New Power Equipment for the Road Market

Breaks the 200-foot barrier 

Bid-Well introduced its redesigned 4800 automatic roller paver to the industry at the World of Concrete in January, touting it as the first-ever paver that can reach paving widths of 200 feet and beyond. That breakthrough is made possible by a new truss design and the use of ultra-high-strength steel for the frames of units that will pave widths greater than 150 feet. 

Refined 2.5-yard loader 

Case Construction Equipment unveiled the E-series version of its 2.5-cubic-yard 521E wheel loader at the World of Concrete in January. The machine features a higher-horsepower Tier 3 engine, a redesigned cab with more visibility and comfort, and improved maintenance access features. The fully electronic 135-horsepower engine brings with it the option of three selectable power modes--maximum, standard, or economy. Like other E-series loaders, the 521E also has selectable Auto Idle, which automatically reduces engine idle speeds after 30 seconds of idling to save fuel. 

Prevents deflection in wide paving 

Terex Roadbuilding says its new SF3500B concrete slipform paver employs massive 26-inch main frame tubing to offer improved structural rigidity at extended paving widths. The main frame is said to be 30% larger than competing machines. The new model has the capability of telescoping up to 8 feet from one side of the paver and has half the potential tractor flex points of other pavers, according to the company. The combination of massive main frame and telescoping from a single side gives the machines nearly zero deflection, says Terex. 

Improved cutter housing 

Roadtec has improved the cutter housing design for its RX-400 4-foot cold planer. The design change improves material evacuation, which allows the machine to cut as narrow as 26 inches and as deep as 12.5 inches, even in clog-prone, loose material. The change also improves tooth and tooth holder wear for the 325-horsepower cold planer in loose-material applications.

Unveils new colors 

Volvo Road Machinery is using this month''s Conexpo-Con/Agg show to introduce the construction industry to its new-look paving and compaction equipment. Purchased last year from Ingersoll-Rand, Volvo''s new Road Machinery division includes the former Blaw-Knox and ABM pavers, and the former Ingersoll Rand brands of asphalt and soil compactors, and cold planers. The new look includes Volvo''s traditional yellow and gray colors, as well as Volvo branding. 

New-generation slope lasers 

Topcon Positioning Systems says its new-generation RL-100 series slope lasers set a new standard for simplicity and accuracy. A new encoding system provides the highest grade repeatability (5 arc seconds) of any laser, according to the firm. Available in single slope or dual slope models, the units feature up to 25% grade range and up to 2,500 feet of operating range. The all-electric, battery powered units operate for up to 50 hours before recharging. 

Higher-powered loader 

Case Construction Equipment introduced its new generation M Series 3 backhoe-loader line at the World of Concrete early this year. The new series machines have Tier 3 engines, low-effort power brakes, and a new electronic auxiliary control for the loader that allows precise control of attachments like 4-in-1 buckets. Super M+ models also feature pressure compensated load sensing hydraulics to improve fuel efficiency and productivity. An optional new power shift transmission is available, with 3-speed reverse, on-the-go shifting, and more power in first and second gears. 

Purpose-built ready-mix loader

Caterpillar unveiled a purpose-built 928Hz Ready Mix wheel loader at January''s World of Concrete show. The unit is specially equipped for high production and reliable operation in ready mix concrete plants, asphalt batch plants and concrete products plants. The machine is based on Cat''s highly maneuverable 928Hz loader equipped with a 3.5-cubic-yard sand and gravel bucket, and balanced by a ready mix counterweight package. The larger than standard bucket, good balance and short wheelbase of the small wheel loader deliver high productivity in the limited spaces of concrete and asphalt plants, says Cat. Also included is automatic ride control to cushion the bucket for comfort and reduced spillage and the cab includes air conditioning, exterior mirrors, flood lights, sliding glass windows, and sun screen and sun visor. 

New engines and cabs 

Case Construction Equipment has introduced its 400 Series 3 line of skid steel loaders, which feature more powerful Tier 3 engines, improved cabs, and improved serviceability features. Case''s 8 model lineup, ranging from the 410 to the 465, gets higher torque engines, bigger cabs with visibility increases ranging from 20% to 81%, depending on model, and low-maintenance or no-maintenance fan belts. Cold starting features are standard, including a larger, 1125 CCA battery and either glow plugs or a grid heater, depending on model. 

Two new skid-steer models 

John Deere has added the 1,300-pound-rated 313 and 1,500-pound-rated 315 to its line up of skid steer loaders. Both models feature 45 horsepower engines that are certified to interim Tier 4 levels, and electronic controls for excellent idle stability, cold start performance and transient response. They have radial lift booms, which the company says is preferred by those who work in compact areas. 

