Roof System: Reduces Need for Irrigation The Advanced Vegetative Roof System, a patent-pending new green roof system, incorporates patented Zeba-branded moisture-release technology for faster, fuller vegetation establishment and lower maintenance costs. The system, which adds 15 lb per sq ft of loading when fully saturated, reduces the need for extra irrigation because the Zeba material is integrated directly into the soil. Other benefits of the system—and green roofs in general—include year-round energy savings, increased air quality and noise reduction in buildings. Columbia Green Technologies, Inc.; 503-684-9123; www.columbiagreenroof.com sponsored link: Vegetative Roof Systems on Sweets.com (Sponsored Content) Flooring Option: Long-Lasting Performance
Cases: For Blackberry Handsets The OtterBox 1930 and 1931 rugged cases accommodate BlackBerry brand handsets, giving the user access to phone and data functions right through the case. Constructed of a polycarbonate/ABS shell for maximum strength and durability, the water-resistant case provides grip and drop protection. The 1930 case is 4.85 in. long by 3.36 in. wide and fits the BlackBerry 8700 series while the 1931 case is 4.85 in. long by 3.60 in. wide and fits the BlackBerry 7200 series. Each case weighs 0.5 lb. Optional accessories include a standard swivel belt clip. Otter Products; 888-695-8820; www.otterbox.com Multiblade Attachment:
Hypoid and Circular Saws: Lighter Weight The new 71/4-in. Magnesium Hypoid Saw (model 5377MG) and the 71/4-in. Magnesium Circular Saws with LED light (model 5007MG) or LED light and electric brake (model 5007MGA) feature durable magnesium components and a powerful 15 AMP Makita-built industrial motor. The use of magnesium allowed the manufacturer to develop a more rigid platform while shaving almost 1 lb from the 5007MG's final weight and 2 lbs from the 5377's weight. Makita USA, Inc.; 800-462-5482; www.makitatools.com Attachments: For Demolition and Recycling Tramac announces a new selection of Muscle Mate brand excavator attachments. These hydraulic demolition and
Tudor Van Hampton/ENR Airbags could mitigate rollover casualties. When concrete mixing trucks roll over, the forces can cause grave damage to drivers, even if they are wearing seatbelts. That's why Oshkosh Truck Corp., the Wis.-based specialty vehicle manufacturer, says it is adding side-impact airbags on its front-discharge transit mixers later this year. The feature will come standard on these trucks starting in June, the manufacturer says. Made by Lifeguard Technologies of Westfield, Ind., the airbag is similar to seat-mounted units on passenger cars. It deploys when a sensor detects an "unrecoverable" roll, said James Gould, Lifeguard account manager. He explained
Tony Illia/ENR Falling fuel prices could lower machine operating costs. Diesel fuel, the second-largest construction expense after labor, has fallen to a 53-week-low of $2.43 per-gal, said Tavio Headley, an economist with the American Trucking Association, during the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas. Prices have dipped 19 cents in the last past six weeks as a result of an inventory glut caused by a mild winter. Refiners produced more diesel fuel from already-high heating oil supplies. ATA, meanwhile, is seeking to create a single diesel standard to help eliminate shortages and stabilize pricing. Boutique fuels used in certain
Earthmoving machines may soon get a boost of diesel-electric hybrid power, as heavy-equipment producers mirror automakers' efforts to attack problems that rising oil consumption poses to inflation, energy security and the environment. Concept machine makes North American debut. New Holland, a division of Lake Forest, Ill.-based CNH Global N.V., may be the first vendor out of the chute with the "HE-01," a 7-ton hydraulic excavator powered by 2.2L diesel engine and a 37-kW electric motor. So far, the company has produced four prototypes, using this year's World of Concrete show to put the spotlight on hybrid construction machines for the
A surge in commercial and public construction work could help offset a soft housing market and stoke a modest cement consumption increase in 2007-08, reports the Portland Cement Association, a Skokie, Ill.-based trade group. Tony Illia/ENR Sullivan. Higher cement usage is aiding overall consumption, the PCA says, despite a 12.9% drop in new home starts nationwide last year. Homebuilding accounts for about 25% of all Portland cement sales. “Concrete's relative pricing compared to competing building materials will result in a 2% cement intensity growth in 2007,” said Edward J. Sullivan, PCA’s chief economist, at the Jan. 23-26 World of Concrete
Hydraulic Demolition Attachment: Powerful Cutting Force The new CC 1700 hydraulic demolition attachment provides 220 tons of cutting force at the jaw tip, making it one of the most powerful cutters in its class, the manufacturer says. The product's single pin jaw retention design improves tool visibility for the operator and reduces the time needed to switch between sets of cutting jaws. Both universal jaws and steel cutting jaws are available. Universal jaws open 29.5 in. wide and are ideal for building demolition; steel cutting jaws open 17 in. wide and are best for steel structure demolition. Atlas Copco Construction
Many of today’s pickup trucks have a split personality—they can’t decide whether to be a car, work truck, SUV or something else. But the new 2007 GMC Sierra has enough options to please any construction user. Ride is improved for the plain-styled, multi-powered Sierra. Built on the same base as the edgier Chevy Silverado, Sierra’s plain exterior reflects a truck that roams freely from the driveway to the jobsite. A recent test drive revealed several other enhancements. The body has a tight fit, while a stiffer, boxed frame adds stability. Gone is the “black hole” between the cab and bed,
Crawler: With Rear-View Camera and Remote Lift The SuperVision 140 video inspection crawler travels through pipelines 6 in. and larger to evaluate conditions and maintenance needs. In addition to a short wheelbase, steerable six-wheel drive and a range of traction options, the crawler has a remote-operated camera lift to adjust view height and a monochrome rear-viewing camera to stop flips and cable snags when in reverse. A PipeBus network control architecture performs onboard diagnostics and allows for the use of light-weight cable for lengthy travels. Envirosight, LLC; 1-866-9ENVIRO; www.envirosight.com Blades: For Hacksaws and Band Saws Bosch presents a new hacksaw
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