What were the most interesting
new products from the past year?
Here is our selection of 50, drawn from the nearly 500 new products
covered in Better Roads between our November '03 issue through the
October '04 issue.
Clear view of drums and edges
 Bomag’s
redesigned BW161AD-4 features slanted drum-support legs that give the
operator a clear view of the drum edges, eliminating the need for operators
to lean out of the cockpit during operation. Bomag says the design also
gives the operator an unrestricted view of the drum surface and sprinkler
system across the entire 66-inch rolling width.
The 21,826-pound tandem is powered by a
131-horsepower diesel. It uses a new exciter system to deliver 36,000 pounds
of centrifugal force at 2,700 vpm and 27,225 pounds at 3,600 vpm — increases
of 23 and 60%, respectively, compared to the previous model. Other features
include a sliding, pivoting operator seating system, and a number of
maintenance access features, including wide-opening engine access doors that
eliminate the need to raise the operator platform to perform engine service.
Click 10 on
ROADFAX card
Cold mix plant produces more
 Wirtgen
bills its new KMA 200 portable cold-mix plant as a highly mobile,
200-ton-per-hour unit that can make several types of asphalt blend products,
using emulsions or foamed asphalt, and a variety of other materials to
enhance strength and performance. In addition to its greater production
capacity, the KMA 200 improves on the KMA 150 with a better arrangement of
components and by powering all components with a fully diesel-hydraulic
drive. The heart of the new machine is a modified, low-wear, twin-shaft
continuous mixer, allowing a mixing capacity of 200 tons per hour. The
mixing plant is driven by a 175 horsepower diesel engine. The unit’s
integral water tank is 1,188 gallons — a 50% increase over the KMA 150
capacity.
Click 11 on
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Paves driveways and parking lots
 Ingersoll-Rand’s new
Blaw-Knox 3120 commercial paver
features the proven Liberty Screed and a new tractor that features a
low-slung, 8-ton hopper bed and dual independent auger and conveyor systems.
The 15,800-pound machine is powered by an 87-horsepower diesel.
The 3120 offers the lowest hopper bed in its class,
according to the company, and its curved design is said to improve material
flow in clean up. Under-auger cut-off doors allow the operator to control
material flow to the main screed and extensions. Two cut-off doors allow
variable paving widths up to 15 feet.
Click 12 on
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Drop hammer works on thick
concrete
 Bobcat has unveiled a new drop hammer attachment
that allows a skid-steer loader to break concrete slabs up to 18-inches deep
with less noise and vibration than a hydraulic hammer. The unit employs a
1,140-pound weight which is lifted by means of a chain and drive motor, then
dropped. The company says it exerts low vibration and little noise.
Attaching and detaching is said to be easy with the Bob-Tach mounting
system, and the detached unit can stand upright independently, eliminating
the need for additional equipment to lift or move it.
Click 13 on
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Faster cutting cold planer
 The new Series II cold planer from
FFC Attachments
features a “V” style Pic Pattern which, the company says, delivers more
horsepower per bit for faster cuts.
In-cab fingertip controls operate sideshift, tilt, and cutting depth for six high-flow models; two
standard-flow models use manual adjustments. The units feature 24-inches of
sideshift to either side for cutting next to curbs and obstacles.
Click 14 on
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Works harder, cheaper
 John Deere says its new 300 series skid-steer
loaders incorporate more than 100 improvements in the previous series,
giving them best-in-class productivity and lower operating costs. The
five-model series ranges from 1,750 to 3,175 pounds in rated operating
capacity (more with counterweights), with high-flow hydraulics available in
each size.
Deere engineers focused on stability to enhance
productivity, achieving it through a low center of gravity, a longer
wheelbase to reduce rocking, a 60/40 weight distribution (front to rear),
and larger tires.
Standard features include Deere’s patented
vertical-lift boom which has a true vertical-lift pattern, 35-degree
rollback, and 45-degree dump angle.
