Thompson TractorHosts Demo Day

ALABAMA STATE EDITION A Supplement to:

Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”

May 22012

Vol. XXIIV • No. 9Mobile

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Anniston

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By Mary ReedCEG CORRESPONDENT

The Alabama Department ofTransportation’s (ALDOT) projecton U.S. 84 (SR 12) in Coffee Countyto widen and provide additional lanescontinues to move forward.U.S. 84 intersects with heavily

traveled east-west routes in Alabamaincluding U.S. 431, U.S. 231, U.S.331 and I-65.“ALDOT continues making

improvements to US 84 to providemotorists with a safer travel routeacross Alabama from neighboringstates,” said an ALDOT spokesper-son.The 300-day contract is 35 percent

complete and will add additionallanes from west of Double BridgesCreek at New Brockton to the bypassat Enterprise, a town famous for itsmonument to the boll weevil, curseof cotton growers. The statue cele-brates Enterprise’s economic recov-ery by switching to peanut farmingafter its cotton crop was devastated inthe early 1900s. The statue, depictinga woman in classical garments hold-ing a larger than life boll weevil overher head, is celebrated not only as amemorial of thriving as a result ofovercoming adversity, but also as thesole world monument to an agricul-tural pest.The route is signed and designated

El Camino East/West Corridor,forming part of a highway stretching1,729 mi. across five states fromBrunswick, Ga., to El Paso, Tex. Oneof the early primary routes from theAtlantic to the present Texas-Mexicoborder, Spanish settlers called it ElCamino Real or The King’sHighway. The Alabama stretch ofthis highway was designated ElCamino by the state legislature in

2004.Work is ongoing on the corridor.

Georgia has now completed 91 per-cent of its portion, Louisiana 15 per-cent, and Texas 73 percent, whileMississippi has completed its seg-ment. Alabama has completed 52percent of its 234.70 mi. (377.71km) of the El Camino Corridor.Montgomery, Ala.-based McInnis

Construction LLC, is prime contrac-tor for the $11.4 million CoffeeCounty project, which is funded byALDOT. The contract was awardedin May 2011 and work began thatsummer, with a completion date offall 2012. The job includes grading,widening, drainage and partial baseand pave work in addition to con-struction of the extra lanes.“We are self-performing all clear-

ing and grubbing, removal of items,grading work, roadbed base work,select erosion control and storm

drain installation,” said TimothyMcInnis II, vice president of thecompany.McInnis Construction, which on

average has 12 employees and twosuperintendents working onsite, isfielding a large fleet of John Deereequipment for the job, including9520 tractors pulling double JohnDeere pans. Other equipment fromJohn Deere includes 6430 tractors;200 and 270 excavators; 700J and650 dozers and articulated dumptrucks. In addition, the contractor isutilizing a Volvo 330 excavator andarticulated dump trucks from thesame manufacturer, as well as aCaterpillar 140M motorgrader andBomag rollers.Since 2010 McInnis Construction

has been utilizing biodiesel manufac-tured by SouthernEco LLC, whichproduces 5,000 to 8,000 gallons a

Work on U.S. 84/SR 12 Continues

The 300-day contract is 35 percent complete and will add additionallanes from west of Double Bridges Creek at New Brockton to thebypass at Enterprise, a town famous for its monument to the boll wee-vil, curse of cotton growers.

see ALDOT page 2

(L-R): Caterpillar’s Michel Bastin talks to DavidStrain, Buddy Glisson and Stephen Strain, StrainAsphalt and Paving, Woodland, Ala., about the newCat 938K wheel loader.

The Amlong family (L-R), Stephanie, Bryan, Ivey andWyatt, Amsher General Contractors, Enterprise,Ala., talk to their south Alabama representative,Walt Hewett, Thompson Tractor-Dothan, Ala.

Called “Dega Demo Day,” Thompson Tractor host-ed an event at Talladega Superspeedway on April 4to showcase Caterpillar’s newest Tier IV BCP

products. It was a picture perfect day for attendees to viewand/or demo the new K-Series wheel loaders, F-Seriesbackhoes, K2-Series dozers, E-Series mini-excavators, D-Series CTL’s and MTL’s and B3-Series skid steer loaders.Guests saw an incredible array of Cat machine displays inthe infield of Talladega Superspeedway and then enjoyed a

see THOMPSON page 6

Page 2 • May 2, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

McInnis Construction Leads Way on U.S. 84/SR 12 Projectyear and also is headquartered inMontgomery.SouthernEco is owned by Clay McInnis,

brother of Tim McInnis, and also a vice pres-ident of McInnis Construction. ClayMcInnis described biodiesel as “a plug-and-play fuel, meaning there are no requirementsto modifying the diesel engine running it. Itis cheap to produce and very good to theenvironment. It is less toxic than table saltand more biodegradable than sugar.”“I pick up used cooking oil from restau-

rants and convert the oil into biodiesel withmachines I sell manufactured bySpringboard Biodiesel,” he went on. “Theused cooking oil is free so I can make a gal-lon of biodiesel for around $1.25. I simplyblend biodiesel into our bulk diesel tanks at10 percent mixture. We use it in off-roadequipment and generators.”Randy Hall, grading division manager,

