Small magnetic drill

Hougen’s new, low-profile, lightweight, and compact magnetic drill features a quick-release tool-mounting system and a height of just 7.6875 inches. The HMD150 was designed for fast, efficient holemaking in confined spaces and weighs just 22.7 pounds. The unit is equipped with a removable feed handle for ratcheting the feed in extremely close quarters. Simply remove the feed handle assembly by extracting a socket head cap screw, revealing a hex stud for attaching a ratchet handle with a 0.625-inch socket.

Controls include separate magnet engage/disengage and motor spindle on/off switches. The rigid quill feed prevents tool vibration, eliminates gibs, slide adjustments, and maintenance while providing a constant low profile. The magnetic base has a powerful 1,200-pound dead lift rating on 0.375-inch plate and 2,165 pounds on 1-inch plate. Drill point breakaway limits are 500 pounds and 735 pounds, respectively.

Snowthrower

Grasshopper’s PTO-driven 48- and 60-inch snowthrowers attach to any FrontMount Grasshopper True ZeroTurn power units. The durable units feature heavy-gauge welded steel construction and high-speed augers with heavy-duty flighting. Both models provide no-clog performance, even in deep, heavy, wet snow. The discharge spout rotates a full 180 degrees to throw snow up to 30 feet. The exclusive QuikConverter Implement System lets you remove the mowing deck and add the snowthrower in minutes, without tools. An optional winter enclosure and 16,000 BTU/hr heater protect the operator from harsh weather conditions.

Asphalt hot box

The Oletto Hot-Box/Thermo Asphalt Container, imported by Eastern Farm Machinery, keeps asphalt hot all day and is ideal for pothole patching, repairing of asphalt surfaces after laying pipelines, and any other small jobs. The insulated container is heated with a thermostatic regulator in order to keep the correct temperature and has an outlet auger for easy unloading. The hot box is available in sizes from 2.5 to 10 tons in single- and dual-compartment models equipped with a self-loading leg system or trailer mounted.

Tow-type spreader

The Hydromann tow-type spreader, available from Eastern Farm Machinery, is designed for drop spreading calcium, salt, or sand on sidewalks, pathways, and roads. The unit comes standard with replaceable cams on the distribution rotor and replaceable agitator bars. The rate of material flow can be set manually, hydraulically, or electrically, depending on the model. Tank capacities range from 2 to 70 cubic feet. All models can be pulled by a tractor, car, or truck. Spreading widths vary from 32 to 86 inches. Mounted and walk-behind units are also available.

Vibratory rammer

Dynapac’s new rammer incorporates B.E.S.T. — breather shut off, electrical shut off, shut off fuel, and throttle control — in three fixed positions (stop, idle, run). The LT 6000 vibratory rammer generates a high-impact force of 3,330 lbf/blow and is suitable for granular, semi-cohesive, and cohesive soils. The 9-inch plate weighs 148 pounds and the 11-inch plate weighs 150 pounds. Both have a vibration frequency of 720 vpm. The rammer is equipped with a four-stroke gas engine, offers low exhaust emissions, low noise, and a high working speed.

Crack repair and preventive maintenance sealant

W.R. Meadows’ Sealtight Sof-Seal, a cold-applied low-modulus horizontal joint sealant, is a premium-grade, pourable, two-component sealant composed of a special combination of polymeric compounds that provides outstanding crack repair and preventative maintenance for both Portland cement and asphalt. Once properly mixed and applied, it cures to a soft, flexible, rubber-like material capable of maintaining a sealed joint or crack over a wide temperature range. Sof-Seal does not track in the summer and will not become brittle at temperatures as low as -20 degrees F. It remains flexible even after repeated freeze/thaw cycles. The self-leveling sealant requires no special application equipment and is suitable for both large- and small-scale sealing.

Radar speed display and trailer

According to All Traffic Solutions, their new radar speed display and trailer is the first sign of its type to offer true multi-purpose flexibility. The unit allows for mounting of the same speed display to an existing pole, on its trailer, or to a portable pole, including those that are permanent, temporary, or space-constrained. The trailer’s open-frame design and adjustable height allows it to communicate vehicle speeds without sacrificing visibility.

SPEEDsentry is available with 12- or 18-inch digits, with or without a trailer, and has optional data logging and violator strobe. Its user interface was designed for ease of use and allows many display features to be modified. The unit can even function as a changeable speed limit sign, displaying a fixed speed limit that can change during certain periods, such as school zones.

DOT-approved drainage system

The HartmanEW endwall system for drainage pipe endwall construction from Hartman Products has been placed on the Approved Product list by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. It will be listed in Bulletin #15, under section 605.2(d) as an alternative to cast-in-place endwalls or pre-cast endwalls, as listed under section 714.

The lightweight, pre-fabricated plastic system installs in half the time of conventional methods with up to a 50% cost reduction. The endwall meets the needs of standard highway and residential construction projects because it is strong, stable, durable, safe, and attractive.

Storm water quality unit

Hancor’s Storm Water Quality Unit, with the patent-pending Baffle 55 device, reduces the velocity and turbulence of water flow, allowing the grit, sediment, and other solids common to roadways to remain in the unit while the clean effluent is discharged. The high-density polyethylene unit reduces floatable solid substances as well as hydrocarbons. The Baffle 55 device is designed to simplify maintenance and promote sediment separation. SWQ Units can be used as a supplement to the LandMax Retention/Detention system or as a stand-alone product. The unit meets or exceeds #PQ Phase II BMP requirements, allows point source treatment, allows on-site storage and monitoring of contaminants, and has lockable access ports for increased safety.

