HEAV Y EQUIPMENT GUIDE JANUARY 2020
LOADER PRODUCTIVITY AN IN-DEPTH REPORT ON MID-SIZE WHEEL LOADERS 12
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OPERATOR SCHOOL TRAINS THE NEXT GENERATION 22 www.heavyequipmentguide.ca
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Contents
HEAVY EQUIPMENT GUIDE
12
JANUARY 2020 | VOLUME 35, NUMBER 1
22
IN-DEPTH REPORT
34 FEATURES 12 Loader productivity
An in-depth report on mid-size wheel loaders
20 Trends to watch for at CONEXPO 2020 22 Heavy iron education
The Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School teaches operators the skills to succeed
40 24 Building the next decade’s articulated dump truck Liebherr is testing a new ADT
28 Big data calls for new solutions 32 Making the cut
Equipment focus on drum cutters
34 Crushing in the city
Priestly Demolition reuses material on confined urban jobsite
Spotlight In-Depth Report CONEXPO Trends Earthmoving & Excavation
Volumetric mixers add flexibility and opportunity
40 Small pavers, big performers
48 Concrete challenges met with BIM
42 Canadian compaction solution shows solid paving potential
49 How to care for your compact track loader
44 Bomag introduces new pavers and cold planers at Innovation Days
Cover photo: A John Deere 524K wheel loader.
DEPARTMENTS
SECTIONS 10 12 20 22
46 Mixing mobility
36 Washing up waste
27 Trucks & Transportation 28 Construction Technologies 32 Equipment Focus 34 Demolition & Recycling
39 Roadbuilding 46 Concrete Construction 49 Equipment Maintenance & Management
8 Editor’s Letter 53 Advertiser Index 54 Last Word
JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 7
VIEWPOINT A few resolutions to kick off 2020
H
ere we are – another year has arrived, and we are rolling into year 35 of publishing Heavy Equipment Guide for the Canadian construction market. Our team has, over the years, spent many hours bringing together the newest and most newsworthy stories about heavy equipment to you, our readers across the country, and we are looking forward to continuing that theme. As we kick off 2020, there’s a lot to be excited about ahead of us. The construction industry is changing as quickly as any of us can remember thanks to advancements in technologies across the board. At the same time, manufacturers are working toward meeting the challenges that come with building our infrastructure in an era of climate change concerns. And, we continue to stare down the barrel of a demographic shift as older workers move toward retirement age. There are a lot of intriguing storylines that will come together this year, and we intend to be there to cover them. With that in mind, I’d like to share a few resolutions that we at Heavy Equipment Guide intend to put forward as we go into 2020. Mix it up a little: We’re going to mix things up a little bit and add some new features moving forward. This issue you’ll see some of those changes start to take shape – most notably just inside the back cover. We are adding a monthly column from leading industry associations discussing key topics of interest to the industry, starting with a piece on diversity in construction from the BC Construction Association. We’re also offering highlights of our online coverage from the past month, just in case you missed it at heavyequipmentguide.ca. Watch for more new features coming soon. Walk the floor: This year brings with it North America’s largest heavy equipment trade show, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, and we will of course be in Las Vegas to cover it extensively – as well as providing plenty of details in advance. This issue, we look at the key trends in construction, which will certainly be part of CONEXPO both on the floor and in the valuable education sessions; February brings a comprehensive preview of what key manufacturers will be sharing. That’s not the only show we’ll be covering, of course; we intend to be wherever the big news is being released. Share stories: In 2020, we intend to share more stories about the people who make up this industry – the contractors who are out there rain or shine year-round to get the job done. Working with dealers and manufacturers we are seeking stories of equipment owners and operators from across the country – what they do, how they do it, and the things that help them succeed. This is one area where we could use some help from our readers – if you are, or know of a contractor that is successful and innovative whose story would be of interest, please let us know! Thank you for being part of Heavy Equipment Guide for these past 35 years. We are all looking forward to an exciting 2020, and we’re glad you’re along for the ride. Lee Toop Editor
HEAVY EQUIPMENT GUIDE JANUARY 2020 VOLUME 35 • NUMBER 1 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lawrence Buser lbuser@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 310 EDITOR Lee Toop ltoop@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 315 MANAGING EDITOR & DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 330 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sam Esmaili sam@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 110 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER David Gilmour dgilmour@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 105 MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Arnie Gess agess@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 115 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Anderson production@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 222 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Morena Zanotto morena@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 325 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Ken Singer ksinger@baumpub.com; 604-291-9900 ext. 226 VICE PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER Melvin Date Chong mdatechong@baumpub.com FOUNDER Engelbert J. Baum Published by: Baum Publications Ltd. 124 - 2323 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC, Canada V5M 4V8 Tel: 604-291-9900 Toll Free: 1-888-286-3630 Fax: 604-291-1906 www.baumpub.com www.heavyequipmentguide.ca @HeavyEquipGuide FOR ALL CIRCULATION INQUIRES Phone: 1-855-329-1909 • Fax: 1-855-272-0972 e-mail: baumpublications@circlink.ca Subscription: To subscribe, renew your subscription, or change your address or other information, go to: http://mysubscription.ca/heg/ Heavy Equipment Guide serves the Canadian engineered construction industry including: road building and maintenance; highways, bridges, tunnels; grading and excavating; earthmoving; crushing; trucking and hauling; underground utilities; trenching; concrete paving; asphalt paving; demolition; aggregates production; fleet maintenance; and asset security and management. The magazine is distributed to key industry personnel involved in these sectors. Subscription Price: In Canada, CDN $91.00; Outside Canada, US$149. Heavy Equipment Guide is published ten times a year in January, February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and November/December. Heavy Equipment Guide accepts no responsibility or liability for reported claims made by manufacturers and/or distributors for products or services; the views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Baum Publications Ltd. Copyright 2020, Baum Publications Ltd. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Printed in Canada, on recycled paper by Mitchell Press Ltd. ISSN 1485-6085 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Dept., 124-2323 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC V5M 4V8 Email: baumpublications@circlink.ca Fax: 1-855-272-0972
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Take the wheel Revolutionary control at your fingertips
Volvo Dynamic Steering makes driving easier. Driving strain is reduced because steering requires less effort. It compensates for sidewinds and removes vibrations from rough roads. Backing is simpler as well, thanks to the automatic return to center. With Dynamic Steering, it’s good to be in the driver’s seat. Learn more at volvotrucks.ca
Dynamic Steering
SPOTLIGHT //
INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES
Keep up to date on the latest equipment and product introductions. Visit HeavyEquipmentGuide.ca or subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter at HeavyEquipmentGuide.ca/newsletter-info GRADALL
VOLVO ENGINE POWERS GRADALL EXCAVATOR
Gradall’s new XL 4100 V hydraulic excavators are equipped with a single Tier 4 Final Volvo Penta diesel engine. The 7.7 litre, 248-hp engine improves fuel efficiency by up to 5 percent and the 6x4 or 6x6 models can drive at speeds up to 60 mph. The same engine powers boom movements and repositions the machine from the upperstructure cab at speeds up to 5 mph. The advanced pressure-compensating, load-sensing hydraulic system has relief valves on all circuits, delivering the right amount of power to the boom without the need to select work modes. The Gradall AutoDrive package includes a push-button automatic transmission. Maximum boom reach is 30 feet 3 inches (9.2 m) at grade, while maximum dig depth is 20 feet 3 inches (6.2 m). Loading height maximum is 17 feet 2 inches (5.2 m). Rated bucket force is 24,900 pounds (111 kN) while the telescoping boom crowd force is 21,940 pounds (97.6 kN).
MANITOU
HIGH-CAPACITY CONSTRUCTION TELEHANDLER The new Manitou MTA 12055 Series III telehandler is the heaviest-capacity construction telehandler in its lineup. It has a maximum lift capacity of 12,000 pounds, lift height of 55 feet 5 inches and can take 5,500 pounds to full extension. Turning radius of 12 feet 2 inches so it can be used in the same tight jobsites as some of the smaller models. Single-joystick control lets operators control boom extension and retraction, attachment tilt, auxiliary hydraulics and travel direction all on the same joystick. It is outfitted with a 120-hp Cummins engine and four-speed powershift transmission, pushing travel speeds up to 22.8 mph. Maximum forward reach is 40 feet 9 inches, it has standard four-wheel drive, frame levelling, auxiliary hydraulics and self-levelling forks.
LIUGONG
F-SERIES MINI-EXCAVATOR The 9018F is a reduced tail-swing, 1.8-metric-ton mini-class excavator. It is the smallest of LiuGong’s 6th generation F-Series models. It is available in either a closed pressurized cab or canopy configuration. Short dimensions combined with a retractable undercarriage give operators access to restrictive workspaces. Its 51-inch outside tread to outside tread measurement retracts to just 39 inches. It has a low-speed, high-torque Tier 4 Final Yanmar engine rated at 18 gross hp. A more efficient hydraulic system uses 15 to 20 percent less engine power than the predecessor model.
PETTIBONE
PETTIBONE ENTERS MEWP MARKET Pettibone is entering the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) market with the introduction of 13 scissor lift models with work heights ranging from 18.4 to 46 feet. These MEWPs are offered in electric or hydraulic drive configurations; Pettibone’s ANSI A92.20–compliant lifts are ideal for indoor or outdoor applications. Key features of the line include a universal drive control box with LED screen, platform extensions with foot pedal control and large scissor arms for excellent stability and durability.
KOMATSU AMERICA
OFF-HIGHWAY TRUCK FOR MINING, QUARRIES AND AGGREGATES The HD785-8 rigid frame off-highway haul truck has a Tier 4 Komatsu engine offering 1,140-hp (849kW). Capacity is 101.6 U.S. tons / 92.2 metric tonnes. Turning radius is 33 feet 2 inches, and the Komatsu Traction Control System (KTCS) is standard. KTCS automatically applies pressure to independent brake assemblies for optimum traction in various ground conditions without the need for differential lock-up. The HD785-8 has a 7-speed, fully automatic transmission with two selectable reverse speeds. The Komatsu Advanced Transmission with Optimum Modulation Control System (K-ATOMiCS) ensures smooth clutch engagement for a comfortable ride and reduced material spillage. The Automatic Retard Speed Control (ARSC) automatically maintains a selected downhill travel speed (rather than engine RPM) so operators keep their focus on the road. 10
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CHICAGO PNEUMATIC
LARGE GENERATOR POWERED BY VOLVO ENGINE
DOOSAN PORTABLE POWER
HIGH-PRESSURE SMALL AIR COMPRESSOR The Doosan XP185WDO produces 185 cfm and 125 psi. It is powered by a 74-hp Tier 4 Final engine. The XP185 can simultaneously power both air and electrical tools when outfitted with an optional 4kW generator. The machine is equipped with two 120V duplex outlets. An onboard toolbox allows for convenient storage of both air-powered and electrical tools for safe transport and easy access on the jobsite. It offers a 10-hour runtime at 100 percent load.
ATLAS COPCO POWER TECHNIQUE
TWO NEW VACUUM PRIME CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
These two new high-flow pumps are suitable for construction, general dewatering and emergency applications, such as flood cleanup. The pump wet end is equipped with a diaphragm vacuum pump and a separator, which enables trouble-free operation and fast priming process. The semi-open impeller allows the PAS HFS range to be suitable for pumping liquid with solids (up to 3 inches) in suspension. Both pump variants come with a road-certified trailer and soundproof enclosure. The 4-inch PAS 100 HFS T4F produces a maximum flow of 1,230 USgpm and a maximum pressure of 164 feet of head; it has a 49-hp engine. The 6-inch PAS 150 HFS T4F pump produces a maximum flow of 2,250 USgpm and a maximum pressure of 167 feet of head. The engine is rated to 74 hp.
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The CPG 625 offers a power rating of 625 kVA/500 kW prime power. This fuel-efficient model is compact, lightweight and ideal for construction, mining, disaster recovery, general rental and more. It is powered by a Volvo Penta 16.1-litre, 6-cylinder Tier 4 Final diesel engine operating at 724 hp with an SCR aftertreatment system. With an AREP alternator excitation system, the motor starting capability is dependable. It provides 300 percent overcurrent starting capabilities coupled to the engine’s capacity to stand a 100 percent load step. It has a 700-gallon fuel tank for a 27 hour runtime at 75 percent load, powder-coated steel enclosure and runs at 73 dB(A).
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JANUARY 2020
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IN-DEPTH REPORT: WHEEL LOADERS
LOADER PRODUCTIVITY
By Lee Toop, Editor
I
f there’s one word that is on the mind of every supervisor on every construction jobsite, it is almost certainly “productivity.” When workers and their tools are productive, they save time – and time, as they say, is money. For mid-sized wheel loaders that are nearly ubiquitous on jobsites today, productivity comes in many ways. It comes from the speed at which these agile machines can move from task to task, the versatility they provide with a range of attachments and work tools, and the ease at which operators can dig, move and load dirt through their shifts. Manufacturers have taken a number of steps to expand on the productivity of their mid-sized machines, from expanded use of technology to new bucket designs.
Taking technology forward
When it comes to ways in which to make a machine more efficient, technology is often right at the top of the list, and with wheel
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loaders that’s no different. These machines have seen everything from telematics to onboard weighing offered to buyers. “As in all current construction equipment, the efficient use of technology is key to being productive and minimizing owning and operating costs,” explained Andy Massey, product application specialist with Caterpillar. He pointed to the example of Cat’s integrated payload monitoring, which can produce efficiency onto a jobsite through something as simple as loading trucks properly – no overloading or reloading saves time, as does the reduction of partial passes. “Remote monitoring via Vision Link brings a full suite of telematics, maintenance monitoring and live diagnostics to ensure uptime is maximized,” he added. The Vision Link system also offers features like productivity measurement that monitors machine utilization and helps cut idle time. Online advanced productivity programs to remotely monitor material movement around the site is another available feature. Telematics also plays highly in Komatsu’s approach to productivity, noted product marketing manager Adam Braun. “Customers
are looking for the next level of technology advancements on their purchases. . . Komatsu offers our customers KOMTRAX as a standard feature on all our products,” he said. “The customer can use KOMTRAX to see fuel consumption information as well as machine health and operational data such as utilization and idle time. KOMTRAX allows our customers to utilize data to make informed decisions to manage their fleet better.” Those features combine to lower costs while improving production by giving the operators onboard data that helps them optimize their performance. Owners of Volvo wheel loaders can take advantage of ActiveCare Direct, a 24/7/365 active machine monitoring and fleet reporting service, said Chris Connolly, Volvo Construction Equipment product manager, wheel loaders. “Whereas standard telematics systems send undiagnosed fault codes, our proprietary system provides a case alert with the probable cause, recommended solution and consequence of not taking action,” Connolly said.
The HIMATE telematics system standard on Hyundai’s HL900 series loaders enhances productivity with remote management and reporting capabilities, noted Chad Parker, senior product specialist / sales trainer, and a proprietary onboard weighing system adds more productivity benefits. “The system is accurate to plus or minus one percent; it offers automatic and manual settings for monitoring individual and cumulative bucket load weights. System measurements are displayed on the multi-function screen in the cab, providing load-weight monitoring and on-the-fly adjustments when using a quick coupler feature to compensate for the weight of the attachment,” Parker explained. The system uses rotary position sensor technology based on hydraulic system pressure measurements, he added. New loaders from Liebherr benefit from an assistance system that reduces the burden on the operator, according to product manager Hubert Feneberger. “All the new assistance systems have been developed by Liebherr and are therefore fully integrated into the machine control; this applies, for example, to the new weighing system.
