Inflationary pressures in NI construction sector

news Ballyronan to benefit from new £4.8m Wastewater Treatment Works

NI Water is scheduled to commence a £4.8m programme of work this summer to provide Ballyronan with a modern new wastewater treatment facility.

The existing treatment works, which was constructed in the 1970s off the Ballyronan Road/Shore Road, Ballyronan will remain in operation while the new infrastructure is being installed at the same site. Coalisland-based GEDA Construction has been appointed to carry out the 18-month contract which will see the implementation of a temporary working area adjacent to the site to facilitate construction works. Newry-based Water Solutions Ireland will carry out the extensive mechanical and electrical installation at the site, while Belfast-based RPS Group are providing technical support for the project. Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “NI Water’s substantial £4.8m investment is good news for people who live in the Ballyronan area. The work, which is being undertaken by local companies, will include the installation of state-of-the-art, fully enclosed, treatment tanks, along with advanced electrical and mechanical systems to provide a robust wastewater treatment solution. “This will support local development and help improve water quality in Lough Neagh delivering economic and environmental benefits for the local community for many years to come.” NI Water Project Manager, Sean Milligan added: “Construction work at the site will get underway in full after the July holidays. In advance of that, GEDA will set up their working compound and carry out any necessary preliminary works. “This £4.8 million investment is an excellent example of what can be done when the necessary funding is in place. NI Water’s capital funding for year 1 of our business plan was secured and the business looks forward to the necessary funding being put in place across the full six-year period to 2027.”

Inflationary pressures in NI construction sector have become business critical

The latest CEF Construction Survey reflects a sector where the inflationary pressures of the last 18 months are having an increasingly unsustainable effect on the viability of a growing number of businesses.

The survey, which collected data from NI-headquartered firms which have a collective annual turnover in excess of £1bn, covers the first six months of 2022 and reflects on many of the key challenges that contractors, civil engineers and housebuilders are facing currently. The main findings included: - Over a third (36%) of firms surveyed stated their main priority in the year ahead was to stabilise output and consolidate their business - Only 11% said their main priority was growth and expanding turnover while 17% stated their main aim was survival and staying in business by any means - 68% felt that rising material costs/inflation could have a serious or critical impact on their ability to deliver on contracts/projects - 94% expect construction materials costs to continue to rise over the next 3 months - Over a third (38%) warned that materials shortages are having a critical or serious impact on their ability to deliver on contracts/projects - 62% feel there will be reduced opportunities for NI public sector work in the year ahead, with 70% foreseeing a reduction in opportunities for NI commercial work - 68% said the use of alternative

Government construction contract options which are more flexible in their design and approach would improve their willingness to bid for public sector work - 68% expect an increase in demand for skilled labour in the next 3 months

Stark Picture

Employers Federation, said of the results: “These results paint a stark picture of a sector that, whilst resilient in the face of many of the unprecedented headwinds of the last two years, is finding the neverending inflationary pressures increasingly impossible to bear. With absolutely no sign of these pressures easing over the rest of 2022 and into 2023 we are seeing a significant draining of confidence within our membership as to their medium-term prospects – with an alarming number now talking openly about business survival as being their main focus. “For those who engage in public sector works, the picture is further complicated by the lack of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive and the consequent impact on Government Departments being able to deliver their procurement pipelines in a timely manner. With many Government Clients telling us in recent weeks that they are operating on contingency budgets for the current financial year, we are now very much in the worstcase scenario for many when it comes to market conditions. A Northern Ireland Executive is not, of course, a panacea to many of the challenges that contractors are confronted with – but it can set a budget which unlocks a sustainable pipeline of work, and it can also, as our survey detailed, spearhead discussions around alternative forms of Government contracts which would be of benefit to all in the current crisis. “When we also consider that housebuilders are facing not just the inflationary challenge but also the unavailability of wastewater connections in many parts of the country and a planning system that is in urgent need of major structural reform, it is clear that its prospects are also more uncertain than at any point since the 2007/08 financial crisis. Solutions to this are undoubtedly possible – but they require a fundamental shift in policy, performance and mindsets in order to unlock the new build housing which is an economic, societal and environmental imperative”.

