DESIGNED TO DELIVER BUILT TO LAST TOUGHER THAN THE REST ENGINEERED FOR TOUGH OPERATIONS
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News
12 The future of Machine ControlTopcon Positioning Systems Report 30 New Concrete Batching Plant Doubles Outputs for Hoddam Contracting Co Ltd
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Product Launches
16 Develon’s new DX140LC-7K
14T Crawler Excavator
68 Hyundai enters 10-tonne wheeled excavator segment
72 Kubota unveils RT2102e and RT220-2e electric compact wheel loaders
74 JCB’s zero emission 403E electric compact wheel loader
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Becoming editor of Plant and Civil Engineer has been something of a watershed. I’m a rural dweller, but I confess my life centres around my tiny little plot. I’ve one field that needs an expert to navigate the slope and I do most things the oldfashioned way – I’ve even made hay by hand with my late father’s pitchfork as my only ‘machine’.
Previously I didn’t notice, but now I see that every small corner of the country contains a digger (or to be technically correct, an excavator). I see all sorts that I never noticed before. Just this evening, my neighbour’s son rode up the road on his new scooter, followed by his sister on a ride-on lawn mower and their dad on what I call the ‘Green Machine’ – I’ve no idea what it is but it seems to do everything! I drive past RiverRidge most days, but I had to resist stopping on the road when I saw the most enormous telehandler looming over the skyline. I’d probably driven past it a hundred times and not noticed. But now I do. There Is something compelling and inspiring about big machines and I am guessing lots of Plant and Civil Engineer readers get it, live it, breathe it.
If so, there is lots in this edition for you. If you want to know how big, check out our heavy haulage and abnormal loads feature. If you want to try before you buy, see our plant hire section and if you just want to absorb machine news, we’ve got Hyundai, JCB, Develon, Kubota, CAT and Komatsu; We’ve got Plantworx too – the biggest plant show in the UK. 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
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) will be carrying out a workplace transport inspection campaign across Northern Ireland quarries from June to September 2023.
HSENI inspectors will be conducting focused inspections to assess the management of workplace transport risks, targeting three key areas required to manage workplace transport effectively, and amongst other issues will include the following:
SAFE SITE
• Is there a traffic management plan in place for the quarry?
• Are pedestrians and vehicles adequately segregated?
• Is there suitable edge protection in place on haul roads and rock traps in place at faces adjacent to haul roads?
• Are there designated routes for pedestrians to travel around the quarry?
SAFE VEHICLE
• Are measures in place to ensure vehicle allround visibility?
• Are procedures in place to carry out pre-use checks and report defects?
• Is daily brake testing carried out on vehicles operating in the quarry?
• Have statutory examinations been completed for vehicles used for lifting?
SAFE DRIVER
• Do drivers hold adequate licenses / training certificates for the vehicles they are authorised to drive?
• Is there a programme of driver refresher training in place?
• Are there measures in place to prevent drivers falling from height during sheeting / loading activities?
Speaking on the upcoming campaign, HSENI Principal Inspector Brian Pryce said: “Unfortunately workplace transport continues to be an area responsible for fatalities and major injuries in the workplace. Beginning in June our Inspectors will be visiting quarries throughout Northern Ireland to ensure effective controls are in place to manage the risks associated with workplace transport.” The inspection template which will be used by HSENI Inspectors can be downloaded at www.hseni.gov.uk/quarryinspection-proforma
The first group of students from organisations in Northern Ireland to take the Institute of Quarrying’s (IQ) new Level 4 geotechnical qualification has completed the course, delivered at ConExpo, presented by Simon Collins and organised by David Johnston of Jabez Safety Solutions.
The IQ Geotechnical Knowledge for Managing Mineral Processing Operations programme covers Levels 2, 3 and 4. This new programme provides a flexible and innovative approach for anyone working in the extractive industries and has been developed in response to feedback from employers and industry professionals, and with support from MP Awards. The awards are open to IQ members and non-members alike. Engineering Geologist, Simon Collins has had a long career in geology and geotechnical roles and spent over two decades of his career with Aggregate Industries, most latterly as Head of Geology, Geotechnics and Land Survey. He is the author of Rockfall Hazard Appraisal System (RHAS), a simple, rapid, visually based method of determining the level of hazard that rockfall represents in UK quarries, it can be used by non-geotechnical specialists
to quantify hazard and identify appropriate management strategies. Now in semiretirement, Simon is sharing his knowledge and expertise through these courses.
