July 2005 News

By CE Contributing Authors July 1, 2005 View Profile

Cat’s Clean Diesel Engines Demonstrated for President Bush

Caterpillar Inc. recently gave President George W. Bush a firsthand look at the clean diesel technology that it will use to meet stringent 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards for on-highway truck and bus engines. Utilizing a Cat C13 ACERT engine, the company displayed a 2007 emissions compliant truck at an event in West Point, Va., where President Bush highlighted key elements of his energy policy.

“Caterpillar applauds President Bush for his commitment and support of clean diesel initiatives,” said Doug Oberhelman, Caterpillar Group president with responsibility for the company’s power systems business. “The on-highway standards for 2007 will help to provide cleaner air for our environment. While these standards present an enormous technological challenge, Caterpillar is fully
prepared to provide its customers with a solution that preserves reliability, durability and fuel economy.”

Caterpillar has pledged to provide hundreds of 2007 compliant truck engines to truck fleet customers this summer so they will have the opportunity to field test this new technology well ahead of the rigorous 2007 emissions deadline.

Caterpillar was the first engine manufacturer to offer clean diesel engines certified to meet EPA’s tougher 2004 standards, say company officials, which require more stringent testing to demonstrate lower emissions over longer periods of engine operation. Currently, more than 200,000 on-highway engines featuring ACERT Technology are powering trucks, accumulating some 40 million miles a day while delivering the products, goods and supplies that help keep the U.S. economy running.

In addition to meeting emissions requirements, Caterpillar customers have experienced superior fuel economy for their fleets using engines featuring ACERT Technology.

“We are running more than 200 trucks with Cat engines using ACERT technology, and that’s a big part of why our fleet fuel mileage has improved from about 6.0 to 6.5 miles per gallon,” said John Liberkowski,
director of purchasing and fleet maintenance for New Century Transportation of Westhampton, N.J. “With fuel prices today, that’s a huge difference because every tenth of a mile saves us $1.2 million in fuel costs.”

ACERT is a differentiated, breakthrough technology that reduces emissions at the point of combustion. The technology capitalizes on Caterpillar’s experience in engine electronics, fuel injection systems and combustion technology. All Caterpillar on-highway truck and bus engines now in production are equipped with ACERT technology, which also provides a foundation to meet future emission regulations for the company’s construction and mining machines and power generation units.

“Caterpillar has invested more than $1 billion in research and development for ACERT and other clean diesel projects to help our customers meet today’s standards and future regulations,” Oberhelman said. “Caterpillar customers know they have a 2007 emissions solution using ACERT technology that will work hand-in-hand with the Bush administration’s upcoming low sulfur diesel fuel regulations.

Case Passes Half Million Mark in Production of Loader Backhoes

Case Construction Equipment, manufacturer of one of the world’s top loader backhoes, recently hit an industry first with production of the 500,000th Case loader backhoe.

“Case has set the standard in loader backhoes for nearly 50 years,” said Robin Killian, vice president of sales and marketing at Case Construction Equipment. “Since it manufactured the world’s first factory-integrated tractor loader backhoe, the Case 320, in 1957.”

In the years since, Killian said, Case has continued its leadership with a list of productivity-increasing industry firsts for these versatile machines that includes Extendahoe, loader self-leveling and loader return-to-dig, over-center backhoe, power shuttle forward/reverse shifting without clutching, Ride Control and Pro Control with swing dampening.

The current lineup of Case loader backhoes is the Case M Series 2, which includes the 580M, 580M Turbo, 580 Super M, 580 Super M+ and 590 Super M models. These five Case models range in horsepower from 76 to 98 hp with loader capacities from 6,182 to 7,327 lbs. New engines and a new low-effort pilot control option are offered for all M Series 2 models.

Fully warranted from the factory for an industry-leading one full year with unlimited hours, Case loader backhoes also feature a five-year warranty on the cast-iron backhoe boom and an industry-leading, two-year power train warranty.

Case Construction Equipment sells and supports a full line of construction equipment, including loader backhoes, articulated trucks, excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders, vibratory compaction rollers, crawler dozers, skid steers, compact track loaders and rough-terrain forklifts.

Iveco Motors Service Training Seminar

Iveco Motors of North America Inc., a subsidiary of Iveco Motors, a leading diesel engine manufacturer, sponsored a service-training program where distributor technicians gained a thorough knowledge of Iveco engine electronic equipment and Bosch fuel injection systems. The joint seminar was held Feb. 22-24 at Iveco’s North American Headquarters in Carol Stream, Ill., and at the Bosch facility in Broadview, Ill.

