| February 2014 | Past Issues/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Advertise |
UPCOMING EVENTS
VENDOR NEWS
 Bobcat Company has released its first Tier 4 loaders — including a non-diesel particulate filter (DPF) engine solution. The seven medium-sized machines make up the most popular size class in the Bobcat® loader family and provide operators with all of the same performance benefits of the previous interim Tier 4 models. The Tier 4 Bobcat non-DPF solution was achieved by designing an ultra-low particulate combustion (ULPC) engine. The ULPC is accomplished through a specially designed engine combustion chamber that significantly reduces the amounts of particulate matter created during combustion. Therefore, Tier 4 emissions compliance can be achieved without using a DPF.
Learn More...  According to a February 14th company press release, loading and unloading light equipment could not be easier with Billy Goat's new utility trailer. The bed of the trailer lowers flush to the ground by removing a lock-down pin and raising a single lever and equipment is conveniently rolled on or off the deck— no ramp is required! The deck is returned to transport position by returning the handle. Unlike other trailers, Billy Goat’s design allows for ample hand clearance for this maneuver.
Learn More...  Genie unveiled a new 69 inch bi-energy (BE) hybrid rough terrain, electric scissor lift series at the Rental Show in Orlando on February 10. The next evolution of current Genie® 69 in RT and DC scissor lift series, the new Genie BE69 models offer exceptional jobsite versatility. They are the first rough terrain, high performance electric scissor lifts with an onboard integrated generator to charge the batteries and supply power to the platform and chassis. The new Genie® GS™-2669, GS-3369 and GS-4069 BE hybrid scissor lifts will be available in early second quarter in all global markets.
Learn More...  According to a recent company press release, the next generation of Hilti TE 70 Combihammers unleashes incredible power and speed while maintaining maximum protection and comfort. With a powerful 1800-watt motor, the TE 70 delivers impressive power for fast drilling in various applications, including drilling in concrete, stone and masonry with TE-YX (SDS Max) bits; drilling holes for rebar dowels and anchor bolts; through-hole drilling and coring for mechanical and electrical applications, as well as chiseling and demolition of concrete and masonry.
Learn More...  A recent company press release announced that Vermeer has added more power to its RTX line of rubber-track trenchers with the addition of the RTX450. With a 49-horsepower (36.5 kW) Tier 4 Final engine, this trencher can handle open cut installations in tough ground conditions and the small spaces. The RTX450 is best suited for urban utility work such as electric, fiber, natural gas or water installations. "Contractors need equipment that can install utility services more productively in confined areas and with minimal turf disturbance," said Jon Kuyers, Vermeer underground global product manager. "The light footprint and maneuverability of the RTX450 allows it to access and install utilities where other machines are too large."
Learn More...  Multiquip introduced new compaction equipment, the GB4000 balloon light and a new green concrete saw at the 2014 Rental Show in Orlando. DCA generators and construction equipment were displayed as well.
Learn More...  Doosan Portable Power donated a Doosan vibratory plate compactor and upright rammer to the 2014 American Rental Association (ARA) Foundation Charity Auction. The auction was held February 11 in conjunction with The Rental Show 2014 in Orlando. The Doosan BX-60WH vibratory plate compactor provides contractors with operator-friendly features that make for more efficient, convenient operation. Key features include a compact vibratory plate design that offers great maneuverability on the jobsite and compaction in confined areas, and fold-over handles that provide ease of storage. The compactor also has the highest centrifugal force in the industry, and the only handle-mounted ratcheting throttle designed for improved control around job-site obstacles.
Learn More... BUSINESS NEWS
The February 7th CalChamber Alert Newsletter reported that a California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that reduces and stifles innovation, making it more difficult to purchase digital goods and services online, leading to endless litigation, and hampering efforts to reduce fraud and identity theft, passed the Senate last week. SB 383 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) imposes enormous burdens on online retailers of digital products because it would require companies to bifurcate their digital product offerings into two categories depending on the amount of information shared by the consumer.
Learn More... The CalChamber works to improve the jobs and business climate in California, targeting key state and federal policies that will achieve this goal. An easy-to-reference California Chamber of Commerce publication is available that contains background information compiled by CalChamber policy advocates on issues the CalChamber has identified as critical to economic recovery and job creation. The 2014 edition highlights "Solutions for a Strong California," policy principles that can ensure the California economic recovery continues. Click on "Learn More" for more information about this 170-page guide.
