Construction Machine Blog

U.S. construction equipment manufacturers suffered an estimated 43 percent decline in business in 2009, according to a survey conducted by the industry trade group Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Respondents to the survey of U.S.-based companies on average expected a 5 percent increase in business in 2010, followed by gains of 15 percent in 2011 and 14 percent in 2012, not enough to erase severe losses of both business and jobs. The outlook for the export-driven industry is only a little less dismal outside U.S. borders.

For Canada, 2009 business decreased an estimated 34-percent overall. Respondents expected a 2010 increase of 7 percent, a 14 percent increase in 2011 and an 11percent increase in 2012.

Industry business to the rest of the world was expected to close out 2009 with losses of 34 percent, followed by a 2010 gain of 7 percent and growth of 13 percent in 2011 and again in 2012, according to the AEM survey.

“Even with a modest rebound in the next few years, the construction equipment industry will still be down by double digits, and there will still be double-digit industry unemployment,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “This is not surprising given the continued instability of the housing market and no long-term commitment to America’s roads, rail, airports, water distribution and ports to move people and goods efficiently and safely, and to compete effectively in the global marketplace.”

Survey respondents said the state of the overall economy, including credit availability, interest rates and consumer confidence levels will influence construction equipment sales in the coming years. Housing starts and highway funding levels will also play a major role in any business rebound. Other major factors are the strength of the U.S. dollar and international business, since the industry is export-intensive, said AEM.

AEM is the North-American based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. Each year it surveys its construction equipment manufacturer members about expected sales of the machines that build and repair roads, bridges, houses, offices, schools and other infrastructure in America and worldwide.

FORT PIERCE — The second phase of earthquake relief for Haiti is under way as 200 tons of heavy equipment and building materials are being loaded onto a cargo ship Monday at the Port of Fort Pierce.

Once full of supplies for Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, the Caribe Star 1 is expected to set sail Monday night and arrive Friday morning at the dock of a former cement factory near Port-au-Prince.

As the supplies and equipment were being positioned at the port Monday morning, Luther Harrison, director of North American projects for Samaritan’s Purse, said the Boone, N.C.-based charity already had a team of 60 in Haiti when the earthquake hit.

Since then, he said, 19 medical personnel at the Baptist Haiti Mission Hospital in Fermathe southeast of Port-au-Prince have been treating wounds, performing surgery and caring for the sick. Also, 40 Samaritan’s Purse staffers are distributing rolls of plastic for temporary shelter, solar flashlights, blankets, community water filters and water purification packets.

“We’ve been partnering with (Fort Pierce-based) Missionary Flights International to fly in food and medicine,” he said. “Now it’s time to send in the big stuff, the stuff that’s too big to put on a plane. We’re coming out of the emergency phase and into the recovery phase. The whole infrastructure down there has been destroyed, and we have to rebuild every aspect of it.”

Dr. David Gettle, chief medical adviser for Samaritan’s Purse, said in a prepared statement that wounded and sick earthquake survivors “are coming to us by the busloads. Without the ability to transport supplies through the rubble-strewn streets, we will not be able to treat them.”

Cargo on the Caribe Star 1 will include excavators, hydraulic hammers, a bulldozer, dump trucks, a tractor-trailer, flatbed trucks, vans, pickup trucks, Bobcat loaders, plastic pipes, plastic sheeting and lumber.

Harrison said half the vehicles were bought just last week at sites as far-flung as New Jersey, Arkansas and Virginia.

Getting all the equipment to Fort Pierce in a hurry should have been a logistical nightmare for the faith-based nonprofit headed by Franklin Graham, son of evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham.

“God has been steering us in the right channels,” Harrison said.

Ships typically located throughout the world carrying combat loads were being loaded with construction equipment bound for Haiti.
Depending on weather, the three Military Sealift Command ships – crane ship Cornhusker State and motor vessels PFC Dewayne T. Williams and Cape Ray – could be headed to Haiti Tuesday with the supplies to help clear the rubble and build temporary piers and causeways to deliver more supplies.
Already, one of the ships is slated to return to Norfolk to pick up additional supplies and make another trip to Haiti, said Lt. John Fairweather, detachment officer in charge of Command Naval Beach Group 2.
“Normally, Hampton Roads doesn’t see these ships,” Fairweather said.
Overall, he said the crews are looking forward to helping with the relief efforts.
“Not one of these people has a problem with going,” he said. “It’s a heartfelt thing.”

BEN HILL COUNTY, GA (WALB) –At 16 percent, Fitzgerald has one of the highest and longest running unemployment rates in the state.

But in the next couple months, construction will begin on a new energy plant, which will create much needed work in the area.

Ben Hill County may be a small community but many folks are dealing with a tremendous loss.

