XCMG Deploys Autonomous Rollers, Pavers on China Highway Project

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Chinese construction equipment manufacturer XCMG reports that it has successfully used unmanned asphalt compactors and pavers on maintaining a section of one of the country’s busiest highways.

The company says it deployed 10 autonomous tandem rollers and two autonomous pavers on a section of the Nanjing-Shanghai Expressway. The autonomous paving equipment was commanded via BeiDou satellite positioning. The “fleet completed the scheduled tasks including driving, steering and rolling compaction,” the company says.

“The unmanned fleet has met all construction and maintenance requirements through the grid format tests of thickness, compaction and friction coefficient.”

XCMG also deployed its continuous asphalt thickness measurement radar technology to the project, which it says measures paved asphalt thickness without traditional core measurements. It says it can reach a depth of 120 millimeters and has a measurement error of 1 millimeter.

“The technology provides an accurate basis for real-time control of the paving thickness and improves paving accuracy and construction quality,” the company says.

The unmanned project follows the company’s deployment last year of autonomous rollers and pavers to build a section of China’s Panzhihua-Dali Highway, also known as the Panda Expressway. A remote monitoring data center submitted instructions to the autonomous machines’ onboard control system.

The technology for the autonomous machinery was developed in a partnership of XCMG, Sichuan Railway Investment Group and Tsinghua University. XCMG is also testing the machinery on other highways in China.

Other OEMs developing autonomous paving equipment

Another Chinese equipment manufacturer, Sany, reported at the beginning of 2021 that it had used an autonomous fleet of two pavers, two single-drum rollers, two tire rollers and one double-drum roller on a concrete paving and compaction project in China.


One of Sany’s robotic rollers used on a road project in China.SanyThe company said it used a mobile base station and control room within a short distance of the equipment for remote-control operation. The machines used parameters programmed in advance for route, paving speed, rolling speed, rolling times and width.

Other equipment manufacturers are also experimenting with autonomous paving equipment and have unveiled prototype machines.

Most recently, Volvo CE rolled out its concept CX01 asphalt compactor that would run by remote control or autonomously. The concept uses a split drum, with each drum able to be operated separately, and a self-balancing control system.

Volvo CE's CX01 concept autonomous asphalt compactor
The Volvo CX01 prototype compactor features guarding and emergency stops on each corner.Equipment WorldLast year, BOMAG brought its concept ROBOMAG, a fully autonomous tandem vibratory asphalt compactor, to ConExpo. It uses GPS, LIDAR lasers and positioning sensors to guide its path. It detects objects to avoid collisions. It can also be operated autonomously by manually entering movement patterns, and it can be operated manually by remote control.

At ConExpo, Tim Eisfeld, BOMAG director of marketing and product management, said autonomous paving equipment is still years away from being a viable product, though the technology is here.

“As a manufacturer, we would be ready faster than the market is ready for taking it,” he said.

Robomag autonomous roller BOMAG
BOMAG’s concept autonomous tandem vibratory compactor, the ROBOMAG.Equipment World 

 

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Product roundup: Hammerhead Takes On Small-Diameter Steel Pipe Extraction

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Hammerhead Trenchless is now offering the SLX1300 trenchless pipe extractions system for small-diameter steel natural gas services. 

The system replaces coated and bare steel service lines 0.5 to 1.25 inches in diameter up to 100 feet in length. The hydraulically powered SLX1300 produces up to 13.3 tons of pulling force to extract the pipe from the ground while simultaneously pulling HDPE or MDPE pipe into the same location as the existing pipe, mitigating risk to surrounding utilities.

The 4-foot-wide by 4-foot-long unit features an on-board pipe shear the operator uses to cut pipe material as it’s extracted into manageable segments for disposal. The unit can be transported on the back of a standard pickup.

While the SLX1300 is designed for steel pipe, preliminary field testing on additional pipe materials is underway.

Faster, easier HDD tooling connections with Vermeer Ultra X3 drilling system

Dowel pins, rather than splines, join the tooling to the rod for quicker change outs.Vermeer

Vermeer has expanded its horizontal directional drilling tool lineup with the new Ultra X3 Drilling system for utility-size rigs. It uses a non-torqued spline connection and is compatible for a wide range of pilot bit and pullback configurations.

Two knock-out dowel pins allow you to swap tooling quickly, and in certain applications, you can eliminate starter rods and adapters. It also gives you the capability of reaming directly from the transmitter housing.

