This book traces the evolution of the Gradall from the early Sloper, “Material Moving Device,” to the current product line of agile, versatile, and powerful hydraulic excavators and industrial maintenance machines. The signature of the Gradall, the hydraulic telescopic triangular boom, symbolizes the innovation of Gradall Industries Inc. with its strong market presence and quality products.

To many people, a telescopic boom hydraulic excavator is recognized and referred to as a Gradall; thanks to the dominance of the classic truck mounted telescopic boom hydraulic excavator that was developed by brothers’, Ray and Koop Ferwerda, with their FWF Corporation in Beachwood, Ohio in 1944. When the Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland, Ohio acquired the patents rights in 1946 and combined the Gradall with its global reputation as a leading industrial machinery manufacturer, the Gradall Division was formed, establishing the Gradall asthe nucleus of a future construction equipment product line. Since that time, Gradall Industries has evolved into a recognized global leader credited with the design and manufacture of hydraulic construction and industrial maintenance machinery.

Along with the growth of Gradall Industries came the acquisition and development of new and innovative products to meet the technology demands for equipment within the growing construction industry. Among those recognized acquisitions included the LOED Material Handler. This product line grew to over six different telescopic-boom handler models with the “Gradall” name in white lettering affixed to the Gradall-blue telescopic-booms on those machines. Another acquired lift product was the Lion Liftall product line of marine and construction rough-terrain straight-mast forklift trucks. The most recent addition to the Gradall portfolio of equipment is the VacAll product line of commercial vacuum trucks and street sweepers. All of these machines and other proprietary products developed by the company are well illustrated and profiled within the detailed text of this book.

For the first time, this published historical chronicle provides the reader with unique understanding of the company and the Gradall product line which only the experience of former employees and distributor personnel can provide. This book is both an accurate and fascinating story of a pioneering American company, its charismatic leaders, its innovative products, and its unique global market presence in construction, irrigation, transportation and steel production The text of the book is supported with a colorful collection of over 250 photographs and an appendix with 22 illustrations and charts. Within its 256 pages, the book is a rich historical account of seven decades that accurately describes the development of the Gradall product line and the evolution of Gradall Industries. Seven decades for the company have been impacted by expansive market acceptance and many challenges from economic recessions and product design technology within the equipment industry that caused increasing business competition. Despite the years of success and challenge, the Gradall continues to be unmatched for its versatility and productivity; and today, Gradall Industries as a member of the Alamo Group, Inc., continues with the posture of a strong industry leader.

Within the book there are the documented social and economic contributions that have occurred because of the operations of the Gradall business. Since 1950, the communities of
Tuscarawas County, Ohio, have economically benefited from employment and revenue of Gradall Industries, Inc. Several chapters of this book, which describe the early history of the Gradall business operations, portray its association with other noted New Philadelphia companies and business leaders. They include: Westinghouse Electric Corporation; La-Del Conveyor and Manufacturing Company, (Howden Buffalo Inc.); the Nolan Company; Richard Rea; A. L. (Dutch) Schwab; Robert Rutledge, Sr. and John LaFountaine, Jr. The expansion of the manufacturing facilities and the growth of the Gradall product line also has benefited many industrial suppliers and service companies in Tuscarawas County and throughout the state of Ohio.

Few of the many manufacturers of construction equipment in operation during the 1940’s remain in business today. This book describes how and why Gradall Industries has successfully continued in business plus the strategies this company has successfully undertaken to continually grow in an expanding and competitive market.

The book is available NOW

* Order Over the Phone: (800) 591-1171
* Order through DHS Website – Order Now

Radnor, PA (May 10, 2010) — Radnor-based MB Media LLC has announced the acquisition of the Construction Media Group properties from Reed Business Information (RBI). The purchase comes on the heels of RBI parent company Reed Elsevier’s recent announcement of the divestiture of multiple brands in its U.S. publishing business.

