Caterpillar has added another GC-designated machine to its equipment lineup, the Cat 120 GC motor grader. The machine is engineered for a range of applications that include government and municipal work, county road maintenance and finish grading.

The GC tag represents a value-oriented design for small to medium-size contractors that don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles of a high-spec production machine. It’s a simpler machine for a variety of tasks. The owning and operating costs for the new 120 GC can be 20 percent lower than a standard Cat 120 motor grader, thanks to better fuel economy and a lower price, says Eric Kohout, product application specialist.

“The Cat C4.4 twin-turbo engine pairs nicely with the torque-converter drive transmission,” says Kohout. The transmission with torque converter eliminates the need for an inching pedal, so only throttle and brake pedals are required, which simplifies operation. “If you’re on and off of that inching pedal all day and wearing your leg out, this is an alternative where you can control the machine with just the throttle and brake,” says Kohout.

The 171-horsepower engine is matched to the standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, and the eco mode operation increases fuel economy up to 5 percent. The hydraulic cooling fan, with an optional reversing fan for high-debris applications, only runs when necessary to further reduce fuel consumption. The 120 GC is also Cat’s lowest-weight motor grader, some 2,000 pounds lighter than the standard 120, says Kohout.

The steering wheel steering and lever controls are familiar to many and simplify operation.CaterpillarSimplified Operation

A no-spin differential on the 120 GC gives operators simplified operation. “A lot of times operators will forget to activate and deactivate the differential, and this can cause the machine to buck,” says Kohout. “The no-spin differential means if it’s going forward, it is locked up and pulling all the wheels for maximum tractive effort. When you go into a turn, it unlocks automatically. It’s one less thing for the operator to think about.” 

The parking brake automatically engages when the machine is in neutral and the service brake is disengaged. If underfoot conditions require it, there is a simple on-off system for the optional all-wheel drive.

Maintenance and replacement parts play a role in owning and operating costs as well. Cat built the 120 GC motor grader with long-life machine structures for reliable operation, including the standard drawbar circle moldboard that increases durability with hardened circle teeth and replaceable wear inserts that protect the main component structures. This design stays factory tight to enable precision grading long term.

Damage Prevention

The circle drive slip clutch option on the Cat 120 GC protects the drawbar, circle and moldboard from damage if the machine strikes an immovable object. The circle saver option also reduces daily greasing requirements and repairs to the circle and pinion. Additionally, the grader’s new front axle design maximizes bearing life to minimize maintenance. 

A newly designed mid-mount scarifier improves visibility to the attachment while decreasing overall machine length. “The advantage is that it allows the operator more movement of the drum or circle moldboard within the mid-mount scarifier, so you’re not hitting the sides of the scarifier as often,” says Kohout.  “And it installs easily. It just wraps around and bolts to the front of the machine without any welding or brackets needed. It also allows a plate in front of it, so you can attach a push block or a front lift group,” he says.

To improve machine performance, the 120 GC also features a common front bolster for a choice of front lift group, counterweight, or front blade option, which aids in spreading more material faster. The rear of the machine accommodates a ripper or tow-hitch option. Moldboard options include lengths of 10, 12 and 14 feet.

Wheel steering

Cat kept the familiar steering wheel and lever layout for the 120 GC the same as the 120, 140 and 160K models. For operating comfort, the cab offers a choice of mechanical or air suspension seat.

And the control console and steering wheel easily adjust to the operator’s preference. A narrow machine width of 7.9 feet, plus a choice of cabs (standard or low profile), can reduce overall transport height to 10.25 feet to enhance transportability.

Quick Specs

Engine: Cat C4.4Net power, Tier 4 Final/Stage V: 171 hpNet power, Tier 3 equivalent: 171 hpWeight Tier 4 Final/Stage V: 35,494 lbs.Weight Tier 3/Stage IIIA equivalent: 31,424 lbs.Moldboard width: 12 ft.
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Completing its family of Next Generation compact hydraulic excavators, Caterpillar unveiled the reengineered 304 and 305 CR.  

Cat says both machines deliver up to a 20 percent increase in performance with up to 10 percent lower owning and operating costs compared with previous models. 

“The technology we’ve put in these machines gives us a base for growing and expanding the offering even further,” says Greg Worley, Cat product expert. “We don’t end here. We’ll continue to grow and develop these machines with some of those technologies you see in the larger Caterpillar world.”

Cat now offers 17 compact excavator models ranging from the 1.5- to 10-ton size class. Common features and a consistent control layout across the range make training and operation easier, the manufacturer says.

Before we dig into the differences, let’s take a look at some of the commonalities between the two machines.

Performance Enhancements

Both new machines can travel faster, lift more and multifunction better compared to E2 series. This is due to a new engine and hydraulic system improvements.

Meeting Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emissions standards, the Cat C1.7 Turbo engine delivers more power than the previous C2.4 engine. Fuel usage is reduced through standard auto-idle, auto-engine shutdown and efficient load-sensing hydraulics with a variable displacement pump.

