More Than Heavy Equipment Influences Your Paving Profit

This month’s product gallery headline felt a little odd as I typed it because the product gallery typically focuses on robust pieces of iron. I noticed, though, the news releases I’ve received this spring and early summer have been for the “accessories” to paving. You know what I mean: putty knives and temperature guns. Of course these things are important to have in the mechanic’s shop or on the back of the work truck so production doesn’t have to stop for a run-of-the-mill fix out there in the field.

But I found myself looking for the sexy equipment with Tier 4 Final engines and powerful cutting drums. You know what I mean: 12-foot extendible pavers and half-lane mills.

After my Clara Peller moment asking “where’s the beef?”, I did some soul-searching for why I felt the need to highlight big machines instead of release agents and pliers. Ladies and Gentlemen, each and every one of these products has its place in a product gallery related to paving and pavement maintenance/preservation. Getting fuel to the jobsite matters just as much as getting the heavy equipment delivered in a safe, legal and timely manner. Both of those facets of project management get a mention with product innovations this month. Does measuring the brightness of the pavement’s striping sound easy?

There’s more to it than meets the eye, of course, and a company in Texas has designed a system to make it a little easier, more efficient and safer to accomplish.

While I dug up information on a few of the heavy equipment pieces worth following post-World of Asphalt, I also picked out the non-iron items that can contribute to your profit margin. Consider the use of sealers to make pavements last longer for a client. That’s valuable information to learn about whether it involves a 3,000-gallon tanker with special heating unit or not. Let’s look at one example from Asphalt Systems Inc. (ASI), Salt Lake City, Utah, specifically.

GSB Maintains for 39 Years and Counting

Way back in 1978, the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, applied a GSB sealcoating product from ASI to its newly paved parking lot. The organization has followed the initial application with treatments of the same product every five years, as prescribed. Today, with no maintenance other than GSB sealcoating, the parking lot looks as new as it did 39 years ago.

Field trials and official studies support ASI’s asphalt life extension claims. During the 1990s, an ASI GSB sealer was evaluated through two independent field trials in Oregon—Portland International Airport (PDX) and Mulino State Airport (4S9). In both cases, the sealer was applied as a part of a preventive maintenance program, and its long-term performance was monitored. The performance data of PDX Taxiway C showed that the GSB product was able to maintain the taxiway pavement at an excellent level for the trial period of eight years. Performance data of the Mulino runway trial showed that the GSB sealer kept the runway at excellent condition for 10 years by interrupting its aging process, including halting the progress of raveling and weathering.

Other airport runway examples of ongoing and effective pavement preservation include Blanding Municipal Airport (BDG) in Utah, which has had four treatments of GSB-88® over the past 26 years. The runway pavement at Central Colorado Regional Airport (AEJ) in Buena Vista is 22 years old and has had three treatments of GSB-88 applied to it. Data on this airfield from the Colorado Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics website shows that the pavement has remained in good condition with a PCI score of 87.

Navy Facilities Command (NAVFAC) pavement specialists have performed a long-term evaluation of 1.2 million square yards of GSB applications on widely varying military airfield pavements and climates. In addition, the MicroPAVER data for 883 treated municipal airfield pavements across multiple climatic zones was critically evaluated. In both cases, the results of the evaluation were positive and demonstrated life extension for treated pavements. Currently GSB-88 is compliant with Department of Defense UFGS 32 01 13.63 and Federal Aviation Administration AC 150/5370-10G, P-608, and can be applied to all airfield pavements, including critical runways, according to the manufacturer. Engineered as a pavement preservation material, GSB-88 can also be effective at rebinding raveling pavements, which on critical airfields can mitigate asphalt based Foreign Object Debris (FOD).

“One of the keys to success with our GSB products is an initial application when pavement is in new, or near new condition, and then subsequent applications at the recommended intervals,” said Brad Grose, vice president of sales and marketing for ASI. “If these recommendations are followed, GSB products can essentially freeze—or suspend—a pavement’s condition over time, keeping it at that quality indefinitely.”

Gilsonite, an integral component of ASI’s GSB products, is a unique, naturally occurring resinous asphalt ore found in Utah that does not have to undergo an oil refining process. GSB products comprise a mixture of Gilsonite, specially selected plasticizers and oils that penetrate and reintroduce essential binders into the pavement matrix.

They are designed to mitigate the impacts of surface oxidation and moisture damage on asphalt pavements, halting deterioration and sealing the surface to help repel water. The product also helps prevent surface raveling.

For more information, contact sales at (801) 972-2757.