COMPANY REBRAND GIVES ROKBAK IMPRESSIVE HAUL AT STAR AWARDS 2022

After enjoying three days of positive customer comments regarding its new brand at Hillhead, Rokbak rounded off a successful week by taking five Marketing Society accolades back home to Motherwell.

The brilliance of last year’s Rokbak rebrand was confirmed yet again when the Scottish articulated hauler manufacturer came away from the Marketing Society Star Awards 2022 in Edinburgh’s O2 Academy laden with five trophies. The company was recognised for the Brand Development and International Marketing awards in the Strategic category and the Brand Experience award in the Communication category. As a member of the Volvo Group, Rokbak won the Star Marketing Team of the Year, with Jacqueline Reid, Global Director: Marketing Communications & Product Management, taking home the accolade for Inspirational Marketing Leader of the Year. In addition, the company was also shortlisted for the Simon Scott Award for Creativity and Craft. This cross-industry acclaim neatly bookended Rokbak’s successful appearance at Hillhead 2022, which concluded the same day, where customers and other end users – many of whom were catching their first real glimpse of the rebranded haulers in the iron – proved to be extremely enthusiastic about their new direction. “The feedback on our new name and colourways was incredible,” enthuses Paul Douglas, Rokbak’s Managing Director. “We’ve already become used to our dealers expressing their support for the changes we made, but I was taken aback at how overwhelmingly positive the Hillhead public’s reaction was, and how eager they were to get their hands on our new merchandise – and haulers! It’s just more confirmation that it was the right time to make such a significant change.” A PROUD HERITAGE

The rebrand, which was announced on September 1, 2021, marked yet another major turning point in the company’s illustrious history, which began when Euclid created the first recognisable rear dump truck, the Model 1Z, in 1934. Euclid Great Britain was then set up in Motherwell, Scotland, in 1950 before rebranding as Terex several thousand trucks later in 1968. Then, after nine generations of its TA articulated hauler range had been produced, the company was acquired by the Volvo Group in 2014 and became a division of Volvo Construction Equipment. Renamed Terex Trucks, those machines underwent their biggest leap forward to date. Following the Volvo Group’s investment of millions of pounds in the company’s products, people and processes, its two articulated hauler models continued to set new benchmarks in terms of productivity and reliability, making apparent the need to properly highlight just how much of a difference these enhancements had made. “Becoming a member of the Volvo Group allowed us to make major improvements in every part of our business,” says Paul. “We felt it was right to recognise this evolution with a new brand name and launch an exciting new chapter in our history. “Our customers were already referring to our haulers as ‘rock trucks’ so after consulting with our dealers and customers, we found the Rokbak name worked really well across all markets. It’s a name that embodies rock-solid strength, robustness and reliability – and our promise to always have the backs of our customers.”

Rokbak won five Marketing Society awards in recognition of its recent rebrand.

BETTER THAN EVER

In addition to the Rokbak name, the rebranding operation also saw the 28-tonne payload RA30 and 38-tonne payload RA40 models switch from the white Terex Trucks colour scheme to the well-received sand livery. As the most productive and efficient articulated haulers the company has ever made, with better fuel economy, lower emissions, improved safety and greater durability, their rejuvenated appearance will play a key role alongside the new name in further expanding the company’s reputation, dealer network and market share. “We have a clear vision of who we are and where we want to go – the Rokbak name represents an exciting future and reflects our strategic priorities,” concludes Paul. “The industry’s recognition of our efforts at the Star Awards is highly appreciated –I’m incredibly proud of our team and what they have accomplished in such a short time.”

news Volvo Trucks Launches New Features to Support Safe Driving

Volvo Trucks is introducing a range of new features that improves safety and driveability, supporting precision handling in tight areas and on bumpy or slippery roads – for example on construction sites.

