Terex Corp., Westport, Conn., on Dec. 20 agreed to sell its mining equipment business to South Milwaukee, Wis.-based Bucyrus International Inc. for $1.3 billion in cash. Them firm plans to use some of the proceeds to buy companies “beaten down by the recession,” says Chairman and CEO Ron DeFeo. If the deal closes by the end of next quarter as planned, Bucyrus would provide a wider global footprint in mining, which Terex lacks. Terex would have had to invest $150 million to $200 million “in order to take this business to the next level,” says DeFeo. The move positions Terex
Caterpillar Inc. CEO-elect Douglas R. Oberhelman (pictured, at left) on Dec. 22 handed over the keys to the world’s first diesel-electric bulldozer—specially gift-wrapped with a bright red bow—to Dan Klingberg (right), president of Joliet, Ill.-based T.J. Lambrecht Construction Co. Now in full production, the machine made its debut inside Cat’s East Peoria, Ill., tractor plant. The new D7E is the result of 10 years of research and development and 100 new patents. The D7E prototypes were put through more than 70,000 hours of lab and field tests, say CAT officials. The machine costs about $600,000, a 20% premium over a
Dan Klingberg, president of Joliet, Ill.-based T.J. Lambrecht Construction Co., took control of the world’s first diesel-electric bulldozer and says he will put it to use on a project at O’Hare International Airport next month. Caterpillar Inc.’s Vice Chairman and CEO-Elect Douglas R. Oberhelman (pictured, at left) on Dec. 22 handed over the keys to the world’s first diesel-electric bulldozer. Related Links: Video: Big Electric Cat World’s First ‘Hybrid’ Dozer Keeps Up with Bigger Cats Klingsberg took the keys from Caterpillar Inc.’s Vice Chairman and CEO-Elect Douglas R. Oberhelman on Dec. 22 at the manufacturer’s East Peoria tractor plant and
The construction industry in Washington state is not ready to meet a new rule that will require some 10,000 cranes there to be inspected and certified by a licensed inspector by Jan. 1. Photo: Teqne New rules will soon hit Washington cranes, such as this one that was shut down last year for alleged deficiencies. The crane's owner has since settled with the state. Related Links: Crane Anxiety Towers From Coast to Coast California Enforces Standardized Testing Partial Settlement Announced For 2006 Fatal Crane Collapse Crane Failures Foul Up Texas' Already-Poor Safety Record "Crane operators have been busy," says Hector
The high cost of underground work needed to install geothermal tubing is inspiring some installers to develop cheaper alternatives. One unusual machine, called a SpiderPlow, is gaining traction in Canada. + image Illustration: Spiderplow Services Inc. A crawler rig, anchored 6 ft into the ground, reels a special cable that pulls the plow, which can handle 24-in.-dia. pipe and 9.5-ft depths. Related Links: As More Buildings Go Geothermal, Project Teams Are Thinking Outside the Borehole Union Jumps On Geothermal Bandwagon Jim Bererton, who heads consulting engineer Stantec’s sustainability practice in Calgary, Alberta, brought in the SpiderPlow for a Walmart store
The world’s Great Recession is the equipment sector’s Depression, according to a September report jointly issued by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the Associated Equipment Distributors. The sales slump dominated AEM’s annual conference, held Nov. 15-17 in Hollywood, Fla. Photo: AEM IDLED Equipment parade with 5,500 warning flags—each representing 100 lost jobs—drove home the message of equipment sector’s distress. + Image Source: IHS Global Insight Construction Investment And Equipment Sales The contraction of original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is “unprecedented in the post-war era,” says the report, prepared by IHS Global Insight for Milwaukee-based AEM and Oak Brook, Ill.-based AED. “The
Heavy-duty work trucks are the backbone of many operations, charged with transporting people and materials while serving as a mobile office. And, like any good tool, they must not fail at critical moments. Such is the mission of the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, redesigned to deliver muscle, capability and utility while providing more comfort. Photo: Dodge Trucks also offer engine braking and integrated trailer-brake controllers. Photo: Dodge Trucks have twin glove boxes, a big center console and floor cubbies. On that utility front, the Ram HD already is a success, though the arrival of the 2011 Ford Super Duty
In Japan, space comes at a premium, so it is no surprise that small drills rule the jobsite there. Contractors here are now warming up fast to Japan’s small, torque-heavy impact drivers. Impact guns are not just for mechanics anymore. In Japan, cordless impacts have a staggering 95% share because of ergonomics and available accessories, according to Baltimore-based DeWalt. Convincing workers here that they are tough enough is a challenge: This year, both DeWalt and Milwaukee came out with hardened bits designed for cordless impacts, because their less-expensive, traditional bits snap under the pressure. Photo: DeWalt More trades are warming
Last month, Ford executive Mark Fields underscored the importance of the company’s new work truck, ironically by botching a speech. Calling the truck an “essential” tool for fleet owners, the Americas division president said at the State Fair of Texas, “If the truck doesn’t do its job, [owners] don’t get paid. And these are the people that are building and maintaining the infrastructure of our company—of, of our country.” Photo: Ford The 2011 Super Duty meets clean-diesel regulations that kick in next year. In addition to a new, 6.7L turbodiesel, Ford offers a new, dual-spark-plug 6.2L gas engine, while a
Last fall, Manitowoc Inc. was flying high. The 107-year-old fabricator had just wrapped up two years of factory upgrades worth roughly $70 million and was popping out construction cranes for record sales and backlogs worth more than $3 billion. It also had started building its biggest crane ever—the Model 31000—a massive, 2,500-ton rig with a $30-million price tag. Photo: Tudor Van Hampton / ENR The giant crane’s lowerworks are powered by two 600-hp Cummins diesels and stand firm on four trunnion-mounted tracks. Tellock says Manitiwoc may apply its patented designs to other rigs. Related Links: Heavy Lifter: Manitowoc Builds Its
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