DRIVEN Big diesel rig installs 24-in. square concrete piles. A contractor driving about 1,000 foundation piles for Washington, D.C.s new Woodrow Wilson Bridge project has convinced the Virginia Dept. of Transportation to change its equipment requirements, based on a new diesel-hammer design. Equipment manufacturers have struggled to maintain a positive image for diesels. For hammers in particular, it has been hard because they typically are noisy and have dirty emissions. However, a Canadian producer says its new line of $250,000 hammers, rated at kinetic impacts of 141,680 ft-lb, are clean-burning and fully programmable. Patrick Bermingham, president of Hamilton, Ontario-based Berminghammer
AUTOMATIC Oscillating laser beam controls dozer blade. (Photos courtesy of Caterpillar Inc.) Laser and GPS controls for earthmoving machines have been available for years from after-market suppliers. But partners Caterpillar Inc. and Trimble Navigation now are offering a new "AccuGrade" laser system as factory equipment on machines, hoping to generate additional interest from operators looking to boost grading speed by as much as 50%. CAT and Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Trimble formed a joint venture in mid-2002 and unveiled the $18,000-to- $25,000 dozer option Nov. 21 at CATs headquarters in Peoria, Ill. "Our customers are taking digital advancements right into their estimating
SECURITY PRODUCTS Stainless-Steel Doors Fire-rated for 90 Minutes Archivisions is a New York-based firm that provides a range of architectural metal, point-support glass and curtain-wall-system products. The firm has recently introduced a new line of 90-minute, UL fire-rated, seamless stainless-steel doors and door frames that are intended to replace stainless-steel clad, fire-rated hollow metal doors. The doors are available in stain, polished, sandblasted, as well as nondirectional finishes. Single swing doors with sizes up to 36 in. wide and 84 in. high may be provided with or without a 100-sq-in. fire-rated glass lite. Archivisions; 718/599-9891; www.arch-visions.com Emergency Lighting Multifaceted Reflector
Portable Submersible Pumps Where Space Is Limited Two submersible pumps with a slim design are suitable for dewatering applications such as construction sites, trenches and deep excavations. The new Bibo BS2102 and BS2125 with diameters of 111/2 and 143/8 in., respectively, are recommended for use in tight spaces and inside small pipes. The high-head BS2125 develops up to 240 ft of head, delivering up to 24 gallons per minute of liquid, while the standard version pumps up to 850 gpm. Both models feature aluminum alloy major castings, stainless steel shaft and tungsten carbide seals. ITT Flygt Corp.; 203/380-4700; www.ittflygt.com Wheeled
Abuse, Moisture, Mold and Fire Resistant... Who Could Ask for Anything More? SKINNER A new interior wall panel that resists abuse, moisture and mildew could be a contractors dream come true, believes Marsha Skinner, the Fiberock department manager at U.S. Gypsum. And she should know. Colleagues call her "the goddess of Fiberock," because of her 25 years of experience at the Gypsum, Ohio, plant, and her savvy at bringing improvements to the line. The gypsum-based Fiberock panels use a formulation called AQUA-TOUGH that provides water resistance through the core. They can be used in wet areas including tub surrounds. "You
AC/DC Stick Welder Multi-Process Welding Capability The new Ranger 10,000 welding machine is designed for general contractors, maintenance teams and others looking for an AC/DC stick welder mated with a powerful AC auxiliary power generator, says the maker. It provides 10,000 watts peak (9,000 continuous watts) and can be used as a backup generator or for powering inverter welders, plasma, cutters, grinders, lights and tools. The Ranger 10,000 also helps extend the users welding capability with basic Stick, TIG, MIG and flux-cored welding as well as arc gouging. It is available with either a Kohler or Honda gasoline engine. The
SEISMIC PRODUCTS Centralizers Single-Bar Reinforcement Positioning The UniSpacer guide and alignment system is used for single-bar reinforcement positioning for auger-cast piles, mini-piles, micro-piles, soil anchors, tiebacks and other geotechnical construction jobs. The product readily stacks for shipping, saving room on the jobsite. UniSpacer centralizers are strong and durable, providing a guide system for placement of single bars into structural foundation shafts. They also help ensure that bar reinforcement is properly spaced and aligned within the confines of the shaft or pile structure. Foundation Technologies Inc.; 800/773-2368; www.foundationtechnologies.com Reinforcement System For Existing Structures Seistec, a reinforcing anchor system, can be used
Vibratory Plow Attachment Optional Blades Manufacturer introduces a vibratory plow attachment designed specifically for use on skid-steer loaders. The attachment is equipped with optional blades that can slice to depths of 2 ft. The unit is designed to pull pipe up to 2 in. in diameter or bury wire and cable. It can also be configured to install drainage with the patented WaterWick gravel injection system. Used in golf course, sports turf and landscape applications, the system improves drainage and aeration with minimal soil disruption, according to the maker. WaterWick Inc.; 888/287-1644; www.waterwick.com Trencher Automotive-Style Steering The hydrostatic RT450 riding
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