September 2020 Vol. 75 No. 9
Companies in the News
Companies in the News
Caterpillar Celebrates Production of 175,000 Medium High-Drive Dozers
In 1985, Caterpillar expanded its revolutionary elevated sprocket undercarriage concept to its medium track-type tractor (MTTT) line with the launch of the H-Series models. Still unique to this day for the 130- to 350-horsepower (100 to 250 kW) dozer class, the high-drive design better conformed to the ground, improving durability, serviceability and performance, compared to low-drive and oval-track designs.
The D4H, D5H, D6H and D7H dozer models were the first to feature the high-drive design, and in 1987, the D8L model was added to the family. In addition to bringing many of the same large dozer advantages to the medium line, the elevated drive sprocket allowed movement of the front and rear track idlers. This helped to fine-tune machine balance and ground pressure for specific applications more easily than oval track machines.
For the first time, variable pitch angle tilt (VPAT) blades were made available to high-drive dozers, with the D4H and D5H models, for finishing jobs faster by grading at higher speeds. In May 2020 – 35 years later – Caterpillar celebrated the unrivaled success of the elevated sprocket design in the medium dozer class by producing three, commemorative “175,000” units.
“One of the original taglines to promote the early high-drive tractors was ‘Beyond Known Capabilities,’ because these units set a new standard for efficiency, productivity and ease of operation,” said Wes Holm, chief engineer, Caterpillar medium tractor products.
In-person celebrations originally planned to mark the historic 175,000-unit milestone for its medium dozers were cancelled due to travel and group-size restrictions from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, three commemorative units were built in East Peoria, Ill., featuring special “175,000” emblems on the fenders, and embroidered on the headrest and printed on a plaque inside the cabs, and delivered to Caterpillar customers.
Integrated Cat GRADE technologies, such as standard Slope Assist and available Cat GRADE with 3D, help to increase overall job-site productivity by up to 50 percent. Offering up to 35-percent improved fuel efficiency, D6 XE features a durable design with updated components, long service intervals, and extended scheduled maintenance to reduce service and maintenance costs by up to 12 percent.
Long-time Caterpillar customer and multi-unit Cat dozer owner, Goodfellow Bros., a fourth-generation, family-owned contractor based in Wenatchee, Wash., received one of the D6 XE units. Holt Cat of San Antonio, Texas, took possession of the second D6 XE. The third unit, a D6 dozer with 4-speed, fully automatic transmission, is finished in traditional Cat yellow with special black tracks and blade. Also built in East Peoria, it was shipped to Canadian dealer, Finning Cat, where it was sold to Midwest Pipelines Inc., based in Spruce Grove, Alberta. •
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Caterpillar, (888) 614-4328, cat.com
Caterpillar Expands Retail Equipment Shopping Capabilities Online
Caterpillar is announcing an expansion of online shopping capabilities for customers. After completing a successful, two-year pilot, Caterpillar rolled out Manufacturing Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for equipment at Shop.Cat.com for all its U.S. dealers. In addition, participating dealers will include a transparent sales price for machines and related attachments, simplifying the sales process.
From the convenience of home or the job site, customers can rely on the expanded site for access to machine specifications, product videos and features. Customers can also conveniently choose from different levels of Extended Protection Plans (EPP), a full line of attachments, financing options and special financing deals available at the time of purchase.
Plus, the site calculates monthly payments – based on machine configuration, EPP selected and financing options – so the customer knows the dealer acquisition price and monthly payment. Financing can be attained through Cat Financial online, leaving only the final paperwork upon machine delivery.
“The equipment needs of our customers are immediate, and they typically conduct machine searches while balancing the demands of the project site,” said Alex Stokman, Caterpillar North America retail development manager. “This is just one more step in Caterpillar’s transformation to deliver a faster-paced sales process. Our dealers are committed to being a one-stop shop for machines, attachments and service solutions. •
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Caterpillar, (888) 614-4328, cat.com; shop.cat.com
Vermeer Industrial Expands in Caribbean Region
Total Equipment, Inc., a full-line Vermeer Industrial dealer headquartered in Puerto Rico, has acquired the rights from Vermeer Caribbean to represent the Vermeer Industrial product line in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Under the leadership of Charles de Armas, Total Equipment has represented Vermeer Corporation’s sales, service and parts in Puerto Rico since 2014. With this acquisition, the dealership will now operate under the brand of Vermeer Total Equipment.
