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Handheld control
 The
Boss Snowplow announced that all of their 2005 snowplows will include
the new SmartTouch 2 Handheld Control as part of its standard plow
package. The control features an express up-and-down capability which
allows the plow to automatically rise and drop by itself when you press
the up/down button twice. It also has a built-in sleep mode which causes
the control to become inactive if not used for 20 minutes. To reactivate
the control, simply turn the control off and back on again. When used
with a Power V-plow, the five button control can move one wing at a time
or two wings simultaneously to easily achieve any plow position. With
the straight-blade plows, a three-button control is all that’s needed.
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Brighter message sign
 New
patented display technology from Solar Technology, Inc. uses a SuperFlux
LED with a proprietary lens cap to offer improved performance. This
combination allows the Mega-Flux LED Display to have twice the
brightness of the usual 5 mm display, be much less susceptible to
mechanical failure, and produce better angularity according to the
company.
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Sign post cover
 The
new FiberGuide SPC-Sign Post Cover from Plastic Safety Systems, Inc. is
designed for use on U-channel or square sign posts. When installed on
the sign post, the reinforced edges of the cover reject deformation and
protect the reflective sheeting when impacted.
The white covers are available in 60-inch
lengths and are fastened to the post by two vandal-resistant fasteners.
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Bird spikes
 The
new bird-blocking spiked needle strips from
Bird-X are
engineered of 100% post-industrial scrap plastic. The transparent
polycarbonate plastic material is durable, weather and UV resistant,
unobtrusive, and flexible enough to install on straightaways, curves,
corners, or irregular surfaces. Modules are 1-foot long, nest for easy
handling, and affix to any surface using adhesive, screws, nails, or
wire ties. Spikes Needle Strips project up and out from their base at
varying angles to prevent bird landing and roosting. Outer spikes have
additional spiked branches to offer full, dense coverage.
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Mid-size percussion rammer
 MBW’s
new mid-size R440HC percussion rammer has an 11- by 13-inch shoe and
weighs 142 pounds. It features a low center of gravity, noise
attenuating 4.6-quart fuel tank, tough four-ply steel- and
fiber-reinforced bellows, and a cool running delivery system. The rammer
delivers 700 blows per minute at 4,500 pounds per blow, has an optional
digital tachometer, and is operator friendly with lower levels of
hand/arm vibration.
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Flail mower
 RockHound
Attachments’ new Brush-Hound 40EX Excavator Flail Attachment Mower is
designed to cut and mulch small trees, grass, and brush. The affordable
cutter makes a long-reach boom mower from an excavator or backhoe. The
mower is 40-inches wide with 24 2-pound flail knives; has a direct-drive
90-horsepower motor with poly mount to reduce vibration; has an
adjustable mount for varied reach; and includes a universal bolt-on
excavator mount, skid shoes, wire-proof end caps, and no case drain.
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Cracksealing tools
 Cimline’s
new line of application and banding accessories for cracksealing
projects include a hand-controlled, 2-gallon-capacity pour pot that
allows the user to easily and accurately dispense hot rubber
cracksealants. Their new V-shaped push squeegee flattens sealant over
cracks and removes the excess to ensure a quality, overbanded seal.
Combine a pour pot and a squeegee and you have their 4-gallon capacity,
two-wheel, pull-style bander (above) with a hand-control release valve
and adjustable strike-off shoe that provides a 3-inch overband.
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Stormwater treatment
 The
Enviropod catch basin insert from
Stormwater
360 is a low-cost stormwater treatment solution that removes trash,
debris, and other pollutants from stormwater.
Installed in catch basins and curb inlets, it
uses passive screening and can be customized to meet site-specific
requirements with several mesh screens and oil-absorbent media.
