Plant & Civil Engineer Apr-May'23

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With emerging technologies featuring alongside construction equipment, live demos, innovation and the latest in machine technology, the show will lead visitors into the future of construction.

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FOR THE INDUSTRY, BY THE INDUSTRY

News

28 Terex Ecotec enhances their trommel offering

56 Renault Trucks and TVS Interfleet form partnership to create the ‘E-Mixer’

Regular Features

22 Gordon Best, MPANI

44 Court Report

61 Recycling & Waste Management

100 Auctions & Used Plant

View from the Cab

30 Sany SY155U

Special Features

34 Tippers

45 ‘Reelin’ In The Years’ AG Wilson - 44 Years of Growth Through Experience

72 Highways: More than

No one living and working in Northern Ireland can be left in any doubt that we face a tough year ahead. Whether Chris Heaton Harris’ intention is a ‘punishment budget’ or not, the fact is that the total amount allocated to Departmental budgets will reduce by 0.4%. Combine this with inflationary and increasing pay settlement pressures and the real impacts will be of much greater magnitude. It is welcome news that the capital budget has increased slightly (from £2.1 billion last year to £2.2 billion) but this is unlikely to be of sufficient magnitude to avoid a drop in public works programmes that are so important to many in our sector.

In Ireland, the picture is very different, with the Irish government projecting a budget surplus of €10 billion this year and quarter-on-quarter GDP growth stronger than anticipated at 2.3%. Unquestionably, the North would benefit from a return to the devolved government against ‘indirect’ rule, and from a courtship with the Biden administration that might reap dividends. Notwithstanding, the private sector throughout Ireland is nothing if not robust,

tenacious and self-driven. A quick flick through the pages of this edition bears witness to that. FUCHS features in our cover story with Seaforde Metals taking a brand new MHL 350 and again in a product launch in Ireland for the MHL 434 Timber Handler. Meanwhile, RokBak is delivering on all fronts for the Skene Group with the RA 30 excavator, DAF has launched a full series of new-generation vocational trucks and the Renault C Range from Diamond Trucks is garnering rave reviews from customers. And if you want to read about investment on a scale that speaks of business confidence, read our feature on AG Wilson! Enjoy this edition and keep up to date with all the industry news 24/7 at www. plantandcivilengineer.com. Of course, you should also be getting our weekly newsletter which is emailed out every Tuesday; if not, do subscribe on our website so you don’t miss out. It’s FREE!

Emma Cowan Editor Email: pceeditor@4squaremedia.net

New Appointment to Board of McHale Plant Sales announced

Construction equipment distributor, McHale Plant Sales has announced the appointment of its Business Development Manager, Darragh O’Driscoll to the Board of Directors of the company.

Announcing the appointment, company chairman, Michael McHale and managing director, Tim Shanahan said that his appointment ‘is in recognition of the professional, innovative and diligent work he has

performed for the company over the last number of years.’ In his role as Director, he will be responsible ‘for multiple projects including the company’s launch in the UK and other key projects in the business development area.’

Terex MP announces purchase of MARCO Conveyors

Terex MP, global manufacturer of materials processing and lifting machinery, has announced the purchase of MARCO, a manufacturer of bulk material handling conveyors, based in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. As part of the transaction, Terex MP will purchase a 100,000-square-foot factory and office space set on a 15-acre site in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Terex MP plans to expand the site’s manufacturing capacity to support the growing demand for mobile conveying equipment in North America. The site offers a central and local distribution hub in North America while also diversifying Terex MP’s manufacturing footprint and providing access to an additional labour pool. Terex will also assume responsibility for MARCO’s sales and engineering office in the St. Louis area. MARCO was established in 1936 by E.F. Marsh Engineering and has since designed

and manufactured standard, stationary and portable material handling equipment such as stackers, belt feeders, hoppers, and bins. The company was the first conveyor manufacturer to design tubulartruss conveyor frames, which remain to be a signature product for MARCO today.

“This acquisition supports Terex MP’s growth strategy to expand our offering in the Bulk

Material Handling industries with products that complement the existing portfolio,” says Pat Brian, Vice President and Managing Director for Terex Materials Processing’s Crushing and Screening division. “Tubulartruss conveyor frames offer several benefits—they are hardwearing, easily re-configured and can withstand pressures of moving without bending. MARCO also produces equipment sold into the concrete industry, which will also help to expand our presence in this market.”

Terex MP plans to keep MARCO as a brand within Terex MP’s Crushing, Screening and Conveying division that includes Powerscreen, Finlay, EvoQuip and ProStack. MARCO will have substantial growth potential, benefiting from Terex MP’s global distribution network, as well as efficiencies enabled by its global scale and investments in areas such as product development, sustainability, digital solutions, and factories of the future.

Sany Launches New Range of Demolition Spec Machines

SANY UK have announced the launch of two new demolition-spec crawler excavators. The SY215C-XD (24-tonne) and (pictured) the SY390H-XD (40-tonne) tracked excavators are available to order with factory fitted demolition guarding specifically for demolition, waste or arduous applications.

Designed to meet the demands of the most challenging demolition projects, the machines are equipped with advanced hydraulic systems, reinforced structures, and heavy-duty attachments, making them capable of handling even the toughest demolition jobs. They are equipped with reinforced structures including heavy-duty

belly plates, ram guards and side impaction protection, to withstand the demands of the

demolition industry. They also feature hammer shear and rotate lines and advanced hydraulic

systems that enable easy change over of attachments in line with whatever the application requires.

“Following our announcement last year that we had joined the NFDC (National Federation of Demolition Contractors, it’s great to launch our new range of demolition machines which have been specifically designed for the UK,” said Leigh Harris, Business Development Director of SANY UK. “Our machines are built to the highest standards of quality and reliability, and we are confident that they will exceed the expectations of our customers”.

The new range of demolition machines is now available for purchase though SANY’s authorised dealer network and come with an industry leading 5-year / 5000-hour warranty for complete piece of mind as well as a comprehensive range of service and support packages. Demolition modifications to other existing SANY tracked excavators, the SY265C, SY305C and SY500H will follow later this year.

Darragh O’Driscoll.

Topcon Launches Easy-to-Use Digital Layout Software for Fast-Paced Building Construction Industry

Topcon Positioning Systems has launched Digital Layout, a simple, easy-to-use building construction software app to enable more contractors to adopt a digital layout workflow for increased efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

The software is designed to provide a distinct competitive advantage in the fastpaced building construction industry for general contractors, concrete contractors, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractors, steel erectors, fire suppression companies and more. Designed to help both first-time and experienced users of digital layout technology, this cost-efficient building construction field software works

in combination with a 3D laser - the Topcon LN - or a Topcon GT robotic total station, providing a step-by-step guide to streamline routines and workflows.

Additionally, the software can be used with the Point Manager plug-in for Autodesk Revit or AutoCAD to create point files in the office and seamlessly transfer as-built data back to a contractor’s design software. It is compatible with 2D, 3D and BIM workflows, and is supported by Microsoft Windows and Android operating systems. Users can easily generate real-time PDF reports to summarize work progress for stakeholders. Topcon MAGNET Enterprise web service is also included, enabling users to easily share data between the office and field.

Hillhead 2024 website is now live!

The brand-new Hillhead 2024 show website is now live at www.hillhead.com

Freshly designed and updated for the 2024 event, the site contains stunning video footage and a review of last year’s show as well as all the details you need for next year’s event including stand packages and pricing. The site is fully responsive meaning you can view it wherever you are through a tablet or mobile, as well as at home or in the office on your laptop or PC.

Hillhead 2024 takes place at Tarmac’s Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton, Derbyshire from 25-27 June. Expressions of interest should be directed to Event Manager Harvey Sugden: harvey.sugden@qmj.co.uk

McHale Plant Sales opens UK base in Tamworth

Resulting from their appointment as UK distributors of Metso Outotec stone crushers – first announced last January – McHale Plant Sales has established its first UK base in the Staffordshire town of Tamworth. From there, the company will initially service Metso customers across England, Scotland and Wales with an additional outlet in Scotland to follow next year.

Chosen for what McHale says is its ‘strategic location’ the new Tamworth base is situated on the Lichfield Road Industrial Estate in the town where it will accommodate offices, machine storage, parts warehouse and a repair and maintenance workshop.

Commenting, the company’s sales director, Denis McGrath said: “of the many locations we examined, Tamworth stood out as one from which we could reach-out to machinery owners and operators whose priorities in terms of technical back-up and after-sales support we fully understand.”

to

on-going responsibility

“In Tamworth we will implement an approach to customer service proven in Ireland and Northern Ireland where sales, service and parts operate in lockstep,” McGrath added.

Metso Outotec officials Adam Benn (left) and Anthony Bouvié (second right) pictured with a group of McHale Plant Sales officials (left to right) Darragh O Driscoll (Head of Business Development), Tim Shanahan (Director), Denis McGrath (Director) and Anthony Ryan (Aftersales Director) during a visit to their Dublin base ahead of the announcement by Metso Outotec to extend their distribution remit to include England, Scotland and Wales in addition

their

for Ireland and Northern Ireland markets.

10,000th ADT IN NORWAY FIRST IN DEVELON COLOURS IN EUROPE

In February 2023, Doosan celebrated the production of the 10,000th Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) from the company’s plant at Elnesvågen outside Molde in Norway. There was even more to acknowledge with the 10,000th unit as it is the first machine in Europe to officially carry the colours of the company’s new DEVELON brand. As well as the DEVELON branding, the 10,000th ADT also carries an extra special design, which harks back to the origins of the ADT range. A time well before Doosan and even the Moxy era, back to the Viking ADT model, 12 of which were produced by the company, Øveraasen, in the time before Moxy

took over production. This is recognised by a Viking ship motif on the tailgate of the 10,000th unit, a DEVELON DA45-7 model. Over the years, several different ADT models have been produced at Molde, including the D15, 5222B, 6225B, 7235, MT40, MT41, DA40 and now, today’s models, the DA30-7 and the DA45-7. Rosendal Maskin AS, the Authorised Dealer for Norway, has supplied ADTs since 1987, and has delivered a total of almost 500 of the 10,000 so far produced! According to the Molde Plant Manager, Jan Roger Lindset, the 10,000th ADT with production number 851951 has been purchased from Rosendal Maskin AS by the Rental Group in Norway.

Production began at the Molde plant in 1972 when the business was called Glamox. Since then, the brand has had several names such as Moxy, Moxy Industrial, Brown Engineering, Moxy Trucks, Moxy Engineering and in 2008, the name changed to Doosan when the South Korean manufacturer bought the factory and the product. In 2021, Hyundai Heavy Industries bought the Doosan construction equipment

CONTINUED

range including the ADT line, and the name of the business was changed to Hyundai Doosan Infracore (HDI). There are currently 150 employees at the Elnesvågen plant, but with both DEVELON and Hyundai ADTs now being produced at the factory, the workforce is expected to expand to meet an expected 40% growth in production.

THE DEVELON ADT RANGEBEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE

The DEVELON ADT range comprises two 6x6 models - the DA30-7 and DA45-7 Stage V compliant machines - the DA30-7 has a payload of 28 tonne, while that of the DA45-7 is 41 tonne. The range was extended at Bauma 2022 with the launch of a new 4x4 version of the DA45-7 ADT, intended to compete with rigid dump trucks (RDTs) in the 40-tonne class. Like all DEVELON ADTs, the DA30-7 and DA45-7 models feature an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation. This combined with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie, ensures equal distribution of weight to each wheel and guarantees permanent 6-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance, particularly on difficult terrains such as soft ground, uneven surfaces, very steep slopes, tight turns or a combination of all of these difficult conditions.

Collectively, the forward turning point, the unique tandem bogie and the sloping rear frame result in ‘best in class’ rough and soft terrain capabilities. The unique body shape and sloping frame ensure equal load distribution on all the wheels making these machines the best haulers for soft terrain work. The design of the articulation also provides equal load distribution on the wheels on both the left and righthand side when turning, which is very important for the traction and stability of

the machines. All of these outstanding features are available on the DEVELON Stage V DA30-7 and DA45-7 ADT models. In the new 4x4 ADT, the front truck and cab unit is the same as in the original 6x6 model, with modifications being made on the rear dumper unit only. Featuring a ZF EP8-420 transmission, the 4x4 DA45-7 is a two-axle ADT with twin wheels at the rear, and with a dumper section similar to that on RDTs in the 40-tonne class.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS COMPARED TO RDTS

“With superior operation on poorer roads, smoother surfaces and steeper terrain, the aim of our new 4x4 machine is to challenge RDTs in the 40-tonne class, by providing a dumper product that delivers much more than RDTs,” says Beka Nemstsveridze, ADT Product Manager at DEVELON.

As well as performing better in conditions that are tough for RDTs, the new 4x4 DA457 ADT has a width of less than 4 m to avoid the need for special transportation and offers a better turning radius than a comparable RDT. The shorter turning radius and the design of the rear dumper unit, which is more suited to carrying flat and heavy rocks, provide particular advantages in the mining and tunnelling industries. These latter are growing markets for ADTs, and include pioneering, short-term mining projects, quarrying and contract mining industries, especially those in southern Africa, the UK and Australia. Construction and bulk earthmoving contractors involved in roads, dams, airports, landfills and development projects are also large users of ADTs. Together these areas make the ADT market a wide and varied one, ensuring a large customer base.

Doosan Construction Equipment is now

Same quality products maximum productivity outstanding value continuous innovation

Find out more: eu.develon-ce.com

Kilwaughter Doubles Larne Football Club Brighter Futures Support

Kilwaughter Minerals has committed a further £20,000 to Larne Football Club’s official charity, the Brighter Futures community fund programme. The donation doubles the amount contributed to the scheme by the leading minerals processor since it commenced the partnership in 2021. The money will go towards group and community projects throughout Larne and the surrounding area. Dozens of projects across the borough have already benefited from grants through the programme, which are made available in four categories including Sport and Recreation, Business Enterprise, Education and Training and Community Needs.

Gary Wilmot, CEO, Kilwaughter Minerals said: “As a business,

we are very mindful that we are also part of our community and we are proud to help support others through a variety of different programmes and initiatives. Brighter Futures makes an incredible impact across Larne and the wider east Antrim borough, and we’re privileged to play a part.

“Throughout our partnership, it has been a pleasure to see first-hand the tangible difference the grants have made to many. We are delighted to renew our support with this very worthy scheme and look forward to seeing further positive impact from the subsequent awards.”

Kilwaughter Minerals was recently named the winner of the Business in the Community category at the Larne Times Business Excellence Awards and was awarded Silver Status as part of the latest Business in the Community (BITC NI) Environmental Benchmarking Survey.

Gregg Humphrey, Brighter Futures Chairman added: “Brighter Futures acts as the charitable arm of Larne Football Club and has been in operation since 2019. The scheme has been tremendously well received across the borough with a huge take up from a wide variety of groups and individuals. “Quite simply, the success of Brighter Futures would not be possible without the backing of corporate partners and thanks to Kilwaughter Minerals for its continued valuable support.”

Egis Expands in Ireland with Major Acquisition of Civil Engineering Firm JB Barry & Partners

Egis, a leading global consulting, construction engineering and operating firm has acquired JB Barry & Partners, a Dublin-headquartered civil engineering business. Together, Egis and JB Barry & Partners will form one of the largest multidisciplinary consultancy, engineering and operations firms in Ireland.

For both organisations, the move will accelerate growth in the country and enable both Egis and JB Barry & Partners to better support clients in delivering important major infrastructure projects as part of Project Ireland 2040, such as smart cities, climate change programmes and updates and improvements to critical transport, water and energy infrastructure.

Egis and JB Barry & Partners have significant existing alignment including operating across the full lifecycle of major infrastructure projects from design to construction oversight and operations. Egis has had a firm base in Ireland for 20 years, employing more than 500 staff and delivering major infrastructure projects such as the operation, maintenance and asset management of 470km of Ireland’s strategic road network, including the Dublin Port and Jack Lynch Tunnels.

For over 60 years, JB Barry & Partners has been delivering landmark projects spanning 25 sectors including water services, development and structures, transportation and energy. A few projects of note include upgrades to the

iconic Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest treatment facility in the country, planning the development of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick multimodal transport corridor, and acting as Contractors Designer for the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Development, the largest construction project nationally. The two organisations are currently partnered on several projects in the rail and light rail sectors, including the planning and detailed design of the Luas Finglas in Dublin and the Galway-Athenry Capacity Feasibility Study.

JB Barry & Partners employ over 180 people across four office locations in Ireland. The organisation’s current leadership team and expert staff are expected to stay in post with no anticipated changes to the delivery of JB Barry & Partners existing projects.

Full completion is subject to Competition and Consumer Protection Commission approval.

Laurent Germain, CEO, Egis Group said:

“We are delighted to welcome JB Barry & Partners to Egis. This significant investment in Ireland will support our continued growth and enable us to deliver world-leading civil engineering projects at a greater scale for our clients. I extend my warmest welcome to the JB Barry & Partners team”.

Steve Preece, Managing Director, Egis in Ireland said: “There are many synergies between Egis and JB Barry & Partners, and a history of success and mutual respect in our markets. In joining Egis, we are supporting JB Barry & Partners in the next stage of its impressive journey and together we’ll unlock new capabilities and services for our clients. As part of Egis, there will be new opportunities for JB Barry & Partners to play a role in a pipeline of leading projects around the world.”

Liam Prendiville, Managing Director, JB Barry & Partners, said: “Joining Egis is a natural next step in our organisations development and will give us the capacity to respond to larger domestic and international tenders and offer our existing clients new added value services, particularly in digital transformation, asset management, smart cities and sustainability. We are immensely grateful to our clients and supporters over our long history and we hope you will join us in embracing the next chapter in our development. We sincerely believe that it is good news for clients and staff alike”.

Gary Wilmot, CEO, Kilwaughter Minerals and Gregg Humphrey, Brighter Futures Chairman.

Laurent Germain and Liam Prendiville.

Aer Rents acquires Hudson Lifting Ltd

AER Rents, an O’Flaherty Holdings group company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hudson Lifting Ltd, a leading independent provider of Hire, Sales, Service and Testing of lifting equipment in the United Kingdom.

Founded by Jeff Hudson & Danny Smalldridge in 2018, the company has grown steadily and is already considered as one of the leading providers of lifting equipment and accessories in the UK. Shortly after its inception Kevin Lewis also joined the team and the business has grown steadily from its base in East Tilbury, with the opening of further depots in Dartford and West Drayton. In addition to hire, Hudson also sells a wide range of lifting equipment and accessories from leading suppliers and is also able to provide bespoke, designed lifting gear solutions for one-off requirements through their in-house design team. This latest acquisition significantly strengthens AER Rents specialist services, allowing the group to offer a widened range of products and services to its customers in tandem with the general rental offerings from Mr Plant Hire, Drogheda Hire & Sales, Mainline & Chippindale Hire & Sales. AER Rents & Hudson Lifting will execute an agreed growth plan which will see Hudson establish a UK-wide network of 12 depots over the next 5 years. O’Flaherty Holdings is an organisation well known in Ireland, primarily through its role in

the development of the Irish motor industry. Founded in the 1940s by legendary motor industry entrepreneur, the late Stephen O’Flaherty, the group continues to be owned and managed by members of the O’Flaherty family. Its subsidiaries include Motor Distributors Limited, distributors in Ireland of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles and MSL – a network of independent motor dealerships providing sales and after-sales service for Mercedes-Benz, Mazda & Skoda. The group first invested in plant hire in 2014 with the acquisition of Londonbased Mr Plant Hire and in 2020 also

acquired Ireland-based Drogheda Hire and Midlands-based Mainline Group. AER Rents will continue to expand its presence in the plant hire market through a combination of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, offering its customers access to a wider offering of modern products and services. The group was advised by KPMG Corporate Finance & Legal Services, Dublin, with legal support from Shoosmiths in Manchester. Hudson Lifting were supported by Nelsons Law LLP, located in Nottingham & Denmark Forrester located in Heybridge in Essex.

Ireland’s leading workshop specialist for haulage, transport, plant and fleet

SWS is Ireland’s leading garage fit-out and workshop equipment specialist. With over 40 years’ experience and access to the world’s leading brands, we are trusted by operators who value our expertise, reliability and exceptional value.

When John Killen of Seaforde Metals decided it was time to replace his equipment handler, he made a change from his previous brand and went to Blue Equipment Ireland and their FUCHS range.

Seaforde Scrap Metals is a long-established family business, founded by Peter Killen in 1920. The company specialises in reprocessing ferrous and non-ferrous metals for a wide range of customers from the general public to multi-national companies and its professional, expert services are highly valued and fully accredited. Seaforde Metals is a fully-licensed waste

carrier, waste management facility and authorised treatment facility (ATF).

The material handler needed to be up to long hours of work, both on-site processing scrap metals into bales and at Warrenpoint docks, loading bales for freight shipping. “over the years we have tried different management approaches to our machinery,” said John. “We’ve tried driving the machine until it’s totally done but, when you count the repair bill it’s cheaper to change the regularly used machine every four or five years. It was time for a new material handler and the extra tax relief this year was an added incentive to invest.”

Although he had never previously purchased a FUCHS, John was first attracted to the brand in 1995, when a delegation from the Northern Ireland scrap industry was invited out to the FUCHS factory close to Heidelberg in Germany.

“I was very impressed by the factory and, since then periodically the sale people from Blue would pop in for a chat and cup of tea, even though I was using another brand,” continued John.

“When it came time to update our fleet I found Blue Equipment Ireland was

FUCHS ENGINEERED FOR POWER & EFFICIENCY

AT A GLANCE

Outstanding stability for the toughest jobs.

Operating weight without attachments (t) 33.0-35.5

Engine power (kW) 160

Electric engine power (kW) 132

Loading equipment (m) 14.7-16.0

Operator David Howard enjoying the comfort of the cab in the new Fuchs MHL 350F they recently took delivery of.

really good coming back with answers to my questions. Our family has been in the scrap metal business for 103 years and I have been working in the

business full-time since 1989. I’ve also travelled a lot to the various machinery shows in Europe and the USA I know what I am looking for. Even so, there are always things you don’t know (every day is a school day). I liked the MHL 350F I was very impressed with Blue Equipment Ireland’s response time – possibly the best in my 34 years’ experience. What’s more, if the sales team are fast, the parts department will be efficient and that is important so that maintenance downtime is minimised.”

THE 350F: A STANDOUT MATERIAL HANDLER

State-of-the-art engine technology paired with pioneering hydraulics make the MHL 350F one of the fastest and most sensitive picking and loading machines in its class. Its robust 36 tonne operating weight, a 16-metre reach and a 3-metre undercarriage, coupled with a powerful 160 kW turbo diesel engine and high-performance hydraulics operating on an efficient dualcircuit make it possible for loads weighing several tons to be moved effortlessly, quickly and precisely. This is an agile machine with smooth high to

low manoeuvrability and, utilising the range of grabs available, can collect anything from large single items like a car chassis to mixed small materials. Scrap metal, timber and port handling as well as recycling operations lie at the core of the MHL 350F’s design and it is a genuine multi-tasker.

In the MHL 350F, the stage V diesel engine fully conforms to Tier 4 Final legislation without any compromise on performance. It is more fuel-efficient than earlier models and even features an Eco-Mode option reducing fuel consumption by up to 27% depending on application and loading.

The Fuchs 350F also boasts a maintenance-friendly design and a FUCHS service platform enabling easy access to the main components to minimise downtime, an important factor for Seaforde Metals.

IMPRESSIVE MACHINE

The FUCHS MHL 350F ticks all the boxes for Seaforde Metals’ owner, John Killen and it is also a big hit with its operator, David Howard. David operates the handler processing scrap metal alongside co-worker John, who operates the baler/shearer.

David also operates the MHL 350F for loading at Warrenpoint dock. Even though the 350F arrived less than two months ago, he’s had plenty of time in the cab to assess the machine’s comfort and capabilities.

“I have a lot of experience using other brands and some much older machines, but this is the first time I’ve driven a FUCHS and the first time in my working life that I’ve been lucky enough to drive a brand new model, straight from the factory. I’m definitely enjoying it,” says David. “In terms of my job, the 350F does everything I want it to do and it does it well. It can definitely lift the weights I need, even though the grab adds 1.5 to 2 tonnes to the weight. It’s a powerful, well-balanced machine and can handle heavy loads, even with the arm stretched right out. It’s agile too, the outswing design makes it capable of fitting into smaller spaces without taking away from its lifting and manoeuvring capability, the MHL 350F feels so much better, more comfortable, more competent and more easily operated than older handlers I’ve driven in the past. The FUCHS has a six-cylinder engine, so it’s

also much quieter than other handlers that I’ve driven.” David spends long hours in the cab so comfort and easy access to controls is important. “The cab is very comfy. It has it all really, DAB radio, USB ports, cameras. We’ve currently got two cameras connected, one at the back and one at the right-hand-side where the arm extends, so my visibility is great,” says David. “Everything in the cab is easily adjustable and the display screen lays out all the controls and information within easy visibility and reach. David concludes: “At times, especially when I’m working on the dock, I can be in the cab for fairly long periods, maybe three hours and this machine is so comfortable to work in and so good at doing what I need it to do that it’s just a great place to go work.”

