Construction Equipment articles from December 2005

Construction Equipment archives from December 2005

Editors' Choices.
December 1, 2005... Rod Sutton, Editor in Chief Each fall, as our editorial team reviews the year's collection of new products, we marvel at the number of construction products that promise improvements in productivity and efficiency. We're also intrigued by...

Don't Be Seduced by Technology.
December 1, 2005... By Mike Vorster, Contributing Editor Without the end in mind, technology will leave you reeling with information overload but no useful applications We frequently read about autonomous data collection and tracking technologies that...

Startup Quadruples Revenue with GPS Grade Control.
December 1, 2005... By Larry Stewart, Executive Editor With nearly stakeless grading, Russ Chrisman is having trouble keeping work in front of six earthmoving machines When Russ Chrisman launched his excavating business three years ago, he had a strong...

Wheelbase Is Key to Skid-Steer Productivity.
December 1, 2005... By Larry Stewart, Executive Editor While almost anybody can make skid-steer loaders move fast, they require finesse and a sense of balance to finish jobs smoothly Design elements that make skid-steer loaders indispensable on most...

Articulated Grader.
December 1, 2005... By Keith Haddock, Contributing Editor John Deere introduced the world to frame articulation on motor graders John Deere's first motor grader was big news in 1967. The revolutionary JD570 featured not only front-wheel steering, but also...

Yanmar.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Yanmar enters the backhoe-loader market with its Model CBL40. It is powered by a 3-cylinder Tier II engine that delivers 37.2 horsepower. Backhoe digging depth is 10 feet with reach of 13 feet 2 inches. The...

International.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The 4100 Class 5 conventional has gross weight ratings of 17,800 and 19,500 pounds, and is powered by International's VT 365 V-8 diesel with 230 horsepower and 540 lbs.-ft. of torque mated to an Allison...

Yanmar.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Universal zero-tail-swing Vi045-5 and Vi055-5 excavators have operating weights of 10,121 and 11,312 pounds, respectively. High-strength boom side plates are 50 percent thicker than previous models, says...

Service Trucks International.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor STI introduces the Eagle Pro II model 2460 service body and 1061 Tiger Crane. The body offers 24-inch-deep, 60-inch-tall cabinets that are mounted low for easy access. The 1061 hydraulic crane features a...

Stellar.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Stellar's X-Tra-Lift Utility Pro loading device is designed for a full-size, dual rear-wheel chassis with a cab-to-axle measurement of 60 inches. The package includes a hydraulic/electric X-Tra-Lift loading...

Astec.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Astec introduced the DD-65 and DD-1215 compact directional drills with 6,000 and 12,000 pounds of push/pull, respectively, and 500 and 1,500 ft.-lbs. of rotary torque. Each has rack-and-pinion carriage...

National Crane.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The 13100A boom truck has a maximum capacity of 30 tons at a 5-foot radius. Standard four-section boom measures 100 feet, but when configured with jib and optional 110-foot boom, maximum tip height is 162...

Vermeer.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Model RT350 riding trencher delivers 37 horsepower for use on smaller projects. It digs 48 inches deep with widths from 4 to 12 inches. Powered by a Cummins A1700 engine, it has a disc/caliper park brake...

Gehl.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Offered as an enhancement to its Personnel Work Platform (PWP) System, the Radio Remote Control System allows operators to raise, lower, extend and retract the telescopic-handler boom with a wireless remote...

Stellar.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The Flex36 Series hooklift has a hook height of 36 inches, and the series' four models replace the nine current models. Hooklifts work on cab-to-axle measurements of 60, 84, 108 and 120 inches, and can be...

American Augers.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor DD-185 replaces the DD-140B, and provides 185,000 pounds of push/pull with 25,000 ft.-lbs. of rotary torque. Features include rack-and-pinion carriage drive and rear downrigger-style hydraulic thrust...

Caterpillar.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Replacing the 657E, the 657G open-bowl scraper features Cat's C18 ACERT engine for the tractor and the C15 ACERT engine for the scraper. It has a heaped capacity of 44 cubic yards and a rated load of...

Caterpillar.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Both the 301.6C and 301.8C mini-excavators feature 22 percent more bucket digging force and 10 percent more stick digging force than previous models. Engine power increased 4 percent to 18.1 horsepower. A...

International.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor A new class-6 4x4 truck builds on features and benefits from the company's 4000 series. The 4200 4x4 factory-built vehicle (available in 21,500- and 25,999-pound GVW) extends International's 4x4 offering...

