Check the Specs
To track down specs on various equipment without having to jump from one manufacturer's website to another, visit www.spec-check.com. Users can search and compare basic specs on both current and non-current models for no charge, or sign up for the X-Panded Specs feature to view more specifications. Registration starts at $25 for four hours or $200 for one calendar year of access. Spec-Check supplies data for more than 436 manufacturers and for more than 71 major equipment types, according to the website. The Quickfinder search allows the user to search specs for one specific model. Spec-Check also offers other products such as comparison guides, spreadsheet files, and CD-ROMs that can be customized for the user.
Site Security
Williams Scotsman International, a provider of mobile offices, pairs with DeWalt to integrate the Sitelock portable wireless alarm system into its mobile office fleet for use on construction jobsites. The Sitelock Jobsite Security Portable Alarm System can be customized for different jobsite requirements. Through the base unit, stationed indoors, the remote sensors such as a container vibration sensor, security cable lock, indoor motion sensor and door/window contact sensor can be programmed individually to monitor key assets and areas on the jobsite. If an intruder tries to enter a secured area, disturb a piece of protected equipment, or remove a sensor, the sensor sends a wireless message to the base unit. The alarm activates and a signal is sent via wireless cellular technology to a monitoring service. Jobsite managers may opt to have notifications sent to DeWalt's 24/7 central monitoring customer service center, which will call the customer and notify the police. Visit www.dewalt.com/usX/security/ to learn more about Sitelock and watch a video on the product.
Virtual Training
Vista Training's PC-based heavy equipment simulator, the Hydraulic Excavator Personal Simulator, enables equipment operator training without high cost, equipment downtime or possible damage. The simulator puts the user at the controls of a modern hydraulic excavator at a virtual construction site in English or French. A total of 12 simulation lessons of increasing difficulty are designed to make this a training tool that is more engaging than a video game. Starting with the basic operation of the boom and tracks and ending with trenching and truck loading, the training software uses a dynamic terrain modeling technology. There is also a menu to switch between the standard SAE and backhoe-loader joystick patterns. All data is tracked to allow comparison to benchmarks. Standard PC joysticks and industrial USB joysticks are available. The joysticks plug into the standard USB port found on most computers. Visit www.vista-training.com to learn more.