DOOSAN DL280-5
IN-DEPTH REPORT: WHEEL LOADERS
CAT 938M AGGREGATE HANDLER
It is a control scale that works automatically and provides the machine operator with valuable information on the loading operation.” Depending on the application, the ideal weight range is set automatically and weighing takes place during the regular loading cycle, allowing the operator to weigh without reaching a specific lifting height. All data and recommendations from the system’s Truck Payload Assist are displayed in real time through a user-friendly device, and data can be evaluated through Liebherr’s LIDAT system to analyze production processes. Mechanical improvements are also part of the technological updates to many machines, including Hyundai’s; Parker pointed to the company’s locking front differentials and rear limited-slip axles, which allow operators to stay focused on their task in a variety of ground conditions while the machine provides positive tractive effort and limited tire slippage. Hyundai also has multiple performance modes to give operators an opportunity to maximize engine performance. Some of Doosan’s mid-sized loaders can be equipped with a hydrostatic drive rather than the traditional torque converter transmission, noted marketing manager Aaron Kleingartner. “A hydrostatic drive system offers several advantages over the torque converter system; advantages include improved fuel efficiency because of higher performance at lower RPMs, enhanced machine positional control, and reduce wear on the brakes as dynamic braking automatically slows the wheel loader,” he explained. For operators who switch back and forth among attachments frequently, John Deere’s L-Series loaders have a system allowing them to program and save multiple settings, letting them change and go quickly, said Chris Kline, product marketing manager. “Also, the new L-Series loaders have two new exclusive programmable multi-function buttons,” he noted. “These buttons allow the operator to program them to one of ten different options to best match their application and individual preference, which again makes the operator more productive.”
Multiple uses for versatility
LIEBHERR L538
“AN OPERATOR CAN EASILY SWITCH BETWEEN ATTACHMENTS WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON, AND THEN JUST AS EASILY RECALL THE SAVED HYDRAULIC SETTINGS FOR THAT ATTACHMENT ON THE MONITOR IN JUST SECONDS.” CHRIS KLINE, PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER, JOHN DEERE 14
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As mid-sized wheel loaders are often considered all-rounders on the jobsite, they need to handle multiple tasks, and there are a variety of ways in which they’ve been designed to do just that. For Liebherr, customers are given the option of two different lift arm designs, Feneberger noted. “For their specific applications and challenges, customers can choose between Z-bar linkage for standard applications and parallel lift arms for industrial applications. Both lift arm variants offer rapid response characteristics and allow efficient working,” he said. Z-bar linkage offers high torque in lower arm positions for breaking material out of a pile, while industrial applications often require higher lift and need the additional power for raising material to load trucks or containers. Doosan’s DL200-5 and DL200TC-5 allow for traction force to be adjusted easily by the operators to meet jobsite conditions, Kleingartner noted, cutting down on slipping wheels and increasing efficiency when digging, stockpiling and loading. Settings include Max, which offers the most traction, Traction Control, which gives the operator three levels of reduced traction forces, and S-Mode, which aids in slippery road conditions. Attachments extend the versatility of wheel loaders, and numerous different ways to make attachment use easier have been used by manufacturers. Quick couplers make changing attachments faster while keeping the operator in the cab for better productivity. Hyundai’s quick coupler accommodates multiple attachments, Parker noted. “The coupler is precision designed for safe oper-
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IN-DEPTH REPORT: WHEEL LOADERS ation, good centreline visibility and optimum performance,” he said. “Hyundai offers our own quick couplers, general purpose buckets for the HL900 series wheel loaders, while partnering with other attachment manufacturers for such items as grapple buckets, waste and refuse buckets, wood chip and mulch buckets, 4-in-1 buckets, high-tip rollout buckets, ejector buckets and side-dump buckets.” Volvo loaders use torque parallel linkage that delivers high breakout torque and excellent parallel movement through the lifting range, Connolly said. “To use hydraulically powered attachments, detent and adjustable flow are options on the L60H and come standard on the L70H and L90H 2.0 when the third function is ordered,” he noted. “H-Series wheel loaders are compatible with a wide range of attachments including grapples sweepers, material handling arms and snowplows as well as custom-built attachments for specific needs.” The ability to swap attachments quickly without taking time to make ponderous adjustments is important, and John Deere’s machines have taken that into account, Kline said. “An operator can easily switch between attachments with the push of a button, and then just as easily recall the saved hydraulic settings for that attachment on the monitor in just seconds,” he said. “Up to 10 different attachment settings can be saved at any one time, making the new L-Series loader extremely versatile and easy to operate.” Major components all designed and manufactured by Komatsu – known as Komatsu Harmony, according to Braun – mean the WA380-8 loader can be used in many different applications; it also “features a large-capacity torque converter with lock up in second through fourth gear that allows for quicker acceleration and faster top speeds that are beneficial in load and carry applications. Optional integrated third spool functionality also allows the WA380-8 to perform in applications that require attachments which require hydraulic power.”
Keeping control
Easy and smooth control makes life more comfortable for the operator of a wheel loader, and brings with it efficiency benefits as well. Caterpillar has kept that in mind in its M Series designs, according to Massey, who notes that the company’s breaking and implement control system calibrations have recently been redefined for even smoother operations. “A smooth, efficient, easy-to-operate machine is a productive machine as the technology works with the operator to reduce fatigue,” Massey said. Hydraulic cylinder snubbing on Cat’s loaders cuts
VOLVO L60H 16
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HYUNDAI HL940TM down on structural fatigue, while making it easier to retain material. “Cylinder snubbing has huge effects on the operator’s body, and smoothing out the loader linkage operation leads to all day comfort and greater productivity.” Electro-servo hydraulics such as on some Volvo machines allow the operator to take advantage of return-to-dig and end-stroke dampening features that allow the operator to set detent functions along with bucket and boom positions from within the cab with easy to use switches, Connolly said. Three settings – active, normal and soft – allow the operator to fit the control system to their liking. Other control features include Rim Pull Control, which reduces wheel spin and slippage and thus saves fuel and tire wear. Smart Control ensures correct torque in all situations to help shorten cycle times and reduce fuel use, while Smooth Control helps operators maintain a steady throttle position on rough ground John Deere has kept operator comfort in mind with a newly redesigned cab and updates to its control systems, using electrohydraulic controls rather than the previous pilot controls, Cline said. EH controls allow enhanced features such as programmable multi-function buttons, savable attachment settings, throttle lock, and proportional third-to-sixth-function hydraulics in a single joystick. They also provide the ability for continuous flow to attachments that require it. This is easily done from the monitor without having to make adjustments to the hydraulic system.
Some companies have made even more significant changes to their controls; Liebherr introduced optional joystick steering in 2019 that Febenerger says saves energy and reduces strain on operators. “Short movements on the ergonomically shaped joystick replace cranking of the steering wheel. The left arm stays comfortably on the armrest and the travel direction can be changed with a switch on the control element,” he said. “Operation of the new joystick steering is intuitive. . . the position of the joystick always corresponds to the respective articulation angle of the wheel loader.” Cab design has been targeted to comfort in the Liebherr machines, with ergonomics considered in the layout and structure of controls, displays and the seat. Joystick steering is also available as an option on Hyundai models, and the company’s console-mounted joystick controller moves with seat adjustments to make operation more comfortable, noted Parker. An easily adjusted 7-inch touchscreen display aids in easier viewing for the operator as well. “All HL900 series wheel loader models include electrohydraulic precision control as standard, featuring an optional integrated third spool with a proportional rolling thumb switch for controlling attachments,” he added. “The EH controls not only offer greater precision, but are more comfortable for the operator compared to traditional pilot controls.” Loader cabs today are state of the art, Kleingartner described, noting that Doosan’s cabs feature ergonomics to ensure the operator can steer the machine and operate the joystick with ease. “FNR switches are conveniently located on the joystick; the joystick also offers buttons for the wheel loader’s lift arm and bucket control, as well as a horn,” he added. “A multi-function display provides operators with machine real-time data as well as machine error codes. More than a dozen warning lights communicate errors to the operator. These are visible on the display. Indicator lights also provide the operator with information about the travel mode, power mode and auto idle, to name a few.” Komatsu has included some technological boosts to help improve controls in its machines, Braun noted. “The WA380-8 control system utilizes a feature called SmartLoader Logic; this function provides total control of the engine, hydraulic system and transmission to optimize the fuel consumption while maintaining high production,” he said. “Using a variety of sensors, torque is automatically adjusted to meet the performance needs of the wheel loader.” Product marketing manager Nathan Repp added that Komatsu has focused on standard features in the cab that improve operator comfort and confidence
IN-DEPTH REPORT: WHEEL LOADERS for long workdays. These include a heated air-suspension seat, a rearview camera with dedicated monitor, a multi-function mono lever with auxiliary hydraulics, proportional controls and auto-idle engine shutdown for operator convenience.
The scoop on buckets
JOHN DEERE 644K
KOMATSU WA320-8
“A SMOOTH, EFFICIENT, EASY-TOOPERATE MACHINE IS A PRODUCTIVE MACHINE AS THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS WITH THE OPERATOR TO REDUCE FATIGUE.” ANDY MASSEY, CATERPILLAR PRODUCT APPLICATION SPECIALIST 18
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While it may not be the sexiest part of the package, wheel loaders wouldn’t be loaders without a bucket, and there are plenty of things to consider when picking what works for a particular situation. Kleingartner outlined several types of buckets that Doosan offers to match the application a machine might find itself in. General purpose buckets, for example, are used for day-to-day material handling work and are designed for maximum filling and material retention. Light material buckets have a higher capacity, making them ideal for snow, mulch or other light materials; these are often available with a pin-on or hydraulic quick coupler mounting, he said. Finally, multi-purpose buckets allow for improved digging and bucket filling, with the ability to load, carry and dump granular materials, grab irregularly shaped objects, and doze, level or spread soil and fill. “Many manufacturers offer multi-purpose buckets with reinforced mounting plates for longer service life and reduced maintenance,” Kleingartner added. Parker at Hyundai said that the company’s buckets are built of high-strength steel for maximum durability and performance. “We recently introduced an improved bucket design with enhanced spill guards and Hardox steel curved side plates for greater loading efficiency and reduced material spillage,” he said. Parker also noted that linkage system design also impacts bucket efficiency and that Hyundai constantly reviews the positioning and geometry of those designs. At Caterpillar, a unique loading system has been developed, represented by its Performance Series buckets, Massey explained; the design balances the bucket shape with the loader’s linkage design, operating weight and lift/tilt capabilities. “The net result is optimum machine performance in production-oriented applications, whether truck loading, stockpiling, or load-and-carry,” Massey said. “Performance Series, compared with conventional buckets, have a number of design elements that account for their superior loading characteristics.” Those elements include a wider throat opening for more space between the cutting edge and spill guard; a longer floor with more surface; curved side bars with more surface area on the sides to hold more material; a modified stroke plane to improve load retention; increased bucket rack-back, and a redesigned spill guard to boost capacity and protect components behind the bucket while enhancing sight lines to the loading area. “The tangible results of these design elements include easier, faster loading, even by less-experienced operators; significantly increased fill factors on the order of 10 percent greater than conventional buckets, resulting in fewer passes per truck and more trucks loaded per day; excellent containment of material during transport; and enhanced sight lines to the pile and into the bucket,” Massey added. John Deere has also improved its bucket design, Cline noted; the company has introduced its Enhanced Performance buckets with standard curved side cutter spill guards for better material retention and minimized spillage. The company also updated its boom linkage design to provide additional bucket rollback. In comparison, Volvo offers customers a custom-built attachment program, which can be used to optimize bucket design for efficiency in filling and material retention, Connolly said. “Also, our auto tilt in/out bucket positioner system allows operators to easily adjust the tilt angle to a predefined position and levels the bucket into digging position from both the dump and carry positions.” HEG
TOP
TRENDS
Our take on key trends at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 MACHINE CONTROL & TELEMATICS Owners and operators have known the benefits of machine control on equipment for some time, and fleet managers have seen similar benefits from telematics on their trucks. That trend has begun to accelerate, with a broader variety of technologies being brought to the market – making it more accessible to contractors of all sizes. Machine control options have spread to new types of machines as systems have advanced and developed; for example, in one case, easy to install and use grade control has been developed for compact equipment, taking advantage of smartphones to provide mobility from machine to machine where needed. Other highly intelligent systems are using machine learning to “teach” dozers the terrain they’re working on, reducing time and operator input on future passes. More and more machine types are benefiting from machine control options. New telematics approaches are also expanding the market, bringing with it the ability to expand efficiency and driver or operator education. As data collection improves, benefits begin to extend into opportunities like preventive maintenance. The end result is a more efficient and effective fleet. SAFETY Worker safety has long relied on employee and employer judgement and adherence to rules that could easily be bent with no or limited record to show for it. Technology is changing that and updates to regulations are enforcing the use of more safety-enhancing technologies on equipment. Two significant examples are new CSA/ANSI standards for MEWPs in both Canada and the U.S., fully effective as of 2020, and the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate for commercial fleets that came into full effect in December 2019 in the U.S. and will be in full effect in Canada in 2021. Telematics is also playing a key role in improving safety. As more companies include telematics on their equipment, there is opportunity for fleet managers to monitor 20
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both maintenance actions and the amount of time an operator has spent on the job, preventing fatigue-related incidents. Simulation training has also become more sophisticated; for example, earthmoving simulators are incorporating more lifelike soil conditions. Several start-ups and OEMs are offering immersive VR simulator experiences to teach skills to new operators. This is particularly notable in the lift industry, where operators can learn how to operate the machinery from the safety of the ground while getting the immersive sensory experience of being in the air. FLEET MANAGEMENT Data is the future of the industry – look for almost everyone, from OEMs to service providers, to talk about the power of harnessing data. Fleet management tools to gather and process that data have experienced stratospheric rise in growth. In a white paper published in June 2019, C.J. Driscoll & Associates estimated the North American commercial telematics market has grown from approximately two million units in service to 6.4 million units in service over the last ten years. The market for fleet management devices has been influenced by the new ELD mandate in addition to safety, maintenance and fuel management benefits. Whether purchasing or renting, business owners have more opportunities than ever to manage their assets based on data. The rise of eCommerce has changed how fleet owners acquire equipment and affords buyers more control and opportunity to purchase and sell their assets – look for education sessions on making the buyor-rent decision and equipment life cycle cost analysis.
