Caterpillar Donates Chopper to Victory Junction Gang Camp for Children

Caterpillar’s radically customized CAT Chopper has set its vulcanized wheels in motion to help the Victory Junction Gang Camp for seriously ill children. The charitable organization, founded and supported by the Petty family of NASCAR racing fame, plans to use the true yellow chopper to raise funds for the camp.

“I can’t thank the folks at Caterpillar enough for donating this beautiful custom chopper to the camp,” said Pattie Petty, CEO and co-founder of Victory Junction. “This donation will help raise funds to continue to send children with chronic medical conditions to Victory Junction for a life changing camping experience. The fact that Caterpillar has reached out to create such a great partnership with the camp speaks volumes about their organization.”

The stated mission of the Victory Junction Gang Camp is to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment. Kyle and Pattie Petty founded the camp, located in North Carolina on land donated by Richard and Lynda Petty. The camp operates solely on donations and offers a unique opportunity for children whose medical needs keep them from attending standard camps.

The camp features a NASCAR racing theme, and it has been strongly supported by the NASCAR community. Caterpillar is now in its 14th season of NASCAR participation as a sponsor — starting in 1993 as an associate sponsor of Kyle Petty’s #42 Pontiac in what was then the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and today with #22 car driven by Dave Blaney in the Nextel Cup Series.

The donated CAT Chopper is one of two identical custom motorcycles designed and fabricated for Caterpillar by Orange County Choppers Inc. (OCC), and it was the focus of the Discovery Channel’s hit “American Chopper” television series. The CAT Chopper build episodes aired in April 2005, shortly after the bike was shown to the public as part of the Caterpillar exhibit at CONEXPO. Since then, both choppers have been on tour, making appearances at Caterpillar and Cat dealer facilities, as well as trade shows throughout North America.

“Caterpillar and its dealers have used the CAT Chopper to raise money for a variety of charities nationwide,” said Jay Alexander of the Caterpillar North American Commercial Division. “It is fitting that we help such a worthy program as the Victory Junction Gang Camp.”

In addition to the chopper’s near celebrity status, it is unique in its incorporation of Caterpillar equipment design elements. After the build, Paul Teutul Jr., OCC’s hard-nosed, short-tempered chief designer and fabricator, said, “Being around the construction industry before, we know that the Cat brand carries a legacy of quality, strength and toughness… the same things we now strive for at OCC. The CAT Chopper is definitely the biggest, toughest and most rugged bike we’ve ever done.”

Sevier Country Ranchers Win a New Case IH Tractor

“We’re mostly a grazing operation, so we don’t have much equipment,” explained Jared Johnson, owner and operator of his family cattle ranch in Aurora, Utah.

With the help of his wife, Ginger, and daughter, Katelyn, the Johnsons graze 370 mother cows and 50 heifers, while providing summer grazing for 700 heads of other customers’ cattle. In the past, the Johnsons toughed it out without much iron, on a ranch that’s also considered a cooperative wildlife management unit.  

“This means we work with the state wildlife department and manage our private land to be favorable for a big game habitat,” Jared said. “In turn, we’re allowed to sell a certain number of permits for private hunting on our property.”

Luckily, juggling big beef and managing the untamed wildlife of the West has gotten a lot easier since the Johnsons were named a national finalist in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2007 Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Awards.

“Case IH recently presented us with a new Case IH DX34 Farmall tractor [for the award],” said Jared. “This tractor will be great for doing chores. I’d like to put a loader on it, a weed sprayer on the back and probably a post-hole digger.”

The Johnsons’ local Case IH dealer, Equipment Center in Richfield, delivered the DX34 Farmall and will provide service and support for the chore tractor. In addition, CNH Capital, the financial services organization dedicated to supporting Case IH, presented Jared and Ginger with a $250 gift card, redeemable for parts or service. “That’ll go toward the attachments,” Jared was quick to note. “I’m sure we’ll use that quickly.”

