Technology Trends: 10 Technologies Improving All Aspects of Construction Helping you optimize ROI on your construction equipment
JANUARY 2021
GO LOW
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WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHTS LOW-LEVEL LIFTS OFFER A SAFE, EFFECTIVE ACCESS OPTION ATTACHMENTS How to keep hydraulic breakers on point
TRUCKS & TRANSPORTATION Cut vehicle weight to increase payload
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Compact excavators are more popular than ever on construction jobs, and R2-Series excavators from Bobcat revolutionize your work with improved lift-over-side capacity, precision and versatility. See them now at your Bobcat dealer. Bobcat is a Doosan company. Doosan is a global leader in construction equipment, power and water solutions, engines, and engineering, proudly serving customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat Ž, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. Š2020 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1437
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Contents COVER STORY
JANUARY 2021 | www.ForConstructionPros.com
BENEFITS OF GOING LOW When Working at Heights Low-level lifts can provide a safe, effective option for working at lower heights.
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PRODUCTS 12 Lift Equipment 20 Excavators 22 Attachment Guide Earthmoving ................ 22 Demolition .................. 24 Road Building.............. 26 Material Handling ....... 27 Site Prep ...................... 28 Couplers ...................... 29
34 Concrete Equipment 39 Trucks & Transportation
DEPARTMENTS 4 Breaking Ground 6 Equipment Introductions 30 Jobsite Solutions 32 Concrete Equipment Vacuum Lifting Can Protect Works From Silica Dust
44 Profit Matters 50 Running the Business Use a Cautious Approach to Equipment in 2021
FEATURES
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
KEEP HYDRAULIC BREAKERS ON POINT
A New Road for the New President
pg 16 Preventive maintenance and a skilled operator keep breakers from turning into scrap metal.
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CUT WEIGHT TO INCREASE PAYLOAD pg 36 There are many alternatives to expensive aluminum components for vocational trucks, which can help cut costs and weight at the same time.
10 TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION pg 40 Learn how these technologies can help you enhance jobsite efficiency and maintain your fleet.
WHAT’S NEW WITH PNEUMATIC ROLLERS? pg 46
Every four years, Fort Myer Construction mills and paves Pennsylvania Ave. to ready it for the President’s Inaugural Procession. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21203645
5 Tips to Keep Your Cash Flowing
Most businesses fail because of a disruption in cash flow. Here are five tips to keep your cash flowing. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21206215
Benefits of Hydrodemolition for Noise-restricted Sites
Demolition in a noiserestricted area? Here’s why hydrodemolition might be an option. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21204760
Winter Trenching: Put the Work in Ahead of Time
Rubber-tired rollers have seen improvements that make them an optimal addition to your asphalt paving fleet.
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Tips to keep your trenchers running year-round and prevent the cold season from putting a freeze on your business. www.ForConstructionPros.com/21202142
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B R E AKI N G G R O U N D | By Becky Schultz
Three Promising Prospects for 2021
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Becky Schultz / bschultz@acbusinessmedia.com
erhaps one of the most difficult years some of us have experienced yet in our lifetimes is behind us and 2021 appears a bit more hopeful. The construction industry weathered the 2020 storm better than most, but a great deal of uncertainty remains. As the year
came to a close, backlogs had shrunk and demand for future new construction was tenuous as project owners hesitated due to a still struggling economy and the threat of a double-dip recession as COVID-19 cases continued to climb. Yet, there are some promising prospects
ahead. Additional infrastructure investment continues to be an active part of conversations on Capitol Hill. Infrastructure development is known historically to give economic growth a shot in the arm, so to speak, and is being touted as the most effective means to ensure job growth and financial recovery in the coming months. Even if Congress fails to reach a bipartisan agreement for added funding, it will be forced to take up FAST Act reauthorization prior to its expiration this fall. Though reauthorization might come too late for much of 2021, it will improve prospects for the months and years that follow. Another potential opportunity is the Biden Administration’s climate plan, which pledges to commit $2 trillion to “launch a national effort aimed at creating the jobs we need to build a modern, sustainable infrastructure now and deliver an equitable clean energy future.” Such a plan would require “millions of construction, skilled trades and engineering workers to build a new American infrastructure and clean energy economy.”
©seb hovaguimian – stock.adobe.com
HERE FOR ANY JOB. ANYTIME. Starting with the highest quality of equipment, KATO is built to handle the toughest projects on the most rugged terrain. KATO’s versatile line of rubber-track crawler carriers, ranging from just 6,400 lbs. to more than 31,000 lbs., meets the needs of any job-site. In addition to their standard earth-moving application, KATO’s crawler platform can be outfitted with cranes, digger derricks, tankers, welding units, aerial utility platforms, and more. Additionally, KATO’s US-based distributor, Compact Excavator Sales, is a family-owned business that puts customers first. Knowledgeable product experts are always standing by to assist with any service or maintenance issues that arise and our streamlined parts distribution minimizes downtime, keeping projects on schedule. Call today to find out how KATO’s superior service can help you achieve your goals.
Add to this, House passage in early December of the Water Resources Development Act which — if passed by the Senate and signed into law — will allow for appropriation of $10 billion in additional funds from the existing Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Balance; authorize construction on 46 pending Army Corps Chief ’s Reports projects; authorize 27 feasibility studies; and improve the cost share between the general fund and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund for inland waterways projects, unlocking further construction funds. The legislation would provide added support to U.S. ports, harbors and inland waterways, as well as ecosystem restoration and flood mitigation in rural and urban communities. There are no guarantees any of these three initiatives will move forward. But the need is substantial and there is clear public support for investing in U.S. infrastructure, as evidenced by transportation funding initiatives passed last November. And while there are those who may not agree with all of the policies behind these initiatives, one thing we can agree on is that construction is likely to benefit if they move forward. Anything that can bring some certainty back into the industry’s outlook is a win in my book. ET
COMPACT EXCAVATOR SALES, LLC
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If you work there, we work there. Used in the wrong place or time, mobile phones can put employees in danger and companies at risk. Those incessant pings and buzzes are constantly stealing our focus. So why settle for safety measures that sometimes work? TRUCE Software is a simple way to manage mobile device distractions. TRUCE recognizes situations with higher risk and automatically hides the apps and features you specify. Then automatically reveals them again when the risk is gone. Helping to bring your mobility vision to life. So when employees are at work, we’re at work making them safer. No matter where that is.
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EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTIONS
These pages feature some of the latest equipment available. You’ll find a solid sampling of both new machines and models that have been recently revamped by the manufacturers. For more information on these products, simply visit www.ForConstructionPros.com and include the eight-digit code shown. Kovaco MiniZ Electric Mini Loader
Roadtec RX-405 Cold Planer The RX-405 is designed to cut variable widths of 2 to 5 ft. and up to 13 in. deep. The center-mounted, belt-driven cutter drum provides high productivity with optimal balance for smooth elevation changes while cutting. Intuitive controls and full-time camera displays allow a single operator to run the machine from the seated or standing position. The Variable Cutter System makes quick work of drum changes. A Drum Index Device rotates the drum independent of the cutter belt drive. The ability to rotate the drum while the drive belt is disengaged allows for safe cutter drum access and maintenance. Rear Object Detection stops the mill if a person or object is detected behind the machine while it is in reverse. Additional sensors and ground level buttons allow crew members to disable reverse.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21121078
Verizon Connect Integrated
Video Driver-facing Dashcam
The driver-facing dashcam is an extension of the Integrated Video for Reveal solution, designed to capture the in-cab driver perspective. It provides a single, integrated platform inclusive of telematics, dual video and artificial intelligence enhanced with machine learning. Notifications can be received within minutes of harsh driving events on desktop and mobile devices. The in-cab footage shows driver video in the Reveal event log alongside road-facing footage. Users can download driver-facing footage as an .mp4 file to share with insurers and to coach drivers. Video-onDemand allows user to request 40-second footage from road- and driver-facing cameras to better defend against false claims.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21200598
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The compact MiniZ electric mini loader provides from four to eight hours of continuous operation with remote control capability, making it suited for demolition, landscaping and indoor use. It features a robust design and high-power certified tracked chassis. It comes with 10.8kW battery capacity, two speeds and three electric motors. The maximum loader speed is 3.1 mph and its maximum load capacity is 882 lbs. with a hinge pin height of 6.56 ft. The complete electrical system ensures easy interconnection of the machine with the remote control, which enables operation from distances up to 165 ft. The remote includes joystick controls, a secondary control, emergency stop and a tertiary control touchscreen display.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21132257
Cedarapids CRC320 Cone Crusher Plant The CRC320 features the TG320 bushing cone crusher that can be easily set up to deliver peak cost per ton by selecting the optimum crushing cavity and eccentric throw to suit the application requirements. The 300-hp, 1,800-rpm motor and crusher are mounted on a rubber-isolated frame. The plant combines the cone crusher and a 15-hp, 42-in.-wide discharge conveyor on a portable all-electric chassis. The crusher is fitted with an overflow chute and removable overflow panel so the overflow can buffer feed surges in a closedcircuit application. The CCM automatic switch gear panel gives easy one-touch control for single plant or multi-plant operation. The trailer width and length allow easy movement from site to site.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21135418
NLB 6600-3 ConcreteBuster The 6600-3 ConcreteBuster is a robot that uses high-pressure water to remove sound or unsound concrete from under rebar without micro-fracturing or damaging the rebar. The system utilizes a John Deere Model 3033R unit with a 32-hp diesel engine to power tractor indexing, removal head functions and high-pressure water on/off. The PLC control system allows the operator to control rotation speed of the 96-in.-wide, rear-mounted, hydraulically-powered SpinJet bucket assembly, as well as traverse speed and robot movement. The traversing/oscillating removal head is adjustable for both removal depths and width of cut. A remote pendant allows the operator to run the machine from up to 25 ft. away.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21194463
www.ForConstructionPros.com
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EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTIONS
AGTEK
SmartDirt RTK
Volvo ECR25 Electric Excavator The ECR25 electric excavator has zero exhaust emissions and significantly lower noise levels, reduced energy costs, improved efficiency and fewer maintenance requirements compared with its conventional counterparts. Its batteries store enough electric energy to power the machine for up to eight hours in its most common applications. Onboard chargers enable overnight charging adaptable to conventional household electrical systems, or an off-board fast charger can be used with a three-phase outlet to achieve 80% charge within one hour. The unit has comparable performance levels to its conventional diesel equivalents, including a digging depth of 9 ft. and breakout force of 5,020 lbf. It is expected to be available in early summer 2021 with pre-booking now open.
The SmartDirt RTK app turns Apple or Android phones or tablets into high-accuracy GPS/GNSS receivers for on-site grade checking, drone/ UAV ground control point (GCP) set out and site data collection. It allows users to know where they are in relation to plan sheets, cut/ fill maps, satellite images and street maps. It can determine the volume of a stockpile, find the daylight line between cut and fill and calculate balanced regions in the field. The app also records site details with RTK accuracy and uses the camera on mobile devices to record site progress. It provides drone/UAV workflow support, as well as high-accuracy positioning with no need for a base station.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21203008
www.forconstructionpros.com/21198046
SEE VIDEO: www.ForConstructionPros.com/21067108
Leica iXE3 3D Excavator Machine Control
BOMAG BM 500/15-2 and BM
600/15-2 Milling Machines
Available in three- and four-wheel designs, the BM 500/15-2 and BM 600/15-2 feature a reengineered vibration-isolated operator’s station with a suspension seat with optional heating and a 45° slewing angle for enhanced visibility to the left cutting edge and front/rear of the machine. A 7-in. full graphic color display offers intuitive operation and leveling control for efficient mill setup. The BM 500/15-2 has a maximum milling width of 19.7 in. and the BM 600/15-2 has a maximum width of 23.6 in. Four extra cutting tools positioned at the left- and right-edge rings plus optimal arrangement of the tools across the drum deliver uniform, low-vibration milling and smooth milled edges. Maximum milling speed for four-wheel configurations is increased by more than 25% for both models.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21121832
The iXE3 3D’s semi-automated excavator functionality controls boom, bucket, tilt and tiltrotator bucket functions to dig faster and more accurate to the target design surface and cross slope. The operator can select auto boom control, auto bucket control, auto tilt control and auto rotation control or any combination based on preference and application. Cross-cut surface protection prevents the operator from digging into other parts of the design surface. The solution includes intelligent slope detection to automatically snap to the correct slope of the surface under the bucket. Rotation-controlled cross-cut combines auto bucket and auto tilt functions to match the target surface regardless of bucket rotation.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21203013
Demag AC 450-7 All-terrain Crane The AC 450-7 all-terrain crane is a seven-axle machine with a carrier length of just 52.5 ft., a 27.7-ft. outrigger base and a total length of 57.8 ft. It features a 262.5-ft. main boom with a maximum lifting capacity of up to 212.8 US tons. A luffing jib provides a maximum length of 265.7 ft. The luffing jib rigging system makes setup fast, simple and safe. The SSL Sideways Superlift system offers more powerful lift performance and better functionality and handling. The maximum counterweight for the unit is 165 US tons. All seven axles are steered, while four of them are driven. The optional Demag Surround View includes six cameras positioned around the machine.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21203309
www.ForConstructionPros.com
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L I F T E QU IP M E N T | By Becky Schultz
Benefits L of GOING LOW When Working at Heights Low-level lifts can provide a safe, effective option for working at lower heights on construction sites.
Genie
Lightweight low-level scissor lifts with a compact footprint, such as Genie’s GS-1330m, can tackle applications once historically done only by manually propelled models.
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adders and scaffolding have long been staples on construction jobsites as a means to access heights at lower levels. But even as their designs have evolved, these tools continue to present risks of injuries related to falls from height. As Chad Kritzman, product manager, JLG Industries, Inc., points out, falls from height violations ranked three times in OSHA’s Top 10 list of violations for 2019, with fall protection No. 1 at 7,014 citations, scaffolding third with 3,228 citations and ladders sixth at 2,766 citations. Fines due to violations can prove costly, but workplace injuries are far more so as workers compensation claims and lost productivity add up. The 2019 Liberty Mutual Safety Index estimates serious non-fatal injuries cost $189.81 million per week in the construction industry. Falls to a lower level accounted for 25.29% of injuries and $2.5 billion in compensation. Costs escalate dramatically in the event of a jobsite fatality. The National Safety Council estimates each fatality costs companies more than $1 million — and unfortunately, there are hundreds of fatal falls occurring every year, Kritzman indicates. Such human and business risks have led the industry to seek safer options. “The increasing awareness of philosophies such as ‘Ladders Last’ — which encourages workers and companies to identify safer methods to work at low-level heights rather than defaulting to the use of ladders — is helping to drive the adoption of low-level access products in the U.S.,” says Matthew Elvin, CEO, Xtreme Mfg. and Snorkel. Mike Flanagan, product manager, Genie, also sees a growing trend. “As facility owners and jobsites continue to emphasize fall prevention, use of ladders is frequently being discouraged,” he says. “There is a growing need for lightweight, productive machines — driving innovations in both manually and self-propelled MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms) that can get into restricted access applications with low floor loading requirements.” While such equipment is currently under utilized on jobsites, this is expected to change. “As
environmental and regulatory standards become more stringent, we anticipate an accelerated adoption rate of ladder and scaffolding replacement products such as low-level access lifts,” says Kritzman.
FACTORS BEHIND RISING DEMAND Low-level access equipment is a fairly recent addition on U.S. jobsites. “The UK and Western Europe were the first regions to embrace the low-level access concept in 2008 with the introduction of push-around mini scissor lifts with working heights ranging from 12 to 18 ft.,” Elvin notes. “Many major contractors now specify these products for multi-story construction projects, as they offer proven safety and productivity benefits over other forms of low-level access, including podiums, scaffolding towers and ladders. “These contractors, who often work internationally, have helped to drive demand for the products in other regions, such as the U.S., Middle East, Australia and New Zealand,” he points out, “which in turn has seen these products become available through the rental channels.” Safety is certainly a factor in their growing use. “As OSHA and other regulatory groups have continued to implement stricter regulations to enhance worker safety on the jobsite, there has been and will continue to be a need for safer solutions when working at height,” says Kritzman. He believes incentives may even be offered in future for contractors that replace ladders or implement no-ladder policies on projects. “With their ability to provide greater safety to workers and help mitigate the costs of occupational injuries, manually propelled low-level access lifts are continuing to gain in popularity,” Kritzman says. “Available in a variety of configurations, [they] offer contractors an alternative to ladders and scaffolding to help minimize slips, trips and falls associated with more traditional methods of working at height.” Safety isn’t the only reason behind interest in these products. “The growing demand for low-level access equipment, like vertical masts and some scissor lifts, can be explained through a number of reasons,”
says Kristopher Schmidt, product manager, Skyjack. “Low local floor loads typically come hand in hand with low-level access equipment, like Skyjack’s SJ3215/19 with a psi (rated load included) of 159 and 168, respectively. These low psi ratings make this equipment easy to use on a wide variety of jobsites.” Compact size is another advantage. “Their small on-site footprint enables them to seamlessly work around other large on-site equipment while effectively completing a task that was historically saved for ladders,” says Schmidt. “There are also manufacturer-approved accessories, like Skyjack’s ACCESSORYZERS, that make those tasks at height easier and increase the versatility of these machines.” The lifts make it easier to transport items to the work area. “A benefit of low-level access MEWPs is the ability for the worker to carry tools or materials in the platform,” says Flanagan, “something that is not possible when using a ladder.” Productivity can be enhanced, as well. “Powered lifting requires less setup time [compared to ladders and scaffolding] and enhances maneuverability to boost productivity,” says Kritzman. “Additional productivity benefits include the ability to both take more tools and materials to the work area and to provide the operator with a large, enclosed platform to work within, allowing them to work with a 360˚ range of motion using both hands.” Workers not only avoid the need to make frequent trips up and down ladders, they also have an ergonomic work position that reduces strain and helps lower risks of musculoskeletal injuries. As more contractors see the benefits, uses for low-level lifts continue to expand. “Applications that use low-level access products are wide ranging, and can include new construction or renovation projects in industrial and institutional environments,” says Flanagan. “Restricted access applications in older buildings often require operators to use lighter weight, low-level access machines, and in many applications, 19 ft. of platform height is not necessary for most jobs.”
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L IF T EQU IPMENT
JLG
JLG
Non-powered vertical mast lifts, like JLG’s EcoLift Series, offer an ecofriendly alternative for low-level access on sensitive flooring, in clean rooms, etc.
Powered low-level lifts such as the JLG 1030P have a compact footprint that allows them to move in and out of tight spaces and into narrow elevators for transport between floors.
same benefits but with added versatility. “Powered low-level access lifts like the JLG 1030P and 830P are frequently used for construction finishing work, electrical work, HVAC duct work and retail and routine maintenance in indoor spaces, particularly on sensitive flooring,” says Kritzman. “The compact footprint of these lifts provides versatility throughout the workday, allowing them to move into and out of tight spaces with ease and into narrow elevators for movement between floors.” These lifts combine height and reach capabilities with low ground bearing pressure. “All JLG low-level access products are designed and manufactured to be lightweight and compact in size for use in space-restricted
working height of 15 ft. 11 in. and a 500-lb. platform capacity. It offers skid steer, a zero inside turning radius and “point-andgo” joystick controls. “Self-propelled mini scissor lifts will often be chosen for maintenance applications in large facilities where the lift can be driven between tasks rather than pushed,” says Elvin. “They are also popular in retail and warehousing due to their simple, intuitive controls, compact size and ability to easily maneuver in tight spaces and aisles.” The lightweight S3215L and traditional S3215E electric slab scissor lifts offer a 15-ft. working height and include a variable tilt function that enables them to reach their working height and maximum platform capacity while outdoors. “This innovative
VARIETY OF ACCESS OPTIONS Several products fall under the low-level access classification. “Low-level access typically means equipment under a 19-ft. platform height and could include anything from vertical masts, scissor lifts and the emerging micro scissor lifts. These are typically used for work with drop ceilings and electrical tasks, and are sought after as some can fit on a standard-sized elevator and through standard-sized doorways,” Schmidt explains. Snorkel offers four mini pusharound scissor lifts ranging from the S3006P with a 12-ft. 6-in. maximum working height, 529lb. lift capacity and weighing less than 815 lbs., to the outdoorrated S3210P, which measures 32 in. wide, has a maximum working height of 15 ft. 10 in., a platform capacity of 529 lbs. and weighs 1,036 lbs. These push-around mini scissors have proven popular in multi-story construction projects, and are often used by tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers and HVAC installers during the fit-out stages, Elvin notes. “The size and weight of the low-level access lifts make them particularly suited to multi-story construction applications as they can be brought onto the project at the start and can be easily carried in elevators to the next levels as they are constructed, enabling various tradespeople to safely use them for overhead installation work,” he adds. With multiple potential users, ease of operation is essential. “Low-level access products are designed to be very simple to use, with push button-style controls, making them suitable for those who are not regular access equipment operators,” says Elvin. Non-powered vertical mast lifts, like JLG’s EcoLift Series, offer an eco-friendly alternative for low-level access. “With no batteries, hydraulics or oil, they are completely leak-free machines and appealing for use in environmentally sensitive environments,” says Kritzman, such as on sensitive flooring or in clean rooms. “They are also quieter since they can be pushed into place and lifted/lowered with the turn of a handle.” Powered low-level access equipment offers many of the
areas that even a ladder [would] have a hard time getting into,” Kritzman comments. Genie offers both manually propelled low-access models with its AWP and IWP product lines, as well as self-propelled models like the GR-12, GR-15 and GS-1330m scissor lifts. “The GS-1330m scissor lift can deliver productive power in a lightweight, compact footprint,” says Flanagan. “As a result of innovations like the GS-1330m, applications that historically could be tackled only by manually propelled MEWPs are now open to new ranges of machines that can meet requirements for low floor loading, while also boosting productivity with driveat-height capability.” Snorkel’s S3010E is a drivable mini scissor lift with a maximum
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“A benefit of low-level access MEWPs is the ability... to carry tools or materials in the platform, something that is not possible when using a ladder.” — Mike Flanagan
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L I F T E QU IP M E N T While most are designed for indoor use, some low-level access models, such as the Snorkel S3210P, are rated for outdoor applications.
