Tag: tech: Page 30

Roadbuilding

Michigan DOT considers using drones for road condition monitoring

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been researching the use of drones for investigating road conditions in an effort to speed up such inspections and keep workers out of harms way. According to a report by WZZM TV, MDOT looked at drone use over an 18-month period to see how effective the machines would […]

May 27, 2015

Roadbuilding

This Dutch bike path could be the precursor to solar energy-capturing roads everywhere

A bike path in the Netherlands that’s shorter than a football field could be the future of energy and travel. Engineers built the 229-foot test track with a solar road surface. Al Jazeera reports the path’s surface can be driven over while also generating electricity. The small test track has generated enough electricity in just six months […]

May 22, 2015

Technology

Caterpillar will pay back $1 for each gallon of fuel you burn beyond its benchmarks

This week Caterpillar unveiled a new fuel guarantee initiative that will give participating contractors $1 back for every gallon of diesel their newly acquired machines burn above the benchmarked rates established by the company. The Fuel Consumption Guarantee program will run between May 1 and December 31 this year. Contractors who buy an eligible Cat […]

May 15, 2015

Technology

Software on John Deere, all other heavy equipment only “destroys” an antiquated idea of ownership

A recent blog from WIRED criticizing the impenetrable software programs that run John Deere’s ag tractors has created quite a stir in the equipment community. In a nutshell, the the author Kyle Wiens reports farmers are hopping mad that there are so many sensors and computers running these machines that you need the dealer to diagnose […]

May 13, 2015

Technology

Topcon granted drone exemption by FAA

Topcon has received an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration, excluding the company from the agency’s current unmanned aerial systems (UAS) guidelines that until now have prohibited it from commercial operation of its Sirius mapping drones in the U.S. The company says the exemption covers both the Sirius Pro and Sirius Basic drones for the use of aerial […]

April 28, 2015

Technology

Case CE consolidates equipment precision services under SiteSolutions umbrella

Case Construction Equipment has moved all of its precision services, such as telematics, into one group of services named Case SiteSolutions. The company says this move will create a “360-degree” business solution system for customers, and make equipment data gathered “more practical and intuitive” for contractors to use. “This starts with the extension of the […]

April 24, 2015

Technology

REVIEW: Can Lemur’s $100 BlueDriver device and app match up to a $3,000 OBD-II scan tool?

Turn your smartphone or tablet into a $3,000 scan tool for $100? Sounds a bit far-fetched. Is the Lemur BlueDriver more gimmick than genuine? That’s the question we wanted to find out. Scan tools are as important in today’s service tech’s toolbox as any wrench, screwdriver or socket. Maybe more so. They gather data from all the vehicle’s microprocessors and […]

April 23, 2015

Construction Equipment

Komatsu reveals intelligent, hybrid machine sales figures at Intermat, says more on the way

Komatsu’s intelligent machine initiative, now well into its second year, was top of mind during at Intermat presentation from Komatsu Europe executives at Intermat today. The company also reported on its hybrid excavator population, and the fuel savings realized from the machines it first introduced five years ago. The company now has six intelligent dozer […]

April 21, 2015

Construction Equipment

Trimble speeds up GPS dozer grade control, intros wireless data sharing between compactors with GCS900, CCS900 systems

GPS grade control systems can only go as fast as the machine’s receivers can process the signals and hydraulic valves react. Trimble has improved this situation with it’s new GradeMax Plus technology for dozers. Used in the Trimble GCS900, GradeMax Plus employs an inertial measurement sensor to detect the rate of acceleration and changes in […]

April 20, 2015

Roadbuilding

Mi Drive app helps Michigan motorists navigate around construction zones

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) free Mi Drive app, which has reached more than 40,000 downloads since its launch in November 2014, helps motorists find alternate routes around construction zones with details on traffic incidents and the latest construction project updates. “The summer driving season is always hectic but it’s no secret there’s work […]

April 17, 2015

Equipment Experts

TEST DRIVE: Caterpillar’s low-tech, K2 dozer automation allows GPS-like machine control without the price tag (PHOTOS)

[imagebrowser id=235] A theme I hear from contractors these days is that more than ever, they are using dozers to do finish grade passes. Motor graders can do this too, but a motor grader is a one-job machine. A dozer can also hog out mountains of dirt, pile up brush and material, push out stumps, […]

April 16, 2015

Technology

TEST DRIVE: Caterpillar’s low-tech, K2 dozer automation allows GPS-like machine control without the price tag (PHOTOS)

[imagebrowser id=235] A theme I hear from contractors these days is that more than ever, they are using dozers to do finish grade passes. Motor graders can do this too, but a motor grader is a one-job machine. A dozer can also hog out mountains of dirt, pile up brush and material, push out stumps, […]

April 16, 2015