“Thanks to several smart updates of the I-Shift gearbox, we have managed to make a range of new functions available that improve driveability, safety and comfort. Each is designed to give the driver greater control and ease of operation when manoeuvring,” says Pär Bergstrand, Heavy Duty Transmission Manager at Volvo Trucks. Terrain Brake is a new, unique solution for driving at low speeds over rough and uneven ground, making it easier and safer to manoeuvre a truck. Usually, if the driver brakes with a wheel positioned on the edge of an elevated surface, like a large rock or a curb, it may roll off before the driver has time to apply the brakes, making it hard to keep control of the vehicle. The new Terrain Brake solution applies the brakes as soon as the driver releases the accelerator. The truck then holds its position without rolling, which enables small movements, with great precision. “The Terrain Brake is ideal for offroad conditions like construction sites, mines or uneven roads, but it can also be useful for manoeuvring in cities and navigating over speed bumps and street curbs. Regardless of the situation, it will give the driver much greater agility and control, making the job safer and easier,” continues Bergstrand. Change Direction is another solution that makes it easier to manoeuvre a truck at low speeds. Situations such as turning in a confined space or reversing into a loading dock typically require short, sharp movements with the driver switching between the brake and accelerator pedals. Now, instead of applying the brake, the driver can switch into reverse while still moving forwards. The new function will then automatically ease the vehicle to a standstill and then start moving in reverse, while the driver simply holds the accelerator pedal. To move forward again, the driver just switches into forward gear and keeps holding the accelerator. Active Grip Control is a function that significantly improves stability and acceleration in slippery conditions. If the truck starts to skid, multiple sensors allow the vehicle’s control system to react to the road surface in an intelligent way to help the driver stay on the road. The new feature is also designed to reduce the risk of jack-knifing and oversteering when driving unloaded. Volvo Trucks has also updated the cruise control so that it can be activated at set speeds as low as 4 km/h, or even 2 km/h, if used with the optional crawler gears. “I’m really proud that we have managed to develop so many useful features that are not only improving driving at construction sites, but are also helpful in many other situations, such as timber transport and when driving in cities,” concludes Bergstrand.

Availability:

• Terrain Brake is an option on the Volvo FH16 and other Volvo trucks with a driven front axle. • Change Direction is an option available on all

Volvo FH, FM and FMX. • Active Grip Control is standard on all Volvo heavyduty trucks with an electric driveline and, with a few exceptions, on all heavy-duty trucks with Euro 6 engines. • The updated Cruise Control is standard equipment on all heavy-duty Volvo trucks.

Econic – The Concrete Solution For Roadstone

Leading building materials firm Roadstone, a CRH company, has enhanced its Irish fleet of heavy commercial vehicles with the recent addition of a new MercedesBenz Econic 3235L truck.

The first of its kind in Ireland, the Econic low entry unit offers a new level of safety for operating a mixer truck in a city environment with an ideal driving position for an eye level view of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Finished in Roadstone’s distinctive yellow livery, the 8x4 rear steer chassis Econic is fitted with a mixer bottle by Midland Truck Mixers and comes complete with a full Brigade Camera System, air suspension and Dura-Bright alloy rims. Chief amongst the myriad of safety features is automated frame lowering at the front axle, proximity control, stability control and Brake Assist ‘5’ system, which can recognise when pedestrians cross in front of the vehicle. With roots as far back as the early 1930s, Roadstone is Ireland’s leading construction and building materials supplier with a network of quarry and retail outlets nationwide serving a broad range of construction demand. Roadstone is part of CRH, the leading building materials business in the world, employing 71,000 people at 3,155 locations in 28 countries. CRH is the largest building materials business in both North America and Europe, with regional positions in Asia.

news First Movable Pumping Stations for NI Water

NI Water has installed two innovative new modular Pumping Stations at Moys Water Pumping Station (Limavady) and Ballinrees (Coleraine), as part of its Northern Resilience Project.

