Logging equipment performance in the field is becoming a common practice for construction fleet owners and a Hayward, Calif.-based maker of diagnostic tools has introduced an automotive "flight recorder" that attempts to simplify the process. Davis Instruments, manufacturer of the "CarChip," insists that it primarily wants to help owners monitor the way employees treat company vehicles, not keep tabs on the drivers. It says its new device deters risky behavior that endangers operators and vehicles. The lightweight device is slightly larger than a 9-volt battery and fits most cars and trucks manufactured since 1996. It plugs into an on-board diagnostic
Producers of construction equipment pushed through a string of price increases totaling 1.1% during the first half of 2003, the largest increases tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in several years. The higher equipment prices held during the summer months, encouraging producers to nudge prices up another 0.1% in September. The latest increase pushed the BLS producer price index for construction equipment 1.5% above September 2002s level. The largest year-to-year price hikes tracked by BLS are 4% for wheel-type loaders and 2.2% for power cranes and excavators. Paving equipment prices are 1.5% above a year ago. BLS also tracked
Combihammer Linemen's Tool New TE 56-ATC combihammer is designed for drilling and chiseling applications. An active torque control feature monitors the rotation of the tool and disengages the drive system if it senses the housing beginning to rotate too quickly. The tool is best suited for anchoring equipment in substations and cable racks in underground vaults. Hilti Inc.; 800/879-8000; www.ushilti.com Aerial Work Platform Insulated Boom The SI 100 insulated aerial work platform is designed specifically to handle electric utility line work. It features a 100-ft platform height, up to 2,100-lb platform capacity and can be certified for bare hand work
Coil Anchor With Durable Coil Anchor Spacer This new 3 / 4 -in. x 21 / 2-in. coil anchor is used in the support of EFCO Cunningham parking garage deck panels. The anchors are cast in the ceiling of the parking garage. Since many applications require the coil anchor to be spaced 3 / 4 in. away from the face of the concrete for corrosion or fire-proofing reasons, the manufacturer also has introduced a new 3 / 4 -in. coil anchor spacer that threads on the outside of the coil anchor. The spacer is durable, made of hard plastic and
Welding/Cutting Equipment Color-Coded This 2003 product catalog highlights the manufacturers complete line of equipment including power sources, plasma cutters, robotics and consumables. Brochure E1.10 has a simple-to-follow reference guide, and is color-coded by product category. It includes a power source selection guide at the front of the catalog that shows each machines capabilities at a glance and allows for comparison. The brochure also includes photos and gives a brief description of each product. The Lincoln Electric Co.; 888/355-3213: www.lincolnelectric.com Work Lights Nighttime Outdoor/Indoor Use A four-page brochure introduces the companys expanded line of Luma-Site halogen lighting products for nighttime outdoor
PUMPS High-Pressure Pump Dual Impeller System The QP-305SLT is a 3-in., high-pressure pump with an 11-hp Honda GX-340 gasoline engine. It has a maximum shut-off head of 328 ft with a top pressure of 142 psi, making it the companys highest head unit. The pump moves up to 145 gallons per minute and has a dual impeller system to generate higher pressure. It is suitable for wide range of applicationsfrom home use in high-fire areas to washing heavy equipment in the field. Multiquip Inc.; 800/421-1244; www.multiquip.com Concrete Pumps Shotcrete Placement The King Cobra is designed for high-volume shotcrete, structural concrete
Hammer/Drill/Driver Charger Refresh Button Model SF 180-A, an 18-volt cordless cam-action hammer/drill/driver, allows construction and maintenance workers to maneuver in tight areas or corners. It is offered with two battery options: a 2.0 amp-hour nickel cadmium or 3.0 amp-hour nickel metal hydride. Hiltis rapid charger, which comes with the 3.0 amp-hour NiMH battery, features a button that helps refresh batteries after every 40 charging cycles. The SF 180-A also features a 15% increase in gear teeth height for hard-hitting hammer performance. Hilti Inc.; 800/879-8000; www.us.hilti.com Interchange Module Adds Space The 1184 interchange module allows the user to increase tool storage
New Generator Series Rated For Industrial Duty Five new generators are equipped with Honda GX engines and advanced design alternators that generate 6 to 8% total harmonic distortion. Models PH350IS, CH350IS, HA450IS-W, H650IS-W and H1000IS-W offer varying power, capacity, a range of electrical receptacles on easy-access control panel and portability options to meet the demands of most commercial construction applications, the maker says. Porter-Cable Corp., a subsidiary of Pentair Inc.; 800/487-8665; www.porter-cable.com Crack Repair Large- and Small-Scale Sealing SealTights cold-applied Sof-Seal is a versatile pavement sealant designed for crack repair and preventative maintenance sealing projects. It also can be used
FAST LANE Barrier preps Lake Shore Drive for rush hour. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Dept. of Transportation) For the first time, Chicagos Dept. of Transportation has found a unique way to manipulate highway workzone space while also attempting to improve traffic flow for drivers outside the lines. Pleased with a device called a "moveable barrier," or "zipper wall," on its current restoration of South Lake Shore Drive, CDOT is using it again as it rebuilds the Chicago Skyway, a congested 7.8-mile-long overpass that connects drivers to the south of the city to and from Indiana. Zipper-walls exist for temporary and
SKIN DEEP Safety mechanism stops blades. (Illustration courtesy of Sawstop) After four years of promoting a clever safety device and failing to license it to power-tool makers, a small engineering team in Wilsonville, Ore., is entering the manufacturing business. It will start producing its own line of professional-grade table saws with a device that stops the blade instantaneously when it makes contact with flesh. They will be available next year. "We will be competing with everyone else, but well have a feature that they dont have," says David Fulmer, electrical engineer, patent attorney and vice president of SawStop. The small-companys