February 2009 Vol. 64 No.2

Archive

General

Active Time For APCA

The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) closed 2008 stronger than ever, although the worldwide recession began to be felt at the end of the year, says Sean Sullivan, whose one-year term as association president will end next month.

Backhoe Loaders: Allmand Bros.

The TLB-6235 features a full-time mechanical four-wheel drive system, offering efficient functionality through a hydrostatic transmission.

Backhoe Loaders: Case 580 Super M+

The 580 Super M+ provides optimum performance and operator comfort in rough operating conditions or when high flotation is required.

Backhoe Loaders: Caterpillar 450E

The 450E Backhoe Loader is in the 17-foot dig depth class, has 124 net hp and a backhoe digging depth of 17 feet 3 inches when equipped with a standard stick.

Backhoe Loaders: John Deere

The new PowerTech E 6068 Tier 3 engine has been added to the 710J Backhoe, improving both emissions compliance and power.

Backhoe Loaders: Kubota Tractor

The power utility M59 tractor with 59-hp TLB is designed to tackle any task.

Backhoe Loaders: New Holland Construction

The B95B and B95BTC Loader Backhoes feature a sloped, flip-up hood for easier engine access.

Backhoe Loaders: Terex Construction Americas

The Terex TX870B Tractor Loader Backhoe weighs in at 16,986 pounds, and offers a maximum digging depth of 20 feet 4 inches.

Backhoe Loaders: The Charles Machine Works: Ditch Witch XT1600

Ditch Witch has expanded its compact utility equipment offering with its XT1600 excavator-tool carrier.

Case CE XR Loader

The extended reach (XR) loader linkage configuration is now available on all Case full-sized wheel loader models 521E through 1221E.

DCA Members "Cautiously Optimistic" About 2009 Market

Despite a troubled economy that is causing problems in many segments of construction, 2008 ended strong for most members of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA).

EXCLUSIVE: Underground Construction’s 12th Annual Municipal Survey: Year of Hope and Caution

Considering the state of the economy, results from <em>Underground Construction</em>’s 12th Annual Municipal Survey reflected surprising optimism among city personnel across the United States. Understandably nervous and cautious about 2009, municipal personnel expect their funding levels to decline somewhat, though still remain near 2008 levels.

Global Demand For Plastic Pipe To Rise

Worldwide demand for plastic pipe is forecast to increase 4.6 percent annually through 2012 to 8.2 billion meters, or 18.2 million metric tons.

In Memoriam: Paul M. Henkels

Paul M. Henkels, chairman of Henkels & McCoy Inc., an engineering and construction firm in Blue Bell, PA, died at his home Jan. 8, 2009.

Jim Adams joins Envirosight

Jim Adams has joined Envirosight, specialists in video pipeline inspection, as Operations/Service Manager.

Keyhole Technology: Footage Tools C200

The C200 Remote PE pipe squeeze off tool is designed to squeeze off 1/2- to 2-inch PE pipe.

Keyhole Technology: SIMCO Drilling Equipment

The SIMCO 255 PTC pavement coring drill rig is a compact, all hydraulic unit designed for drilling keyholes up to 18 inches in diameter.

Keyhole Technology: UTILICOR Technologies

UTILICOR Technologies is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the field-proven pavement coring and reinstatement system.

McElroy Unveils Latest Productivity Tool: Low Profile Pipe Rollers

McElroy Manufacturing Inc. recently introduced Low Profile Rollers, a new productivity enhancing option for high-density polyethylene pipe jobsites.

McLaughlin M-4500 Hydraulic Boring Attachments

The McLaughlin M-4500 series are cable of producing tunnels 4.5 inches in diameter using the dry compaction or slurry boring method of drilling.

Michels Completes Largest On-shore Wind Turbine

Remember when Dorothy arrived in Oz and said she had a feeling she wasn’t in Kansas anymore? Drop Dorothy, today, just eight miles south of Concordia in central Kansas and she may say the same thing.