Ashbourne Truck Centre, Ballymadun, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Ireland

Tel: 00353 18350573 Josef: 0035387 255 66 77 Sarah J: 0035386 255 66 77

New Faymonville 4-axle hydraulic widening bed low loader, extendable in width from 2.54m to 3.2m at the push of a bu on, also extendable in length, double ip hydraulic ramps, rear steer axles, hydraulic rear legs, full spec. In stock available immediately.

2022 Faymonville 4 axle 9ft wide, heavy duty spec on 19.5” wheels, trough, extendable, double flip ramps, BPW axles, greaser, marker boards, available with immediate delivery IN STOCK

New Schmitz Bulk Tipping Trailer, 70 cubic yard, step frame design, steel galvanised chassis, roll over cover, grain hatch and sock, sealed tail board, front lift axle, ina stock, available immediately.

2022 Schmitz 8.2m tipping trailers, standard size and higher side wall for waste etc, steel body, galvanised steel chassis, front lift axle, auto dump on suspension, manual cover, sealed tail board, fully thermal insulated in stock also. available with immediate delivery IN STOCK

New Schmitz Cargobull insulated tar spec pping trailer, 8.2m, steel body, electric cover, front li axle. In stock available immediately.

New Faymonville 4 axle fixed bed low loader, two rear steer, double flip ramps, marker boards, 9ft wide plus out riggers, coming into stock within 2 weeks. Available on short delivery (same spec as trailer shown)

New Schmitz Cargobull

Aluminium pping trailer 9.6m, electric cover, rear steer axle, front li axle. In stock available immediately.

New Faymonville MAX 3 axle step frame low loader, double flip ramps (timber or grid floor), in stock available immediately.

2022 Faymonville 4 axle 9ft wide, choice in stock, extendable with trough, or full extension no trough, double flip ramps, hydraulic rear support legs, marker boards, top spec, available with immediate delivery, IN STOCK New Schmitz tipping trailers, in stock & on short delivery times, various specs, 8.2m steel 1460mm side or 1860mm side, manual or electric covers, various other options available.

www.ashbournetruckcentre.com

www.ashbournetruckcentre.com

Ashbourne Truck Centre, Ballymadun, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Ireland

PUMA accreditation scheme from TSA creates a national standard for utility surveys

More than four million excavations take place across the UK every year. Many of these take place without a detailed search for pipes and cables being carried out first. Striking of these underground assets can cause injury and death, as well as millions of pounds worth of damage and delays to major projects. Raising standards in utility surveys is essential to prioritise safety, drive efficiency and save money. To achieve this, The Survey Association, the trade association representing land surveyors in the UK, has launched an accreditation scheme for its members who carry out utility surveys. Named PUMA (PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation), the new accreditation scheme will be run by LRQA, a global leader

in assurance, certification and inspection services. PUMA is designed to assess the ability of surveyors to deliver to the PAS128 specification. It will

provide a benchmark and create a national standard for best practice for underground surveys. Membership of the scheme will give accredited

surveyors a competitive edge and will be a tangible means of demonstrating their continuous professional improvement.

PUMA is the culmination of ten years of development work by TSA. Sam Roberts, Technical Committee Chair at TSA, who has spearheaded the campaign to create PUMA, commented: “Installing and maintaining the UK’s four to five million kilometres of buried assets requires accurate utility data to understand the networks that may be present within a survey area, below and above ground. Previously, survey companies could claim to deliver to the PAS128 specification but did not have to provide any proof of their capability and there was no recognised standard for them to work to. Now, thanks to this new scheme, anyone seeking a utility survey, who sees that a survey company has PUMA accreditation, can have complete confidence in the level of service and the quality of data that will be provided to them.” For more information about PUMA, go to https://www. tsa-uk.org.uk/pas128accreditation/TSA and LRQA

Kieran Holohan appointed Managing Director of Saint-Gobain Ireland

Saint-Gobain Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Kieran Holohan as its new Managing Director. Kieran will begin his tenure as Managing Director on May 1st, 2023, succeeding Pádraig Barry who is retiring after a career with Saint-Gobain Ireland spanning more than 16 years

Kieran joined Saint-Gobain in 2007 and has spent the last nine years as Marketing Director for Saint-Gobain Ireland. Prior to this, he held the positions of Marketing Manager with Moy Isover and Strategy Manager for Saint-Gobain Ireland. During this time, he has been instrumental in the development of Saint-Gobain’s Gyproc and Isover businesses and played a pivotal role in the organisation’s wider success. Throughout his career at Saint-Gobain, Kieran has been an integral part of the leadership team and has amassed extensive experience of the Irish construction market and the competitive dynamics that shape it. In his new role as Managing Director, Kieran will be responsible for developing and executing business strategies for the Saint-Gobain brands Gyproc and Isover in Ireland. He will oversee the company’s executive team, manage the company’s business operations, as well as continuing to grow and enhance

Saint-Gobain’s brand profile as leaders in the Irish building materials market.

A Laois native, Kieran holds a Bachelor in Business Studies from the Atlantic Technological University and was recently awarded an MBA from the South East Technological Institute in 2022. An all-round sports enthusiast, Kieran is a passionate

Gaelic games and soccer fan, and currently enjoys mountain biking. He is also the vice chairperson of the development committee for his local football club, Mooncoin Celtic. Speaking on his appointment as Managing Director of Saint-Gobain Ireland, Kieran Holohan said: “I am delighted to be appointed Managing Director of Saint-Gobain Ireland.

I want to thank Pádraig for the stellar work done under his leadership and the substantial contribution he has made to this organisation during his sixteen years of service.

“As a key contributor to the construction of safe and sustainable buildings in Ireland, I have a huge passion for our organisation and its ability to do an enormous power for good. As a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, we have a key role to play in building a carbon-neutral economy in Ireland. I look forward to leading our exceptionally talented team to continued success and further growth as we play our part to ensure Irish buildings are efficient, safe, sustainable and great places to live and work.

“I will dedicate myself to ensuring the growth ambitions for the organisation are realised and that we build on our strengths to deliver the best possible service to our loyal customer base.”

Kieran Holohan.

Carved by a lifetime of hard work, Rokbak articulated haulers are built to perform. Day after day. Decade after decade. From the heat of the desert to the cold of the arctic, you can rely on Rokbak.

ROKBAK RA30 DELIVERS ON ALL FRONTS FOR SKENE GROUP

Down the road from Rokbak’s Motherwell HQ, a renowned familyowned Scottish construction materials business has shopped local and adopted a RA30 into the fold.

As Rokbak continues to build a global reputation for robust and reliable articulated haulers, just 50 miles directly east of the company’s headquarters in Motherwell, Scotland, Skene Group Construction Services Ltd has put an RA30 to work. Skene Group is a proud family business started in 1968 by the now-retired Donald Skene, with his son Neil later taking over as Chairman and daughter Jill as a Director. Today, it operates a much-valued 100-person workforce,. For Skene, it’s always about bringing in the best people, and best equipment, to each aspect of its operations. “Our partnerships are dictated first and foremost by attitudes and relationships –it’s all about the people that we deal with,” says Skene Group Managing Director Darren Forrester, who has been with the company for a quarter of a century. “Our customers know that we deliver. And, manufacturing in the outdoors, whatever the weather. our product quality remains consistently high.” Well-known around the local area for having its own weather-system, Soutra Mains Quarry in Pathhead, Midlothian, has provided the conditions to demonstrate the best of the Rokbak RA30. Skene Group exracts material from this site for a concrete plant through on-site wash plants and crushing trains –primarily as fill materials and the coarse recycled aggregate of crushed concrete stone. As one of the leading independent quarry operators, Skene currently supplies pre-cast concrete blocks to around 50% of Scotland’s housing market.

LOADED WITH PRIDE

“The RA30 has been a very good, strong asset to Soutra Mains,” says Quarry Operations Director Kevin Hill. “It’s rugged and robust, it can stand up to

the conditions it’s subjected to, and it suits the type of rock we’ve got here.”

The RA30 (arranged through Molson Group) arrived on site in late September 2022. “When we needed to find an articulated hauler manufacturer, we were already attracted by Rokbak’s proximity to us,” explains Darren. “Initially we were speaking to our contact at Molson, but we soon discovered that we could also have close contact with Rokbak, which helped us to fine-tune the product to our specific needs.”

“It was great to have that connection with the Motherwell factory, to be able to see the workforce passion – you can tell the Rokbak products mean something to them.

“But what most impressed me about Rokbak as a manufacturer is that they allowed us to try both the RA30 and RA40 to see what would suit us personally on-site. Rokbak actually invested in Skene Group before we had even placed an order.”

THE RA30 AT WORK

At Soutra Mains, the RA30 is utilised predominantly in the lower benches of the quarry for load and haul, from the bottom level up to the concrete aggregate wash plant. The loading shovel fills the hauler in three passes before the RA30 sets off on an 800-metre round trip across different site levels to the plant and back. “They’re generally dirty conditions for a dumper,” explains Skene Group Services and Quarry Manager Alex Brodie. “The Rokbak is running on compacted Type 1 sub-base with a few ruts here and there, but it’s nothing the machine can’t cope with. We’ve had no issues – the RA30 goes everywhere and does everything we’ve asked it to do.”

TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS

Skene Group’s RA30 customisation involves the popular tailgate and a green safety beacon. Side extensions on the truck

Kevin Hill, Quarry Operations Director.

maximise payload and help prevent spillage while travelling on the haul roads. An autolube system ensures everything is greased at the right times, saving operation time and providing safe maintenance. Heated mirror arrangements offer greater visibility down the side of the machine, and an additional mirror on the bonnet as per Skene Group’s request grants even greater safety while manoeuvring. “Given winter condition, this customisation is specific to the demands of Skene Group and the Soutra Mains Quarry,” says Kenny Price, Rokbak’s Regional Sales Manager for EMEA.

OPERATORS PRAISE THE RA30

“I’ve been using the Rokbak since it arrived and it’s really nice to operate,” says Quarry Operative Robert Robertson. “When I first arrive on site in the morning, I check over the machine and do the initial checks with the oil, water and hydraulic levels. The layout makes everything quick and clear to see. “The rear-view camera makes my life a lot easier when you’re reversing the hauler, and the large windows offer a lot of visibility. With any operation, comfort is very important, and it is a very comfortable truck to drive. Personally, I like the amount of room the cabin offers, as well as the stereo of course!”

The RA30’s spacious ROPS/FOPS certified cabs have been designed to avoid fatigue –with low noise, air-conditioning, cushioned steering and tough suspension. Easy

operation and service data extraction is gained through clear instrumentation and an LCD display for operational and service feedback, including fuel consumption, while smart data identifies any faults and damage before they cause downtime.

MEETING REQUIREMENTS

“When Skene Group was considering replacing an existing hauler, we were able to demonstrate how the RA30

met all of their requirements including safety, efficiency, productivity and operator acceptance,” says Mark Proudfoot, Managing Director, Molson Group. “Feedback for the RA30 has been extremely positive in terms of performance, efficiency and reliability –customers including Skene Group like that it’s modern but down-to-earth.”

FROM THE DESK OF: GORDON BEST, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MPANI

STRONGER TOGETHER WITH ONE VOICE

Our recent MPANI annual general meeting and question time session was a great success and my thanks go to everyone who attended the event at the Dunsilly Hotel. In his address our Chairman, Paul Brogan, highlighted the importance of MPANIs collaborations with other Industry bodies and Associations in engaging with the Government on issues such as Brexit, red diesel rebate removal, energy costs, planning and skills.

As he said, “We are stronger together with one voice”. “Likewise, there are matters in all our sectors where, by working together through MPANI, all our companies can benefit from the strength of having one representative voice”. Paul also highlighted the ongoing unfortunate position we still find ourselves in relation to the lack of an Executive and no functioning government. As an Association we cannot point the political finger on what any party should or should not do. We would strongly recommend, though, to the MPANI membership to engage with your local MLA’s and give them your perspective, as business people, as to what you consider is in the best interests of the country. The dire predictions for 2023 that were given back in the latter half of 2022 thankfully have not come to pass and while the market in NI has taken a downturn it is not as bad as many had feared. Those sectors, such as highway maintenance, are being impacted by the lack of an executive and confirmation of budgets thus endangering the retention of a skilled and heavily invested-in workforce.

The continuing impact of the turbulent energy markets created by the war in Ukraine is having a significant and alarming impact on contracts with the costs of some materials, particularly bitumen, not being reflected in the monthly price fluctuation indices. MPANI has written to the Office of National Statistics and BEIS seeking information on a freedom of information basis asking how the price fluctuation indices information is collated and processed.

BIOCHAR IN CONCRETE

The MPANI Concrete Development Group recently met with QUB and the Agri-food and Bio-science Institute (AFBI) to discuss the use of Biochar in concrete and cement products in NI. Biochar is a lightweight black residue, made of carbon and ashes, remaining after the pyrolysis of biomass. According to Professor David Rooney and Thomas Cromie, this material can be a lower carbon alternative to be used by the Industry. QUB has written a report, the second draft of which has been submitted to the Department for the Economy. MPANI has reviewed the report and we are excited about the positive aspects the use of biochar can bring to reducing the carbon footprints of concrete products in NI.

Given that NI Agriculture produces enough food to feed 8 million people and we only have 2 million people we have enough biochar and biomethane from the biomass process to meet the needs of the NI Concrete Industry.

MINERAL PLANNING FOR MINERAL PLANNERS

On the planning front, I recently facilitated a presentation on Mineral Planning for Mineral Planners by Julian Smallshaw of IoQ at the Strategic Planning Group meeting on 16th March in Mid Ulster Council Offices in Magherafelt. The course is aimed at local authority planners and is an updated version of the course we delivered to council planners some 5 years ago.

I am delighted to say Julian’s presentation was very well received and it was agreed the course will be delivered later this year to local council planners dealing with mineral planning applications. Also on the 26th April, our MPANI / NIEA liaison group held a Mineral Planning workshop to which council planners dealing with mineral applications regularly were invited. It was an excellent engagement and sharing of ideas and no doubt will help all stakeholders engaged in the mineral planning process towards a better understanding

Gordon Best, MPANI

Our AGM Question time panel from left, Gordon Best (Regional Director MPANI), David Surplus MBE, B9 Energy, Claire Sullivan, CBI NI Policy Director, Stuart Anderson, NI Chamber and Chair of the NI Business Brexit Working Group, Nichola Mallon, Logistics UK, Paul Brogan, MPANI Chairman.

of each others position. More events and site visits are planned for later this year.

One of the key messages I made to the Senior Planners on the Strategic Planning Group was that MPANI were keen to engage with local planners to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of minerals for NI into the future. “Supply should never be assumed”.

“Mineral products represent the largest material flow in the economy, with the vast majority of supply used in NI construction but also supporting a variety of agricultural, industrial and manufacturing activities. As such, these resources are of strategic importance to the economy.

“The continued decline in aggregate reserves, nationally and regionally, is a stark reminder that the future ‘steady and adequate’ supply of these essential minerals cannot be assumed. It requires effective planning, management and monitoring and there is a continued clear desire from both local authorities and from industry for the National and Sub-national Guidelines for aggregates provision to be updated to support the Managed Aggregate Supply System (MASS). The case for a national statement of need has never been stronger and we will continue to press DLUHC Ministers for this.

“The under-replenishment of mineral reserves over the last decade represents an unsustainable position, and the fact that the decline continues, despite two years of reduced aggregate sales, should ring alarm bells given the role of these minerals underpinning Government ambitions around net zero, green recovery and ‘levelling up’. Looking forwards, there is certainly no evidence that demand for these strategic resources will reduce over the next decade and beyond. As such, the pressures on the reserve base will only increase unless something changes. “To secure the most sustainable and costeffective supply of these materials will require active support and management, backed by data to monitor performance, to ensure the right resources can be made available in the right place and at the right time.”

PMI POINTS TO PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH MOMENTUM

The recent Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers Index pointed to growth gaining momentum in the Northern Ireland private sector. Output, new orders and employment all increased at sharper rates. However, rates of inflation in both input costs and output prices continued to ease. Richard Ramsay commented, “Construction was the only NI sector not in expansion mode in March. The lack of a Stormont Executive and a paralysis in decision-making is being felt and will continue to be felt in this sector. This is reflected in the new orders indicator which has indicated declines for 21 months running. In the latest report, construction was the only sector not to see new orders growing, in fact recording a marked fall”.

He added “One of the few bright spots for construction is employment, with headcounts growing as firms fill vacancies that they perhaps were unable to fill when the labour market was tighter. Indeed, employment was strong across all sectors, growing at the joint-fastest pace on record and one that exceeded all other UK regions.

SAFE QUARRY MAKEOVER AND TOOLBOX TALKS

Last but by no means least, can I again recommend to all readers our SafeQuarry.com, which has recently had a makeover. Safequarry is a longestablished website, managed by MPA as a resource for the whole industry. It provides an important central hub which includes circa 1,200 examples of good practice from the MPA Health and Safety Awards, guidance, incident alerts, toolbox talks, hot topics, over 400 videos and other resources that are relevant to all product sectors within the mineral products industry. Updated versions of both the Safequarry and QNJAC websites were jointly launched on 1st March at an industry health and safety forum. MPA has launched a series of nine toolbox talks that deal with isolation from energy sources on mobile plant. The toolbox talks cover a wide range of earthmoving plant including excavators, loading shovels, dump trucks as well as road vehicles including tipping lorries, and tankers. The resources were developed by the MPA Fatal 6 working group that considers Isolation and Entrapment and are an essential resource for operators and engineers who may be required to carry out maintenance on mobile plant. The guides consider all sources of energy that are typically found on mobile plant and go beyond motive power. Other sources of energy include hydraulic, gravitational, and pneumatic. A significant proportion of fatalities in the industry

have been as a result of contact with moving machinery, often associated with reactive maintenance and a failure to correctly isolate all sources of energy. Much work has been done to reduce the risks from unintended start-up of plant that has not been correctly isolated; these guides are a useful tool to illustrate other sources of energy found on mobile plant that could cause serious injury or death if they are not identified and correctly isolated. The new toolbox talks on isolation can be found on Safequarry.com. Please go to Fatal 1 – Contact with moving machinery and isolation section of the website and click on the Orange Toolbox Talk rectangular button, that can be found at the bottom of the page. Safequarry is now similar in appearance to the main MPA website and features improved functionality and navigation. Whilst content can be searched using criteria based on specific product sectors, experience has shown that vital lessons and experience can be gained by reviewing content, such as incidents alerts and good practice, generated from across all the product sectors. We are all Safer by Sharing. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible at our Local Member Forum on May 25th in the Seagoe Hotel Portadown, kindly sponsored by the Norman Emerson Group. To all our Affiliate Members please remember that if you want to put up a stand please do so early as space will be in high demand.

If you’re interested in becoming a full or affiliate member of MPANI and get access to up to date Industry news and guidance don’t hesitate to give me a call on 07876136929. It would be great to have you on board.

More short tails for Takeuchi

New for 2023 is an addition to the extensive Takeuchi line up of short tail excavators.

The TB335R is a stylish new short tail that weighs in at 3.8-tonnes. One of the new 3-Series Takeuchi excavators, it is packed full of value-added features offered as standard for maximum safety and productivity.

The new model sits in the 3-4-tonne weight class. Stage V ready with 18.2kW and Eco operating mode this short tail delivers maximum versatility on-site. The larger than average track frame and optimised counterweight provides excellent stability and just 75mm maximum track overhang. The compact size offers maximum accessibility where space is limited.

The 3-Series styling comes with a very comfortable large styled cab with high back suspension seat and good foot room. A highlight is the 3-Series automotive styled Jog-Dial and large colour touch screen for easy machine operating. Designed for maximum all day operating, climate control comes as standard in the TB335R along with skylight with sun shade and

rainguard. The in-cab DAB radio, microphone socket, Bluetooth, and a 12V charging socket provides all the support operators need for a “working office”.

The TB335R is designed with attention to safety on site. Visibility is enhanced with all around LED work lights – front, back and internal. The blind-side window is larger and lower for maximum dig and slew area visibility. Holding check valves are fitted as standard along with audible warning lift alarm. The steel hitch pipework is factory fitted with easy hand/ foot activation switches. Regular attachments can be pre-set and password secured. Service access as always is first class. The swingout engine hood and large side panels provide full 270° access for daily checks and servicing. The electric re-fuelling pump provides fast fill-up and has a cradle for safe storage. The in cab easy lift floor

panels combined with a new front of cab service panel give maximum access to hydraulic components and test points. The TB335R combines all the proven characteristics of Takeuchi excavators: smooth hydraulics, power performance, proven durability, high resale value, with maximum operator comfort and serviceability.

Mobile Screen for Coarse Elements - More flexibility and efficiency on site

Kleemann

The new MOBISCREEN MSS 802(i) EVO offers users a mobile, efficient screening plant that was designed to meet changing challenges in different application areas. With its well-thought-out plant design and flexible conversion options, Kleemann demonstrates how a high material flow can be guaranteed in natural stone and recycling applications. With the development of the MOBISCREEN MSS 802(i) EVO, a new generation of screening plants and successor of the MS 15 Z, Kleemann consciously places the focus on the user perspective. The technology behind the screening process must be easy and safe to use for all users. The new plant impresses not only with technological highlights in the process sequence, but also through its ergonomic design, optimised operation and the userfriendly maintenance concept.

Improved mobility and flexibility

With its proportionally controlled running gear, the plant can be quickly relocated either by a lowloader to the job site or within the building site. Apart from other improvements of the new MSS 802(i) EVO, folding of the side discharge conveyors without the need for disassembly clearly

reduces set-up times. Increased application variability is provided by a hopper rear wall that can be folded to three heights, which permits feeding of crushing plants with a lower discharge height. The simple adjustment of the screen parameters rapidly adapt the MSS 802(i) EVO to a very wide range of feed materials, reduce set-up times and thus

personnel requirements and costs. The screen casing angle with a wide adjustment range from 15.4 – 20° makes optimises the screening capacity possible, allowing the MSS 802(i) EVO to produce and discharge two or three final grain sizes, Efficient and precise process sequences for optimum material flow

An optimised material flow is a central aspect of all screening plants. With its new mobile screen for coarse elements, Kleemann demonstrates what screening plants of the latest generation can achieve. This includes a wide crusher discharge conveyor on which, like all of the other conveyors, the speed can be steplessly adjusted, as well as a large material transfer system to the screen deck for optimum utilisation of the screening surfaces. High discharge heights and thus higher stockpiles thanks to the optionally available extended crusher discharge conveyor and telescopic side discharge conveyors guarantee ideal processes on the building site. The new MOBISCREEN MSS 802(i) EVO can be operated through line coupling with all EVO and PRO crushing plants integrated in the process and safety system.

The MSS 802(i) EVO impresses with a feed capacity of up to 500 t/h in natural stone and in recycling.

Sod is turned on ‘pivotal’ new wastewater project in Athlone and the Midlands Region

A sod turning to signal the start of construction on one of the largest capital investment projects to date by Uisce Éireann took place in Athlone, on the banks of the River Shannon. The €114 landmark project to upgrade the town’s wastewater collection system is pivotal to meet the growing needs of homes and businesses, while providing capacity for current and future growth and development. Crucially, the new scheme will also protect the environment and enhance water quality in the Shannon while significantly reducing the risk of sewer flooding to homes and businesses.

Commenting on the importance of the project, the CEO of Uisce Éireann, Niall Gleeson said: “This is a landmark project for Athlone and its surrounding communities, and we are looking forward to delivering it on their behalf.

“The project itself is one of the largest capital investments by Uisce Éireann to date and will bring numerous benefits to the local community and environment. It is a massive undertaking for us and our delivery partners, and today marks another major milestone in our work to ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged to the environment.”

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. It is committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Niall Gleeson, CEO of Uisce Éireann, with pupils from St Peter’s National School at the sod turning of the €114 landmark Athlone Main Drainage Scheme project which will safeguard the environment and enhance water quality in the Shannon while significantly reducing the risk of sewer flooding to homes and businesses.

DEVELON to show DL280-7 Wheel Loader at WasteExpo 2023

DEVELON, formerly known as Doosan Construction Equipment, will display a next-generation wheel loader during WasteExpo in New Orleans, Louisiana in the USA from 2-4 May 2023. The DEVELON DL280-7 wheel loader will be in booth 2512 during the trade show at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The DL280-7 wheel loader offers durability and manoeuvrability for loading and carrying construction materials, transporting scrap or working at agricultural facilities. Durability features include optional stronger axles, increased lift capacities, wider radiator fin spacing and a standard reversible fan to clear dirt, dust and other large debris to reduce clogging. Featuring a roomier, more comfortable cab, the DL280-7 includes relocated controls for more intuitive use. Increased glass area, a

full-glass door, larger mirrors and optional LED work lights offer all-around visibility. In addition, the exclusive Transparent Bucket option provides a supplemental visual perspective by allowing operators to ‘see through’ the bucket from an in-cab display. An upgraded heating and air conditioning system is designed to keep wheel loader operators comfortable when working long days. The Smart Guidance System provides tips for operators to achieve more efficient machine use.

