Archive for August, 2008
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
A commercial dump truck rammed into a bus in Chinatown on Monday morning, sending it onto the sidewalk and crashing into the front of a bank, killing a 57-year-old woman and injuring four others, including two police officers, officials said.
The fatally injured woman, who authorities said was struck by debris that fell from a sign as she was trying to cross the street, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was later identified as Lai Ho, of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The authorities said she might have died of a heart attack after being hit by the debris.
Three people who were inside the bus — a driver and two passengers — were taken to Bellevue Hospital Center. A fourth person inside the bus was taken to New York Downtown Hospital in stable condition.
The driver of the dump truck was reported to be in critical, but stable, condition. The driver — identified as Alejandro Fallo, 54 — was conscious and passed a Breathalyzer test administered at the scene, the authorities said.
“The only thing I can tell you is that it was a used dump truck coming over the Manhattan Bridge, that somehow went out of control and struck a bus,” Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said this morning, who was speaking at a news conference at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, before a ceremony for police recruits. “The bus then struck a lamp post and a fire hydrant, and went into a bank. A woman that was struck is in very serious condition. I’m not certain if it’s a fatality. A police car — a CRV van — was also struck. Two of our officers were injured as well.”
The van, known as a critical response vehicle or CRV, was on routine patrol as part of the Police Department’s counterterrorism initiatives, the authorities said. The two officers in the van were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The dump truck was operated of CPQ Freight System, based in East Rutherford, N.J., traveled from the Manhattan Bridge, clipped three vans as it went along, then — at the northeast corner of Bowery and Canal — crashed into a Fung Wah bus parked in front of 147 Canal Street. The bus, part of a company that operates intercity bus lines, had its cargo doors open. Passengers were waiting outside to board the bus.
The force of the collision spun the front of the bus toward the right and into a storefront at 77 Bowery, where the United Commercial Bank is located. Several attempts to reach the bank’s representatives by phone were unsuccessful. The rear of the bus swung into the Bowery. A lamp post was also knocked down.
Jimmy Zocco, a painter who was sitting in a van when the accident, said: “A dump truck came flying off the bridge. He hit the back of the bus and dragged it into the street.” He said of the 20 or so people waiting to board the bus: “They scattered. They ran. They saw it coming.” The dump truck also knocked over a fire hydrant.
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Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Whether you are looking for a new or used RV for your traveling experience, you will find everything you need from a trusted and caring dealer. They will supply you with all necessary information about the different makes and models, and any available accessory packages. Traveling is fun and you should be assured that the RV that you will spend your time in is 100% compatible with your needs.
An RV allows for traveling, sightseeing and some terrific adventures. Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy their experience of a lifetime. This is where a used RV comes into play; choose an RV that fits your budget, and add accessories for your comfort. A used RV can be just as nice as a new one, and provides you with many of the same amenities.
Used RV’s typically come with a warranty and are inspected and prepped to provide the same performance as a new one. The difference is the price. The savings you realize on a used recreational vehicle will enable you to buy an RV and travel anywhere you desire with confidence and extra cash. A road trip is a great experience, and dealers realize that making you happy and comfortable with the RV provides you both with satisfaction.
RV dealers provide information that can help you with specific concerns and questions. They answer your questions in a way that helps you understand every feature or specification about the vehicle. Buying a used RV is just as easy as anything else you have ever purchased.
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Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
The Jaguar XK120 LT2, also known as the Silverstone, was the factory works lightweight version of the XK 120 constructed with a one-piece magnesium body. A few lightweight Jaguar XK120s were constructed; around 240 or 242 examples were built with alloy bodies, and were intended for competition. There were two examples of the LT2 constructed; they were intended for competition at the 1951 LeMans 24 Hours race in the event that the XK120C was not ready in time for competition. The C-Types were ready and time and went on to win the race. The Jaguar XK120 LT2 2-seater racer is a perfect example.