By eliminating a spline-type connection, the tooling doesn’t have to be threaded on, and there is no need for breakout tongs to make and break the torqued tooling connections. To join the tool to the rod, you simply align the spline on the tooling with the spline on the housing and then secure the two pieces by tapping in the dowel pins.

The system is capable of handling reaming diameters up to 10 inches in most conditions from the transmitter housing. It’s also set up to use a full offering of plate bits and rock tooling like the Vermeer Gauntlet, Lance and single roller cone bits.

The Ultra X3 housing uses a standard API rear connection and also works with quick-connect systems like the Vermeer QuickFire HD connection system. In some applications, the Ultra X3 system can reduce the size of the exit pit since it doesn’t require the housing be removed for most pullbacks and crews can changeover from pilot to pullback in a smaller space.

The Ultra X3 is available in three sizes covering all HDD models rated up to the 40,000-pound drill range.

Direct-attach bumpers for PACCAR medium-duty trucks simplify winch installations
Braden bumpers on two work trucks
Both of Braden’s new bumper and winch systems are designed in compliance with SAE J706 and will accommodate the PD18 Planetary Recovery Winch.

Braden has introduced new direct bolt-on utility winch bumper options for new PACCAR medium-duty trucks as part of its UBX20 and PD18 utility bumper and planetary recovery winch systems. Available for Kenworth and Peterbilt Aero and Vocational models, the designs allow the bumpers to be attached directly to the chassis with no need for custom mounting brackets or welding.

Both bumper systems are engineered to deliver maximum winch line pull ratings of 20,000 pounds. They are available for Kenworth T480, T380, T280 and T180 models and Peterbilt 548, 537, 536 and 535 trucks.

The UBX20 utility bumper is available with TR20 and PD18 planetary recovery winch models. Featuring a lighter and more aerodynamic design, the UBX20 has a reinforced steel frame with two tow-eyes for maximum pulling capabilities.

Both of Braden’s new bumper and winch systems are designed in compliance with SAE J706 and will accommodate the PD18 Planetary Recovery Winch.

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Industry Roundup: Herc buys Reliable Equipment and more

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Herc Holdings, parent of Herc Rentals, has purchased Reliable Equipment, which has branch operations in Dover and Londonderry, New Hampshire. The acquisition reflects Herc’s initiative to expand its presence in U.S. urban markets; Reliable’s locations are in the north Boston metropolitan area.

Founded in 2010, Reliable provides aerial, material handling and earthmoving equipment as well as specialty climate-control and power generation equipment. With more than 50 employees, the company’s service coverage extended from Boston to Portland, Maine. Herc says the purchase expands its presence to eight locations in New England. 

Underground Machinery adds Merlo

St. Louis-based Underground Machinery Rental had added Merlo’s telehandler products to its offering. Started in 2019, Underground Machinery also carries Ditch Witch and Fat Truck products.

Cross Country divests Canadian operations

Cross Country Infrastructure Services (CCIS) is divesting its Canadian operations, allowing it to reshift focus on its U.S. operations, headquartered in Aurora, Colorado.

In turn, a newly formed independent company rebranded as Cross Country Canadian Rentals and Supplies will operate in Canada, led by Tim Martin, general manager, and equity partner Kade Demuth.

CCIS acquired its Canadian division with the purchase of Sideline Specialty Equipment in 2015. 

Loftin named Atlas Copco dealer

Loftin Equipment of Phoenix, Arizona, has added Atlas Copco Power Technique portable generators, light towers and energy storage systems to its lineup. The company will offer sales, rentals, parts and service throughout its Texas branches located in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Midland.

B.J. Rees becomes IRock dealer

B.J. Rees’s Enterprise, Valley View, Ohio, will represent IRock Crushers in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. Started n 1975, the Rees firm will offer IRock’s line of crushing, screening and conveying equipment. 


The team at B.J. Rees’s Enterprise receives its first unit, an IRock TJ-2745 Mobile Jaw Crusher.IRock

MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS

Park named Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas president

Stan Park
ParkHyundaiTwenty-seven-year Hyundai veteran Stan Park has been named president of Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas.

Park most recently served as the vice president of marketing and dealer development.

“For more than 20 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to grow with Hyundai. Today, I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead the company to the next level,” says Park.

“Stan is a pillar of HCEA in North America and is well known throughout the organization domestically and abroad,” says Mike Ross, vice president of sales.

Park will be charged with driving growth for Hyundai’s brand in North America. He replaces J.Y. Kim.

CNH announces reorg of off-highway business

After spinning off its on-highway Iveco Group, CNH Industrial has announced a new strategic structure. 

