Construction Equipment articles from September 2003

Construction Equipment archives from September 2003

Cycles of business, life.(Sutton Report)
September 1, 2003... If our readers are correct, construction may now be coming out of the latest economic cycle. Our survey of equipment-owning Giants reflects optimism among 40 percent of respondents that work volume this year will be greater than it was in 2002....

Vermeer.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The D100x120 Navigator HDD features 12,000 ft.-lbs. of rotational torque and 100,000 pounds of pullback. The machine is designed to produce high mudflow with a 200-gpm on-board pump for increased backreaming efficiency and powering down hole...

Komatsu America.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Replacing the WA250-3MC and WA250PT-3MC are the WA250-5 wheel loader and WA250PT-5 tool carrier. Powered by a Tier-2 Komatsu engine, the loader increases productivity while lowering engine speed, lowers emissions, and decreases fuel consumption...

Philippi-Hagenbuch.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The latest Rear Eject Body for Volvo A350 articulated trucks is designed to dump faster, handle sticky material, dump on the go, and work in limited height clearances. The company says the Rear Eject Body outperforms all other units, forcibly...

Omniquip Textron.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The second PlaceAce Series telehandler--Model 944E-42--delivers a 12.5-percent increase in lift capacity over its predecessor. Other key features include new frame and boom designs, a side-mounted engine, enhanced hydraulic and systems...

Daewoo.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... An entire lineup of 11 crawler and wheel excavators, the Solar V Series, offers a number of improvements, including new Tier II engines. In the cab, enhancements increase comfort and convenience. The instrument panel has dual LCD displays and...

Bandit.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Model 1590 hand-fed tree and brush chipper has a 15-inch-diameter capacity and a 37-inch-diameter drum, which the company says is 65 percent larger than its competitors. The machine's design has fuel and hydraulic tanks built right into the...

Caterpillar.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Designed for sorting/loading scrap, the 365B MH material handler can be fitted with either a material-handling front or a barge-unloading front. The 164,000-pound machine features a raised operator's station and can be equipped with a...

Reynolds International.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The 10C7, a 10-cubic-yard pull-behind scraper, features a heavy-duty bowl with a three-piece cutting edge that can be fitted with an extended center section. It uses four 13.00 x 24 tires, each individually mounted an its own hub and bearings,...

Vermeer: weighing 3,748 pounds and measuring 3.3 feet wide, the CX218 compact excavator features a digging depth of 7.8 feet with a bucket breakout force of 3,310 pounds.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Weighing 3,748 pounds and measuring 3.3 feet wide, the CX218 compact excavator features a digging depth of 7.8 feet with a bucket breakout force of 3,310 pounds. Model CX219z weighs 3,968 pounds and measures 3.3 feet wide. It has a digging...

Ingersoll-Rand.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Two additions to the TF Series Soil Compactors, the SD-45D smooth-drum and SD-45F padfoot-drum, work in many applications. Weighing 10,600 pounds, the SD-45D unit has a 39.4-inch drum diameter and 54-inch drum width. It has a centrifugal force...

Caterpillar: the new B-Series telehandlers, models TH350B, TH360B and TH460B, have maximum lift heights of 36, 44.3 and 44.3 feet, respectively, and rated load capacities of 6,600, 7,000 and 9,000 pounds.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The new B-Series telehandlers, models TH350B, TH360B and TH460B, have maximum lift heights of 36, 44.3 and 44.3 feet, respectively, and rated load capacities of 6,600, 7,000 and 9,000 pounds. They use the Cat 3054T diesel engine, rated at 99...

Stahl.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Equipped with large storage compartments and an open cargo space, the GCX service body is constructed of corrosion-resistant galvanneal steel. Standard features include high-impact ABS plastic outer door skins and body rearend panels; larger...

Caterpillar: replacing the Cat 5080 excavator, the 5090B front shovel is designed to work effectively with haul trucks having capacities from 40 to 70 tons.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Replacing the Cat 5080 excavator, the 5090B front shovel is designed to work effectively with haul trucks having capacities from 40 to 70 tons. The new model has 20 percent more horsepower (513 @ 1,800 rpm), more hydraulic flow, 16 percent...