High main-relief pressures, paired with flow rates, generate the hydraulic capacity for high digging and lifting forces and more efficient use of a range of attachments. Complete with quick-disconnect lines, the standard auxiliary system provides the choice of one-way, two-way or continuous flow.

Inside the Cab

If the cab looks familiar, that’s because it is the same one on other Next Gen models.

“Inside the cab, seat forward – the monitors, the console, the controls, the pattern changer – everything is common through the range of our machines from the 1.5- to the 10-ton,” says Worley. “Operators aren’t readily available like they used to be. Commonality is great as you’re moving from one machine to another.”

The sealed and pressurized cab enclosure is available with heating and/or air conditioning. A canopy option is available in some regions.

The Next Generation LCD monitor features a large display. An advanced option offers an intuitive touchscreen and camera monitoring.

As with other Next Gen models, the 304 and 305 CR feature cruise control and stick steer to help reduce operator fatigue, increase productivity and move around the jobsite more easily. With the push of a button, operators can activate stick steer and switch from conventional lever/foot-pedal steering controls to joystick operation.

Angle blade uptake has doubled on compact excavators with the addition of stick steer, Worley says. “You can put the blade in your right hand and use it just like a small dozer or track-type tractor. People can now do better grading and finishing with this angle blade.” The angle blade moves 45 degrees left or right of center.

Daily maintenance checks for the 304 and 305 CR are quickly made from ground level through side doors.Equipment WorldService and Maintenance

The 304 and 305 CR offer up to 10 percent lower total cost of ownership versus previous models because of lower maintenance and repair costs. These cost savings are achieved through:

Extended service intervalsParts commonality across modelsFlat, easy-to-fix panelsGround-level service accessCost-effective maintenance parts

While cab units feature an upward exhaust, major design changes were made to reroute the exhaust on the canopy units. This change was made as more information has become available on Tier 4 Final engines. “On the canopy machines, we bring the exhaust back through the counterweight,” Worley says. “If you’re in landscaping and working around the machine you don’t want that sound and exhaust near the operator, so we’ve taken it down away from them.”

304 now reduced radius – not compact radius

Don’t compare the new 304 to the E2 series, Cat says; it’s a completely redesigned model. Cat moved away from the compact-radius design to increase stability and balance on the 4-ton machine.

The tracks return to 67 inches wide, 10 inches slimmer than the 304 E2, a size that easily fits in tight spaces and on trailers. Track options include a rubber belt or steel track.

Operators will notice better digging and trenching, as well as the ability to carry heavy loads without tipping forward. “It makes it a better machine by making it a reduced radius,” says Worley. “Without changing any hydraulics, your backfill is greatly improved.”

With no extra counterweight, the 304 has a 14-inch overhang. With the optional 496-pound counterweight, the overhang is 18 inches.

The machine maintains 40 mm pins, so operators can use the same attachments and couplers as previous models.

305 CR “a true 5-ton machine”

An upgrade to the 305 E2, the 305 CR delivers nearly 9 percent more power with 11,061 pounds of bucket breakout force, 6,362 pounds of standard stick digging force and 5,665 pounds of long stick digging force. It also offers 5.6 inches deeper dig depths than the 305 E2, giving it more application flexibility.

The 305 CR offers 78-inch tracks for added stability and comes in three options: a rubber belt, steel track or steel track with rubber pads. “The steel track with rubber pads gives you the best of both worlds,” says Worley. “You can jump the curbs and have the strength and durability of a steel track. It also adds a lot of low-down weight to this machine, so you don’t actually need the extra counterweight with this type of configuration because you’ve got some naturally built-in weight.”

So, when should the extra counterweight option be used? Consider adding it if you’re using a heavy attachment configuration, like a tiltrotate system. The TRS6 is compatible with the 305 CR. The machine maintains 45 mm pins for compatibility with previous attachments.

Sneak peek: More technology, attachments coming

Cat also previewed some of the technologies from larger machines that will be trickling down to the smaller models.

By the end of the year, excavators from the 3.5- to 10-ton range will be Cat Grade capable. While the grade control technology will not be factory installed, it will be available as an aftermarket kit through Cat/Sitech dealerships.

Grade with advanced 2D includes hardware, sensors and a dedicated monitor for grade plan creation, editing and viewing. Grade with 3D includes GNSS receivers and antennas. A site radio is required for both 2D and 3D. Boom swing will not be supported by the system.

Tiltrotate systems will also be available for 3.5- to 4-ton machines in the first quarter of 2022. The new TRS4 will be Cat Grade supported for tilt, but not rotation.  

Quick Specs

Model304305 CREngineCat® C1.7 TurboCat® C1.7 TurboNet power45 hp45 hpGross power48.4 hp48.4 hpMin. weight with cab8,875 lb11,234 lbMax. weight with cab9,867 lb12,688 lbTail swing radiusReducedCompactDig depth standard126.4 in 134.6Dig depth long138.2 in144.5 in

Net power advertised is the power available at the flywheel when the engine is equipped with fan at minimum speed, air intake system, exhaust system, and alternator.

