November 2002
New Road Products
New materials and supplies for the road market
by Kerry L. Clines, Associate Editor

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1.  Click on RoadFax link - keep window opened until all items are entered.
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Three new 4-cycle Mikasa rammers from Multiquip offer a new look, stronger crankcases, a narrower width to allow greater use in trenches, a built-in primary engine air filter to simplify service and maintenance, lower exhaust emissions, improved fuel efficiency, and lower noise levels. The MT-55F weighs in at 126 pounds and supplies 2,250 pounds of impact force; the MT-65H (pictured) weighs 146 pounds and supplies 2,900 pounds of impact force; and the MT-84F weighs 185 pounds and supplies 3,600 pounds of impact force.

Two new 2-cycle oil-injected Mikasa rammers, the MTR-40HS and MT-62HS, weigh in at 97 and 123 pounds and provide 1,225 and 2,250 pounds of impact force, respectively.

Shallow-crack concrete repair

Garon Products’ Traffic Fast is easy to use, mix, and pour for shallow-crack concrete repair and sets up in as little as two hours. It contains a high-bond liquid polymer so repairs stand up to industrial use and have increased impact resistance — making repairs last longer than those made with ordinary concrete repair mortars. Traffic Fast is ideal for use on bridge decks and any area that can’t be shut down for an extended period of time.

Safety barrier gate

A new vehicle arresting safety barrier gate from Energy Absorption Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Quixote Transportation Safety, Inc., helps prevent vehicles from intruding into a railroad crossing when a train is approaching or present. The gate arm is deployed using a vertical pivot action similar to a crossing warning gate and uses a positive locking device at each end of the arm to secure the gate across the roadway. This helps to prevent vehicles from driving around the gates, making the crossing safer for motorists and trains. The gate has a maximum width of 55 feet, and is accepted by the FHWA as a NCHRP 350 TL-2 attenuator that can stop a 2,000-pound pickup truck traveling at 44 miles per hour.

Laser transmitters

A series of new Spectra Precision Laser transmitters from Trimble — the LL600, HV601, and HV602 — provides maximum accuracy and consistent performance even in the toughest construction jobsite conditions. These lasers are ideal for a wide variety of construction leveling and machine control applications: checking elevations, excavating cutting depth, setting forms, digging footholds, screeding concrete, and many more.

Barrier system

The Roadguard Barrier System, from Traffic Safety Devices Inc., is 6-feet long, 3.5-feet high, 2-feet wide at the base, and self locks without the need for additional assistance, such as a cable, strap, rod, or coupler. The system allows for curved configurations of up to 15 degrees at each barrier connection, in either direction, while remaining locked to the adjacent barrier. The barrier is designed for the addition of sign screens and flashers with built-in slots for such devices, and is easier to maneuver because of its weight and two carrying slots on each unit. The patented interior design prevents bulging and keeps its sides straight and trim while maintaining a weight of only 125 pounds empty, but a secure 1,675 pounds when ballasted with water.

Snow plow

The Ultra Series snow plow from Snow Wolf is designed specifically for the skid steer, with blade features and frame construction built to match the skid steers’ ability to move heavy snow loads, and is available in seven widths ranging from 6 to 9 feet. The blade is angled to scoop snow rather than push it, then roll the snow off the blade quickly to keep the skid steer in control of heavy snow loads. A dual pivot, A-frame construction allows the blade to oscillate, following the contours of uneven ground without scraping, and has the ability to apply full down pressure to allow clean clearing of ice and packed snow.

Vacuum litter-collection vehicle

Madvac’s mobile 101-D vacuum litter-collection vehicle has a new feature — a dual-side gutter broom. This new feature was designed so that the brushes can be hydraulically raised/lowered with the vacuum head for on-the-fly engagement and for down-pressure adjustment. The broom can easily be mounted on either side of the vacuum head for easy access to litter collection. The self-compacting vacuum system can efficiently pick up glass, metal, bottles, cans, cardboard, plastic, or any debris, wet or dry, that fits into its hose.

Snow and ice control

Henderson Manufacturing’s First Response 3-N-1 System is designed to handle all snow and ice control requirements, regardless of the road and climate conditions. This system provides precision control and ample capacity for anti-icing applications, granular spreading, and pre-wetting. The operator can control the coverage area over one, two, or three lanes and the pump provides sufficient flow to achieve 15 to 45 gallons per lane mile. All functions can be changed, monitored, and controlled while the vehicle is in motion. The Henderson Patrol Control II hydraulic/electronic control system reports data on five different performance operations to the operator, and can be downloaded for management purposes.