Hyundai.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Hyundai recently expanded its wheel-loader range with the Tier II HL780-3A and HL780XTD-3A models. The new loaders feature the 320-hp Cummins QSM11-Tier II electronic engine. New also is the Ergopower automatic transmission control system that...

Thomas.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... With more than 7,000 pounds of breakout force, the Model 255 skid-steer loader has a rated lift capacity of 2,500 pounds. The unit is powered by an 87.4-hp Kubota diesel engine. Its wide 48.75-inch wheelbase and 12.3-mph maximum travel speed...

Bomag.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The BW145-3 series single-drum vibratory rollers deliver improved compaction force, gradeability, and tractive effort on both granular and mixed soils, Bomag says. Two of the new units are smooth-drum models and the third is a padfoot. All...

Auto Crane.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Using an exclusive one-piece side pack, the Titan 50 crane service body comes standard with LED lights, advanced T-handle door latches, and a slammable tailgate that can be operated with one hand. Compartment capacity has been increased by 57...

Crushtek.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The Supertrack impactor crushes up to 400 tph of recycle materials, aggregates, and even contaminated construction debris, including concrete with heavy rebar. The optional fingertip, hand-held remote control box swivels, turns, and maneuvers...

International.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... The 4400 Mid Cab 4x2 tractor's cab sits 4 inches higher than on other 4400s to accommodate smooth-riding air-bag rear mounts. It's designed for urban and regional duties where bobtailing accounts for at beast 10% of running. Power train choices...

Caterpillar: now incorporating much of the advanced technology of its D11R and D11R Carry Dozer counterparts, the new 145,000-pound Cat D10R features electro-hydraulic control for the blade and ripper, a more powerful information-management capability and enhanced operator amenities.(Market Watch)
September 1, 2003... Now incorporating much of the advanced technology of its D11R and D11R Carry Dozer counterparts, the new 145,000-pound Cat D10R features electro-hydraulic control for the blade and ripper, a more powerful information-management capability and...

Purchasing white paper offered.(Resources)
September 1, 2003... The Italian Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a free "white paper" entitled, "Smart Capital: The Sharp Manufacturer's Guide to Equipment Purchases" intended to help U.S. manufacturers boost their performance and profitability while building...

Vacuum excavation comes to the rescue.(Safety)
September 1, 2003... Dave Adler has a unique perspective on construction-trench cave-ins. He's been an underground contractor for 26 years, specializing in flood control, and he's also a lieutenant in charge of technical rescue for the Addison, Ill., fire...

NationsRent emerges reorganized.(Supplier News)
September 1, 2003... Rental-company consolidator NationsRent emerged from Chapter 11 protection in early June, in the hands of a group of private investors with strong ties to the equipment market. Industry veteran Jeff Putman (with tenure at Fluor and its...

Monitor fuel-filter condition.(Maintenance Management)
September 1, 2003... Engineered Products has a mechanical service indicator, the Fuel Filter Minder, that provides a progressive indication of fuel-filter restriction. The indicator, designed for use on suction filters, is said to offer the benefits of attaining...

Artist with an eye for equipment.(Resources)
September 1, 2003... With a family background in construction, it seemed only natural that Craig Slaff would follow suit. But Slaff had a bent for art. He earned a degree in Fine Arts, but needed another job to subsidize his artistic efforts. He became a...

WD-40 Co. announces truck giveaway.(Industry News)
September 1, 2003... In celebration of its 50th anniversary, WD-40 Co. is giving away a new Dodge 1500 Ram truck loaded with a set of 50 tools, as welt as second- and third-place prizes such as Stanley tools. The company is releasing a limited-edition...

Volvo CE covers distribution, expands rental.(Manufacturer News)
September 1, 2003... In early May, Volvo Construction Equipment purchased the assets associated with the Volvo distribution business of L. B. Smith its largest dealer in the United States. Volvo CE will continue operation from the existing 31 L. B. Smith...

Reach 50 feet from the hook.(Job Solutions)
September 1, 2003... Maxim Crane Works developed a solution for lifts where a crane hook can't reach. The Counter-Balance Beam offers up to 50 feet of horizontal reach from a crane's lift point. Designed by Maxim, the Counter-Balance Beam uses counterweight to...

Status & forecast.(Managers Digest)
September 1, 2003... * TOTAL CONSTRUCTION SPENDING Construction spending was unchanged in June after declining for 4 months from the January spending surge. Spending growth has been near 0.0% for 18 months, ignoring timing distortions caused by wars and...