Duane Smith

www.cityheartsaberdeen.com

Aimed at contractors for residential and commercial construction, including grading, trenching and fencing, LiuGong has introduced two new excavators to the North American market.

The LiuGong 9027F is a true zero tail-swing, 2.7-metric-ton excavator, and the 9018F represents the smallest of the company’s F-series

The 9027F enables operators to dig parallel to the dozer blade, which is advantageous for operations close to walls and backfilling. It pushes 2,698 psi through the slew circuit. 

The excavator’s main hydraulic pump delivers 23.8 gallons per minute main and uses a proportional control valve for better management of hydraulic flow to attachments. Operators can engage the flow rate for the hammer-shear and hydraulic thumb from the monitor.

Hydraulic control for travel, boom swing, arm and bucket are engaged through travel pedals and joysticks. Auxiliary hydraulic functions are controlled by electrical proportional solenoids for precise control.

9027F Specs:

Operating weight (with cab): 6,063 poundsT4F Yanmar engine: 20.4 horsepower Max pump flow rate: 23.8 gpm Max pressure: 3,133 psi Standard bucket capacity: 0.065 cubic yards Bucket/cutting width: 15.75 inches. Bucket breakout force: 4,496 foot-pounds Arms digging force: 2,698 foot-pounds Max digging depth: 9 feet, 4 inches. Swing speed: 9.5 rpm Arm length: 4 feet, 3 inches Max dump height: 10 feet,1 inch

LiuGong’s 9018F is built for operating in hard to maneuver places.LiuGong

Even smaller and tighter is LiuGong’s 9018F compact excavator. The 9018F’s retractable undercarriage gives you access to restrictive workspaces. Its 51-inch outside-to-outside tread measurement retracts to just 39 inches, allowing it to pass between onsite obstructions and through most bay doors.

Better fuel consumption is achieved through a more efficient hydraulic system that requires 15% to 20% less engine power than its predecessor. For more precise operation, the load-sensitive hydraulic system’s main pump uses a proportional control valve, which better manages flow distribution for all attachments.

Back-filling with the dozer blade no longer requires the operator to remove his or her hand from blade control to change travel speed. By simply pressing the top of the handle, an operator can now select high or low speed travel.

9018F Specs

Operating weight (with cab): 4,189 pounds. Engine: 18 hp, T4F Yanmar Max pump flow rate: 14.5 gpm Max pressure: 3,046 psi Standard bucket capacity: 0.06 cubic yards Bucket/cutting width: 19.7 inches Bucket breakout force: 3,597 foot-poundsArms stick force: 2,023 foot-poundsDigging depth: 7 feet, 5 inches. Swing speed: 9.5 rpm Arm length: 3 feet, 5 inches. Max dump height: 7 feet, 7 inchesDigging height: 11 feet, 1 inch 
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B2W Software has introduced a new API within its One Platform that streamlines equipment inspection and repairs and also ties together inspection and maintenance software with its other applications.

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a software program that allows two other separate software applications to talk to one another in a common language. With it, information in one application can automatically populate fields in another application.

The B2W Maintain equipment maintenance application within the One Platform can now generate repair requests automatically based on data from electronic forms used for completing equipment inspections. The process relays detailed information from equipment inspections to the maintenance team immediately. By eliminating lag time and manual steps for transferring this data, contractors can identify and complete equipment repair work more efficiently and break down information silos in their company.

“Along with the equipment maintenance module and the B2W Inform module for e-forms and reporting, the B2W platform includes applications for estimating, field tracking and resource scheduling,” says Greg Norris, marketing communications director. “When all of these are managed cohesively, there’s a tremendous opportunity for more efficiency.”

Going paperless

B2W’s inspection form can be set up to share data with maintenance and other applications instantly and automatically.B2W

In addition to enabling the different applications to talk to one another, B2W says its portfolio of products enable construction companies to run their business without generating mountains of paperwork. Paper forms slow down the flow of information, and it’s a difficult, manual process to build reports, identify trends and track KPIs, says John Kane, product manager. “Electronic forms make it faster and easier to capture better data and to make that data actionable.”

In a paper-based equipment inspection process, a form identifying repair needs might go from an operator to a foreman or supervisor, says Norris. The form could sit in the truck until the supervisor gets back to the office and then go in a stack that the shop may not get to for another week or two.

With a paperless system as soon as you hit the send button, the maintenance shop knows instantly and can make decisions that day on what priority to give this repair.

Customization

The B2W Inform e-forms application is customizable says Kane. “You can even recreate your old paper forms in a digital format and pick up where you left off to use the product right away. A shop manager might create the equipment forms. Other managers or administrators might create various forms for safety, HR and other requirements.”

