Road Systems International (RSI)

The SKT-SP and FLEAT-SP post systems from Road Systems International (RSI) now come in 12.5-feet versions, featuring an enhanced upper and lower hinged Post No. 1 and a hinged Post No. 2, without a ground strut. Now from Post No. 3 and beyond, generic standard W6 steel guardrail posts and standard W-Beam rail sections are used. “This makes it easier for the service people that inherit the post systems and guardrails attached to them – usually the state – easier to maintain because they’ll have the products in stock,” John Durkos with Road Systems Inc. tells Better Roads at ATSSA. “That reduces the need to keep specialized inventory on hand.” The post systems are NCDHRP 350 tested and approved. Write 021 on Reader Service Card.

Avery Dennison Graphics

Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products Division (GRPD) introduced at ATSSA the OmniCube, a full-cube reflective sheeting that provides higher reflectivity for road signage by returning about 60 percent of available light back to the driver. The precision-tiled cubes perform consistently with uniform reflectivity allowing sign fabricators to “nest” shapes and letters, without affecting the reflectivity of the sign. The reflective sheeting exceeds all requirements of ASTM D4956-09 for Type XI sheeting. Write 022 on Reader Service Card.

Product information from the pre-bauma press event earlier this year. The giant show takes place in Munich, Germany, April 19-25.

Compiled by John Latta

Cummins will unveil four engines ready for EPA Tier 4 Interim. Included will be the debut of the company’s next generation 4-cylinder QSB3.3 and QSB4.5 engines for compact equipment. Also brand new will be the QSX11.9 and QSX15 heavy-duty engines. Cummins will display the power plants complete from air intake to exhaust.

The compact 3.3-liter and 4.5-liter QSB engines extend across the 75-hp to 160-hp (56 kW to 119 kW) power range, which Cummins says lets OEMs standardize its 4-cylinder installations with common Tier 4 Interim engine architecture. The engines feature a scaled-down EGR system, the company’s compact equipment exhaust after treatment system, a variable flow turbocharger and space saving air cleaners.

The 11.9-liter and 15-liter engines cover a broad 300-hp to 600-hp (224kW to 447 kW) power band and share the same technology for Tier 4 Interim such as the company’s new XPI common-rail fuel system. A variable geometry turbocharger is able to continuously vary airflow boost to match engine rpm and load demands and a new

air cleaner includes an integrated sensor for monitoring temperature and pressure to ensure optimum flow.

Hamm will show its new HD+ range of 10 models of tandem rollers. The HD+ 90 (operating weight approx. 9 metric tons) and HD+ 110 (operating weight approx. 11 metric tons) articulated tandem rollers offer broad visibility thanks to their compact design and unusually large new XXL cab with a vaulted glass roof. The operating console with its display is never out of sight. It is permanently attached to and moves with the seat.

The newly designed articulated joint allows a superior weight distribution in relation to comparable tandem rollers, says the company. This results in increased directional stability and improved compaction quality, especially on bends and roundabouts. The offset during crab steering has almost doubled compared with the previous models in the HD series. Hamm offers a high-frequency version for the US market, where compaction is carried out at significantly higher speeds. The 9-metric-ton roller is also available in 2 models with separate roller drums – one for vibration, one for oscillation. During dynamic compacting work, the operator can use the front and rear roller drums at the same time but at different frequencies.

LiuGong will show its 888III large wheel loader which will be launched into the U.S. market later this year. The company will also present four upgraded excavators including a 36 metric tons model headed for America and a 12-metric ton dirt roller which will also be available in North America. No American-bound asphalt pavers are planned for this year but its possible we’ll see small models in the U.S. next year along with rollers.

Bomag will present new vibratory plates and new trench compactors including articulated and radio controlled models, both U.S. available. For the first time the company will send out two version of the plates, one for professional use and a simplified version headed for the rental market which will be easier for untrained hands to transport and operate. Expect Bomag to follow up with some other similarly split lines. Also expect a new small asphalt roller to hit the American market next year.

A new design for its small diesel engines will be shown by Kubota demonstrating a strategy of increasing fuel-burning efficiency with a new four-valve system. One result of this process is that after-treatment equipment has less work to do and so takes up less space.

From Vermeer comes the AXIS. The AXIS GB812 guided boring system comes with a laser guided system for accuracy in the trenchless installation of 10- to 14-inch (25.4- to 35.6 centimeter) pipe for on-grade water and sewer projects. The pit-launched system can install up to 350 feet (106.7 meters) of both rigid constructed, as well as fusible and restrained joint product pipe. Spoil is removed from the cutter head via a vacuum excavation system, eliminating the need to manually handle it within the pit.

Terex will present 50 products including new wheel loaders and mobile excavators. The company says its new TL130 is the “Titan” of its four high-performance loaders, “which are fitted with cutting edge hydrostatic traction technology as well as extremely sensitive high-performance hydraulics.” The completely revamped TW110 mobile excavator, a machine the company calls its flagship in this category, has been given a “futuristic makeover,” Terex says.