McInnis Construction, described the workthe company is carrying out on the U.S. 84project.“Clearing and grubbing as well as

removal of items is being performed with the200 and 270 excavators. Grading workinvolves John Deere 9520 tractor and pancombos, the articulated dumps, John Deere

700 and 650 dozers, and the Cat 140Mmotorgrader,” he said. “Storm drain pipe isbeing performed with John Deere excava-tors and dozers, and erosion control items bytheir excavators, dozers and farm tractors.”Together the Timothy McInnis family and

Randy Hall have performed similar projectsfor ALDOT for more than 40 years, and

while almost all new road construction proj-ects are similar in scope and this project is noexception, a few problems have cropped upduring the course of the job.However, as Tim McInnis pointed out,

“All projects encounter problems and/orchanges weekly. We have resolved with theowner, ALDOT, all issue/changes to dateand as quick as possible so as to not delay theproject.”McInnis Construction has engaged a

number of subcontractors for the job, includ-ing H&L Construction of Troy, Ala., whichis performing culvert construction andguardrail installation. Tipton Construction,based in Dothan, Ala., also is performingculvert construction, while WiregrassConstruction, Dothan, Ala., is carrying outall the asphalt work for the project. GenevaGrassing of Bellwood, Ala., is handlingselect erosion control items and OzarkStriping, based in Ozark, Ala., is providingall striping.

About the CompaniesMcInnis Construction LLC, is made up of

grading, bridge and commercial divisions.While working mainly in southeasternUnited States, the company also has carriedout projects in Florida, Mississippi, Georgia

and Louisiana.McInnis Construction practices environ-

mental stewardship not only by usingbiodiesel fuel, but also by consulting LEEDaccredited professionals for its “green build-ing” projects. Current jobs include bridgeconstruction and demolition as part of thewidening of SR 10 in Butler, Ala., andbridge raising and widening work on I-59 inGadsden, Ala., both Alabama Department ofTransportation projects. The company web-site is at http://www.mcinnisconstructs.comSouthernEco LLC, aims to support its

local community, economy and quality oflife while also contributing to energy sourcesecurity for the southeastern United Statesby production of biofuel. The company alsosells custom-designed equipment for clientproduction of biofuel as well as the finishedproduct itself. SouthernEco has soldbiodiesel equipment to the Alabama Institutefor the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), Sara LeeCorporation, the city of Oneonta and manyother clients. For further information consultSouthernEco’s website at http://www.south-ernecogroup.com/index.html.

(This story also can be found onConstruction Equipment Guide’s Web siteat www.constructionequipmentguide.com.)CEG

The Alabama Department ofTransportation’s (ALDOT) project onU.S. 84 (SR 12) in Coffee County towiden and provide additional lanes con-tinues to move forward.

ALDOT from page 1

Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Calhoun • Russell • Walker • Lawrence • Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Morgan • Shelby• Bibb •Hale • Fayette • Marion • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • St. Clair• Chilton • Escambia• Montgomery • Jefferson • Russell • Fayette • Conecuh • Coffee • Geneva • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega •Bibb • Coffee • Calhoun • Russell • • Walker• Lawrence• Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Bibb• Hale • Fayette • Monroe •Clarke • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega

Alabama…

‘The Yellowhammer State’ Highway Project Lettings The Alabama State Department ofTransportation received bids for trans-portation-related improvement projects.Following is a list of some of the

projects let.

County: CalhounContract ID: BRF-0074(526).Project: Bridge replacements andapproaches on SR-74 (US-278) fromNances Creek Industrial Boulevard inPiedmont to near the Cherokee CountyLine.Distance: 2.13 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• McInnis Construction LLC —$8,392,189

• C. W. Matthews ContractingCompany Inc. — $8,499,509

• Taylor Corporation — $8,639,482

County: MarionContract ID:NHF-0004(522).Project: Slide corrections on SR-4(Corridor X) from west of SR-171 (MP

15.900) to SR-44 at various sites as indicat-ed by the plans.Distance:N/AContractors and Bid Amounts:

• Joe Keenum Excavation &Construction Inc. — $1,156,562

• Racon Inc. — $1,159,638• Tomlin Construction LLC —

$1,256,865

County: TalladegaContract ID:HSIP-0077(514).Project: Planing, resurfacing and trafficstripe on SR-77 from the Clay County Lineto SR-21 in Talladega.Distance: 6.09 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• McCartney Construction CompanyInc. — $1,825,959