Click 15 on
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New backhoe loader debuts
 Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced the
second model in its new backhoe-loader line, the 83-horsepower BL60. The
turbocharged machine has a 14-foot, 9-inch digging depth and 11,864
pounds-foot of backhoe bucket digging force. It has a 1.3-cubic-yard loader
bucket and develops 8,936 pounds-foot of bucket breakout force. Designed for
governmental agencies and construction contractors, as well as the rental
industry, the BL60 can be ordered in two- or four-wheel drive, with an
enclosed cab or open canopy, and with a standard or extendible dipper.
Like the BL70, which launched the Volvo backhoe
loader line in 2003, the new model features a fixed-displacement,
flow-sharing hydraulic system designed for reliability, power, and control.
It has extended service intervals, an S-style boom, and a cast iron pivot
and base for the boom to enhance durability.
Click 16 on
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Stormwater treatment
 Vortechnics’ new VortSentry is designed to capture
sediment and free-floating pollutants from urban runoff. It can be used as a
standalone or as a pretreatment system used in conjunction with other
stormwater treatment devices. The unit uses a combination of vortex motion
and flow controls to remove contaminated sediment, oil, and debris from
runoff before the water discharges into surface waters.
With no moving parts and a clear view to the
captured pollutants, the unit is easy to install and maintain and offers a
compact, lightweight design that is ideal for congested sites. All models
are configured with a flow partition to ensure that the rate of flow through
the treatment chamber will not cause pollutant re-entrainment, even as the
total flow rate through the system increases.
Click 17 on
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Beefed-up commercial paver
 LeeBoy says its new 8515 asphalt paver retains the
maneuverability and size of its popular 8500 series paver, but adds big-paver
enhancements that reduce operating costs and increase productivity for
users. New from the ground up, the 8815 has a heavier track assembly and
undercarriage, and a hydraulically raised hopper bed that provides
maintenance access to the undercarriage and tracks.
The 74-horsepower tractor has a two-speed
hydrostatic drive and carries a 7.5-ton hopper that features heavy-duty
radius hopper wings that enhance the flow of material into its dual 36-inch,
slat-feeding conveyors. The screed is a beefed up Legend system with
long-wearing sonic augers and heavier cutoff plates for clean starts and
stops.
Click 18 on
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Versatile, high-production
planer
 Roadtec’s new RX-900 cold planer can be ordered with
either an 860- or 950-horsepower engine and can operate as a three- or
four-track machine. The machine has a maximum cutting depth of 14 inches,
and can cut in widths of 7 feet, 2 inches; 8 feet, 2 inches; 10 feet; or 12
feet, 6 inches. Roadtec says the three-track mode makes the unit more
maneuverable in deep cuts, while the four-track mode is best for straight,
2- to 3-inch cuts.
Click 19 on
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Constant
planing depth locked in
 Caterpillar’s five new cold planer attachments for
skid-steer loaders incorporate an independent self-leveling feature to
ensure a constant planing depth. Cat claims the feature results in a
cleaner, flatter cut than other planer attachments deliver. Independent
left/ right skid depth control allows flush curb cuts, close planing around
manhole covers, and step-less side-by-side passes; it also allows feather
cuts and beveling passes.
Two models use standard hydraulic flow: the PC203
uses drums up to 14-inches wide, and the PC204 goes up to 18-inches wide.
Three models are designed for Cat’s new high-flow
system. The PC205 has drum widths to 18-inches wide, the PC206 to 24 inches,
and the PC210 has a dedicated 40-inch drum. The high-flow models use
planetary drives featuring a variable speed, unidirectional axial piston
hydraulic motor that mounts to a double reduction gearbox.
