• Heavy-duty buckets with a rugged cutting edge and durable horizontal wear strip.
• Severe-duty buckets featuring rugged T-1 or AR400 steel in all high-wear areas, along with double bottom and horizontal wear strips and thicker edges for improved durability and strength.
• Heavy-duty, high-capacity buckets with 20-percent higher capacity than standard, plus the heavy-duty design features of the other buckets.
• Ditching buckets with a formed back wrapper for enhanced loadability and production along with tapered sidewalls for easier dumping of sticky material.

The Case Multi-Fit Coupler offers complete hydraulic latching, enabling excavator operators to quickly attach and detach buckets and other components without leaving the cab. A patented mechanical blocking system eliminates manual safety pin insertion.

The universal design of the coupler enables Case excavators to connect a wide range of Case and other OEM buckets and attachments within the same size class, the manufacturer says. A hydraulic check valve and mechanical blocking bar help prevent the accidental release of an attachment.

Designed for the Multi-Fit Coupler, the coupler buckets feature integrated bucket pins to prevent any loss of breakout force that might otherwise occur when using a coupler device. Available in a wide range of sizes, the coupler buckets work in either the backhoe or face positions for optimum versatility. Their design results in quicker, more complete fills.

The SmartFit bucket teeth are now factory-installed, standard equipment on the manufacturer’s buckets purchased with all full-sized and mid-range excavators. However, additional SmartFit equipped Case buckets are available as well as upgrades for older model buckets. The bucket teeth are available in several configurations including those for general purpose, rock chisel, heavy penetrator, tiger, twin tiger, and flare teeth.

Darin Wiebe of Extreme Concrete Inc. in Linden, Alberta, Canada, wins Wacker Neuson's Trowel Challenge at the 2012 World of Concrete

Darin Wiebe of Extreme Concrete Inc. in Linden, Alberta, Canada won Wacker Neuson’s fourth annual Trowel Challenge competition held at the 2012 World of Concrete in Las Vegas, taking home the a customized CRT 48-35VX ride-on trowel powered by a special Vanguard Big Block V-twin engine and an all-expense paid trip for two to the Caribbean.

His combined winning time was 67.428 seconds. Wiebe came into the finals in second place with a qualifying time of 34.312. His final run time was 33.116 seconds. It was a friendly competition between Wiebe and his partner at Extreme Concrete, Jon Baerg.

Baerg came into the finals in first place with a qualifying time of 34.084 and with his final run time of 33.553 he was just a mere .209 seconds behind Wiebe with a finishing time 67.637 seconds.  For his efforts Baerg went home with a Wacker Neuson CT 36, 36-inch walk behind trowel.  The third place finisher was Bruce Gesick, from Slater and Son Concrete, Chico, Calif. Gesick finished with a combined time of 70.220 and went home with a BTS 635s portable cut-off saw.

More than 150 trowel operators took this year’s challenge held in Wacker Neuson’s outdoor exhibit at World of Concrete. The challenge tested the participants’ entire range of skills as they maneuvered around an obstacle course on the 2,400 square foot slab. This year’s course was run on Wacker Neuson’s World of Concrete 30-foot by 80-foot slab that measured at a floor flatness of FF-152.

Preliminary competitions were held Jan. 24-26 during the show. The contestants with the top 10 fastest times from the preliminaries advanced to the finals held on Jan. 26. The top 10 finalists each had one run through the course and that time was added to the preliminary time.

The next Wacker Neuson Trowel Challenge will take place at Feb. 5-8, 2013 at The World of Concrete 2013 in Las Vegas. For more information about the complete Trowel Challenge, go to www.trowelchallenge.com.

The first auction, a World of Concrete charity event , generated $558,000 for Concrete Industry Management’s post secondary education program — a new record for the annual auction.

At the second auction, which took place at Ritchie Bros.’ Las Vegas site, the company sold more than $24 million worth of equipment for more than 200 consignors. All items in the two public auctions were sold to the highest bidders – regardless of price – with no minimum bids or reserve prices. Bids were made in person at the auction site, online in real time at www.rbauction.com, or by proxy.

Painted black, the Tier 4 excavator features a patriotic theme that includes the American flag on the boom, an eagle on the cab, and the New York City skyline on the rear counterweight. With this display, Kobelco says it is continuing the company’s tradition of celebrating its American manufacturing by showcasing new equipment with a patriotic American theme.

The custom-wrapped SK485 Mark 9 excavator is provided courtesy of Sandoval Pipeline Engineering Inc. and Trinity Equipment Rentals, both based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Recently absorbed into Trinity Equipment Rentals, Sandoval Pipeline specialized in installations of water, sewer, storm drain, firewater, retention/detention basins, and filtration units for customers in the commercial, industrial, retail, and public works sectors. Since its founding in 2011, Trinity Equipment Rentals has provided rentals of excavators and other heavy equipment to the Southern California market.
The company has established a reputation for applying a unique custom-wrap design to their Tier 4- and Tier 3-compliant fleets.

A Kobelco customer for more than 10 years, Sandoval Pipeline and Trinity Equipment recently made a multi-million dollar equipment purchase from Scott Equipment, Inc., a Kobelco dealer located in Fontana, Calif. The purchase included eight Kobelco machines – two SK485 Mark 9 excavators, three SK350 Mark 9 excavators, and three 215SR short radius excavators. All eight Kobelco excavators feature Trinity Equipment’s custom-wrap design.

SK485 Mark 9 tackles heavy applications with ease
The largest of the Kobelco Mark 9 excavator series – which includes the SK210, SK260, SK295, and SK350 excavators – the Tier 4 SK485 Mark 9 delivers up to 15-percent improvement in fuel efficiency.

