The excavator features three engine modes and is compatible with the company’s remote tools.

Deerfield, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc. has released its new 336 hydraulic excavator, with a hydraulic system designed to deliver strong digging forces and swing torque to boost production in demanding applications.  

“Our new Cat 336 model delivers the right balance of power and payload,” says Brian Abbott, Caterpillar global product manager for large hydraulic excavators. “The result is a rugged and reliable machine that delivers excellent production along with low owning and operating costs.” 

The 336 excavator features three engine modes designed to match excavator power to the demands of the job while saving fuel, according to the manufacturer. Power mode delivers maximum power in demanding tasks. Smart mode automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions to lower fuel consumption. Eco mode minimizes fuel consumption by reducing engine speed to a constant 1,500 rpm. 

Engine oil and fuel filters are synchronized for service at 1,000 hours, increasing uptime and reducing parts and labor costs compared with the 336F Series excavator, Cat says. 

High-ambient temperature capability of 52 Celsius degrees (125 Fahrenheit), cold-start capability at -18 C (0 F) and the ability to work at up to 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) above sea level enable the 336 to work in various climates. Auto hydraulic warmup in cold temperatures gets the machine to work faster and prolongs the life of machine components, the company says. The air intake filter with pre-cleaner features high dust capacity, and a high-efficiency hydraulic fan offers optional automatic reverse to keep cores free from debris.  

The company’s Product Link tool collects data automatically. Information including hours, fuel usage, idle time, maintenance alerts, diagnostic codes and machine health can be viewed online through web and mobile applications. Remote troubleshoot and remote flash allow dealers to remotely connect with the machine to diagnose fault codes and update operating software. 

Deluxe and premium cab trim levels are available: Deluxe cabs come with a heated air-suspension seat, and premium cabs come with a heated and ventilated air-suspension seat. Both have a tilt-up left-hand console for easier access in and out of the machine. 

A touchscreen monitor and jog dial offer quick navigation through machine controls and provide access to the machine’s digital operator’s manual. Keyless pushbutton start is standard, and a Bluetooth key fob is also available. An operator ID passcode allows for engine starting, and operator ID can quickly save and restore joystick button, response and patter preferences for individual operators, the company says. 

Optional Cat Stick Steer makes travel and turning much easier, according to Cat. A host of standard technologies—Cat Payload on-board weighing, Grade Assist for maintaining grade and 2D Grade with depth and slope indication—focus on operator efficiency and machine productivity. All Cat Grade systems are compatible with radios and base stations from top third-party technology suppliers. Operators can store up to four depth and slope offsets to cut to grade without a grade checker. Auto hammer stop warns operators after 15 seconds of continuous firing and then shuts off the hammer after 30 seconds to prevent wear and tear. Auto dig boost and auto heavy lift increase bucket penetration and lift capacity by 8 percent, and Cat Lift Assist helps operators avoid tipping the machine, the company says.  

Indiana-based steelmaker has leased office space in a renovated district in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Scrap-fed electric arc furnace (EAF) steel producer Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) has agreed to lease office space on the Electric Works campus in its headquarters city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Electric Works offers renovated space in former industrial buildings, many of which were first built and occupied by General Electric in 1917.

According to Electric Works, SDI will be leasing “office and collaboration space” in Building 19 of the self-described “mixed-use innovation district.” Electric Works, overall, sits on 39 acres and consists of 18 buildings and more than 1.2 million square feet of space. It formerly housed GE electric motors and transformers fabrication operations.

SDI Chair, President and CEO Mark D. Millett says, “Since our founding in 1993, our leadership team has been deeply committed to our community and to our people. At Electric Works, we will be part of a bold economic development initiative that provides the right place to attract and develop talent with the drive, innovation and dedication that propels Steel Dynamics to the highest standard of operational and financial performance.”

SDI's fabrication business, New Millennium Building Systems, will be the primary occupant and will be adding new engineering technology positions and relocating existing positions from the company’s other locations throughout the United States, says Electric Works. New Millennium plans to occupy the new space in the first quarter of next year.

“Steel Dynamics is important to Fort Wayne and Indiana,” says Jeff Kingsbury of Ancora Partners, the lead developer of Electric Works. “We’re honored that Electric Works will help support their continued innovation and growth.”

The goal of the program is to protect high-risk workers from coronavirus.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is extending its Revised National Emphasis Program for COVID-19 until further notice. The program focuses enforcement efforts on companies that put workers at serious risk of contracting the coronavirus. It also ensures employers don't retaliate against workers who complain about unsafe or unhealthy conditions or exercise other rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  

OSHA is also temporarily increasing the coronavirus inspection goal from 5 percent of inspections to 10 percent, while it works to finalize a permanent coronavirus health care standard. The program was set to expire July 7.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported increasing coronavirus hospitalization rates nationwide since mid-April, and data forecasts that hospitalizations may increase significantly in the coming weeks. OSHA says this increase in hospitalizations reinforces the need to continue prioritizing inspections at workplaces with a higher potential for coronavirus exposures, such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other health care and emergency response providers treating patients with coronavirus.   

