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Like a good neighbor
Memphis Stone & Gravel Co. goes the extra mile for area residents by instituting a Good Neighbor Trucking Policy. Question: Do aggregate companies have any leverage for managing the behavior of truck drivers who don’t work directly for them? Tennessee’s Memphis Stone & Gravel Co. (MSG) had to answer that question a few years ago when the company received complaints from residents about truck-traffic issues involving drivers hauling its products. At the outset, it seemed MSG would have little power to impose the rules that governed its own employees on truckers hired by a second or third party. But a determined effort to maintain the corporate policy of safe and responsible trucking helped MSG identify a simple process to influence truck-driving behavior. That realization led MSG to develop a Good Neighbor Trucking Policy (GNTP) four years ago. “Our policy contains three essential elements,” says Alan Parks, MSG vice president. “First, it outlines both onsite and offsite rules that apply generally to all our facilities and employees. The second component of… Keep Reading
Affordable Care Act
Don’t overlook tax credits and other employer sweeteners that were created as part of the Affordable Care Act. Lawmakers are attempting to repeal it, businesses are suing to prevent its implementation, and local governments and unions continue their efforts to be exempted from the massive, and controversial, “Affordable Care Act” (ACA) – the healthcare reforms enacted in 2010. More recently, President Barack Obama’s administration announced it is postponing for a full year, until 2015, the Act’s “Employer Mandate,” the requirement that employers with more than 50 workers provide health insurance to their employees or face stiff penalties. Unfortunately, while everyone seems to be experiencing difficulties with the ACA, many within the aggregates mining industry appear to be overlooking tax credits and other sweeteners for employers that were created as part of the ACA and are already in effect. Small business health tax credit The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging small businesses to explore and, if qualified, claim a unique health insurance coverage tax credit. The credit was created for eligible… Keep Reading
MSHA demands for company files
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held in Big Ridge v. Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission that Congress gave MSHA powerful tools to protect miners, and that those tools include demands to inspect documents. As part of planned audits of accident, injury and illness records at 39 mines, MSHA had demanded that the mines open their employee workers’ compensation and medical records for inspection. When certain mine operators refused, MSHA issued citations and civil penalties of $4,000 per day for each day the records were withheld. Judicial review The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission upheld MSHA’s actions, and the case proceeded to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Agreeing with the commission, the court rejected the operators’ arguments that MSHA was exceeding its authority and depriving them of due process under the Constitution. The court stated: “We agree with the [commission] that MSHA acted within its statutory and constitutional authority both in demanding information that would permit MSHA to verify the accuracy of… Keep Reading
CEMCO, Inc.: Turbo 128 V-Twin VSI
The Turbo 128 V-Twin VSI crusher is among the largest models in CEMCO, Inc.’s line of vertical shaft impact crushers. The crusher is suited for the production of 1 1/2-in. aggregate rock used in concrete for road-building applications. Driven by a dual-drive V-Twin motor design, the Turbo 128 V-Twin offers greater power input and higher product output. The Turbo 128 is available with up to 900 hp, weighing about 42,000 lbs. and offering production capabilities up to 1,000 tph. At 1,000 rpm, centrifugal force directs the material from the impellor and casts it against a stationary, abrasive-resistant anvil. The material shatters along natural impact points, resulting in uniform, cube-shaped material with minimal slivered "slabby" product. The Turbo 128 features heavy-duty self-aligning spherical roller bearings, allowing it to handle dynamic loads up to 366,000 lbs. www.cemcoturbo.com Keep Reading
Komatsu America Corp.: PC490LC-10
The PC490LC-10 hydraulic excavator from Komatsu America Corp. leans on a Tier 4 Interim engine with 359 hp. At 108,000 lbs., the excavator features improved lifting performance and stability, lower fuel consumption, improved operator comfort and enhanced serviceability to maximize productivity while lowering operating costs, Komatsu says. Operators can select to run the machine in lift mode, which raises the hydraulic pressure to achieve maximum lifting force. To account for the higher lift capacity, the PC490 has strengthened undercarriage components, a reinforced revolving frame and a larger capacity swing bearing. In addition, enhancements have been made within the hydraulic system to reduce hydraulic loss. A new cooling fan, for example, is hydraulically driven, allowing fan rotation to be controlled by the coolant, hydraulic oil and ambient air temperatures. www.komatsuamerica.com Keep Reading
DSC Dredge: Barracuda Class dredge
The Barracuda Class dredge from DSC Dredge features a swinging-ladder design and is easily transportable, making it ideal for navigational, recreational or restorative projects. Offering the option of two front-swing winches, the Barracuda Class is a two-in-one dredge that converts from a swing ladder dredge to a conventional dredge without sacrificing portability. Available in either diesel or electric power, Barracuda Class discharge sizes range from 10 in. to 18 in. Standard features include a control panel with a programmable logic controller-based operating system and a power up/down spud system with winch drums for proper cable storage. A rear-kicking spud for dredge positioning and advancement also comes standard. Optional spud traveling carriages or two stern kicker spuds are available. www.dscdredge.com Keep Reading
IRock: RDS-20
IRock says the RDS-20 primary crusher is versatile enough for use across multiple industries, having the ability to process materials like quarry rock, demolition debris, recycled concrete, recycled asphalt and base rock for oil fields. The machine features a 5-ft. x 16-ft. double-deck screen. It has the ability to crush, screen and separate up to three different sizes of materials – two sized and one crusher run – at a rate of up to 500 tph. The initial vibrating feed opening is 52 in. x 17 ft., while the crusher feed opening is 56 in. x 32 in. A closed-circuit design allows both decks of oversized material to return to the feeder for another pass through the crusher after the initial round of screening. A 440-hp Cat C-13 ACERT Tier 3 engine powers the RDS-20, which can also be equipped with a Tier 4 engine. www.irockcrushers.com Photo: IRock Crushers Keep Reading
Doosan: DX420LC-3
The DX420LC-3 excavator has been upgraded with improved engine horsepower, lift capacity and cooling capabilities, according to Doosan. With an operating weight of 92,374 lbs., a maximum digging depth of 25 ft., 5 in., a dump height of 25 ft., 4 in. and maximum digging reach of 37 ft., the DX420LC-3 is capable of handling a variety of applications. A six-cylinder, 362-hp, water-cooled diesel engine powers the excavator. Doosan says the engine has been optimized for use with a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system, a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter. The turbocharged engine features a high-pressure common-rail design with direct fuel injection, electronic control and four valves per cylinder. www.doosanequipment.com Photo: Doosan Keep Reading
Telsmith: T300 Cone Crusher
Telsmith's T300 Cone Crusher is engineered for maximum uptime and productivity while delivering 300-hp performance and an estimated crushing capacity output between 135 and 440 tph in quarry applications. The T300 features a large clearing circuit, which is engineered to safely and quickly allow any uncrushable materials to pass. For reduced maintenance time and costs, the T300 is designed with six cylinders yet still offers a large crushing force, Telsmith says. The unit also offers an anti-spin feature that prevents head spin to extend manganese life. Like other key components, the T300 is mounted on top of the machine to offer top-service access. The T300 is also designed to operate with pressure lubrication oil while eliminating the use of a gearbox and a separate hydraulic circuit. www.telsmith.com Photo: Telsmith Keep Reading