The Construction Media Group includes the following print and online properties: Building Design+Construction, Custom Builder, Construction Equipment, Housing Giants, Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler, Construction Bulletin, SpecCheck, BDCnetwork.com, LogInAndLearn.com, VisibleCity.com, ConstructionEquipment.com, and HousingZone.com.

The Construction Media Group brands will be relaunched in the near future and will serve the following professional audiences: architects, engineers, contractors, remodelers, single-family home builders, and equipment managers and owners/developers working in residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, single-family, and multifamily markets. More detailed information about each brand and its relaunch date will be available soon.

“The support from both our reader and advertiser communities has been incredible. Our close and unique relationship with our subscribers will remain paramount to us as we work with the industry on its way to recovery,” says Tony Mancini, CEO, MB Media LLC. “For advertisers, our leadership in audience delivery across all media platforms, coupled with our pay-for-performance price model, will allow for efficient and successful marketing plans. Marketers need proven results for everything they do and we are committed to providing the metrics they need.”

Mancini and his business partner, Rick Blesi, president of MB Media LLC, were publishers in the Construction Media Group when it was owned by Reed Elsevier. Together, Mancini and Blesi have more than 30 years of combined experience with the group’s publications and websites and look forward to building on their brands to better serve the industry.

“The market will feel an entrepreneurial spirit that has been missing from construction media companies. We are going to be fast, nimble, open, and committed to the success of this market,” says Mancini. “We are extremely excited to bring these highly respected and leading brands back to the construction industry.”

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“The walkarounds can familiarize operators and owners of current Gradall excavator models with the unique collection of components that combine to deliver exceptional versatility and productivity on a greater range of jobs,” said Michael Norman, director of sales and marketing for Gradall Industries, Inc.

The virtual walkarounds are accessible from the Gradall excavators Internet home page – www.gradall.com

“By offering a convenient process to familiarize operators, service personnel and equipment fleet managers, we believe we are encouraging them to benefit from the greater productivity and versatility designed into each model,” said Norman.

“Knowledge of the machine, its various components and the performance benefits they deliver also can help maximize the working life of the equipment and encourage safe operation and maintenance.”

Norman added that the walkarounds also serve as an excellent training tool for both new and veteran Gradall distributor personnel. “New sales people can easily learn about the difference between Gradall excavators and other models, and experienced sales people can brush up on new refinements and advantages in our Series 3 excavators.”

Individual walkarounds were created for families of machines with highway speed wheeled undercarriages, rough terrain wheeled undercarriages and crawlers. Each of the programs has an audio track, text and detailed photos that provide a guide to the machines’ components. For those who have access to an actual machine, the site offers the option of downloading the audio track to an MP3 player and printing out guides for walkarounds in person.

Gradall excavators are distinguished by their full tilting, telescoping booms, which can now compete with conventional excavator power and cycle speed, while also offering exceptional versatility to do the jobs of many different machines on many job sites.

The only hydraulic excavators made only in America, Gradall has been a pioneer in excavator mobility, inventing the concept of mounting a productive machine on a truck undercarriage. Even today, Gradall leads the industry in wheeled excavator mobility both on and off road, making them preferred machines for governments and contractors for road repair, grading, demolition, mass excavation, loading and spreading material, storm cleanup, guardrail installation and other tasks.

All Gradall excavators are designed, built and supported by Gradall Industries, Inc., with processes that meet ISO 9001-2008 standards. Gradall Industries is wholly owned by the Alamo Group.