David Johnston has a long career in the extractives industry, specialising in health, safety, environment, transport and maintenance and in the development and delivery of third-party accreditation systems. He has been a member of the Institute of
Quarrying (IQ) since 1986 and was made a Fellow of the institute in 2006. He has served as the Honorary Secretary and Chairman of NI Branch and has served on the IQ Council and on the Board of Trustees.
David is planning to run more IQ Geotechnical Awareness courses this autumn and anyone interested can contact him by phone on 07887 514410 or by email at jabezsafetysolutions@btinternet.com.
The RICS NI Construction Monitor for the first quarter of 2023 indicated that activity in Northern Ireland’s construction sector remained in negative territory at the beginning of this year as the industry continues to face a challenging economic environment according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Monitor.
Workloads in Q1 2023 remained in negative territory for the fourth consecutive quarter, with a net balance of -26% of respondents reporting a fall in workloads. All subsectors in NI were reported to have experienced a decline in workloads in Q1. A net balance of -18% of surveyors reported falls in public housing, -31% in private housing, -29% in private commercial, and -12% in infrastructure. Private industrials saw the largest quarter-on-quarter change, falling from -21% in Q4 2022, to -39% in Q1 2023. Looking ahead, Northern Ireland respondents are less optimistic than counterparts elsewhere in the UK, expecting workloads to decline over the next year. The net balance for Northern Ireland is now –26% compared to 15% for the UK as a whole. The skills shortage across the industry continues to be a key challenge despite the falling activity, with more surveyors reporting shortages in skills than the quarter previous. In Q1 64% of surveyors reported a shortage of quantity surveyors, up from 50% in Q4 2022.
Shortages in construction professionals stayed similar between Q4 last year and Q1 this year with 50% of respondents reporting a shortage and shortages of bricklayers remained similar quarter on quarter with 56% reporting a shortage in the most recent survey. With rising material and labour costs, profit margins have been squeezed and are expected to remain negative, with a net balance of -41% recorded for 12-month profit expectations. This figure was reported to be -11% at UK level.
Jim Sammon, RICS NI Construction Spokesman, said: “The industry continues to
face significant challenges with cost increases and declines in workloads, and continued skills shortages. We can see that surveyors in Northern Ireland aren’t as optimistic as can be seen in other parts of the UK.
Northern Ireland hasn’t had a functioning government which makes things more challenging for the construction sector. Public sector work is a huge part of construction activity in NI and without an Executive, there is a lack of certainty about budgets and the pipeline of work. RICS in Northern Ireland is calling for a working NI Executive to ensure that necessary investment in the economy and our infrastructure can be delivered efficiently and in a timely way.”
Commenting at UK level, Simon Rubinsohn, Chief Economist, RICS, said: “The negative mood around development has eased somewhat in recent months with the workload trend stabilising away from infrastructure where the trend remains more positive. A key challenge for the sector continues to revolve around labour shortages in general and skills in particular. Unless addressed, this could prove to be a significant drag on the ambitions of the construction industry. “Unsurprisingly, credit conditions remain restrictive for now but there is a sense that they could ease as the year wears on. Whether this improvement materialises remains to be seen in the face of the ongoing banking stress in the US and how this plays out around the globe.”
The Irish Green Building Council celebrated Ireland’s National Biodiversity Week with the launch of a new Community of Practice on Biodiversity and the Built Environment.
The new Community of Practice is a networking group for building professionals and property managers working on biodiversity and the built environment in Ireland. Its objective is to provide a forum for industry leaders to share information on challenges and best practices, and to learn from each
other. Members of the group include architects, developers, ecologists, engineers, investors, planners, property managers and representatives from local authorities.
“Biodiversity & the Built Environment - IGBC’s insights” was launched today as part of the National Biodiversity Week. It was developed by the Irish Green Building Council in close cooperation with the industry and with the support of the Department of Housing. The factsheet and the recording of the webinars are available at www.igbc.ie.