Click 20 on
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Concrete rider saw
 The new RS 8500 D Rider Saw from Dimas, a division
of Electrolux Construction Products, has a 26-inch blade capacity for large
jobs where reduced operator fatigue and consistent production rates are
demanded. The combination of the 85-horsepower diesel engine, the new inline
right angle gearbox, and 14 V-belts gives the saw extra horsepower at the
blade shaft. Alignment is easy with the power-assisted, zero-turn-radius
steering. A new, tilting steering console improves operator comfort, while
the fold-up pointer and optional blade clutch make loading and unloading
easier. The saw comes equipped with larger front wheels and a parking brake.
Click 21 on
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Pothole patching machine
 H.D. Industries’ new Pro-Patch Pothole Patcher
provides all the tools and materials necessary for a one- or two-man crew to
make effective asphalt repairs, eliminating the use of air compressors, oil
distributors, and dump trucks — which reduces manpower and equipment
maintenance, and minimizes the amount of equipment used in high-traffic
areas.
The machine is available as a truck- or trailer-mounted,
propane-fueled unit or as an all-electric unit. The body is 112-inches
long, 49-inches high, and 78-inches wide with lockable tool-storage
compartments.
Click 22 on
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Textured sound walls
 Carsonite International’s new textured sound walls
can take the appearance of brick, bamboo, slate, sand, and more. The
textured facades are comprised of polyurethane and won’t deteriorate or
discolor from weather conditions, roadside material, insects, or animals and
aid in decreasing sound levels.
The sound barriers exceed noise reduction
guidelines and wind loads required by AASHTO.
Click 23 on
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Upgrade to ‘Super’
 The “S” in
Wirtgen’s new WR 2500 S Road Reclaimer
and Soil Stabilizer stands for “super,” according to company promotions. The
top-of-the-line model has a new fuel-injection system that boosts its
12-cylinder engine’s power from 610 to 670 horsepower (455 to 500 kW). Wear
is minimized in the redesigned, reinforced cutter housing by means of
multiple wear plates, and the cutter drum has easier-to-service bolt-on end
rings. Cooling performance, operator comfort, and ambient particulate levels
have been improved, and a new dual cyclonic air precleaner will extend the
service life of the air filtration system.
Click 24 on
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Fast on/off backhoe milling head
 BackhoeMill from
Maddock Industries uses the same
pin size and spacing as the bucket on all popular makes and models of
backhoes, including quick-hitch designs, so it mounts on a boom in minutes.
It can be driven by the host machine’s hydraulic system — it requires line
pressures of 3,500 psi and a flow rate of 40 gallons per minute — or by an
auxiliary engine mounted in the front bucket or on a small trailer. Designed
for pavement cuts for utility access or culvert replacement, the BackhoeMill
can cut 12-inches deep and leaves the material pulverized in the trench. The
unit cuts a 24-inch-wide swath and works in concrete as well as asphalt.
With a different style bit, the unit can also grind tree stumps.
Click 25 on
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Traffic data detector software
Mavision, from Mavix, is a comprehensive solution
for traffic management and incident detection over IP. Using advanced image
processing algorithms, it processes diverse traffic data and detects
predefined incidents. Unlike other traffic detectors, Mavision eliminates
the need for standalone loop detectors and other conventional traffic
monitoring devices. It allows the operator to verify accidents and be
alerted of incidents including stopped or slowed vehicles, vehicle direction
changes, restricted zone violations, or speed changes.
Click 26 on
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Wheel loader line launched
 Liebherr Construction Equipment has introduced four
wheel loader models to the North American market. The new line ranges from
the 162-horsepower L 538 to the 261-horsepower L 580 in size. Though new to
this market, the Liebherr loaders are well established in Europe and, the
company says, are distinguished by their low operating costs.
Key features
include a well-balanced overall design concept for longer component life,
and an advanced hydrostatic travel drive that minimizes wet brake disc wear
and uses tractive force control and limited slip differentials to reduce
tire wear.
Click 27 on
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Two new cold-milling machines
 Wirtgen has rolled out two new cold-milling
machines, the compact W 50 and the deep-cutting W 50 DC.
