February 2014, Vol. 69 No. 2
New Products
ConExpo Sneak Peak: See What’s In Store For The Underground Market
ConExpo-Con/Agg is a massive event. With an expected 130,000 people attending the show and thousands of exhibitors, it is easy for the underground construction niche to be overlooked and overwhelmed within the show’s principal areas of road building, bridges, asphalt, cement, site prep, cranes, etc. products and personnel.
To help underground construction personnel get the most value out of their experience at ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas, March 4-8, this exhibitor-focused section provides product information in one place to help you work smarter.
We know attendees’ time is limited, and with the 2,400 exhibitors showcasing new products and technologies at the ConExpo show this year, this special product section provides a glimpse of related products for attendees who need to manage their time and focus on what’s most important in the underground construction industry
American Augers/Trencor, booth 9463
American Augers’ product line includes state-of-the-art horizontal directional drills, earth boring machines, mud pump and cleaning systems, as well as industry-leading tooling or accessories.
Bobcat, booth 1501
Bobcat Company is a leading provider of compact equipment for global construction, rental, utility, industrial and mining markets. Bobcat is North Dakota’s largest manufacturer, with the most extensive compact equipment distribution network in the world.
Case CE, booth 11722
Case Construction Equipment will showcase the new M Series dozer line and updates to primary product lines such as excavators, wheel loaders and compactors. With five models ranging from 92 to 214 net horsepower, the M Series dozers feature a range of design improvements, including the first selective catalytic reduction technology to be built into a dozer.
Case will also feature their “Dire States: the Drive to Revive America’s Ailing Infrastructure” tour. Including a rally event and panel discussion, the event highlights the progress of the tour and features infrastructure expert Dan McNichol’s key findings from his travels across America.
Caterpillar, booths 10915, 1015, 1332, 84318
Four Caterpillar exhibit areas will showcase more than 40 machines, most with integrated technologies that help equipment operators, managers and owners get the most from each machine, each hour of operation and throughout its full life cycle. The displays also present a variety of Cat work tools, U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final engines, components and service parts, all designed and manufactured to optimize the performance of Cat machines.
In the North Hall exhibit, booth 10915, displays will focus on Cat Connect, which brings together Cat technology products and services in integrated and scalable forms. Regardless of the size and complexity of the operation or the number of machines utilized, Cat Connect gives customers the flexibility to find the right combinations of technologies and services to meet jobsite requirements and deliver positive business results.
The newest Cat machines to be displayed include F Series hydraulic excavators, M Series medium wheel loaders, new C Series articulated trucks and G Series off-highway rigid-frame trucks, a new track-type tractor, a new wheel tractor-scraper and a new track drill.
In contrast to the big machines, several models of the recently introduced Cat D Series skid steer loaders, compact track loaders and multi terrain loaders will be displayed. The compact machines feature a completely redesigned cab with first-in-class features, new lift arm design for improved sight lines, and increased engine performance.
An additional Caterpillar exhibit, booth 1015 in the Gold Lot, will display about 15 machines including a new motor grader and a new scraper, both of which incorporate new technologies to aid the operator and promote high productivity. This exhibit also is home to the Cat Merchandise Center, Cat Rental and the Cat dealer area. The nearby booth 1332 will display the latest from Caterpillar OEM Solutions. An articulated truck with bare chassis is available for mounting specialty bodies and other equipment. In the South Hall, booth 84318, Caterpillar Product Support will present a wide array of components, parts and services available to keep machines running efficiently.
Ditch Witch, booth 62216
Specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of premium underground construction equipment, the Ditch Witch organization is a one-stop source for trenchers, vibratory plows, backhoes, electronic guidance and utility locating tools, horizontal directional drilling systems, drill pipe, downhole tools, chain, teeth and sprockets, vacuum excavation systems and mini skid steers.
HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, booth 62428
HammerHead piercing, pipe bursting and ramming products are used by contractors around the globe to install or replace fiber, communication, water, sewer and gas lines with minimal disruption to above ground landscapes, structures and traffic flow.
ISCO Industries, booth 5813
ISCO Industries is a global customized piping solutions provider based in Louisville, KY. ISCO stocks and sells a wide variety of piping materials and provides solutions for various applications worldwide. The company offers custom high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fabrication and inventories large stockpiles of pipe.
John Deere, booth 2328
John Deere’s 644K hybrid wheel loader uses diesel and electric power and captures regenerated energy as it is created to use in powering the machine. A 229-hp John Deere PowerTech 6.8-liter Tier 4 Interim engine powers the loader, running at an operator-selected constant speed from 900 to 1,800 rpm. The company says the engine’s constant operating speed maintains continuous hydraulic flow at all times to deliver crisp hydraulic responsiveness and reduce cycle times; the electric motor delivers torque resulting in fluid operation and a smooth ride. The machine has four operating speed ranges, but no reverse gear or clutches as direction changes are performed by the electric motor.
McElroy Manufacturing, booth 5827
McElroy is the leading manufacturer in thermoplastic pipe fusion equipment. With a complete range of fusion equipment for pipe sizes from ½-inch CTS to 65-inch OD, they have a machine for every application. The pipe fusion process associated with McElroy fusion machines is a widely accepted process that joins two pieces of thermoplastic pipe together with heat and pressure. While commonly associated with high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE), the machines are capable of fusing or welding a variety of different types and sizes of pipe.
McLaughlin Group, booth 31125
McLaughlin offers a full line of utility locators and vacuum excavators using air excavation or hydro-excavation for safely finding and exposing existing infrastructure as well as auger boring machines and other trenchless installation products.
The McLaughlin McL-54/60 is a turbo charged diesel auger boring machine (for 16-60 inch casing installations). With nearly 1,000,000 pounds of thrust this machine is capable of doing longer bores in tough conditions.
McLaughlin’s truck-mounted Mega Vac product line features five models, ranging from 1,600 to 3,000 gallons in tank capacity. The Mega Vac line features two power plant options — a 67-hp Kubota diesel engine with a 1,025 cfm blower or a 99-hp Kubota engine with 1,200 cfm. Both power plant options produce 15 inches of mercury. A deep vacuum power plant option is also available featuring the 99-hp engine with 1,200 cfm and 23 inches of mercury. McLaughlin uses an industry-exclusive three-stage filtration system that allows for both wet and dry vacuum excavation.
Vermeer, booth 61716
Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality underground construction, surface mining, tree care, environmental and agricultural equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world.
Vermeer has introduced its first horizontal directional drill with a Tier 4 Final engine. The D9x13 S3 Navigator HDD — the first of the S3 generation of drills — features improved hydraulic efficiency and enhanced speed for greater drilling performance. The D9x13 S3 is designed for installation of utilities such as communication, power, gas and water.
Volvo CE, booths 10951, 1300
Volvo Construction Equipment will showcase more than 17 products, including a new generation of E-Series excavators, G-Series articulated haulers and H-Series wheel loaders in Tier 4 Final configurations. Volvo CE will also exhibit the latest range of backhoe loaders, motor graders and skid and tracked loaders. At the outdoor lot, visitors can operate a BL60B backhoe loader and EC55C excavator, with prizes awarded for performance.
Taking center stage will be Volvo’s new Tier 4 Final/Stage IV engine technology, which the company claims is not only cleaner than its predecessor, but – in most cases – also more powerful. Attendees will have the chance to question Volvo CE experts on industry trends, customer support, and financing.
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