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Saw wheel load weigher
The Saw Wheel Load Weigher from International Road Dynamics is a
portable static wheel load weigher formerly sold by PAT Traffic. IRD
purchased the business of PAT Gmbh last year. The weigher is an
electronic, low-profile scale providing easy access for vehicle weighing.
The scale sensors are hermetically sealed and the scale body is made of
corrosion-resistant materials, resulting in superior durability and a long
service life. The scales are powered by long-life, rechargeable batteries.
Axle load readout can be obtained with a connecting cable between two
weigh scales. Several models are offered, varying in capacity and
dimensions, to accommodate a variety of weighing applications.
Click 72 on ROADFAX card
Inside-the-cab gutter broom control
 Johnston
Sweeper’s quick-response, gutter-broom positioning control rapidly
deploys either or both gutter brooms to any lateral position the operator
chooses. A simple joy-stick commands the broom movement throughout its
travel range and allows the operator to avoid obstacles without changing
course. It also allows cleaning of hard-to-get areas that would otherwise
remain unswept. Features include high-speed sweeping; a stainless-steel
long-life hopper; longer on-station time to allow more productive
sweeping; a 315-gallon stainless-steel water tank; and a 125-degree rear
door opening to eliminate load wiping and safeguard rear door seal from
damage.
Click 75 on ROADFAX card
Mixer ball-hitch option
An additional ball-hitch option is now available on all Stone
Construction Equipment concrete and mortar mixers except the large
hydraulic HM1290. The new ball hitch bolts to the mixer tow pole and is
similar to hitches used on trailers and other equipment. The new
configuration reduces potential maintenance cost by allowing for
replacement of either the hitch or the pole.
Click 76 on ROADFAX card
Quick patch for large holes
ICO Quick Patch from International Coatings is a 100% solids,
epoxy-based material designed for quickly repairing large holes in
concrete. The rapid setting characteristics minimize downtime, and its low
odor and ease of application make it a user-friendly material that
requires no special equipment. It can be applied in virtually any
thickness and will be ready for vehicular traffic in only one hour. Higher
compressive strengths and considerably greater bond strengths provide
significantly longer life expectancy compared to conventional patch
materials.
Click 65 on ROADFAX card
Wireless traffic signal control system
 The
new wireless traffic signal control system from OMJC Signal has a master
control unit and up to two wireless license free remote secondary units.
Because one master can control two secondary units, you can control three
different traffic movements. The master control, in an industry standard
cabinet, uses standard components, including a standard conflict monitor.
The typical platform for the system is a pair of pop-up trailers with a
hydraulically raised mast and arm for emergency replacement of
knocked-down traffic poles. This setup also works well in a road
construction work zone. The wireless system offers AC, battery, and
solar-power options, and a paging system in the event of trouble.
Click 63 on ROADFAX card
Advisory speed meter
The CurveRite 1100 electronic accelerometer from BAI Instruments, a
division of Brudis & Associates, represents state-of-the-art
technology in determining advisory speeds for horizontal curves and ramps,
while providing an alternative to the ball-bank indicator. It provides
reliable data that is essential to establishing safe and consistent
advisory speeds for roadway curves. Whether it is an isolated curve,
multiple S curve, or a freeway ramp, the meter accurately measures the
lateral gravitational force acting upon vehicles and their occupants.
Click 66 on ROADFAX card
High-quality safety vests
Safety Flag Co. of America has introduced three new high-quality vests
that meet ANSI specifications. All three vests are available in
fluorescent orange material with lime reflective striping or in
fluorescent lime material with silver reflective striping. All have Velcro
front closure (zippers are available). All striping is 3M Scotchlite
reflective material. The vests come in sizes ranging from small/medium to
5x extra large.
Click 70 on ROADFAX card
New light tower line
Wacker’s new LT series, light tower line comes with a redesigned
lighting system that uses distinctive elliptical light fixtures that allow
the lamps to be mounted horizontally, allowing more light to travel
directly from the source to the work area. Increased lighting-system
durability is achieved internally by using a more advanced, compact
100-watt metal halide lamp and improved internal lamp support. Externally,
the housing is less prone to damage due to a sturdier, more compact
fixture housing.
Each light is individually adjustable without tools and can be easily
removed from its mounting bracket for transport with a quick-disconnect
power cord. The 360-degree rotating mast allows for further light
adjustment once the mast is raised. The narrow-design LTs can be
transported on a flatbed two abreast. For single tower transport, each
unit comes standard with a combination pintle/ball hitch, making it more
versatile for the tow vehicle and in a rental application.