LOW-LEVELS ARE UP TO ANSI STANDARDS
Snorkel
Skyjack
The new ANSI A92 standards introduced additional safety requirements to access equipment and low-level models were no exception. But the design impacts vary based on model and manufacturer. “The new ANSI standards are driving innovation in machine design to not only meet the standard but to also maintain high productivity on the jobsite,” says Genie’s Mike Flanagan. “The [standards have] a higher guardrail height requirement than prior standards, requiring most slab scissor models to be equipped with folding guardrails to fit through a standard doorway. The GS-1330m was designed from the ground up to be compact enough to maintain fixed guardrails, with a stowed height low enough to allow it to drive through a standard doorway.” For JLG, the EcoLift Series required no changes and other low-level models required only modest modifications. “The 830P required a change to the ground controls and shortening the platform .5 in. to gain compliance,” says Chad Kritzman. “The 1030P required the addition of a load sensing system. All required changes offer enhanced safety and productivity features to users.” Snorkel push-around mini scissor lifts have also been fitted with a platform load sensing solution. “As with all aerial lifts, platform load sensing helps to prevent an operator from overloading the lift, which ultimately reduces the risk of an accident as well as damage to the lift,” says Matthew Elvin. A number of manufacturers took advantage of the standard to add further value for customers. “When the new ANSI standards were announced, Skyjack took the opportunity to see if there were other changes we could make to our equipment to help mitigate the cost of the change and make the equipment even more valuable... in the long run,” says Kristopher Schmidt. “For our low-level access models, we updated the control box to an impact-resistant material, added a diagnostic display that clearly communicates faults and introduced a new RAPIDFOLD feature in our SJ3219 model so it can still fit through a standard-sized doorway.”
feature allows Snorkel scissor lifts to be operated on greater side-toside slopes while the platform is below its set height,” Elvin notes. “As the platform is elevated, the degree of side-to-side slope on which the machines may operate decreases accordingly.” This three-point design enables the lift to tilt at different angles at varying heights. “Adjusting the envelope provides a larger margin without adding weight and still permits outdoor usage,” says Elvin.
LEARN MORE ONLINE Lift Equipment Adds Technology While Hitting New Heights — www. ForConstructionPros.com/21160327 Advantage Rental Raises Value with Low-level Access Equipment — www. ForConstructionPros.com/21128023 ANSI Experts Explain New Standards for MEWPs — www. ForConstructionPros.com/21109530
TO LIFT OR NOT TO LIFT? What you choose to use in a given low-level access situation is based on a variety of factors. “As with any equipment selection, contractors should consider the work to be done, the height requirements, what materials and tools they will need to take to the work area, along with any constraints such as narrow doorways, sensitive flooring, noise and emissions sensitivity, etc.,” says Kritzman. Look at all aerial access requirements, says Flanagan, including maximum platform or working height, required
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occupants and capacity, as well as whether the application is indoors or outdoors. Floor loading and weight specifications will drive demand toward lighter weight, low-level access products. “Restricted access such as elevator capacity requirements or doorways may require more compact machines and may limit choices when it comes to MEWPs on the jobsite,” he points out. Progress on the project can also be a consideration. “Most low-level access equipment is designed for indoor use only, with zero wind rating,” says Elvin. “This means that the equipment should only be used in fully enclosed areas — which may determine when they can bring the equipment onto a new build construction site, or that they need to specify lowlevel equipment that is outdoor rated.” In some situations, low-level access equipment may not be the optimal solution. Consulting an access expert can help you assess when to use a lift or stick with traditional methods. “Speaking with a rental
Snorkel
Skyjack is among those who took advantage of changes under the standard to add value to its machines, such as a RAPIDFOLD feature on the SJ3219.
Low-level access products are designed to be simple to use with push button-style controls. company about the applications is the first step in helping a contractor determine how much use access equipment will be on the jobsite,” says Schmidt. “The space around the application and the duration of the job are both deciding factors for access equipment. Having trained personnel on site is another, as low-level access does require familiarization and knowledgeable operators. “They are a safe and simple way of working at height,” he states, “but these are the main factors that will impact a contractor’s decision as to whether
or not low-level access equipment is the right solution for them.” The objective is to evaluate all of the alternatives that could help maximize safety and productivity on projects. “A large population of contractors and workers are quite comfortable with ladders and scaffolding, but know they are not the safest method for working at height,” says Kritzman. “We encourage people to try new things that improve business practices and processes, as well as worker health and safety. Low-level access products fit this category.” ET
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Snorkel
Snorkel
NO OTHER MACHINE RAISES THE BAR SO HIGH.
When it comes to precision engineering, the Kubota SSV75 stands head and shoulders above all the rest. A hinge pin height of 128.3 inches provides a reach other skid loaders can only wish for. The proven 74.3 HP* Kubota engine adds the muscle, with 5,884 pounds of breakout force. And a wider 36-inch cab entrance, optimized AC and full-suspension seat take productivity to a whole new level. Locate your dealer at KubotaUSA.com *For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices. Š Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2019.
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LIFT EQUIPMENT Products
JCB LAUNCHES FIRST ELECTRIC LOADALL TELEHANDLERS JCB introduces the 505-20E, a full electric version of the Loadall that is designed to deliver the same performance as the conventional diesel-powered machine. It offers a zero-emissions material handling solution for use in construction, industrial, landscaping, agricultural and commercial horticulture applications. The 505-20E uses two proven electric motors — one for the driveline and the second to power the hydraulic system. The 23-hp traction motor drives through a permanent four-wheel-drive drop box to JCB drive/steer axles. The 30-hp hydraulic system motor powers a fixed displacement gear pump while delivering a maximum 21 gpm of flow. Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/21203577.
Manitou VJR 26 Vertical Mast MEWP The VJR 26 vertical mast platform consists of a vertical telescopic mast, electric travel motor and a perforated steel basket. • 350° turret rotation for greater flexibility and access with minimal repositioning • Can pass through most industrial doors, access work heights up to 32 ft. and provide reach of 10 ft. 4 in. • Telescopic mast technology delivers a compact structure • Safety features include load and tilt sensors and an anti-entrapment system • Simple and intuitive controls for quick start • Comes standard with a 24V battery
www.forconstructionpros.com/21173723
UP Equipment Hoeflon Compact Tracked Cranes
Merlo Roto 70.28 S Plus Telehandler The R70.28 S-plus rotating turret telehandler with no-flex boom delivers a 15,400-lb. weight capacity and lifts up to 91 ft. • Includes a 170-hp Iveco four-cylinder engine and hydrostatic transmission with electronic Eco Power Drive control and three steering modes • 20° tilting cab and 360° operator view with over 46 sq. ft. of glass surface • Four independent, multi-positional stabilizers can be individually deployed • Load-sensing and flow-sharing hydraulics • Spacious command center with touchcontrol SMART multi-functional armrest, horizontal capacitive sensitive joysticks and a touch-sensitive dashboard
The C1, C4, C6 and C10 compact crawler mini cranes are offered in combustion and electric models. • Lift capacities range up to 8,810 lbs. to a maximum height of 72 ft. • Include two telescopic sections and 210° of articulation, with a hydraulic jib for up-and-over capability • Searcher hook, hydraulic winch or vacuum lifting device can be used in articulated mode and the straight mast with jib removed • Infinite swing-out and telescopic outriggers allow for up to 7,200 different positions • Come with a wireless remote control with LCD display
www.forconstructionpros.com/20994894
www.forconstructionpros.com/21135196
JLG 2669 and 3369 RT and ERT Scissor Lifts
Haulotte PULSEO MEWP Lineup The HS4390 E and HS5390 E PULSEO fully electric mobile elevating work platforms can easily conquer obstacles and climb slopes up to 45%. • Work platform reaches 19 ft. with both extensions deployed and can lift up to 1,650 lbs. of load and up to four workers • Include an oscillating axle, four-wheel drive and a manual differential wheel lock • Can be deployed on slopes up to 5° with outriggers • Include the Activ’Lighting System, Activ’Shield Bar System and Activ’Energy Management System • 48V battery pack enables a full day of work and three charging solutions adapt to the on-site infrastructure
www.forconstructionpros.com/21202288
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Xtreme C-class Rough-terrain Telehandlers All C-class electric-over-hydraulic models have a lift capacity up to 15,000 lbs. and feature 360° visibility from the cab and frame leveling up to 11°. • 120-hp Cummins 3.8L Tier 4 Final engine • Modular cab design can switch from open to enclosed with an optional kit • Available with foam-filled or solid tires and open, enclosed or enclosed cab with heat and air conditioning • XR1347-C and XR 1547-C have a 47-ft. maximum lift height and 31-ft. 6-in. maximum forward reach • XR1555-C provides a 55-ft. maximum lift height and 38-ft. 5-in. maximum reach, and includes a 100-gal. fuel tank
www.forconstructionpros.com/21113854
The 26-ft. 2669 and 33-ft. 3369 rough-terrain (RT) and electric roughterrain (ERT) lifts measure just 69 in. wide and come in diesel engine or battery-powered AC electric drive models. • Platform delivers 28% more work area, enhanced capacity and a zero-platform offset • Full drive-at-height capability • LiftSense monitors both the weight in the platform and machine tilt to determine the allowable work envelope • Platform control box with LCD display shows the operator the maximum height they can achieve prior to elevating • Easy-fold rails allow maneuvering in and through tight spaces
www.forconstructionpros.com/21202747
Snorkel S3019E Electric Scissor Lift The S3019E has a sunken scissor stack that stows entirely inside the chassis, providing a low stowed height of just 69.1 in. • Can pass through standard doorways without the need for folding guardrails • Delivers a maximum working height of 25 ft., maximum lift capacity of 550 lbs. and overall machine weight of 3,485 lbs. • Low step-in height of 22 in. and flushmounted two-rung ladder reduce the risk of trips and falls as well as reduce operator fatigue • Complies with the ANSI/SIA A92.20 standards
www.forconstructionpros.com/21116272
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12/28/20 9:42 AM
NEW: 1030P LOW-LEVEL ACCESS LIFT
CONQUER A FULL
DAY’S WORK
WITH A SINGLE LIFT Turn tomorrow’s To-Do’s into today’s To-Done’s with the NEW 1030P Low-Level Access Push Around Lift from JLG. The large 30 x 60-in, enclosed platform safely holds up to 550-lbs allowing you to have more tools and materials at up to 16-ft of working height, eliminating repeated trips up and down ladders or scaffolding. And at a lightweight 753-lbs, this lift is ideal for use on sensitive floors. Simply push into place and get more done – that’s ACCESS: ELEVATED.
See innovation in action | ElevatingAccess.com
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L I F T E QU IP M E N T Products Sinoboom GTJZ0608M Scissor Lift
Genie GS Slab Scissor Lifts with E-Drive
The GTJZ0608M electric scissor lift has a platform capacity of 507 lbs. and is suited for general use both indoors and outdoors. • 19.02-ft. platform height with a maximum working height of 25.59 ft. • 25% gradeability • Employs advanced energy-saving technology and offers up to eight hours of runtime from a single charge • Integrated smart charger with 100- to 240V and a battery indicator light for fault diagnosis • Standard folding guardrails enable convenient storage and transportation
The E-Drive system, an optimized AC Electric drive system, is available across the entire line of GS slab scissor lifts. • Quiet, emissions-free, brushless and fully sealed AC electric E-Drive motors deliver increased run time, reduced maintenance costs and increased performance • Offer high-gauge steel guards, increased ground clearance and 25% gradeability • Increased tread depth provides torque and traction for climbing dovetail ramps, even if one wheel slips • Side forklift pockets plus standard rear pockets simplify logistics and transport
www.forconstructionpros.com/21202121
www.forconstructionpros.com/21126100
Hy-Brid Lift ZT-1630 from Custom Equipment
ReachMaster Bluelift B85 Compact Lift The B85 features an electrohydraulic system that gives the user the ability to operate two independent functions at the same time. • Offers both lithium batteries and a combustion engine on board • Automatic outrigger setting and leveling • Provides ability to set up on uneven surfaces • Wireless remote • CANbus computerized controls
www.forconstructionpros.com/12144704
The ANSI A92.20compliant ZT-1630 Zero-Turn Series compact electric scissor lift has a 16-ft. platform height, a working height of 22 ft. and a lift capacity of 550 lbs. • Point-and-go-style drive allows ease of movement in confined spaces • Proportional controls provide feather-like control of lift positioning and mobility • Features a compact size, large work platform and built-in tool tray • Lightweight with non-marking tires to enable earlier access to sensitive flooring
Caterpillar TH514D Telehandler The TH514D has a rated load capacity of 11,021 lbs. and a maximum lift height of 45.5 ft. • 100-hp C3.4B Tier 4 Final diesel engine and 4F/3R powershift transmission • Closed-center, load-sensing hydraulic system • Four-wheel-drive system uses heavy-duty axles with planetary reduction hubs, front limited-slip differential and dual-axle braking • Ride control system dampens boom movement during travel and a boom-float system allows the boom to automatically follow terrain contours • Single multi-function joystick
www.forconstructionpros.com/12318344
MEC Xtra-Deck Micro Slab Scissor Lifts The Micro13-XD and Micro19-XD feature a pull-down Xtra Deck that provides an added 20-in. high by 22-in.-wide compact platform with telescopic guardrails. • Can be used with roll-out deck extended or retracted, can be quickly deployed and gives 250 lbs. of capacity for one person • Guardrails on four sides slide up and lock into place • Control box can be moved to the slide-up guardrails to allow safe operation from the upper controls • Can be driven at full height
www.forconstructionpros.com/21069937
www.forconstructionpros.com/21173992
Skyjack SJ9263 RT Scissor Lift
#1 Contractor’s Choice for Mechanized Cutting Solutions!
TRENCHING, DEMOLITION, ROCK EXCAVATION, SOIL MIXING and more
ROCK AND CONCRETE GRINDERS
www.antraquip.net
ROCK TRENCHING ATTACHMENTS
info@antraquip.net
For Additional Information Call 301-665-1165
The ANSI 92.20-compliant SJ9263 RT has a working height of 69 ft. and a platform capacity of 1,200 lbs. • Standard platform dimensions of 6 ft. 3 in. wide and 14 ft. 2 in. long or up to 23 ft. 4 in. with dual extension option that accommodates four workers • Features the AXLDRIVE axle-based fourwheel-drive system and a gradeability of 30% • Drive speeds of 3 mph stowed and .6 mph raised (33 ft.) • Auto-leveling outriggers • 24.8-hp Kubota D1305 Tier 4 Final diesel engine or optional 31-hp Kubota WG972 dual-fuel engine
GE
FOR
Pic or o
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Quali not e may and s mode powe a con detai
CREATES BACKFILL ON DEMAND • LEAVES TRENCH WALLS PERFECT 90 DEGREES / FLAT BOTTOM TRENCH • LOW VIBRATION
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STEEL YOUR DEAL PICK YOUR PROMO.
NO WO RRIES : E XT END ED WARRANT Y
NO I NTER EST: 0% A PR FOR 36 M ONTHS
N O STO PPI N G: 1 M O N T H FR E E R E N TAL
GET YOUR STEEL, YOUR WAY.
FOR A LIMITED TIME, THE EXCAVATOR OF YOUR CHOICE COMES WITH MORE CHOICE. Pick between 0% APR for 36 months financing, select model extended warranty, or one month of free rental to get the perfect fit for your fleet, and your bottom line.
READY TO STEEL YOUR DEAL? CONTACT YOUR DEALER TO LEARN MORE.
HitachiConstruction.com/SteelYourDeal
Qualified customers may choose one of the three offers. Offer valid at participating U.S. dealers on new Qualified Models* purchased between September 7, 2020 to January 31, 2021 . For commercial use only. Corporate Accounts and Governmental accounts are not eligible. Offer valid on qualifying purchases of new, never previously settled Qualified Models made between 07 September 2020 to 31 January 2021. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial, for commercial use only. Down payment may be required. Average down payment is 10%. Taxes, freight, setup and delivery charges could increase monthly payment. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Offer available on new equipment and in the U.S. only. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. Warranty offer is for a powertrain and hydraulic extended warranty which provides an enhanced coverage of 4 years/5,000 hours (whichever occurs first) and runs concurrent with the standard machine warranty for all new Qualified models. Machines must be maintained per Hitachi recommended service intervals as outlined in the Operator’s Manual. The 4-year/5,000-hour powertrain and hydraulic warranty starts with the first sale, lease or rental of the machine. This 4-year/5,000-hour powertrain and hydraulic warranty is transferable to subsequent purchasers. Except as modified herein, all other standard warranty terms and conditions apply. John Deere reserves the right to require documentation of compliance with program requirements as a condition of warranty. Rental offer available when a customer rents new, never previously settled Qualified Models for at least 30 days and converts the rental to a purchase between 07 September 2020 to 31 January 2021. See your local participating dealer for details. Some restrictions apply. Dealers free to set Qualified Model prices. May not be combined with other offers. Offer subject to change, without notice, at any time. *New Qualified Models include: ZX245–ZX870 Excavators
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AT TACHM E N T S | By Curt Bennink
The more routinely that inspections are completed, the better a breaker will perform and the lower the downtime, which maximizes production. Inspections will also enable the operator to get more familiar with how the breaker.
Epiroc
Keep Hydraulic Breakers on Point Preventive maintenance and a skilled operator can keep breakers from turning into scrap metal.
I
Case Construction Equipment
The primary machine considerations for breaker usage are the operating weight, tipping load, length of boom and arm, overall lift capacity and hydraulic flow characteristics — namely the operating pressure, hydraulic flow rate and auxiliary flow rate.
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t is remarkable that modern hydraulic breakers provide a useful life measured in years since under normal operation one piece of metal attacks another piece of metal up to 1,000 times or more per minute. A preventive maintenance plan is the first line of defense, and employing the latest technology to track use ensures major maintenance intervals are not missed. “A hydraulic breaker attachment — while designed to take and dish out quite a beating — has many components that can fail due to careless operation,” says Jerry Hutkowski, product
manager for construction attachments, Case Construction Equipment. “A worn piston or compromised valve on a breaker will introduce dirt, debris and other contaminants into an otherwise healthy hydraulic system.” “Breakers are high-maintenance attachments,” notes Greg Smith, marketing communications manager, Okada America. “Hourly, daily, monthly and yearly maintenance intervals are available from the manufacturer and can be found in the operator’s manual and maintenance manuals. It is important that the distributor representative
provides this information and discusses the maintenance procedures with the end user and maintenance personnel when delivering the attachment.” It must be noted that maintenance intervals are guidelines, because the severity of the application and operation may require additional and increased scheduled maintenance. “Proper care in operation, as well as regular inspections and maintenance are the keys to breaker longevity,” says Tim Miller, U.S. sales manager, Montabert. “With the energy transmitted through a breaker in
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n .
order to fracture material, any unattended loose or worn parts can become a much larger problem due to the forces exerted. With a brief and accurate walk around with corrective actions taken as needed, you can expect several years of uninterrupted service from your breaker.” Every breaker manufacturer has a routine checklist of items that should be inspected on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. “They are all very similar in the inspections needed,” says Rich Elliott, product and application specialist for Epiroc Tools & Attachments Division. “The more routinely that the inspections are completed, the better the breaker will perform and the lower the downtime, which maximizes production. These inspections will also enable the operator to get more comfortable with the breaker. When something does not seem correct with the operation of the breaker, or something looks off, the operator knows to stop the breaker and inspect what is going on.” “Sticking to the maintenance intervals will help to ensure that proper tolerances are kept up on tool bushings and other common wear items on breaker attachments,” says Hutkowski. “Proper care and maintenance of a breaker will also reduce wear on the bushings and pins on the machine.”