Alamo Group, Inc.: For 40 years, Alamo has been a world leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service of high quality equipment for right-of-way maintenance and agriculture. Our products include tractor and truck mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, excavators, street sweepers, vacuum trucks, snow removal equipment, pothole patchers, agricultural attachments and related aftermarket parts and services. We currently produce and assemble products in 16 principal facilities worldwide. Our products are sold through Alamo Group’s marketing organizations and our extensive independent worldwide dealer networks under various trademarks and trade names. These include Alamo Industrial, Tiger, Schwarze, Gradall, Vacall, Nite-Hawk, Henke Manufacturing, Schulte, Rhino, M & W, SMC, Herschel, Valu-Bilt, Bomford, Spearhead, McConnel, Twose, SMA, Forges Gorce, Faucheux, Rousseau, Rivard, and others. Alamo Group went public in 1993 and since 1995 has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange as ALG. Visit our website at www.alamo-group.com

DHS Diecast is having their annual Auction and Open House on July 24th and 25th.  Come check out DHS Diecast

Ok we know we have been absent recently but we thought we should startup the spring season with some RC fun.  Thanks to the guys over at engadget

It’s an RC version of the Despe EC280MG, scaled down to 1:14.5 scale and weighing in at an impressive 31.5kg (about 70lbs). It has six axes of movement

more videos after the break

Construction Equipment Magazine has named the Top 100 Proudcts for 2009.  The list is comprehensive and everyone needs at least one of each!   Great analysis and writeup by CE Magazine.  An entire list  on the next page

Heavy Earthmoving
Case: Joystick Steering Option
Caterpillar: H Series Wheel Loaders
Caterpillar: 613G Scraper
Caterpillar: K-Series Crawler Dozers - Industry’s Choice
Champion: C110C/C116C Motor Graders
Double D Mfg.: Grade King Leveling Scraper
John Deere: G Series Motor Graders - Editor’s Choice
Komatsu: Dash 6 Wheel Loaders
K-Tec Earthmovers: ADT Scrapers
Liebherr: PR 764 Litronic Dozer
Liebherr: R924 Excavator
New Holland: B Series B Backhoe Loaders
Volvo: EW230C Excavators
Volvo: ECR305CL Excavator
Volvo: L45F Compact Wheel Loader

Light Earthmoving
Bobcat: M-Series Excavators
Bobcat: T110 Compact Track Loader
Bobcat: M-Series Compact Loaders - Editor’s Choice
Gehl: V270 Skid Loader
Gehl: CTL 55 Track Loader
Hitachi: ZX60USB-3 Mini Excavator
JCB: Easy-Control Servo-Control System
John Deere: CT315 Compact Track Loader - Industry’s Choice
Mustang: MTL Track Loaders
Mustang: 2700V Skid Steer Loader
Yanmar: ViO55-5B Mini Excavator

Trucking & Hauling
Caterpillar: 785D Mining Truck
Dodge: Ram Pickups
Finn Corp.: Material Transfer System
Fitzgerald: Glider Kit
Ford: F-150 Pickup - Industry’s Choice
General Motors: 2-Mode Hybrid System
International: LoneStar Truck Tractor - Editor’s Choice
International: WorkStar Hybrid 4×4 Truck
Komatsu: 860E-1K Mining Truck
Peterbilt: 335 Hybrid
Side Dump: Contractors Series

Paving, Compaction & Concrete Pumps
Bomag: BPR100/80D Reversible Plate Compactor
Caterpillar Paving: CB54, CB54XW, CB64 Rollers - Industry’s Choice
Dynapac: CC224HF/234HF, CC324HF/334HF Rollers
GOMACO: IDBI Dowel Bar Inserter
Hamm: HD+ Series Rollers
Liebherr: LRS 708 Concrete Reclaimer
Mauldin: Silver 16 Screed
McNeilus: CNG Concrete Mixer
Morbark: 3800/4600 XL Horizontal Grinder
Putzmeister: 70Z-Meter Concrete Boom Pump
Rayco Mfg.: RH1754 Horizontal Grinder
Sakai: SV610-III Series Soil Rollers
Sany: SY565OTHB 72 Concrete Pump
Terex Roadbuilding: Foamed Asphalt System - Editor’s Choice
Terex Roadbuilding: RS445C Reclaimer/Stabilizer
Vermeer: HG8000 Horizontal Grinder
Volvo: MT2000/MV500 Milling Machines

