Heavy equipment machinery

June 30, 2007

Caterpillar Introduces M-Series Motor Graders, Featuring Joystick Control for Easier, More Efficient Operation

Filed under: Motor Graders

Caterpillar announces the new, seven-model lineup of M-Series Motor Graders. The new machines feature a number of revolutionary concepts in motor grader design-most notably a pair of joysticks replacing as many as 15 levers and a steering wheel. Because of the many control inputs required and the precision work performed by motor graders, they are widely regarded as the most difficult of all earthmoving machines to operate. Caterpillar designed the M-Series joystick control system to make the motor grader easier to learn and less fatiguing.

The M-Series design didn’t stop at the operator station. Caterpillar applied for more than 100 new patents while developing the new motor graders, and the new graders include about 30 percent new content. New features include dynamic styling that opens up lines of sight, easy adjustment of the drawbar, circle and moldboard (DCM), a high torque all-wheel-drive system, enhanced power management and emissions-compliant Cat® C-Series engines with ACERT(TM) Technology.

The M-Series Motor Graders will replace the 10 H-Series models as the new machines are released starting in the fourth quarter of this year and concluding in mid year 2007. The new models include the 120M, 12M, 140M, 160M, 14M, 16M and 24M. The 120M, 140M and 160M will offer an all-wheel-drive option for improved traction in poor underfoot conditions, such as snow, mud and sand, and for added steering and sidedraft control.

Joystick control simplifies work, opens lines of sight
The new M-Series joystick-operated electro-hydraulic control system simplifies motor grader control and reduces operator arm and hand movements by as much as 78 percent. The pair of three-axis joysticks are built for comfort and low-effort operation, and they feature a logical and intuitive control pattern. The system helps operators sustain high levels of efficiency throughout the work day, and the intuitive control design makes training fast and simple-for both new and experienced operators.

The new control system opens up the interior of the cab and provides excellent lines of sight to the DCM and snow wing area. The cab doors are angled and the floor is tapered to provide an unobstructed line of sight to the front tires, the heel and toe of the blade and the DCM. In addition to changes inside the cab, the sloping, tapered engine enclosure opens lines of sight to the ripper. To reduce glare, the M-Series machines have black paint on the top surfaces of the front frame, blade lift cylinders and engine enclosure.

Easier DCM maintenance
Top-accessible drawbar wear inserts and patented, easy-to-adjust, bi-directional moldboard slide rail wear strips make DCM adjustments much faster and more convenient. Shorter service times reduce owning and operating costs.

By removing the access plates located on the top of the drawbar, a mechanic can maintain the circle by adding shims for wear strip adjustment or by replacing the wear strips when they are worn out. Changes to the moldboard retention system and the slide rail wear inserts make moldboard service much easier by eliminating the need for shims. The new bi-directional slide rail shoes allow adjustment up and down as well as fore and aft. The adjustment eliminates moldboard chatter.

High torque all-wheel-drive
The M-Series all-wheel-drive option delivers 42 percent more torque than the H-Series system. The M-Series uses dedicated left and right pumps, which allow independent control of hydraulic flow to each front wheel hydrostatic motor. To compensate for hydraulic power demand, the engine automatically delivers additional horsepower to provide constant net power to the ground.

Through an electronic control module, front wheel speeds can be controlled automatically. The benefit of varying the outside and inside wheel speeds, known as steering compensation, is full torque through an entire turn. In poor underfoot conditions, this system allows a shorter turning radius.

The M-Series all-wheel-drive system also features a new front-wheel only hydrostatic mode for precision low-speed performance. This mode provides infinite front wheel speed control from 0 to 5 miles per hour for enhanced control when working in tight areas, such as cul-de-sacs.

Advanced power management
Variable horsepower (VHP) is now standard on all M-Series models, and Variable Horsepower Plus is optional. The M-Series power management system delivers additional horsepower in 5 horsepower increments as the transmission gear selection increases. The result is a smooth power curve that allows M-Series machines to carry heavy loads while downshifting.

The previous system delivered an extra 20 horsepower in gears 4 through 8, and VHP Plus added another 20 horsepower in gears 7 and 8. Smaller increments throughout the gear range provide predictable power that operators prefer. With more rim pull available in all gears, M-Series machines are more productive than their H-Series predecessors.

New engines and drive train
Cat C-Series engines with ACERT(TM) Technology enable the M-Series motor graders to meet U.S. EPA Tier 3 and EU Stage IIIa emissions regulations. The C-Series engines have been proven in highway truck applications and a wide range of earthmoving equipment. ACERT(TM) Technology enables Cat engines to supply more power per unit of displacement while retaining the reliability and durability that customers expect from Caterpillar.

The M-Series motor graders also have many new drive train features. The new machines have a bolt-on modular rear axle. The new axle module allows the axle and both tandem cases to be dropped down for servicing, which reduces service time.

All M-Series models except the 24M feature a direct-drive countershaft transmission. Electronic Clutch Pressure Control makes gear-to-gear as well as forward/reverse shifts smoother and prolongs the life of all drive train components.