Arrow Material Handling Products

Forklift fork design and construction has developed immensely over the last 100 years. However, the most common fork damage occurs at the heel of the fork. “While we continue to develop and improve the design of our forks to increase durability, the fork heel remains the most susceptible to breakage,” said Terry Melvin, CEO of Arrow Material Handling Products, Lenexa, Kansas. “We believe the Fork Shield is the answer. By administering fork shields across an entire fleet, companies should expect a significant increase in the lifespan of their forks.”

Fork shields are designed to protect the most vulnerable part of the forklift fork from nicks, gouging, accidental damage and resulting stress cracks. By using these mountable protection devices, forklift forks last longer and protect against early replacement.

During research and development, one fleet manager said, “We choose to invest in high-quality forks for their durability. Other than occasional cracks or gouges, fork shields consistently deliver a positive return. They significantly decrease damage typically caused by operator error, which has led to a considerable reduction in our fork replacement costs.”

Fork shields are available in three different sizes depending on the width and thickness of the fork in use. Fork shields are sold only in pairs and are to be mounted directly onto the forks.

For more information, contact sales at (913) 227-0523.

Brinno

Even small construction businesses can showcase their work, protect the business against claims or report work to the head office with a jobsite camera. The team at Brinno, Stuart, Florida, has released the Brinno BCC200 model in a wire-free, weatherproof camera bundle.

The camera is mounted with an industrial-grade aeronautical aluminum alloy clamp and requires no wires or cables to install.

Powered by an HDR-sensor, the camera produces shots with high contrast even in challenging lighting conditions, according to the manufacturer. There is a special night mode to deliver time-lapse video during backlights and/or dark conditions.

For more information, visit www.brinno.com.

Channellock Inc.

Channellock Inc., Meadville, Pennsylvania, launched June 11 its new line of insulated pliers designed for electricians and other professionals who need high quality OSHA-compliant pliers for safety on the job.

The new insulated plier line includes four tools:

• 8-inch Long Nose Plier with a long, streamlined design for precision handling, and XLTTM Xtreme Leverage Technology to enable cutting with considerably less force than traditional high-leverage pliers. The pipe grip design will accommodate many shapes and the crosshatch teeth provide a tighter grip.
• 7- and 8-inch Diagonal Cutters featuring strong lap joint construction and a durable diagonal cutting-edge design. The 8-inch Diagonal Cutter also features XLT technology to improve cutting performance and reduce hand fatigue.
• 8-inch Combination Plier featuring XLT technology, crosshatch teeth for a tighter grip and a pipe grip design to accommodate many shapes.

The insulation is impact resistant and flame retardant, and the entire product line complies with IEC 60900-2012, ASTM F1505-16 and NFPA 70E standards. They are tested to 10,000 VAC and rated for 1,000 VAC when working on live parts.

For more information, visit www.channellock.com.

Chemtek Inc.

Chemtek Inc., Morrisville, North Carolina, has released its new silica dust suppressant NeSilex™ to reduce worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. NeSilex is recommended for any dust-producing construction activity including milling, sweeping, crushing, mining, sawing, jackhammering, earthmoving and grading.

NeSilex contains specially formulated surfactants, wetting and agglomerating agents causing dust particulates to saturate and attract to each other. This process allows for dust suppression, reducing silica dust inhalation by workers and the surrounding public. Initial testing has shown up to 100 percent reduction in respirable silica dust in certain construction activities. Using NeSilex will ensure that contractors meet OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.1153 Table 1 guidelines for exemption of employee exposure assessment for certain construction activities, according to the manufacturer.

For more information, contact David Elam at (919) 631-4331 or david.elam@chemtek.us.

FR8 Revolution

FR8 Revolution, creators of the FR8Star.com marketplace for open deck carriers and shippers, announced June 13 its new Price Lock feature that allows shippers to instantly obtain a guaranteed fair market rate and immediately book freight for legal and permitted flatbed and open deck freight. The entire process from estimate, to payment and confirmation can be completed in less than five minutes.

“It has never been easier to book oversize/overweight loads such as large equipment or machinery,” said Carl-Christoph Reckers, co-founder and COO of FR8Star. “Shippers can access FR8Star’s online technology from anywhere 24/7 and book shipping. What used to be a long and tedious process to determine the correct trailer needed, an optimal shipping route and the appropriate permits is now as easy and quick as booking an airline ticket online.”

The FR8Star.com marketplace enables shippers to move legal and oversize/overweight loads with reliable pricing estimates, optimal shipping routes and real-time freight tracking. Specialized open deck carriers can easily develop quotes and bid on high-value loads using a free freight rate calculator that factors all third-party expenses including state permit and escort costs. FR8Star eliminates unnecessary factoring fees to carriers by providing fuel advances at pickup and instant pay at drop-off.

