It’s hard to believe that just five years ago, Nissan, a global player in commercial vehicle markets had a net presence of zero in North America.

It’s a different scenario today. WIth the successful launch of both a full-sized commerical van and the from-scratch establishment of a commerical-focused dealer network, you’d think the Nissan team would want to rest on their laurels. Or at least take a little break.

But no. The company is jumping feet-first into the burgeoning compact U.S. commercial van market at the Work Truck Show with the launch of its new NV200 compact van.

Joe Castelli, vice president of Nissan’s commercial van business, is quick to note that the NV200 is not a revamped mini-van platform. It’s a commercial van that Nissan sells in both Europe and Asia – tweaked with a few modifications for the U.S. market. “We had to move the B-pillar back to conform with U.S. Side Impact Crash Standards,” Castelli notes. “But that just ended up giving us 8 more inches of leg room up front and cargo room in the back. Additionally, although we sell the NV200 with a small diesel engine standard overseas, we’ll  be offering it in North America with a 2-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine that logs 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving.”

Castelli notes that the compact van market largely didn’t exist either a few years ago, but is now moving around 40,000 units a year. He thinks the NV200′s $19,990 base price tag will be a highly attractive alternative to customers who don’t need a larger, more expensive commercial van, but historically have not had a lot of smaller options to choose from.

Some high-profile buzz never hurts, either. And so it’s with pride that Castelli notes that the NV200 has been chosen as the next New York City Taxicab platform – an achievement that has given Nissan significant global exposure while ensuring a contracted purchase of 2,500 NV200s a year for 10 years.

“Things today are evolving,” Castelli says. “Ten years ago, you only saw features like GPS navigation, Bluetooth and backup cameras on high-end luxury cars. And today we’re able to offer them on our compact work van for under $20,000. We’re able to offer a lot of capability at a very attractive price – and I think that’s going to be a big winner for us.”

Jack Roberts is executive editor of trucks/truck equipment for Randall-Reilly, parent company of Better Roads.

NTEA Work Truck Show 2013 coverage

INDIANAPOLIS–ROUSH CleanTech and Green Alternative Systems (GAS) revealed the new Ford F-550 chassis cab powered by clean, economical propane autogas on March 7 at the NTEA Work Truck Show.

With more than 65 usable gallons, this vehicle offers the longest driving range of any dedicated alternative fuel counterpart on the market, according to the manufacturer. The fuel tank sits between the frame rails and behind the aft axle. Customizable to carry up to 33 passengers as a shuttle, the Ford F-550 also suits the delivery, construction, transit and utility markets. Equipped with a 6.8-liter, V10 engine, the propane autogas alternative fuel system is available beginning with 2013 model year vehicles or newer.

GAS, a certified Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) installer, designs mounting hardware, handles packaging strategy and integrates ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system technology into the F-550 chassis cab. The vehicles maintain the factory Ford warranty and the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity as their gasoline counterparts.

John Deere 60G compact excavator

John Deere has introduced the 50G and 60G compact excavators, 26 and 53 horsepower, respectively, to its G Series. Both models are outfitted with a DOC/DPF aftertreatment device to meet the Final Tier 4 (FT4 ) emissions requirements. The FT4 design is based on John Deere’s Interim Tier 4 strategy and both models incorporate an  auto-idle feature that slows engine speed when the pilot-control levers are momentarily released – for reduced fuel consumption and noise.

John Deere 50G compact excavator

A new door design improves entry and visibility to the left hand side of the machine and widens the size of the opening for entering the cab. Within the operator station, a new multifunction monitor provides a coolant temperature and fuel gauge, clock, two trip meters, regeneration inhibit, auto shut down control, and machine hours. A third service door was also added to both models to provide improved access to the cooling core. The cores were positioned side-by-side rather than being stacked inline to increase cooling performance.

The machines also feature oil-impregnated boom, and arm and bucket bushings and models can be equipped with an optional, hydraulic, adjustable-angle backfill blade that features 25 degrees of adjustment to both the left and right for more efficient trench backfilling.

Komatsu D39EX-23

Input does matter.

Komatsu America Corp.’s new line of D37-23 and D39-23 crawler dozers was developed using what the manufacturer says was “extensive customer input” to produce a smarter , more productive dozer.

The dozer meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 Interim regulations and using smart engine technology and is bundled in a 89 or 105 horsepower package with 2,200 rpm. Long track-on-ground standard (EX) and low ground pressure (PX) models are available. Operating weights range from 18,386 lbs. to 21,363 lbs. depending on the configuration and model. A full guarding package, hydraulic winch and other attachments are also available for customization to meet specific requirements.

Komatsu D37PX-23

The dozers 23 feature two selectable Working Modes, Economy (E) and Power (P), that match machine performance to the application. E Mode is intended for all general dozing, leveling and spreading applications providing adequate speed and power while saving fuel. P Mode is intended for slot dozing, ripping, uphill dozing or other applications that require maximum power. The crawler dozers are equipped with KOMTRAX technology, allowing for remote diagnosis by the distributor.

The Komatsu Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (KDOC) has an integrated design that does not interfere with daily operation.  The system removes soot using 100 percent “passive regeneration” without the need for a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

Trimble Spectra Precision QM55 and QM95 Quick Measure

Trimble’s Spectra Precision QM55 and QM95 Quick Measure handheld laser distance meters allows measurements to be quickly added and subtracted.

Multiple units of measure are selectable and include metric, feet, or inches. The QM55 is designed for indoor use with a range of 165 feet and an accuracy of ±1/16 inch.

The distance meter has extra-large LCD screen displays measurement information and an illuminated display.

The QM95 has the longest range of the QM portfolio of products with a measurement distance up to 650 feet. It is also a very precise distance meter with accuracy of ±1/24 inch.

