By Tina Grady Barbaccia
Redesigned sweeper offers chassis choice
Elgin Sweeper has introduced a new Road Wizard mechanical sweeper featuring an improved design and a choice of chassis – Freightliner, UD, International, conventional or cabover. The new design features improved styling; an improved spray system water pump; more efficient hydraulics; a more robust sweeper, lift and hopper frame; and improved service access. The sweeper is powered by a liquid-cooled, low-emission
interim Tier 4 engine that provides variable control over sweeper speeds with no effect on truck speed. The sweeper also features new water tank, hopper and elevator designs.
Blow gun blows away construction debris
The Coilhose Cannon extreme high volume blow gun was specifically developed forremoval of asphalt, stone, concrete, scrap metal, rock and any other large pieces of debris typically found around heavy-duty construction sites, road/railroad maintenance work areas, sewer excavations and bridge repair locations. The Cannon is a safe and more efficient alternative to the “black pipe and ball valve” method for blowing away large chunks of debris, the manufacturer says. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specially-engineered safety nozzle delivers a concentrated force of air to a specific area so that the debris can be directed toward the collection area. A “power assist” trigger minimizes actuation force and further helps control debris removal and cleanup. Safety extensions that are 24 inches and 48 inches make it easy to reach areas typically hard to access.
Maximized visibility among improvements
Roadtec’s 700-horsepower soil stabilizer/reclaimer has undergone a transformation during the past year. Compared to the first 2007 prototype, the current SX-7 looks very different. The changes in the body of the machine are mostly related to maximizing visibility. Visibility can be tricky with any large construction machine, but the manufacturer has redesigned the front and rear body of the machine so that visibility is dramatically improved. The cab is optional and can slide right or left, past the frame of the machine. With the SX-7, water and emulsion are handled by one system. Any single nozzle or set of nozzles in the spray bar can be turned off individually to precisely control how much liquid material is put down. The new Roadnet central control and diagnostic system provides operator feedback on virtually every function of the machine. Additionally, troubleshooting screens for all systems can be accessed with the touch of a button. With its variable volume cutter, the drum can be moved up or down in the housing on the fly. To create more mixing space, the drum down is moved down. If sizing of the material is critical, the drum can be moved up closer to the housing for the desired result.
Wireless monitoring compact excavator
The new PC78US-8 compact hydraulic excavator from Komatsu America Corp. features a spacious operator’s compartment, 7-inch color multifunction monitor, Komtrax wireless machine monitoring system sending machine operating information to a secure website, minimum radius design, and a low-emission Komatsu engine. Data such as operating hours, machine location, maintenance notifications, out-of-area notifications, machine utilization, and residual fuel levels are features that are relayed to the web application for analysis. The hydraulic excavator gets it power from a direct-injection EPA Interim Tier 4 Komatsu SAA4D95LE-5 engine with 55 net horsepower. The PC78US-8 has an operating weight of 16,240 pounds and features a maximum digging height of 24 feet, 11 inches, a maximum digging depth of 15 feet, 5 inches, an arm crowd force of 7,760 pounds and a bucket breakout force of 13,780 pounds.
Construction layout software
Topcon Positioning Systems has introduced Topcon Layout and LayoutMaster, an advanced software solution for construction layout. The technology is designed to assist a contractor or builder with nearly any type of construction staking and layout application, regardless of terrain, regardless of weather, regardless of jobsite restrictions. The foundation of this new solution is the complete integration with Topcon’s industry-leading instrument and field data collection technology, providing complete input/output integration capabilities.
Compact trencher with heavy-duty oscillating tracks
The new RT24 compact trencher from Ditch Witch is a fully-hydrostatic, 22.3-horsepower (16.5 kW) trencher featuring heavy-duty oscillating tracks that improve stability and traction on rough and uneven terrain, and a Roto Witch boring attachment for installing utilities beneath driveways, sidewalks and other surface improvements with minimal turf disturbance. The compact trencher is designed with more weight on the digging chain, so it can put more product in the ground faster, and its trenching capacities of 48 inches deep and eight inches wide enable a contractor to install a wide variety of utilities and irrigation systems. The RT24’s chain speed also can be adjusted by substituting a 10-tooth sprocket for the standard 12-tooth. For added stability and traction, the RT24 can be equipped with heavy-duty tracks that “walk” or oscillate 12 degrees. A special trail wheel that supports the oscillating tracks helps reduce break-over and increase stability over uneven and rough terrain.
