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JLG’s Seat Belt System Makes This Safety Essential Hard to Ignore
As any safety manager will tell you, it’s the little things — the routine, the ordinary, the things you expect to get done that don’t get done — that cause most of the accidents. Like fastening seat belts.
JLG has developed an optional seat belt system that makes it easy to remember to use them and hard to ignore. What the company calls its “seatbelt engagement and operator presence option” is being offered on JLG 742, 943, 1043, 1055 and 1255 telehandler models.
The system includes seatbelt engagement assurance and operator presence functionality, as well as a high visibility orange seatbelt. To make sure your operators are paying attention, the system uses visual and audible alarms. It will also limit machine functions when the operator is not buckled up to enhance safety during telehandler operation.
“Key in/seat belt buckled” is a common safety protocol. Anytime an operator is sitting in a JLG machine with this option, the seatbelt engagement assurance produces a visible and audible alarm that activates whenever an operator is seated but unbuckled.
For example, when the operator is seated with the vehicle ignition key on, alarms will be activated immediately and continuously. The alarms will cease when the operator leaves the seat or turns the vehicle ignition off. The alarms are intended to alert and remind the operator and will not prevent engine startup or hydraulic and drive functions, similar to seat belt alarms in automobiles.
Operator presence functionality prohibits engine start and hydraulic functions if an operator is not present. Additionally, if the system detects a loss of seat pressure during operation, one of the following will occur:
Parking brake engaged and transmission in neutral. Hydraulic controls are disabled. Upon returning to a seated position, the hydraulic controls are enabled. >Parking brake disengaged and transmission in neutral. Hydraulic controls are disabled and the cabin alarm sounds continuously. Upon returning to a seated position, hydraulic controls are enabled, and the cabin alarm will cease. >Parking brake disengaged and transmission is in forward or reverse. Hydraulic controls are disabled, the cabin alarm sounds continuously, and the transmission shifts to neutral. Upon returning to a seated position, hydraulic controls are enabled, and the cabin alarm will cease. The transmission will need to be returned to neutral to allow the system to reset prior to re-engaging forward or reverse travel.>
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Ritchie Snags Yoder & Frey Parent in $1 Billion Deal
Ritchie Bros. will buy Euro Auctions, parent of Yoder & Frey, in a $1.08 billion deal Ritchie says will give it a larger footprint in Europe and the Middle East.
Ritchie says it will acquire 100% of Euro Auctions equity. In addition, it will retain key management employees, including Derek Keys, Euro Auction founder and director. The deal is expected to be final in the first quarter of 2022.
“This acquisition significantly accelerates our strategy to drive revenue and earnings growth and add shareholder value by continuing to expand our capabilities in new channels, sectors, regions and customer segments,” says Ann Fandozzi, Ritchie CEO.
Founded in 1998, Euro Auctions purchased U.S.-based Yoder & Frey in 2016, the same year Ritchie purchased IronPlanet. Euro Auctions says it conducted 60 unreserved heavy equipment auctions in 2020 through its live and online sales, selling close to 90,000 items.
Yoder & FreyFor 47 years, Yoder & Frey has held a February auction in Kissimmee, Florida, which it held live this past February, bucking the online-only trend after the pandemic hit.
Along with its U.S. presence, the company has nine locations in Germany, Spain, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
“Dave Ritchie and his brothers were a big inspiration for my brothers and I in the creation of Euro Auctions,” Euro Auctions’ Keys says. “We modeled much of what we do off Dave’s customer-centric philosophy, which still runs through Ritchie Bros. today. Bringing us together will drive value for customers, as we provide more equipment, solutions and services to the many industries and regions in which we operate.”
Last year, Ritchie also acquired equipment data provider Rouse Services, which traces its lineage back to Max Rouse & Sons, an auction and liquidation firm.
“Between our two great companies there is 88 years of experience, an amazing customer-focused team, state-of-the-art auction sites, innovative online platforms, along with a suite of different solutions and services,” Fandozzi, says.