The Jaguar XK120 was designed to be a prestigious vehicle and produced in low numbers. The designation ‘120′ represented the vehicles top speed of 120 miles-per-hour. At the time, it was the fastest production car in the world. The British automotive industry was greatly influenced by World War II. Many manufacturers went out of business due to the lack of funds, fuel and supply shortages, or their factories had been destroyed during the war. In order to stay in business, a solid production line was required that could compete with its class of vehicles. William Lyons, owner of Jaguar, did so by creating a new class - one that was faster, more reliable, stylish, and cheaper than any other vehicle on the market.
To gain industry recognition, Lyons knew that he needed a show car that was revolutionary and bold. Lyons handled the styling while his chief engineer, William Heynes, was tasked with designing the mechanical components. When the vehicle was displayed at Earls Court, the reaction was overwhelming. Originally, Lyons planned to make between 100 and 200 examples. After the public reaction to the car and to keep up with demand, he decided to change the body from hand-formed aluminum to all-steel construction. The body of the car was reminiscent to the ‘French Curves’ produced by manufacturers such as Bugatti and Delahaye of the early 1930’s and 1940’s. They were created in three different body styles, roadster, fixed head, and drop head (convertible).
The vehicle was designed as a touring car. However, many of the vehicles were raced. Their main weaknesses were their drum brakes which wore quickly, and their steering which was heavy and less responsive when compared to other purpose-built racing vehicles. In 1951, Jaguar entered the grueling 24-hour of Le Mans endurance race. Three XK120C, the ‘C’ representing ‘competition’, were entered. One of the three entrants won the event. In 1952, an XK120 was driven continuously for seven days and nights around a track located in Montlhery, France. After more than 16,000 miles in one week, the vehicle once again proved its endurance capabilities.
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Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
Everyone has heard of the housing construction implosion. It has caught up with the machinery market, and one of the first victims has been mini excavators. For the first time in more than 10 years, sales of mini excavators are going down.
Years ago, I can remember when the Japanese would……ask me when we were going to see mini-excavator demand reach levels commensurate with the size of the North American machinery market. In those days, sales of mini excavators were less than a few thousand units annually and it looked like the machines would never catch on.
Then in the mid-1990s, things changed. Maybe it was the rental equipment industry that kick-started the trend or perhaps just good old persistence, but sales of mini excavators started growing. They broke the 3500-unit level for the first time in 1997, hit 9700 units in 2000 and finally peaked last year in excess of 29,000 units. In 10 years, demand jumped over 700% and the Japanese suppliers were all smiles.
Unfortunately, what goes up can come down and this year, for the first time in many, we are experiencing a slowing in sales of construction machinery, particularly machines typically used in housing construction. If housing contractors use the machine, demand for that product is down this year. Dealers and rental houses are also seeing the slowdown and know it won’t change soon.
There is some good news about mini excavators, however. They are used in a slew of different applications, which makes them useful to more than just housing contractors. The heavy machines are being used in landscaping, commercial building construction, demolition and recycling, industrial applications, municipal, county and state government yards, highway construction, and on and on. The mini excavator has become a universal work tool for many, most definitely by contractors needing to work in confined spaces.
For years, Bobcat has been the domestic leader in mini-excavator sales. The company took its successful recipe for producing and selling skid-steer loaders and used it again with mini excavators, and it worked. Not only did Bobcat do well in the U.S. and Canada, but it has sold mini excavators in Europe very successfully just as it has done with skid-steer loaders. Last year, however, was the first time that Bobcat was overtaken in the mini excavator race. Kubota, of compact tractor fame, nudged past Bobcat as the leader in the business.
Of all the companies at the top end of the business, most are of Japanese origin with the exception of Bobcat, Caterpillar and John Deere. Caterpillar, however, has most of its mini excavator product line manufactured in Japan, while John Deere’s backhoe loaders are made by Hitachi in Japan and Bobcat sources its smallest model from a supplier in Japan. Last year, over 75% of all mini excavators sold in North America were produced in Japan.