The 80-horsepower W 50 weighs 13,162 pounds and cuts
up to 6-inches deep and 20-inches wide. Its fully adjustable loading
conveyor can be dismounted and mounted by the operator without assistance in
a matter of minutes, enhancing its versatility for making horizontal cuts on
roadways.
The 123-horsepower W 50 DC is a more productive
version of the W 50 and is housed in a larger platform. It uses a
29.5-inch-diameter cutting drum and has a maximum cutting depth of 8.3
inches.
Click 28 on
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More power and reliability
 John Deere has announced major upgrades to its 670CH
and 672CH C-Series II motor grades. A 185-horsepower, 6.8-liter engine tops
the list; the Tier 2 model adds 25 to 30 horsepower to the drive train,
including more low-end torque. The engine also features an electronically
controlled, high-pressure, fuel-delivery system that is said to provide a
more consistent and precise way to deliver fuel over the entire spectrum of
engine speeds and machine applications. Deere says the result is a
significant productivity boost, especially at the low end with the operator
in the dirt.
Glow plugs have been added at each cylinder to
enhance cold-starting ability, and the company reports that they achieved
easy starts at -40 degrees F in laboratory tests.
Other enhancements include switching from plastic
to steel tanks for fuel and hydraulic oil, and enlarging the capacity for
both. Service access has been improved and sheet metal changes have
increased airflow over the radiator, hydraulics, and transmission coolers.
Click 29 on
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Compact curb and gutter machine
 LeeBoy designed the LBC-24W concrete paver to give
contractors an economical, maneuverable machine to slipform curb and gutter,
alley ribbons, and sidewalks up to 4-feet wide, and to handle below-grade
pours for street rehabilitation work. Powered by a 37.5-horsepower diesel,
the LBC-24W features fingertip controls on its front and rear control panels
and all-wheel hydrostatic drive. The 7,000-pound, low-profile machine is
guided by an electronic grade and steering control system for accurate curb
placement. Its hopper uses gravity flow and vibration to deliver concrete to
the mold without augers, reducing clean-up time. The quick-change mold
system includes a patent-pending articulation mold option for smoother curbs
in tight radius work.
Click 30 on
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Two new commercial pavers debut
 Ingersoll-Rand has introduced two new commercial pavers that combine
established big-paver technology from Blaw-Knox and small-paver innovations
from IR. The 73-horsepower, 15,500-pound 3020 comes standard with IR’s V-3
Xtend-a-Screed. It paves 8- to 13-feet wide, using screed-under-screed
technology, and its extensions have been redesigned for more torsional
stiffness and precision placement. The 3020 has an 8-ton hopper and dual
independent auger and conveyors systems. It has the lowest hopper bed in its
class — 21.5 inches — to minimize truck bed and hitch interference during
the transfer of asphalt to the paver. Curved hopper wings improve material
flow and enhance clean up.
One size above the 3020 is the new 3120 paver. The
15,800-pound unit features an 87-horsepower engine and IR’s Liberty Screed
which paves in 8- to 15-foot widths. The Liberty screed has front-mounted
hydraulic extensions, a four-burner propane heating system, and the ability
to adjust both the angle of attack and the height of the extensions. It has
the same low-profile hopper bed as the 3020.
Click 31 on
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Electromagnetic pavement
measurement
 The PaveTracker Plus, an electromagnetic sensing
device from Troxler Electronic Laboratories, measures the dielectric
constant of an asphalt pavement, slab, or specimen and relates that constant
to the material’s density. It can provide the user with a quick indication
of pavement segregation, areas of low density and overall pavement
uniformity. The device has added data storage capability for up to 999
readings and/or projects, a 30-button keypad, a 4x20 LCD screen, a backlit
display, rechargeable batteries, and telescoping handle.
Click 32 on
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Walk-behind concrete saws
 The new PC 18 line of walk-behind concrete saws from
Target, a division of Electrolux Construction Products, features a compact
design with a saw width of 24 inches, overall height of 40.25 inches, a
maximum blade capacity of 18 inches, and a maximum cutting depth of 6.625
inches.
