October 2003
JCB, the North American subsidiary of JC Bamford Excavators Ltd., plans to develop its own 4- and 6-liter diesel engines for off-highway equipment. The new engines will provide better performance and comply with future emission requirements, the company says.
Manufacturer News
Wizard Technologies named two distributors for its mulch and sand coloring systems. Vermeer Sales and Service will distribute the WizTech System in Alabama and the North Florida Panhandle. Lyons Sawmill & Logging Equipment will distribute the machines in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Metso Minerals appointed John Olsen as president of North and Central America for its newly integrated aggregate and construction, and mining market segments.
Caterpillar received EPA 2004 certification for its C13 diesel engine with ACERT technology. The C13 is commonly used in on-road vocational-class trucks, such as dump trucks. n
Get vibration data online
Explotech Engineering’s BlastVibrations is an automated vibration monitoring and web-based data distribution system configured to operate with Instantel’s Blastmate III and Minimate Plus seismographs. When a monitor records a vibration event, it automatically uploads recorded data to the Internet where it can be viewed on the password-protected Blast Vibrations web site. The system also can automatically forward vibration-event data to personal email accounts. Data is available within minutes of an event, Explotech says. InfoDirect 715
Mine education poster teaches students safe practices
The National Energy Foundation collaborated with the Mine Safety and Health Administration and other sponsors to create a mine safety education poster titled, “Act Responsibly: Stay out — Stay Alive.” Intended for students in grades 5 through 12, the 23- x 35-in., full-color poster presents 10 “safety situation” questions and 10 corresponding “leadership principle” responses. The back of the poster features sections about technological advances in mining, benefits of mining, mining careers, surface hazards, underground hazards, and other concepts. A Spanish version of the poster also is available. InfoDirect 716
Wireless video system provides remote site monitoring
Hoss Equipment Co. and Remote Monitoring Technologies jointly developed the SiteWatch Camera Tower Surveillance system. The system delivers network video over a WiFi 802.11b wireless protocol. Users can control the system from an office PC, laptop computer, or PDA or transmit the image and control over the Internet to any password-secured computer. A typical system consists of up to four cameras and a server, available in fixed-mount or portable configurations. The technology enables cost-effective deployment of long-range wireless network video for remote site monitoring and security surveillance, the companys say. InfoDirect 717
Drive has guided start up
ABB, Inc. introduces the ACS550 Drive IT low-voltage AC drive family with a range of 1 to 550 hp and multiple modes of motor control. The control panel is similar in look, feel, and function to a cell phone, ABB says. Built-in Start-up Assistant software provides step-by-step guided start up. The drive monitors energy consumption, running hours, or motor revolutions and has a Diagnostic Assistant to help fix faults. A digital interface card and field bus adaptors are available as options. InfoDirect 718
Vibrating aerators ease flow of dry bulk solids in hoppers
Cyclonaire Corp.’s VibraPad Aerators eliminate bridging, rat-holing, and compacting of dry bulk solids that can cause plugging and slow or erratic conveying, the company says. Pressurized air enters the Vibrapad’s stainless steel shaft and flows into the cavities formed where the umbrella-shaped rubber pad presses against the bin or hopper wall. The air then escapes under the pad boot, causing the boot to vibrate against the wall. The escaping air creates an aeration effect to fluidize the surrounding material. Aeration and vibration levels are controlled by adjusting the air supply pressure and volume. InfoDirect 719
Self-contained impactor plant has double-deck inclined screen
Lippmann-Milwaukee introduces the 4818 Prime Mover portable impact crushing and screening plant. The plant features a 45-in. x 18-ft. vibrating grizzly feeder with a quick-removal feed hopper module; Lippmann’s 4248 horizontal shaft impactor with a three-bar, solid-steel rotor; a 48-in. x 45-ft. plant conveyor that folds for transport; a 6- x 16-ft. double-deck inclined vibrating screen; two 24-in. cross conveyors; a 48-in. under-screen fines conveyor; a 24-in. return conveyor; operator’s platform with electronic motor controls; and hydraulic leveling legs. The plant is powered by an on-board Cummins 460-hp diesel engine. InfoDirect 720
Measure levels at long spans
K-TEK introduces the Ksonik III ultrasonic level transmitter that is capable of continuously measuring the level of liquids or solids over spans up to 197 ft. at an accuracy of 0.25 percent at full span, according to the company. Ksonik III overcomes problems due to false echoes and weak return signals by dynamically varying the gain and power settings of the transmitted signal, K-TEK says. The transmitter has dual-channel capability and accommodates up to five SPDT relays. Each relay can be configured to operate from either channel for a variety of control options, such as activating pumps. InfoDirect 721
Bag aggregate for retail sale
The Multibagger from The Sandbagger Corp. uses an 11-hp Honda engine to power a motorized auger to fill up to 1,000 bags per hour from three bag-filling stations. The unit is designed to bag compost, mulch, gravel, stone, soil, and sand. It has a 2-cu.-yd. hopper and can be transported on a single-axle trailer or in the bed of any standard pickup truck. InfoDirect 722
Device stops stacker damage
Superior Industries made SafetyStop a standard feature on its line of telescoping radial stacking conveyors. The SafetyStop mechanism prevents damage to the main truss or stinger in the unlikely event of cable failure, the company says. With loss of cable tension, spring-loaded SafetyStop activates forks, which support stinger truss cross-members, holding the stinger in its extended position until repaired. InfoDirect 723
Micro-Deval tests durability