The only volume manufacturer making the machines in North America is Bobcat, although in recent years, a small supplier named Boxer Equipment, owned by Compact Power Inc., has produced a few handfuls of machines (one model) that fall into the mini excavator product category.
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
Dump trucks for sale
A dump truck is the type of truck that is used for the transportation of loose materials like dirt, gravel, sand etc that are used in the construction process. We often use to see various types of trucks that bring different types of construction material when the house is being renovated, constructed etc. All these trucks constitute the dump trucks. There are various types of dump trucks that are found in the market. These are standard, super dump, transfer, articulated, semi trailer, side dump trucks etc.
THE DUMP TRUCK SALE
Various types of construction companies as well as other persons like contractors etc use to buy the dump trucks at regular intervals. All this is done to carry out the construction process in an efficient manner. When these contractors etc have to buy a dump truck, they have to visit some truck dealer etc that provide the dump trucks. Apart from the above, there are many other sources of buying the used dump trucks. For example, there are many web sites pertaining to the various types of truck companies etc that allow a person to buy dump trucks. Also, a person finds many web sites that allow a person to buy dump trucks through them. When a person buys dump trucks through these sites, there are many types of discounts, offers etc that are provided to a person.
Apart from the new dump trucks, a person can also get the used dump trucks that are available for sale. There are many individuals, companies, dealers, and fleet owners etc that use to sell the used dump trucks for many reasons. These normally sell the trucks by means of their contacts but many times, these hire various marketing and other agencies to sell the dump trucks. Even many of fleet owners etc prefer to sell their dump trucks by way of various web sites that provide such services. All the above type of transactions constitutes the sale of dump trucks.
SOME ASPECTS OF DUMP TRUCK SALE
There are some aspects related to dump truck sale that have to be understood before a person goes for making a transaction related to the dump trucks. Most of the sellers of the dump trucks especially the web sites have the image of the truck displayed on Internet. It allows a person to have an idea about the used dump truck. In case of new dump truck, the image is also followed. In most of the cases, the price for which the truck is available is also provided there. This allows a person to make an estimation whether he would be able to purchase the truck or not. Since the trucks are used in the construction process, it is very necessary that all the functions related to different types of operations are fully working. It has been many a times pertaining to the sale of used dump trucks that some functions are not operating and the seller of course apprises that person about these.
Such aspects must be related while calculating the cost of the dump truck. As far as the sale of new dump trucks is concerned, there are many benefits that are various types of dump truck manufacturing companies are providing. These are various types of accessories that are provided absolutely free to a person and the insurance, which some times are offered as discount etc. Thus, a person should take care of such aspects while going for the purchase of new dump trucks. It has also been observed in case of used dump trucks that the trucks bought from the various rental truck companies that offer dump trucks for hire are not in good condition. A person must remember in such cases that dump trucks in such cases need immediate overhauling and there may be good expenses that have to be made towards the repair of such trucks. As far as buying the dump trucks from the various web sites are concerned, it must be remembered that many times, such web sites are not updated.
This may provide some misleading information to a person or a person may get interested in buying the dump truck, which is not available for sale at all as it might be already sold. So, current listings may also mislead some times, though chances are always very few. One of the most important aspects is the price of the dump trucks that a person is required to pay. The price of the truck mentioned may not be realistic and the dump truck might not be worth it. In such cases, a person must try to find some other dump truck available for sale. Many times, where the owner himself, by way of negotiation, sells the truck a person is able to get the price of the truck reduced to a good level. So this practice may be resorted to. In case of articulated dump trucks and heavy dump trucks, proper inspection of the trucks should be done from a specialist as the repairs of these trucks attract a heavy amount. Many websites also provide classified advertisements regarding the buying as well as selling of dump trucks. It is easier to find a dump truck of a particular make and price. Such sources should be resorted to.
