King Ranch Pickup Truck Overhead Rail New for 2005 is the F-150 King Ranch model with Castano leather power-adjustable heated captain’s chairs. Cab configurations feature four doors for easy access. The F-150 offers three engine choices, including the newly available 4.2-liter V-6 engine with electronic throttle control and manual transmission. Also, a modular overhead rail system allows owners to customize interior storage options to suit their individual needs. Ford Motor Co.; 800/392-3673; www.ford.com Mega Pickup Cab More Interior Space This all-new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab can comfortably seat six adults and provide enough interior storage space for their gear,
Ride-On Trowel Non-Overlapping The new BG70 ride-on double trowel is a non-overlapping machine that can be equipped with blades or pans. It has a 70-in. working width and is fitted with a 20-hp Honda GX620 gasoline engine. The BG70 weighs 705 lb and has a high-speed blade rotation of 70 to 150 rpm. Additional features on the new model include optimized weight distribution (engine centrally placed), adjustable seat forward and backward, two lifting eyes on each side of the seat for balanced lifting, as well as retardant spray tank and three halogen lights. Dynapac Concrete; +33.1.64.42.59.00; www.dynapac-concrete.com PEX Piping Replaces
Cutquik Machine New Air Filtration System This new cut-off machine, designated TS 700 Cutquik, is designed with features to help maximize productivity. With its new X2 long-term air-filtration system, the machine can run twice as long before the filter needs changing, making it suitable for heavy-duty cutting applications. The TS 700 comes fully assembled and has a 6.7-bhp, 98.5-cc stratified charged engine. It also is lightweight, well balanced and equipped with a five-point, dual element vibration control system. Stihl Inc.; 800/467-8445; www.stihlusa.com Cut-Off Saws Long-Life Lubrication Piston The new BTS-L3 series of portable cut-off saws includes four models–the BTS 930L3,
A Detroit manufacturer of diesel engines and its corporate affiliates spun a web of conspiracy to shut out their competitors, according to a class-action lawsuit that 10 truck dealers filed in a Pennsylvania federal court last week. Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC) and its distributors boycotted Volvo and International Truck dealerships by revoking their licenses to perform warranty work on Detroit-brand engines. The move was a "retaliation" against dealers that had stopped buying the engines after DaimlerChrysler purchased DDC in October 2000, the suit alleges. The engine buyout helped Stuttgart, Germany-based DaimlerChrysler integrate its trucking businesses. Detroit Diesel supplies engine equipment
Cable Push System Push/Pull Action A new air-assisted cable push system, called Air-Trak MD, allows contractors to make quick installations of mini ducts and micro fiber cables, says the maker. Features such as its patented load-sensing system, which monitors and controls the push force during installation, helps prevent duct or cable damage. Available as a mini duct/micro cable-ready system, the Air-Trak MD can easily be converted into a traditional HD system for installing conventional optical fiber cables into larger HDPE duct systems. Arnco Corp.; 800/321-7914; www.arncocorp.com Wire Feeder Suitcase Design Weighing 35 lb, the new SuitCase X-Treme 12 VS Voltage-sensing
Model RXT (top left) is a basic, 4x2 version of the CXT. A CDL is not required to operate these trucks. (Photo top courtesy of International Truck and Engine Corp. Photo bottom by Tudor Hampton for ENR) The mother of all pick-up trucks has a new child. But don't underestimate its size, because this toddler makes a Dodge Durango look like a Mini Cooper. Some call it overindulgence. Others recognize it as the latest in an "XT" series of monster-size work trucks. The vehicles have attracted upwardly-mobile general contractors and Hollywood celebrities since prototypes were unveiled early last year. The
Masonry Wall Chaser Cuts Utility Chases The new MFE30 wall chaser is designed for cutting channels or chases in masonry for electrical and other utilities. It delivers 1,400 Watts of power with 31-in. lb of torque. The MFE30 is a dustless tool, with a vacuum port at the top of the handle and is furnished with two vacuum adapters. It uses 5-in. diamond blades to cut chase widths of 3/8-in., 5/8-in., 7/8-in. and 1 3/16-in., with a depth up to 1 3/16 in. The masonry wall chaser offers clean cuts and weighs 8.6 lb. Its 12-amp motor delivers a load-rated
Tagged. Radio-frequency chips hide inside power tools and track usage. (Photos by Tudor Hampton for ENR) Breaches in jobsite security are expensive annoyances and two power-tool makers are blazing the trail for anti-theft devices. Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Mount Prospect, Ill., has partnered with ToolWatch Corp., Englewood, Colo., for a new security system that uses tiny, radio frequency tags to track small tools. Another new sentry comes from DeWalt, Towson, Md. Its cellular-based "Sitelock" monitor uses jobsite sensors that superintendents switch on after workers have gone home for the day. Placed inside tool housings, Bosch’s RFID tags feed information to
(Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.) When it comes to cordless tools, power is the name of the game and a Wisconsin-based tool manufacturer has upped the ante significantly. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., Brookfield, Wis., has ripped through the popular, 18-Volt cordless tool category with a new, 28-V battery pack. The platform uses lithium-ion storage cells that weigh "slightly less" than comparable 18-V nickel batteries and run up to two-and-a-half times longer, according to Gary Meyer, Milwaukee manager of research and development. A first round of 28-V tools, costing about 40% more than 18-V models, will start shipping in
Work Glove Redesign Three New Styles The redesign of the META-MINER Metacarpal gloves makes them suitable for use on construction sites. Each glove comes with a thick, flexible foam padded back and a reinforced leather palm and stitching for maximum protection. It has a cotton lining to wick away moisture and a knit wrist to keep out debris. An Amerglo strip comes standard on all new styles, reflecting up to 300 ft for additional safety. New styles include a rugged suede cowhide design, a half-finger first finger and thumb combination and a new XXL size. Illinois Glove Co.; 800/342-5458; www/illinoisglove.com
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