December 2009: Feature Story

The Good News
The Exciting New Machine Releases of 2009
By Jason Morgan

Here at UC headquarters, our editors are having a tough time coming up with new euphemisms for the economy. Day in and day out, our e-mail inboxes are filled with news of financial woes. Frankly, we’re tired of being the bearers of bad news. There were a number of exciting and positive success stories this year that were overshadowed, and many of those stories came in the form of brand-spankin’ new equipment.

Despite the downturn, equipment manufacturers made it a point to show their customers that they weren’t going anywhere — with value-added offerings like equipment telematic systems, dealer support like pre-owned equipment programs and, of course, new equipment. Green initiatives continued to fuel technology, as manufacturers focused on delivering more efficient machines to their customers who needed to squeeze as much out of a job as possible.

On trade show floors, where contractors get their first look at the sparkling new machines, the atmosphere was promising if thin.

Gone were the waves of nameless people clamoring around the latest machine. Instead, serious buyers picked the brains of product managers and though the leads were few, they were solid. The merry band of UC editors also perused the show room floors to compile this year’s list of new machinery. So revel in the good news by kicking back and flipping through our list of this year’s most exciting products.

Jason Morgan is Associate Editor of Utility Contractor.

Ditch Witch Direction Drill

Ditch Witch’s most powerful directional drill, the JT100 Mach 1, is equipped with a 268-hp engine and is designed so that rotation, thrust and drilling fluid flow can operate simultaneously at full power, which leads to faster job completion. With 100,000 lbs of pullback and 12,000 ft-lbs of torque, the JT100 is a directional drill built for long-range bores such as river crossings and installations of large-diameter pipe. An onboard crane allows the JT100 Mach 1 to load and unload pipe boxes, anchor the unit and handle down-hole tools, especially drill pipe. And an onboard anchor system — an exclusive Ditch Witch equipment option — stabilizes the machine on virtually any terrain. Another exclusive feature of the JT100 is a dual-pivot drill frame that allows for steeper entry angles without raising the tracks off the ground. This improves machine stability and keeps the operator’s station level.

New Holland B Series - Loader Backhoes

From digging or loading to trenching or pushing, the B Series line of loader backhoes from New Holland responds with the power and torque needed to get the job done. The B Series models range in gross horsepower from 95 to 110 and feature Tier 3-certified, turbo-charged 4.5-liter engines. The loader backhoes excel in tough digging conditions, with loader breakout forces ranging from 12,169 to 15,212 lbs. New Holland loader backhoes feature a curved, narrow boom design. Not only does the design lower transport height and increase digging power, it also provides excellent visibility. The slim cab pillars and sloped hood allow excellent visibility to the front edge of the loader bucket. The B Series line of loader backhoes from New Holland Construction includes the B90B, B95B, B95B TC, B95B LR, B110B and B115B.

Caterpillar Electric Drive Track-Type Tractor

With the D7E, Caterpillar is turning over a new green leaf. The D7E track-type tractor uses an electric drive system that delivers 10 to 30 percent greater fuel economy, greater productivity and lower lifetime service costs, compared with conventionally-designed crawler tractors of equal weight and horsepower. The Cat C9.3 ACERTTM diesel engine, rated at 235 net hp in the D7E, drives a powerful electrical generator that produces alternating current (AC) — current flows through special armored cables and military-grade connectors to a solid-state inverter and then to the propulsion module. Within the propulsion module are two heavy-duty electric motors (using AC current) that drive through common gearing into the differential steering system. Power from the steering system is transferred via axels to mechanical, double-reduction final drives to provide smooth, infinitely variable driving force to the tracks. The engine in the D7E is entirely beltless, eliminating the need for belt maintenance and replacement.

Komatsu Compact Wheel Loader

Komatsu America Corp.’s WA50-6 compact wheel loader has an operating weight of 8,100 lbs. and features a maximum dump height of 8 ft, 1 in. Operators can get to work thanks to the WA50-6’s three working modes that enable the operator to choose the mode that best fits his application: P mode provides maximum rimpull for grading and excavating applications; N mode is appropriate for normal/moderate loading or load and carry applications; and S mode virtually eliminates wheel slip allowing the machine to perform well in mud, snow and other soft or slick applications. The WA50-6 gets its power from a Komatsu engine with a net horsepower of 38.6. The direct injection engine meets EPA emissions requirements and is fuel efficient without sacrificing power or efficiency.

Bobcat Excavator

The E60 excavator — part of the new M-Series line of loaders and excavators — is a new model size in the 6-ton weight class. The E60 features a design that offers a spacious cab, with an operator seat that adjusts nine ways and a heating and air conditioning system that has true automotive-style controls. These features have been designed to keep operators who spend many hours in their machines comfortable and productive. In addition to clamps, Bobcat provides a number of attachments available for use on the excavator. The X-Change attachment quick-coupler system, standard on the E60, allows the operator to quickly change between attachments.

A complete line of attachments including trenching buckets, hydraulic breakers, earth augers and a grading bucket are available to complete even the most challenging tasks. With minimal tail swing, the E60 can work in compact work environments and next to buildings or other obstructions.

