Month: October 2021

With an operating capacity of 16,100 pounds, Case’s newest compact track loader is now the largest in the industry, designed for size and power for residential construction and land clearing. The company unveiled its new CTL at The Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.

Powered by a 114-horsepower engine, the TV620B provides 12,907 pounds of loader breakout force and 12,907 pounds of bucket breakout force. It has a rated operating capacity of 6,200 pounds.

Built on an extra-large frame, Case says, the TV620B isn’t just the big brother of the TV450; the machine was redesigned from the ground up.

“We talked to a lot of customers who were running larger CTLs and asked them what they’d like to see,” said George MacIntryre, product manager, Case. “We really focused on certain areas making sure that the frame was robust and could stand up to harsh conditions. A piston pump comes standard on this model giving customers the flow and pressure ratings they need to run big attachments. Lastly, we focused on the performance of the loader to be able to dump into high-sided trucks.”

More features now come standard on the TV620B, including:

Electro-hydraulic controlsHigh-flow hydraulicsAutomatic Ride Control and one-way self-levelingA programmable hydraulically reversing fanLED lightsThe new SiteConnect ModuleOne year of Case SiteWatch telematics

Electro-hydraulic controls allow the operator to set total machine responsiveness to low, moderate or aggressive, or independently set tilt, lift and drive speed, as well as loader arm and drive control to adjust to the demands of the job. This is set through the LCD multi-function display in the cab, which also comes standard, Case says.

“We are giving the operator more precise and intuitive control than they’ve ever had in a Case CTL and making the machine as simple to operate for as broad a range of applications as possible,” said MacIntyre.

High-flow auxiliary hydraulics and enhanced high-flow hydraulics are available options, delivering 3,450 psi and 4,100 psi, respectively, at 41.6 gallons per minute, making mulching heads, cold planers and grading blades ideal companions for this machine. An enhanced hydraulic cooling system maximizes uptime when using high-powered attachments. The TV620B also offers a selection of buckets, including a heavy-duty 84-inch, 1.25-cubic-yard bucket with SmartFit teeth.

One-way self-leveling and automatic ride control with adjustable speed settings reduce material spillage and deliver a smoother ride. Operators can adjust the foot pedal to serve one of three functions — accelerator (traditional acceleration), trans (reduces drive speed but retains rpm for loader arm functions), or decel (traditional deceleration).

The beefed-up undercarriage on the TV620B takes a nod from Case’s 650M dozer. “It’s much heavier-duty than the size class down from this,” said MacIntyre. “The idler ceiling on the TV620B is similar to the 650M dozer. The dozer components are a little bit larger than what we have on the CTL, but it’s really just a downsized version of what we have on the very reliable Case dozers.” Additionally, the 17.7-inch rubber tracks allow for minimal ground disturbance (6.1 psi) and enhanced performance on improved surfaces.

With a maximum dump height of 39 inches and 140.2-inch hinge pin height, the machine is well-suited for loading trucks. But MacIntyre says the loader arms will also look different from previous Case models. “We’ve gone to a straight-in-line loader arm linkage, giving great visibility down to the coupler and bucket area. It also allows the cab to be tipped forward with the loader arms in the down position to get even better access to all the components that are underneath the cab.”

Inside the cab, the TV620B features 360-degree visibility and an 8-inch split-screen display that simultaneously shows both the rearview camera and equipment information. A cab-wide rearview mirror gives visibility to the back of the machine. Large windows provide visibility to the front of the machine down to the attachments and optimal sight lines to the sides and rear of the machine.

Ground-level maintenance points allow for easy access to critical components. “The rear of the machine features an extra-large engine compartment so the components are easily accessible for daily checks,” said MacIntyre. “Our battery is located in a separate panel with the battery and master disconnect switch. It’s very easy to access – you don’t need to open up the rear hood for that.”

A combination of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR), diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies enables the machine to meet emissions standards. The TV620B features no diesel particulate filter (DPF) and requires no regeneration, reducing downtime. An adjustable hydraulically reversing fan minimizes the buildup of debris in the engine compartment.