Compact skid-steer loader

Vermeer’s new compact skid-steer loader is a versatile, ride-on unit that can be mounted on rubber tires or rubber tracks over tires. The unit is available with either a gas or diesel engine, provides excellent operator visibility, and has an Operator Presence feature that stops all functions when the operator leaves the platform. Simple, multi-functional controls allow the operator to operate the machine and attachment with both hands on the handlebars. The digging bucket’s height is 79.5 inches, while the trencher is capable of digging to depths of 3 feet with widths ranging from 5 to 10 inches. Other attachment options include an auger, land leveler, 4-in-1 bucket, light bucket, fork, and tiller.

Saturated surface drier

Gilson Company’s AG-1 saturated surface drier, developed in cooperation with the National Center for Asphalt Technology, provides an automated solution for producing accurate and highly repeatable SSD data on both rounded and angular fine aggregate materials. Hot air is forced through a specially designed rotating mesh drum inside the rotary drying unit while sensors continuously monitor temperature and relative humidity in the drying chamber. The electronic balance detects changes in weight of the sample as moisture is dispersed. The AGA-10 Data Acquisition System, also available from the company, then records and analyzes temperature, humidity, and weight-change information to determine and report the SSD point.

Portable magnetic drill

Hougen’s new, two-speed portable magnetic drill weighs just 45 pounds and measures 20-inches high, 4.75-inches wide, and 10.75-inches long. The HMD505 features a quill feed arbor design that eliminates the need for gib and slide adjustments, making the drill compact and lightweight, yet easy to use and with a large capacity.

The two-speed gearing allows for optimum cutting-tool efficiency for holes from 0.4375- to 2.375-inch diameter with a 3-inch depth cut. The magnetic base has a small 4- by 8-inch footprint, yet has a dead lift rating of 2,560 pounds and a 1,080-pound drill point breakaway on the 1-inch plate; for the 0.375-inch plate these figures are 1,550 pounds and 820 pounds, respectively. The quick-change feed handles can be switched to either side of the drill with no tools required. Rear-positioned controls, including separate magnet engage/disengage and motor spindle on/off switches, are readily accessible and convenient.

Snow-removal equipment control

Force America’s CommandAll Controller Model MPJ is a fully proportional control for medium- and heavy-duty snow removal equipment. The controller design integrates plow, hoist, spreader control, and up to eight auxiliary functions into an ergonomic single-hand control system allowing the driver to perform multiple tasks. The controller is capable of controlling up to nine simultaneous functions without the use of mode menu selections.

Underground stormwater filtration system

Stormwater Management has announced design innovations to their StormFilter underground filtration system. A newly engineered air lock cap allows engineers to manage large volumes of water associated with water quality volumes, while simultaneously treating stormwater to meet applicable water quality standards.

The new air lock cap is configured to permit air to escape the check valve, while preserving an air-filled void within the check valve cap assembly. This makes it possible to store up to 9 feet of stormwater within the vault, on top of the cartridges used for treating water; eliminating the need for upstream storage of large water quality volumes. The new air lock cap can be easily installed to any existing StormFilter system and can be done as part of the annual maintenance process.

Pavement management system

MicroPAVER, from KMS & Associates, is a pavement management system beneficial for use by any organization responsible for managing a pavement network. The system allows organizations easy access to pavement inventory and inspection information, provides accurate analysis of current and future conditions, provides for graphical presentations of reports through a link with GIS software, and allows for optimization of pavement M&R even with budget restraints.

The latest MicroPAVER 5.1 version has many improvements over previous versions. These include a new GIS/PAVER link tool; the ability to import and export images; improved database verification tools; user-defined fields for the selection criteria in the EMS Query tool; the List Selector on the toolbar; and all known bugs in Version 5.0 have been fixed.

Critical spot sprayer

Force America’s Critical Spot Sprayer assembly is designed for light- to medium-duty truck applications. Featuring stainless-steel spray bars and extra-high-strength UV stabilized tanks, the sprayer is capable of accurately applying liquids of all specific gravities. The sprayer is ideal for sidewalk, bridge, and intersection deicing and anti-icing applications and is adaptable for herbicide spraying applications.

Web-based bidding service

Construction Bidboard provides a Web-based service, eBidboard, which provides the communications platform agencies are using to interact with the construction industry for the bid process. The focus of the service is to improve the construction bidding process, resulting in better quality bids and less problems during construction. The service contains a massive cross-agency database of project information and bid results including line item cost information and collaborative capabilities. Its real-time, accurate information with interactive communication capabilities benefits everyone in the bidding process — owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers.

Tow-behind sweeper

Vac-Tron Equipment’s new tow-behind sweeper features a 25 horsepower motor, 2-cubic yard capacity hopper, 16-inch pickup head, radial turbine blower, dust-control system, and 30-inch curb broom. The 2,200-pound sweeper can be pulled by almost any vehicle.

Inline storm water pollution prevention

CDS Technologies’ new Inline units, which use continuous deflective separation technology, can be placed within new construction projects or retrofitted into existing storm water collection systems. The unit saves engineers design time by configuring the treatment portion and bypass structure within one manhole. Engineers can put the unit on the main stormline, with treatment as well as peak design conveyance flows passing through the same structure. Two separate flow paths for storm water allow one for treatment and one for bypassing high flows.

The Inline unit is totally underground and doesn’t require supporting infrastructure. Its non-blocking screen and non-mechanical function make it a low-maintenance solution for both the short and long term. The unit removes 100% of floatables, as well as neutrally buoyant material, plus oil and greases from storm water flows and combined sewer overflows, in addition to a TSS removal rate of up to 85%.

Reprinted from the November 2003 issue Better Roads Magazine