Expert Columns

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Guidelines for Expert Columnists
March 14, 2022
An advanced telematics system provides several benefits, including the exact reason for the issue.
Advanced Telematics Decrease Costs, Increase Uptime and Identify Critical Fault Notifications
With a strong OEM-managed offering, the proof is in the profits.
May 19, 2022
1. One of Mr. R. G.’s numerous outside-the-box, as it were, ideas was a Tournapull-powered means of pouring concrete buildings in place as a quick remedy to housing shortages. His system to achieve this revolved around the Tournalayer, a wildly overwidth trailer for A and B Tournapulls. The Tournalayer carried the complete outside forms for the structure to be poured, and after the inner forms for the outer walls had been erected the Tournalayer would be backed so as to position the outer forms above them, and then the outer forms would be lowered over the inner.
Tournapull Attachments
Robert G. LeTourneau made several advancements in attachment designs for construction equipment.
February 16, 2022
forklift lithium battery
How Lithium Batteries Can Help with Forklift Lead Times
The long life cycle of lithium batteries increases equipment utilization to extend the use of lift trucks until the new equipment finally arrives.
March 12, 2022
The first scraper to be equipped with pneumatic tires is pulled by an Allis-Chalmers crawler tractor in California’s Imperial Valley in August 1932.
The First True Motor Scraper
The Model A Tournapull could be yoked to a single-axle scraper in such a way as to allow for extreme maneuverability, offering greater speed and productivity for earthmoving projects.
January 21, 2022
The first scraper to be equipped with pneumatic tires is pulled by an Allis-Chalmers crawler tractor in California’s Imperial Valley in August 1932.
Pneumatic Tires for Scrapers
The invention of pneumatic tires improved maneuverability of scrapers and other construction equipment, particularly in soft ground conditions.
November 1, 2021
A LeTourneau Double-Drum Power Control Unit enables this Cat D7 to operate both a dozer and a pull ripper. The scene is a placer gold mine operated by Parker Brothers Corporation and Last Chance Gulch, near Helena, MT.
Cable Control for Tractor-Drawn Equipment
LeTourneau's Power Control Unit utilized wire rope and enabled control of two devices as a means of improving performance of dozers and other heavy machinery.
September 17, 2021
LeTourneau’s Self-Propelled Scraper was many years ahead of its time in both its concept and powertrain. It’s doing work a tractor-drawn scraper could not, discharging fill to the end of a levee with its front axle chocked.
The First Self-Propelled Scraper
Although not as successful as other LeTourneau designs, the first self-propelled scraper featured technologies that would years later become industry standards.
August 13, 2021
LeTourneau sold the Mountain Mover to an Eph Hahn in 1926. Here it is, sporting modifications made by the Hahns, including solid steel front wheels in place of the original spoked wheels and lowering the framework above the scoop to make it easier to transport.
The Mountain Mover
R. G. LeTourneau's development of a scraper with two bowls, one moving back and forth within the other in a telescoping motion, increased earthmoving capacity.
July 14, 2021
R. G. LeTourneau operates his Holt 75 crawler tractor and his Full-Drag scraper, the first scraper designed to be operated from a tractor.
The First Tractor-Controlled Scraper
R. G. LeTourneau's remote-control system enabled a scraper to be controlled from a tractor, reducing labor costs.
June 15, 2021
The Pre-Compensated Valve Platform from Bosch Rexroth is a complete, compact mobile machine control solution that leverages the efficiency and versatility of proven Rexroth mobile control valves.
Pre-Compensated Valve Platforms Offer New Benefits in Mobile Machine Development
Complete, compact pre-compensated valve platforms provide plug and play solutions for OEMs, enabling them to select the right hydraulic control valves for a specific machine application.
April 26, 2021
R. G. LeTourneau
The Great Innovator R. G. LeTourneau
Robert Gilmore LeTourneau had an unequalled impact on the earthmoving equipment industry, holding nearly 300 patents in equipment design and manufacturing processes.
April 12, 2021
Operator aerobics! A Smith & Sons Royal riding wheeled scraper gave a man a workout, leaning forward and back on the platform to operate the scraper while keeping the team under control. This is his position during dumping.
The First Wheeled Scrapers
The wheeled scraper became a matter of necessity for the construction industry due to the need for improved earthmoving capabilities.
December 22, 2020
Etching of a mouldebart, the earliest known scraper.
The First Scrapers
The scraper was invented as a manually-assisted self-loading and self-dumping device for increased earthmoving efficiency.
October 23, 2020
To understand future charging needs and initiatives, it’s important to first assess the current infrastructure of a fleet.
The Process for Implementing Electric Work Trucks: Charging Infrastructure
Selecting the proper charging infrastructure ensures productivity and efficiency of electric work trucks.
October 9, 2020
Multigrade hydraulic fluids can be a full temperature range solution, optimizing the system and reducing the need for unnecessary oil changes.
Efficiency: How Can a Hydraulic Fluid Help?
Operating temperature can impact the efficiency of hydraulic fluids, making it critical to select the right one for a given application.
October 2, 2020
Rexroth Terry Hershberger (1)
The Role of Data Must be Purposeful
Useful data enables better understanding of machine performance and the eventual normalization of machine connectivity.
October 1, 2020
A closer look at an early Deere 570 with articulated frame.
The First Articulated Motor Grader
Adding an articulated frame to motor graders helped to improve maneuverability in confined spaces and reduce rework.
August 28, 2020
The Austin-Western 99 series was the first motor grader with all-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, crab steering and fully hydraulic blade control.
The Austin-Western 99 Motor Grader
Improved steering capabilities and hydraulic blade control helped to advance motor grader designs.
July 31, 2020
Being the world’s first integral motor grader, the Auto Patrol was marketed heavily to states for road maintenance. This image from a 1932 Caterpillar advertisement shows one at work behind the Arkansas State Capitol.
The First Modern Motor Grader
The Auto Patrol contained many of the features which are standard in today's motor grader designs.
June 15, 2020
A 1-yd. Slackline Dragline bucket brings in a load of wet gravel.
The Slackline Dragline and Tower Machine
Excavation of materials in below-grade situations which were impractical for standard machines brought about development of the Slackline Cableway Excavator.
April 3, 2020
The Russell Motor Hi-Way Patrol, first developed in 1919, was the first known motor grader.
Early Motor Graders
The first motor grader prototypes drew the blade behind the power unit and were capable of reaching speeds up to 3 mph.
February 13, 2020
This rolling Swiss Army knife is the Western Wheeled Scraper Road Planer and Finisher. It combines a scarifier, wing blades to gather material to the crown, a trailing drag to finish the surface, and a drum roller.
Road Planers and Shapers
Towed road planers, shapers and finishers were originally used to grade surfaces before the advent of pull and motor graders.
January 13, 2020
Each time a piece of construction equipment is deployed to a new site, rental companies need to be certain the equipment is operated efficiently and safely, and that it is secure from theft or vandalism when not in operation.
EAS and Ergonomics: Advances in Rental Construction Equipment Systems
Operator comfort and equipment access are important factors for OEMs to consider when selecting hardware for rental equipment.
January 10, 2020