Equipment & Products

HIGH-SPEED DIAMOND BLADE The new Contractor Pro High-Speed Diamond Blades offer a faster cutting speed and up to 50 percent longer life than current heavy-duty

HIGH-SPEED DIAMOND BLADE

The new Contractor Pro High-Speed Diamond Blades offer a faster cutting speed and up to 50 percent longer life than current heavy-duty blades, the manufacturer notes. Available in three versions Û General Purpose Segmented, General Purpose Turbo and Asphalt Segmented Û the blades suit cutting applications in reinforced concrete, concrete block and clay brick.

For precise cutting and straighter tracking, product developers affirm, the 0.125-in.-thick Contractor Pro segmented blades feature a stronger core. Additionally, laser welding of segments provides a stronger bond for greater reliability and durability when cutting concrete or asphalt. For consistent clean cutting, moreover, the turbo version helps prevent chipping of stone, marble or clay brick. Standard with a 20-mm arbor and 1-in. knockout, the blades adapt to larger saws and, though formulated for dry use, can be used wet to reduce dust and noise. Hilti, Inc.
www.us.hilti.com or www.ca.hilti.com (Canada)

PLATFORM ATTACHMENT

Bolted on to Dingo TX 420, TX 425 Wide Track, and TX 525 Wide Track diesel models, the TX Platform is said by product developers to help decrease operator fatigue and increase comfort, especially in applications requiring extensive hauling or covering substantial distances. According to the manufacturer, the platform helps achieve a safe, smooth ride by three means: (1) it pivots up and down to float with uneven terrain, providing a stable and level platform for the operator; (2) a rubber pad at its hinge point reduces transmission of machine vibration to the user; and, (3) the platform is accompanied by a loader control reference bar (handlebar) that can be mounted to the dash for added safety.

Constructed of heavy-duty steel, the platform measures 29 inches wide, operates five inches above the ground and weighs 94 pounds. When not in use, it folds up and stores against the machine in a locked position. The Toro Co.
www.toro.com/dingo

MASONRY EGRESS WINDOW

An International Residential Code (IRC-2003)-compliant basement egress solution, the ScapeView Series 6000 Masonry Egress Window adds light and ventilation to finished basement areas, the manufacturer notes. It is specifically engineered for use in masonry installations, the company adds, incorporating a look, strength and time-saving design to keep jobs on schedule without sacrificing quality.

Consisting of a two-piece window and buck system suitable for new construction, the Series 6000 reportedly offers the following benefits:

  • Energy efficiency Û Intercept Warm-Edge spacers between two panes of glass reduce condensation and minimize heat loss around the window perimeter, as a thermal barrier is created in combination with air space between the panes to help minimize conducted heat loss. Fin-Seal weather-stripping provides a solid draft barrier to resist air, water, dust and noise.
  • Strength and durability Û The window and buck feature injection-molded vinyl construction and fully welded corners. Added strength and dead air space for improved insulation are provided by the cavity design. Vinyl construction is corrosion-resistant and will not rot, rust, or retain moisture, enabling it to withstand higher-than-normal pressures and provide a long, maintenance-free service life.
  • Ease of installation Û Bucks are factory-reinforced with wood bracing to maintain squareness during concrete placement. They also feature built-in tie slots for hanging on forms and back-out screws to simplify window well installation. A protective coating on the buck’s exterior faces reduces clean-up time, and a full perimeter seal ensures weathertight and secure installation.

Window units are available in three standard emergency egress sizes that include slider and double-hung designs. Additionally, windows are manufactured in standard 7_-, 7?-, 9_-, and 9?-in. buck widths with extensions available for custom applications. Bilco Co.
www.bilco.com

STEAM CLEANING

Custom, application-specific brochure highlights company’s capabilities in building water and solution heating systems, pressure washers, steam cleaners, and steam generators. Complete engineering capabilities, company representatives affirm, provide custom-designed machines with customer-specified components, frames and mountings, and electrical setups, plus high performance ratings, self-contained systems, or special codes and certifications. The manufacturer’s industrial-quality machines are reportedly easy to install, operate, and maintain. Sioux Steam Cleaner
www.sioux.com

CORROSION INHIBITOR

Added to the FastSet line of commercial grade products, the company’s chemical corrosion inhibitor is designed to protect structural steel reinforcement bars by preventing oxidation after full-depth repairs of highway bridges, parking garages, coastal facilities, and other structures. During full-depth repairs, the cracked concrete is broken up so that corrosion can be mechanically removed from the rebar Û located two inches below the surface of the structure Û and coated with mortar or concrete. The Corrosion Inhibitor additive allows FastSet commercial grade products to absorb moisture and oxidation before it reaches the rebar.