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Modern vehicles and machinery are vital to a plant & civil engineer company’s activities and the maintenance of these vehicles and machinery is vital to ensure the reliability of them so that they perform to their full potential and avoid unnecessary downtime. Choosing the right lubricants is essential to this maintenance for optimal performance and longevity. With so many different lubricant options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones are best suited for your equipment. Here are some factors to consider when selecting lubricants for your plant and civil machinery. Equipment type and specifications: The type of machinery you have, and its specific requirements will dictate the type of lubricant you need. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications.
The environment in which your machinery operates can also affect the choice of lubricant. Extreme temperatures, high humidity, and exposure to corrosive chemicals or saltwater can all impact the performance of your lubricant. Performance: Different applications will have different performance requirements for their lubricants. For example, high-speed machinery will require a lubricant that can withstand higher temperatures and pressures than slower-moving equipment.
It is essential to ensure that your lubricant is compatible with the materials used in your machinery. Incompatible lubricants can cause damage to seals, gaskets, and other components. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations and consult with a lubricant specialist if you are unsure.
Quality is crucial when it comes to choosing the right lubricant. Poor quality lubricants can cause damage to your machinery and lead to costly repairs or downtime. Choose a reputable brand that has a proven track record of producing high-quality lubricants.
As sustainability becomes increasingly important, more companies are looking for lubricants that are environmentally friendly. Consider using a lubricant that is biodegradable, non-toxic, and contains fewer harmful chemicals. In addition to these considerations, there are several different types of lubricants to choose from:
MINERAL LUBRICANTS: Are suitable for a wide range of applications. They are affordable and provide good protection against wear and tear.
Are chemically engineered and designed to provide superior performance and protection and offer extended drain intervals when used. They offer better resistance to high temperatures, pressures, and chemical exposure and are more commonly required for modern equipment.
Biodegradable lubricants are designed designed to break down quickly in the environment to reduce pollution. They are ideal for environmentally sensitive areas. From the factors and types above you can see choosing the right lubricant requires the right thought process and choosing a product based on price or viscosity alone can be a costly mistake. The best advice for anyone to follow is look for the recommended product for
your machinery or a lubricant that has full approval to ensure you are using the best quality product. If in doubt talk to a trusted lubricant specialist. One such specialist in Ireland is Finol Oils. Finol has been distributing lubricants in Ireland since 1977 and their technical team can advise customers on any aspect of lubricant requirements. Finol is the authorised distributor of TotalEnergies, Elf, Petro Canada, Actioil and Bluecat. With their own delivery fleet capable of delivering product in all sizes from small pack to pumped bulk nationwide and with over 1 million litres of stock, you can be confident that Finol will have the product you need and be able to ensure timely deliveries for you. Finol has long been a trusted partner for some of the leading OEM distributors in the construction industry such as Renault, Scania, MAN, McSharry Bros & McAdam
For more information on Finol’s range of products or for technical advice
Developing the engineering stars of tomorrow is part of the ethos at McLaughlin & Harvey, with the company committed to ensuring 5% of the workforce is made up of apprentices, students and graduates on formalised training schemes.
Christy Dickson is clearly making his mark in that 5% having joined McLaughlin & Harvey in 2019. Initially gaining experience with the team at the Bushmills Distillery
Offsite Maturation Facility site followed by a brief spell with the estimating department, he then joined the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, which has been a focal point of his work since September 2020. Despite balancing working away from home on challenging projects and the impacts of Covid, Christy sailed through his Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Foundation course and moved straight onto the HLA in Civil Engineering. He is currently in his second year
and attends university every Thursday during term time.
Robin Erskine, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said “I have had the opportunity to work with Christy at the Hawick FPS for the past two and a half years and I’m very proud of how he has developed into a very competent young engineer. From day one, he has shown a real willingness and eagerness to learn and advance his knowledge in civil engineering. His attitude, dedication and
work ethic are exemplary, and I am delighted that he has picked up CECA Scotland’s Most Promising Apprentice award – thoroughly deserved.”