Light Equipment
Allu: D-Series Screening Bucket
Atlas Copco: HB 3600 Breaker
Bobcat: Toolcat 5610 - Industry’s Choice
Doosan Infracore Portable Power: Blackhawk MVS-6
E2 Systems: Portable Conveyor
Indeco: HP Series Breakers
Lincoln Electric: Power Wave C300 Power Source
Miller Electric: Wildcat 200 Welder/Generator - Editor’s Choice
Morbark: Model 30 NCL Disc Chipper
Nye Mfg.: DR3 Triple Ripper
Parker Hannifin: TS051-OABCBR TireSaver System
Terex: Super Quiet Generators
VT LeeBoy: Challenger V Broom
Wacker Neuson: G 180/G 240 Generators

Drilling & Trenching
Ditch Witch: RT10/RT12 Trenchers
Vermeer: RTX100 Pedestrian Trencher
Vermeer: XTS1250 Trencher - Editor’s Choice

Lifting & Material Handling
Elliott: 30105DT Crane and Digger Unit
Genie: S-80/S-85 Aerial Work Platform
IMT: Articulating Crane Line
JLG: 619A and 723A Compact Telehandlers
Manitowoc: Grove GSK55 All-Terrain Crane - Industry’s Choice
Manitowoc: Grove TM500E-2 Truck Crane
MEC: Ultra-Deck 5492RT Scissor Lift
MEC: 91ES Series Electric Scissor Lift - Editor’s Choice
Pettibone: 1530 Extendo Telehandler
Sellick: S Series Forklift
Stellar: EC4000/5000 Service Cranes

Ancillary Products
Atlas Copco: SmartRig GPS System - Editor’s Choice
Caterpillar: Cat Fusion Coupler
Cleaire: LoneStar
Cummins Filtration: Fleetguard Direct Flow Air Cleaner - Industry’s Choice
Dromone: Quick Coupler
Huss: FS-MK Diesel Particulate Filter
Intellitec: Yard Dog
Intergis: Kuva Asset-Tracking Device
JRB: VersaLoc Coupler
Leica: PowerGrade
Made: SkyRadio 2.0
Michelin: X One XZY3 Tire
OEM Data Delivery: Telematics System
OPW: Fuel Management System
Quixote: Moveable Vulcan Barrier
Topcon: Tierra
Trimble: Tablet
Vermeer: CL80 Cable Layer Attachment

The exciting new 5th Man piercing nozzle boom end attachment draws its muscle from rugged Gradall hydraulic boom forces and stability. From a safer position, firefighters can thrust a 5th Man stainless steel piercing head through windows, walls, roofs – even concrete structures. When mounted on a firefighting vehicle, this new venting solution eliminates the need for firefighters with axes to stand on burning rooftops. After piercing the structure, the 5th Man head has 52 aqua-jet nozzles that direct a massive broken stream curtain of water into the heart of the fire.

New Laser-Based AccuGrade™ System Matches Durable Grading Box with Integrated Control and Automatic Operation

A new laser-based AccuGrade™ grading system for Cat® C-Series Skid-Steer Loaders, Multi-Terrain Loaders and Compact Track Loaders combines the capability of the Level Best Grading Box with the C-Series loader’s integral electro/hydraulic controls to create an automated grading system capable of extreme accuracy. The new system establishes flat or single-slope grades to within ± 0.25 inch (± 6.5 mm) without grade stakes or the expense of grade checkers and stake-setting surveyors. Machines grade more area per hour and are more fuel-efficient in the process.

The new AccuGrade system works with the loader’s auxiliary-hydraulic system and integral controls to automatically adjust the elevation of the grading-box blade, eliminating undercuts and overfills (no reworks) and assuring that expensive base materials are spread to exact specifications (no penalties or wasted material). Plus, fewer people on site results in greater safety.