Production of the TV620B is underway, and customers can expect to see it at dealers in Q4 2021.

Quick Specs 

Operating Weight: 16,100 pounds    

Engine Horsepower: 114

Rated Operating Capacity (50 percent tipping load): 6,200 pounds

Rated Operating Capacity (35 percent tipping load): 4,340 pounds

Hinge Pin Height: 140.2 inches

Reach at Maximum Dump Height: 39 inches

Loader Breakout Force: 12,084 pounds

Bucket Breakout Force: 12,907 pounds

High-Flow Auxiliary Hydraulics: 41.6 gallons per minute at 3,450 psi; 83.7 hydraulic horsepower

Enhanced High-Flow Auxiliary Hydraulics: 41.6 gallons per minute at 4,100 psi; 99.5 hydraulic horsepower

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Vanair unveiled its new electric battery-powered product line for its truck-mounted air compressors and other equipment at this year’s Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.

The new EPEQ equipment allows you to turn off the truck’s engine while running tools and equipment, releasing no emissions from the power source. Prior to the EPEQ debut, Vanair’s products have been PTO-driven off the truck’s chassis, hydraulic driven or they had their own combustion engine.

The heart of the Electrified Power System is the company’s new ELiMent lithium-ion phosphate battery. The system can be mounted on or within combustion-engine vehicles, electric vehicles and trailers.

Along with zero emissions, the EPEQ system reduces noise, heat and weight, while also reducing maintenance and overall vehicle costs, the company says.

The ELiMent battery system can discharge power at the same time it is being charged. ELiMent batteries can power electric-motor driven air compressors, electric-hydraulic power, AC power inverters, welders and electric-driven above-deck air compressors, among other devices.

The 48-volt battery system delivers 5 kilowatts of power. It is designed to be plug and play and mobile, as a 13-inch cube weighing 95 pounds versus a lead-acid battery setup of about 300 pounds and 3 feet. The company says it also plans to soon launch a 48-volt, 7.5-kilowatt version.

The Vanair EPEQ Air20 air compressor is powered by the company’s new battery and doesn’t use the truck’s engine to run.VanairAlong with the new battery system, Vanair displayed its new EPEQ Air20 reciprocating air compressor. The compressor produces 20 cubic feet per minute at 150 psi. It is designed to run such tools as an impact wrench. Vanair says it delivers a 20% efficiency gain for longer battery life.

Vanair also unveiled its EPEQ Air45 air-on-demand rotary screw compressor. It produces 20 to 45 cubic feet per minute for running a 1-inch impact wrench, inflating tires and similar functions.

The company also displayed a truck-mounted above-deck compressor powered by a 300-volt, 30-kilowatt ELiMent battery. The compressor produces 160 CFM at 250 psi.

Other products unveiled at The Utility Expo included:

An EPEQ welder with an integrated battery pack inside it. It weighs 33 pounds. A 48-volt, 5-kilowatt alternator, which allows you to charge the ELiMent battery while the battery is discharging. The alternator can be mounted under the vehicle.An EPEQ 3,000-watt inverter that can take a 48-volt input and put out 120 volts on the vehicle.An EPEQ 5,000-watt inverter that is stackable. So if you add two, then it can work like a 10,000-watt inverter and so on.

The company says all of these devices will communicate with its battery management system.

 

 

 

 

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The John Deere 470G LC excavator will now offer a full range of grade management solutions including SmartGrade, SmartGrade-Ready with 2D, 3D Grade Guidance and 2D Grade Guidance.

Factory-installed and calibrated from the dealer, the 3D grade control system automates the position of the bucket as you dig, resulting in accurate dimensioned trenches and contour work. That means you only move the dirt once. You don’t have to compact dirt that has been over-excavated, and in many cases, you can eliminate or greatly reduce the time and work done by finishing machines such as dozers and motor graders.

In addition to SmartGrade technology, the 470G LC model features various precision technologies including Virtual Front, Over-dig Protect, Virtual Ceiling, Virtual Floor, Virtual Swing and Virtual Wall. Upgrade kits for Deere’s SmartGrade technology can be installed onto equipment at later dates to match contractors’ changing needs.