There are also many web sites or companies that acquire dump trucks from different countries in order to sell them. Such sources of course provide an opportunity to a person to get better dump trucks. The only requirement in such cases is that it should be ensured that the spares and services are free available.
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
A heavy equipment operator works with heavy machinery like front-end loaders, cranes, compact equipment, backhoes, excavators, track hoes, bulldozers, forklifts, graders, powered shovels, sweepers, graders, rollers, trenchers, power shovels, solid waste collection vehicle and similar equipment.
There are excellent job opportunities in this field, since the need for such workers is going to increase because despite certain mitigating factors, like improving technology, which would reduce the need for manpower, there would still be a demand-supply gap on account of the increasing population and business growth. Infrastructure needs are expected to increase at a rapid pace. This will require roads, schools, hospitals and offices to be constructed. In order to cater to this growth, more and more equipment will be required, needing the services of specially trained operators. According to the current trend, this demand is going to grow rapidly and the many skilled people in this field will either retire or leave the field in favor of other occupations.
Most heavy equipment operators are engaged in the construction industry. The construction of railroads, bridges, buildings and highways requires heavy construction equipment. Along with the need for personnel in the private industries, there are employment opportunities in the state and local governments also.
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
ATV wheels have the same characteristic: defined threads, durable tear and snag resistant tire material and large balloon like construction.
Definitely the most ingenious aspect of ATV is in its wheels, no arguments. ATVs defining factor is the ATV wheels, making it possible for ATVs to travel and work even in the absence of roads.
When necessity initiated the ATVs invention in Japan, ATV wheels were the deciding factor in its success. Osamu Takeuchi led the development team that was assigned by Honda Research & Development to develop a vehicle suited for winter travel. The outcome was the development team spawning a prototype vehicle with six wheels. But still the invention didnt have the cutting edge technology that will enable it to meet the demand.
Race Tires
Usually developed to create greater traction on different conditions, this wheel type has defined knobs and threads. Also, some of these tires are flatter to afford ample hold on the terrain.
Trail Tires
Trail tires are created to be more durable to defend against punctures against sharp objects such as rocks or wood splinters. Some of these tires are large, balloon-like construction to afford flotation in soggy terrain and mud.
Sand Tires
These tires are also called Paddle Tires since the threads do exactly just that - to paddle. These tires are usually made balloon-like, with few but enormously large threads.
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
The Ferrari was founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari and first produced cars in 1947. Today, the parent company for Ferrari is Fiat. The Ferraris engines are famous for their engine displacement technology. The V6 and the V8 are built in total displacement, while the V12 used a displacement of one cylinder. Some of the latest Ferrari cars include the Ferrari 550, the 575 M Maranello, 599 GTB Fiorano, the 612 Scaglietti,, the F355, the Ferrari 360, the F430, the Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari FXX.
The 599 GTB Fiorano was started to be produced in 2007, and it is a Gran Turismo two seat berlinetta with a FR layout. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a follower of the Ferrari 456 and it is a coupe Gran Turismo. It was first launched in 2004 and is still being manufactured.
The Enzo Ferrari is a super car/ ultra car manufactured between 2002 and 2004 and was launched in the memory of the founder of the Ferrari company. The Enzo was manufactured in only 400 copies so it was a highly expensive item. It had a Berlinetta body style and a MR layout. The follower model of the Enzo Ferrari was the FXX, which is also a super car.
The FXX was released in 2005, and is said to be an improved Enzo Ferrari with the same MR layout and Berlinetta body style. The FXX keeps many of the Enzo’s features but has also new cool features that are singular to the FXX. The car is highly expensive and it may be driven on special tracks only. The last FXX, the 30th was given to Michael Schumacher. A similar super car is the Maserati MC12 Corsa.
Another car also launched in 2004 is the Ferrari F430. It is a sports car and it is available as a two seat Berlinetta and as a two seat Spider. The F430 has a MR layout and can be purchased with a 6 manual or semi automatic speed.Ferrari si also responsilble for some concept models, which include among others the Ferrari P5, the Ferrari Pininfarina 512S Berlinetta Speciale, the Pininfarina Modulo, the Ferrari Mythos, the Ferrari GG50, the Ferrari P4/5 and the Ferrari Zagato 575 GTZ.
