October 2009

Construction Equipment Exports Dip

Regulating Emissions

Constructing the Future

Tracking Tools

When the Powers Combine

Robotic Bobcats

Construction Equipment Exports Dip These are strange economic times. If the economic fallout has showed us anything, it’s that we are a global economy — when there’s a drastic change in one nation’s economy, it affects the others. U.S. construction machinery exports dropped 36 percent during the first half of 2009, with $6.4 billion shipped to global markets compared to $10.1 billion at mid-year 2008, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). All world regions recorded double-digit declines in construction equipment exports for the first half of 2009, led by Europe and Canada. Exports declined 53 percent to Europe for a total $777 million and dropped 45 percent to Canada for a total $1.8 billion. Exports to Asia decreased 30 percent to $939 million. Exports to Central America dropped 21 percent to $662 million, with a lesser decline to South America — minus 14 percent for a total $1.2 billion. Australia/Oceania’s export purchases decreased 42 percent to $497 million, while Africa took delivery of $528 million worth of construction equipment, a 24-percent drop. “U.S. exports of construction equipment began to erode in third quarter 2008 with the worsening global recession. We’re an export-intensive industry and the continuing decline is especially detrimental since we’re also experiencing steep cuts in domestic business,” stated Al Cervero, AEM Senior Vice President. “The U.S. government has been using various economic stimulus measures to jump-start the economy. The economic stimulus package has fallen short for construction machinery manufacturers. But, free trade increases exports and stimulates the economy. It helps keep American manufacturers in business, providing American jobs and economic resources to communities, states and the nation.” AEM urges Congress to pass the free-trade agreements already completed and to leave NAFTA alone, Cervero noted. “Other nations are joining in free trade agreements with each other, and we are being left behind,” he said. “We also need to get our roads and bridges and other infrastructure in good condition so we can move goods to market more efficiently. China and many other nations realize the connection and are spending much more on infrastructure than we are — China’s 9 percent of GDP, for example, compared to 0.93 percent for the United States. We need to be sure U.S. manufacturers have access to business around the world, as other nations ramp up their infrastructure funding to better compete on a global scale,” Cervero added. The top 10 countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first half of 2009 were: (1) Canada — $1.8 billion, down 45 percent; (2) Mexico — $510 million, down 6 percent; (3) Australia — $473 million, down 43 percent; (4) Chile — $425 million, up 5 percent; (5) South Africa — $231 million, down 38 percent; (6) Belgium — $222 million, down 39 percent; (7) Brazil — $216 million, down 16 percent; (8) China — $210 million, down 6 percent; (9) Peru — $177 million, up 1 percent; and (10) Colombia — $168 million, up 27 percent. India came in at No. 16 with $76 million worth of construction equipment purchases, a 33-percent gain compared to mid-year 2008. No.18 was Russia at $67 million, a drastic decline of 71 percent from the first half of 2008. The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Dept. data with other sources into global trend reports for members. BACK TO TOP Regulating Emissions John Deere Employs New Engine Technologies to Meet EPA Requirements The new John Deere Power Systems engines will utilize EGR to meet the emissions standards. Testing has already started on machines like this 350 D excavator. John Deere will use cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engines with exhaust filters consisting of a diesel oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter in its construction equipment to meet the 2011 Interim Tier 4 (IT4)/Stage III B emissions regulations mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for diesel engines 174 hp and above. “We’re looking to provide the simplest IT4 solution for equipment users, all while delivering the productivity, uptime and low daily operating costs that customers expect from Deere,” said Joe Mastanduno, Product Marketing Manager, Engines and Drivetrains, for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “We believe cooled EGR with exhaust filters is the right technology right now.” Deere’s approach to the IT4 solution builds upon the current clean burning and fuel efficient Tier 3/Stage III A PowerTech Plus engine platform manufactured by John Deere Power Systems. The John Deere cooled EGR engine platform for IT4 compliance is simpler, more operator friendly and less complex to maintain compared with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, said company officials. “Unlike SCR, this IT4 solution doesn’t require liquid urea to achieve emissions compliance, so there are no additional fluids to worry about obtaining, filling or storing on remote jobsites at proper temperatures,” Mastanduno said. “EGR is a single-fluid solution and that fluid is diesel fuel.” John Deere was the first manufacturer to widely commercialize off-highway Tier 3/Stage III A cooled EGR diesel engines and has the highest field population of cooled EGR engines currently operating. Extensive testing in key products featuring these engines, such as the 350D excavator, 700J crawler dozer and the new 772G motor grader, has shown a 10-percent or greater advantage in “material moved per fuel used” over competitors. “Our field experience has also proven that John Deere cooled EGR engines operate efficiently with traditional low-sulfur diesel fuels as well as B5 to B20 biodiesel blends,” Mastanduno said. “We’ve seen optimal performance with fuel-choice flexibility, and Deere dealers will be highly trained to service and support these new engines and optimize total vehicle efficiency.”

Constructing the Future
Doosan Infracore’s Sleek Excavator Concept Wins Award

Doosan Infracore’s “CX” design is among the Best of the Best. However, no word on the inclusion of a flux capacitor or hyperdrive functions.

Equipment concepts excite our ideas of how wondrous the machines of the future could be, and Doosan Infracore’s sleek concept excavator, the “CX,” sparked enough awe to win the Best of the Best Award at the 2009 Reddot Design Award Show.

More than 2,733 designs were entered, from 61 countries, and 206 were honored at the Reddot Design Award, which awards products that are creative, innovative and superior in quality. Out of these awarded designs, only 15, including Doosan Infracore’s futuristic concept excavator, were presented with the Best of the Best Award. Out of those 15 Best of the Best Awarded designs, only one will be presented with the honorary Luminary Award on Nov. 24, 2009, in Singapore.

