Construction Equipment articles from December 2004

Construction Equipment archives from December 2004

Are You Ready for Conexpo-Con/Agg 2005?
December 1, 2004... By Jeff Griffin, Contributing Editor Billed as "one source, infinite opportunities," it's an offering of equipment and education well worth the time invested Next year's biggest construction-industry event--Conexpo-Con/Agg 2005--is...

Not for Sale...Ever.
December 1, 2004... Rod Sutton, Editor in Chief Last month in this space, we told the story of the machine that failed and the article that never ran. Responses were positive. One phone call in particular, though, represented what we suspect many in the...

When Centralization Makes Sense.
December 1, 2004... By Mike Vorster, Contributing Editor A full-service, in-house equipment management strategy provides seamless operations Every company sets up an internal organization structure to help manage its fleet; assign roles and...

Trolley-Assisted Electric Truck Saved Fuel.
December 1, 2004... By Keith Haddock, Contributing Editor LeTourneau's 75-ton dump truck pioneered the electric wheel concept in 1959 Looking for the most economical way to haul large loads up long ramps in its massive Berkeley open pit copper mine at...

Vermeer.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The D7Eu11 Series II Navigator HDD features a turbocharged, Tier II 47-hp Kubota engine. It has 1,300 lb.-ft. of rotational torque and 9,000 pounds of thrust/pullback. Dual hydrostatic pumps provide...

Jarraff.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The LGP (low-ground pressure) Geo-Boy brush cutter has all-terrain mobility. LGP clears brush, trees and undergrowth in areas such as swampy and lowland areas. The unit is powered by a Cummins diesel...

Caterpillar.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The 330C MH Demolition Machine builds on the design of its 330CL predecessor with a more robust front linkage, stronger upper frame, added guarding, and reconfigured cooling system. This 80,265-pound...

Bandit.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Model 4680 Beast Recycler is now available as a self-propelled unit with a Caterpillar 325 track undercarriage. The operator can move the machine around the yard, which eliminates the need for a towing...

Caterpillar.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Replacing "R Series II" machines, the D8T, D9T and D10T track-type tractors meet Tier 3 emissions regulations with Cat's ACERT engines. The D8T is powered by a 347-hp C15 engine, the D9T by a 464-hp C18,...

Freightliner.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Business Class M2 106V is designed for specialized applications that require heavy-duty, front-end stability and power. A front engine power take-off (PTO) provision powers snow plows, refuse packers, cranes...

Ingersoll-Rand.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Zero-tail-swing excavators feature an articulated boom system to allow excavation within the entire width of the machine without repositioning. The 7.5-metric-ton ZX-75 and 12.5-metric-ton ZX-125 have...

Hyundai.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Hyundai's wheeled excavators--the R140W-7, R170W-7 and R200W-7--feature the company's Computer Aided Power Optimization machine-management system. Redesigned cabs offer lower noise levels, increased...

Bandit.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Bandit says the 37-inch-diameter drum on its 1290-H is considerably larger than competitive 12-inch drum style chippers. It says the added diameter enables the machine to cut nearly everything with the...

Rogers Bros.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Ultima Series lowboy trailers now include models with capacities of 35, 50, 55 and 60 tons. Cambered main beams reduce the trailer's tare weight while maintaining strength and durability. The standard No...

John Deere.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Three new dozers, the 450J, 550J and 650J, retain the Deere PowerTech engines and the dual-path hydrostatic drive systems of their predecessors, but feature new bent-axis drive motors with more torque and...

Mauldin.
December 1, 2004... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The 2-ton Mauldin Model 4700 Pneumatic Finishing Roller is a seven-tire unit with an inside turning radius of 10 feet 9 inches. Curb clearance of 8A' inches and wall clearance of 1A- inch reduce manual...

Free GPS Web Cast Available Online.
December 1, 2004... Staff On Nov. 17, 2004, Construction Equipment hosted its premier Web cast event, entitled "GPS and Machine Control Technology." More than 700 people registered to participate in the free event, which was sponsored by Topcon, Trimble and...

Komatsu Offers New Finance Program.
December 1, 2004... Staff Komatsu, in association with HSBC Business Solutions, offers a private-label finance program for its entire U.S. dealer network. Komatsu customers, using the new Komatsu credit card, may purchase equipment, parts and supplies, while...

