The record crowds that attended the 2007 International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) saw a wide range of new truck bodies, trailers, and truck equipment.
Known as The Demo Expo, ICUEE 2007 attracted 17,950 utility and construction industry professionals with electric, sewer/water, phone/cable, gas, general construction, government, and landscaping jobs. Attendance grew by more than 9.5% over the last show held in 2005.
“Every business operation wants to increase productivity and is looking for efficiencies. ICUEE 2007 provided show visitors with convenient access to the newest technologies and safety enhancements to achieve these goals,” noted ICUEE Show Manager Nicole Hallada.
More than 845 exhibitors used more than 1.155 million net square feet of exhibit space to display and demonstrate the latest equipment, technology, and product innovations. (That's 107,299 net square meters -more than 26.5 acres.)
ICUEE 2007 featured expanded working-equipment demonstration areas, and a New Product and Technology program gave exhibitors the chance to spotlight their new-to-market offerings since the last ICUEE, held in 2005.
ICUEE is owned and produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the North American-based international trade and business development group serving the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. The show is in its fifth decade, having started in 1964. The next Demo Show is scheduled for October 6-8, 2009 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Here is a sample of the products at this year's show:
New line of composite bodies was displayed by Synergy Composites Group, Chesterfield, Quebec. Body is one piece molded by injection. It has an automotive finish inside and exterior. The composite combines fiberglass vinylester and Kevlar, 3/16" (5mm) thick. The result is a lightweight body: approximate weights include 825 pounds for a 108" body and 1,250 for the 162" model. Representing the company are Jerry Sabourin and Mario Desrochers.
Array of dump bodies: TBEI, Eden Prairie MN, displayed its line-up of dump body brands, including (left to right) Crysteel, Heil, and Ox. In prior ICUEE shows, those brands were owned by separate companies and exhibited in different locations.
Biting the Bullet: The new Sterling Bullet provides upfitters with a new chassis to equip, but the rear fuel tank may pose problems for some applications. But this demo unit has a special extension at the rear that provides clearance, says Dwight Allen. The body was built by Warner Bodies, Noblesville IN.
Brand new body from Brand FX Body Company. The 84 LS has recessed doors with no drip rail. Automotive gaskets seal out moisture. Doors open with a remote that can be programmed to open with the truck cab. The 84 completes the company's LS series. With it, Brand FX offers LS Series bodies for 40", 56", 60", and 84" CA chassis. Representing Brand FX, Fort Worth TX, is Susie Finley.
Parkhurst Manufacturing, Sedalia MO, introduced its line of two- and three-cu-yd dump bodies. Available with fold-down or fixed sides, the bodies include structural understructure, heavy-duty hardware, and powder-coat finish. Parkhurst offers the bodies in five lengths ranging from 8'4" to 12'.
Monroe Truck Equipment (MTE), Monroe WI, is producing its own line of steel service bodies. The MTE MSS (Monroe Service Solution) service body has a powder-coat finish inside and out — available either in red or white. The body is made of 16-gauge galvanneal steel. It measures 98" long, 80" wide, and 40" high and comes with a five-year warranty.
Enclosed lube truck is designed to maintain viscosity during cold weather and to combat contamination. Equipment is installed inside an insulated, heated body. The result: warmer lubricants that pump faster. It is a product of Iowa Mold Tooling, Garner IA.
They may look white, but the new fiberglass service bodies from Astoria Industries in Osceola IA have gone green. The company now uses recycled fiberglass for the core, providing a variety of advantages — including a reduction of material that otherwise need to be disposed. In addition, the company now offers Gatorhyde spray-on lining for additional protection of compartment interiors, according to Scott Metzger.
Reading Truck Body, Reading PA, known for its line of service bodies, showed that it can produce dump bodies also. The bodies start with A-60 galvanneal steel and are then primed with e-coat and topped off with powder coat paint. In addition to the triple protection against corrosion, the dump bodies have double-wall construction, fully boxed top rails, and dirt-shedding outer rails. The dump bodies are designed for GM, Ford, and Dodge chassis cabs, either 60" or 84" cab-to-axle dimensions. Philip Pfister, a winner of the world's strongest man contest, attests that this is one strong dump body.
Convertible crane body is available from Auto Crane, Tulsa OK. The company's Titan 16 service body can be upgraded to a crane body through an aftermarket crane box. The backbone of the kit is a pair of six-inch beams that pass through the rear compartment and integrate with the truck frame. The result is a body that compares favorably in strength with that of a body designed to accommodate a crane, according to Kyle Whiteis. The new patent-pending Titan 16 is constructed of 10-gauge galvanneal and utilizes Auto Crane's patented one-piece side pack design, along with internal stainless steel hinges, advanced T-handle door latches, and 19-diode LED lights on stop/tail/turn/marker lights.
