ROUND-UP Heimer, right, tracks his fleet in real and historic time, optimizing operations. Telematics, which uses global positioning locators and wireless communications to link vehicles to data systems, is finding clients among construction companies that are using it in Internet-based services to track and coordinate crews and equipment. "Construction is a fairly large subgrowth area for us," says J.D. Fay, vice president of corporate affairs for At Road Inc., Fremont, Calif., a 1998 start-up that has enrolled 84,000 vehicles in its @Road system. The company is one of several competing for the business. Early users were in trucking, distribution, field
Construction equipment manufacturers have recaptured most of last spring's price increase, which initially failed to hold. Producers were not able to maintain last March's average 1.3% price increase as market conditions forced them to roll back prices 1.1% in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' producer price index. Equipment makers attempted another 1.3% price hike in June and most of it appears to be sticking this time, with producers being forced to give back just 0.1% in July. Click here to view chart The BLS price index for construction equipment now is 1.7% above July 2001's level. This
RACK Hydraulic EZ-Glide aluminum ladder rack system is designed to fit a wide range of vehicles, including vans, minivans, hi-cube vans and Sprinter vans. It has an ergonomic design with hydraulic action, allowing easy raising and lowering of ladders, claims the maker. The modular approach allows the rack to be set up in a variety of configurations to meet the user's exact needs. The basic rack provides a drop-down rotation kit mounted on the curb side of the vehicle. Additional cross members also are available for different styles and lengths of ladders. Knaack Manufacturing Co.; 800/344-2981; www.weatherguard.com TILT WALL WEDGE-BOLT
ROUGH TERRAIN TELESCOPIC HANDLER 42-ft Boom The 644E-42, which became available to the public on Oct. 4, is the latest Lull model to be added to the manufacturer's line of rough terrain telescopic handlers. The 6,000-lb capacity unit features a three-section, 42-ft boom of welded box construction with replaceable high-density wear pads and wear indicators. It offers a maximum forward reach up to 35.5 ft and a 99-hp Cummins 4BT3.9 turbocharged diesel engine. The unit also is equipped with multifunction joystick controls and can travel at a top speed of 22 mph. OmniQuip/Textron, parent company of Lull; 262/268-8965; www.new644E.com SURFACE
HYDRAULIC PEDESTRIAN TRENCHER Reversible Digging Chain The compact size of this 84-in.-long, 33-in.-wide Ditch Witch 1330 hydraulic trencher allows it to work in narrow, confined areas. The unit is equipped with a 13-gross hp Honda GX390 gasoline engine and can trench to depths of 36 in. with trench widths to 6 in. One of its main features is a reversible digging chain for dislodging rocks or spoils caught in the chain. Also, color-coded controls are located within easy reach from the operator's position. The Charles Machine Works Inc.; 800/654-6481; www.ditchwitch.com WIRE FEEDING GUN Ergonomic Design Two new guns--CobraMax, a gooseneck
Security Products On Display Or Hidden Away Security products are designed to either be hidden or visible. The products below cover both types, from imposing security gates to tiny cameras that fit into the palm of your hand. Both groups have their own advantages. The challenge is to find an effective and aesthetically pleasing combination of the two. –Rita F. Catinella, AR EXTREME CCTV Extreme CCTV manufactures high-end infrared illumination and surveillance systems for U. S. government customers as well as end users around the world. The new line of products includes the EX48 Conical No Grip Camera, which has
KABA MAS Kaba Mas manufactures locking solutions for all levels of container security; from mechanical locks to battery-operated locks or to patented self-powered locks. The Kaba LC Series low-current battery lock is primarily used for home/gun safes, but also is applicable for any safe or commercial container in a number of other environments, including retail and fast-food outlets. The series offers buyers a choice of two models with different housing and finish options. 888/950-4715. Kaba Mas Corp., Lexington, Ky. www.kaba-mas.com VINGCARD PERSONA The VingCard Persona lockset is a battery-operated, stand-alone unit that reads programmable keycards and requires no wiring from
STEEL CUTTER Handheld Torch Spectrum 625 is the company's first portable air plasma arc cutter with a rated cut of 1/ 2 in. on mild steel. The unit weighs 57 lb and can cut at a rate of 16 in. per minute on 1/ 2 -in. steel using a handheld torch. With a rated output of 40 amps/140VDC at 50% duty cycle, this model can sever steel up to 7/ 8 in. thick and also cut 5/ 8 -in. steel at a rate of up to 10 ipm. Its Wind Tunnel Technology, Fan-On-Demand feature helps prevent abrasive dust and metal
DUMP TRUCK Fully Hydraulic Brake System The newly designed HD465-7 dump truck replaces model HD465-5. It is fitted with a Tier II compliant Komatsu engine that provides the 217,820-lb haul truck with 715 fwhp, allowing up to a 61-ton capacity payload. The HD475-7 also has a new airtight, fully hydraulic front brake system, a new two-door, walk-through cab as well as a large automatic retarder that enables the operator to select the maximum safe operating speed on downhill travel while fully loaded. Komatsu America Corp.; 847/970-4100; www. komatsuamerica.com WALK-BEHIND LASER SCREED Internal Laser Control Box The S-9210 CopperHead is a
CORNING SYSTEM Quick-Switch Option The new DD 130 diamond coring system features a quick-switch option and convenient side-handle water flow. The tool is suitable for jobs ranging from wet coring holes in reinforced concrete from 15/32 in. to 6 in. dia. to precise coring of anchoring holes 15/32 in. to 1 5/8 in. dia. The tool includes a high-performance 1800-watt motor with sizeable reserve power. It also has a multi-faceted design that allows one operator to easily change from hand-held to stand-mounted use with a simple click-action, says the maker. Built-in features to increase operator safety are included as well.
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