Construction Equipment articles from October 2006

Construction Equipment archives from October 2006

Better Than Ever At Bustin' Hard Stuff.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor Today's hydraulic breakers are more technically advanced and easier to service than their predecessors Considering all the tough jobs that mounted hydraulic breakers can take on, it's no wonder why these...

Buying File Gallery.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Allied Construction Products Walt Moore Broad Selection Allied Construction Products has two breaker lines, Rammer and the AR-Series. The Rammer line includes five different breaker series, a total of 32...

Another Round of Engines.
October 1, 2006... Rod Sutton, Editor in Chief Deja vu. The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as "an impression of having seen or experienced something before." It's not an impression with engines, though; we have seen it before. This go-round is...

How to Manage Fixed-Cost Budgets.
October 1, 2006... By Mike Vorster, Contributing Editor Accuracy in recovering costs requires more than simple division. Managers must understand the nuances of fleet utilization. Prepare the budget, record actual costs, calculate the variance, take...

Luber-finer.
October 1, 2006... By Staff For off-road/mining and light-truck industries, TotalTec fuel filter has an all-metal housing to withstand higher pulse fatigue and a high-performance filter media that provides 99 percent filtering efficiency, says...

Trimble.
October 1, 2006... By Staff According to Trimble, its new GCS Grade Control System for hydraulic excavators is an entry-level product designed for the owner/operator or the contractor in the earthmoving, general-construction, site-preparation and...

Concord.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Concord claims its model CCP-65SZ-225 concrete boom pump has the longest reach and highest output of any truck-mounted boom pump available. It reaches 213 feet 3 inches (65 meters) vertically, and a horizontal extension...

Grove.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Grove has expanded its YardBoss line to include the 9-ton YB4409-2, which fits between the 8.5-ton YB4409 and 10.5-ton YB4411. The new model takes the upper portion of the YB4411 and mounts it on the chassis of the YB4409....

Pettibone.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Pettibone 10032 telehandler features a 60-inch-wide baler attachment to make the 10,000-pound machine a pipe handler. Handling pipe up to 20 inches in diameter, the baler attachment has hydraulically actuated hold downs on...

Grove.
October 1, 2006... By Staff The basic design of the new Grove GTK1100 crane incorporates a special wheeled carrier with a vertical telescopic mast and a luffing telescopic boom at its top. According to the crane's manufacturer, the Manitowoc Crane...

Astec.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Astec Phoenix Phantom burner uses a new gas mixing method to reduce emissions. Performance in lean burn mode on natural gas is expected to be 20 ppm for nitrogen oxides and 200 ppm for carbon monoxide when using 3 percent...

Takeuchi.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Takeuchi TB180FR expands the line to 18,000-pound operating weight, with the rubber-track version weighing 18,370 pounds and the steel version 18,821 pounds. Powered by a Yanmar 4TNV98 diesel, the unit digs up to 14 feet...

CEAttachments.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Edge silt-fence installer from CEAttachments cuts a groove and inserts fencing directly into soil. Spring-loaded coulter cuts through surface material and the replaceable blade point digs deep for secure installation, the...

Sakai.
October 1, 2006... By Staff According to Sakai, its on-board ExactCompact system makes it easy for the operator to maintain impact spacing (on the run) when compacting hot-mix asphalt. The system employs a series of lights that are located conveniently...

Trench-Tech.
October 1, 2006... By Staff The Trench-Tech Series 2000 range includes four chain-type trenchers models -- TT-2000C, TT-2300C, TT-2500C and TT-2700C -- that provide horsepower ratings from 300 to 830 from Caterpillar engines. Operating weights...

International.
October 1, 2006... By Staff International Truck and Engine now includes a "full-power" hydraulic brake system with anti-lock brakes on certain truck models. The Meritor Wabco system uses a dedicated electric pump instead of the truck's power steering...

