ConExpo-Con/Agg and IFPE 2014 took center stage last month in Las Vegas with what organizers dub “tremendous energy and serious buyers.” Registration was just shy of 130,000, second only to the events’ 2005 staging, while new scale records were set with 2,400 exhibitors occupying 2.5 million sq. ft of indoor and outdoor space.
“These numbers are a testament to the value attendees, exhibitors, and other stakeholders derive from their participation,” affirms IFPE Show Director Melissa Magestro. “ConExpo-Con/Agg and IFPE 2014 reflected the feeling of momentum building in the industry.” Enthusiasm and show floor traffic were incredible, adds ConExpo-Con/Agg Show Director Megan Tanel, noting, “Exhibitors cited the high quality of attendees; they told us these were serious buyers and reported robust sales to existing as well as new customers that exceeded their expectations.”
Co-located for the sixth time, ConExpo-Con/Agg and IFPE transformed the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 4-8 into a global showcase of 1,000-plus new innovations and technologies for the construction, construction materials and fluid power/power transmission/motion control industries. Specific to ready mixed and precast concrete production, handling and delivery, Concrete Products staff especially noted these innovations, many to be featured next month:
 |
| The set-forward axle CT681 will open additional markets to the Caterpillar Vocational Truck series. |
BASF Admixture Systems air entrainment alternative. Through a microsphere-based agent manufactured at the batch plant, BASF Admixture Systems is positioning producers and their customers to overcome void size and distribution variability long associated with air-entrained concrete mixes. Caterpillar CT681 Vocational Truck. The manufacturer has added to its Class 8 heavy-duty work truck line the CT681, a mixer- and dump-ready, set-forward axle model joining the charter CT660, with set-back axle.
CEI Enterprises batch plants. The Albuquerque-based subsidiary of Astec Industries recently assimilated the namesake-branded line of continuous concrete production equipment, aiming to build out a stationary and mobile batch plant line over the next three years. First up is a batch mixer for roller compacted concrete mix and cement-treated base materials, debuting this spring.
 |
| Kenworth Truck continues to engage construction materials operators in the transition from its T800 workhorse to the new T880, a Texas Industries-bound model anchoring the manufacturer’s ConExpo-Con/Agg booth. |
Command Alkon MOBILEconnect. Company continues MOBILEticket, commerce and sales application rollout following the fall 2013 announcement of the suite for smartphones and other mobile computing devices. Also highlighted was the Precision Water System, tracking up to 12 probes gauging moisture in aggregates through 1-in. size. Con-E-Co mobile twin shaft mixer. Combines Con-E-Co trailer and 42-in. conveyor belt with Sicoma twin shaft model to bring range of high performance, high volume production capabilities—including roller compacted concrete mixes—to conventional transit mixed plants.
Kimble Mixer KF3200C. Billed as the first front discharge mixer model with CAN bus electrical system, featuring graphic user interface and real-time diagnostics via in-cab, full color screen.
McClanahan Corp. filter presses. A longtime player in sand & gravel, quarry and mining equipment has scaled its automated filter presses for concrete plant slurry and gray water processing—netting recycled water and readily handled, pressed cement and aggregate fine cakes. McNeilus Cos. Command Center, Next Generation mixer drum. With cab-mounted touchscreen and optional joystick, the Command Center equips drivers of standard and Bridgemaster models to control all aspects of drum charging, discharging and rotation, plus chute and tag axle functions. Compared to the standard model, the new mixer drum has increased capacity; lower center of gravity due to patent-pending design; and, more spherical shape to increase mixing efficiency.
Mi-Jack Travelift Crane Operations simulator. Company has equipped a Travelift gantry crane cab with training program developed in house and featuring armrest controls and two-screen projection of a prestressed concrete girder pick.
MTU America 1300 Engine. In the first formal presentation for construction materials operators, the manufacturer showed the mixer- and dump-suited MTU 1300, based on the Detroit DD13 engine, but tailored to on/off conditions. The MTU 1300 is exclusive in Kimble Mixer front discharge model specs, and also offered on Indiana Phoenix, Oshkosh and Terex mixers.
SAF Holland Neway LSZ13 Steerable Lift Axle. A new mixer- and dump-suited, 13,500-lb. capacity model offering what the company notes is best-in-class ground clearance in a 17.5-in. package, its Super Chamber lift replacing air springs.
Terex CNG-powered FD5000. With the arrival of the Cummins Westport ISX 12 G in 350-, 385- and 400-hp ratings, the company unveiled its compressed natural gas-fueled front discharge mixer—a five-axle, Great Lakes configuration. Following Cummins certification, the vehicle will be dispatched for demonstrations this spring.