The Occupational Heath and Safety Administration is preparing to move into negotiated rulemaking this spring on a replacement for a 30-year-old crane and derrick safety standard that industry experts say needs updating. On Feb. 27, OSHA announced its list of members who will serve on an industry advisory committee, which will meet in May or June, officials say. OSHA Administrator John Henshaw says the negotiated rulemaking process is "the most effective way" for participants to draft a new document. It is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. According to Henshaw and others, new technology, such as
After two years of significant technological investment, Caterpillar Inc. on March 19 unveiled a unique breed of on-highway diesel engines at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. According to product engineers, the design breaks from conventional methods for reducing diesel gas and particulate emissions, a primary concern of environmental regulators. "We have achieved efficient combustion, with low emissions and improved fuel economy," said John Campbell, director of on-highway engine products for Caterpillar Power Systems, located in Mossville, Ill. The calls the technology ACERT, or Advanced Combustion Emissions Reduction Technology., ACERT represents the largest and most expensive product development effort in
HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL Climate-Controlled Operator's Station The D200x300 Navigator horizontal directional drill is designed to help minimize support equipment and maximize operator efficiency. This model has an exclusive attached climate-controlled two-person operator's station with fold-down surveyor table and a hydraulic fold-up scaffold that allows for easy transport on one truck. The D200x300 is a self-contained unit with a rack-and-pinion design. It offers 30,000 ft lb of rotary torque and 200,000 lb of thrust and pullback capability. VERMEER MANUFACTURING CO.; 888/837-6337; www.vermeer.com CONCRETE POWER SCREED One- and Two-Person Operation One- and two-person gasoline-driven power screeds are available for new concrete pours
Despite rising fuel costs, owners of construction and infrastructure truck fleets are expected to make significant purchases this year, according to new data from the National Truck Equipment Association, Farmington Hills, Mich. It shows sales rising by as much as 10%, to nearly $95 billion, by the end of December as companies replenish fleets weakened by a couple of years of capital-spending cuts. Construction and work trucks represent 20%, or $19 billion, of the North American market share. "The last two-and-a-half years were terrible but now, the commercial truck industry is starting to trend upward," said Stephen Latin-Kasper, NTEA market data
MARKS USA introduces the Great Barrier, a UL-listed, ADA-compliant, Grade 1 mortise lockset combining full size, stainless steel, protective plates with track- mounted levers and a concealed cylinder. The levers are solid stainless steel construction and also are attached at both ends to resist excessive pull force. The lockset is also available with several different exterior trim options to meet the requirements of heavy traffic and high abuse doors. Marks also offers the i-Que stand-alone access control system with its patented cylindrical lockset. The i-Que has a modular design for future upgrades and is capable of expanding the available audit
Construction equipment manufacturers kicked off 2003 with their largest price increase in six months. January's 0.7% increase left the average price tag for construction equipment 2.5% higher than a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the largest year-to-year price increase recorded by BLS in several years. January's increases were led by a 3.1% price hike for wheel-type tractors, which pushed prices for this category of equipment 2.6% above a year ago. Prices for highway paving equipment broke over a year-long period of stability with a 1.5% price increase, leaving prices for mixers, pavers and spreaders
TRUCKS Chevrolet Introduces All-Wheel Steering Turning radius reduced by 19% By Tudor Hampton A feature common to heavy jobsite equipment now is available on Chevrolet's Silverado pickup trucks, and buyers expect other manufacturers to join in soon. Called "Quadrasteer," the four-wheel steering system uses an electronically controlled drive-by-wire technology that reduces normal turning radius by 19%, according to John Schwegman, product marketing manager for Chevy Avalanche and Silverado. Quadrasteer allows rear wheels to turn coordinately with the front in relation to vehicle speed. Schwegman says that truck users who feel that "the size of the truck makes it cumbersome to
NUT AND BOLT Self-Locking The Permanentech self-locking vibration-proof nut and bolt fastener has a unique nut that locks in at predetermined intervals along the notched bolt, removing the chance for vibration to loosen the bolt. The fastener is available in metal and injection molded materials and in standard and custom sizes. A task-specific nut removal tool that unlocks the nut from the bolt for inspection and maintenance purposes also is provided. Permanent Technologies Inc.; 914/949-5944; www.permanentech.com POWER ACTUATED TOOL Triggered By Squeezing the Grip Model 479 Power Trigger joins the company's Remington powder actuated fastening tool product line. Instead of
BIG TINES Pipe Caddy can turn an excavator into giant forklift for pipe. A Westlake, La., general contractor has patented a new pipe-handling attachment and has worldwide plans to market the implement. Company representatives say the new attachment improves safety and cuts installation time. After digging trenches, contractors typically lay pipe segments by rigging them to a hydraulic excavator bucket. But David Abshire, vice president of River West Enterprises Inc., a sister company of Cypress General Contractors, says there is a better way. Abshire's solution is the "Pipe Caddy," which premiered at the World of Concrete show Feb. 4-7. Abshire
The equipment manufacturer most construction professionals recognize for popularizing the skid-steer loader has developed a new multi-functional compact machine. Bobcat Co., West Fargo, N.D., was looking for ways to help fleet owners supplement skid-steers with another piece of equipment that can use interchangeable work-tool attachments. Completing a three-and-a-half-year research and development effort, the firm unveiled the Toolcat 5600 compact utility vehicle at the Feb. 4-7 World of Concrete show in Las Vegas. The Toolcat is a two-speed, hydrostatically driven machine with four-wheel drive, all-wheel steer and 18-mph top speed. A hydraulically operated boom in front supports attachments, while a dump