Ring Power Corporation News

You put your multi-terrain loader through a workout every day. This takes a toll on your undercarriage. How much wear and how quickly wearing of the undercarriage occurs can be somewhat controlled by making just a few adjustments whenever possible. The first step is to understand what affects undercarriage wear.

Factors Affecting Undercarriage Wear

• Application Tough applications, like heavy digging and dozing, require high levels of torque and horsepower, pushing equipment to its fullest and will cause maximum wear to the undercarriage components.
  
• Material  Material has as much or more impact on the service life of undercarriage components than some applications.
  
• Terrain Sharp turns on slopes cause unnecessary wear on track lugs and can shove material between the track and roller wheels. In some cases, this could lead to track derailment and track damage.
  
• Operating and Turning Technique Counter-rotating may cause unnecessary wear of tracks and undercarriage components and quickly wears out tires.
  
• Working over Transitions Without the full support of the ground, the track and the roller wheels are subjected to side stress that can cause the wheels to ride up and over the drive lugs.

Simple preventive maintenance procedures will maximize service life and the value of the undercarriage components. For information on how to preserve the life of your undercarriage, contact your Ring Power product support sales representative.

Biogas conversion systems reduce emissions and generate additional electric and thermal power

Stellar, a Jacksonville-based design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm, is now developing modular renewable energy systems that will convert waste to energy. Stellar, which is consistently ranked by Engineering News-Record magazine as one of the nation’s leading green designers and contractors, will construct the systems at its prefabrication facility in Jacksonville.

The new systems will serve clients in a range of industries, including waste management and wastewater treatment; food and beverage processing; agricultural (dairy, meat, poultry and crop farms); petrochemical, bio-fuel refining, coal mining; and pharmaceutical and bioscience. These industries produce organic waste such as sludge from wastewater treatment plants, animal waste from meat processing facilities, manure and silage from agricultural sites, and food waste from food processing plants. Instead of traditional waste management and disposal methods, the new systems enable this waste to be converted into energy.

For example, landfill sites generate biogases (mostly consisting of methane) as the waste buried in them undergoes the natural process of anaerobic digestion, or the breakdown of organic material in the absence of oxygen. If this gas is not harvested (through a renewable energy system such as Stellar’s), it escapes into the atmosphere and can be 20 times more potent and harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. Pending U.S. legislation (both federal and state) and international protocols, such as the Kyoto Protocol, will soon dictate more restrictive emission rates and expanded renewable energy requirements for manufacturers and other producers, who will see the financial impact of these climate change policies if they do not implement renewable solutions. These financial impacts include higher energy rates and waste disposal costs as well as growing consumer awareness of whether or not a company has “green” energy programs.

To transform waste into energy, the waste must be pre-treated, separated and stored in enclosed tanks (called anaerobic digesters) that decompose and break down organic matter by excluding oxygen (this process is called anaerobic digestion), thus producing a biogas. The biogas is then combusted (burned) in an engine to generate electricity, heating and cooling. The electricity produced through this process can be used by the producer (as well as the heating and cooling), sold to a nearby facility or redistributed to a nearby electrical grid. Stellar will work closely with customers to design, supply and install these biogas renewable energy systems.

“In addition to lowering overall energy costs and generating additional income through the sale of the excess electricity or thermal energy produced, these systems support sustainability initiatives, offer alternatives to waste reduction and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kurt Liebendorfer, Stellar senior vice president. “In addition, they offer an efficient and safe way to destroy pathogens and eliminate odors that can sometimes negatively affect a community.” 

The new biogas systems are modular – instead of building the systems on-site, they are constructed and engineered at Stellar’s 60,000-square-foot fabrication facility in Jacksonville, Fla., and then transported to the site. Modular products enable greater flexibility, consistent high-quality standards, compressed project schedules and long-term reliability. The modular systems will be pre-tested before arriving onsite, thus minimizing site impact during installation and commissioning. A shortened construction schedule enables opportunities for lower project cost. Stellar offers a range of modular products, including modular chiller plants, which are energy plants that provide cold water for air conditioning.

Stellar has assembled a comprehensive team to offer the biogas systems. Stellar will provide design, construction and project management services, self-performing all work in its fabrication shop for modules that contain control systems, cogeneration equipment, compressors, flares and electrical equipment. Stellar will rely on partners for specialized services: Ring Power Corporation, the authorized Caterpillar dealer for North and Central Florida, will serve as the key equipment supplier for the electric power generation, providing the gas engine generator set products, generator control and paralleling switchgear, 24-hour emergency repair and comprehensive preventative maintenance programs. And, Energenic (www.energenic-us.com) will provide third-party ownership and operations management, specialty metering and engineering services for feasibility analysis.

