October 2002
New Road Machines
New power equipment for the road market
by Kirk Landers, VP/Editorial Director

---

To receive more information on the products listed below:

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.

---

Cimline has rolled out a complete family of pavement saws, including a new line of Competitive Compact Saws and two new Econo-Drive Saws. The company claims the new saws are designed to produce exceptionally clean cuts.

The Econo-Drive EDS-25 (pictured) is the most touted of the new models. Powered by a 25-horsepower gasoline engine, the self-powered saw has dual side cutting, hydrostatic transmission, and options like a night sawing light, electric water pump, and catalytic converter. It has a 20-inch blade capacity.

New series 35-ton articulated truck

Cat’s new 735 articulated truck brings a new electronically controlled engine and purpose-built transmission to the market, as well as a new hitch design, a cooling system mounted to the rear of the cab, and a new operator station and center-mounted cab. The 35-ton truck replaces the D350E II in Cat’s lineup.

Cat says the electronically controlled engine and transmission bring complete system integration to the power train for maximum efficiency. The 365 horsepower turbo diesel features a high torque rise of 53% for superior acceleration and lugging force on steep grades and difficult terrain.

Smart diagnostics for cranes

Auto Crane has introduced the Smart Crane Diagnostic System which allows customers to perform troubleshooting and records-keeping functions via a specially programmed Palm Pilot. The plug-in system delivers performance data such as voltage, lift cylinder pressures, FM signal strength, and error code histograms. Smart Crane is currently available on the company’s 6406H and 8406H telescoping cranes.

Compact grader gets versatile

Huber’s M-850-C Maintainer is a compact, versatile, economical alternative to the conventional motor grader. The company claims it handles a variety of grading jobs, from base to finish work, and can spread asphalt, stone, fill dirt, and other materials. Five optional hydraulic attachments convert the machine to a dozer, loader, scarifier, side dozer, or berm leveler.

The 80-horsepower machine has a hydrostatic transmission, a hydraulically controlled 9-foot moldboard, and measures just 14-feet long and 7-feet, 5-inches wide. It has a transport speed of 20 miles per hour.

A Beast that throws

Bandit’s recently introduced Model 2680 Beast Recycler is now available with a hydraulic-powered horizontal thrower. Mounted on the end of the machine’s 12-foot discharge conveyor, the thrower allows material to be loaded into chip vans or spread out over a site.

High-capacity dump truck

Komatsu has introduced a dash-7 version of its 69-ton HD605 dump truck. The HD605-7 is a high-production version of the smaller, 61-ton HD465-7 which has been modified to carry more weight and has a 17% larger body. Komatsu says the result is a high-capacity truck with the speed and maneuverability of a smaller truck. Features include an electronic-controlled seven-speed planetary transmission, advanced electronics, and a top speed of 43.5 miles per hour which Komatsu claims is the fastest in its class.

Federal Signal acquires waste haulers

Federal Signal Corporation, parent company of Elgin Sweeper and several other lines of cleaning machinery, has announced that it will purchase two companies that manufacture waste haulers, Leach Company of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Wittke, Inc., of Calgary, Alberta.

New engine uptime guarantee

Seeking to quell doubts about the reliability of engines that meet new emissions standards for on-highway trucks, Cummins has introduced an uptime guarantee program for its heavy duty truck engines sold after October 1, when the new standards go into affect. The Uptime Guarantee states that if any part on a Cummins ISX or ISM engine fails and can’t be repaired within 24 hours, Cummins will pay for the repairs and provide a rental vehicle as well. The guarantee applies to ISX and ISM engines purchased between October 1, 2002 and March 31, 2003, with coverage from the date of purchase through December 31, 2003.

New fume-reduction system

Cimline has added its proprietary Afterburnr Fume Reduction System to its Magma series Melter/ Applicator line. The system draws most of the asphalt fumes, by convection, back into the burner exhaust, eliminating pollutants and dissipating the fumes more thoroughly.

Sweepster and FFC Attachments merge

One of North America’s leading sweeper manufacturers and one of the market’s fastest rising attachment manufacturers have agreed to merge. Based in Dexter, Michigan, Sweepster, Inc. manufactures an extensive line of self-propelled and walk-behind sweepers, as well as sweeper attachments for virtually all sizes of tractors. Lee, Illinois based FFC Attachments manufactures a complete line of attachments for skid-steer loaders, backhoe loaders, and compact wheel loaders.

Current plans call for continued operation of both the Michigan and Illinois facilities.

Big reach in tight spaces

Elliott’s new ECL-5-135 truck-mounted crane features a fully powered telescoping boom with a maximum working tip height of 135 feet and aerial work platform capabilities. The unit can be mounted on a standard tandem-axle truck chassis. Elliott says the unit’s narrow 16-foot outrigger spread, combined with the fully powered boom, make it ideal for operating in tight spaces. It has a 10,000-pound crane capacity or can be outfitted with a large 500-pound-capacity work platform that can accommodate two workers and accessories.

Next-generation articulated hauler

Link-Belt says its new 30-ton D300 retains the best features of the D30 it replaces, and adds new comfort, safety, and productivity features. The new machine is powered by a 300-horsepower turbo-diesel and has a backup secondary steering system that takes over if primary steering is lost. The transmission is an operator-selectable Powershift automatic.

Keeps operators high and dry

Thomas Equipment now offers a track-mounted mini skid-steer loader. The 25 horsepower 25GT weighs just 1,900 pounds and rides on 9-inch-wide rubber tracks, keeping the operator high and dry in soft ground conditions. The 25GT features 1,680 pounds of breakout force — more than many full-size skid-steers — and it has a universal attachment system and two auxiliary hydraulic circuits for versatility.

Backhoe-mounted slab remover

Kenco has modified the original Slab Crab design for mounting on backhoe loaders. The Backhoe Slab Crab is recommended for slabs from 4- to 8-inches thick. Kenco says it can be used to peel away asphalt and does not damage the subbase.

Special Product

Certified low-hour used equipment

Caterpillar has launched a Web site that is the official source of Caterpillar Certified Used Equipment and Cat Dealer Certified used equipment in North America.

CatUsed.com lists over 9,000 pieces of used light and heavy equipment and more than 1.25-million used parts available from Cat dealers in North America. Included in the equipment spread are thousands of Caterpillar Certified machines, which are low-hour machines that have documented service histories, have passed a Cat certification inspection, and are eligible for an extended power-train warranty. Cat Dealer Certified machines fall outside the parameters for Caterpillar Certified but have passed the same inspection and have extended coverage options available.

Customers can shop the inventory anonymously until they select a specific piece of equipment and reach a Details page. This page includes retail price, service meter hours, condition, photos, machine configuration, and serial number prefix.

To take the next step, the customer uses a Dealer Locator link which provides contact information for the nearest Cat dealer, who handles the purchase and rapid delivery of the machine, no matter where it is located in North America.

Customers who can’t find the machine they want on the site can register with their local Cat dealer and use the site’s Create a Watch feature to alert the dealer network about the equipment needed. When the right machine turns up, the local dealer notifies the customer by e-mail.