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These 7 Road Projects in the South Win Recognition
Seven road projects have won awards from the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
The winners are as follows:
Florida Department of Transportation — Restoring a Bridge: American Legion Drive over the Peace River project (Quality of Life/Community Development, Small category) (TIE)
Georgia Department of Transportation — Macon-Bibb County Design-Build Bridges project (Quality of Life/Community Development, Small category) (TIE)
North Carolina Department of Transportation — Reconstruction of Salem Parkway (U.S. 421/I-40 Business)(Quality of Life/Community Development, Medium category)
South Carolina Department of Transportation — C. Phase 1 (Rural Road Safety Program) (Operations Excellence, Small category)
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development — I-10 Widening Project (Operations Excellence, Medium category)
Florida Department of Transportation — Leveraging Innovation: How FDOT Transformed the Gateway to Florida Keys (Best Use of Technology & Innovation, Small category) (TIE)
North Carolina Department of Transportation — Monroe Expressway: A High-Speed Alternative to U.S. 74 project (Best Use of Technology & Innovation, Large category)
This is the first of four regional contests within the national America’s Transportation Awards competition. The three highest-scoring projects from each regional competition earn a place on a “Top 12” list of projects, which will compete for the Grand Prize – selected by an independent panel of industry judges – and the People’s Choice Award, chosen by the public through online voting.
The top two winners also receive $10,000 cash awards, to be donated to a charity or scholarship of the state DOT’s choosing.
The “Top 12 finalists” vying for the Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards will be announced in September, with online voting for the People’s Choice award beginning at the same time.
The winners of both Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards will be announced in October at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in San Diego.
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Music to Your Ears: Bosch Intros Two Jobsite Radios
Bosch Power Tools has debuted two new jobsite radios, the larger of which is a charging station and power source as well.
Both jobsite radios have several ways to connect and listen to music, including Bluetooth 5.0 for music from streaming services or songs from your mobile device. And with their USB charging capability, you can also charge your mobile devices with them.
The larger unit, the GPB18V-5C, provides four 120-volt outlets to run lights, tools and electronics. Four speakers blast out sound in all directions. Separate bass and treble controls and five equalizer presets enable you to fine tune the sound, keeping your rock music thumpy and your talk/sports broadcasts intelligible.
The radio/charger runs on Bosch’s 18V lithium-ion batteries or an included 120V AC power cord. A large digital media bay provides secure storage for mobile devices, and a rubberized roll-cage design protects the GPB18V-5C from knocks and rough handling.
Incoming calls can be handled with Bluetooth connectivity and the phone function on the Bosch GPB18V-2C jobsite radio.BoschThe compact version, the GPB18V-2C, features handles and a hanging hook, along with a dust- and moisture-resistant design. It also has a speakerphone so you can conduct hands-free calls with the Bluetooth function.
It runs on Bosch’s 18V Lithium-ion batteries or it can be plugged into the included AC/DC adapter. A hanging hook makes placement of the GPB18V-2C easy to set up on a jobsite where a flat or stable surface may not be available.
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Ram announces 2022 Laramie G/T and Rebel G/T
Ram is expanding its light-duty lineup with the additions of the new 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie G/T and Ram 1500 Rebel G/T models.
The models feature unique technology and performance straight from the factory.
“Ram has a strong history of performance trucks, and the Laramie G/T and Rebel G/T models add to that while expanding the light-duty lineup with the segment’s best combination of performance, capability, luxury and technology,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram Brand Chief Executive Officer at Stellantis. “Ram 1500 G/T buyers will enjoy this combination of performance and luxury that the newest additions to our versatile lineup offer.”
Ram 1500 G/T models feature a sport performance hood and G/T decals to distinguish them from the rest of the Rebel and Laramie offerings. A factory installed cold-end exhaust and cold-air intake, available through Mopar, are also standard.
2022 Ram 1500 Rebel G/TRamPerformance pages are included on the 2022 Ram 1500 G/T as standard equipment and give drivers the tools necessary to become familiar with their vehicle’s performance. The app provides access to real-time vehicle performance information, including timers (such as 0-60 mph elapsed time), g-force, gauges and engine performance. This data can be downloaded to a USB stick, allowing for easy sharing of driving performance.
The Ram 1500 G/T models feature a number of firsts for non-TRX models including paddle shifters, a console-mounted performance shifter and a metal pedal kit. A G/T-specific interior utilizes bucket seats that feature the G/T logo with high bolsters and all-weather floor mats from Mopar.
The 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie G/T and Rebel G/T are available in a Crew Cab configuration with the 5.7-liter V-8 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist.
The Ram 1500 Laramie G/T has a starting MSRP of $55,480, and the 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel G/T starts at $55,375. Destination fee is $1,695.
The 2022 Ram 1500 Laramie G/T and Rebel G/T go on sale in the third quarter of 2021.
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Big Lift Performance in Compact Size with Tadano’s New All-Terrain Cranes
Mobile crane manufacturer Tadano has introduced an upgraded four-axle all-terrain crane line with a lifting capacity of 75 tons and two boom lengths. The new AC 4.070-1 and AC 4.070L-1 feature a new carrier cab and multifunctional crane controls.