One of the advantages with the electronic equipment inspection forms is they can be specific to each piece of equipment, says Norris. “With paper, because it was so hard to manage, you might use a general equipment inspection form. But each piece of equipment has its own unique things that you may want to inspect. With the electronic forms you can create a form for every category of equipment versus using a generic form across all equipment. And this has clear advantages in terms of the quality of data, you collect.”

Implementation

Setting up a construction company with B2W Maintain, including the paperless inspection process takes some time and effort, but says Kane, it’s not rocket science.

“If you have B2W for estimating and field tracking and you add B2W for equipment maintenance, you have the operational database mostly in place,” says Kane. “There’s a continuity there as opposed to choosing an equipment program from a third party. “You’re part of the way there already.”

The implementation of the maintenance software at that point is much less cumbersome simply because your equipment, your users and resources are in the system, says Kane. “It’s basically adding more detail about the equipment and adjusting your maintenance processes to optimize the software.”

“Some contractors buy the whole B2W platform at once, and some people buy a module at a time,” says Norris. “With the B2W Inform application, we have a library of basic forms you can use as a starting point. It’s a drag and drop process. It’s not something you need an IT department to do. Almost anybody can create forms and build reports.”

Timelines

B2W training and implementation teams work with contractors to get them up and running says Kane. The training and implementation timeframe will depend on type and number of B2W applications as well as the complexity of the data you want to manage.

“From customer to customer, every data set can be completely different,” says Kane. So we implement the product based on their business needs and how they want to do business and train towards that. We do a lot of analysis upfront. This gives them a product at the end that is very specific, familiar, and allows them to hit the ground running.”

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Duane Smith

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Caterpillar has updated its 8- to 10-ton wheel loader line with a slew of standard technology features aimed at reducing maintenance costs, increasing operator productivity and improving fuel efficiency. Models joining the Next Generation lineup include the 966, 966 XE, 972 and 972XE.  

“Every industry is seeing a shortage of labor. Anything that we can do to make these machines easier to operate, bring novice operators in, train them up and make them productive as soon as possible is where we’re focused on helping the industry,” says Bryan Cherry, Caterpillar global product marketing consultant.

The new machines ditch the lettered nomenclature and replace the M-series loaders unveiled in 2013 and upgraded in 2016.

All four models are powered by a Cat C9.3 B engine. The 966 and 972 models use smart technology to move more tons of material per hour, increasing productivity by up to 10 percent.

The 966 XE and 972 XE models use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), resulting in 35 percent better fuel efficiency than the standard transmission M-series. Prolonged service intervals plus efficiencies gained through the CVT powertrain result in even lower maintenance costs of up to 25 percent, further reducing operating costs.

Technology boosts efficiency, productivity

No more worrying about under- or overloading trucks leaving the yard. All four models feature standard Cat Payload with Assist. Operators can load to target the first time every time.

“The highest instantaneous fuel burn of a loader cycle is during the dig, not while traveling around,” says Scott Schmidtgall, Caterpillar product application specialist. “Assist features are focused on reducing fuel burn, getting more material in the bucket and lessening operator fatigue.”

Auto Set Tires reduce tire slip and wear by promoting proper loading techniques. “As you go into the pile, it provides lift command to set those front tires to make sure you have traction and that you’re not slipping, making for more efficient operation,” says Cherry.

Pair Auto Set Tires with the new Cat Autodig and the job becomes almost effortless. Autodig will automate the entire dig cycle from entering the pile all the way up through where you want to dump into the truck or whatever height you want to stop at. It’s a feature that benefits novice and experienced operators alike.

“You can put your senior operator in that cab and go through and record in Autodig. Then, put your new person in and he or she can see exactly what that 20-year veteran just did and how they got their bucket full,” says Cherry. “Or if you’re an expert operator and you go get that full bucket in the morning – and don’t want to have to do those controls – you can just replay that dig all day long.”

Optional Cat technologies help to further increase productivity and operation profitability of the updated series. Tip Off Assist helps operators hit the right tonnage every time. “Push a button and hit dump and that machine is going to tip the material off for you,” says Cherry. “It’s going to tip until it hits 10 tons. It’s going to rack back telling you that it’s done, and now you’ve accurately hit that last pass. It takes all the guesswork, all the anticipation and all the mental awareness from the operator out of the equation.”

Built with safety in mind

The most important thing on the jobsite is keeping people safe, and the Next Gen wheel loaders come with several new and enhanced features to increase visibility and awareness.

A high-definition rearview camera comes standard, or contractors can upgrade to the multi-view vision system for a 360-degree view around the machine.

Cat Detect radar technology is another optional feature for those looking to take safety to the next level. “Think of your car. We have radar out the back of the machine, so when you go in reverse, it is identifying any objects that are behind you and giving an audible alarm and a visual alarm in the cab,” says Cherry.

Standard monitored seatbelts can be enhanced with an exterior beacon to allow for easy checks of proper safety procedures. “There’s a green light in the cab and behind it. When you click your seat belt on, that green light illuminates,” says Cherry. “It’s very easy for a jobsite superintendent to drive around the site and know if that operator is wearing their seatbelt or not.”