Caterpillar Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Its TTTs.
December 1, 2004... Katie Weiler Caterpillar recently hosted a group of editors to celebrate the 100th birthday of track-type tractors. The event included a dinner with guest speakers Gerald Shaheen, Caterpillar's group president; and Peter Holt, CEO of Cat's...

Materials Producers Are Riding High.
December 1, 2004... Staff Eleven percent of materials-producer Giants had a big surprise in 2003. They had predicted their work volume would hold steady or drop last year, but actually saw volume increase. Fifty-one percent expected work volume to increase...

John Deere Power Surpasses Five-Millionth Engine Milestone.
December 1, 2004... Staff John Deere Power Systems, which produces off-highway diesel engines ranging from 49 to 600 horsepower, recently celebrated a milestone event in its 55-year history when production exceeded five million engines. According to the...

Construction Equipment Shipments.
December 1, 2004... Staff Construction-equipment shipments from U.S. factories will soar 37 percent in 2004 and an additional 14 percent next year, surpassing the peak sales in 1989-90. Net equipment imports are also increasing. Equipment manufacturers report...

TransTech Systems Accepts Nuclear-Gauge Trade-Ins.
December 1, 2004... Staff TransTech Systems, which manufactures a non-nuclear density gauge--the electromagnetic-based PQI301 Pavement Quality Indicator (PQI)--now accepts trade-ins of nuclear gauges when users buy the TransTech instrument. According to...

Sweepster/FFC.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The 4Eu4 Snow Push for wheel loaders moves large volumes of snow. Three models are available in sizes of 16, 20 and 24 feet. All models have a height of 47 inches, a depth of 71A' inches, and...

Ground Heaters.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Aimed at large rental applications, the S3000 Ground Heater thaws up to 4,500 square feet to a maximum of one foot deep per day, or it can heat up to 6,000 square feet of ground. With an...

Bandit.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The Megabyte excavator attachment reduces stumps and oversized logs to manageable pieces so they can be processed through waste-reduction equipment. It also acts as a stump puller and can...

PRN Fabricating.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The Wacker rolling packer single-drum model has a 5-Eu3-inch hard-faced contact surface on 4-inch-high lugs. Coverage width is 6 feet with a 36-inch-diameter drum. It weighs 3,800 pounds empty...

Trimble.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor New from Trimble are two construction-layout tools, the Spectra Precision LP20 and LP40 laser pointers. The dual-beam, self-leveling LP20 projects one beam up and one down--up to 100...

Zanetis Power Attachments.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Available in smooth or padfoot versions, the vibratory-roller attachment for skid-steers, backhoe-loaders and small wheel loaders operates on 10 to 20 gpm of hydraulic flow and features a...

Multiquip.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Designed for work in trenches, retaining walls and on pads, the 185-pound Mikasa MT-84F has an impact force of 3,950 pounds. Driven by a 3.5-hp Robin engine, the unit is fuel efficient, quiet,...

Leica.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor GRX 1200 and GRX1200Pro GPS-reference station receivers feature the SmartTrack GPS measurement engine, which acquires all visible satellites within seconds. The GRX 1200 provides a basic base...

Hypertherm.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The RT60 retrofit torch for Powermax and Max systems deliver faster cut speeds, says the company. The 60-amp torch also features a patented blow-back contact-start torch technology to ensure...

Bobcat.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The 1,950-pound drop-hammer attachment uses a 1,140-pound center weight that is lifted through its 38-inch maximum stroke via a drive-motor-and-chain mechanism, then dropped to deliver an...

Ready Products.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Ready Products has a new Ready Ratchet which stores sockets in a snap-in locking tray in the ratchet's contoured handle, which is made from composite materials. A quick-release cap keeps the...

Heil Environmental Industries.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor A model 1520 Scissor Hoist converts most flat-bed bodies into dumpers, and can be used with new dump bodies. The 1520 is effective on two-axle trucks from 10,000 lbs. to 30,000 lbs. gross...

Keytroller.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Weightroller weighs, displays, accumulates and records the weight of each lifted load. The digital device allows an operator to weigh while lifting or in a static position at a settable...

Knaack.
December 1, 2004... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Weather Guard Equipment's Protect-A-Rail is designed to protect pickup cabs from shifting loads in the cargo area. It has an accessory-ready design for mounting warning lights and tie-down...

Tracks Mount to Drive Hubs.
December 1, 2004... Staff ATI's 6,000-pound track modules can be retrofitted in place of tires to most machines in about six hours. These traction enhancers each lay down a 36- by 75-inch footprint, and their weight lowers the machine's center of gravity....

