News

Typical warehouse equipment like telehandlers, order pickers and forklifts could be replaced by warehouse robots sometime in the future, experts say. The official term is called “warehouse automation solutions”, but are we ready for a robotic warehouse to become the norm, can all businesses successfully make the switch, and what does this mean for the average warehouse worker?

This month Tesla revealed the world’s first-ever electric semi truck in a direct challenge to diesel semi trucks everywhere. While addressing an excited crowd at a Tesla facility in Hawthorne, California, CEO Elon Musk promised to revolutionize the hauling industry with a better, cleaner design – along with many other large claims. Companies like Walmart and the Canadian grocery chain Loblaws have already shown interest by placing small test fleet orders, but will Tesla’s energy-efficient semis really be able to outperform diesel semi trucks upon its promised 2019 release date?

Caterpillar has released three new 20-ton excavators, which consume 20 to 25 less fuel than previous models and boast new features that could improve operational efficiency by up to 45%. The new CAT 320 GC, 320 and 323 all feature new cooling systems and technological updates.

The new Dynapac CC1100/CC1200 generation VI asphalt rollers utilize a new design that combines a cross-mounted engine with large casted forks offering built-in flexible lifting, towing and tie-down capabilities. Furthermore, the optional ROPS-mounted working lights in LED can enhance visibility during night-work.

Caterpillar is launching its first utility vehicles – the gasoline-powered Cat CUV82 and diesel-powered CUV102D. Both feature a rugged steel cargo bed and offer 1,000-lb (454-kg) total rear cargo capacity and 2,000-lb (907-kg) towing capacity. They also utilize a four-wheel independent suspension system with a front sway bar to enhance stability at full load. A long swing-arm suspension, custom-tuned springs and shocks deliver a balance between a smooth ride and hauling loads.  

The YANMAR//ACADEMY consists of eight technology-driven facilities scattered throughout Acworth, GA. These schools offer courses led by staff experts. Six focus on dealer training, one covers employee training, and one is dedicated to customer training.

New Holland Construction recently expanded its compact track loader lineup to include an all-new model, the C237. Ready for any farm, rental yard or construction site, the vertical lift C237 model will hold fast to steep slopes and move easily through various terrains. The 74 horsepower engine offers a lighter alternative to the previous C238 without sacrificing operating capacity. The C237 can lift more hay bales, haul heavier pallets and bigger boulders, and everything in between without the need to worry about DEF (diesel exhaust fluid).

Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co. will exhibit its new autonomous haulage solution this week in Cologne, Germany, at the Autonomous Industrial Vehicle Technology Symposium. Liebherr plans to begin field trials of a pre-series at a customer site in 2019.

Bobcat has released a new pallet fork frame featuring a new design that provides compact equipment operators with best-in class visibility for picking and placing objects. Its new walk-through design offers easier entry into the loader cab. The open carriage design provides optimal visibility to the pallet fork tines when picking and placing materials. 

John Deere’s new Worldwide Parts Services Regional Distribution Center (RDC) in Miami, Fla., is a 115,000-square-foot facility that will serve dealers and customers in Latin America—with the exception of Mexico, Argentina and Brazil, which already house RDC locations. 

IC Bus unveiled the IC Electric Bus ChargE, a zero-emissions, fully operational electric school bus, in alliance with Volkswagen Truck and Bus, making this the second electric powertrain vehicle developed between the two companies. Unveiled at the 2017 National Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference and Trade Show, the new concept bus not only eliminates emissions, but in turn, cuts costs for owners without sacrificing diesel-like performance. Additionally, intuitive features and controls make this CE Series concept school bus a viable and user-friendly option for schools and companies looking to reduce their footprint in early 2019, when they are expected to become available.

Takeuchi-US has released the TB235-2 compact hydraulic excavator, following up the original TB235. Sharing the same design concept of the TB230, TB240, and TB260, the TB235-2 provides Takeuchi with a 3.5t offering in this market classification. With an operating weight of 7,474 pounds, a dig depth of 10 feet 7.7 inches, maximum reach of 17 feet 3 inches and breakout force of 9,127 pounds the TB235 provides excellent working range and performance. Additionally, the TB235-2 shares the 24.4 hp Yanmar 3TNV88F engine with the TB230 and requires no additional exhaust after-treatment systems.

Heavy-haul provider, Talbert Manufacturing, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its mechanical gooseneck patent, which was developed by Austin Talbert, engineer and founder of Talbert Construction Equipment Co. Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

Felling has redesigned and engineered their Utility Pole series trailer line focusing on increased operator safety, easy of use, and maintenance. The first of these revamped Pole trailers, the FT-10-1 PT, was released at ICUEE. This model has a retracted length of 24' and can extend to 40' with one adjustment point midway. The model line offers several payload capacities and can be manufactured with a single or tandem axle configuration, both with dual wheels. 10,000, 12,000, 15,000 or 20,000 lb axles are available, and all can be equipped with airbrakes if needed.

Buying a KOBELCO mini excavator may soon be a little closer to home. KOBELCO Construction Machinery USA is expanding its dealership network by adding several compact machinery dealers. AAA Equipment of New York, Bridgeport Equipment of Michigan, L&N Supply of Georgia, and Sound Heavy Machinery of North Carolina, will solely represent KOBELCO’s mini excavator line in the US.

Pettibone has rolled out the new Cary-Lift 254i, built for heavy pipe, pole, log, and material handling, whether it be in a stock yard or construction site. The Cary-Lift 254i features a unique overhead lift arm design, giving the operator full front visibility when lifting or transporting loads – a sharp contrast to the lift arms on wheel loaders, which are located directly in front of the vehicle. Additionally, Cary-Lift forks are capable of tilting down 90 degrees for specialized lifting tasks, such as unloading pipe from railroad gondola cars.

On November 3, 2017, YANMAR America officially opened the new YANMAR EVO//CENTER located at the corner of Highway 92 and Old Alabama Road in Acworth, Georgia. Situated on 50-plus acres of land in Cherokee County, the new 50,000 square foot facility features six state-of-the-art product training labs with classroom and hands-on space, three classrooms, multiple meeting rooms, office space, a 250-seat auditorium, the EVO Commons dining area, concept lab, museum and outdoor product demonstration areas. The EVO//CENTER strives to evolve the mindsets of YANMAR’s customers, dealers, employees, and community by serving as a place of collaboration and education dedicated to sharing solutions for empowering sustainability.

The Barko 270B logging processor is built with uncompromised power and performance being the primary goal. Providing excellent horsepower, swing torque and tractive effort, the 270B features a dangle head boom configuration for delimbing and cut-to-length harvesting. Additionally, the hydraulic system on the 270B is designed so that operators can instantaneously shift from function to function, without delayed reactions, allowing for optimal picking, delimbing, cutting to length, and stacking.

Morbark has announced the acquisition of Rayco Manufacturing to broaden the range of tree care and industrial equipment, aftermarket parts, and service offered to their customers. Rayco brings a lineup of equipment into the Morbark family across multiple product categories. In particular, Rayco stump cutters, aerial trimmers, forestry mulchers and crawler trucks will enhance and complement the existing Morbark family of products.

Liebherr’s new autonomous ready haul mining trucks will be compatible with ASI’s autonomous command and control platform; MOBIUS. Liebherr’s vision of an autonomous haul truck includes an open interface that enables the truck to integrate to ASI’s Mobius platform. Liebherr’s autonomous vehicles can be controlled under an OEM agnostic command system for autonomous vehicles.