on commercial buildings remains steady. January activity was unchanged both from December and the previous January. But renewed expansion is expected before summer as retailers react to the 8% rise in retail sales over the past year....

D6N's standout traits: balance and power; with differential steering, six-way blade, air-suspension seat and plenty of horsepower, Cat's D6N proves its mettle to a very good operator.(Exclusive: Hands-On Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... For this installment of Hands-On Earthmoving, Construction Equipment asked professional operator Tim Yednoch to give his assessment of the Cat D6N crawler dozer, which Caterpillar introduced about 18 months ago. A long-time member of the...

Are you managing lower tire costs? How to employ your dealer and their manufacturers' software to monitor tires and manage your second-highest operating expense.(Maintenance)
April 1, 2004... By now you know that tires are your second largest expense, behind fuel. By now you know that controlling tire cost is a critical component of remaining profitable. By now you know the fundamentals of controlling tire cost. What you may not...

As good driving as it is lasting: is Western Star the best-built truck you can buy? most users think so.(Hands-on Trucking)
April 1, 2004... Loyalty is earned, and Western Star Trucks has definitely done it through the years. "Durable," "well-built," "attention to detail," and "it never sees the inside of a shop" are among comments I've heard about the truck over the years from...

Smarter excavators toughen up: power, durability and extended service intervals ride the wave of technology that has carried excavators to the level that they can think for you.(Buying File: 30- to 40-Ton Excavators)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... Computers installed in today's 30- to 40-ton hydraulic excavators have taken a crucial step up to a level of sophistication that they can actually make production decisions, but innovations in this product category are not all electronic....

Adjust Power in each mode.(Hyundai)
April 1, 2004... The new Computer Aided Power Optimization system in the Robex 7 Series excavators traded the 3 Series' four work modes for three modes--Heavy Duty, General and Breaker--and added the choice of either High Power or Standard Power. Being able to...

First all-volvo excavators.(Volvo)
April 1, 2004... The president of Volvo's excavator business unit, Eric Nielson, refers to the B Series excavators introduced in 2002 as the "first 100-percent Volvo excavators," even while admitting that some very effective features of the purchased Samsung...

Redesign beefs up the line.(Case)
April 1, 2004... The CX330 comes with 19 percent more horsepower than the 9050B it replaced, and new pumps in the open-center hydraulic system produce nearly 8 percent higher pressure and 6 percent more flow. The standard CX330 outweighs the 9050B by about...

Controller simplifies operator choices.(Hitachi)
April 1, 2004... The HIOS II hydraulic system in Hitachi's Zaxis 270LC and Zaxis 330LC excavators has an Auto Power Lift, which temporarily increases hydraulic power by 6 and 9 percent, respectively, during heavy lifting and bucket-filling operations. Two work...

Controller keeps engine power constant.(JCB)
April 1, 2004... JCB's Advanced Management System senses the load on the hydraulic system and matches engine output and hydraulic demand, maintaining constant engine effort for efficient operation. Flow on demand means hydraulic speed and power output is...

Computer creates predictability.(John Deere)
April 1, 2004... The Powerwize II electronic system on the 270C LC and 330C LC replaces three power modes with one choice--Work or Attachment mode. The computer automatically adjusts swing, boom, and stick priority based on working conditions, and will deliver...

Power without punching buttons.(Caterpillar)
April 1, 2004... Cat introduced the 330C L in March 2002 with the new C9 engine, which produces 11 percent more net horsepower than the 330B L. Refined open-center hydraulics also managed 17 percent more hydraulic flow to deliver what Construction Equipment's...

Big machine works in small space.(Komatsu)
April 1, 2004... Komatsu introduced the only minimum-tail-swing excavator in the 30- to 40-ton size range--the PC308USLC-3--last year. An 18,000-pound counterweight, and extending the track gauge 5 inches maintains the unit's balance. With a loaded bucket, the...

Handles loads better on-the-go.(Daewoo)
April 1, 2004... Daewoo revamped the hydraulics for the Solar Series excavators, plumbing a new control valve and joysticks designed for improved feathering control into a hydraulic circuit. The goal is precise, safe load handling during travel. Swing torque...

Borrows parts from bigger machines.(Link-Belt)
April 1, 2004... Link-Belt released the 290 LX Timber Loaders and Road Builders last November with upper frames reinforced for forestry applications. To handle heavy duty, they use the travel system and swing system from larger LBX machines, and oversized swing...

Nation's equipment leaders recognized: AEMP presents its first-ever Fleet Masters awards to equipment-management teams at Barriere Construction and the Virginia Department of Transportation.(Fleet Masters)
April 1, 2004... The Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP), a national organization dedicated to advancing professionalism in equipment management, presented its first Fleet Masters Awards to Ben Tucker and his equipment-management team at...

The BEST new skid steers: are not even skid steers.
April 1, 2004... The RC-60 offers more performance and versatility than any other loader in its size class. With a 2.2 liter turbocharged Cat diesel engine and ASV's Posi-Power Control[TM] system, the RC-60 delivers rocksolid performance in a wide range of...