Navistar Hybrid 4x4

Navistar’s Class 7 International WorkStar Hybrid 4x4 is powered by a hybrid-electric system that utilizes a regenerative braking system to recover energy lost during braking. It stores the energy in batteries and adds power back into the driveline during starts and acceleration, making the truck more efficient in standard driving, particularly in stop-and-go driving. Delivering a fuel savings of up to 60 percent, the hybrid system can also power booms, aerial devices and other tools needed at the location for up to 90 minutes without the engine running, significantly reducing noise, emissions and fuel costs. The four-wheel drive capability of the truck is ideal for customers like utility companies, who need a truck to operate in off-highway conditions but are also looking to save energy and project a green image.

Hitachi Zaxis Compact Excavator

Released in August, the Hitachi Zaxis 50U-3 is nimble, powerful and designed to keep its tail close to its tracks to avoid fences or walls. As a Zaxis Dash-3, the 50U meets EPA Interim Tier 4 emissions requirements, improving its already fuel-thrifty nature. And its new optionally available hydraulic adjustable-angle backfill blade increases jobsite productivity and efficiency. Although small in size and footprint, it has the same distinctive big-boy qualities Hitachi users expect — long life, smooth hydraulics, multifunction operations, steel cover, reinforced D-channel frame, lubricant-impregnated HN bushings and a box-section frame. The manual quick-coupler makes fast work of bucket and attachment switchovers. Boom-mounted auxiliary hydraulic lines and an auxiliary return-flow selector valve accommodate both one- and two-way hydraulically driven attachments.

ICON Guided Auger Boring System

ICON’s Bohrtec BM600LSC guided auger boring was designed to install large diameter jacking pipes with a maximum outside diameter of 50.39 in. from a 13.8-ft shaft for a 2-m long pipe and a 10.5-ft shaft for a 1-m long pipe with 262 tons of jacking force, 112 tons of pull back force and 36,878 ft-lbs of torque. The BM600LSC is specially designed to work in conjunction with a 117 kW or 156 horsepower hydraulic variable speed pack. The jacking frame of the BM600LSC can be easily extended to accommodate a variety of pipe and lengths up to 60 ft in length.

Vermeer Mini Skid Steer

With a rated tip capacity of 2,400 lbs and SAE operating capacity of 840 lbs, the new Vermeer S800TX mini skid steer can efficiently lift and transport a large load of material in and around confined spaces. The hydraulic system of the S800TX is capable of providing 14 gpm for effectively powering more demanding attachments, while the 35-hp engine provides exceptional power and breakout force. To enhance operator comfort and safety, a spring-cushioned, ride-on platform offers broad jobsite visibility and ease of stepping on and off the machine. An operator presence system, integrated into the ride-on platform, automatically suspends ground drive and powered boom and bucket motion if the operator steps off the platform. The S800TX ground drive is controlled by a single, pilot-operated joystick for a smooth range of motion. Boom and bucket motion is controlled by a single, dual-axis joystick.

Toro TRX Walk-Behind Trencher

Toro has extended its line of dedicated walk-behind trenchers with the introduction of the Toro TRX-26. Boasting a 26-hp Kawasaki engine, the TRX-26 is ideal for utility workers, irrigation contractors and plumbers looking for the power of a ride-on trencher, with the maneuverability and control of a walk-behind. Operator-friendly controls make the TRX models more productive and easier to learn and operate and a lower center of gravity means more stability on hills and uneven terrain. The patented Toro Dingo TX-style control system on the TRX-26 makes it easy to control and eliminates the “jerk” steering required with handlebar controls, allowing for smoother, more precise trenching. With its zero-turn capability and ground pressure as low as 4.1 psi, the TRX-26 has the ability to access confined spaces without damaging existing turf.

DPL America TITAN Equipment Monitoring System

The TITAN equipment monitoring system empowers the equipment owner to remotely shut down his or her machines, wirelessly locate them any time via GPS, collect hour meter readings and track hour based service intervals. The new CAN Bus interface remotely captures and delivers utilization, productivity, performance metrics, fuel consumption and machine fault codes data to the equipment owner. Real-time notifications are sent indicating unauthorized use, service due, inactivity, low battery power or a threatening health condition on the machine. A nightly curfew immobilizes the asset and notifies an unlimited number of contacts if a theft attempt occurs. This universal unit works on both equipment and trucks to give real time visibility, up-to-the-minute notifications and historical reports to managers via any Internet connected device. The TITAN operates across North America and integrates seamlessly with the Skyhawk Vehicle Tracking System data for mapping and management of all company assets.

Case Crawler Dozer

Case Construction Equipment’s 650L is the latest addition to its crawler dozer line. The 650L delivers 74 net hp through a Tier 3-certified, four-cylinder, 4.5-liter turbocharged Case Family IV engine, with electronic fuel injection for maximum fuel efficiency and easier starts in cold weather. The 650L’s lower operating height allows the dozer to work around low overhangs, while its lighter weight is ideal for work in soft soil conditions. The shorter track means easier turning, making the machine extremely maneuverable on the jobsite. Case also offers a 90-in. blade for more precise work in confined job conditions. The blade option allows for operation between buildings with narrow lot lines.