B2W’s One Platform Streamlines Equipment Inspections, Repairs

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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These 14 Skid Steer, CTL Attachments Go Beyond Mere Material Handling

As the number and popularity of compact construction equipment continue to grow, so do the outpourings of attachments for performing a wide range of tasks beyond moving material.

You can turn you skid steer or compact track loader into a snowblower, landclearer, earthmover and even a demolition machine.

So if you want to expand the range of your skid steer or CTL beyond loading and unloading material, check out these 14 attachments:

Earthmoving

The Dual Dozer laser grading system (pictured at the top of this story) from HitchDoc for finish grading features a dual-sided cutting edge so you can push or pull material and grade in any direction. Rear-mounted wheels let you bring more material to low spots, make tight corners and place material closer to edges. The Dual Dozer can be ordered with a standard quick-tach plate, three-point mount or both. It is compatible with Trimble, Topcon and Leica 3D or GPS mapping systems. The blade attachment can self-articulate up to 8 inches on either side. It comes with in-cab monitors and fingertip switches.


Danuser Stump Auger with EP Auger SystemDanuserDanuser’s new EP Auger System, which is compatible with the company’s new Stump Auger, is now available for mini skid-steers, also known as compact utility loaders, with a planetary gear drive that is up to 42% stronger with greater torque for drilling through hard-compacted surfaces. Models range from 6 to 35 gallons per minute of hydraulic flow and from 1,500 to 3,500 psi. The Stump Auger is available in 10- or 16-inch diameters. A threaded pilot digs into the stump, and large cutting blades shave it away. The blades are reversible. 

DIG-R-TACH skid steer auger attachment
General Equipment’s 471 DIG-R-TACHGeneral EquipmentGeneral Equipment Company’s 471 DIG-R-TACH hydraulically powered earth drilling attachment system is designed for use with machines with lower auxiliary hydraulic flow rates. It comes with a universal mounting bracket that matches a variety of bucket configurations. It can be mounted quickly and easily on the loader’s bucket by one person without special tools, drilling or welding because of positive-locking bracket grips. Augers are available in diameters of 2 to 24 inches to produce a clean 4-foot-deep hole. Auger extensions are also available

Landclearing

Fecon RK6015 standard-flow skid steer mulcher
Fecon RK6015 standard-flow skid steer mulcherEquipment WorldFecon’s new RK6015 mulcher is designed for standard-flow skid steers and CTLs of 50 to 75 horsepower and can chew through brush and trees up to 5 inches in diameter. The RK6015 has a working width of 60 inches and includes a split-ring design to limit the bite and maintain production.  Features include a variable displacement 45cc hydraulic motor and adjustable bolt-on push bar with serrated ears for directing material. Flow ranges are 17 to 27 gallons per minute, and max pressure of 4,000 psi.

Takeuchi TUML forestry mulcher compact track loader
Takeuchi TUML forestry mulcherTakeuchiTakeuchi’s TUML series Forestry Mulchers come standard or with bite-limiter drums, which limit tooth engagement to maintain motor speed while reducing stalling. The mulchers feature a low-profile frame design for better visibility and an enclosed door drive that prevents dirt from entering the machine’s service areas. Heavy-duty adjustable skids and reinforced side panels deliver durability and frame strength to handle the force of the carrier. The mulchers’ design with a protruding rotor allows more material to be processed quicker.

Loftness Bad Ax on compact track loader clearing land
Loftness Bad AxLoftnessLoftnessBad Ax disc mulcher is designed for landclearing and vegetation control and cutting through trees up to 14 inches in diameter. The 60-inch-diameter disc contains no welds, so there are no areas subject to stress cracking. The disc is driven directly by the machine’s hydraulic motor. A recutter bar and counter teeth hold material in place while it is being mulched, enabling the mulcher to cut the material into fine particles and avoid jams in the chamber. The front of the housing is angled, allowing the teeth to mulch at ground level.