RECRUITING & RETENTION From maintenance to equipment operation, we’ve been hearing across the industry that employers aren’t finding enough skilled workers to replace a retiring workforce. Workforce development and retention will be the focus of an education track at CONEXPO, exploring how to diversify the workforce and attract, engage and retain new and young talent. Connecting veterans with construction jobs is an opportunity facilitated by organizations both in the U.S. and Canada. Likewise diversifying the workforce by actively recruiting women into the construction industry is a key topic explored in several education sessions along with facilitating a positive work environment for a multi-generational workforce. Developments within the construction industry have been heavily skewed toward the technology side for years now – look for OEMs and panel discussion on recruiting and engaging younger workers who are native to and comfortable with using new technologies. VIRTUAL & AUGMENTED REALITY Imagine walking through a jobsite, seeing how the terrain should look, where the structures will be built, and all of the relevant details of the work to be done – even while it’s a bare lot. Virtual and augmented
reality have been expanding rapidly, aiding contractors during design and planning, in the construction phase, and elsewhere such as training. Augmented reality takes advantage of mobile computing to allow users the chance to visualize the work they’re doing on the screen of a tablet or telephone – or using specialized tools like virtual reality helmets or headsets – and note any changes to the plan, deficiencies or potential concerns. Many tech companies in the construction space have taken AR to heart in their development programs. Virtual reality immerses the user deeper into the computerized scene and is being used to great effect in training programs. A VR simulation allows a trainee to take potentially hazardous actions with no risk to themselves or others during their education process. It’s a less expensive and far less dangerous way to train a crane or excavator operator without putting other staff – and other equipment – in harm’s way. RECYCLING & WASTE REDUCTION When we think green in relation to heavy construction, it’s often as a reference to emissions regulations driving changes to engines and exhaust treatment methods. There are many other ways in which contractors can consider
the environment in their purchasing process and on the jobsite, however, and these are getting more attention as the industry evolves. Paving is a big part of this sector, with recycled asphalt becoming more acceptable for major projects and organizations pushing to expand that. C&D waste recycling is expanding in popularity as well, and many companies are starting to purchase their own crushing and screening equipment to handle waste on-site for busy urban jobs – driving interest in smaller portable units. There is also, of course, a push for more energy efficiency in construction equipment that crosses over many trends. Greater fuel savings are one way in which manufacturers are helping green up the industry, and the drive to explore electrification will take that even further. ELECTRIC SOLUTIONS More equipment power options can provide more opportunity for contractors bidding for highly competitive jobs in regions with strict emissions and noise restrictions. As many cities stipulate the need for quieter and low or no emissions solutions, several OEMs have introduced production-ready, commercially available or prototype electric excavators and wheel loaders for the compact segment and hy-
brid machines for larger size classes – we expect these machines to be front and centre at CONEXPO. Another area seeing a trend toward electric solutions is in crushing, with the introduction of plug-in hybrid drive machines that offer the option to plug the crusher into the mains where available, significantly reducing diesel consumption. Walk-behind compaction equipment and hand-held concrete equipment have also seen a surge in battery power popularity, making the equipment more versatile for indoor jobs, confined spaces and urban applications. AUTOMATION Today, in mines from Canada to Australia, giant haul trucks crawl around open pits carrying tons of rock from shovel to mill without a human ever setting foot in the cab. Autonomous hauling is quite firmly here and proving itself as successful. The next target for manufacturers and tech companies will be smaller pieces of equipment – and the evolution of control options for construction machines may suggest this to be on the horizon. Demonstrations of dozers and rollers running autonomously have been done by various manufacturers, and those programs continue to move forward. As mentioned previously, machine control systems have begun to incorporate artificial intelligence capable of learning as it works, a key step toward autonomous operations. Truck manufacturers are steadily learning and expanding their capabilities when it comes to self-driving vehicles. There’s a revolution in machine operation coming, and that’s sure to be part of CONEXPO. JANUARY 2020
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EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION
HEAVY IRON EDUCATION The Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School teaches student operators the skills to succeed By Kaitlyn Till, Managing Editor
E
quipment operation can be a lucrative career choice but getting the right training to set an operator up for workplace success isn’t always easy. “The trade of being a heavy equipment operator is challenging because, of course, the only way you’re going to become a smooth operator and be any good at running machines is one day somebody has to hire you and pay you to learn,” said Christine Bay, director of Business Development and Operations for the Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School. The IHE School is stepping up as the boomer generation is retiring. Those retirees are leaving a significant gap in the workforce, providing opportunity for younger or second- or third-career workers to fill those jobs. The Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School was founded in 2005 in Winfield, B.C., and the business has since expanded to four locations: the original location in Winfield; Mission, B.C.; Innisfail, Alberta; and Edmonton, Alberta. The Edmonton location is the IHE School’s top market. The company currently has more than 50 pieces of equipment and trains between 400 and 600 students each year, giving new operators an edge in experience when they enter the workforce while also expanding on the skills and proficiency of experienced operators. “We’ve become known for hands-on equipment training,” said Bay. “We try to maximize seat time, and because of that our customer base is very diverse. We get everything from millennials who are a bit lost and not too sure they want to go to college or university that take training. . . to tradesworkers who, like most of our students, are between the ages of 35 and 55 years old.” The school is attended by students from all over North America, as well as some students from Europe. According to Bay, many of the IHE School’s students have had prior careers in different skilled trades and are looking to start a second or third career. Some students are in an older demographic and are looking to pick up the skills for part-time income, such as snow removal for local municipalities or grading roads in the winter. It’s key that the school trains students in the skills that employers need. “Employers hold the power because they choose who to hire,” said Bay. “We try to have clued-in relationships with a diverse group of industry contractors.”
Setting up students for success on the jobsite
During each day at the IHE School, students spend time both on the machines and in the classroom. The school offers safety tickets, such as Workplace Hazard Management Information System, Ground Disturbance Level 2, or Common Safety Orientation for operators who will work in the oil sands. Students are responsible for pre-start tasks and post-operating checks on the machines. “Employers really like that they learn the equipment maintenance aspect as well as basic operation of the machine,” said Bay. “Then we give a broad-based classroom theory approach as well. There are 18 rotations, and they learn everything from soil types to hand signals to safety to flow and reading of grade stakes.” It can be hard to narrow down what students may be doing once they’re out in the field, but even if the students are only learning 5 or 10 percent of what they’ll do once working, that knowledge can make the difference in a company hiring that person, as opposed to someone with no knowledge or who 22
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hasn’t invested in themselves, according to Bay. Students can pick the course package that suits their needs; these packages range from comprehensive skills training across a variety of equipment to tightly focused single-machine courses. “We try to find out the goal of each student. If the person’s goal is to work part-time or have a camp job, it might make sense that they take just the grader course,” said Bay. “We had a gentleman named Terry several years back who was based out of Smithers and took the grader course. He got a job at a diamond mine grading roads and it was perfect for him because he did a two-week on, one-week off rotation and all he had to do was grade the diamond mine road. So, for him, the three-week, one-machine course made sense. For other students, especially if they’re newer to the industry, it’s nice if an employer knows the operator can move more than one machine.” For many employers, an operator who can run several machines has a higher chance of getting the job than an operator who can run just one. “A lot of our students know that they need to get training to get the job. The really smart ones will actually go talk to employers first, line up what machines they need to fill their vacancies and then apply [for the job] even before they start training with us so they’re actually training to employment,” said Bay The three-piece combination course is a popular choice among students paying for the training themselves. “It’s a really popular entry because you’re training on excavator, loader and rock truck. Those three go really well together.” Another popular course is the 10-week Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) course which provides training on six machines. HEO machines include excavators, grader, dozer, loader, articulated truck and backhoe. Training is done on a mixed fleet to ensure students’ familiarity with a range of OEMs, including Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu and Hitachi.
Technology experience in demand
The IHE School has a strong relationship with Brandt Tractor and offers Topcon training on machines. Bay noted that the school had heard
from contractors that grads could stand out even more if they had experience with Topcon or other GPS machines. The school currently offers a several-day course where students can run dozers, graders and excavators outfitted with Topcon technology to get hands-on experience in addition to learning classroom theory behind GPS technologies. Technology on machines can significantly boost a contractor’s efficiency – but only if the operators know how to use it. “It’s one of the industry’s biggest fears,” Bay said. “It’s not even that they invest the money and outfit their machines with this gear, but how are they going to find operators that know how to use it or set it up? [Topcon] training really did stem from conversation with our industry partners.”
Taking training to communities
In addition to training students at its four locations, the IHE School takes training on the road with its mobile training division. In 2019 the mobile unit went to
Kwadacha Nation, about half a day north of Prince George, to train 10 members of the indigenous community in the 10-week HEO course. During training the students completed community benefit projects for the Kwadacha Nation including landfill reclamation, work for a new emergency medical services building, land clearing, hauling, putting a baseball field back into use, building a logging road, and cleaning up and levelling a new sawmill pad and deck area. At the completion of the course,
the students cleared land for the airport runway. “We take a lot of pride in community benefit projects and work accomplished with our many indigenous partners,” said Bay. As for the future of mobile training, she said the school is always receiving training need requests from several regions, including the north. “We’ll go wherever the work is as long as it makes sense to all and the stakeholders are on the same page,” Bay noted. HEG
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EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION
BUILDING THE NEXT DECADE’S
ARTICULATED DUMP By Ken Singer, Publisher
L
iebherr recently provided Heavy Equipment Guide with an up-close look at the development of its new 30-ton articulated dump trucks at its development and demonstration centre in Kirchdorf, Germany. Liebherr has plans to put its new 30-ton articulated dump trucks (ADT) into its company’s rental fleet starting mid-year and make the first unit – the TA 230 – available for sale to European end users in 2021. North American customers can expect to see it for the first time in 2021, when it will be available in dealer rental fleets. The company says it will expand its lineup to include both 40- and 45-ton models, which will be introduced at the 2022 Bauma show in Munich. The Kirchdorf facility is the cradle of the Liebherr Group. Hans Liebherr founded the company there in 1949 based on his parents’ construction company. With designers and tradesmen he developed the first mobile tower crane, the TK 10. On August 19, 1949, the German Patent Office issued the patent for this mobile tower crane. The TK 10 was an innovation, as it could be easily transported and assembled quickly at building sites. Today, the Liebherr facility in Kirchdorf develops and manufactures an extensive range of hydraulic excavators and material handling machines as well as articulated trucks and produces around 3,500 machines every year. Liebherr has invested heavily in its R&D efforts across its many manufacturing facilities in the last several years. In 2018, the de-
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velopment and demonstration centre were added to the south side of the plant at the Kirchdorf facility. The 12.68-hectare site comprises a test track, a test hall and an administration centre. This development and demonstration centre is unique in Europe and is used for the development and testing of both construction and material handling machines. Liebherr showcased its ongoing articulated dump truck development at a press conference and Werner Seifried, managing director of research and development at Liebherr Kirchdorf, highlighted several of the simulation and prototype tests the company has used to develop its ADT line. Data has become an incredible resource for many manufacturers, Liebherr carries out what it calls measuring campaigns as a starting point to its design build process. Test vehicles equipped with highly sensitive sensor technology and intelligent measurement technology provide a huge body of data from a wide variety of field test applications. In the course of this, the sensors used gather a huge range of information about pressures, temperatures, acceleration, forces and strains that an ADT encounters on a jobsite. The company used simulation models, virtual reality and avatars to aid its ADT development. Virtual reality, for example, was used to examine operator field of vision for such operations as tipping the body and steering the unit left and right. An avatar was used to simulate replacing a tire.
Liebherr TA 230 on the test track.
Left: Liebherr TA 230 articulated dump truck test model. Above: Aerial view of the Kirchdorf development and demonstration centre.
TRUCK Data gained by the simulation models and other tests formed the basis of creating a prototype machine which is now undergoing its final tests. Knowing that ADTs can operate in extreme environments, Liebherr set about designing a test rough-road track to simulate a 15,000-hour machine life. “As you can imagine, the loads which the test drivers experience in these applications are immense for the human body,” said Seifried. Drivers can only work up to 30 minutes depending on the track and load before they have to take a several hour break. The human factor also meant that full test speeds could not be consistently maintained even within that 30-minute window. Because of this, Liebherr turned to a partially autonomous test unit, controlled by operators in a
tower overlooking the test track. Liebherr calls this unit a “driving robot,” and emphasizes that it is not fully autonomous. The track is separated from the rest of the test site and test vehicles are not equipped with environmental recognition or a collision warning system. The test track uses several ground profiles in addition to a climbing hill: patched asphalt (target reference speed of about 25 mph), a light washboard with an amplitude level of around 2 inches (target reference speed of 10 mph), in-phase “Mengen” grooves with a depth of 16 inches (target reference speed of 7 mph), and an out-of-phase “Benningen” distortion with a depth of 16 inches (target reference speed of 5 mph). ADT prototypes with at least 100 hours on them are also being field tested by select customers. “The top priority is producing the first prototype and field test vehicles to the highest possible standard in terms of its quality and functionality,” Seifried said. Liebherr’s ADT development milestones have been successfully completed. “There are no longer any obstacles to the successful start of series production and a long and successful product life,” he added. This new generation of articulated dump trucks gives the driver an excellent view to the front, sides and rear as well as to both sides of the articulated joint. The operating and maintenance concept of the new ADT has been completely revised and optimized in order to keep the operating and maintenance costs as low as possible. The weighing system is integrated as standard in the new Liebherr dumper. The comprehensive assist systems include the hill start assist, the stability assistant, adaptive cruise control, as well as a height limitation. The main application area of the new ADT will be the quarry industry, as well as large infrastructure projects. HEG
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EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE DRIVE NIMBLE D5 DOZER
T
he Cat D5 offers a boost in performance and a broad choice of easy-to-use technology features. Nimble and responsive, it has power for dozing and finesse for grading. A fully automatic transmission provides seamless acceleration for quick work on the jobsite. At 170 hp and an operating weight range of 37,875 to 42,263 pounds, the new D5 dozer replaces the D6N in the line. The update from D6N to D5 is part of an effort to make all Cat dozer model names simpler. Over the next couple of years, the Cat dozer range will be renamed from smallest to largest – D1 to D11 – with one model per size class and no more letter modifiers like “N,” “K,” “T.” The D5 elevates the performance of the predecessor D6N with more weight and horsepower, improved steering capability and a long list of technology offerings to help operators get more work done in less time.
Automatic transmission boosts cycle times
A fully automatic 3-speed transmission with lockup clutch offers faster cycle times, as well as optimal power and fuel efficiency. The automatic transmission, steering improvements and enhanced powertrain controls offer new levels of steering performance and control. Caterpillar says that the redesigned cab raises the standard in comfort and productivity. Operators will find more space, multiple seat and control adjustments for optimal comfort and a new, easy-to-use 10-inch (254-mm) touchscreen operator interface. A standard High Definition rearview camera shows prominently in the main display. Overall visibility is enhanced with about 15 percent more cab glass area, plus a steeper hood angle that provides 30 percent better forward visibility to the blade and work site. Technology offerings on the D5 are led by updated, factory integrated Cat GRADE with 3D. Advanced Inertial Measuring Units (IMU) provide greater speed and accuracy without position sensing 26
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cylinders. Smaller antennas are integrated into the cab roof for even better protection and GPS receivers are mounted inside so they can be secured by locking the cab doors. A more intuitive GRADE operator interface works like a smartphone, making it easy for operators to pick up quickly. Android OS platform allows installation of custom apps for more versatility. AutoCarry is included with GRADE with 3D to automate blade lift to maintain desired blade load, improving load consistency and reducing track slip. Additional GRADE technologies include: • Cat GRADE with Slope Assist provides basic blade positioning assistance without added hardware or a GPS signal. Updated main display makes the system more intuitive and easier to use. • Cat Slope Indicate is standard, showing the machine cross-slope and fore/aft orientation on the primary monitor for quick and easy reference. • Factory Attachment Ready Option (ARO) provides optimal mounting locations, brackets, and hardware and simplifies installation of an aftermarket grade control system. The new D5 makes it easier to install any brand of grade control system, with specific mounting locations for grade control components.
