Affordable, versatile hammer

Doosan Infracore America Construction Equipment says its new DXB 170h hammer, for use with DX225 and DX255 excavators, was developed with the industry-leading engineering, design, and functionality of Montabert breakers combined with the affordable pricing and versatility of Doosan equipment. Features include an operating weight of 3,572 pounds, carrier weight range of 18 to 28 tons, tool diameter of 5.39 inches, operating pressure of 2,610 pounds per square inch, flow of 26.5/39.5 gallons per minute, and an impact class of 5,000 foot pounds.

Off-road tire offers comfort, stability

Bridgestone Americas Off Road Tire Sales Division says its new V-Steel J-Traction (VJT) radial off-road tire for loaders features a computer-optimized center block that minimizes vibration levels to create improved operator comfort and stability. Other features include extended tire life through improved wear resistance, enhanced sidewall design for improved cut resistance, and a specialized self-cleaning tread design and non-directional tread pattern. The tire is available in three sizes — 20.5R25, 23.5R25, and 26.5R25 — with 17.5R25 and 29.5R25 coming soon.

Thumb/bucket combo fits all size excavators

Rockland Manufacturing Co. says its new Entek Krypto Klaw is designed to work with all sizes of excavators from minis to large machines. The bucket performs like a grapple while retaining the advantage of an excavator bucket. Its multi-rib, open design provides operators with visibility while manipulating material. Simply pin or couple the unit to the excavator, plug in two hydraulic lines, and go to work.

Transfers loads in all terrains

Talbert Manufacturing, Inc.’s new Equalizer spread-axle trailer is a nitrogen-assisted dampening system that hydraulically transfers loads in all terrains. The suspension system oscillates around a central self-tracking pivot point to provide proportionate weight distribution in each axle grouping. The user-friendly system allows operators to make quick, easy adjustments, and absorbs hauling and loading shocks. The trailer allows a 14-foot, 1-inch spread with 54-inch axle spacing and a 14-foot, 7-inch spread with 60-inch axle spacing.

Dust control

Nesco’s new Port-A-Fog system controls dust when loaders dump into railcars, trucks, or hoppers. The system features two 350-gallon tanks, cartridge filters, and a heavy-duty 1,500-pound-per-square-inch pump. Its 20-foot spray bar adjusts from 8 to 17 feet in height and produces a burst of fog droplets to suppress dust without wetting the load. The unit is mounted on a 6- by 14-foot bed with running gear that makes it easy to tow and position.

Diesel hydraulic conveyors

TCI Manufacturing’s diesel hydraulic conveyors are self-contained, road-portable, electricity-free units. Features include a Kubota engine; a 60-gallon fuel tank that can run a full shift without refueling; a spring-loaded, three-position directional valve to operate power travel and power raise features; velocity fuses to prevent sudden collapse in the event of a hydraulic failure; and flow-control valves to ensure smooth operation of hydraulics. The company will custom-design, build, and paint equipment to specifications.

New track option for portable stackers

Superior Industries is offering a new track-mounted system for its line of portable stacking conveyors. The company says the tracks increase a conveyor’s ability to travel across soft conditions. The system is designed for easy mounting and can be retrofitted to existing Superior conveyors in minutes.

Reduced downtime and maintenance

KPI-JCI says its new Kodiak Plus series of cone crushers has patented innovations that reduce downtime, maintenance, and the need to re-circulate loads. According to the company, precision-designed roller bearings generate higher efficiencies and reduce operating temperatures while allowing a high tolerance to climate and temperature fluctuations. Other features include a tramp iron relief system with pressure relief valves to eliminate maintenance costs associated with accumulators, and field-replaceable segmented brass thread inserts to resist galling and welding.

Tier 3-compliant dozer

Komatsu America Corp. says its new WD600-6 wheel dozer is equipped with a Tier 3-compliant SAA6D170E-5 six-cylinder engine, which produces 502 horsepower at 1,800 revolutions per minute. The dozer’s engine is equipped with new technologies including an electronic control system to optimize vehicle performance; a heavy-duty, high-pressure, common rail fuel-injection system; a new combustion system for reduced noise and fuel consumption; a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system; and an air-to-air charge air-cooling system. The engine comes standard with dual-mode engine power, an Economy mode for maximum fuel efficiency, and a Power mode for maximum productivity.

Soft rock drill bits

Atlas Copco says its new Secoroc Threaded Rocket Bit (TRB) drill bit range offers a greater penetration rate than other bits — a penetration rate that is sustainable throughout the bit’s service life. The TRB design has full ballistic buttons and deep vertical grooves, resulting in a bit that produces rock chips rather than cuttings, creating more space between the rock face and the bit head. A faster penetration rate allows more holes to be drilled per day, reducing the cost per hole.

