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Attachments & Parts Section
Pages 35-41S E C T I O NAttachments & Par ts
For more information about these attachments and more, visit our Attachments Section on our Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Werk-Brau Celebrates 75 Years With Open House
Visitors were able to tour the more than 500,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing campus complex, see displays of Werk-Brau products and the equipment they are used with, and enjoy barbecue, refreshments, ice-cream, prize drawings and more. Additional activities for younger visitors included bounce-houses, pony rides and a train ride.
Werk-Brau Co. Inc., a manufacturer of buckets and attachments for excavators and loaders, celebrated its 75th anniversary with an open house for employees and their families, retirees, customers, suppliers and colleagues, and the community on Aug. 27.
Visitors were able to tour the more than 500,000 sq. ft. manufacturing campus complex, see displays of Werk-Brau products and the equipment they are used with, and enjoy barbecue, refreshments, ice-cream, prize drawings and more. Additional activities for younger visitors included bouncehouses, pony rides and a train ride. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’re humbled and thankful that so many people chose to celebrate with us,” said Jon Ballinger, Werk-Brau president. “People make this company what it is, and we’ve been blessed with wonderful, dedicated employees over the years. It was great to host not only our current employees and their families, but many retirees and their families, as well as those within the Findlay community.”
The core vision upon which Werk-Brau was founded still drives them today, “safely provide excellence in quality, design and delivery of products and services which exceed our customers’ expectations.” It has grown from a single blacksmith shop to numerous North American locations with 500,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and more than 500 employees. It maintains dealer direct partnerships with more than 2,000 North American heavy equipment dealers from its Findlay, Ohio, headquarters.
One aspect of the business that has changed dramatically is technology, which is helping customers to be more efficient, productive and safe on their job sites. Werk-Brau supplies hydraulic D-LOCK couplers, tilt-rotator couplers, hydraulic thumbs and a wide range of other specialty tools and construction attachments to assist in these efforts.
Technology also plays a much larger role in heavy equipment manufacturing than it did seven decades ago. Werk-Brau combines modern manufacturing technology such as robotics and high-definition plasma cutting, together with old-world craftsmanship into each bucket, thumb, coupler and attachment it manufactures. Its goals today are the same as they were when Duke Werkheiser and Dutch Brautigam opened their blacksmith shop in 1947, to provide excellence in customer service and exceed customer expectations.
Werk-Brau manufactures a complete line of OEM and replacement attachments for excavators, mini excavators, backhoes, mini and full-size loaders, and crawler loaders.
Hilltip is now offering its IceStriker combi spreaders in a 6 cu. yd. capacity, 12-in. pintle chain-drive unit. The new 6000CM model is the largest Hilltip model available in the North American market.
Along with the new size, Hilltip is adding chain-driven options for all other IceStriker combi spreaders, including the 2000, 2800, 3400 and 4200 models. Previously, these models were only offered as auger-driven machines.
Hilltip is expanding the option to meet the preferences of all winter care professionals. The new 6000 model will only be offered in the chain-driven system at this time. Customers can expect all chain-driven models to be available for the 2021/2022 season.
Designed for ½-ton trucks and larger, the electric-powered IceStriker spreaders (12- or 24-volt dual motors) are now available in capacities of 2.0, 2.8, 3.4, 4.2 and 6.0 cu. yds. They not only offer the ability to spread granular salt, sand and gravel, but also can be transformed into a liquid deicing sprayer — either pre-wetting material as it’s spread or directly spraying brine to the driving surface for anti-icing applications.
Every IceStriker spreader features liquid tanks integrated into both sides of the double-walled poly hopper, which hold up to 220 gal. of liquid. By simply adding the optional prewet liquid kit, which includes a pump and spray nozzle, an operator can pre-wet spreading materials to help activate the salt as it’s spread and to reduce material bounce.
Furthermore, by adding the optional 6-ft. 7-in. dual spraybar, an operator can now spray brine directly onto the driving surface with a maximum 16-ft. spraying width. This makes the spreaders ideal for all operations, whether they are just getting into liquid applications or are well experienced in brine.
The addition of a 40-ft. hose reel and hand-held spray nozzle allows for easier spraying in hard-to-reach areas, such as on sidewalks and steps. Also, an optional bladder tank increases the unit’s overall brine capacity to 550 gal.
