52 • DECEMBER 2008 • ROADS & BRIDGES WWW.ROADSBRIDGES.COM

Oil production is on

the rise in Sturgeon

County, Alberta. Tar

sands mining and oil

refi ning are driving this development,

with construction of three new refi ner-

ies commencing in 2008.

To meet the increase in truck traffi c that accompanies construction, Stur-geon County has been upgrading its roads.

“There will be 15,000 to 20,000 workers coming in here on a daily basis at the peak of refi nery con-struction. We’ve got to get ready for that traffi c,” said Wayne Bullock, di-rector of infrastructure for Sturgeon County.

The county spent $11 million up-grading roads in 2006 and 2007. A little more than seven miles of road-way were reconstructed to two-lane highway in 2007, with fi ve miles to be upgraded to highway status in 2008.

Sturgeon County reconstructs fi ve to six miles of existing asphalt road-ways per year. Another nine to 12 miles of clay-based, gravel roadways are built or reconstructed annually. Approximately 98% of the work is reconstruction.

Improving and maintaining the county’s 1,118 miles of roadway—including 963 miles of unpaved roads—require the proper equip-ment. Sturgeon County’s fl eet fea-tures 28 Cat machines, including 14 motor graders, four scrapers, three track-type tractors, two wheel load-ers, a soil compactor and an RM-300 Rotary Mixer.

Meeting the challengeSturgeon County recently pur-

chased three Cat 14M motor graders and two Cat 160M motor graders. “The 14Ms are heavier, and we’re using them for road construction, our road oiling program and our soil stabilization program. We’re using the 160Ms for road maintenance and snow removal,” Bullock said.

A simulator was rented for one week to help operators learn how to run the M-Series motor graders, which are operated by joystick con-

trols instead of the traditional steer-ing wheel and levers.

“There is a learning curve, but the operators like the new machines,” Bullock said.

County crews use the 14M motor graders for stabilization of gravel roads being upgraded to asphalt or on existing asphalt roads that are being rehabilitated. In road stabili-zation, cement containing fl y ash is mixed with the existing, pulverized roadway material to improve the base.

The 14M motor graders also do shoulder pulling jobs, where gravel that has worked its way onto and past the shoulder is pushed back onto the driving surface. Material pulled from the ditch and roadway material are run through the county’s Cat RM-300 rotary mixer, compacted, then topped with gravel.

Sturgeon County uses the 160M motor graders for maintenance of

M O T O R G R A D E R SBY TARA VANTIMMEREN

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Multibillion-dollar Multibillion-dollar oil business a driving force in Albertaoil business a driving force in Alberta

ROADS & BRIDGES • DECEMBER 2008 • 53

Turn it upChampion Motor Graders has announced signifi cant additions to the Champion product line (Circle 901). The Production Class 133-hp, 24,000-lb C110 C and C116 C models and the introduction of the 80-hp,

12,800-lb C60 C and C66 C Series models with new front axles, similar in design to the C80 C and C86 C Series, provide an additional 6 in. of clearance and, according to the manufacturer, the tightest turning

radius in the industry.Champion C Series motor graders have a full range of

blade and wheel mobility, precise and stable blade con-trol, twin-cylinder circle turn and a wide-stance blade-lift system blade. The cab layout mirrors those found in much bigger machines, with industry-standard pedestal and levers and lots of room to go to work. Fully tested and quiet ROPS cabs with HVAC also are available. Rounding out the big feeling are Tier III emission-certifi ed engines from Cummins and fully certifi ed braking systems.

Don’t melt budgetVolvo has introduced the G900 motor grader (Circle 902). The machine’s power, total weight and properly

matched powertrain components ensure maximum productivity in snow-clearing applications. High total weight combined with high speed ensures the inertia required to break through heavily drifted sections of roadway. High rear weight also ensures the ability to wing back snow without having the rear of the

machine slide sideways against the force at the snow wing.

Generally speaking, the more snowfall received, the larger the grader required for effi cient snow-clearing operations. The G900’s base weights range from 34,830 lb to 48,720 lb.

The graders feature all-wheel drive (AWD), which can be a signifi cant benefi t,

particularly in areas of heavy snowfall. AWD graders provide the additional benefi ts of improved steering capability and extra pushing ability because of the pull provided by the front wheels. Volvo’s AWD graders are fully functional in AWD mode in gears F1 through F7 and at travel speeds of up to 20.2 mph.

unpaved roadway. “The 160M is an ideal size for that, and the all-wheel drive helps us in the winter. We don’t have to use chains to get through heavy snow drifts,” Bullock said.

The fi ve new M-Series motor graders replaced older machines.

Sturgeon County tries to replace motor graders every fi ve years. An aggressive equipment replacement program saves the county money. “Our graders are very seldom in the shop—just for oil changes and other routine maintenance. If a grader’s in

the shop, the other guys are working overtime or you’re not grading the roads,” Bullock said.

With the increasing demands on Sturgeon County’s roadways, motor grader uptime isn’t optional. It is re-quired.

a

Effortless waveThe Case 845 motor grader (Circle 903) is a clean, modern-style machine. Obstructions are minimized with

hoses guarded for optimum protection, yet easily accessible. The hallmark Case sloping hood provides ex-cellent sightlines to the rear. The cab design and front articulation joint give the operator a clear view to the circle, moldboard and tires. A powerful lighting package delivers extra visibility in dark, stormy or snowy conditions.

Rugged construction provides the strength to handle any job con-ditions. The rugged front A-frame drawbar and high-strength circle provide plenty of stability. The motor turns the circle up to 360° for maximum turning ability. The moldboard pitches, tilts and moves laterally to match site demands.

Optional extensions can add 2 ft to each end of the blade. The lockable, hydraulically actuated fi ve-position saddle allows the

blade to tilt up to 90° for shaping banks. The moldboard is made of high-carbon steel for long life, and its involute multiradius design cuts, mixes and rolls material off the moldboard in an effortless wave.

54 • DECEMBER 2008 • ROADS & BRIDGES WWW.ROADSBRIDGES.COM

a

Strength and stabilityJohn Deere offers six motor graders (Circle 904), including three with six-wheel drive, putting more power

and traction at the operator’s disposal in every application. Deere motor graders feature event-based shift-ing that automatically senses the load and adjusts clutch pack engagement accordingly for smooth shifts and direction changes without touching the inching pedal.

Six-wheel-drive units employ a dual-path hydrostatic drive system that delivers exceptional control, responsiveness and ex-tra power to the ground. Deere D-Series grader cabs have 26% more space and 40% more glass for increased comfort and un-surpassed all-around views. At 72 dBa, they provide best-in-class quietness.

Versatile workhorseThe VT LeeBoy 685B motor grader (Circle 905) features a

100-hp Cat Tier III diesel engine, hydrostatic drive and a 10-ft sliding and tilting moldboard. Also featured is a cen-ter-mounted scarifi er and frame articulation for increased maneuverability.

This versatile workhorse comes with either a ROPS can-opy or enclosed cab and an excellent view of the mold-board work area. Front wheel assist, a 7-ft front blade and loader with ½-yard bucket are options available on the 685B.