MARKS USA introduces the Great Barrier, a UL-listed, ADA-compliant, Grade 1 mortise lockset combining full size, stainless steel, protective plates with track- mounted levers and a concealed cylinder. The levers are solid stainless steel construction and also are attached at both ends to resist excessive pull force. The lockset is also available with several different exterior trim options to meet the requirements of heavy traffic and high abuse doors. Marks also offers the i-Que stand-alone access control system with its patented cylindrical lockset. The i-Que has a modular design for future upgrades and is capable of expanding the available audit
Construction equipment manufacturers kicked off 2003 with their largest price increase in six months. January's 0.7% increase left the average price tag for construction equipment 2.5% higher than a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the largest year-to-year price increase recorded by BLS in several years. January's increases were led by a 3.1% price hike for wheel-type tractors, which pushed prices for this category of equipment 2.6% above a year ago. Prices for highway paving equipment broke over a year-long period of stability with a 1.5% price increase, leaving prices for mixers, pavers and spreaders
TRUCKS Chevrolet Introduces All-Wheel Steering Turning radius reduced by 19% By Tudor Hampton A feature common to heavy jobsite equipment now is available on Chevrolet's Silverado pickup trucks, and buyers expect other manufacturers to join in soon. Called "Quadrasteer," the four-wheel steering system uses an electronically controlled drive-by-wire technology that reduces normal turning radius by 19%, according to John Schwegman, product marketing manager for Chevy Avalanche and Silverado. Quadrasteer allows rear wheels to turn coordinately with the front in relation to vehicle speed. Schwegman says that truck users who feel that "the size of the truck makes it cumbersome to
NUT AND BOLT Self-Locking The Permanentech self-locking vibration-proof nut and bolt fastener has a unique nut that locks in at predetermined intervals along the notched bolt, removing the chance for vibration to loosen the bolt. The fastener is available in metal and injection molded materials and in standard and custom sizes. A task-specific nut removal tool that unlocks the nut from the bolt for inspection and maintenance purposes also is provided. Permanent Technologies Inc.; 914/949-5944; www.permanentech.com POWER ACTUATED TOOL Triggered By Squeezing the Grip Model 479 Power Trigger joins the company's Remington powder actuated fastening tool product line. Instead of
BIG TINES Pipe Caddy can turn an excavator into giant forklift for pipe. A Westlake, La., general contractor has patented a new pipe-handling attachment and has worldwide plans to market the implement. Company representatives say the new attachment improves safety and cuts installation time. After digging trenches, contractors typically lay pipe segments by rigging them to a hydraulic excavator bucket. But David Abshire, vice president of River West Enterprises Inc., a sister company of Cypress General Contractors, says there is a better way. Abshire's solution is the "Pipe Caddy," which premiered at the World of Concrete show Feb. 4-7. Abshire
The equipment manufacturer most construction professionals recognize for popularizing the skid-steer loader has developed a new multi-functional compact machine. Bobcat Co., West Fargo, N.D., was looking for ways to help fleet owners supplement skid-steers with another piece of equipment that can use interchangeable work-tool attachments. Completing a three-and-a-half-year research and development effort, the firm unveiled the Toolcat 5600 compact utility vehicle at the Feb. 4-7 World of Concrete show in Las Vegas. The Toolcat is a two-speed, hydrostatically driven machine with four-wheel drive, all-wheel steer and 18-mph top speed. A hydraulically operated boom in front supports attachments, while a dump
HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR Offers Low Working Profile Model XL 3100 features a 190-hp Detroit Diesel OM 906 engine. Available with a 4 x4 or 4x2 undercarriage, the machine can be driven at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The boom moves up, down, from side to side and telescopes, creating a very low working profile to handle jobs under bridges, signs and tree limbs. Model XL 3100 is best suited for excavating, ditching, demolishing, sloping, grading and other jobs. Changeover between attachments usually can be done by one person. Gradall Co.; 330/339-2211; www.gradall.com MINI STROBE PORTABLE LIGHTS Protection In Low-Light Work
The equipment manufacturer most construction professionals recognize for popularizing the skid-steer loader has completed a three-and-a-half-year research and development effort resulting in a new multi-functional compact machine. Looking for ways to help fleet owners supplement skid-steers with another piece of equipment that can use interchangeable work-tool attachments, Bobcat Co. of West Fargo, N.D., unveiled the Toolcat 5600 compact utility vehicle at World of Concrete, held Feb. 4-7 in Las Vegas. The Toolcat is a two-speed, hydrostatically driven machine with four-wheel drive, all-wheel steer, and 18-mph top speed. A hydraulically operated boom in front supports attachments, while a dump body and
Contractor branches out into the manufacturing arena with the new Pipe Caddy work-tool attachment. (Photo courtesy of River West Enterprises Inc.) A general contractor located in Westlake, La., has patented a new pipe-handling attachment and is offering it to other interested contractors across the globe. According to company representatives, the new attachment saves money by increasing safety and cutting the time it takes to install pipe by 30%. After digging trenches, contractors typically lay pipe segments by rigging them to a hydraulic excavator's bucket. But according to David Abshire, vice president of River West Enterprises Inc., a sister company of
Hard numbers on the decorative concrete segment are not yet available, but professionals say the market is growing rapidly. (Photo courtesy of World of Concrete) A small, yet rapidly growing segment of the concrete construction industry is in decorative methods and materials for residential and commercial applications. According to those involved in concrete aesthetics, the market is gaining rapid attention from owners, contractors and designers who want to transform traditional concrete surfaces into more beautiful-looking materials--such as marble or granite--for a price two-thirds less than the real thing. As far as artists are concerned, a concrete slab is a blank
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