Everything’s going autonomous – even Komatsu’s water truck

Komatsu’s HD785-7 autonomous water truck drives itself and remembers how much water to put down.Komatsu

Komatsu has been field testing an autonomous water truck, based on its proven Autonomous Haulage System (AHS). The technology on the concept HD785-7 truck autonomously controls the truck’s movement and water distribution through the same platform.The company hopes to introduce the HD785-based autonomous water truck in 2022.

Komatsu’s AHS enables the water truck to travel autonomously on a pre-defined haul road and work cooperatively with other autonomous trucks and staffed equipment. The system controls the amount of water dispersed, according to the vehicle speed and haul road incline, and also “remembers” the watering history to avoid overwatering.

Trackunit, ZTR join forces to make telematics data easier to use

Machine data is of little value unless you know what to do with it. In other words, it has to be “actionable.” That’s the idea driving the merger of Trackunit and the Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) division of ZTR. The two companies are uniting to accelerate innovation and drive digital transformation — with collaboration and service at the center of their strategy.

After the transaction closes, the combined entity will help customers collect data and translate it into actionable results that enhance utilization, increase fleet availability, improve safety and reduce equipment loss.

Trackunit is an SaaS-based IoT solution that collects and analyzes machine data in real-time to deliver proactive and predictive information to customers. ZTR develops IoT solutions using telematics that allow companies to remotely monitor and manage mobile as well as fixed assets. 

In making the announcement, company executives noted that the realm of IoT and telematics has evolved from simple track and trace technology into actionable insights that create value. 

“We see the industry at a pivotal turning point when it comes to digitalization of their business and equipment, and customers are looking for a trusted partner,” says Soeren Brogaard, CEO of Trackunit. “By combining our businesses, we’re elevating our technology and increasing the value customers will be able to extract from their data.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Increasing amounts of digital data are being collected on construction sites. Analyzing that information can help contractors understand and predict risk in project delivery – one of the largest risk factors being safety.

Fatality and total incident rates in the construction industry have plateaued for the last 10 years, but a partnership between Newmetrix and StructionSite aims to improve those rates using artificial intelligence (AI).

Newmetrix is a construction technology company that uses AI and advanced analytics to reduce safety risk. StructionSite is a photo and video site documentation app that enables contractors to track project progress. The integration allows StructionSite users to get enhanced data from the 360 jobsite videos and images they are already collecting on the app.

Newmetrix’s platform automatically pulls image and video data from StructionSite. The platform’s AI, “Vinnie,” then analyzes the images to identify more than 100 safety risks, such as work at height, housekeeping, improper ergonomics. 

Using predictive analytics, Vinnie combines the image data with other project data to determine the level of safety risk for each project and predicts which 20% of the projects will be responsible for 80% of the risk. Construction companies can use this data to focus their safety efforts on the projects where they will have the most impact. 

“Newmetrix has been analyzing StructionSite images from our projects for 18 months,” said Takashi Tsuchiya, deputy section manager at Obayashi Construction. “So far the Safety AI has generated over 1.2 million tags that our safety and project teams can use as opportunities for conversation. As a specific example, over 9,500 examples of housekeeping and 4,500 examples of standing water were identified by the Safety AI. This increases the number of relevant conversations we can have about safety and helps prioritize the teams’ actions. The integration boosts the number of images to generate more tags.” 

By integrating Newmetrix and StructionSite, construction companies can: 

Use the visual documentation that’s already being collected to create opportunities for safety engagement and to predict safety risksPrevent safety issues before they ariseProtect profitability with lower recordable incident rates and fewer claimsUse a predictive-based safety program to negotiate a better insurance rate

Figuring out what to do with the vast amounts of incoming data from construction sites can be overwhelming, but technology can help contractors make better decisions faster and prevent incidents before they occur. 

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The market is full of new dozers and those new dozers are full of new technology.

The new tech includes increased automation features to make the machines easier to operate.

“One of the biggest struggles facing contractors today is finding and retaining skilled operators,” says Matt Goedert, solutions marketing manager, John Deere. “John Deere is developing several features to help overcome this challenge.”