Basic Specifications for M-Series Motor Graders
	
	Operating Weight	Power	        Blade Length
	
120M	29,000 lb (13 150 kg)	125 hp (93 kW)	12 ft 0 in. (3.66 m)
	
12M	31,000 lb (14 060 kg)	145 hp (108 kW)	12 ft 0 in. (3.66 m)
	
140M	32,500 lb (14 740 kg)	165 hp (123 kW)	12 ft 0 in. (3.66 m)
	
160M	35,000 lb (15 870 kg)	195 hp (145 kW)	14 ft 0 in. (4.27 m)
	
14M	44,400 lb (20 240 kg)	230 hp (172 kW)	14 ft 0 in. (4.27 m)
	
16M	55,000 lb (24 950 kg)	285 hp (213 kW)	16 ft 0 in. (4.88 m)
	
24M	145,000 lb (65 770 kg)	500 hp (373 kW)	24 ft 0 in. (7.32 m)
	
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/489983/3281

Volvo Motor Graders utilizes Reform software from FabSoft

Filed under: Motor Graders

Volvo Motor Graders, located in Goderich, Ontario, Canada, a division of Volvo Construction Equipment produces motor graders used in applications throughout the world.  With customers and other Volvo group companies located around the world, it is imperative that we are able to effectively communicate with all of these partners in a timely manner.  The Volvo group’s core values are: Quality, Safety and the Care for the Environment – we will explain how Reform allows us to address two of these three areas.

Volvo Motor Graders uses SAP to manage all aspects of the companies business – from purchasing to account management.  One of the key documents that Volvo Motor Graders uses to communicate with other Volvo group companies and customers is the ‘Customer Account Statement’.  With a mandate of constant improvement,  Reform software was enlisted to improve communications as well as saving time and effort.

In the legacy process of generating and sending out customer statements, an accounting clerk would first print hard copies of the statements generated by SAP. Then the statements were sorted and grouped together by hand to make scanning and sending them easier.  The clerk would then take the sorted statements to a networked photocopier and scan each and every page of every statement and e-mail the resulting PDF file back  to their own e-mail account. After completing  these tasks, the clerk would then return to their desk, review and forward each statement to the appropriate customer via e-mail.  As one could imagine this was a very time consuming and labour intensive process – all in all a costly solution.

Volvo Motor Graders implemented the Reform package to assist in distributing the customers account statement and the process changed dramatically.  Now, an accounting clerk simply has to print the customer statements to a new print queue setup in SAP and their job is finished.  All sorting, processing and e-mailing is handled in the background by Reform, unattended by the user.   Using a conservative estimate, the total process is reduced to 5 to 10 minutes duration from approximately 3 hours using the old process.  Using these numbers, the cost of labour is reduced by more then 90%.

Key benefits to Volvo Motor Graders in this application:

  1. More then 90% savings in the cost of labour.

  2. This frees the accounting clerks time to perform other tasks.
  3. Increase in the consistency of the statements – previously if the pages were  scanned incorrectly or the statements were unintentionally mixed up, the resulting PDF file would not look as professional as it could be. This addresses one of Volvo’s core values – Quality.
  4. The whole process is simplified – with simple instructions, any accounting clerk can now complete the task.  Again, this addresses the core value of Quality.
  5. Reduction in the cost/usage of paper and toner.  This is the second of Volvo’s core values that are addressed – Care for the Environment

http://www.fabsoft.com/products/reform/misc/successes/SAP/volvo.shtml

John Deere 770D Motor Grader

Filed under: Motor Graders

Productivity Innovative Event-Based-Shifting (EBS) automatically senses the load and adjusts clutch pack engagement accordingly for smooth shifts and direction changes without touching the inching pedal. Tier-II certified PowerTech™ Deere diesels deliver best-in-class low-rpm torque. Blade shape, throat clearance, and draft frame geometry enhancements improve material flow across the blade and make on-the-go circle adjustments easier. Available 6-wheel drive models employ a dual-path hydrostatic drive system that delivers exceptional control, responsiveness, and extra power to the ground to move more material. Comfort Redesigned cabs have 26 percent more space and 40 percent more glass, for increased comfort and unsurpassed all-around visibility. At 72 dBa, it provides best-in-class quietness, too. Highly efficient HVAC system moves more air and provides better cooling. Eleven directional vents help keep the cab comfortable and the view clear. Best-in-class lever efforts and PCLS hydraulics ensure consistent response, feel, and precise control in all conditions. Enhanced steering requires 20-percent fewer turns. EBS provides the smoothest shifts in the industry, reducing upper body fatigue and inching pedal use. Available cruise control eliminates the need for a foot-actuated throttle lock. Uptime/Low Daily Operating Costs Super-tough nylon or bronze heavy-duty circle, blade, and draft frame inserts minimize wear and never need greasing. Unlike other graders that require far more effort and expertise, circle wear inserts are quick and easy to replace. Large service doors open wide, and same-side daily service points are conveniently grouped for quick, ground-level access. 500-hour engine oil and filter service intervals let you go longer between changes You won’t find any air tanks to bleed on a Deere grader. Inboard wet-disc brakes are virtually maintenance-free. Advanced diagnostic monitor displays easy-to-understand information to help minimize downtime. http://www.cableprice.co.nz/Equipment/JohnDeere/Graders/770D/index.aspx

June 26, 2007

Governmental - Motor Graders

Filed under: Motor Graders

The motor grader was introduced to the Caterpillar family in 1930. Today, Caterpillar motor graders range from 25,000 lbs to 136,600 lbs with horsepowers from 125 to 500.