Mini Excavators: Bobcat 418

The Bobcat 418 excavator has an operating weight of 2,593 pounds and a dig depth of 6 feet.

Mini Excavators: Case CX17B

The CX17B Compact Excavator has hydraulic retractable tracks that allow the machine to pass through a 39-inch opening.

Mini Excavators: Caterpillar 302.5C

The 302.5C Mini Hydraulic Excavator gets a net 24.9 hp and operating weight is 6,283 pounds when equipped with a cab.

Mini Excavators: Hitachi ZX60USB-3

The Hitachi ZX60USB-3 is an ultra-short excavator with a swing boom and backfill blade.

Mini Excavators: John Deere 17D

The John Deere 17D Compact Excavator boasts adjustable-width tracks and a backfill blade with foldable end sections.

Mini Excavators: Kobelco 30SR, 35SR and 50SR

Kobelco’s compact excavator models 30SR, 35SR and 50SR are fuel efficient, Tier IV diesel engines with the precision needed in tight spaces.

Mini Excavators: Kubota U-Series

Kubota’s U-Series zero tail swing excavators are available in four models and come equipped with a Kubota E-TVCS diesel engine.

Mini Excavators: Mustang 2803ZT

The model 2803ZT zero-tail-swing design offers a longer undercarriage, a sturdy track width and an optional counterweight.

Mini Excavators: New Holland Zero Tail Swing

New Holland Construction offers a full line of zero-tail-swing compact excavators for maneuvering in tight job sites.

Mini Excavators: Terex TC125

The zero-tail swing Terex TC125 is designed for trenching and excavating in space-restrictive applications.

New Wheel Loaders from Volvo

The new Volvo L45F and Volvo L50F wheel loaders feature patented Torque Parallel (TP) loader linkage.

NTA Wraps Up Successful 2008; Plans For Future

Following the Northeast Trenchless Association's (NTA) fifth annual meeting, immediate past president Bruce Hubbard reflected on the association's accomplishments in 2008 and outlined goals for 2009.

Paggioli Promoted To HOBAS VP

HOBAS Pipe USA has promoted Kimberly Paggioli, P.E., to the position of vice president of Marketing and Quality Assurance.

Palomar Gas seeks FERC approval for Oregon pipeline

Palomar Gas Transmission LLC, a joint venture of TransCanada Corp. and Northwest Natural Gas Co. have filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a certificate to build and operate a natural gas transmission pipeline in Oregon.

PCCA Enjoys Strong, Productive Year

The year 2008 represented significant accomplishments for the Power and Communications Contractors Association (PCCA) and its members, reports association president Ron Tagliapietra, senior vice president at Michels Corp.

PHMSA Clears Widespread Use of PA-11 Pipe

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration says pipelines can use new Polyamide 11 thermoplastic pipe at higher operating pressures than currently allowed starting on Jan. 25, 2009.

Pipe and Joint Fusion Equipment: Central Plastics BS-4

The BS-4 Butt Fusion Machine is capable of butt fusing 1/2- to 4-inch IPS pipe and fittings.

Pipe and Joint Fusion Equipment: Connectra Fusion Technologies

The Connectra 28HP is a hand-operated hydraulic butt fusion machine with a sturdy rectangular frame design that provides operators with a rigid and safe fusion platform.

Pipe and Joint Fusion Equipment: Footage Tools Butt Fusion System

Footage Tools’ compact Butt Fusion System is ideal for most fusion operations.

Pipe and Joint Fusion Equipment: McElroy Mfg. DynaMc 28 HP

The new DynaMc 28 HP Two-Jaw machine provides the power and pressure required to butt fuse pipes sized 2-inch IPS to 8-inch DIPS.

Pipe and Joint Fusion Equipment: Ritmo America RAM 28

The RAM 28 is an electro-hydraulic butt fusion machine with fusion capabilities ranging from 2-inch IPS to 8-inch DIPS pipe sizes.