Christy Dickson commented on his award win: “I am very honoured to have won this year’s CECA Scotland award for Most Promising Apprentice. I cannot thank Seamus Devlin and the McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd team enough for all the training, support and opportunities they have given me.”
ian Henry, CR Director at construction company Henry Brothers, has been named on the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Recognising his outstanding contribution to business, Ian has been distinguished as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his influence on the economy within Northern Ireland. Speaking of the prestigious accolade, Ian said: “It is a true privilege to be named on the King’s Birthday Honours list and I am humbled to be included amongst such esteemed company.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside a vast number of talented individuals within the construction industry and also from the wider business community and am extremely proud of the positive changes that we have all achieved in this time.”
Having joined Henry Brothers over thirty years ago, Ian has been the driving force behind the company’s wide range of sustainable and community initiatives. During his tenure as President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Ian helped the business community in Northern Ireland navigate their way through extremely difficult and challenging times.
Managing Director, David Henry added: “We are all exceptionally pleased for Ian as he is named on the King’s Birthday Honours list.
“Ian has spearheaded our sustainable development and community involvement and this recognition serves as an affirmation of his unwavering dedication to having a positive impact on the places in which we operate.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to see him receive an MBE and have every confidence that he will continue to inspire others and strive for excellence within everything he does.”
A SURVEY OF 1,000 CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS ACROSS EUROPE HAS PROVIDED NEAR UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT THAT MACHINE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY IS CRUCIAL TO UNLOCKING KEY CHALLENGES IN THE SECTOR, INCLUDING ADDRESSING SKILLS SHORTAGES AND CREATING A GREENER FUTURE FOR CONSTRUCTION
Machine control – the automation of construction equipment – is key to attracting new talent and addressing the skills shortage in the sector, according to construction professionals surveyed in a new report by Topcon Positioning Systems.
Commenting on the report, Topcon’s Luc Le Maire, senior vice president and general manager of the positioning solutions business unit in EMEA, said: “With our new report, The Future of Machine Control, we set out to build a picture of machine control from the point of view of those in the position to implement it. We surveyed 1,000 managers, directors and business owners from construction companies across Europe to find out how they’re currently using machine control, their understanding of the benefits, what they believe to be the barriers to adoption, and their predictions for its future.
“What the research has revealed is an industry that is waking up to the power of automation in driving the sector forward but appears to be held back by a lot of red tape. What’s evident is that if we want to make positive change – attract the next generation of talent, meet net-zero targets, and be more profitable – we cannot do so in isolation. If we’re to realise the full potential of machine control and do what’s right for the industry, a commitment is required across the board.”
Three-quarters (77%) of those surveyed for the Topcon report – which polled 1,000 decision makers in construction companies across Europe (including 250 respondents in the UK) – agree that machine control is a top solution to attracting the best talent to the industry. With many experienced machinery operators approaching retirement and the construction sector failing to attract the next generation, there is a growing skills gap in the industry. In fact, 30% of respondents to the survey agree that skills shortages are one of the biggest challenges they face on earthworks projects alone. As well as addressing the battle for talent, respondents in Topcon’s report believe machine control may be the answer to
making the sector more sustainable – a pressure felt by 30% of those surveyed. When asked which factors they thought would be most important in helping to meet sustainability targets, machine control was the most selected option, alongside improving supply chains. Sustainability was also chosen as one of the top three perceived benefits of machine control together with improving accuracy and efficiency.
The Topcon research shows that contractors are not strangers to machine control, with all but 3% of respondents claiming to use automation in some capacity, however, its use on construction projects across Europe remains limited. According to the report, machine control is currently used on just a third (34%) of construction projects on average, with most respondents (72%) using the technology on less than half of their projects and just 1% using it without exception.
The ubiquity of adoption in one form or another is encouraging, as is the existence of companies consistently using machine control on the majority, if not all, of their projects. However, the findings also highlight the diversity of adoption rates within the industry and even from project to project. The data shows a significant increase in the ability of larger companies to deploy machine control more consistently on their project. This could be due to these contractors having more capital to invest or having been able to integrate it more broadly in their workflows. Another possibility is that these organisations are undertaking larger projects which require more comprehensive earthworks and have adopted machine control more readily out of necessity to cope with skills shortages or time pressures. When asked what they thought was holding back machine control adoption in the sector, however, respondents most frequently pointed to a lack of government initiatives or support for technology adoption, followed by a lack of buy-in from senior decision-makers. And 70% agreed that legislators could be doing more to mandate and incentivise digital adoption.
