Started 2/10 – Sand & stone chain outer bolt-on return wear plates – Effective with units starting in mid-February 2010 production, both of the outer sand and stone drag chain return wear plates will be bolted in place. The new bolt-on feature makes quick work of the replacement of these wearable items which previously required a cutting torch and welder. This update came as a result of suggestions by our owners who perform their own maintenance, and from the ZII Service Department.

Started 9/10 – HP, material feed hydraulic flow control valve – This valve was revised with a slightly thinner aluminum manifold block in order to conserve costs as component market prices increase. Following suggestions from our customers, as well as through our own experience, we replaced the small adjustment knob with lock nut, with a larger cross-type handle without the lock nut. This feature makes adjusting the material feed speed while engaged very easy, which was not the case with the previous small knob.

Started 12/10 – SP/HP water system integration – This update came about through our constant effort to analyze our equipment design, looking for component interchangeability among the different models. This results in cost savings for inventory, efficiency in production due to design consistency, and less confusion for the parts department, service department, and for customers. The details of this change are: a. 1½” diameter suction hose from tank to filter and filter to water pump on both SP and HP models in place of 1½” for SP and 2” for HP. b. New 1½” NPT filter strainer of the same design as the 2” NPT HP filter, which was favored over the SP style filter. c. 1” diameter pressure hose from water pump to the control panel piping for both SP and HP models in place of 1” for SP and 1¼” for HP. The ZII service department performed flow testing between SP and HP models and determined that the 2 – 3 GPM overall flow difference between the two models justified the design change.

Started 12/10 – Material feed door with “pin” handle – This small feature update came as a result of observing in-field customer modifications which displayed universal application and need. Customers found it difficult to open a snug-fitting rear material feed door and/or open the door when wearing gloves while at the same time trying to keep from dropping the pin. By adding a second set of holes in the latch tangs on both sides of the door, the pin not only has a place to go, but also forms a handle.

Started 3/09 – Added drain cocks to the admix metering valve assembly for freeze protection.

Started 4/09 – Introduced the new bolt-in auger flighting square drive sleeve.  This feature reduces the repair time required to replace a worn square drive in the auger flighting that was previously welded in.  The flighting pipe is drilled to match the holes in the sleeve weldment, and grade #8 bolts with lock nuts are installed.  This new feature is available as a retro-fit for older flightings.  Just contact ZII Service Department for instructions.

Started 4/09 – Introduced Scorpion deck coating as an option to protect the decks from chipping and nicks that can break the paint barrier and start corrosion.  This is the same coating that is offered as an option for the ag bin interior.

Started 5/09 – Revised the dial face decal for the metering gates by removing the small lines above #15 on sand and below #1 on stone since these points cannot be attained by the gates.

Started 6/09 – Introduced new solenoids with the DIN #43650 type wire connector.  This new connector gives a positive wire connection to the coil versus spade types which can accidentally lose connection.  This feature also makes coil replacement easier as compared to styles that use crimped butt connectors to attach wires.  Presently the admix solenoid, water Burket valve, electric/air solenoid and the hydraulic 10 GPM solenoid valve have been changed over to the DIN.  Other solenoid valves will follow, pending use of present inventory.

Started 7/09 – Introduced a new operator control panel featuring a new fully enclosed switch module with plug-ins for the wire connections.

Permanent panel-mounted hydraulic pressure gauges for the material feed and auger functions for quick reference have been installed.

A new electric/air solenoid with override has been installed at the air tree to function as an auto on/off for vibrators, eliminating the panel-mounted ball valve that was the previous valve used.  Relocated 25 ft. washout hose with hanger bracket for easier access and use by the operator.

Started 7/09 – Introduced the new 12VDC powered Cool Point digital water flow meter as a replacement for the battery powered GPI totalizer/flow meter. The new Cool Point meets the +/ –  1% accuracy for VMMB rating and is installed in the water standpipe assembly, saving room on the panel for other features.  Please note that the Cool Point is a “rate” flow meter only that can display in gallons or liters, but does not have a totalizer recording feature.

Started 8/09 – Unit main frames have been “beefed up” by increasing the wall thickness on two critical parts.  One part is the main frame rail tubes, which are 3” x 6” steel tubes that had a 3/16” thick wall, but now have a ¼” thick wall.  The second part is the center frame cross member tubes which are 3” x 2” steel tubes that had an 11 ga wall, but now have a 3/16” thick wall.