ACS Industries Inc, headquartered in Kent, OH, was awarded a $14 million contract in June of 2005 from the United States Marine Corps for up to 500 Asbury 4-in-1 buckets and 500 hydraulically adjustable forks, both coupler equipped to facilitate rapid changeover of attachments.

These attachments were originally designed by ACS around specific Marine Corps needs and delivered beginning in 1988 as an integral component of the TRAM (Tractor, Rubber Tired, Articulated Material Handling) project.

The hydraulically adjustable fork is a multi-directional attachment that couples to a specialized John Deere 644EH wheel loader providing full range of movement in all directions.

The TRAM can handle palletized material on sloped, rocky and uneven terrain. And should the need arise for the use of a bucket or blade, the 4-in-1 bucket can be switched by the operator from the cab in less than 30 seconds.

The TRAM with attachments has become a valuable component of Marine Corps activities worldwide and boasts a readiness rate that has consistently exceeded requirements.

Beginning in 2001, the company undertook a “relief to new specifications” program for the TRAM attachments. The current order provides for necessary replacement needs as a result of Marine Corps activities in the middle east.

Joe Zeno, president and CEO of ACS Industries, has worked closely with the Marine Corps for more than two decades and said that manufacturing for the order was scheduled to begin in August and would span a period not to exceed five years.

“We are proud to serve a vital role for the Marines in the worldwide defense of our nation and our national interests,” said Zeno.

ACS was one of the first to develop and popularize the concept of attachment change-over technology in the United States.

For more information, visit www.acs-coupler.com.