New product announcements: 07/01/2009 Soil-Mixing Cutter Drums: Digging Deep The Casagrande/TEC Cutter soil-mixer rigs feature soil-mixing cutter drums mounted on a dual-motor frame that is attached to a base by a Kelly bar. The rig can mix soil at depths ranging from 17 to 30 meters and fits Casagrande base carriers. The machine can be used to construct temporary diaphragm walls and cut-off walls. Depending on soil conditions, drilling rates can be as high as 35 sq m per hour. During use, cement slurry is mixed with excavated earth at the bottom of the tool, so the quantity of excavated earth
New product announcements: 06/24/2009 Milwaukee’s New High-Tech Tools Will Test Market’s Loyalty With its newly created test and measurement division, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has officially declared war on longtime supplier Fluke Corp. and hopes to grab a significant share of this roughly $1-billion market. It also would enable its parent, Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd., to move into an entirely new category. The inaugural line, which launches in August, will test the loyalty of professional builders, electricians, heating-and-cooling technicians and remodelers. Brookfield, Wis.-based Milwaukee has been at it for more than a year with several former managers it recruited
The world's first diesel-electric hybrid bulldozer will carry a price tag that is about $100,000 more, or 20% higher, than a comparable non-hybrid machine. But will pay for itself in about two-and-a-half years, Caterpillar Inc. managers said June 23 at the company's training facility in Edwards, Ill. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton Hybrid dozer comes with a 20% price premium. Related Links: LeTourneau's Electric Legacy Haunts Las Vegas Mega-Show VIDEO: Big Electric Cat � Bulldozer Buzz at CONEXPO The D7E, which begins production in October, will come with a manufacturer-recommended list price of $600,000, said David E. Nicoll, product execution manager.
One week after New York City announced it would shepherd a national database of tower cranes to improve jobsite safety, a crane-rental executive in Pennsylvania has built the world’s first Internet site for tracking crane repairs, inspections and other critical details. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR Bardonaro wants spotlight on safety. The site is the industry’s first voluntary effort to make crane tracking more transparent in the wake of major accidents last year. “I wanted to get something out there that answers these cries for tracking cranes,” says Frank Bardonaro, president of Bensalem, Pa.-based AmQuip. He has spent about
One week after New York City announced it would shepherd a national database of tower cranes to improve jobsite safety, a crane-rental executive in Pennsylvania has built the world�s first Internet site for tracking crane repairs, inspections and other critical details. Related Links: Three Cities Plan Tower Crane Tracking Cranefacts.com The site is the industry’s first voluntary effort to make crane tracking more transparent in the wake of major accidents last year. “I wanted to get something out there that answers these cries for tracking cranes,” says Frank Bardonaro, president of Bensalem, Pa.-based AmQuip. He has spent about $40,000 and
New product announcements: 06/17/2009 Cutting Trenches: Trencher-Boom Attachment Digs Deeper The new 4-ft trencher-boom attachment fits Toro TRX-19 dedicated trenchers or any Toro Dingo compact utility loader and is offered in addition to Toro’s 24-in. and 36-in. booms. The trencher boom allows installation of utilities at depths exceeding 42 in. and can also be used for irrigation, plumbing, drainage and edging applications. The boom accepts several chain types that can produce a trench 4-in. or 6-in. wide. Toro; 800-344-8676; www.toro.com Pickup-Truck Equipment Lock: Prevent Tool Theft The Truck Bed U-Lock security lock is designed to secure tools and other loose items
New product announcements: 06/10/2009 Rubber-belted Undercarriage: Suited for Small Equipment CAT rubber-belted undercarriages are now available to other original equipment manufacturers for vehicles that weigh up to 4,330 lb. The undercarriages feature the same engineering as larger CAT treads and are available in both fixed-gauge 301.6 models and hydraulic-variable 301.8 models. The undercarriage can be used with machines employing drills for geothermal installation, stump grinding, small auger drills or small pile drivers. Caterpillar Inc., OEM Solutions Group; 309-675-1000; www.cat.com Anchor System: Adhesive Meets Latest Building Codes The HIT-HY 150 MAX fast-cure adhesive anchor system is designed for use in anchor and
While bankrupt General Motors is discontinuing its line of medium-duty trucks, the clock is ticking for others to clean up tailpipes in January. The clean-air regulation has Warrenville, Ill.-based Navistar International Corp. asking a U.S. appeals court in Washington, D.C., to review a February ruling by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA action provided guidance to diesel-truck makers on how to certify engines using selective-catalytic reduction. Navistar alleges EPA in 2001 did not deem SCR permissible due to the use of liquid urea, of which distribution and handling was questionable. Other producers argue urea is proven. Navistar is the
Aviad Shapira, civil engineering professor, textbook author and former project engineer for his family’s concrete construction business, is not afraid to climb hundreds of feet up a rickety ladder to get a bird’s-eye view of the world. “I climb tower cranes whenever I get the chance,” he says. “Too many of us researchers are detached from the subject.” Photo: Aviad Shapira Shapira is helping builders plan for tower-crane risks. The high-level view has afforded Shapira a unique perspective. The teacher at The Technion-Israel Institute of Tech- nology, Haifa, says many crane accidents can be attributed to what he calls a
A vehicle invasion is coming from Turkey that may take the U.S. business community by storm. Starting next month, Ford Motor Co. will be importing and selling its Transit Connect small van in the U.S. and Canada. The Turkish van’s flexible design allows it to be configured for a variety of businesses, and it is aimed at those in urban areas that need maneuverability in tight spaces. On May 28, ENR took one for a test drive in New York City and found that it does deliver the goods promised. Slide Show Photo: William G. Krizan / ENR Small van
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