This new technology is a first for NI Water and these new stations can be moved around if required, allowing the company to respond to major incidents. Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “This major investment, which is part of the £7.2 million Northern Resilience Project, is good news for people in the North West. It will strengthen and secure the future robustness and resilience of their water supply, which will be particularly important during dry weather conditions, winter months and other unplanned events. “I commend NI Water for using new and innovative technology which will mean that in emergency situations, these new pumping stations can ensure that water can be distributed to various parts of the North West to keep the taps running.” The two new modular pumping stations have been designed and built by DPS/EPS and installed by BSG, as part of the overall project. Martin Gillen, NI Water Head of Water Capital Delivery added: “NI Water was looking for an innovative and flexible solution to meet fluctuating water supply needs. These mobile unitsare equipped with a multifunction operational capability, which means that they can be moved to other suitable locations within NI Water’s Northern resource area if needed. “This is a major benefit to NI Water as it means we can react quickly to provide supply to customers during major incidents such as drought/dry weather conditions across the North and North West of the province. “This is a new innovation for the company and it is encouraging to know that we have the local expertise to design these innovative solutions to meet complex water supply needs.” The Northern Resilience Scheme is scheduled for completion this Autumn.

Terex Ballymoney Creating Jobs Locally with New Extension

Terex is currently finalising plans for a major new investment at its Ballymoney fabrications facility.

The site has already seen a multi-million pound investment in 2022 with new laser cutting equipment and robot welding cells, 2023 will see a further major expansion and facility upgrade. The site will host a new assembly hall and cranes, with a new powder coating line as well as contemporary office space and employee facilities. This investment in the business is a clear and obvious sign that this fabrication site is going from strength to strength, and the team here is set to grow further. Jonathan Hanna, Director of Fabrications, Crushing and Screening, commented, “This is an opportunity for us to further expand our team at Ballymoney. The team here have been performing to the highest standard and this investment is further evidence that Terex is willing to improve and build upon our success to date. This upgrade will give us a world class operation where we can create a safe, productive environment and a great place to work. With this multi-million local investment on the site we hope to create further 60 new jobs here in Ballymoney and the surrounding area.” The planning has been submitted for this work and it is hoped that work on this expansion can begin as soon as possible.

Steelwrist expands tiltrotator range

The installation ratio for tiltrotators on the smallest excavators is starting to grow globally and in response Steelwrist is now introducing the new X02, a tiltrotator suitable for 1,5-2,5 ton excavators. The X02 is accompanied by a complete range of work tools resulting in increased efficiency and versatility which convert also the smallest excavators into true tool carriers.

The X02 tiltrotator has a number of innovative design solutions and comes with either a Direct Fit or an S30 top for the connection to the excavator. The coupler side (bottom) of the tiltrotator is available in a mechanical locking version as well as hydraulic locking for S30. The hydraulic lock version with the integrated Front Pin Hook is probably the only tiltrotator in this class that has work tool safety to support CE requirements. The X02 is positioned between the smallest TCX tilt coupler for machines below 2 tonnes and the X04 tiltrotator for excavators from 2,5 to 4 tonnes. Again the focus with X02 has been to make a fully casted product with best strength-weight ratio and low building height. Other innovative design solutions introduced with the X02 are: New gearbox design which makes it possible to easily eliminate play over time; Lubrication free bearings for easy maintenance; Valves and control module placing to protect from outer damage; and a bolt-on lifting eye or lifting hook as option on direct fitted tiltrotators.

Work tools

With a complete set of Steelwrist S30 work tools for the X02 tiltrotator, such as grading-, digging-, cable/trenching- and v-ditch bucket, asphalt cutter and ripper, the excavator turns into an efficient and versatile tool carrier that can do work in a wide range of applications. In autumn 2022 a multi grapple is added to the work tool offering for X02. The Steelwrist Multi Grapple is a general purpose construction and log grapple. “With the launch of the X02 we finally complete the tiltrotator range for excavators below 2,5 tonnes. The X02 is a fantastic combination of innovation and robustness which customers have been waiting for”, says Stefan Stockhaus, CEO of Steelwrist AB.

HAWKS SUPPLIES FOUR KOBELCO CRAWLER CRANES FOR £1 BILLION SILVERTOWN TUNNEL PROJECT

Hawks Crane Hire has supplied four Kobelco crawler cranes, including two CKE2500-Gs and two CKE900G-3s, for work on Transport for London’s (TfL) £1 billion Silvertown Tunnel, which will link Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London.