Sustainability in the construction sector has developed from an aspiration to an expectation and it is no surprise that 30% of respondents in Topcon’s research highlighted meeting sustainability targets as one of the main challenges they face on projects and, when it came to the question of how to achieve this, machine controls that came out on top, with a quarter choosing this as the most important factor, alongside chains.
www.topconpositioning.com
The trio of key benefits of machine control most commonly highlighted were ‘accuracy’ (25%), ‘Improving efficiencies’ (25%), and ‘improving sustainability’ (24%). The data highlights a link made by those in the industry between automation, effective use of resources and meeting sustainability targets.
Jean-Luc Durand, survey lead, Vinci Construction Terrassement Grands Project commented: “Efficiency is the name of the game in construction today. Clients are looking for complete accuracy, not just because it keeps costs down but because it makes the carbon footprint of a project as small as possible. With every piece of unnecessary rework, you’re multiplying the volume of materials used, and with that the emissions that come from producing them, transporting them to site and deploying the machinery needed to undo and redo the work. Machine control is crucial to achieving the required level of accuracy the first time around”.
Since the skills shortage across the industry is well documented, it is no surprise that respondents across Europe and the UK regard attracting and retaining the right people as a top priority. The
report highlights that nearly a third (30%) of managers and above consider skills shortages one of the biggest challenges they faced on earthworks projects alone. More than three-quarters (77%) of those Topcon surveyed agreed that advanced tech such as machine control is a key solution to attracting the best talent in the industry, with just 8% disagreeing. Machine control and automation can completely transform the skills requirements for companies recruiting operators, and also the role played by the skilled employees they already have. Machine control solutions allow less traditionally experienced operators to carry out more complex excavating or dozing jobs, with the technology offering that bridge between precision and operator experience. This allows machine control to not only mitigate operator fatigue but free up more highly skilled individuals to take up supervisor roles while newer recruits carry out the work aided by the technology.
In a market competing for the most talented operators, the ability to offer a role that is less physically and mentally demanding, involving more responsibility, and on a more efficient project, could be a game-changer.
To view The Future of Machine Control report in full, visit: https://www.topconpositioning.com/ future-machine-control-2023-report
Two thirds (77%) of construction professionals agree machine control will be instrumental in attracting the best talent to the industry. Sustainability was also chosen as one of the top three perceived benefits of machine control, together with improving accuracy and efficiency. Despite this, the technology is currently being used on just a third (34%) of all construction projects across Europe on average.
A lack of supportive government and stakeholder support was identified as the number one barrier to adoption, with two thirds (70%) agreeing that legislators could be doing more to mandate and incentivise digital adoption.
SANY UK is proud to announce its participation in the Global General Assembly that took place last week in Changsha, China. The event, organised by SANY Group, brought together dealers and industry professionals from around the world to exchange knowledge, showcase innovative products, and strengthen partnerships.
The Global General Assembly, held from 16 – 17 May featured a series of informative sessions, keynote presentations, factory tours and product demonstrations, enabling dealers to gain comprehensive insights into SANY’s cutting-edge technologies and equipment solutions. Participants had the opportunity to witness first-hand the remarkable capabilities of SANY machinery and its ability to meet the
evolving demands of the construction and heavy equipment industry.
“We are thrilled to have our UK dealers attend the Global Dealer Summit,” said Simon Zhu, Managing Director at SANY UK. “This event serves as a testament to our commitment to providing our valued dealers with the latest industry advancements, knowledge, and resources they need to excel in their businesses. We believe that by fostering a collaborative environment, we can collectively drive innovation and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction.”
As a renowned global leader in construction machinery, SANY has established a strong presence across the globe, delivering high-quality products and outstanding customer service. The company’s commitment to technological innovation,
operational excellence, and customer satisfaction has garnered it a reputation as a trusted partner within the industry.
“SANY UK is dedicated to empowering our dealers with the tools and expertise required to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing market,” added Leigh Harris, Business Development Director. “The Global Dealer Summit provided an ideal platform for us to strengthen our partnerships and discuss strategies for growth and success. We are confident that the knowledge and insights gained from this event will contribute significantly to the continued success of our dealerships.”
