MORE than 124,000 industry professionals from around the world attended the CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the co-located IFPE (International Fluid Power Exposition) trade exhibitions. CONEXPO spanned a record-breaking amount of exhibit space with more than 1.88 million net square feet taken by 1,968 companies and IFPE with 111,670 net square feet by 440 exhibitors. That translates into a combined figure of more than 45 acres — equivalent to more than 41 football fields.
International attendance was at a record high — more than 21,220, which is 17% of total attendance figures. International visitors to the shows hailed from more than 130 non-US countries, including an Iraqi delegation of more than 40 business people. The trip was planned by the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and the US Embassy in Baghdad.
OEMs of trailer and truck equipment say they were very pleased with leads and sales during the exhibition. Here are some of the equipment exhibits from this year's event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The next CONEXPO show at the Las Vegas Convention Center is scheduled for March 11-15, 2008.
Iowa Mold Tooling Co, Garner IA, displayed one of its popular lubrication vehicles at ConExpo. The SiteStar 16-ft Open Series lubrication vehicle can be configured to serve a variety of applications for the delivery of oil, coolant, grease, fuel, and water. An anti-shift, spring-loaded body mounting system allows the body and chassis to flex independently. The variable-flow, load-sensing hydraulic system runs more efficiently and quietly than air systems. The product tanks are equipped with Z-type interior tank baffles for optimal control, and the enclosed hose reel compartment has a sloped floor for convenient draining. A filter drain compartment offers a handy place to drain and hold used filters.
Lighter is better, according to Manac Trailers USA. The Oran MO company participated at ConExpo for the first time with the display of its CPS lightweight tandem steel bottom dump trailer for on- and off-road applications. Originally introduced in 2003, the 11,900-lb trailer is one ton lighter than previous model because of a new K-bracing that replaces the sheeted design and the use of high-strength metal, says Keith Limback. The 54" × 102" hopper has 10-gauge inside slope sheets made of AR235. Top and bottom rails have 4" × 6" HSLA tube, and gates are AR400 grade steel with slide locks.
While other exhibitors rented space at ConExpo to display their products, Keith Walking Floor Systems also rented aggregate from a Las Vegas company to provide live demonstrations of its V-Floor Unloading System. With floor slats constructed of special Hi-Wear steel, the V-Floor allows for conveying demolition, asphalt, aggregate, crushed cars, and scrap steel. The ridges of the V-shaped floor slats absorb load impact and greatly increase the strength of the floor. Walking Floor technology is a hydraulically driven, moving floor conveyor. Floor slats extend the length of the trailer. Madras OR.
Crysteel Manufacturing of Lake Crystal MN displayed its seven-axle ProMax superdump that can legally gross 80,000 lb in 14 states. When lifted, the Maxle clears Crysteel's patented high-lift hydraulic tailgate at the extended height six feet above the dump body floor. The Crysteel 22-yard body was built with a 3/16" thick floor of AR400 steel and sides of 11-gauge Domex steel. A joint project of Crysteel and Silent Drive of Orange City IA, the ProMax is shipped with preplumbed hydraulics, including Silent Drive's control tower. Distributors simply mount the Crysteel dump body, install the PTO, and connect the hoses and wiring.
Terex Load King, Elk Point SD, displayed its HFT 70 rigid gooseneck trailer with a net capacity of 70,000 lb. The rear folding tail with flip-under tail totals 12 ft of low incline to simplify and speed loading and unloading. Tail will lift 20,000 lb four feet back from the hinge pin. It has automatic locking device and self-cleaning bushings. Rear hydraulic flip-out extended ramp load bearing with 3/16" steel tread plate covering with 15° loading angle.
Jomac Ltd, Carrolton Ohio, joined other ConExpo exhibitors for the first time with an aluminum-construction mechanics truck. Full frame subassembly with 3" crossmembers on 9" centers are fully welded and gusseted. The 1/8" body cabinets plus 1/8" plate covering top and back provide an effective 1/4" thickness. Aluminum diamond plate floor is 3/16". Hardware is stainless steel with three-point latches and automotive-type rubber ball door seals.
Stellar Industries, Garner IA, introduced its new Model 6628 telescopic crane at ConExpo in Las Vegas, featuring a 38,000-ft-lb capacity with a maximum lifting capacity of 6,000 pounds at six feet and 1,350 pounds at the full 28 feet. The 6628 crane uses a planetary winch system with a hydraulic/mechanical brake system. It has a 60-ft-per-minute winch speed and a maximum hydraulic reach of 28 feet from the centerline of the crane. The crane has a hexagonal tube boom construction, which is standard on Stellar cranes. The hexboom design provides a stronger cross section than square tubing and eliminates boom flex and side-to-side movement.
Douglass Truck Bodies, Bakers-field CA, displayed a mechanic's service body manufactured with a box-drain between the frame rails inside the work platform for easy disposal of waste oil filters. The body is constructed of a combination of 14 and 12 gauge A60 galvanneal steel. Doors are 14 gauge on the outer panel and 18 gauge in the inner panel. Gas shocks are on all vertical doors and flip top lids. Hinges and latches are stainless steel. Show vehicle is equipped with 3200-lb AutoCrane, Reel Craft hose reels, Ingersoll-Rand 12½-hp compressor, and Miller welder. Air reel is plumbed at back of body with a 25-ft hose.