SIZE HAMMER TO JOB AND MACHINE The first step in ensuring longevity is to properly set up and size the hammer for the job. “One of the most common mistakes is mismatching the breaker attachment to the carrier,” says Hutkowski. “Operating an oversized breaker will not only cause unnecessary wear and even critical damage to your excavator, it will also be extremely unsafe for the operator and everyone around them. So, check the operating manual or consult with your equipment dealer to make sure you have the right match.” He adds, “The primary machine considerations for breaker usage are the operating weight, tipping load, length of boom and arm, overall lift capacity and hydraulic flow characteristics — namely the
operating pressure, hydraulic flow rate and auxiliary flow rate.” “The application should and will determine the hammer size selection,” says Tom Munch, business development representative, Caterpillar. “Too small a hammer for an application will cost the operator and contractor production and profit. Too large a hammer will be classified as ‘overkill’ for a jobsite. Once the hammer energy is greater than the comprehensive strength of the material being broken, any ‘extra power’ after that is wasted energy. The hammer and excavator need to be properly sized.” The size of the existing carrier is sometimes the main criteria for hammer selection, narrowing the choices to those that fit your carrier. “A hammer needs to be properly sized to the machine that it will be configured on,” says Munch. “Too heavy of a hammer for a machine will make it unstable and unsafe. Too light of a hammer and the machine weight can cause premature wear of the hammer.”
the hammer the protection it requires.” Auto lube systems can continually supply grease to the hammer. This increases the chances that the tool and bushings will get lubricated on a regular schedule. However, a major concern with auto lube systems can be a false sense of security. It’s not uncommon for the canister or cartridge to empty during operation. The key is to make sure sufficient grease is applied to the tool/bearing interface. Monitor the tool and ensure 4 to 6 in. of melted grease is flowing from the hammer, properly lubing, cooling and flushing contaminants. The amount of grease depends upon the application. “Unless you have an automatic lubrication system, grease, grease and more grease,” advises Smith. “You have steel against steel and a lot of heat so you need a good lubricant, and a lot of it.”
CONTINUALLY CONDUCT INSPECTIONS In addition to greasing, routine inspection can save a lot of damage and repair expense. Many breakers are gas/hydraulic operated. These designs use nitrogen gas in the backhead as a cushion and/or for increased power and may also utilize an accumulator to absorb hydraulic spikes during operation. These gas charges should be checked for the appropriate pressure reading on a weekly basis, as a change in ambient temperature can affect the required pressure. Visually inspect the hydraulic
Once the hammer energy is greater than the comprehensive strength of the material being broken, any “extra power” after that is wasted energy. The hammer and excavator need to be properly sized.
KEEP GREASE FLOWING Grease performs a two-phase job: it lubricates and it clears the tool bushing area of debris. The grease also needs to be able to withstand heat and pressure. Breakers exert a tremendous amount of force on the tool. The material causes heat and pressure in the tool bushing area. Manufacturers typically recommend high moly chisel paste with a working temperature above 500° F. The moly provides added lubrication once the oil additives break down. If you apply a grease that breaks down at temperatures below 500° F, you have no lubrication once the unit has been run for a while. “Greasing a hammer every two to four hours is the No. 1 preventive maintenance for a hydraulic hammer,” says Munch. “Whether the hammer is greased manually or has a hammermounted or carrier-mounted auto lube system, it is a critical requirement that the hammer receives not only the grease, but a high-quality, high-temperature hammer paste. A quality grease will not break down as internal component temperatures within a hammer rise. A standard grease will ‘liquefy’ as a hammer is operated and not provide
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The larger the breaker, the more likely you should use an auto lube system. On some larger hammers, there is no practical way to supply enough grease by hand, and the breaker needs to be running grease all of the time.
Caterpillar
c t
AT TACHMENTS
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AT TACHM E N T S
Tool retaining pins are also subject to wear. The tool and tool retaining pins should be removed and inspected every 40 hours of operation. This interval could be longer or shorter depending on the material and application. Look for damage in the retaining pin area. If there is excessive wear on the tool retainer during routine weekly inspections, examine how the hammer is being used. Tool retainer wear is the first indicator of blank firing, followed closely by the tool retainer shoulder. Some manufacturers suggest rotating the retaining pins to have them wear evenly and to double the life of the pins. Minor galling is expected, but when deep scarring becomes noticeable, you need to replace
the retaining pins. If you choose not to, the pins could deform, making them very difficult to remove. “When replacing tool retainers, always replace them in sets and rotate them equally,” says Miller. “A good tip is to mark the ends of the retainers to keep track of the rotation order.” The working steel should be inspected weekly. Most wear on a working steel should be on the end doing the impacting. But the section of the working steel in the hammer can also show signs of wear. Look for scarring and galling around the working steel where it comes into contact with the front bushing. This is usually a sign of insufficient grease. When scarring or galling occurs, immediately replace the working steel. If the front
With steel against steel and a lot of heat, breakers need a good lubricant and a lot of it. Manufacturers typically recommend high-moly chisel paste with a working temperature above 500° F.
h r s i c a
t t b t c p e
y b t o m m i t w Okada
breaker for loose or broken bolts and worn out bushings. Keep an eye on tool and bushing wear. If the tool appears loose in the bushings, the play should be measured and recorded. “Visual inspections should be conducted daily,” Miller advises. “Check welds for possible cracks on the bracket cap, cradle, tool and boom.” (Do not weld on the cradle without checking with your dealer.). Check for loose nuts and bolts in the bracket cap, suspension, accumulator, side plates, tie-rods and wear plates. Worn out front bushings will cause misalignment between the piston and working steel. This may allow the piston to contact the inside cylinder wall during operation, thereby damaging the piston and cylinder — the two most expensive components.
Montabert
With the energy transmitted through a breaker in order to fracture material, any unattended loose or worn parts can become a much larger problem due to the forces exerted. With a brief and accurate walk around, with corrective actions taken as needed, you can expect several years of uninterrupted service from a breaker.
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AT TACHMENTS
PROPERLY SET UP THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM “Make sure that the auxiliary circuit is in the breaker mode and the hydraulics have been properly set up by the service technician to operate the specific model breaker,” says Elliott. “This will ensure proper operation of the breaker, increase production and decrease maintenance requirements.” Breakers are designed to run within a defined range of hydraulic pressures and flows. A common error is setting the flows and pressures improperly or swapping a breaker out from machine to machine and not following up to make sure it is set up correctly. If the carrier’s hydraulic system is not set up properly, excessive heat buildup and vibration can damage
both the hammer as well as the carrier. Another common cause of hammer failure can be unexpected failure of the quickdisconnect couplers on the hoses that are installed on the carriers. “Many machines can be outfitted with quick couplers that make it easier than ever for an operator to attach a breaker to the end of the stick without leaving the cab. But connections should be checked regularly for dirt and debris, which can get into the hydraulic lines and cause unnecessary damage to the machine,” Hutkowski points out. He adds, “Every time you hook up a different attachment to a machine, you are potentially introducing contaminants into an otherwise closed system.” Always be sure that your
breaker attachments are properly maintained and that couplers are thoroughly cleaned. “Hydraulic ball valves and quick couplers may be a source of erratic performance and/or cause a rise in hydraulic temperature,” says Miller. “Ensure they are 100% open, in good condition and not leaking oil. Continuously check for oil leaks and any rise in the oil temperature. This is an indication of worn or damaged seals that need to be replaced.” “The carrier’s auxiliary circuit for the breaker should be tested on a yearly basis or any time that there is a major hydraulic component changed on the carrier to ensure that it is set within the operating parameters of the breaker,” Elliott adds. ET
“Every time you hook up a different attachment to a machine, you are potentially introducing contaminants.” — Jerry Hutkowski
Okada
head bushings are also worn past recommended tolerances, they should be replaced. A new working steel and front head bushing could prevent unnecessary piston and cylinder damage. “Some bushings are grooved to provide even grease distribution,” says Miller. “Replace the bushings when grooves are worn through. Excessive bushing wear causes tool misalignment to the piston, causing premature breaker failure.” Every inspection will give you a full use profile of that breaker. Note peculiar wear patterns. Uneven wear on the top of the tool indicates the operator may not be running the hammer at 90° to the product, which is optimal. If wear is present on the side of the tool, operators are working at less than ideal angles.
of the final drive of the excavator.” Apply appropriate down pressure. “When operating a breaker on an excavator, the operator needs to apply enough weight or down pressure on the breaker in order for the breaker to function and allow the demolition tool to penetrate through the material. When positioning the breaker, the operator should put down pressure on the breaker until he just begins to lift the tracks of the excavator off the ground,” Smith advises. “Conversely, if the operator does not put enough down pressure on the breaker, it will cause blank firing in the breaker. Blank firing will harm most breakers.” “After placing the tool on the material to be broken, enough down pressure should be applied so that the front tracks of the excavator rise slightly off the ground,” Munch agrees. But you must also avoid excessive down pressure. The hammer needs slight, consistent down pressure to feed into the material. Raising the front end of the excavator 3.5 ft. off the ground to apply more down pressure will not make a hammer more productive; it will cause premature failure. Avoid operating the breaker with the tool suspended in the air (blank firing). “You can tell when a breaker blank fires by the distinctive metallic ringing,” says Miller. “Blank firing happens while the breaker is operating and the tool is not preloaded against the piston or extended out of the chuck housing, such as when the tool slips off or breaks through the material and the operator does not stop the breaker.” Operate the hammer with the cylinders of the excavator in mid-stroke. “Do not run a hydraulic hammer with the excavator cylinder fully extended or retracted,” Munch emphasizes. “This will cause
premature failure to the excavator cylinders. It is the operator that ensures that the excavator and hammer are properly positioned to break material in the mid-stroke.” “Do not allow cylinders to reach the end of their stroke. They will not tolerate the breaker vibrations in this position,” Miller adds. Understand the composition of the material. “Know what your carrier and attachment are capable of processing before you start the job,” advises Smith. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew! Prior to operation, survey the job and the materials that are to be processed.” Don’t use the breaker for prying, raking or as a lifting device. “Prying is one of the most common causes of tool breakage,” says Miller. “Prying also causes damage to other breaker components and reduces productivity.”
“When operating a hydraulic hammer, do not use the hammer as a ‘pry bar’ to separate the material being broken,” says Munch. “While operating a hammer, ensure that the material being broken has been fully penetrated by the hammer tool. Do not pry with the hammer while in operation or the tool will break.” Also avoid using the tool or breaker as a lifting device. “Not only is this dangerous, but lifting can cause damage to the breaker, tool and bushings,” says Miller. Don’t run a breaker underwater without the proper underwater kit on the excavator. “If water touches the bottom of the breaker box, do not operate the breaker without an appropriate underwater kit that supplies compressed air to the percussion chamber of the breaker,” says Rich Elliott, Epiroc. “This will prevent water being ingested into the breaker as well as into the excavator’s hydraulic system.”
Montabert
A skilled operator can increase productivity while maximizing the life of the hydraulic breaker. Following are some useful tips for proper breaker operation with an excavator. Reposition the tool every 15 to 30 seconds until the material breaks. Maintain down pressure on the breaker as it breaks through the material. “Never strike in the same spot for more than 15 seconds,” says Tim Miller, Montabert. “Applied pressure should not lift the carrier.” “The operator should run the breaker in one spot for up to 15 seconds,” says Greg Smith, Okada America. “Then, if it hasn’t broken or isn’t penetrating the material, it is time to try another spot.” Continuing to operate the breaker in one spot without breaking anything creates heat in the breaker and the carrier. “Excessive heat can cause damage to the carrier’s hydraulic system and will cause premature wear and failure to the breaker’s demolition tool, bushings and other components.” Position the breaker perpendicular to the material. “This may be vertical, horizontal or anywhere in between as long as the tool is perpendicular to the surface,” says Miller. “Hammer operation that is less than 90° can cause ‘side loading’ and accelerate internal component wear and cause premature failure of the hammer.” Also avoid starting breaking of large objects or slabs from the center of the material. Start at the outer edges and work your way inward. Operate a hammer between the tracks of the excavator. “Do not operate a hammer off the sides of the excavator,” says Tom Munch, Caterpillar. “The operator should operate a hammer between the tracks of the excavator. Do not operate a hammer off
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HYDRAULIC BREAKER OPERATOR TIPS
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EXCAVATORS Products
Volvo EC200E Crawler Excavator The 20-ton EC200E offers a durable design, long service intervals and easy maintenance to help maximize uptime and reduce total cost of ownership. • Offers a 22-ft. 3-in. maximum digging depth, 32-ft. 9-in. maximum digging reach and a lifting capacity of 16,138 lbs. • Attachment management system allows presetting hydraulic flow and pressure for 20 attachments • Volvo Tier 4 Final D4 engine includes auto idle, auto engine shutdown and ECO mode for increased fuel efficiency • Integrated work modes incorporate engine rpm and hydraulic flow into a single dial for optimal balance of power and controllability
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Kato HD512LC-7 and HD514MR-7 Hydraulic Excavators The 28,429-lb. HD512LC-7 standard radius and 31,085-lb. HD514MR-7 mini radius hydraulic excavators feature REGZAM 7th generation technology. • Deliver maximum digging depths of 18 ft. 4 in. and 18 ft. 2 in. and generate bucket digging force of 21,123 lbs. or up to 22,031 lbs. at high power • 105-hp Isuzu Tier 4 Final diesel engines with 73-gal. fuel tanks • Quick-response four-pump hydraulic system with dual auxiliary hydraulics • ROPS/TOPS/FOPS pressurized cabin with centralized switches and a 7-in. LCD color touchscreen monitor with standard side and rear camera feature
Caterpillar Next Generation 352 Excavator The 110,500-lb. 352 excavator has a 425hp Cat C13 engine and provides a 23-ft. 1-in. maximum digging depth and 37-ft. maximum reach at ground level with a 22-ft. 8-in. boom and 9-ft. 6-in. stick. • Standard factory-installed technology includes Cat Grade with 2D, Grade Assist to automate boom and bucket movements, Cat Payload, Lift Assist, E-Fence and Cat Product Link • Smart Mode system automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions to reduce fuel consumption and optimize performance • Cooling system with on-demand fan • Long Reach configuration will reach out to 64 ft. and dig down to 43 ft.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21200804
Bobcat R2-Series E60 Compact Excavator The 6-ton R2-Series E60 includes dual flange rollers that increase lift-over-side digging performance and slewing ability and provide a smoother ride quality. • Auxiliary hydraulics located on the excavator arm for easier access • Redesigned Bobcat engine improves cold weather operation and includes a larger fuel filter • Cooling system with side-by-side heat exchangers controls engine compartment temperature more efficiently and improves serviceability • 7-in. in-cab touchscreen display • Options include a rearview camera and clamp diverter valve
www.forconstructionpros.com/21200333
www.forconstructionpros.com/21135896
JCB 131X and 150X Excavators
SANY SY215C Excavator The SY215C excavator is powered by a Cummins Tier 4 Final engine and features two circuits of auxiliary lines down the arm for ready to use hydraulic power. • Side frame rails standard • Optimized cabin for visibility and operator comfort • SANYLive telematics GPS system keeps track of engine hours, fuel usage, location history, alerts and events
www.forconstructionpros.com/12293819
The 131X has a 74-hp EcoMAX engine that requires no replaceable diesel particulate filter (DPF) or diesel exhaust fluid, while the 150X has a 109-hp EcoMAX engine that requires no replaceable DPF. • Larger Kawasaki hydraulic pump on the 150X can run at lower engine speeds for more productivity per gallon of fuel, with a larger bucket cylinder delivering an 11% increase in bucket tear-out force • Breakout force on the 131X increased to 22,931 lbf. • Auto Idle and Auto Engine Stop features contribute to fuel savings
www.forconstructionpros.com/21087606
Komatsu PC1250SP-11 and PC1250LC-11 Excavators The PC1250SP-11 and PC1250LC-11 Tier 4 Final emissions-certified hydraulic excavators have 758-hp SAA6D170E-7 23.15-liter engines with two Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filters (KDPF). • Operating weights for the PC1250LC-11 vary from 269,300 to 275,240 lbs. and weights range from 259,960 to 265,900 lbs. for the PC1250SP-11 • Power-plus work mode with enhanced engine/hydraulic pump control efficiency helps increase productivity up to 8% without negatively impacting fuel consumption • KomVision 4 camera system provides a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area • KOMTRAX Plus Version 2 enables expanded fleet monitoring
www.forconstructionpros.com/21087612
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Case CX350D LR Long Reach Excavator The 88,200-lb. CX350D LR features an elongated boom and arm and additional counterweight for increased digging capabilities in deep or long-distance digging applications. • 268-hp Tier 4 Final diesel engine with low-maintenance selective catalytic reduction • Provides a maximum dig depth of 46 ft. 3 in. and bucket digging force of 24,500 ft.-lbs. • Includes an electronically controlled pump, larger control valve and multiple advanced sensors • Case Intelligent Hydraulic System with four integrated control systems • Speed Priority, Heavy and Automatic working modes
www.forconstructionpros.com/21105160
Takeuchi TB257FR Compact Hydraulic Excavator The 12,765-lb. TB257FR has a tight tailswing and features a side-to-side offset boom that enables it to dig offset to the right or left side without needing to reposition the machine. • Provides a 12-ft. 9.3-in. dig depth, 20-ft. 4.7-in. maximum reach and bucket breakout force of 10,431 lbs. • 52.3-hp Kubota V2403-CR-TE5B turbocharged diesel engine with 141.5 ft.-lbs. of torque and a DOC and DPF exhaust aftertreatment system • Available cab provides A/C, heat, defrost, windshield wiper, skylight with sunshade, AM/FM/MP3 Bluetooth radio and highback suspension seat with head rest
www.forconstructionpros.com/21195140
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John Deere 200G Excavator The 200G is powered by a 145-hp John Deere PowerTech PSS 4.5-liter, Tier 4 Final engine. • Adjustable power modes automatically change engine rpm and hydraulic pump calibration based on the job • Hydraulic system efficiencies enable faster swing speed in applications requiring swing movements • Double-sealed swing bearing system with enhanced internal grease retention helps to reduce the risk of contamination • Reinforced arm-to-bucket joints maximize front joint durability and reduce maintenance intervals for axial clearance adjustment
www.forconstructionpros.com/21160460
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EXCAVATORS Products Liebherr R 938 Crawler Excavator
Yanmar SV40 Compact Excavator
The 85,770-lb. R 938 is powered by a 299hp Tier 4 Final diesel engine and provides a 24-ft. 11-in. maximum dig depth and up to 53,510 lbs. of breakout force. • Available with a variety of X-shaped, lubricated-for-life undercarriage types and track rollers that are lubricated for life • Spacious, temperature-controlled cab has a pneumatic seat, 7-in. high-resolution touchscreen and windshield that can be fully lowered • Various lighting packages available including a high-performance LED+ lighting option • Unobstructed panoramic view and rear and side monitoring cameras maximize safety
The 9,206-lb. SV40 ultra-tight tailswing excavator is powered by a 39-hp Yanmar electronically controlled, Tier 4 Final diesel engine. • 11-ft. 3-in. digging depth • Ultra-tight turn-ing and boom swing • VIO progressive three-pump hydraulic system • Cab comes standard with ECO Mode, AutoDecel Mode and backfill blade levercontrolled with float position, twospeed operation and an LCD monitor • SMARTASSIST remote communication system • Standard hydraulic quick coupler
www.forconstructionpros.com/21124649
Wacker Neuson ET42 Excavator The 4.2-ton ET42 features a low-profile hood design, expanded side window glass, large windows and offset boom that provide a complete view of the boom, attachment and working area. • Three-point bucket linkage system offers a 200° angle of rotation and greater vertical digging depth • Cab or canopy models with LED working lights and an optional angle blade or redesigned Vertical Digging System • Cab models feature standard air conditioning, a four-position windshield design, 3.5-in. color display, cell phone charger and holder, air-cushioned seat and adjustable arm rest
www.forconstructionpros.com/21123349
Mecalac Updated MCR Series Crawler Skid Excavators The updated 6MCR, 8MCR and 10MCR provide the swiftness of a skid steer with the rotation of an excavator for versatility and enhanced travel speeds. • Combine a three-part arm and rotating ability to deliver 360° capability • Arm can be tucked in even with a full bucket for a true zero turn radius • Feature a hydrostatic transmission and drive motors with a dedicated pump • Capable of travel speeds up to 6.2 mph • CONNECT quick-coupler system allows operators to quickly transition between attachments without leaving the cab
www.forconstructionpros.com/21131888
www.forconstructionpros.com/21136452
Kobelco SK850LC-10 Excavator
Hitachi ZX60USB-5 The 13,547-lb. ZX60USB-5 reduced tailswing compact excavator is powered by a 53-hp Yanmar Tier 4 Final diesel engine. • Provides a 12-ft. 4-in. maximum digging depth and 20-ft. 5-in. maximum digging reach with a maximum dump height of 13 ft. 8 in. • Two-speed travel of 1.8 (low) and 3 mph (high) • 38-gpm hydraulic pump flow and 24.2-gpm auxiliary hydraulic flow • Spacious cab with wider, easier entry and wider and taller cab glass for more visibility
The 185,700-lb. SK850LC-10 excavator delivers a 31-ft. 10-in. maximum digging depth and a bucket digging force of 90,598-lbf. to achieve high work volume. • Drawbar pull of 146,800 lbf. • 510-hp Hino E13C YM-KSDB engine • Boasts a roughly 17% improvement in fuel economy while working in ECO-mode • Hydraulic system includes two variable axial piston pumps • Enhanced hydraulic line layout further reduces energy loss to ensure optimal performance
www.forconstructionpros.com/21205488
www.forconstructionpros.com/21121427
Kubota U55-4 Tight Tailswing Compact Excavator
LBX Link-Belt 80 X3 Spin Ace The 18,900-lb. Link-Belt 80 X3 Spin Ace has a 54-net-hp Isuzu Tier 4 Final turbocharged engine that doesn’t require a DPF and features one-touch idle, auto idle functions and auto engine warm-up. • Offers a 13-ft. 9-in. maximum dig depth and 12,800 lbf. of bucket digging force • Speed Priority, Heavy and Applied Power engine work modes • Open-center hydraulic system with two Kawasaki variable-displacement axialpiston pumps and a Kawasaki gear pump • Roomy ROPS/FOPS Level 1 certified pressurized cab with fully adjustable seat, ergonomic, low-effort joysticks, high-definition 7-in. LCD monitor and standard rear view camera
www.forconstructionpros.com/21116235
Hyundai A Series Excavators The A Series excavator models are powered by Cummins Performance Series Stage V engines offering more than a 10% increase in power and nearly 20% increase in torque while using less fuel. • HX210A has a 170-hp Cummins B4.5 diesel engine and standard operating weight of 48,720 lbs. and is equipped with a standard .80-cu.-yd. bucket • HX85A compact model features a 65-net-hp Yanmar 4TNV98C engine, a 20,390-lb. operating weight with 12-ft. 10-in. two-piece boom, .33-cu.-yd. standard bucket capacity and optional four-way dozer blade
www.forconstructionpros.com/21124109
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The 5-ton U55-4 tight tailswing excavator is powered by a 45.2-net-hp electronically controlled Tier 4-compliant engine with common rail fuel system. • Maximum digging depth of 11 ft. 10.3 in. with a bucket digging force of 11,177 lbs. • Standard Mode provides a 5% productive improvement over the prior model and Eco Mode offers up to 9% fuel savings • Auto-shift system shifts from high to low based on traction effort and terrain • Cab offers a deluxe suspension seat, twospeed travel switch on the dozer lever, air conditioning, easy open front window, wide entrance and a two-pattern selection system
www.forconstructionpros.com/21135900
Doosan DX42-5K and DX50-5K Compact Excavators The 10,114-lb. DX42-5K and 11,486-lb. DX50-5K offer maximum dig depths of 10 ft. 5 in. and 11 ft. 5 in. and are powered by 42.6- and 49.7-hp Doosan three-cylinder diesel engines. • Dual-flange track roller system works with an enhanced counterweight for better over the side digging and lifting capabilities • Integrated lift eye • Dozer blade top edge has a more durable design and a blade and frame designed with angled top and rounded edges • Easy to reach auxiliary hydraulic couplers • Standard enclosed, air conditioned cab with wider seats, responsive joystick controls and joystick buttons and 5-in. display panel
www.forconstructionpros.com/21159585
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE Products
EARTHMOVING
Following is a compilation of attachments designed to enhance the versatility and flexibility of your equipment. Use the URLs shown to learn more about these products, as well as find additional options in the New Equipment Directory at ForConstructionPros.com.