Air Discs Brake Straight, Short, Sturdy.
December 1, 2004... Staff Dana Spicer's Bendix ESD 225 Air Disc Brakes can replace drum brakes on all axles to provide more consistent torque output from brake to brake for straighter stops in shorter distances, the company says. Temperature fade is virtually...

Run Maintenance Software Wirelessly.
December 1, 2004... Staff The newest release of Arsenault Dossier Fleet Maintenance, Version 4.2, includes optional features such as Pocket Dossier for real-time mobile computing using PDA cell phones or wireless PDAs to run the program from anywhere....

Mill Base Boosts Material Flow.
December 1, 2004... Staff Morbark redesigned the mill base in its Model 1300 Tub Grinder to improve material flow from the machine. The tub flare was also lowered six inches to improve feeding and capacity. A hydraulic clutch and breakaway torque limiter...

Clean Deere Engines Run Quiet and Cool.
December 1, 2004... Staff With the PowerTech 2.4L and 3.0L diesels, John Deere completely redesigned its 49- to 99-hp engine offering from scratch for Tier II/Stage 2 emissions compliance with reduced noise, vibration and heat rejection. Internal balancer...

I-6 Adds Braking Finesse to EGR.
December 1, 2004... Staff Braking options available on International's six-cylinder I-6 engines (DT 466, DT 570, and HT 570) include the Diamond Logic Engine Brake with three braking-energy settings, and Diamond Logic Exhaust Brake that creates back pressure...

Two-Wire Hybrid Hose Trumps Four-Wire.
December 1, 2004... Staff Parker Hannifin's HTB Eliminator Hybrid Hose combines a synthetic rubber cover (MSHA approved) with the clean polyester tube formerly found only in pure thermoplastic hoses. Parker says it delivers four-spiral hose SAE 100R9/100R12...

ZF's Smaller HL Handles More Torque.
December 1, 2004... Staff A combination of powershift and planetary drive technologies equips the HL Series transmissions from ZF to handle 20 percent more torque in a smaller package. Compact design and standardized mounting points allow frame or axle...

Build Dispatch with GPS Mobile Phones.
December 1, 2004... Staff TeleNavTrack from Telenavigation is a mobile-phone-based tracking service that integrates dispatching, messaging, and navigation with the global positioning system. It operates over Nextel's all-digital wireless network. Dispatchers...

6600 Wood Hog Is a Portable Producer.
December 1, 2004... Staff The 6600 Wood Hog fills the 81,000-pound spot in Morbark's horizontal grinder line with a 66- by 50-inch infeed opening and hammermill that measures 42 by 67 inches. Engine choices range from 760 to 1,000 horsepower. The Iqan Feed...

Cummins Boosts ISC/ISL Power.
December 1, 2004... Staff Cummins claims its next-generation ISC/ISL engines, featuring a new high-pressure common-rail fuel system capable of delivering multiple injections in each combustion cycle, offer more horsepower and torque than any engine in their...

Mercedes Simplifies EGR; Automates a Six-Speed.
December 1, 2004... Staff Mercedes-Benz used reed valves instead of multiple flap-type valves and a wastegate turbocharger rather than variable geometry turbo in the exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system for its six-cylinder MBE4000 and four- and...

Hydrostatic SuperDrive Replaces Truck Gears.
December 1, 2004... Staff The SuperDrive CVT System couples hydraulic-drive technology with modern electronic controls to produce a continuously variable drive system for on-highway trucks. It requires no clutch, gearbox, or torque converter. SuperDrive says...

Wheels Match Commercial Tires to Light Trucks.
December 1, 2004... Staff Rickson's 19A'-inch commercial grade wheels are made specifically for A3/4- and 1-ton trucks, with the correct offset, bolt circle, and bore as the vehicle's factory specifications. They bolt directly to the truck without spacers or...

Engine Control Is Most Fuel Efficient at Any Load.
December 1, 2004... Staff Load-Based Speed Control is a patented Cummins electronic feature that helps truckers run at maximum fuel efficiency. The engine controller senses load and limits its own operating-speed range to the most fuel-efficient band to match...

Super-Speedy Quik-Trac.
December 1, 2004... Staff The most distinguishing feature of the new American Augers/Astec Underground 48-900G2 boring machine, says the manufacturer, is its Quik-Trac fast-return system. The system uses a rack-and-pinion drive that permits the machine to...