• Dunn Construction Company Inc. —$2,085,803

• Apac Mid-South Inc. — $2,131,576

County: MarshallContract ID:NH-0001(567).Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic

stripe on SR-1 (U.S.-431) from the EtowahCounty Line to Miller Street in Albertville.Distance: 6.96 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Whitaker Contracting Corporation —$3,835,608

• Jackson Paving & Construction Inc.— $3,999,799

County: JacksonContract ID:NH-0002(553).Project: Planing, resurfacing and trafficstripe on SR-2 (U.S.-72) from 0.44 mi.west of SR-35 through Hollywood to CR-113.Distance: 7.53 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Jackson Paving & Construction Inc.— $5,224,296

• Whitaker Contracting Corporation —$5,385,817

County: BaldwinContract ID:NH-STPAA-0003(568).Project: Planing, resurfacing and trafficstripe on SR-3 (US-31) from the south city

limit of Bay Minette (MP 17.491) to southof Town Square (MP 20.941).Distance: 3.27 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Mobile Asphalt Company LLC —$979,415

• Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. —$1,015,579

• John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc.— $1,206,932

County: WashingtonContract ID:NH-HSIP-0013(578).Project: Planing, resurfacing and trafficstripe on SR-13 (U.S.-43) from the MobileCounty Line (MP 30.146) to MP 35.833south of McIntosh.Distance: 5.68 mi.Contractors and Bid Amounts:

• Mobile Asphalt Company LLC —$1,690,694

• John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc.— $1,717,989

• Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. —$1,753,370

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 2, 2012 • Page 3

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Huntsville / Decatur, AL256-350-0006Oxford, AL

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Page 6 • May 2, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide

Thompson Tractor Hosts Event in Talladegabarbecue lunch in the garagearea with other service and sup-ply vendors displaying theirproducts. And most of the crowdtook the ultimate opportunity ofputting on a fire suit, strappingon a helmet (and HANS deviceof course) and jumping into thepassengers seat of a race car forsome fast-paced laps around thetrack as a part of the Dale JarrettRide Along Experience.

In the equipment demo area justoutside the track, Cat representa-tives went over the features andattendees got a hands-on demo ofthe new Cat 930K wheel loaderand D5K2 track type tractor.After running the Cat D5K2track type tractor, TristanMcCulloch of Archer WesternContractors, Birmingham, Ala.,said, “It ran smooth and I like thepitch control, makes a big differ-ence. On other machines, once

you get a full blade, if it starts toslow down, you need to pick theblade up a little bit. But on thisyou just angle the blade and keepgoing. I like it, I want one.”Fred Odom of SDR, based inMillport, Ala., demoed the newCat 930K wheel loader and wasquite impressed with themachine. “We buy a new loaderat least every six months and this930K is a nice advancement onthe 928H’s we bought last year.”

Meanwhile at the track, after hisfirst ride along in a race car onTalladega’s 2.66 mi. superspeed-way, Dell McDonald, ofMcDonald BrothersConstruction, Huntsville, Ala.,said, “It’s just incredible, phe-nomenal! I’ve been coming toTalladega for 15 years and actu-ally being in a car going about175 mph gives you a whole newperspective of the track.”

THOMPSON from page 1

One of the Talladega Official Pace Trucks pulled the “people mover”trailer to shuttle guests from the track infield to an off-site demoarea for trying out a Cat K series wheel loader and crawler tractor.

The Thompson Tractor logo proudly dis-played on the front of the Cat race car.

Tristan McCulloch (L), Archer WesternContractors, Birmingham, Ala., gets abrief demo of the Cat D5K2 LGP fromCaterpillar’s Joel Fritts.

After a few laps around the track, RonJames, Stone Building Company,Birmingham, Ala., stops for a photosession beside the #31 Cat car.

Checking out the new Cat 259B Series 3 skid steer loader (L-R) areSteve Creamer, Creamer Dozer, Brewton, Ala; Rucker Brown, ThompsonTractor-Pensacola, Fla; and Matt Arrington, Arrington Curb &Excavation, Flomaton, Ala.

From the Tuscaloosa, Ala., area, (L-R) J.R. Matzke, and RodneyWoodham, both of RaConInc., and John Waldrop ofThompson Tractor go underthe hood of a Cat 420F back-hoe loader.

Liking what they saw in thenew Cat CT660 vocationaltruck are Dave Sides (L) andJustin Taylor of B&GEquipment & Supply,Birmingham, Ala.

Long time NASCAR fan, DellMcDonald, McDonald BrothersConstruction, Huntsville, Ala.,takes his first laps in a race carat Talladega.

Deep in discussion of the new Cat 930K wheelloader (L-R) are Kirk Kelly, ThompsonTractor; Fred Odom and Josh Karr, SDR,Millport, Ala.; and Andy Cruickshank,Caterpillar product specialist.

Caterpillar’s Joel Fritts shows the easy remov-ability of the Accugrade display on the newCat D5K2 track type tractor.

Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • May 2, 2012 • Page 7

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Page 8 • May 2, 2012 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide