The respective giants of equipment and entertainment, Caterpillar and Walt Disney Co., have settled a half-year-long trademark infringement lawsuit. The terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed. advertisement OAS_AD('Middle'); ... Both companies say they have reached an "amicable resolution" in the settlement that U.S. District Judge John Gorman approved on March 11. The two firms have partnered together on multiple occasions in the past, such as Disney's "imagineering" in the design of Caterpillar's eye-catching exhibition booth at the Las Vegas CONEXPO show in 1987. Last fall, Peoria, Ill.-based Cat sought a temporary restraining order to enjoin an Oct. 21,
Domestic manufacturers well-known for building heavy trucks for the North American market are expanding their product lines into the medium-sized platforms more common to the highways of Europe and Asia. WORKHORSE Firms hope new line will grab market share. (Tudor Hampton for ENR) International Truck and Engine Corp., Warrenville, Ill., unveiled its new offering March 3-5 at the Work Truck Show in Baltimore. International’s new CF Series of low cab-forward trucks is aimed at urban construction applications and leasing. Company officials say that International and its parent firm, Navistar, have a lot at stake with the new lineup. The medium-duty,
Articulated Boom Mounts to Trailer The TZ-50 trailer-mounted articulated boom is designed to accommodate the needs of both domestic and international marketplaces. It has a working height of 55 ft, 6 in. and 29 ft, 2 in. of working outreach. The new model also features a 500-lb platform capacity throughout its entire working envelope. Weighing 4,350 lb, the unit tows easily behind nearly any vehicle with a 2-in. ball and a Class 3 hitch. Genie Industries; 425/556-6511; www.genieindustries.com Construction Lasers Wireless Remote Two new grade laser transmitter products�Spectra Precision Laser GL742 and GL762�extend the capabilities of the Spectra Precision Laser
TRUCKS and POWERTRAINS Diesel Engines 40% Fewer Components Diesel Engines: 40% Fewer Components The new NEF series of diesel engines offers a range of 3, 4 and 6-cylinder models that can be specified for any industrial, agricultural, marine and power generation application. Access is available to every part of the engine, reducing maintenance time, the maker says. The NEF series also boasts noise emission reduction, with a noise level below 91dB(A), and meets EPA and CARB regulations. Iveco Motors of North America Inc.; 630/260-4226; www.iveco.com Mining Truck AC Drive System Upgrades Designed for deep-pit mining operations, the new 2,700-hp, 938E-3
Protective Gloves With Kevlar ES Manufacturer adds a new product to its Kevlar Armor Technology line. Kevlar 970 ES, an engineered yarn with a stainless steel element, is for workers exposed to hazardous conditions that require an enhanced level of cut protection for their hands and arms. This patented technology includes Kevlar fiber spun around a stainless steel core that offers heavyweight protection with a lightweight feel. DuPont Personal Protection; 888/931-3456; www.dupont.com/kevlar/ protectiveapparels Safti-Gard Built-In Sensor Sensing-Safti-Gard motor control helps users achieve higher levels of safety by preventing accidental machine start-ups after a voltage drop or power interruption. A built-in
Mini Loader Detachable Platform The new MT52 mini track loader with a 520-lb rated operating capacity is designed for jobs where a skid-steer loader is too big and shovels and wheelbarrows are too small. This 6-ft-long, 3-ft-wide unit is the only model on the market that features a detachable ride-on platform option, the company says. It also is equipped with a new user-friendly control system. The direction and speed of the unit are now controlled by one multi-function handle instead of two independent hand levers. Bobcat Co., a unit of Ingersoll-Rand; 866/823-7898; www.bobcat.com Pocket Bid Handheld Estimating Product Pocket Bid
Devices grab hours (above) and fuel. Blair Kinker started 2003 with a $42-million equipment budget. But by last spring, the Virginia Dept. of Transportation fleet manager was told he didn’t have a penny. Fiscal belt-tightening is hurting public and private fleets. "We have to make sure that we are capturing utilization numbers. Then we have to make some hard and fast decisions," said Kinker at a Jan. 25-27 Association of Equipment Management Professionals conference in New Orleans. VDOT spending still is on hold this year, he says. Some managers are attacking the problem with automation. Mike Monnot, Zachry Construction equipment
Equipment theft could be costing owners $1 billion a year and the problem is growing as crime rings get into the act, according to National Equipment Register, New York City. A new study by the security firm found that skid-steers remain the most commonly stolen construction item at about 23% of all incidents, followed by backhoes at 20% and loaders at 12%. Texas, North Carolina, Florida, California and Georgia have the most thefts, accounting for 33% of all stolen machines. "There is more equipment in some states than others [and] I think that is the overriding factor," says NER President
Welder/Generation Kohler LPG Engine The new Ranger 250 LPG, an engine-driven welder/generator, is intended for environments where gasoline and diesel emissions are unacceptable. The unit is powered by low emission liquid propane gas and delivers 250 amps for welding at 100% duty cycle and 9,000 peak (8,000 continuous) watts of 120V/240 AC generator power. One of three new features is an enhanced downhill pipe welding mode for fast travel speeds. Lincoln Electric Co.; 888/355-3213; www.lincolnelectric.com Roller New Concept for Compaction Manufacturer introduces the new GW750 vibratory rubber-tired roller for tender mix Superpave applications, stiff HMA mixes and SMA. It develops
Cut-Off/Grinder Cordless This versatile 4-1/2-in. cordless cut-off and grinding tool is powered by the manufacturer’s 18-volt battery system. Model DC410KA produces 350 maximum watts and is suitable for maintenance crews, mechanical contractors, concrete formers, iron workers, glaziers, commercial floor installers, highway workers and other professionals. DeWALT; 800/433-9258; www.DEWALT.com Skid-Steer Loaders Engine Upgrades Skid-steer loaders SK818-5 and SK820-5 have been upgraded with Tier 2-compliant engines. The SSL line, which currently consists of five models, meets Tier 2 EPA emissions regulations. They range from 47 to 83 hp (turbocharged) with operating capacities reaching 2,200 lb. Skid steers SK818-5 and SK820-5 are the
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