Big-Diameter Pipe Bursting.
December 1, 2004... Staff The Grundoburst 2500G static pipe-bursting system from TT Technologies generates 625,000 pounds of pulling force and is designed to open up existing steel and ductile-iron pipe with diameters from 24 to 48 inches. As the 2500G works,...

Automated "Sticking".
December 1, 2004... Staff It's often a difficult and time-consuming job to manually measure ("stick") the depth of a trench, especially in uneven terrain. According to Ditch Witch, the solution to this cumbersome task is its new Trench Depth Meter, which...

Serious Trenching on Tires.
December 1, 2004... Staff The HM2500 chain trencher is unique in its size (38,000 pounds) and horsepower (425) class, says Hydramaxx, because it is mounted on rubber tires. Tires, versus tracks, says Hydramaxx, provide enhanced mobility, tighter trenching...

Labor-Saving Trencher/Plow.
December 1, 2004... Staff Among the newest Vermeer trencher/plow models are the RT450 and RT650, both hydrostatically driven, ride-on units. The RT450 uses a 50-hp Deutz engine and can trench to 60 inches deep and from 5 to 12 inches wide. The larger RT650...

Hear That Drill?
December 1, 2004... Staff Listen close, and you might hear the Ditch Witch JT1220 Mach 1 horizontal directional drill at work. Or, maybe not. According to Ditch Witch, this new HDD is exceptionally quiet--a good machine for working at long stretches in...

Mass-Rock Excavator.
December 1, 2004... Staff You might say that the Trencor 3000SM Surface Miner has a voracious appetite for rock: It can cut 10 feet wide and 26 inches deep in a single pass, says Trencor/Astec Underground. The power to make these impressive cuts is generated...

Top 100 New Products of 2004.
December 1, 2004... Staff Construction Equipment editors choose the most exciting product introductions of the year Our Top 100 Products Award Program was conceived to call special attention to the most significant products introduced each year. We...

Largest Cabs in the Industry.
December 1, 2004... Staff Billed as best-in-class in every category, New Holland's EH Series excavators are said to have the highest breakout force and lifting capacity, plus ease of operation. The 14-ton EH130 LC is a short-radius machine, and the 16-ton...

Cushion-Ride Suspension.
December 1, 2004... Staff The Miskin Model D-19 scraper has a 19-yard capacity, but is under 12 feet wide overall for easy transport between jobs. It features a Cushion-Ride suspension, allowing high-speed travel while protecting the scraper in rough terrain,...

Frame Has 40-Degree Articulation.
December 1, 2004... Staff According to LeeBoy, its 785 motor grader, weighing in at 25,300 pounds, fills a void in the market between smaller and larger graders. It features an articulated frame and a 17 foot-4 inch wheelbase. The frame has 40 degrees of...

Overhauled Dozer Line.
December 1, 2004... Staff All of Komatsu's dozers incorporated significant enhancements this past year. For example, the midsize dozers--the D61, D65, D85 and D155--now feature a hydrostatic steering system for precise response to controls, and they also have...

Numerous Factory Options for TTTs.
December 1, 2004... Staff Equipped with new Tier 2 Cat 3046 engines, D3G, D4G and D5G track-type tractors produce 70, 80 and 90 horsepower, respectively. They are market leaders in each of their size classes, Caterpillar says. The machines have more standard...

Advanced LCD Graphic Information.
December 1, 2004... Staff Terex has added nine hydraulic excavators to its equipment offering. The TXC Series lineup includes machines with operating weights between 30,600 and 110,000 pounds. Bucket capacities range from .70 to 5 cubic yards. They come...

Management System Offers New Mode Controls and More.
December 1, 2004... Staff Hyundai's Robex "Dash 7" excavator line now offers many enhancements. All models feature an improved Computer Aided Power Optimization (CAPO) management system, which has new mode controls and a self-diagnostic display system that...

60 Percent Stronger Lift Arms.
December 1, 2004... Staff The 60ZV wheel loader from Kawasaki incorporated several upgrades over its predecessor--the 60ZIV-2--including an increase in horsepower of 9 percent to 119, with its Isuzu 6BG1 diesel engine. The 60ZV's breakout force increased more...

Advanced Hydrostatic Travel Drive.
December 1, 2004... Staff Four wheel loaders were introduced by Liebherr to compete in the U.S. market. Models L 538, L 544, L 564 and L 580 have tipping loads from 19,850 to 39,360 pounds. All loaders use an advanced hydrostatic travel drive, and the...