The Caterpillar Motor Grader is the market leader in your industry today, and is designed to provide you with unequalled life, maintenance costs, and resale value.

Some of the many uses of the motor grader:
  • Road Maintenance
  • Snow Plowing & Winging
  • V Ditching
  • Ditch Shoulder Clean Up
  • Banking Slopes
  • Windrow Mixing
  • Cul-de-sac Work
Four Wheel Drive
Model Engine Base Power
(all gears) Net		 Blade Width
12H C-9 DITA
ATAAC		 108 kW
(145 hp)		 3.66 m
(12 ft)
14H 3176 DITA ATAAC
Variable HP		 164 kW
(220 hp)		 4.27 m
(14 ft)
16H 3406 TA 205 kW
(275 hp)		 4.88 m
(16 ft)
120H 3116 N/A 3.658 m
(12 ft)
135H 3116 101 kW
(135 hp)		 3.658 m
(12 ft)
140H 3176 DITA ATAAC
Variable HP		 123 kW
(165 hp)		 3.66 m
(12 ft)
160H 3176 DITA ATAAC
Variable HP		 134 kW
(180 hp)		 4.27 m
(14 ft)


All Wheel Drive
Model Engine Base Power (all gears) Net VHP (gears 1-3) Net
143H 3306 123 kW
(165 hp)		 123 kW
(165 hp)
163H 3306 TA 134 kW
(180 hp)		 134 kW
(180 hp)


Mining
Model Engine Base Power (all gears) Net VHP (gears 1-3) Net Blade Width
16H 3406 TA 205 kW
(275 hp)		 205 kW
(275 hp)		 4.88 m
(16 ft)
24H 3412E N/A 373 kW
(500 hp)		 7.3 kph
(24 mph)


With Caterpillar Motor Graders you can:
Lower Owning & Operating Costs
  • Durable components provide long machine life
  • Cat engine, transmission and hydraulic system work together for efficient and economic use of fuel
  • Cat lubricating fluids and filters reduce component wear
  • Balanced powertrain and driveline components prolong tire life
  • Cat XT-hose is built for the rigors of motor grader applications
  • Finning can further reduce your costs with Customer Support Agreements, Preventive Maintenance Programs and Scheduled Oil Sampling.
Lower Repair Costs
  • Modular design means components can be removed and installed without affecting other systems
  • Cat Reman parts are available with new part warranties at up to 70% savings over new
Higher Resale Value
  • Proven Caterpillar machine quality has resulted in the highest resale value for used machines. Resale differences of up to 200% are not uncommon

Trimble GCS900 on a Motor Grader with Single GPS and Laser Augmentation

Filed under: Motor Graders

The Trimble® GCS900 Grade Control System with the single GPS with laser augmentation option can be installed on motor graders for a wide range of earthmoving applications. The Trimble GCS900 on a motor grader with single GPS with laser augmentation is a full 3D control system that puts the site plan - design surfaces, grades and alignments - inside the cab.

The single GPS antenna option utilized with laser augmentation provides contractors with an economical high-precision solution for grade control. Using the single GPS antenna with laser augmentation configuration, the exact position, accurate cross slope, and heading of the blade is measured. This is especially advantageous for complex design surfaces such as super-elevation grading tasks.

The on-board computer uses this position information, and compares it to the design elevation to compute cut or fill to grade. This information displays on the Trimble CB430 screen- in plan, profile, cross-section view, or text. The cut/fill data is also used to drive the valves for automatic blade control. Additionally, the cut/fill data is passed to the GCS900 lightbars, providing additional visual guidance to the operator for up/down to grade and right/left to a defined alignment. The GCS900 on a motor grader can be operated in either indicate or automatic mode.

The Trimble GCS900 on a motor grader with Single GPS with laser augmentation is ideal for contractors who require a cost-effective, yet high precision, 3D grade control solution for site preparation , bulk earthworks and perform high-precision grading tasks. The Single GPS option is easily upgradeable to the GCS900 for motor graders with Dual GPS or ATS systems as economic or jobsite requirements change. The Single GPS system is ideal for larger site projects and long-term, multi-phase projects.

Using the Trimble GCS900 with single GPS with laser augmentation on a motor grader allows contractors to significantly improve their productivity and profitability.