At full length, the 171-foot, six-section main boom can lift 12,786 pounds. The lifting capacity was improved further for steep main boom positions with small radii. Lifting capacity was also improved for steep main boom positions with small radii. A 144-foot main boom is available as an option.
With a length of 29.5 to 52.5 feet, the main boom’s extension can be used with manual or stepless hydraulic adjustments from 0 to 40 degrees to overcome a variety of obstacles. The larger total lifting capacity continuously changes in line with all radii, and an additional 5.9-foot runner can be mounted on the opposite side of the double swing-away jib on the boom.
Fast set up
Tadano’s AML-F crane control system and asymmetrical outrigger settings make quick work of set up and positioning. The lifting capacity selection function is automatic, making things easier for crane operators, and the crane selects the optimal extension sequence for each radius by itself. In addition, the Tadano lift adjuster reduces load swinging during lifting and loading.
For roading, the counterweight can be subdivided and configured precisely to meet a variety of axle load limits. Without a main boom extension and with 9,700-pounds of counterweight, the crane can comply with the 11-ton axle load limit that is becoming increasingly more common in the United States. For roads and bridges with a 13-ton axle load limit, the crane can travel with up to 26,900pounds of counterweight. The top end of the crane’s configurable axle load limits goes up to 36,376 pounds.
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Confused About Asphalt Resilience? This New Report Can Help
Resilience is a term being discussed quite a bit when it comes to infrastructure, but what does it mean and how does it apply to building asphalt roads?
A recent report published by the National Asphalt Pavement Association seeks to answer those questions and more, as well as provide recommendations for asphalt contractors and others in the asphalt industry.
The Resilient Asphalt Pavements: Industry Solutions for the Resilience Goal says evaluating infrastructure resilience involves determining its risk to disaster, such as a flood, and then addressing that risk.
The report also includes the Federal Highway Administration’s definition of resilience:
“The ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions.”
Examples of asphalt’s resilience include:
Rapid constructability to repair damaged roads and reduce user delay costs.Perpetual Pavement design to harden pavement systems.The ability to leverage maintenance overlays to harden the system and adapt to changing climate conditions.Use of recycled materials, when supply chains are cut off due to a disruptive event.Warm mix asphalt technologies to increase haul distance or assist in cold-weather environments during disaster response activities.Materials grounded in climate adaptation (i.e., Performance Graded asphalt binders).Porous asphalt pavements that reduce flood risks for communities.
The report also includes a case study on interstates that flooded in Iowa and techniques used to open roads quickly as well as save money.
In the report, authored by Drs. Benjamin Bowers and Fan Gu of Auburn University, 10 recommendations are proposed to improve asphalt pavement resilience.
It lays out these proposals for what asphalt contractors and producers should do:
Consider ways to make their facilities more resilient to ensure continuity of business operations and provide rapid response to an extreme event.Develop contingency plans and continuity of operations plans in the event of a disaster.
For more on the free 20-page report and its recommendations, click here.
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Shell Naturelle Aimed at Easing Environmental Concerns
Biodegradable lubricants are gaining increased interest as more states and municipalities work to reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.
Even small leaks and spills of machine fluids and grease runoff are of particular concern around sensitive aquifers, groundwater sources, water sheds and wildlife habitats. Rainfall can carry these contaminants many miles where they wind up in streams, lakes, rivers and the ocean. In some California districts, operators are required to park their construction machines on large sheets of heavy-duty plastic at the end of the day to prevent accidental fluid leaks from contaminating leaching into the soil.
As environmentally acceptable lubricants or (EALs), Shell Naturelle products can reduce risks to the environment while at the same time providing the engine, gear, bearing and hydraulic system protections you need to keep your machines in good running order. And by using Shell Naturelle lubricants and greases, construction contractors can meet a multitude of regulatory requirements and reduce their impact on local ecosystem.
For the construction and mining industries, the Shell Naturelle brand includes ester based hydraulic fluid, grease fluid, high pressure grease including:
Shell Naturelle S4 Hydraulic Fluid 46Shell Naturelle S4 Gear Fluid 150Shell Naturelle S5 Grease V120P 2
By using biodegradable materials with low aquatic toxicity and no bioaccumulation these products offer protection to plants and animals. Bio-derived content and solar powered manufacturing also reduce the carbon footprint during manufacture, and recycled plastic packaging helps reduce plastic waste.