Moves up to 54 Yards Of Material.
December 1, 2004... Staff Building on the pulling power of its 4206D wheeled machine, Bell now has the 4206D/T--a 422-hp rubber-tracked model that develops 1,486 lbs.-ft. of engine torque and 65,000 pounds of drawbar pull. According to Bell, the new machine...

Next-Generation Technology.
December 1, 2004... Staff Gradall's XL-4200-II excavator, weighing in at 44,300 pounds with 31.5-inch shoes, is mounted on a big undercarriage with tracks that are 7 percent longer than its predecessor. Equipped with a six-cylinder, turbo John Deere diesel...

Advanced Cooling System.
December 1, 2004... Staff B Series wheel loaders from New Holland feature more torque, increased breakout force, and more efficient hydraulics, the company says. They have respective operating weights of 22,567, 26,376, and 30,982 pounds. Models LW110.B,...

Curved, Dual Loader Bars.
December 1, 2004... Staff The six TXL Series wheel loaders from Terex range in operating weight from 19,000 to 64,000 pounds with bucket sizes from 2.1 to 7 cubic yards. The innovative, curved dual loader arms offer greater dump clearance over obstacles, and...

More Fuel Efficient than Predecessor.
December 1, 2004... Staff With an operating weight of 103,000 pounds, Komatsu's PC400LC-7 hydraulic excavator has an optional variable-gauge track, increasing lateral stability and lifting capacity. Compared to its predecessor model, the new machine offers a...

Electro-Hydraulic Joystick Controller.
December 1, 2004... Staff Four Caterpillar wheel tractor-scrapers--the 621G, 627G, 631G and 637G--feature new operator stations with improved ergonomics, a redesigned scraper bowl with 10 percent more capacity, and the latest electronic monitoring system....

Load-Sensing Hydraulic System.
December 1, 2004... Staff With the introduction of the L50E wheel loader, Volvo has completed its E-Series line. The new machine is powered by a Tier II Volvo four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 101 horsepower at 2,200 rpm. It features a load-sensing...

Zero- and Short-Tail-Swing Excavators Have Improved Lift Capacities.
December 1, 2004... Staff Gehl's new mid-size excavators (5-, 6-, 7- and 8-metric-ton classes) include the zero-tail-swing 503Z and 753Z; and Models 503Z and 603, which are short-tail-swing models. The excavators have improved lift capacities and breakout...

Mini-Excavator/Tool Carrier Offers Versatility.
December 1, 2004... Staff Ditch Witch's XT850 excavator/tool carrier is a cross between the company's SK mini-skid-steer and MX mini-excavator series. It has 260-degree excavator coverage with offset capabilities on one end and accepts a variety of...

Zero-Tail Swing for Ease Of Operation.
December 1, 2004... Staff Case's CX compact excavator line was introduced with zero tail swing and a center-swing boom that enables operators to maneuver in tight spaces without hitting obstacles. Five models (CX14, CX25, CX31, CX36 and CX47) cover a...

Joystick Option Allows Control Selection.
December 1, 2004... Staff Bobcat introduced its selectable joystick control as an option for its skid-steer and rubber-track loaders. The option allows operators to choose how to operate the loader: ISO or H pattern. The electronic system can be converted...

Wide Tracks Provide Flotation.
December 1, 2004... Staff TL140 rubber-track loader is a new size category for Takeuchi, powered by an 81-hp Isuzu diesel. It has an 18-inch track and an undercarriage that is welded to the frame. Planetary final drive motors provide traction and pushing...

B Series Boasts Greater Horsepower, Easier Control.
December 1, 2004... Staff Caterpillar's B Series skid-steer and rubber-track loaders feature Tier II engines, and improvements in power train, hydraulic and electrical line routings, and cab comfort. Hydraulic joystick controls provide operator control and...

Design Eliminates Tension System.
December 1, 2004... Staff The T320 rubber-track loader from Thomas Equipment uses large-diameter drive sprockets that provide 180 degrees of track wrap around each sprocket. An internal drive system protects hydrostatic drive motors and hoses. No...

Large Skid-Steers Have Perkins Engines.
December 1, 2004... Staff Gehl and Mustang introduced two large skid-steers featuring Perkins Tier II engines. All four machines are manufactured and assembled on a common production line, then branded as Gehl models 7610 and 7810, and Mustang models 2099 and...