Giants fleets: stabilizing to match recovering volume: the largest fleets lean on maintenance and rentals to boost production, yet hope for great business wanes.
September 1, 2003... Managing Giant fleets since North America's largest equipment-owning firms started reporting steep declines in work volume in 1999 has been chaotic. New machine purchasing has been in freefall, rental spending is schizophrenic, and repair...

When excavators and backhoes become cranes: jobsite lifting with hydraulic excavators and backhoes is routine, but requires the same attention to detail as when using cranes.(Prevention Illustrated)
September 1, 2003... If you would, step into the cab of our imaginary 65,000-pound hydraulic excavator and make a hypothetical lift. The site requires your machine to sit with its tracks parallel to the trench, but it's set back from the edge as far as practical...

Unimog goes everywhere, does almost anything: this new truck gives mechanical meaning to "multitasking".(Hands-On Trucking)
September 1, 2003... How many specially trucks does a construction, utility or municipal fleet need to do the many jobs expected of it? Maybe all it needs is one: the unique Unimog, built in Germany by DaimlerChrysler. It's a go-anywhere truck and tool-toting...

HDDs still doing what they do best: despite a soft market, manufacturers push to keep their horizontal directional drills technologically on top.(Buying File)
September 1, 2003... The good news is that despite some rocky going lately, the horizontal-directional-drill (HDD) business is still viable, although not in areas that once showed the greatest promise. A couple of years ago, it looked as if the telecommunications...

Vacuum excavators go beyond potholing: although potholing is the most common application, these machines can handle a variety of other projects that require a small, neat hole.(Underground Report)
September 1, 2003... What is the most versatile construction machine? Many equipment users would answer the backhoe-loader; others might say it's the skid-steer loader with multiple attachments. However, there may be another contender for "most versatile" honors:...

Maintenance reduces fleet size: total productive maintenance recruits operators to help with maintenance so well that Cold Spring Granite handles more work with less equipment.(Great Managers)
September 1, 2003... We have these things called shot saws in the plant--big reciprocal saws that cut granite blocks into slabs," says Dave Terms, corporate total-productive-maintenance (TPM) coordinator for Cold Spring Granite, one of the world's largest producers...

Driving the new caterpillar C9: the first ACERT diesel has midrange size and weight, heavy-duty durability and decent performance.(Truck Report)
September 1, 2003... Heavy truck operators wanting to reduce tare weight by running a smaller engine now have another choice: Caterpillar's C9, a midrange inline-6 with heavy duty features, and the builder's first ACERT model. The C9 is in the same class as...

Store 10 batteries in like-new condition with RediPulse Pro: it keeps battery plates clean and charges stored batteries so they're ready to install.(Shop Report)
September 1, 2003... If you want to keep a bank of spare batteries ready to go at a moment's notice, the RediPulse Pro-10 Charge/ Maintenance System from PulseTech Products may be just the tool to ensure the back-up batteries' value. The unit combines a trickle...

FFC attachments.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The PTO PowerRake pulverizes sail, removes rock, finish-grades and spreads topsoil. An 8.6-inch-diameter drum moves soil forward, and carbide teeth provide maximum coverage. Like the four other models in the PowerRake line, the attachment is...

Eaton.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The Fuller UltraShift 10-speed transmission provides fully automatic, two-pedal operation for heavy-duty trucks. Designed from the Eaton Fuller 10-speed "B" ratio transmission, it is available in four torque capacities from 1,050 to 1,650 ft....

Ingersoll-rand.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The Power Buggy for concrete applications has a 13-hp Honda engine and an extra 3-gallon fuel tank. It provides simultaneous drive and dump functions and is easy to start. Bucket clearance is 6 inches in the fully dumped position. The bucket...

Bomag.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The BMP851 multi-purpose compactor now features a polygonal drum option. The drum provides a larger area of contact similar to plate-style units. It also loads a high amount of psi onto the crowns of the drums, offering the benefits of a...

Vermeer.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The ride-on S600 compact skid-steer loader can be mounted on rubber tires or rubber tracks over tires. It has a hydraulic flow of 12 gpm, and two engine choices are available: a 25-hp gas engine or a 24.8-hp diesel engine. The digging bucket's...