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Snorkel Cranks Out 5 New Lithium-Ion Battery Scissor Lifts
With their quiet, zero-emissions power systems, battery-electric rough terrain scissor lifts make a lot of sense. And Snorkel is making a lot of them.
The company recently announced production of five new lithium-ion battery powered models to add to its existing line of three electric rough terrain scissor lifts and telehandlers. The five new machines include versions of two narrow-width units, the S2255RTE and S2755RTE, as well as three standard width units, the S2770RTE, S3370RTE and S3970RTE.
The maintenance-free lithium-ion battery packs on the new machines last up to 22 times longer than lead-acid batteries thanks to built-in battery management systems. Suitable for a wide range of environments, the lithium-ion battery packs have been tested to as low as minus-77 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Models are offered standard with two 5.75-kilowatt lithium battery packs, with an additional 5.75-kilowatt battery pack option for extended range, heavy use applications or where long-distance driving is required.
According to the company, in both test conditions and real-life applications the standard two battery pack system has delivered at least an eight-hour shift on a single charge, and in some cases, up to one week between charges, subject to use. Unlike lead-acid batteries, the charging pattern for lithium-ion batteries is designed to seamlessly fit into a normal working day schedule and can be top-up charged during breaks and shift changes.
With zero emissions, Snorkel RTE scissor lifts can be used indoors and outdoors on the same job.SnorkelDesigned for outdoor applications, a powerful and efficient AC electric motor creates efficiencies in the hydraulic drive system with higher torque than a diesel engine. This provides improved gradeability and enhanced performance on rough terrain compared to traditional combustion engine scissor lifts.
The electric motor also delivers up to 62 percent less jobsite noise than the diesel equivalent, enabling the lifts to be used indoors or in work environments with noise regulations. And with no engine fan, blowing dust is reduced for safer and cleaner operation.
The Snorkel S2255RTE and S2755RTE reach maximum working heights of 27-feet, 10-inches and 33 feet, 1-inch and offer lifting capacities of 925 pounds and 660 pounds respectively. With their narrow width of 4 feet, 9-inches, these lifts feature a 4 foot, 7-inch by 12-foot 8-inch platform with the 3-foot, 11-inch roll-out deck extension deployed. Weighing less than 6,062 pounds, these lifts can be towed by a car or light commercial vehicle on a trailer between jobs.
Measuring 5-foot, 10-inches wide, the S2770RTE can lift up to 1,250 pounds to a maximum working height of 33 feet, while the S3370RTE can lift 1,000 pounds to a working height of up to 39 feet. Reaching up to 45 feet, the S3970RTE is the largest compact rough terrain scissor lift in the family and is capable of lifting up to 771 pounds.
All five lifts are available with high grip, non-marking tires for indoor/outdoor use, and have four-wheel drive capabilities with 35-percent gradeability and an oscillating axle. Four auto-leveling stabilizers come as standard. Snorkel’s inverted leg design protects the cylinder rod from damage and debris and can level up to 6 degrees front-to-rear, and 10 degrees side-to-side.
These same models will also continue to be offered as RT versions with a diesel engine or as BE versions with Snorkel’s bi-energy solution that enables the operator to switch between an internal combustion engine and lead-acid battery power for indoor/outdoor working.
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Mecalac Adds Telematics System
Any construction contractor who spends a lot of time in his truck from the office to jobsite visits, meetings with customers, suppliers and bid lettings — knows how hard it is to have a clear picture of where his equipment is, what it’s doing and how it is doing.
Mecalac, a manufacturer and distributor of compact construction equipment for urban environments now offers a fleet management solution to help. With the MyMecalac telematics program you can get high-level summaries, specific machine details, maintenance, inspection and damage notifications in real time almost anywhere.
Developed in partnership with Trackunit, and accessible through the web on MyMecalac.com, and mobile app, the system comes standard on all Mecalac excavators and loaders in North America. The onboard telematics box continuously communicates information to the web portal. Users simply login to the web portal or app to access all machine data in real-time.
The machine data shows users which machines are healthy, and which need immediate attention or will require service soon. From there, those using the service can zoom into a specific machine to see everything from fuel consumption and oil pressure to the current engine load and machine hours.
By analyzing the data, fleet managers can schedule downtime for refueling, maintenance and repairs rather than having these tasks interrupt project timelines and profitability. Additionally, after registering in the web portal, alerts can be set up to notify the user when maintenance is required or when a fault code appears.
With readily available fault codes, technicians can remotely diagnose machine issues. And if you’re worried about theft, MyMecalac’s alert feature also acts as a theft prevention tool by notifying the owner if the machine moves from a designated zone or operates outside of designated hours.
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