EDGE Dirt/Construction Bucket
Leading Edge Multi-DigNRip V-Raptor Bucket The Multi-DigNRip V-Raptor Bucket (MDNRVRB) features a ripper/ bucket combination for excavators and backhoes. • Can be used to rip rock, coral or frozen ground, pry out and carry stumps and cradle boulders • Rip a clean narrow V trench for utilities • Scoop and load material • Manufactured with high-strength Swedish Hardox 400 alloy steel • Available for any backhoe, mini-excavator or excavator weighing over 6,000 lbs.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21106160
Gensco Clamshell and Crusher Buckets Clamshell buckets are designed for earthmoving applications while the CBF Crusher Bucket Series is suited for extreme working conditions like quarries and pits. • Clamshell buckets can be supplied with or without teeth and equipped with hydraulic rotator, plus include blades made of wear-resistant steel HB400/500 • Pins and bushings of clamshell buckets made of special steel with heat treatment for hardening • RC Series buckets available in different designs and sizes and are best suited for small or medium-sized work sites
These dirt/construction buckets are offered as standard/extended or heavy duty (with or without flush-mounted teeth) and as standard, high or low heel. • Feature a .75-in. cutting edge thickness and 34.6-in. bucket depth • Heaped capacities range from 11.4 to 23 cu. ft. • Deliver enhanced cutting edge visibility and high breakout force • Compatible with various Gehl and Mustang skid-steer and compact track loaders
www.forconstructionpros.com/21205035
MB Crushers MB-HDS Series Shafts Screeners The MB-HDS Series Shafts Screeners feature the RC Compost, RM Mixer, RE8/RE16 fine crusher and RQ20/ RQ50 medium crusher kits, enabling them to adapt to a range of working environments and material types. • Can crush excavation and demolition materials, asphalt, coal, organic materials, wood, bark and light plastics, plus enable products to be immediately re-purposed • Can be installed on excavators, loaders and other carriers from 5 to 35 tonnes • Automated shock-absorbing hydraulic system reduces material discharge • Rotating shafts can be changed on site and include a centralized greasing system
www.forconstructionpros.com/21063572
www.forconstructionpros.com/21115066
Rev Drill Drill Attachment Line
Ditch Witch SK5TR Trencher Attachment Extend the value and versatility of Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers with the SK5TR trencher attachment. • Features an 11-tooth forged sprocket for faster chain speeds and increased chain life • Maximum digging depth of 38 in. • Offers greater operator visibility and increases productivity • Updated design includes a replaceable boom stub, reducing downtime and repair cost
www.forconstructionpros.com/21105367
H & L Tooth Top-locking Teeth Top-locking teeth are designed to be installed easily without tools and removed with either a pry bar or punch. • Available for Case, Deere, JCB and other backhoes utilizing side flexpin teeth and shanks • Designed to fit existing shanks so there are no flexpin hassles • Available in self-sharpening single and twin penetrator, dirt, fang and flare styles • Starter kits contain five teeth and all attachment components
www.forconstructionpros.com/10325337
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Drill models are offered for excavators in size classes from 8,000 lbs. on up and with maximum drilling depths to 65 ft. • 12- to 72-in. auger diameters • Segmented/expandable masts with mast length/stroke from 12 to 60 ft. • Various mounting options • Rotary motor options from 5,000 to 27,000 ft.-lbs. (two-speed) • Winch options include a 4,000-lb. line pull Bloom winch, 14,000-ft.-lb. winch model with brake assembly and 20,000lb. line pull lift safe Bloom winch • Custom models available including lightweight drill masts for use with compact excavators or skid steers
www.forconstructionpros.com/10084592
Felco Vibratory Compaction Buckets These Vibratory Compaction Buckets allow an excavator operator to dig, place, and compact all with one attachment. • Combine performance of a vibratory plate unit with the versatility of a bucket • Eliminate transition times when switching between separate attachments • Bucket ears manufactured to match each excavator’s OEM specs or to adapt to quick couplers • Compact granular materials by forcing air in the soil to the surface to decrease air pockets
www.forconstructionpros.com/10078341
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE Products Auger Technologies Alaskaug Pin-on Augers
Bobcat Heavy-duty Buckets Large excavator attachments include a trenching bucket and grading bucket paired specifically with the E145 and E165 large excavators. • Heavy-duty trenching bucket for the E145 makes light work out of the heaviest digging and comes in 24-, 25and 42-in. sizing options • Heavy-duty grading bucket can be pinned on, quick coupled or utilized with a thumb and is especially suited for operators looking to easily finish, grade, backfill or clean ditches
www.forconstructionpros.com/21204861
The rugged Alaskaug line of pin-on augers can be fitted with two different styles of interchangeable heat-treated cast steel heads to suit the project at hand. • Include flighting from 8 to 36 in. in diameter and a 2 1/2- or 2 5/8-in. cast steel male hex connection • Auger teeth and pilot bits can be configured to suit environments from 1030 blocks for solid surface conditions to bullet teeth for gravel or dirt • Suited for foundation drilling, utilities, telephone and communications, water wells, oil and gas exploration and more
www.forconstructionpros.com/21194304
General Equipment 2350 Bor-Max Earth Auger The 2350 Bor-Max Series earth augers and auger extension are designed for use with the 200 Series hole digging products plus competitive products utilizing 1-in.-diameter auger drive connections. • Heavy-gauged helicoid-type flighting and axle designed to better withstand bending and torque loads • Cast steel boring head with an alloy steel screw bit and heat-treated cutting blade that are easily field replaceable • Come in nominal diameters from 2 to 8 in. • Plain shaft-type auger extension can be used with all auger sizes and increases the digging depth by 15 in.
www.forconstructionpros.com/21118302
Toro 4-in-1 Bucket Attachment The 4-in-1 bucket for the Toro Dingo compact utility loader product line can be used as a standard bucket, leveler, blade or grapple configuration. • Measures approximately 49 in. wide by 27 in. deep by 22 in. high • 292-lb. operating weight • Capable of hauling 3.3 cu. ft. of material at a time • Compatible with the Dingo 320-D, 323, TX 427, TX 525 and TX 1000 models
www.forconstructionpros.com/21174081
John Deere TC-Series Trenchers The TC36 and TC48 trenchers are designed for lighter-duty tasks and are compatible on John Deere skid steers and compact track loaders as well as most competitive models. • Spring-loaded trencher boom reduces system shock • Crumber boom pulls loose soil into the trenchers, leaving a clean bottom, and an auger removes spoils from trenches • Integrated skid shoe helps stabilization while trenching • Angle indicator provides optimal trenching angle • Include a low-profile drive system and side shift
www.forconstructionpros.com/21136238
Caterpillar SMART Backhoe Attachment
Werk-Brau Productivity Package The Productivity Package includes Heavy Duty Excavator Buckets paired with a Progressive Linkage Thumb and D-Lock Coupler that allow quick coupling for versatility and productivity on any jobsite. • Combination of the thumb and bucket enables material handling while the D-lock allows quick, safe, reliable switching between attachments • Capacities from 3.5 to 40 metric tons • Suited for land clearing, demolition work, rip-rap, pipeline projects and more
www.forconstructionpros.com/21205971
The 2,325-lb. BH130 SMART Backhoe Attachment is designed for Cat D3 Series skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders and multi terrain loaders. • Maximum digging depth of 9.75 ft. with 13.25-ft. reach at ground level from the swing pivot pin • Auxiliary hydraulic system allows pairing with hydro-mechanical work tools • Hydraulically shifts side to side (total of 33 in.) • Integrated electrohydraulic controls operated using host machine’s joysticks • Attachment control mode allows existing joysticks to be used for boom, stick, bucket and swing functions
www.forconstructionpros.com/21174069
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE
DEMOLITION
Products
Antraquip Rock and Concrete Cutters These rock and concrete grinders are suitable for trenching, controlled demolition, scaling, soil remediation, tunneling, underwater cutting and general rock excavation. • Numerous models available for excavators ranging from 2 to 110 tons • Choice of cutter head styles to suit the application • AQ line equipped with a high-torque, low-speed hydraulic motor with rugged gearing and symmetrically aligned cutter bit patterns for maximum productivity
www.forconstructionpros.com/10076986
Montabert V7000 Breaker
Kinshofer DXS Mobile Shears The DXS mobile shear has been engineered to deliver a scrap shear with maximum force, enhanced speed and low weight ratio. • Can be used for a variety of tasks including demolition, scrap processing and tire recycling • Equipped with DemaPower 2.0 hydraulic cylinder technology that delivers 25% more power and faster cycle times
www.forconstructionpros.com/20988130
The V7000 hydraulic breaker fits in the 20,000-ft.-lb. impact energy class and is suited for carriers from 70 to 120 tons. • Variable energy technology automatically adapts breaker energy to the rock/material hardness • Automatic pressure regulator ensures optimal performance regardless of oil temperature or hydraulic conditions • Energy recovery valve captures recoil and converts it back into additional energy • Includes blank fire protection, an automatic lubrication system and optional air pressurization kit for underwater applications
Alpine Rockwheel Rock and Concrete Grinders
www.forconstructionpros.com/21131861
www.forconstructionpros.com/12026954
The Rockwheel rock and concrete grinders incorporate hydraulic rotary cutting technology that delivers the power and precision to make efficient, low-vibration, low-noise excavations for any application. • Models available from 12 to 295 hp for carriers from 1 to 75+ tons • Cutting force from 949 to 32,360 lbs. with cutting widths from 11.8 to 49 in. • Chain drive, gear drive, direct drive and axial drive versions
Stanley MB05 Small Mounted Breaker The MB05 breaker features a skid-steer bracket with four positions to allow work on both floors and walls. • Fits on skid steers in the 4,500- to 7,000-lb. carrier size, excavators from 5,000 to 8,000 lbs. and backhoes from 6,000 to 11,000 lbs. • Delivers 550 ft.-lbs. of impact energy and 650 to 1,550 bpm • 1,500- to 2,000-psi hydraulic operating pressure • Features only two moving parts, a direct-acting nitrogen chamber and a pin-on or bolt-on design
www.forconstructionpros.com/21081417
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UB Equipment 300 Series Breakers
Case Hydraulic Hammers
The 300 Series includes 13 breaker models ranging from 350- to 10,000-ft.lb. impact energy ratings. • Available for skid steers, mini-excavators, backhoes and excavators • Feature a cradle-style bracket, meaning there are no bracket bolts to break • Nitrogen gas-assisted design • Control valves concealed inside of smaller units for added protection • Accumulator located on the side of larger models to protect the hydraulic system • Replaceable tool bushing
These hydraulic hammers feature just two moving parts, low recoil and accumulator-free technology. • Specifically made for Case heavy and compact excavators, loader-backhoes, compact track loaders and skid-steer loaders • Come in easy-to-install kits with fully configured and pre-assembled hoses with service tools included • Every blow isolated from the carrier and operator in the cushion chamber and energy recycled and used for the next blow • Long-stroke piston for efficient energy transfer and recoil reduction
www.forconstructionpros.com/10085399
www.forconstructionpros.com/21113318
Okada TSWB Series Primary Crushers The TSWB concrete crushers include eight models weighing from 1,940 to 26,460 lbs. and suited for carriers from 13 to 330 tons. • Crushing force at tip ranges from 40 tons for the 620V to 242 tons for the 2400V • Seamless casting components and custom tooth design enable faster material fractioning • Large jaw opening • 360˚ hydraulic rotation • Standard speed valve for shorter cycle times, built-in pressure relief valve and flat-mount design • High-pressure twin cylinders with cylinder rod covers (except TSWB 2200V)
www.forconstructionpros.com/21131869
Epiroc ES Hydraulic Breakers The ES hydraulic breaker attachments include the ES 60, ES 70 and ES 80 models for carriers from 2,800 to 26,500 lbs. • Slim, compact design provides easy handling, good visibility and high maneuverability • Solid block of special casted material eliminates need for a separate guiding system, tie-rods or stud bolts • Removable piston liner increases serviceability • Integrated control valve optimizes efficiency while the Energy Recovery system increases operating efficiency and lowers vibrations
www.forconstructionpros.com/21201287
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE Products Bobcat Nitrogen Breakers
REMU CR 1100 Crushing Bucket
Six nitrogen breaker models are available to fit Bobcat compact track loaders, skidsteer loaders, mini track loaders and compact excavators. • Impact energy ratings from 81 to 996 ft.-lbs. • Long piston stroke with relatively minimal recoil • Feature minimal internal parts, a single lower bushing and easily accessible grease ports • Valve design lessens hydraulic pressure fluctuation, reducing stress on the carrier’s hydraulic pumps • Loader X-Change mounting frame
The CR 1100 crushing bucket is designed to decrease the volume of most common materials from demolition sites including tile, concrete, drywall and asphalt. • Slow rotating crushing drum powered by two direct drive motors ensure high torque • Maximum cutting force of 38,500 ft.-lbs. • Operated with a 25- to 40-ton excavator • Total processing capacity of 40 cubic meters per hour
www.forconstructionpros.com/21129707
www.forconstructionpros.com/21045626
Genesis GCG Cyclone Rock and Concrete Grinder Rockwater CB Hydraulic Breakers CB hydraulic breakers are available for excavators, backhoes and skid steers ranging from .8 to 55 tons. • Compact, lightweight range for compact excavators and skid steers includes a unique valve system and plumbing design that provide power and efficiency while requiring less oil flow • Medium range for backhoes and excavators offers power and versatility for working with a wide range of operating pressures and oil flows • Heavy-duty range for excavators beyond 20 tons are fully box framed with damping materials to reduce noise and recoils to the carrier, and come pre-installed with an auto grease system
The GCG Cyclone features optimized pick patterns for smooth and powerful operation with lower vibrations. • Available for 1,400- to 250,000-lb. excavators • Comes with a chain, gear or direct-drive motor based on model size • Two-hose hydraulic system eliminates need for a case drain line and simplifies installation • Soft start system and protective valving protect motor from over-pressure, overheating and misuse • Heavy-duty bearings and seals
www.forconstructionpros.com/21004044
www.forconstructionpros.com/21070427
Rotobec RCB Construction Breakers Eight monoblock breakers are available for excavators ranging from .08 to 15 tons and five tierod models are offered for excavators from 17 to 72 tons. • Monoblock design includes a polyurethane jacket to reduce impact vibrations to the machine and lower noise levels • Diaphragm accumulators used for consistent performance with no recharging required • Tie-rod design incorporates a heavy-duty tie-rod assembly and internal components that are easy to access and maintain
www.forconstructionpros.com/10962632
Allied Rammer Small Range Breakers The 555, 777 and 999 Rammer small range breakers are designed without tierods and incorporate the Constant Blow Energy (CBE) plus operating system. • For carriers between 7,500 and 27,600 lbs. • Integrated one-piece tool bushing design requires fewer parts and is easily field replaceable • Box-type housing with high-tech dampening material that reduces noise and vibration and fully protects the power cell • Dual accumulator (High Pressure and Low Pressure) provides maximum power with less pulsation in hydraulic lines
Precision Grading to 0.1” of Spec • Ditch Cutting • Slicing Topsoil • Road Construction & Maintenance, Fields, More Manual Mode • Enhanced Manual • 2-D Guided • 3-D Guided
TALK ABOUT VERSATILITY!
www.forconstructionpros.com/12138533 Blade rotates 60°
Breaker Technology CX Series Hydraulic Breakers The CX Series small-size hydraulic breakers are suited for continuous duty in harsh environments. • CX4, CX6 and CX8 fit in the 400- to 800-ft.-lb. energy class and weigh from 396 to 734 lbs. with top bracket • Dual blow ratings (long and short stroke) ranging from 350 to 1,100 bpm • Recommended for carriers from 4,400 to 17,700 lbs. • Standard silenced box with optional side plate mounting and skid-steer bracket
www.forconstructionpros.com/21118012
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Shifts to either side 13” from center
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Cuts over 26” deep with multiple passes
Windrowing capability allows material to move across the blade
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3D-ready. Compatible with all
Modeled after powerful road graders, the new Level Best GB108 Precision Blade attachment for compact track loaders moves material in windrows with guidance or manually. Compatible with every 2-D and 3-D grade guidance system and all makes of CTL. Price? About half the cost of a new pickup. Now that’s versatility!
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Manual operation available
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Easy to learn, ideal for mixed fleets
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Ready for the most powerful CTLs
FIND YOUR DEALER
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE
ROAD BUILDING
Products
Road Widener Offset Vibratory Roller Attachment
Minnich A3/A6 Dowel Pin Drills
The Offset Vibe Roller Skid Steer Attachment offers interchangeable rollers in 2-, 3- and 4-ft. widths and includes an offset feature that allows the carrier and operator to stay on the road while rolling and compacting shoulders and ditches. • Can roll outside the shoulder’s slope (up to 30° drum pivot) and be dropped down into trenches with the drum positioned 30 in. below the mounting point • Produces 500 to 2,500 vpm with an amplitude of .02 in. for compaction of stone, asphalt, RAP and dirt • Remote control • Requires standard-flow hydraulics
The A3/A6 pneumatically powered, machine-mounted drills can be mounted to an excavator, backhoe or skid-steer loader to form a self-contained and highly mobile drilling solution for fulldepth repair. • Feature up to six drills • Carrier used to transport the drill, eliminating operator fatigue and improving safety • Available side-shift functionality enables operators to drill a second set of holes without having to reposition the carrier • Optional dust collection system available
Cuts Inc. Skid-steer Saw Gecon T200 Wheel Saw The T200 wheel saw is now available for low-flow skid steers. • Up to 8-in. depths • 1- or 2-in.-wide wheels • Standard universal skid-steer mount • Housing designed for optional vacuum connection
www.forconstructionpros.com/12309714
This skid-steer saw is compatible with any diamond saw blade and can cut depths from 10 to 20 in. • Can be mastered in minutes, requires minimal maintenance and operates in all terrains •Designed to cut flat surfaces and can cut some vertical surfaces, as well as concrete pipes, light poles and sewer and drainage pipes • Attachments for core drilling available
www.forconstructionpros.com/21106431
www.forconstructionpros.com/20861565
www.forconstructionpros.com/20988103
Loegering ST Series Stabilizing and Milling Attachments The 24-in.-wide ST600 and 39-in.-wide ST1000 feature a unique drum design that allows both milling and stabilizing. • ST600 suited for use on smaller, lower flow-rate loaders while the ST1000 requires a more powerful carrier • Accurate milling to a depth of 9 in. • Independent level control on both sides of the attachment enables it to follow the contour of the pavement independent of the loader • Large mixing chamber provides optimal mixing of binders into cut pavement • Joystick controls allow full operator control at the touch of four buttons
www.forconstructionpros.com/21174076
“We used the Vacuworx lifter to put in our precast panels four nights a week and then to yank them out before pouring an entire section on Friday morning. On Mondays, we were at full strength and ready to start again.” — Jacy Messer, Duit Construction
Good Timing Our customers say it best. They put our systems to the test where it counts, on the job. They know what’s important, and Vacuworx delivers every day—from the most reliable lifting systems to the best service and support in the industry. FASTER. SAFER. SMARTER. That’s the Vacuworx Advantage.
