Mecalac launch new swing loaders

MECALAC LAUNCHES TRIO OF NEW SWING LOADERS

Mecalac has launched a brand-new range of swing loaders, further expanding its existing class-leading portfolio.

The all-new AS750, AS850 and AS1000 models join the existing AS600, AS900tele, AS1600 and AS210. Collectively, the impressive range of seven machines provides capacities from 600 to 2,100 litres and offers operators the perfect solution for every job. The AS750 is the big sister of the Mecalac AS600 Swing Loader, boasting a larger width and an increased wheelbase (1,870 mm) for even greater stability. The engine power has been increased to 45kW / 61hp to provide more lifting and loading capacity, while P-bucket kinematics offer excellent precision during handling operations, particularly with the pallet lift or load hook. The spacious cab, with two doors, provides the operator with excellent visibility, further increasing safety on the job site. AS850

With the AS850, productivity is key. Featuring all the advantages of Mecalac’s swing machines, including a rigid chassis and four-wheel steering, the AS850 is also available in a 40 km/h option for faster transfers. In addition, a brand new arm and “Z” bucket kinematics offer the best compromise between digging power and precision. AS1000

A more powerful version of the AS850, the Mecalac AS1000 swing loader excels on any job site thanks to its impressive efficiency and unmatched speed of execution. The AS1000 offers maximum performance with a 4-cylinder 55.4 kW / 75 hp high-torque engine (375 Nm), while the option of a high-flow hydraulic line offers up to 120 l/min – perfect for driving hydraulic attachments. SWING CONCEPT

Created by Ahlmann, now Mecalac, in 1953, the swing concept revolutionises the world of loaders with proven efficiency and unrivalled speed of action. It increases your productivity by giving you the ability to drive, manoeuvre and swivel at the same time in complete safety. Designed on the basis of a rigid chassis, with three standard steering modes – two-wheel steering, four-wheel steering and crab steering – exceptional mobility is a given. PROVEN STABILITY

What the bucket lifts at the front, once the rear axle is blocked, it lifts at 180° without any risk. The swing loader, thanks to its arm, pivots instead of moving. This makes takes more efficient and results in less noise and visual pollution, as well as less maintenance, less risk of accidents and less impact on the environment. The innovative concept of the Mecalac swing loader was born from these observations, with the aim of giving more value to the work of the loader in order to make it more efficient and safer for the operator.

Heron Bros Deliver Power Boost for The Electric Storage Company (TESC)

Heron Bros has announced a significant seven figure investment and strategic partnership with the Belfast based The Electric Storage Company (TESC).

Established in 2017, TESC is bringing cheaper, smarter and greener electricity to customers in Northern Ireland, Ireland and GB. TESC are using smart batteries to harness the energy created from renewable sources such as solar power and wind turbines. Based on algorithms, customers can use that energy in their home or business, giving them more control and allowing them to reduce their electricity bills by over 50%. This investment from Heron Bros will now fast track TESC’s growth plans significantly and they plan to more than double their team of power and software engineers, and data scientists to 35 in the next 2-3 years. Heron Bros, an award-winning construction and property development company which operates throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, is already experienced in the renewable space as lead partner in the renewable energy company, Simple Power which was at the forefront of wind energy production in Northern Ireland. The partnership will enable the further roll out of the PARIS platform (Predictive Analytical Renewables Integration System). PARIS brings Fintech and GreenTech together using leading edge data analytics software to gather data from smart batteries in people’s homes and commercial buildings and then ensures they get the cheapest, greenest energy. Speaking about the investment Damien O’Callaghan, Group MD, Heron Bros said: “The combined strengths of Heron Bros and The Electric Storage Company will now offer an exciting and innovative proposition to help our customers on the path to net zero. According to recent research from leading management consultancy McKinsey’s, real estate across homes and businesses accounts for about 40% of all Greenhouse gas emissions. It is our belief that by improving the efficiencies in real estate (both new construction and existing buildings) that most companies can realistically reduce more than half of their emissions between now and 2030. This significant investment and partnership are designed to help companies and individuals do just that.” Eddie McGoldrick, Director TESC added: “The Electric Storage Company combines Northern Ireland’s expertise in power engineering, fintech and big data and we are now aiming to ‘scale up’ significantly to repeat our already successful smart approach to electricity usage across Ireland and GB. Our team are delighted to now partner with one of Northern Ireland’s leading construction and renewables development companies to fast track that growth. Our shared expertise in renewables and delivering innovative customer solutions for customers across the British Isles will bring lower costs to greener homes and businesses and help people to meet their net zero targets sooner.”