Top performance through technology
In addition to GRADE features, simple on-board technologies help with top performance and quality grades. Blade Load Monitor gives real-time feedback on current vs. optimal blade load to help optimize pushing capacity. Traction Control detects track slip and temporarily reduces track power to allow the operator to adjust blade load and limit track slip. Second generation Stable Blade works seamlessly with operator blade inputs for smoother surfaces when grading manually. Cat LINK telematics technology helps take the complexity out of managing jobsites – by gathering data generated by equipment, materials and people – and serving it up in customizable formats.
• Product Link collects data automatically and accurately from equipment assets – any type and any brand – which can be viewed online through web and mobile applications. • Access information anytime, anywhere with VisionLink. Cat dealers can help configure a customized subscription, available with cellular or satellite reporting or both. • Remote Services is a suite of technologies consisting of Remote Troubleshoot and Remote Flash that helps improve your jobsite efficiency. • Application Profile and Operator ID help you save time by saving preferred machine settings. Operator ID with Security provides an optional additional level of security by requiring an operator to enter an ID before the machine will start.
Enhanced powertrain control
The D5 helps make steering and slope work easier with advanced controls that automatically manage the powertrain and brakes. There are no extra operator inputs to think about – the built-in features just work in the background. • Hill Descent Control maintains preselected machine speed, without using the service brakes, for added control when working downhill. • Hill Hold automatically engages the brakes to hold position when in neutral on a slope. • Decel Brake Pedal controls machine speed all the way to a complete stop, or for smooth inching control. • Steering Radius Control uses steering and decel pedal input to automatically downshift for a tighter turning radius and more maneuverability. The D5 is available in Standard or Low Ground Pressure (LGP) configurations, with either a push arm or Variable Pitch Angle Tilt (VPAT) blade. A folding VPAT blade is available to help meet regional transport width requirements. Waste, Forestry/Land Clearing and Fire Dozer configurations offer specialized factory-installed guarding and other features.
TRUCKS & TRANSPORTATION
NISSAN
EXTENSIVE REDESIGN FOR 2020 TITAN PICKUP The Nissan TITAN pickup has received an extensive redesign for the 2020 model year. The new model features substantial powertrain updates and unique styling for different trim levels. TITAN now also offers standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all grade levels. Every 2020 TITAN is powered by a 5.6-litre Endurance V8 gasoline engine rated at 400 hp and 413 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine utilizes Nissan’s VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to provide high performance and crisp response. The Endurance V8 also features Direct Injection Gas (DIG) technology, which provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system) by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control. The engine is mated with a new 9-speed automatic transmission with a larger final gear ratio of 3.692:1, providing more torque to the wheels in a given gear and smoother and faster acceleration. Nissan says that the redesigned TITAN interior combines first-class accommodations with a sense of crafted detailing and premium finishes. A 7.0-inch programmable driver information display is nearly three inches larger than most competitors’ displays and helps ensure that customers can access meaningful vehicle information easily and clearly.
COMTRUK
LOAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH VARIETY OF TOOLS Comtruk’s Sport Utility Bed (SUB) is a load management system that checks all the right boxes. Fleets can save money, reduce overhead, improve productivity, and improve safety. Multiple additional tools are available. Comtruk’s Tri-Gate commercial bed is a load management system that really delivers. It helps fleets save money, reduce overheads, improve productivity, improve safety, increase fuel efficiency, and improve brand image. The Tri-Gate bed is changing the way pickups and chassis cabs are used in commercial applications. With a tailgate and side gates that can be opened or completely removed, the TriGate allows for total access to the load space. Greater access means easier and safer loading. Customizable for the job or industry, Tri-Gate beds deliver flexible load management. Cargo is more secure with integrated heavy-duty uni-strut channels in the top side and underside of the floor, inside all four sides of the bed, and inside and outside the rack bars. Tri-Gate beds were designed to meet commercial cargo management needs. The system offers hassle-free loading and hauling of freight, merchandise, or other equipment the job demands. Made from industrial grade aluminum, Tri-Gate beds are strong and durable, yet light in weight, and corrosion-resistant. The EZ Lift-N-Load side lifter was designed for use with Comtruk beds on mid- and fullsize pickup trucks. Rated for a safe working load of 500 pounds, the EZ Lift-N-Load side lifter makes it possible for one person to safely load a hot water heater, oil drum, pool chemicals, or similar.
XL SPECIALIZED TRAILERS
CUT-OUT ADDS SPACE BETWEEN TRAILER AND TRUCK XL Specialized Trailers XL 110 and XL 120 Low-Profile Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck (HDG) features a relief cut-out in the gooseneck, which provides additional space between the trailer and the truck. The low-profile design provides versatile equipment hauling, even enabling scrapers to load over the top for significant weight savings. To save time while loading and unloading, the trailer’s 13-foot-long neck is easily removable through the use of a wet kit or with a power unit. Based on neck position and load, the deck can be levelled as needed with the adjustable wheel area ride height.
KENWORTH / DANA
COLLABORATION HELPS DRIVE ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN DEVELOPMENT Kenworth and Dana have announced a collaboration focused on electric powertrain development for medium duty Kenworth battery electric vehicles during the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show. Kenworth displayed a K270E battery electric vehicle – the initial result of that collaboration – in the PACCAR booth during CES. The zero-emissions Kenworth K270E cabover was equipped with a Dana-designed e-Powertrain system that is fully integrated and upfitted to the Kenworth chassis. Configured as a direct-drive system, the vehicle utilizes a Spicer Electrified e-propulsion system, and a standard Dana drive axle and driveshaft. Dana also supplies an e-power system, which generates, stores, and manages the energy for the vehicle and consists of electrified auxiliary systems, an on-board charger, and two battery packs. Dana-developed software and controls enable the diagnostics and telemetry of the complete system. The electric powertrain will be available with range options between 100 and 200 miles. The state-of-the-art, high-energydensity battery packs can be recharged in about an hour using the vehicle’s DC fast-charging system, making both the Class 6 Kenworth K270E and Class 7 K370E cabovers ideal for local pickup and delivery, as well as short regional haul operations. “This is an important next step in our evolution of an electric powertrain. Dana is an industry leader in electrified modules and systems supported by in-house vehicle integration expertise. Kenworth plans to produce up to 100 medium-duty cabover electric trucks in 2020,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “As demand for clean, electric-powered vehicles continues to grow, we are pleased to collaborate with Kenworth by providing the design, integration, and upfit of the complete e-powertrain for the K270E electric truck,” said Mark Wallace, president of Commercial Vehicle Drive Technologies for Dana. “Kenworth’s commitment to providing advanced vehicle technologies, combined with our proficiency in delivering end-to-end turnkey electric systems, will result in high-efficiency solutions that greatly reduce the total cost of ownership for vehicle operators.” Kenworth also showed a Level 4 Autonomous T680 at CES. The proof-of-concept truck was conceived and constructed at the PACCAR Innovation Center. PACCAR has worked with leading experts in the field of high-definition mapping, localization, perception and path planning to deliver an integrated autonomous solution. The special Kenworth T680 is equipped with cameras, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors, and radars to sense the surrounding road environment and to feed fusion algorithms in the perception stack for object identification and tracking. A Global Navigation Satellite System with an Inertial Measurement Unit combined with LiDAR Point Cloud on a high-definition map provides centimetre accuracy localization. The autonomous vehicle software and feedback control logic for actuation are hosted on five computers that record up to 1TB of data per hour of driving. JANUARY 2020
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CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
BIG DATA CALLS FOR NEW SOLUTIONS
Software lets municipality handle flow of LiDAR data, improving dike inspection process By Larry Trojak
W
hile hailed as one of the great achievements in modern survey and measurement technology, LiDAR has long been hampered by the very product it creates. LiDAR – a method of surveying that uses laser pulses to create 3D images of targets – has grown in popularity, but along with that has been a growth in the data collected – and the time to process that data. Huge data sets representing information gathered have resulted in extremely long periods of post-processing and an end-product which, while impressive to view and manipulate in small sections, has often been too large to be viewed in its entirety without expensive microstations. This was the issue facing the City of Richmond, B.C., as it worked to move its GIS effort – which included monitoring of the city’s 47-km long series of dikes – forward. Faced with a staggering amount of data and only a limited capability for viewing it, the city turned to an Australian software development firm whose claims for handling massive data sets seemed improbable at best – but ultimately proved even undersold. Today, thanks to that solution, Richmond is able to view photorealistic 3D point cloud renderings of the entire city; can “fly” its way through those images from a standard, off-the-shelf laptop; and sees applicability in a range of areas. Similar to New Orleans, Richmond is a river delta city located on a flood plain. Situated just 1 metre above sea level, it is encircled by dikes to keep the waters of the Fraser River at bay 28
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during times of flooding and as the effects of climate change become more prevalent. According to Michael Bleidistel, the City’s systems analyst (GIS), their GIS effort has been in place for some time now but has taken some serious turns of late. “For decades now, we have maintained a solid GIS effort, primarily for asset management,” he said. “Like any city, we are constantly renewing and upgrading our infrastructure to ensure that the quality of life for Richmond residents is made better. To that end, the engineering department gets 2D drawings from our survey people and turns those into actual features on the ground. Areas such as sewer and water, drainage and so on benefit from that.” The importance of Richmond’s GIS effort is made even clearer when one considers their geographic situ-
ation. The island on which the city sits, Lulu Island, is surrounded by a series of dikes which must be regularly monitored for condition and wear. Unfortunately, doing so had previously consisted of dealing with mostly 2D data – photographs taken from boats, for example. “For the last few years, however, geospatial providers such as McElhanney and EagleEye have been flying the Metro Vancouver area and providing us with aerial photos or LiDAR data of our region,” said Bleidistel. “While the photogrammetric data was great to have, it was barely useable because the data sets they created were so large. And while we could cut the LiDAR data into smaller sections to allow conventional software like ArcScene or ArcGIS Pro to load it, doing so meant we were missing the big picture. We needed to change that.”
A different approach
Bleidistel said that, for a couple of years, he had been following the projects on which Euclideon had been working. While some of it was not immediately applicable to the needs of GIS people like himself, he saw where things were heading and was definitely intrigued. “Much of Euclideon’s efforts were related to improving the look of video gaming backgrounds and environments through the use of what the company calls Unlimited Detail Technology,” he said. “However, about a year ago, they announced that they’d applied the benefits of that technology to GIS-related 3D modelling. Since we were getting all these large-volume data sets from the geospatial providers and largely unable to work with them, that definitely got my attention. So, I
3D models produced by Euclideon’s LiDAR solution show the city of Richmond (top) and the Vancouver International Airport (above).
>> JANUARY 2020
reached out to them and arranged to get a license.” At the heart of Euclideon’s VAULT solution is a 3D search algorithm that can render unlimited quantities of point cloud data in real time. Because this algorithm efficiently grabs only one point for every screen pixel, it can display models of previously unimaginable sizes – at interactive frame-rates – without the need for a powerful CPU or graphics card. A spokesman for Euclideon explains it as such: “Consider Google which, basically speaking, is an extremely powerful 1D search algorithm used to look for words on the internet. When someone enters a phrase, it looks as though Google has read the entire conglomeration of all human knowledge in less than a second, and then offers a list of where to find such things. That is the power of search algorithms. Our technology employs a 3D search algorithm that looks for little atoms, and only wants one of them for each pixel on the screen.” The approach being taken by Euclideon appealed to Bleidistel not simply because it was able to efficiently tackle mega-files, but also because he knew that, with the processing bottleneck removed, the quality of data they could handle would be vastly improved. “The photogrammetric data we were getting from the aerial crews was collected from an aircraft flying at 250–300 mph,” he said. “Given that, the closest distance between points it could gather was about 0.75 m and it still created a 48-gigabyte file. Knowing what was possible using VAULT, we employed a drone to fly the dikes and got that point distance down to a much denser rate – about 1.2 cm between pixels. The detail we were able to get on that project by overlaying the tight data onto the course info was so great that the City is considering either initiating a drone program of its own or, at the least, contracting out to someone to do it.” It is worth reiterating that being able to monitor the dike system in this manner and to this degree is a huge asset for the City of Richmond. Just as the City relies upon the structures’ integrity and performance, so too does Vancouver International Airport, the second busiest such facility in all of Canada, which is located on Sea Island adjacent to Richmond. “Overlaying data collected by drones or third-party providers allows us to do visual inspections ‘on the fly’ and at regular intervals,” said Bleidistel. “This, in turn, will allow us to better anticipate upcoming repairs by foreseeing issues from those visual inspections. Compare that to examining thousands of photos taken from boats and it’s easy to see why we are so excited.”
large files down into smaller, separate components when it’s called for. Although being able to easily handle a 1 TB file is a nice luxury to have – and as recently as a year ago seemed like only a pipe dream – not everyone wants or needs that volume of data. “VAULT makes it easy to pull out an individual section of a large file,” he said. “I often have consultants contacting me for the LiDAR data from a specific area and, rather than just handing them a huge data set, I use the Euclideon’s Massive Data Manager (MDM) to pull out the area they need and export it as a LiDAR set. They
prefer that, and this solution makes it fast and easy to do so.” Bleidistel has previously had to both rely on cumbersome manually shot 2D photographs and deal with the massive data sets – so it’s no surprise he’s enthusiastic about this new solution. Though his initial involvement was just a pilot program for the City, he is confident that they will not be moving forward without the VAULT solution “Having a digital, geospatially accurate representation of an object or area in front of you, rather than seeing it in 2D is a huge paradigm change,” he said.
He added that City officials had previously used one of the well-known VR headsets, viewed a three- or fourblock section of the city and discovered that it not only taxed the system, it was very easy to get lost. “By comparison, with VAULT, the fact that we were able to ‘fly’ the entire island, look around and see landmarks and other reference points, made them literally gasp. I always believe in spreading the word when I find something that is truly game-changing – this is definitely such a case.” Larry Trojak is a technical writer.
Break out success
An additional benefit VAULT has provided Bleidistel’s GIS function is somewhat ironic: the ability to break JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 29
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>> EQUIPMENT FOCUS: DRUM CUTTERS
BY KAITLYN TILL, MANAGING EDITOR
MAKING THE CUT A Q&A with Rich Elliott, Epiroc Product Manager – Hydraulic Attachments
Kaitlyn Till: Tell us about drum cutters, a lesser known attachment. What are the advantages and what can it do that other similar attachments can’t? Rich Elliott: A drum cutter is a hydraulic attachment on which drums equipped with numerous picks spin around at up to 110 revolutions per minute to cut rock, concrete or frozen ground. The picks that perform the cutting job are wear-resistant, exchangeable teeth. They are designed for maximum efficiency to help contractors increase productivity and lower costs. In addition, the attachments can be equipped with an optional dust suppression system to help maximize safety and to help achieve silica dust regulations. KT: What are some key applications for drum cutters? RE: Drum cutters are ideal for rock or concrete wall and surface profiling, trenching, frozen soil excavation, soil mixing, soft rock excavation in quarries, as well as utility work, demolition, and dredging. Including a large variety of cutting heads for various applications, drum cutters allow for precise and accurate work even in difficult conditions, including frozen ground and underground scaling. Drum cutters can also be used underwater without modification at depths of up to 30 metres. They feature rigid and wear-resistant gear housing to ensure a smooth cutting action while providing maximum cutting power to penetrate the rock. Cutter heads on the axial drum cutter models can be replaced by auger for softrock drilling. Epiroc offers a line of more than 30 drum cutter models including auger drive units, axial drum cutters and transverse drum cutters.