The new 1.4km twin-bore road tunnel under the Thames will be the first in London in over 30 years and aims to improve cross-river public transport, while reducing congestion and air pollution in the area. Construction is being delivered by Bam Nuttall with sister company Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau, Ferrovial Agroman and SK E&C. The first CKE900G-3 arrived on site in January 2021, with the first CKE2500G-2 following in October. The second CKE900G-3 arrived in January 2022, with the final CKE2500G-2 delivered in June 2022. Both CKE2500G-2s were supplied with 48m booms, with one using a 100-tonne hook block and the other a 70-tonne hook block, with maximum weight lifted being 50.5 tonnes at 15m radius. The tight site presented some operational problems, according to Elliot Hawkins, Sales Director, Hawks Crane Hire: “The main boom for both machines had to stay under the overhead Emirates cable car, which runs across the site, and also had to be slew restricted due to the adjacent Docklands Light Railway (DLR) lines running parallel with the site, with Kobelco’s slew restrictors coming in very handy during operations.” MORE REACH

Working around the three main shafts, both CKE2500G-2s were used in a “muck away” operation removing spoils from the shafts using a Geko Innovations’s TruckLoader Skip, which can weigh up to 26 tonnes, fully laden, says Elliot, with one also lifting excavators, loaded onto a “tray”, in and out of the shafts as well. “The CKE2500G provides greater lifting capacity than other 250-tonne capacity models,” explains Elliot, “allowing the client more reach, with a greater lifting capacity, which ultimately increase programme time.” PILING DUTIES

With the larger capacity cranes handling earth removal and plant movement on site, the 100-tonne capacity CKE900G-3s, which were both supplied with a 36.6m boom, were used by piling contractor Keltbray for the tunnel boring machine launch chamber, along with associated counterfort foundations. “Both CKE900G-3s worked as ‘tailing cranes’”, explains Elliot, “lifting the tailing end of the tilt bed, with a maximum weight of 24-tonne, where the T-shaped rebar cages were spliced together to make the 102 tonne,

32m long counterfort piles, which were filled with more than 500m3 of ‘low-carbon’ concrete once in position.” REDUCED EMISSIONS

Environmental concerns also played a part in choosing the Kobelco crawler cranes for the works, according to Elliot, with the company’s KCross remote operation management system, which is designed to help maximise machine efficiency and uptime, key to the decision making. “Our client was especially interested in gathering as much information as possible on all four cranes’ diesel usage and emissions whilst they were on site, particularly as it was keen to reduce emissions as much as possible on site. It even ran a competition between the contractors to see how much money it could save while reducing fuel consumption. “More importantly,” adds Elliot, “the information was not only useful during the project but will be used as part of its wider research into how emissions and fuel usage can be reduced on future projects.” THE NEW 1.4KM TWINBORE ROAD TUNNEL UNDER THE THAMES WILL BE THE FIRST IN LONDON IN OVER 30 YEARS AND AIMS TO IMPROVE CROSS-RIVER PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WHILE REDUCING CONGESTION AND AIR POLLUTION IN THE AREA.

www.kobelcocm-global.com

BALLYWARD PLANT SERVICES

Offering new and used machinery including excavators, backhoe loaders, telescopic handlers and wheel loaders, Ballyward Plant Services, which was established in 2008 by Robert McAlerney, is a company that doesn’t rest on its laurels.