Company headquarters will remain in Puerto Rico, with the dealership offering the full line of Vermeer industrial equipment and full-service operations on the island of Saint Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and through a commercial office in the Dominican Republic.
“As we expand our representation of Vermeer into new territories, we are excited to continue serving the customers who depend on us today in Puerto Rico, while also partnering with the professionals who are doing the critical work to drive progress in the Dominican, USVI and Haiti,”
said Charles De Armas, Vermeer Total Equipment dealer principal.
De Armas has been in the equipment industry for more than 30 years. He began his career by following the steps of his father, Jose de Armas, who founded Compresores & Equipos Inc. (C&E) in 1965. It subsequently grew into a well-known rental equipment company in the southern United States and Caribbean. In 2008 Charles assumed leadership of the organization under the Total Equipment name.
The dealership plans to invest in additional inventory, on-the-road service trucks and customer service representatives to drive growth and better serve its customers in underground infrastructure installation, landscaping, clean-up, construction and other industries.
Vermeer Caribbean will continue to represent the Vermeer product line across other key Caribbean islands.
“Vermeer Total Equipment and Vermeer Caribbean have been great partners known for providing dependable support to Vermeer customers across the Caribbean islands for some time,” said Herb Waldhuetter, managing director of Vermeer Latin America. •
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vermeer Corporation, (641) 628-3141, vermeer.com
KorTerra
korterra.com
KorTerra, Inc., a Minneapolis-based provider of cloud-based damage prevention software, is celebrating 30 years of collaborating directly with industry stakeholders to offer highly customizable workforce management tools that expand productivity, streamline operations and increase safety.
In 1990, KorTerra developed the first-of-its-kind mobile system with the capability to send and receive One Call tickets electronically. Today, the company’s software helps thousands of users manage millions of tickets annually.
“We are entering our 30th year in the damage prevention industry with incredible momentum and an established track record of shaping technology strategy and innovation,” said Chris Stendal, CEO. “KorTerra will continue to focus on the ceaseless advancement of technology and remain flexible
to meet the needs of our customers.”
GHH
ghh-fahrzeuge.de
Three manufacturers of Schmidt Kranz Group have merged to form GHH Group, rebranding themselves as a total solutions provider of machines for mining, tunnelling and special civil engineering. The original companies include GHH Fahrzeuge GmbH (Germany), GHH Mining Machines (South Africa) and Mine Master (Poland), including various partner companies.
Dating back to 1758, Germany-based GHH exports its load haul dumpers, dump trucks and scalers around the globe. Along with drill rigs, bolters and long hole production drill rigs from Mine Master, and low-profile and narrow vein loaders from GHH Mining Machines, partners in various geographical locations add significant range to its portfolio.
The slogan, "Solid as a rock," underlines GHH’s legacy and its claim to offer comprehensive, high-performance products for rock logistics all over the world.
It also reflects the incorporation of Stage V engines in its load haul dumpers, as part of its strategy to not only be a “total solutions provider,” but the “cleanest” supplier in the industry. Equipment already meeting the most-stringent exhaust emission standards includes the MK-42 Stage V dump truck (photo).
ALLU
allu.net
ALLU and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), representing heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors and stationary engineers in the United States and Canada, formed a new partnership. IUOE now uses the ALLU Transformer screening bucket its pipeline application training program, specifically during three- to four-hour rotations at a mock pipeline job site.
The advantage of the ALLU Transformer is it enables material to be screened onsite and then backfilled directly into a trench, thus eliminating the need for dedicated stationary screening or the purchase of fine soil.
It is also an excellent embodiment of the advances in technology within the pipeline industry. “Right down to the ability to use Bluetooth to communicate between a smart phone and the bucket – ALLU is really on top of its game with technology,” said Bryan Abel, IUOE/PLCA national pipeline training director.
In other news, the latest dealer selling and renting ALLU Group Inc.’s full line of Transformer material-processing attachments is Equipment Corporation of America (ECA) Canada Company.