Morgan Olson has redesigned its walk-in vans with a sloped windshield for improved aerodynamics. The vans are produced in Sturgis MI.
Complete package. Lid system from Masterack, Atlanta GA, did not yet have a brand name at the time it was displayed at ICUEE, but it is part of the company's plan to roll as many products as possible into a complete package of commercial truck products — combining with sister operations such as ABC Body, Team Fenex, and Gamber-Johnson. Also installed on this Chevrolet Colorado pickup is a MidBox storage system from SV Commercial Products. The box creates a 20-cu-ft enclosure between the cab and the pickup box. It can be configured with a variety of equipment, including slide-out tray or the drawer system shown here.
A secure bed cover is what Gary Thacker calls the contractor series tonneau produced by Thacker Manufacturing, Tucson AZ. The cover, made of 18-gauge galvanneal steel, can be opened from either side. The cover is counter-balanced on torsional springs so that it opens easily. An electric version of the cover is also available.
Dodge continued to display different applications for its Sprinter chassis cab. This Sprinter is shown equipped with a Knapheide KSS service body.
Slip-on truck bodies were on display at the Fleetwest booth. The company's Load ‘N Go provides 60 cubic feet of storage along the sides of the pickup box and in the roll-out drawer that rests on the floor. The body comes with white acrylic urethane finish, 16-gauge S-10 Jet-Kote steel compartments with double panel doors, heavy-duty floor with spray-on load liner, two 16-gauge 150-pound capacity adjustable shelves, forklift tunnels for mounting and removal, and a 48.5" bed width capable of hauling 4'×8' sheet material. Tom Johnson and David Black demonstrate for Fleetwest, Phoenix AZ.
Heavy tool lift is designed to take the strain out of loading service body compartments. The lift can be installed by cutting out the bottom of the compartment. Several sizes will be offered as part of the MCB line of accessories, according to Dennis Cowan. The lift is a product of Monroe Custom Utility Bodies, Greenfield IN.
Mini Mule is designed to distribute mulch and other landscape materials. It comes complete with 11-hp Honda engine, direct-drive hydraulic motors, and 7,000-lb torsion bar axles with brakes, and even a marketing kit for the customer to use to promote his landscaping business. Its 9,000-lb GVW rating means that the trailer can be towed without the need for a CDL. The 10-cu-yd trailer can be pulled by a ¾-ton truck. A vacuum system designed to pick up leaves and other debris is optional. It is a product of Green Industry Innovators, Louisville OH.
Wabash National is not the only company manufacturing trailers with Duraplate panels. The new Trademaster trailer also is made with the popular composite. The trailer is made by Utilimaster, which holds a licensing agreement with Wabash, and is marketed by Wells Cargo, Elkhart IN.
Tilt-tag trailer from Landoll Corporation, Marysville KS, has an 18,350 GVWR and 14,000-lb payload capacity. The trailer spans 82-1/2" between the fenders for added deck space. The deck is 20 ft long and can be tilted to a 10-degree load angle. Like all tag trailers produced by Landoll, this model has a powder-coat finish.
Commercial can be cool. Who says trendy vehicles can't be used for commercial applications? Adrian now has a line of products for the Chevrolet HHR, including partitions and slide-out trays. They are available from Adrian Steel, Adrian MI.
Getting organized. RKI, Houston TX, has some new ways for truck users to get their stuff together, including a new drop-in tray option available for side boxes or cross boxes. Bob Ducharme provides details.
A convertible utility body. Truckhugger Soft Shell, Aurora CO and Houston TX, displayed this tarp system that can turn even a utility body into a convertible. The tarp can be positioned either electrically or by hand crank. Width and height are adjustable to tailor the tarp system to the dimensions of the particular utility body.
Under control. Herb Koenig demonstrates the radio control operation of cranes produced by Liftmoore Inc, Houston TX. The controls can be used on both electric and hydraulic models. The radio control system includes transmitter, receiver, Control Area Network wire, and a 12-volt DC battery charger. A 110-volt AC charger is available as an option.
Plastic platform? Not quite, but this platform body from America's Body Company, Oakwood Village OH, makes liberal use of engineered materials such as the rotomold stake sides and the single-piece 3/8" resin floor and bulkhead. Individual stake sides lock together when inserted into the stake pockets, eliminating the need for locking hardware. The translucent floor, when the body is elevated, enables the driver to see if the entire load has been dumped. The resin floor remains cool in the summer, helping protect tender plant roots when the body is used by landscapers. It also is slow to freeze in the winter, allowing loads to dump more easily.
Stellar's new underground utility service crane is rated at 38,000 ft-lb. Standard boom length measures 10' 9" with 60" first- and second-stage extensions. Remote control comes standard. Stellar Industries, Garner IA.