For more information, visit www.fr8star.com.

Great Plains Industries Inc.

GPRO® Engineers at Great Plains Industries Inc. (GPI), Wichita, Kansas, have unveiled the QM Series Remote Dispensers. The series includes two models: the QM240-RD for measurements in gallons, and the QM150-RD for liters.

QM Series meters require no calibration and measure diesel fuel or unleaded gasoline to within ± ½ percent across a flow range of 2 to 40 GPM (8 to 150 L/min).

In developing the QM Series, GPRO engineers sought to address drive shaft leaks. With that goal in mind, they replaced the drive shaft with a magnetic drive. This MAG Drive is designed to eliminate shaft seal leaks and is nearly frictionless, resulting in exceptional accuracy at low flows. The QM Remote Dispenser can withstand harsh elements with a rugged steel cabinet construction featuring a powder coated finish, a cast aluminum switch-lever and nozzle cover.

Specifications include:

• Positive displacement oval gear technology
• No leak magnetic drive (MAG Drive)
• Safety Solenoid Valve
• 1-inch NPT Y-Strainer
• Operating temperature: 20° to 125° F
• Maximum working pressure: 50 PSIG / 3.4 Bar

For more information, visit gpi.net.

Green Way Products LLC

In an effort to help the environment, Green Way Products LLC (GWP), Mahwah, New Jersey, has developed an alternative to using diesel fuel for cleaning equipment and tools. Bitu-Ox 400™ was designed by a chemist who had worked in the oil fields for over 40 years, working with a variety of chemicals to help remove oil sludge in the fields.

When he came to GWP, he developed a product for use at asphalt plants, paving companies, roofing companies and more.

Bitu-Ox is designed to immediately break down any tar-covered surface and turn it into a liquid form for easy clean-up. This formula is certified biodegradable and waterway safe* by SCS Global Services in California. Bitu-Ox was formulated to work in extreme heat and cold, with a flash point of 400 degrees F. Products are sold individually in 32-ounce bottles, 5-gallon pails, and 55-gallon drums at www.bituox.com and at Allied Building Products stores.

For more information, contact GWP (888) 442-6191.

*SCS Certified Biodegradable & Waterway Safe: non-reactive, non-carcinogenic, derived from renewable resources

Hitek Equipment Inc.

Hitek Equipment Inc., Kenosha, Wisconsin, offers the new Malavasi Pavijet MG7 that turns your skid steer or loader into a mini paver. The internationally patented Pavijet is the only paver you can fill with gravel, sand, stones, hot asphalt, cold asphalt or concrete, according to the manufacturer. It is designed to handle worksites such as cycle tracks, sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, paths, utility trenches, road patching and more. The MG7 travels forward, placing material as any finisher would, and can bypass obstacles thanks to the retractable screed. The worker operates the screed, auger and hopper wings via hydraulic controls.

For more information, contact Tom at (262) 842-1700.

Leica

Hexagon AB, Stockholm, introduced June 13 the Leica BLK3D, which is a compact, 3D, handheld imager designed to enable immediate and precise 3D measurements from any image it captures. By combining measurement sensors, software and on-device edge data processing capabilities, the BLK3D enables in-picture measurements with professional-grade accuracy. Every image captured by the BLK3D is a complete and precise 3D record. Its edge capabilities eliminate the need for network connections and/or cloud services, ensuring professionals can make faster decisions within their daily workflow.

With the expanded functionality of the desktop software, users can create new projects and CAD-ready 3D models from their measurable images. BLK3D connects seamlessly to a laptop or desktop computer via Wi-Fi or USB cable. Data is automatically synced and measurable images can be accessed, processed and organized from the desktop application.

For more information, visit hexagon.com.

Mauldin Paving Products

Mauldin Paving Products has introduced a new paver to its line of commercial pavers. The 1350-C has a standard working width of 4 to 8 feet. It’s designed for a multitude of applications ranging from road shoulder, to utility trenches, to small paths. The screed on the 1350-C weighs in at 2,000 pounds. The screed comes standard with thermostatically controlled electric heat, and sonic sensors to control the flow of material. The 6-ton hopper has independently controlled wings that can be completely opened up to allow for 180 degrees of material loading.

For more information, visit www.4amauldin.com.

Neal Manufacturing

Neal Manufacturing, a division of Blastcrete Equipment LLC, Anniston, Alabama, offers its Asphalt Road Preservation Package for optimal efficiency and high-quality results on both detail and high-volume sealcoating applications. The package includes the drivable DA 350 dual applicator for quick prep work and sealcoating around curbs and gutters, and the high-volume road maintenance vehicle.

