Volvo Construction Equipment Launches Third Model in the Company’s Short Swing Excavator Class

Volvo Construction Equipment recently introduced the Volvo ECR305CL, short swing radius excavator to the North America market, the third of its class within the last 12 months. The new product range was developed by Volvo to fill a rapidly growing need for short swing excavators on congested worksites and in confined areas.

According to Volvo, the new 34.8 ton Volvo ECR305CL overcomes the dynamic challenges of producing excavators that work with high performance capabilities and exceptional stability in confined areas. Precisely-engineered weight distribution and increased swing torque also gives the new machine superior swing performance when working on slopes.

Whether operating in cities, laying utilities, mining duties, highway work, in addition to a multitude of other diverse applications, the increased safety and maneuverability offered by short swing excavators on congested worksites has seen the rapid growth of this important segment in the market.

Like the smaller machines in the range, the compact body on the Volvo ECR305CL swings only fractionally outside its own track width – less than 80 mm (with 800mm shoe) – enabling it to work extremely close to objects (walls, road barriers etc.) without risk of collision with the rear of the machine as it swings. Safety on a job site can never be underestimated and this is particularly important to Volvo where safety is one of the company’s core values.

Even when not working close to obstructions, the short front/rear radius has other uses – highway work being a prime example, where the machine can safely swing within a typical single road lane width, minimizing disruption with traffic flow.

The all-new, rounded cab on Volvo’s short swing models is also designed to stay within the rear swing radius. Despite this design consideration, it remains the roomiest and most comfortable cab in the market – as befits Volvo’s reputation for providing superior operator environments.

The sliding door provides the operator with the ability to access and exit the cab even when it is positioned close to an obstruction, such as close to a wall. Whilst at work, the industry-leading heating and ventilation system ensures the perfect working environment, irrespective of weather conditions.

Source and Photo Credit: Volvo Construction Equipment

Case Expands Toll-Free Parts And Service Hotline

Case Construction Equipment has announced an expansion its toll-free customer assistance hotline - 1-866-54CASE6.

"Customers' needs are not restricted to traditional business hours," said Chris Fabbri, director of service excellence at Case Construction Equipment. "Our mission is to provide parts and technical support when customers need it most."

As of Feb. 1, 2009, the Case customer assistance program will be available for models of Case crawler dozers, large excavators, motor graders, large wheel loaders, articulated trucks, skid steers, compact track loaders and compaction equipment.

"This service is part of our commitment to deliver world-class customer support and to respond to customer emergencies and service issues even faster," added Fabbri. The hotline staff is also available to meet basic customer service needs, such as locating the closest Case dealer.

Source: Case Construction Equipment

Delphi to Provide Communications Link for Caterpillar and Enables Worksites to Help Reduce Operation Costs and Improve Productivity

Delphi Corporation recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Caterpillar, Inc. to supply telematics transceivers for heavy construction machinery starting in 2010.

Delphi's telematics technology will help connect worksites with a web application using machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. M2M communications will give users a convenient way to track, monitor and manage machinery at remote sites. It will also help reduce costs and increase efficiency at these operations.

The telematics transceivers enable machinery to send and retrieve data using global positioning systems (GPS) and wireless telecommunications technology. The technology will be used as part of Caterpillar's Product Link initiative.

Product Link uses on-board systems to collect machine information and send data wirelessly from the machine to a web application that customers can access anywhere they have an Internet connection. The initiative is designed to provide customers with technology to better manage their fleet of machinery by creating worksites that are connected using telematics wireless communications devices.

"Telematics products will provide added features and functional value for customers by wirelessly connecting their heavy-duty machinery to the Internet," said Tom Puza, Delphi managing director of telematics. "Delphi is a leader in the field of telematics with over twenty years of experience."

Businesses using telematics equipped machinery can rapidly send and receive mission-critical data from the worksite.

"With telematics equipped machinery, businesses can manage maintenance, performance and the logistics of machinery remotely, saving time and money," Puza said. "This is crucial when you are dealing with multimillion dollar project deadlines and expensive machinery."

Source: Delphi

Mack Trucks Sponsors Driving Skills Safety Challenge During World of Concrete

The Mack Trucks homepage reports that Mack will again sponsor a Driving Skills Safety Challenge during the World of Concrete show.