The Johnsons can now work smarter with a fiery red utility tractor at their fingertips. “They’ve worked hard to minimize costs on their ranch by developing an operation where the cattle do all the harvesting,” said Randy Wood, Case IH senior marketing director for tractors and precision farming. “We’re thrilled to be a sponsor of the Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Awards, where we get the opportunity to meet innovative young farmers like the Johnsons.”

“I really appreciate Case IH for sponsoring the Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher contest and helping young people get excited and stay involved in agriculture,” Jared added. “It makes a world of difference when you have great sponsors who are willing to invest in the Young Farmer and Rancher program -- and in the future of agriculture.”

National finalists were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 88th annual convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. To be eligible for the national AFBF competition, participants first had to win their state Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award competition.

Cummins Announces Approval of B20 Biodiesel Blends

The brave new world of biodiesel is fueling fabricators like Cummins to design flexible engine alternatives. The buzz word, “biodiesel,” refers to a diesel-equivalent fuel source, processed from biological sources such as vegetable oils to power everything for trucks to construction equipment. Cummins Inc. recently announced the approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its Tier 3 emissions-compliant QSB4.5, QSB6.7, QSC, QSL, QSM and QSX engines.

B20 is a specific blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel – a blend that can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Cummins is prepared to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which was limited the use to B5 blends only (5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel). The Columbus, Ind.-based company gave three key reasons for moving in B20 blends. 

1. The American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel.
2. The availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly
3. Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.

“We have completed an exhaustive analysis and test evaluation, which enables Cummins to provide necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in many of our engines,” said Edward Lyford-Pike, chief engineer of Alternative Fuel Programs at Cummins. “This will enable many of our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel purchase decisions.”

The popularity and use of biodiesel fuel continues to climb, as recent studies predict that by 2008 1.2 billion gal of B100 biodiesel will be produced in the United States. Cummins efforts are ongoing with testing to ensure that future products, as well as other industrial engines, such as its A Series, B3.3, QSB3.3 and high-horsepower engines, will be compatible with biodiesel fuels.

Any of you engine geeks want to learn more about biodiesel? Just visit the U.S. Department of Energy and its frou-frou Alternative Fuel Date Center to help explain the expansive flexible fuel market at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/whatis_biodiesel.html.

Nevada Elementary School Reaps Benefits of Vermeer Drip Irrigation System

School recess is best played out on a big, hairy patch of green grass, where tossing balls, jumping rope and wrestling youngsters can safely embrace their energy and adolescence. Yet, elementary school systems in some parts of the country are finding it hard to grow turf grass for athletic fields and playgrounds, especially in the arid West.

“High schools and middle schools have fields for sports; however, elementary schools need to provide children with grass for outside activities. We have greatly minimized the amount of turf that kids get to play on compared to what it was 15 or 20 years ago,” said Joe Fortier, civil and landscape quality assurance construction inspector/manager for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas.  

In order to prompt the growth of turf grass on elementary school play areas, Fortier considered installing a drip irrigation system. After hearing of a system installed in Arizona, he became curious about how the same system would work in the tough Las Vegas soil conditions. While traditional drip irrigation systems installation involves trenching or plowing in one irrigation line at a time, a new attachment has provided contractors with a solution that helps to maximize job efficiency in various ground conditions, while limiting jobsite reclamation and repair.

The Vermeer LM42 lawn plow with a multi plow blade attachment can pull up to three irrigation lines simultaneously at a predetermined depth and spacing determined by soil conditions. The plow blade attachment uses a high-frequency vibration to cut through the ground and close up the channel around the dripper line. The unit is equipped with three reels that can each hold up to 1,000 ft of tubing, which spins through a feed shoot and is dispersed in the ground. It has the capability to lay three rows of tubing at a time, with depth adjustability from 2 to 12 in. in 1-in. increments and spacing width adjustability from 10 to 24 in. in 2-in. increments.

“I have used Netafim products in the past and was interested in the new method of installing drip irrigation into the ground,” Fortier said. “With a school district of over 360 sites, including schools and administration buildings, I wanted to try something that would complement both elementary and high schools. In the future I’d like to use the system on high school football fields.”

