October 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.
                                                     and/or
2.  Click on Company Link (when available) for information from their website.
3.  Check our Manufacturer's Links and/or Buyers Guide for additional links.

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Rhino Safety Barriers are made of high-strength, tough polyethylene and are available in safety orange, green, white, and yellow. Two people can set up 200 feet of barrier in under 30 minutes without the use of cranes or booms. The empty barriers weigh 120 pounds; up to 1000 pounds when filled with water. A hinge pin pivot system locks each 7.5-foot section together and a donut connector allows for bolting the units to the ground for added rigidity. The pin pivot system allows hinged barriers to angle up to 45 degrees. The Rhino Barrier with the 350 Kit is considered to be a test level 2 barrier under NCHRP 350 evaluation criteria and used on the National Highway System.

Stainless steel spreaders

Two stainless steel salt and sand spreaders are now available from Hiniker Company. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel is used to form the hopper, the hood, the engine plate, and the spinner chute, disc, and deflectors. Convenient in-cab control consoles operate the electric starter, clutch, and throttle functions. Adjustable baffles and deflectors on the discharge chute allow customized spread patterns up to 25-feet wide.

The 6.5-foot Model 620 is powered by an 8-horsepower engine and is designed to fit full-size short-box pickups. The 8-foot Model 820 uses a 10.5-horsepower industrial/ commercial engine and fits standard box trucks. The standard hopper capacity is 1.45 cubic yards for the 620 and 1.78 cubic yards for the 820.

Variable speed limit system

International Road Dynamics’ new Speed Ranger Variable Speed Limit System addresses safety concerns in the approach area leading into construction zones. The system can automatically change displayed speeds on a series of portable electronic message signs, based on current traffic, weather, and construction conditions, thereby providing safe and practical speed reduction through work zones. Speed Ranger consists of a series of portable trailers, each with a self-contained power supply, traffic monitoring sensor, system controller, and speed limit signing. Speed limits are determined based on traffic conditions measured by the traffic sensors.

Plastic stormwater filter

Stormwater Management’s all-new plastic version of the CatchBasin StormFilter provides for a wide-range of applications and ease of installation. The light-weight plastic CatchBasin weighs approximately 100 pounds without the StormFilter cartridges installed and can hold up to two of the filter cartridges. The plastic unit is constructed of low-density polyethylene regrind with a fiberglass, pedestrian-rated grate and is designed for a variety of installations, including roadway medians.

Concrete saw

Multiquip’s new SlabSaver concrete saw is a multi-purpose cutting machine — small, yet powerful. The 102-pound FCG-1 is suited for commercial green and cured concrete cutting, asphalt cutting, and delicate decorative work. The saw features a front and rear pointer that drops into the cut to ensure a straight line, is powered by a 6.5-horsepower Honda GX200 engine, and cuts up to 3.25-inches deep with a 10-inch blade. It also accepts 5-, 7-, 8-inch, and V-groove blades.

Lane merge system

The Dynamic Lane Merge system from International Road Dynamics encourages drivers to merge early as they approach a lane closure, while traffic is still flowing smoothly and there are sufficient openings for a safe lane change. A no passing zone is created by a series of trailer-mounted signs with flashers. Traffic sensors determine vehicle congestion, and the size of the zone is adjusted according to current traffic conditions to make it relevant to drivers.

Tree-trimming attachment

The Gradall Company has introduced the Tree Limb Shear attachment, designed to enable their excavators to be used to trim and remove tree limbs with speed and efficiency. The attachment’s jaws are powered by the excavator’s tool cylinder and controlled by joysticks in the operator’s cab. In addition to cutting branches up to 12-inches in diameter, the attachment can be used to pick up and pile trimmed branches at the roadside.

Folding-hydraulic-ramp trailers

The new line of HT-35 Paver Models from Witzco Challenger Trailers features folding hydraulic loading ramps designed for lower approach angles to accommodate low-profile paving, excavation, drilling, and construction equipment. Deck height can be as low as 34 inches with a nine degree loading angle. The rear folding ramps are powered by twin cylinders and use a positive hydraulic locking system.

Portable LED lights

Superior Signals Inc.’s new dual-function, battery-powered, portable LED light features a flashing and steady signal beam. The SYSL-182 comes standard with a magnetic backing for attaching to vehicles or other metal surfaces, features a self-supporting slide-out stand, and is visible up to 1.25 miles. Lights are available in amber, red, and blue and measure 6.5-inches long, 4-inches high, and 1.5-inches thick.

Snowplowable reflector

The Snow-Lite Model 100 is the newest addition to the line of Ray-O-Lite’s snowplowable reflective pavement markers. The 100 features a higher profile design for improved visibility at greater distances. It has a conventional saw configuration, can be plowed from both directions, and includes a highly reflective insert, with an abrasion resistant coating that is chemically bonded to the lens and protects it from being damaged by cinders, salt, and sand. Ray-O-Lite is a division of Pac-Tec, Inc.