“We are implementing a new organizational structure and enhancing our senior leadership team to elevate our focus on customers and dealers, improve productivity and accelerate profitable growth,” says Scott Wine, CEO, CNH Industrial. 

CNH says the structure “embraces a lean and agile approach to business and delineates clear accountability.” CNH’s three global business units are now headed by the following presidents:

Construction: Stefano Pampalone

Agriculture: Derek Neilson

Financial Services: Oddone Incisa

In addition, Brad Crews has been named president of CNH’s North America corporate region.

RoadSafe buys Barricade

RoadSafe Traffic Systems, providing traffic control and pavement marking system, has acquired Barricade Services & Sales, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

RoadSafe says the acquisition of Barricade will further establish its position in the Mountain West region and expansion into the Utah market. RoadSafe also acquired Innovative Marking Systems, Bluffdale, Utah, earlier this year. 

Barricade founder Gary Shields will continue to lead the Utah traffic-control operation alongside the current management team.

Somers promoted to AEM VP

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has announced John Somers as its new vice president of the construction and utility sector, taking over from Megan Tanel who will serve as president.

Somers previously served as senior director of the utility sector and joined the company in 2007. As vice president, Somers will lead the overall strategy for construction and utility programs and services for AEM membership. 

AEM produces industry trade shows, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG, The Utility Expo, World of Asphalt and the International Fluid Power Exposition. 

Sneak Peek: Kioti Lifts the Veil on Its Coming Compact Equipment Line

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At the recent GIE + Expo, Kioti Tractor took the wraps off its new skid steer loader, which it expects to have in dealers’ hands by the second half of next year.

Along with a coming compact track loader that it also announced at its dealer meeting late last year, the skid steer represents Kioti’s coming foray into compact equipment. The two machines will expand its equipment offering beyond the utility tractors, UTVs and lawn mowers now on the Daedong-USA subsidiary’s product list.

Kioti also indicates that a compact excavator may be forthcoming. “We have a roadmap and mini excavators are something we’re looking at as well as other platforms that are hot right now,” says Greg Bibee, Kioti director of strategic sales and marketing, in an interview with Equipment World.

Kioti has hired Jason Boerger, formerly Bobcat’s excavator marketing manager, as its compact construction product manager.

“Having Jason on board is part of our journey into more compact construction equipment and building the team around it,” Bibee says. “This goes beyond just the equipment we are going to launch initially.”

Initial products

Kioti says it’s still finalizing the base and optional features of the SL750 skid steer and TL750 CTL, which will be launched in “a couple of different versions,” says Bibee. 

As indicated in last year’s release, the SL750 and TL750 (both model names are still preliminary, by the way) will be powered by a 74-horsepower Kioti engine, which comes from the firm’s South Korean parent Daedong.

“It will be a similar engine to what we use in our RX Series of tractors,” Bibee says. 

The initial versions will have full cabs although an ROPs option is likely. “We’re still evaluating the potential take rates of certain features and options,” says Boerger. The entry door on the vertical-lift units will slide up instead of opening to the side. 

Additional recently released specs include a hydraulic pressure of 3,335 psi, auxiliary standard hydraulic flow of 21.9 gallons per minuteand high flow for both machines of 34 gpm. (Additional specs are in the chart below the article.)

Kioti cautions that the second half of 2022 timeline for these products is also dependent on global supply chains settling down to at least a somewhat normal delivery schedule. Both machines will be manufactured in South Korea. 

Why enter a crowded market?

The Kioti SL750 skid steer and TL750 compact track loader.Kioti Tractor

Bibee says Kioti gets asked this question a lot. The simple answer is that it’s the logical next step in the company’s growth. The company entered the U.S. market in 1986, offering under-100-horsepower utility tractors. It added utility vehicles in 2015 and introduced a zero-turn mower line in 2019. 

“We’re looking at both our dealer network and current customer base and seeing what products would bring new customers into their stores,” Bibee says. “For our current customers, it gives them more types of equipment.”

Bibee says there are similarities with the company’s recent foray into turf care and the compact equipment effort: both are aimed at professionals in addition to the DIYer or hobby farmer attracted to Kioti’s other products.

Bibee sees Kioti’s coming compact line evolving similarly to its turf care line. “We started with seated zero-turn mowers, where the bulk of the market is,” he says. The company is now offering stand-on mowers and Kawasaki engines. “We’re going to target where we best serve the market and where we feel there’s the biggest opportunity,” he says.

Boerger says he was attracted to Kioti’s strong dealer network plus the opportunity for growth within the construction, landscaping and agricultural markets. “Being able to jump in at ground zero so to speak and help bring the product to maturity is an exciting opportunity.” 