It has grown steadily over the years, thanks not only to its high level of customer service and support, but also to taking on and making a success of a number of franchises that complement each another, including the Tobroco- Giant range of Dutch manufactured machines, the Danish Hydrema dump truck range and Truxta mini dumpers from Tufftruk. More recently, Engcon appointed Ballyward Plant Services a main dealer for Northern Ireland, cementing a working relationship with the leading tiltrotator manufacturer that began over a year ago. Says Robert: “The market here for tiltrotators is still in its early stages, but momentum is definitely growing as more and more people are beginning to realise the benefits.” Watching one at a show or on YouTube is no substitute for sitting in the seat for half an hour and trying it for yourself. “It really is a case of ‘seeing is believing,’” says Robert. “It is virtually impossible to appreciate reading from the pages of a brochure or viewing a video what an Engcon tiltrotator is capable of; you really have to see it in operation up close and personal, which is why we always have on hand several demonstration machines fitted with Engcon tiltrotators.” A tiltrotator makes an excavator a more efficient, flexible and versatile machine enabling the user to perform operations without the constant need to move the excavator, making it more productive and together with the use of attachments such as forks, grabbles and grading buckets, it is ideal for a wide range of applications – from pipe-laying and narrow gauge ditching to surface leveling and finishing. Not only does the use of an Engcon tiltrotator increase the safety around the machine due to its high manoeuvrability and low space requirements, it also significantly reduces the need for labour. “One man can achieve a lot with the help of a tiltrotator,” says Robert. “Digging around obstacles and in tight spaces reduces the need to move obstructing objects. It also cuts down on the number of machines you need on site,

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which means fuel costs are also reduced accordingly, and that’s a big bonus in these days of rising diesel prices. Anything that makes an excavator more productive and cost effective has to be a good thing, which is why people are now taking a long hard look at investing in the Engcon product.” The Engcon tiltrotator is connected between the excavator’s arm and the bucket and can be compared to a wrist that allows the operator to tilt up to 45 degrees and rotate the bucket or other tool infinitely in both directions. If you need extra help, you can select a grapple accessory that provides the tiltrotator with extra functions in the form of material handling. A hydraulic quick hitch beneath the tiltrotator allows you to connect any bucket or tool without having to leave the comfort and safety of the cab. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Ballyward Plant Services partnered representatives from Engcon recently to hold several ‘Dig Days’ at the company’s spacious County Down premises, with invited customers being able to benefit and enjoy getting some practical experience of the Engcon tiltrotator range; another similar event is planned for next year. There were four different Engcon tiltrotator models on demonstration, including an ECO2B which was fitted to a 2.7 tonne machine. It is one of the market’s smallest tiltrotator’s for really compact machines, with a tilt angle of up to 40 degrees and can be fitted with a standard DC2 quick hitch system. With a basic weight of 65 kg, the EC02B has a minimal impact on stability. A second excavator, a 3.5 tonne machine, was fitted with an EC204 which is suitable for machines between two and four tonne and can come with a standard quick hitch system and can also be fitted with integrated gripper or extra hydraulic functionality. It has a tilt angle of 45 degrees. An 8.5 tonne machine featured a compact but powerful EC209, suitable for all excavators in the six to nine tonne weight class, with a tilt angle of up to 45 degrees. Like the other mentioned models, it comes with a standard DC2 proportional control system, but if Engcon’s standard quick hitch S45 is selected, then you can also get EC-Oil which is an automatic quick hitch system. This means that the tiltrotator and hydraulic tools can be connected and disconnected without the operator needing to leave the cab.

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The fourth machine featuring on the Dig Days was a 14 tonner fitted with an EC214 tiltrotator. Like the EC209, it has a tilt angle of up to 45 degrees and is offered with the standard DC2 proportional control system, plus the EC-Oil automatic quick hitch. Meanwhile, engcon is about to launch its third product generation. To meet future demands, the new tiltrotator system is taking progressive steps towards sustainability, applying smart technology to reduce energy consumption and is adapted ready for the electrification of excavators. The integrated and user-adapted system builds on engcon’s successful concept – an increased profitability with flexibility that provides greater comfort and safety for the end user. The third generation tiltrotator system was presented for the first time at the Norwegian trade fair Vei og Anlegg in May and production will begin in the second half of this year. COMPACT TOBROCOGIANT RANGE

As we mentioned, Ballyward Plant Services operates a number of other successful franchises, including the supply of an innovative range of Tobroco-Giant manufactured machines that extend from skidsteers and wheel loaders to telehandlers and attachments. The five tonne G5000 Tobroco-Giant, for example, is not only compact and highly manoeuvrable, it offers operator comfort and reliability and with its different configurations, it is ideal for agricultural applications, construction and demolition, infrastructure and other areas. Also added to the Tobroco-Giant range in recent times was the G3500, an articulated loader that offers contractors the flexibility they need to get the job done, especially on building sites that are very narrow with limited space where there is a demand for an agile loader that can lift and transport heavy loads. Incidentally, Tobroco-Giant has also introduced its first electric loaders. The G2200E models combine the best of both worlds with the advantages of an articulated loader and near-silent operation and zero emissions, making the compact loaders ideal for indoor applications or construction sites in built up areas. HYDREMA DUMP TRUCKS