“In the last 18 months we’ve lost over 1,500 jobs and in a community of 9,000 that’s a shock,” said John Flythe, Director of Economic Development.

But In a matter of months things will change. Construction will begin on one of the first biomass plants of its type in the region…Fitzgerald Renewable Energy LLC.

“It’s a 50 megawatt power plant and they will be utilizing 600,000 tons of wood which translates into 15 million dollars worth of purchase of raw material in and around the community,” said Flythe.

Sawdust, bark and wood chips will be used to fuel the 232 million dollar project.

“I think if you looked long, and hard you couldn’t find a better site because it sits between three suppliers of raw material,” said Flythe.

The plant sits right next to Southern Veneer, which will likely supply most of the wood, and limit transportation costs.

But most importantly, the plant will create long term work in the area.

“In the tree farming community that will employ 120 to 150 employees,” said Flythe.

During the maximum construction phase up to 250 workers will be needed.

“The 250 jobs they will be renting hotel rooms, buying gas so that will help the community,” said Flythe.

The plant will also create 25 jobs.

“The 25 permanent jobs will be paid a better than average wage in the community,” said Flythe.

Right now, Alternative Energy is the main focus for city leaders and people can expect to see similar projects in the future.

“Congress passed all these incentives and when there are incentives we are going to go after them. It creates jobs and its long term jobs its not cycle jobs,” said Flythe,

Construction is slated to begin in early March.

City leaders say they are also working on getting another plant to locate in Fitzgerald. It will be a 2.1 billion dollar coal plant which will likely employ up to 1500 people during construction, which will take 3 or 4 years.

Once operational it will be one of the cleanest solid fuel power plants in the United States.

Officials expect commercial operation at the plant will begin in the next couple years.

Pavers are especially useful for small gardens. They come in different materials, from bricks to clays to natural stones. Another type is that which is made of concrete. Concrete pavers and blocks are durable, unlike clays and bricks that may crumble overtime.

Step 1
Mark the location where you will plant to put your concrete pavers by using a colored spray or landscaper’s chalk.

Step 2
Excavate or dig the area using a shovel. The depth of the area should should about 2 inches of compacted hardcore topped with about 1 to 2 inches of ballast. Do not forget to add the measurement of mortar and the thickness of paving material, so digging approximately 6 to 7 inches should work.

Step 3
Check the depth of the foundation before you lay the paving. If it is situated close to the house, make use that the paving is lower than the damp-proof course.

Step 4
Mix the concrete mortar. You can also buy pre-mixed mortar to save time. Put about five blobs of mortar where the concrete pavers will be placed. Place the blobs one at each corner of the square and one at the center.

Step 5
Cover the area with additional mortar where the concrete paving will be laid, then level the mixture.

Step 6
Position each concrete paver or slab carefully, bedding it on the mortar.

Step 7
Use a spirit-level to check that the paving is leveled. Ensure that you give the paving a slight slope so that water will flow down freely to avoid puddle formation during heavy rains. To create a slight slope, use a small wedge of wood and place under one end.

Step 8
Tap the concrete paver down further, or raise it by lifting and pacing in a little more mortar. Position the level over more than one concrete paver.

Step 9
Ensure that there is regular spacing in between the concrete pavers by using spacers of even thickness. Remove the spacers before the joints are filled with mortar. Leave it to set or dry overnight; preferably one to two days.

Step 10
Fill in the joints with mortar using a small pointing trowel. This can be used to finish off the mortar with smooth stroke to give a slight recessed to the joints. Wash off any surplus mortar before it dries to allow for an even finish.

An asphalt paver is a machine that makes roads through the process of distributing and paving asphalt. The machine has played an important part in helping to build roads and highways.
Asphalt pavers were created in 1934 by the Barber-Greene Co. Barber-Greene was founded in 1916 by Harry H. Barber and William B. Greene. This company was created to sell material handling machines in order to mechanize small manual tasks in an economical way.

Introduction

Barber-Greene was approached by members of the Chicago Testing Laboratory in 1929. The laboratory wanted to use loaders to help construct highways and streets. Barber-Greene did not go into business with Chicago Testing Laboratories but they were introduced to the asphalt business through this event.

The Great Depression

The company was barely surviving during the Great Depression, however, in 1934 Barber-Greene created the asphalt paver.
Success
After the Great Depression, Barber-Greene asphalt pavers became a huge success. They created a model of asphalt paver, the floating screed, and this paver became the standard prototype within the industry for asphalt pavers.

Modern Pavers

For more than 50 years the asphalt paver has remained relatively unchanged but currently some improved features are in use. These features include hydrostatic closed-loop systems, the ability to hydraulically change the screed width and the material transfer vehicle, which feeds asphalt to the paver when needed.