Henderson Products

A floating snow wing mast?

That’s Smart

If you’re plowing snow this winter, chances are the road you’re on is not perfectly contoured. In fact, it’s probably pretty much beat up – with dips, ruts and possibly breaks – topped off, of course, by snow- and ice-covered obstructions just prime for costly municipal insurance claims running rampant throughout North America. Responding with up to 13 inches of float instantly adjusted in the wing’s toe, the Smart Link rotational floating wing mast from Henderson Products provides conformance to varying road conditions, as well as the elimination of both toe dig and the binding associated with conventional mast/slides. According to the manufacturer, impact forces are reduced by as much as 70 percent over traditional front-wing mast configurations, which require additional bracing. Converting easy from existing wing systems, the Smart Link has a low-profile design providing full access to the engine compartment and a clear line of vision for the driver. A large access hole in the front makes maintenance easy. A locking pin secures the wing when not in use.

Caterpillar

Excavator range goes big on compacts

When the king of big yellow iron, Caterpillar, moved into the compact equipment market in the 1990s, it triumphed the future role of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as a full-range supplier. No longer were Caterpillar and other large OEMs willing to concede the compact market to niche players. Well, with its recent compact excavator product introduction, Caterpillar has one taken step further – a little step, that is. Three models ranging up to 2.7 metric tons in operating weight include Caterpillar’s foray into the “micro” market. Easily transported from site to site on a trailer behind a van or pickup truck, the 300.9D model weighs in at just 2,061 pounds – less than one metric ton – and has an overall width of only 28.7 inches for easy movement through a standard doorway. The 18.4-horsepower, diesel-powered excavator leverages a twin gear pump hydraulic system for maximum bucket breakout force of 2,000 pounds and stick breakout force of 1,011 pounds. Specifically to work with this model, suited to demolition contractors working in confined spaces, Caterpillar will be introducing a new H25 compact breaker. Maximum digging depth is 69.4 inches and maximum excavation radius is 121.7 inches. At the same time, Caterpillar introduced the 301.4C excavator model ranging 2,921-3,340 pounds in operating weight and the 302.7D CR maxing out at 5,886 pounds with a full cab. The latter is Caterpillar’s smallest compact radius excavator, offering zero tail swing when equipped without counterweight.

John Deere

Tractors built specially for scrapers

John Deere has unveiled three track models – the 9460RT, 9510RT, and 9560RT – as its new 9R/9RT Scraper Special Series Tractors. The new lineup also includes three wheeled models (9460R, 9510R, 9560R). The full line is equipped with a fuel-efficient, high-torque IT4 13.5L PowerTech PSX engine featuring 460 to 560 horsepower. The 9460RT, 9510RT, and 9560RT are equipped with the Durabuilt 5500 Series Scraper rubber track in a 30-inch width. The functions and features formerly located on the right-hand console were relocated to the redesigned CommandArm, including a new 7-inch color CommandCenter display. The CommandArm provides fingertip controls of key tractor functions, including throttle, transmission speed and direction, and selective control valves. Additional adjustments and configuration settings are made on the optional touch-screen capable GreenStar (GS3) CommandCenter display.

Caterpillar

Upgrades boost productivity, performance

New features on the Caterpillar D9T Track-Type Tractor include enhanced operator safety, comfort and convenience, while also refining performance and productivity. The machine is powered by a Cat C18 engine with ACERT Technology, rated at 410 horsepower with an operating weight of more than 110,000 pounds. A low-effort electronic dozer control handle gives the operator control of all dozer functions with one hand. An optional Automatic Ripper Control keeps the drawbar load constant and minimizes track slip. In addition, Automated Blade Assist uses blade-pitch presets to simplify positioning, and an optional auto carry system automatically adjusts blade load during the carry segment. The new Dynamic Inclination Monitor provides readouts of the tractor’s pitch angle and side-to-side slope, and a new operator-presence system locks out the power train and hydraulic system to avoid unintentional machine movement.