They're rubber track loaders from ASV.
April 1, 2004... The RC-85 delivers exceptionally quick response and fast cycle times thanks to a careful balance of weight and power. The 4.4 liter Cat diesel engine delivers high-output to drive the advanced hydraulic system. You get 38 gpm from the standard...

Esab welding.(Welding Equipment)
April 1, 2004... Designed for harsh welding environments, the 653E CC/CV WeatherGuard power source has an all-stainless-steel base, frame and fasteners. Side panels and top are made of non-corrosive, high-impact composite, and all power components are covered...

Miller electric.(Welding Equipment)
April 1, 2004... Pro 300 CC/CV engine-driven welding generator uses an 1,800-rpm Cat diesel to generate a 20- to 410-amp multiprocess welding output and 12 kW of power. It can be used for stick, TIG, MIG and flux-cored operations. The generator weighs 1,100...

Lincoln electric.(Welding Equipment)
April 1, 2004... Air Vantage 500 is a welder, generator and air compressor in one unit. Direct gear-driven compressor has no belts or clutches, and pumps 60 cfm, 100 psi at 100 percent duty cycle. It comes standard with up to 20,000 watts of three-phase...

Multiquip.(Welding Equipment)
April 1, 2004... GAW-135H welder/generator combines 135 amps of DC welding power and 1.5 kW AC output. A six-position dial controls the current with settings at 40, 60, 80, 100, 115 and 135 amps. It's powered by a 5.5-hp Honda GX-200 gasoline engine. Standard...

Barriere builds profit on machine maintenance: contractor prevents equipment failures by reducing rework, reshaping its fleet, and recruiting operators.(Great Managers)
April 1, 2004... In 2000, Barriere Construction had plenty of work but the company was struggling to make a profit. "Maintenance cost had been going up, big time," says Ben Tucker, equipment manager and a 19-year veteran with the New Orleans, La., contractor....

Barriere construction.(Profile)
April 1, 2004... Headquarters: New Orleans, La. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Specialty: Highway and heavy construction Equipment Value: $13 million Fleet Makeup: 131 off-road units, 45 on-road vehicles--includes four...

How to benchmark repair costs: use historical data to create trends that help estimate operating costs.(Equipment Executive)
April 1, 2004... As we saw last month, the estimate for lifetime repair cost greatly affects that machine's operating cost. In fact, repair parts and labor comprise between 15 and 25 percent of the total equipment budget. Equipment managers must be able to...

Mobile air and electricity from Ingersoll-Rand: among IR's newest products are hydraulically driven air compressors for service trucks, as well as small generators for truck, shop or jobsite.(Shop Report)
April 1, 2004... For quiet production of air on board service trucks or work trucks, Ingersoll-Rand has two new hydraulically driven air compressors, the VHP30RMH and VHP40RMH models. Both of these air-compressor modules are continuous-duty rated, delivering...

Sizing a small generator.
April 1, 2004... Before investing in a generator, Ingersoll-Rand suggests a four-step evaluation: 1) Select the items you want to power 2) Check the start/run watts for each (Watts = Volts X Amperes) Start/Run wattage requirements for a few common...

Skid-steer converts from tracks to wheels: Thomas Equipment introduces its first tracked skid-steer loader, and the machine offers exclusive features that make it stand out from competitive models.(Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... One of the most innovative products exhibited at the World of Concrete Show in Orlando last month had to be Thomas Equipment's new T220 tracked skid-steer, which will be in full production this July and will be renamed the T320. ...

Ditch Witch combines mini-skid-steer and mini-excavator: with 260 degrees of excavator swing, the excavator/tool carrier delivers more reach than compact backhoe-loaders.(Equipment Ideas)
April 1, 2004... Ditch Witch expanded its line of compact construction equipment by combining features of its SK mini-skid-steers and MX mini-excavators to create a compact utility vehicle similar to a backhoe-loader called the XT850. The lightweight...

GPS systems for the earthmoving contractor: satellite-based machine-control and grade-management systems offer application flexibility and a long list of cost-saving advantages.(GPS Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... Mention "GPS" today, and a fair number of people can tell you that GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and that it's a satellite-based locating system. Ask how GPS is used, though, and most will draw a blank after mentioning in-car...

GPS-based earthmoving's awesome technology: experts tell us that GPS technology encompasses three basic "segments" ... the satellite system, a control system for the satellites, and the user's equipment.(GPS Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... The original idea behind GPS, of course, was to enhance military defense capabilities, and by 1978, the U.S. Air Force was launching GPS satellites, completing the system in 1994. The technology's usefulness for civilian applications was soon...

The practical side of GPS: packages and models; The basics about GPS-earthmoving packages, costs and the creation of the all-important digital terrain model.(GPS Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... A machine-control system begins with a base station, consisting of a receiver, antenna, radio and power source. The rover receiver is mounted in the machine, and an antenna (or pair of antennas) is mounted to the machine's cutting edge (except...