Optional service lighting and access lighting allows operators to see in and out of the cab during those late-night and early morning shifts.

Fuel efficiency and performance

Productivity sees a bump while fuel burn continues to trend down on the Next Gen wheel loaders. Increases in performance and fuel efficiency in the 966 XE and 972 XE are made possible through the Integration of the CVT powertrain, engine, hydraulic and cooling systems.

The H-series released in 2005 averaged 5.75 gallons of fuel burned per hour. Today’s 966 XE averages 3.1 gallons per hour – that’s a 45 percent reduction over the H series and a 15 percent reduction over the M-series with powershift transmission.

Without the torque converter of mechanical drive systems, these loaders independently control engine rpm and machine speed to provide efficient digging, fine control and operation. Operators will experience smooth, fast accelerations and high speeds on grade with the CVT design. Speed-hold and anti-rollback features also enhance machine maneuvering on grade.

Advanced rimpull control helps to reduce tire wear and delivers optimal loading efficiency in the pile. Beyond saving fuel, the lower rated engine speed of the XE models reduces component wear and makes for quieter operation.

Less downtime ahead. The 500-hour service intervals have been eliminated on the 966 and 972 next generation wheel loaders.Equipment WorldMaintenance savings

Next Gen loaders can spend more time at work thanks to extended maintenance intervals for fluids and filters. The 966 and 972 series design extends maintenance intervals to 1,000 hours and eliminates the 500-hour service intervals.

An integrated optional Autolube reduces daily maintenance and increases component service life, while convenient access to hydraulic and electric service centers makes servicing the loaders fast and easyCombined, these design updates reduce maintenance costs up to 20 percent for the Cat 966 and 972 models and up to 25 percent for 966 XE and 972 XE loaders.

Technology also plays a role in improving loader servicing. Helping to manage fleet location, hours and maintenance schedules, the Cat App provides alerts for required maintenance and assists with requesting service from the local Cat dealer. Remote Troubleshoot connects the machine to the dealer’s service department via the internet to quickly diagnose fault codes without on-machine cable connection. Additionally, Remote Flash ensures the wheel loaders are operating with the most up-to-date software without impacting the production schedule.

Enhanced cab comfort

The Next Generation loaders got an all-new office as well. The redesigned cab features the following improvements:

Dynamic damper seats slow down travel for a smoother ride than an air cushion alone. Options include heating or heating and ventilation for year-round comfort.Sound suppression, seals and viscous mounts decrease noise levels for a quieter work environment.Seat-mounted electrohydraulic joystick steering reduces operator fatigue and provides better visibility than a steering wheel. (Bonus, this switch adds two more inches of legroom than the previous series. An HMU steering wheel is available as an option for the 966 and 972 powershift models.)A new dashboard and high-resolution touchscreen display provide intuitive and user-friendly loader controls.Application profiles set multiple machine parameters with the press of a button and can save more than 40 different operator settings.A wide door that unlocks remotely from the ground plus incline steps eases cab entry and exit.

Choosing the right wheel loader for your operation

So, which medium wheel loader should contractors choose for their needs? Other key differences between the models include engine horsepower, counterweight size and linkage. (See our quick specs below for more details.)

Available in capacities ranging from 3.75 to 18.25 cubic yards for the new 966 and 972 loader series, Cat Performance Series buckets balance shape against the machine’s linkage for higher fill factors and better material retention than other designs with the same rated capacity. Fusion Quick Coupler buckets enable rapid tool changes without leaving the cab, so the loaders move quickly from task to task.

The 972 outfitted with a 7-cubic-yard bucket will move 15-17 percent more material than a 966 outfitted with a 6-cubic-yard bucket.  “[The 972] would be more of a three-pass loader, whereas the 966, depending on the trucks that you’re loading, might be more in that four-pass range. That’s a whole extra pass,” says Schmidtgall. “You’ve got to determine, do my production requirements demand a larger machine or is a smaller machine going to be adequate?”

In addition, special purpose-built options for the loaders include a configuration that offers higher payload capability for loose-aggregate-handling applications. Industrial and waste models feature the guarding and reinforcement required for working at transfer stations, recycling facilities, scrap yards and demolition sites. For demanding applications like steel mills and slag handling, the loaders can be ordered in the steel mill configuration that incorporates additional levels of safety.

Quick specs

Caterpillar 966, 966 XE, 972, 972 XE wheel loader product specifications.Caterpillar; Graphic: Equipment World

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Duane Smith

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A new report by the Arkansas Department of Transportation says its Heavy Bridge Maintenance Inspection Program should be placed under new management and reorganized for failing to locate a cracked tie girder that led to an emergency closure of a major I-40 bridge.

The Hernando do Soto Bridge over the Mississippi River between Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas, was shut down from May 11 to August 2 after a crack was discovered during a routine inspection. The closure of the major freight corridor cost the trucking industry an estimated $2.4 million a day and led to rerouting 55,000 drivers that use the bridge daily.