Hydraulic-drive compressor

American Eagle Accessories Group’s new hydraulic-drive above deck compressor was designed and built for heavy-duty operation with an output capacity of 40 cfm and 100 psig at 8000 rpm. The SRS-40 features continuous full-rated air flow/pressure, low unloaded power consumption, on/off switch operation, enclosed compressor power module, powder-coated steel enclosure, safety shutdowns, and more.

Traffic management system

Schwartz Electro-Optics, Inc. has developed a traffic and tolling management system that is currently being tested by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida — College of Engineering on behalf of the Florida DOT. The Autosense Axel Counter System can be configured to work either mounted overhead or to the side of a traffic lane. The unit performs vehicle detection and classification functions for a multitude of applications: toll collections, traffic flow analysis, routing studies, traffic monitoring, and serving as a highly accurate trigger for enforcement cameras.

Coupler system

Kenco has introduced a new pin grabbing coupler system for use with excavator attachments. The Hardrock Coupler was designed to withstand rugged abuse from the toughest jobs, says Kenco, and is hammer guaranteed. The coupler works with attachments for every brand excavator within its weight class, and attachments can be changed in only six seconds from within the cab.

Chipper Tool

The newly patented chipper tool, from S-Squared, Inc., enables the operator to more safely feed a load into the blade/roller area of a chipper while remaining a safe distance away from the opening. The tool is very affordable and its 48.73-inch, snag-free handle and contoured head are environmentally friendly — the head is molded from all plant materials and the shaft is tubular heavy-gauge cardboard.

New line of trailers

Winter shoe traction

Yaktrax has introduced a shoe traction device that stretches like a rubber band over the soles of shoes or boots. Small metal coils (not spikes) on the bottom provide traction on compact snow and ice surfaces. The product is engineered of a high performance molded polymer compound, each coil is fired and cured for durability, and zinc chromate plating helps protect against rust.

Improved coatings

Sherwin-Williams Industrial and Marine Coatings group has introduced ExpressTech, a number of revolutionary coatings engineered for improved end-user productivity. The coatings, for use on everything from bridges to water tanks, help save time and money by reducing traditionally multi-coat systems by one or more coats, generating end-user savings in labor, insurance, equipment usage, and containment setup. Other benefits include: reducing application and labor costs; providing faster throughput and return to service of equipment; and lower VOC emissions.

Easy PCMS control

Ver-Mac designed the PCMS-1210 Quick Step, a solar-powered, portable changeable message sign that uses just four quick steps to get the message programmed and displayed. The sign can be programmed on-site, using a handheld controller, or remotely, from a PC with cellular option.

Removable road tape

Trelleborg’s removable road tape solves temporary marking problems, is extremely durable, and is easily removed without surface marring. The tape consists of a flexible rubber composite layer with a polyurethane coating, is covered with highly reflective glass beads, and is made to provide durable anti-skid properties. The tape is available in white, yellow, orange, and black, as well as special colors on request.

Laser receiver

Trimble has introduced a new laser receiver ideal for a wide range of general construction, grading, and excavation applications. The Spectra Precision Laser CR600 can be used as a handheld, rod-mounted, or machine-mounted laser receiver and features 270-degree reception and a highly visible display. The receiver provides high, low, or on-grade information to the operator inside the cab; increases the accuracy of elevation measurements; is easy to use; and will withstand harsh, jobsite conditions.

Special Product

New Drains on the Block

“We weighed the costs and benefits of different methods and, based on that criteria, we decided to try something new to us,” says Sanders.

That something new was Nyloplast engineered drainage structures, including curb inlets and drain basins, along with high-density polyethylene pipe from Advanced Drainage Systems. The savings in time and money over alternative materials was significant, according to engineers.

“This was the first time we had specified this system in Moberly,” says Lyn Heying, senior project manager for MECO Engineering Co., Inc. in Hannibal, Missouri. “The lighter weight of the pipe, catch basins, and curb inlets meant we needed a much smaller construction crew. One man for the backhoe and one or two to place the pipe in the trench. That’s it.”

Nyloplast inline drains and drain basins are made of corrosion resistant PVC and are built to connect with HDPE pipe to form a watertight joint. The Nyloplast basins are custom made to provide a transition between different sizes and types of pipe, and also change the elevation or direction of the pipe. Because the drain basins are connected with corrugated N-12 pipe, a watertight system can be achieved with no extra effort.

“Just like any project, I’ll inspect the site periodically to see how everything is working,” Sapp says. “This project is draining just fine. Both the structures and the pipe are performing as we expected. I understand how people can be skeptical about new products, yet I would encourage cities and towns to get these products approved in order to cut their costs.”