Gilson’s MD-2000 Micro-Deval apparatus meets Canadian and provisional AASHTO standards as well as more stringent Texas DOT requirements, the company says. An electronic controller with optical sensing system tracks test time, total revolutions, and rpm of up to two jars at a time, each containing an aggregate sample and abrasive charge. Aggregate quality is determined by percentage loss in gradation results after two hours of rotation. InfoDirect 724
Portable hoppers and bins used for loading and feeding
Grasan portable hoppers and bins are available with or without variable-incline belt-feed conveyors and variable-rate vibratory pan feeders. Feed hoppers handle materials at rates of 300 to 1,000 tph and can be used for loading trucks, barges, and rail cars and feeding crushers and screen plants. Typically, bins and hoppers are mounted on a wide flange beam chassis with truck axles, air brakes, and signal lights for highway towing. Grasan will customize designs to meet individual needs. InfoDirect 727
New rotors for old crushers
Universal Engineering offers a rotor upgrade program for owners of Universal 130/150 Impact Master II secondary crushers. The program includes a new one-piece rotor body and a new shaft mounting using a keyless clamp arrangement. Optional top-loading hammers are avaiable on the new rotors. InfoDirect 725
Lighter suspension hanger
East Manufacturing’s Lite-Ride aluminum suspension hanger is available in a bolt-on version for most aluminum frame trailers and as an integrated weld-on option for East Frameless dump trailers. The bolt-on Lite-Ride saves more than 150 lbs. per tandem, and the integrated weld-on option is more than 370 lbs. lighter than current steel hanger assemblies. Less weight potentially allows greater payload and fuel savings, according to East. The units also eliminate maintenance problems of repainting rusty steel suspension hangers or repairing areas of galvanic corrosion to aluminum trailers, the company says. The bolt-on Lite-Ride can be retrofitted on most aluminum frame trailers. InfoDirect 726
Dozer steers with dual track power
Komatsu America upgraded two of its mid-sized dozers — the D65 and D85. The 190-hp D65 handles blade capacities from 4.8 to 7.34 cu. yd.; the 240-hp D85 uses 6.8- to 9.2-cu. yd. blades. Komatsu’s Hydrostatic Steering System (HSS) uses an independent hydraulic pump and transmits engine power to both tracks. The outside track turns faster than the inside track through a turn. A Palm Command control System has joysticks for travel and blade control. Both models are available in standard or low ground pressure configurations. InfoDirect 728
GPS surveying for non-surveyors
Trimble’s SCS900 Site Controller System uses GPS-based software to enable field personnel with no experience in surveying to measure cut and fill progress and stockpile material volumes and to check grading operations, the company says. The system can be used on a rod or mounted on an ATV. InfoDirect 729
Tungsten carbide blades clean vulcanized belts
Parramatta Group added Eliminator belt cleaners to its line of products for vulcanized conveyor belts. The precleaners and secondary cleaners feature tungsten carbide blades and are available in a variety of systems for applications including high volume; high speed; and heavy, wet, and sticky materials. InfoDirect 730
Glowing paint highlights plant hazards
Spectra-Glo’s paint, made from Strontium Photoluminescent pigments that store energy from light, emits a neon glow in the dark that can last up to 10 hours, according to the company. The paint can be applied to concrete, plaster, wood, metal, and plastic with a brush, roller, or spray gun to mark hazardous areas or emergency exits. InfoDirect 731
Mobile screen with wide-mouth feeder
Finlay Hydrascreens’ 883 Reclaimer features a double-deck screen with 16- x 5-ft. side-tensioned top deck and a 12- x 5-ft. end-tensioned bottom deck. A horizontal, wide-mouth apron feeder has a hydraulic variable-speed drive. One oversize and two product conveyors have variable speed and hydraulic fold. The unit is powered by a water-cooled, Deutz 100-hp diesel. The undercarriage is available in tracked or wheeled configuration. InfoDirect 732
Grader and loader snow tire designed to eliminate need for tire chains Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Co.’s VSW Snow Wedge Radial snow tire for motor graders and wheel loaders eliminates the need for tire chains, according to the company. It is available in sizes 1400R24 through 20.5R25. Even pressure throughout the contact patch promotes a solid grip on fluffy, dry snow; strategically placed grooves enhance snow shearing forces to dig in and hold on wet, packed snow; and thousands of block edges and hundreds of full-width sipes provide gripping edges in every direction on ice, Bridgestone/Firestone says. The VSW Snow Wedge Radial, designed for winter weather, also performs well as an all-season tire on both wet and dry surfaces, the company says. Eliminating the need for tire chains results in higher productivity, longer tire life, and reduced road damage. InfoDirect 733
Help selecting fifth wheels
Holland published a Fifth Wheel Selection Guide to provide information necessary to help specify the proper fifth wheel for most applications. The publication features sections on how to use the guide, items to consider before selecting a fifth wheel, selection tables for various trailer applications, options, locating and installing the fifth wheel and a glossary. InfoDirect 734
Diaphragm senses material
BinMaster says its Diaphragm pressure-sensitive point level indicator is resistant to abrasion, heat, and cold and has low moisture absorption. The unit operates by sensing material pressing against a thin diaphragm cover made from a combination of Hypalon, Nylon, and Neoprene. This actuates a sensitive micro switch that can be wired to actuate a visual or audible alarm or to start or stop a process. InfoDirect 735
Screens fit all applications
TEMA Isenmann’s WS 85 is a modular, polyurethane screening system that can be used in all plant applications, including fine wet screening, sand screens, bottom decks, light loads, and dewatering, the company says. The system integrates one mounting system throughout the plant, which is available in a variety of materials. WS 85 is available in 1- x 4-ft. panels and in staggered patterns. InfoDirect 736