The After Action Report released November 10 outlined several management flaws in the bridge inspection program that let to the crack going undetected since at least 2016. The same day the report was released, two longtime bridge engineers retired, according to news reports.

The ArDOT report casts much of the blame on an inspector fired soon after the bridge was closed. The report says ArDOT asked the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General “to determine if this negligence constitutes a criminal action.” It says the inspector general’s office has interviewed ArDOT bridge inspection employees and been provided data and reports. ArDOT is awaiting the investigation’s conclusion.

The ArDOT report says the crack in a welded splice between two plates in a tie girder “was visible at least as early as 2016,” and the fired inspector “was directly responsible for inspecting that portion of the bridge in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020.”

A drone inspection in 2019 had photographed the crack. The 2021 routine inspection that led to the bridge’s closure was conducted by Michael Baker International, ArDOT’s consultant bridge inspector.

Management failure

The ArDOT report faults management of the agency’s Heavy Bridge Maintenance Inspection Program for failing to properly handle complaints about the fired inspector.

“Management’s failure to adequately act on reports by employees concerned with the terminated inspector’s job performance perpetuated a culture where team members did not feel they had the authority or support to question a lead inspector’s procedures or thoroughness,” the report says.

The bridge program failed to rotate inspection teams, which enabled the same lead inspector to inspect the same arch spans on the I-40 bridge four times between 2016 and 2020. The inspection reports “lacked adequate details,” failing to show which inspector was responsible for specific bridge sections and when specific elements were inspected.

It also said the bridge’s inspection in 2018, the one the fired inspector did not conduct, was performed by an inspector who had never inspected that portion of the bridge before, due to “a lack of adequate management and organization by administration.” That inspector “has been verbally counseled and will receive additional training.”

The report calls for committees to be formed for oversight, additional leadership and accountability, and the program needs more personnel to strengthen it.

A professional engineer should provide on-site supervision of each complex, heavy bridge inspection, and bridges that are fracture critical should not be inspected by the same inspector consecutively, the report says.

Internal cracking present for decades

The initial crack that led to the bridge’s closure formed in the interior face of the girder box during a repair when it was being fabricated in the 1970s and was not visible, according to the report.

The repaired area was more susceptible to cracking because of the steel and welding methods used in the 1970s. The report says the cracking likely started soon after the repair, was never detected, even during ultrasonic testing in 1982, and “remained unchanged for a number of years.”

The crack reported in May of 2021 had “fractured through the remaining thickness” and was photographed in a 2019 drone photo. The fracture extended up the “the remaining web, across the top flange.”

The report says the crack likely spread over time because of low temperatures, increased tie girder stress and heavier traffic loads.

While the bridge was closed over the summer, ultrasound inspections determined that multiple other welds on the bridge had hidden anomalies. That led to additional steel plating added by Kiewit, which was awarded the repair contract.

In all, the emergency repairs and follow-up inspections cost $10 million, the report said.

The ArDOT report says “it is highly unlikely that a similar fracture will occur” on the I-40 bridge because there was no evidence of fatigue crack growth elsewhere. But it also calls for continued “arms-length fracture critical inspections,” and that ultrasonic testing be performed periodically.

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Duane Smith

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Stellar has rolled out a new lightweight, corrosion-resistant truck service body that can handle up to a 4,000-pound crane.

Designed as a mechanic’s field truck for utility and construction contractors, the new TMAX 16K aluminum service body can be equipped with Stellar’s EC3200 Aluminum Telescopic Crane, which weighs 500 pounds, 230 pounds less than its steel counterpart. The compact aluminum telescopic crane delivers 3,200 pounds of lift capacity and 15 feet of horizontal reach.

The lighter weight of the crane and service body allow for increased truck payload, the company says.

“We’re all about trying to get more payload options for people,” said Adam Opperman, Stellar product manager, at the Utility Expo in September. “So that’s why we do aluminum; it’s lighter than steel, and it’s also more corrosion resistant than steel.”

Stellar’s Light-Duty Mechanic Cranes are powered, controlled and monitored by the hand-held, remote-control Stellar Crane Dynamics Technology.

Stellar’s EC3200 aluminum crane can lift 3,200 pounds.StellarThe TMAX series includes an aluminum extrusion compartment top that has two built-in accessory mounting rails, so you don’t have to drill holes to mount equipment. The rails make removing and attaching accessories easy and reduce water intrusion into the compartments, according to Stellar.

The extruded compartment top also has wire harness channels inside the compartments for storing wires out of the way. Other features include stainless-steel billet style hinges, three-point stainless-steel compression latches, double spring over center door closures and undercoating for corrosion resistance. The body is painted with a two-part polyurethane enamel paint for added protection and visual appeal, according to Stellar.

Contractors who need a welder body might also want to check out Stellar’s TMAC 1-11, which features a 30-inch workbench bumper with slide-out tray to serve as a workstation for torch cutting and welding.