Snow clearing

Bobcat Snowblower on skid steer clearing snow
New Bobcat SnowblowerBobcatBobcat’s new snowblower attachment features increased intake height and a bigger auger to draw more snow into the blower for faster clearing and fewer passes. A direct-drive, sprocket-style chute rotation enables operators to point snow within 270 degrees for precise placement, even in hard-to-reach places such as ditches or inside wooded areas. It can break through ice buildup and does not use chains, which can rust, loosen or break. The chute’s rounded, smooth intake minimizes clogging and reduces resistance. A truck-loading chute is optional.

Fisher HDX snowplow for skid steers
Fisher HDX snowplowFisherThe HDX straight-blade snowplow from Fisher is designed for fast, easy hookup. Its adjustable blade attack angle lets you customize your setup to plowing surfaces, weather conditions and plowing preferences. The blade angle is powered by the host machine’s hydraulic components. Relief valves protect the operator and the equipment when encountering hidden obstacles. The HDX can be used to clear large parking lots and can maneuver between cars and parking islands.

SnowEx Power TE steel trip-edge pusher
SnowEx Power TE steel trip-edge pusherSnowExThe SnowEx Power TE steel trip-edge pushers are designed to attack all types of surfaces and provide cleanly scraped, “down to black” pavement. The box plows attach quickly and easily to compact equipment and offer large carrying capacities. Built to handle heavy-duty loads and stresses, the trip-edge uses four extension springs along with two outer double ribs at the trip springs. The box comes in widths of 8 or 10 inches and a 63-degree angle of attack.

Western Prodigy skid steer snowplow
Western Prodigy snowplowWesternThe Western Prodigy skid steer snowplow features wings that move automatically with no additional wiring or controls. The universal skid-steer mounting plate makes hook-up fast and easy. Simply align the mounting plate with the skid-steer u-plate, engage the pins, and you’re ready to plow. The plow uses the skid steer’s hydraulic system to lift and lower the blade. It’s also available with an optional oscillating mount that provides 6 degrees of total side-to-side oscillation, helping to improve scrape and cutting-edge wear while reducing damage to the terrain.

Demolition

NPK demolition shear skid steer
NPK demolition shearNPKNPK Demolition Shears are sized for skid steers ranging in the 5,000- to 6,500-pound class for demolition and steel-processing operations. The arm pin is designed to prevent distortion of the main frame and diminishes jaw deflection, which prevents material from jamming between the cutter blades. The shears features 360-degree rotation, low weight with large jaw opening and a slim design for better visibility. The cutting blades are wave shaped for better grip and control of material. The shears can also be used on compact excavators of 7,000 to 20,000 pounds.

RJB Hydraulic Hammer
RJB Hydraulic HammerRJBRJB Hydraulic Hammers’ new Skid Steer/Mini Combo Bracket works with both skid steers and compact excavators of 3.5 to 6 metric tons. The bracket allows the company’s HK45 hydraulic hammer to be used on both a skid steer and a compact excavator. The HK45 is in the 1,000-foot-pound impact class for work on larger concrete jobs. It comes with a tool diameter of almost 3 inches. The combo bracket enables the operator to simply detach the skid steer plate by pulling out the pin set, which takes less than 5 minutes. Re-installing the skid steer plate is just as easy, the company says.

Sweeping

Virnig’s Internal Water Tank Broom for skid steers
Virnig’s Internal Water Tank BroomVirnigWhen it comes time to clean up your jobsite, Virnig’s Internal Water Tank Broom for skid steers controls dust as you sweep. The protected 55-gallon tank behind the bucket provides 35 minutes of continuous runtime. The translucent tank has capacity indicators so water level can be viewed by the operator while in the cab. The guarded adjustable valve regulates water pressure to the nozzles. The broom is available in 72 or 84 inches. Features on the broom include a recessed and guarded direct drive motor, heavy-duty bucket with wear bars, bolt-on edge, oversized 2-inch bearing, poly/wire bristles and pin adjustment system.