“I had a chance to peek at the product early on and was very happy with what I saw, including the company’s attention to serviceability and performance,” Boerger continues. “Kioti dealer-customer relationships are also a strong differentiator.”

Kioti has more than 500 dealer locations in North America. “We’ve got a healthy pipeline right now of new dealers coming on board,” Bibee says.

Not all current Kioti dealers offer the company’s full product range, and Kioti is seeking dealers that have the right business plan, sales strategy, shop facilities and staffing to take on its new construction line.

There is a mix in Kioti’s dealer network, with some dealers tractor only, some offering tractors and turf care and still others that will take on Kioti’s eventual full line. Bibee says Kioti is also looking “at alternative dealer arrangements” where dealers choose on a more line-by-line basis what to carry. “It’s going to be highly dependent on the market and if there’s an opportunity to sell in some hot spots,” he says.

kioti skid steer, ctl preliminary specs

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Toolbx Delivers Materials, Supplies Within 2 Hours

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Contractors, foremen and most construction workers know what happens when a crew comes up short of materials, tools or supplies on a jobsite. Suddenly, you have a bunch of high-skilled, high-wage people standing around with nothing to do.

That’s the problem Erik Bornstein, CEO of Toolbx, set out to solve four years ago. Bornstein spent 15 years in the construction industry building a successful company in the custom home and commercial building markets and saw the knock-on effects of supply and material interruptions first-hand. Additionally, he felt the normal process of securing supplies and materials seemed riddled with slow-downs, uncertainties and inefficiencies.

The new company he founded, Toolbx, is aimed squarely at solving these inefficiencies with an app that allows users to order almost any type of material or supplies and have them delivered, if need be, within two hours.

“I saw a huge lack of technology available specifically for procurement of construction materials,” says Bornstein. “And yet 50% of the budget for any project is for materials – whether it be a small remodel, a medium size home, or a large commercial building.”

Bornstein identified three basic problems in the construction materials acquisition process:

One: guys leaving the job site, to go pick up materials, multiple times a week.

Two: the lack of digitization around sourcing. A project manager, owner or a site super had to call or email a bunch of different suppliers, just to see what’s available, eating up more valuable jobsite time.

Three: the payment and approval process. “Most builders have 10 to 20 different supplier accounts,” says Bornstein. “It was an accounting nightmare for us.”

The vision for Toolbx was to take all three of these pain points and create a digital materials procurement platform that connects builders with their suppliers. “We do it in a transparent, digital way to give time back to the builder by making it fast and easy,” says Bornstein.

Supply chain visibility

The key was to provide visibility. “When you order from a traditional supplier you don’t know where the materials are, you don’t know when they’re going to show up and you often don’t get a confirmation when they ship,” says Bornstein. “If you’re a builder working on multiple jobsites, not having that visibility can cause a lot of friction.”

For a Toolbx user, all decisions get documented and streamlined within the app. You can add jobsites and add crew members with a few taps on a smartphone. Every order is GPS tracked. And you can place an order 24/7 from anywhere to get the materials to your jobsite anytime between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payment is handled within the app and all your invoices are posted online for you, organized by jobsite.

Delivery within hours

The supplies and materials Toolbx sources run the gamut from hand and power tools to PVC pipe fittings and hardware to rebar, lumber, steel and concrete. “We have about 50,000 SKUs in our database today,” says Bornstein. “But as we go into new markets, we bring on more suppliers and continuously update those SKUs.”

Toolbx outsources its fleet of delivery vehicles and partners with Onfleet, a provider of last mile delivery management software to connect businesses, dispatchers, drivers and deliveries to end customers in real time.

Lumber, drywall, insulation, fencing, decking products and hardware are some of the most frequently ordered items on Toolbx. “The larger orders typically get scheduled well in advance,” says Bornstein.

For large orders, Toolbx will partner with different suppliers and connect the order to their system, so the builder knows they have this material coming from a specific supplier. Then it facilitates the direct delivery from the supplier, and it all gets tracked in the Toolbx app.

“In the markets that we operate in, we can do deliveries in two hours or less,” says Bornstein. “You can schedule your orders in one-hour time slots, but you also have the option to do four- hour or next-day time slots scheduled in advance. You can also place an order at 11 p.m. and have it show up at 8 a.m. the next day.”

marketplace for material suppliers

Toolbx doesn’t stock materials or products. It’s not a threat to retailers. Rather it partners with both big box stores and local specialty suppliers.