“The trays’ removable support slates allow for blow-through to the ground, keeping your workspace clean, and the 2-inch V channel that run the length of bumper make for easy clamping,” the company says.

The welder body is equipped for Stellar’s TC Series Cranes, which also use hand-held remote control.

Stellar TMAX 1-11 Welder BodyStellar 

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Duane Smith

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Hydrogen-fueled equipment to come in 2022

JCB is investing $138 million on a project to produce carbon-free hydrogen engines, the company announced last month. The first hydrogen-fueled machines will be ready for customers by the end of 2022.

According to JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, the company is investing in hydrogen because electric power has limits and is not an all-around solution, especially when it comes to larger machines. “We will carry on making engines, but they will be super-efficient, affordable, high-tech hydrogen motors with zero CO2 emissions, which can be brought to market quickly using our existing supply base,” says Bamford.

The company has already shown a prototype hydrogen-powered JCB backhoe loader. A second JCB machine – a Loadall telescopic handler – was unveiled October 19 at an event in London attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.        

Firmatek acquired Kespry’s drone-based aerial intelligence platform.BuildwittDrone maker Kespry bought by Firmatek

Two leaders in the world of drone applications for the construction, mining and aggregate industries have joined forces. The combination of Firmatek’s drone-data processing and engineering services with Kespry’s drone-based mapping intelligence platforms will create new opportunities to deliver a vertical SaaS platform for drone-based analytics.

The acquisition will accelerate the use of artificial intelligence technologies and deep-learning frameworks to analyze and process topographic analysis of mining and aggregate worksites, increase data accuracy, improve site safety and eliminate potential risks.

“By combining Firmatek’s resources with Kespry’s expertise and leadership in AI-driven, SaaS software, we can provide better outcomes for our customers,” says Lauren Elmore, Firmatek’s chief executive officer.

Equipment World has reported on Kespry’s offerings several times in the last few years. To learn more about its technology, check out the links below.

With three big updates, Kespry gives construction customers little reason to take their drone data elsewhere

John Deere dealers to offer Kespry’s automated construction drone service in exclusive deal

Kespry Drone 2s brings centimeter-level survey accuracy, single base station setup to automated drone platform

Tag tools and attachments with the Kin asset tracking system and you’ll always know where they are.TrackunitIf you can’t find a tool, try checking your Kin

Everybody knows that workers waste significant amounts of time searching for lost equipment. And according to Trackunit, only one out of five lost tools are ever found. One solution, announced at the ARA show in Las Vegas, is Trackunit’s new Kin Asset Utilization, which collects movement data from tagged assets and shows you in real time if the equipment is being used.

The Kin ecosystem resides within a platform to greatly increase the scope of data available to users and organizations and continues to enhance solutions in an ever more data-led construction market.  

The Kin tags leverage the company’s mesh network and connect to the company’s Raw (TU600) installed network of devices via the Trackunit Manager and the Trackunit Go app. Each connected tag links to the TU600 network installed on machines around the globe, connecting the user and expanding the data available for business insights.

Couplers and work tools bearing this logo can work with any excavator from OEMs that are members of the Open-S Alliance.Open-S AllianceVolvo joins Open-S Alliance

Recently Volvo announced it has joined the Open-S Alliance. The alliance is a group of manufacturers that have agreed to design hydraulic attachments in such a way that their quick couplers and adaptors will work with any excavator regardless of the brand of the machine. This makes it easier for contractors to use different couplers, tiltrotators and work tool brands without being locked into a proprietary solution from one manufacturer.

The Open-S Alliance is a manufacturer-independent organization. There are three levels of membership: full, associate and supporting, depending on if Open-S products are developed, produced in-house or sourced. Since early 2021, Volvo CE has delivered quick couplers and adaptors directly from the factory and is now joining the Open-S Alliance as a supporting member.

Survey says data driving AEC transformation

More bricks than bytes, construction has been slow to adopt digital technology. But that is changing, according to a new report from Dodge Data & Analytics and Autodesk. The study finds the most frequently used BIM (building information modeling) technologies by architecture, engineering and construction firms are cloud computing (42%), model-based simulation (33%), virtual/augmented/mixed reality (28%), 3D printing (25%) and reality capture (25%).

The technologies best poised for growth, with a relatively high percentage of respondents who expect to adopt them in the next two to three years, include generative/outcome-based design (20%), 3D printing (19%), model-driven prefabrication (18%), model-driven simulation (18%), robotics/automated equipment (18%), reality capture (17%) and AI/machine learning (17%).

More details the free report can be accessed at www.construction.com

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Duane Smith

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LEDs boost light levels and run time on Generac’s new light tower

Generac announced a new mobile light tower, the GLT with LED light fixtures that offers up to 20 percent longer run time than previous models. The GLT’s flexible platform design enables you to use it as a mobile or stationary light tower.

With 48 gallons of fuel, the GLT will give you 200 hours of run time. The four Generac G4 LED lights provide maximum illumination while consuming less power to give you 200 hours of run time on a full (48-gallon) tank of fuel. The high-efficiency LED lights also allow for faster start-ups with no waiting for warm up or cool down.