Quick attach

Artillian Tractor Mini Skid Steer Quick Attach Frame
Artillian Tractor quick attach frame for mini skid steersArtillian TractorArtillian Tractor has a new Mini Skid Steer Quick Attach Frame for compact utility loaders. The frame can handle loads up to 3,000 pounds and can be used with Artillian pallet forks, grapples, stump buckets, hydraulic plow and other tools. The frame uses the Common Industry Interface loader quick attach and fits major CUL brands, including Bobcat, Boxer, Cormidi, Ditch Witch, Kanga, Ramrod, Toro and Vermeer. The Artillian frame features metal inert gas welded construction, baked on powder coat and high-strength North American steel.

 

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Cat Next Gen Medium Wheel Loaders Pack a Technology Punch

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

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Inspection Failure: New Report Blames ArDOT for I-40 Bridge Closure

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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Industry Roundup: McCoy Group purchases Erb Equipment, extending construction and forestry reach

McCoy Group has purchased eight John Deere Construction and Forestry stores from Erb Equipment Co., expanding its organization into Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky. McCoy plans to retain the 200+ current Erb Equipment employees as part of the acquisition.

Based in Dubuque, Iowa, the new McCoy Construction & Forestry locations will join an organization that is already home to six subsidiaries, including Midwest-based Freightliner dealerships Truck Country and Stoops, and bulk tank transportation companies, Foodliner, Quest Liner and W.W. Transport.>

Vermeer Texas-Louisiana becomes Fecon dealer

Vermeer Texas-Louisiana is now a Fecon dealer. With 13 locations throughout Texas and Louisiana, the company will sell and service Fecon’s line of forestry mulching tractors and attachments. The offering will complement their full lineup of Vermeer branded forestry equipment. 

National Equipment Dealers LLC named Dynapac dealer

National Equipment Dealers LLC is expanding its current footprint for Dynapac products into North and South Carolina. The expanded partnership with the compaction and paving equipment manufacturer creates access to new, used and rental equipment along with product support in the region. This will add to NED’s existing footprint of Dynapac products in Florida.

RB Scott Equipment opens Minnesota location

RB Scott Equipment, a specialized dealer of process equipment and wear parts for the sand and gravel, crushed stone, frac sand and recycling industries, opened a new location in Clearwater, Minnesota on October 26. Major lines include Metso, Superior, StraightLine, MDS and Atlas Copco. The company is headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and serves Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.


Messick’s Equipment will parade 100 pieces of machinery to its new location on November 20.Messick’s EquipmentMessick’s Equipment Prepares for Move with Tractor Parade

Rural Pennsylvanians are afforded a unique opportunity to view a “tractor parade” as Messick’s Equipment moves approximately 100 pieces of equipment from its current location in Elizabethtown to its new location in Mount Joy. The public is invited to observe as 100 customer volunteers help move the inventory along the seven-mile route.

Messick’s Equipment plans to start serving customers at the new location prior to Christmas 2021. The new location will offer increased equipment displays, consolidation of all parts inventory, additional parking, year-round training and educational opportunities and more. 

MANUFACTURERS, SUPPLIERS

CemenTech expands production, staffing

CemenTech says its added a second production shift and is increasing its staffing levels by more than 25 percent to keep up with growing demand for volumetric concrete mixers. In addition to hiring, the company also is investing nearly $3 million to upgrade facilities, equipment and technology.

The lowa-based company made the strategic move after its sixth consecutive year of double-digit sales growth. CemenTech’s volumetric mixers enable contractors to mix their concrete on the jobsite to exact specifications for the job at hand.

Joel Lindmeyer, regional sales manager, Felling Trailers
Lindmeyer takes over the region previously served by Daniel “Boone” Larsen, who retired in May 2021.Felling TrailersFelling Trailers names Joel Lindmeyer Regional Sales Manager

Felling Trailers has named Joel Lindmeyer as regional sales manager for the Great Lakes region. Lindmeyer will be responsible for all sales development, activity and dealer support within Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky in his new role.

Lindmeyer brings more than 25 years of experience in the truck and trailer industry and previously held sales and customer service roles at Monroe Truck Equipment and Big Rivers Ltd.   