“By partnering with Stellar and Energenic to offer biogas systems, we’re able to provide a comprehensive service to customers,” said Keith Moore, Ring Power’s Assistant Vice President and Electric Power Sales Manager. “We worked closely with Stellar and Energenic to develop the biogas offering and ensure that we’re addressing all of a potential customer’s needs in one complete package.”

Phoenix Products, a division of Ring Power Corporation, announces the acquisition of the assets of the former Power Generation and Engineering, Inc. (PGEI) located in Oakdale, California.

Bruce Pierce, Phoenix Products manufacturing engineer, will transfer from the Phoenix division headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla. to manage the staff at the existing production facility located at 736 Wakefield Court in Oakdale, California. Phoenix Products will continue to provide the quality products and services that West Coast customers have come to expect, and will leverage the skills and capabilities of the former PGEI employees to ensure this goal.

“PGEI has been a supplier of high quality generator enclosures and fuel systems for many years,” said Robert Lytle, Phoenix Products assistant vice-president and general manager. “This acquisition provides us with an excellent base of operations from which to expand our product and service offerings to satisfy the requirements of West Coast providers and users of emergency power generating systems.”

Ring Power Corporation and the Phoenix Products division will work with all current West Coast customers to meet existing and ongoing project requirements in a timely, cost effective manner, with an eye to developing mutually beneficial business relationships for the future.

 Entertainment Services had the honor to provide power to the annual art installation, "Tribute in Light." Staged at the World Trade Center, the work is comprised of 88 searchlights that create two vertical columns of light to represent the two fallen towers.

Originally lit March 11, 2002—six months after the attack—the display ran until April 14 of that year. The project was launched again September 11, 2003 to mark the second anniversary of the attack, and has been done every year since. It stays lit from dusk to dawn and can be seen from over 60 miles away.

Michael Ahern Production Services (MAPS), a long-time client of ES Northeast Regional Manager Steve Jackson, had been using a competitor to power it up. When the competitor was bought out, MAPS turned to Entertainment Services for the solution.

On September 4, New Jersey Entertainment technicians Jason Kolterjahn and Dennis Crespo reported to Ground Zero in New York City to install the power units for the event. The setup included two 1250 kW generators, eight 300 kVA transformers, one 2400 amp standing section, 15,000 feet of 4/0 cable and an extensive rigging package to bring cables up to the top of parking structure.

Weiler E1250 Material Transfer Vehicle makes for smooth paving.

     Ring Power recently added three Weiler machines to its ever-expanding family of industry-leading products for customers in the specialized field of asphalt paving: the E1250 Material Transfer Vehicle and two Road Wideners, the W530 and the W730. Weiler, a division of Five Star Industries of Knoxville, Iowa, has a long history of manufacturing quality products for some of the most well respected companies in the U.S., including the former Barber-Green line of road wideners and windrow elevators.

E1250 Material Transfer Vehicle
The Weiler E1250 incorporates the latest technology to address a couple of common problems for paving contractors. Essentially, the wheeled conveyor system separates the haul truck from the asphalt paver to ensure smooth delivery while constantly blending the asphalt mix to reduce material and thermal segregation. This not only improves the smoothness and ride quality of the asphalt mat, but also increases the longevity and durability of the road surface.
    “We spent a considerable amount of time visiting some of Florida’s largest paving contractors to find out what their requirements were and listening to what they didn’t like, as well,” says Five Star Industries Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bill Hood. “We feel our E1250 really shines compared to the competition.”
    This attention to recommendations is first noticeable from sitting down at the controls. The operator’s station can be repositioned to either side of the machine and steering can be adjusted with a standard tilt wheel. Common functions are more conveniently located for ease of use and a manual push-button override allows the operator to run the elevator at maximum capacity without changing the preset running speed.
    The machine features a 250-h.p C7 Cat® Tier III engine, with 100-gallon hydraulic tank capacity. The four-wheel, two-speed, Caterpillar® planetary drive system maximizes pushing power while allowing for a tighter turning radius and lower center of gravity. The elevator is direct-driven with two high-torque, hydraulic motors; the conveyor is driven with one. There are no gearbox seals, bearings, or fluids required, thereby reducing the number of wear parts and increasing reliability.
    An optional, power-remix, transition hopper insert for the paver gives the operator more surge capacity. Twin interlaced augers remix and narrow the material entering the conveyor, and a drop-through cover forces all of the material to be mixed by the auger flight.
    The E1250 offers a great example of how a quality product can be created through a combination of reliable components and an ear to operator comments. In fact, Weiler has sought out the valuable input from end-users for their entire line of machines. The 730 Road Widener was the first product offered under the Weiler name; a model that, six months after introduction was given new options based upon operator feedback. At the same time as Weiler expanded the options of the 730, they also introduced the 530 road widener. The 530 is a smaller, more economical version of the 730, created in response to high percentage of widening jobs being six feet or less.