“From municipalities to contractors who have a wide customer base, equipment that can efficiently handle a variety of sealcoating jobs is a must,” Neal Manufacturing President Tripp Farrell said. “Our package ensures that whether they’re sealcoating a local street or a 5-mile stretch of highway, they have dependable equipment to efficiently achieve high-quality results.”

The DA 350 is a three-wheeled, self-propelled sealcoating machine that features a built-in, high-powered blower and AutoTrim, an automatic cutting-in attachment. The high-volume road maintenance vehicle features Neal Manufacturing’s Generation IV pump that delivers infinitely variable outputs from 0 to 150 gpm, even with larger aggregate mixes.

With the high-volume road maintenance vehicle, operators can cover up to 14 feet in one pass at a rate of 150 gpm. In-cab controls allow for on-the-go spray bar height adjustment, ensuring optimal distance between the nozzles and road surface is achieved as the truck shifts weight and moves from full to empty. Individual nozzles can also be controlled from the truck cab, giving contractors the flexibility to adjust the spray area as needed, whether alternating tips or only using one side of the dual spray bar.

The Generation IV pumps on the high-volume road maintenance vehicle allows operators to transfer 3,000 gallons of material from storage tanks in as few as 20 minutes. Neal Manufacturing designed the pumps with heavy-duty features, including robotically welded pump housings and industrial-grade hydraulic cylinders for extreme durability and longevity.

For more information, contact eric@nealequipment.com.

PSS

PSS, Cleveland, has launched its newest product, the RoadQuake® RAPTOR™ rumble strip handling machine. It is designed to transport, deploy, realign and retrieve RoadQuake 2F Temporary Portable Rumble Strips (TPRS) in work zones, to improve operational efficiency and increase worker safety. The machine mounts to the front of a vehicle for ease of operation and has a capacity of 12 RoadQuake TPRS.

The product provides positive portable protection when deploying and retrieving RoadQuake TPRS, and is designed for short-duration, short-term and mobile operations. Check it out under the Here’s How it Works tab at www.TheAsphaltPro.com.

For more information, contact Dave McKee at (216) 403-0898 or David.McKee@PSS-Innovations.com.

RMS

Striping Service and Supply (SSS), Grand Prairie, Texas, has branches across Texas, Louisiana and Florida, and offers a full line of pavement marking supplies and equipment for contractors. Now the company is the first U.S. striping contractor certified by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to operate the RetroTek-MU road striping Retroreflectometer. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) certification program provides a quantitative basis for evaluating the ability of a contractor to operate the retroreflectometer equipment to accurately measure the retroreflectivity (RL) of long-line pavement markings.

The program was developed and administered by TTI through an implementation project sponsored by TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). TTI certification consists of taking numerous pavement markings measurements of various colors, patterns and retroreflectivity levels, and providing the measurement results to TTI officials for assessment.

Jay Green, a veteran retroreflectometer operator with SSS, attended the TTI certification course April 2018 and is the first survey operator and user to be certified using the RetroTek-MU. TTI certification allows SSS to be eligible for TxDOT pavement markings retroreflectivity contracts.

According to Green: “We are delighted with the performance of the RetroTek-MU as it measures the striping on both sides of the lane in one pass without the need to switch the sensor from one side of the vehicle to the other. At the end of surveying, all the data can be quickly prepared and sent to district TxDOT officials, without the need for hours of post-processing.”

The RetroTek-MU is center-mounted on the front of a vehicle. This eliminates the need to drive close to the striping at the edge of the lane.

The sensor is mounted higher than side-mounted systems and surveys at 15 mts distance (conforming to 30-meter geometry). The RetroTek-MU surveys across the full width of a lane in one pass. It includes a comprehensive suite of mapping and video software for post survey analysis.

Joe Turley, CEO of Reflective Measurement Systems Ltd. (RMS), the developer of the RetroTek-MU, stated: “With the advent of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), this technology will assist road agencies and infrastructure stakeholders to assess and manage the pavement markings of their entire road network safely and quickly.”

For more information on SSS, contact Vice President Herbert E. Bickley at hbickley@stripe-a-zone.com.

For more information on RMS Ltd., contact Joe Turley at joeturley@reflective-systems.com.

Roadtec

Roadtec, Chattanooga, debuted its Auto Cut technology at World of Asphalt in March. Auto Cut comes standard on the company’s RX-600 cold planer and allows milling machine operators to raise the mill, walk over obstacles, walk back into the cut, and resume milling at the same depth without reprogramming or delay, according to the manufacturer.