No tail swing, no compromise 

Kobelco says its new 17SR Acera zero tail swing compact excavator is an uncompromising producer, thanks to advanced hydraulics and an adjustable track gauge that provides easy maneuverability in tight spaces without sacrificing stability when working. The new "Smart" hydraulic system includes three pumps to ensure maximum power for lifting, swinging, and travel, as well as for fine grading. 

New blade-control system 

Leica Geosystems says its new PowerBlade machine control systems offer laser-based automatic blade controls for every budget. The system uses Leica''s MCP-700 control panel and MLS700 Laser Sensor. An optional Electric Mast provides grade adjustment from the cab and advanced land-leveling features. The system is compatible with all types of lasers and machines, and the company offers a variety of hydraulic options to complete the system. 

Compact equipment line debuts 

Light-equipment manufacturer Wacker has entered the compact equipment market with new lines of excavators, wheel loaders, and dumpers. The excavator line will be comprised of five models, ranging in size from 1.4 to 8 metric tons. The compact loader line includes four articulated models and two all-wheel-steer machines, and range from a bucket capacity of .26 to 1.1 cubic yard. Three dumpers will be offered, with payload capacities ranging from 2,205 to 13,228 pounds. 

Excavator grade-control system 

Topcon has added two models to its line of excavating control solutions. The X62 is an affordable basic system that can be upgraded easily to full 3D GPS+ control. It includes a touch-screen graphic display, four 360-degree sensors and can be used for cutting slopes, or excavating trenches, footings or basements. The new X42 system is an economical solution when basic grade indication control is all that''s needed. 

Sophisticated hydrostatic drive 

Case has unveiled its first L Series crawler dozer, the 144-horsepower 1650L. It features a Tier 3 engine, a more sophisticated hydrostatic drive, and an improved undercarriage. The hydrostatic drive features an electronically controlled, variable displacement, dual path hydrostatic transmission with 10 speed settings. The undercarriage features 8 rollers with a hunting tooth sprocket for precise grading. The machine also features a new cab, low-effort blade control, and high-performance hydraulics for faster, more powerful and more precise blade operation. 

Half-lane milling machines

Bomag has added two half-lane mills to its line of cold planers. The 469-horsepower BM 2000/50 has a horsepower-per-cutting-tooth ratio of 2.8. The 590-horsepower BM 2000/60 has a power to tooth ratio of 3.5. Both models can mill to depths of 12.6 inches. 

Larger solid-body breaker 

Atlas Copco has extended its line of solid-body hydraulic breakers with the rollout of the SB 552. The 1,149-pound attachment is designed for carriers in the 9 to 15 metric ton class. It requires an oil flow of 17.2 to 30-4 gallons per minute at a pressure of 1,450 to 2,180 psi. It delivers up to 1,080 blows per minute. Its one-piece design contains all integral parts in the same iron alloy casting for strength, and the unit is said to have fewer moving parts than competing units. 

New excavators debut this month 

Hitachi is introducing two new excavators at this month''s Conexpo-Con/Agg show, including the reduced tail-swing Zaxis 135US-3 and the new wheeled excavator, the Zaxis 220W-3. Both machines feature Tier 3 engines and the company''s new CRES II cab, which is bigger and has more glass area that previous cabs. Both are more powerful than the models they replace and travel at faster speeds. The Zaxis 135US-3 also has faster arm roll-in and boom lower/arm movement due to hydraulic refinements, and the Zaxis 220W-3 has more stability for moving Jersey barriers without outriggers. 

Hammer designed for TLBs

John Deere has expanded its line of hydraulic hammers with its first model designed specifically for use on backhoe loaders. The Worksite Pro HH100 features a compact design and the ability to deliver 1,200 pounds-foot of impact energy. 

Clean water, immediately 

Clearwater Industries designed the Portable Water Clarifier to help aggregate producers, dredgers and others immediately recycle and reuse water. The company says operators can take a dirty water stream and produce clean water immediately, concentrating the fines or solids to a thick state, eliminating the need for clean water ponds or setting ponds. The totally self-contained unit can deliver up to 2,000 gallons per minute at 20% solids by volume. 

Landscape loader debuts 

John Deere has redesigned its Landscape Loader from the ground up, adding a Tier 3 engine and a cab option in the process. The new 210LJ has an 84-horsepower, turbo-diesel engine, new 3-point hitch controls, and a PTO option. It also sits 12 inches lower than competing machines for better clearance under eaves and other landscaping obstacles, says the company.