Will Gilmer's guest lecture

I was out of town when the guest was here in class.  I believe this is the day when I sent Mrs. Shaw an email telling her I would be out of class.  I'm sure the guest lecture was interesting and I hate I missed it.

Tigercat's New Machine

Tigercat has recently made a number of design enhancements to the 5702 felling saw aimed at increasing versatility and performance in a wider variety of felling conditions.  The next generation 5702 features a new accumulating arm design. The arms are longer with a newer profile to improve accumulation of small trees.  The left ski and saw housing exit have been changed to improve chip exhaust and reduce plugging when felling large trees or when operating in deep snow or heavy undergrowth.  This new machine will help move Tigercat to the next level in timber removal.

Massey Ferguson Small-Frame Tractors

In September of 2012 Massey Ferguson introduced a new line of small-frame tractors to its line up.  The new tractors have anywhere from 110 to 130 horsepower that also has a 6 to 8 percent fuel-efficiency improvement over previous models. They join four other models in the 7600 Series ranging from 140 to 180 horsepower, introduced in 2011.  As with some other Massey tractors, the cab on the small-frame tractors has an OptiRide hydraulic suspension system. This suspension system relays information through an electronic control unit to automatically control bounce, rolling and pitching for a comfortable ride in the field or on the road.

Caterpillar hybrid excavator

Caterpillar has done it again! The new machine is the first in an upcoming line of hybrid excavators and will be officially launched in April 2013 at the Bauma International Trade Fair in Munich Germany.  This excavator isn’t an electricity/fuel hybrid like the automobile industry has.  Cat developed a new hydraulic hybrid technology that it says allows the new 336EH to get up to 25 percent greater fuel efficiency.  

Komatsu Wheel Loader

On October 15th, Komatsu America Corporation introduced the WA470-7.  This is the new wheel loader with a net horsepower of 272 hp.   The new loader has a more environmentally-friendly engine that increases power while decreasing fuel consumption by approximately 8 percent.  Komatsu's new machine weighs in at 52,007 pounds, and features improved efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and improved operator comfort, while lowering operating costs.    
The operator can also check operation records like working hours or fuel consumption, monitor the load and also check how much time is required before the next maintenance interval.  This new machine has all of the technology to work hard and keep the operator comfortable at the lowest impact to the environment.

United Rentals Newest Purchase

United Rentals is based in Connecticut and operates a network of more than 550 rental locations in the United States and Canada.  This makes them the largest equipment rental company in the world.  United Rentals has agreed to purchase rival RSC Holdings Inc. for $1.9 billion.  RSC Holdings provides heavy equipment rental services to clients in several industries including the construction and manufacturing.

Crane Safety Council in Canada

A new Canadian crane safety council was established recently at a national conference in Edmonton Canada.  The Canadian Hoisting & Rigging Safety Council was established during the Crane & Rigging Conference Canada 2012 in Alberta’s capital.  The creation of the CHRSC is a unique initiative system to regulate and approve credentials in B.C. and Alberta.  They also promote the development of a crane operator qualification system in BC.

Driverless Trucks

Rio Tinto PLC, the world’s second largest iron ore miner, has announced their plan to drastically boost the number of driverless trucks in their company.  This will bring the number of trucks to 150 within the next four years.  The trucks are built buy Komatsu Limited and will allow material to be moved more efficiently and safely.  The trucks will be controlled remotely from Rio's operations headquarters.

Komatsu's New Dozer

Komatsu has introduced a new line of D61-23 dozers.  The new dozers weigh from 39,099 to 41,138 pounds and have 130 to 160 horsepower with their new Tier 4 Interim engines.  These new machines also come with a low ground pressure option which helps with the flotation of the equipment.  Along with a new engine, Komatsu has engineered a new  hydrostatic transmission pump that will help lower fuel consumption.  Komatsu claims fuel savings of up to 10 percent in the power mode and up to 20 percent in the low power range are possible with the new transmission.

Navistar Settles with EPA

The truck and engine manufacturer Navistar has said  that it has agreed to pay a fine of $3,775 per engine for diesel engines.  This is because the manufacture did not meet the EPA emissions restrictions.  Many people have now asked the question if it would be easier, for companies such as Cat and Cummins, to just pay the fine rather than outfit their current engines to meet the EPA requirements.

John Deere Expansion Plans

The world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery, has confirmed they will expand the manufacturing capabilities at their Des Moines facility.

John Deere announced they will move ahead with a $113 million expansion after receiving approximately $10 million in tax incentives for the project from the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the City of Ankeny.

Deere will invest $35 million into facility improvements, $33 million in new equipment and $45 million toward further research and development.  Currently, John Deere Des Moines Works employs 1,900 people and  primarily produces machines used during cotton production.  Construction is expected to be finished by Spring 2013.