Founded in 1918, Toronto-based ECA has been a prominent distributor of construction machinery and technical support for specialized civil, mining, and marine construction projects. Initially operating along the East Coast of the U.S., ECA expanded to Eastern Canadian provinces in 2000.
Another new dealer, Estonia-based Sautec AS, brings its experience in construction and material-handling equipment sales, rental and support, throughout Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, to ALLU.
Manufactured for over 30 years, ALLU attachments are designed to operate in demanding environments on a variety of materials, transforming the way customers work. The Pennala, Finland, company operates from seven regional offices, and distributes to more than 30 countries.
Redline Communications
rdlcom.com
Redline Communications Group Inc., a leading provider of industrial, wireless broadband network connectivity solutions for mission-critical applications, has teamed up with Winncom Technologies, a worldwide distributor of complete networking solutions.
The strategic partnership enables Winncom Technologies to incorporate Redline’s iLTE, Virtual Fiber and TV White Space products into its extensive and cutting-edge portfolio.
Redline’s best-in-class, powerful, rugged and reliable networks exclusively cater to the mining, utilities, oil & gas, transportation and government industries in some of the most remote and environmentally challenging locations globally. Its leading-edge technology helps to deliver the lowest total cost of ownership to organizations building private, wide-area networks.
Hundreds of businesses worldwide rely on Redline to engineer, plan and deliver these networks for their IoT, voice, data, and video communications needs. Applications include distribution utilities’ last-mile broadband, municipalities’ remote monitoring of infrastructure, and specialized telecom service providers in delivering premium services.
Doosan Infracore
doosanequipment.com
Doosan Infracore North America, LLC, expanded its network with two, new EquipmentShare dealerships in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Commerce City, Colo., now offering the full line of Doosan equipment, parts and service.
Founded in 2014, EquipmentShare supplies construction technology solutions and equipment rental service. It manages its rental fleet through its exclusive Track telematics solution, which offers fleet managers a platform to rent equipment, track their fleets and more.
Also expanding its network, Doosan added Best Line Equipment’s first New Jersey dealership. Located in Keyport, it is the main service provider for the state of New Jersey, as well as the five boroughs of New York City.
The business partnership between Doosan and Best Line Equipment began in 2010. Since then, the two partners have grown the brand in the Northeast, with both being recognized as innovative growing companies.
Doosan Infracore North America, headquartered in Suwanee, Ga., markets the Doosan brand of products that includes crawler excavators, wheel excavators, mini excavators, wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks, material handlers, log loaders and attachments.
Liebherr USA
liebherr.com
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration of operating in the United States, Liebherr USA. Co. opened its new corporate headquarters, in Newport News, Virginia. Representing a $60-million investment, it expands the existing site by 251,000 square feet and includes a 60,000-square-foot administrative building; 82,000-square-foot workshop and training facility; 92,000-square-foot parts distribution warehouse with retail operations; guardhouse; and a one-story, 7,500-square-foot wash bay building.
The five new buildings cover a 30-acre site and significantly increase Liebherr’s capability for production, equipment preparation, product support, and parts distribution for the nine different product divisions that fall under the Liebherr USA, Co.’s umbrella.
The four-story administration building is designed to enable seamless collaboration among team members, with flexible workspaces, and a variety of client-facing features and work areas.
A new workshop houses a two-story training center with classrooms for in-house dealers, dealertechnicians, and customers, who gain hands-on experience with real equipment on the warehouse training floor.
At the large maintenance shop, Liebherr staff can service equipment including bull dozers, excavators, loaders and other earth moving machines.
Volvo
Volvo CE named Tyler Equipment as 2019 Dealer of the Year for its commitment to customer service, business success and strong culture. The award recognizes the North American dealership that best promotes the Volvo brand and core strategies: provide the highest uptime in the industry, offer unique customer solutions and ensure the best value at any stage in a machine’s lifecycle.
Massachusetts-based Tyler Equipment’s commitment to those areas contributed to its outstanding performance last year. Its general-purpose equipment retail market share grew by 37 percent and its road machinery equipment market share grew by 25 percent for products served in its territory.