New generation safety harness

Capital Safety says its new ExoFit Nex full-body harness provides a level of comfort, function, and durability that has never been experienced before. The harness material is soft yet durable anti-absorbent webbing with strategically placed padding and protective elements that prolong its service live. Its hardware allows for a one-time adjustment that stays in place throughout the day, ensuring a snug fit.

by Chris Rhoades

According to the analysis of equipment use in nearly 1,000 locations and more than 1,500 tires, 36 percent of every tire discarded by aggregate producers in 2008 went unutilized. In other words, multiply the total dollars spent on tires last year in the aggregate industry by 0.36 and you can arrive at the industry-wide potential cost savings available. To make it more personal, what was your tire expenditure last year, and what is your utilization rate?

Even though supply and demand are catching up, tires remain one of the largest expenditures for any operation. Given the economic downturn, companies are seeking every means possible to be competitive by driving costs out of the system. Thankfully, the tire situation throughout the last few years has encouraged best practices to be implemented, and — from every indication — they will be continued, even if for different reasons.

One of the key best practices in any tire management program is utilization of tire tracking and analysis software. As product manager for Bridgestone’s TreadStat for the last decade, I will share the key ingredients for a successful data-driven program based on experiences working closely with aggregate producers and dealers.

Partnering with an authorized off-road tire dealer is foundational. Dealers are the most important link in the chain because they are on the front lines and are performing tire changes, pressure checks, and fleet surveys. In undertaking a tire tracking initiative using software, every tire change needs to be recorded every time. Having a relationship with a dealer willing to commit the sweat equity and the time in tracking your tires is one of the first steps in reducing your overall operating costs.

Tire tracking does not equal tire management, however. In order to reduce tire costs, you first have to know where they are. In order to know where they are, not only do tires need to be tracked, but, more importantly, they have to be analyzed and the results have to be communicated. Having a dealer sit down and review a regular report showing all of the operation’s in-service tires with recommended actions, as well as discuss the tires that recently were discarded, is integral to finding opportunities to extend tire life. It is also recommended that either bi-annually or annually a different set of reports be run for review to compare improvement over the last year and to set a budget and goals for the next.

Over the years, tire management software has become easier to use and has streamlined the dealer’s job of inputting data. One of the challenges has been how to make the analysis easier. With more than 50 reports to choose from in various combinations with filters, analysis can be daunting. Over time, we have identified a set of reports that should be reviewed on a regular basis, as well as an end-of-year basis. It should also be noted that it takes time to build up enough historical scrap data to fully use the discard reports. If you are just getting started, data from other locations in your organization with similar operating conditions and equipment may be available for comparison until you have sufficient data.

Reports that should be reviewed regularly and can be useful immediately include the following:

·                    Tires in service by vehicle: This provides a snapshot of current running inventory. Ideally, the report should include your last inspection’s pressure readings, total hours on the tires, remaining tread depth and percent, estimated wear-out date based upon the current wear rate, and, most importantly, a place for dealer comments. This is the most important field because this is where recommendations are communicated.

·                    Tires with less than 25 percent of tread remaining: This report can be run by either percent remaining or tread depth remaining. This should show all of the tires by vehicle and position that are coming out of service soon. Rerun this report with 26 to 50 percent to see the next batch of tires due to be replaced. This will aid in hitting those monthly budget numbers.

·                    Inventory reports: To better understand asset status, spare tire inventory, tires out for repair, and retread reports should be kept on hand and updated regularly.

·                    Tire cards for tires discarded in the last month: Review the data for reasons for failure, total utilization, and final cost per hour. Looking at the tire card should show that the tires were inspected regularly and air pressure was maintained.

Reports that should be reviewed annually and will require data to be built over time include the following.

·                    Discard tread utilization: Use this report to determine what percentage of purchased tires are used (on average) when the tires come out of service. The report also should show the associated realized costs and dollars lost to early failure.

·                    Discarded tires damage code analysis: Once you have determined what percentage of tires is being used, it is important to find out why tires are being lost early. You should be able to look at what percentage of tires is worn out, rock cut, or fail due to workmanship and materials. Other metrics to look for include hours achieved per category, all condition hours, and tread depth remaining.

·                    Tires out of service: Take a closer look at any batch of tires and see a tire-by-tire and a batch average of why tires came out of service, the cost per hour, average hours, etc.

·                    Tire damage by vehicle: View out-of-service tires by vehicle to determine if particular vehicles/drivers have issues. Opportunities for further training or vehicle maintenance will become apparent.

At the end of the day, data will abound. The key is to narrow the focus to key management reports that yield actionable information. Having a tire expert in the form of a local service dealer and/or manufacturer’s representative will provide the necessary interpretation to turn the data into reduced costs. Remember that all of the data in the world will not result in lower costs if the information is not communicated and acted upon. Before the data can be analyzed, it must exist. Happy tracking!

Chris Rhoades is the TreadStat product manager. He has been with Bridgestone Americas Off Road for 10 years and oversees development, support, training, and implementation.