KT: When should a drum cutter be used as opposed to other attachments or tools? RE: Drum cutters are a great option for contractors looking to remove precise lay-
ers of asphalt, concrete, rock or frozen ground in tunnels and trenches. A central fixing system allows the drum cutter to rotate 360 degrees without having to be disconnected from the excavator. With low vibration and quiet operation, drum cutters can also work in sensitive areas. The attachment can help contractors save on material costs because they don’t need to remove all of the materials, but rather just the damaged or worn surface. In some applications the spoils from the material being cut by the drum cutter can be used as backfill or elsewhere on the jobsite.
KT: What’s the best way to correctly select a drum cutter for a carrier? RE : Contractors should match a drum cutter to their carrier’s size and job require-
ments. If the carrier cannot provide sufficient hydraulic power, the attachments won’t perform efficiently or deliver top performance. Epiroc drum cutters are designed for carriers from 1,300 to 275,000 pounds (0.6 – 125 tons). The best way for contractors to determine which size of drum cutter they need for their carrier is to speak with a dealer or manufacturer’s representative.
KT: What are the maintenance needs of a drum cutter? RE: Drum cutters require very minimal maintenance. The picks need to be in-
spected periodically during operation and when worn out they need to be replaced immediately. The gear oil needs to be changed every 1,000 hours or yearly. Following the required maintenance intervals will help to ensure a long productive life of the drum cutters and wear items.
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HEAVY EQUIPMENT GUIDE
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<< MB CRUSHER CUTTING HEAD The MB-R500 grinds particularly resistant and tough materials, such as fragmented rocks. But it can also work on soft materials, such as asphalt, and perform the excavation with extreme precision. • For excavators 3–12 tons; skid steers and backhoe loaders 3–8 tons. • Minimal vibration and noise make it ideal for urban environments. • Drum can be replaced on-site in less than an hour. • Cutter body rotation kit allows the operator to rotate the cutter directly from the cab. • Cutting depth adjustment kit makes grinding edges and levelling possible. • Drum cover kit reduces dust and allows the cutter to carry out jobs in enclosed spaces. • Can be equipped with a temperature reduction kit.
<< ANTRAQUIP DRUM CUTTERS
ALPINE ROCKWHEELS <<
Antraquip transverse and axial rock drum cutters are for a range of applications in the construction, mining, tunnelling and energy industries. They are suitable for material with uniaxial compressive strength ranging from 500 to 25,000 psi. • Powerful high-torque hydraulic motors. • Robust cutting drums to ensure maximum production and prolonged life. • Customizable drums to accommodate performance. • Durable spur gears and housing.
Alpine’s line of cutting units easily handle applications such as demolition, trenching, foundation work, profiling and smoothing, tunnelling, and mining. • Effortlessly crush concrete including steel reinforcement. • Lower vibration minimizes machine wear and environmental impact. • Ideal for noise-sensitive locations. • Produces reusable crushed material (gravel-sized). • Rugged steel structure with Hardox reinforcements. • Can be used for removal of material in layers. • Faster than hammers on similar materials. • No case drain line required. • Mounted spray nozzle ensures dust-free work. • Operates effectively underwater without modifications.
>> SIMEX TF CUTTER HEADS
EPIROC DRUM CUTTER << The powerful Epiroc drum cutter range is ideal for rock or concrete wall and surface profiling, trenching, frozen soil excavation, soft rock excavation in quarries, as well as utility work, demolition, trenching and dredging. • Designed for carriers from 1,300 to 275,000 pounds (0.6 tons – 125 tons). • Low noise and vibration levels. • Rotates 360 degrees with a central fixing bolt for easy positioning. • Can be equipped with an optional dust suppression system. • Uses robust spur gears for optimum energy transmission and reliability.
Simex TF cutter heads are ideal for trenching, profiling and resurfacing rock and cement walls, tunnelling, quarrying, demolition, dredging and finishing operations. • Offer high torque and high performance. • Milled material is discharged from the trench without getting stuck in the frame. • Easily mounted on excavators. • Feature replaceable anti-wear plates. • Cutter head can be rotated 90 degrees. • Filter on feed line prevents impurities from entering the motor. • Gaskets fitted on drums seal against dust. • Shaft transmits motion only and bears no load.
JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 33
DEMOLITION & RECYCLING
CRUSHING IN THE CITY Priestly Demolition dismantles parking garage and reuses material on confined Toronto jobsite By Kaitlyn Till, Managing Editor
P
riestly Demolition has a reputation for tearing things up in Toronto. The company has its own TV show, Salvage Kings, on the History Channel; it has also been responsible for the demolition of an iconic landmark â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the interior of Maple Leaf Gardens. It is known for its logistically challenging jobs, including the 401/404 interchange bridge demolition, along with urban demolition on restrictive downtown jobsites, which the company has chronicled on its popular YouTube channel. Priestly Demolition was founded by Vic Priestly in 1971, originally as Vic Priestly Contracting Limited. To this day the company remains family owned and operated, currently under the leadership of Ryan Priestly.
Crushing on Cumberland Street
Priestly Demolition was recently hired to tear down a multi-storey parking garage on Cumberland Street in Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yorkville neighbourhood. The Cumberland site was a confined downtown property and Priestly Demolition had to perform the removal with34
HEAVY EQUIPMENT GUIDE
>> JANUARY 2020
out damaging close adjacent buildings. The job was completed in five months. For this project Priestly Demolition used a Kobelco SK1000 demolition excavator, Komatsu PC600 and PC490 excavators, and Link-Belt 240 and 8000 excavators in addition to a mobile crane, dozer, several compact loaders and an Extec (acquired by Sandvik in 2007) mobile concrete crusher and stacker. When a structure is torn down, all of that material has to go somewhere. On-site crushing is the ideal solution to make disposal of that material the most efficient and cost-effective, whether it will be reused on site, or hauled away. For the Cumberland Street job, Priestly operated a jaw crusher on site and used the material as backfill. The Cumberland Street parking garage consisted of 325,000 square feet of building space on a 90,000-square-foot jobsite; the 40,000 tons of concrete was crushed to fourinch-minus and used as backfill. The backfilled space created a certified platform for drill rigs to work on when drilling for new caissons. On-site processing must satisfy the
regulatory environment of the region. According to Brian Priestly, Vice President of Operations, equipment selection is important for reducing dust and noise in urban environments. “We try and use a lot of hydraulic crunchers or processors to diffuse the noise,” he said. “Hammers are needed sometimes, but in the prep of the concrete and the processing of larger oversized concrete we’ll use a processor to break it down as well, as it’s a great tool to remove steel from the concrete, then recycle after the fact.” Priestly Demolition’s demolition equipment was outfitted with primary processors to pre-crush the concrete. “We use the processors to pulverize the material to allow a more efficient crushing process. Sufficient water is required to ensure no risk of silica dust is present for workers or the public,” said Priestly. Demolished material is typically crushed to at least four-inch minus and some customers seek two-inch minus for subbase and compaction ability. “We can/will crush to a customer’s specification,” said Priestly. “Currently in Ontario there is a demand for recycled product. There is a surplus in crushed asphalt but concrete and/or stone is going out the door as quick as you can make it.” Priestly Demolition uses both jaw and impact crushers to process material on urban jobsites, and Priestly said that
the company tries to purchase the same brand, same size and same equipment to ensure that they are able to easily stock and replace parts as needed. When it isn’t feasible to crush on
site, the destination of the material depends on customer requirements. Priestly Demolition has the ability to take it to their yards to crush; they can remove and recycle the steel, then
crush the rest to hopefully salable aggregate, said Priestly. “We try and determine all the crushing requirements at the tendering process with the customers.” HEG
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JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 35
DEMOLITION & RECYCLING
WASHING UP WASTE
Hereford Quarries recycles 100 percent of inert waste with CDE wet processing plant
I
n 2015, Wye Valley Group, Herefordshire’s leading trade waste recycling business, established Hereford Quarries Ltd. Based at a new 10-acre Lugg Bridge site northeast of Hereford, its aim is to maximize local resources to reduce the county’s reliance on imported virgin primary aggregates. The operation began with a mobile jaw crusher and screener to process construction waste into basic crusher
run and hardcore materials, suitable for use as low-grade sub-base material. Hereford Quarries Commercial Manager David Ambrose said, “The rudimentary crusher runs and hardcore products we started with allowed us to recycle inert construction waste materials and subsequently helped us in meeting our sustainability objectives by processing material that was destined for landfill. However, the processed product was the minimum tech-
nical standard that could be accepted into the marketplace and, as such, would only command a price reflective of its quality.” One year into its operation, Hereford Quarries partnered with wet processing equipment manufacturer CDE, who was commissioned to provide a bespoke solution to recover quality-assured construction aggregates that complied with European specifications.
Maximizing value from recycled material
The objective of the CDE wet processing plant was to support Hereford Quarries in maximizing the value of its feed material by producing washed and graded recycled sand and aggregates including drainage stone, MOT Type 1 and 65F. “The CDE wash plant is adding significant commercial and technical value to our operations,” Ambrose said. “We are now recovering recycled aggregates back to their highest potential added value and to a technical and quality standard that can compete directly with primary aggregates.” Ambrose went on to explain that the custom-built CDE wet processing plant can also process more challenging material. “We are able to process much higher volumes and more challenging materials with the CDE plant compared to that which was possible with a mobile crusher and screen. The plant’s high capacity provides the opportunity to scale up our operations and throughput as the market grows, whilst maintaining the high product quality.”
120,000 tonnes of C&D waste diverted
Hereford Quarries has taken on the challenge of recycling waste material through the use of a custom-built CDE wash plant designed to help scale up the operation and throughput. 36
HEAVY EQUIPMENT GUIDE
>> JANUARY 2020
“At present, we are diverting 120,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste from landfill annually. With the support of the CDE technology we are processing 100
percent of material that comes into the site and converting it into saleable product. “Sustainability is at the centre of our operation,” Ambrose said. “Our circular economy approach, backed up by an efficient CDE plant, is reducing reliance on scarce natural resources in Herefordshire and surrounding areas. Most primary aggregates available in the local market are imported and carry a high carbon footprint. Hereford Quarries is responding to the demand for primary aggregates with a locally sourced, high-quality, recycled product.” David Kinloch, regional manager UK & Ireland at CDE, said, “Expert CDE engineers worked closely with the Hereford Quarries team throughout the design and commissioning process to not only understand what the business wanted to achieve from its plant, but to better understand the context of the local Herefordshire market. “Since its commissioning in 2016, the cutting-edge wet processing plant at Hereford Quarries’ Lugg Bridge site has, in a short period of time, fundamentally revolutionized
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David Kinloch
its recycled aggregates operation and has put the company at the forefront of championing sustainability throughout Herefordshire,” Kinloch said. “The recycled aggregates producer is maximizing resources and profitability while minimizing environmental impact through water conservation, CO2 emissions reduction and, ultimately, diverting many thousands of tonnes of construction and demolition waste from landfill.” Hereford Quarries is a sister company of the Wye Valley Group, which also has operations in demolition, construction, skip hire, scrap metal and waste management including the handling of contaminated and hazardous wastes.
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“The recycled aggregates producer is maximizing resources and profitability while minimizing environmental impact.”
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GET FASTER, EFFICIENT PRODUCTION “I’ve had competitors working next to me with other breakers, and they hit at about half the rate of my BXR120. We get much better production. I can produce from 150 to 200 tons per hour, sizing material from 18 to 24 inches.” Marc Keller Maverick Rockbreaking Wildomar, Calif.
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JANUARY 2020
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>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 37
DEMOLITION & RECYCLING
NEW KOBELCO DEMOLITION EXCAVATOR REACHES NINE STOREYS
T
he SK550DLC-10 is Kobelco’s latest demolition excavator model purpose-built to tear down and dismantle multi-storey buildings. The company says that it is engineered with practical features to increase jobsite productivity and reduce downtime. This demolition machine has a reach of up to 90 feet which makes it ideal for dismantling tall buildings. Kobelco offers a unique three-piece separate boom demolition front and high reach front. The separate boom offers a wide working range and simplifies the demolition of lower and underground levels, while the ultra-long attachment enables the SK550D to demolish levels up to nine storeys high. Large crusher tools, up to 3 tons on the ultra-long attachment and 5.3 tons on the separate boom, can be added for increased power and efficiency during demolition. With Kobelco’s NEXT attachment system each boom attachment is designed with a block structure that simplifies assembly/disassembly for fast and easy setup and teardown. Side-mounted hydraulic piping can be attached at ground level for ease and safety. The SK550D also features an integrated two-part counterweight; the first part forms a case in which the second part is housed, providing increased transportation options and quicker assembly/ disassembly. Water suppression is standard
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and is plumbed from the base machine to the end of both the separate boom and high reach fronts. The SK550D features full track guides to prevent crawler de-tracking, even on ground littered with demolition rubble. Thick upper frame belly guards, a swivel guard, travel motor guard, and cylinder guards provide added reinforcement to ensure durability and protect machine components from debris. A new standard cab interference prevention system will sound an alarm and prevent the machine from allowing the working tool to come into contact with the cab during operation. A demolition spec cab with a tilt of up to 30 degrees, stability warning system, rear- and right-side cameras, as well as boom, arm and jib holding valves are also standard. Kobelco says that maintenance on the SK550D is simple and cost effective. An auto-lubrication system automatically greases the upper body at specific times to reduce maintenance time before operation. Easy access to data from the operation management system (KOMEXS) greatly improves ease of maintenance scheduling and ensures a long service life, while easy access to the cooling unit, engine compartment, electrical components, DEF and fuel refilling areas ensure convenient day-to-day maintenance. Cab guards on the top and front windows also open for easy cleaning.
EarthCam partners with Rubicon on sustainability for the construction industry EarthCam is collaborating with Rubicon to provide a first-of-itskind, integrated technology solution that will address major components of the construction industry’s sustainability practices. The companies say that they are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive technology to help the industry meet green building goals. EarthCam’s construction camera technology is already present on many jobsites and offers panoramic high-definition imaging of entire project scopes. This technology will facilitate the capture of waste container contents, locations, positioning and removal operations at regular intervals and integrate this actionable visual data, including weather and other site telemetry, with Rubicon’s SaaS platform. Rubicon already manages the operations of tens of thousands of jobsite dumpsters and coordinates their operations via their comprehensive RUBICONConnect online platform. Construction and demolition waste is a heavy contributor to landfills, polluting them with debris that is rarely biodegradable and is therefore detrimental to the planet. According to industry research, construction waste will double to nearly 2.2 billion tons by 2025. Advancements with this collaboration include management and removal logistics to improve processes and the promotion of worker safety by reducing needed physical integration with waste operations. The companies say that the fast and effective response times facilitated by the rich visual data generated by the system will garner many other benefits, including: helping to reduce construction debris in landfills; reducing the carbon footprint produced by hauler vehicles; further support of worker safety and compliance with environmental regulations; help monitoring compliance with LEED construction waste management plans.