“Bosch and Iveco Motors’ close relationship allowed the collaboration of a joint seminar where service technicians were able to further their expertise through hands-on training,” says John Madey, product manager, Iveco Motors of North America. “We appreciate Bosch’s dedication to our engine market and distributors and we look forward to teaming up again for more service training opportunities.”

The seminar was led by the experienced staff of Iveco Motors of North America for distributor and OEM’s technicians. This was done through a classroom format, as well as a hands-on diagnostic and repair session for the engine electronics and fuel systems of the common rail (electronic) and mechanical version of the NEF engine line. The newest member of the Iveco engine family, Cursor, was also covered in the classroom session along with product updates on the HPI and Vector engines.

Iveco Motors provides annual training sessions in Carol Stream for its distributors, in a “train the trainer” format. These training sessions increase the technical knowledge for Iveco Motors’ service network and strengthen the distributors’ strategic role to ensure professional service to the customers of Iveco Motors. Iveco Motors will also hold regional dealer trainings throughout the year in North America, starting in April 2005, with six to eight sessions scheduled during the year.

Goodyear Engineered Products Unveils New Distribution Center

To enhance customer service and accelerate product deliveries, Goodyear Engineered Products has begun shipping its industrial power transmission belts from a distribution center located in Moberly, Mo.

Operated by Exel, a global leader of supply chain logistics, the more than 285,000-sq ft facility is part of a strategy to improve order turnaround cycles, according to Susan O’Keefe, director of supply chain.

“The new distribution center positions our products closer to the center of our industrial and automotive customer base, shortens shipping times and uses order-processing systems that improve on-time deliveries and fill rates,” said O’Keefe. “It’s all about meeting customer needs by reducing their inventory investments without jeopardizing service to their customers.”

At its current capacity, the center carries more than 14,000 sizes and specifications of Goodyear product inventory, including Goodyear Eagle Pd and Goodyear Falcon industrial synchronous belts. Goodyear had been shipping the products from a Lincoln, Neb., distribution center.

“The relocation to Moberly coincides with steps we are taking to improve forecasting inventory demand, while providing better customer service response time and accurate product information,” said O’Keefe.

Exel, which also manages Goodyear logistics for industrial hose and hydraulics at a facility near Columbus, Ohio, seeks to maximize on-time delivery, while optimizing timetables and shipment routes. O’Keefe said that Exel’s global presence and capabilities were also key in choosing it for the Moberly operation, which will ship products worldwide. Goodyear plants at Lincoln, Collingwood, Ontario, and Chihuahua, Mexico, make products distributed from the Moberly facility. The company also has distribution centers in California, Texas, Canada and Mexico.

MMD Equipment Discontinues Forklift Business

Mitsui Machinery Distribution Inc. (MMD Equipment) has announced that it has ended its marketing and distribution agreement with TCM Corp., effective June 15. Mitsui Machinery Distribution Inc., which has also operated under the name “TCM America,” has distributed TCM forklifts in 26 states plus the District of Columbia for the past 30 years.

Now TCM forklifts will be distributed by TCM Distribution USA Inc. (TDU), a wholly owned affiliate company of TCM USA Holdings Inc.

“TCM has been a great strategic partner for the past 30 years,” said Ronald C. Johnson, president of MMD Equipment. “But MMD Equipment has experienced dramatic growth with its construction equipment lines over the past few years, and we have made a business decision to concentrate entirely on construction equipment products, which we feel represent our future.”

MMD Equipment will continue to cooperate closely with TDU in an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible, say MMD officials. TDU will base its operations within MMD Equipment for the next 180 days until such time that it can move into its new permanent headquarters facility in nearby Bridgeport, N.J. Customers of either business should experience the same high level of service as many of the same people will be involved in day-to-day operations as before.

MMD Equipment will continue to market and distribute TCM wheel loaders and a wide variety of construction equipment products, including Airman compressors, PowerPro towable generators, MMD Equipment portable generators, FlowPro pumps, Yanmar compact excavators, Sakai compaction products, Farrow Systems surface cleaning systems and TrowelPro concrete equipment.

TCI Launches C3 Program for Commercial Tire Customers

TCI Tire Centers Commercial Division is launching a new multi-faceted program, named “C3” for Centered on Customer Commitment. The new program is designed to supply local-billed customers with additional service programs to help lower their tire operating costs.

All program elements were launched into the marketplace on June 1.

