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Superior Industries releases Urathon beater roll
Superior Industries, headquartered in Morris, Minn., released its Urathon beater roll, a new solution for removing carryback material from the return side of a conveyor belt system, according to the company. The beater roll features a CEMA-rated return idler and a series of urethane-lobed discs. The discs cause light vibration, which dislodges carryback material from the conveyor belt, Superior reports. Ideal installation locations for the Urathon beater roll include above a stockpile, screen or bin so the ejected material hits a target point. Urethane beater rolls can be purchased as full, pre-assembled idlers or individual urethane-lobed discs. According to Superior, each disc is coupled with a hose clamp for assembly onto existing idlers in the field. The discs are manufactured to fit to CEMA C or D class return idlers in diameters of 4, 5 and 6 in. Superior Industries engineers and manufactures groundbreaking, bulk material processing and handling equipment, and components related to the machinery. It supplies bulk crushing, screening, washing and conveying systems for industries including construction aggregates,… Keep Reading
Terex MPS launches two new plants
Terex Minerals Processing Systems (Terex MPS) released the CRC1150 portable cone plant and CRH1313R portable impactor and screen plant. The Cedarapids CRC1150 portable cone plant delivers big production at a practical price, Terex MPS reports. The portable cone plant features the TC1150 cone crusher, which uses high efficiency roller bearings. The CRC1150 features include automated cone controls and larger closed side settings. Powered by a 300 hp motor and drive, the cone plant is mounted on a rubber isolated frame and includes an oversize cone feed hopper extension with overflow chute, “straight-line” undercrusher conveyor, metal detector and service platforms. The Cedarapids CRH1313R handles rock crushing, concrete recycling and asphalt recycling applications, Terex MPS says. The plant is a stand-alone closed-circuit unit with three product capabilities. It features a Cedarapids IP 1313 impactor with a three- or four-bar 50-in. rotor powered by a Tier 4, 450 hp diesel engine, direct drive to crusher and 200 hp generator. It also includes a heavy-duty under-crusher pan feeder that protects the conveyor belt from… Keep Reading
2016 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame inductee: Steve Zelnak
Steve Zelnak, whose career in the aggregates industry began in 1974, grew Martin Marietta revenues from $450 million to more than $2.2 billion during his tenure as the company's CEO. Learn more about his accomplishments in the aggregates industry, which earned him a spot in Pit & Quarry's Hall of Fame. Keep Reading
MTBMA recognizes Maryland operators
The Maryland Transportation Builders & Materials Association (MTBMA) recognized outstanding operators at its fourth annual safety banquet, reports the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). Jim Russ, MTBMA president, chaired the event, which also included addresses from Thomas Meighen, commissioner of the Maryland Division of Labor and Industry. At the event, NSSGA Vice President of Safety Joseph Casper called attention to outstanding NSSGA producer members in the state, including Aggregate Industries, Bluegrass Materials and Chaney Enterprises, for their success in eliminating injuries. “The success of all Maryland aggregates operators in reducing injuries last year is exactly what helped the broader industry reduce its injury rate to an historic low level,” Casper says. Casper adds that 2015 was the 15th consecutive year that the injury rate declined from the previous year. The Mine Safety & Health Administration’s total case incidence rate (TCIR) is calculated annually, and the 2015 TCIR rate was 2, which means there were two injuries for every 100 workers over one year. NSSGA’s advocacy efforts are focused… Keep Reading
Volvo launches initiative to fill skills gap in aggregates industry
As a part of its 50th anniversary of the invention of the articulated hauler, Volvo Construction Equipment is touring North America in a golden hauler and making stops at dealerships to host workshops for students interested in skilled trade positions. The tour is part of a partnership between Volvo Construction Equipment North America, Volvo dealerships, and SkillsUSA and Skills Canada – two organizations dedicated to improving the quality of North America’s skilled workforce. For its first workshop, about 25 students from the automotive program at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C., and the Diesel Tech program at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C., visited ASC Construction Equipment USA in Raleigh to learn more about how they can help to close the skills gap in North America. The workshop included a tour of the facility where students learned about the role technicians play in keeping equipment up and running, as well as a tour of the telematics bay. “The best part of this event was the one-on-one interaction we were able to have with… Keep Reading
SME Foundation program to support sustainability project in Guatemala
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Foundation’s (SMEF) Miners Give Back (MGB) program will continue its collaboration with Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) to support the second phase of a sustainable water system project in Las Mojarras, Guatemala, with its 2016 MGB grant. According to SMEF, under the direction of SME student members from the EWB-USA Southern Illinois University-Carbondale chapter, the Guatemalan water project will provide clean, usable water for the residents of Las Mojarras. Currently, 80 percent of the community is not able to receive direct access to the existing gravity-flow water system, SMEF adds. The groups have been working in collaboration with local community leaders, and the project has expanded from the initial assessment phase to design and implement a water system capable of supplying the entire community and the surrounding hillsides. The project will ensure a safe, cost effective and sustainable water supply by identifying suitable locations for water storage tanks; maintaining communications with community leaders; collecting, testing and assessing water samples; and identifying local suppliers of… Keep Reading
2016 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame inductee: Don James
Don James, who joined Vulcan Materials in 1992, led one of the largest aggregates suppliers in the United States for 18 years, significantly expanding the company's operations throughout the country. This, along with other accomplishments, earned him a spot in the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame as a 2016 inductee. Keep Reading
Liebherr adds western dealer
Liebherr entered a distribution agreement with Power Equipment Co. in Utah and Wyoming to provide sales, rentals, parts and service support for its full line of earthmoving equipment, including excavators, dozers, material handling machines, and wheeled and crawler loaders. According to the company, after opening a western spare parts depot in California, it has been steadily growing and strengthening its distribution presence the western region of the United States. The new partnership with Power Equipment Co. will help address changes in customer demand and improve overall efficiency of Liebherr’s support and distribution channel, the company adds. “We are excited about the opportunity to work with Power Equipment Co. in Utah and Wyoming,” says Peter Mayr, president of the Liebherr construction division. “The new partnership will allow us to meet the needs of our customers in these areas in addition to providing a professional approach and excellent customer service.” Representatives at Power Equipment Co. also look forward to working with Liebherr. “We are very excited to add the Liebherr earthmoving line… Keep Reading
March construction starts fall 1 percent
At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $660.5 billion, new construction starts in March fell 1 percent with a 140 reading for the Dodge Index, reports Dodge Data & Analytics. In March, nonresidential building climbed 23 percent to $228.1 billion. The institutional building group rising 44 percent, led by a 339 percent increase in the transportation terminal category. In addition, educational facilities, the largest nonresidential building category by dollar volume, rose 20 percent in March. The amusement and recreational category advanced 38 percent, the public buildings category rose 55 percent, healthcare facilities increased 53 percent and church construction fell 54 percent. The commercial categories as a group increased 5 percent in March, with hotel construction increasing 47 percent, store construction rising 19 percent and the manufacturing plant category rising 20 percent. Despite this, office construction fell 27 percent and warehouse construction retreated 13 percent. Residential building in March grew 3 percent to $292 billion. Multifamily housing increased 15 percent and single-family housing slipped 2 percent. Nonresidential construction in March fell… Keep Reading