Click 64 on ROADFAX card
Rubber ring eliminates herbicide use
 Fitzwater
Enterprises’ new Evaring, a rubber ring made of 50% ground used tires
and 50% virgin rubber, is used around the base of posts, pipes, or stakes
to eliminate the use of herbicides and the need for weed eating. This not
only saves on labor costs, but beautifies the highway and helps the
environment. The ring is 33 inches in diameter and weighs 17.2 pounds.
Click 67 on ROADFAX card
Weed- and grass-control herbicide
Payload Herbicide from Valent U.S.A. Corporation provides residual
control on a wide variety of weeds and grasses. Its drastically different
mode of action is great for ALS-resistant weeds and gives vegetation
managers extended control of troublesome weeds. Payload’s low-use rate,
low water solubility, and relatively rapid soil dissipation, combined with
the fact that it is not very mobile in soil, makes it a great choice for
integrated vegetation management professionals concerned with the
environmental effects of herbicides.
Click 79 on ROADFAX card
Heavy-duty cover for trench rollers
Stone Construction Equipment’s Bulldog Trench Roller line features an
optional, steel vandal cover. The lockable cover and prevents potential
theft or equipment tampering and can prevent accidental damage to the
controls and console while operating in radio-frequency remote-control
mode. The cover folds over the manual control levers, control buttons, and
ignition key while still allowing access to the emergency stop button.
Click 73 on ROADFAX card
Obstacle detection system
The new Grote Obstacle Detection System can help commercial vehicle
fleets save on downtime and repair costs by helping to reduce rear
collisions while backing up. The ultrasonic system provides drivers with
increased awareness while driving in reverse. Ultrasonic waves are sent
out eight times within one second to detect obstacles within a 150-degree
horizontal field of vision behind the vehicle. When properly installed,
the system can detect objects as small as 10-inches tall. The system uses
a patented signal-processing algorithm within the microprocessor that
filters out erroneous signals, greatly reducing false signals and
providing built-in error detection.
Click 74 on ROADFAX card
Safety products
 SETO
Holdings’ has added three new items to their line of safety products.
The Knight Eagle PSH high-impact safety helmet provides a full, clear
view of the operating area, combining 75 white LED lights in front with
eight colored LED lights in the rear. The helmet is made of thermoplastic
ANS and acrylic and is fitted with a high-density polystyrene full-foam
insert for comfort, adhesive pads for size adjustments, and adjustable
chin straps. The replaceable battery lasts up to five hours per charge and
can be recharged with adaptors for automobiles or portable chargers, as
well as from electrical outlets.
The Knight Owl PSL Professional Safety Handheld Light provides up to
100,000 hours of cautionary illumination. Key features include red,
yellow, and blue LED lights that function on steady and blinking modes; a
replaceable rechargeable battery; sealed knobs and switches for reliable
use in inclement weather; a belt clip; and carry case.
The PowerMax PS-1220 complete portable power station weighs less that
15 pounds and is equipped with two 12-volt 10A cigarette sockets and a DC
power supply with six-, nine-, and 12-volt sockets. The unit also contains
an engine jump-start clamp that will jump start most vehicles.
Click 77 on ROADFAX card
Product Application
Erosion control and turf establishment
 Last
summer, the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada needed a solution to erosion
control and turf establishment following construction of steep embankments
for a roadway project. The embankments’ 2:1 gradient ratio and steep
23-foot-tall slopes made it difficult to work on and around to apply a
solution that would cover and stick to the soil.
The city decided to use Conwed Fibers 3000, manufactured by Profile
Products LLC, which uses patented technology to combine both chemical and
mechanical bonding into the mulch fiber. Mechanical bonding incorporates
synthetic fibers into the matrix, making it a stronger mulch with greater
loft in the mulch matrix. It requires no cure time to be effective; this
eliminates the threat of seed washing away and downtime in having to wait
for rain to pass. The interlocking matrix of synthetic and organic fibers
creates more water-absorbing cavities to retain moisture and enhance seed
germination.
The product was applied hydraulically at a rate of 3,200 to 4,000
pounds per acre. Mixed in with the mulch was a combination of seven grass
seeds and fertilizers. Profile Products partnered with the consulting
engineers to provide technical expertise, guidance, and on-site analysis
on the roadway project and erosion-control program.
The project’s consulting engineer was pleased with the results of the
vegetation grow-in and lack of erosion when visiting the project site two
months later.