Applications:

  • Roads and highways - fine grading
  • Airport construction - runways and tarmacs
  • Commercial site prep - complex design
  • Commercial site prep - pads, grading for large slabs, etc.
  • Railway construction

Features and Benefits:

  • Significant cost saving
  • Less time to completion
  • Less rework
  • No waiting for stakes to be set
  • More accurate, more consistent excavation
  • Perform more complex excavation

http://www.trimble.com/gcs900sgla-mg.shtml

Cat Answers the Motor Grader Challenge

Filed under: Motor Graders

When you think of revolution you think of Fidel Castro, not Caterpillar, right? Well, grab your boots and hold your breath because they’re playing a new game in Peoria and they’re calling it “revolutionary motor grader.”

Really.

And it just may turn out to be all of that.

Just as Cat’s top-selling H-series motor graders seemed vulnerable to more technologically advanced new generations from Volvo and John Deere, the company has unveiled a new generation of motor graders that just may take the entire category in a new direction.

The new M-series sports a long list of new features, ranging from cutting edge innovations to catch-up technology. But what really sets the M-series apart — and what may make it a truly revolutionary line — is its joystick control system. The M-series graders are the first to adopt total joystick controls. In place of the traditional row of eight or more levers and a steering wheel, the new graders use two joysticks to control all blade functions as well as the steering.

The effect is dramatic. With the bank of levers and steering wheel gone, the cab opens up like a sun porch on a glass-bottom boat, delivering a view of the work area and key components that has never been possible before.

Equally dramatic is the ease and precision with which an operator can manipulate the blade and control the machine. For an inexperienced operator, the controls make it possible to attain rudimentary efficiency in a matter of hours, rather than weeks or months. For an experienced blademan, they provide an opportunity to work as effectively at the end of the day as at the beginning, free of stiffness and tension, and to attain an extra degree of precision thanks to the extra visibility and the precision controls.

That the joystick controls save wear and tear on the operator and dramatically reduce operator movements is a matter of scientific fact. Caterpillar commissioned a University of Wisconsin motion study that found the M-series joystick controls reduce elbow and wrist movement by 78% compared to the conventional controls in an H series grader.

Lower ownership cost

In addition to the control system, Cat used the M-series to bring several other new features and a host of catch-up improvement to market. For many grader owners, are a pair of the most important innovations in the M series is two design changes that remove thousands of dollars of labor from the maintenance of the drawbar, circle, and moldboard operation.

In the M-series, access to the drawbar wear inserts is on the top of the circle. An operator or technician simply removes two bolts and a protective steel plate to add or replace shims to keep the system tight. The previous design required dropping the circle shoes to make shim adjustments, making it a laborious, two-person job.

Cat has also introduced a patented new circle shoes retention system that eliminates the use of shims, using two slide rail wear inserts instead. The new bi-directional slide rail shoes allow adjustment up and down as well as fore and aft to eliminate moldboard chatter.

A county motor grader operator from Alberta, Canada who beta-tested an M-Series grader told Better Roads that these two design changes mean that circle moldboard adjustments now take less than an hour, versus three hours or more on previous designs. A Cat study estimates that circle moldboard adjustments on the M-Series require 78% less time than competing models.

All-wheel drive

Cat used the M-series to improve its all-wheel-drive package. The most basic change is going to two hydraulic pumps to power the front wheels — one pump for each wheel. The change adds 52% more torque than the single-pump H-series and the two pumps allow independent control of the hydraulic flow to each wheel. To compensate for hydraulic power demand when the machines operate in all wheel drive, the engine automatically delivers additional horsepower to provide constant power to the ground.
Caterpillar 140M Motor Grader
These rear views (top and below) of the 140M show Cat’s modular rear axle. The bolt-on module allows the axle housing and both tandem cases to be dropped down for servicing, reducing time and expense.
This view from the operator’s seat shows the two joysticks that control the tractor and the blade, and the wide field of vision made possible by the elimination of the traditional steering wheel and row of levers.
To cut service costs, access to the drawbar wear inserts on the M series is on the top of the circle (above) via a two-bolt plate. The new moldboard retention system (below) uses slide rail wear inserts (center of photo) instead of shims to save more service time.

An electronic control module controls front wheel speeds automatically so that when the machine turns in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive the inside wheel rotates slower than the outside wheel. This steering compensation feature gives the machine full torque through the entire turn and delivers a shorter turning radius.

Also new to the Caterpillar motor grader family is a front-wheel-drive-only hydrostatic mode for precision low-speed performance. In this mode, designed for working in tight spaces and other applications requiring enhanced control, machine speeds are infinitely variable from 0 to 5 miles per hour.
The all-wheel-drive option is available for the first time in the 120 model size (29,000 pounds, 125 horsepower), as well as in the 140 (32,500 pounds, 165 horsepower) and 160 (35,000 pounds, 195 horsepower).

Smooth downshifts

M-series graders feature Tier 3 engines, but Cat made several important changes to the drive train beyond meeting emissions requirements.

All models except the giant 24M feature direct-drive countershaft transmissions with electronic clutch for gear-to-gear and forward/reverse shifts. All models now feature a bolt-on rear axle module designed for reduced service time.