918-259-3050 | vacuworx.com
John Deere E-Series Cold Planer Attachments The CP18E, CP24E and CP30E are compatible with the company’s skid steers and compact track loaders, as well as equipment offered by competitors. • Heavy-duty planetary drive system delivers high torque speed • Side plate can be removed when working next to a curb • Complete in-cab controls to easily maneuver depth, tilt and side shift • Rear spoil clearance reaches up to 9 in., minimizing material pushed back into the cut • Include a visible case pressure reservoir and high-capacity gearbox with a drainand-refill plug
www.forconstructionpros.com/21174074
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E-Z Drill 210 Series Concrete Drill Attachments This equipment-mounted, pneumatic concrete drill attachment series includes the three-gang Model 210-3 EQ MT, four-gang Model 210-4 EQ MT and fivegang Model 210-5 EQ MT. • Compatible with most models of backhoes and excavators • Capable of drilling 5/8- to 2 1/2-in.diameter holes at a depth of 18 in. • Each drill motor requires a minimum of 100 cfm for operation • Minimum of 300 cfm required to power the Model 210-3 EQ MT • User-friendly, easily accessible control panel mounted on drill
www.forconstructionpros.com/10278334
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE
MATERIAL HANDLING
Products
Vacuworx Updated RC Series Vacuum Lifting Machines
Dragon Screed Skid-steer Attachment The Dragon Screed concrete and gravel leveling attachment is designed for small flatwork crews that pour big jobs. • Can be used for leveling subgrade and screeding concrete on pours from 6 to 22 ft. wide • Can be configured to work on the sides or in front of loader, in forward or reverse • Wireless remote control allows operator to select from five vibration speeds • Wide floats, each with a vibrator attached, drag smoothly behind the screed bar • Hydraulic pivot allows pouring on a pitch or from an uneven surface • Quick-attach handles provide maneuverability in small spaces
Danuser Mega Mixer Material-handling Bucket The enhanced Mega Mixer materialhandling bucket is designed to mix, scoop and dispense a variety of materials including bag-mix concrete. • Features an easy to operate discharge end and 8-in.-diameter with 8-in. pitch steel auger for faster mixing and dispensing • 22.8-cu.-in. motor for improved torque • Capable of dispensing 3/4 yd. of material in 26 seconds (up to 1-in.-diameter rock) • Mounts on both sides allow material to be dispensed on the right or left side of the host machine • Two 2-ft. multi-link chutes store on the bucket
www.forconstructionpros.com/21073354
www.forconstructionpros.com/21043528
The RC10, RC12, RC16 and RC20 can handle pipe, steel piling, steel plates, concrete slabs, polished stone, cast iron, glass, marble, landscape rocks and more. • Can grip up to 120-ft. triple pipe joints and hold the shape of limber pipes and long joints of flexible plastic pipe • Single-cylinder diesel engine powers the rotary vane pumps on each attachment • Include an electronic ignition, remote operating control and a vacuum reservoir beam that doubles as a spreader bar • Control and alarm systems activate audio and visual warnings and prevent further lifts if the vacuum falls below a safe working level • Vacuum storage reservoir allows materials to be held for 15 minutes or more under no power
www.forconstructionpros.com/10417599
Toro Grapple Bucket This dedicated grapple bucket attachment for the Dingo line of compact utility loaders is designed for simplified handling of a variety of materials including boulders, timber, concrete, scrap, waste and other debris. • Constructed of high-strength steel and available in a standard 34-in. width • Weighs approximately 238 lbs. • Available for the Dingo 320-D, 323, TX 427, TX 525 and TX 1000 models and e-Dingo
www.forconstructionpros.com/21205074
Kenco Slab Crab with Serrated Teeth The Slab Crab is used to remove concrete slabs and bridge decks and can accommodate slabs ranging from 4 to 19 in. thick. • Available for excavators from 5,000 to 150,000 lbs., as well as models sized to fit backhoe-loaders • Serrated teeth line the upper jaws to prevent slabs from sliding • Smooth lower jaw allows operator to release the slab in the desired location • Available as a direct pin-on or to attach with the WedgeBolt Coupler System • Custom models can be fabricated to accept larger slab thicknesses
Blastcrete Model RD6536 Skid-steer Pump The 2,700-lb. Model RD6536 3-in. hydraulic squeeze pump is able to pump grout materials, 3/8-in. shotcrete and 3/4-in. structural concrete mixes. • Variable speeds of 0 to 25 cu. yds. per hour • Runs in both forward and reverse to relieve pressure build-up clogs • Vertical pumping distance reaches 50 ft. with a rubber delivery line and horizontal delivery distance reaches up to 250 ft. • Pump has hydraulically powered controls to operate agitator and pump speed • Includes a hydraulic agitator in the receiving hopper, manual hydraulic controls and a universal skid-steer mounting plate
Caldwell Multi-Grapple Lifting System The multi-grapple lifting system is suited to use in any environment where handling of irregular-shaped or inconsistent loads is required. • Come in 3,000- to 12,000-lb. standard capacities with custom models available • Three arms provide a stable lift of irregularly-shaped heavy debris including rock/stone, steel scrap (including metal shavings), wooden blocks and more • Center-mounted actuator automatically locks open the grappler arms with automatic latching • Can work with a crane hook but is more commonly used with construction equipment such as excavators and backhoes
www.forconstructionpros.com/21067900
www.forconstructionpros.com/10158844
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www.forconstructionpros.com/21110190
DREDGING ATTACHMENT SENDS SEDIMENT FLYING Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company’s Rivers and Lakes Division was faced with sediment-filled ditches and pockets of connecting standing water on a large dredging project in Argenta, IL. The contractor wanted to consider a new and more efficient approach than the traditional bucket. A unique attachment called the Ditch Doctor turned out to be the right fit. “If you have the proper conditions, [the Ditch Doctor is] at least twice as fast as excavating with a bucket,” says Tim Cantwell, project superintendent. “It did a really good job of cleaning out ditches that had just filled in with the sediment and blew it out of there, kind of like a snowblower.” Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/21174149.
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ATTACHMENT GUIDE Products
SITE PREP/CLEARING
Caterpillar SMART Dozer Blade The SMART Dozer Blade has a curved moldboard to keep material rolling and a trapezoid design with angled end bits that allows flush-cutting against vertical surfaces when the blade is fully tilted. • Available for 279D3, 289D3, 299D3 and 299D3 XE series compact track loaders • Host machine recognizes attachment and unlocks special display screens that allow operator to select how the blade is controlled • Attachment-control mode allows left joystick to control travel while the right joystick operates blade functions • “Lift” or “tilt” modes change which cylinders (lift arm or bucket) control major blade functions to adapt to rough or fine grading
www.forconstructionpros.com/21174063
Sneller Machinery 275-hp Shredder Attachment The 275-hp Shredder attachment is self-powered, will not limit the carrier’s power or functions and requires no change to the excavator. • Weighs roughly 8,200 lbs. and requires a 25-metric ton or larger excavator • 60-in. drum with stationary carbide teeth will shred on average 4 acres or more per day • Teeth can be changed quickly without bolts • Remote controlled from the cab • 60- and 170-hp models available to suit smaller size excavators
www.forconstructionpros.com/10088389
Auger Torque Variable Mulcher This line of variable mulcher attachments enables excavators and skid-steer loaders to tackle overgrown ditches, low-level vegetation or whole tree removal. • Working widths of 40 or 60 in. • Provides capability of changing the whole tooth drum instead of individual teeth • Hinged cover helps to contain debris and allows easy access to the tooth drum • Robust motor and gearbox conceal gears and bearings to prevent dust and dirt ingress • Low-profile design for enhanced visibility
www.forconstructionpros.com/21070419
Eterra Vortex Stump Grinder Skid Steer Attachment The Vortex Stump Grinder offered by Skid Steer Solutions is a skid-steer attachment designed to remove difficult tree stumps. • High torque output radial piston motor and robust direct drive system deliver increased power and cutting capacity • Non-symmetrical wheel provides unobstructed view of material being cut • Includes the V27 standard-flow model with 27-in. wheel and heavy-duty highflow V31 with 31-in. wheel • Able to be used on machines that have between 18 and 45 gpm
www.forconstructionpros.com/21103466
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Kubota BB30 Grading Box Blade Series The BB30 Grading Box Blade Series includes the BB3072, BB3084 and BB3096, each providing the option of rough or precision grading finishes. • Basic grading work can be done in applications requiring a rough grade such as landscaping and initial surface prep • Precision grading can be accomplished with the addition of a laser system • Dual-plane grader tilts and angles to float over the ground for precision grading • Performance matched with Kubota’s SSV and SVL Series
www.forconstructionpros.com/21113977
MTW Power Box Rakes The Power Box Rake attachments are capable of breaking up, raking and leveling hardpacked soil, gravel, sod and other terrain. • Stronger steel frames and simplified controls help refine more material in less time while minimizing downtime due to breakage and repairs • Manual adjustments can be made to deflect material from 10° to 20° • Three models for use on mini skid steers to high-flow skid steers and PTO tractors come with 6- or 8-in. rotor diameters and range in width from 4 to 10 ft. • Can be ordered with weld-on teeth, replaceable teeth or carbide teeth
www.forconstructionpros.com/21039340
Worksaver Power Landscape Rakes Power Landscape Rakes remove debris or sod to prepare seedbed surfaces for a new lawn or renovate an existing lawn, pulverize soil or set grade on new construction sites. • Models available for compact/mini skid steers, skid steers and three-point PTOdriven tractors • Feature flip-up end plates, flip-up gauge wheels, choice of carbide teeth or Sabre teeth and material control bar • Replaceable bearing housings and triple seal bearings provide durability and serviceability
www.forconstructionpros.com/21035699
Virnig V70 Tree Disc Mulcher The V70 Tree Disc Mulcher attachment for demanding forestry jobs can efficiently mulch 6- to 8-in.-diameter trees and quickly remove trees with diameters up to 14 in. • High-torque piston motor, spindle and fully machined disc ensure long-lasting performance • Uses a direct drive piston to create a faster disc speed and recovery for cutting more material in less time • Spindle shaft guard protects the spindle seals and bearings
www.forconstructionpros.com/21120538
Paladin High-Flow Forestry Disk Mulcher
Diamond Mowers Skid-steer Drum Mulcher Attachment
The FD60 high-flow forestry disk mulcher accomplishes felling, mulching, and stump grinding in a quick, one-step process. • Wide angle intake and efficient drive system rapidly recover speed, reduce jamming risk and increase productivity • MulchPower gauge indicates when maximum rotational energy is stored in disk for full-strength capacity • Reinforced debris shovel gets under trees and logs • 100% Quadco teeth and balanced 100% solid machined Quadco disk • Zero-maintenance bearing housing
The Skid-steer Drum Mulcher for heavy mulching and brush clearing features a two-speed variable-displacement piston motor, 41 hardened steel teeth and total attachment depth comparable to a loader bucket. • 72-in. cutting width • Mulches up to 9-in.-diameter trees or brush continuously • Depth control ring allows better control for depth of cut • Proprietary helical tooth pattern modeled after a vacuum brush to feed material efficiently toward center of the drum • Replaceable liner increases shell lifespan
www.forconstructionpros.com/21138225
www.forconstructionpros.com/21049597
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COUPLERS
Dymax Timberwolf Forestry Grapple Tree Shear Attachment This industrial-grade, heavy-duty tree shear attachment for skid steers features a 14-in. cutting capacity and a solid cast, sharp, 3/4-in. AR400 milled knife edge. • High-strength steel shear arms with blade stop mechanism • Standard grapple model and grapple bunching model with accumulator arm available • Larger lines, reduced pressure loss and larger rod diameter provide increased shear speed and high shearing power ratio • Dual grapple arms secure tree prior to cutting
www.forconstructionpros.com/21047715
Geith Tilting Quick Coupler Loftness L Series Battle Ax Mulching Heads These L Series Battle Ax horizontal drum mulchers are designed for low-flow skid steers with 16- to 30-gpm hydraulic flow ratings. • Feature a new rotor design with built-in gauges to provide optimum material flow into the drum • Include a two-stage cutting chamber for producing optimal particle sizes • Use reversible Quadco blades • Available with 51- and 61-in. cutting widths
www.forconstructionpros.com/21197484
The Geith Tilting (GT) quick coupler for 2- to 27-ton excavators, allows operators to tilt any bucket or attachment up to 180°. • Variable pin center design allows operators to easily pick up and swap a range of OEM attachments • Can reverse buckets for excavation against walls and under pipes • Durable, compact design minimizes the tip radius extension • Allows for more control of attachments with minimal drift to easily achieve different angles and positions
www.forconstructionpros.com/21174227
ATTACHMENT GUIDE Products
Steelwrist TCX Tilt Coupler and S30 Quick Coupler The fully casted TCX S30-180 and S30-180 are suited for mini-excavators up to 2 tons and can be delivered with manual locking or hydraulic locking depending on customer needs. • Include a Front Pin Safety Hook • Free from welding and have large pin contact surfaces and optimized material thickness for a highly robust design • Lightweight TCX S30-180 replaces the TMX tilt coupler, is easy to install and is available direct mounted with the S30 coupler (manual and hydraulic)
www.forconstructionpros.com/21197523
Kinshofer SmartFlow Quick-coupler System
Level Best Precision Grader Blade
The D-Lock quick coupler with SmartFlow is a fully automatic, retrofittable, hydraulic quick-coupler system. • Five hydraulic circuits can be coupled comfortably for quick, safe, efficient attachment changes between mechanical and hydraulic attachments from inside the cab • Low-maintenance operation • Maximum high oil flow brings improved carrier machine fuel consumption
The GB-108 Precision Grader Blade is a 108-in.wide rugged blade that adjusts in four directions and works with all makes of 2D and 3D guidance systems. • Works with GPS and robotic total station (RTS) systems, as well as manually • Fits all popular makes of compact track loaders • Enables high-precision grading of sub-surfaces to within 0.1 in. of spec • Suitable for new construction, parking lots and wherever precision grading is an advantage
www.forconstructionpros.com/21205061
www.forconstructionpros.com/21124713
Fecon Upgraded Stumpex The upgraded Stumpex auger-type stump grinder includes a two-speed hydraulic motor for faster stump removal, especially on soft woods. • Can remove 24-in. stumps in less than 3 minutes • Reduces wear on blades and cones for longer service life and extended intervals between blade sharpening •Suited for use on skid steers and compact track loaders with 60+ hp • Easily transported in a pickup truck • Very little maintenance required
www.forconstructionpros.com/12062516
EDGE Power Rake The EDGE power rake features a bidirectional drum that works the soil in both directions for quick seedbed preparation. • Direct drive motor reduces downtime • Floating design keeps the rake level for a smooth, even finish • Hydraulic angle 25° in either direction • Includes carbide tip teeth, standard removable end plates and solid urethane-filled tires
www.forconstructionpros.com/10077658
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Rototilt Updated Tiltrotators The updated R5, R6 and R8 include a high-pressure seal and a rotation gear wheel with improved geometry and tighter manufacturing tolerances for smoother operation with less friction. • Four models come with a rotor housing sensor that provides improved positioning through the existing RPS function • Rotation sensor in rotor housing can read an absolute position with greater precision • Rotation gear equipped with a worm with built-in lubrication channels • Software for the Innovative Control System enables easy adjustment of settings and a complete overview of the system via the in-cab display
www.forconstructionpros.com/21072438
Caterpillar TiltRotate System The TiltRotate System (TRS) includes the TRS6 and TRS8 for Next Gen miniexcavators from the 306 CR to 310 models. • High-torque rotation system allow attached work tools to rotate 360° and tilt 40° side to side • Features a double-acting tilt cylinder with integrated load-hold valves and an integral self-locking mechanism • Integrated, dealer-installed field control kit • TRS monitor informs operator of attachment position and an engagement/disengagement sensor assures that work tools are secured • Available with integral grapple
www.forconstructionpros.com/21124061
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J OB S I T E S O LUT I O N S | By Tony den Hoed
DOUBLE BRIDGE DEMOLITION Done in Under Three Days Two high-reach excavators complete a massive bridge demolition in just two and a half days.
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extra effort into demolishing two bridges in about two and a half days. The project, within view of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, is an interchange reconfiguration of Interstates 435 and 70. The two spans being demolished that late February weekend were about 450 ft. long and 50 ft. high. The Greg Bair team ran alternating 12-hour shifts that included
15 operators/laborers and two mechanics each. Because of the time crunch, the crew put together an equipment fleet that included a combination they hadn’t used before: a Volvo EC750E HR and an EC480D high-reach demolition excavator working side by side. “These bridges were very tall, so a normal excavator couldn’t reach them,” says Greg Bair, the
company’s president. “Because of the short time frame, we decided to use two.” The fleet also included 22 other excavators, six skid steers, two wheel loaders, 12 scrap trailers, four 40-ton haul trucks and other support equipment. “Normally, on a job like this, we would probably have about a month and we’d be working normal hours,” Bair says. “This job was bid for speed, so it required
All photos courtesy of National Demolition Association
Greg Bair Track Hoe Services Inc. used a Volvo EC750E HR and an EC480D high-reach demolition excavator working side by side to demolish the two bridges in a very tight time frame.
ust east of downtown Kansas City, MO, a major interstate reconfiguration was nearing completion. Comprised of 11 new bridges, pavement widening and more, it’s a massive undertaking that the city and state wanted to complete with as little disruption to traffic as possible. That’s why the team at Greg Bair Track Hoe Services Inc. put
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J OBS ITE S OL U TIONS
In addition to the high-reach machines, the project involved 22 other excavators, six skid steers, two wheel loaders, 12 scrap trailers, four 40-ton haul trucks and other support equipment.
a lot more machines and trucks.”
All photos courtesy of National Demolition Association
PLANNING AND PREPPING REQUIRED Greg Bair Track Hoe Services was a smart pick for such a challenging, time-sensitive job. The company is based in the Kansas City area and has been in the demolition business for three decades. It does a few dozen bridge demolitions annually in addition to several hundred other projects. For the February 2020 interstate project, four weeks of prep work were essential to meeting the deadline, says Andy Shorten, Bair’s estimator and project manager. “We were mobilizing equipment, assembling things, staging materials and trailers, coordinating traffic control and security and laying out plans,” Shorten says. They also had to pad the roads running under the bridges so falling debris would not damage them. Some machines would be able to work on the bridge decks, but most of the demolition happened from the ground. That’s what made the high-reach excavators so essential. They ran the standard booms with extensions on each machine, bringing the reach of the EC480D to 51 ft. 9 in. and the EC750E to 59 ft. The EC750E highreach is Volvo Construction Equipment’s newest
demolition excavator and was new to Bair’s fleet. In fact, this was the first jobsite on which it was put to use. “The Volvo high-reach excavators’ stability is their biggest asset,” Shorten says. “On the 750, we ran a 15,000-lb. attachment nearly 60 ft. in the air. The working range with a far reach and a heavy attachment seemed to have no limit, which was impressive.” Shorten said the EC480 HR ran a 10,000-lb. NPKE225 hoe ram to break the vertical walls of the bridges, while the 750 worked behind it using an Epiroc CC6000 Combi Cutter attachment to crunch the horizontal slabs and 1.5-in.
rebar. The 480 also hammered down the pillars. “We used these demolition excavators to the max for a weekend, and they treated us real well,” Bair says.
FINDING THE RIGHT MIX The weekend of work actually wrapped up sooner than expected. “It was a combination of our equipment selection, the amount of equipment and the size of our crew that was the key to completing it early,” Shorten says. “The two highreach machines allowed us to complete demolition quickly, which then allowed us to have a ton of other equipment staying busy. It took a dozen machines to keep up with
Tony den Hoed is the director of national accounts - demolition and forestry for Volvo Construction Equipment. Information from this article was first published in Demolition Magazine and is being reused with permission from the National Demolition Association.
APPLIED MACHINERY SALES
SALES & RENTALS The EC480 HR ran a 10,000-lb. NPK-E225 hoe ram to break the vertical walls of the bridges, while the EC750E worked behind it using an Epiroc CC6000 Combi Cutter attachment to crunch the horizontal slabs and 1.5-in. rebar. www.ForConstructionPros.com
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what the two high reaches were producing.” He estimates that 1 million pounds of rebar and about 10,000 cu. yds. of concrete were collected, and most of it was recycled. “Projects like this are rare,” Shorten says. “It was an aggressive timeline they requested, but we always think it can be done.” ET
AMS-MERLO.COM INFO@APPLIEDMACH.COM
803-327-4949
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CON CR E T E E Q U I P M E N T
Vacuum Lifting Can Protect Workers From SILICA DUST Systems offer a dust-free option for lifting and handling concrete slabs.
