Construction Equipment Guide
470 Maryland Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
800-523-2200
Wed October 21, 2009 - West Edition
Western States hosted a construction technology demonstration event for its customers Sept. 15 to 17.
The event took place behind the Boise First Community Center, located at 3852 N Eagle Road in Boise, Idaho, and displayed the latest in Trimble and Cat machine control technology.
This Western States Technology Solutions demo benefited the Idaho Sports Foundation. Western States cleared 18 acres of land to help prepare for future soccer fields, football fields, baseball fields, softball fields and much more. This unique sports complex will benefit the community of the Treasure Valley and the surrounding areas for generations.
One beneficiary of the event is Central Paving of Boise who is able to speed its job-site production of the I-84 and Vista interchange in Boise with the use of laser and GPS technology.
The Technology Group of Western States supplies customers such as Central Paving, HK Construction, and B&G Dirtworks with laser and GPS technology that is mounted on equipment.
The purpose is to help control the costs of earth moving services and ensure grade control accuracy for jobs such as airports, commercial building pads, roadways and landscape projects.
“With the use of the technology provided by Western States, we’re able to finish a job faster,” said Ryan Ward, project manager for Central Paving. “In a large job like the Vista interchange near the Boise airport, we’ll be able to get the grading done quicker and avoid scheduling complications.”
“Our laser and GPS technology provides contractors with position information and automation of machinery to control grade in real time,” said Michael Hasslbauer, technology solutions manager of Western States. “The real time application of information boosts efficiency and puts the contractor and operator in control of saving machine time, man hours, fuel and survey costs.”
As an authorized Trimble and AccuGrade dealer, Western States Equipment offers the laser and GPS technology as part of its total equipment and service package. The Trimble and AccuGrade products help contractors optimize their productivity by providing layout tools for site preparation, along with complete accuracy in leveling the site to align with construction documents and plans. The technology allows for integrating measurement, data management and machine operations into a consolidated, easy-to-manage system.
With the help of the Trimble and AccuGrade technology, machine operators have increased confidence that their performance meets job site expectations and site managers can track progress in real time.
“With the GPS 3D modeling of the job site, the grade control on the equipment controls all cuts and fills without having someone on the ground,” said Ward. “With this capability, we’re able to finish grading in a day and move straight to gravel.”
Western States Equipment recently showcased its technology solutions to more than 40 companies.
Regional contractor, Scott Goitiandia, owner of B&G Dirtworks in Hailey, Idaho, attended the event.
“This kind of technology is the wave of the future because it gives contractors incredible precision in leveling,” said Goitiandia. He continued by saying that without this technology, contractors in highway work will be left behind.
The Trimble and Caterpillar AccuGrade laser products provide grade control for flat surfaces and sloping planes with high precision and can be used for both interior and exterior applications. The laser technology is optimal for job sites such as airports and large commercial building pads.
The same platforms can be fitted with GPS technology, which provides a three-dimensional model of grade control to be replicated on the ground. GPS is best suited for mass excavation projects such as heavy highway and roadwork, as well as large site improvement.
With more than 70 years experience in the mining, construction, agricultural, and governmental industries, Western States, an authorized Caterpillar dealer for five mountain states, has 12 general line and truck engine branches and 12 Cat Rental Stores located in Idaho, western Wyoming and Montana, and eastern Oregon and Washington.
For more information, call 208/888-2287 or visit www.westernstatescat.com.