Welding machines are becoming another low-hanging fruit for jobsite crime. In January and again in March, thieves grabbed a 2006 Miller Big Blue 300 welder off a jobsite along Interstate 495 in Tysons Corner, Va. The machines are each valued at about $10,000, according to the National Equipment Register. Thieves snatched so many engine-driven welders and/or generators during the winter months that this category now ranks in NER’s top-10 list of most frequently stolen construction machines. Experts with the Jersey City, N.J.-based crime database recommend locking up welders, disabling trailers by removing the wheels and displaying company logos and phone
New product announcements: 03/17/2010 Attic Ventilation: Solar-Powered The Broan Solar-Powered Attic Ventilator is a simple solution for temperature regulation in residential attics. The ventilator requires no external power source and helps regulate the temperature in the attic, reducing the load on the building’s heating and cooling system. The panel’s laminate can withstand rough weather and high winds, and the trim color can be set to match the surrounding rooftop. The ventilator qualifies for a federal tax credit. Broan-NuTone; 800-558-1711; www.broan.com Modular Heavy-Load Trailer: Adjustable Length The Fontaine Magnitude 55MX heavy-load trailer has a clear deck that, when retracted, is 29 ft
A New Orleans contractor tried and failed four times to drive sheet piles through a dense soil layer with progressively larger vibratory hammers and an impact hammer. The fifth attempt is succeeding, thanks to the right tool: a hydraulic press that slides the steel in with great force, rather than banging it down. + Image Photo: Giken Seisakusho Co., Ltd, Tokyo Workers use hydraulic-reaction press to drive steel sheet piles into difficult ground. Related Links: Sheet Driver Tackles Tough Project In late 2005, as part of emergency repairs after Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers let a contract
Until contractors are back on jobsites in full force, commercial vehicle makers are in a holding pattern—waiting for contractors to buy new gear instead of repairing their old kit. Photo: Nissan, GM, International Nissan’s new NV-series commercial vans ride more like pickup trucks. Photo: Nissan, GM, International GM’s diesel Denali now leads the heavy-pickup pack. Photo: Nissan, GM, International International’s TerraStar tackles the medium-duty space, which GM exited last summer. Manufacturers at this year’s Work Truck Show didn’t need to be reminded that 2009 was a bad year. Total truck sales plummeted 24% in 2009, reports IHS Global Insight. “It
A new commercial vehicle stole the limelight at this year�s Work Truck Show, but it wasn�t a truck. Photo: Nissan The NV can be had in two styles, standard roof and high roof. Photo: Nissan Van has a pickup-like interior. Looking to step up the fossilized van market with something that drives more like a modern pickup truck, Nissan unveiled its all-new "NV" work van at the annual truck fair, held March 9-12 in St. Louis. In production now in Canton, Miss., and expected to hit the North American market in late 2010, Nissan’s first commercial vehicle for North America
New product announcements: 03/10/2010 High-Speed Laser Scanner: All-in-One Data Collector The Topcon GLS-1500 laser scanner is capable of scanning 30,000 points per second during point-cloud collection. The scanner has a 490-ft range and features an onboard data collector with keypad and LCD, allowing it to be used as a stand-alone laser scanner. It features a built-in 2.0-megapixel camera that can stream live images of a site when wirelessly connected to a PC which is using the ScanMaster software. Topcon Positioning Systems; 925-245-8300; www.topconpositioning.com Silicone Sealant: Takes the Heat Thermalox 2655 is a high-temperature RTV silicone adhesive sealant; it has a temperature
Defending a coveted spot from fierce competition is almost harder than reaching that position in the first place. It’s a scenario that engineers of the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup truck know well. Slide Show Photo: Thom Blackett / ENR An optional, electronic-locking rear differential helps the 2011 Ford Super Duty get out of tight spots. As it turns out, that kind of pressure is a good thing, especially for heavy-duty pickup-truck buyers who want to tow more than 20,000 lb, strap in 3 tons of payload and spend less money at the pump. As ENR also discovered during a
New product announcements: 03/03/2010 All-terrain Crane: Now With Longer Boom The Terex AC 100/4L all-terrain crane features a main boom length of 59.4 meters, and with its variable double-fly jib it can reach a maximum length of 81.7 m. The four-axle crane fits within normal truck dimensions during travel, allowing it to operate in locations restricted to larger cranes. It can be used in a variety of lifting configurations and has a maximum capacity of 100 tonnes. The crane is powered by a 445-hp Daimler engine and comes with four standard outriggers to provide extra stability under demanding operating conditions.
New product announcements: 02/24/2010 Corded Breaker: High Power, Low Vibration The TE 1500-AVR corded breaker is able to deliver 22 ft-lb of impact energy at up to 1,950 blows per minute. According to the manufacturer, the breaker’s sub-chassis anti-vibration system significantly reduces operator pulsation. The TE 1500-AVR is compatible with the Hilti TE DRS-B dust removal system and features three-chamber sealing to keep dust out of the tool. Hilti; 800-879-8000; www.us.hilti.com Compact Cordless Bandsaw: Cuts In Close The DCS370 18-volt Cordless Bandsaw is a highly portable tool designed for cutting threaded rod, piping, conduit and other metal materials. The bandsaw’s
When it arrives from Europe in July, the first high-reach work platform to join Abilene High Lift Aerial’s fleet will be the tallest of its kind in North America. The Abilene, Texas-based company plans to rent the giant lifting device to utility operators, wind-turbine technicians, tall-building contractors, moviemakers and anyone else who needs to go as high as 328 ft above ground with up to 1,100 lb of equipment and workers. Photo: Abilene High Lift Aerial Texas rental company is importing what will soon become the tallest aerial lift in North America, reaching up to 328 ft. The “staggering capability”
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