National Crane displayed its 995H model crane featuring a capacity of 27 U S tons. It comes complete with 95-ft boom length, load moment indicator with work area definition system, and multi-position operator controls. It is a product of Manitowoc Crane Group, Manitowoc WI.
Aichi USA exhibited at ICUEE for the first time. The company's line of aerial devices includes the INH30 and the INU38. The INH30 measures 30 feet to the bottom of the basket and offers a working height of 35 feet. It has a 440-lb basket capacity. The INU38 also has a 440-lb bucket capacity, but it extends the reach slightly — 38 feet to the bottom of the basket and a 43-ft working height. The aerial devices are built in Japan by Aichi Corporation and distributed in the US through Aichi USA, Glen Burnie MD.
Duralift expanded its lineup with the DPM-32DU aerial device. Providing a 37-ft working height and a 26-ft side reach, the aerial device can be configured either for two operators or for one operator and a winch. It is a product of Dur-A-Lift Inc, George IA.
Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment, Kings Park NY, displayed this hub-drive cable puller that the company assembles and mounts. The truck equipment distributor employed an outside engineering firm to help develop the concept, a process that began more than two years ago. However, the effort produced a patent-pending pulling cap with level wind. Consisting of readily available components, the reel unit can travel laterally 30 inches. This helps position the cable puller directly over the manhole, increasing safety and productivity. Dejana also displayed a tandem reel loader designed to work in conjunction with the cable puller.
Everything in place. OK Champion, Hammond IN, displayed its underground cable resources vehicle designed for cable placement and removal. Intended for use on a Class 7 or 8 truck, the vehicle includes a boom that extends from 25 ft to 57 ft.
Nose that's new. Workhorse Custom Chassis, Union City IN, has redesigned the nose of its walk-in vans (background) and has beefed up its lineup with the addition of its W63 chassis. The W62, introduced at last year's Work Truck Show, is available with a choice of gas or diesel engines.
Two from one. VMAC's new underhood air compressor generates enough volume (150 cfm) to power two 90-lb jackhammers at a 100% duty cycle. It is designed for use on a Ford equipped with 6.4-liter diesels. VMAC, Nanaimo BC, also introduced a digitally controlled 40-cfm hydraulic compressor. The compressor, tested all last winter in the cold of Alberta, performed without problems. It shuts down automatically if no air is used in two minutes.
Pure sine power is produced by the 5-kW Blackbird generator from Raven Technology, Brunswick ME. Now available for the 2008 Ford 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel, the Blackbird can also be installed on Ford 6.0-liter, 7.3-liter, and 6.8-liter engines, along with selected GM Duramax and Vortec engines; International DT and MaxForce series; and Freightliner MBE 900 engines.
White LEDs are now being used to provide DC-powered work lights for ambulances and other applications, says Marty Hetherington. Grote Industries, Madison IN, offers white LED work lamps with output rated in excess of 150,000 candela.
Buyers Products, Mentor OH, has a diverse line of truck equipment and related products, including electrical items. This new recessed amber strobe is an example, says Dan Doerr, who also is displaying the polyethylene housing into which it can be installed.
Truck-Lite has expanded its line of LED by going small. The Model 33 marker light fits in a ¾" hole, yet it is visible on a 180° plane, says Kent Conger. It is available in either red or amber from Truck-Lite Company, Falconer NY.
Fully protected. Muncie Power Products, Muncie IN, introduced the SPD-1000A system protection device. The electronic speed control monitors vehicles speed, temperature and pressure signals, position indicators, brake interlock, and other factors, according to Andy Squillante.
Power without drivelines. Vanair introduced its EZ 70 direct-drive air compressor that mounts directly to Allison automatic transmissions without the need for drivelines. The patent-pending compressor produces 70 cfm in volume and 175 psi pressure. According to the company, it saves 70% in installation labor. Vanair Manufacturing Inc, New Buffalo MI.
New PTO. Chelsea Products Division of Parker Hannifin, Cleveland OH, announces the release of its CAT-H Series Powershift PTO for the rearmount opening on Caterpillar transmissions. This is the first Powershift PTO to be designed in conjunction with Cat specifically for their new CX Series transmissions. The PTO delivers 335 lb ft of torque for both continuous and intermittent applications at 125% percent of engine speed. Its Chelsea Wetspline output option helps eliminate spline fretting.
Stowaway cranes stow away with minimal effort when equipped with the Feather Lite counterbalance option, says Cindy Scegiel. The cranes are a product of StoAway Power Cranes. The company produces telescoping cranes as well as cranes that store inside a truck bumper.
Linemaster Series includes a complete bumper system that has a new 20k hydraulic planetary winch. Included with the LineMaster Series are the all new LineMaster capstan drive and head. The capstan drive has a planetary gear design and high torque hydraulic motor with dual counterbalance valves for smooth operation. It is a product of Ramsey Winch Company, Tulsa OK.