Manufacturers have also focused on improved design to make their dozers quieter, more comfortable and with increased operator visibility.

Cat improved forward visibility up to 30% on its newest model, the D4. Visibility is especially improved to the top of the blade and the area in front of it. The company lowered the hood line and relocated components that could impede sight.

“The D4 is the smallest of Cat’s mid-size dozers,” says Sam Meeker, market professional, Cat. “Visibility is especially important in applications where this size class is typically found, where obstacles and workers are common on site.”

Here’s a look at the latest dozers and their new technology and design features:

New and improved

The D4 started last year as a rebadged D6K. This was done to align the machine with Cat’s revised machine model naming protocol and to fill a numeric gap in D Series dozers.

The current D4, however, is truly a new machine and has been available since the second quarter of this year.

The Cat D4 is powered by a Cat C4.4 engine rated at 130 net horsepower. Operating weight is 29,259 pounds in non-LGP with 22-inch shoes, and 30,882 pounds in LGP with 30-inch shoes. Blade capacities are 4.26 cubic yards non-LGP and 4.98 cubic yards LGP. Foldable blades are available for both and have the same capacities as the standard VPAT blades.CaterpillarThe rearview camera is integrated into the new 10-inch color touchscreen. The view can be on only during reverse travel or can be left on all the time. In the latter case, the camera view occupies about one-fourth of the screen and is surrounded by operating data. All Next Gen Cat dozers share the same screen layout to help with familiarity.

The D4 has all the machine control options Cat offers on its dozers, including Cat Grade with 3D and the ability to install systems from Topcon, Trimble and Leica. A Waste package includes guarded rear lights, double-skinned fuel and hydraulic tanks, final drive guard and air pre-cleaner.

The HD package is ideal for forestry, demolition and other high-demand applications. It has additional underbelly guards; additional sweeps, sealing and screening to keep out dust and debris; a reversing fan and heavy-duty fenders. Standard and low ground pressure (LGP) versions are available.

A variable pitch angle tilt (VPAT) blade is standard. Blade options include power pitch for more aggressive cutting, and folding blades that bring the blade within the width of the tracks (under 93.3 inches for standard pitch and under 110.8 inches for LGP).

Liebherr offers six models of Generation 8 dozers, from the PR 716 G8 (132 horsepower, 29,231 pounds, 3.82-cubic-yard blade) to the PR 766 G8 (422 horsepower, 119,784 pounds, 22.23-cubic-yard blade). Available operator assist features include Free Grade blade stabilization, Definition Grade for 2D grading, and 3D Grade from Topcon for modeling complex terrain.Liebherr

Liebherr offers Generation 8 models of six dozers, from the 132-horsepower PR 716 G8 to the 422-horsepower PR 766 G8.

The five small and mid-size models come standard with 1D and 2D Liebherr Operator Assist Systems. 1D provides active blade stabilization for free grading; 2D provides active blade positioning for grading to longitudinal and cross slope specs.

3D Grade is an available option and has roof-mounted Topcon 3D Machine Control for complex 3D models. Ready kits, consisting of mounting and cabling, are available for customers using Trimble or Leica systems.

The large PR 766 G8 features Liebherr’s Delta High Drive as well as an oscillating idler and double bogie suspension for improved traction and comfort in mining and other production applications.

Liebherr Silent Design resulted in the company’s quietest dozers, thanks to noise-attenuating changes in cab mounting, hydraulics and drive systems on Generation 8 models.

Electronic pilot controls on the small- and mid-size models allow the operator to tailor response and speed of front and rear equipment and includes blade shake, rear ripper parking positioning and automatic blade lifting when reversing.

The LiDAT on Liebherr Generation 8 dozers has more sensors and greater data management capacity, helping ensure compatibility with current and future site management systems. All G8 models use common-rail diesel engines designed and built by Liebherr.