The saws are built with a one-piece box-type steel frame that
reduces vibration from the blade and increases sawing production. This frame
extends saw life and reduces component wear. Two models are available, the
9-horsepower PC 18 9H and the 13-horsepower PC 18 13H.
Click 33 on
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High-flow moves snow
 Bobcat’s
B-series 5600 Toolcat is now available with
a 56-horsepower turbodiesel engine and 26 gallons-per-minute, high-flow
auxiliary hydraulics, enabling the four-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steer
machine to handle a high-flow snow blower, wood chipper, and stump grinder.
The turbo improves high-altitude
performance and comes with an additional fuel tank
that nearly doubles the machine’s fuel capacity. The Toolcat has a top speed
of 18 miles per hour and can be used for mowing, snow removal, ground
leveling, lifting pallets, and a variety of landscaping chores.
Click 34 on
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Bridge inspection and analysis
 Geophysical Survey Systems’ BridgeScan, a complete
and convenient cart-based GPR system for bridge inspection and analysis,
uses the SIR-3000 data acquisition system and 1.5-GHz antenna to locate
rebar in concrete or asphalt overlaid bridge decks. The system enables the
user to identify areas of bridge deck deterioration as well as concrete
cover depth and asphalt overlay thickness. The affordable, easy-to-use
system provides users with an effective tool for quickly determining the
condition of aging bridge decks as well as new construction or repair work.
By switching antennas, the system is able to
transform into the UtilityScan system for locating pipes and other
underground utilities. The system includes the SIR-3000 data acquisition
system, survey cart with encoder, 1.5-GHz ground-coupled antenna, RADAN
software with the Bridge Assessment Module, and system accessories. Training
is available.
Click 35 on
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Wheeled excavator reaches
anywhere
 Gradall says the new XL 4300-II is the first
45,000-pound excavator to combine a tilting, telescoping boom and wheeled
mobility for on- or off-road surfaces. Gradall claims the 166-horsepower
machine’s load-sensing hydraulics maximize its productivity in excavating
and demolition applications, while its traditional tilting/telescoping boom
lets the unit excel in fine grading, sloping, ditching, truck loading,
spreading rip rap, trimming trees, and other delicate functions. The boom
design also creates a low working profile, enabling the machine to work
under bridges, beneath tree limbs, and in tunnels where conventional
excavators may not be able to operate. The new model has a maximum digging
depth of 20 feet, 11 inches, maximum ground level reach of 30 feet, and a
bucket breakout force of 25,449 pounds.
Click 36 on
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Sweeper body for do-anything
chassis
 Schwarze Industries is now offering its A7000
heavy-duty regenerative air sweeper with 8.4-cubic-yard hopper on a Unimog
U500 chassis. The A7000 body can be offloaded in about two hours from the
chassis, enabling one of many other attachments to be on-loaded.
Municipalities commonly use the rugged Unimog chassis and a variety of
attachments to handle snow plowing, mowing, disaster relief, road
construction, underground cable laying, tree transplanting, and many other
tasks.
Click 37 on
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New top-of-the-line grader
 LeeBoy has upsized its motor grader offerings with
the addition of the 130-horsepower, 25,300-pound model 785. The new model’s
frame has 40 degrees of articulation, and a 17-foot, 4-inch wheelbase. Its
turbocharged powertrain includes a six-speed powershift transmission.
Its rear wheels are gear driven, and it has internal
multi-disc brakes. The 12-foot moldboard has 60 inches right or left side
shift and an open, 54-inch, gear-driven turntable with 360 degrees of
rotation
and a 23-inch lateral shift. LeeBoy recommends the
785 for ditching, grading, and site preparation, as well as maintaining
gravel roads and removing snow.