CEAttachments.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Edge material unroller from CE Attachments eliminates the need for laborers to unroll erosion-control materials. Optional stems accommodate rolls from 4 to 12 feet wide. Used on a skid-steer loader, the attachment allows the...

Boss.
October 1, 2006... By Staff The Boss Super-Duty XT snowplow is available in three sizes -- 8 feet, 8 feet 6 inches, and 9 feet. They each come with a 1/2-x8-inch High-Performance Cutting Edge that is billed as having three times the wear of...

Kenco.
October 1, 2006... By Staff With Kenco's Slab-Crab, a single operator can remove concrete slabs and bridge decks. The unit can handle slabs from 4 to 20 inches in thickness and fits excavators from 5,000 to 150,000 pounds. Models are also available...

Genesis.
October 1, 2006... By Staff The Genesis Demolition Bucket from Genesis Attachments is designed to turn wheel and track loader into long-distance material handlers. Genesis says the bucket allows a machine designed to load 3.5 cubic yards per pass to...

Transcraft.
October 1, 2006... By Staff The Transcraft DTL-3000 beavertail, drop-deck trailer with level-deck ramp system now incorporates 6-inch structural-steel side rails for added stiffness, recessed D-rings to provide lashing points for the heaviest loads...

MBW.
October 1, 2006... By Staff MBW's Universal boom-mounted vibratory platform can be fitted with an assortment of vibratory wheels or vibratory plates. The combination of vibratory forces (10,000 pounds CF) and down pressure (to 33,000 pounds) is said to...

Auto Crane.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Auto Crane Titan 70 crane service body utilizes a one-piece side pack constructed of 10-gauge galvanneal. Capable of supporting a crane of up to 70,000 ft.-lb., the service body is new to the Auto Crane line and is designed...

Transcraft.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Transcraft's D-Eagle aluminum/steel combo drop-deck trailer is now available with multiple axle configurations. With a GVWR of 100,000 pounds, the D-Eagle can be equipped with a tri-axle rear and/or a center lift axle...

Topcon.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Those contractors preferring to use total stations for topos, layout and grade staking, says Topcon, will benefit from the company's new robotic total station series, the GTS-900A and the GPT-9000A, which are designed to...

IMT.
October 1, 2006... By Staff IMT's new SiteStar lube truck has been significantly redesigned and now incorporates polyethylene product tanks for oil-based fluids, antifreeze, water and salvage. The new tanks, says the company, allow considerable...

Donaldson--no pic.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Designed for overlapping tube connections including muffler inlets, outlets, slotted joints and flex tubing, the redesigned Stepped SealClamp Exhaust Clamp from Donaldson is available in stainless and aluminized steel. An...

Arsenault.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Arsenault's Dossier Maintenance Software Version 4.3 features Repair Order and Invoice Data Import, which allows invoice data to be imported directly into Dossier's database from a vendor's electronic file, thus...

DESA Heating Products.
October 1, 2006... By Staff DESA Heating Products has a new line of propane-fired, forced-air heaters for indoor or outdoor jobs during cold winter months. The new Pro-Tough heaters are equipped with a high-capacity fan to circulate the heated air, and...

Stedman.
October 1, 2006... By Staff A two-stage-reduction swing hammer mill from Stedman machine is designed to "crush, pulverize and disintegrate" various materials, including wood, minerals and aggregates. The unit's revolving hammers process the material...

Caterpillar.
October 1, 2006... By Staff In the 700-ft.-lb. energy class, the H65D is Caterpillar's largest hydraulic hammer for compact equipment. It features 2,000 bpm impact frequency, and a simplified design aims to provide low owning and operating cost and...

DeWalt.
October 1, 2006... By Staff DeWalt expands its security business with the MobileLock GPS Locator and Anti-Theft Alarm. The unit is a stand alone, portable, wireless system that easily mounts to equipment using heavy-duty magnets or screws. Other...

Thompson Pump.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Thompson Pump & Manufacturing has developed an automatic start/stop system for hydraulic submersible pumps. The new system, says Thompson, controls activation of the hydraulic circuit, while automatically adjusting the speed of...