The John Deere 750L has a Deere PowerTech PVS 6068 engine rated at 131 net horsepower. Operating weight is 38,330 pounds. Blade capacity is 5.6 cubic yards. The dozer has hydrostatic drive with triple reduction final drive. The standard track has 40 shoes with a 7.5-inch pitch and single grousers designed for moderate service. Standard blade width is 129 inches; a 161-inch wide blade is optional.John Deere

Released in mid-2020, the 700L and 750L expand the L Series catalog for John Deere. The first was the 850L, released in 2019.

Features of the L Series include larger, more comfortable operator stations. Noise has been reduced more than half in the 700L compared to the 700K. Heated and ventilated premium seating and automatic temperature control are optional.

Horsepower and operating weight have been increased. An optional 161-inch blade is now available for the 750L. Hydraulic hose and electrical harness routing has been improved to reduce potential rub points, and hydraulic hose length on the 700L and 750L has been reduced 20%.

Komatsu’s D71PXiKomatsu

The D71-24 is Komatsu’s newest dozer. It is available with or without the company’s new iMC 2.0 intelligent Machine Control. All are powered by Komatsu SAA6D114E-6 engines rated at 237 net horsepower.

The D71 is Komatsu’s largest hydrostatic-drive dozer. Track options include 24-, 30- and 36-inch widths with blade capacities of 5.8 to 6.1 cubic yards.

“The D71 was a clean-sheet design,” says Andrew Earing, senior product manager, Komatsu. “The hydrostatic drive and standard PAT blade of the D71 make it a very nimble and versatile dozer.”

Other standard features include heated and ventilated seating, LED work lights and three-speed blade drop to shed sticky materials. Fast steering mode slows the inside track but also accelerates the outside track for tighter, faster turns while still allowing counter-rotation.

In a previous interview with Equipment World, LiuGong indicated its revamped Dressta dozers were scheduled for a fall launch. We have no additional information at this time.

Grade control technology

Deere has launched Slope Control on several dozer models in recent years, filling a need for less complex technology that doesn’t use a 3D model or external reference, such as a base station or laser.

“While adoption of 3D grade control systems has been significant over the past five or more years,” says Goedert. “There is still a place for entry-level grade control technology to grow adoption and simplify tasks.”

Slope Control automatically controls the blade, is designed to be simple to use and offers two operating modes, joystick and target. This entry-level system can be upgraded to Deere SmartGrade advanced 3D grade control at any time. SmartGrade performance responds to multiple inputs, including load levels, material types and dozing activities.

Case factory-fit machine control from Leica is available on 750M through 2050M dozers. Multiple levels of control are also available. For customers with six-way (PAT) blades working in extreme conditions, the iCON grade MCP80SP adds SP sensor technology and dual blade-mounted GNSS antennas for speed and accuracy.Case CE

Case announced in March the availability of its factory-fit machine control option on 750M through 2050M dozers. Packages include Leica Co-Pilot, 2D and dual-mast 3D systems. The factory installation includes calibration using Case World Class Manufacturing processes so the dozer arrives at the dealership ready for immediate use.

Jeremy Dulak, product manager for dozers, cites several advantages to the factory-fit approach. “The first is simplified ordering. Working with your Case dealer, you can group the Leica system that best fits your operation in with the purchase of the machine.” This allows a single payment, a single financing package, a single approval and a single interest rate.

Factory fit also ensures that when the machine arrives at the dealer, “it’s ready to go after just a very quick calibration.” And factory fit preserves residual value, he adds, because “the second owner will have confidence knowing the system was purpose-built to that specific machine and meets all quality and performance standards intended by the manufacturer.”

Komatsu’s iMC 2.0 offers “grass-to-grade automation,” says Earing. Most systems focus on grading; iMC 2.0 adds automated lift control for the fill process. This dramatically aids  compaction and reduces the likelihood of costly rework by allowing each layer to be compacted before the next layer is lain.

Komatsu says iMC 2.0 brings performance to a level that is 96% equivalent to that of an experienced operator, which elevates the performance of lesser-skilled operators. Seasoned operators also benefit from iMC 2.0 because it will maintain settings they create, a feature Komatsu calls “operator-guided automation.”

Each Komatsu dealership has a technical service expert to help train customers on iMC 2.0. TSEs also help with the installation of systems from Topcon, Trimble and Leica.

 

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