New Power Equipment for the Road Market 

Briefs 

Case Construction Equipment is now offering two optional on-board scales for its large and mid-size wheel loader models. The scales are the Loup Electronics Load Log 800 and Load Log 8000. The scales allow the loader operator to weigh “on the lift,” avoiding the inefficiencies associated with over- or underloading trucks. Case and Loup Electronics have a long and successful client-supplier relationship.

Kenworth Truck Company achieved the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among Class 8 vocational truck owners in the new J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study released last month. The company also garnered top ratings for the Over-the-Road and Pickup & Delivery categories. 

Sterling has launched an updated Web site that includes the latest specs and information, as well as increased functionality — www. SterlingTrucks.com 

‘Green’ Asphalt Gets the Nod


Wirtgen’s 100% recycled “Green Mix” asphalt produced in the KMA 200 plant has been approved by the U.S. Green Building Council as eligible for points toward LEED certification of a structure or project.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a system for third-party evaluation of the environmental soundness of a structure or project. The LEED Green Building Rating System is becoming a value-added element in private and public infrastructure design and construction.

According to Wirtgen, this approval means that projects specifying Wirtgen Green Mix technology in significant volumes for roads and parking areas can gain extra points toward LEED certification.

Wirtgen’s KMA 200 produces up to 100% recycled asphalt using foamed asphalt technology to produce the company’s Green Mix asphalt. Often used as a durable base, it can be placed, graded, compacted, and opened to traffic almost immediately. The same technology can be used in situ using mobile reclaimers that apply foamed asphalt technology to the full-depth reclamation process.

Easy-to-maueuver drills

E-Z Drill has launched a campaign to make road contractors aware of its multi-gang, slab-rider concrete drills. The 210-3 SRA is a three-gang model, with three simultaneously operating pneumatic drills; the other two models in the series include the four-gang 210-4 SRA and the five-gang 210-5 SRA. All three models are self-propelled and have enough power to tow their air compressors as they ride the slab. This eliminates the need for an additional vehicle on site and allows one person to drill, and move the machine and the compressor, says E-Z Drill. The pneumatic drills feature a compact frame design that allows the units to operate in a 4-foot patch while drilling to within 6 inches of a corner. They also feature an internal regulator to prevent breakage caused by high-pressure spikes.

Improved GPS receiver systems

Topcon Positioning Systems says its new HiPer G-Series GPS and GPS plus GLONASS receivers improve performance and communication range and, because of lower power consumption, can work all day on a single battery charge. The new models offer digital signal processing, thanks to a new digital UHF radio system, and they are still compatible with older UHF communication systems and receivers. Like previous HiPer systems, the Ga (GPS and GLONASS satellites) and Gb (GPS satellites only ) use a fully integrated cable-free base and rover design. The Ga models have 128MB of onboard memory, the Gb models, 8MB.

Faster mini-excavator

Case Construction Equipment has introduced the CX17B compact excavator to replace it CX14. The new 15-horsepower has 30% more horsepower than the CX14, 40% faster swing speed, 19% more bucket force, and 20% more operating weight. A wider track stance allows it to improve stability while retaining zero tail-swing.

New 7-yard loader

Dressta has introduced the market’s newest 7-cubic-yard wheel loader with its 560E which features a new Tier 3 turbocharged 427-horsepower engine, joystick boom and bucket controls, hydrostatic steering, and a high visibility cab. The E-series production machine has a three-speed, full powershift, countershaft transmission and a 92,549-pound operating weight. It uses Z-bar linkage for maximum breakout force, and a single bucket cylinder to reduce weight in front of the machine and enhance payload capacity. Oil change intervals have been increased to 500 hours.

Rebar tying tool

Max USA has introduced its new RB515 Rebar Tying Tool to the North American market. It is capable of tying rebar sizes from #5 by #5 up to #8 by #7. It is said to tie, cut, and twist 21-guage wire around the tying area in about one second. It weighs 5.2 pounds.

New 26-ton boom trucks

Elliott Equipment Company has rolled out two new 26-ton truck-mounted cranes. The 2695 has a 95-foot main boom length and 105-foot tip height, while the 26105 has a 105-foot boom and 115-foot tip height. Both come with a load moment indicator system, Elliott’s proprietary jib extension, and a five-year limited structural warranty.

Up-powered utility rollers

Case Construction Equipment has upgraded its DV Series vibratory tandem-rollers with Tier 3 engines that deliver more horsepower. The utility-size DV201, DV202, and DV204 now have 31 to 48 horsepower, up from 27 to 38 horsepower; the three models range in operating weight from 5,510 to 7,720 pounds.

Road-ready production grinder

Morbark says its new Model 3800 Wood Hog is aimed at mid-range wood and green-waste recycling applications. The 57,000-pound unit is road-transportable without special permits and can be powered by a selection of 400- to 630-horsepower diesels or electric power. Special features include a large 38- by 59.75-inch infeed opening for optimum material flow. A step-frame design creates space under and within the mill area, allowing processed material to leave the grinding chamber easily. An internal hydraulic drive on the feed wheel, combined with a six-tooth sprocket on the bed chain, increase torque to the yoke and the infeed chain, eliminating wayward debris and congestion at the mill site.

Standard equipment includes a proportional feed and digital monitoring system that allows the operator to easily adjust feed rates for maximum protection and production.

New commercial truck entry

Dodge has unveiled its first trucks in the Class 4-5 commercial truck market. The 2008 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs are said to bring a number of firsts to the 10,000 to 19,500-pound GVWR market segment. They feature a 305-horsepower turbo diesel engine, a choice of automatic or manual six-speed transmissions, and the largest fuel tank (52 gallons) in the field. Dodge says the units have best-in-class starting acceleration, as well as the largest brake rotors and caliper piston size in the Class 4-5 segment.

Other features include overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles and a standard diesel exhaust braking system that improves braking performance and brake-system wear, according to Dodge.