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Distance measuring instrument
 The
Nitestar Distance Measuring Instrument from
Nu-Metrics,
a division of
Quixote, is a lightweight tool that measures distance and speed and
displays the information on liquid crystal panels. The unit is designed
for vehicle installation and can be used for numerous purposes. The
instrument has been used in conjunction with a camera to evaluate and
locate road features such as signage, guardrails, and intersections. The
Nitestar uses a signal generated by the vehicle to accurately determine
the distance and speed traveled, collects pulses from the vehicle,
analyzes the data, and converts it into a usable format.
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Cross hole analyzer
 Pile
Dynamics launched a small, powerful Cross Hole Analyzer for quality
assurance of drilled shafts. The device retains all testing
functionality of the previous model at a third of the size and half the
weight, and incorporates touch-screen technology. The analyzer features
a sampling rate 12 times higher, resulting in superb data acquisition
and a battery that may last an entire day. Testing accessories were
enhanced and include shorter probes in brass housing, stronger
detachable cables, and an improved depth encoder wheel. Everything fits
in a single carrying case for easy transport.
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Adjustable Kickers
 Granite
Construction recently began a $39-million reconstruction project for the
Florida Department of Transportation. The project involves the
reconstruction of Interstate 4 to improve conditions, the reconstruction
of two bridges including a 1,600-foot exit ramp, and the widening of
John Young Parkway.
Granite Construction decided to use kickers from
Adjustable Kicker when setting up the bridge forms hoping to increase
production and lower job costs, as well as for the reusability of the
kicker.
Adjustable Kicker designed their metal kickers to replace the usual
wooden 2 by 4s that are used in setting up bridge forms before a pour.
They are completely adjustable and reusable.
“We liked the concept of the kickers,” says Rich
Henderson, project manager for Granite Construction, “and actually
putting them to use is good. The company [Adjustable Kicker] has been
very cooperative and helpful. They spent several days on site with us to
make sure we understood everything about using their product.”
“We don’t have to spend time cutting up 2 by 4s
to make the frames, which saves on manpower,” says Henderson, “Also, 2
by 4s have to be placed every 6 to 10 inches and can only be used once
or twice before they have to be discarded. The adjustable kickers are
placed every 2.5 feet and are reusable, which saves us time, money, and
manpower.”
Justin King, job foreman for Granite
Construction, projects that they will reduce manpower from four men to
two men and increase production by 50% by using the adjustable kickers.
He plans on leaving the kickers attached to the 8-foot-long forms with
screws so the entire assembly can be moved to each new section after
each pour. Then, they only need to anchor the kickers to the wood
decking and align to the forms, thereby increasing production.
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Bridge repair
 Five
Star Products’ new Pile Jacket Grout System is an epoxy grout with
superior chemical resistance especially designed for the repair of
bridge and pier stanchions. The grout is formulated to be installed
underwater with superior bonding to concrete, steel, and wood piles and
can be used with any pile jacketing system.
The three-component system has excellent
chemical resistance to a variety of chemicals including oils, fuels,
salts, and solvents.
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Recycling system
 The
new
Terex Finlay 740 Trommel is designed specifically for topsoil,
recycling, and compost applications. It features a 5- by 13-foot
reversible barrel with a four-wheel-drive system and a 180-degree fines
swivel conveyor. It has a 6.5-cubic yard hopper and a reversible belt
feeder. According to Terex, the unit sets up quickly and is designed for
easy fifth-wheel, over-the-road towing.
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Bulk spreader
 The
Vee Pro 8000 bulk spreader from Snow Ex, a division of TrynEx, was
recently modified to include a new Quick-Pin hitch design. The new hitch
allows the spreader to be easily attached and removed from a vehicle’s
trailer hitch, allowing the vehicle to be used for other functions. The
large-capacity polyethylene spreader carries up to 1.5 cubic yards of
material, eliminates corrosion concerns and constant maintenance
associated with steel V-box alternatives, and is 60% lighter than steel
spreaders making it easier to install or remove.
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Reprinted from Better Roads Magazine
October 2005 |