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ilica dust has been recognized for decades as an occupational health concern. In March 2016, OSHA announced a final rule pertaining to silica exposure regulations. Enforcement for employers covered by the construction standard began in September 2017. Made up of microscopic particles typically at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand, silica dust is commonly found in materials associated with construction-related activities. Industries that deal with roads, buildings, sidewalks or landscaping materials — which require tasks that involve sawing, drilling or breaking silica-containing substances — are particularly prone to creating large amounts of it.
OSHA’s final rule, which reduced the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (averaged over an eight-hour shift) requires employers to limit worker exposure via the use of engineering controls, work practices or respiratory protection. With the identification of 18 common construction-related jobs, OSHA specifies in Table 1 exposure control methods to protect workers from crystalline silica, focusing on equipment type and duration of the task at hand. Types of engineering controls for silica include wet methods and local exhaust ventilation, as well as process isolation. Work practice controls involve performing a task in a manner that
prevents or reduces the likelihood or levels of exposure by decreasing the quantity of airborne dust. Administrative controls revolve around limiting time spent working with or in close proximity to the material. For multiple concrete contractors, vacuum lifting systems have also been identified as a viable alternative to dust-producing drills and jackhammers when lifting and handling concrete slabs.
LIMITING THE NUMBER OF CUTS The use of walk-behind or handheld saws in enclosed areas is an example of one demolition-associated situation where protective measures need to be taken. OSHA states such saws should be equipped with an
integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade. In addition to this method, respiratory protection may be required, especially when cutting indoors, in enclosed areas or for an extended period of time. In many cases, contractors commenting on their use of vacuum lifting equipment have reported the elimination of their need for dust-generating tools. Because fewer saw cuts are required since the concrete can be handled in larger pieces, adding vacuum lifting to the mix can help limit the amount of silica dust that would otherwise be released into the air. In addition, slabs can be removed with greater efficiency, which reduces the amount of time that workers may be exposed to environments in which silica dust is present.
Vacuworx
ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR HAMMERS AND DRILLS
The Vacuworx PHD Portable Vacuum Lifting System weighs 25 lbs. and generates enough power to lift up to 2,500 lbs.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, jobs at risk for increased exposure to respirable crystalline silica include jackhammering, concrete drilling and sawing, demolition and mining, to name a few. In fact, researchers at the University of California found that silica dust generated by a pneumatic rock drill was at least 444 times greater than OSHA’s permissible exposure limit. Furthermore, drilling can expose workers to hand vibration and noise at levels well above recommended limits. Under OSHA’s standard, wet methods may be needed to keep dust from getting into the air when using rotary drills, jackhammers or chipping tools. In some instances, tools should be equipped with a proper shroud and dust collection system. The
fact that pieces of concrete can be chipped away while moving or loading must also be taken into account. Vacuum lifting can be used as an alternative to anchors, shackles or hammers as concrete may be cut into larger, more uniform pieces that can be lifted out without the drilling, prying or breaking associated with conventional methods of removal. “The problem with hammering concrete is it goes into a million pieces,” says Dave Weston, president of Blade Runners, a concrete coring and sawing company. “The jackhammer causes too much dust, not to mention labor. Now they can keep it in one piece.”
CUTTING DOWN ON CLEAN-UP Water systems may be needed to help control the amount of silica dust created on jobsites. OSHA stipulates that slurry produced by wet cutting must be cleaned up to prevent it from drying and releasing silica dust into the air. Wet slurry is generally cleaned up using shovels or HEPA-filtered vacuum systems. An added benefit to contractors who embrace vacuum lifting equipment is tidier working environments that result in fewer housekeeping chores. “By sawing concrete into bigger pieces, we’re saving on diamond blades, water usage and especially manual labor,” says Dave Desserault, Interstate Sawing & Drilling. “There is less cutting involved, which means less slurry removal. It’s a lot quicker and a lot cleaner.” ET Information provided by Vacuworx. Find the full article online at www. ForConstructionPros. com/21196901.
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CONCRETE EQUIPMENT Products Hilti SDS-Max Combination Hammer Drill
Ligchine SCREEDSAVER ELITE
Canycom SC75 Concrete Buggy The SC75 Concrete Buggy with a rubber track undercarriage transports concrete with ease over rough terrain with minimal impact to the ground surface. • 2,200-lb. payload • 90° dump angle • 180° pivoting deck available • Speeds up to 6 mph • 95-in. length and 35-in. width • 690cc Honda gas engine and hydrostatic transmission
www.forconstructionpros.com/21045753
MBW ScreeDemon Wet Screed The ScreeDemon ergonomically friendly wet screed is powered by an M18 REDLITHIUM battery. • Quieter than an engine version • Zero emissions makes it suited for indoor work • Clamp system makes assembly and disassembly fast and easy • Sealed exciter requires no maintenance • Substantially reduces hand/arm vibration • Lights improve visibility in darker work areas
www.forconstructionpros.com/21199561
The all-wheel-drive SCREEDSAVER ELITE has a 12-ft. head that allows for more finished square footage per pass, plus its side-shift ability makes it easier to accurately screed around stick-ups in the slab. • Heavy-duty boom sections reach out to 18 ft. • Narrower chassis fits through smaller doors or onto smaller trailers • Improved radio provides more intuitive layout and diagnostics at the operator’s fingertips • 65-gal. onboard fluid tanks and an onboard pressure washer for cleanup • Optional dual trackers to match surfaces without extra cabling or software
The 22-lb. TE 70-ATC/AVR, SDS-Max combination hammer includes Active Torque Control (ATC) technology, which stops the tool body from spinning uncontrollably if the drill bit jams. • Provides 10.7 ft.-lbs. of single impact energy and a full hammering frequency of 2,830 impacts per minute • TE-YX bits and TE-YPX flat and pointed chisels designed specifically to handle the power of this tool • Comes with a universal detachable power cord that fits eight other Hilti tools • Brushless motor
www.forconstructionpros.com/21205487
www.forconstructionpros.com/21195235
Husqvarna FS 7000 D Concrete Saw The FS 7000 D diesel walk-behind flat saw comes with a lowemissions, Tier 4-compliant engine. • Designed for concrete and asphalt cutting up to 17 1/2 in. deep • High output, compact size and good maneuverability provide versatility for mid-sized road work, service work and smaller jobs that require high production rates • Intuitive and ergonomic digital control panel
www.forconstructionpros.com/21134492
ROLLING THE DICE ON ON-RAMP PROJECT The positioning of the on-ramp that connects Cookingham Drive to I-435 was causing headaches for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). A field that runs parallel to the ramp often produces significant rainwater runoff that caused sedimentary dirt and debris to fill the south side of the ditch and the on-ramp, causing slippery, dangerous situations for drivers. Realm Construction needed to find a way to line the ditch with concrete that would stay within the budget and the assigned time frame. “If we approached this project the conventional way, we’d only be able to pour about four bays a day, which is 80 ft. of ditch liner a day,” says Russ Stark, manager of field operations, Realm Construction. “At that rate, the project would have taken us 15 to 20 days. I knew we could do it quicker than that.” The solution was a large, custom metal flume drum from Curb Roller Mfg. “I had seen a ditch liner drum on a different project a year prior and asked the contractor… who made it,” says Stark. “It was only about 14 ft. wide and I knew we’d need something nearly double that size. But I thought it could work.” Lean more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/21171926.
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Allen RP235 and RP245 Polishing Riders
Somero S-22EZ Laser Screed Machine
The RP235 and RP245 offer rotor speeds up to 180 rpm to achieve high torque for high-speed burnishing or polishing. • Special dolly jacks ensure easy transportation indoors while allowing for quick change of polishing pads • Edging riding trowel frame for working close to the wall while polishing • Include a 9-gal. water tank with brass spray nozzles, a water selector switch for the front/rear spray nozzles and toggle switch for continuous spray • 25-hp Kohler PCH740 propane engine with a 40-lb. propane bottle • Feature cruise control, a two-point, topmount lifting system and four-point tie-downs
The S-22EZ features 360° machine rotation, a 20-ft. telescopic boom and a choice of pivoting screed heads. • Offers zero-turn drive capability with a 360° steering angle • Customized OASIS laser control system is simple to operate and upgradeable • Comes with a full-color LCD display with integrated diagnostics, Quick GradeSet System, automatic throttle and Programmable Quick Pass • Redesigned EZ Clean Head reduces cleanup time and improves long-term maintenance • Options include a 12- or 14-ft. head width, roller plow, onboard pressure washer with hose reel, operator heat, spray bar and Floor Levelness System
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CONCRETE EQUIPMENT Products Lavina LP36 Ride-on Power Trowel
Milwaukee Tool MX FUEL 14-in. Cut-Off Saw The lithium ion battery-powered MX Fuel 14-in. cut-off saw (MXF314-1XC) offers fast cuts from start to finish with quick and easy push-button activation. • Provides the same cut speed as most two-cycle gas saws and a full 14-in. blade capacity to cut more in a single pass • 5-in. cut depth • Up to 50% less noise and reduced vibration for a smoother cut • ONE-KEY compatibility provides ability to track the saw with community tracking and alerts, complete inventory management and smart equipment technology
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Advanced Concrete Electric Beauty The Electric Beauty vibratory screed is powered by a 1/2-hp Dayton 10,000-rpm electric motor and can use Equilateral Triangle Screed Bars from 4 to 12 ft. • Environmentally friendly and can be used in enclosed spaces where gas emissions would be a concern • Weighs only 22 lbs. and is very portable • Adjustable T-BAR or Bicycle Style handle • Can be used for wet or form screeding
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The LP36 ride-on power trowel is equipped with two 36-in. floating pans with four Trowel Shine Tool Holders on each pan. • Kawasaki FX1000V engine with Fuel Minder for closed-loop fuel management • Heavy-duty shroud protects walls from slurry • Integrated wheel set lifts the trowel (200 mm) for changing blades and tools quickly and easily • Continuously variable transmission adjusts drive ratio to obtain optimum torque and speed during all phases of finishing • LED lighting for better visibility
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Toro Swivel Mud Buggy The Swivel Mud Buggy features a redesigned tub that enables it to swivel 180°, allowing users to dump materials anywhere between the 180° angle. • Weighs roughly 1,575 lbs., is powered by a 25-hp Kohler Confidant engine and can carry up to 2,500 lbs. (16 cu. ft.) of material • 3/8-in. polyethylene tub can tackle material such as sand, rock, mulch or even cement • Swivel switch travels with right-hand control handle to allow safe, efficient machine operation while simultaneously swiveling tub • Auto-return dump feature • Rugged Endless Kevlar-reinforced tracks
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Wacker Neuson ACBe Backpack Concrete Vibrator The ACBe cordless concrete vibration system consists of the backpack with integrated converter, removable/replaceable BP1000 lithium ion battery and internal vibrator. • Backpack adjusts for varying heights and sizes with lightweight fabric, padded shoulders and even weight distribution • Vibrator shaft connects to bottom center of backpack, allowing for easy left- or righthand operation • Allows use of 1.5-, 1.8- and 2.3-in. internal head diameters and 5- and 10-ft. shaft lengths • Integrated converter enables vibrator to provide high-cycle/highfrequency performance
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DUGAN & MEYERS PAVES THE WAY FOR NEW AIRPORT RENTAL CAR FACILITY As the number of annual passengers climbed toward 9 million, the John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, OH, established plans to meet the growing demand for nonstop flights from Ohio’s capital city with the addition of a new concrete rental car facility that would open up about 40% more garage parking for travelers. Built on nearly 10 acres in the center of the airport property, the new $140 million four-level rental car facility is one of the largest construction projects in the airport’s history. Dugan & Meyers, which is serving as the concrete contractor and the largest contractor on the job, is using the lightweight Stinger electric flex shaft concrete vibrator from Minnich Mfg. to meet the demands of the project schedule. “We’ve used high-cycle vibrators in the past that have extra weight where our guys are dragging around a 60- to 70-lb. vibrator,” says Josh Weddel, concrete assistant supervisor at Dugan & Meyers. “We knew we needed something lighter and durable for this project, and the Minnich Stinger had both of those things.” Learn more at www.ForConstructionPros.com/21139913.
BATTLE AX LOW AND HIGH FLOW SKID STEERS & EXCAVATORS 10,000 LBS - 80,000 LBS
DON’T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW …OR LESS
Allmand Maxi-Heat 1M BTU Towable Heater Minnich Auto Vibe CC The Auto Vibe CC vibrator monitoring system is designed to simplify hydraulic paving vibrator monitoring during heavy highway and airport paving processes. • High-visibility, all-weather touchscreen monitor offers easy navigation • All electrical connections feature Deutsch harness connectors for easy connections and service • Easy to install and features remote access to the company for field support
The versatile Maxi-Heat 1M BTU towable indirect-fired heater provides reliable heat that easily transitions from warming equipment to curing concrete. • Two independently operating burners provide up to a combined 1,000,000 BTUs of heat • Provides reliable heat in even the harshest of conditions • Comes fully equipped with the iQ system, which automatically calibrates each burner for trouble-free operation • Recirculation standard on all Maxi-Heat products for increased efficiency and lower fuel consumption
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Mulching Heads
TWO-STAGE CUTTING CHAMBER Thoroughly process material with the exclusive two-stage cutting chamber featuring an adjustable primary shear bar.
Flail Mowers
Mechanical Trimmer LOFTNESS.COM
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EXCLUSIVE DEPTH GAUGE DESIGN Maximize productivity by not biting off too much, or too little, material at one time. The new Battle Ax rotor has unique depth gauges that optimize the material feed rate for top efficiency.
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T R U CKS & T R A N S P O R TAT I O N | By Curt Bennink
Cut WEIGHT to Increase Payload There are many alternatives to expensive aluminum components, which can help cut costs and weight at the same time.
The frame is a good place to start when shaving weight. Because most frame strength lies in the flanges, Volvo Trucks uses 3.54- and 4.13-in. flanges rather than a typical industry-standard flange of 3.25 in. Larger flanges positioned farther apart result in a higher RBM.
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eight is an important consideration when spec’ing a vocational truck. Every pound you save is another pound of legal payload that can be hauled. There are many decisions you can make to reduce
Cast aluminum crossmembers on the Kenworth T880 can save an average 36 lbs. per truck.
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weight without sacrificing performance or durability, but you must also factor cost into the equation and the potential to earn a positive return on investment. Aluminum wheels and other components can help shed pounds, but they can also add significant cost. “Certainly, weight is a critical consideration in most vocational applications and identifying components that achieve the desired result can take time,” says Andy Hanson, product marketing manager, Volvo Trucks North America. “This is because it’s often a ‘game of inches,’ or in this case, pounds. For example, aluminum hubs for a steer axle reduce a chassis’ weight by around 30 lbs., or aluminum crossmembers can save around 40 lbs.” Aluminum components such as front bumpers, hubs, air tanks, crossmembers and wheels
are often the first items you may consider when trying to shave critical pounds. “Aluminum is a great way to save weight vs. steel,” says Ryan Breezee, Kenworth vocational marketing manager. “If designed correctly, aluminum can be both stronger and lighter than steel components. We like to highlight our cast aluminum crossmembers that were introduced with the Kenworth T680 on-highway and T880 vocational models. Cast aluminum crossmembers replaced our bolted crossmembers as standard. Not only are the cast aluminum crossmembers 20% stiffer, they also save an average of 36 lbs. per truck. For severe-duty applications, Kenworth still offers optional steel and multi-piece crossmembers.” Yet, aluminum components can present design challenges. “There are trade-offs. Usually,
aluminum components have to be thicker to meet our stringent durability requirement, and they cost more,” notes Tim Wrinkle, construction product manager, Mack Trucks. “However, aluminum components make sense for certain applications.”
ALTERNATIVES TO ALUMINUM COMPONENTS Because aluminum components can be rather expensive, there are other weight-saving options to consider. “Aluminum components can play a role in reducing a chassis’ weight, but there are more costeffective ways such as a detailed evaluation of the chassis’ specifications. Often, this review process can reduce weight and save money, which is in contrast to purchasing costly aluminum components,” says Hanson. One example of this review process is selecting the right rear
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axle for your application. “Take a dump truck with a tandem axle operating in a state where the rear axle load is capped at 34,000 lbs. Regardless of whether this truck is configured as a tri-axle or quad-axle, the chassis weight can be reduced by 78 lbs. by selecting the standard housing for a 46,000-lb. tandem axle or even considering a 44,000lb. tandem,” Hanson points out. “These axles are designed to handle the extra weight while maneuvering at slow speeds, and cost significantly less than a standard axle with extra-thick walls.” The closer you look at the truck specifications, the more weight you may be able to save. “If a chassis is converted from a vertical to a horizontal exhaust configuration, weight can be reduced by around 50 lbs. while saving hundreds of dollars,” Hanson notes. “Of course, these scenarios are application- and region-specific, but the concept can lead to fruitful conversations with your sales representative.” While there are many ways to save weight when spec’ing a truck, the three main areas to focus on are the cab, engine and frame rails, says Breezee.
BUILD ON THE CORRECT FOUNDATION “The lighter the truck, the more you can haul, which affects productivity,” says Greg Treinen, heavy vocational product manager, Daimler Trucks North America. The frame of the truck itself can be a good starting place to reduce unnecessary weight. “Where possible, try to find a truck model with the resisting bending moment (RBM) rating you need using a single channel frame rail. Using a deep single channel frame rail vs. a double channel can deliver significant weight savings and reduce the risk of corrosion that can cause vocational truck downtime.” This corrosion results when moisture becomes trapped between frame rail inserts. Choosing the correct frame rail is a decision that should not be taken lightly. “Optimizing your truck’s frame rail is critical,” says Hanson. “Having too much rail is a waste of money and potential payload. Too little frame could result in cracks and failures. Therefore, finding
the most efficient frame rail for your application warrants investigation. As frames thicken and increase in height, weight increases. Therefore, the challenge is to make stronger frames that weigh less.” First, you must understand how to measure frame strength. “The RBM is a factor of frame height, flange width and thickness,” says Wrinkle. “Mack’s 11mm x 90mm x 300mm rail offers RBM of 2.82M (2,820,000 in.-lbs.) and our 11mm x 105mm x 300mm rail offers RBM of 3.16M (3,156,000 in.-lbs.) Both options are great for offering strength in a single rail. RBM is calculated by using the section modulus number and multiplying it by the known yield strength.” Manufacturers offer different frame rail geometries to match the frame to the application. “Because most frame strength lies in the flanges, Volvo Trucks North America uses 3.54- and 4.13-in. flanges rather than a typical industry-standard flange of 3.25 in. to increase the frame’s strength,” says Hanson. “Larger flanges positioned farther apart result in a higher RBM. Additionally, taller rails (say, those over 12 in. high) and thicker rails (say, more than .5 in. thick) are more difficult to manufacture and therefore present more inconsistencies. A frame’s overall strength measured in RBM, rather than using one single exterior dimension, should be used in evaluating a frame’s utility.” Stronger is not always better. “A common mistake is to order frame rails that are overkill for the application,” says Breezee. “Kenworth has an engineering group that will review specs to make sure the frame rails selected will be adequate for that specific application. That way, our customers can rest assured that they have enough frame rail for the job. This extra service allows a spec to be finely tuned to balance weight savings yet still provide the durability expected... There is also a large selection of frame rails and frame inserts available on Kenworth trucks to meet our customers’ needs.” He adds, “A single rail can definitely save weight when compared to an inserted frame rail. But the real trick is selecting
the ‘right-sized’ frame rail. We will analyze a spec to make sure the frame will stand up to the intended application, yet it isn’t overkill and adding significant weight to the truck.” The dealer is a useful resource to ensure the correct choice. “Dealers work directly with Western Star’s Customer Application Engineering group to understand each customer’s work environment, estimated payload and highway travelling time in order to spec the truck to the customer’s exact needs — even frame selection,” says Treinen. “With the right frame and suspension selection, a customer can avoid an over- or under-spec’d truck for budget, weight optimization and truck longevity.” Like frame selection, there are many choices when it comes to vocational suspension selection, which can impact both the performance and weight of the truck. In addition to capacity, stability, articulation and ride quality, weight should factor into the equation when choosing a rear suspension option. “Suspension system selection is another area where you can save weight, but you must also consider the impact any possible lift axle installations may have on frame and axle selection. When it comes to spec’ing a rear suspension, there are trade-offs between off-road and on-road performance,” notes Treinen. “Western Star’s Airliner rear suspension is the lightest, most cost-effective rear suspension today. Its advanced design reduces weight, which allows for greater payload. The stability and cushioning of this suspension can help reduce payload damage and driving fatigue.”
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LATEST ENGINE TECHNOLOGY Over the past several years, the power densities of modern diesel engines have continued to rise, allowing lighter, smaller displacement engines to replace heavier, larger displacement versions. “The most cost-effective way
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to reduce the weight of a vocational truck is to spec a lighter weight engine,” says Wrinkle. “The Mack MP7 11-liter is a popular choice for concrete mixers and refuse models on the vocational side. In addition, fleets with weight-conscious applications, like bulk haul or those that operate on flat terrain, often spec the MP7. The Mack MP8 13-liter engine also has the muscle to handle the heavi-
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est of loads without the additional weight. Customers report that the smaller displacement engine performs well while maintaining the same reliability and durability of our larger engines.” There is no one-size-fits-all solution. “Sizing the right engine for the application is critical,” says Treinen. “Larger displacement engines still have their place in loads that are exceedingly heavy [applications], such as lowboy or heavy haul.” But many vocational applications can utilize a 13- or even 9-liter engine for additional weight savings. “There has been a greater focus on 13-liter engines as various manufacturers have increased the top ratings on these engines,” says Treinen. “Improvement to fuel systems, aspiration and higher compression ratios have all contributed to this. It is important to understand there are technical limitations to any engine and that constantly running at the higher power ratings means the engine will be operating closer to its design limit.” He adds, “The main benefits for customers choosing smaller displacement engines
The Mack ClearTech One aftertreatment system saves about 11 in. of frame rail space while reducing weight by about 17 lbs. compared with the previous two-unit system.