One of the most interesting new power train features is Cat’s new variable horsepower scheme. Standard on all models, the M-series VHP adds horsepower in 5-horsepower increments as the machine progresses to the next gear. The result, says Cat, is a smooth power curve that allows the machine to carry heavy loads while downshifting.

One upsmanship

For an equipment category that received very little attention through most of 1990s, motor graders have received an extraordinary dose of innovation over the past few years. Spurred to make changes for lower emissions engines, John Deere, then Volvo Construction Equipment, and now Caterpillar have taken turns trying to leapfrog in front of the pack by adding a variety of additional content.

Cat’s M-series is the latest case in point. The company claims it applied for more than 100 new patents in developing its new graders.

Most of Cat’s innovations and changes are practical, like the use of glare-reducing black paint on the top surfaces of the front frame, and the various improvements that make the machines easier and cheaper to service.

While veteran operators will appreciate the practical innovations, what seems certain to set the M-series apart from all other entries in the full-size grader category is the transition to joystick controls. And, of course, the big question is: Will veteran operators accept this radical change from the past?

Cat is betting they will and, as a conservative midwestern company, they have hedged their bets with extensive field trials. The veteran operators involved in those trials were enthusiastically positive about the changeover.

Cat further hedged its bets by developing an electronic training simulator that lets an operator adjust to the joystick controls before stepping into the actual machine.

The combination has a dramatic affect on inexperienced operators. At the press introduction of the M-series, a platoon of magazine editors who normally would reduce the demonstration area to something akin to a mine field actually operated the machines with modest success.

http://obr.gcnpublishing.com/articles/NewProds/jul06newgen.htm

June 21, 2007

Trimble GCS900 on a Motor Grader with the ATS Construction Total Station

Filed under: Motor Graders

 The Trimble® GCS900 Grade Control System with the ATS Construction Total Station can be installed on motor graders for a wide range of earthmoving applications. The Trimble GCS900 on a motor graders with the ATS Construction Total Station is a full 3D control system that puts the site plan - design surfaces, grades and alignments - inside the cab.

Using the Trimble ATS Construction Total Station, the exact position, accurate cross slope, and heading of the blade is measured. This is especially advantageous for complex design surfaces such as super-elevation grading tasks.

The on-board computer uses this position information, and compares it to the design elevation to compute cut or fill to grade. This information displays on the Trimble CB430 screen- in plan, profile, cross-section view, or text. The cut/fill data is also used to drive the valves for automatic blade control. Additionally, the cut/fill data is passed to the GCS900 lightbars, providing additional visual guidance to the operator for up/down to grade and right/left to a defined alignment. The GCS900 on a motor grader can be operated in either indicate or automatic mode.

The Trimble ATS Construction Total Station includes a total station, a license-free radio link and an active target mounted to the dozer blade. The ATS uses active target technology to reliably lock onto and track the target. This unique feature eliminates false lock-ons, ensuring that the correct machine is being tracked. Additionally it has built-in "search intelligence" to quickly search for and find the target when lock is lost. The high up-date rate, low latency and synchronized angles and distance measurements capabilities make it perfect for dynamic applications.

The Trimble GCS900 on a motor grader with the ATS Construction Total Station is ideal for contractors who need the flexibility to move from site to site frequently, work in confined spaces, or require high-precision grading. The ATS allows contractors who operate independently or frequently move between projects to move both the motor grader and the Trimble GCS900 Grade Control System from site to site quickly and easily. For jobs where GPS is not a viable technology, such as in urban canyons, heavily treed areas, or on job sites with numerous overhead obstructions such as overpasses, the ATS offers a 3D grading solution.

Using the Trimble GCS900 with the ATS Construction Total Station on a motor grader allows contractors to significantly improve their productivity and profitability.

Applications:

    * Roads and highways - rough grading
    * Roads and highways - fine grading
    * Large earthmoving projects - dams, reclamation, etc.
    * Landfills and waste deposits
    * Airport construction - runways and tarmacs
    * Commercial site prep - complex design
    * Commercial site prep - pads, grading for large slabs, etc.
    * Residential site prep
    * Subdivisions - pads, local infrastructure
    * Underground utilities
    * Land reclamation projects
    * Golf course construction
    * Railway construction

Features and Benefits:

    * Significant cost saving
    * Less time to completion
    * Less rework
    * No waiting for stakes to be set
    * More accurate, more consistent excavation
    * Perform more complex excavation

 

http://www.trimble.com/gcs900ats-mg.shtml

Get Ready for the Next Generation of Motor Graders

Filed under: Motor Graders

Caterpiller
Electronic controls boost efficiency

Since rolling out its H-Series motor grader line in 2002, Cat has updated its offerings with a series of improvements. Most recently, the company upgraded two all-wheel-drive models with an automotive-style cruise control feature, and electronically controlled engines that improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Other improvements include quieter operator stations, and a number of service and maintenance enhancements.

