Month: December 2021

A new time tracking feature designed to reduce timesheet errors and make accurate and timely payments to haulers has been added to Soil Connect’s eTickets platform.

When a driver punches in or out the location is automatically geo-tagged to analyze route efficiency. The time tracking feature integrates seamlessly into the eTickets platform to provide users with a complete data set about the haul.

“We are always looking for ways to solve the many age-old day-to-day problems encountered by contractors in the material hauling and dirt moving world,” says Cliff Fetner, Founder and CEO of Soil Connect. “eTickets was designed with the small- to mid-size contractor in mind, and this new feature provides business owners a time tracking solution that can improve driver and subhauler accountability, without being constantly mired in additional administrative duties, invoice disputes, etc. This can make a real impact on a company’s bottom line.”

eTickets is a contactless, e-ticketing platform designed to eliminate the use of paper tickets and allow users to easily capture customer information, type of truck, destination, pictures, eSignatures, type of material, load count and more.

Soil Connect says its goal is to eliminate the human error associated with traditional paper tickets and ultimately help contractors get paid faster.

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Purpose-built demolition, land clearing, heavy-duty excavating, and pipeline work, Link-Belt is adding three new heavy-duty excavator models to its North American lineup, the 210 X4 HD, 250 X4 HD, and 300 X4 HD.

“These heavy-duty machines give our dealers and customers the ability to buy a machine that has been designed and engineered specifically for tougher applications,” says said Chris Wise, market development manager at LBX. “The lower is impressive with its aggressive stance and is built using upsized components, full track guards, and stronger carrier rollers to protect against all the rock and debris it tracks over.”

Link-Belt says all three models come factory equipped with a high-wide and heavy-duty undercarriage with larger components for added durability, strength, and performance. The 210 X4 HD, 250 X4 HD, and 300 X4 HD have an 11-17% wider stance and 40-50% higher ground clearance than Link-Belt’s standard models, giving them better stability and increased lift capacities to handle rugged work.

Link-Belt 210X4HD Heavy-Duty ExcavatorLink-BeltBuilt off Link-Belt’s X4 platform, traveling performance has also been improved with up to a 30% increase in drawbar pull. The machines come standard with double bar grousers for added traction across rough terrain. In addition, the HD attachments feature a high lift bracket for a greater working range and increased lift capacities.

The cab features a high-resolution 7” LCD monitor, a standard rearview camera, a high-back air suspension seat with heat and tilt functionality, onboard Bluetooth, Free Swing, and a straight travel pedal. In addition, all models come standard with combination hydraulics and proportional joysticks for added tool versatility and performance.

All three machines are powered by Isuzu Final Tier 4 engines that do not require a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to maintain. Regular maintenance items are easily accessible for daily service checks and tune-ups. Customers also have access to RemoteCARE, a 24/7 remote monitoring, machine health and security system for no additional charge. 

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Takeuchi has named GT Mid Atlantic locations in Folcroft, Pennsylvania; Vineland, New Jersey; and Freehold, New Jersey as dealers. All three locations will sell and support Takeuchi’s compact equipment, including excavators, track loaders and wheel loaders.

GT Mid Atlantic will add sales professionals at the locations to support the product line. GT Mid Atlantic, an entity of Groff Tractor, serves Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the Philadelphia area.

P&K Equipment acquires Standridge Equipment Co.

P&K Equipment has acquired two John Deere stores from Standridge Equipment Co., expanding its footprint to 20 locations throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas.  

P&K will retain most Standridge employees, including Trey Adams and Josh Adams, who will continue to lead the Chickasha, Oklahoma and Duncan, Oklahoma locations.

Doosan expands Canadian presence

To better serve customers in Manitoba, Doosan North America is partnering with C&C Rentals. The Brandon, Manitoba-based location will offer Doosan crawler excavators, wheel excavators, mini excavators, wheel loaders, log loaders and material handlers.

JESCO celebrates 10 years with Ditch Witch

JESCO is marking the 10th anniversary of its partnership with underground utility equipment manufacturer Ditch Witch.

JESCO says it has sold more than 2,000 mini-skid steers, nearly 3,000 Hammerhead moles and almost 500 vibratory plows across all locations during the past decade. The dealership serves the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets.

MANUFACTURERS & SUPPLIERS

Blastrac, Diamatic to be rebranded as Husqvarna Construction

Husqvarna Construction has announced it will be rebranding its Blastrac and Diamantic surface preparation products and integrating them into the Husqvarna offering.

The first wave of rebranded products will launch in mid-2022 and will complement the Husqvarna’s existing lineup of floor grinding, scarifying and scraping equipment. The second wave targeting spring 2023 will include shot-blasting solutions and associated dust extractors.