Ice abrading machine

The patent-pending tow-behind Scruffer from SnoTech breaks up tempered ice so the ice fragments can be plowed or broomed away. The drum has paddles containing coated stainless-steel wire cut to length with swaged stainless-steel balls on the ends, and has a working width of 7.5 to 11.5 feet on the same fixed chassis. The drum turns from 10 to 900 rpm controlled automatically dependent on the surface speed of the vehicle. SnoTech is evaluating several computer-based control systems for the Scruffer.

Power mulcher

The Top Gun 185 power mulcher from Vermeer provides large-scale, high-efficiency mulching for roadsides and reclamation projects. With its large hydraulically powered discharge spout, the mulcher can dispense straw up to 100-feet across, swing left and right on a 300 degree arc, and pivot 20 degrees up or 30 degrees down. A deflector at the end of the spout directs mulch placement and helps spread the flow of material as needed.

Vibratory rollers

Multiquip’s T-Series tandem vibratory rollers from Rammax are built for the 2- to 4-ton weight class. The units offer double drum drive and vibration for use on asphalt and soil/gravel subbases and are available with 36-, 40-, 48-, and 52-inch drum widths. The T-16, T-23, T-26, and T-33 (pictured) are equipped with a high torque, water-cooled, 3-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine. The units have excellent visibility, easy-access controls, an offset drum that allows minimal clearance against walls and curbs, and a low noise level.

Portable darkroom

Spectronics Corporation’s exclusive UV viewing system allows inspectors to quickly check concrete for alkali-silica reactivity in the field. The Spectroline model ASR-260 kit is a portable darkroom that uses shortwave UV light and a chemical reagent to instantly reveal the presence of ASR gel with a bright flourescent glow. Any cracks can be quickly repaired before they cause serious damage. The ASR-260 kit is used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.

Snow plow mounting system

Fisher Engineering’s new Minute Mount 2 snow plow mounting system makes the attaching/removal procedure quicker and easier. The system features a built-in handle that disengages both connecting pins simultaneously when removing the plow; lower gear flared twice as wide for easier drive-in alignment; a spring loaded lift chain to automatically retract the lift arm; and a stylish new look.

Horizontal grinder

Vermeer’s new HG365 horizontal grinder features the patent-pending Duplex Drum System, which offers a 35% increase in inertia with a 10% weight reduction. The grinder uses an open-end feed conveyor for loading lengthy materials and the SmartFeed system that monitors RPM rates to optimize machine production and momentarily reverse feeding in case of a jam. It also features an exclusive thrown object deflector system that reduces the quantity and distance of thrown objects.

Push broom sweeper

Sweepster’s PushBroom, an alternative to rotary sweepers, comes with polypropylene strip brushes available in 4- to 8-foot widths. The PushBroom features easily replaced bristles, quick attachment for all types of cleanup, no moving parts, and it easily mounts to trucks, loaders, skid steers, fork lifts, and tractors for year-round cleaning. The broom sweeps sand, leaves, wood chips, salt, gravel, mud, and dirt with minimal dust danger to pedestrians, vehicles, and buildings.

Snow clearing

SnoTech has developed a self-powered tow-behind machine, the CR2, that cleans the road surface of all types of snow including rocky mountain powder, Boston slush, and packed snow. The machine contains an internal drum rotating at a very high rate of speed with specially designed fingers whose tip speed explodes the snow and packed snow from the uneven road surface. The cleaned material is drawn into the machine and discharged in a controlled array along the side of the machine or 25 to 30 feet from the machine. From the control panel in the cab of the truck, an operator has full visibility with sufficient time to react to changes in the operating environment.

Guide for HMA

The National Asphalt Pavement Association has released a new interactive CD, A Guide for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement, that contains information equivalent to a 350-page book on hot-mix asphalt technology. The text is enhanced with photos, animations, and movie clips to illustrate key points. The guide gives a complete overview of HMA technology, including materials, mix design, mix selection, structural design, construction, pavement evaluation, and pavement maintenance and rehabilitation. The CD has topic search capability as well as a glossary.