Dana.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... For wheeled excavators with operating weights from 13 to 19.5 tons, the company's drive train system features a two-speed HSE07 hydrostatic transmission. It has a maximum input torque of 516 ft.-lbs, and is available axlemounted or...

Stow.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... CP-20H and CP-30H centrifugal pumps feature capacities of 158 and 264 gpm, and a maximum head of 98 and 115 feet, respectively. Overhead valve engines provide peak performance and minimal fuel consumption. Both have automatic engine shutdowns,...

Leading edge attachments.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The Tilting Quick Change Coupler allows the operator to manually change attachments without tools. Designed for machines from 11,090 to 16,000 pounds, the coupler has no external plumbing on the hydraulic cylinder barrel, which helps eliminate...

TransTech.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The Notched Wedge Joint Maker is designed to improve the integrity of longitudinal joints in asphalt pavement. The adjustable device mounts on the end of the screed and forms a beveled edge, which then interlocks with the adjacent lane's mat....

Arcon welding.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... A lightweight, 80-pound portable inverter drawn arc stud welder, the Studhorse 1200 and 1200DM, generates 1,200 amps, making it capable of welding full base studs up to 5/8 inch in diameter. The welder can be powered from a 40-amp utility...

American Allsafe.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... For long lasting wear, the American Eagle Head-Turner withstands temperature variances, humidity and exposure to UV light. It fits head sizes 6 1/2 to 8. The safety cap is fully dielectric and nonslotted. For information circle 185 ...

Caterpillar.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The H140Ds hydraulic hammer is matched to the Cat 325C and 330C hydraulic excavators and comparably sized competitive machines. It has an operating weight of 5,182 pounds and can be equipped with seven different tools. It has an impact energy...

Dana Spicer.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The Central Tire Inflation (CTI) System is now a factory-installed option for Sterling L-Line trucks. CTI allows drivers to quickly and easily change tire pressure while moving from pavement to soft soil and back. It has three selectable modes:...

Shell lubricants.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... Spirax EW Extended Warranty SAE 75W-90 and 80W-140 gear oils meet the extended warranty requirements for Dana, ArvinMeritor and Mack heavy-duty axles. The gear oils are approved for 500,000-mile extended drain intervals for Dana and...

Mitsubishi electric automotive.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... A lightweight engine starter is now available on Freightliner Class 8 trucks and tractors. It uses planetary gear reduction, which allows a smaller electric motor to crank effectively--especially in cold temperatures. Soft-start engagement and...

Tramac.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... V46 and V56 breakers mount on carriers from 27 to 53 tons and 35 to 65 tons, respectively. They are ideal for secondary breaking, rock excavation and concrete demolition. Both provide sound suppression for noise-sensitive jobsites. The Auto...

Ingersoll-Rand: WT series walk-behind trowels feature quick-change blades and precision controls.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... WT Series walk-behind trowels feature quick-change blades and precision controls. The five models have a screw-pitch control to adjust blade angle for a flat end product. Features include a quick-release safety lever, four-cycle Honda engine...

Northrock Industries.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... PRO3200 Series Power Screeds provide rapid consolidation of concrete floors and improve the quality and flatness of the finished product. Magnesium blades cut and roll the concrete in front of the screed, which reduces the need for grading....

Ridewell.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The 25,000-pound lift axle/suspension unit is designed for dump, mixer, block haulers, and other vocational trucks. Mona Lift 225 has fewer parts and weighs 82.5 pounds less than its previous model. The non-steerable unit can be used in pusher...

Wacker.(Market Watch Lite)
September 1, 2003... The BS 500-oi, BS 600-oi and BS 700-oi Series of oil-injected rammers eliminate premixing gas and oil. A low-oil shutdown switch prevents engine damage. A 2-cycle Wacker WM 80 engine powers the rammers, which also feature a 120:1 fuel/oil...

Scarce labor creates the Gradall: when World War II drained the labor pool, the Ferwerda brothers designed a unique machine to fill the gap.(Iron Works)
September 1, 2003... Fven today, the Gradall excavator remains a unique piece of equipment with its telescopic, rotating boom. And the current configuration is the same in principle as the earliest Gradalls. The excavator traces its roots back to the early 1940s, a...