ROADBUILDING
COLD PLANER UPDATES IMPROVE OPERATION, SERVICE Variety of engine changes and productivity enhancements introduced on half-lane machines
C
aterpillar has announced updates to the PM620, PM622, PM820, PM822 and PM825 half-lane cold planers. These milling machines now meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards powered by a fuel-efficient Cat C18 turbocharged, 6-cylinder diesel engine. The PM820, PM822 and PM825 cold planers feature an increased power rating of 597 kW (800.6 hp) gross power. The engine now features multi-piece, cartridge-style filters. This design is environmentally friendly, reducing waste and lowering replacement costs. Updated handrails increase operator comfort and ease-of-use in flush cutting applications. The new pivoting handrails stow and redeploy easily on the right-hand side when an obstacle comes close to the machine. Obstacle jump is easier to execute from the operator platform with new visual indicators located
on the top edge of the side plates indicating where the rotor is positioned and correlate with the markings on the side plate. Further enhancements include an updated track pin design. A lower pin location increases tractive effort and force on the undercarriage when milling in deep or hard applications. New hardened-steel bolton wear skis run the full length of side plates and a wear shoe on the anti-slab assembly reduces wear and maintenance. Cat Cold Planers are available with the Cat System K milling rotors and feature efficient material flow with an excellent cutting pattern. Rotors are available with spacings of 8 mm, 15 mm and 18 mm for a wide range of milling applications. The dual taper retention design provides a reliable method for holding the tool holders in the blocks without the need for a retaining pin or bolt. Reversible paddles and high-
strength alloys offer more resistance to abrasion and reduce wear for extended rotor life. Optional Cat diamond bits feature a new design for the System K rotors and last up to 80 times longer than conventional carbide bits to extend intervals between bit maintenance, increase production and reduce operating costs. Cat Diamond Bits are sharper than conventional carbide bits, allowing the machine to cut faster and to reduce drag on the cutting system for better fuel economy in demanding applications. PM620, PM622, PM820, PM822 and PM825 cold planers are high-production, highly maneuverable half-lane milling machines that perform controlled full-depth removal of asphalt and concrete pavements in a single pass. A variety of options, including the integrated Cat Grade Control system, can be installed to customize the machine to optimize versatility, productivity and comfort.
ROAD DRYER
TRUCK- OR TRAILER-MOUNTED UNIT QUICKLY DRIES ASPHALT AND CONCRETE AFTER PLACEMENT The truck- or trailer-mounted Road Dryer RD-1200XT quickly dries asphalt and concrete pavement, allowing crews to pave or apply surface treatments or striping after just one pass. The unit, which blows heated air up to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) directly downward through multiple nozzles, eliminates the risk of â&#x20AC;&#x153;flying objects,â&#x20AC;? and allows traffic to flow in nearby lanes, thus reducing congestion caused by traffic restrictions. The Road Dryer unit can be adjusted for drying widths of 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 m). Because it dries pavement on demand, it provides flexibility for contractors and government agencies to meet timetables by minimizing delays from weather- and project-related wet conditions. The Road Dryer unit provides safety benefits not possible with most widely used pavement drying methods. Traditional attempts at drying pavement for construction or maintenance work have typically involved the use of jet engine dryers, infrared heat, or portable blowers, combined with brooms and manual squeegees. Each of these methods has its own limitations and safety concerns, including the use of jet fuel, noise, melting pavement,
danger from thrown rocks or other objects, and slow results. Because of this, traffic is often fully restricted from travelling on roads or runways where drying work is taking place. The Road Dryer eliminates all of these issues, as it swiftly and safely dries the pavement. The RD-1200XT preconditions the incoming air to remove moisture prior to heating and directing the heated air to the road, allowing fast-
er drying time. The unit will not harm asphalt, as the flow of drying air does not exceed 400 degrees F. Weather is not the only cause of wet pavement. Milling processes also use water to cool grinder teeth, leaving the road surface wet and unsuitable for paving until dry. The Road Dryer can follow behind a milling machine and immediately dry the pavement for resurfacing. Because the pavement is typically ready
for paving or surfacing within an hour, it allows for increased throughput by several road miles per shift. For striping operations, hydro-blasting leaves the road surface wet, and it must be dried before new paint may be sprayed. With a Road Dryer RD-1200 following the hydro-blaster to dry the surface, a paint sprayer may be run immediately behind the Road Dryer unit, to paint or repaint lines.
JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 39
ROADBUILDING
SMALL PAVERS, BIG PERFORMERS
Size isn’t everything when it comes to meeting the needs of commercial paving work By Jeff Winke
S
mall asphalt paving machines occupy a comfortable, valuable and identifiable niche in the paving equipment market. The smaller, commercial class of pavers – basically anything 16,000 pounds or less – often get relegated to the side when discussing asphalt paving. The larger, mainline highway-grade pavers appear to be where innovation and technological advances flourish. But it can often be too easy to think of small commercial pavers as being junior-size highway-grade pavers. They are not. Aside from both being used to lay down hot-mix asphalt, the two machine classes are completely different in design, capabilities and quality expectations. “Small pavers are segmented into subcategories based upon the paving application for which the paver is primarily designed,” stated Cameron Calder, vice-president, sales for Mauldin Paving Products. Those subcategories are: • Residential – typically these machines are 50 hp or less. Asphalt is delivered to the screed by gravity using a hydraulically raised material hopper. Screeds are typically 8 yards base width, extendable to 12 or 13 yards with lower weights. 40
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• Residential/Commercial Crossover – typically these machines are 50–75 hp. Asphalt is delivered to the screed by powered feeding conveyors. Screeds are typically 8 yards base width, extendable to 13 or 14 yards with heavier weights. • Commercial – typically these machines are 90–120 hp. Asphalt is delivered to the screed by powered feeding conveyors. Screeds are typically 8 yards base width, extendable to 15 or 16 yards with the heaviest screed weights.
Clear differences beyond size
Besides sheer size differences, there are some clear characteristics where small pavers differ from larger machines. “While the concepts of the highway-class and commercial-class pavers are very similar, there are a number of unique features of small pavers that help them adapt to the challenges of small paving applications,” said Travis Colwell, marketing and communications coordinator for Carlson Paving Products. “The most obvious is the under auger cut-off doors found on most North American small paver models. This feature allows for regulation of material flow to the screed, while allowing for the material to be cut off when transporting across a jobsite.” According to Sal Rizzo, president of
>> JANUARY 2020
Salsco, Inc., a paving and curbing equipment manufacturer, “Small commercial pavers are simple to operate and much less expensive than the larger units. Clearly, just as mini pavers can’t do large jobs cost effectively, large machines can’t do small jobs cost effectively.” The market in which a paving contractor operates can also dictate the preferred size of the machine. Densely populated areas can result in contractors specializing in either smaller tonnage residential type of work, or larger tonnage commercial projects. Less densely populated regions lend to contractors performing a wider spectrum of work, taking on everything from a small single-wide driveway to a large, multi-tenant commercial retail complex. “Wrong-sizing your machine, in either direction is problematic,” Calder said. “Performing small residential work, week after week, with a large commercial paver, will likely lead to reduced profit margins compared to competitors. Conversely, using a small residential paver to perform large commercial work may well get the job done, however, there can be higher maintenance costs and jobsite inefficiencies. “Exceptions to these guidelines occur when working in a high-altitude environment – high altitude requires higher horsepower. And, elevation
“Wrong-sizing your machine, in either direction is problematic. Performing small residential work, week after week, with a large commercial paver, will likely lead to reduced profit margins compared to competitors.” Cameron Calder changes in the primary geographic market area will also dictate equipment choice (using a gravity feeding paver in mountainous areas. . . well let’s just say it can be a long day).” The question becomes what kind of
work is best suited for the small commercial paver? “Vögele’s small pavers, which are designed for both pavement repair work and for the construction of bicycle paths, footpaths and minor roads, as well as parking lots and sports grounds,” stated Matt Graves, director of marketing for Wirtgen America. “They fill trenches, pave surfaces inside buildings or underground garages and can be used in landscaping projects. For example, our Vögele Super 700-3i has a width of 4.6 feet in order to fit through small doors or gates, but can pave from 20 inches to 10.5 feet. The way we look at it, a small commercial paver is best suited for locations that need maximum production and quality, but a small footprint.”
The nature of the work is different
By the nature of the work, demands on the commercial paver are similar to a mainline paver, yet certain aspects differ between the two applications. For instance, with residential paving, cosmetics and drainage appear to be critical. “Consider that the homeowner in many cases will walk the entire length of a driveway job, which could be near daily to collect their mail,” Calder said. “And yes. . . that makes them a bit picky about how well your paver performed at making that pavement joint disappear. Even if you tried to lay the mat in a single pass to eliminate any joint complaints, there can be issues that your screed wasn’t heavy enough for the required width and thickness that could result in not achieving the right compaction. The homeowner may have some water holding tire indentations and is not happy and will be calling you back out to somehow fix it.” Technology is having an impact, as the enhancements found in highway-class pavers have migrated down to mid-sized OEMs that have improved electrical and hydraulic systems and are adopting screed automation, which allow contractors to use sonic or lasers to read and adjust screed depth when laying material. “While the larger highway-class platforms have incorporated more and more technology, the small paver market has remained largely analog,” stated Calder. “On board diagnostics and telematics are just starting to come into the small paver market. While onboard technology is just starting to emerge, add-on technologies such as automation machine controls are playing a larger role. Technology adoption is being driven by both tighter project specifications and by a tough labour market.”
Thoughts on buying small pavers
In selecting the right small commercial-class paver, there are a number of decisions to be made. “For contractors, there are a number of key considerations when purchasing a new machine – three of which include versatility, return
on investment and operator focus,” Carlson Paving’s Colwell said. “A paver is a significant investment for any company, and purchasing a machine that is not only the right size for the company today, but also for tomorrow, can play a large role in the company’s future growth. A contractor also expects their new machine to provide profit to the company, achieved by reducing downtime and replacement component costs.” Rizzo added that key questions he recommends a contractor needs to consider when selecting a small paver should include: • Will the machine close up to fit into a 48-inch trench? • Does the machine have tracks so it can climb in and out of trench and patchwork area? • Does the cost of the machine allow for return on investment? • Is the machine easy to operate? Simplicity is always a better choice. According to Calder, contractors need to consider machine size, screed performance, and the machine’s performance versus crew experience. With respect to screed performance, Calder stated there are three basic tests that all screeds are measured against: “Does the screed weigh enough to lay a mat that will achieve minimum initial compaction of 80 percent or better, since it is not possible to achieve enough compaction during the rolling phase for a quality final mat. Second, does the mat thickness match throughout? In other words, does the mat laid by the screed extensions match the mat laid by the base screed? And third, what is its durability? Over how many tons, (or hours), can the screed be expected to maintain quality paving standards before requiring a rebuild?” And as far as machine performance vis-a-vis crew capabilities, Calder cautioned that the experience level of the crew will influence machine choice. Performing high-end, unique, specialty, or precision type paving jobs
requires an adaptable skilled crew and a paver operator who can dial-in the screed for that perfect mat. When taking the long view of where small commercial pavers fit, it is clear
they occupy a solid, valuable niche in the asphalt-paving market. Jeff Winke is a construction writer and editor.
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JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 41
ROADBUILDING
CANADIAN COMPACTION SOLUTION SHOWS SOLID PAVING POTENTIAL By Nathan Medcalf
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new asphalt compactor that has been tested on Canadian highways and bridges for years is one step closer to becoming a marketable product. Called the AMIR TRAK, the machine uses rubber tracks instead of steel drums to achieve better densities in less passes and better permeability leading to less aggregate loss. Abd El Halim, professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of Infrastructure Protection and International Security Program at Carleton University, developed a new theory about compaction and worked with the National Research Council (NRC) to develop a prototype with a single track spanning the width of the machine. “The current philosophy of compacting demands a very high load over a small footprint. The steel drum only comes into contact with the asphalt for a few milliseconds. AMIR works the opposite way – with a very low type of contact,” he says. Then he field-tested and results have consistently shown that AMIR-compacted asphalt pavements were free from construction cracks while having equal or higher densities than conventionally compacted pavements. Laboratory testing of cores extracted from the field have also shown that AMIR-compacted pavements had higher indirect tensile strength. MTO took notice of results reported about the AMIR TRAK and began trialling it in 2011. The machine achieved adequate results but was difficult to operate and suffered from poor maneuverability, among other issues. “We recognized the benefits of the technology and our main goal was to get trial sections on the road to evaluate the properties of the material and then evaluate its long-term properties,” says Frank Pinder, area contracts engineer, MTO. MTO trialled it again in 2012 on Highway 28 between Peterborough and Bancroft. This time, the Tomlinson Group of Companies served as the contractor, and they have been the contractor on all AMIR TRAK trials since then. MTO describes this as their first successful trial. They used SuperPaver 25 mixes to pave and compact a 500-metre section of the highway. One lane was compacted with three conventional steel-drum compactors and one side was compacted with a single AMIR TRAK in order to provide a side-by-side comparison. The AMIR TRAK achieved slightly higher compaction results with just six passes than the three-roller train achieved in six to eight passes each. 42
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The contractor’s perspective
After the trial, Tomlinson started tinkering with the machine. “There is a lot of technical data to back up Halim’s theory, but the machine needed a contractor to make it a marketable, everyday product,” says Ken McIntyre, contract manager, R.W. Tomlinson. The machine suffered from belt slippage on elevated curbs, some asphalt pickup, and was difficult to turn. To solve this problem, R.W. Tomlinson looked at different tracked machines, such as ATVs, tractors and others. Through a lot of R&D and head scratching with mechanics, they eventually designed and built a new machine. They stripped down a 2012 Cat CB534 roller and installed an AMIR TRAK conversion kit that included two tracks for improved maneuverability, then made it heavier to compensate for the decreased pressure caused by the increased footprint of using two tracks. The company also solved the machine’s asphalt pickup issue. “Tomlinson has a history of innovation, and we were attracted to this technology for that reason, as well as the operational costs savings and taxpayer savings,” says McIntyre. MTO started looking at other opportunities for the AMIR TRAK. Since the machine doesn’t use vibration, they considered bridge decks as a possible opportunity for it. They trialled bridges on highways 417 and 34. They conducted the first test in late
>> JANUARY 2020
November of 2014 when the ambient temperature was -1 degree C – much lower than the 7 degrees C required for MTO jobs. The AMIR TRAK compacted an 80 mm lift while the steel drum rollers compacted a 40 mm lift. The AMIR TRAK achieved 92.6 percent density. “After nearly five years, [on Highway 417] the side compacted with steel drum rollers is exhibiting moderate coarse aggregate loss, while the side paved by AMIR exhibits only very slight aggregate loss. The difference is dramatic,” claims Pinder. “Also, on Highway 34, the side that was compacted using the conventional method is exhibiting moderate coarse aggregate loss, while the side compacted by AMIR exhibits only very slight aggregate loss.”