Click 38 on
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Road inspection and analysis
 Geophysical Survey Systems has introduced a complete
vehicle-mounted ground-penetrating radar system for road inspection and
analysis. This system provides users with an effective tool for determining
pavement layer thickness and evaluating base and sub-base layers. It can
acquire data at highway speeds, eliminating the need for lane closures. The RoadScan system includes an SIR-20 data-acquisition system; wheel-mounted
distance-measuring instrument; vehicle mounting kit; RADAN software with the
Road Structure Module; and system accessories. Training is included.
Click 39 on
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Compact sweeper
 The new CS500 compact sweeper from MadVac cleans
litter from congested pedestrian-filled municipal streets quietly and
efficiently. The unit reaches where no other large sweeper can reach such as
sidewalks, pathways, and alleyways, yet also does large surfaces such as
downtown districts, airports, and universities. The sweeper features two
independent brushes that sweep a width of 10 feet, 6 inches;
joystick-controlled brushes that extend an extra 3 feet for hard-to-reach
areas; an ergonomically designed operator cab that provides an unobstructed
view; a maximum travel speed of 25 miles per hour; and a turning radium of 6
feet, 3 inches.
Click 40 on
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Curb machine gets power boost
 Power Curbers has given its 5700-B slipform paver a
50% power boost by switching to a new 133-horsepower engine as one of a menu
of enhancements for the popular curb-and-gutter machine. Other enhancements
include a higher operator’s platform for improved visibility of the auger
and chute man, repositioned radiators for cooler work, a new hydrostatic
direct-drive conveyor with higher torque and lower maintenance costs, and
rotary controls that allow fractional changes in ground or conveyor speeds
for a smooth, consistent curb.
The company made a number of other changes to
improve reliability and reduce maintenance requirements, including heavier
frames and increased torque for crawlers, eye-level positions for filters
and the high-pressure servo, and the use of an externally mounted radiator
for easier access.
Click 41 on
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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 43 on
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Cable guardrail
 Trinity Industries developed a new Cable Safety
System that addresses the issue of crossover accidents on highway systems.
CASS provides a more forgiving, cost-effective alternative to rigid,
expensive concrete barriers and exhibits excellent life-cycle costs with
maintenance-free service and quick repair after an impact. Using C-shaped
posts and tensioned cables, the system prevents potential head-on collisions
by capturing and redirecting errant vehicles.
The specially designed post
employs a patent-pending wave-shaped slot that works in tandem with
strategically positioned cables. CASS has been extensively crash-tested.
Click 42 on
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Milling drum takes on extremes
 Australian milling contractor Road Services of
Australia specializes in extreme jobs, such as removing more than 20,000
cubic yards of reinforced concrete with milling equipment. To complete such
work, the company has developed the Schibeci
ultra-rugged milling drum for
severe service applications. Now available in North America through
Roadtec
and MECOM, the Schibeci drums feature tooth-holding blocks that won’t fall
off or break off, even when the tool hits submerged objects such as steel
manhole covers.
The drums are said to require only annual
maintenance and to retain the same cutting pattern for their entire
lifetimes. The company says its smooth outer flight design reduces vibration
and drag, improving productivity and fuel consumption, and the drums remove
more material from the cut that other designs.
Schibeci drums come in widths ranging from
3-inches to more than 16-feet wide and are recommended for working in
asphalt, concrete, reinforced pavements, and other media.
Click 44 on
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Mid-size reclaimer brings
versatility
 Wirtgen has introduced a mid-sized, 400-horsepower
stabilizer/reclaimer as a high-performance, versatile alternative to its
production-size, 670-horsepower WR 2500 S. The new WR 2000 cuts grades or
asphalt roadways up to 20-inches deep and has a maximum cutting width of 79
inches. It stabilizes with both emulsion and foamed asphalt, and can be
equipped with a high-capacity water pump for dry soil conditions, or cement-
or lime- stabilization work. The cutter features a V-belt drive and
automatic tensioner, and four speeds, from 112 to 181 rpm. Wirtgen says the
new drive system delivers more power to the cutter with less maintenance
than previous chain and hydraulic system designs.