NTA to Brief Domestic & International Construction Sector on Sustainable Transport Plans

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is to brief contractors and consultants in Ireland and abroad on opportunities that will arise as a result of National Development Plan (NDP) investment in sustainable transport over the next decade.

The briefing will take place by way of a two-hour Zoom webinar on 26 May. Interested parties from Ireland and abroad will be invited to attend.

The meeting will be chaired by NTA CEO Anne Graham and addressed by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan along with Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Paschal Donohoe. Representatives of Iarnród Éireann and Transport Infrastructure Ireland will also participate in the event.

The meeting will hear of NDP plans to invest in public transport, active travel and the

connectivity of communities to the tune of €35bn, including €15.3bn allocated to the NTA between now and 2030.

Sustainable transport programmes earmarked for funding in the NDP include BusConnects, MetroLink and DART+ along with an ambitious

Engine: 139 kW (189 HP)

Operating weight: 15673 kg

Bucket capacity: 3 m3

Static tipping load, full turn: 10820 kg

Dump height: 2819 mm

Dump reach, 45 degrees: 1.14 m

programme of active travel schemes around the country. NTA CEO Anne Graham said: “We’re looking to hear from contractors, designers, consultants, and any other interested parties involved in the construction supply chain.

“During next month’s event, attendees will be encouraged to message NTA facilitators to schedule one-to-one followup sessions with ourselves or with some of the other key stakeholders, either for later that day or in the following days or weeks.”

DL280-7 Wheel Loader Specs

SUPERIOR SCREENING WITH TEREX ECOTEC’S NEW PHOENIX 2100T TROMMEL SCREEN

Leading environmental equipment specialist, Terex Ecotec, has further enhanced its trommel offering with the launch of the new Phoenix 2100T. A tracked variant of the market leading Phoenix 2100 trommel, it has been intuitively designed offering operators unrivalled throughput, application flexibility and serviceability. Fully equipped with a Stage V/ Tier 4 Final engine and the latest intelligent screening technology, the Phoenix 2100T delivers superior screening efficiency. Ideal for medium sized operations the Phoenix 2100T can accurately screen a variety of materials including compost, biomass, soil, green waste, C&D waste and aggregates.

Pawel Kononczuk, Sales Director commented: “The Phoenix 2100T is the latest trommel to be launched by Terex Ecotec and will complement our strong range of trommels already in the market. Whilst maintaining the key features of the existing Phoenix trommel range, it has been purposefully engineered

to provide improved service and maintenance access. Manoeuvred via heavy duty crawler tracks, the Phoenix 2100T offers increased site mobility and is a great solution for difficult terrain.”

With a rapid set up time the Phoenix 2100T is ready to work in minutes with no tooling required. The user-friendly control system with push button start/stop offers simple operation and diagnostics, allowing the operator to effortlessly configure the machine to suit the required application. The fully proportional, hydrostatic feeder combined with an

intelligent control system continually monitors the machine adjusting the feeder speed to optimise screening performance and throughput.

The Phoenix 2100T is fitted with a 1.94m x 6.45m screening drum with heavy duty mesh or punch plate options available ensuring that all application requirements are met. Equipped with a powerful hydrostatic fourwheel drive system the Phoenix

2100T offers unrivalled start up torque and screening efficiency. With a fully independent track subframe the drum screening angle can be adjusted from 0° - 7° whilst in operation. Maintenance and inspection can be carried out with ease due to the side drum access. Powered by a 102kW (137HP) CAT C4.4 Stage V/Tier 4 Final engine, the Phoenix 2100T offers the perfect blend of power

and efficiency, reducing operating costs. Both noise and emission levels are reduced due to the machine running at a lower engine RPM. The swing out power unit provides unprecedented service access enabling daily checks and maintenance to be carried out from ground level. The 180° radial fines conveyor with a variable discharge height of up to 5.3m can be remote controlled whilst in operation,

maximising stockpile capacity. Both the radial fines and oversize conveyors lower to ground level hydraulically for maintenance.

The Phoenix 2100T is available to purchase now via Terex Ecotec’s world class dealer network that provide the sales and aftermarket service demanded for in the market. To learn more and to locate your nearest dealer visit www.terex.com/ecotec

IDEAL FOR MEDIUM SIZED OPERATIONS THE PHOENIX 2100T CAN ACCURATELY SCREEN A VARIETY OF MATERIALS INCLUDING COMPOST, BIOMASS, SOIL, GREEN WASTE, C&D WASTE AND AGGREGATES.

SENSATIONAL SANY STEPS UP TO THE PLATE AT KM PRODUCTS

A key member of the team at KM Products in Laurencetown, Paul McMullen is a professional digger driver with thirty-five years’ experience, but he’d never met a SANY before. That was until Kevin Murphy of KM Products bought a SANY SY155U from Sleator Plant. Plant and Civil Engineer caught up with Paul to get the verdict on the compact zero tail-swing excavator. Paul does all of KM Products’ digging and excavating works and he is also contracted by other companies. He’s driven just about every excavator brand but he’d

never met a Sany before. He’s liking the experience.

“Kevin is expanding his site considerably, and he decided to buy his own excavator as an investment and for ongoing work,” says Paul. “The site to be excavated was 18 metres by 35 metres, so we wanted a compact machine but one that could handle any job. We both went to Sleator Plant in Mallusk to try out the Sany SY155U. We liked it, Kevin bought it and I’ve been working away with it since it arrived about six weeks ago.”

“It’s a real tidy, compact machine but, at 16 tonnes, it punches plenty of power, thanks to the Stage V ISUZU

engine. The zero tail-swing really improves its ability to work in smaller spaces and load-sensing hydraulics means you’ve always got the power you need, while at the same time increasing fuel efficiency. Its capabilities are unbelievable for its size it’s well capable of doing the same work as a 210. It’s as good a digger as I’ve ever driven; it can handle heavy work, it can get into tight spaces, it’s good on sloping ground and it is very economical to run. It’s also relatively quiet, which is a bonus. So far, I’ve clocked 130 hours on it and there have been no issues or glitches at all, the SY155U just

keeps on getting on with the job.”

WHAT ABOUT LIFE INSIDE THE CAB?

“It’s very comfortable,” says Paul. “It’s got everything you’d want and then some. There’s a great view from the cab and a rearview camera, so I feel confident I can see everything going on.

The seat’s air suspension makes it very comfortable and it can be heated for working in colder weather. The screen and instrument panel are very easy to read and there are LED

work lights which make it easy to work on as the daylight is fading.

“There’s plenty of storage space inside and the sound system is excellent, which is a bonus for me as I’m driving it from 7 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Even taking all your breaks, that’s a long day in the cab but the design and finish are very comfortable, even on long shifts.”

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE SANY SY155U

Kevin Murphy established KM Fuels in 2010, originally as a fuel, oil and gas distributor, but the business has expanded considerably into timber, aggregates and building supplies. Already KM Products can service any construction or DIY project from stock, however, the range and stock holding capacity will increase significantly with the new space currently being created with the Sany machine.

“This was my first excavator purchase, so I didn’t have any set ideas about which brand I wanted, I was more interested in getting the right size of machine

with the capability to do anything I might want it for,” says Kevin.

“I wanted the excavator to be able to work in tight conditions, so the zero tail-swing was a key requirement to enhance manoeuvrability in smaller spaces to minimise disruption to other business operations on the site. I wanted an excavator that was capable of doing any job I might have for it, which was where Paul came in, He’s been a professional digger driver for 35 years, he’s driven many different makes and models and he knows his job. Having Paul with me at Sleator Plant gave me the expert advice I needed to make the right purchase.

“I’ve been very happy with the SANY SY 155U, it is doing the job I want it for. It is a compact machine but capable of heavy work, even in small spaces and on slopes and Paul is very pleased with it, which means he enjoys working the

machine and is happy to give the job concentrated time.”

WHY SANY WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE

“We had looked up the SANY SY155 and Paul and I liked the combination of a smaller machine but with plenty of power,” says Kevin. “That said, we went with an open mind and were convinced by Paul’s try-out, the detailed knowledge the Sleator Plant staff have of the products and their ability to answer all our questions.

“As an excavator, the SANY SY155U ticked all the right boxes, in terms of power, performance, fuel efficiency and user comfort. The warranty, the aftersales service promise and ultimately closing a good deal on the investment made Sleator Plant a great company to work with.”

L-R: Kevin Murphy Junior, Kevin Murphy Senior & Michael Murphy.

The SANY SY155 U is working to extend the Laurencetown site to facilitate business growth for KM Fuels and Drumhorc Pallets.

New Bobcat Machine IQ Telematics System for Customers

Bobcat has launched the company’s new Machine IQ telematics system, connecting customers to their machines’ information at any time, anywhere and from any device.

The Bobcat Machine IQ telematics system allows customers to check the health of their machines and remotely track information that enhances maintenance, security and performance, all from smart devices or laptops. This simple and powerful tool empowers customers to get the most out of their Bobcat equipment, achieving more while protecting their investment at the same time.

The benefits of Customer Machine IQ include:

• Planned and Unplanned Maintenance: Provides critical notifications to manage maintenance and maximize machine uptime

• Machine Security: Prevents theft and machine misuse with geofence, motion detection and curfew capabilities

• Reporting and Analytics: Reviews utilization reports to optimise performance

There are various ways for Bobcat customers to connect with Machine IQ. They can join up by going on the web at my.bobcat. com, creating an account and logging in. Alternatively, the

Mobile App for Machine IQ can be downloaded from Google Play/ Apple store, where there are also QR codes that can be scanned using the camera on a mobile device to sign up to Machine IQ. Machine IQ can easily be installed on compatible Bobcat machines already in the field. Customers

should contact their local dealer to check compatibility. Bobcat dealers can also explain what Machine IQ can do to help customers’ businesses and how to link their Bobcat machines to their account.

Bobcat Machine IQ video: https://youtu.be/b_4pgDasGPg

Tapaquote, the Dublin-bred global app for the equipment industry

Dublin-based entrepreneur Danielle McSorley is taking her state-of-theart sales app, Tapaquote, global.

The app, which was developed specifically for the equipment industry, has already been sold to companies in Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, indicating the significant potential for the app’s success in the global market.

Tapaquote allows sales representatives to send specifications and professional quotations via WhatsApp or email with just a few clicks while on the road. The app also enables users to view stock, monitor sales orders, and receive sales leads. Sales managers will be able to generate reports based on various filters. One of the most unique features of Tapaquote is that each app is entirely customised to suit each individual company, including their letter heading and branding. This allows the app to be seamlessly integrated into any company’s sales process.

DMC Consultancy, founded by Danielle in 2018, is the driving force behind Tapaquote’s development..

Danielle McSorley’s entrepreneurial spirit seems to be following in the footsteps of her grandfather, the late entrepreneur genius John Finlay who started Finlay Engineering, now Terex Finlay. Danielle’s experience in the equipment industry has led to the creation of an app that has the potential to revolutionise sales processes. For more information check out tapaquote.com

Danielle McSorley.

tippers

TIPPERS ON A CHARGE

However unfeasible it might appear right now, electric-powered vehicles and machinery look set to become the new norm within Government targets to reach net zero. The first electric tipper has already arrived in the UK. Championing the transition from diesel to battery electric heavy trucks, Lancashirebased, family-owned Fox Group introduced two new Volvo FE Electric tippers into its fleet last June. The company is the first in the UK to invest in electric tippers and the second company in Europe to do so. (In 2021, French plant hire specialist Noblet Group took delivery of the first Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E. fitted with a tipper and crane.) The pair will operate from the company’s depot on the Enterprise Business Park in Leyland, where charging infrastructure has been installed to support both the trucks and staff cars, as a clear demonstration of the firm’s road-to-zero commitment.

Paul Fox, Managing Director of Fox Bros said “We are strongly committed to playing our part in the UK’s push to reach net zero and we will be making more of our fleet electric in the future. This milestone is just the beginning of the journey, and we believe if the country is serious about substantially reducing carbon emissions, the construction sector needs to join the party – and we are proud to be playing our part and leading from the front. Each of the Volvo FE Electric 6x2 rigids is plated at 27-tonnes – one tonne more than a standard three-axle rigid – which helps to offset the additional weight of the batteries.

Mounted with Thompsons tipper bodywork, they are operating primarily on local contracts for customers such as Lancashire County Council, being used to move materials to and from construction sites, before returning to base each night to be recharged.

The two trucks feature a day cab, full air suspension and a hydraulically-steered rear axle for exceptional manoeuvrability – perfect when operating in urban areas or accessing building sites with restricted access. They offer a range of around 150 km on a full charge from their four battery packs, taking into account PTO usage – making them ideal for Fox Group’s local work.

The FE Electric powertrain consists of two electric motors and a two-speed gearbox, with power being generated by an electric motor with an output of 400 kW. The trucks can use different drive modes

to help set the desired performance, comfort and energy usage levels.

Thomas Hardie Commercials delivered them into service backed by a comprehensive five-year Volvo Gold Contract, which includes preventative maintenance and repairs, and the monitoring of key systems including batteries and other critical components. This will see all scheduled maintenance take place at its Preston dealership, which is equipped to maintain electric vehicles on a six-weekly maintenance schedule. Speaking about how the two tippers have been received by customers, Paul Fox acknowledged that the investment was substantial, just shy of three times the price of a diesel version, but had been exceptionally well-received by customers. “For us to have something as technically advanced as this I think sets us and the industry ahead and recognises that we are quite a forward-thinking sector,” he said. “We’re supplying customers who are very aware these are electric vehicles and recognise the value of them. They know where we’re going with technology and trucks. “We’re going to also try to look at a full electric service. We know we won’t achieve that across the whole business for many years because it is a mammoth task to do. However, we do already run a small fleet of electric plant, dumpers, excavators and rollers and I think with the electric trucks we can offer that wider service so that we can say to a customer, particularly in a city centre, that we can carry out their requirements on a full electric basis.”

Paul Fox.

REDUCE YOUR CO 2 EMISSIONS BY UP TO 90% RIGHT NOW.

Switch your MAN tipper truck to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and you’ll instantly cut your CO2 emissions by up to 90%.

That’s because every MAN truck with a Euro 6C compliant engine can be switched to HVO fuel straightaway.

n HVO fuel (EN15940) is completely interchangeable with diesel (EN 590)

n Identical oil-change intervals and warranty as with regular diesel

n No need to drain or clean your tanks

n No upfront capital expenditure.

Next time you fill up, go HVO

To find out more from our team, please scan

MAN TIPPERS TAKING THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH

When it comes to tippers, it’s hard to beat the appeal of MAN’s next generation 8x4 TGS, regarded as the chassis configuration of choice for the construction, aggregate and bulk goods sectors.

Available with a choice of two latest generation, Euro-6D compliant engines, the D15 at 330, 360 and 400 hp and the larger volume D26, delivering 430, 470 and 510 hp respectively, the TGS comes with a host of standard and optional features.

The D15, launched in 2019, is a small cubic capacity 9-litre 6-cylinder lump which packs a punch and offers operators a robust, efficient, economical and lightweight. Compared to its predecessor (the D20) the new D15 is 230 kilograms lighter, so an ideal choice for those wanting to maximise their payload opportunities. Achieving the latest Euro-6D emissions the D15 engine, delivering between 1,600 and 1,800Nm respectively, relies solely on an SCR exhaust gas aftertreatment. This technology helps simplify servicing, saves weight and at the same time frees up valuable chassis space. For those wanting a more powerful, yet still lightweight option, the new TGS with the D26 caters for your every need. Making numerous minor improvements MAN had managed to shed around 70 kilograms of weight and significantly reduce fuel consumption to the tune of 8 percent. The 12.4 litre, six-cylinder model is available in 430 hp, 470 hp and 510 hp outputs and the progressive torque curves show 2,200, 2,400 and 2,600 Nm is available from as low as 930 rpm.

The MAN TipMatic automated gearbox offers effortless stepped gearchanges, both on and off-road; it even automatically detects loads and angles

of inclination and optimises the shift pattern to ensure that the best and most appropriate gear is always selected. The sophisticated gearbox software allows for ‘smart- shifting’ which minimises traction interruptions when changing gear while travelling uphill, for instance, and ‘idle speed driving’ enables comfortable moving off and driving at idling speed; this feature allows you to manoeuvre the truck with precision and sensitivity – and also enables you to easily cope with slowmoving traffic - and should the truck get stuck in wet or loose ground, there’s a rocking-free function that makes it easier to drive off, especially due to the ability of the clutch to rapidly open and closing. It also has a fuel saving idle shut down feature which automatically switches off the engine after four minutes of idling, following a warning. In addition, MAN TipMatic also contains pre-programmed driving settings for various driving situations, such as the fuel-saving Efficiency mode,

Manoeuvre mode and Performance mode for a more agile driving style.

SMART BRAKING

Meanwhile, the MAN BrakeMatic smart brake with electric braking and ABS make it possible, for example, to maintain a constant speed when going downhill by regulating the sustained-action brakes automatically. In situations where you have to react fast, this braking system is exactly what you want; based on the strength of pedal movement, the braking assistant recognises when hazard braking is needed and immediately activates full braking power. Clearly designed with the driver in mind, the entry of the MAN TGS is comfortably positioned in the centre of the doorway. The steps are equipped with non-slip grating and are fit for any off-road application. The bottom step is equipped with an elastic mount that allows for oscillating movements and thus prevents damage. For that extra bit of freedom of movement, the steering wheel position can be individually adjusted and pushed forward completely into a horizontal position when at standstill, while the backfriendly seat allows the driver to forget he’s travelling along even the roughest terrain.

Controls for the MAN TipMatic automatic gear shift system have been placed in the

righthand steering column stalk. That not only frees up space between the seats, as the usual console between the seats is no longer needed, but also improves ergonomics and safety. Close at hand as well – to the right of the combi-dashboard – is the control for the electric handbrake. This means it is optimally positioned with respect to gear controls and the ignition. It can be operated at any time but is now also automatically activated when the vehicle is parked and released when it

tippers

moves off. This creates additional room where a lever was previously needed. Other safety features include a mirror system made up of main and wideangle, large kerb and front mirrors. The blind spot has practically been eliminated, which makes for safer operation on busy construction sites. Other available safety systems at your disposal include lane change support which with the help of radar sensors, monitors the areas to the left and right of the vehicle’s lane when it is travelling at speeds over 50 km/h. If the sensors identify a hazard when changing lanes you will receive an

early warning, enabling you to prevent a possible collision with other road users. You will find storage space in abundance, too, for all your bits and pieces, including storage boxes, units behind the driver's and co-driver's sides, a tray table and two pull-out cup holders in the instrument panel, as well as MAN’s innovative SmartSelect system, which makes using the truck’s multimedia system child’s play even in demanding driving situations on construction sites. Functions such as maps, music, cameras and more can be selected via a user friendly dial with hand rest.

THE FUTURE OF APPLICATIONS HAS STARTED:

DAF LAUNCHES FULL SERIES OF NEW GENERATION VOCATIONAL TRUCKS

DAF has completed its successful New Generation XD, XF, XG and XG+ range with a suite of double-driven tractors and rigids for off- and on-road applications. These include the new XDC and XFC Construction vehicles that are now also available in 4x2 axle versions. For applications that require the lowest vulnerability without the need for off-road capabilities, DAF has launched the new Extra Robust version of the XD and XF. In short, there is a New Generation DAF for every application.

The New Generation XD, XF, XG and XG+ trucks have changed the transport industry, setting new standards in efficiency, safety and driver comfort. The XF, XG and XG+ were awarded ‘International Truck of the Year 2022’ whilst the XD received prestigious recognition for 2023. The unique DNA of these multiple awardwinning vehicles carries forward into construction and vocational sectors with the next group of models released in the New Generation truck program.

XDC AND XFC CONSTRUCTION TRUCKS

The New Generation XDC and XFC construction vehicles are distinguished by the dominant black grille and a robust steel bumper, steel radiator protection plate and two maintenance-free LED fog lights – deeply recessed in the bumper for maximum protection. A flexible lower step is available as an option.

The New Generation XDC and XFC have a high ground clearance of up to 40 centimetres and an approach angle of 25 degrees, which makes them ideal for applications which require regular driving off-road. The XDC and XFC are available in 8x4, 6x4 and – for the first time – 4x2 axle configurations.

WIDE RANGE OF TANDEMS

For excellent traction under tough conditions, DAF offers its XDC and XFC trucks with a choice of double-drive, low-maintenance tandems: from a 19-tonne light weight tandem with single reduction (SR1132T), leaf spring suspension and disc or drum brakes to 21- and 26-tonne variants (SR1360T) with single reduction, disc brakes and air suspension.

For heavy and off-road applications, the 21and 26-tonne tandem is also available with hub reduction (HR1670T). The tandems are available with wide range of rear axle ratio options from 3.46:1 to 7.21:1 to perfectly tune the specification to the individual task.

6x4 and 8x4 for on-road applications

The entire range of DAF tandem sets is also available for the new on-road 6x4 and 8x4 New Generation DAF vehicles, needing superb traction and high payloads. The 6x4 and 8x4 rigids are available as XD and XF. The 6x4 tractor is available as an XG and XG+, as are 8x4 rigids with a steered trailing axle. The 8x4 heavy duty tractor with steered pusher axle for exceptional transport applications is available as a XF, XG and XG+.

HYDRAULIC PXP FRONTWHEEL DRIVE AS AN OPTION

For applications that may occasionally require extra traction, DAF offers a firstclass hydraulic front-wheel drive option for 4x2 tractor versions of the XD, XDC, XF and XFC. This robust and maintenance friendly ‘PXP’ system can be activated via a switch on the dashboard.

tippers

Ideal cross-over: XD and XF Extra Robust Entirely new are the ‘XD Extra Robust’ and ‘XF Extra Robust’. The series combines the robust cabs of the XDC and XFC with an on-road chassis. This is the perfect solution for operators in the construction and municipal segments who value the lowest vulnerability but do not need full off-road capabilities. The robust front execution with its prominent high-mounted bumper is always combined with a neatly integrated front under-run protection beam and is available on all XD and XF rigid and tractor configurations. New 4 axle XD and XF vehicles with

single drive

The New Generation DAF trucks programme has been extended to include a full series of 4 axle variants with single drive for on-road applications. These chassis versions, with steered pusher axle and/or (non-)steered trailing axles, are ideal for applications such as heavy container transport, sewer cleaning and heavy waste collection.

Highly efficient drivelines

The outstanding fuel efficiency performance – resulting in the lowest emissions – is the result of amongst others a highly aerodynamic design and application of the latest PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 drivelines with TraXon gearbox. This automated transmission features, upon request, dedicated off-road software and ‘ASR-off’ as well as ‘Rock-Free’ functionalities for moving off in slippery conditions and to facilitate fast rocking to help extricate the vehicle in extremely tough circumstances.

THE RIGHT PTO FOR EVERY APPLICATION

Obviously, DAF offers a wide range of power take-offs (PTOs) to perfectly meet the wide variety of customer requirements in the construction and vocational segment. The program includes engine PTO’s positioned

at 1 o’clock for heavy applications and a version at 11 o’clock for lighter applications, and indirect PTO options that can be mounted at the front of the engine for hook loading systems or tippers. A full range of gearbox PTOs is also available. DAF’s close collaboration with leading European bodybuilders results in industry-leading bodybuilder-friendliness, including predefined ‘Plug and Play’ options. Furthermore, software integration enables simplified data sharing and communication between vehicle and superstructure allowing a perfect integration of controls, signals and warnings.

THE NEW STANDARD IN SAFETY AND DRIVER COMFORT

All new versions for construction, municipal and other vocational applications benefit from the new safety and driver comfort standard introduced by the New Generation XD, XF, XG and XG+.

All trucks feature a large windscreen and ultra-low belt lines for exceptional direct and indirect view, which is supported by the optional kerb view window and state-of-theart technologies such as the DAF Digital Vision System and the unique DAF Corner View. A wide suite of driver assistance systems as well as class-leading ergonomics also contribute to best-in-class safety. In addition, the New Generation DAF trucks offer a perfect accessibility, an unmatched interior space and the best possible working and living environment for outstanding driver comfort. DAF completes its successful New Generation XD, XF, XG and XG+ range with a full range of 2, 3 and 4 axle tractors and rigids for construction, municipal and other vocational applications, all requiring tailor-made solutions for highest efficiency, optimal safety and unprecedented driver comfort. DAF offers the best truck for every transport task.

tippers

RENAULT C RANGE FROM DIAMOND TRUCKS MAXIMISES PAYLOAD FOR OPERATORS

As an authorised Renault truck dealer for Northern Ireland and the North West of England based in Warrington, Diamond Trucks is an obvious champion of the brand and its products. Iain Latimer says, “Renault Trucks is always focused on the needs of end users and consistently delivers reliability, fuel savings, comfort and safety right across its product range.” The Renault C Range is a case in point. The objective behind the development of the C range was to maximise the payload potential and manoeuvrability around a lighter-weight vehicle (than the K range) and, as Diamond Truck customers will attest, Renault has achieved its goal.

