The Next Evolution
in Innovation
Discover 10 Utility Construction Machines and
Technologies Changing the Industry
By Keith Gribbins
At the Utility Contractor offices, only the finest models of machines are tagged for further study.
The most curious and cutting-edge brands of construction equipment (excavators, skid steers,
wheel loaders and onward) are captured, researched and reviewed to inform our readers who
work in the asphalt jungle every day. For the final installment of Utility Contractor in 2011, we
open the gates to our exclusive equipment showcase, revealing the most innovative machines we
discovered this year. Manufacturers from around the globe released next-generation product lines
into the commercial construction wilds (general equipment, attachments and exclusive utility
construction technologies). We can’t include every piece of great equipment, but we’ve brought
the best of these new releases right here to our 2011 Innovations Showcase. Pore through the next
five pages and find 10 of the most interesting pieces of equipment unleashed during the last year
and pick the newest tool for your company and crews.
Keith Gribbins is Managing Editor of Utility Contractor.
NUCA’s Utility Contractor Magazine – PLATE LOCKS Write-Up
Roadwork Made Easier
Plate Locks Offers a Cost-Effective Alternative to Using Cold-Mix Around Road Plates
Installing and removing cold patch asphalt around road plates has
always been time consuming, hazardous and labor intensive.
Fortunately today, it’s no longer necessary. Plate Locks, winner of
the Transportation Development Foundation Award and Roadway
Work Zone Safety Awareness Award, has developed a new,
inventive, cost-effective and reusable road plate securing system
that does away with cold-mix for road plates and actually marks,
identifies and secures them. Unlike cold patch, which depends
entirely on adhesion to the road, Plate Locks is actually fastened
to the road, preventing any sliding and shifting of the plate.
20 Utility Contractor | December 2011
Plate Locks is made from a recyclable, safety orange
polypropylene thermoplastic. It comes in 5-ft lengths and can be
cut to fit any sized plate or configuration of multiple plates. You
can move them from job to job and it pays for itself after one or
two uses vs. cold patch asphalt material, says the company. Plate
Locks is also environmentally safe, unlike cold mix. It is reusable,
has no off gassing of volatile organic compounds and is
recyclable. There are also no harmful chemicals that can
contaminate storm drains.
Contact: 541-821-3622 or www.platelocks.com.