Oil-injected rammer

According to Wacker, their new oil-injected rammer series has a patented oil-injection system that outperforms other oil-injected and four-cycle rammers. The new rammer eliminates pre-mixing gas and oil; prevents engine damage with a trouble-free low-oil shutdown switch; prevents spark-plug fouling and carbon buildup; prevents smoke, fume, and straight gas damage to the engine; runs up to 65 hours on a single tank of oil; and meets the EPA’s 2004 stringent engine requirements. The oil-injected system is available on the BS 500-oi, BS 600-oi, and BS 700-oi series which are designed for the compaction of cohesive, mixed, and granular soils in confined areas.

Barrier screen

Advanced Barrier Technologies, Inc. has developed a tough, protective screen that increases the height of a highway concrete barrier to increase highway safety for motorists and highway construction workers. The ABT-120T “Z” Barrier is manufactured with high-density polyethylene plastic that does not shatter on impact. The barriers attach atop concrete barriers by screwing them into the concrete or by inserting steel posts into the pre-formed post holes. The panels are designed in a vertical zigzag pattern that allows reflective adhesive, directional markers, and/or reflective letters or numbers to be applied to relay messages to motorists. “Z” Barriers are available in safety orange, green, blue, brown, and gray.

Fluorescent roll-up material

S&S Signs and Safety Equipment Inc. has introduced a new fluorescent roll-up material for signs with more fade resistance. The color lasts up to 10 times longer than other fluorescent vinyl or mesh material, but prices are the same.

In-roadway lighting system

Advanced Delineation Systems’ new Smartstud is a lighted road marker system that provides superior visibility in any conditions. With its unique inductive power transfer technology, there are no wire connections from the buried cable to the in-pavement lights. The markers are compact, rugged, and completely sealed and the system is simple to install and operate. Large or small systems can be installed quickly and cost-effectively.

Hydraulic tube bender

The TubeShark Portable Hydraulic Tube Bender from ISCO-TubeShark is a practical and affordable machine that fits into any maintenance or fabrication shop and can be easily folded for transportation to the field for equipment repairs. The TubeShark bends steel, aluminum, and alloy tubing, bar stock, and pipe up to 2-inch diameter without distortion and can produce bends up to 180 degrees, accurate to within 0.25 degrees. The tube bender offers a wide variety of dies for bending round and square materials and a choice of air/hydraulic or electric/hydraulic power.

Concrete strength and quality measurement system

The intelliRock system from Nomadics Construction Labs uses an embedded microprocessor and high-precision temperature sensors to determine real-time, in-place concrete strength, profile temperature, and provide quality-control data. This system allows contractors to conveniently use the maturity method to non-destructively determine in-place concrete strength. The system consists of three components: a logger, an intelligent sensor that calculates maturity within the structure where it is placed; a handheld reader used to communicate with and download maturity and temperature data from the loggers; and software that downloads the data from the reader into secure, unalterable electronic files for subsequent distribution, documentation, and/or analysis. The information provided by the system can accelerate the construction process and can function as a quality-control tool.

Ride-on diesel trowel

Multiquip’s new HHN ride-on trowel offers the long life, low maintenance costs, and better fuel economy of a diesel engine. The 34-horsepower, turbocharged, liquid-cooled, diesel-powered trowel uses two helical gearboxes that operate at 98% efficiency and virtually eliminate gearbox overheating. The trowel features five blades, finishes a path 91-inches wide, and has a fuel tank capacity of 4.4 gallons. Other features include a variable speed clutch for maximum torque and speed under any condition; a twin-nozzle retardant spray system; twin pitch control that allows simultaneous change of the pitch of both rotors; and four halogen lights for low-light areas.

Anti-graffiti coating

Perma-Tech Industrial Coatings’ new, anti-graffiti coating can help reduce maintenance costs and improve aesthetics along highways. The product was tested on a section of barrier on State Route 36 in Denver, Colorado recently. A graffiti-covered wall was cleaned using a graffiti-removal product, after which XC-707 was applied using a high-pressure airless sprayer. When the wall was once again covered with graffiti, the wall was cleaned using about one-fourth the amount of cleaner previously used with a reduction in man-hours necessary to do the job. The difference in the up front cost of the product compared with a conventional paint was recovered after two cleanings.

Trailer-mounted arrow boards

NorthStar solar-powered, trailer-mounted, arrow boards provide motorists with advance warning and information on how to safely navigate through or around roadway construction or maintenance. The AB25 and AB15 have a custom designed, solid state, push-button panel that features an easy-to-read illustration of each display mode for quick, error-free operation. Lamp brightness can be controlled automatically or manually at the touch of a button. The arrow boards are available in 55-, 75-, and 110-watt configurations so they can be customized to match the charging characteristics of a specific region. The units are covered by a two-year overall warranty and 10 years on the units solar panels and LED lamps. NorthStar Traffic Technologies is a division of Crown Construction Equipment.

Concrete forming system

A new labor-saving feature has been incorporated into the Poly Meta Forms concrete forming system from Metal Forms — built-in end connections are now a part of both straight and radius poly forms. The new taper ends extend into adjacent forms to provide a quick form connection during setting operations while assuring accurate form alignment during concrete placement operations. The system uses plastic forms in conjunction with steel stake pockets to place all types of concrete flatwork as well as curb and gutter. The system is lightweight — easy to set, strip, and transport; moisture resistant — will not rot, splinter, or rust; durable and reusable; easy to clean; has outstanding weatherability; and is versatile.

Compact light tower

Wacker's  new compact light tower features a lightweight, narrow body only 48-inches wide, providing for easy maneuverability and transportation, as well as reducing storage space. This compact design allows for up to 10 units to ship on a full-size trailer. The LTC 4L is powered by a reliable 12.1-horsepower diesel engine, a glow plug preheat system for cold-weather starting, and a large 30-gallon fuel tank for up to 68 hours of continuous lighting/ run time. The mast can be raised 30 feet and rotated 360 degrees to allow for the lights to be adjusted while the mast is raised. The mast section, tower swivel base, and lamp mounting bar are all zinc/dichromate coated for corrosion resistance. The control panel features a convenient 120V GFCI receptacle with circuit breakers for additional accessory power.

Street sweeper lifetime warranty

Johnston Sweeper Company has introduced a new lifetime stainless-steel hopper and water tank warranty. The sweeper models 605, 705, 610, and 770 Cyclone will now be fully protected investments with these no-extra-cost warranties, if you specify them in your bid. Also, if specified, Johnston will provide a five-year warranty on their patented, belt-free, fluid coupling and step-up gearbox fan drive system at no extra cost.

Portable signal light

Invention Submission Corporation has announced that two of its clients have designed the Portable Signal Light, which can be used in lieu of a conventional traffic light during a power outage. The light can also be used in construction zones, school crossings, or any place where traffic needs to be controlled and directed.

Permeable ditch berm

Nilex Corporation’s improved permeable ditch berm is designed for erosion and sediment control. GeoRidge is constructed of a UV stabilized HDPE and is designed to replace traditional straw bale ditch berms. The berm is an effective energy dissipater and is portable, lightweight, and stackable. It can be used in a variety of applications including road-side ditches. Berm dimensions are 39-inches long by 9-inches high by 11-inches deep.

Reprinted from the June 2003 issue Better Roads Magazine