DESIGNED TO PERFORM

Essentially, the Renault C Range can be customised to suit customer requirements with a large options of axle conifgurations: 4x2 Twin rear, 6x2 TSG, 6x4, 8x4, 8x4*4 Tridem and 8x2*6. With the addition of aluminium tanks and rims, disc brakes, and single reduction tandem axles creating a Higher payload. The C range is available in 2 engine options the 11 litre 380, 430 & 460 Bhp and the 13 Litre 440, 480 & 520 Bhp and is now also available to order with the new Renault DE13TC engine. If which is engineered to provide improved fuel efficiency

and reduced CO2 emissions. Patented Wave Piston technology redirects the flames inside the combustion bowl, allowing better use of available oxygen and therefore better combustion. The engines are also equipped with new injectors with improved precision. Further efficiencies accrue from reducing frictional losses in redesigned connecting rods, pistons and crankshaft.

A new high-performance turbocharger with faster response time and a variable flow oil pump has also been developed. Together these innovations generate up to 5% fuel savings and CO2 reductions.

WORKHORSE FOR EVERY SITE

On-site performance is paramount to tipper truck operators and the Renault C range is not just fit for purpose but also purpose designed with specific equipment to optimise function. These include power take-offs to operate bodybuilders’ equipment while driving or stationary, from 270 Nm to 2,000 Nm on the gearbox and/or the engine; Corbels on the side frames to make body mounting operations easier and a rear overhang to avoid cutting the side members. It offers three exhaust outlets, on the left side, in the track and vertical, with mechanical and electrical provisions for installing cranes.

Fitted with an updated Optdriver gearbox featuring dedicated Optivision software, the Renault C range delivers faster and smoother gear changes, while an Optitrack hydrostatic traction

system on front wheels gives increased traction for controlled power on all types of terrain.

To boost manoeuvrability and efficiency, the C range comes with inter-wheel and interaxle differential lock, a ground clearance of 312mm under the front axle and up to 440mm under the tank, a 24° angle of attack with 100% steel bumpers, a manual accelerator to maintain a constant speed whatever the terrain and an off-road mode for optimised gear changes.

DRIVING AND OPERATING COMFORT

On board a Renault Trucks

C Range, drivers can expect comfort and convenience..

Perhaps the steering column tops the bill. Described as one of the best on the market, it has three adjustable axis points, while intuitive foot control finds the driver’s best driving position.

A panoramic ‘cockpit-design’ puts all functions within easy reach, including a touchscreen HD monitor, audio system with entertainment menu, DAB radio, Tom Tom navigation, Bluetooth® and cameras. The Renault C range incorporates the latest driver assistance technologies, including anti-runaway mode and anti-intrusion locking.

So what do Diamond Trucks customers have to say about the Renault C Range tippers?

NORTHSTONE MATERIALS DIVISION

Northstone (NI) Materials Division has been building its fleet with Renault and Diamond Trucks since 2015 and last year bought 11 new Renault C 430 8x4 tippers. The trucks are being used to deliver

bitumen, aggregates, sand and concrete products to contractors across Northern Ireland.

Transport Manager Nigel Galbraith said: “Our original order in 2015 was for 24 vehicles and they have proved to be highly reliable, so we had no hesitation in renewing the fleet with these latest C 430s. The trucks are very good on bad ground thanks to improved ground clearance.

“The support we have enjoyed with Diamond Trucks over the years was also a major factor; it has been second to none. As you can imagine, an operation like ours cannot afford any unnecessary downtime, so a reliable backup service is essential.”

E QUINN CONTRACTS

Pomeroy-based E Quinn Contracts is one of Ireland’s leading road planing contractors and operates Northern Ireland’s largest fleet of road milling machines. Just one month ago,

the company took delivery of its first Renault C Range from Diamond Trucks.

Ronan Quinn commented: “We have other brands in our fleet, including DAF and Volvo, but this is our first experience with Renault. We’re using her to deliver machines to jobs and to draw the tar cleanings away and the C Range does everything we want very well, in fact, the driver is very happy with it.

“It was also our first experience of working with Diamond Trucks. Matthew, who worked with us is excellent and would thoroughly recommend the company.”

P. KEENAN QUARRIES

Brendan Keenan of P. Keenan Quarries is a convert to the Renault C Range and now has three in his fleet. He bought his first C Range tipper around four years ago, “It was making friends with Matthew Keys at Diamond Trucks that brought me to the Renault C Range and he lured me on board with the offer of an

ex-demonstration truck. I knew the Renault has a Volvo drive train and so I bought it,” said Brendan. “I bought a second Renault two years later and then I ordered a brand-new C Range, which I’ve had for about six months now.

“They are very good machines all told and we’ve had very few technical problems that needed support from Diamond but when we’ve needed them, their service has been excellent.”

ALAN ARMSTRONG LIME

It’s just three weeks since Alan Armstrong Lime took delivery of his first Renault C Range Tipper from Diamond Trucks via MK Trucks in Fermanagh. Alan is using the tipper to collect lime from the AG Fivemiletown quarry and deliver to farms throughout Tyrone, Fermanagh and Donegal, so he has already put in hours in the cab and miles on the road.

“The gearbox is very smooth and the steering column is excellent - I can adjust it to suit me, which all makes for comfortable driving. I had heard good reports on the Renault C Range, and it was time to replace my previous tipper so I thought I’d try it out. I’ve not been disappointed; it’s a good machine and Matthew from Diamond Trucks was very helpful.”

County Antrim agricultural contractor fined for failing to maintain machinery brakes

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) has successfully led a prosecution against a County Antrim-based company. The case arose following the death of an employee on 15 September 2021 who was operating a tractor and manure spreader on farmland at Islandmagee, County Antrim.

On 22 March 2023 at Ballymena Magistrates Court, the Company was fined £1,000 for failing to ensure the safety of all employees by not maintaining the brakes of the manure spreader. Speaking after the hearing, Kyle Carrick, Head of HSENI’s Major Investigation Team, said “Poorly maintained or ineffective brakes have resulted in a number of fatalities and serious injuries within the agriculture sector.”

Construction company fined £800,000 after death of 10-year-old boy

A Scottish civil engineering contractor has been fined £800,000 for safety breaches after a 10-year-old boy died after falling down a manhole on a building site in Glasgow. Ten-year-old Shea Ryan went out to play with his friends on the evening of 16th July 2020 and got onto the construction site where he was able to enter a manhole within which he fell. Emergency services and local residents raced to the scene and rescued Shea from the manhole but tragically he died from his injuries. The construction site was part of a surface water management project being carried out adjacent to Glenkirk Drive in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow on behalf of Glasgow City Council. An investigation by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that insufficient measures had been taken to prevent children gaining access to the construction site.

Trucking company fined after ‘hero’ mechanic dies

A Lancashire trucking company has been fined £30,000 after a mechanic died while repairing a forklift truck. The companu was working with a new employee as they attempted to fix a steering fault on a forklift truck at the

firm’s site at Salthill Industrial Estate in Clitheroe on 13 October 2020. While doing this, Mr Robinson, 39, told the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the forklift truck was over 30-years-old and had

not been maintained nor subjected to a Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) examination for some years. No principles of working with vehicles at the site had been put in place. However, the forklift truck reversed and trapped Mr Robinson against a trailer. The 39-year-old, who was from Clitheroe, was taken to hospital with severe head injuries following the incident and placed in an induced coma. He died the following day.

RICS disappointed by revised UK Government energy strategy

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) responded with disappointment towards the UK Government’s revised energy strategy, Powering Up Britain. The government’s revised strategy arrives in the wake of a 2022 High Court ruling that the previous plan did not provide enough detail on plans to tackle climate change.

The strategy now outlines key areas of activity for the

government in progressing towards net zero but, importantly, contains little in the way of new announcements or funding. Given the significant role surveyors have in supporting the decarbonisation of the built environment, RICS has eagerly anticipated this announcement.

Key points from the revised strategy include the following: Launching the Great British Insulation Scheme that will see up to 300,000 homes become more energy efficient

Phasing out of new and replacement gas boilers by 2035

The continuation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and £30 million towards boosting the manufacturing of heat pumps

Significant investment in carbon capture and nuclear technologies, as well as offshore wind farm infrastructure

Sam Rees, Senior Public Affairs Officer for RICS, said: “While RICS welcomes any investment in the decarbonisation of the UK, RICS is disappointed by the

lack of ambition or indeed any major new announcements.

“Powering Up Britain contained little in the way of incentives for the majority of consumers and businesses to create low-carbon, energy-efficient properties. Further expected announcements by the government look set to push back decarbonisation of the built environment, including a now 12-year phasing out of gas boilers and delays to create higher EPC-rated homes.”

‘REELIN’ IN THE YEARS’ AG WILSON - 44 YEARS OF GROWTH THROUGH EXPERIENCE

Steely Dan’s song ‘Reelin’ in the Years’ seems to be about taking hold of life experiences, claiming them, and learning from them. That concept encapsulates the success story that is AG Wilson Civil Engineering. Most people working in construction and civil engineering understand that business growth and direction are often influenced by public sector policies. So it was for Bertie Wilson. He had started his working life as an employee of the Lurgan Water Board, but when the old structure was changed to a centralised Water Executive within the Department for the Environment in 1974, Bertie decided it was time to experience civil engineering in the private sector. He worked with several firms, including McCartan & McAteer, where his first job was the construction of the Warrenpoint Ferry booth. In 1979, Bertie Wilson decided to start up his own firm and AG Wilson was formed as a partnership with his wife Shirley. “That was a time of much greater opportunity and potential than now and I was keen to forge

www.agwilsoncivilengineering.com

my own path,” said Bertie. “My first Contract was on a road scheme at Lenaderg. That was over 40 years ago, and AG Wilson has thrived and diversified over that time to the company we have today. I started off with just the one digger – a Poclain 90. Now we have nearly 40 diggers, so that tells a story in itself”.

The company was founded on its current site at Upper Ballyduggan, starting off in a dwelling house. The yard was added in 1981 and the office, built in two phases, the first in 2008 and the second in 2017, which doubled the building’s capacity. Currently, 14 people work in the office while around 70 staff work on-site. There are now 11 civil engineers in the company in Northern Ireland and six in Scotland. AG Wilson prides itself on the fact that they have the ability to self deliver projects, as the vast majority of its workers are directly employed. In 2010 the company became incorporated and later in 2015 Berties son Derek and childhood friend Richard Chambers joined the board of directors. Both had been working for the company since leaving full time education and together injected a strong leadership approach to diversifying the business.

FITTING INTO THE FRAMEWORK

Another change in governmental policy in Northern Ireland marked an opportunity for AG Wilson. In 2007, the NI Water Executive was restructured as an executive agency,

the Northern Ireland Water Service (now simply called NI Water). Following this, the NI Water Framework was introduced whereby, instead of each contract going out to individual tender, NI Water appointed a small number of main contractors to undertake its programmes of work. AG Wilson was one of those main contractors and has retained that status through subsequent iterations of the Water Framework.

“This was of great significance to AG Wilson, as it meant we knew we were guaranteed work for five years,” commented Bertie.

DOWNTURN TO UPTURN

The economic downturn of 2008 was a challenging time across all business sectors and construction suffered badly. “Before the downturn, we relied on subcontract work for a significant part of our business, and we realised that, while it was great to have the work, this was a potential weakness in our business model,” said Richard Chambers. “We wanted to be in a position to win main contracts in our own right.” This gave the company a renewed focus on qualifications, accreditations and affiliations that would boost its standing in the construction industry and bring it to another level. Now, all AG Wilson’s projects are delivered through third-party, accredited management systems. The company is NQA ISO 9001. 14001 and 45001 and UKAS management systems and SSIP accredited.

COMPANY DIRECTORS

AG Wilson is also a Constructionline (Silver), CITB register employer and a member of the Construction Employers Federation. These accreditations qualified AG Wilson to tender for and win more and larger, government contracts and the subcontracting work is now only a small part of the business. Along the way, AG Wilson embraced opportunities for diversification, harnessing the demand for renewable energy sources including hydropower projects, anaerobic digesters, solar and wind power projects.

SCOTTISH EXPANSION

AG Wilson’s presence in Scotland evolved organically as Richard Chambers and Derek Wilson took on contracts in Scotland. One project led to another as their reputation grew and AG Wilson has now had a presence in Scotland for 20-plus years. Clients include various Local Authorities, Gleesons , and a large range of projects for Scottish Water, which include major pipework installations, cementing the company’s expertise in large diameter fusion welding. Derek Wilson recalled one particular project for Caledonian Water which required fusion welding on a 7 km stretch of 1,000mm diameter pipes. AG Wilson’s reputation in fusion welding is such that this is one area of the business where specialist subcontracting services are still undertaken.

Shirley Wilson.

Richard Chambers.

Derek Wilson.

Bertie Wilson.

ag wilson civil engineering

With Richard and Derek building AG Wilson’s profile and reputation in Scotland, from 2016 onwards the company pushed for significant growth in that market and was very successful, winning the RCS Framework contract with Scottish Water, which covered all of Scotland.

“In January 2022 we bought West Riverside Farm, which already had some warehousing in Carron Valley , near Stirling,” said Richard Chambers. “It was ideally located in terms of working in every area of Scotland and close to the main road network. We added a fully equipped office to the existing dwelling and, to be honest, it was great to have a base after so many years working in Scotland. “The investment has paid off. We’ve recently been awarded significant contracts worth around £15 million.”

Back home in Northern Ireland, the workflow is equally positive. “We’ve been awarded several interesting projects, including the recently completed Newry Flood Alleviation Scheme,” continued Derek Wilson. “We’ve also completed tunnelling projects in Belfast for NI Water, one alongside the railway track on Maryville Avenue, another at Olympia Drive near Windsor Park and we are due to commence another in Moonstone Street.”

INVESTMENTS TO DIE FOR

This year AG Wilson is setting the stage for the next phase of company growth with a multi-million-pound investment programme and the line-up of new machinery purchases is envy-inducing. The programme kicked off with the £1m purchase of a TESMEC Marais ST2 rock saw trencher. “The trenching wheel can cut up to 155cm deep with an impressive

precision that it maintains, even working in rural environments and rocky ground,” said Derek Wilson. “It allows for simultaneous trenching and mechanical laying and we’re confident that it will generate a quick payback on investment.”

AG Wilson staff on the road have also been treated to a fleet upgrade, with the purchase of 20 new vans from VW and Renault. The excavator fleet has also been bolstered with the purchase of six new diggers. New additions include five SANY SY80U short-tail-swing excavators; a SANY SY155U tracked, compact short-tail-swing excavator, which is ideal for use in tight spaces such as inner-city construction sites. Last, but by no means least in the new diggers line-up is the ’Rubber Duck”, also known as the SANY SY 155W, which comes with a tilt and rotating engcon hitch.

Carnlough Harbour Master: The seaside village of Carnlough plays a pivotal role in the filming of Game of Thrones. On-screen, it transformed into the free city of Braavos. It is here that we see Arya Stark learning to become a faceless assassin. The circular steps on the quay, constructed by AG Wilson feature prominently in filming. (Image courtesy Tourism NI)

ag wilson civil engineering

AG Wilson has also purchased five new Scania trucks to add to the fleet. “Buying new is important to us. They are more fuel efficient, and we’re committed to decarbonising, so we only buy the most up-to-date models that conform to European emissions standards. Already our company

vehicles,” said Richard Chambers . The investment programme also includes the purchase of a crusher and screener for recycling aggregate in-house. “It makes sense to recycle our own rock and aggregate filling from several perspectives,” continued Richard . “Firstly, it reuses our own waste product and

saves us money, and it also contributes to our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.”

MARINE ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS

The engineering backgrounds and experience in-house at AG Wilson have led to a particular specialism in marine engineering.

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

SALES, PARTS & SERVICE:

Circular Road, Larne BT40 3AB

Tel: +44 (0) 28 2827 9611

PARTS & SERVICE

feedback.roadtrucks@scania.com

PARTS & SERVICE:

Gortrush Industrial Estate, Omagh BT78 5LU

Tel: +44 (0) 28 8225 9198

feedback.roadtrucks@scania.com

www.roadtrucksscania.co.uk

ag wilson civil engineering

For Rathin Island harbour, 18,000m3 of the inner and outer harbour had to be dredged to allow for the installation of a pontoon system and the installation of a new control building. And the new harbour. At Carnlough Harbour, AG Wilson’s restoration work had to be finished in a way that was sympathetic to the picturesque and historic harbour. Bertie Wilson designed circular steps as the centrepiece of the quay and it went on to become a centrepiece for Game of Thrones. However, much of AG Wilson’s specialist marine engineering goes largely unnoticed, since it has involved laying pipes under the sea bed, Pipe laying projects at Kilkeel, Ardglass and Ballymartin established the company’s credentials and led to larger projects, such as the laying of pipework between Stranraer and Portpatrick, some 700m out to sea. That project required working at depths of 15m. Similarly, installing water mains piping underneath the River Tweed (a famous salmon and trout river) required installing 500m of pipework 20m beneath the river bed, whilst working to strict environmental protection guidelines. Specialist marine engineering is not always possible with machines. When Port Muck harbour wall was falling, the underwater restoration work had to be done manually by divers working in tidal conditions.

Supplying quality new and used commercial vehicles to customers across Northern Ireland and beyond.

ag wilson civil engineering

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

As a locally owned business, AG Wilson has strong roots in its community and this school year the company introduced ‘BeSafe Bert’ and his campaign to educate primary children about safety on and around construction sites. Shauna McKay is the human face of the initiative and has previously been welcomed to primary schools in the local area, Newry and Belfast. Shauna said: “The children have all been so excited to meet Bert and interested to learn about the dangers on construction sites. As part of our visit we

leave them a safety pack and BeSafe Bert picture challenge and I’ve been thrilled at the amazing participation from the children.”

A subsidiary aim of this community engagement programme is to inspire the future generation and instil an interest in civil engineering (or building things) as a career. “We divide our company into three divisions; marine construction, fusion welding and civil engineering,” said Richard Chambers , “but it is all civil engineering. Civils incorporates everything we do and we are keen to showcase engineering as a career.”

Tullygally Education Visit.

ag wilson civil engineering

NEWRY FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME

The purpose of this Infrastructure scheme is to protect properties located at Armagh Road, Downshire Road, Belfast Road, Craigmore Road, Chancellor’s Road and Greenbank Industrial Estate, Newry, from flooding. The works were undertaken by AG Wilson as Principal Contractor on behalf of DFI Rivers and carried out on 4. sites within Newry. Works commenced Aug 2021 along the Armagh Road Drain and involved the upgrade of the existing culvert the entire line of the watercourse; construction of a section of flood defence wall, construction of a flood defence on both sides of the Derrybeg River and installation of a new culvert at Newry Leisure Centre. Upgrading the existing Downshire stream culvert required the construction of a U-channel within the existing watercourse. Construction of a new inlet grille involved extending the existing twin 900mm Ø culverts to meet the grille area. Two U-Channel sections included floodgates. Construction of two flood defence walls at Greenbank Industrial Estate consisted of sheet piling and flood bunds along the 1km stretch of the Knox-Pebbles Drain. Works at Craigmore Road required the construction of a new grille and dredging of the existing watercourse to remove any overgrown vegetation within the channel.

COMPLEXITY

The delivery of this flood alleviation scheme posed several challenges and engineering solutions were required along a 40m section where it was impossible to install 1350mm pipes due to a lack of cover from the top of the pipe to ground level. To overcome this constraint, a dual-pipe system was installed. Service crossings also presented challenges, especially during the installation of sheet piling where seven services were found to cross the river at varying points along the route. To overcome this the ground was reduced to expose all services and 7m H beams were driven down each side of the service with concrete panels placed between

the beams. This meant that services were not affected, and the panels were below water level to maintain flood defences. Due to the proximity of the electric cable feeding the local PSNI station a new design was required utilising the rock at the face of each bank to form a channel and minimise the requirement for excavation in the stream bed.

BUILD QUALITY

To achieve a high standard finish, U channels along the Downshire road section were precast. This ensured no waste and a fullstrength product from point of installation. This method of buildability also eliminated the risk of pollution to the watercourse. Channels were procured from our supply chain member, approved and evaluated to ensure the quality of their product and ability to offer capital efficiencies and whole-life value for money. As the product was already cast it was easier to stay on programme with planned deliveries and within budget due to agreed costs.

HEALTH & SAFETY

AG Wilson managed on-site Health and Safety under ISO 45001:2018 Management System with safe systems of work in

PROJECT FOCUS

Newry Flood Alleviation Scheme

Client: DFI Rivers / AMEY

Value Range: <5M

place. Site-specific control measures included trench box systems utilised in excavations and recovery fall arrest davit winch working in manholes. Where existing paths or areas required temporary closure, all access points were robustly secured, with adequate signage erected.

SOCIAL VALUE

The site was registered to the Considerate Constructors Scheme and achieved an excellent performance level and ranked in the top 70% of miscellaneous sites nationwide. We adopted best-practice sustainable initiatives. These included but were not limited to, opportunities for local unemployed, apprenticeships, support for a local charity and school, promoting careers in construction and proactive environmental enhancements. The site supported a positive impact on the local community. Works were programmed to minimise inconvenience to the public along with the implementation of a community engagement plan. Covid compliant notice boards were erected keeping the public informed on progress to date & upcoming works.

ag wilson civil engineering

OBAN NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS

The overall scope for this Water Infrastructure project within the resort town of Oban required the replacement of an existing 12” AC trunk main with fusion welding and the installation of over 2.3km HighDensity Poly Ethylene (HDPE) pipe of varying sizes across challenging terrain. The works were undertaken by AG Wilson as the Main Contractor on behalf of Scottish Water delivery partner Caledonia Water Alliance and completed a £4.6 million network investment in Oban, Argyll & Bute The project was programmed over a duration of 16 months and encountered a range of difficult geological ground conditions. The first phase of programmed works commenced in November 2020 and was divided into five areas which involved the replacement of 1.8km of pipework between Colonsay Terrace and the junction of McCaig Road with the A816. The final phase required the installation of an additional 500 metres of new pipes, connecting into existing infrastructure at Tullich water treatment works. Many constraints had to be overcome on this complex project, from crossing a busy A road to tunnelling below the main railway track into the town. These vital transport links could not be closed, so innovative engineering solutions were required to overcome the constraints. This involved a delicate operation to tunnel 15m beneath an important railway line and also below a box culvert crossing the A816 road, which was surrounded by rock. This involved round-the-clock drilling, which was carried out by our approved subcontractors with no impact on the railway line or Scottish Water customers. A convoy traffic management system was utilised along the A816 road to protect the workforce and the public throughout the works. Within the project, the key focus was placed on lifetime operational use, by incorporating this into the design deliverables, all apparatus which needed to be operated was located off the carriageway. This has an added benefit that all ironwork and lids are offline and not within the pavement.

In the long term, this means that the road surface has not been damaged. AG Wilson was involved with this project from its outset with key influence on the design to ensure delivery. The company utilised technology and innovation to complete the tunnels below the railway with a Gyro tracking system to trace the direction and depths of pilot bores. Throughout the scheme, we managed to install the pipeline outside of the road network where possible to ensure minimum disruption to the locals. Where works have been completed on the carriageway a full-width reinstatement was completed to improve the road. Due to Oban’s remote location, the availability of materials and lead times during the Covid pandemic proved challenging. To manage this we adjusted the design to more standardised items with availability in the central belt and organised our own transport to ensure ‘just in time’ deliveries were achieved. This crucial planning exercise enabled AG Wilson to deliver the project on time and within budget.

Before work commencing and during the construction phase our team engaged with the local community (schools, businesses and residents) to build and maintain positive relationships. On completion of

PROJECT FOCUS

Oban Network Improvements

Client: CWA / Scottish Water

Value: <5M

the pipeline, AG Wilson installed a new polymetric long jump to the rear of the high school’s all-weather pitch to enhance the area. Sustainable initiatives also involved engagement with Oban High School to share project information with their STEM department and facilitating a site visit for the students to see the complex operations and gain an understanding of the engineering technicalities and H&S procedures on a project of this scale. Throughout the construction phase, our company demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, experience & organisational capability to undertake Contractor duties under Regulation 15 of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015. This was evident through our excellent safety record on site and zero reportable incidents. Through its completion, the new re-routed water main will help reduce the risk of flooding in the Soroba area of Oban, which has experienced significant bursts, causing flooding to Scottish Water customer properties for several years. A robust and reliable water supply was therefore essential, and our experienced team worked incredibly hard in often challenging circumstances and conditions to successfully deliver this project.

UK’S FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC MIXER DEMONSTRATES PATHWAY TO LOW CARBON LOGISTICS

The UK’s first all-electric ready-mix concrete mixer has successfully completed a three-month trial of commercial deliveries across Birmingham for Tarmac, marking a significant step on the path to net zero construction.

The ‘e-mixer’, created in partnership with Renault Trucks and TVS Interfleet, is the first of its kind to operate anywhere in the UK with zero tailpipe emissions. With the same average capacity as a conventional diesel vehicle, it is expected to save 42 tonnes of CO2 annually, with zero emissions per mile compared to 1.55 kg of CO2 per mile for its fossil fuel equivalent.

