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
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
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”
Why go to the Chicago Auto Show? Because it could be renamed the Chicago Truck Show. You can find the latest concept cars and practical rides, but usually there is no shortage of construction trucks and other workhorses. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR Ford’s all-electric work van in Chicago. It promises a top speed of 75 mph and 80-mi range in part due to its li-ion battery pack (below). Related Links: Battle of the Vans Rages On As Truck Makers Redefine the Urban Contractor�s Rolling Office Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR Oshkosh’s M-ATV at the U.S. Army’s recruiting
Prices for Caterpillar construction equipment will rise by about 12% over the next four years as the company rolls out new and revised models that meet the next level of worldwide clean-air standards. Photo: Caterpillar Inc. The engine compartment of Cat’s Tier 4 excavator is about 12 in. taller than previous models to accommodate new tailpipe controls. About a third of the overall price increase will start next year, said Cat officials at the company’s Peoria, Ill., headquarters on Feb. 11. In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 Interim and European Union Stage IIIB standards take effect. The
The sinister effects of inhaling crystalline silica—which, like asbestos, slowly leads to lung disease and cancer—have been known for years. Only recently have tools that trap the deadly dust become widely available. Slide Show Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR This year’s World of Concrete attracted many new options in dust control. DeWalt now offers cordless portability in dust control “There’s been a drumbeat,” says Matt Gillen, senior scientist at the Washington, D.C.-based National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Over the last decade, more suppliers have brought out controls designed to capture dust at the source: the business end
Chicago may have lost the 2016 Olympic Games, but the global competitive spirit on the jobsite is still alive. A Windy City contractor is test-driving the world’s largest Chinese concrete pump—and the first of its size to appear on a U.S. construction project. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton Concrete mixers feed the hopper. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton Tom Rutkowski at the controls. The pump, manufactured by Changsha-based Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., is wrapping up its U.S. debut at the site of the roughly $1-billion Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, under construction in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood and
People who are watching the industry barometers of new and used equipment sales expect the market to make slight comebacks this year after a tough 2009. But few are predicting the market to post sizable gains until 2011 or 2012. Source: Machinery Trader. Monthly Average, All Categories, Without High/Low. Auction Prices Overall new-equipment categories are expected to grow 5% in the U.S. this year, followed by 15% gains in 2011 and 14% growth in 2012, says the Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Previously, machinery sales slumped 43% last year and 8.6% in 2008, the trade group says. “Even with a
Tension over crane inspection and safety has been playing out in downtown Chicago, where city building officials for nearly a year tried to force a supertall building developer to remove an idle tower crane from a mothballed project. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR Crane atop stalled project in Chicago came down after safety concerns. Related Links: Crane Owners Step Up Inspections to Meet Tighter Quality Controls Rebuild Shop Offers Safe Alternative to Replacement The 1,047-ft-tall Waterview Tower was set to become the luxurious Shangri-La hotel, but work halted in 2008 at the 25th floor due to a lending freeze.
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