Rain for Rent Radar Liquid Level Gauge

The portable Radar Liquid Level Gauge continuously measures liquid levels with a non-intrusive 26 GHz radar signal.

Reline America Rolls Out New Mobile Curing Truck

Reline America introduces its new mobile curing truck for their Blue-Tek Cured-in-Place-Pipe System.

Super Products President/CEO Retires; Successor Named

The president and CEO of Super Products, Jim Wurster, retired from the company effective Dec. 31, 2008, and Mike Vanden Heuvel has assumed the role.

Tariffs Ordered On Chinese Line Pipe

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has concluded that Chinese line pipe coming into the U.S. is being sold below fair market value, and that U.S. pipe manufacturers are, or will be, materially injured as a result.

Terex Launches Dedicated Compact Equipment Line

Terex Construction introduces a dedicated compact equipment line, distributed throughout North America.

Toro TX 427 Compact Loaders

The narrow- and wide-track TX 427 models are the latest additions to Toro’s Dingo compact utility loader family.

Vactor Manufacturing HydroSurge

The Vactor HydroSurge high-performance cleaning nozzle handles a variety of large pipe cleaning and maintenance applications.

Features

Demand, Maintenance To Keep Gas Distribution Market Stable In ’09

<em>Underground Construction</em>’s latest survey figures indicate gas utility spending to serve new customers and rehabilitate, repair and replace the nation’s mains and services, meters, valves, regulator, cathodic protection, SCADA networks and peak shaving facility will total about $12.1 billion in 2009, compared to $11.9 billion in 2008.

Workforce Crisis: GTI Program Aims To Pre-empt Worker Shortage

The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has developed a Certified Operators Technician Training Program to introduce students to the natural gas industry and combat future labor shortages.

Washington Watch

Increased Sewer/Water Funding Headlines Many Changes In Washington

Sewer and drinking water funding has been a back burner issue in Washington for the past decade, as local infrastructure needs have come to a boil. But the economic stimulus package Congress will pass will include substantial funds for water infrastructure.

Last Minute Bush Rule On Endangered Species Could Speed Gas Projects

A last-minute rule from the Bush administration limits the ability of federal wildlife officials and environmentalists to throw a monkey wrench into an application for construction of new gas transmission lines and LNG facilities.

Newsline

GTI awarded contracts for industrial projects

Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has recently received notification of awards totaling nearly $7.7 million for six new projects aimed at improving industrial energy efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

GTI, CrystaTech to develop clean energy technology

Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and CrystaTech have executed a five-year agreement for the development of several new clean energy technologies at GTI’s 18-acre R&D facility in Des Plaines, IL.

In Memorium: Vance Arthur MacNeil

Vance Arthur McNeil, of Pipeline Machinery International, passed away Jan. 5 after a brief battle with cancer.

Report finds utility damages down nationwide

The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) announced findings from its fourth annual Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, which calculated approximately 256,000 underground utility damages for 2007, a figure significantly less than the original estimate provided in 2004.

U.S. Supreme Court wades into water war

The water war between North Carolina and South Carolina may soon go before the nation’s highest court.

Business

AGCA Forecasts Major Payroll Cuts

According to new employment and business forecast figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America, an estimated two-thirds of the nation’s non-residential construction companies plan to cut payroll.

ISCO Acquires Waterworks Supply Co.

ISCO Industries, the nation’s largest distributor and supplier of high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping products, has announced the acquisition of Wright Water & Waste based in Solon, OH.

Editor's Log

Stimulus Complexities

It’s hard to believe in the future when every day you are told that the future is bleak. At least that’s the story we’re being bombarded with by national media. But the recent strength of the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition was a refreshing breath of optimism and hope in an otherwise environment of despair.

Editor's Log (1)

Stimulus Complexities

It’s hard to believe in the future when every day you are told that the future is bleak. At least that’s the story we’re being bombarded with by national media. But the recent strength of the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition was a refreshing breath of optimism and hope in an otherwise environment of despair.