The mixer forms part of Tarmac’s strategy to develop integrated low carbon logistics by offering decarbonised transport for the last mile of a construction project. Operating out of the company’s rail-fed Birmingham Plant at Washwood Heath, it builds on Tarmac’s extensive logistics network which includes more than 60 rail connected sites across the UK.

Ben Garner, Tarmac’s low carbon logistics lead, said: “We have committed to being at the forefront of implementing low CO2 transport and logistics solutions and

the successful operation of this e-mixer is a significant milestone for both Tarmac and the UK construction sector.

“Our extensive logistics capabilities and strong collaborative relationships with supply chain partners enable us to continue exploring initiatives and innovations that move high quality construction materials to the right place at the right time, supporting our customers with the delivery of a lower carbon built environment.

“With the arrival of this new vehicle, we’re able to offer something completely new to the market and demonstrate that a fully integrated low carbon logistics model is possible.”

As part of the vehicle’s development, the partnership team created an entirely new digital operating system alongside improving safety measures during operation. The truck also offers reduced noise and vibrations, while contributing to improving air quality, particularly when operating in urban areas and low and zero emissions zones, such as Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. The e-mixer boasts increased energy savings and has a longer lifespan compared to its traditional internal combustion engine counterparts.

Andrew Scott, Head of Electric Mobility and Product Development, Renault Trucks UK and Ireland, said: “Renault Trucks has been delighted to partner with Tarmac and TVS Interfleet in the development of the first electric concrete mixer in the UK. Like Tarmac we share the highest ambitions to decarbonise the construction sector and see this as the first of many zero carbon vehicles which we can introduce together to help drive carbon out of construction.”

Kevin Walker, Technical Director at TVS Interfleet, adds: “To develop the new electric mixer, the TVS Interfleet team was asked to completely forget everything they thought they knew about building mixers and start from scratch, which has resulted in a mixer with several new patents. While the original brief was to deliver energy saving benefits and a focus on decarbonising the construction industry through electrification, other benefits have also been realised including heightened safety and a quieter operation; all of which adds to the long list of benefits the e-mixer delivers.

The e-mixer was awarded the BAA Award for Safety and Innovation at The UK Concrete Show in March 2023.

PLANT & CIVIL ENGINEER

CONSTRUCTION, QUARRY & RECYCLING MAGAZINE AWARD CATEGORIES 2023

PLANT HIRE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This Award will be presented to the organisation which offers an extensive portfolio of high quality products, flexible hire options, and respected customer service policies. Entrants should outline how their company provides a level of plant hire expertise that puts them ahead of the competition, eg: product knowledge, distribution network, prompt delivery and collection, equipment options, cost effective hiring and any unique services available. Customer testimonies may also be submitted.

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE

This category is open to all companies in the construction, quarrying, waste management and plant & machinery sectors, including dealers, equipment suppliers, service & maintenance agents as well as other associated businesses. Entrants need to demonstrate a high lev el of customer care and support. Customer testimonies will be accepted.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE AWARD

From Innovative resource management and environmental impact mitigation to biodiversity projects, ethical or charitable initiatives and more, this award recognises those effecting real change from across the environmental and sustainabilty spectrum.

HIGH ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This category is for the individual or company that has achieved outstanding success such as in sales, contract wins, company expansion/development or other areas of business over the past 12 months.

Open to any individual or company currently active in the construction, civil engineering, quarrying, waste management and plant & machinery industries. The entrant must highlight the area in which they operate, level and type of achievement as well as outline any relevant factors or reasons that contribute to that success.

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This Award will be presented to the company or organisation who has demonstrated over the past year involvement with major or specialist projects throughout the island of Ireland, Great Britain or worldwide which illustrate high levels of skill within project management, innovation, specialist projects. Customer testimonies may also be submitted.

MINERAL PRODUCTS SITE (QUARRY) OF THE YEAR

This category is open to individual working quarries, whether hardrock, sand or gravel, where the operator demonstrates safe working practices, the highest levels of pollution control, sustainability, biodiversity, and operational efficiency, while offering a strong portfolio of products and services. Customer testimonies can be submitted.

WASTES MANAGEMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

The Award will recognize individual excellence within the resources and Wastes Management industry, through best practice and innovation across a range of commercial and public sectors.

HEALTH & SAFETY AWARD

This award will be presented to the company that can demonstrate safety management systems leading to zero accidents in the plant, quarry, construction and waste management industries. Criteria to include: health & safety policy relative to the size of the company. Well developed training needs analysis and training provision. Risk assessment procedures. Demonstration of capital investment on the ground for safety.

SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

This category is open to contractors involved in any sector of the industry, including Civil Engineering, Highways, Quarrying, Utilities, Construction and Groundworks. The award will be presented to the contractor who has successfully demonstrated or employed specialist, individual, unique, and/or innovative skills on any project or scheme within the last 12 months.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

This award, for which nominations are now open, will be presented to the individual who has been outstanding in his or her service to the industry, whose personal achievements, accomplishments or initiatives in the construction, quarrying or plant & machinery sectors deserve recognition.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THE YEAR

This award is for the company, team or individual who has demonstrated exceptional skills, expertise, design and innovation on a construction project, be it a building, a road, a utility facility or any other similar undertaking throughout the island of Ireland, Great Britain or worldwide.

QUARRY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

This Award will be presented to the individual working within the quarry sector in a dedicated quarry management team. He or she must demonstrate attention to safe working practice; clear management skills; pollution control, sustainability, biodiversity; examples of working under unique conditions; health and safety practices; and submit details of what makes this individual outstanding in his or her field. Customer testimonies may also be submitted.

WASTE MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE YEAR

People are at the heart of delivering the products, processes and services needed to deliver high performance in waste and resource management. This award recognises any team that has shown a collective commitment to go above and beyond what is expected in order to deliver top results from a waste and recyclying perspective.

R&D INNOVATION AWARD

This category is open to all transformational and progressive companies with the best examples of how they are harnessing research, development and innovation to further enhance their business operations and impact the industry or environments in which they serve. Entrants must be able to demonstrate how innovation, scientific advancement or technological development would apply to the following:

1. The introduction of new processes, products or services

2. An appreciable improvement to existing processes, products or services

3. The duplication of existing processes, products or services in a new way Compelling examples of innovation, advancement or development can range from the optimisation of software design, construction techniques, development of new machinery to the implementation of more effective environmental solutions etc.

DEMOLITION PROJECT OF THE YEAR

This category is for high profile demolition projects that imposed major challenges to successful completion or which required an innovative demolition approach. Entries should demonstrate these challenges and how they were successfully overcome, on time, within budget and with an exemplary safety record. Submissions should include demolition methodology statements, site waste management plans and any other relevant project documentation. Client testimonials concerning the work carried out may also be supplied if possible. Open to all demolition contractors.

CIVIL ENGINEERING COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This Award will be presented to the organisation who can report on successful involvement within a wide variety of civil engineering projects including planning, construction and maintenance of fixed structures or public works throughout the island of Ireland, Great Britain, or worldwide. The information provided should demonstrate high levels of skill within project management, procurement, innovation and specialist projects. Customer testimonies may also be submitted.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY AWARD

This award is for individual /organisations that can demonstrate excellence in enabling a high quality, high value end market product from recycled/recovered materials.

TOP TEAM OF THE YEAR

This award is open to all companies and businesses in every sector of the plant, construction, quarry and civil engineering industries – and recognises teams within the organisation who by working together on a project, initiative or strategy have made a significant and positive contribution, perhaps by overcoming difficulties and challenges to do so. Over the past three years teams of people in many companies have stepped up to ensure survival and overcome adversities. A team, by definition, could be made up by just two people, or a hundred; size is not important. What is important is that the team can demonstrate outstanding achievement or accomplishment in their area or field of expertise. This is an opportunity to shine a light on those deserving of recognition for their achievements. Please supply hi resolution images to illustrate your entry.

HOW TO ENTER:

Entries should not exceed word count of 1000 words. A minimum of two high res images that best depict your entry to be supplied.

Supporting material can be supplied over and above. Entries must be made by emailing a Word/ PDF document stating the award category to: golda@4squaremedia.net

Separate award entries to be emailed for each category entered.

Large files can be sent via WeTransfer - email to be sent to golda@4squaremedia.net to advise thereof.

Award Entry enquiries can be made to Golda Burrows - golda@4squaremedia.net

www.plantandcivilengineer.com

The Contribution of Commingled Recycling to Northern Ireland’s Recycling Performance

Joseph Doherty, Managing Director of Re-Gen Waste in Newry, claims the contribution of commingled recycling collections made the greatest contribution to Northern Ireland’s recycling performance in 2021-2022. Reviewing Northern Ireland’s recycling performance for April 2021 to March 2022, the normal reporting year, it is notable that six of the top seven councils were collecting their dry recycling mixed as commingled collections. These commingled collections accounted for 62% of the tonnage collected from Northern Ireland households. But only 57.4% of households are on commingled collections which proves it is a system that collects the highest tonnage and makes the greatest contribution to the region’s household recycling rate that year.

A single bin is the cheapest for collection as it involves one large container per household that can be serviced by standard refuse trucks as opposed to the more expensive and mechanically complicated multi-compartment vehicles used for the box collections. This means that replacement vehicles can be quickly sourced from within a council’s refuse fleet during emergencies: obviously cleaned before use to avoid contamination. Commingling is popular because it is efficient and effective. It is simple and convenient for householders because the glass, plastic, aluminium and steel cans, paper and cardboard can be recycled together. There is no ‘sorting for householders: but they are asked to rinse and dry materials.

Improving Accuracy and Quality

Investment in MRF technology for artificial intelligence (AI), visual recognition (VR) and robotics is being made to further improve sorting accuracy and material quality. Re-Gen is already investigating how we can process film and flexible plastics in the future when extended producer responsibility (EPR) is expanded to include them in the material delivered to us.

We are in a time of recessionary balance sheets for councils and devolved administrations, and a cost-of-living crisis for households. It is only right that a system that is proven to deliver results – while costing the ratepayer less than the alternatives – should be given equal weight in the arguments about what the future recycling system for Northern Ireland needs to be. We know that the past performance of some material recovery facilities (MRFs) has not delivered the quality expected by end markets and the aspirations of policy makers. Re-Gen is not one of those MRFs. We continue to make significant investment in AI and VR so that the technology, rather than the householder, takes the strain on sorting out what can be recycled. MRFs can achieve 90% back to bottle in glass recycling when working with other advanced technology, as referred to by Tim Gent, Director of glass re-processor Recresco UK. Re-Gen does with a European glass partner company, and we are light years beyond where we were a few years ago. Technology advances, and it would be remiss to ignore the benefits it can bring to household recycling collections, making things simpler for the resident and easier for them to participate.

Daera Workshop

At a recent collection planning workshop for the sector, DAERA stated that if the entirety of Northern Ireland households were changed over to a multi-container system using the more expensive vehicles, it would only raise the household recycling rate by 8%. However, ensuring every business recycled the same materials as households would double the volume of recycling collected from them. They did not provide any comparative figures for a complete changeover to a single bin commingled system. That will be the challenge in terms of cost and changing householders’ hearts and minds. In Northern Ireland, we

have a system that works and where all recyclates can be collected in one location. They only provided one side of the argument. But if they made businesses recycle the same way as residents by separating recycling from their waste and having separate food waste collections, this would raise the business recycling rate from 40% to 80%. This should easily achieve their 65% target by 2035 and would mean that residents could keep their single commingled recycling bin and continue to contribute two-thirds of the recycling from households. And possibly more if other councils followed their lead and provided fully commingled collections. This would also be far less disruptive and costly for businesses than the multi bin or box system that is being considered.

Is Wales Really the Answer?

DAERA and their advisers continually push Wales as the best recycling system to replicate and that we should adopt it here. But in the same meeting they admitted that Wales’ household recycling rate is only 54%, not the 65% that is widely published. That is only 4% above where Northern Ireland is now. A lot of Wales’ success can be put down to their restriction of residual waste capacity, either by the size of bin or the frequency of collections. And let us not forget they can fine residents £100 and are proposing to fine businesses £300 that do not follow their rules. Is this really

what we want for Northern

Ireland? Councils may find themselves forced to buy overly complicated collection vehicles to service this myriad of containers in order to raise the recycling rate by just 4%. Re-Gen does not think so. Advanced MRFs such as ours can help deliver a 65% recycling rate for Northern Ireland at a lower cost than what is being considered for changing residents’ kerbside collections and collections from businesses over to a multicontainer system. The efficient and effective services enjoyed by residents in Re-Gen’s customer councils must be defended or they will find themselves burdened by more containers, be they bins or boxes.

NI councils dry recycling rates

We are also pleased to see that councils who use Re-Gen for treating their residual waste are the best performers with regard to diverting this waste from landfill, with our four customer councils being in the top five for performance, as outlined in the table above. Does this support the claim that when you restrict residents’ ability and opportunity to recycle by using multiple small containers, they only have their residual bin to use for any excess, which increases the residual waste collected?

Joseph Doherty.

recycling & waste management

NEW FROM MACPAC – THE MACLIFTER

Continual innovation combined with manufacturing excellence has always been the cornerstone of Macpac’s growth and now the company has launched the Maclifter, a range of standalone bin lifts that can be fitted to a vast variety of bodies from 5 tonne to 32 tonne and including trailers. Pictures here show a recently supplied sidemounted Maclifter on a 40-foot aluminium trailer. “We saw a market need for a reliable, versatile lifter application and have developed and launched the Maclifter to meet that need,” said Drew Stewart, managing director of Macpac Refuse Bodies. The range covers the lifting of all types of wheeled bins and is suitable for all categories of waste collection. The versatile system can not only be bolted onto steel bodies but also plastic

and alloy bodies. The double trade lifters are capable of lifting a 500Kg safe working load, all rams are fitted with anti-burst values and also have safety overload protection built in. Indeed, this system has various safety and operational benefits.

An in-travel height warning device ensures the lifting device is stowed correctly before travelling. Each bin lift is fitted with an emergency stop system in line with current standards. Anti-shake systems minimise operator abuse, and all electrical

equipment is fully rated to IP67. The lifters have a fully enclosed lid which reduces spillage while travelling, contains the load, reduces interference from wildlife and contains any waste odours. The range features a twospeed lift for the loading of heavy bins and Wander lead controls to assist a single operator with bin loading and to allow the emptying of a container from a safe distance. “For customers utilising payby-weight collections, the bin lifts are also weighing system ready,” continued Drew, “meaning a bin weighing system can be supplied with the lifter or retrofitted at a later date.”

The Maclifter adds a new dimension to Macpac Refuse Bodies’ product range: the Mactip range, which goes from 9m3 to 32m3, a versatile tipping, non-compaction refuse collection vehicle and

The MACLIFTER can be fitted to a range of bodies up to 32t, including trailers.

The new MACLIFTER fitted to a 40ft aluminium trailer.

the Macpac Compaction Body range from 6.5m3 to 11m3 Macpac Refuse Bodies has been building refuse collection vehicles in Antrim since 2005. The company’s refuse collection bodies are fitted with in-house produced integrated bin lifts. Macpac refuse bodies are used for various types of waste collection, the numerous different options allow for the collection of trade waste as well as domestic units. For example, the Macpac Food waste body is now used to collect over 75% of all trade food waste in Northern Ireland, and market share in Great Britain is increasing

by the week. With hundreds of refuse collection units now in circulation Macpac can confidently say that the product has been well and truly tested in all environments possible. To find out more about any Macpac Refuse Bodies products, call Macpac on 028 9446 6680 or contact the sales team directly: David Hyde on 07927 549 698 or John Allen on 07851 478 779 Find Macpac Refuse Bodies on LinkedIn and Facebook where you can view new products and videos. You can also get in contact by emailing info@ macpacrefusebodies.co.uk

The MACLIFTER can be fitted to steel, plastic and alloy bodies.

recycling & waste management

FIRST TEREX RECYCLING SYSTEMS PLANT INSTALLED AT COLLARD GROUP

Collard Group - leaders in recycling and waste management based in Reading, UK - has chosen a Terex Recycling Systems plant to increase the processing capacity of its site and recover cleaner products of higher value, whilst not adding to the manual labour requirements. Initially intended to be a plant upgrade, the Collard Group opted for a full plant installation after being pleased with the first phase of the install. The plant, which is the first Terex Recycling Systems installation, was specifically tailored to suit Collard Group’s site and the material which would be fed into it. Together with their distributor Molson Green, Terex Recycling Systems developed a process which incorporated advanced mechanical separation that would increase Collard Group’s processing capacity and recover products of a higher purity than what was previously achieved. The team worked within restricted space and constraints of fitting the plant inside and around the existing building, all whilst planning the installation around Collard

Group’s site works, that included the erection of a new building. The process starts with skip material being loaded into a Waste Feeder and conveyed to a Combi Screen, which separates into 4 size fractions using a combination of 3D and Flip-Flow screening (0-10mm, 10-50mm, 50-100mm and +100mm). Over-Band Magnets recover ferrous metals from 0-10mm, 10-50mm and 50-100mm, and Air Separators remove light material from 10-50mm and 50-100mm. A Manual Quality Control Picking Station has operators working to remove any remaining contaminants from the 10-100mm heavy fraction. Following this, an Eddy Current Separator recovers non-ferrous metal from the 10-100mm heavy

fraction. Another Manual Picking Station has operators recovering materials such as wood, card, and plastic from the +100mm, and an Over-Band Magnet recovers ferrous metal. Finally, an Air Separator removes light material from the +100mm. The outcome is a highly efficient plant that is processing skip waste - a mixture of Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste - to produce 0-10mm fines, ferrous metals, clean 10-100mm heavy fraction (inert), non-ferrous metals, wood, plastic, paper & card, and clean +100m heavy fraction (inert) materials.

Robert Collard, Managing Director, Collard Group said, “We at the Collard Group are

driven by a zero waste to landfill commitment, we take waste from site, and process it to make it useful again. We call this recycling the past for the future. To achieve this goal, it is important that we have the latest equipment that is optimised to meet our specifications.

Terex Recycling Systems and Molson Green worked with us to ensure the design, delivery and installation of our new plant worked around our site operations, also taking into consideration our site preparation works to include foundations, building modifications and power supply. Close collaboration between all parties ensured our requirements in terms of output were met, whilst also keeping the plant footprint to a minimum to aid their site operations.”

For more information on Terex Recycling Systems visit: https:// www.terex.com/recycling or on Collard Group visit: https://www.rcollard.com/

recycling & waste management

TEREX ECOTEC’S NEW TBG 530T SHREDDING THE COMPETITION

R. Heatrick Ltd, a recycling and demolition contractor based in Northern Ireland, is turning waste wood products into biomass using a Terex Ecotec TBG 530T track-mounted high-speed shredder. The TBG 530T has increased efficiency and saved running costs for the company, processing a mixture of waste wood and pallets at a rate that required two machines previously. Mark Heatrick explains, “The TBG 530T track-mounted high-speed shredder is a great machine, cutting back on a lot of manpower. Before, we were running the waste wood through a slow speed preshredder then through a high-speed shredder, so apart from the obvious savings with maintenance and repair of two machines, there is also a huge saving on diesel.”

Established over 50 years ago in 1969, R. Heatrick Ltd has grown and diversified, and today is a major player in the recycling and demolition sectors across the UK, operating from depots in Belfast and Portadown and quarries in Moira and Lisburn. Adding to its versatility, the TBG 530T will be moving back and forth between R. Heatrick’s Belfast and Portadown locations on a low loader. The TBG 530T is ideal for medium scale producers requiring an accurate and consistent end product. Powered by a 493HP Scania DC13 engine, the TBG 530T has been expertly designed to give operators unrivalled performance, ease of maintenance and superb fuel efficiency. Extremely versatile, it excels in many applications and is particularly suited to waste wood processing and green waste shredding. With a rapid set up time the TBG 530T is ready to work in a matter of minutes with no tooling required. The open fronted feeder enables the TBG 530T to be fed quickly and easily from the rear. The intelligently controlled feed system, comprising of heavy duty drag chains and aggressive feed wheel with unique lift/ downward assist, ensure optimum material flow resulting in class leading performance.

At the heart of the machine is the 1,100mm diameter x 1,490mm wide swinging hammer rotor. This robust, direct drive rotor rotates at 1000 RPM and incorporates 30 up-swinging hammers. A wide selection of hammer designs and interchangeable screens are available allowing the machine to be configured to suit the ever-changing product requirements.

The TBG 530T also benefits from the added protection of a screen kickback system. Should an unshreddable object enter the shredding chamber the screen will release allowing the material to quickly pass through, reducing the risk of accidental damage. Processed material is removed from the machine via a modular product conveyor with an impressive discharge height of

Mark Heatrick, R. Heatrick Ltd and Davey Sproule, QRS.

4.6m. This conveyor also lowers to ground level for inspection and maintenance. An optional overband magnet with hydraulic height adjustment can be fitted to remove ferrous metal from the product. Whether performing daily checks or carrying out maintenance, the TBG 530T offers unrivalled service access to all key areas of the machine. The electric/ hydraulic raise/lower of the screen and interlocked chamber access door allow the rotor and anvil to be inspected with ease.

recycling & waste management

Designed with the operator in mind, the TBG 530T offers the perfect blend of performance, efficiency and serviceability.

The TBG 530T comes fitted as standard with the industry leading T-Link telematics solution designed to improve productivity, efficiency and profitability for the customer.

Terex Ecotec’s Northern Ireland dealer, Quarry & Recycling Solutions (QRS) supplied and delivered the TBG 530T. Mark comments, “We have a good history with QRS, they are great to work with and very helpful. This is the second Terex Ecotec machine we’ve purchased from them.”

The TBG 530T is available to purchase via Terex Ecotec’s world class dealer distribution network that provide the sales and aftermarket service demanded for in the market. To learn more and to locate your nearest dealer visit www.terex.com/ecotec

NEW FUCHS MHL 434F CONTINUES TO R EVOLUTIONISE MATERIAL HANDLING

Blue Equipment Ireland, distributor for the TEREX FUCHS range of material handlers is excited to welcome the machine that was credited with revolutionising timber handling in the early noughties. And, with a host of technological enhancements, the FUCHS MHL 434F is set to stay at the forefront of timber and material handling. Plant and Civil Engineer talked to Ronan Brophy, director of Blue Equipment Ireland to find out why.

The MHL 434F was originally designed for the timber trade, which is a €2.3 billion industry in Ireland and one that is expected to double over the next 15 years. The machine’s applications extend beyond timber into multiple aspects of material handling, including quarrying and demolition, scrap and recycling.

What has made the MHL 434F stand out as a pioneer in material handling?

“When the MHL 434F was first launched it was described as a ‘Pick and Carry’. The original FUCHS Timber Boom did revolutionise the timber industry because it enabled much greater flexibility to pick and carry, allowing greater productivity,” Ronan Brophy explains. “The new FUCHS MHL 434F builds on this legacy of innovation, maintaining and improving the core features based on tried-and-tested technology and concepts and incorporating smart assistance systems and some newly developed options.

“The MHL 434F is the only machine in the 25-tonne class with the original “Fuchs Timber Boom”. The offset boom is mounted

behind the centre of rotation, which improves the working range, piling heights and provides best-in-class all-around visibility. This advantage is particularly evident when looking through the right-side window - no boom interferes with the field of vision. This is invaluable in daily work, delivering increased safety, flexibility and work capacity.”

MHL 434F CREDENTIALS

Weighing 25.7 tonne, the MHL 434F operates off a 154hp/115kW Deutz TCD 4.1 L4 engine with a maximum travel speed of 19km/h. Thanks to its compact dimensions, its turning circle is a neat 5.5 metres, which makes manoeuvring in tight spaces easy, but the MHL 434F is a heavy lifter and hard worker with a maximum horizontal reach of 10.7m.

The hydraulic and electronic components, as well as the diesel engine, are easily accessible from ground level. Numerous protective devices have been installed to maximise component and operator protection, most notably the front right impact protection, which protects the water and charge air cooler against ‘cold deformation’, and the newly designed front and roof guard. The operator’s cab comes with everything to make a hard-working day comfortable, safe and enjoyable. The cabin’s soundproofed, heat-insulated panoramic windows give superb all-around visibility at a, viewing height of 4m. Automatic air-conditioning and variable heating add to the comfort, as does the low-frequency suspension comfort seat with seat heating, ‘pas-sive’ seat climatisation and swinging armrests/

material handling

joysticks. The multi-function touch display, digital communications and audio system are at the driver’s fingertips. The rear view and side view camera on the right are displayed on a separate monitor.

SMART COMES AS STANDARD

While the FUCHS timber boom remains the compelling attraction of the MHL 434F, giving this machine first-class flexibility, adaptability and productivity, the new F-series has been brought into the 2020s with a range of technological improvements and smart assistance systems incorporated at standard.