Husqvarna acquired Blastrac in January 2021.

Sullair acquires Compressor-Pump & Service

Sullair has acquired its Salt Lake City-based distributor, Compressor-Pump & Service. CPS will continue to operate under the same name while servicing, selling and renting Sullair industrial and portable compressed air equipment.

The distributor serves an 83-county territory which spans Utah, Northern, Central & Western Nevada, Southeastern Oregon, Central & Southern Idaho, and Southwestern Wyoming. All employees will remain with the company through the transition.

First Financial to acquire Summit Funding Group

First Financial Bancorp. has entered into an agreement to acquire Cincinnati-based Summit Funding Group, the fourth largest independent equipment financing platform in the United States. 

Summit will operate as a subsidiary of First Financial, with all current associates continuing in their positions, including Founder and CEO Rick Ross. The transaction is expected to close in 2021.

Gearflow Named one of 2021’s ‘Most Disruptive MBA Startups’

Poets&Quants has named Gearflow.com, a construction equipment parts marketplace, one of 2021’s “most disruptive MBA startups.” The honor recognizes startups that have the greatest potential for lasting beyond business school.

Gearflow aims to solve the fragmented parts procurement process and its related strain on construction productivity, by allowing equipment owners to quickly find the parts they need from trusted suppliers.

To date, Gearflow has raised $4.6 million, which includes a $3-million seed round in June 2021 and a strategic partnership with CNH Industrial, the parent company of Case Construction Equipment and New Holland Construction Equipment. 

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Work is expected to begin in January on widening a major freight highway in southern Illinois.

The $67.6 million project will expand 9 miles of Interstate 57 from four to six lanes between state highways 149 and 154. This is the next phase of a $264 million plan to widen I-57 in southern Illinois.

The interstate is part of the National Highway Freight Network. The southern Illinois section handles 40,000 vehicles a day, 14,000 of which are trucks. The widening announcement follows advance construction beginning on another major freight corridor through Illinois. The $1.2 billion I-80 reconstruction project will rebuild 16 miles of the interstate, which leads to the largest inland port in North America.

Governor JB Pritzker called the widening project “the most significant investment in I-57 since its original development.” He said it would improve safety and the reliability of the freight network, create jobs and support regional economic development.

The next widening phase follows the expansion of I-57 by 4.5 miles south of West Frankfort, completed in 2020, and the ongoing widening north for 3.5 miles. The construction is being funded by the $33.2 billion Rebuild Illinois program enacted in 2019 with a doubling of the state’s gas tax and with federal funds.

The upcoming project will occur near Benton and also includes installing median barrier, resurfacing the existing lanes, updating deficient guardrail, and adding rumble strips, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The bridges over the Big Muddy River will be replaced. The phase is expected to be completed in 2025.

Future phases will eventually widen I-57 to Mt. Vernon, reconstruct the I-57/64 interchange with Illinois 15 and replace three bridges, at an estimated cost of $164 million, also to be paid for by Rebuild Illinois.

“The I-57 corridor is one of the most important in our system, but it’s prone to backups and congestion that can spill over into neighboring communities,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Under Gov. Pritzker, we are transforming I-57 to accommodate 21st century transportation, as we are doing throughout Southern Illinois and the entire state.”

 

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Effective January 1, Dean Barley will take the helm as president and COO of Tadano America Corp., succeeding Ingo Schiller.

Barley currently serves as vice president of customer service and general manager of Latin America sales. He initially joined Tadano in 2019 following the acquisition of Demag to run Demag as a separate division before integrating Demag cranes into Tadano’s portfolio. Before joining Tadano, he worked at Terex for more than two decades in a variety of capacities.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to follow Ingo in this role. He has been instrumental in developing Tadano America to the great company it is today and the Pan-America Region into the success that we are now enjoying,” says Barley.

Schiller has been promoted to chief marketing officer of Tadano Ltd. He will be responsible for all global marketing activities for the Tadano Group of companies, as well as the director of the US entity that holds both Tadano America Corp. and Tadano Mantis Corp.

Schiller joined Tadano America in 2016, becoming its president and CEO the following year. He led Tadano America through the integration of Demag Mobile Cranes into the company’s portfolio and several crane model lineup expansions for the region.

“I could not be happier with the news that Dean Barley will succeed me as I know that he brings the right talents that will help the continued growth and success of the Pan-America team. He is the right person to take this business to the next level,” says Schiller.

Along with this change, Shinichi Iimura, a long-time veteran of Tadano, will become chairman and CEO.

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