Learn More... Gino DiCaro, Vice President of Communications for the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, addressed the issue of California's lack of manufacturing employment growth in a February 13th article on foxandhoundsdaily.com. He stated that although California’s economy is improving, with its unemployment rate down two percentage points over the last year and with state revenue growth (for the first time in a while) allowing the Governor to project a small surplus in 2013, the state still has far too many workers either unemployed or underemployed. DiCaro's opinion is that California's underemployment rate of 18.3 percent is due in part to the fact that the state continues to lag behind the country in manufacturing employment growth and in the manufacturing investment trend. In the first three quarters of 2013, California was last among all states in per capita manufacturing investments at 1.17 new or expanded facilities per one million people. Even worse, the state only reeled in 1.97 percent of the nation’s expansions and new sites.
Learn More... In the February Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that the discount of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to North Sea Brent crude oil, which averaged $11 per barrel (bbl) in 2013, will average $11/bbl and continue at the same level in 2014 and 2015. This discount reflects the economics of transporting and processing the growing production of light sweet crude oil in U.S. and Canadian refineries. The WTI–Brent spread previously represented the cost of moving crude oil on marginal modes of transportation such as railroad and truck from the bottleneck at the Cushing, Oklahoma, hub. However, with adequate pipeline capacity to move crude from Cushing and growing tight oil plays to the Gulf Coast, Gulf Coast refiners have completely backed out of imports of light sweet crude. As a result, lower crude prices, previously limited to the Midcontinent, have moved to the Gulf Coast.
Learn More... Alan M. Schwartz, President of Asset Management Solutions, reports on funding for the arts and arts education in California on foxandhoundsdaily.com. He noted that "creativity is California’s not-so-secret weapon... the Golden State’s economy has made a big comeback from the depths of the worst recession since the Great Depression. Employment has rebounded, the State’s fiscal picture has brightened and entrepreneurship is thriving. Creativity and innovation have been the driving forces behind much of this newly regained economic vitality. The folks in Sacramento would do well to remember this as they sort out the State’s budget priorities." Schwartz applied this concept of creativity to the funding for the arts and arts education: "These programs are often the first to be cut and the last to be restored. Too often in the political arena, arts and culture are looked at as luxuries and of interest only to elites. Nothing could be more wrong-headed."
Learn More... CARB
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced recently that Husqvarna Professional Products has agreed to a fine of $1,038,000 for violations of air quality laws related to the sale of uncertified small off-road engines in California. An ARB investigation discovered that over a period of three model years, spanning from 2011 to 2013, Husqvarna Professional Products staff failed to obtain certification for nine different small off-road engine families prior to their sale in California. These engines powered thousands of hand-held consumer power products such as line trimmers, leaf blowers and chain saws.
Learn More... The regulation requires diesel trucks and buses that operate in California to be upgraded to reduce emissions. Heavier trucks must be retrofitted with particulate matter (PM) filters beginning January 1, 2012, and older trucks must be replaced starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent.
What's New: Updated Online Reporting Guide (January 17, 2014) The Online Reporting Guide has been updated to include instructions on how to opt-in into the Agricultural and Low-Mileage Construction truck extension for the first time. Advisory on Good Faith Efforts and Expected Regulatory Changes (Nov. 13, 2013) Mail-Out 13-28 explains how ARB will recognize specific good faith efforts that owners have made to comply with the January 1, 2014 deadline and how owners can report and take advantage of planned regulatory changes that would increase low-use thresholds, allow owners to opt-in to a number of flexibility provisions, amend the "NOx exempt" vehicle provisions, and grant additional time to comply with the PM filter requirements for vehicles operated in certain areas. Learn More... The ARB's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program were adopted into law in 1988 to control excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. The regulations Title 13 CCR, sections 2180-2189 for HDVIP and Title 13 CCR, sections 2190-2194 for PSIP, which govern these programs, were last amended in 2013.
The HDVIP program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering and for engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Tests are performed by ARB inspection teams at border crossings, CHP weigh stations, fleet facilities and randomly selected roadside locations. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation. Who Needs to Report for 2014? Compliance requirements are currently in effect for heavier vehicles with a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs. with engine years 1996 or newer. To assist vehicle owners with the transition to the upcoming January 1, 2014, particulate matter (PM) filter compliance deadline, the Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) is taking specific actions to provide additional time for owners to complete their good-faith compliance efforts and to take advantage of additional flexibility for many lower-use vehicles and vehicles that operate solely in certain areas of the state as explained in the regulatory advisory MSC 13-28. Owners will have the opportunity to use the following options under certain conditions but must report by January 31, 2014. Learn More... All diesel-fueled trucks, buses, trailers and transportation refrigeration units operating in California, including those based out of state, have requirements to reduce air pollution and improve the state's overall air quality.
