What's new in this issue:Machine Matters: Backhoes
The August Machine Matters will look at backhoe loaders of 14-foot and greater dig depth. We’ll look at the features and benefits of new models with special emphasis on:
Highway Contractor: Thinlays
Thinlay overlays are becoming the most talked about pavement preservation method for highway contractors. We take a look at the application and why contractors are turning toward this process.
Maintenance
We’ll take a deep dive look at diesel injectors, looking at how thy’ve evolved to 30,000 psi.
Road Science: Foamed Asphalt and Roads
Use of "foamed" asphalt in road reconstruction and reclamation keeps growing, but there are two ways to make it. Road Science will sort out the differences between central plant-injected foaming processes (like Astec's G2 Warm Mix System), vs. mobile foaming plant (Wirtgen's KMA 220) vs. in-place foamed recycling; as well as establishing when you use foamed binder vs. asphalt emulsions vs. lime/cement dry and slurry recycling and stabilization.
Safety Watch: Dump Trucks
Our bilingual safety article, designed for use in training and toolbox talks, examines an actual accident and determines ways to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
What's new in this issue:Special Report: Autonomous Haul Trucks
While the aggregates industry sometimes seems to be stuck in the Stone Age when it comes to making strides with technology, Luck Stone continues to break new ground. Working with Jaybridge Robotics, the company that developed its own remote control wheel loader is now taking on the challenge of autonomous trucks. Learn what changes in technology are helping to turn this goal into a reality.
Equipment Management: Impact Crushers
To get the most from your investment in an impact crusher, you need to put in the time. Performing regularly scheduled preventive maintenance on impact crushers is crucial for guaranteeing day-to-day reliability and optimum product output. Even daily cleanups and inspections can increase service life. Doing a bit more can boost production and product quality.
Operations Illustrated: Dust Control
Good dust control works hand-in-hand with good process control and facility maintenance. This article will explore how a combination of good engineering, operating, and maintenance practices with properly designed wet suppression and dry collection systems can result in compliance for air quality standards and also improved productivity.
Supply Lines: Wheel Loaders
As many manufacturers continue to offer loaders with new engine options, Aggregates Manager will review what’s available on the market. Learn how new options and greater fuel efficiency can impact your operation.
Special Report: Personal Health Monitoring
Through the use of helmet cameras, NIOSH has studied how to monitor noise and dust exposure and protect workers. Find out what this could mean for worker safety.
Lawn Care: Xeriscapes
Xeriscapes are landscapes designed primarily to conserve water. Their popularity is bound to keep growing, not only because of drought conditions but also because the desert Southwest isn’t the only part of the country in which water bills are climbing. Landscaping companies that have yet to do a xeriscaping project may want to pursue training possibilities – and sooner rather than later. Although the desire to conserve water is anything but a fleeting trend, it takes time to build expertise. Moreover, because such a high percentage of new work for landscaping businesses typically comes through referrals, the company that gets the next xeriscaping job is likely to be the same company that got the last one. We’ll give readers a head start by covering the fundamentals of designing and installing a xeriscape.
Trucks: Accessories
We’ll do a roundup of the huge variety of accessories and customization offers available from companies that specialize in outfitting trucks for landscapers. Whether it’s a customized truck body, a small truck with side-dumping capability or simply a new set of easily installed rigging to secure tools and equipment, we’ll have a place for it. We’ll also talk with landscaping professionals about the kinds of accessories they find most useful and share their thoughts on some of the latest and greatest products to appear in this broad and always interesting market.
Chemical Care: Fertilizer Regulations
Every state in the country has its own regulations on fertilizer quality, while the federal government oversees the manufacture and transport of fertilizers. For landscapers, knowing which fertilizer to use in which climate and on which plants is key; staying abreast of regulations that may bump one of their favorite products from the market is not. We’ll do that job for them, giving landscaping company managers the news they need most – namely, which products in the current regulatory environment are “in play,” and more importantly: Are any of them likely to disappear from suppliers’ product lists anytime soon?
Roundup: Snow Removal
Snow removal is a critical off-season revenue producer for landscaping companies in much of the country. And it’s a service offered by landscaping businesses large and small. Clients range from municipal governments to shopping centers, from gated residential communities to individual homeowners. That’s why we’ll cover products of interest to landscaping companies of every size, from a compact skid steer specially designed for moving snow to hand-operated snow blowers for use in residential maintenance jobs. And of course, we’ll pay special attention to equipment used by big and small operations alike, such as V-plows for mounting on pickup trucks, small tractors and even all-terrain vehicles.