According to Mack Trucks Inc. the competition will be held in theSilver lot #4 next to the Renaissance Hoteloutside the Las Vegas Convention Center on February 3-5, 2009. The competition runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and Mack will also hold a reception from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day for contestants.

The competition is open to any driver at least 18 years of age with a valid CDL who completes an application form, shows proof of operator training, and is registered for the show. This year's event will include individual and team competitions (two operators per team).

Contestants will choose one MACK Granite model mixer to operate through a closed course set up to simulate an actual job site

Source: Mack Trucks

Will The Economic Stimulus Package Boost Heavy Equipment Sales?

While work continues on the new economic stimulus package in Washington D.C., equipment manufacturers are hoping for benefits from possible new spending on infrastructure.

The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly in Fort Wayne, Indiana, reports on what the stimulus plan could mean for the local Terex Corporation and other heavy equipment manufacturers.

According to the story, Terex anticipates that new construction on roads and bridges will boost orders for the company’s cement mixers and heavy trucks.

One Terex manager says their customers have reduced spending due to the economic slowdown, but new spending for construction projects could offer an incentive to buy new equipment.

The story also quotes The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s estimate that for every $5 billion invested in infrastructure, 1 million yards of concrete is placed and 150,000 jobs are created.

Source: Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Resources

• Terex Corporation Homepage
• Terex Equipment on Equipment Trader

Kaufman Trailers Offers New Layover Style Ramps

Kaufman Trailers recently announced new layover style ramps that level out the dovetail portion of the trailer.



Kaufman Trailers reports the new ramps are available with just two ramps, or with a center pop-up section, and still comes standard with a bar to hold the ramps in the vertical position when necessary.

Source: Kaufman Trailers

Construction Companies Prepare For Stimulus Plan Related Projects

The incoming presidential administration is preparing a new economic stimulus plan to boost the U.S. Economy.  Dramatic repair projects to neglected roads and bridges are at the heart of the plan.

The Wall Street Journal reports that construction companies are already lobbying to participate on projects from the new public-spending package.

According to the Wall Street Journal story, the president and chief executive of an Ohio construction company is preparing for the jobs repairing highways, bridges, sewer lines, and other infrastructure-related work the stimulus plan will provide.

The company is continuing to interview college students and hopes to have new jobs for them after graduation this spring.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Champion Motor Graders Makes Cummins QSB Tier 3 Engines Standard On All Motor Graders

Champion Motor Graders recently announced the company is making the new Cummins QSB Tier 3 engines standard on all of motor graders, from smallest to largest, to meet the EPA’s emissions requirements.

“It will also help us prepare for future Tier 4 requirements.” says Bryan Abernathy, Executive Vice President for Champion Motor Graders, “Our customers get to keep all the power they have become accustomed to in our compact graders, while at the same time enjoying increased engine life and lower noise with the knowledge that they are helping the environment.”

According to Champion, all motor graders, including the company’s new C110 C and C116 C Series Production Class Graders, will feature Cummins QSB electronic Tier 3 diesel engines as of December 1, 2008. The Cummins Tier 3 engines feature “in-cylinder” emissions, enabling increased performance while meeting more stringent emissions regulations.

Source: Champion Motor Graders

Coneqtec Corporation Announces Acquisition of Terramite, Inc. Assets

Terraquip Construction Products, Inc. recently announced it has acquired the assets and the rights to manufacture and distribute the product lines of The Terramite Company, Inc.

Terraquip is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coneqtec Corporation, Inc., a manufacturer of hydraulic attachments and hydraulic kits for construction equipment.

Coneqtec Corporation, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company that has developed heavy duty attachments and hydraulic kits for skid steer, backhoe, compact and utility loaders since 1990.

Terramite was formed in 1965 and designed the first compact backhoe loader in the early 70’s. Today, The Terramite Company, Inc. sells its line of compact backhoe models, street sweepers and paving screeds both domestically and internationally.

“We’re very excited about the addition of the Terramite product line to the Coneqtec Family. Terramite has a long history of providing an excellent, high quality product with a reputation of reliability and productivity. Coneqtec plans to use the present facilities to manufacture the Terramite product line. The people there are highly skilled and we look forward to working with them,” says Gary Cochran, President of Coneqtec Corp.

The Wichita Eagle features a story offering more details of the sale.

Source: Coneqtec Corporation, Inc.

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