The 33,670-pound 143H now has a base power rating of 165 horsepower; that automatically increases to 185 horsepower in higher gears when all-wheel-drive is engaged, thanks to Cat’s Variable Horsepower feature. The 35,890-pound 163H has a base power rating of 180 horsepower, which increases to 200 horsepower with VHP. The new engines improve fuel efficiency by about 10% and enhance performance by producing high torque output at low rpm and high torque rise.

Cat’s next-generation of motor graders, the M-Series, is expected to debut in the first half of 2006. In addition to featuring Tier 3 engines, the M-Series will take a dramatically different approach to controls, replacing the familiar row of levers with two joysticks that use push-button and stick movement to control machine functions and blade adjustments.


Volvo Construction Equipment
New motor grader family set to debut

Less than four years after rolling out its B-series motor-grader line, Volvo Construction Equipment is getting ready to issue an even more advanced motor grader generation, the G900 series.

Stimulated by the changeover to Tier 3 compliant engines, Volvo elected to engineer upgrades throughout the machines at the same time. The seven-model series consists of four models that use the 7.2-liter Volvo D7 engine, and three using the 9.4-liter Volvo D9 engine. Both engines meet Tier 3 emission standards without requiring additional equipment or after-treatment of exhaust gases. All models have three power ranges, allowing the operator to match engine power to the application to optimize performance and fuel efficiency. The D7-powered models range from the 34,300-pound G930 (155 to 195 horsepower) to the all-wheel-drive, 36,800-pound G960 (195 to 235 horsepower). The D9-powered models include the 39,000-pound G970 (210 to 250 horsepower)and its all-wheel-drive sibling, the 40,500-pound G976 (225 to 265 horsepower), plus the 46,300-pound G990 (225 to 265 horsepower).

Volvo says its use of wide-stance blade-lift cylinders coupled with a low-angle side-shift cylinder provides the industry’s most stable grading platform. The machines are said to have precise, instantly responsive blade controls thanks to load-sensing hydraulics and a powerful twin-gear, direct-drive circle-turn system. Volvo says its circle-turn system also has the strength to hold or turn the moldboard smoothly while moving under full load. The company says this combination of precision and performance results in more “one pass” finishes.

Volvo’s HTE840 transmission is standard on the new grader family. It has selectable Manual and Travel modes, and can be ordered with an optional Autoshift mode, too. Volvo also offers an optional new HTE1160 transmission which it bills as the industry’s first 11-speed motor grader drive train. Autoshift is standard on the new transmission, and its 11 forward and six reverse speeds are said to offer more control at low speeds, more precision at normal speeds, and more efficient travel at high speeds.

The new line’s two all-wheel-drive models combine four-wheel tandem drive with Volvo’s front-wheel Creep Mode which is designed for fine grading operations. The operator has 16 selectable levels of aggression to match machine performance to the task at hand.


John Deere
New series introduced in 2005

John Deere made more than 100 changes in its new D-Series motor graders, unveiled at Conexpo-Con/Agg last year. The new cab features 26% more space and 40% more glass than previous models, as well as improved heating and cooling. The six-model lineup features six-wheel-drive and tandem-drive models, with engines ranging from 185 to 245 horsepower. The new engines feature 25 to 40% torque rise for better lugging, according to the company, and they work with John Deere’s exclusive “event-based” transmission which senses the load and automatically adjusts the clutch-pack engagement accordingly.

Other features include a longer wheelbase for improved fine-grading and ride, additional operating weight for balance and traction, and a more efficient moldboard design.


Case
Visibility and serviceability

Case says its three new 800 series motor graders have best-in-class serviceability to go with a flip-up rear hood, a beefy A-frame and moldboard design, and outstanding visibility to all sides.

The Case 845, 865, and 885 graders range in power from 140 to 205 net horsepower and in operating weights from 29,777 to 37,950 pounds. The optional Case 865 DHP delivers variable horsepower and extra power for long-haul grading or snow removal.

While other graders use swing-out engine access doors, Case graders have a one-piece, non-metallic sloping rear hood that provides excellent rear vision while working and flip-up engine access for service. Swing-out batteries provide quick access to filters and daily service points. Flip down panels along the bottom of the hood provide additional access. Case says these features and others add up to an SAE J817 serviceability index that tops all other major competitors.

Other features include moldboards in 12-, 13-, and 14-foot widths that pitch, tilt, and move laterally to handle a variety of jobs. The graders articulate 25 degrees left or right, and the front wheels lean up to 17.5 degrees left or right to provide counterforce to the blade and prevent side drift.


Champion Motor Graders
Next-generation compact graders

Champion Motor Graders announced its new C80 C and C86 C models late last year, calling them compact graders that think like big graders. The all-wheel-drive C86 C is the company’s largest grader, at 15,500 pounds; the C80 C is its tandem counterpart.