“Where possible, try to find a truck model with the RBM rating you need using a single channel frame rail.” — Greg Treinen
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T R U CKS & T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
The Western Star 49X features a new cab that is 8% lighter than its predecessor. The hood, made of lightweight resin material, is nearly 100 lbs. lighter and a new air intake system delivers a 60-lb. weight reduction from the dual air intake system featured on the legacy product.
Kenworth
are improved fuel efficiency and reduced weight, while maintaining power levels that are required to get the job done. However, keep in mind
The downsides to spec’ing a smaller engine are disappearing fast. An 11-liter engine can be spec’d to save several hundred pounds compared to 13-liter offerings, yet still deliver the same performance. For example, the PACCAR MX-11 is available with up to 430 hp and 1,650 lbs.-ft. of torque.
the life cycle of the vehicle, as this will have an effect on the size or displacement of the engine. Vocational vehicles tend to have longer life cycles — 10 to 15 years — and operate at slow speeds with high idle times (low miles/high engine hours). A larger displacement engine will come with an extended B50 life, meaning it will have an extended life until an overhaul is needed.” Traditional views on smaller displacement engines are
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changing. “We have seen a trend in vocational applications of fleets switching to smaller block engines to save tare weight in order to maximize payload,” says Breezee. “The downsides to spec’ing a smaller engine are disappearing fast. An 11-liter engine can be spec’d to save several hundred pounds compared to 13-liter offerings, yet still deliver the same performance. The PACCAR MX-11 is available with up to 430 hp and 1,650 lbs.-ft. of torque, which is more than enough for most vocational applications.” In many instances, the newer small displacement engines have proven just as durable as their larger displacement counterparts. “While it’s typically assumed that a larger engine will outlast a smaller engine in the same application, that isn’t always the case with the PACCAR MX lineup,” says Breezee. “Both the PACCAR MX-11 and the PACCAR MX-13 have been tested and held to the same design life expectancy under identical conditions.” The choice really comes down to power needs and the potential initial purchase savings. “The spread in weight
between Volvo’s D11 and D13 engines is somewhat significant,” says Hanson. “If your horsepower requirements lay within a range of 400 to 435 hp and your torque requirement is around 1,550 lbs.-ft., the D11 engine is an excellent choice. Both engines use similar technologies and have similar B50 ratings. Therefore, considering the present value of capital and increased utility of the truck in terms of payload, a smaller displacement engine might be the right choice. This, of course, needs to be balanced with the resale implications of spec’ing a smaller engine.” Also consider the weight of the transmission when choosing a powertrain. There can be significant weight differences between the types of transmissions that fit the particular application. “Spec’ing the Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission also helps weight-conscious customers because it’s a lighter weight option compared with competitor transmissions,” Wrinkle asserts.
COMPARE LATEST MODELS While there are limitations to the weight you can realistically save while spec’ing a vocational truck, weight is a key design
criterion when manufacturers design new models, and they are always finding creative ways to shed a few pounds. For instance, when the Western Star 49X was introduced earlier this year, weight reduction without sacrificing durability was a design goal. This resulted in a new cab that is 8% lighter than its predecessor. The hood, made of lightweight resin material, is nearly 100 lbs. lighter than the legacy hood and a new air intake system delivers a 60-lb. weight reduction from the dual air intake system featured on the legacy product. Likewise, Kenworth was able to use a new approach to cab design and save weight while increasing performance. The company designed an aluminum 2.1-meter cab that is extremely lightweight, yet still provides plenty of space for even the largest drivers. “The added bonus of aluminum is that it resists corrosion,” says Breezee. Even the choice the manufacturers make for emissions reduction technology can impact overall weight. “Our ClearTech One aftertreatment system saves about 11 in. of frame rail space while reducing weight by about 17 lbs. compared with the previous two-unit system,” says Wrinkle. “A weight reduction of 51 lbs. was realized by the GHG 2017 Mack MP7, and the GHG MP8 engine reduced weight by about 71 lbs. This was achieved by a combination of our patented wave piston design, two-speed coolant pump, assembled camshaft and a revised cylinder block.” Manufacturers continue to invest in R&D with an eye on potential weight savings. “Volvo Trucks continues to address vehicle weight in creative ways,” says Hanson. “Again, chassis specifications and packaging deliver the largest and most cost-effective gains. For example, Volvo’s I-Shift transmission is 272 lbs. lighter than other automatic transmissions. But significant gains remain with future advancements in technology. With support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Volvo Trucks has experimented with aluminum frame rails and carbon fiber body panels. These materials, along with other technological advancements, will soon deliver real-world gains in a vehicle’s operational efficiency.” ET
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TRUCKS & TRANSPORTATION Products Fontaine Magnitude 60LCC Trailer
Ford 2022 E-Transit Electric Van
The Magnitude 60LCC hauls 60-ton loads in 13 ft. with four axles close coupled and is designed for customers operating in regions where spread axle configurations are not required to maximize trailer loads. • Can also accept a 23-in. flip box and EQ1 spreader with a fourth axle if a spread axle configuration is required, providing a 55-ton load capacity in 16 ft. • Fabricated with 100,000-lb. minimum yield steel flanges • Boasts a 26-ft. clear deck length and a loaded deck height of 18 in. with 6 in. of ground clearance • Hydraulic removable gooseneck can be connected and disconnected in seconds, even on unlevel ground
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The 2022 E-Transit van will offer enhanced productivity enabled by its fully electric powertrain, software and technology solutions, available remote services and Pro Power Onboard options. • Same interior cargo dimensions and standard mounting points as gas-powered version • Includes electric vehicle monitoring software and connected solutions • Usable battery capacity of 67 kWh delivers an estimated range of 126 miles in the lowroof cargo van variant • Ford Mobile Charger can plug into a 120-volt outlet for slow, steady charging or a 240volt outlet for faster charging • Optional Pro Power Onboard provides up to 2.4 kW for tools and equipment
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2021 Ram 1500 TRX
XL Specialized XL 150 HDG Trailer The XL 150 hydraulic detachable gooseneck (HDG) 2+3+2 trailer hauls extra-large construction equipment as well as a variety of crane-loaded freight. • Heavy-duty capacity of 150,000 lbs. in 16 ft. concentrated or 140,000 lbs. in 10 ft. concentrated • 30-ft. main deck length with a loaded deck height of 24 in. and ground clearance of 6 in. • Overall length of jeep, trailer, booster plus a truck with a 300-in. wheelbase comes in under 120 ft. • 13-ft. hydraulic gooseneck with 105- and 97-in. swing clearance settings • 100-in. hydraulic flip neck extension adds 205- and 199-in. swing clearance settings for added versatility plus adjust fifth-wheel height to 64 in.
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The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX features a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine rated at 702 hp and 650 lbs.-ft. of torque and enabling a top speed of 118 mph. • High torque capacity TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission • Provides up to 32 in. of water fording, up to 8,100 lbs. of towing capacity and a maximum payload capacity of 1,310 lbs. • Dual-path air induction system ensures the engine receives a steady supply of clean, cool air regardless of inbound dirt and debris • Standard Launch Control manages tire slip while launching the vehicle to give consistent straightline acceleration • Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow and Custom dynamic modes enable drivers to choose a setting that meets their requirements and ambient conditions
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BORN TO
Autocar DC-64D Severe-duty Class 8 Truck The DC-64D severe-duty Class 8 truck is engineered specifically for the demands of a dump truck and general construction use. • Features 325° of visibility from the driver’s seat with 4,982 sq. in. of viewable glass area • Wrap-around windshield with tucked-in A-pillars maximizes forward visibility • Ultra-high-strength, 160,000-psi steel frame rails enable the unit to handle up to 1,700 lbs.-ft. of torque and an 80,000-lb. towing capacity • Offered in both diesel and CNG/LNG fuel options • Large cab space with ample foot, leg, hip, elbow and shoulder room and fully adjustable seat and steering column
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ONE SYSTEM TO REDUCE > REUSE > RECYCLE IN MANY APPLICATION AREAS S C A N & P L AY i n f o @ m b c r u s h e r. c o m
MBCRUSHER.COM
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T E CHN OLO G Y T R E N D S | By Spencer Chin
10 Technologies I IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION Technologies can help you enhance jobsite efficiency and maintain your fleet. Trimble Earthworks Grade Control version 2.0 features Horizontal Steering Control, which automatically controls the machine to follow any horizontal alignment.
n recent years, a spate of digital-based technologies have turned construction into a hotbed of high tech. These technologies are enabling operators to more precisely survey and plan the elements of a construction project, perform various construction tasks and develop and maintain a vital database of construction fleet data. Whether it be high-tech grade positioning, Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems, telematics, remote control or 3D printing, these technologies are available now. The initial investments construction companies make in them will be repaid in faster, more streamlined project deployment, fewer errors in the field, improved fleet maintenance and more efficient labor deployment.
BIM EASES PROJECT PLANNING With construction projects becoming more complex and desired time windows to completion getting tighter, an integrated means of displaying all facets of a project is needed. BIM systems are providing a means for all stakeholders in a project, from architects to construction crews, to have a close-up look at the project workflow to streamline planning and project coordination. Taking computer-aided design (CAD) up the technology ladder, BIM uses tools such as robotic total stations and 3D laser scanners to give designers more in-depth insights into projects. These tools are enabling BIM models to be accessible in the field, thus enabling faster, more accurate real-time collaboration on the jobsite without delays while waiting for updated designs. Construction firms have embraced BIM in a big way. In a blog post from BIM software provider Hexagon, the 2019 Sage Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Survey showed only 38% of construction firms indicated they do not use BIM. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), modeling data from technologies such as BIM reduce duplicate design and production work that leads to costly delays. NIST estimates these costs could amount to $8.4
billion for engineers to answer questions and create additional drawings, and $3.8 billion for machinists to do the same. Hexagon offers BIM software that accepts input from 3D CAD models and generates a BIM workflow that can be updated as needed. The workflow encompasses detailed construction elements that extend to all features in a building. “Some may say that BIM is responsible for the creation of more and more complex building forms, and that may be true,” says Matt Wheelis, LEED AP, Global Business Development, Buildings & Construction, Geosystems division of Hexagon. “But building complexity is also a function of the systems contained within the building to automate environmental controls, integrate with facility operation systems and make the building more responsive to people and to the environment.” One limitation of BIM is its relative non-availability for existing buildings. “One of the trends that has been getting a lot of attention in the past couple of years is that of a ‘digital twin,’ or digital replica of the actual building that is kept in sync with the building so that sensor data can be understood in context (including 3D) and impacts and changes simulated to better predict outcomes,” says Wheelis. “For new buildings, a [BIM model] can provide the 3D context, but for existing buildings, an emerging trend is that of using laser scanning (LIDAR) to capture the building geometry and using specialized software to create the 3D virtual representation.”
VIEWING PROGRESS THROUGH AUGMENTED REALITY While BIM is a great help during construction planning, virtual technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality, give project stakeholders a clear window to the project as it goes through all stages and through whatever desktop or mobile device is used. AR is designed to combine the physical and digital worlds by overlaying digital information onto the user’s actual environment. With AR, all the stakeholders in the construction process can
Trimble
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TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
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now visualize what a project will look like via a 3D model using the AR tool on their own devices. While viewing the model overlaid on the actual site, they can ask and answer questions, raise concerns and solve problems on the spot. According to Mark Nichols, general manager at Trimble, AR and mixed reality — which anchors virtual objects to the real world — have taken off in the past few years due to technology advances in areas such as sensors, video and software. “Mixed reality is where the industry will trend to as operators gain the ability to operate hands-free,” says Nichols. He envisions mixed reality integrated with a certified hard hat that allows users to visualize 3D data on project sites.
THE POWER OF SIMULATION FOR TRAINING The intricacies of performing a construction task can often be learned in a virtual manner before applying them on a jobsite. Simulation combines a powerful computer and software to provide a complete picture of all facets of a construction project in progress. It enables contractors to experiment with
project variables, helping them to optimize a particular job and providing an added degree of assurance when training new or inexperienced operators. “Simulation allows operators to train in a safe environment while experiencing challenging situations,” says Curt Leconte, product manager, simulators, John Deere. “Some of the benefits include concentrated seat time, repeatability and experience on a variety of equipment in a cost-effective way. There is no need to fuel up the equipment, rope off an area and occupy an instructor. Simulation can be reset and tried again and again.” The advent of increasingly powerful computers is enabling advancements in simulator accuracy and functionality. “We are able to more accurately represent the components of the machine, soil simulation and interactive environments that make the operators feel like they are in control of the real equipment,” says Leconte. “For example, simulators are now able to simulate soil particles and how they interact with a blade or bucket; soil compaction of tracks; calculate forces the equipment is feeling at each point; calculate run time fuel consumption and more.”
UPGRADING GRADE POSITIONING Grade positioning technology enables operators to interactively view what is happening on a jobsite as construction equipment is moving, eliminating guesswork and increasing productivity. “Grade control systems continue to advance the productivity, accuracy and profitability of a multitude of applications on the jobsite,” says Oscar Cantu, construction content manager for the Americas, Topcon Positioning Systems. “Our X-53x
positioning system provides realtime, dynamic on-screen bucket location and design views. It allows operators to cut grade faster and more accurately and create, cut and check complex designs from the cab, and it increases safety by removing the grade checker from the trench.” The X-53x can be easily upgraded to an automatic system that helps operators automatically determine the digging depth and bucket angle. “The operator can import design files
Volvo’s ActiveCare Direct telematics system proactively monitors equipment wear, helping operators optimize vehicle deployment and maintenance schedules.
Cat Command technology enables users to roll out integrated remote control technology for a large selection of Caterpillar machines.
Caterpillar
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T E CHN OLO G Y T R E N D S
Sarcos Robotics
Topcon Positioning Systems
Topcon’s X-53x positioning system provides real-time, dynamic on-screen bucket location and design views.
Sarcos Robotics’ Guardian XO enables a worker to lift loads up to 20 times his or her lifting capacity.
or create a custom design from the cab of the excavator using the bucket to take topo shots,” says Cantu. “The bucket follows complex designs by simply pulling back on the left joystick. Additionally, it can add support for boom automation in tilt/ rotator applications.” Trimble has also introduced a number of innovations in its grade control products. In March 2020, the company introduced its Earthworks Grade Control version 2.0. One of the system’s noteworthy features is Horizontal Steering Control, which automatically controls the machine to follow any horizontal alignment — such as the back of a curb, break line, roadway centerline or bottom of slope — without operator assistance. “We’re focusing on operator assistance,” says Cameron Clark, earthmoving industry director, civil engineering and construction, Trimble. “A lot
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of grade positioning systems will tell the operator how far to move the machine but not give guidance as to how.” The system’s integrated LOADRITE Payload Management displays grade control and accurate payload data on one screen, increasing mass haul productivity and efficiency by preventing underloading and avoiding overloading. The platform also offers a mastless motor grader configuration that mounts one GNSS receiver on the cab and one on the machine’s gooseneck, thus eliminating the masts and cables traditionally located on the blade. According to Trimble, this design helps contractors decrease the risk of machine damage and reduces the time spent removing and reinstalling the masts daily.
DRONES TO THE RESCUE Sending workers to survey a potential construction site costs time and money, so more contractors are considering using drones to aerially survey a site prior to breaking ground or sending personnel out for a
detailed look. Drones can also be useful in monitoring the progress of a project remotely and even for measuring the volume of material stockpiles. Propeller Aerobotics uses drones as part of a cloud-based data visualization and analytics platform. The platform provides 3D site mapping technology which achieves accuracies as precise as 1/10th of a foot, according to Rory San Miguel, co-founder and CEO. “The drones are designed to help free overworked site personnel and perform some of the tedious surveying tasks and focus on analyzing data,” says San Miguel. Drones produce measurable 3D site surveys as well as an interactive, visual timeline of the user’s site. The platform also produces on-demand reports that free the user from having to perform data analysis.
THE CASE FOR TELEMATICS Telematics technology, which uses telecommunications and information processing to monitor vehicle operation,
has become an important ally for construction operations to help them maximize their effectiveness in deploying and maintaining often vast fleets of equipment. Volvo Construction Equipment, for instance, uses its telematics system to monitor equipment wear. “At Volvo, some of the most common issues we see with our ActiveCare Direct advanced telematics system are excessive idling, hot turbo shutdowns, high-speed shifts on wheel loaders and misuse of excavator work modes,” says Dave Adams, product sales manager, connected services. “Catching these issues can lower costs, increase uptime and identify operator training opportunities — all of which can help a company’s bottom line.” The company’s telematics system sends data to the Volvo Uptime Center in Pennsylvania, where data analysts and a software system sift through it and only send alerts when there is an actionable item. The system also provides a monthly fleet utilization report, allowing customers
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Topcon Positioning Systems
to see fleet performance, efficiency, hours and instances of machine misuse. Reducing excessive idling lowers operating costs for fuel consumption and maintenance. “It can even help increase a machine’s resale value because a machine with less idle time will accumulate fewer hours,” says Adams. “I’ve seen that add up to a difference of a couple thousand or more lifetime hours, allowing the owner to sell a machine for thousands of dollars more.” Telematics enables users to keep track of where equipment is at any given time. “When any piece of equipment goes missing, it can hinder fleet performance and increase insurance costs,” says Steven Berube, senior business development manager for off-road and vocational sales, Geotab. “A telematics system enables fleets to create a geofence — a virtual setting that corresponds to a real-world geographic location. Construction companies can use geofencing to determine if a piece of equipment that leaves a jobsite is being stolen or inappropriately moved. Along with theft, there is always the possibility of accidents or collisions at a construction site.” Berube notes that telematics creates a database of fleet data invaluable for safety. “Fleet managers can review trip history, accidents and log data along with speed profiles, accelerometer and/or rpm graphs. With this data, they can train equipment operators on safe equipment practices to prevent future incidents,” he points out.
ROBOTICS MEET LOAD CHALLENGES An ongoing challenge at jobsites is the need for workers to move heavy loads. The issue becomes exacerbated on some sites where loads must be maneuvered in tight locations that equipment may not be able to easily access. To deal with this, the industry is deploying robotic technology in the form of an exoskeleton, whose robotic features enable safer handling of difficult loads. Sarcos Robotics has developed Guardian XO, a full-body, powered industrial exoskeleton that enables a worker to lift loads up to 20 times his or her lifting capacity. “The Guardian XO gives the operator an added
degree of safety in difficult to access locations at a construction site,” says Kristi Martindale, chief customer officer and executive vice president, product strategy. “It enables humans to maneuver and lift materials in locations where forklifts or other heavy equipment cannot access.” Another advantage of the robotic exoskeleton is social distancing regulations that put constraints on the number of people who can lift a heavy object, since the exoskeleton enables one person to lift an object that weighs up to 200 lbs. The Guardian XO reduces the chance of a worker getting injured and gives the worker a high degree of freedom of movement.
REMOTE CONTROL ENABLES SAFER OPERATION Remote control technology that allows equipment to operate without a person physically present can assist contractors where labor is not available and in isolated or dangerous locations where deploying human labor is not practical. “It is still commonplace globally to put machine operators into hazardous environments,” says Andy Massey, product applications specialist, Caterpillar. “No employer wishes to put operators at risk. Remote control technology for construction equipment has been based around mining equipment and had been prohibitively expensive to roll out into general applications.” Cat Command technology enables employers to roll out cost-effective, factory designed, integrated remote control technology for a large selection of Caterpillar machines. The remote control technology gives operators flexibility in deploying labor where needed. “A good example of how this could be rolled out with huge gains is low-production concrete batch plants where small wheel loaders are typically used for charging the plant hoppers,” Massey says. “Once the hoppers are full, the machine is sat idling waiting for the next order to come in. In this application, imagine if one operator could run five loaders on up to five different sites from one central location, keeping up with production as required.” From a labor standpoint, the
remote technology has produced ancillary benefits. “We are finding Cat Command Technology opens up the machine operation profession to a whole new range of employees who previously were unable to or not attracted to the machine operation profession,” says Massey. “This includes people with physical disabilities who previously could not climb aboard a machine, and tech savvy young professionals who see remote machine operation a highlight career path.”