All spreader and sprayer functions are operated using the advanced StrikeSmart controller. Featuring a detailed color screen, the controller allows operators to customize virtually every aspect of their spreading sessions, such as adjusting vibrator settings, blast settings and much more. Also, the controller allows for exact material feed and spreading width settings (between 2 and 40 ft.), and all systems can be calibrated from within the cab.
Using the GPS speed-control function, the spreader will automatically adjust the chain or auger speed depending on vehicle speed to achieve consistent material delivery, while the manual mode allows for setting a fixed speed.
The controller also automatically collects and saves essential data. Logging data 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this feature provides operators with spreading reports that can reduce potential liability issues. Accessory buttons are built into the controller, making the actuation of any standard or optional accessories simple.
Another exclusive ability with the advanced controller is the optional adjustable spreading symmetry function. Typically only found on larger truck spreaders, this feature allows the operator to adjust the direction of material off of the spinner from the cab-mounted control. This is ideal when working in parking lots or when working on properties adjacent to other businesses, so the operator can ensure that material is only being directed onto a paying customer’s property and away from vehicles.
An easy-to-understand graphic indicates the current direction of the material, which can be easily adjusted with the integrated dial.
For maximum control and observation of an equipment fleet, all IceStriker spreaders come standard with Hilltip’s HTrack tracking software option. This allows for complete remote tracking and management of all spreaders from a computer, table or smartphone. One can monitor treatment routes, vehicle speed, GPS location and material usage in real-time. Also, the two-way GPRS communication channel allows application rates to be remotely set and adjusted for each customer’s site, depending on weather conditions.
Other standard equipment on the IceStriker combi spreader includes a sealed, weather-resistant motor enclosure, automatic vibrator, integrated tie-down loops, top screen and prerouted accessory wire for simplified light/rear camera installation. Auger models include an inverted-V structure over the auger drive to reduce heavy start-up loads on the feed mechanism.
Additional accessory options include an LED work light, strobe lights, illuminated license plate kit, rear and indicator lights, leg stand for more convenient storage/installation, end material alarm sensor on the spinner, tarp cover and an extended auger for axle loading optimization. One also can choose to get the hopper in orange instead of the standard gray color.
Designed for ½-ton trucks and larger, the electric-powered IceStriker spreaders (12- or 24-volt dual motors) are now available in capacities of 2.0, 2.8, 3.4, 4.2 and 6.0 cu. yds.
John Deere Introduces New FR27 Disc Saw Felling Head
John Deere’s newest forestry attachment offering is the FR27 disc saw felling head.
Now standard on the John Deere 953M and 959M feller buncher models, and available as an upgrade on the on the 853M, 859M and 903M feller bunchers, this felling head attachment has a larger cut capacity compared to previous felling head models. Building upon the success of the FR24B, John Deere has designed the durable FR27 as a solution aimed to increase productivity on the job.
“We are always looking for ways to enhance operator efficiency and machine capacity. By introducing a larger felling head solution to our line-up with the FR27, we are providing our customers with a larger, more durable attachment to help increase their bottom-line,” said Jim O’Halloran, global product marketing manager, tracked feller bunchers and harvesters & disc saw felling heads, John Deere.
The FR27 disc saw felling head is designed to take on a variety of timber applications, from large single stem cutting to mid-sized accumulation, and boasts an all-new design and overall rebranding from previous John Deere felling head models. In addition, this robust, high rotation felling head features excellent cut and accumulation capacity, offering top-of-the-line productivity compared to previous models, according to the manufacturer.
The FR27 features a cutting capacity of up to 27.2 in. and an accumulation capacity of up to 7.5 ft, improving capability in the woods.
Building upon the success of the field proven FR24B, the FR27 features an updated frame and wrist design, which includes a tall horn, long harvesting arms and continuous hose routings that promote easy machine clean-out. The hardened saw housing wear plates are now standard and offer improved saw housing wear resistance.
Additionally, the FR27 offers bolt-on saw housing for improved serviceability, with three separate saw housing sections with integrated skis getting you back on the job sooner. The incorporated large side chip exhaust chute minimizes build up and plugging, keeping your machine up and running. The side chip exhaust chute also includes a cover that can be added or removed depending on application
Starting now, the FR27 are available for purchase on the 800 and 900 M-Series feller bunchers models.
For more information, visit www.JohnDeere.com/.
The FR27 disc saw felling head is designed to take on a variety of timber applications, from large single stem cutting to mid-sized accumulation, and boasts an all-new design and overall rebranding from previous John Deere felling head models.