Technology at work: today and tomorrow; On-site reports of GPS earthmoving's practical application, its practical benefits, and its practical future.(GPS Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... Out there somewhere could be an earthmoving contractor who has invested in GPS and, for some reason, is not happy with his decision. But it's unlikely. Construction Equipment has talked to a fair number of GPS-using contractors in the past few...

Dual-constellation. Why is it better?
April 1, 2004... Two of the continuing problems with satellite-based earthmoving systems are related to the adequacy of NAVSTAR ("GPS") satellite coverage. The first problem occurs when the system has access to too few satellites for accurate operation. The...

B Series boosts performance: Tier 2 engines and commitment to the CNH platform bring more power to New Holland's mid-range loaders.(Earthmoving)
April 1, 2004... New Holland launched several new machines at this year's World of Concrete, including the totally redesigned B Series wheel loaders. Three mid-range models, suited to handle 2 1/4- to 3 1/2-yard buckets, were announced, including the LW130.B...

Hobart welders.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The Champion 4500 AC generator/welder provides 4,500 surge watts (4,000 continuous watts) of 120/240-volt AC power. In welding mode, the unit delivers up to 140 amps of power. It features an 8-hp Briggs and Stratton Intek engine. The 190-pound...

Morbark.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... Designed to split and shear stumps and other wood material to 60 inches, the Model 60 Talon Debris shear is also useful for stump removal and processing large material prior to grinding. Pre-processing with the shear eliminates rocks and dirt...

Vermeer.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... With its 60-hp Caterpillar Tier II engine and direct-drive system, the self-propelled SC60TX stump cutter requires no belt alignment or replacement. Operating width is 51 inches, and the machine can retract to fit through a 36-inch opening. The...

Terex.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The Super Quiet Generator line includes 13 models with prime power outputs from 16 to 325 kW. All generators simultaneously deliver single- and three-phase outputs. The fuel tank is located in the structural base of the unit for durability and...

Case.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... Four hammers--the CH300, CH500, CH750 and CH1000--range in impact energy rating from 350 to 1,200 ft.-lbs. The hammers' narrow, rectangular shape allows them to work in tight trenches or crowded demolition sites. Low-pressure nitrogen charge...

Standard hamilton.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The Dump-Pro insert for pickup trucks weighs less than 400 pounds and requires no hydraulics to operate. The unit has a 60-degree dumping angle. To remove the insert, simply release the clamping system, disconnect the power, remove the hitch...

Stoltzfus spreaders.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The company's truck-mounted and tractor-drawn spreaders are designed for dust-free pneumatic loading. The machines apply materials in rates as high as 70 pounds per square yard in a 10- or 12-foot-wide level swath. Surrounding the spreading...

Lincoln electric.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The Ranger 3 Phase delivers up to 11,500 watts peak (10,500 watts continuous) three-phase power and up to 10,500 watts peak (9,500 watts continuous) single-phase power. At 100-percent duty cycle, the unit is rated at 225 amps for AC, 210 amps...

Atlas copco.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... Penta Series light hydraulic breakers offer service weights from 200 to 795 pounds. The Series consists of five models: the PB 110V, PB 160V, PB 210V, PB 310V and PB 420 V. Impact energy class range ranges from 200 to 1,000 ft.-lbs, and noise...

American augers.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The Quik-Trac fast return system for auger boring machines employs a rack-and-pinion drive that allows the machine to move 32 feet in less than 30 seconds. The system also develops 10,000 pounds of thrust and pull force. Quik-Trac allows users...

Multiquip.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... Whiteman HTX and STX hydraulic ride-on trowels feature simultaneous blade-pitch control, removable steps for engine access and rotor-speed control. The HTX, which finishes paths 192 inches wide, has five blades per rotor, and the STX has six...

Atlas copco.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The XAS186JD portable air compressor weighs in at 3,470 pounds and delivers 375 cfm at 100 psi. The unit is powered by a John Deere 4045 turbocharged diesel engine. The company offers the same size compressor in a 375 DFM at 150 psi working...

Robin America.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... Silent Series Generators boasts the first 4,300-watt inverter generator--the RG4300iS--according to the company. The engine runs at a slower speed for low power use and automatically increases speed as more electrical power is required. A...

Grimmer Ind.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... Designed for drilling fields, the Model 4T-276-41B compact booster compressor produces 1,400 cubic feet per minute at up to 1,000 pounds per square inch. Powered by a John Deere all-electronic diesel engine, the unit features a control package...

Miller electric.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The Maxstar 150 DC Stick/TIG inverters weigh just 13.7 pounds and have a 5- to 150-amp welding range. They run on 115 to 230 VAC primary power. Three models are available: S (Stick-only), STL (Stick/TIG Lift-Arc start), and STH (Stick/TIG high...

Goodyear.(Market Watch Lite)
April 1, 2004... The company now offers a complete line of hydraulic hoses, fittings and crimpers. Hydraulic hose assemblies use fluid to transmit power for applications from precision systems to heavy-duty equipment. R1 through R17 hose classifications have...