“Much of the smart technology is within the cab’s main display panel,” says Ronan Brophy. “The multifunction display includes automatic monitoring and storage of deviating operating states, for example in the hydraulic oil filters, hydraulic oil temperature, coolant and charge air temperature, diesel particulate filter loading and steering). The system

gives both visual and audible warnings and provides diagnostic options for the individual sensors via the display. However, not all the new technology is electronically ‘smart’,” continues Ronan, “The MHL 434F also incorporates improvements that come from FUCHS history, experience and expertise in machine design, and, in many instances, are simple but brilliant enhancements that keep both machine and operator in better shape.” These features, which all come as standard, include wireless tyre pressure monitoring, a light switch in the engine bay, engine radiator protection, a boom cylinder damping system, support blade, integrated cylinder protection and external battery terminals. There is also a welcome home illumination with remote control, traveldirection detection and automatic steering reversal (which can be switched off)

“In the FUCHS MHL 434F we have a very welcome and much-anticipated return of a legend,” concludes Ronan. “This machine is compact, powerful, versatile and a genuine best in its class. It’s a machine

that can multi-task in a host of sectors and applications and here at Blue Equipment Ireland we are very excited by the comeback of the 434 and we think our customers throughout Ireland will be excited too. “Let’s Handle It!”

The new Fuchs MHL 434F is available for demonstration from early June. Contact Ronan Brophy, Blue Equipment Ireland on 00353 87 7407474sales@blueireland.ie

THE MACHINE’S APPLICATIONS EXTEND BEYOND TIMBER INTO MULTIPLE ASPECTS OF MATERIALS HANDLING, INCLUDING QUARRYING AND DEMOLITION, SCRAP AND RECYCLING.

material handling

DOOSAN BOBCAT SHOWS MATERIAL HANDLING FUTURE AT LOGIMAT

Doosan Bobcat is showcasing a range of new material handling equipment at the LogiMAT 2023 Exhibition from 25-27 April 2023 at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre in Germany, on Stand No B57 in Hall 9, hosted by Doosan Industrial Vehicle (DIV).

The LogiMAT stand is split into three areas: The first is showcasing the transition to the Bobcat brand, with the first Bobcatbranded forklifts at a show in Europe. The second is dedicated to new and upcoming products from Doosan, namely the new ranges of high-capacity electric counterbalance forklift trucks recently launched by the company and the B18NT 3-wheel electric forklift prototype. The third area demonstrates the full liner offer from Doosan, presenting not only counterbalanced forklifts, but also

warehouse equipment products such as pallet trucks, stackers and reach trucks.

“As a company, we are evolving in bold ways to meet our customers’ toughest challenges by offering innovative solutions for a more sustainable future,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO and Vice Chairman. “Alternative-energy products—such as hydrogen—give customers options, while also leading the way towards a more sustainable future and greener tomorrow.”

PREVIEW OF 3-WHEEL E LECTRIC FORKLIFT WITH LITHIUM BATTERY

Doosan is presenting the prototype B18NT 3-wheel electric forklift delivered from the factory with a lithium battery only. The B18NT forklift will be an economy model, to compete with a growing demand in the market for lithium-powered electric forklifts in this typical eco segment.

The truck being shown at LogiMAT is a preview machine, looking for feedback from the market to see if adjustments need to be made to the final model.

NEW HIGH-CAPACITY ELECTRIC COUNTERBALANCE FORKLIFTS

Also in the second area, Doosan is showing the new B100NS forklift, part of two new ranges of high-capacity electric counterbalance forklift trucks recently launched by the company. These new products from 6-10 tonne provide industrial users with a wide choice of zero-emission, low-noise level, environmentally friendly trucks capable of tackling heavy-duty tasks. The newly launched B80NS and B100NS heavy-lifting electric trucks with capacities of 8.0 and 10.0 tonne, respectively, offer improved capability, power and performance for businesses across a broad spectrum of industry – from manufacturing, engineering and foundries, to building supplies, transport and warehousing.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELLPOWERED FORKLIFT CONCEPT

Another of the highlights of the LogiMAT stand is DIV’s newest B30X-7 Plus hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift concept. Included in the area dedicated to the Bobcat branded products at LogiMAT, the B30X-7 Plus forklift will be developed under the Bobcat product portfolio as part of the transition of Doosan products into the Bobcat trade dress. Hydrogen fuel cell forklifts offer longer operating times and faster refuelling, making them ideal for applications that require extended use and quick refuelling turnaround. For warehouses operating multiple shifts, the hydrogen fuel cell forklift is a viable option to reduce their carbon footprint while still meeting the operational needs to run longer hours with no charging required.

MORE THAN AGGREGATE AND ASPHALT: HOW SMART MOTORWAYS WILL EVOLVE

Smart roads are being talked about more and more in construction and according to those in the know, like Tim Sylvester, CEO of Kansas Citybased Integrated Roadways, they are set to evolve into a whole new business model for road infrastructure.

Speaking at CONEXPO in Las Vegas, Tim described himself as a ‘first-generation internet user’ who went into construction.

“In the late 90s I could already predict that roadways would eventually converge with networks to enable connected, electric and autonomous vehicles,” says Tim. He founded Integrated Roadways to bridge the gap between tech and infrastructure and he believes the process will fundamentally change the nature of road construction works, financing and revenue streams.

“The model that’s been in use for 100 years - where the owners specify; they finance and contractors deliver - worked very well initially. Now half of our infrastructure needs to be rebuilt and there’s no money to do it. All the solutions are decades old,” says Tim. “We’re taking a different approach by transforming the road into a network. It pays for itself; it’s no longer a public liability that’s funded through taxes.”

CONNECTING CONSTRUCTION, TECH AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Tim explains the process: “We use the road to deliver a networking platform that provides services people are eager to pay

for, and so we use a new market approach that’s no longer top down. It’s bottom up. “We ask municipalities (local authorities) for concession to upgrade certain roads over a decade. We then take that concession to the finance industry and tell them, “We’re delivering data services, telecom services, all kinds of stuff people will pay for. We need you to finance this like a real estate development. Instead of physical tenants, we have digital tenants that are leasing services.

“We can then tap into traditional finance organisations to deliver road improvements. Once they’re up and running, they pay

for their own existence and no longer need to be funded by public sources.”

Underpinning this approach is the wireless connectivity our societies expect and want. “The entire internet economy is based on internet traffic data,” he says. “The physical economy is based on physical traffic, so we bring them together”

This is not a toll road concept. Tim continues: “We’re not a tollway but more like a WalMart where it’s free to enter to shop.” The road is paid for by the commercial enterprises (digital tenants) that benefit from being part of the physical road economy.”

HOW DOES IT WORK OUT FOR THE CONTRACTOR?

In Tim’s view, whilst this model is currently only a small part of the economy, it will become a game-changer for contracting work. The physical work of construction and maintaining roads will remain the same in terms of setting up the base. However, the pavement would come in pre-made blocks to be put down instead of a continuous asphalt or concrete application. Tim believes off-site pavement blocks will reduce machinery and labour costs and that the procurement system will act as an incentive, giving the contractor the option to generate ongoing revenue from each project.

“Every time a contractor does a job, now they have a piece of equity in a financial asset that generates recurring revenue, and they get a share of that.”

Tim Sylvester, founder and CEO of Integrated Roadways (Image credit SAwnee Mission Post). Watch Tim talk about Smart Motorways to Streetcar on YouTube at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=vveWfkDP0L0

Aerial photo of The Westlink Dual Carriageway Belfast City in Co Antrim Northern Ireland 08-08-22. © 2022 Ballygally View

DECARBONISATION OF TRANSPORT - NEXT STEPS

BY MICHAEL BELL, CHAIR, CIHT NORTHERN IRELAND REGION

Transport is one of the largest sources of global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions responsible for contributing to climate change, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being the most significant. As a result, the decarbonisation of transport is one of the biggest issues facing the industry right now.

Governments across the world have committed to achieving significant reductions in GHG. The UK target is a 50% reduction in transport-related emissions by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. To achieve this target (over what is now only seven years) there is a need to implement a package of measures aimed at reducing the demand for travel ahead of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and the associated increase in electric vehicles. In addition to reducing emissions from transport, we also need to think about how we design, build, maintain, adapt and decommission our infrastructure. A recent report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) noted that Northern Ireland will fall short of its 2050 net zero target unless ‘radical action’ is taken.

KEY WORDS

At a recent CIHT Technical Event, ‘Decarbonisation of Transport – Next Steps?’ members considered the current position in Northern Ireland and discussed potential ways to contribute to the decarbonisation of transport. The event was led by Dr Teresa McGrath from Queens University Belfast, beginning with a brief presentation of GHG levels and the Northern Ireland Travel Survey data, providing context to inform the discussions. There have been significant reductions in GHG levels from 1990 to 2020: -49% in the UK and -24% in NI.

However, the picture for transport-specific GHG emissions is less encouraging, only -5% in the UK and, in fact, an increase of 22% in NI (1990 and 2019). We have some way to go to decarbonise transport, but large reductions have been made in other complex sectors and the highways and transport industry should seek to learn from effective strategies adopted and implemented. At the start and end of the event, participants were asked to complete online surveys to determine their understanding of the current

position and which reduction methods could be employed. The results from these surveys, combined with information from the discussions during the event, were used to produce a key words diagram, with the size of text representing the frequency of responses.

KEY THEMES

Participants also completed a ‘design sprint’ exercise to establish the key themes for transport decarbonisation in Northern Ireland. Participants were asked to develop ideas that could contribute to decarbonisation. These ideas were displayed together and for discussion to group them into key theme areas, with voting to help rank the importance of themes. The relative importance of the theme reduces from left to right and between these themes was the overarching need for collaboration between organisations to effectively develop timelines and implement change. CIHT has made its own Climate Change Pledge, with commitments aimed at supporting members to adapt and respond. Updated continuing professional development (CPD) guidance includes an expectation that all CIHT members should devote some of their annual CPD to developing the skills and knowledge to contribute to the decarbonisation of highways and transportation. The recent launch of the Transport Decarbonisation Pathway, which is available to members through the CIHT Learn platform, aims to provide a structured framework fulfilling climate action-related CPD goals. This includes an introductory on-line course on Transport Decarbonisation and some more advanced material around skills and topics relevant to different job roles.

Key Themes to support Transport Decarbonisation.

(credit: Dr Teresa McGrath, QUB)

Michael Bell, Chair, CIHT Northern Ireland Region.

Key Words Diagram. (credit: Dr Teresa McGrath, QUB)

builds the future

Dynapac builds the future

At Atlas Copco Road Construction Equipment we strive to find new ways and better solutions. Productivity, performance, ergonomics and environmental care are our priorities. However, our most important priorities are customer satisfaction and success. That’s why we ensure our efforts and resources are focused on development and knowledge transfer. Still, after more than 75 years, the ability to take advantage of change helps us to remain pioneers.

W.A.C McCandless (Engineers) Ltd

Limestone Rd Belfast

Contact W.A.C McCandless today or visit www.dynapac.com for more information.

At Atlas Copco Road Construction Equipment we strive to find new ways and better solutions. Productivity, performance, ergonomics and environmental care are our priorities. However, our most important priorities are customer satisfaction and success. That’s why we ensure our efforts and resources are focused on development and knowledge transfer. Still, after more than 75 years, the ability to take advantage of change helps us to remain pioneers.

Contact W.A.C McCandless today or visit www.atlascopco.co.uk for more information.

Fax:

INSTITUTE OF ASPHALT TECHNOLOGY

MOVING TO DIGITAL COMMS AND EXPLORING WARM MIX ASPHALT

BY LYLE ANDREW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IAT

The Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) is the Professional Body for persons working in the field of Asphalt Technology and for those interested in all aspects of the Manufacture, Laying, Technology and Uses of materials containing Asphalt or Bitumen.

The Institute has recently changed how we communicate with our members and stakeholders in the asphalt sector. We have ceased publication of our quarterly “Asphalt Professional” magazine and increased the use of electronic media. In conjunction with a facelift for our website, we have launched a smartphone app which is available to both Apple IOS and Android users. All the content that was contained in Asphalt Professional, including technical papers, branch news, committee reports, and more, is now delivered on the website and app.

The IAT app will bring the IAT to your pocket, offering all the events information, resources news and additional features on your smartphone. The app is available to everyone with certain features only accessible to members, providing additional value and hopefully promoting membership growth.

Despite this change in our communication methods, we recognise that sharing knowledge and best practice is often best delivered in a face-to-face environment and our various branches continue to hold regular professional development events, seminars, and training days.

THE IAT WARM MIX ASPHALT SEMINAR

Our most recent event was the Northern Ireland Branch seminar held at the Seagoe Hotel,

Portadown, on the very topical subject of Warm Mix Asphalt.

The 85 delegates represented many of the asphalt manufacturing and contracting companies in Northern Ireland as well as local authorities, DfI Roads, Louth County Council and Monaghan County Council. The quality of the presentations was very high and covered perspectives from the client,

contractor and supplier. The day concluded with an interesting and active Q & A session.

Malcolm Simms, Asphalt Director of the Mineral Products Association delivered an excellent opening presentation which provided, amongst other things, a wider international perspective on Warm Asphalt. This highlighted that Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is not a new product as it has

been used successfully in USA for over 25 years and first trialled in the UK over 15 years ago.

Recent data from the European Asphalt Producers Association shows that France uses more than 6.5 million tonnes of Warm Mix Asphalt, almost 20% of their total asphalt production. Great Britain, in contrast, produces less than 1 million tonnes of WMA within a total exceeding 25 million tonnes of asphalt.

David Porter, Director of Engineering, Department for Infrastructure, gave a muchanticipated view from the client authority in Northern Ireland. This highlighted the requirements placed upon the Department by the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. DfI will be responsible for the publication of a Climate Action Plan which will include Sectoral

Plans including Infrastructure and Transport sectors.

It is hoped that the use of technologies such as those used in Warm Mix Asphalt production can be used to contribute to the carbon reduction requirements laid out in the legislation. The second half of the seminar focussed on the practical use and experience to date of WMA in Ireland.

Alan Kavanagh of Colas described the various methods and technologies used to allow temperature reduction in the manufacturing and laying of asphalts before detailing results of both laboratory and site trials of the product. A case study from 2011, on a project for Dublin City Council, demonstrated how the mixing temperature could be reduced by 35 degrees C and provide similar performance to traditional hot mix with added benefits of reduced VOCs (Volatile Organic Compound) on site.

Corin Bridson of Breedon Ireland closed the day’s presentations with the “practicalities and use of warm mix asphalt” where he described the benefits and challenges of the product. This was again based on the successful use

of WMA from a case study site at the N55 in Monaghan.

Corin’s concluding slides summed up the overall feeling of the day and asked “What is stopping us?”

• Warm mix is the same asphalt we normally use

every day produced at a lower temperature

• Lower temperatures mean;

• less fuel

• less emissions in production and on site

• less CO2

• Produced with little or no plant modifications

• Placed with conventional paving and compaction equipment

Speakers at the Warm Mix Asphalt Seminar at the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown.

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTION OF HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION NORTHERN IRELAND BRANCH

ANNUAL DINNER HELD AT THE STORMONT HOTEL, BELFAST

Stephen Bradshaw - CIHT, Freddie Porter, Gordon Best - MPANI Director and Edward Nethery - Kilwaughter Minerals.

Michael Bell - Chair NI Region CIHT.

Gordon Best - MPANI Director, Edward NetheryKilwaughter Minerals, Roisin Wilson - CIHT NI Secretary and Stephen Bradshaw CIHT NI Treasurer.

Ronnie Porter - OBE Past President CIHT, Jim Neilly - MBE, Guest Speaker, Matthew Steele Chair CIHT Rep of Ireland and Neil Johnstone - CIHT President.

John Glass - Translink, Karen McShane - CIHT Vice President, Peter Morrow - Chair TBS NI and Frank Given - Engineers Ireland.

John Glass - Translink, Stephen Orr - ICE NI Chair, Martin O’Kane - CEF President and Jenny Green - Chair NI Construction Group.

Bert Bailie - CIHT NI, Anne Johnstone - Presidents wife, Neil Johnstone - CIHT President, David Porter - Director of Engineering DFI and John McRobert.

Kyle McKinnon - CIHT Scotland, David Porter - Director of Engineering DFI, Rona McRobert and Roisin Wilson - CIHT NI Secretary.

Michael Bell - Chair NI Region CIHT, Karen McShaneCIHT Vice President, Neil Johnstone - CIHT President and David Porter - Director of Engineering DFI.

Neil Johnstone - CIHT President.

Jim Neilly - MBE, Guest Speaker.

JOHN MCQUILLAN CONTRACTS

A COMPLETE SERVICE FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

McQuillan Companies remains a familyowned business with over 125 years of experience. We offer a diverse range of services, including civil engineering, road surfacing and maintenance, demolition, quarrying, hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, outdoor cleaning services, and analytical chemistry. With our experienced technical staff, efficient operations team, diverse equipment resources, and trusted partnerships, we provide exceptional services to our growing clientele in both the public and private sectors.

John McQuillan Contracts is a leading civil engineering and road surfacing company known for its quality, reliability, and exceptional service. Our services include:

ROAD MAINTENANCE & ROAD CONSTRUCTION

We specialise in road maintenance and road construction, offering a complete package for all services required from material production through to the finished product. Public sector clients include the Department for Infrastructure, TII and various council areas both in NI and ROI. Our private surfacing division caters for a wide range of developers, building contractors and domestic surfacing clients. We are members of the Road Surface Treatment Association and our products and services have achieved CE Marking accreditation.

SURFACE TREATMENTS & MASTIC ASPHALT REINSTATEMENTS

We have invested in a modern fleet of surface dressing plant and equipment which completes a schedule in excess of 1 million square metres per year through our term contracts with the DFI and privately procured work. Having a CE accreditation, our expert staff can complete site inspections and advise on design to ensure our clients can make the most informed decision on the treatment required.

We offer Mastic Asphalt reinstatements for all ironwork in pavements and areas of high stress. Our mastic asphalt produced at our asphalt coating plant in Northern Ireland has achieved CE Mark accreditation.

SCOTTISH DIVISION

Our Scottish division in Motherwell started in 2020 and has since provided surfacing and surface treatment services to local Main Contractors as well as new clients in the public and private sectors within Scotland.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

We possess the expertise and capabilities to deliver widely varying civil engineering projects, including but not limited to car park construction, public realm and environmental improvement, and construction of sports pitches and playgrounds.

DEMOLITION

As a founder member of the Northern Ireland Demolition Association, we have been carrying out demolition works in Northern Ireland for over 40 years. We provide an efficient service in all aspects of dismantling and demolition. Our ability to recycle or suitably dispose of all types of demolition materials allows us to offer a complete professional package.

MCQUILLAN QUARRIES

McQuillan Quarries has been a leading supplier of Bituminous products, high PSV aggregate, and sub-base materials throughout Great Britain and Ireland for generations. We have two asphalt coating plant locations outside Belfast and Dromore. These allow us to supply our own contracting division and serve the public market for any Bituminous material needs. We supply specialist products including Quicksurf for deferred set temporary repairs and Mactex, a HAPAS proprietary thin surfacing product.

MCQUILLAN ENVIRONMENTAL

McQuillan Environmental is one of Northern Irelands leading waste management company, providing recycling and hazardous waste management to leading companies in Great Britain and Ireland.

Our facilities include a Hazardous Waste Management centre, a bespoke Chemical Treatment Facility, Soil Treatment Plant, and UKAS accredited analytical laboratory.

McQuillan Quarries - Budore Site.

We offer a total waste management package with our Materials Recovery Facility and Transfer Station, which provides sustainable recycling options. The services we provide include collection, treatment, and disposal of all Hazardous Waste, commercial recycling and general waste collections, UKAS Accredited analytical services, wastewater treatment works adoption scheme, waste classification service, and Coal Tar services. This includes sample collection, PAK test identification, Analysis and Disposal. We aim to achieve a 100% diversion from landfill for all customers

MCQUILLAN OUTDOOR

McQuillan Outdoor offers outdoor maintenance services for public and private sectors, including cleaning, sweeping and drainage services, winter services, and facilities management. We provide professional Road Sweeper and Gully/Jet Vac tanker hire services for regular site maintenance, highways, car parks, shopping centres, and private and public spaces.

Our teams work around the clock to provide tailored solutions for individual requirements and schedules. We also provide winter gritting

services 24/7, tailored to meet the unique needs and budgets of our clients. Our goal is to provide cost-effective, high-quality solutions with real-time job reporting.

If you would like any further information on any of McQuillan Companies services please visit our website www.mcqcos.com or email marketing@mcqcos.com

JOHN MCQUILLAN CONTRACTS IS A LEADING CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ROAD SURFACING COMPANY KNOWN FOR ITS QUALITY, RELIABILITY, AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.

John McQuillan Contracts - A26 Road Construction.

McQuillan Environmental - Material Recycling Facility.

GROUNDFORCE SHORCO SHARES A CARBON CALCULATOR FOR TEMPORARY WORKS

Specialist shoring supplier

Groundforce Shorco has developed a carbon calculator for temporary works and is making it available not just for customers but the shoring industry as a whole. This altruistic offer is part of the Vp plc subsidiary’s commitment to reaching net zero by 2050 and came into effect from March 2023, when it began including embodied carbon

estimates, comprising an embodied carbon component and a transport component, on all temporary works designs. Carbon reporting for the design of permanent structures has already been reasonably well adopted by the industry, and embodied carbon databases are now justly established. However, for temporary works, this presented Groundforce

Shorco and its customers with a unique challenge.

Oliver J. Smith, Head of Engineering Design at Groundforce Shorco, explained that temporary works do not have the same impact as a permanent part of the structure as the products and components are often re-used, so it is already appreciated there is a sustainable element.

If the total embodied carbon for a brace or strut was calculated, this would be counted numerous times on each site it visits. But although they are re-used, this does not mean they are zero carbon either. They still need counting, because if they were not being used in such projects, they would likely never have been produced at all.

So, Groundforce Shorco has developed a methodology that

allows its customers to estimate their ‘share’ of the embodied carbon for what they are hiring, based on how long they hire it for. To do this, the company considers the embodied carbon in its entire fleet, its life expectancy and its average utilisation, to calculate a weekly C02e per unit weight of either steel or aluminium. This can then easily be multiplied by the number of weeks on hire to provide a total embodied C02e which can be combined with the quoted transportation C02e to provide them with a value for use in their project. They then find that for very short duration hires, the bulk of the C02e sits within transport, and as the hire duration

increases, more of the impact comes from the product itself.

Groundforce Shorco is now making freely available, a detailed technical guide for the calculation, sharing the methodology, the data, the assumptions made, and the reasoning behind it.

Oliver J Smith said: “This methodology is free to access for all and we would like to encourage others in the fleet rental and temporary works markets to consider this when establishing methods for C02e

TEMPORARY WORKS MAKING A PERMANENT IMPACT

calculations. We believe this is a positive step in leading to sustainable improvements within our industry and would welcome an open dialogue to develop this further.

“Calculating the carbon footprint of the projects we work on is essential to reducing our impact on our planet. It allows us to make informed decisions about what we will build and how we will build it to meet the pressing need to cut carbon emissions across the world.”

Please access the technical guide via this link or this QR code

HAMM ACTORS ARE CENTRE STAGE AT GLENDUN PLANT SALES

With a huge selection of equipment and a string of leading brand names, Glendun Plant Sales is, quite literally, a one-stop shop for rental companies. The range available covers the entire gamut of hire needs, from the DIY enthusiast to contractors working on construction sites, highways and road maintenance projects. For example, Glendun has excavators ranging from 1 tonne to 14 tonnes, and this expansive size range applies to most product lines, from dumpers to rollers, road saws and breakers. Whatever your customer base needs, as a plant hire company, you’ll find the

right solution for your business at Glendun Plant Sales.

HAMM, with its German design and functional excellence, is one brand within the Glendun Plant portfolio that is making its mark with customers. With over 200 models between 1.5 and 25 tonnes, HAMM offers an extremely diverse product range for large-scale earthwork and road construction and gardening and landscaping. The product range includes soil compactors, tandem rollers and pneumatic tyre rollers.

“Smooth and powerful with a reliable high-performance operation – this is what sets HAMM rollers apart and why they are ideally suited as rental

machines,” says Dermot Cunnie of Glendun Plant Sales.

“Heavy HAMM rollers for asphalt construction and earthworks are also becoming increasingly in demand among renting companies. We have recently sold 800 – 1,200 rollers to Bann Hire, CJ Hire, FAL Hire and U Hire to add to their roller fleets.”

THE COMPACT

HAMM HD 12

Models from the HAMM compact line (HD 8 – HD 14) are in high demand, with the HD 12 particularly popular within the buy-to-hire market. A tandem roller with two vibrating roller drums (120 cm wide), it delivers operating weights of between

1.4 and 4.5 tonnes and is a real all-rounder for asphalt construction, earthwork and landscape gardening. Operation is extremely easy and the wasp-waist rollers impress on account of their optimum visibility and outstanding driving and handling characteristics, attributable primarily to the threepoint articulated swivel joint. The 3-point articulation differs from conventional joints in its geometric arrangement and connection of the three individual joints and one additional connecting link between the two conventional upper joints. This allows optimum steering, excellent driving safety and maximum driving comfort.

SMOOTH AND POWERFUL WITH A RELIABLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE OPERATION –THIS IS WHAT SETS HAMM ROLLERS APART. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE IDEALLY SUITED AS RENTAL MACHINES

DERMOT CUNNIE, GLENDUN PLANT SALES

The award-winning JCB Pothole Pro is revolutionising highway repairs. Introducing a unique 3-in-1 solution specifically designed to sort out any pothole repair or large reinstatement; efficiently, economically, safely and permanently. With three dedicated attachments to cut, crop and clean, there’s no need for additional specialist equipment or extra manpower, saving both time and money. A typical repair takes just 8 minutes, all you need to add is tar.