See the new 2014 Reporting Guide! The Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance, and Reporting System (TRUCRS) and the Online Reporting Guide were recently updated. Also, see more information for: Course #521: How to Comply with the Truck and Bus Regulation . Advisory on Good Faith efforts to Comply and Expected Regulatory Changes Scheduled Upcoming Workshops Provisions that may give you greater compliance flexibility have recently been re-opened. Opt-in now! Question of the Month This Month's Most Frequent Question! -- What if I am unable to install the PM filter by the Jan 1, 2014 deadline? What other provisions are open to me? Learn More... Owners or Operators of portable engines and certain other types of equipment can register their units under the Air Resources Board's (ARB) Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) in order to operate their equipment throughout California without having to obtain individual permits from local air districts.
Portable Diesel Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure On January 1, 2013, the Portable Engine Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) fleet emission standards went into effect. The ATCM required owners of portable engines to submit a Fleet Compliance Report to the Air Resources Board by March 1, 2013. The next Fleet Compliance Report will be due March 1, 2017. Changes to Fleets The ATCM also requires owners to ensure the average PM emission level for their fleet does not fall out of compliance due to changes in the fleet. Owners of portable diesel engine fleets who are adding or removing engines are strongly encouraged to re-calculate their fleet average. Other changes, such as modifying a registration to be low-use or emergency only-use can also affect the fleet emissions average. We recommended that once you have completed the calculator save it and update it any time your portable fleet changes. Diesel engine owners submitting applications for PERP registration for the first time must include a Fleet Compliance Report. This includes transfer of existing registrations for engines you have purchased. Critical Engine Requirements: June 30, 2014: This is the last day ARB will accept initial registration applications for Interim Tier 4 engines rated from 175 bhp to 750 bhp. Effective July 1, 2014: For initial registration into PERP, all diesel engines must meet the following certification tier levels: 50 to 74 bhp - Final Tier 4 75 to 174 bhp - Interim Tier 4 175 to 750 bhp - Final Tier 4 Over 750 bhp - Interim Tier 4 Or, for all power categories - Flex engines certified under the flexibility provisions of Federal 40 CFR 1039.625, or CFR 89.102, or California Code of Regulations section 2423 (d). Learn More... On July 26, 2007, the Air Resources Board (ARB) adopted a regulation to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from in-use (existing) off-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles in California. For more information, please call the diesel vehicle information hotline at (866) 6-DIESEL or (866) 634-3735.
What's New?: Posted September 13, 2013 U.S. EPA Authorization Granted: ARB has received authorization from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to enforce the In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation, including the regulation’s performance requirements, such as turnover requirements and restrictions on adding older, dirtier Tier 0 and 1 vehicles. Enforcement of the restrictions on adding Tier 0 and 1 vehicles will begin January 1, 2014. Enforcement of the first fleet average requirements for large fleets (> 5,000 total fleet horsepower) will begin on July 1, 2014. Regulatory Advisory 13-25 discusses further how ARB staff will proceed with the enforcement of the regulation. Learn More... This area of the Off-Road Mobile Sources website pertains to off-road large spark-ignition (LSI) equipment greater than 25 horsepower, including farm, construction, and industrial equipment, powered by gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other alternate fuels. Typical applications that use LSI engines include forklifts, specialty vehicles, airport service vehicles, large turf care equipment, portable generators, and a wide array of other agricultural, construction, and general industrial equipment. The U.S. EPA has sole authority to control new farm and construction equipment under 175 horsepower.
Learn More... The small off-road engine (SORE) category consists of off-road spark-ignition engines below 25 horsepower, including small utility equipment, lawn mowers and weed trimmers. This category does not include compression-ignition engines, watercraft or recreational vehicles. ARB has a page on its website that includes general information regarding small off-road engines and ARB's SORE program. Click on "Learn More" to access this page.
Learn More... The Truck and Bus Regulation will reduce diesel exhaust emissions from privately owned and federal government diesel trucks and buses. Privately and publicly owned school buses have different requirements and do not need to be reported. This CARB site has the Truck Regulations Upload and Compliance Reporting System (TRUCRS) and was last reviewed July 25, 2013.
Learn More... In December 2011 major amendments to the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation, which include delaying the first compliance date to no earlier than January 1, 2014, became effective. The changes to the regulation are reflected in the fact sheets, advisories and answers to frequently asked questions available on the Knowledge Center for the Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation Web page.
Learn More...  Driving Toward a Cleaner California (DTCC) is a coalition of owner-operators, farmers, construction contractors and other business and community leaders committed to working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to craft a sensible truck and bus replacement rule that both cleans the air and keeps California's economy moving forward. However, we have to apologize, that with a high volume of news, we have been overwhelmed with keeping up with the latest industry news. Our staff will be working on getting you the latest updates. In the meantime, you may also visit our sister affiliate site for the latest news from CARB, AB32, and any related news to the industry. Click on "Learn More" to access this site.
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