Less heat, less permeability
With the AMIR TRAK, the asphalt temperature doesn’t need to be as high as it does for a traditional steel drum rollers, which is 130 to 140 degrees C. In one trial, they began compacting with the AMIR TRAK when the asphalt temperature was just 110 degrees C. By the time the AMIR TRAK completed compacting, the asphalt temperature was 90 degrees C. It achieved better densities than the steel drum rollers in the same trial. The AMIR TRAK also achieves much better permeability rate – about 1/3 that of conventional compaction. Water that penetrates the asphalt can
damage the asphalt, especially during freeze-thaw cycles. Tomlinson completed a new version of the AMIR TRAK in summer of 2019 and demonstrated it at a pave-in co-hosted by Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA), Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council (OAPC), the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO), R.W. Tomlinson Ltd. and Carleton University. More than 70 contractors attended. “ORBA believes that innovation generates value and is continuously devoted to demonstrating technological advancements in specific areas of asphalt paving and road construction,” said ORBA OAPC Technical Director Doubra Ambaiowei. “Achieving specified density, resulting in an impermeable surface are recipes for durable and long-lasting pavements. As such, the AMIR TRAK technology is of particular significance and interest to the industry considering its unique attributes and capability to compact the mat to the required density with a tight impermeable surface and no cracking. The pavein was also an opportunity to see results of the side-by-side comparison of the AMIR and conventional rollers.” “With the AMIR TRAK, you see compression right away, even after just one pass, but conventional pavers seem to just glide across the surface,” says Pinder. “In my mind, seeing is believing.” Nathan Medcalf is a freelance writer.
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ROADBUILDING
BOMAG INTRODUCES NEW PAVERS AND COLD PLANERS AT INNOVATION DAYS SMS Equipment ready to serve customers for 2020 roadbuilding season
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omag held Innovation Days in October for its dealers at its Ridgeway assembly facility in South Carolina. The company showcased a range of recently released and new equipment to both dealers and media, including pavers, cold planers, rollers and light compaction equipment. The company is about to get a new push in Canada as SMS Equipment signed a new distribution agreement with Bomag in the fall. As of 2020 the dealer is representing Bomag equipment across the country and says that it is proud to represent Bomag’s paving lines in the Canadian market. “Customers can continue to count on SMS Equipment for expert service, advice and support, no matter where their equipment takes them. Our people have been working with Bomag on everything from parts, inventory and technical support, and we’ll be ready for the 2020 roadbuilding and construction season,” says SMS Equipment.
Pavers
Bomag has reduced its number of 10-foot paver models from four to two. Legacy CR 452 and CR 552 wheeled pavers are now replaced by the CR 1030 W paver, while the rubber track CR 462 and CR 562 pavers now bear the CR 1030 T identification. These pavers are ideal for highway, airport, heavy industrial and large commercial paving projects. The updated 10-foot pavers feature an updated dual-swing-out operator’s platform delivering unobstructed views 44
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to the sides of the paver and screen end gates. An open-grate design on the platform floor provides a direct view of the screen spreading augers. The company is offering a new 7-inch colour screen on these models and a new sound-insulated composite engine hood for quieter paving. The wheeled version features a 260-hp engine and the tracked machine has a 225-hp engine. Cedarapids CR 1030 W Series pavers have a standard 16.7-ton hopper capacity and deliver up to a 27-ton capacity when equipped with an insert. The CR 1030 T Series pavers have a standard 14-ton hopper capacity up to a 22-ton capacity when equipped with an insert. Bomag’s new rubber track CR 820 T and tire CR 820 W 8-foot-class pavers feature a new operator’s platform, new controls and improved visibility. These pavers are powered by a 160hp engine and have a 10-ton hopper capacity. These pavers have new dual swing-out seats and consoles for improved visibility from both the leftand right-hand sides for unobstructed views to the sides of the paver and the screed end gates and the platform floor’s open-grate design provides a direct view of the screed spreading augers. The 8-foot pavers also feature the new 7-inch screen and sound-insulated engine hood. Three-Point Suspension floats the paver over subbase irregularities and maintains preset screed slope and grade. Raising and lowering the rear of the paver with the Frame Raise System allows the operator to fine-tune
>> JANUARY 2020
the head of material at the augers to improve mat quality. Bomag says that Smartrac automatically maintains proper track tension at all times to significantly increase track life and decrease downtime. The Stretch 16 hydraulically extendible screed offers paving widths from 8 to 16 feet and a maximum paving depth of 12 inches. Quick-connecting extension kits deliver a maximum paving width reaching 20 feet. The company also introduced the 74-hp BF 200 cart path and small construction site paver. It has a 5-ton hopper capacity and a 44-inch track width that fits in the cut of a 4-foot cold planer for mill-and-fill applications. The hydraulically extendible electric screen offers paving widths from 3.6 to 6.6. feet. Manual extensions can bring the machine up to 11.2 feet. Reduction skids can narrow the paving width to 1.3 feet.
Cold planers
Bomag’s new 140.8-hp BM 500/152 and BM 600/15-2 compact mills are available in both 3- and 4-wheel configurations. These cold planers have a reengineered vibration-isolated operator’s station that offers excellent visibility to the left cutting edge and front and rear of the machine. Machine levelling sensors are now integrated into the side plate cylinders of the new mills and these models feature a new 7-inch colour display. Advancements to hydraulic system efficiency boost transport speed to 6 km/h for 3-wheel and 10 km/h
for 4-wheel configurations. Bomag says that maximum milling speed for 4-wheel configurations is increased by more than 25 percent for both models. The BM 500/15-2 offers a maximum milling width of 19.7 inches and the BM 600/15-2 offers a maximum width of 23.6 inches. Four extra cutting tools positioned at the left- and right-edge rings plus optimal arrangement of the tools across the drum delivers uniform, low vibration milling and smooth milled edges. A range of standard, fine, power and trenching drum designs are available in widths from 3.15 to 23.6 inches with all featuring standard quick-exchange designs. The new conveyor design has a swivel angle increased to 30 degrees for more efficient truck loading. The new triple-setting water pump system allows the operator to adjust water flow as needed to extend intervals between refills. Bomag’s reintroduced 600-hpclass 2200/60 cold planer features a reengineered milling chamber for increased robustness and longer wear and a new inner scraper design and improved compartment seal to prevent material loss. The BM 2200/60 offers an 86.3inch cutting width and the tapered tooth retainer claw has a low-resistance profile that delivers more cutting power with less wear. Bomag says that its quick-change cutting tool design reduces the time required to change a full set of teeth by up to 75 percent over conventional systems.
Precise and productive DV+ TANDEM ROLLERS THE PREMIUM CLASS FOR ASPHALT COMPACTION
Visit us at Booth No. S 5419 Silver Lot 1
CLOSE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. The new DV+ impresses every step of the way in asphalt construction: with enormous area coverage capability, sensitive precision work and Easy Drive, the intuitive operating concept. www.wirtgen-group.com/america
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
MIXING MOBILITY
Volumetric mixers add flexibility and additional profit opportunities for contractors By Lee Toop, Editor
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oncrete is part of many projects, from landscaping design up to road construction, and each time that concrete is called for in a contract, the challenge faced by contractors boils down to one word: time. Concrete is fickle – it must arrive at the jobsite when it’s needed, be poured quickly and finished properly. Relying on the local ready-mix trucks to deliver concrete to the right place at the right time can be nerve-racking – everything from weather changes to heavy traffic can cause problems. Smaller jobs may pay big money for a load of concrete they will only use a portion of. A solution to this dilemma has been around for some five decades, and today it’s drawing more interest from a variety of contractors interested in reducing their concrete costs – while potentially making more money. Volumetric mixing has begun to grow in popularity, and more companies are purchasing mixers that can bring on-demand concrete to their jobsites as well as others around them.
Travelling concrete plants
Volumetric mixers are basically travelling concrete plants that carry the necessary materials along with them to the jobsite, according to Mark Rinehart, director of sales and marketing with Cemen Tech. That makes for a unique opportunity to reduce costs and add potential revenue to a company’s bottom line. “This is a technology that’s been around for almost 50 years, but it’s really been used in specialty applications or retail concrete delivery up to this point. I think contractors themselves, the guys that have been purchasing ready-mix concrete every day, have realized that there’s another option out there,” Rinehart described. 46
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In many cases, ready-mix companies control all concrete production in a particular area, and contractors must follow the plant’s requirements when they buy their material. In many cases, they may have to pick up more than they need. “Traditionally, the ready-mix company wants to do full loads, or they have a minimum – a lot of places around here will have a six-yard minimum, so even if you need two yards you pay for six,”
Rinehart explained. “Basically, they’re going to take that additional four yards back to the yard and pour blocks, or they’re going to sell it to another customer down the road.” Volumetric mixing takes the process of blending the various materials that go into concrete and brings it to the jobsite, rather than doing that job at the ready-mix plant, Rinehart explained. “We have all the ingredients to make concrete in
separate compartments on the truck so that none of the mixing takes place until we get to the jobsite. At that point, everything is done by volume,” he said. “It’s like your gas pump – you don’t pay for how many pounds of gas you get every day, you pay for how many gallons or litres that you purchase every time. We calibrate our trucks so that we know if it runs for one minute you’re going to have X pounds of sand or stone running through that truck.” Volumetric mixer trucks hold the materials to produce between 8 and 10 cubic yards of concrete without refills, Rinehart said. The truck is designed around a bin that is split between sand and stone that sits on a conveyor belt running the length of the truck; the material moves along the belt into a mixer where cement powder and water is added from other bins. Chemicals can be added depending on the needs of the pour as well. A high-speed auger blends the material, and within seconds fresh concrete is ready to be poured in precisely the amount required.
Customize pours with ease
Customizing a pour for the job is as simple as changing a few settings, Rinehart explained. “With a volumetric mixer, you can change the type of concrete you want to pour in a matter of seconds – with our automated gate system it automatically adjusts to where it needs to be. You hit the green button and hit start, and the unit will produce concrete in the exact moment and type that’s required,” he said. “That’s a huge advantage – with ready-mix trucks, that would be two different trucks. . . we can do five different types of concrete with the same load.” Ten yards of concrete is a good amount for many pours that would be done on infrastructure jobs, residential, road construction, sewer and water as well as other situations, and if there’s a stockpile of material available at the jobsite the truck can be reloaded easily for even more on-site concrete production. Cemen Tech trucks are available in sizes down to three yards if the contractor needs a smaller machine as well, Rinehart said. On-site production of concrete is just one of the benefits that a volumetric mixer can bring to a contractor; the addition of a new revenue stream can be a big draw as well. Many contractors use their trucks to service their own jobs, and then hire out for small batch concrete delivery at other sites in their areas, Rinehart noted. “Typically a contractor will buy a unit to feed his own projects and then he’ll get a call from another guy down the street asking ‘hey, can you deliver me some concrete too? I don’t want to wait a week or two for concrete,’” he described. “He does that, then he adds a few more trucks and now he has a whole retail concrete delivery business secondary to his excavation business. It’s a perfect way to diversify and cut your material costs.”
“I think contractors themselves, the guys that have been purchasing ready-mix concrete every day, have realized that there’s another option out there.” Mark Rinehart
ACPA releases new safety bulletin for double-ended concrete delivery hoses The American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) has released a new safety bulletin, “Safe Practices for the Intended Use of Concrete Delivery and End Hoses.” The bulletin addresses the proper methods for using concrete delivery hoses with two ends. Concrete delivery hoses with two ends have different purposes from concrete delivery hoses with one end.
New income for contractors
Another area that Cemen Tech is targeting is asphalt contractors, who normally have to subcontract concrete work on road jobs. A visit to the 2019 World of Asphalt trade show provided them an opportunity to share that message. “Asphalt guys do a lot of road repair, but typically sub out that concrete work – now you have a tool so you don’t need to sub out, you can do it yourself and you’re completely diversified,” Rinehart pointed out. “When you have an asphalt business and a concrete business, when the next recession hits that diversity will really help.” Along with contractors in the sewer and water, bridge and road repair, telecom and other industries, municipalities are also looking at the benefits of having a volumetric mixer or two in the fleet. “A lot of cities are getting mixers themselves to do repair work around town – curbs, sidewalks, the things that are broken and constantly needing repair. When a city buys one of our units, the return on investment is typically under two years,” he said. “There’s an endless supply of work that cities have in front of them to keep roads maintained – that infrastructure needs to be in shape.” Canadian contractors will have a new source for volumetric mixers thanks to a recently launched partnership between Cemen Tech and SMS Equipment. “We’re really excited to see what the potential is up there. Having a nationwide dealer in Canada that’s engaged with all of our target markets is exciting,” Rinehart said. Canada has plenty of potential sites where volumetric mixing will benefit contractors, including remote locations, he added. “You aren’t tied within a distance from the batch plant like drum trucks are – now, you can go out into remote areas and pour concrete for a number of different applications easily.” HEG
“It’s important for concrete contractors and concrete pumpers to understand when and where to use each type, as double-ended concrete delivery hoses increase the potential for serious personal injury when used as an end hose,” says ACPA Executive Director Christi Collins. "The ACPA’s new safety bulletin responds to a need in the industry for education about the hazards of using double-ended concrete delivery hoses.” Continually updating safety resources is part of ACPA’s mission to foster and promote a positive safety culture within the concrete pumping industry. The new safety bulletin complements the association’s extensive safety library and is available for free download on the association’s website Safety/ Training page at www.concretepumpers.com. For additional resources on general safety, the ACPA’s Safety/Training page offers safety materials that are easy to find; many are available for download at no cost. Employers and employees will find a variety of safety materials on the ACPA’s online Safety/Training hub, including safety publications and materials providing information for creating a safe environment when working around concrete pumps on the jobsite. In addition, the ACPA’s online catalog has materials available for purchase.
HILTI
CORDLESS BREAKER OFFERS HIGH PERFORMANCE Specifically engineered for the challenges associated with breaking concrete and masonry, the TE 500-A36 cordless breaker gives construction professionals the power of a corded breaker with the mobility and productivity of a cordless solution. Hilti continues to build upon its 36-volt cordless platform with this new breaker on the heels of introducing the world’s first cordless chipper, the TE 300A36, last year at the World of Concrete trade show. Powered by the strongest and highest-capacity (36-volt 9.0 Ah lithium-ion) battery in its class and a high-efficiency brushless motor, Hilti says that this cordless breaker delivers unmatched power, performance and reliability. The tool includes Hilti’s exclusive Active Vibration Reduction (AVR) technology, which reduces the tool’s triaxial vibration. Couple it with the VC 75-A22 cordless backpack vacuum system for an OSHA-compliant virtually dustless solution that allows users to fully cut the cord. JANUARY 2020
>> www.heavyequipmentguide.ca 47
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
CONCRETE CHALLENGES MET WITH BIM
Technology adds array of features to improve project productivity and accuracy
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odern technologies are permeating all aspects of construction, including concrete construction. Technology such as building information modelling (BIM) has found a home in today’s concrete industry. “Technology enterprise solutions have a complete array of features that are designed to make concrete construction projects more productive and more accurate while providing information to key personnel so they can make informed decisions in a timely manner,” said Stuart Galloway, president, 20/20 Show Productions – the producer of Canadian Concrete Expo. Trimble has been working with the construction industry for a long time to develop the Constructible Process in which constructive data and real-time collaboration ensure that every per-
son, phase and process work together seamlessly, optimizing the entire design, build and operate life cycle. The Constructible Process includes three key principles: all phases and trades are connected; models and work-streams are content-enabled; and constructible data drives smart workflows. Concrete contractors are taking advantage of these three key principles to improve productivity. “Like other aspects of building construction, concrete work is experiencing an awakening of sorts, to the promise of digital transformation,” said Galloway. “As BIM has evolved, the 3D models at its heart have become increasingly robust. Today, a constructible model produced by skilled professionals is bursting with construction data. That data can drive meaningful efficiencies in the office and in the field.” The results are time saved during
With practical pour sequencing and scheduling tools, 3D visualizations and instant access to pour-specific quantities, concrete contractors can better budget and allocate resources, easily monitor progress, coordinate their work and report in real time. pour planning and take-offs, more successful pours and improved collaboration with other project stakeholders. From pre-construction to on-site management, Trimble’s BIM software, Tekla Structures, automates tedious tasks and estimates, plans and manages pours with greater precision and efficiency. “One of the greatest drivers of efficiency is the ability to extend constructible data to the field to add more control in what can be a chaotic process,” said Guy Erickson, Concrete Segment business manager for Trimble’s Structures Division. “Concrete contractors are using Tekla models in the field to drive coordination and pour management. In addition, productivity skyrockets with the automation of field layout, rebar placement, formwork installation and as-built verification with the precision and speed of robotic total stations.”