PLANTWORX THE SHOWCASE EVENT FOR THE LATEST EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGIES, AND TECHNIQUES

Plantworx 2023 will be the show where emerging and disruptive technologies will feature alongside construction equipment, innovation, technology products and services. The show remains the UK’s biennial showcase for the construction sector – and will lead visitors into the future of construction. With a combination of live demonstrations and the latest in machine technology and support products, Plantworx offers a valuable experience for construction sector professionals. There’s the new Get Connected Zone for connected technology and the new Awesome Earthmovers Operator Challenge – and back by popular demand is the Plantforce Simulation Zone. A special Plantworx offer has also been designed to attract to ‘startup’ companies and emerging innovators with the Plantworx “BIG Ideas” showcase concept. The show will be hosting the Primary Engineer celebration event on Thursday 15th June, where local primary schools present

their ‘handcrafted’ construction machinery projects. Thursday is also ‘Student Day’ where visitors can bring their children and grandchildren to Plantworx, pupils, students and graduates are also welcome. Plantworx 2023 provides the ideal platform and event showcase for introducing new machinery, ancillary products, the latest innovations, and technology – the show is a ‘one-stop shop’ for construction professionals.

CELEBS AND SOCIAL INFLUENCERS

Adding a light entertainment touch, Bob the Builder, the iconic children’s character, has come out of retirement, and will be ‘breaking ground’ to officially open Plantworx 2023. Alongside Bob, fan-favourite characters Scoop, Muck, and Dizzy will also be in attendance to celebrate this special occasion.

“We are honoured to have Bob the Builder and his trusty team join us for the grand opening of Plantworx 2023,” said Rob Oliver, Director CEE’s Ltd, organisers of Plantworx. “Their participation will not only

entertain our visitors but also inspire the next generation of builders and engineers.” The construction industry is no stranger to innovation, and as the sector continues to evolve, social media has become an integral part of sharing knowledge, ideas, and best practices. Plantworx 2023 will welcome some of the most influential social media personalities in the UK construction industry, ensuring an event that is as engaging and informative as it is exciting. The original operator influencer, Nick Drew - aka Earthmovers Digger Man Blog, Peter Haddock Content with Media and Mark & Fred Anthony from Demolition News will also be in attendance for all three days of the show. Influencer and YouTube content creator, Ollie Gunns has also confirmed his attendance! Other influencers attending on various says include Amy the Digger Girl, Conor the Digger Driver, Bearded Excavation, Lord Muck, Tracklass1, Ben ‘The Operator’ Wade and Instagram influencer and ambassador for women in construction, Katie Kelleher, aka Katie_Cranes.

SOCIAL INFLUENCERS

THE UK'S ONLY LIVE DEMO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY EVENT IN 2023

13-15 JUNE 2023 EAST OF ENGLAND ARENA AND EVENTS CENTRE, PETERBOROUGH.

Ben The Operator Wade.

Conor The Digger Driver. Katie Kelleher.

Lana Edwards.

Lloyd Peckham Bearded Excavation.

Ollie Gunns.

Peter Haddock and Lord Muck.

Amy Underwood Digger Girl.

Nick Drew Digger Man Blog.

TAKEUCHI LAUNCH NEW 5-TONNE SHORT-TAIL SWING

Takeuchi UK has expanded its new 3-Series excavator range with the new TB350R short-tail swing compact excavator, the company’s first five-tonne class shorttail model. To be launched

in the UK at Plantworx, the new short-tail 5-tonne TB350R has a rear swing overhang of only 75mm and weighs in at 5095kg. Its maximum dig depth of 3575mm, dump height of 3945mm and ground reach to 5925mm highlights the excellent operating parameters of the new TB350R. Powered by a Stage V ready engine with 32.4 kW and a four-pump hydraulic

system providing a bucket breakout force of 37.3kN.

“Takeuchi continues to design and build excavators that are feature-rich, delivering a unique combination of performance, durability, operator comfort and serviceability,” says Holly Cooke Marketing Manager at Takeuchi UK. Service as always is designed to the max. The TB350R has a wide-opening rear

AVANT TECNO TO SHOWCASE THE 650I

Launched at Maxpo in Flnland last year, the Avant 605i will take pride of place on the Avant Tecno stand. The most powerful loaders in their size class in the world, the dimensions and lifting power of the 650i are in the same range as the previous 600 series models, but the engine is now new.

The Kubota’s 33 kW / 44 hp diesel engine provides plenty of power and torque for work which requires high pulling force and/ or is speed intensive. The maximum oil flow of the auxiliary hydraulics is 75 l / min, which is unique to a loader in this size class.

The Avant telescopic lifting boom comes as standard for the new models. The length of the telescope is 600 mm, and the maximum lifting height is 2.84 m to the hinge pin of the attachment coupling plate. Its hydraulic boom self-levelling system automatically keeps the load horizontal when the boom is lifted and lowered.

Avant’s range of attachments is the largest in the world, and over 200 attachments are also available for the 600 series.

engine service door and a right-side cover that opens overhead for access to key daily inspection points.

The Takeuchi Fleet Management (TFM) telematics system comes as standard on the TB350R, providing owners and operators with machine health vitals and condition, run time (hours), and machine location, as well as remote diagnostics, scheduled maintenance reminders and customisable alert settings.

Avant is a very versatile and useful loader for many customer segments: property maintenance, landscaping, farming, construction and demolition.

DIGGER GUARD SHOWCASES PLANT PROTECTION

DIGGER GUARD® is thrilled to be exhibiting at PLANTWORX 2023 and will be showcasing its innovative security and safety products for excavators and machinery used across the construction, demolition and agricultural industries. The Newcastle-Upon-Tyne company’s Vandal Guard protection system for machinery cabs and windows has been shortlisted for the Security Initiative award at this year’s PLANTWORX Innovation Awards.

Digger Guard is the ultimate protection for construction machinery cabs and windows. The system uses nondestructive installation methods that don’t damage the machine or void warranties.. The system also prevents water build-up in panels, keeps the panels clean and secure, and reduces noise pollution for machine operators.

Digger Guard’s Polymer Handrails will also be in the spotlight. Developed to resolve the inherent problems related to using steel handrails, they

offer a multitude of advantages: they are lightweight, thereby delivering weight reductions of up to 75% lighter than steel equivalents, thereby delivering and also of vibration fatigue and corrosion resistance, making them a maintenance-free solution.

Other products on show include Digger Guard FOPS Demolition guard rails and ram guards.

THE AUGER TORQUE CONE CRUSHER BUCKET: A REVOLUTION IN CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING

The Cone Crusher Bucket is an original, patent-pending innovation, providing a beneficial environmental impact within the construction, that will debut at Plantworx.

The Auger Torque Cone Crusher Bucket is a simple and effective attachment that can be easily mounted onto 3-10 tonne excavators. It is specifically designed to crush and reprocess a variety of

construction waste materials, including general clay construction bricks, light concrete walling blocks, hollow concrete ‘breeze blocks,’ concrete pavers, asphalt, and more. This attachment is highly effective at crushing to an output produced material size of around 40-70mm, making it ideal for use in a wide range of applications, including foundation laying, track and yard surfacing, landscaping, roadways, and using

as a base layer below poured concrete or filling a disposal skip most efficiently. One of the primary benefits of using the Auger Torque Cone Crusher Bucket is the cost savings it provides. By crushing and reusing on-site waste, construction companies can save on waste transportation costs. It also minimises site traffic, delays, and hassle and reduces the need for large trucks and heavy equipment.

CTFLEET: TELEMATICS INNOVATION FROM HITACHI AND XWATCH

NEW PATENTED EXCAVATOR FORKLIFT ATTACHMENT

A new Excavator Forklift attachment has been patented, offering landscapers and small builders a labour-saving solution for their work sites. Designed for use with micro or mini excavators, this attachment can be attached or detached in about a minute and can convert an excavator into a forklift capable of lifting and loading pallets weighing between 1000kg and 2000kg onto lorries. The Excavator Forklift attachment is equipped with an adjustable pressure relief valve, which ensures that the maximum fork capacity is approximately the weight of the excavator. This does not affect the digging pressures, providing flexibility and versatility on the work site. The lift is powered by the hammer service and controlled by the hammer pedal, while tilt is controlled by the dipper lever. The attachment also comes with a 1000kg x 750mm reach jib, which has a hook height of 2.6m for handling bags and slung loads. Additionally, a 200mm lift and carry version is available for use when high lift is not required. The attachment features an articulated axle that allows one wheel to be 150mm above the other, providing excellent rough-site performance.

See the new attachment at Plantworx 2023 on the Excavator Forklift Stand B-FC5. Be there to find out who made it!

Hitachi Construction Machinery UK (HCM UK) will be showcasing its recently launched CTFleet Link telematics system, which allows users to monitor the performance and location of both their Hitachi equipment and their equipment from other manufacturers, via a live online portal. Users can have visibility of all their plant and equipment in one place with one log in, utilizing both the Hitachi Application Programming Interface, (API) from Global E Service and a bespoke API developed by HCMUK, giving almost real-time data collection.

CTFleet Link is unique in the industry due to the high frequency of its reporting, and its ability to show both ISO15143-3 operational data – such as idling time and fuel usage. In addition to geofencing capabilities, a key feature of CTFleet Link is its ability to handle safety data from Xwatch

Safety Solutions systems. Based in Wales, Xwatch is a developer of safety technologies for the construction sector. The company’s devices, which are fitted to construction equipment machines, monitor machine height and slew movement, and are designed to accurately restrict movement using ‘feather touch’ proportional hydraulic control.

AVANT POWER LEAPS TO THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATIVE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

Finnish compact loader manufacturer, Avant Techno’s new subsidiary, Avant Power, has produced battery packs for their fully electric Avant machines, which are set to debut at Plantworx.

The two new loader models, Avant e5-27 and Avant e5-13, come equipped with Avant OptiTemp batteries with a capacity of 27kWh and 13kWh respectively. With a fully

charged battery, the Avant e5-27 allows a whole workday with one charge, making it an attractive option for industries that require continuous and uninterrupted work.

According to Mikko Piepponen, COO at Avant Power Oy, the company has been conducting research and development into electric loaders since the 1990s. After decades of experience, they realized there was no battery pack in the world that

would be perfectly optimised for compact loaders, so they decided to start making batteries themselves. Avant Power’s OptiTemp batteries have high capacity, rapid charging capabilities, and absolute safety features, making them ideal for industries that require continuous and uninterrupted work. Avant Tecno has been at the forefront of

electric loaders and batteries for decades, and with the introduction of Avant Power, they have taken a significant step toward shaping the future of battery technology.

RSP UK LAUNCHES THE NEW ESE 8

RSP UK has launched their new and innovative Suction Excavator in the ESE 8 – mounted onto a Mercedes Benz AROCS with an 8m3 container. The new model is set to transform and optimise suction excavator use within the industry. The dual tipping and 20% increase in the working range versus other models make this first in its class. The technology was launched at Bauma in October 2022 by RSP Germany and the first-ever unit has been brought to the UK this month. The new ESE 8 will be taking

Lloyd Gardener, Director of RSP UK, said, “We are delighted to be bringing the ESE 8 to the UK market. As a global company, it’s our mission to invest in our technology, innovation and products to provide the best solutions for our customers and our industry.”

The ESE 8 has many additional advantage features versus other models including modular construction, additional storage between the cab and superstructure, new fan housing doors for improved maintenance access, a new cooling system and four stainless steel lockers for additional storage.

MACHINEMAX AND PLINX POWER UP PLANTWORX GET CONNECTED ZONE

Two leading digital solutions companies, MachineMax and PLINX are partnering to sponsor the brand new Get Connected Zone at PlantWorx 2023.

The PlantWorx Get Connected Zone is a dedicated space for technology providers within the construction equipment sector designed to showcase how digital solutions are driving

changes on projects and sites across the globe.

PLINX utilises advanced technology solutions to build safer and more connected environments, supporting construction companies to deliver projects on time and send workers home safely at the end of each day. MachineMax is on a mission to enable businesses

to make proactive decisions that deliver a better, more sustainable and productive future.

As ConTech disruptors, the businesses are the perfect partners to co-sponsor the Get Connected Zone as their advanced technology and data-driven insights are already empowering businesses to expedite their digital journey.

Visiting the Plantworx Get Connected Zone will provide a great opportunity to see a wide range of leading connected technologies that can deliver value to projects and operations.

Visit both companies at the Get Connected Zone and find out more at https:// machinemax.com/

centre stage at Plantworx 2023 on the RSP Suction Excavator stand C-ND4 & C-ND3

SUNWARD SET TO DÉBUT AT PLANTWORX

World-leading plant and equipment manufacturer Sunward is debuting at this year’s Plantworx, and using the event to launch several new products from Sunward, which launched itself in Europe in 2015.

Just over half of the stand will demonstrate Sunward’s popular and iF award-winning range of short-tail excavators, including the recently launched SWE 155UF medium excavator. This will be on display alongside the existing 2.5-tonne zero tail swing SWE 25UF mini and SWE 60UF compact excavators.

Sunward will also debut its SWE 20FED – a two-tonne fully electric mini excavator which is

DEVELON EXHIBITS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UK

DEVELON, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, will be exhibiting for the first time in the UK. New products on show include the new DX63-7 6 tonne and DX85R-7 8 tonne miniexcavators in the Static section of the stand and the new DX250WMH-7 material handler in the Demonstration area.

The DX63-7 6-tonne miniexcavator completes the rollout

of the next generation of DEVELON machines. Powered by the D24 Stage V compliant diesel engine providing 44.3 kW (59.4 HP) of power, it provides a 7% decrease in fuel consumption alongside an 8% increased torque of 26.5 kgm/rpm.

The new DX85R-7 8 tonne miniexcavator with reduced tail swing (RTS) utilises an improved upper structure platform offering increased durability and robustness and a different

particularly suitable for urban construction sites with strict requirements for emissions and noise, and thanks to its tail swing radius of just 1110mm, for sites with limited and or confined spaces. Also debuting in the UK is the new SWE 155UF medium short tail. This 16-tonne standout model, boasts a short radius, available with a two-piece boom. It is equipped with a Cummins engine with 90 kW/2200 rpm and hydraulic high-performance Hengli, providing exceptional stability and high performance in its category. To complete its “construction” range, Sunward plans to present its compact tracked loader, the SWTL4538, as well as a scissor lift.

boom swing cylinder layout with an increased boom swing angle of 60o. The bucket digging force is 6.7 tonne, combined with a traction force of 6.6 tonne.

Equipped with an MG22 Sorting Grapple, the new DX250WMH-7 25-tonne material handler is

being demonstrated for use in the solid waste, recycling, demolition and forestry industries. Designed to carry out the toughest tasks, the DX250WMH-7 is built with front and rear stabilizers, and a boom and arm specifically designed for material handling tasks.

SANY TO HAVE LARGEST-EVER PRESENCE AT PLANTWORX

SANY UK will take its largest-ever stand to showcase its latest range of excavators and wheel loaders, along with a host of innovative technologies designed to improve productivity, efficiency, and safety on construction sites.

Debuting at the show are two brand new SANY wheel loaders, the SW305 and SW405 models with their bucket capacity of 2.3 / 3 m³ and an operating weight of 14.5 / 18 tonne.. The new SY18U is also zero tailswing mini excavator premiering. Other machines will also be on display, ranging from the

SY16C, 1.6T canopy mini digger to the SY155W wheeled excavator and 21-tonne, SY215C crawler, so there really is, something for everyone. The SANY Operator Challenge will be in full swing, where participants will be able to take part using the recently launched SY19E electric mini excavator, which was unveiled to the UK market at the Executive Hire Show earlier this year.

The SANY stand working demonstration area will also offer appropriately certified visitors the opportunity to operate seven different machines, ranging from the SANY SY16C mini to the larger compact SY135C.

SANY UK invites all attendees to visit its stand D-H11 and D-H12 at PlantWorx 2023 and experience its cutting-edge construction equipment first-hand.

THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION ON DISPLAY AT CONEXPO-CON/AGG

After five jam-packed days of innovative product launches and major company announcements, enlightening education sessions and countless networking opportunities, CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE 2023 is over, but not before taking the construction industry to the next level.

The show crushed expected attendance numbers, drawing over 139,000 visitors from 133 countries (including many for the island of Ireland) to Las Vegas for four days in March, making it the largest trade show in North America.

“The innovations in the construction industry unveiled this week will play a role in helping construction professionals drive meaningful and sustainable economic growth,” said Phil Kelliher, Caterpillar senior vice president and show chair. “Live events in the construction industry are vital because you can see, touch and experience the products. That value was reaffirmed this past week across the show floor.” This year’s show emphasised how the construction industry is evolving in many ways to adapt to sustainable technologies, products and practices. Show attendees were treated to sustainability in action, from electric and hydrogen-powered construction equipment to

recyclable materials and waste reduction opportunities. Sustainable technologies, products and practices included several electric and autonomous pieces displayed by Volvo Construction Equipment including its EC230 electric excavator pilot, a series of prototype batteries for off-road equipment from Caterpillar, the new SJ120 E from aerial work platform specialists Skyjack, asphalt recycling equipment from Pavement Recyclers LLC and VSS Macropaver and Holcim’s ECOPact concrete that

can eliminate carbon emissions entirely in some instances.

THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP

One of CONEXPO’s biggest direct sustainability efforts is a partnership between the show and the Arbor Day Foundation. Together, they will be planting 139,000+ trees, one for every show registrant in a forest of greatest need. Additionally, CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibitors, attendees and fans can contribute to the Arbor Day Foundation’s funds, assisting in

its mission to plant, nurture and celebrate trees around the globe. “The success of CONEXPO-CON/ AGG & IFPE 2023 is a testament to the resilience and strength of the construction and fluid power industries, which has continued to adapt and innovate despite the challenges of the past three years,” said Marcia Klein, Treasurer of Casappa Corp., and show chair of IFPE. “We’re proud to have provided a platform for industry professionals from around the world to connect, learn, and discover new solutions for improving their businesses and the world we build.”

THE NEXT CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE WILL BE HELD MARCH 3-7, 2026, AT THE LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA.

TEREX MATERIALS PROCESSING PRESENTS A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO AT CONEXPO 2023

Terex Materials Processing (MP) presented its diverse portfolio representing the aggregates, environmental, concrete, material handling and lifting industries at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, NV. In total, there were 12 participating Terex MP brands, including new businesses to the portfolio, MDS and ProAll.

“Terex MP has transformed in recent years to solidify our position and respond to robust demand trends in each of our end markets,” says Kieran Hegarty, President, Terex Materials Processing. “Visitors to our booth saw our broadened portfolio of equipment and investment in new technologies and innovative solutions that will help our customers operate their equipment safely while achieving profitability, sustainability and superior returns.”

Terex MP has been on a growth journey. In 2021, the segment purchased a new facility

in China to manufacture Powerscreen equipment for the domestic China market. This was followed by the acquisition of MDS, a manufacturer of heavy-duty and recycling trommels, apron feeders and conveyor systems, to expand its offering in the crushing and screening and environmental industries, with products that complement the existing portfolio.

In 2022, Terex MP purchased Steelweld Fabrications, a manufacturer of heavy fabrications, as part of a long-term fabrications strategy to meet global demand for its crushing and screening products. Later last year, Canadian company ProAll, a specialist producer of mobile volumetric concrete mixers, also joined the Terex MP portfolio, in a move to expand its overall presence in the concrete mixer space.

The latest acquisition was the assets of ZenRobotics Ltd., a company that manufactures robots that pick, sort, and recycle waste material. This is part of a larger

strategy in Terex MP to strengthen its offering in the environmental industries and make the circular economy a reality by turning global waste into clean raw materials. Each of the acquisitions now operates as a stand-alone business alongside other brands within the Terex MP segment, while also benefiting from Terex MP’s broader market presence, as well as efficiencies enabled by its global scale and investments in areas such as sustainability, digital solutions, and factories of the future.

Terex MP’s digital solution offering was also showcased at CONEXPO, highlighting a culmination of tools that bring its equipment into the digital age and the efficiency and productivity gains it can bring to customers. Connected Dealer Inventory, e-Commerce, Dealer and Customer Portals, Fleet Management Systems, Visual Parts Search and Remote Service Offerings are just some of the advancements in this area.

DOOSAN BOBCAT ANNOUNCES GLOBAL BRAND STRATEGY

Doosan Bobcat, a company within Doosan Group and a leading global compact equipment manufacturer, has announced its global branding strategy to create business and growth opportunities for the Doosan Bobcat product portfolio and CONEXPO.

Doosan Portable Power (DPP), an industry-leading global manufacturer of air compressors, mobile generators and light towers; and Doosan Industrial Vehicle (DIV), a supplier of quality material handling equipment, including forklifts, will rebrand their product offerings under the Bobcat brand.

“Bobcat is an iconic brand that changed the world with the invention of the compact equipment industry, and we are excited to unleash the brand in bold, new ways,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO and Vice Chairman. “Doosan Portable Power and Doosan Industrial Vehicle have long legacies of

developing high-quality products. Bringing these strong Doosan brands into the Bobcat portfolio allows us to further expand these business lines, while also growing our overall Doosan Bobcat business and providing even more solutions to help our customers accomplish more.”

The rebranding of the portable power and industrial vehicle equipment lines — two key business areas for Bobcat — looks to further strengthen overall brand equity, market recognition and consumer

recall of all product offerings. The transition will create a cohesive customer experience and grow the organization’s footprint, thus making the brand accessible to more customers and in more places.

Bobcat has broadened its product portfolio significantly within the past five years, launching more machines during this period than previously in its entire history. The brand has successfully expanded its offerings with new technologies, innovations and expanded product lines, such as

grounds maintenance equipment, which includes compact tractors, small articulated loaders, mowers and turf equipment. With this refreshed identity, the DPP and DIV product lines will, respectively, undergo design and aesthetic changes in alignment with current Bobcat branding.

DPP displayed a portion of its product line-up rebranded in Bobcat trade livery at CONEXPO 2023 in Las Vegas, 14-18 March. DIV will showcase rebranded Bobcat forklifts as part of the in-booth display at ProMat 2023 in Chicago, 20-23 March, as well as at LogiMAT in Germany, 25-27 April. Bobcat-branded material handling equipment and portable power products are expected to be available through Doosan Bobcat’s extensive, global dealer network at a later date. Bobcat and these rebranded product lines will proudly remain part of the broader Doosan Group portfolio.

FIRST DEVELON BRANDED MACHINES DEBUT AT CONEXPO

Visitors to CONEXPO-CON/AGG

witnessed the next phase of the launch with newly DEVELON-branded construction equipment in the outdoor DEVELON exhibit. This included the latest developments in the Concept-X autonomous equipment solution and live demonstrations at the outdoor exhibition on the Festival Grounds. After CONEXPO, continued efforts will be made to advance the brand at the local dealer level through updates to signage and machine decals. Customers are likely to begin to see newly branded machines at their local DEVELON dealerships and on jobsites as early as the end of Q2 2023. DEVELON will continue as a subsidiary in the Hyundai Genuine group alongside Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE). These two subsidiaries will remain independent construction equipment companies under HD Hyundai. Together, the two brands will

position Hyundai Genuine as a global top-5 player in the construction equipment industry. Under the new DEVELON brand name, the company will continue providing innovative products and solutions that exceed expectations, further cementing its status as a global leader in construction equipment and solutions for the infrastructure industry.

Work began to identify a new brand name to replace Doosan following the August 2021 sale of Doosan Infracore to HD Hyundai (formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings Co. HHIH). The name DEVELON was chosen to convey the company’s drive to develop onward to bring innovative solutions to the construction equipment industry through technological transformation and the development of exceptional equipment and services. DEVELON will continue to focus on manufacturing construction equipment to build critical infrastructure for the betterment of communities and societies around the world. DEVELON products and services will help customers and partners become industry leaders in construction, rental, recycling, mining, agriculture and many other industries. Efforts will also be placed on advancing sustainable development through alternative energy sources of power for construction equipment.

conexpo 23 review

NEW CAT® WHEEL LOADERS FEATURE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 attendees were the first to preview the Next Generation Cat 930 Wheel Loader March 14-18 in Caterpillar’s outdoor Festival Lot.

