Builtrite Material Handler Upgraded Northshore Manufacturing, home of Builtrite branded products, has announced enhancements to one of its popular stationary electric material handlers, the model 2100-SE. Enhancements include: a new, roomier cab with better visibility; a modular power unit capable of being machine- or floor-mounted and with large access doors; a threefold increase in hydraulic oil cooling capability; and a more energy-efficient 75-hp electric motor. The 2100-SE is versatile in a number of material handling applications such as municipal solid waste, loading and tamping, scrap, or wood handling. A wide range of options is available, including various boom configurations, allowing it to handle hanging or wristing attachments, boom lengths, cab risers, catwalks, remote operator’s station, remote power unit placement, and more. The cost of operation as compared to a diesel-powered machine can be up to 60% less, with the added benefit of operating quieter and without exhaust gases. Www.builtritehandlers.com BÜHlER PROVIDES BIO-MASSIVE BENEFITS Bühler presents its new, high-capacity hammermill, the Granulex. This dynamic grinding machine is designed for ultimate power. Heavy-duty design and supreme ease of maintenance minimize downtime while maximizing productivity. Among its many capabilities, the Granulex hammermill is designed to finely grind wood and pellets for co-firing. Highlights include the powerful 500-hp (400-kW) motor for high-capacity grinding and a large screen area to reduce wear of screens and hammers. In addition, screens and hammers are designed for replacement by a single person in less than 30 minutes. Smooth sliding doors on both sides allow fast and easy maintenance. Www.buhlergroup.com NEW BALING SYSTEMS RECEIVE PATENTS Forest Concepts has been granted two core U.S. patents for its new biomass baling systems. The following patents were received from the U.S. Patent Office: U.S. Patent No. 7,987,776, issue date August 2, 2011, entitled Engineered Woody Biomass Baling System; and U.S. Patent No. 7,987,777, issue date August 2, 2011, entitled Engineered Tall Grass Biomass Baling System. Baling of hay and other agricultural crops is a well-developed practice, but adapting existing agricultural balers to be successful with bioenergy feedstocks has proven problematic. Engineers at Forest Concepts documented three important properties of woody biomass and tall grass biomass that enabled the design and construction of new balers that can bale both materials at pre-selected optimum transportation densities while minimizing fossil fuel consumption during baling, handling, and transport. The properties are platen pressure, friction, and Poisson’s ratio, the values of which are specific for the material to be baled. “With the first two critical patents in place, the next step is to secure financing to begin building production balers or to license/sell the biomass baling technology to an established equipment manufacturer for commercialization,” says Mike Perry, CEO. Www.forestconcepts.com