A steel enclosure wraps around the unit to create an integrated fuel containment system that holds up to 110% of the unit’s fluids and thus prevents fluid spills. And the mast is available with hydraulic, electric or manual options. The GLT will be available for ordering in the first quarter of 2022.

The DeWalt Power Stack delivers 50-percent more power in a 25-percent smaller footprint.DeWalt

Smaller, more powerful and it fits on your old tools

The new 20-volt Max Power Stack is DeWalt’s most powerful, compact and lightweight lithium-ion battery platform to date. According to the company, it has twice the power and a 25 percent smaller footprint compared to DeWalt 2 amp-hour compact batteries. It is designed to fit with any of DeWalt’s 20-volt Max tools and chargers, and it features an impact-resistant, over-molded base with a non-marring material. The charger is also compatible with all DeWalt 12-volt Max, 20-volt Max and Flexvolt Batteries.

“Access Your World” provides JLG customers with information about products and services at any time and at their own pace.JLG

JLG adds new virtual-reality scenario to training platform

Virtual reality is a great way to train new operators, especially on machines where mistakes can be costly. JLG has been compiling a portfolio of telehandler training scenarios in its “Access Your World” platform, the latest of which is an indoor/outdoor retail complex that showcases detailed, 3-D equipment models being used in multiple stages of construction and experience using JLG equipment in these applications.

The company also has an augmented-reality app that includes five tools:

·        Machine Visualization

·         Kit visualization

·         Operation guidance

·         Decal viewer

·         Inspection assistance

Previous virtual reality scenarios include maintenance work, steel erection, and fit and finish work inside a stadium. You can read more about those here: Product Briefs: Explore Virtual Lift Scenarios with JLG’s Access Your World.

ccess tight spaces up high with Skyjack’s new XStep

In places where the full platform of your scissor lift is blocked from going higher, Skyjack’s XStep enables you to get 19 inches of additional work height. XStep is mounted on the mid-rail of the scissor lift. The top rail design and height provide operators with the same degree of security as a conventional platform, and the base swings down to save space when not in use. The XStep is retrofittable to previous Skyjack models without the need for tools, and one person can do the job. It is also available as a factor fit or field install option. XStep is the latest addition to Skyjack’s Accessoryzers line of accessories.

Users can see the real-time status of their Pettibone telehandler with X-Command.Pettibone

Pettibone telematics gives you real-time insights into machine health

A new telematics program from Pettibone called X-Command is designed for the company’s X-series telehandlers, Cary-Lift pipe and pole handlers, and Speed Swing rail maintenance machines. With the telematics you get real-time access to data such as machine location, fuel use, diesel exhaust fluid level, and battery voltage.

The information allows superintendents and maintenance personnel to diagnose machine performance and issues to increase uptime and reduce emergency repairs in the field. X-Command comes standard for two years on new Pettibone X-Series Extendo and Traverse telehandlers, and it is also available as a retrofit for existing X-Series models in the field. The system is optional on new sales of Cary-Lift material handlers and on Speed Swing.

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Duane Smith

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If you didn’t move fast enough on Ford’s new e-crate motor, you’re out of luck.

The all-electric powertrain featured in Ford’s F-100 Eluminator at SEMA sold out just four days following its debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The 480-horsepower electric pickup truck based on a 1978 F-100 cranks out an impressive 634 pound-feet of torque, thanks to Ford Performance Parts’ very first e-crate motor.

“Ford owners have personalized, customized and enhanced their vehicles since the beginning – from changing looks to bringing the power,” said Eric Cin, global director of Ford’s vehicle personalization, accessories and licensing. “Our F-100 Eluminator concept is a preview of how we’re supporting customers as they go all-electric and embrace zero-tailpipe emissions performance, even for our heritage vehicles.”

Don’t be fooled by the e-crate motor’s small size. It puts out 480 horses and 634 pound-feet of torque.Ford Performance PartsThe all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept, designed and created by Ford Performance, was built in collaboration with MLe Racecars and sits on a custom chassis by the Roadster Shop.

It’s painted in Avalanche Gray with Cerakote Copper accents applied by Brand X Customs, while the interior features a billet aluminum dash by JJR Fabrication and avocado-tanned leather upholstery by MDM Upholstery. It’s fitted with custom 19×10-inch billet aluminum three-piece wheels by Forgeline wrapped in MichelinLatitudeSport 275/45-19 high-performance tires.

Part No. M-9000-MACH-E, the e-crate motor was available for a few short days at authorized Ford parts warehouse dealers or online at Ford Performance Parts. Retailing at $3,900, it is targeted for builders looking for a transverse-oriented powertrain to electrify a range of vehicles from modern to vintage cars, trucks and SUVs.

Each Eluminator e-crate motor produces 281 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque and is street-legal in all 50 states.

Duane Smith

www.cityheartsaberdeen.com