Click 45 on
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Sidewing snowplow
 The new Sidewing snowplow is completely
self-contained, with independent control of all functions, and works well in
combination with any brand of front plow. The Sidewing is mounted to the
side of a pickup truck — the back cylinder attaches with a standard 2-inch
trailer hitch and one pin in the front. The side-mounted plow clears any
two-lane road, including shoulders, in just two passes without having to
drive on the shoulder. Plowing force is transferred to the center of the
truck.
With Sidewing installed and lifted in the transport
position, a typical pickup truck measures approximately 96-inches wide, well
under the legal maximum width of 102 inches.
Click 46 on
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Asphalt/concrete cookie cutter
 American Highway Products’ new asphalt/concrete
cookie cutting machine eliminates the use of jackhammers and compressors to
remove utility castings from the road. This heavy-duty machine cuts a
perfect circular hole around utility castings without destroying the
surrounding road and compaction. Round cuts reduce the amount of material
removed by over 21% compared to square cuts and eliminates corner cuts into
the existing road.
The unit will cut 20-inch-deep cuts at an average 2
inches per minute. The machine will cut 60 cuts in an eight-hour day; the
blade will cut 500 holes in asphalt and 300 holes in reinforced concrete.
Click 47 on
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Variable-frequency drives cut
costs
Astec uses Variable Frequency Drives to regulate air
flow in its plants by changing the speed of the blower rather than using a
damper, as in other designs. By reducing fan speed, air flow is controlled
and energy is saved, says the company. Astec also says the VFD system is
much quieter than damper-based systems because air is not being forced
through a set of blades, which can cause turbulence and vibration.
Astec says that when the plant is used at 70 to 80%
of capacity, electricity consumption in the VFD-system plant is about half
that required with outlet damper control.
Click 48 on
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Ultra-portable variable message
sign
 The new instALERT Rapid Messenger from All Traffic
Solutions is an ultra-portable variable message sign. Its full-size,
full-matrix display can be dispatched from the back of a vehicle and set up
by a single person in less than a minute. The sign weighs about 40 pounds
and unfolds from a 3- by 28- by 30-inch carrying size to a full-matrix
display that measures 2.3 by 5 feet. One, two, or three lines of text with
7-, 10.25-, or 24-inch letters are visible hundreds of yards away. The sign
can be powered by the vehicle or a portable, rechargeable power supply.
Click 49 on
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New wheel loader series
 John Deere says its new J-series wheel loaders
deliver better uptime, performance, and productivity while lowering daily
operating costs, thanks to the complete redesign of several key systems. A
solid-state electrical distribution system eliminates the need for multiple
wire harnesses and connectors, and provides up to 50% greater reliability,
according to John Deere. The 444J, 544J, and 624J have redesigned cooling
systems featuring Quad-Cool system coolers that are arranged side by side
within a box for easy cleaning access, a proportionally controlled fan, and
isolation from the engine compartment to minimize preheating of incoming
air. Engines in those three models feature new torque curves that enhance
productivity with greater power bulge and torque rise.
The 110-horsepower 444J has a standard
2.5-cubic-yard bucket capacity; the 134-horsepower 544J is a 3.0-cubic-yard
design; and the 160-horsepower 624J is slotted in the 3.5-cubic-yard class.
Click 50 on
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High-tech paver for precision
work
 Ingersoll-Rand
says the ABG Titan 326 EPM paver can
place roller-compacted concrete, cement-treated base, and untreated base as
well as asphalt, especially in deep lifts and wide paving widths. The
218-horsepower Euro-style paver weighs 32,193 pounds and paves at a laydown
rate of up to 771 tons per hour at a maximum paving speed of 65 feet per
minute. It has a 14.8-ton hopper capacity and a maximum paving width of more
than 32 feet. It can lay a mat of nearly 12 inches in one pass, according to
IR.