Drip irrigation systems distribute water and nutrients to the soil directly at the root zone, providing more efficient use of water resources. Applying water at a specific rate helps conserve water, and it helps turf mature in significantly less time.

To test the new blade attachment, Fortier chose the grounds of C.H. Decker Elementary School, a school located on the west side of Las Vegas that had an older irrigation system that was prone to water run-off. The irrigation system was tested on the school turf, which was comprised of dry and rocky soil through the 6-in, depth they were installing the tubing.  Approximately 2,200 ft of tubing was installed at the site in only an hour and half, compared to the several hours required with previous irrigation methods.    “Overall, the project was a success, and I would use the system again,” Fortier says. “This system promotes healthy turf growth, and gives children the opportunity to play their favorite games in the grass, rather than in gravel.”

Deere Becomes Excusive Golf Irrigation Supplier to the PGA

The PGA TOUR is the United States’ most prestigious professional golf tour (so much so, we have to render its majesty in all caps). To continue its preeminence, the PGA TOUR recently enlisted the help of John Deere Golf and Turf One Source to keep its putting greens even greener and its name just as tall and imposing.

John Deere announced an agreement of principle to become the Exclusive Golf Course Irrigation Supplier to the PGA TOUR and TPC Network. This agreement is in addition to John Deere’s current status as both the Official Equipment Supplier and the Official One Source Supplier to the tour.

“This is an affirmation of the quality and innovation of John Deere Golf Irrigation systems,” said Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing for John Deere One Source. “It’s also a confirmation of the unparalleled distributor support the tour has experienced through our current relationship.”

According to Breningmeyer, John Deere will supply golf irrigation systems and ongoing maintenance and support for all PGA TOUR and PGA-owned properties. The initial installation of John Deere Golf Irrigation will begin with the TOUR’s new championship-length course in Scottsdale, Ariz. The course is slated to open in November, 2007.

“I've seen for myself the quality of John Deere’s golf irrigation products and am pleased to extend our valuable partnership,” said David Pillsbury, president, PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties. “It’s an affiliation our courses have benefited from on the equipment and soft goods side, and we’re looking forward to adding John Deere Golf Irrigation to the mix. These iconic brands -- the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network and John Deere -- are a natural fit.”

The PGA TOURs agreement with John Deere is in effect until 2014. John Deere Golf and Turf One Source is a full-service platform with a variety of products and services for golf course superintendents, owners, architects and management companies. Products include a wide selection of mowing, maintenance and irrigation equipment, as well as seed, fertilizer, sod, chemicals, fertigation, drainage, landscaping and accessory products from leaders in the industry.

New Yorker Builds Snow Castle with Toolcat 5600 

Plow kaiser Tony Pauldine built an icy fortress of solitude while clearing snow for clients in Oswego, N.Y. Media outlets from across the United States, including CNN, Good Morning America and NPR, picked up his story when he created a snow castle with his Toolcat 5600 and snowblower attachment in front of a local supermarket in Oswego. All of those stations did a live broadcast from the chilly manor.

“We can turn the 5600 on a dime as we clear the snow,” Pauldine says. “The Toolcat 5600 is a very versatile machine for cleaning residential and commercial sites.”

Tony Pauldine runs a Toolcat 5600 utility work machine and Bobcat A220 all-wheel steer loader on his snow removal operation. The Oswego, N.Y., contractor cleared snow with both machines in mid-February, when the town received approximately 130 in. of heavy, lake effect snow. Working as many as 16 to 18 hours each day, Pauldine eventually ran out of room to pile the snow in some areas of the town. In one instance, Pauldine created the snow castle with the Toolcat 5600 in front of the grocery store, which gave his business a fascinating 15 minutes of fame.

Pauldine thanked his Bobcat sales specialist John O’Mara from Bobcat of Central New York, for showing him to the Toolcat 5600 several years ago when it was first introduced. He says he’s been so impressed with how it works that he plans to purchase a second Toolcat 5600 this year.