New construction, utility equipment unveiled at ICUEE

MORE than 14,000 industry professionals attended the 2003 International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) during its run September 23-25, 2003, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

ICUEE 2003 featured more than 790 exhibitors using more than 1.1 million net square feet of exhibit space to showcase the latest equipment, technology, products, and services for the utility, water, sewer, telephone, gas, cable television, electric, and general construction markets. The show is produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Show organizers also note that a very positive attitude characterized the crowded aisles and exhibits of the indoor exhibit halls and outdoor exhibit lots.

"We've been in the midst of an economic downturn for the past few years that has hit our industry segment particularly hard, but the optimism is there that business may be picking up in the future," says Dave Gasmovic, ICUEE 2003 promotion chairman.

The next edition of the biennial ICUEE will be held September 27-29, 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky. Details will be available on the show website (www.icuee.com), or contact ICUEE toll free 866-236-0442, fax 414-272-1170, e-mail [email protected].

Here is a sample of what was seen at this year's show:

Aluminum truck rack can be installed initially in 90 minutes and then quickly removed by loosening the eight clamps that hold it together. Shown with the optional side racks, the anodized aluminum rack has a capacity of 1,000 pounds. The Weatherguard ATR mounts on the top of the bedrails of full-size and compact pickups. It is a product of Knaack Manufacturing Co, Crystal Lake IL. (www.weatherguard.com).

Slide-in body from Monroe Custom Utility Bodies, Greenfield IN, clamps to the pickup box without the need to drill holes. Roll-out storage system is optional, say Dennis and T J Cowan. (www.monroebodies.com).

Plastic service body from Stahl resists dents and corrosion. The Stahl GCX body combines galvanized steel inner door panels with outer door panels made from the same ABS plastic used in the automotive industry. The ABS and steel are secured with adhesives, and the body is assembled with mechanical fasteners. The OEM-style tailgate has a 500-lb capacity and can be used as a workbench, says John Slawson. Stahl, a Scott Wooster OH Company. (www.stahl.cc).

Slip-in bodies quickly convert pickups into a commercial work truck that combines the exterior access of a service body with the inside storage of a van. Cargo Body is a one-piece construction made of approximately .20" laminated fiberglass. They are produced by Cargobody USA, Langley BC. (www.cargobody.com).

New crane from RKI has a 38,000-ft-lb capacity and is the company's first with full hydraulic operation - including boom extension and retraction. The H6400 Series crane's control system includes emergency stop, engine start and stop, and engine speed adjusting on the remote control. The crane can be rotated 360[degrees] in about 29 seconds with no load. Planetary hoist winch is rated at 4,000 pounds capacity. RKI is the new name for Rawson-Koenig Inc, Houston TX. Demonstrating the new crane is Andy Tu. (www.rki-us.com).

Liftmoore Inc introduced its 72100 model crane, complete with remote controls that use FM radio frequencies. The 72100 is the largest crane that the company has produced, according to Herb Koenig, president. The moment rating is 72,000 ft-lb. The crane can lift 10,000 lb at a 7.2 ft-load radius.

Venturo ET18KX crane is an 18,000-lb model designed to fit between the 10,000 and 25,000 ft/lb cranes that dominate the market, says Brett Collins. It features a 4,500-lb winch, power rotation, power boom elevation, power boom extension of 8' to 12', and a manual extension from 12' to 16'. The ET18KX is a self-contained 12-volt electric/hydraulic crane requiring no auxiliary PTO and pump. Standard equipment includes capacity overload shut-off system, 25' remote control pendant, snatch block with swivel hook safety latch, and master disconnect switch.

New flip-top is now available on the Select Pro Series service bodies from Warner Bodies, Noblesville IN. The Select Pro Series features concealed stainless steel hinge system and flush-mount doors, says Mark Boice. (www.warnerbodies.com).

New air compressor and crane are available from IMT, Garner IA, says Jim Darr. The hydraulically driven rotary screw compressor can deliver up to 60 CFM at 100 psi. The Model 2820 crane has a 6,000-lb capacity and 20-ft reach. (www.imt.com).

Powered ladder rack is designed for the new Dodge Sprinter and trucks equipped with the Knapheide KSV. It is a product of Masterack, Atlanta GA. (www.masterack.com).

Auto Crane unveiled its Titan 60 crane body capable of accommodating a 60,000-ft-lb crane. Standard features include side packs made of a single sheet of 10-gauge steel, internal stainless steel hinges, and advanced T-handle door latches, and slammable tailgate. Also shown was the new 10,006H Series telescopic crane rated at 60,000 ft-lb. It includes Auto Crane's Smart Crane diagnostic system and two-speed rotation - a faster speed for unloaded conditions and a slower one for when the crane is under load. (www.autocrane.com).