CEAttachments.
October 1, 2006... By Staff CEAttachments has added the 14.00 x 17.5 solid flex tire to its line, which also includes 10.00 x 16.5 and 12.00 x 16.5. According to the company, solid flex tires last three times longer than pneumatic tires. Features...

ConocoPhillips--no pic.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Triton Synthetic Transoil 50 from ConocoPhillips is specifically formulated to meet the new Eaton Roadranger PS-164 Rev 7 specification. It is recommended for manual transmissions of heavy-duty trucks and offers increased...

Miller Electric.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Miller Electric Spectrum 375 X-TREME weighs 18 pounds, can be carried by a shoulder strap, and connects to any 115v-230v single-phase power supply. It is rated at 3/8-inch cutting capacity on mild steel and 1/4 inch on...

Komatsu.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Komatsu America WB156-5 and WB156PS-5 have been upgraded with Tier 2 engines. The 15-foot units have operating weights between 16,530 and 18,780 pounds with loader bucket options up to 1.5 cubic yards. A Komatsu 95-hp diesel...

Komatsu.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Although Komatsu updated the WB146-5 and WB146PS-5 backhoe-loaders with Tier 2 engines, the company says they redesigned them from the ground up. Both machines have an operating weight of 16,090 pounds with a 1.25-cubic-yard...

Komatsu.
October 1, 2006... By Staff The new PC1250-8 backhoe and PC1250LC-8 backhoe and hydraulic shovel (pictured) are designed for pit-and-quarry work and other high-production applications. Operating weights range from 234,790 to 254,000 pounds, and the...

Technology "Muzzles" Fuel Costs.
October 1, 2006... By G. C. Skipper, Contributing Editor S.W. Rodgers cuts fueling time and increases accuracy of fueling data It started with a magazine article, says Richard Byrd, vice president of the equipment division of S.W. Rodgers Construction...

Prepare to Work Safely From Work Platforms.
October 1, 2006... By Larry Stewart, Executive Editor Site assessments, machine inspections, and safety gear are simple keys to avoiding accidents with aerial-work platforms Aerial-work platforms are typically used by people who are trained in the trades...

IMT Overhauls Lube-Truck Design.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor Innovative design aspects of the new SiteStar provide configuration flexibility, reduced weight, more efficient pumping systems and expanded storage capacity Considering that the new IMT SiteStar mobile...

Are You Ready For January Engines?
October 1, 2006... By Tom Berg, Truck Editor New 2007 diesels will burn much cleaner, will run hotter, cost more, and need special fuel, motor oil and servicing Brace yourself for January 1st. That's when the federal government's latest round of diesel...

Manitex Buyer Armed with Capital.
October 1, 2006... Staff Veri-Tek International purchased boom-truck and crane manufacturer, Manitex. Manitex revenues grew 63 percent between 2003 and 2005, reaching about $62 million last year. David Langevin, Manitex CEO, will serve as CEO of Veri-Tek and...

TBEI Purchases Heil Truck.
October 1, 2006... Staff Truck Bodies & Equipment International (TBEI) has purchased Heil Truck Equipment Group of Tishomingo, MS. TBEI manufactures dump-truck bodies, hoists and related equipment, marketed under Crysteel, Hardee, Ox Bodies and Rugby brands....

Crane Power Helps Harness Wind Power.
October 1, 2006... Staff On a recent trip to Ontario, Canada, to visit with Volvo Construction Equipment, CE editors were impressed with the immense size of the numerous wind-powered generators spaced along our route up the eastern shore of Lake Huron. How...

Gain Maintenance Knowledge on Your Own Time.
October 1, 2006... Staff Chevron's Lubricants University (www.lubricantsuniversity.com ) has introduced a new self-study, web-based course, "Fundamentals of Hydraulic Systems," as part of its online training portfolio. The module is said to increase the...

