Construction Blogs

Stellar’s New Lightweight Service Body Handles 4,000-Pound Crane

Stellar has rolled out a new lightweight, corrosion-resistant truck service body that can handle up to a 4,000-pound crane.

Designed as a mechanic’s field truck for utility and construction contractors, the new TMAX 16K aluminum service body can be equipped with Stellar’s EC3200 Aluminum Telescopic Crane, which weighs 500 pounds, 230 pounds less than its steel counterpart. The compact aluminum telescopic crane delivers 3,200 pounds of lift capacity and 15 feet of horizontal reach.

The lighter weight of the crane and service body allow for increased truck payload, the company says.

“We’re all about trying to get more payload options for people,” said Adam Opperman, Stellar product manager, at the Utility Expo in September. “So that’s why we do aluminum; it’s lighter than steel, and it’s also more corrosion resistant than steel.”

Stellar’s Light-Duty Mechanic Cranes are powered, controlled and monitored by the hand-held, remote-control Stellar Crane Dynamics Technology.


Stellar’s EC3200 aluminum crane can lift 3,200 pounds.StellarThe TMAX series includes an aluminum extrusion compartment top that has two built-in accessory mounting rails, so you don’t have to drill holes to mount equipment. The rails make removing and attaching accessories easy and reduce water intrusion into the compartments, according to Stellar.

The extruded compartment top also has wire harness channels inside the compartments for storing wires out of the way. Other features include stainless-steel billet style hinges, three-point stainless-steel compression latches, double spring over center door closures and undercoating for corrosion resistance. The body is painted with a two-part polyurethane enamel paint for added protection and visual appeal, according to Stellar.

Contractors who need a welder body might also want to check out Stellar’s TMAC 1-11, which features a 30-inch workbench bumper with slide-out tray to serve as a workstation for torch cutting and welding.

“The trays’ removable support slates allow for blow-through to the ground, keeping your workspace clean, and the 2-inch V channel that run the length of bumper make for easy clamping,” the company says.

The welder body is equipped for Stellar’s TC Series Cranes, which also use hand-held remote control.

Stellar TMAX 1-11 Welder Body for service trucks
Stellar TMAX 1-11 Welder BodyStellar 

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Construction Services

Hitachi Rolls Out ZW100-6 Wheel Loader for Lighter Jobs

Hitachi’s new ZW100-6 is a small, yet powerful wheel loader well-suited for lighter applications, including landscaping, excavation, earthmoving and utility work.

With an operating weight of 17,042 pounds, the compact model is powered by a Deutz engine providing 101 horsepower and 9,680 pounds of breakout force. The engine meets Tier 4 Final emissions requirements through a selective catalytic reduction system that injects urea into exhaust gas to reduce nitrous-oxide from emissions and eliminates the need for a diesel particulate filter. Hitachi says the engine also features a quick power switch that increases engine output when required or when driving uphill.

Bucket capacity on the ZW100-6 is 1.4 cubic yards, and the machine has a maximum hinge pin height of 11 feet 6 inches.

A hydrostatic transmission control system makes the machine easier to maneuver. Operators can choose between two work modes based on the task and terrain. The oscillating rear axle provides more stability and traction than loaders with a fixed axle, the company says. When working in wet or slippery conditions, torque proportioning differentials help avoid tire slippage, preventing wear and fuel waste. The ride-control feature minimizes machine pitching for a smoother ride and to reduce bucket material spillage.

Compared to previous models, the ZW100-6 uses 6% less fuel during V-shape loading and 19% less fuel during traveling operations. Fuel waste is further reduced through the standard auto idle shutdown.

The ZW100-6 offers a clear view of the jobsite with 360-degree visibility from the cab. The repositioned muffler and air intake improves visibility out the back window. The curved engine hood further enhances visibility and safety. Improved insulation in the cab reduces noise levels, making for a quieter work environment.

An easy-to-open wide engine cover allows for easy access for ground-level maintenance. The engine air filter has been relocated to the rear of the engine compartment. The reinforced front frame features heavy-duty axles, designed in-house for increased durability. An optional belly guard can be added to protect the powertrain and driveshaft.

The ZW100-6 is also equipped with Hitachi’s Global e-Service for 24/7 remote monitoring of machine performance. The company’s ConSite program sends automated monthly service reports on daily working hours and fuel consumption data; statistics on the operating mode ratio, plus a comparison for fuel consumption/efficiency, and emissions.

After adding the new ZW100-6, the Hitachi ZW-6 wheel loader lineup now includes 15 models.        

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Construction Blogs

Fixing “Malfunction Junction”: Work to Begin on SC’s Biggest Infrastructure Project

South Carolina’s “Malfunction Junction” will eventually earn the name of “Carolina Crossroads” as work is scheduled to begin this month on untangling the congested, dangerous interchange at I-20, I-26 and I-126 in Columbia.

The reconstruction – South Carolina’s largest infrastructure project in its history – is estimated to cost $1.7 billion and take eight years to complete. Gov. Henry McMaster and other dignitaries attended a groundbreaking Monday, and the SCDOT says work will begin in two weeks.

The work involves widening 14 miles of interstate highway in five phases. A joint venture of Archer Western and United Infrastructure won the $210 million contract for the first phase. It will include reconfiguring the Colonial Life Boulevard interchange on I-126, as well as improvements on I-26 toward U.S. 378.

Archer-United also won the $127 million contract for the second phase, which will update the Broad River Road interchange at I-20 and lengthen the I-20 westbound access to I-26 West. Both phases are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The remaining three phases have not yet been awarded. 


The rebirth of “Malfunction Junction” into Carolina Crossroads will occur in five phases.SCDOTAlong with widening 14 miles of interstate, the entire project involves building 43 new bridges and 132 new lane miles; reconstructing seven interchanges, including replacing outdated cloverleaf loops with modern ramps; and creating safer interchange exits that are farther apart and separated from other interstate traffic, according to SCDOT. The project is funded 90% federal and 10% state. 

The three-interstate interchange is traveled by more than 134,000 vehicles each day, SCDOT says, causing more than 112 hours of traffic delays each year due to congestion.

The roadways are outdated, built in the 1950s and 1960s with the last updates in the 1970s and 1980s, according to SCDOT. The region is also expected to see a 70% population increase by 2024, causing even more traffic congestion. The agency says the interchange sees a higher crash rate than other freeway-to-freeway systems in the state.

 

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