“The nice thing about it is that it is a symbiotic relationship,” says Bornstein. “We are driving revenue to them and helping those suppliers digitize as well. We’re not just building tools for the contractor, but we’re also building tools to help optimize suppliers, as well, because it works hand in hand. We’re trying to provide efficiency and productivity to both sides of the equation.”

The company does not charge users a platform fee, but rather adds a markup on items purchased through the app. There is also a delivery fee depending on distance and weight.

Contractors can also get a $99 monthly subscription that offers unlimited, free same-day deliveries and discounts on delivery upgrades and Pro pricing which gives subscription users up to 7% off on materials in the Toolbx catalog. Competitive delivery quotes are also available on bulk orders.

It says it also save customers money on bulk orders. Users who have a large order can send their materials list directly and they will get a competitive quote (using supplier partnerships) including delivery within 24 hours.

Toolbx is available now throughout Canada and is planning a rollout in the United States next year.

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Road Projects Feel the Pain of Congress’ Last-Minute Funding Extensions

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Construction, engineering and transportation groups are frustrated by the House once again delaying a vote on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and also having to enact another short-term extension of federal transportation funding.  

“Repeated month-long extensions of the federal funding programs for transit, roads and bridges mean that cities and states cannot move forward with critical transportation projects,” says Tim Smith, executive director of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

On Thursday, a House vote on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was delayed after negotiations among Democrats broke down. The House did, however, extend transportation funding until December 3. The funding was set to expire October 31 after a previous 30-day extension.

Meanwhile, construction and related industry associations are becoming more frustrated, not only at the inability to pass the infrastructure bill but at leaving states in a lurch with last-minute, temporary extensions.

A recent survey of departments of transportation around the country revealed that many DOTs face uncertainty with planned road and bridge contruction projects because of the temporary extensions.

In the survey, conducted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet commented:

“Over the next four months, KYTC has over a quarter of a billion dollars in projects scheduled for construction lettings. Without the certainty of full federal-aid highway funding, many of these projects could be delayed until federal funds are in hand.”

The Alabama Department of Transportation reported that a lack of long-term funding would ripple through the state’s economy:

“The impacts of a short-term extension are not just project-related; it also increases labor, construction and material costs affecting ALDOT and its contractors, consultants, material suppliers and Alabama citizens who work for these businesses. Many of these businesses and employees are still struggling to recover from Covid-19-related effects, and the postponing of work a short-term extension generates is profound and unfortunate.”

Transportation funding almost expired

The Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in a bipartisan vote August 10.

But since it moved to the House, progressive Democrats have been using the bill as leverage to try to pass the Build Back Better Act. That bill started with a $3.5 trillion price tag that includes such things as pre-kindergarten, expanded health care coverage and environmental initiatives.

At the same time, almost every Republican in the House plans to vote against the infrastructure bill, despite 19 Republicans supporting it in the Senate. They call the infrastructure bill a “Trojan horse” to try to ram through the BBB Act.

As the political bickering and negotiations continue, state departments of transportation – and those who build roads and bridges – around the country were three days away from seeing federal transportation funding expire and 3,700 USDOT employees furloughed. That’s because a last-minute extension enacted earlier this month was set to end October 31.

“Legislators cannot continue granting extensions from month to month using funding estimates from the previous decade without causing uncertainty for workers and business owners in the communities they are elected to serve,” says National Asphalt Pavement Association President and CEO Audrey Copeland.

What’s next?

President Joe Biden and Democrats in the House and Senate continue to hammer out the details of the Build Back Better Act.

Biden scaled back the proposal Thursday from $3.5 trillion to $1.75 trillion in the hopes of satisfying moderate Democrats while also keeping some of his priorities and getting the infrastructure bill to his desk.

Progressive Democrats still want the House to vote on the BBB Act and the infrastructure bill together. They also say they need to see the text of the reduced BBB Act before voting on it.

Congress now faces a December 3 deadline for federal transportation funding. That’s also when the federal debt ceiling needs to have been extended, or the government could default on its debt.

Congress is expected to return to session Monday.

The Associated General Contractors of America’s CEO, Stephen E. Sandherr, called on progressive Democrats and Republican leadership to consider the infrastructure bill outside the lens of partisan politics and think of its impact on an economy still emerging from the pandemic-induced slowdown.

“It is extremely disappointing that some progressive Democrats and the Republican leadership would again delay passage of a much-needed infrastructure bill,” Sandherr said. “This legislation will provide investments that will make our fragile supply chains more efficient while providing a needed boost to economic growth and employment levels.”

 

 

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