The Advanced Machine Information and Control System (AMICS) provides an in-cab display showing the blade’s position relative to finished grade. A trigger switch on the implement joystick allows the operator to choose manual or automatic operation of the grading box, and with the system in its automatic mode, the operator need only steer the machine and control its speed to achieve precise grades. Support wheels ahead of the responsive, well-designed grading box blade extend the loader’s wheel base for smooth cuts.

Easy installation, operating advantages
When the machine owner has purchased an 84-inch-wide ATI Level Best Grading Box (endorsed by Caterpillar) and a 360-degree laser transmitter, which establishes a reference plane at a set elevation and slope, the AccuGrade system is quickly assembled on AMICS-equipped units by mounting the laser receiver, installing the wiring harness, connecting auxiliary-hydraulic lines and installing operating software. (Cat dealers can install an AMICS kit on existing machines for a nominal cost.)

Unlike conventional laser grading systems, the AccuGrade system requires no additional externally mounted hydraulic valves or displays, nor any additional in-cab levers, switches, control boxes or cables. The integrated AccuGrade system allows use of the loader’s existing controls, keeping the operator securely in the seat and protected by built-in safety features.

Also, the new AccuGrade system is hydraulically efficient, activating the loader’s auxiliary-hydraulic circuit only when blade correction is required. Conventional systems, by contrast, require continuous flow in the auxiliary circuit and, subsequently, use more fuel and generate heat and noise.

The receiver in the AccuGrade system can be positioned virtually anywhere in the laser plane when establishing the benchmark, but conventional systems may require a painstaking process of centering the receiver in the plane. Also, the AccuGrade system’s elevation offset can be set easily using the AMICS display, compared with having to precisely relocate the receiver on the mast or reposition the laser transmitter at the tripod in conventional systems..

For more information about the new AccuGrade system, customers should contact their local Cat dealer or visit www.cat.com. For more information about the Level Best Grading Box Blade, customers should contact Jack Herr or Dale Sensenig at ATI Corp. (800-342-0905).

The story begins with a wheel loader, 100% designed by Caterpillar…
In December of 1959, the first production Cat® wheel loader was driven off the assembly line at the Caterpillar plant in Aurora, IL.

The 944 Wheel “Traxcavator”, a 78 kW (105 hp) gas or diesel engine equipped with 1.5 m³ (2 yd³) bucket, was the culmination of a seven-year development effort and the beginning of Caterpillar’s leadership in the worldwide market of wheel loaders.

A brief history…
Within a years time, Caterpillar added two additional models, the 60 kW (80 hp) model 922A wheel loader and the 104 kW (140 hp) 966A wheel loader. Following a few years later Caterpillar would introduce the 980, 988, 930, and 950 wheel loaders. Over the course of 50 years, Caterpillar would design and update a total of 83 different wheel loader models.

In speaking of the anniversary Karl Weiss, Medium Wheel Loader Product Manager said, “We owe a lot to the teams that developed the 944 and the subsequent models of Caterpillar wheel loaders. Through their hard work and passion to serve the customer, Caterpillar has become the global leader. Now it’s our turn to carry on this legacy of excellence.”

Today, Caterpillar’s Wheel Loaders offer a full product line consisting of 19 different models. The wheel loaders range in engine power from 39 kW (52 hp) to 1092 kW (1, 463 hp) with a bucket capacity range of 0.6 m³ (0.78 yd³) to 31m³ (41 yd³).

We are just getting started…
With almost a half a million wheel loaders sold over the last 50 years, Caterpillar has been a part of building communities around the world. Our goal is to continue making progress possible for another 50 years and beyond by providing our customers with the world’s best wheel loaders.

Tom Bluth, Vice President of Caterpillar’s Earthmoving Division added his appreciation, “As Caterpillar commemorates 50 years of Wheel Loaders, we take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers, an unparalleled dealer network, and the best employees in the industry, who have been partners in our success.”