730 Road Widener
The larger of the two self-propelled road wideners, the W730 features a 174-h.p., Cat 3056E ATAAC engine, and is capable of widening from one to 12 feet with a working depth of 12 inches above and below grade. With the optional long conveyor and weight kit, it can widen roads up to 14 feet. The four-wheel, two-speed, two gearbox, hydraulic drive (with three steering modes) offers greater control. The rear-wheel steering axle has a manual override to allow for a fourth steering mode for minor corrections while operating. Other features include the remotely located oil cooler, standard oscillating push rollers, and optional cab to protect the operator from the elements.

530 Road Widener
Running on a Cat 4.4 Tier III engine, the 114-h.p.W530 is capable of widening roads from one to 10 feet with a working depth range from 12 inches above and below grade. This unit has many of the same features and components as its larger counterpart. It also has many optional features such as rear steering, work lights, 9 kW generator and a cab. Contact Ring Power for more information on the Weiler line of paving products. info@ringpower.com

ringpower.com 

Entertainment Services is committed to conducting business in an environmentally responsible and conscientious manner. We utilize renewable energy sources wherever and whenever practical to reduce our carbon footprint, and we engineer safety into all of our products to reduce the risk of injury or damage to the environment. Our generator set engines are emissions-certified and meet all EPA standards. Our sound attenuated enclosures, fuel tanks and other specialized products are designed with UL-listed components according to stringent production standards to ensure safe fluid containment and reduced noise levels.
For years Entertainment Services has offered bio-diesel as an alternative to our clients in the entertainment industry. To limit our carbon footprint even further, while still delivering dependable power, we are alos developing a production technology that uses house power during pre-production, with a seamless transfer to generator power on show days.
Our environmental philosophy is in alignment with Caterpillar’s market-based approach to the aggressive development of current and future clean technologies that reduce emissions and sustain the environment.
In summary, Entertainment Services strives to conserve natural resources; reduce waste through emissions technology, recycling and the safe disposal of consumable items; and by example, we encourage our business partners and customers to do the same.

es-cat.com 

As of January 2008, Orlando Rock, a site development company that has been serving the community since 1984 on municipal, retail, commercial and industrial projects, successfully completed the conversion of their entire fleet of heavy equipment and on-road vehicles to a soy-based, bio-diesel fuel. This environmentally conscious change will save 32,000 gallons of diesel per year, complementing Orange County and the City of Orlando’s efforts to “go green”.

The bio-diesel fuel Orlando Rock is using is a blend of soy-based fuel and fossil fuel. Certain Caterpillar® machines are capable of handling a B35 blend, which contains 35% soy fuel. The majority of Orlando Rock’s fleet was only cleared for a 20% blend, so they chose to use B20, or 20% soy fuel in all of their machines. Because the mixed fuel burns cleaner and loosens buildup in the engine, all 45 pieces of equipment had to be slowly converted over to the B20 blend, but no modifications had to be made to the equipment engines.

Starting with a 5% blend in October 2007, Ring Power completed oil samples every 100 hours on a control group of machines to ensure there were no problems. The lab monitored changes in oil viscosity and soot levels to determine at what point the engines could be stepped up to the next blend percentage. Initially it was thought the conversion process would take a little over a month, but safe conversion of all the machines and on-road vehicles was completed in three months.

The biggest challenge for Orlando Rock was the cost commitment. After weighing the cost of the custom blended fuel against the knowledge that the conversion helps increase the longevity of the machines in the fleet, decrease air pollution and diminish reliance on foreign oil, Orlando Rock decided the switch was worth the cost.

“People think to switch to bio-diesel you have to modify your equipment and switch over your machines and really, you don’t. It’s a matter of changing your attitude more than changing your equipment. People who burn cooking oil have to modify their machines to run on that, but straight bio-diesel isn’t as complicated,” said Scott Altman, president of Orlando Rock.

Around the same time as Orlando Rock began their conversion process, the City of Orlando kicked off “Green Works Orlando,” an environmental program designed to raise awareness and promote ecologically friendly solutions for all city services and functions. Also, in late September 2007, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty held an “Orange to Green Climate Change Summit”, attended by Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Upon hearing about Orlando Rock’s proactive environmental efforts, Mayor Crotty met with Altman in October to congratulate him, holding a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate Orlando Rock’s green initiatives.

A key pillar of Green Works Orlando is the goal of designing all the city buildings to meet with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED Green Building Rating System provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Altman and his employees will soon complete their LEED certification, and will receive bonus points toward their goal for the use of bio-diesel fuel. Altman and Orlando Rock intend to use the knowledge gained from the conversion of their fleet and their certification to encourage other local contractors and subcontractors in the Orlando area to become LEED certified, helping his county and city to achieve the goal of going green.
“You see the GCs becoming green, but the subs aren’t and that’s where the change needs to be made,” said Altman. “We feel it’s the right thing to do.”