Doosan Infracore’s futuristic concept excavator was well received by the judges for its Eco-Transformer concept, which reflects four core benefits — ecology, safety, usability and efficiency. The excavator is designed to function at the highest level at various working sites, be environmentally friendly with energy-efficiency and exhibit high performance even in severe conditions. Development of this futuristic excavator is targeted to finish by 2018.

The Reddot Design Award was first started in 1955 and is managed by Design Zentrum Nordheim Westfalen in Germany. This award is given after the world’s biggest design competition and is one of the world’s top three industrial design competitions along with the iF Design Award and the IDEA Design Award.

Tracking Tools

When you’re trying to save every penny, you can’t have tools walking off the jobsite. That’s why

Dynamic Systems Inc., a Redmond, Wash., software developer specializing in data collection applications for the construction industry, offers a low-cost tool manager program based on bar code technology. Bar code data collection has been proven to be the most accurate and efficient method of tracking or counting tools and equipment. One minute checking a tool out or in can save you the cost of a lost or stolen tool.

Barcode technology has been actively used for over 20 years in manufacturing, distribution and retail to track inventory and jobs. The barcode terminals are similar to PDAs and provide immediate and accurate information. There are barcode labels designed for harsh environments that are durable enough to withstand the dirt, grease and rough use that many tools experience.

When the Powers Combine
Navistar and Cat Joint Venture Creates New Company

The joint venture between Navistar International Corp. and Caterpillar Inc. that was announced over a year ago in June 2008 has finally closed, creating a new company — NC2 Global LLC — to serve the global commercial truck market. The leadership team of the new entity will establish its headquarters in the Chicago area.
“Together, Navistar and Caterpillar have moved this project from concept to reality in little more than one year,” said Al Saltiel, President of NC2.

“We now have a dedicated and experienced leadership team that will hit the ground running.”

Saltiel brings a wide range of global distribution and marketing experience to NC2. As Vice President of Marketing and head of Navistar’s marketing efforts since 2004, Saltiel was responsible for all brand, product and pricing strategy. Prior to joining Navistar, he held key senior marketing positions at Sony Electronics, Jaguar and Ford’s Premier Automotive Group.

“NC2 will produce and market a full line of commercial on-highway trucks for markets outside of North America,” says Saltiel. “Customers will benefit from the unparalleled depth and scope of support provided by Navistar and Caterpillar’s global dealers.”

As previously announced, the 50/50 joint venture will develop, manufacture and distribute commercial trucks with an initial focus on markets including Australia, Brazil, China, Russia, South Africa and Turkey. NC2’s product line will feature both conventional and cab-over truck designs and will be sold under both the Cat and International (Navistar) brands.

“The formation of this joint venture represents a long-term strategic decision,” said Caterpillar Group President Doug Oberhelman. “Despite the current challenges facing the global economy, both Caterpillar and Navistar are dedicating the right people and investing significant resources to ensure NC2’s long-term success in the global on-highway truck market.”

Robotic Bobcats
Meet a New Kind of Military Machine

Skid steers can do it all, but now they can do it without an operator in the seat thanks to QinetiQ North America’s robot kit. It’s designed to help identify and defuse improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the battlefield.

Skid steers — often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of construction equipment (much to the chagrin of construction equipment magazine editors) — can now tackle a new jobsite task. But this time, it’s not material movement, digging or demolition. It’s finding improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the battlefield.

QinetiQ North America, makers of the TALON robots used extensively to defuse roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced a new large-scale robotic technology that it has developed jointly with Bobcat Co., a manufacturer of Bobcat compact loaders.

QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group has developed a kit that can be installed in about 15 minutes on any of 17 models of Bobcat skid steers, all-wheel steers or compact track loaders that are equipped with the selectable joystick controls (SJC) option. This temporarily turns the loader into a remotely-operated “robot” capable of using more than 37 Bobcat-approved attachments. The loader can be sent down-range to handle large, deep-buried IEDs that require actual excavation to dislodge or a bucket to lift and remove.

In Afghanistan, where there are reported to be more than 100 million mines, Bobcat loaders could also be used to remotely render safe mines on building sites.

Upon completion of a mission, the kit is removed and the machine reverts to “in the seat” operation. The kit can be swapped from one SJC-equipped Bobcat loader to another by the user, allowing the mission to dictate what size machine to use along with the specific attachment works best.

“Other companies have roboticized individual pieces of earth-moving equipment, but until now, no one has created a universal kit that can quickly remotely control any Bobcat SJC-equipped loader used in the rough manner the military requires,” said Dr. William Ribich, President of the Technology Solutions Group. “The kit gives the war-fighter and bomb disposal teams tremendous flexibility in a cost-effective manner, given the low cost of the Bobcat loaders manufactured in high volumes for civilian uses compared to customized robots built in small numbers just for counter-IED activities.”

The robotics kit for Bobcat loaders includes seven cameras, a microphone to enable the remote operator to hear ambient sound from the cab, three different CREW 2.1 compatible radio options, three control options (laptop, wearable and table top), green and yellow warning lights to signal robotic engagement, an anti-rollover warning system and emergency manual shut off switches on the vehicle and on the control panel that support remote restart.

The kit’s hardened electronics are rated at 156 degrees fahrenheit to handle the solar load in places like Iraq and Afghanistan and have passed rigorous MIL-STD-810F environmental testing. Cameras include five mounted on the roof, one in the cab and one on the vehicle looking at the load. Night vision is provided by IR Illumination and thermal imaging in addition to the white lights on the Bobcat loader itself.