Click 61 on ROADFAX card
Remote controls for compactors
 Bomag
Light Equipment’s redesigned remote controls for BPH80/65S reversible
plate and BMP851 multi-purpose compactors weigh only 3.5 pounds. The new
lightweight controls are secured to the operator using a waist belt — an
improvement over previous neck-strap harnesses. Both compactors are
available with two new optional remotes — cable/radio and cable/infrared
— which offer the convenience of two operational formats in one unit.
Constructed with heavy-duty, impact-resistant composite plastic, the
remote units are able to withstand the rigors of any job site. Positioned
for easy access, sensitive yet accurate joystick controls are encased by a
protective ring for increased durability. Remote functions include
ignition, travel direction and speed, vibration, exciter system control,
and an emergency stop switch. All controls offer a remotely activated horn
for increased job-site safety.
Click 69 on ROADFAX card
Fall protection
Allsafe’s new product line includes harnesses, lanyards, and all the
extras to provide safety, convenience, and comfort. A variety of
shock-absorbing and stretch-type lanyards are designed to reduce the
impact forces placed on the body during a fall. The harnesses are ideal
for a wide range of applications including platforms, scaffolding,
suspended aerial lifts and booms, and other construction work. All
harnesses and lanyards meet OSHA and ANSI standards for fall protection.
Click 68 on ROADFAX card
Submersible pumps
Multiquip’s new 4- and 6-inch submersible pumps are tailor-made for
high head applications and those where operators need an appreciable flow.
These pumps can be put to work in the water being pumped, eliminating the
added expense, time, and potential problems associated with using a
suction hose. The 4-inch ST-4125D has a maximum flow of 464 gallons per
minute; the 6-inch ST-6125D has a maximum flow of 610 gallons per minute.
Both pumps have a heavy cast-iron body that is durable and able to
withstand rough handling on the jobsite. They also feature an open
cast-iron impeller and operate using dual voltage 230/460-volt three-phase
motors. For operator protection, they feature a built-in mechanical seal
leak detector.
Click 71 on ROADFAX card
Automatic data capture for GPR
Geophysical Survey Systems’
new StructureScan Optical system
automatically records line positions and constructs a 3D file for direct
viewing on the built-in display, enabling the user to quickly evaluate the
data from depth slice and cross-section perspectives. This integrated
system allows users to quickly image areas ranging in size from 1 by 1
feet to 4 by 4 feet using the automatic data capture technology. The
package features a rugged, battery-powered SIR-3000 Data Acquisition
System, an enhanced FCC-approved 1500 MHz antenna, and a redesigned
light-weight data collection cart. The new system allows the user to
collect data to within 1 inch of walls.
Click 62 on ROADFAX card
Spreader vibrators
There’s nothing more aggravating than stopping every two minutes to
poke at, hit, or kick your spreader to get the salt flowing again. Karrier
Company manufactures Sure-Flow vibrator kits to fix this problem in just
about every spreading application. The kits come in two different models
— the standard Z-80 kit for tailgate hopper spreaders and the Z-Twin for
live bottom V-box spreaders. Both are designed for easy installation; all
the wiring and hardware needed to install and operate the units are
included.
Click 57 on ROADFAX card
LED-enhanced signs
 TAPCO’s
new LED-enhanced BlinkerStop sign technology provides high visibility both
day and night. The LEDs provide greater distance visibility than
conventional signs or beacons and is particularly effective in bringing
rolling stops to a complete stop. The sign is 100% solar powered and
completely self-contained to provide years of continuous safety and energy
savings. The BlinkerStop signs have now been approved by the Federal
Highway Administration in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Click 58 on ROADFAX card
Breakaway sign-support system
 Marion
Steel’s Slip Safe Supreme 360 degree breakaway signpost solution for
medium to larger signs (42 to 190 square feet of sign area) can be
installed — and reinstalled — quickly, easily, and cost effectively.
Since strong soil conditions don’t require concrete foundations, time
and money are saved in the setup. The base is a direct-drive unit
requiring only conventional power tools to install; the remainder of the
hardware can be installed with basic hand tools. In most cases, the entire
system is reusable after being hit, including the base post, attachment
hardware, casting, and top post. Stub repair is usually unnecessary. The
system exceeds crash impact standards by more than 200% and is ideal for
temporary construction sites.
Click 59 on ROADFAX card
Super-bright LED flashlights
The virtually unbreakable polymer construction of the ProPolymer LED
flashlight from Direct Safety is corrosion and water proof. Super-bright
LEDs allow a battery life 20 times longer than standard flashlights. All
models are approved for use in hazardous locations.
Click 60 on ROADFAX card
Reprinted from Better Roads Magazine
March 2004 |