Latest market information from Komatsu gives details of a new satellite positioning technology capable of being fitted to their forest equipment.
Described by Komatsu as “bringing opportunities for new, smarter ways of working” thanks to satellite positioning technology, it “can show a machine’s position to within just a few centimetres” with a negligible error margin.
Distributed in Ireland and Northern Ireland by McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill and Rathcoole, this latest gear (premiered at the Swedish Forestry Expo) uses several satellite systems – including the commissioning of Galileo, the European GNSS system – to determine precise positions with precision reduced from several meters to a few centimetres.
As a result, operators can mark exact boundaries
with a new ‘geofencing’ feature – a digital fence that is added when planning an area to mark out ground to be harvested from protected areas such as a neighbour’s trees, ancient monuments or charcoal pile remains.
A feature that Komatsu says: ‘provides greater peace of mind for forest owners and operators alike’, its other advantages include better mapping, more accurate machine route plotting, and greater operational savings.
Eliminating the need to walk the forest and mark trees for felling, boundaries and specific trees can be marked digitally, based on map data collected from drones or scanning. In addition, the exact position of each felled log is available with greater precision –beneficial in the dark or when ground is covered with snow – making it easier to see the assortment found in each log pile or at the roadside.
Described by McHale Plant Sales director, Denis McGrath as: “an ‘increased productivity and reduced fuel consumption’ development, its many functions includes a stem code visualisation feature that brings technology to bear when making biodiversity considerations, when following directives, and when tracking high stumps on the forest floor.”
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Develon, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, has launched the new DX140LC-7K 14.6 tonne crawler excavator, replacing the company’s successful DX140LC-7 model. Whilst the performance and working range are the same as the DX140LC-7, the new machine incorporates many improvements that enhance safety and convenience both for the operator and for working on site, together with a better operator experience, particularly from a maintenance point of view. The main improvements on the new DX140LC-7K model include:
• Better maintenance access
• Safer access to the upper structure
• Better rear visibility
• Better right-side visibility
• New dashboard with tablet design, offering faster response
The upgraded serviceability of the DX140LC7K includes better access to the DEF tank and the fuel refilling hose. This is combined with a much easier approach for the operator to the engine compartment via new anti-slip steps and handrails positioned behind the cab. The anti-slip steps are protected and secured by a new door on the side of the excavator. The DX140LC-7K also has a new flattened engine cover design that has reduced the maximum height of cover components on the back of the machine from 1285.5 mm and 1320 mm down to a uniform 1070 mm across all of the back of the machine. This now offers much better visibility for the operator both to the rear and to the right-hand side of the machine.
Inside the engine compartment, changes have been made which have facilitated the new lower engine cover, including the repositioning of the PTO (Power take-off) for the rotation pump from the main pump to the engine itself. This has also allowed the size of the aftertreatment system to be optimised and for it to be lowered. Elsewhere on the DX140LC-7K, Develon has removed holding valves from the main valve for better fluidity. These holding valves on the main valve are not needed in the EU, as they are standard on the boom and arm. This reduces pressure losses and creates less heat in the system. The air prefilter has also been moved for better performance and noise reduction.
Inside the operator’s cab, there is a new dashboard monitor with a state-of-theart tablet design. The former hydraulic two-way pedal has also been replaced by an electronic two-way pedal, with a new PE3C electric pedal as a standard feature, together with a simplified hydraulic system. The cab on the DX140LC-7K continues to excel in terms of spaciousness and ergonomics, taking operator comfort and ease of operation to new levels. As well as the new monitor, the operator has a high-quality seat and more features as standard than other machines on the market, ensuring super controllability and high precision in all applications. Other key features in and around the cab include:
• DAB audio (Hands-free calling system and Bluetooth)
• Keyless start (Develon Smart Key) & remote door lock/unlock
• Fully adjustable air suspension seat with heating (with optional cooling function)
• Parallel wiper system and new design pedals
• Improved air flow for defrosting and air conditioning
• 9 x LED work lights as standard/2 more LED lamps as an option
• AVM - Around View Monitor with 360° cameras (option)
The new excavator utilises a smart hydraulic system that offers an improvement of around 30% in attachment work, compared to previous excavator models. This system applies a smart hydraulic logic for optimal distribution of the hydraulic flow rate when both the arm and attachment are working simultaneously, with a new priority valve and an additional hydraulic line maintaining
continuous hydraulic flow to the attachment, even when the arm is being used.