Uptime Dealer of the Year was awarded to Housby Heavy Equipment, based in Des Moines, Iowa, for best demonstrating Volvo’s commitment to being the No. 1 uptime provider in the construction industry. An example of Housby’s success in keeping customers up and running is its fully stocked parts department, which led to 98-percent parts availability in 2019. Another is outfitting nine Mack trucks to use as service trucks to help improve customer uptime.
T.D. Williamson
tdwilliamson.com
T.D. Williamson launched a redesigned website that makes it easier and faster for users to find pipeline performance solutions, reach experts and gain information about achieving the highest standards of pipeline maintenance and operation.
TDW customers will be able to quickly locate products and services to meet their pipeline. They will also
The new site is organized into three main sections: solutions, resources and company information.
Within the Solutions area, users will find all the details about TDW products and services to help them make the best decision for their pipeline pigging, intervention and isolation, and integrity needs. Resources provides quick access to case studies, white papers and other materials that keep visitors on the leading edge of industry best practices.
The simple-to-navigate site with enhanced mobile capabilities represents a digital launch into the future, while also paying homage to the past. A microsite, www.tdwilliamson100.com, celebrates the first century of the company’s work to create safer, more reliable pipelines for onshore and offshore applications, including advanced isolation and repair, integrated pigging and integrity assessment solutions.
Caterpillar
cat.com
Caterpillar Inc. has acquired select assets and hired employees from Marble Robot Inc., a San Francisco-based, robot and autonomy technology solutions company.
The strategic acquisition demonstrates Caterpillar’s commitment to the next generation of job-site solutions. Building on its leadership in autonomous mining, the company plans to leverage the deep expertise of Marble Robot to bring scalable solutions to meet the changing needs of construction, quarry, industrial and waste industries.
Specifically, Caterpillar intends to leverage the team’s fully integrated on-board autonomy technology – including perception, localization and planning – to continue delivering smart, safe, more productive and cost-effective solutions to customers.
“In many ways, this completes a full circle for me.,” said Kevin Peterson, former Marble CEO, now Caterpillar technologist. “I had the privilege of working with Caterpillar early in my career at Carnegie Mellon, where they sponsored the development of the first generation of self-driving vehicle software.
“Now, with the acquisition of the Marble team, together we will drive the next generation of autonomy solutions for Caterpillar customers.”
Prinoth
prinoth.com
MacAllister Machinery is the newest partner in Prinoth’s dealer network. Headquartered in Indianapolis and with locations throughout Indiana, MacAllister will provide vehicle rental, sales, parts and service for the PRINOTH PANTHER tracked carriers in the state.
First opening in 1945, the third-generation, family owned MacAllister Machinery has provided an ever-expanding line of superior quality products, relevant services, and advanced technologies to an ever-expanding clientele and variety of customers.
MacAllister offers the entire PANTHER line-up from its retail sales departments, including standard configurations and customized turnkey solutions for new and unique applications.
The dealer also rents Panther T12s and T14Rs, with plans to add additional models in 2020.
PRINOTH, part of HTI Group, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tracked vehicles. Whether mud, gravel or snow, these utility vehicles are reliable tools for extreme use in extreme environments. Because they exert very low pressure on the ground, they go places where wheeled vehicles sink.
Felling Trailers
felling.com
Continuing to position itself at the forefront of innovation, Felling Trailers, a Central Minnesota trailer manufacturer, acquired a 2-Cell Gantry Robot with Fanuc R-100iC Robotic Arms.
Used to weld the trailer to “frame-level” – hitch to tail, including cross members, frame rails, headboard and tailboard – the new Gantry Robot reduces lead times by increasing production capabilities and efficiencies. Overall, the frame-level weld process is completed about 30-percent faster than when done manually.
The Gantry Robot's operations team consists of the weld trainer and fixture designer, who work together to layout the fixtures needed for trailer builds and the programming. In addition, the production operator places trailer components into the fixture and verifies tolerances before the robot starts its work.
While the robot is welding the frame, the operator monitors the process and stages the next fixture to run through the gantry robot program. Once the frame-level weld is complete, the trailer returns to the weld team for adding on axles, tie-downs, and other customer-specific options.
To date, the 2-Cell Gantry Robot has completed 150 units from two of Felling's most popular models. Along with adding more model lines to the Gantry Robot’s database, Felling will continuously add trailer components, such as beavertails, to maximize its productivity, based on product demand. •
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