Wacker Neuson Aims to Produce Greenest Two-Cycle Rammer
Wacker Neuson's latest two-cycle rammer series, the BS-2i, which it showcased this month at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, not only receives a face lift with the company's new look of gray and yellow, but it also offers a significant reduction in emissions that puts the rammer's WM 80 two-cycle engine well below the Environmental Protection Agency's emissions regulation for both carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides emissions.
“Wacker Neuson's BS-2i series of two-cycle rammers with the advanced injection system are the greenest units available on the market,” says Dave Schulenberg, compaction product manager for the company. “And now, with an update to the engine cylinder, our engineers were able to further lower total emissions by 38 percent.”
In addition to lower emissions, the new cylinder also reduces fuel consumption by 15 percent, lowering overall operator costs.
Toro to Install Emissions Control System at Bloomington Facility
The Toro Co. recently reached an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to install a catalytic oxidizer system to control emissions at the company's Bloomington, Minn., engineering test facility. When fully operational, the new system will reduce carbon monoxide and other contaminants by more than 90 percent.
In January 2008, Toro discovered an issue with its current exhaust system, reported it to MPCA, and started discussions on how to manage emission levels. The new system not only maximizes the benefit of Toro's engineering test group, which is key to the company's innovation, but also goes a step further to help reduce other contaminants not currently regulated. Under terms of the agreement with MPCA, Toro will pay a penalty of $30,000 and the system must be up and running by Aug. 31.
“This investment supports our commitment to responsible environmental practices and allows us to fully meet the agency's requirements,” says Tom Hawkinson, corporate environmental, health and safety manager at Toro. “Much like a catalytic converter on an automobile, this new system helps reduce emission levels and other organic pollutants by converting them to water and carbon dioxide.”
Michael Drazan, vice president of corporate services, adds, “We cooperated with the agency in solving the emissions issue we faced as we fully qualified our new line of professional mowers. It's only through extensive testing that we can provide customers the high-quality products they expect from Toro.”
Toro is partnering with Wenck Associates, an environmental engineering firm based in Maple Plain, Minn., to design and install the scrubber technology. The total investment is approximately $1 million.
Headquartered in Bloomington, Minn., the Toro Co. is a leading worldwide provider of turf and landscape maintenance equipment, and precision irrigation systems.
Website, Blog Improves Access to Biofuels Information
Responding to a need for more alternative fuel education in the construction industry, Crawfordsville, Iowa, biodiesel producer Riksch BioFuels has created a new website at rikschbiofuels.com.
The site, which includes basic definitions and advice for equipment owners and operators interested in alternative fuels, was developed by Des Moines-based web consulting firm Purple Wren.
In addition to information on where to find and how to use biodiesel, the site hosts the RB Blog, which allows users to subscribe to email delivery of national trend analysis and tips on putting biodiesel to work. Recent blogs include topics such as the new Renewable Fuels Standard, the impact of enacting biofuel mandate legislation at the state level, and the use of biofuel blends in winter.
“Our goal is to make learning about alternative fuels as simple as possible for our customers and the general public,” says Don Miksch, Riksch BioFuels vice president and chief financial officer. “We look forward to interacting with people on the blog and to sharing what we have learned so that this community of people passionate about the potential of biofuels can grow.”
The founders of Riksch BioFuels have a deep agricultural background and a history of producing biodiesel. Recognizing the need for a biodiesel production facility in southeast Iowa, colleagues Neil Rich and Don Miksch formed Riksch BioFuels in 2005. The company produces and distributes several products, including RB100, RB99 and RB8000. For more information, visit rikschbiofuels.com.
Submit green products and technologies, and sustainability innovations for consideration in EnviroRent to Brandey Smith at [email protected].
