You pick the winners
Published in: Public Works
Date: 2/1/2004
By: Worthington, Ted
The debut of Hanley Wood’s Most Innovative Products competition was a resounding success at last year’s World of Concrete 2003. This unique competition–really two competitions–allowed a panel of experts and attendants at the show a chance to select from a group of more than 130 products in 11 categories to determine what they thought could have the greatest impact on the concrete and masonry industries.
This year’s contest will include both the Experts’ Choice and the Attendees’ Choice awards. However, this time around the editors of PUBLIC WORKS, CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, THE CONCRETE PRODUCER, MASONRY CONSTRUCTION, and CONCRETE & MASONRY CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS pored over all entries, drawing on their combined industry knowledge and experience to choose the finalists.
Now, we submit these Most Innovative Products to you and ask you to pick which items you think are the best and brightest the construction industry has to offer. It’s tough job, but we know you can do it.
To participate, see the Most Innovative Products displays around the World of Concrete show floor. Pick up a ballot and let your voice be heard.
As added incentive, show attendees who participate on site will get a discount on apparel purchases at the World of Concrete Bookstore.
All voters also will be eligible to enter our promotional drawing for the chance to win three round-trip plane tickets to World of Concrete 2005 in Las Vegas.
General Construction Equipment, Materials, Tools & Equipment
Adhesive Dispensing System
Hilti’s HIT VIC volume injection system, with P8000 D dosage-control dispenser, lets the contractor work quickly while minimizing wasted adhesive. Users can adjust the volume of adhesive with the dosage control knob to deliver consistent results with each trigger pull. Forty different volume increments allow you to dispense just what you need using the same air pressure as conventional pneumatic tools, and its durability makes it suitable for even the toughest jobsites. The adhesive cartridge contains 47 ounces of product, and it compresses to less than 50% volume when empty, reducing disposal costs. Hilti Inc. WOC booths 3681, D91. 800-879-8000. www.us.hilti.com. Circle 1.
Utility Cart Material Mover
The stake bed utility cart version of the company’s Stone Handler material moving equipment can be configured to be three different machines–a stake bed, flat bed, or extended flat bed–making it suitable for a wide range of hauling and transport applications. It handles a much larger load than most standard utility carts, yet costs less. Side panels, which lock in place for a tight fit, can be removed to make a flat bed capable of carrying loads up to 2500 pounds. It can be further converted to an extended flat bed to carry wider loads, such as sheet rock or paneling. The platform is interchangeable with the standard polyethylene mortar tub and can be converted in less than 15 minutes. No matter the configuration, it is powered by a 13-hp Honda engine, and has a capacity of 10 cubic feet. Stone Construction Equipment Inc. WOC booth 2603. 800-888-9926. www.stone-equip.com. Circle 2.
New Shape in Tape Measures
The Ultimate ProTape is a new shape in tape measures. The sleeker design fits into the palm of your hand and stays secure with a comfortable grip. Its 25-foot tape roll is gear driven and features an easy-to-read blade, smooth retraction, and a locking mechanism to hold tight. Blades are available in fractional and English/metric. U.S. Tape Co. WOC booth 6785. 631-289-0500. www.ustape.com. Circle 3.
Steel Stake Sleeve
Available in round and square varieties, the new Stake Slammer is a steel fitting that slips over both 3/4-inch and 1-inch stakes used in wooden forms. Weighing less than 5 pounds, with a 6-inch diameter strike face, it keeps the stake ends from mush-rooming when driven. Designed and engineered for quality, it also protects workers’ hands and helps eliminate costly accidents when two men are setting stakes. Cleform Tool Co. WOC booth 8547. 816-233-4840. www.cleform.com. Circle 4.
Multipurpose Sprayer
The Cobra-Air professional sprayer can apply a wide range of acids, caustics, waterproofing, cleaners, and curing agents. Its compressor can vary the pressure from 20 to 90 psi to control chemical bounce-back or wall penetration. Output can vary from 1 quart to 3 gallons per minute. The unit is constructed with stainless-steel sheet metal to withstand the harsh chemicals and a special waterproofing wand helps reduce overspray. Safety features include ground fault protection, enclosed pump housing, and quick-discharge couplings. It sprays with up to 250 feet of hose, even 10 floors up, and an adapter allows two operators to work simultaneously. Restoration Direct Inc. WOC booth 9602. 800-288-7800. Circle 5.
Workspace Heating Unit
The model 1250 Sahara Air Heater provides safe temporary heat to your workspace efficiently and economically. It also prevents mold and mildew by removing moisture from the workspace and building materials. Using natural gas, propane, or diesel, it takes only minutes to change from one fuel to another. Fully self-contained, the user-friendly unit houses all its system components in one trailer. Ground Heaters Inc. 231-799-9600. WOC booth 1517. www.groundheaters.com. Circle 6.
Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment
Mixing Tool
The Easy Mixer concrete hoe has a patented design, made with a forged steel blade bearing two holes. With 50% less drag than other similar tools, it easily pushes and pulls through concrete mixes. Its sharp-edged, triangle-shaped blade is also ideal for opening concrete bags. The hoe is available with 24- and 60-inch handles. Kraft Tool Co. WOC booth 5581. 913-422-4848. www.krafttool.com. Circle 7.
Bucket Attachment
The BakSaver is a labor-saving skid-steer bucket attachment to place concrete in locations inaccessible to concrete trucks. With a capacity of 3/4 cubic yards, it does the work of five laborers and five wheelbarrows. The unit comes with two hydraulic flat-face disconnects, a 2500-psi dual action hydraulic piston, 8-inch-square hydraulically controlled chute, a universal mount and 2 hydraulic hoses. It is also useful for sand, salt, stone, and other flowable material. BakSaver. WOC booth 274. 800-682-4988. www.baksaver.com. Circle 8.
Concrete Pumping Boom
The VersiPlacer is a multi-function boom capable of pumping concrete, lifting loads, and even being fully deployed horizontally. This allows it to be used inside a low-ceilinged building or in confined areas, saving pre-casters substantial time and effort, while increasing their ability to work inside all year round. The boom has a 95-foot maximum height and an 82-foot side reach. Three-axis proportional electronic controllers gauge the pilot-operated, pressure-compensated modulating valves for boom controls and jib rotation. Elliott Equipment Co. WOC booth 3489. 402-592-4500. www.elliottequip.com. Circle 9.
By Ted Worthington
Managing Editor, CONCRETE & MASONRY CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
COPYRIGHT 2004 Public Works Journal Corporation