AutoCone 130 Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will the AutoCone 130 pick up cones in addition to putting them on the road?
  2. Will the AutoCone 130 work with 28” cones?
  3. If AutoCone 130 runs low on cones, how do I reload it? How long does it take?
  4. Will it pick up a cone with the “pointy end” facing the AutoCone 130?
  5. How long will the machine run on a battery charge?
  6. Can the AutoCone 130 close both left and right lanes?
  7. Will the machine make a taper?
  8. Is a second person required to run the machine while the driver drives the machine?
  9. How does one know how many feet apart to place a cone on the road?
  10. Can the machine be equipped to run automatically?
  11. My jobs require more cones than the AutoCone 130 can carry. Is there a larger model?
  12. Can the machine be painted and decaled to match our fleet?
  13. What options are available for the machine?

Will the AutoCone 130 pick up cones in addition to putting them on the road?

Absolutely. Not only does it pick up the cones, it will even pick them up if they have been knocked over! Further, it can be done from the driver’s side or passenger side of the trailer.

Will the AutoCone 130 work with 28” cones?

We can adapt the machine to a 28” cone, including the base weight.

If AutoCone 130 runs low on cones, how do I reload it? How long does it take?

Manually loading the drum is as easy as placing a cone on the load/unload platform and pressing a button to insert the cone into the drum track. Each of the 10 tracks holds 13 cones. When a drum track is filled, you merely rotate the drum to another track and keep going until full. This process will take about 35 minutes with one worker, or about 20 minutes with two. Ideally, if a staging yard is available, re-fill cones can be placed in rows, and merely picked up without leaving the cab of the truck to refill the drum.

Will it pick up a cone with the “pointy end” facing the AutoCone 130?

It is more difficult to pick up a cone when it is laying in a reverse orientation, and it requires nudging of the cone with the tips of the pickup chute to rotate it. After rotating the cone somewhat, you would then back up a few feet to make another normal pass at the cone. It might require a few passes to get the cone, but after practice it becomes easier.

How long will the machine run on a battery charge?

It depends on the temperature. In a 60-90 degree environment, the AutoCone will allow about 5 complete 130 cone unloads and subsequent pickups. This represents about 1300 cones being handled. Because the machine is battery powered, cold weather (under 40 degrees) will reduce the time the machine will run without recharging. Our diesel engine option allows the machine to be used continuously, and is recommended in areas where the machine needs to run for long periods in cold weather.

Can the AutoCone 130 close both left and right lanes?

Yes, the machine operates from either the driver or passenger side of the trailer. This allows the unit to drive in the lane being closed, or if that is not practical, the lane can be closed from an adjacent lane. Same with picking the cones up.

Will the machine make a taper?

Sure, it only requires that you move the arm to the side you wish to operate from, and drive along the desired path of the taper as you place the cones. The cone spacing for the taper and the straight runs can be adjusted by the operator without leaving the cab of the truck.

Is a second person required to run the machine while the driver drives the machine?

No, only one person is needed. The AutoCone is designed to be operated by the driver of the truck.

How does one know how many feet apart to place a cone on the road?

Most operators use the dashed lines (skips) as a reference for placing cones on the road. These dashed lines are painted at known distances apart, and can be used to estimate cone spacing. To put a cone on the road, it is as simple as the push of a button to drop the cone where you want it.

Can the machine be equipped to run automatically?

Yes, the AutoCone 130 can be equipped with the “AUTODROP” option which will automatically measure and place a cone at any distance you desire. All you need to do is drive along the path that you want the cones placed, the machine automatically does the measuring and dropping of cones! The distance between cones can be set from the cab of the towing vehicle, and can be adjusted “on the fly” during a run.

My jobs require more cones than the AutoCone 130 can carry. Is there a larger model?

We are in the design stage of a truck mounted unit that will carry up to 500 cones. Our target speed of operation is 15 MPH for this new model. Check with us periodically for updates.

Can the machine be painted and decaled to match our fleet?

Yes, we are used to providing this service, and do it routinely.

What options are available for the machine?

  • Rear mounted Arrow Board. Mounts above the gearbox that rotates the drum.
  • Night lighting floodlight package. These white LED’s illuminate the areas that need to be seen, and minimize the drain on the batteries while in use.
  • “AutoDrop” package-allows the operator to choose a distance between cone drops, then automatically measures and drops the cones at those desired distances.
  • 100% duty cycle: A diesel engine powered alternator allows the machine to be run continuously without the need for recharging the batteries.
  • LED lighting on the trailer (turn signals, brake lights, etc)

    Read more about the AutoCone 130 Specifications and available options >>