Nervous chatter about supply chain constraints and uncertainty about the post-Covid era was largely absent among the nearly 60,000 contractors, fabricators and masonry experts at the World of Concrete held Jan. 23-25 in Las Vegas . Equipment manufacturers were filling order books and companies were looking to upgrade and expand their fleets as big spending from recent federal infrastructure initiatives begins to translate into real projects. The mood was upbeat, even though private sector work faces some economic headwinds.
“With a stronger-than-expected economy, inflation is not coming down as fast, and neither are interest rates and these sectors: residential and non-residential. [sectors] hurt,” said Ed Sullivan, chief economist at the Portland Cement Association. “But other non-interest-rate-sensitive sectors, such as infrastructure spending, [are] is expected to show more significantly this year and next,” he said, adding that a revitalized U.S. manufacturing sector, boosted by the Science and CHIPS Act of 2022, is another point brilliant for construction.
Caterpillar’s new CTL 265 features a redesigned cab intended to make long shifts a little more comfortable. It is capable of handling high-demand hydraulic attachments such as the PC306 crusher.
Photo by Jeff Rubenstone
While PCA noted a 2.9% decline in cement consumption last year, things are looking up slightly this year, with a forecastapproximate increase of 1.4%. “In our view, the additional adverse impact from higher interest rates is partially offset by stronger economic conditions,” Sullivan said during a press conference.
More comfortable taxis
On the show floor, there was a renewed sense among attendees that with supply chain issues mostly resolved and manufacturing up and running, the new machines could be delivered quickly this year. For Caterpillar, there was a lot of attention and buzz surrounding its new compact track loaders, the 255 medium chassis and the larger 265. The models have automatic recognition of tools and a cabin for the operator with greater comfort.
The new cabin design is “driven by the labor shortage, if you can attract good talent and you want to retain them, one of the ways to do that is to provide them with good equipment that works, but is also comfortable to be there.” ” says Kevin Coleman, Caterpillar product manager.
With a redesigned hydraulic system that allows the loaders to run larger tools and handle more difficult tasks, the loader has been slowly changing from an in-and-out piece of equipment to one where the operator can spend an entire shift . Caterpillar is also bringing features previously seen in the cabs of larger machines, such as optional ventilated seats with heating and air suspension, as well as rear and side-view cameras, to its smaller rigs.
The 255 and 265 models have 64 hp engines (to stay below the threshold for emissions aftertreatment), but their modern hydraulic systems allow them to run some of the more demanding attachments, such as shredders and other forestry equipment with a lot of energy. Both have an 11-foot lift height, allowing for loading on taller trucks.
A new era of battery wars
Recent innovations pushing the limits of lithium-ion power have seen battery-powered tools take on many applications that were previously powered by cords or gas.
New battery lines from Milwaukee Tool and DeWalt were on display and available for showroom demos, with concrete rammers, concrete vibrators and concrete cutting saws powered by new battery platforms. Batteries can last the entire shift.
Milwaukee’s new MX FUEL REDLITHIUM FORGE batteries provide longer life and extra power for more demanding applications. “What’s really unique about these is that they’re really pushing the limits of capability,” explains Kelli Semon, Milwaukee Tool product manager.
Also new to the show was Milwaukee’s new Supercharger for FORGE batteries, which allowed two batteries to be charged at the same time from a standard 15 amp circuit. Using Milwaukee’s OneKey Bluetooth access, battery charger behavior can be adjusted via smartphone, allowing even more battery chargers to charge, albeit more slowly, on a single 15 amp circuit without triggering a switch. This flexibility allows for faster charging of one or two batteries during a single shift, while more batteries can be charged overnight in a tool crib, Semon says.
Powered by the new FORGE battery platform, Milwaukee’s new 70kg rammer is designed to replace traditional gas rammers for use in site preparation.Photo by Jeff Rubenstone
One of the most demanding applications is the new MX FUEL 70kg Rammer, powered by the new FORGE HD12.0 battery, which offers up to 25 minutes of continuous run time. A tool that usually requires gas power, the 70kg Rammer also features a gyroscopic auto-off, instantly turning off the machine if it’s tilted beyond a certain angle.
Meanwhile, DeWalt debuted its rechargeable Powershift line of 554 Wh batteries and accompanying cordless concrete tools at World of Concrete. Each battery weighs 11.5 pounds. Heavier than a hand tool battery, it’s sized to fit concrete tools like screeds and concrete vibrators perfectly. DeWalt also had a new high-speed charger that can recharge the 554 Wh battery in less than an hour. Its product team said two batteries could effectively replace a tank of gas to power these tools.
DeWalt’s new vibrating screed is powered by its new Powershift battery platform. Photo by Jeff Rubenstone
Richard Cacchiotti, director of product management for the DeWalt line at Stanley Black & Decker, said 15,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet can be leveled with a battery-powered screed, and the line’s knapsack vibrator can consolidate concrete for four or five hours. a battery DeWalt also showed an adapter that allows DeWalt Flexvolt 20-60V batteries to be used at 60V.
DeWalt does not focus on the capacity of the batteries but, rather, on the speed of their work. 554 Wh is a 9.2 Ah pack. The most powerful Flexvolt battery pack now available is 300Wh/5Ah (15Ah at 20V max), giving the PowerShift pack an 85% increase in capacity. DeWalt expects the new batteries and tools to be available this fall.
By Jeff Rubenstone in Las Vegas, with Jeff Yoders