The new paver is available with seven different
screed options, including single- or dual-tamping designs. The paver
features IR’s Electronic Paver Management system, which gives the operator
an intuitive interface with the paver’s functions, according to the company,
as well as vital operating-conditions information and diagnostic checks.
Click 51 on
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Powerful compact sweeper
 Elgin made its new Crosswind Fury sweeper by
combining the technology of regenerative air with a compact truck body. The
company says the new model delivers the same efficient cleaning system as
its larger models, but in a package to meet the needs of municipalities with
smaller sweeping applications.
Built on an Isuzu cab-over chassis, the Fury’s
sweeping system is powered by an auxiliary 60-horsepower diesel engine and
includes hydraulically driven, dual 36-inch trailing-arm side brooms. In
addition to its regenerative air system, the unit features a 72-inch
container height, rear dumping, a 4.4-cubic-yard hopper, and a 105-gallon
water tank for dust suppression.
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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.
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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%.
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Trip-edge scoop plow
 Hiniker’s new high-performance, split trip-edge
Scoop Plow, with a unique concave shape, captures snow with less spillage
and faster, more-efficient plowing. The 20-degree fixed-angle outer ends
help the plow capture snow, making it ideal for confined areas. The plow
also angles left and right to allow for conventional plowing applications.
The plow is available in 8- and 9-foot lengths and
features a high-impact polyethylene moldboard that creates a low-friction,
corrosion-free plowing surface. A three-section trip-edge with a 9-inch-high
pivot point provides maximum protection from high obstacles such as curbs
and parking barriers. Each section trips independently for smoother plowing
and less stress on the plow. The specially designed no-pinch pivot prevents
jamming from stones, ice, and other debris, allowing for the full return of
the trip-edge every time.
Click 55 on
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Top-of-the-line asphalt roller
 Ingersoll-Rand has introduced the 84-inch,
32,770-pound DD-158HFA double drum compactor as the largest asphalt roller
in its line. The new model features eight amplitude settings and two
vibration frequency levels; each amplitude setting is automatically linked
to the appropriate vibration frequency. This allows the machine to operate
at high frequency and low amplitude for thin lifts, or lower frequency and
higher amplitudes for thicker lifts.
Standard equipment includes Ingersoll-Rand’s
patented Impact Spacing Meter which adjusts travel speeds to meet drum
impact spacing requirements. The drums use I-R’s chamfered, radiused edges
to prevent drum edge marking.
The DD-158HFA has a maximum centrifugal force of
44,070 pounds in its highest amplitude setting (0.035 inches), and vibration
frequencies of 2,500 and 3,400 vpm.
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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.
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5 new crack-sealing features
 Cimline has introduced five new features for its
Magma series crack sealing machines in 2004. The Superflex III heated hose
is said to have the lightest weight and smallest diameter of any
electrically heated hose in the field. Using a third-generation Teflon core,
the hose is extremely flexible and can be handled without gloves.
The wand is new, too, featuring a lightweight,
adjustable handle and a recirculation feature that is said to prevent
spillage. A trigger on the handle controls flow, while a ball valve is used
to control drips. Cimline has also added a 30-gallon-per-minute material
pump, up from 20 gpm in the previous model.
Two other features are new options: an integrated
air compressor for crack cleaning and sealing in one operation, and a dual
hose option.
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Skid steers get performance
boost
 Caterpillar
has upgraded its entire skid-steer
loader line to a B-series, increasing power and performance for each model,
and improving comfort and reliability. Included in the announcement are four
vertical lift models, and five radial lift designs. In addition, the company
has added the 2,700-pound-rated 268B to its vertical lift lineup; the
76-horsepower unit features Cat’s new XPS high-flow hydraulic system for
running high-performance work tools.
Across-the-line improvements include heavy-duty
drive components, hydraulic design enhancements, and an upgraded electrical
system, including higher alternator ratings and a simplified wiring harness.
Eight of the 10 models now have a turbocharged engine for cleaner emissions
and better high-altitude performance.
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