Contact your Ring Power PSSR or service manager regarding switching your equipment to bio-fuel. For more information about LEED certification visit the US Green Building Council at usgbc.gov. You can contact Orlando Rock at 407.859.5990 or scott@orlandorock.com.

http://ringpower.com 

Introducing the Caterpillar®  2-4 MW family of diesel generator sets powered by the C175*

With rising demand for electricity, ever-tightening emissions standards, evolving technologies and space at a premium, your challenges as an operator continually grow.
Our solution: The Caterpillar C175 family of diesel generator sets. Ground Breaking Technology
It starts with ACERT™ Technology. Many of the C175 advantages begin with the use of ground breaking ACERT Technology, that combines advancements in electronics, air management, and fuel delivery to improve engine response and fuel efficiency, plus lower NOx emissions.

With ACERT™ Technology this new family of generator sets combines high power density with efficient operation and low emissions. In a wide variety of standby applications—commercial, institutional, industrial, utilities and more—the C175 family delivers cost-effective power in a small, highly versatile package, with reliability, durability and performance you expect from Caterpillar.

Key C175 benefits include:
• Performance                                 • Lower installed costs
• Improved serviceability                • Lower operating and maintenance costs
• Proven reliability and durability   • Systems integration
• Lower emissions

 For additional details, please email us at information@ringpower.com

http://www.ringpower.com 

*Currently only 3 MW generator is available.

With today’s demands on production equipment, safety is critical. One item that is often overlooked with forklifts are the forks themselves. ANSI B56.ie1993-6.2.8. requires that "Forks in use shall be inspected at intervals of not more than 12 months, for single shift operations, or whenever any defect or permanent deformation is detected. Sever applications will require more frequent inspections."

What To Look For

Daily visual checks are an easy way to identify potential problems. Visual inspections should include checking:

• Surface cracks 
• Straightens of blade and shank
• Fork angle, upper face of blade to load face of the shank
• Difference in height of fork tips
• Positioning locks
• Fork wear 

Fork Repair & Testing

ANSI B56.ie1993-6.2.8. states: "Repair by only the manufacturer of the fork or an expert of equal competence shall decide if a fork may be repaired for continual use, and the repairs shall be carried out by such parties. It is recommended that the surface cracks or wear be repaired by welding. When repairs necessitating resetting are required, the fork shall subsequently be subjected to an appropriate heat treatment, as necessary."

For more information or an inspection of your lift trucks' forks, contact Ring Power Lift Trucks or contact us at lifttrucks.ringpower.com.

When it comes to business, the first priority is providing a safe work environment to protect a company’s most valuable assets: its people. With a safe environment comes added benefits to contractors, government agencies and other business owners in the form of increased uptime, operating efficiency and reduced insurance rates. Ring Power^® is partnering with businesses to offer industry leading customized Safety Awareness Level training programs that are designed to meet the specific needs of their customers. As a result, these organizations are benefiting in the following ways: 

• Increased uptime (employees and equipment)
• Improved operating efficiency
• Minimized lawsuits
• Increased bid winning
• Reduced insurance and bonding rates

Safety is often viewed as an expense with little return on investment. In actuality, safety focused companies enjoy extreme savings and a market advantage over their competition. Well-managed safety programs are key catalysts driving your organization to exceed typical safety success factors. Safety awareness training coupled with owning and operating Caterpillar^® equipment builds your road to achievement. Ring Power’s Rings of Safety^®, in conjunction with Caterpillar, is the industry leader in providing the safest, most reliable products, maintenance and practices. Customer expectations are consistently exceeded by Ring Power’s professional commitment in partnering to walk every safety mile together. We are a team!

For everyone working with, around and on Caterpillar equipment, we all share the same goal: to return home to our families safely everyday. This primary motivating factor fuels our journey to a safe work environment, every minute of every day. Our Rings of Safety program, relative to each piece of your equipment, reaps measurable financial dividends. The prevention/elimination of employee injuries and illnesses formulate an economic objective coupled with the humanitarian intention.

Accidents, injuries, illnesses and property damage have undeniable costs that contribute nothing to the value of products and services provided by any firm. These costs, in many industries, dwarf the total profit picture and warrant direct attention and resource allocation to accident and loss prevention. Whether considering direct or indirect costs, everyone within an organization must be a crusader for controlling hazards and preventing accidents. In our efforts to assist you in putting safety first in your world, we will be featuring specific safety topics and provide additional resources in future issues of this newspaper. Protecting your people and reserving your profits is the safety business and that business is good business.