Auto Cut is paired with ACE™, Roadtec’s grade and slope sensor system, and uses averaging skis and end gate sensors. Each leg of the machine is controlled by a different sensor, gathering four data points.

Data is continuously updated and displayed, keeping the crew on the same page at all times.

For more information, contact Eric Baker at ebaker@roadtec.com or (800) 272-7100.

Thunder Creek Equipment

Thunder Creek Equipment, Pella, Iowa, launched its multi-tank trailers (MTT) at World of Asphalt in Houston in March. They’re touted as the first fuel and service trailers designed to legally transport bulk diesel on the road without requiring drivers to maintain a CDL or HAZMAT endorsement (Title 49 (CFR49)—local regulations may apply).

“This came from a very specific construction industry need to haul bulk fluids from jobsite to jobsite without CDL and HAZMAT licensing,” General Manager Luke Van Wyk said. “With the shortage of skilled labor in the construction market today, and the difficulty in finding and retaining certified drivers, these new trailers allow any worker with a valid driver’s license to haul the trailers within federal regulations.”

This is made possible by isolating diesel in four, six or eight separate 115-gallon, DOT-compliant, non-bulk tanks. Tanks are joined by a manifold to a common pump, creating complete isolation during transport and controlled dispensing of fuel at the jobsite.

Today’s high-horsepower construction equipment requires excellent diesel and DEF purity to ensure efficient and continued operation.

Thunder Creek MTT Trailers help contractors provide these bulk fluid solutions without the cost of a larger, full-sized fuel truck or third-party delivery service. MTT Trailers come standard with a 25-gallon-per-minute (GPM) pump, 10-micron fuel filter and a 35-foot auto-retracting hose reel. Options include an ISO-compliant 4-micron fuel filter (ISO 4406) and 50-foot hose reel.

The trailers also provide industry-leading DEF handling and storage solutions that ensure optimal DEF quality to protect SCR systems.

Each trailer can be outfitted with a 100-gallon DEF tank that features Thunder Creek’s closed DEF delivery system, including the patent-pending, 2-in-1 DEF pumping system.

This system connects the DEF tank with the bulk DEF container through a closed coupler. On the jobsite the coupler is replaced with a DEF nozzle for dispensing into the machine. Each DEF tank leaves the factory cleansed and sealed according to the ISO specification (ISO 22241).

The trailers are available in 460-, 690- and 920-gallon capacities. Each MTT Trailer is available with an optional rear utility box. These utility boxes can be customized to each individual customer with the inclusion of toolboxes, a workbench with vise and Thunder Creek’s 3-in-1 welder/generator/air compressor. Additional options/customizations include Thunder Creek’s WorkSight light tower, Field Max tires, 35-pound grease kit, aluminum wheels, solar battery charger, an electric/hydraulic jack and a stainless steel trim/fender upgrade.

For more information, contact sales at (866) 535-7667.

Western Global

Western Global, Clawson, Michigan, introduced the EnviroCube tank for refueling equipment and fleet vehicles. The EnviroCube’s lockable cabinet keeps fuel secure and controls access to hoses, ports and fittings, protecting them from the elements and theft.

“The EnviroCube is a cost-effective yard tank for companies looking to reduce costs and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a secure on-site fuel supply,” General Manager Barry Truan said. “With the EnviroCube, customers can reduce expenses by taking advantage of lower per-gallon rates by purchasing fuel in bulk and scheduling deliveries when prices are low.”

Western Global engineered the box-shaped fuel storage system for easy and inexpensive movement. The EnviroCube stays within height, length and width standards for over-the-road transport. Once it’s on site, contractors can move the tank via crane-lifting hooks or four-way forklift pockets.

The system’s full-height cabinet secures all pumping equipment, which enables Western Global to install components prior to shipping, reducing on-site setup time. Additionally, in-cabinet shelving provides space for customers to store extra tools and supplies.

The EnviroCube’s weatherproof, double-walled design provides 110 percent fluid containment, eliminating the need to own and clean a secondary pan or basin while ensuring environmental compliance. Further, a top access hatch simplifies inspections, cleaning and routine maintenance.

To increase fueling flexibility and efficiency, Western Global equips the tank with multiple ports to simultaneously fuel as many as three pieces of equipment. Letterbox-style openings on the tank’s side allow it to act as an auxiliary fuel source for equipment such as generators, pumps and light towers while the cabinet remains locked.

Western Global offers the tank in four models with capacities ranging from 4,966 gallons to 12,329 gallons.

For more information, contact info@western-global.us.com.