Demonstration truck showed the Parker system for groundspeed electronics and hydraulics. According to Parker, its IQAN system for controlling snowplow and spreaders is the first to communicate with the chassis central processing unit by means of J1939 communication. IQAN uses a multiplex electrical system that reduces the number of wires required. Also included on the truck is a new load sense piston pump which mounts integrally to a Parker Chelsea Hot Shift PTO. (www.parker.com).

A 56,00-ft-lb crane is available from Technocrane Inc, Surrey BC. The Cobra 9506 Series has a 27-ft reach with three extensions, along with continuous rotation. The crane is made in Italy for the U S market. (www.technocrane.ca).

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Aerodynamic service body is now available from Brand FX Body CoGem Top, Fort Worth TX. The contoured fiberglass service body is designed to fit single- and dual-rear wheel vehicles with a 56-inch CA. The body features larger compartment openings and concealed door gaskets. The new body joins a lineup that expanded earlier this year when the Texas company acquired Gem Top Manufacturing Inc, Clackamas OR. (www.brandfxbody.com).

Custom work trailers are now available from a long-time manufacturer of service bodies. They include Dexter independent torsion suspensions, aluminum fenders, fiberglass front cap, 3/4" plywood floors, 3/8" plywood lining, and spoke wheels. They are produced in lengths of 8'-24' by Danzer Industries, Hagerstown MD. (www.danzermorrison.com).

Automated tire-change equipment was displayed in a gull-wing van body from Millennium/A R Haire Inc, Thomasville NC. With minimal input from the operator, the tire-changing equipment uses electrohydraulic force to demount and mount tires as small as 14" and as large as 90.5" in diameter. The "Mini Wing Body" is a relatively new product made of "PepCore" - a sandwich panel with a honeycomb core that the manufacturer says is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel. The gull-wing body design automatically opens, providing easy access to the payload in a matter of seconds. Additional information regarding the tire equipment is available from Automotive Resources Inc, Fairfax VA (www.ari-hetra.com), while Millennium/A R Haire can be accessed at www.arhaire.com.

Roll-off body system made its U S debut. Some of the key points about the On-Trux system: patented retractable stingers that accommodate deck lengths of 12-16 feet, dump angles of up to 50[degrees], and a winch mounted between the frame rails of the truck. In addition to the landscape body shown here, the system handles platform bodies, hopper spreaders, refuse bins, mobile offices, storage units, and multi-purpose buildings, says Alan Smith. It is a product of On-Trux Ltd of Ayr, Ontario. (www.ontrux.com).

Aluminum bedliner combines with upward-opening toolboxes to make the most of available space. Sliding drawers capture the space between the tailgate and the wheelwells. Holes in the sidewalls can be used for a double-decking system that can hold plywood on one level and drywall on the other. The entire assembly can slide out to accommodate a hopper spreader or a new chassis. The Eagle Wing toolboxes provide 22-inch compartments. They are products of Precision Metal Kraft, Tremont IL. (www.precisionmetalkraft.com).

"Northlander Package" from Dakota Bodies places stainless steel in the areas most prone to rust, including the body, fender panels, tailshelf skirts and light bar, and door hinges and sockets. Galvanneal treadplate is used on the floor and compartment tops, and structural steel forms the understructure. Dakota Bodies, Watertown SD.

The same SpaceKap slip-in body that fits a Ford also can go on a Dodge, Chevrolet, or GMC pickup. Standard equipment includes its own tie-down system, interior light, fixed front glass, and rear door windows. The version shown here has been equipped with generator, air-conditioner, heater, and hydraulic pump. Jean Marc Bayard and Terry MacPherson represent the manufacturer, Fibrobec Fibrocap Inc of Beloeil, Quebec. (www.spacekap.com).

Landoll's 14,000-lb capacity LT 1420 trailer measures 20 feet long and 82 inches between the fenders. Electric brakes with battery backup are included on both axles. The company powder coats trailers at its Marysville KS plant in a booth that can accommodate trailers up to 28-ft long. (www.landoll.com).

New liftgate has a galvanized platform, 50-inch bed-to-ground travel, and 1,600-lb capacity. It has a fully enclosed power unit and meets TMC electrical guidelines. It is a product of Thieman Tailgates Inc, Celina OH. (www.thieman.com).

Bi-directional spring assist makes positioning loading ramps easy work. When the 200-lb ramp reaches the 12 o'clock position, one spring takes over, and the other one stops. The spring assist is offered on 20-ton and larger trailers produced by Winston Trailers in Haleyville AL. (www.winstontrailers.com).

Knapheide KUV has 12 feet of interior storage, 76 inches of height, and 10 outside access storage compartments. A 400-lb service crane helps make it possible to load or unload equipment with just one operator. It is shown mounted on a Chevrolet C-4500 chassis. The KUV is a product of Knapheide Mfg, Quincy IL. (www.Knapheide.com)