“We closely monitor how we work with our customers through surveys and input from the field and the new C3 program is aimed at providing additional tools to enhance their business and provide improved service,” said Randy Gaetz, vice president of commercial sales and marketing at TCI Tire Centers Commercial Division. “The new program includes a service guarantee, a customer information center, a co-branded fuel credit card, a customer referral program, an emergency road service program and extensive national
coverage. These options provide our customers with access to new services that will help contribute to their bottom line.”

Elements of the new program include the service guarantee. The C3 Customer Service Guarantee assures that TCI will provide service to its customers within 30 minutes of the established estimated time of the arrival of the TCI service vehicle. If not, the service call is free. In addition, in-shop services are guaranteed to be completed within 30 minutes of TCI’s time commitment or the next service call is free.

TCI’s Customer Information Center is a Web-based portal accessed through the TCI Web site that grants a customer instant online access to statements, invoices, purchases, retread history and reports enabling its customers to manage one of their most important assets — tire casings.

The co-branded TCI/Wright Express Fuel Card offers the Wright Express fuel credit card and all of its advantages to local-billed customers. A TCI Customer Referral Program provides tangible rewards in the form of TCI merchandise to those local-billed customers who refer TCI to colleagues in their community. And the company’s Emergency Road Service program supplies emergency road service through its relationship with TCI Commercial Service Centers “The C3 program raises the level of commitment that TCI is making to the commercial truck tire service business,” Gaetz said.

Sound Advice

John Deere’s Product Marketing Manager Larry J. Foster Offers Seven Great Tips for Buying the Best Compact Track Loader for Your Needs

1. Track & Undercarriage Durability — Ask the salesperson what is the expected life of the undercarriage and tracks in your conditions in hours. Ask customers in your trade in similar conditions what their undercarriage life has delivered.

2. Track & Undercarriage Replacement Costs — Ask the salesperson for a parts price summary of all the parts needed to rebuild the undercarriage, as well as the cost of the rubber tracks. Items No. 1 and 2 will be two key elements in determining your cost per hour of operation.

3. Machine performance — Conduct side-by-side demos on the same day in the same conditions and try to determine if there is a difference in machine performance, comfort and operation from one brand to another.

4. Talking Shop — Talk to customers that have owned a compact track loader for two years or more and ask if they have had any issues or advice.

5. Pick the Perfect Size — Determine what your machine size needs are, including dimensions, rated operating capacity, trailering weight, etc.

6. The Dealer — Consider the dealership’s product support, training, parts availability and road ready service.

7. Resale Value — Consider your resale value, reviewing auction and wholesale prices vs. initial new purchase prices.

IR Celebrates 100-Year Anniversary

A Century of Tradition, Tools and Remarkable Engineering Feats

On June 1, Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd., a leading diversified industrial firm, celebrated its 100-year anniversary of the merger of Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Co. and Rand Drill Co., which formed Ingersoll-Rand.

“Among business mergers of the past century, the combination of the predecessor companies of Ingersoll-Rand 100 years ago today is notable for its enduring success and legacy of achievement,” said Herbert L. Henkel, chairman, president and CEO. “For the past 100 years, Ingersoll-Rand people and products have contributed mightily to the advancement of global industry and commerce and, as a result, have played a vital role in worldwide economic development and social progress.”

In connection with the company’s annual general meeting, held in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., Henkel reflected on the company’s contributions to industry and society, and prospects for future growth.

“Our technologies have been instrumental in creating many of the world’s most remarkable engineering feats and enduring symbols of economic progress — from Mount Rushmore and the Hoover Dam to the English Channel Tunnel and China’s Three Gorges Dam,” said Henkel.

“Every day we help our customers across a range of industries, improve the way they do business while enhancing the well-being of the lives of millions of our global citizens. Our innovations safeguard the foods people eat, build the roads and bridges people and goods travel on, power industrial progress and enhance the security of people and property.”

The company’s approximately 40,000 employees participated in special anniversary events at Ingersoll-Rand facilities around the globe. In addition, approximately 30 Ingersoll-Rand facilities in North America will host special events at different times during 2005 that will feature an interactive exhibit describing Ingersoll-Rand’s historical achievements, present business and vision of future growth opportunities.

The exhibit will be open to employees, as well as invited customers, dealers, suppliers, financial analysts and other stakeholders. For more information about the company’s centennial, visit the Ingersoll-Rand 100th anniversary Web site, available at www.irco.com/ir100/. Tags: backhoes, Caterpillar, Compressors