The redesign of these two machines starts with the front axle, which now provides 50 degrees of steering angle left and right, compared to 35 degrees in previous models. Champion says this gives the new machines an industry-best turning radius — a straight-frame turning radius of 25 feet and an articulated turning radius of 19 feet. The axle also now features spherical bearings at all moving points to provide a longer service life, and 22 inches of ground clearance, 6 inches more than the previous models and enough to go where the big graders go, according to the company

Also new is a 21-inch moldboard, tallest in the category. A new blade lift arrangement increases featherability by increasing the blade lift stance 14 inches to a full 4 feet across, widest in its class according to Champion. The company also replaced its traditional ball joint for the articulation cylinders and engineered a clevis-style mounting for optimum strength. The cylinders are now mounted on spherical bearings for increased service life.


Maddocc

Joystick controls for graders

John Deere dealers are now offering Maddock Industries’ GraderStick joystick control system as optional equipment on Deere motor graders. The GraderStick is a single-lever, multi-function joystick control system that can be added to most motor graders and operates all of the hydraulic control functions. It gives the operator proportional fine control for the lift/lower and side-shift functions of the blade and adds single hand straight up and straight down blade control. The operator can easily perform multiple blade functions simultaneously.

Champion Motor Graders
Full line of attachments

To enhance the versatility of its compact motor graders, Champion has created a full line of attachments, including a front-mounted “V” scarifier for loosening hard-packed aggregate, a side dozer that replaces the moldboard and is used to remove and/or retrieve displaced material under highway guardrails, and a rear-mounted compaction roller that allows the machine to perform the work of two machines in some applications. Other attachments include a dozer blade/scarifier for back-blading in tight spaces, a rotary broom, a windrow eliminator for gravel road work, a plate tamper, and a rear-mounted rippifier.

New Holland Construction
Largest moldboard circle

New Holland says its B-Series motor graders feature a 69-inch steel moldboard circle, largest in the industry, that permits a full range of motion, allowing the operator to rotate the moldboard a full 360 degrees and easily change the blade-cutting angle. The moldboards feature an exclusive “involute” curve profile that creates a rolling action that lets the operator grade faster, according to the company.

The moldboard can be angled up to 90 degrees for slope and ditch work. Easy maintenance features include a swing-up hood, sight glasses for fast fluid checks, and ground-level access to dipsticks. Single piece panels drop down on each side for greater access to components.

LeeBoy
Upsized grader offering

LeeBoy’s top-of-the-line 785 motor grader is a 23,500-pound machine engineered to perform large motor grader functions such as road building, ditch cutting, snow plowing, and fine grading.

The 785 features 20-degree boom articulation in either direction, wheel lean, hydraulic power steering, and a pressure-compensated pump system. Its sliding moldboard has a total sideshift reach of 60 inches and 32-degree forward tilt. Its 54-inch-diameter, gear-driven turntable features 23 inches of sideshift with 360-degree rotation. A 46-inch, front-mounted scarifier provides ripping power with up to 11 ripping teeth (a 73-inch, rear-mounted scarifier with 13 teeth is available as an option), and its heavy-duty tandem axles are gear-driven for enhanced performance and reduced maintenance.

Flannegan western
Compact, lightweight grader

Flannegan Western has launched a new compact motor grader that weighs 6,050 pounds, measures just over 15-feet long and 8-feet high, and can be transported on a 12,000-pound GVWR trailer and a pickup truck driven by nearly any licensed driver (no CDL required). The FW 865 has a 65-horsepower diesel engine, hydrostatic transmission, and precision grading controls.


http://obr.gcnpublishing.com/articles/NewProds/feb06bid.htm

Standard Motor Parts turning 75

Filed under: Motor Graders

Standard Motor Parts customers who help celebrate the store’s 75th anniversary Thursday will taste what prices were like when Charles Finch started the business in Vance County in 1932.

For that day only - if you jump through a few hoops - you can buy NAPA motor oil for 32 cents a quart at the company’s three locations, 524 S. Garnett St. in Henderson, 326 S. Macon St. in Warrenton and 318 Hillsboro St. in Oxford.

Opening times will be 7 a.m. at all three stores. Closing will take place at 8 p.m. in Henderson, 5:30 p.m. in Warrenton and 6 p.m. in Oxford.

To qualify for the deal, you have to buy two NAPA Gold Filters that will be selling for 60 percent off the list price. The purchase limit on the oil is a case, which contains 12 quarts.

During the same time period, there will be discounts of 25 percent to 40 percent on all NAPA parts and equipment such as jacks, lifts and handtools.

Free hot dogs will be served for lunch at all three stores from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In case you didn’t know, NAPA is the acronym for National Automotive Parts Association, which is headquartered in Atlanta. Its president and CEO - Tom Gallager - is scheduled to make an appearance at the Henderson store late in the afternoon on Thursday.

“He’ll be here to greet people,” said John Bunch, president of Standard Motor Parts for nearly three decades. “He’s a dynamic person. He was here before when we turned 65 years old.”

The operation in Henderson is one of the oldest of the 7,000 NAPA stores in the United States, according to Bunch. He said the organization has 52 warehouses across the country, including one in Richmond, Va.

To show how that benefits his three stores, Bunch came up with a hypothetical parts order to explain how NAPA’s computerized parts inventory system works.