Mac Trailer Manufacturing, Alliance OH, displayed a 48-ft trailer equipped with the Keith Walking Floor V-Floor Unloading System. The 20,500-lb trailer has 5 ¼ inch I-beams for crossmember spacing with 48-inch I-Beam width. Chassis includes Reyco 21B 9-leaf spring with two 77.5 inch Dana axles, all-wheel ABS, and automatic slack adjusters.
Jim Cohen talked about IMT's full drop axles that are designed for trailers with an extra low floor. They also are used in pusher applications on trucks with unusual vocational equipment requiring a low axle tube position for the auxiliary axle. The drop extends the full width of the tube between the brake components. IMT Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
Maintainer Corporation of Iowa (Sheldon) displayed its Signature Series 3 service body with a 12,000-lb maximum capacity crane that is tied directly to the substructure, resulting in a lower profile and less stress to the service body. Hexagonal boom design offers a 24-foot hydraulic reach. Auxiliary controls to outrigger and crane are at rear of body under the cargo deck area. EZ Latch Aluma drawers and 3/16" single-piece aluminum doors provide weight savings.
Gem State Manufacturing, Caldwell ID, began manufacturing its model 8012DT TrailMax dump trailer about a year ago. The trailer has a 10,120-lb capacity and features a three-way tail gate and pull out ramps. TrailMax dump trailers come standard with electric or hydraulic surge brakes on all axles, adjustable 25/16" ball coupler or pintle hitch, self-contained hydraulic hoist, radial tires, and 10 gauge fenders.
Clement Industries, Minden LA, displayed its XBD-40 bottom dump trailer with 3/16" HT50 high-tensile steel side sheets supported by two 4" × 6" × 1/4" tube bottom rails with 4" × 6" × 3/16" bracing. The 80-gallon air tank in the bottom rail reduces weight and provides prompt response for gate operation. The trailer has 17" ground clearance to minimize contact with off-road obstacles. Clement also exhibited a frameless steel half-round tandem end dump trailer measuring 40 ft long, 102 inches wide, and 13 ft 3 inches tall. The Monstar trailer has an 89-cu-yd capacity. The steel body and tailgate is made from 1/4" Hardox AR450 to withstand severe scrap or demolition service.
Feterl Manufacturing Corporation mounted this 12,000-lb crane directly on the service body with no front outriggers. Compartments are built of 10 gauge steel with 10 gauge reinforced doors and stainless steel hinges. A 50-inch deck area has 1/8" tread plate. The Salem SD company previously sold only factory direct but plans to set up stocking dealers throughout the country. Jack Harriman says the company hopes to build 125 to 150 service bodies this year.
Trail King Industries, Mitchell SD, displayed its Advantage Series hydraulic detachable gooseneck trailer. The trailer has 20-inch loaded deck height, front access panel for ease of serviceability, 31-inch front loading ramp, full depth outriggers on the sides, boom well in the deck, recessed crossmember in the rear for loading excavators, and front bolsters for loading over the rear. Gooseneck crossmembers feature a formed, one-piece design, offering more flexibility and reduced risk of cracking. A V-shaped guide directs the gooseneck into position during hook-up.
Carco Industries, Tualatin OR, unveiled its model MB-14LW “Combo” body. This is the standard (model MB-14) 14' mechanics body with built-in lube or large welder capability. The LW stands for lube (or) weld. By eliminating the front compartment, Carco Industries can install and access lube tanks and grease barrels from outside the body. With the door closed, the body looks like any other going down the road. Below the deck is the waste oil tank. This body was put together as a lube unit and sold at the ConExpo show to a Puget Sound area customer, says Rich Perkins, sales manager. The curb-side front compartment is extra deep (26") below the cargo area floor for large reels. Above deck depth remains the MB-14's standard 23".
Thurston Manufacturing Company, Thurston NE, says its Circle R Side Dump trailers have a “flexcorner” tub design to avoid cracking in tough off-road conditions. The tandem-axle trailer has a RoundVee AR400F tub design that provides low center of gravity with a large volume per foot of tub length (24.2 cu yd). Six integrated tub pivot points reduce trailer flex, and 20" deep I-beam frame eliminates chassis bounce and unnecessary frame stress.
Trail-Eze Trailers, Mitchell SD, exhibited its TE401 sliding axle trailer with a 20-ton payload capacity. The tilt cylinder allows for an 8° load angle. The platform is 1 ⅜" decking covered with Rumber, a combination of HDPE and tire rubber, for a non-slip surface. Trailer is equipped with Haldex ABS and Cat's Eye tire pressure maintenance system.
Brutus Truck Bodies displayed a standard service body at CONEXPO. But the company has been manufacturing custom truck bodies factory-direct from Penticton, British Columbia, for 20 years. Curtis Turchak says if the customer can dream it, his company can build it, including pick-up boxes, service bodies, emergency transport vehicles, flat decks, service decks, RV towing decks, and Silviculture units used in tree planting operations. The insulated seedling transport, four-person crew carrier, and emergency transportation vehicle allows a 10-person crew and 18,000 seedlings to be delivered to the jobsite with space for four water cans, stretcher and blankets, first aid compartment with oxygen bottle, shovel storage compartments, and two underbody sealed storage bins. The insulated body uses a Flettner roof ventilator to maintain correct box temperatures while allowing for proper seedling respiration.