Cat Will Raise 2007 Prices.
October 1, 2006... Staff In an early-September filing with the SEC, Caterpillar said it "will announce a general price action of up to 5 percent for machinery and up to 7 percent for engines. This price action, announced to Caterpillar dealers worldwide, is...

EQUIPRO Franchises Repair Light Equipment.
October 1, 2006... Staff EQUIPRO focuses on providing repair service and on-site support to owners of light construction equipment. It's a subsidiary of Wacker. The company plans to expand nationwide. Franchising since June 2005, the company has 12 service...

Status and Forecast.
October 1, 2006... Staff Construction Employment Staff Contractors added 29,000 jobs in the past six months, a sharp decline from the 188,000 added in the previous six months. A pickup in hiring to about 60,000 is expected in the next six months....

Sunbelt and NationsRent to Merge.
October 1, 2006... Staff Ashtead, the European parent to Giant rental company Sunbelt, reminded us all of how attractive the rental industry is to investors during good times when it announced on July 19 that it would buy NationsRent for more than $1...

Tub Grinder Built with Purpose.
October 1, 2006... By Rod Sutton, Editor in Chief Morbark 1600 puts out 700 cubic yards per hour Touted as the most "purpose-built" machine in Morbark's 50-year history, model 1600 tub grinder purports to put up some impressive production numbers: up to...

Five Star Industries.
October 1, 2006... By Katie Weiler, Managing Editor Using base designs from the old Barber-Greene Co. (bought by Caterpillar in the early '90s), Five Star Industries updated a self-propelled road widener and asphalt windrow elevator. Sold under the Weiler...

Knaack.
October 1, 2006... By Heather Burlingame, Senior Production Editor Weather Guard sliding ladder rack loads up to an 8-foot A-frame or extension ladder. The modular system has adjustable front and rear cradle assemblies that run along a rail. The rail is...

Eleven Chances To Hit the Right Gear.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor CE visited Volvo on its home turf for motor graders to learn first-hand what experienced operators might think of the company's new 11-speed transmission Between the two of them, George McHattie and Gord...

New Engines, New Looks Included in ?07 Models.
October 1, 2006... Staff Motor vehicle model years usually start in the spring or summer preceeding the calendar year for which they're named. Thus, 2007-model vehicles are already being built, but manufacturers will put a new batch into production beginning...

Solideal.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor According to Solideal, its OTT-Track Master system installs over the tires of a skid-steer in less than 15 minutes. The natural-rubber tracks, which incorporate steel cord and spring-steel reinforcements, have...

McLaren.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor McLaren Industries' product range includes both replacement rubber tracks and over-tire tracks. Next Generation Series rubber tracks are available for more than 2,400 makes/models of construction and...

ATI.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor The ATI Track Module is designed to interface with many types of off-road vehicles and is equipped with an adapter assembly specifically engineered to mate with the existing machine's drive assembly. Changing...

Loegering.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor The Loegering product line includes several types of over-tire tracks (both steel and "soft-bottom") for skid-steer loaders and aerial-work platforms. Also in the Loegering product line is the Versatile Track...

Grouser Products.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor Grouser Products offers three types of over-tire tracks for skid-steer loaders: Bar Tracks, Hard Tracks and Soft Tracks. The Bar type is designed to reduce ground pressure as much as 50 percent, says the...

Mattracks.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor According to Mattracks, its rubber-track conversion system for 4x4 vehicles can be installed in as little as 30 minutes. The conversion tracks are available in more than 30 models to fit vehicles up to 1.5...

BLS Enterpises.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor The new BLS Poly Bolt-On track pad is a two-piece assembly consisting of a conventional, triple-grouser, steel track shoe and a bolt-on polyurethane pad. The basic advantage of the design, says BLS, is that the...

Skidtraxx.
October 1, 2006... By Walt Moore, Senior Editor Steeltraxx and Mastertraxx are the two over-tire products from Skidtraxx. Each self-contained section of the Steeltraxx track links to the next via special heat-treated bushings and self-locking hardware. The...