Pictured at TESC’s offices in the Innovation Factory in west Belfast are (l-r) Damien O’Callaghan, Heron Bros; Eddie McGoldrick and Anne Marie McGoldrick from TESC and Emmet Heron, Heron Bros.

CONFINED SPACE SAFETY Reliable & industry-leading safety equipment for use in hazardous environments, major shutdowns and working at height

SURVEY EQUIPMENT A wide range of quality survey products offering precision technology for use in the surveying, civil engineering & construction industries ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Test & measurement equipment from leading manufacturers offer the perfect tool for monitoring the environment

THINK SAFE. WORK SAFE. BE SAFE.

Groundforce Safety is Ireland’s

leading supplier of safety, survey and environmental monitoring equipment. Our extensive rental fleet is maintained in specialist workshops and delivered by trained driver technicians.

www.vpgroundforce-safety.ie

SERVICES OFFERED: RENTAL, SALES SERVICE, TRAINING & SAFETY & RESCUE

Contact:

Lisburn 0800 783 2055

Mountmellick 1890 882 364

Groundforce Safety

C&K FITZPATRICK INTERNET OF CONVEYING

Material handling can be a pretty conservative industry and despite the high tech optical sorters, metal detectors and control units the basic technology of the conveyor hasn’t had any great changes over the past 50 years or so. The conveyor has been seen as necessary simple part just required to get things from A to B often with the design often comprised to accommodate other “more important” pieces of plant.

However slowly technology is catching up with the conveyor and several companies are now investing in innovations never seen in the industry before. The unloved conveyor is getting more attention and users are realising that a conveyor outage is extremely costly in the current high uptime environment. Dunlop Conveyor Belting in Drachten, The Netherland probably made one of the biggest changes conveyor belting has seen about 20 years ago when they launched Dunlop UsFlex belting. This innovation was seen as quite risky but extensive development had proven the technology which removes the traditional 3 to 5 plies of fabric and replaces them with one or two layers of superstrength UsFlex ply, developed in-house. UsFlex was an overnight success and has now spawned several imitators, though it has never been equalled in terms of impact or rip resistance. More recently Dunlop brought a new iteration of this development to the wider market with the development of Ultra X belting. This is another brave step from Dunlop, breaking the norms and moving from the traditional construction to a single ply, but the advantages are numerous and Ultra X is designed specifically to suit modern plant with smaller drum diameters and higher demands on the belt. Another innovator is Flexco from the USA who have recently launched their Elevate monitoring system for belt cleaners. The Elevate unit is a battery powered, clip-on unit which can be installed in minutes on Flexco belt cleaners. Immediately the unit begins monitoring the pole position and vibrations learning what is normal and what is not. The cleaner is then monitored on a 24/7 basis ensuring that optimal cleaning is maintained throughout. In the event of belt damage or tramp material in the hopper, the impact on the cleaner will be felt and a warning sent out via email or text message. All of this detail is available via an online dashboard providing a full history along with runtime and blade life. Very much in its infancy, Flexco have Elevate live on conveyors and are rapidly developing the system. “One customer wanted us to link the Elevate system to their purchasing system, to buy blades automatically” says Nick Tiplady, Head of Sales in Flexco UK. “ I don’t think we are there yet, but it certainly gives you some food for thought!” Local company C&K Fitzpatrick have represented Dunlop and Flexco for decades now and bought into this culture of innovation. “We are seeing new technology coming from several of our manufacturers” explains Mark Fitzpatrick of C&K Fitzpatrick, “we are in a great position to take each of these diverse systems and act as the central hub for our customers.” The company is no stranger to technology and has been using an automated system for several years to provide history and reporting on the thousands of pieces of plant the company maintains across the country. The current system allows reporting to be returned to the customer as soon as the service call is complete, with information and photos detailing the works. Anything outstanding is given a colour coding allowing the customer to easily see if there are any problem areas. The service crews at C&K Fitzpatrick also have access to this information allowing them to prepare parts and equipment for any outstanding works. Like all new technologies a proportion will fail, and some will change industries radically. It is important not to get caught up in the hype, but large markets such as Australia are already leading the way. In a time when production is more critical than ever and maintenance resources are tight, the approaching technology might just help lessen the load on plant managers whilst providing better visibility on plant maintenance than ever before.