LBX.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Weighing 152,600 pounds, the Link-Belt 700 LX hydraulic excavator fills a gap in the product line. The 700 LX produces 57,800 pounds of lifting capacity over the end (measured at ground level, at a 20-foot...

Housby.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Housby Mixer Systems' GT mixer truck is engineered with a second operator's station in the rear of the truck. The company says the truck also offers complete hydraulic control of the drum and chute system...

Astec.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Equipped with a 24-hp gasoline engine, the RT160 trenches up to 2, 3 or 4 feet deep in widths from 4 to 8 inches. It has a hydrostatic ground drive system, and the hydraulic trencher drive system is directly...

Stone.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor WolfPac 4100 is a 40-inch-wide, double-drum drive, double-drum vibration asphalt roller for use in confined areas. The operator can direct the vibration to both drums, the front, or the rear. An...

Vermeer.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Navigator Six Shooter is positioned for curb-to-home applications with "fast drops and quick shots," says the company. Measuring 35.5 inches wide by 115 inches long, it can be maneuvered and transported...

Vermeer.
December 1, 2005... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor The 350-hp T858 Commander is a sliding offset trencher for use in rock. Weighing 92,000 pounds, T858 can shift the trencher 32.5 inches in either direction. Powered by a Cat C9 diesel with 350 horsepower, it...

International to Test Hybrid Trucks.
December 1, 2005... Staff In late September, International Truck and Engine announced it was about to begin the nation's largest medium-truck, diesel-electric hybrid utility field test program in the first quarter of 2006. Preliminary results of its Class...

JLG Moves to GM Engines.
December 1, 2005... Staff Beginning next month, JLG will use General Motors engines to replace the discontinued Ford engines it has been using in its combustion-powered boom and scissor lifts. GM's Vortec 3000 is a 3-liter, four-cylinder gas engine with...

Cat Taps JLG to Build Telehandlers.
December 1, 2005... Staff Caterpillar formed a global alliance with JLG to develop and produce a full line of Cat-branded telehandlers. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. "This alliance leverages our respective strengths, combining...

World of Concrete Coming in January.
December 1, 2005... Staff On Jan. 17-20, 2006, the World of Concrete will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas. Seminars run from Jan. 16-20, 2006. Last year, more than 73,000 construction professionals from about 110 countries...

Graduates Strengthen Industry.
December 1, 2005... Staff Recognizing that the shortage of qualified service technicians is a pressing concern in the construction-equipment industry, Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers established a four-year Apprentice Technician...

Louisiana Contractor's 2006 Outlook.
December 1, 2005... Staff Our 2005-06 Annual Report & Forecast questionnaires hit the field within a couple weeks of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, and shortly after Rita pounded Texas. As expected, Louisiana equipment managers are expecting a busy 2006....

Focus on Casings for Retread Savings.
December 1, 2005... Staff Casings are the core of your tire investment," says to Al Cohn, commercial tire technical marketing manager for Goodyear. He recommends these key practices for extracting maximum value from tire casings: Maintain Pressure --...

Status and Forecast.
December 1, 2005... By Jim Haughey, Director of Economics Public Construction Spending Jim Haughey Public construction spending has been stalled at a $248 billion annual pace for the four months ending in September. A 9-percent rise by the end of...

Ditch Witch.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Equipped with a 31-hp Kubota turbo diesel engine, Ditch Witch says its SK650 is the only mini skid steer that directs 20 net horsepower to the attachment. Operators do not have to shut down...

Hotsy.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The 1200 series of self-contained, gas-powered hot-water pressure washers has an integrated roll cage that secures the heating coil. All eight models use diesel or fuel oil to heat the water,...

Multiquip.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The QP-4TH 4-inch trash pump is ideal for removing water with high solid content. Debris up to 2 inches in diameter can pass through the pump. Maximum pumping capacity is 555 gpm. Features...

Ridge Tool.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor RIDGID Seek-Tech SR-20 utility line locator uses a combination of multidirectional antennae, mapping display and state-of-the-art processing to provide users with information to locate...

Knaack.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Weather Guard diamond tread aluminum truck boxes feature an Extreme Protection Lock system for security. The lock retracts when locked to hinder tampering, and an internal torque ring...

Meteorlogix.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor MxVision WeatherSentry Construction Edition provides up-to-the-minute weather information as well as a graphing weather planner, real-time lightning data, and the ability to accurately predict...