Designed for concrete
Tekla constructible models are datarich and complete with information such as areas, volumes, required mix information, rebar types, embeds and formwork that streamlines all phases of concrete construction and gives contractors everything they need to automate material quantification and planning for successful pours. Tekla Structures is purpose-built for concrete contractors and delivers efficiencies through the following methods: • Pour planning and management: Contractors can model and develop an accurate pour plan and automate material quantification to manage and coordinate pours on site and streamline work from preconstruction to pour. “Trimfleet fleet management provides real-time updates on ready mix vehicle locations and material quality monitoring” said Erickson. • Formwork: Tekla Structures accelerates formwork planning by automating material quantification and drawing creation. Content libraries inside Tekla enable formwork designers to automate the selection of forms and hardware based on the exact specifications of the structure. • Using pour and concrete geom48
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etry in the Tekla model with interactive and automated tools, realistic formwork models can be created quickly. Concrete contractors can plan, optimize and manage formwork operations and related information to successfully prepare for pours on site. • Reinforcing (rebar): Design communication, coordination and information transfer allow for faster rebar assembly and more productive construction of reinforced concrete structures. “With intuitive management tools, construction-quality information for reporting and material handling is always on hand,” said Erickson. “Data can be automatically exported to rebar MES software, cut-and-bend and mesh welding systems. Easy-to-understand rebar assembly guides with 3D visualizations reduce RFIs, improve quality and make prefabrication and rebar placing on site more efficient.” • Anchor bolts and embeds: Embeds and anchor bolts can be imported from other project team members, such as a steel fabricator. Embeds can be easily modelled if desired and saved for use in multiple projects. In addition, embeds and anchor bolts can be downloaded directly from Tekla Warehouse to the model. Finally, automated placement of the embeds is facilitated with Trimble Field Link software and a robotic total station powered with the Tekla data. • Layout/quality control: Everything a concrete contractor needs to measure on site can be included in the constructible model. With Tekla, layout points can be automatically generated and grouped in the model. Tekla software and Trimble total stations integrate seamlessly and with Trimble’s commitment to open BIM, a variety of devices and background files are supported. “After a pour is complete, the field information can be linked back to the model, verifying the accuracy of the work and allowing for any necessary changes to be made so that the model matches the built reality,” said Galloway. This article was submitted by Canadian Concrete Expo, which takes place at the International Centre in Toronto, ON, January 22–23, 2020.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR COMPACT TRACK LOADER These daily maintenance checks prevent costly downtime
T
oday’s high-performance compact track loaders (CTLs) can provide several productivity advantages on nearly any jobsite. However, these competitive advantages can be lost if a CTL isn’t running at peak performance, and there are several things that equipment owners can do to improve productivity and extend service life. By taking the following steps each day, pre- and post-operation, equipment owners and operators can help to prevent bad things from happening before they turn into costly downtime events, and will ensure that fleet managers can address concerns in equipment health and upkeep at times throughout the day with the least impact on productivity.
Fluid levels
Check fluid levels – engine and hydraulic oil, diesel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and coolant. Fluids are the lifeblood of each machine and require specified levels to operate properly. A sudden drop in fluid levels may point to any number of problems with the machine that require immediate attention (blown hoses, leaking filter, etc.). Using OEM-spec engine oils helps to ensure that a machine will operate as efficiently as possible throughout its lifetime. It also ensures that the machine stays on the proper maintenance schedule that it was designed for.
Engine compartment
Clear any accumulated debris from around the radiator and other engine components. The engine
is made of moving parts and belts that generate heat and friction – and systems designed to cool the engine compartment require room to breathe. It’s important to check and remove any clutter or material from the jobsite that may have found its way into the engine compartment. Allowing debris to build up in the engine compartment can cause overheating and other issues.
Filters
Check the fuel, oil, air and other filters for signs of damage or leaking. Filters are often a quick and easy item to replace – and operating with properly working filters can prevent any number of problems with the machine. Today’s machines are engineered to the highest performance standards – each machine is a highly engineered system of complex working parts, which should be maintained by only using genuine filters and lubricants to ensure continued optimal performance. Using non-OEM-specified filters creates a weak link in the system, and can compromise the performance of a machine.
Belts
Check belts (alternator, fan, etc.). A worn and frayed belt is another wear item that is relatively easy to replace. If noticed before it fails, then the operator can communicate with the maintenance team to replace during scheduled downtime or the next PM to ensure it doesn’t create unplanned downtime during the course of the work day.
Grease points
Identify greasing points and frequency. Every machine and every OEM is different – and keeping the machine properly greased is critical considering the power and friction created by these giant pieces of steel working together. It can also help keep out moisture and abrasive materials from the jobsite that can work into joints and friction points if not properly greased.
Check for leaks
Check for leaking or pooled fluid around and under the machine. This is an easy indicator that something isn’t right. The source of that fluid should be identified and addressed/fixed before operation, and those fluids should be replaced.
By taking these steps each day, pre- and postoperation, equipment owners and operators can help to prevent bad things from happening before they turn into costly downtime events JANUARY 2020
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EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT
Hydraulics
Check auxiliary hydraulic connections and pressure. Simply check the integrity of the coupling structure and ensure it hasn’t been damaged. Newer equipment often includes pressure relieving quick disconnects – take the time to relieve the pressure when disconnecting attachments.
Structural damage
Check for new signs of structural damage, scratches or dents on the machine. This is almost more important post-operation than it is pre-operation. Once done for the day, noticing and identifying any damage to the machine ensures that needed repairs are made before the next shift starts, and also allows the operator to identify how that damage occurred. Is there another structure on site that the machine came into contact with? Is there damage elsewhere on site that needs to be addressed? Similarly, if damage is noticed before a shift starts, and it was not there when the operator inspected it the day before, that pinpoints that something happened overnight or that there was possible unauthorized use of the machine.
Attachments
Check for damage on ground engaging tools (buckets, teeth, etc.). A machine’s performance is affected greatly by the efficiency of how its working tools engage with the material it is digging into and moving. Worn or broken buckets and teeth lead to inefficient operation, greater fuel use, and greater wear and tear to the machine as a whole. Identifying and addressing these elements of the machine before they become problematic will make the operator more productive and efficient.
Inspect the attachment mount-up to ensure proper connection. This includes checking that the coupler is flush and fully engaged (either via manual or automatic/hydraulic means), and that the hydraulic hoses (and electrical connections, if applicable) are properly connected.
Inside the cab
Inspect the operator compartment and clear away any debris or obstructions. Clutter can be distracting – and anything in the cab that ultimately prevents the full range of controls from being engaged is a hazard to
operation. Check and set mirrors. This might seem obvious, but visibility is critical to jobsite awareness, safety and productivity. Having mirrors set to the operator’s preference will make them a better operator. Familiarize yourself with the control style and change as needed. Most of today’s machines come with rather simple pattern selectors that allow the operator to use the control pattern that they are most familiar with. This will lead to greater productivity and greater operator comfort and satisfaction. Identify auxiliary/attachment con-
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trols. Each type and style of machine controls attachments differently – operators should identify how to properly work their attachment prior to attempting to use it.
Check console indicators/cameras
Start the engine and review console indicators and warnings. Today’s machines are built to give the operator more feedback on the workings of internal systems than ever previously available. Take note of any flashing symbols or warning lights, check the owner’s manual and consult with maintenance staff prior to operation. If equipped, check the rearview camera. Again – jobsite awareness and safety is paramount. If that rearview camera is otherwise obstructed or disabled, it handicaps the operator’s ability to have full awareness of the worksite around him/her. Finally, review all external surroundings from the cab. Know your work site, and the people and structures that exist inside your working envelope. This will ensure optimal jobsite safety and productivity.
Proper maintenance = profit
Equipment manufacturers have introduced several innovations over the years to simplify maintenance procedures and extend the service life of CTLs. However, the overall health and longevity of a machine often comes down to daily and weekly maintenance procedures. The operator and other jobsite personnel are often the first line of defense against costly equipment downtime, so it is critical for owners and operators to follow maintenance best practices to ensure that their CTLs contribute to a safe and productive operation, and a strong bottom line.
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INDUSTRY FORECAST
ADVERTISER INDEX Ahern Canada..................................................... 35 Antraquip............................................................ 38 ASKO, Inc............................................................ 23 Bobcat Company............................................... 15 Breaker Technology (BTI).................................. 37 Buffalo Turbine................................................... 37 Canadian Concrete Expo.................................. 29 Case...................................................................... 5 CONEXPO/CON-AGG.................................. 50–51 Eberspächer....................................................... 48 FLO Components Ltd......................................... 23
Construction spending expected to top $17.5 trillion globally by 2030
Freightliner Trucks....................................... 30–31 Frontline Machinery........................................... 17 GOMACO Corporation....................................... 56
TRENDING NEWS
Hyundai Construction Equipment....................... 3 Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School..... 52 LBX Company, LLC............................................ 19 Liebherr Canada................................................. 55 Mack Trucks......................................................... 2 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.................................. 11 SMS Equipment Inc.............................................. 6 Stellar Industries................................................ 41 Volvo Trucks......................................................... 9 Wajax.................................................................... 4
Volvo unveils electric vocational truck concept
Wirtgen America................................................. 45 World of Concrete.............................................. 43
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CONTACT THE EDITORS: Editor, Lee Toop ltoop@baumpub.com Managing Editor, Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com
LEGO vs. Liebherr: how to build a mining excavator JANUARY 2020
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LAST WORD A SKILLED TRADESPERSON IS AN ASSET, NOT A GENDER. LISA STEVENS, CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, BC CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION
O
ur mission at the BC Construction Association is to ensure British Columbia is home to a world-class construction sector that demonstrates exceptional productivity and resilience. This vision will be realized only if our worksites support all skilled tradespeople to perform to the best of their ability, free from the stress and distraction caused by hazing, bullying and harassment. In B.C. we’re staring down a skilled workforce shortage of 7,900 workers: competition for skilled tradespeople is always fierce, but this scarcity brings new challenges to an already difficult situation. Acquisition of new talent is key, but perhaps even more important is the retention of the workforce we already have; the workforce that has been trained and geared up. As an industry we’re not doing a good job of keeping those workers we’ve already invested in. While it’s hard to get exact data, statistics show that more than half of apprentices leave construction in their first year on the job – the rate is even higher for tradeswomen. And hear this: the number one reason they leave, regardless of gender, is the jobsite culture. This is a business issue as well as a moral one. At the very least, stress and distraction
caused by hazing, bullying and harassment compromises site safety and productivity. Our industry takes safety very seriously, and that means taking negative behaviour seriously too. This is where the Builders Code comes in. The Builders Code sets a standard code of conduct for all construction worksites in B.C. and defines an “Acceptable Worksite” as one where safety protocols recognize behavioral as well as physical threats, ensuring a productive environment for all workers. It provides all the tools a construction employer needs to up their game regarding worksite culture: free policies and signage, training, marketing tools and expert coaching. When an employee wakes up in the morning and looks ahead to their day at work, they deserve to know they will be treated fairly and with respect on the jobsite. Employers also have the right to know that their workers will be treated well by the rest of the crew and others working on the same project. The Builders Code can provide consistency from project to project, from team to team. Let’s be clear: these issues are industry issues, not women’s issues. Hazing can happen to anyone. Anyone can be a bystander to a bullying or harassment situation. Anyone can be affected. Already, over 120 construction employ-
ers have become official signatories to the Builders Code. These employers are establishing themselves as leaders when it comes to work culture and have an advantage in hiring and retaining skilled workers. I’ve talked to construction company owners and employees across B.C. and it’s clear our industry is evolving rapidly, just as our workforce is evolving rapidly. We need to adapt to that change. Whether you are a tradesperson or an employer in our industry, please visit www. builderscode.ca and learn about the benefits of participating in the Builders Code. It’s so important for all our communities that we not only attract new workers to the construction industry but do everything in our power to keep them. BCCA’s Builders Code partners include the ITA; WorkSafeBC; Regional Construction Associations; BC Construction Safety Alliance; BCCA Employee Benefits Trust; LNG Canada; Minerva Foundation; and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. Together we’re building a construction industry that works for everyone. Please join us. Lisa Stevens Chief Strategy Officer, BC Construction Association
The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) works with four Regional Construction Associations (NRCA, SICA, VICA and VRCA) to serve more than 10,000 employers in the province’s industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) construction industry. BCCA’s programs and services include employee benefits (BCCA Employee Benefits); technology tools for bid and project management (BidCentral); Employer services through the Builders Code, which strives to improve workplace culture; and employment programs (Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), Integrating Newcomers, LNG Canada Trades Training Fund, LNG Canada and Coastal Gas Link Connect).
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Come See Us in the Central Hall! We invite you to stop by our GOMACO booth in the Central Hall at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 to see what it means when we say, “Dedicated to Concrete – Dedicated to You”. GOMACO offers the full range of concrete slipform pavers, curb and gutter machines, placer/ spreaders, texture/cure machines and bridge/canal finishing equipment. GOMACO equipment features our exclusive and proprietary G+® control system, created in-house by our software engineers from the wants and needs of contractors paving in the field. We’ll show you the new Navigator controller with a 10-inch touchscreen that allows ground personnel to simply control and view all attachments from one location. We are also introducing our new high-production system for the C-450 cylinder finisher for bridge decks and flat slabs. At the heart of GOMACO equipment is our passion for concrete and our commitment to our customers. We look forward to visiting with you about your upcoming paving projects and your concrete paving equipment needs. CONCRETE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS x AIRPORT RUNWAYS x CURB AND GUTTER x SIDEWALKS RECREATIONAL TRAILS x SAFETY BARRIER x BRIDGE PARAPET x BRIDGE DECKS x IRRIGATION CANALS GOMACO CORPORATION IN IDA GROVE, IOWA, USA x 712-364-3347