Felling Trailers is a national industrial and commercial trailer manufacturer.

JCB North America operations VP Shain Wells
Shain Wells will help facilitate continued growth for JCB, as the market for construction equipment has rebounded significantly after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.JCBJCB taps Shain Wells as new Operations VP

JCB North America has announced Shain Wells has been hired as vice president of operations. In his new role, Wells will oversee the production of JCB machines for the agriculture, construction, industrial and military divisions, including skid steer loaders, compact tracked loaders, telehandlers and backhoe loaders. This includes design and development, purchasing and logistics, manufacturing operations and quality.

Prior to joining JCB North America, Wells served in management and executive roles at Wabash National Corporation and Chrysler.

Construction Groups Sue to Stop Biden Vaccine Mandate

Three construction industry groups have joined in the landslide of legal challenges to the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees.

They filed a petition for review November 15 with the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, saying the mandate risks causing workers at larger construction companies to quit to work for smaller firms.

“Encouraging vaccine-hesitant workers to shift to smaller employers won’t improve health and safety,” said Stephen Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors. “It will just put firms that employ 100 or more workers at grave risk of losing the workers they need to complete projects.” The AGC is joined in the legal challenge with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association and the Signatory Wall & Ceiling Contractors Alliance.

The mandate is currently blocked from being enforced by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which extended a stay of the emergency temporary standard issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA’s standard would require employees of companies with 100 or more workers to get vaccinated by January 4 or undergo weekly Covid testing. Unvaccinated workers would also have to wear masks at work starting December 5.

The 5th Circuit opined November 12 that OSHA overstepped its authority, and that “the mandate has contributed to untold economic upheaval in recent months.”

The construction industry groups reiterated that position in their legal challenge. They also note that 64 percent of construction jobs are with smaller companies, and with the current labor shortage, employees at larger firms have plenty of options to move to smaller ones.

“The Biden Administration and Congress are in the process of launching a historic federal infrastructure investment initiative,” ARTBA President Dave Bauer said. “Unfortunately, OSHA’s proposal would disproportionally impact the same transportation construction industry employers and workers who proved they could safely deliver essential mobility improvements during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

OSHA’s response to the 5th Circuit petition says the emergency standard “is necessary to address a grave danger” and that the “legal objections lack merit.”

OSHA has argued that the emergency standard is not a mandate because employees have a choice on whether to get vaccinated or get tested.

The standard does not require employers to pay for weekly Covid testing, and Covid vaccines are free. However, employers would be required to pay for time off for workers to get tested and vaccinated, as well as time off for any side effects from the vaccine.

The construction groups say they are supporting successful promotion efforts to get workers vaccinated, but the mandate would have the opposite effect.

“This industry supports the coronavirus vaccine and is working to get as many workers vaccinated as possible,” said Scott Casabona, spresident of SWACCA. “But crafting an unworkable rule that will do little to get construction workers vaccinated is an approach that is not only wrong, but likely counterproductive.”

A random drawing is expected to be held this week to determine which appeals court will hear the case, according to NPR. The cases will be consolidated into one.

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Stellar’s New Lightweight Service Body Handles 4,000-Pound Crane

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 Body for service trucks
Stellar TMAX 1-11 Welder BodyStellar 

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Industry Roundup: Hydrogen-Fueled Equipment to Come in 2022

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

Trackunit’s new Kin Asset Utilization
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.

Volvo has joined the Open-S Alliance.
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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Product Roundup: 20% More Run Time on Generac’s New Light Tower

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.

JLG's “Access Your World” is an on-demand digital jobsite experience.
“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.

Pettibone X-Command allows owners to monitor equipment location and performance.
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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New Ford e-crate Motor in Electric F-100 Eluminator Gone in 4 Days

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.

All Electric Ford F 100 Eluminator Concept Truck 03 618c4995ab73e

All Electric Ford F 100 Eluminator Concept Truck 10 618c49949c7a3

All Electric Ford F 100 Eluminator Concept Truck 06 618c499587876