By Tina Grady Barbaccia

Largest Terex CTLs flex their muscles

Without a boost in engine horsepower, Terex claims double-digit gains in tractive effort, bucket breakout force and implement pressure for its largest compact track loader models. As outlined in a June 18 web conference, the PT-100G and PT-100G Forestry models retain the class-high 99.9 horsepower of the original PT-100 and PT-100 Forestry units, but use a 47-percent more powerful implement pump to help increase horsepower to the attachment by a claimed 32 percent. When the machines are in low gear, a 14.6-percent increase in tractive effort translates into more pushing power. – Mike Anderson

Tires for rocky terrain

The new Michelin X-Traction tire from Michelin Earthmover Tires is designed for earthmover transport equipment operating in rocky terrain. The tire became available in North America on July 1 for 100-ton mining and infrastructure trucks using the 49-inch E4 size. Beyond the initial 27.00R49 size now being introduced to North America, additional sizes of the tire will be available: 24.00R35 in September 2010, and 21.00R33 and 18.00R33 in 2011. The new tire features a tread that is up to 13-percent deeper, which extends tire life by up to 15 percent, according to the manufacturer.

Best-in-class bucket breakout force in compact track loaders

Kubota Tractor has entered the compact track loader market with two models, the 75-horsepower SVL75 and the 90-horsepower SVL90. Both models — designed, engineered and manufactured by Kubota — have what the company calls a “best-in-class bucket breakout force.” The SVL75 has a 6,204-pound bucket breakout force and a 4,881-pound lifting capacity. The SVL90 has a bucket breakout force of 7,961 pounds and a lifting capacity of 5,869 pounds. Both models are powered by a four-cylinder, direct-injection, turbo-charged Kubota diesel. – Marcia Gruver Doyle,editorial director, Equipment World

SPECIAL BRIDGE PRODUCT

Publication clarifies the latest bridge design codes, methods

Focusing on both traditional and nontraditional design issues, the Bridge and Highway Structures Rehabilitation and Repair 656-page hardcover manual by Dr. Mohiuddin Khan, chief bridge engineer with JMT Inc., clarifies the most recent American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) bridge design codes and discusses new analytical and design methodologies, such as the application of load and resistance factor design (LRFD). Included are topics such as diagnostic design and selective reconstruction; bridge failure studies and safety engineering; analytical approach to fracture and failure; bridge widening and replacement strategies; guidelines for seismic design; and retrofit methods.

SPECIAL BRIDGE PRODUCT

Advanced design, analysis for pre-stressed concrete bridges

The Bridge Designer II (BD2 v4) from Interactive Design Systems (IDS) provides advanced design and analysis for pre-stressed concrete bridges in a wizard-driven user interface. The BD2 v4 software package enables engineers to design and analyze a complete bridge model. The software uses basic matrix structural analysis formulation, combined with time-dependent material properties, to carry out a time simulation of bridge designs under construction. During the process, all stress conditions are checked at every construction step as well as in service. The BD2 Assistant Wizard enables the user to take advantage of the program’s high level of embedded intelligence to quickly populate the project database with a Parametric Bridge Model. Default models include Span-by-Span, Balanced Cantilever, Cable-Stay, Spliced-Girder and Composite Bridges. The user can subsequently modify the model if needed to meet design specific requirements.

Machine operating information sent wirelessly on excavator