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.”

Capitalize on the designed-in versatility of your Gradall Series III hydraulic excavator with a mower attachment. Designed for quick, efficient work, Gradall’s wheeled and railway maintenance excavator models can use mower attachments to clear away brush, long grass and weeds and other vegetation along highway boundaries and railway tracks.

Often replacing the need for extra maintenance equipment, the Gradall excavator’s telescoping, tilting boom can be used to position a mower at a 90-degree angle to control vegetation along fence rows, buildings and other structures. Or, the boom can be raised and tilted to correctly position the mower to cut back overgrown tree limbs that can obstruct traffic on roads.

Attaching a mower to the Gradall excavator boom can be accomplished quickly thanks to a special Gradall mounting bracket that easily interfaces with mower attachments manufactured by both Alamo and Tiger - both owned by the Alamo Group which owns Gradall Industries. Also, a hydraulic motor on the mowers eliminates the requirement for a case drain so there’s no need to modify standard Gradall auxiliary hydraulic hoses in the Gradall boom.

Mowers are available in a range of styles and sizes including 50 and 60-inch rotary and 48-inch flail. For information, contact an authorized distributor or call Gradall at 330-339-2211

Check out the Calendar which you can order and view.  The making of it is really cool.
Via Autoblog

Kobelco has partnered with Lincoln to offer an automatic lubrication solution for your equipment so that when the digging is going deep you can have the right lubrication at the right time. Check out the Video

kobelco autolub

Quicklub automatic lubrication systems are now available from the factory for many Kobelco Excavators. For more information on the system please head over to KobelcoAutoLube

Link-Belt unveiled the all-new 75 ton (70 mt) HTT-8675 Series II Telescopic Terrain crane at SED on May 12–14, 2009 at Corby, Northamptonshire, UK.

The HTT-8675 Series II has super single tires and all wheel steer capability. AT-like steering modes—controlled by a standard keypad—allow it to maneuver effectively on the road or off. On the road, rear wheel steering improves tracking by turning up to seven degrees at speeds under 15 mph (24 kph). Off road, four steering modes, all wheel, diagonal steer, manual steer, and front steer make jobsite mobility easy. In all wheel steer mode, minimum turning radius is less than 29 ft (9 m) at the edge of the tire.

The 8675’s 127 ft (38.7 m) formed, greaseless boom uses Link-Belt’s patented latching mechanism known for its ability to telescope loads. The boom has four lift modes, EM1, EM2, EM3, and EM4, which maximize capacities. An optional two-piece, 38 to 64 ft (11.6 to 19.5 m) bi fold lattice fly and two optional 16 ft (4.9 m) lattice extensions give a maximum tip height of 230 ft (70.2 m). The fly offsets to 2, 15, 30, and 45 degrees.

More over at LinkBelt

In May 2009 Link-Belt unveiled the all-new TCC-750 75 ton (70 mt) telescopic crawler  at SED on May 12–14, 2009 at Corby, Northamptonshire, UK. The TCC-750, designed and built from the ground up in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, has the same well-thought-out features and bulletproof hydraulics as Link-Belt’s proven lineup of telescopic cranes.

The TCC-750 has a completely sealed lower and hydraulically retractable side frames for easy transport and onsite flexibility. The retracted gauge, good for transport or work, is 2.56 m (8.4 ft). Two additional working modes at 11.9 ft (3.63 m) and, fully extended, at 14 ft (4.27 m) add jobsite versatility. And depending on local restrictions, it moves in either one or two loads.

Red More over at LinkBelt

The guys over at Jalopnik and Quattroworld found the epic $3.4 Million Dollar Failure.   This is why training is so important..