MUNCIE

Simultaneous equipment operation

The Advantage + System from Muncie Power Products has a flow-sharing design for simultaneous equipment operation even at low pump flows. Its touch-screen display is high contrast, high resolution and multi-color. The system is useable with gear or piston pumps, has built-in pre-wet and anti-icing controls, built-in GPS, WiFi and interface and displays for road-air temperature sensors. It also features menu-adjusted pressure controls and digital pressure displays as well as operational data-logging and diagnostic data-logging. There are no wire harnesses between the cab controls and the valves.

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Peterbilt Namco

Multiple options for split shaft PTO

Peterbilt Motors’ vocational product line now is now available with a wide range of split shaft power take-off (PTO) options. The new split shaft PTO options are available for immediate production needs. Peterbilt has partnered with Namco to fully integrate its product designs into the production process. Visit www.betterroads.com/info.

Yokohama

There’s a tire app for it

Yokohama is offering an iPad app, the Yokohama Commercial Tire Navigator, which is free and offered solely through iTunes. It features product information in an interactive format, 360-degree tire photography, Yokohama’s proprietary Fuel Savings Calculator and a dealer locator. The photos allow users to view Yokohama tires to research which are most suitable for various applications and road conditions. The calculator lets users compare Yokohama’s tires against competitor tires. Visit www.betterroads.com/info.

Moffat

A browsing-by-category app

Moffat Consulting & Technology developed an interactive iPhone /iPad application for European Plant and Machinery Sales (EPM) that enables users to browse equipment by category (for example, excavators or wheel loaders) to produce a subset listing of machinery that is displayed in a digital “stock book” outlining available products classified by model, year, hours, location, with the addition of the price and include a recent photograph. A “services” section was also built into the app, which the user can use to message the workshop, the export office at EPM, or make a serious enquiry about a particular piece of machinery which then may result in a sale. The app is now available as a free download from the iTunes Store. Visit www.betterroads.com/info

Legacy

Hybrid fabric-steel structure

The new fabric manufacturing plant Legacy Building Solutions opened in South Haven, Minn., is a hybrid fabric-steel structure that incorporates steel sheeting on the exterior sides. Offering more clearspan space than Legacy’s previous plant, the new building enables workers to operate more efficiently, particularly when manufacturing larger polyethylene or PVC fabric panels. Featuring a 40-foot skylight and R-30 insulation for increased energy efficiency, the plant is fully climate controlled to eliminate the temperature and humidity fluctuations that can affect the quality of fabric welds. Legacy has also added state-of-the-art equipment — including a laser-guided welding system — to aid in producing fabric panels for larger structures. This is especially advantageous when manufacturing panels for fabric buildings with widths of more than 200 feet. Visit www.betterroads.com/info.

Microsoft

Surface tablet, Windows 8 coming this fall

Microsoft’s Surface tablet and Windows 8 are both expected to launch this fall according to a filing with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission. The Surface RT, is the version that will run Windows RT – a scaled-back version of Windows 8 that uses the touch-friendly elements of the OS instead of a classic desktop interface. This version of the tablet will run on a mobile ARM processor instead of an Intel Core processor. Visit www.betterroads.com/info.

Iowa DOT

511 mobile app for iPhone

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s real-time 511 traveler information mobile app is now available for iPhone users through the iTunes Store. An Android version has previously been released. The app provides statewide, real-time traffic information. It features include a zoomable, scrollable map-based display; current traffic speeds and closed-circuit television traffic camera images from six metro areas electronic roadway sign messages; and traffic events. The Iowa 511 app provides information for interstates, U.S. routes and state highways in Iowa but does not include information for county roads or city streets. Visit www.betterroads.com/info.

Superior

Links to portable equipment

Superior Industries’ new Geotrek Conveyor is a track-mounted radial stacker that can be directly linked with portable crushing and screening equipment in applications that require material stockpiling. Equipped with independent hydraulic cylinders at both the head and tail ends of the conveyor, the unit can also be used as a mobile transfer or link conveyor. The conveyor features a powerfold design and is equipped with proportional track drive control, which allows smoother, steadier travel when the tracks are engaged. The 42-inch-wide by 8-foot-long conveyors are self-contained, each equipped with a 77-horsepower diesel engine. Visit www.betterroads.com/info.