Trimble.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor GCS900 grade-control system provides end-users with a common platform across the fleet for all phases of earthmoving. The system allows operators to select GPS, GPS and laser, or advanced...

Parker Hannifin.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The KarryFlare is designed for onsite flaring of steel and stainless-steel tubing. Flare diameter is controlled manually by observing a pressure gauge and reference chart. The tooling design...

Weldcraft.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor An expansion of the company's TIG-welding product line, the Legacy Series complements the Crafter and WP Series. Designed for customers with less demanding applications, the Legacy Series...

ICS.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The Redzaw diamond-blade line includes 14-inch blades to cut concrete, masonry, stone, ductile iron, concrete pipe and asphalt, among other materials. All blades come with a one-inch arbor...

Miller Electric.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The Millermatic Passport is an inverter-based MIG arc welding power source, wire feeder, self-contained shielding gas system and gun all in a single package. It weighs 45 pounds and can weld...

TransTech.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The Shoulder Wedge Maker shapes the edge of an HMA mat on shoulderless roads. Mounted on the screed extension face against the edge gate, it develops a 30-degree slope off the edge of the mat....

Leica.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Interchangeable between the company's Survey Total Stations and GPS positioning sensors, GradeStar Version 5.0 is Leica's latest generation of machine-control systems for grading and dozing....

Caterpillar.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor S365B and S385B Mobile Shears have jaw openings of 33.3 inches and 34.6 inches, respectively. The S365B shear can be boom-mounted on the Cat 330C L excavator (77,400 pounds), and stick mounted...

Eaton.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Designed for on-highway applications with varying terrain and load conditions, the Fuller UltraShift LHP (Linehaul High Performance) transmission provides fully automatic 2-pedal operation. It...

Fecon.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The BH47EXC adds to the line of Bull Hog mulchers. Weighing 2,200 pounds with a flow of 30 to 35 gpm, the attachment is designed for light excavators with a low ground pressure. It features 18...

Kenco.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The new barrier lift attachment can be used on any concrete surface including barriers, sound walls, curbing and piling. An automatic actuator allows hands-free movement of the barrier, and...

McGill.
December 1, 2005... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor The PF175H portable, wide-beam floodlight is UL Listed for wet locations. Other features include a die-cast, heavy-gauge aluminum construction; an impact-resistant lens; and a patented hinge...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff New Engines Easy on OEMs Staff The 1100D-Series from Perkins is a range of three-, four- and six-cylinder diesel engines, Tier-3/Stage IIIA-compliant, with horsepower ratings from 56 to 275. Available with either advanced...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff HDD for Tight Spots Staff Vermeer 's D7x11 Navigator Series II directional drill is compact for confined areas (measuring 35.5 inches across), and has 1,300 foot-pounds of rotational torque along with 9,000 pounds of...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff The editors of Construction Equipment choose the 100 most significant product introductions of the year Our Top 100 Products Award program was conceived to call special attention to the most significant products introduced each...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff Wider Working Ranges Staff Komatsu 's PC18MR-2, PC20MR-2 and PC27MR-2 compact hydraulic excavators have operating weights of 4,090, 5,060, and 6,590 pounds, respectively. They all use Komatsu engines, rated at 15, 20 and...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff Strongest Four-Axle Mobile Crane Staff The 120-ton LTM 1100-4.1 mobile crane has 48,500 pounds total ballast, and Liebherr says it is the strongest four-axle mobile crane on the market. Depending on the job needs, the crane...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff Bolt-on Wear Parts Staff For 40,000- to 110,000-pound-class excavators, Stanley LaBounty 's MSD Saber Series shears offer bolt-on replaceable wear parts, including the two-way reversible Saber Tip. Bolt-on parts allow the...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff Steel Engine-Protection Hoods Staff The Bomag BPR45/55D, BPR55/65D and BPR65/70D reversible-plate compactors feature larger engines, faster working speeds, better gradeability, and greater maximum centrifugal forces than...

Top 100 New Products of 2005.
December 1, 2005... Staff Built for Work Tools Staff The M2 106V extends Freightliner 's Business Class M2 truck line with a chassis designed for specialized applications that require heavy-duty, front-end stability and power. A front-engine power...

Volvo's Bendix EST Keeps the Business Side Up.
December 1, 2005... By Tom Berg, Truck Editor EST uses existing ABS wheel sensors, and adds sensors at the steering wheel and on the chassis to determine when road speed/directional change are about to cause a rollover Have you ever seen a big rig rolled...