The Next Generation of Cat® 926, 930 and 938 Wheel Loaders will offer a range of new technologies and features designed to boost productivity by simplifying machine operation. Adding flexibility by design, the versatile Cat small wheel loaders offer industry-specific configurations to efficiently handle agriculture, waste, forestry, aggregate and snow removal applications. Customized models can be equipped directly from the factory or through aftermarket upgrade kits installed by a Cat dealer. The Cat exclusive adaptive engine RPM feature automatically adjusts engine

speed based on operator input to optimize productivity and minimise fuel burn. The productive and efficient 1,200- to 1,500-RPM working range makes the loaders more fuel efficient, while larger pumps run at slower speeds for less wear and longer service life. An industry first, these new wheel loaders feature four customized powertrain operating modes. Utility mode is designed for hydromechanical tool use or pick-andplace work with implement power and quick speed and delivers fine ground speed control with engine RPM throttle lock. Torque mode: saves up to 5% on fuel by “freewheeling” around corners and on downhills. Hystat mode provides engine braking with aggressive deceleration, acceleration and no travel until the throttle is applied. Ice mode for snow-clearing applications, ice

mode offers soft directional shifts and extended coast-out for improved control. Delivering increased precision, Cat Payload comes standard on these new wheel loaders providing on-thego weighing to help operators hit exact targets to avoid overloading, underloading or misloading materials. Simple in-cab pushbutton kickout settings for upper, lower and tilt allow operators to match bucket position to the task, helping to maximize bucket cutting-edge life. Conveniently controlled by a joystick button, a new bucket shake feature provides precise metering of materials in batching or spreading applications and cleans the bucket. The target production date for these small wheel loaders is Q4 2023.

DEVELON HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO UNVEIL NEW BRAND, PRODUCT EXPANSION

Executives from DEVELON kicked off CONEXPOCON/AGG 2023 with a special event in the booth, celebrating the company’s new brand and the unveiling of a product line expansion during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hyundai Doosan Infracore CEO, Young-Chul Cho, and CEO, Seung Hyun Oh, were among the executives leading the celebration in the new DEVELON booth.

DEVELON-branded heavy and compact construction equipment was on display at CONEXPO-CON/ AGG in the company’s outdoor booth on the Festival Grounds.

“We are excited to display our newly branded DEVELON machines at the trade show this week,” said Todd Roecker,

vice president of growth initiatives at DEVELON. “This is a continuation of our plan to roll out the new brand to our North

American and international audiences. We expect our dealers and customers will be pleased with the new look.”

Note: DEVELON was formerly known as Doosan construction equipment.

BOBCAT UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC SKID-STEER LOADER AND NEW, ALL-ELECTRIC AND AUTONOMOUS CONCEPT MACHINE AT CONEXPO

Bobcat has taken innovation to the next level with the introduction of two, new concept machines unveiled during the first day of CONEXPO 2023. Following the 2022 release of the Bobcat T7X, the world’s first all-electric compact track loader, Bobcat has now unveiled the world’s first all-electric skid-steer loader, the Bobcat S7X. Bobcat has also stepped beyond industry expectations with the unveiling of its new concept track loader, the Bobcat RogueX. This next-generation concept machine explores the capabilities of electric power, autonomous operation and dual lift-arm geometry.

“At Bobcat, we are always pushing the boundaries to explore the next leading advancements that help our customers accomplish more and propel the industry forward,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO and Vice Chairman. “As an organisation, we are committed to innovating for our customers’ needs first and foremost, so that they can become more efficient, more productive and more successful.”

S7X ALL-ELECTRIC SKID-STEER LOADER

Like the T7X, the S7X is allelectric, powered by a 60.5-kWh, lithium-ion battery, features electric drive motors and

utilises ball screw actuators for lift and tilt functions.

Together, the battery and electrical powertrain generate incredible performance characteristics, with instantaneous torque that is as much as three times greater than traditional loaders. The powerful loader balances sustainability and performance with zero emissions and is equipped to outperform its diesel-powered equivalent.

The S7X can operate for up to 8 hours on a single charge depending on the application, giving most operators more than a full day’s work when breaks and downtime are considered. A full charge takes approximately 10 hours.

“As the inventor of the original skid-steer loader, we are excited to take the machine that created the industry and reinvent it all

over again,” said Joel Honeyman, Doosan Bobcat Vice President of Global Innovation. “The S7X is an incredible product with real-world application that can support operators on environmentally sensitive sites, in noise-restricted areas and for indoor operation.”

At this time, the S7X skidsteer loader is being debuted as a prototype machine.

ROGUEX: CONCEPT MACHINE THAT BREAKS ALL THE RULES

The Bobcat RogueX combines technologically advanced features to make it a one-ofa-kind conceptual machine. While most closely resembling a track loader, the machine is in a league of its own.

As a research and development project, the machine was

built as a proving ground to advance the Bobcat innovation roadmap, evaluate customer perceptions and test the limits of machine functionality.

“RogueX was conceived with consideration for the worksite of the future and how a customer’s needs may evolve—with a focus on ease of use, remote operations, autonomous functionality, sustainable operations and features that allow operators to accomplish more with one machine,” said Honeyman.

As jobsites change and operators turn to remote operation, Bobcat took its concept further by fully eliminating an operator station. The machine explores the idea of operating where humans cannot go to tackle more work in more places than ever from a remote position. By building the loader without a cab and using advanced kinematics, RogueX features next-generation unique functionality including both vertical-path and radial-path lift capabilities in one machine.

The all-electric and autonomous concept machine produces zero emissions as it features a lithium-ion battery, an electric drive system and no hydraulics.

RogueX is in the early research and development stage at Bobcat.

ROKBAK IMPROVED HAUL TRACK TELEMATICS SYSTEM TAKES A LOAD OFF YOUR MIND

Rokbak presented its improved Haul Track telematics system at CONEXPO, highlighting how it helps customers manage their operating costs and efficiencies. Greatly simplifying fleet management, it offers a range of cutting-edge features that provide even-higher levels of machine protection against operator misuse and unexpected downtime.

“Haul Track puts machine owners back in the operator’s seat, figuratively speaking, reassuring them that their valuable investment is in safe hands,” says Charlie Urquhart, Rokbak Product Manager. “Accompanied by a new website with a customisable dashboard to simplify and speed up how they view and retrieve operating information from afar, it offers a much more accurate and costeffective insight into a whole host of factors that can make or break their bottom line.”

Utilising GPS technology to transmit detailed real-time machine location and tracking information in the form of easyto-read, full-colour PDF reports to the customer’s mobile device or PC, Haul Track removes the complexity of keeping tabs on even the largest haulier fleets.

Haul Track meets the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) Telematics Standard 2.0 Application Programming Interface. This allows owners of mixed fleets to manage their telematics data in one place. Data is presented in a standard format, which means the

output from Haul Track can be easily integrated with customers’ own systems. With the power to pinpoint any one of their machines anywhere in the world, owners can not only quickly isolate a specific haulier’s data but even see exactly where it’s been working and track all accumulative loads.

“Now it’s easy to work out how many tonnes you’ve moved each day,” says Charlie.

“Likewise, once you have visibility of the unit and its operations, long idle times and underloading can be monitored and mitigated.

“When you’ve spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on your machines, you need

to protect that investment from misuse, whether deliberate or unintentional,” concludes Charlie. “Rokbak’s Haul Track telematics system is designed to take a load off our customers’ minds so they can keep their hauliers secure, monitor their health, manage machine performance and productivity, and improve site safety. Once plant owners start using Haul Track, they don’t know what they’d do without it!”

Haul Track hardware is fitted as standard on all Rokbak EU Stage V and Tier 4 Final articulated hauliers.

From left: Product Manager Charlie Urquhart, Robert Franklin, Director of Sales –Americas, Senior Product Manager Scott Pollock and Marketing Communications Manager Victoria Thomson at the Rokbak stand ready to discuss the four product themes.

Product Manager Charlie Urquhar.

THE ROKBAK ROADMAP: FOUR KEY THEMES

Rokbak highlighted its four product focus areas –innovation, sustainability, connected services and efficiencies – at CONEXPO, as the articulated haulier manufacturer continues to prioritise the customer and environment to meet industry challenges head-on. These four connected product focus areas will continue to shape the company’s development journey and have been created from customer feedback, market research, technology advancements and product performance improvements.

“We’re always innovating, designing and building to keep our hauliers rock solid,” says Rokbak’s Senior Product Manager, Scott Pollock. “Since the success of our rebrand 18 months ago, we are now moving into the next phase of the Rokbak development

journey. Our four product themes will be used to develop both Rokbak’s future product and product services offerings, aligned to customer needs.”

INNOVATION

One of the future developments that Rokbak is currently working on is its next-generation cab for the RA30 and RA40 articulated hauliers. Key benefits of the new design include higher levels of operator comfort and improved performance, modern ergonomic layout and displays, ease of operation and futureproofing functionalities for automation and connectivity. Other areas under this theme include using technological advances, modern component specifications and fuel economy to reduce customer operating costs.

SUSTAINABILITY

As part of the Volvo Group, Rokbak’s long-term plans are aligned with the Group’s sustainability values. This includes the Volvo Group’s target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Rokbak is reviewing technical solutions that will allow it to achieve its sustainability goals. All Rokbak hauliers are built for low fuel consumption and global CO2 emissions compliance. Both the RA30 and RA40 are compatible with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) which allows customers to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

CONNECTED SERVICES

Rokbak’s improved Haul Track telematics system is helping machine owners to manage the total cost of ownership by

keeping an eye on everything from fuel consumption and machine usage to problems that if neglected could lead to repairs or unplanned downtime. The bespoke system gives customers more visibility and control of their machines with live data viewable on desktop computers and mobile devices.

Haul Track is now AEMP enabled, allowing for mixed fleet management via a single communication platform.

EFFICIENCIES

Rokbak’s fuel-efficient drivetrains deliver powerful performance and meet worldwide emission standards with low cost of operation and low environmental impact. The high-performance drivetrain has responsive, usable power with adaptive shifting for low fuel consumption and operating costs.

Rokbak outlined its four key product focus areas at CONEXPO

conexpo 23 review

EXPANDED RANGE OF CAT® ATTACHMENTS INCREASES APPLICATION VERSATILITY FOR MINI EXCAVATORS AND BACKHOE LOADERS

At CONEXPO, Caterpillar has announced a range of new Cat® attachments available for backhoe loaders and mini excavators, increasing application versatility for these machines. Rugged and reliable, the new models span the range of demolition and sorting grapples, multipurpose grapples for Cat Tiltrotators, vibratory compactor plates and cold planers. Expanding the Cat Demolition and Sorting Grapple line, the new G306 and G308 models are specifically designed for 5- to 6-ton and 7- to 10-ton mini hydraulic excavators respectively. These new models excel in waste, recycling and heavy-duty material handling applications where precise material placement is required. With open and close functions controlled by the machine’s first auxiliary function and rotation head handled by the second, these grapples deliver fast and productive material handling with 360 degrees of bidirectional rotation.

The first hydraulic attachment expansion for the Cat Tiltrotator (TRS) product family, the new Cat G206 and G208 Multi-Purpose Grapples expands the grapple technology in combination with the TRS6 and TRS8 models for 5- to 10-ton mini hydraulic excavators. These models allow maximum manoeuvrability with TRS attachments, and an integrated bracket provides minimal offset to optimise performance of grapple functionality.

Caterpillar has also expanded its Cat Vibratory Plate Compactor line with the new CVP28 and CVP55 models and relaunched

its CVP16 and CVP40 compactors with new design enhancements. Well suited for the compaction of soil, sand, gravel and asphalt, the compactors’ flexibility delivers lower investment and maintenance costs for contractors engaging in residential, commercial and industrial work.

The Cat CVP range is performance-matched to Cat machines, covering all backhoe loaders and excavators ranging from the Cat 302.7 to the 313. Delivering best-in-class performance, they optimise compaction frequency combined with force to drive material particles close together for solid, stable compaction.

Designed for small paving jobs in residential and commercial applications, new Cat Cold Planers deliver economical restoration of asphalt and concrete surfaces. They efficiently mill imperfections before resurfacing and removing deteriorated pavement and traffic lane stripes. The new Cat PC45 replaces the PC404 with its 450-mm (17.7-in) cutting width and 150-mm (6-in) cutting depth and is ideal for use with backhoe loaders and extends the planer’s compatibility to 7- to 10-ton mini hydraulic excavators.

IT’S SHOWTIME!

Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event is back as the 154th Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank returns to the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn from Wednesday 10 May – Saturday 13 May 2023.

As always, the Show prides itself on offering something for everyone; from prizewinning livestock, an unrivalled array of trade stands, and the mouth-watering NI Food & Drink Pavilion showcasing the very best of local produce, as well as a wide range of family entertainment and attractions.

The Show is a fantastic day out for families and simply not to be missed. A new addition this year is the Wee Bugs and Beasties micro-zoo, where children can hold cute and cuddly animals such as rabbits, piglets and guinea pigs and also get up close to snakes and reptiles. There is exciting entertainment in the Main Arena across the 4 days, from a Quad Stunt Show

and Army Parachute team to name a few highlights.

The Eikon Shopping Village has everything a shopper could need from crafts, tourism, toys, food, clothing, jewelry, beauty, health & wellbeing and so much more. New to this year’s Show is The Makers Market within the Eikon Shopping Village. This welcome addition is specifically

for crafters and artisan makers to showcase their products. With livestock remaining at the heart of the Show, the Show welcomes entries from over 3000 head of livestock across all livestock, equine and showjumping classes.

Rhonda Geary, Operations Director commented “The

countdown to this year’s Show is on, we can’t wait to welcome visitors through the gates over four jam packed days. The Show promises to be a fun-filled day out, with so much to see and do. Whether you’re looking for family fun, fantastic food or the chance to view exceptional livestock, the Show has it all!’

This year’s Show will run from Wednesday 10th May to Saturday 13th May at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn. Come along and visit us this year, whether you’re from the city or countryside, a first-time visitor or repeat show-goer, we hope to see you there. All tickets must be purchased online at www.balmoralshow.co.uk

This year, leading waste, recycling and resource management company, RiverRidge, has become a Balmoral Show sponsor for the first time, as well as being the waste management provider for the event.

The for platinum event sponsors are ABP, M&S, SPAR and Tesco.

Pamela Jordan, Senior Commercial Manager at RiverRidge joins Vickie White, RUAS Business Development Executive to announce their sponsorship at this year’s Balmoral Show.

EURO AUCTIONS LEEDS CELEBRATES BEST YEAR EVER

2022 was a strong year for the used machinery market with prices resilient, demand high for good fresh low hours machines, with a shortage of new equipment from OEMs for the duration of 2022.

At the very last Euro Auctions sale of the year, the flagship sale site in Leeds, put just over £35 million of used construction machinery and agricultural equipment over the ramp in four days, including over 700 diggers of all makes and models. With market confidence in the UK still high with the Leeds yard stacked to the rafters, over 4,500 lots went under the hammer at the last sale of the year. 2022 was not without its challenges with access to stock being the major issue. However, the team at Euro Auctions excelled themselves consistently pulling into the Leeds sales between 4,500 and 5,500 lots of heavy earth moving, construction and agricultural machinery at each sale. With a reputation for sourcing good, fresh, late, low hours machines on a regular basis in addition to consignments of new and unregistered equipment, the Euro Auctions team continued to ‘dig deep’ and delivered, sale on sale. Internet bidding continued to be strong at all Euro Auctions sales in 2022, a hangover in trading style from Covid, with 69% of bids conducted online. However, in mid-2022 the crowds returned to the live sales and at the final Leeds sale of the year numbers of live bidders were approaching pre-Covid numbers and when compared with the same sale in October 2021, there was a 20% uplift. 2022 was a stellar year for Leeds with the highest yearly hammer total to date at the years end with over £329, million and the highest number of items sold in one year, at one site, with 40,000+ lots going under the hammer.

EXCAVATORS IN HIGH DEMAND

The demand for excavators in the UK has been unprecedented during the last 12 months, with the industry dubbing Euro Auctions, Leeds, as the ‘digger capital’ of the World’. Throughout 2022, at the Euro Auctions sale in Leeds anywhere from 700 and 1,000 variations of makes, models years, hours and types of excavators have gone over the ramp at each sale, a statistic unmatched anywhere globally. Due to the quality of the equipment offered and the exchange rates movements throughout the year, Leeds has seen increased

levels of international buyers participating and using Leeds to pick up equipment for export. Euro Auctions sellers have also been taking advantage of this and have been consigning to Euro Auctions sales in the US, branded as Yoder & Frey, in particular the upcoming multi day Winter auction in Florida in February.

UK TRENDS

Top buying regions and countries have been Europe, with the Middle East being consistently the second region by volume. The UK and the Republic of Ireland being top buying countries with The Netherlands and Poland constantly appearing in the top five. A new emerging buyer in the last quarter of the year, previously not seen at the Euro Auctions sale in Leeds, is the Ukraine. Registering online and buying utility earth moving equipment and smaller excavators, generators and telehandlers, One can assume that equipment is destined for clean-up in this war-ravaged region of Europe. Increased levels of buyers from Ukraine bought in Leeds in October and the November / December sale, as well as the recent Dormagen sale where Ukrainian buyers were the 9th top bidding nation.

Comments Chris Osborne, Sales Manager at Euro Auctions: “During the last 12 months Euro Auctions put on eight record breaking sales at the Leeds site and no sooner one sale ends, the yard is filling up for the next

auction. The ability for Euro Auctions to fill the Leeds yard with 5,500 + machines, 8-times a year, is a testimony to the ability of the global sales managers to consign good equipment for this sale. With sales managers in the UK, Spain, Germany, Middle East as well as the USA and Australia, Euro Auction is able to direct consignment into, not just Leeds, but to wherever demand is strongest.

GLOBAL BIDDERS

“Prices have been strong, helped by the weaker pound and we have seen bidders from Europe and the USA bidding more aggressively. At the last two sales of 2022, 45% of bidders were from the UK, showing an increase in global bidders. Bidder registration from the USA jumped by 700% since October and I personally have seen those bidders buying multiple lots as they sit on the ramp, buying not one of five CAT or Hitachi diggers, but all five, which shows the appetite for the stock we are selling. In addition, at all sales we are hearing auctioneers repeatedly referencing online bidders in Texas, Florida and other states, which again, is fast becoming the chant of the auctioneer on sales day.

“Successful bidders from the USA have been growing sale on sale, and in October, approximately £2 million of the £43 million hammer went to bidders from America., Registered buyers from the USA are always evident, bidding in the early stages of the sale, so distance is clearly no barrier. You can get a stripped-down Cat 320D Excavator or a couple of telehandlers into a 40’ shipping container and for a few thousand pounds it can be shipped anywhere in the world. However, a trend we saw throughout the year was local buyers bidding more aggressively and winning.

“Another noticeable trend at the last few sales, the crowds are back! Whilst a lot of bidding takes place online, bidders are browsing in person and this last sale the number of floor bidders were back to pre-Covid numbers and not just from the UK. We are seeing registrations from across Europe turn up in person.

“What is selling well? Everything sells at Euro Auctions as the crowd sets the pace for the sale as all sales are unreserved. In the last three months, making good money have been the mid-range machinery such as 6t excavators, backhoes, telehandlers and wheeled loaders.”

Chris Osborne, Sales Manager at Euro Auctions.

A new Komatsu WA475-10 sold to Robinson Quarry Masters by WAC McCandless.

A new Giant G2700HD Xtra for Fegan Hardware, from Ballyward Plant Services.

New Yanmar VIO27 for Mullan Drilling from Crumlin Plant Sales.

New Dieci Pegasus 50.25 delivered to Bar O Construction in Cork by Alan MIlne Tractors Newry.

New Yanmar SV15 for Speedy Signs from Crumlin Plant Sales.

A new Komatsu PC138US-11 sold to Clifford & Gregg by WAC McCandless.

A new Engcon EC209bs tilt rotator for RTD Crawford, from Ballyward Plant Services.

Chris & John from Caledon Estate Co with their cracking new Manitou MLT841 from Northern Lift Trucks.

CA Hire receiving delivery of New Yanmar VIO50 from Crumlin Plant Sales .

Ciaran Killaly of IGSL Limited taking delivery of a new Atlas Copco XAS188-14 from WAC McCandless.

Hitachi ZX150W-7 with Engcon QS60 hitch, EC214 tilt rotator & GRD60 gripper - DM Groundworks Ltd, Garristown.

New Takeuchi TB240 delivered to Aidan McMullan in Castlewellan by Alan MIlne Tractors Newry.

DB Contracts took delivery of their super new Hyundai HX140AL from Northern Lift Trucks.

Adam and Wayne ofWB Contracts in Kilkeel collecting a new Takeuchi TB325 from Alan Milne Tractors in Newry.

Newbridge Hire with a new messersi TC95 dumper from Crumlin Plant Sales.

Hitachi ZX225USLC-7 - Hilltop Quarries Crushing & Screening Ltd sold by TBF Construction Machinery.

KC Hire receive delivery of a new Yanmar SV15 and SV08 from Crumlin Plant Sales.

NLT’s Roy Graham is Stephen O’Neill from O’Neill of Clonoe with his Cracking new Manitou MT1440. The MT1440 is the 2nd Manitou in their fleet having recently purchased the very popular MT625 from Northern Lift Trucks.

A new JLG 800AJ sold to Boom & Platform Hire by WAC McCandless.

A new Epiroc HC350 sold to SB Contracts by WAC McCandless.

A New Komatsu PC210LC-11 & Epiroc MG1500 sold to Re-gen Waste by WAC McCandless.

A new Takeuchi TB230 and a second hand TB153 loaded to be delivered to Neaufort Ltd in Keady Co Armagh.

New Dieci Agri Farmer 34.7 DG delivered to A. Kinnear in Armafg by Alan Milne Tractors Newry.

Hitachi ZX135W-7 with Engcon QS60 hitch, EC214 tilt rotator, GRD60 gripper - GB Landscapes

Ltd, Castlederg sold by TBF Construction Machinery.

New Yanmar SV08 micro for KC Hire collected from Crumlin Plant Sales. New Takeuchi TB335R delivered to LR kennedy in Craigavon by Alan Milne Tractors Newry.

New Yanmar VIO27 for D’Scaff delivery from Crumlin Plant Sales.

A new Giant G1200tele for Sewage NI from Ballyward Plant Services.

A new Atlas Copco XAS88-7 sold to New Century Engineering by WAC McCandless.

Hitachi ZX26U-6 - DMC Carpentry, Collon sold by TBF Construction Machinery.

A new Truxta B450e electric mini dumper for FAL Hire, from Ballyward Plant Services.

Hitachi ZX175W-7 with Rototilt R4 quick hitch, MCS60 top hitch, RG800 gripper - McBride Contracts Ltd, Kilrea sold by TBF Construction Machinery.

A new Komatsu PC210LC-11 sold to Mills Contracts by WAC McCandless. New Yanmar VIO50 Joins the fleet at KC HIRE from Crumlin Plant Sales.

Cullmac contracts with new Yanmar VIO57 from Crumlin Plant Sales.

New Yanmar VIO27 for Roe Valley Ground works from Crumlin Plant Sales.

A new Engcon EC214s tilt rotator and attachments for O’Neill Plant Hire, from Ballyward Plant Services.

A new Takeuchi TB216 delivered to Cyril Johnston Hire in Carryduff by Alan MIlne Tractors Newry.

A new Giant G5000tele out for delivery to P O’Neill, from Ballyward Plant Services.

Crumlin Plant Sales.

new Komatsu PC26MR-5 & PC228USLC-11 sold

by WAC McCandless.

Crumlin Plant Sales. New Dieci Smart 20.4 delivered to O’Neill Supplies of Martinstown by Alan Milne Tractors Newry.

A New Komatsu D65WX-18 sold to Eastwood Envirowaste by WAC McCandless.

New Manitou MLT741 V+ Elite to Jason

Taggart Jack, Ardstraw from Northern Lift Trucks.

3x Thwaites AD9 - Midwest Formwork & Reinforcing Ltd, Oranmore sold by TBF Construction Machinery.

Dieci Agri max 65.8 sold to TY Rocks in Portadown by Alan Milne Tractors Newry.

COMPONENTS

VACUUM EXCAVATION

Vacuum excavation is the safest method of excavation around multiple utilities in congested city locations eg electric cables, gas and water mains, telecom and sewers.

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info@gmacutilities.com www.gmacutilities.com

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HOSES & HYDRAULIC SERVICES

Hose Tec are suppliers and distributors of Industrial and Hydraulic Hose, Fittings and we offer a comprehensive range of Hydraulic Components. Full range of hydraulic and industrial hose in stock. We manufacture all types of hydraulic hose assemblies ranging from 3/16” to 6” rubber, P.V.C and stainless-steel hose.

We offer these services from our Trade Counter in Hillsborough

• Hydraulic

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For all your hose or hydraulic needs just give us a call 028 92 682573, 07824479387, info@hosetec.co.uk

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Crumlin Plant Sales Ltd

DISTRIBUTOR OF: Ammann rollers & compaction equipment, Ausa mini dumpers, Beton concrete vibratory equipment, Radiodetection cable and pipe detection equipment, Hycon hydraulic power packs and tools, Rotair tools and compressors, Yanmar mini excavators. 90a Blackisland Road, Annaghmore, Portadown BT62 1NH

028 3885 2540 Fax. 028 3885 2541

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OVER 50 YEARS OF MOVING IRELAND

Pat O’Donnell & Co. has been supplying and distributing quality plant equipment to the island of Ireland since 1970. We have helped dig, demolish, forest, excavate, carry, cultivate, harvest, import, export, engineer, pave, save, landscape, power, lift, load and dump all over Ireland. Every machine we supply comes with a nationwide team Of qualified service engineers, a next-day parts delivery system and an all-island branch network.

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