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Monday, August 4th, 2008
Sometime during the night of September 29, 1913, Rudolph Diesel, 55 years old, roughly 10 million marks in debt, and racked by debilitating headaches, disappeared from the liner Dresden as it crossed the English Channel. In Diesel’s cabin was found his inventor’s notebook. Under the date of his disappearance, there was nothing but a small cross, marked in Diesel’s hand; 11 days later a passing ship found his floating body. At that point, there’d been little progress in commercializing the Paris-born Bavarian’s highly efficient engine. And its future seemed to go over the rail along with its creator.
Had Rudolph Diesel, at that railing, clairvoyantly seen, say, 91 years into the future, he might not have made that fatal leap into the sea. For he would’ve witnessed us whistling up and down the steep incline called the Grapevine, north of the Los Angeles basin, in a trio of turbodiesel trucks towing an 8500-pound boat and trailer rig like it was a Zodiac inflatable. There we were, the toast of the truck lane. The dandies of dieselland.
None of this is to say these behemoths make quite the same sense uncoupled from this profound payload. Trailerless, the Cummins-engined Dodge Ram 2500 4×4 Quad Cab SLT, the Duramax-equipped GMC Sierra 2500 HD 4WD Crew Cab, and the Power Stroke-propelled Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4×4 (this one in spectacular Harley-Davidson orange, black, and chromes, no less) are awkwardly incomplete arguments. Uncoupled, they’re inexplicably huge. They’re insanely noisy. On irregular concrete, they can erupt into fits of bull-ride shuddering that would throw you into the back seat were you not buckled in. And for your trouble, diesel refueling stations have an uncanny knack for vaporizing exactly when you need them (”please, please, let there be a fourth number on that gas station’s price board…”).
However, with your speedboat looming in the side mirrors and a steep grade facing you in the windshield, everything snaps into logical sense. Instantly, the size is right, the roar is reassuring, the ride settles into a fluid lope. What perfect tools these three are for the megatowing job at hand. And 500-plus pound-feet of diesel torque doesn’t seem the least bit excessive. In 1892, Rudolph Diesel was awarded a patent for finding a way to exploit the theoretical benefits of a high compression ratio; 112 years later, we decided it was time to explore its real-world value in our own high-compression comparison and towing matchup.
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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
Just say the words “electric scooter” and depending on your age, a definite image comes to mind. This no doubt is due to the many different types of electric scooters available in the market today.
The fist type of electrically powered scooter is the street version of a powered skateboard. These were a metal platform with a folding handle and two inline skate wheels. These scooters were all the rage just a few years ago and as the craze started slowing down, the scooter makers redefined the toy into a transportation vehicle. Some designs even look like a mini-bike in style. These electric scooters are marketed to the affluent teen as a unique and fun way to get around. They’re available both with electric and a small gasoline driven motor. Check with local authorities regarding the use of these little mini bike scooters. Some are not allowed on the road and cannot legally be ridden on the sidewalk making them less than attractive as a transportation device.
The next type of electric scooter is designed as a get around town mini motorcycle - moped. These units are marketed to 20 somethings and anyone else who needs to make quick short trips and don’t want the worry or hassle of driving a car. These are perfect for city travel where grid-lock is common. Although not a full sized motorcycle, many or these units will hold 2 people and have accessories like saddle bags to carry groceries and other purchases.
This little units have a long battery life and can get to speeds up to about 30 miles per hour with good acceleration. Depending on the number of starts and stops, these electric mopeds can go about 30 miles before needed recharging. This is usually more than enough to get back and forth to the store several times without a problem. Although most are considered street legal, check to make certain any electric scooter you purchase of this type has been approved by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and if in Europe, the European Union Transportation Agency.
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