Also available from Ballyward Plant Services is the Denmark manufactured range of Hydrema articulated light dump trucks; a variety of models are available, with a payload of up to 22 tonnes, including the Hydrema 912G which features the very latest Cummins 147hp Stage 5 engine, which only complies with the latest Stage V emission regulations but also is approved to run on 100 per cent HVO (bio) diesel, which many operators are now switching to. TRUXTA MINI DUMPERS

Another successful side to the business is in supplying customers with an award winning range of Truxta mini dumpers manufactured in the UK by Trufftruk that provide maximum versatility and light touch operation, available with battery power or petrol. Compact and powerful, Truxtas are quiet for noise sensitive environments and the well-balanced robust unit fits through typical sized doorways. In addition, the Truxta has a range of easy fit attachments for a variety of applications. TO THE FUTURE

There’s no doubt Ballyward Plant Services has come a long way since those recessionary days of 2008, but running a successful business doesn’t happen by chance; it takes commitment and a lot of hard work – and a quality product portfolio. Being there for the customer when needed is also vital. “There’s no business without customers,” says Robert, “which is why I am always on hand to support them and I am grateful that we have been able to build a loyal customer base which we hope to grow further in the years ahead.”

www.ballywardplantservices.com

New ‘boxing ring’ weighs-in to lighten load for construction machinery industry

Construction equipment protection specialist Digger Guard has developed a unique lightweight polymer handrail system that solves problems and costs inherently associated with steel alternatives.

The new polymer ‘boxing ring’ system is up to 75% lighter with equivalent strength to steel counterparts and doesn’t corrode or need painted. The weight, durability and extended life in service enhances machine utility and maximises return-on-investment. From as safety perspective, Digger Guard’s patent pending system doesn’t interfere with 3D guidance systems, while the innovative design dampens vibration fatigue to limit failure points, helping operators to manage risk as well as reduce repair and insurance bills. “Our design team collaborated with Hitachi Construction Machinery, its customers and end-users to understand what could be done better, and how to add value,” said Andy Leaver, Head of Product Development for Digger Guard. “The outcome is an advanced product that’s cognisant of the needs of manufacturers, distributors and operators. We’re helping to meet everyone’s goals across downtime, running costs, safety, and sustainability – there’s no room for complacency in the yellow goods industry and we’re here to deliver both confidence and competitive advantage.” Digger Guard’s handrails follow in the footsteps of the company’s success with its patented vandal guards – an intuitive, secure and durable cab protection system utilising a watertight and noisereducing roof storage box. Both Digger Guard’s products were tested in extensive trials with customer Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM). “Following successful tests and field trials, we’ve rolled out Digger Guard’s vandal guard and new handrail systems across a series of excavator models in our fleet,” a spokesperson for Hitachi Construction Machinery commented. “We’re continuously looking for ways to enhance our offer to our customers and operators and working with Digger Guard on these ancillary products has helped us to achieve that. Their new polymer handrail system is an exciting step forward. Feedback has been very positive and we wish them every success with their launch.” Separate independent testing by Lloyds British Testing Ltd has certified Digger Guard’s handrails as exceeding construction machinery industry standards in a series of pull strength tests.

RFID detection system

ZoneSafe uses Radio Frequency Identifi cation (RFID) technology to create detection zones around vehicles and mobile plant.

Vehicle-mounted antennas detect RFID tags which can be worn by workers, or placed on objects or property. When a ZoneSafe tag enters a detection zone, the vehicle operator receives a visual and audible alert. A vibrating tag also warns the detected worker of an approaching vehicle. ZoneSafe RFID technology does not require line-of-sight and tags will be detected regardless of obstructions, blind spots, adverse weather or poor visibility.