First launched in 2021, the National Emphasis Program will continue to cover nonhealthcare industries, such as meat and poultry processing.  

From 2021 to 2022, inspections under the revised program accounted for 7 percent of all federal OSHA inspections, exceeding the national emphasis program’s 5 percent goal. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, OSHA has issued 1,200 coronavirus-related citations to employers and assessed penalties totaling $7.2 million dollars. OSHA has also obtained relief for more than 400 employees who filed coronavirus retaliation claims against employers, exceeding $5 million in monetary awards to employees.   

OSHA encourages state plans to continue implementing an emphasis program for coronavirus inspections that are at least as effective as federal OSHA’s Revised National Emphasis Program. Additionally, OSHA continues to work expeditiously toward a permanent standard to protect healthcare workers from coronavirus hazards and an infectious disease standard to ensure that workers are better prepared for any future outbreak. 

Robert E. Knowling brings more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, technology and industrial sectors.

CECO Environmental Corp., an industrial air quality and fluid handling company based in Dallas, has announced that Robert E. Knowling Jr. has joined its board of directors. In addition, the company has announced that board members Jonathan Pollack and Eric Goldberg retired from the board before the June 2022 shareholder meeting.  

"We are pleased to welcome Bob to the CECO organization, as his extensive background makes him a tremendous asset to the company," says Jason DeZwirek, chairperson, CECO Environmental. "I would also like to recognize and thank retiring board members Jonathan Pollack and Eric Goldberg for their decade of service on the board."   

Knowling brings more than 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, technology and industrial sectors. He is chairperson of Eagles Landing Partners. He also serves on the boards of Rite-Aid Corp., Citrix Systems and Stride. He formerly served on the boards of directors of Roper Technologies, Convergys Corp., Heidrick & Struggles International, Ariba, Hewlett-Packard and Shell Oil Exploration.  

The company says Knowling earned a Bachelor of Arts in theology from Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, in Evanston, Illinois.   

"Bob brings a wealth of expertise formulating executable strategies and helping companies drive thoughtful and steady transformations,” says Todd Gleason, CEO of CECO. “His involvement will be critical as CECO continues to take the company to the next level. I would also like to thank Jonathan and Eric as they provided invaluable input and support for our ongoing strategic progress." 

Titusville City Council has postponed a final decision until the city can contract its own review of the facility’s potential environmental and health impacts.

Plans for a concrete recycling plant have been tabled again in Titusville, Florida, after pushback from local community members concerned about environmental and health hazards, reports Florida Today.

At a June 16 meeting, a “heated” discussion between citizens, city council members and representatives for the recycling plant regarding the facility led to the council voting to postpone a final decision on its construction. The council will revisit the plans at a later date so the city can contract its own expert review of the plant’s potential environmental and health impacts on the area.

The owners of Independence Recycling of Florida—a subsidiary of Ohio-based DiGeronimo Cos.—seeking the build the facility say it can be operated without any pollution or noise. However, Florida Today reports many Titusville residents are skeptical, raising concerns about dust from crushing concrete and the plant’s proximity to the Indian River Lagoon.

While Independence Recycling says dust is not an issue, the city has required several conditions if the plant goes forward, including enhanced buffers, a fence and sound barrier, and a water-based dust suppression system. The city has also requested a sound study be conducted and submitted for review and approval, as well as that white noise backup sound be used on all on-site equipment.

According to Tara Tedrow, a lawyer who spoke at the meeting on behalf of Independence, the industrial zoning for the property means the property could someday house businesses like manufacturing or freight distribution, which have the potential to be more "intensive" than the plant in terms of noise, pollution and effect on property values—some of the main concerns expressed by residents.

Lance Traves, an environmental consultant brought on by Independence to attest to the company’s safety standards, says the plant poses none of the risks that have been worrying residents. Still, community members had skepticism surrounding his relationship with Independence.

“The fact of the matter is he represents the company and quite honestly they're not going to pay him if he's not going to say the right stuff,” Titusville Mayor Dan Diesel says. “I don't think there's anything wrong ... with having somebody who represents the city telling me what's best for the city.”

As reported by Florida Today, Council Member and Vice Mayor Jo Lynn Nelson says the city must retain its own outside expert to weigh in on the possible hazards associated with such a project.

Construction & Demolition Recycling has reached out to Independence Recycling for comment.