The new SK485 Mark 9 excavator features an upgrade to Kobelco’s intelligent hydraulics, and a new Economy power mode that delivers improved fuel efficiency – 15-percent better fuel efficiency for normal digging conditions as compared to previous models. The machine also features a Tier 4 Interim Hino engine equipped with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) emission technology. A new ROPS/FOPS cab provides a larger, more comfortable work environment. A low engine cover and standard rear-view camera improve visibility and operator productivity.

The SK485 Mark 9 is engineered for heavy applications, including road and bridge, sewer and underground utilities and mainline pipeline construction.

The Kobelco SK485 features an operating weight of 111,774 pounds and a dig depth of 25 feet, 7.5 inches. The new model delivers 345 horsepower.

Additional features on the new Kobelco SK485 Mark 9 excavator include swing flashers and step extensions. Plug-in capability for telematics is standard on all Mark 9 excavators. For even greater productivity and precision, all Kobelco Mark 9 excavators are compatible with grade control systems from leading suppliers to meet customer preference and applications.

It may be accessed at http://www.worldofconcrete.com/assets/brochures/woc_events_broch/WOC_EVENTS_BROCH.html.

“The World of Concrete Show App is a great tool that will really make your trip to the show even more productive,” said Rick McConnell, president of Hanley Wood Exhibitions for World of Concrete, in a written statement. “The map feature to navigate the show floor, the calendar option, show alerts and detailed seminar information updates are just a couple of the cool features that will enhance your show experience. Be sure and download as soon as you can!”

The World of Concrete App provides easy-to-use interactive capabilities:

• Dashboard with real-time info.
• Interactive floor map
• Alerts from the show organizer
• Networking tools to stay connected to colleagues and friends
• Twitter and Facebook integration

iPhone (plus, iPod Touch & iPad) and Android users: visit your App Store or Android Market on your phone and search for WOC 2012. Blackberry and all other web browser-enabled phone users: point your mobile browser to http://m.core-apps.com/woc2012 to be directed to download the proper version of the app for your particular device, or on some phones, bookmark this page for future reference.

Caterpillar

Cat 300.9D Takes Cat Into The Micro Market

The 300.9D weighs in at 2,061 pounds, making it the smallest machine in the Cat range. With an overall width of 28.7 inches, the machine is capable of driving through a standard doorway, providing easy access to the most confined job sites.

A water-cooled, three-cylinder diesel engine produces 18.4 horsepower; along with a twin gear pump hydraulic system creates a maximum stick breakout force of 1,011 pound-feet and a maximum bucket breakout force of 2,000 pound-feet. The machine comes equipped with an extending undercarriage and fold-out dozer blade, ensuring maximum stability and allowing a digging depth of up to 69.4 in (1,731mm) and a maximum excavation radius of 121.7 in (3,074mm).

A foldable overhead protective structure is mounted on the front of the machine, allowing the fitting of an additional guard to protect the operator when the machine is used with a hydraulic breaker. Caterpillar’s work tool division will be introducing a new H25 compact breaker specifically to work with this smaller machine.  Auxiliary hydraulic lines with quick disconnect fittings are supplied as standard.

A spacious operator area with easy to use controls ensures the 300.9D will be a popular choice with operators of all abilities. The folding structure and operating weight well below 1 tonne, makes the 300.9D easy to transport on a trailer behind a van or truck, while a simple single steel engine cover provides easy access to all service and maintenance points.

301.4C Boosts Key Rental Sector

With an operating weight of 2,921 to 3,340 pounds, depending on specification, the Cat 301.4C fits into the line-up below the current 301.8C, extending choice in the popular 1.5 ton market. The machine is available with a choice of cab or FOPS/TOPS canopy, and with standard or extending width undercarriage.

Power comes from a 24 horsepower engine and the machine boasts a maximum bucket breakout force of 3,597 pound-feet and a stick force of 1,596 pound-feet. The machine has good working range with a maximum digging depth of 143.5 inches and reach at ground level extends to 145.7 inches. The maximum lift capacity to the front of the machine is 1,576 pounds. Lift capacity over the side of the machine is 739 pounds with the retracted 39 inches width tracks, rising to 1,091 pounds with the standard 51.2 inches extendable tracks.

Standard equipment includes extendable undercarriage, single and two-way auxiliary hydraulic lines, a sturdy dozer blade, a suspension seat and a hydraulic oil cooler. The machine will have a bucket linkage that allows the use of a wide range of existing Cat buckets, quick couplers and powered work tools.

302.7D CR Joins Growing Compact Radius Line

Tipping the scales at 5,681 pounds with a canopy and 5,886 pounds with full cab, the 302.7D CR is the lightest Cat compact radius model, making it easy to transport for a rental company or contractor. Powered by the same proven 24 horsepower engine as the 301.4C, the machine boasts a load sensing hydraulic system, providing a maximum bucket force of 5,058 pound-feet and a maximum stick force of 3,462 pound-feet.

The Cat 302.7D CR combines a compact radius design (zero tailswing without counterweight) with a spacious operator environment and easy access to regular service points. Two-way auxiliary lines are standard, equipped with quick disconnects for rapid work tool changeover. A joystick-mounted proportional auxiliary control allows for fine control of a range of powered attachments. The dozer blade offers added stability when digging, and a float function on the dozer control allows operators to grade and push with confidence.

Maximum lift capacity is 2,105 pounds with the standard long arm and counterweight combination. When lifting over the side the extra counterweight allows a maximum lift capacity of 1,373 pounds at a reach of 98 inches and ground level.

Customers should contact their local Cat dealer or visit http://www.cat.com/equipment/hydraulic-excavators/mini-hydraulic-exavators for more information about the less-than-3-ton excavators.