Terex

Automatically change crown while paving

Terex Corp. will exhibit its Bid-Well concrete paving equipment – the 4800 bridge paver and 2418 work bridge – at World of Concrete 2012 in Las Vegas this month. With standard paving widths exceeding 170 feet, the 4800 paver display unit will be set to 36 feet wide. A new style fogging system features all poly tubing to increase up-time and individually controlled spray nozzles to direct the fog where it’s needed. A new skewable power crown adjuster enables operators to automatically make changes to the crown when paving bridge decks at the skew angle. Featuring two new Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) compliant gas engines the show machine will display two-leg options available to paving contractors: a swing-leg design for zero-clearance paving; and a pivot-leg design for paving cross slopes of 6 to 8 percent.

Gomaco

Right-side, left-side slipforming

GOMACO Corp.’s new 4400 barrier machine for right-side and left-side slipforming will be at World of Concrete. Built specifically for barrier applications, it features a high-capacity cooling package on the engine. The manufacturer’s proprietary G+ control system makes the machine capable of operating in multiple languages. The 4400’s design concept was built around a left-side and right-side slipforming capable machine with symmetrical steering and minimal set-up changes for switching profiles from side to side. The U-shaped platform, which features vibration insulation and a side to side sliding control console, accommodates right-side and left-side pour and provides a 360-degree view of the entire paving operation.

MB America

Crush rocks, concrete onsite

MB America’s crushers are excavator buckets with an internal hydraulic jaw-crusher system that crushes rocks, concrete and any other hard material onsite, directly into the bucket. The machine also crushes reinforced concrete, returning both clean rebar and crushed material ready for recycling. Because the crusher bucket is used in conjunction with an excavator, it can be used in tight spaces and is easily transported. Four models are available and may be used on an entire range of excavators, from 9 tons and up. For a video from Better Roads Executive Editor Tina Grady Barbaccia go to http://www.tinyurl.com/BetterRoadsFB.

Komatsu

Large undercarriage design significantly increases lift capacity

Komatsu’s PC390LC-10 hydraulic excavator is powered by a Komatsu SAA6D114E-5 engine and is EPA Tier 4 Interim (Tier 4i) and EU Stage 3B emissions certified. The excavator is built upon a proven Tier 3 engine platform and contains a 257-horsepower flywheel. With an operating weight of 89,072 pounds, the excavator features improved hydraulic efficiency, improved operator comfort, simplified maintenance to extend component life, and a large undercarriage design that significantly increases lift capacity. The Komatsu Tier 4 Interim engine uses an advanced electronic control system to manage airflow rate, fuel injection, combustion parameters, and aftertreatment functions to optimize performance, reduce emissions, and provide diagnostic capability.

Dexter + Chaney

Deploy software on-premise

Dexter + Chaney is launching a new version of its Spectrum Construction Software at World of Concrete, as well as a completely new product line. The latest version of Spectrum software will be released as a full-featured Web-based product. Spectrum Version 14 will be the first release from Dexter + Chaney’s newly-formed Operations Group. Users will be able to deploy the software on-premise or access it through a cloud environment.

The Boss Snowplow

Plows for UTVs

The Boss Snowplow UTV Plows are now available for a wider selection of popular UTV brands. New brands compatible with the plows include Bobcat, Case IH, Club Car, Honda, Husqvarna and New Holland. These UTV brands join off-road vehicle brands John Deere, Kawasaki, Kubota, and Polaris for the UTV plow lineup. The plows are available in two models, a 6 foot 6 inch Power-V XT and a 6-foot Poly Straight-Blade. The hydraulic pumps on the plows are fully enclosed to protect against corrosion and hydraulic freeze-up for enhanced durability. The hydraulic and electrical system is operated from an in-cab button. A unique sloped-profile undercarriage does not hinder ground clearance or inhibit trail riding when the snowplow is detached.

Doosan Portable Power

Mobile generators for Tier 4 final

Doosan Portable Power has released four new models of its Tier 4 Interim (Tier 4i) mobile generators. The G150, G190, G240 and G325 join the lineup of 10 Doosan models ranging from 25 to 570 kVA. The new models complete Tier 4i development from Doosan Portable Power for products with power ratings greater than 174 horsepower and have been designed for the implementation of Tier 4 Final (Tier 4f) technologies effective in 2014. In addition, Doosan is finalizing the development of new G70, G85 and G125 models to meet the 2012 Tier 4i regulations for the respective power ratings. New G25 and G45 models will meet Tier 4f regulations required in 2013.