RUGGEDIZED DEVICES STAND UP TO ABUSE Technology advancements in construction also mean a greater presence of devices such as laptop computers, tablets and smartphones on jobsites. Given their importance in collecting and storing crucial data, it’s important these devices stand up to dirt, humidity, temperature extremes and vibration. Ruggedized devices provide better assurance of withstanding severe environments. For instance, ruggedized laptops have a thicker and stronger housing than a regular laptop and are mainly used for industrial, construction and military purposes. They are designed to stand up to vibration, shock, drop, dust and moisture, yet comply with requirements such as high performance and governmental grade security. Ruggedized tablets are also built to withstand the harsh conditions present at construction sites. They can incorporate features such as touchscreens, hot-swap batteries, integrated scanners, large memory and storage capacities and more. Ruggedized smartphones incorporate a thicker housing and are sealed against environmental extremes. Like a rugged tablet, they typically meet IP certification and military standard specifications for dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and temperature extremes.
3D PRINTING REVOLUTIONIZING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Technology is also changing the face of construction materials. 3D printing potentially allows the fabrication of highstrength construction materials without the challenges of traditional processes. 3D printers used in
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construction can print materials combining a composite and concrete that is thicker than conventional concrete. Potential advantages include faster construction, lower labor costs, increased complexity and/or accuracy, greater integration of function and less waste produced. In one example, Belgian provincial technology accelerator company Kamp C fabricated the structure for a two-story house using a fixed 3D concrete printer on site. The company claims the concrete material’s compressive strength is three times that of traditional brick. The house was constructed in about three weeks. Advances are occurring in other 3D printing processes geared toward construction. Prefabrication and technology company Branch Technology offers a 3D printing process called cellular fabrication (C-FAB), which the company says allows the construction of composite wall systems for interior and exterior structures with high strength-to-weight ratios and high design flexibility. At a time when contractors face the challenges of tighter project windows, increased building complexity, a greater need for data and the possibility of less human labor due to budgetary and safety concerns, technologies such as the ones portrayed here will give savvy operators a leg up on the competition. Adopting these technologies can enable companies to plan and carry out complex projects with a higher degree of precision, safety and efficiency. ET
Kyocera
TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Smartphones for rugged environments, such as Kyocera’s DuraForce2, are sealed against moisture and humidity and resist shock, vibration and extreme temperatures.
LEARN MORE ONLINE 5 Myths About BIM Technology and Why They Shouldn’t Scare You Away From Using It — www.ForConstructionPros.com/21086672 Could Augmented Reality Help Service Technicians and Attract New Hires — www.ForConstructionPros.com/21088771 Construction’s Productivity Challenge is Really About Technology Adoption — www.ForConstructionPros.com/21018854 How Exoskeletons Improve Social Distancing on Site and Defeat Construction Labor Shortages — www.ForConstructionPros.com/21136124
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P R OFI T MAT T E R S
TECHNOLOGY Helps Halve Billing Labor and Payment Time G
reat Basin Industrial, a heavy constructor with offices in Utah and Texas, largely fabricates and installs pipes and tanks for the oil and gas industry, but also does electrical, coating, scaffolding and rail services in the mining, power and water industries. But its outdated billing process, which used spreadsheets to capture time and materials (T&M) data for work performed, was shorting the company’s pay, slowing payment and costing way too much to maintain. Spreadsheets full of work data were transmitted to the office where the information was entered into the accounting ERP. The ponderous, manual process of consolidating T&M data into field tickets for submittal to owners took about 30 days. The
complexity of that process, the volume of tickets and spreadsheet-based tracking meant many dollars of T&M work went unbilled. Work-to-billed-to-paid time stretched out to 50 days or more. Billing consumed an outsized proportion of the accounting team’s time and resources, and project managers lacked daily cost data to ensure that projects stayed on budget.
MOBILE APP SETS PACE FOR PROJECT DATA Vista, Viewpoint’s construction accounting ERP, and Viewpoint Field Management, a Vistaintegrated field ticketing solution, replaced Great Basin Industrial’s costly manual processes. A mobile app to capture labor and equipment time as well as materials
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and production replaced spreadsheets in the field. Real-time integration made field data immediately available to the back office, and automated production of field tickReal-time integration made field data immediately available to Great Basin Industrial’s ets replaced back office, and the automated production of field tickets replaced manual entry and T&M manual entry consolidation. and T&M consolidation. The system provided projBETTER BILLING SAVES AND dollars that would otherwise not have ect managers with daily cost MAKES MORE MONEY been identified, let alone billed,” says data to compare against the Replacing spreadsheets with Craig Lundskog, Great Basin’s finance estimate to keep projects on software automation acceldirector. budget. Field supervisors got erated and simplified field Real-time data flow and automated real-time over/under producticketing. consolidation of tickets for billing drastivity data to keep projects on “Viewpoint enables us to tically reduced cycle times. “Because of schedule. account for a lot of T&M Viewpoint Field Management’s T&M ticketing capabilities, the number of heads we have dedicated to billing has halved, while the volume of projects we bill doubled,” Lundskog says. Along with streamlined data capture, field supervisors are now able to present tickets on a tablet in the field to which the signature of the owner’s representative can be applied. “Instead of 30 days to produce a field ticket, Viewpoint has reduced it to one day. This efficiency was rewarded with preferred vendor status, which we expect will double our business in the next 12 months,” Lundskog says. Less manual and accelerated processes have positively impacted cash flow. “Viewpoint has improved our cash flow dramatically — we’re seeing a 50% reduction in work-to-billed-to-paid time.” Great Basin Industrial has benefited from Viewpoint Field Management’s other capabilities, as well, which include safety huddles, equipment management and much more. ET
Great Basin Industrial
Mobile app integrated with accounting ERP improves billing, enhances productivity and puts more money to the bottom line.
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COM PACT I O N E Q U I P M E N T | By Jessica Lombardo
What’s New with W PNEUMATIC ROLLERS? Rubber-tired rollers have seen improvements that make them an optimal addition to your asphalt paving fleet.
hile rubber-tired, or pneumatic, rollers can help you achieve a better asphalt base, better density and an improved product appearance, many contractors still don’t have these rollers in their fleet. “Pneumatic rollers are avoided by some due to challenges with tires picking up asphalt and preferred by others due to their ability to get great compaction,” says Brian Nagel, global sales consultant at Caterpillar Inc. “However, many state specs actually require a pneumatic roller because of its ability to get great compaction. Their weight flexibility makes them versatile in different roller positions as well as mix designs.” Pneumatic rollers use static pressure in both vertical and
horizontal directions to reduce air voids in material, which creates compaction. This is often referred to as kneading or manipulations and helps bring compaction to materials differently than traditional static or vibratory rollers. “Pneumatic rollers offer a different type of compaction that’s more of a bottom-up style compaction as opposed to a top down,” Brad Belvin, sales & marketing manager, Sakai, explains. “The way a vibratory roller works is they go over the mat and then build the compaction from the top down. When pneumatic rollers get on the mat, they knead the material and they will build compaction from the bottom up so it gives you a more uniform compaction when used in combination with everything else.”
Caterpillar
Pneumatic rollers are typically used in an intermediate roller position in an asphalt paving train, and are well suited for obtaining compaction in the tender zone.
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COMPACTION EQU IPMENT
Caterpillar
SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS SURFACES During soil compaction, pneumatic rollers are particularly helpful in creating a uniform surface. “Often, you use these large rubber-tire rollers in conjunction with a smooth drum soil roller to ensure that there is no bridging and you’ve got uniform compaction across the full width for the material,” notes Richard Evans, HAMM product manager at Wirtgen America. “[Rubber-tire rollers] are also used as a finish roller during full-depth reclamation projects due to the advanced water system on these machines. With the water system on the tires, we can keep that surface moist, then we can pull the fines to the surface and it helps seal that surface so no moisture gets in after we’re done compacting.” When not used for soil applications, pneumatic rollers are used in an intermediate roller position in an asphalt paving train. This position works well because a double-drum roller has already completed the breakdown phase and the material is still hot enough to keep tires warm and prevent material pickup. Pneumatic rollers are suited for applications where vibration should be avoided, such as next to buildings, on bridges and on thin lift asphalt overlays. These machines are also proving to be an asset when obtaining compaction along longitudinal joints and around manhole covers, as they knead materials into these tight areas while removing air voids. “If you have a manhole cover and you’re running this with a steel drum roller, you will bridge it and it will sit on that manhole cover,” says Evans. “You’re not going to get compaction right around the edges with a steel drum roller, where a tire is a little bit more manipulative.” Pneumatic rollers are also well suited for obtaining compaction in the tricky “tender zone.” “Temperature is always a big concern when you’re running
asphalt, and you want to get on the mat as close to the paver as you can to get that initial path. The quicker you can get into rolling, the better,” Belvin comments. “But then there’s a period of time called a tender zone, depending on the mix, where you kind of have to get off of the mix and you can’t do anything. Well, the only thing that you typically can do during that time is use a pneumatic-tire roller because it doesn’t displace the mix like a sealed drum machine would do. “Not all asphalt mixes are going to be the same, and because of that, you’re going to want every tool in your bag to solve all your compaction needs,” he adds.
UPGRADES IMPROVE PERFORMANCE Over the years, equipment has improved to better meet the needs of the challenging jobsites contractors experience while also improving accountability. “Caterpillar focuses on reliability and durability while maintaining low owning and operating costs when making upgrades,” Nagel says. “This combination provides the most value to our customers and ensures that they can maximize their uptime. One area not to be taken lightly is the use of Cat engines in our pneumatic rollers. By using a Cat engine, our dealers are truly the one-stop shop when it comes to servicing the machine.” A properly weighted machine will also improve performance, which is why manufacturers have focused on improving ballast systems. “Cat pneumatic rollers have ballast compartments that are water tight and internally baffled, which means there is a lot of flexibility in what materials can be used for increasing the machine’s weight,” Nagel says. “From the factory, a customer can choose to go with steel blocks or they might choose to purchase a machine without ballast and then add sand or water as need be. When no factory ballast is installed, it’s important to maintain equal weight balance between the front and rear of the machine, which will aid in uniform compaction.” For this reason, manufacturers
Sakai
By having a horizontal aspect to the pressure, aggregate can be moved more than just vertically, helping to decrease air voids. This movement also helps to seal a surface, creating a tighter finished compaction layer.
are working to make it easier to change out the ballast on their machines. “On the new [HAMM] HP Series rollers, the weight can be simply and flexibly adjusted using prefabricated ballast bodies,” says Evans. “The ballast spaces can be filled with a combination of concrete, magnetite and steel materials, enabling the overall weight to be varied in precisely graduated stages. The weights now are also all centrally mounted and easily accessible by means of a forklift to be able to change the weights in the middle of the machine.” Some manufacturers are even trying to move away from the ballast system. “At Sakai, we have a vibratory pneumatic roller which gives you a 10-ton static weight roller, but then there’s a centric weight that’s variably placed and will give you different compaction levels,” Belvin says. “With this feature you don’t have to have multiple machines or ballasts; it’s just a simple knob on the operator dash that they can change to get those different levels. It’s like having four or five different pneumatic-tire rollers built into one and the only thing that needs to change at all is just a simple switch on the dash.” Intelligent compaction (IC)
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is becoming required on more and more jobs not only to help improve the quality of the final product but also to document what was done. That technology has made its way to pneumatic rollers. “Intelligent compaction gives an operator the ability to see where they’ve gone onto the mat, how many times they have rolled the mat and a screen that changes colors with each path,” Belvin says. “This allows you to take an inexperienced operator and get them rolling to great compaction levels and not missing any spots right away, because they can see a direct visual representation of where they’ve compacted so far by how many passes and if they’ve missed anything.” IC is also becoming a requirement for contractors on DOT jobs as it gives project owners access to compaction data once a job is complete. “Caterpillar has been offering this technology on its pneumatic rollers for over five years and it consists of a display mounted conveniently in the operator’s field of view and displays both mat temperature and pass count mapping,” Nagel points out. “Data can be viewed real time or off-loaded to the cloud for further analysis or documentation purposes.”
A single 180° swivel seat on Sakai pneumatic rollers gives operators better visibility of the tire edge to the frame for a clear line of sight.
“Not all asphalt mixes are going to be the same, and because of that, you’re going to want every tool in your bag to solve all your compaction needs.” — Brad Belvin
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COM PACT I O N E Q U I P M E N T HAMM/Wirtgen America
Intelligent compaction technology has made its way to pneumatic rollers. It gives an operator the ability to see where they’ve gone onto the mat and how many times they have rolled it.
TIRES MAKE A DIFFERENCE While most operators are familiar with servicing a steel drum roller, operating a machine that runs on tires is a bit different. “All of our machines are eight-wheel rollers and they offer twin pivot steering on the front, so even in a tight turn all four wheels remain under the frame of the machine for stability,” Evans says. “And if you were to drop over a curb or uneven ground, the hydraulic suspension on the front will balance the machine so it always stays level and stable.” “Cat pneumatic rollers are designed to be simple to maintain and service,” Nagel says. “The most important aspect of the machine is the tires and specifically that they have uniform inflation pressure, which will translate to uniform compaction. One low tire will cause different ground contact pressure
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and lead to uneven compaction. Caterpillar has a solution to this maintenance task called ‘air on the run.’ It is a system that automatically maintains the tires’ air pressure to an operator-specified value via an onboard air compressor. This eliminates the need to manually check pressure, ensuring even compaction.” HAMM also has this feature on its machines, which allows operators to continue rolling even if there are changes in tire pressure during use. “As any tire warms up, air pressure increases and air on the run allows you to monitor that pressure from the operator seat,” says Evans. “With the push of a button, operators can ensure their tires are maintaining constant contact with the mat for a more uniform compaction.” Avoiding “pick-up” of the mat onto the tires is another operation difference with these machines as opposed to steel
drum rollers and it needs to be avoided at all costs. If the mix is hot and the tires are cold, you have a higher likelihood of picking up asphalt on the surface of the tires. “You want to make sure your tires are warmed up before they hit the hot mat,” Belvin says. “Many operators will run the machine for 20 to 30 minutes before it hits the mat to get the tires hot. Sakai pneumatic rollers also have vibratory options and you can turn on that vibration and that generates more friction onto the tire and builds up heat in a quicker time.” Many operators avoid pickup of the mat by spraying down the tires with an additive. Often too much water is sprayed on tires, which causes them to cool down and stick even more. That is why some machines now have an adjustable spray system to provide just the right amount of spray. “The additive tank allows you to mix additive directly into the same injectors you spray the water into,” Evans says. “The dosage from the large additive tank with level monitoring can be controlled from the operator’s platform in various addition levels. The roller doses and mixes the additive during the compaction in accordance with the specification.” HAMM pneumatic rollers can also be equipped with an infrared heating system in extremely cold climates. Once the tires are hot, you will want to keep them that way, which is why many pneumatic rollers feature skirt kits. “Skirt kits are installed around the machine and they help to retain heat around those tires,” Evans notes. “This is especially important in cooler climates because you do not want those tires to get cold and pick up asphalt off the mat.”
OPERATORS BENEFIT FROM MACHINE ADVANCEMENTS For many construction companies, operators are hard to find, so manufacturers are working hard to simplify machines to help flatten the training curve for new workers. “One thing we’ve always done and it’s a huge selling point that we notice is we keep everything very, very simple,” Belvin says. “All of our dashes are just simple knobs and switches that are
very easy for operators to understand. If an operator is starting to get into heavy equipment from, say, working the shovel or rake, we try to keep all of the dash controls very simple, intuitive and not confusing for these operators.” HAMM has also improved the operator experience with the Easy Drive system. “All of the machines operate now with the Easy Drive platform, which means that all of our machines have common instrumentation and joystick control. So, an operator can freely move from one machine to another without a big education curve,” Evans notes. “All the controls and the icons are similar across the range of all our products.” Where the operator sits is also important. “For safety purposes, the operator sits right in the center of our machine, both forward and backwards,” Evans says of HAMM models. “This means the sight angle forward and backwards is greatly reduced so they can see a lot closer around the machine.” Visibility is important. “We moved over from a dual operator station to just a single operator [station] with a 180° swivel seat,” Belvin says. “That gives operators better visibility to the tire edge to the frame so they get a clear line of sight there.” “Cat pneumatic rollers come standard with an operator station and controls that rotate to help give the operator good visibility to the tires as well as jobsite. An air suspension seat reduces operator fatigue and helps them be more alert,” says Nagel. Finally, while these machines are relatively low maintenance, manufacturers have worked to improve serviceability access points, as well. “At HAMM, we attached importance to efficiency and safety when it comes to maintenance,” says Evans. “For example, all daily maintenance items are situated on the righthand side of the engine. Engine access has also been intelligently and safely designed on the HP series. The steps are integrated in the outer contour and are opened outwards in one easy operation. Because they visually protrude in this position, the operator cannot forget to retract the steps on conclusion of the maintenance work.” ET
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PODCAST: HILTI DISCUSSES ROBOTICS IN JOBSITE HEALTH & SAFETY How robotics and human augmentation can effect construction jobsite health and safety through two innovations from Hilti.
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R U N N I N G T H E BU S I N E S S | By Garry Bartecki Published by AC Business Media
Use a Cautious Approach to Equipment in 2021
Garry Bartecki is the managing member of GB Financial Services LLP and a consultant to the Associated Equipment Distributors. He can be reached at (708) 347-9109 or gbartecki@comcast.net.
With construction backlog uncertain, consider your needs and options when acquiring equipment.
I
recently prepared a column for equipment dealers where the editor suggested I educate the readers about what to look forward to in 2021. My response was: “If I knew the answer to that question, I would be on my private jet heading to a Caribbean island with a case of 20-year-old scotch and a box of cigars.” But I gave it a shot, and you will receive some of the same tidbits and suggestions for how to take on 2021 that I offered up to the equipment folks. After finalizing the article, the hype about the COVID-19 vaccine situation hit the news. This may help soften up how I felt about 2021, which I originally felt would be bleak if the goal is to get back to 2019 economic numbers. However, I still do not see this happening even if vaccines are available and 100 million people get vaccinated. The time, effort and financing required to get us back to “normal” will probably carry us into 2022, because it seems impossible to finance and “fix” everything even if we are able to start the restoration of the economy early in 2021.
LACK OF BACKLOG HINDERS BUYING To learn more about what is going on in the industry, I took the opportunity to spend 45 minutes with a banker who manages a significant contractor portfolio in the Midwest. He reported many of his customers did okay in 2020 but are finding a lack of backlog for 2021. He also noted that many large contractors are now chasing jobs well below the financial levels they normally work in. On the positive side, he indicated new housing and restoration activity is expected to carry over into 2021 probably for the entire year — with a caution regarding interest rates and the availability and cost of materials. I have read articles in which OEMs are making statements about weak construction backlogs producing negative decisions when it comes to pulling the switch to purchase new equipment, even though certain manufacturers have excess new inventory to sell at an attractive price. Quite frankly, I don’t blame contractors for holding back, because who wants to take on a new payment obligation without knowing if the equipment will be used profitably? Contractors are also shy about purchasing a used unit unless they have the work to make use of it. Used equipment saw downward price swings of as much as 15% to 20%, which will come back once the backlog grows and start dates of work are on a short timeframe. Whether new or used equipment is being considered, the same questions need to be answered: Do you really need this machine? Will it have at least a 65% billable time utilization?
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Will buying this unit mess up your bank covenants?
And I bet you know what I’m going to say next, right? If you have questions or reservations about buying anything right now, your rental store may be where you should spend some time checking out what is available and at what pricing. Rental stores usually carry all the basic equipment contractors use, but lack when it comes to specialty equipment. If you are in a situation where you would like to rent a specialty unit, I suggest you bring an inventory list of what you need and when you might need it to see if that type of equipment would be available on a re-rent contract. This is where a rental provid©rh2010 – stock.adobe.com er rents the specialty equipment from another source and then rents it to you at pricing similar to what you would have paid if the rental company owned the unit in question.
MIND YOUR MONEY No doubt there are contractors in niche markets or supplying niche services to the housing, maintenance and restoration markets doing quite well for themselves. Many plumbers and electricians I talk to say they are remarkably busy even considering the rising cost of materials. Good for them, and if they need new or used equipment that they know will produce required time utilization, they should go ahead and take advantage of the excess new and used units available. For many of you, however, whether your company is big or small, it would be prudent to: use a sharp pencil when bidding jobs adjust costs as necessary to match the market conditions that exist inspect and make ready your equipment have your key personnel informed and involved in managing costs review your marketing plan to keep your name at the top of every customer list And do not forget — cash is king! One last comment on the PPP loan money many of you received. The PPP funds are taxable in the tax year in which they were spent even though the forgiveness takes place in the following tax year. For most PPP loan recipients, we are talking significant dollars that will be added to your taxable income. Make sure you know what you are doing and what year it will impact. ET
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Published and copyrighted 2021 by AC Business Media Equipment Today makes every effort to report manufacturers’ product news accurately, but is not responsible for validity of news claims. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the U.S. and Canada to management, engineering, supervisory, equipment maintenance and other personnel who have buying influence in the construction equipment industry. Subscribe online at www.ForConstructionPros.com. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50; Canada/Mexico $70; all other countries $100 (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank). Single copies available (prepaid only) $10.00 each (U.S., Canada & Mexico), $15.00 each (International). For change of address or subscription information call (847) 559-7598 or fax (847) 291-4816. Equipment Today (USPS 369-290, ISSN 0891-141X) is published is published 12x with issues of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Equipment Today, PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605. Printed in the USA. Canada Post PM40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Equipment Today, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. Vol. 57 No. 1 January 2021
To access previous Running the Business columns, as well as additional business management information, visit www.ForConstructionPros.com.
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