The Quick Measure housings are specifically designed with special engineered plastics, rubber overmold and electronics isolation for drop protection — up to 5 feet —to withstand the typical abuse found on commercial and residential jobsites. The compact size of the Quick Measures makes them easy to store and transport in a pocket.

The QM55 Quick Measure is available now through the Spectra Precision Dealer Network. The QM95 Quick Measure is expected to be this month, according to Trimble.

Seamless switching from gas to CNG.

The order books are open and they’re coming down the assembly lines as we speak: the 2013 Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD bi-fuel pickup trucks.

The Vortec 6.0L engines in these trucks will run on gasoline or compressed natural gas and can switch between the two seamlessly without affecting performance. With the combined fuel of both systems the trucks boast a range of 650 miles.

The bi-fuel option ads $11,000 to the sticker price, but with CNG running $1.60 to $2 cheaper than gasoline you can recoup that eventually (at about 120,000 miles, assuming 20 mpg). After that it’s $2 per gallon cash back in your pocket. If gas or diesel goes higher your payoff comes quicker and the payback gets better.

CNG is reported to run much cleaner, with less soot, longer intervals between oil changes, and probably longer engine life; and if you care, it cuts greenhouse gas emissions by better than 40 percent compared to gas or diesel.

Kawasaki 95Z7

Kawasaki’s 95Z7 wheel loader has been redesigned to meet EPA Tier 4 Interim emission standards, as well as to improve operating efficiency and productivity. The 388-horsepower machine is equipped with a 7.3-cubic-yard bucket and features a striking new appearance, with a hood design that improves rear visibility and serviceability. The 16-liter Isuzu 6WG1 diesel engine is the largest in the class. The big planetary automatic-shift transmission has automotive-style smooth shifting from pulse width modulation in the control valve and features a lock-up torque converter to improve fuel economy and performance. The machine’s IntelliTech System uses inputs from the machine to adjust performance to match the conditions. Many operations are automatic, while others allow the operator to select functions appropriate for the application or work environment. Diagnostic systems have been improved to allow more detailed data access to troubleshoot issues quickly and accurately. Serviceability has been improved with easy access to the engine, cooling system cores, and filters.

Specifications (with 7.3-cubic-yard bucket)

Overall length: 31 feet, 9 7/8 inches

Overall height (top of cab): 12 feet, 2 7/8 inches

Overall height (bucket fully raised): 20 feet, 10 7/8 inches

Overall width (outside tires): 10 feet, 6 3/4 inches

Overall width (outside bucket): 11 feet, 3 7/8 inches

Operating weight (with ROPS cab): 75,790 pounds

Breakout force: 53,730 pounds

Ditch Witch

The 49-horsepower vacuum excavator can be customized with a choice of tank sizes and trailer configurations, as well as a choice of four spoils tank sizes ranging from 300- to 1,200-gallon capacities, and four water tank sizes between 80 and 500 gallons. A standard hydraulic tank door opens fully to maximize spoils removal efficiency. The unit can also be configured with an optional reverse flow feature that enables easy offloading of fluid spoils. 

The FX50 has a Tuthill 1,020-cfm blower and a 3,000-psi, 5-gpm flow water system. Available options include hydraulic booms, water heaters and hydraulic valve exercisers. 

They have grown to trust us, because they have learned that when they ask us something – we listen and then we do something about it.

For the past few years, demand in the market for a vacuum based lifter designed for handling and placing concrete traffic barriers has continued to grow. The need for the same level of capability realized in all other Vacuworx lifters has been a constant – and we have heard you – we have heard you loud and clear. And so now for the first time ever you can enjoy all of the same benefits that you have always experienced from all of our other heavy duty lifting products – in a lifter specifically designed for working with these difficult to maneuver barriers. Both on site and in the yard handling and placement have just become a non-issue. You can now realize the same levels of increased safety and productivity by cutting both your overall install time and ground personnel by more than half.

The lifter is designed for use with a large variety of host equipment and is intended to be used in confined spaces with mobility restrictions. Off loading and installation is extremely fast meaning that your turn around time and ground personnel are reduced significantly – and both personnel and equipment have a dramatically reduced amount of time of exposure.

The lifter can work effectively with all sizes of barriers and has a four to one safe working load capacity of 7500 lbs. The lifter is completely self contained with an integrated diesel engine and operates with a matched tolerance gearing system that permits optimum operation for both the engine and vacuum pump helping to create maximum continuous output and longer run life.

When you put all of this together – you can see pretty quickly that just like the rest of the Vacuworx Lifting systems, the math gets pretty simple real fast – no wonder Vacuworx vacuum based technology heavy-duty lifting equipment continues to be the preferred choice around the world.

For a demonstration or to arrange to see and work with the new Concrete Barrier Lifter contact us at www.vacuworx.com or call us at 1-866-664-3450

The Cool Hard Hat is a revolutionary pantented air-cooled hard hat developed by Tom English, a general contractor for over 30 years. English claims than in all of his years and experience in construction, The Cool Hard Hat is the best tool he has ever used and couldn’t imagine having to work without it. The rechargeabe batteries (with the recharger built into hat) power two fans to blow air on the of the neck and top of the head at a rate of over 8 cubic feet of air per minute. This lowers the interior temperature of the hard hat by more than 20 degrees. Watch the Video on the Company’s website to see the incredible cooling demonstration. The natural evaporation cooling process helps workers stay cool, fight fatigue and increase productivity. Vented hard hats are now obsolete as the popular cooling option. The hat can run up to 12 hours per charge of the batteries and can be recharged overnight.

The Cool Hard Hat meets all OSHA  and ANSI standards and is Intrinsically Safe.