He started a nationwide, NAPA warehouse search for an oil filter that would fit a 1970 to 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. His findings included: 165 in Indianapolis, Ind.; 126 in Grand Rapids, Mich.; 479 in Detroit, Mich.; 258 in Syracuse, N. Y.; 159 in Buffalo, N. Y.; 344 in Chicago, Ill.; 335 in Phoenix, Ariz.; 203 in Albequerque, N. M.; 235 in Dallas, Tex.; and 266 in Fresno, Calif.

That wasn’t much of a challenge, Bunch said, because it didn’t fall into the slow-turnover category.

For a hard-to-get part, the computer system is invaluable, according to Bunch. Asked if he could lay his hands on a water pump for a ‘30 Chevrolet, Bunch said it might take a little digging, but it was possible.

He moved his head left and right, however, when it came to trying to locate an interior window crank handle on the driver’s side for a ‘51 Studebaker. Some things, Bunch admitted, have traveled through time beyond the reach of humans - at least as far as NAPA is concerned.

If the customer pays the cost of shipping a part across the country by UPS Freight, it can arrive at any of his stores the next morning, Bunch said. Otherwise, it might take a day or two.

Parts traveling from the warehouse in Richmond to the Tri-County Area can make it overnight, according to Bunch.

Back in 1932, the same delivery time frame existed between the closest NAPA warehouse source in Virginia and Finch’s new store, and he took advantage of it.

His first location was on Garnett Street, where Grissom’s Shoe Shop now stands. Finch’s on-hand inventory was so low, he kept around a lot of empty boxes which customers mistakenly thought were teeming with parts for cars and pickup trucks.

When someone asked for a particular part, Finch would apologize for not having one left in stock. He would then promise to have one in stock when his doors opened the next day. And the Richmond warehouse would make it happen.

“He was quite an entrepeneur,” Bunch said. “He was 20 years old with $20 in his pocket when he came to Henderson from Wilson County.”

Finch had little formal education, but he was smart, according to Bunch. “He recognized NAPA to be a great organization and joined very early.”

The first owner of the company laid the foundation for its growth, Bunch said. “He started doing things that we still do now.”

The store was moved to Horner Street in 1960.

When Finch became ill in the late ‘60s, Macon Ivey became the general manager. When he got sick and retired in 1978, Bunch became both general manager and president.

He had joined the company in 1977 after teaching math and coaching sports for 10 years in the Vance County School System.

A native of Suffolk, Va., Bunch majored in physical education with minors in math and history at Atlantic Christian College. He graduated in 1967.

Bunch said his wife, Anne, was Finch’s niece. The Bunches have been married 36 years. They live in the Watkins community. The couple has one son, Charles.

In 1995, the store moved to its current location on South Garnett Street, near INCO.

Finch would be impressed by the huge volume of part numbers now available from NAPA for everything from cars and pickup trucks to motor graders and lawnmower, the president said. He put the figure at more than 300,000.

Bunch estimated that the Henderson store carries over 20,000 part numbers that customers often ask for.

“Eighty percent of our business is furnishing parts to garages and customers such as farmers, loggers and do-it-yourselfers,” Buch said.

The number of driveway and backyard mechanics is shrinking because of the increasing complexity of the technology in motor vehicles, he added.

As far his own future is concerned, Bunch said he isn’t thinking about retirement. He is 63.

“As long as I stay healthy, I plan to keep working. I still like to eat.”

http://www.hendersondispatch.com/articles/2007/03/02/news/news02.txt

June 15, 2007

Everything about material handling equipment

Filed under: Material Handlers

If you are an engineer or a manufacturer and your company is involved with material handling equipment, then you are aware that the Internet is a wealth of resources for your industry. Discover in-depth information on a variety of the crucial equipment needed to keep your business operational and running smoothly.

We have the information about the different types of material handling equipment including shipping containers, industrial cranes, equipment cases, electric hoist, loading dock equipment, and tilt tables.

In recent years, material handling equipment vendors, and engineers have reshaped the way industry information is communicated online. Buyers today can take advantage of precise, accurate, and informational websites.

Some of our material handling articles for those just entering the field of material handling and need to understand more about the various equipment used:

Making good use of vertical space in your warehouse
Making good use of vertical space can really help to free up valuable floor space. Remember that all your building costs, including heating, cooling, and rent or mortgage, are for the full space, including the vertical space. Vertical space which is not utilized is actually a wasted business asset. What do you need to do in order to start making good use of all that vertical space?

Material handling software to manage the storage
There are several different materials software handling packages on the market today that are very good. If you want to efficiently manage automated material handling equipment such as automated guided vehicles (AGV), Robotic Palletizers and Depalletizers, and as conveyor and sortation systems (MHE) a good product to look at is the SwiftWCS material handling software.

Electric hoists
Engineers and manufacturers started to recognize the advantages of the Internet and its specifically designed search engines that can connect them with the exact specifications of the equipment that they need to ensure their business run smoothly.

http://www.gbmaterialhandling.com/

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