Corrosion Inhibitor has been added to FastSet commercial grade products, including:

  • FastSet Concrete Mix Û a fast-setting, high early-strength concrete designed to build or repair concrete sidewalks, driveways, bridge decks, concrete parking lots and concrete floors. Available in 70-lb. bags, it has less shrinkage than conventional portland cement concrete.
  • FastSet Non-Shrink Grout Û used for anchoring and grouting applications that require high early and high ultimate strength, especially partial-depth and full-depth road and bridge repairs.
  • FastSet Repair Mortar Û a polymer-modified, shrinkage-compensated, rapid-setting, high-strength mortar specially formulated to suit structural repairs in vertical and overhead applications.
  • FastSet DOT Mix Û a rapid-setting repair material formulated to meet specifications in high-performance commercial applications.
    Quikrete Cos.
    www.quikrete.com

MECHANICAL VACUUM LIFTER

Company’s Univac line has been expanded to include a variety of configurations and capacities up to 2,000 lb. An auto cycling valve provides hands-free attach and release of the load. In addition, the large lifting bail accommodates a wide range of hook sizes, and the vacuum generator requires no electrical or air line connections. Users need only hang it on your hook and go, product developers note. Caldwell Group
www.caldwellinc.com

AIR BARRIERS

Reportedly easy to install, company’s products are designed to redirect the air flow that passes between a building and the outside environment, reducing energy consumption. As air barriers are a central component of any building envelope system, the manufacturer notes, its primary vocation is to address air flow that diffuses through surfaces like concrete block and travels through imperfections between building materials. For schools, hospitals, airports, factories, skyscrapers, residential mid-rise or single-family homes, company officials add, air barriers also can dampen noise, block odors, and resist rain and humidity.

Company’s integrated systems allow property owners, engineers and specifiers to connect the air barriers with other essential building envelope components, such as waterproofing and roofing. The manufacturer contends that selecting the appropriate air barrier Û whether to permit or prevent vapors Û requires addressing geographical weather conditions related to the building site, the building’s intended use, and building materials selected for construction. Nonpermeable air barriers block air and vapor together, while vapor-permeable air barriers offer more flexibility in air barrier positioning within a wall assembly Among manufacturer’s air-barrier offerings are:

Blueskin Û a rolled, self-adhesive waterproofing transition membrane that can allow or prevent vapor permeation. Blueskin SA is a self-adhesive, air- and vapor-barrier membrane system consisting of SBS rubberized asphalt compound, integrally laminated to a blue polyethylene film. Blueskin TWF is a self-adhesive thru-wall flashing membrane.

Air-Bloc Û applied by brush, trowel or spray in accordance with written guide specifications. Air-Bloc 06, Air-Block 21 (doubles as an effective insulations adhesive), and Air-Bloc 32 are liquid-applied air and vapor barriers that cure to a tough, monolithic, rubber-like membrane that resists air leakage. Air-Bloc 07 and Air-Bloc 33 are vapor-permeable air barriers; however, Air-Bloc 33 includes a tough durable, UV- and weather-resistant finish. Û www.Henry.com, 800/598-7663

EPOXY TANK LINING

Epo-Line 164 for concrete or steel vessels is engineered to be used with or without fiberglass reinforcement, the manufacturer notes. It is a self-priming coating that provides chemical resistance to a wide range of acids (including sulfuric acid), alkalis and solvents. A brush-, roller-, or trowel-applied, odorless, 100 percent solids epoxy, Epo-Line 164 dries to a hard, dense, high-gloss, abrasion-resistant finish. For ease of application the product offers a long pot life (20-30 min.) and a relatively fast dry time (6 hr. to the touch). When applied to steel substrates, it does not require a primer. On new or existing concrete substrates, Epo-Line 164 requires epoxy primer. The coating is suitable for protecting tanks, containment areas, cooling towers, sewage treatment facilities, ducts, scrubbers and floors exposed to aggressive chemicals and solvents. Steelcote Mfg.
www.steelcote.com

LIFTING IN SYNCH AT ARCHITECTURAL PLANT

Installing a new overhead crane system recently boosted panel fabrication productivity at the Maple Grove, Minn., facility of Hanson Structural Precast Midwest, Inc. When the company reconfigured one of the plant’s five production areas for architectural panels, the space Û known as Plant #4 Û had overhead lifting capacity that proved inadequate as product demand increased.

Hanson Structural turned to Morris Material Handling, a nationwide manufacturer of P&H overhead traveling cranes, to improve the handling capabilities. Identifying the best solution required, first, a clear assessment of the Plant #4 process: Two old mismatched 10-ton overhead cranes were being used simultaneously, but operated independently, in a multi-step process demanding a perfectly timed lift by the two operators to pull panels out of the forms, flat, to prevent formwork damage. Panels were then laid on a foam cushion on the floor, re-rigged to stand them up, and lifted onto a trailer for shipping.

A single misstep could destroy the whole slab, explains Hanson Production Support Manager Tom McGregor. Additionally, the pendant hook-up point required operators to be almost directly beneath the product, creating a safety hazard.

A remedy was found in two new 30-ton P&H overhead cranes, each with dual 15-ton trolleys that can be operated simultaneously or individually with a radio control or pendant backup. The new process eliminates one crane operator as well as the double hooking process to transport product to the shipping trailer. Now, the crane operator can position for a clear view, performing lifts quicker and safer for improved productivity. As the old process required four face lifters to raise a panel and two side lifters to rotate it vertically, Hanson was able to reduce the number of face lifters by 50 percent, using the side lifters for an initial hoist and then rotating the product vertically and straight on to the delivery trailer in one motion. Eliminating the extra hook-up points has generated a $45,000 annual savings in parts alone and greatly improved labor efficiencies. Û www.morriscranes.com

CHEMLINE ACQUIRES STEELCOTE MFG.

Chemline announces that it has acquired the assets of Steelcote Manufacturing, a high performance epoxy and polyurethane coating specialist. Steelcote provides various coating and mastic applications for steel and nonferrous metals, concrete and masonry surfaces. Under the Chemline umbrella, Steelcote will add an extensive line of products that range from heavy-duty floor coatings to anti-corrosive tank coatings and specialty concrete repair products. Details of the sale were not released. The Steelcote brand name will continue to be used. Û www.chemline.net