The DX140LC-7K is powered by the D34 4-cylinder Stage V diesel engine providing 86 kW (115 HP) of power at 2000 RPM. The impressive performance of the engine in combination with the hydraulic main valve and the SPC3 Smart Power Controls, provide increased fuel saving. There are four power modes available on the DX140LC-7K and the operator is able to set the power mode (P+, P, S or E) in both one-way and two-way working modes.
There is a Tiltrotator Mode on the control panel in the new excavator, which can be
selected to ensure an optimized hydraulic flow and helps to maximize the accuracy of tiltrotator work by eliminating back pressure. This tiltrotator mode is a special two-way flow mode, but it is managed by the EPOS like a one way flow mode, with direct return to the tank in each direction, to avoid back pressure and increase flow and controllability.
The DX140LC-7K is factory-installed as standard with Develon’s state-of-theart Telematics Management System for wireless fleet monitoring. This system offers a web-based fleet management solution which is very useful for monitoring the performance and security of machines and promoting preventative maintenance.
As the engineering industry highlights the contribution of women to a profession that shapes the world we live in, CDE, one of the leading suppliers of wet processing solutions for the waste recycling and minerals processing sectors, is celebrating its talented women engineers and encouraging more young women and girls to pursue a career in engineering.
This year, International Women in Engineering Day marks its milestone 10th year, spreading awareness of the value women bring to modern engineering and boosting visibility of the inspiring work women engineers are delivering around the globe. Joining the celebration, CDE is seizing the moment to recognise the impact its women engineers have across the business and the globe.
Ellen McGhee joined CDE in 2022 as part of its Graduate Development Programme before securing a full-time role as a Graduate Technical Engineer working on the development of washing solutions for customers in Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
“My first year at CDE has been an all-round great experience. They have excellent systems in place to help with the transition from university to working life whilst facilitating growth, both personally and professionally.”
Born into a family of engineers, Ellen was encouraged from a young age to pursue her interests and play her role in breaking down the stigma of gendered careers.
“I was given the confidence to pursue my interests in a male-dominated industry. The men in my family were advocates and allies, providing encouragement and support.”
Graduate Design Engineer
Rachael Harris remarks on the different routes into the industry that are available.
“It wasn’t in my plan to enrol in a foundation degree before university, but I did and it has proved to be one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done. I completed multiple placements during this time and these learning experiences cemented my passion for engineering, something that dates back to my days spotting planes and trains with my Dad.”
Installation Support Engineer
Beth Teggart joined CDE in 2021. Initially stationed at CDE’s world-class fabrication facility in Monkstown, Northern Ireland, Beth is now based in Australia.
“I have a love for travel and the opportunity to work in-market, gain experience and build expertise is a real perk of the job. As engineers we provide solutions to problems and having more women around the table will bring a fresh perspective to complex problem solving.” Making significant strides in a male-dominated field, Beth recently completed her first project install as a standalone supervisor.
It was a school teacher during her formative years that inspired Product Design Engineer Saoirse Nash to pursue a career in the industry.
“She pushed me to further develop my investigative and problem-solving skills, to be more confident and embrace my passion for STEM. That led me on a path of discovery and I subsequently developed a love and curiosity for engineering.”
Research shows the benefits of building diverse teams, Saoirse adds.
“Women are able to approach a problem from a different point of view. Adding this range of opinions and perspectives to a team can be really transformational and lead to better idea generation and execution.”
The contribution of women to science, mathematics and engineering was a source of inspiration to Lab Engineer Laura McNeill when she was exploring her career options.
“Women such as Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, Hedy Lamarr and Edith Clarke paved the way for this generation of women in STEM. Their impact is empowering and helped to enhance women’s agency in these fields.”
Laboratory Process Engineer Ada Szymanska adds: “Women’s voices are still underrepresented in the industry but by encouraging more young women and girls to pursue a career in engineering we can ensure our voices are heard. I feel very proud to be part of this generation of engineers, helping to break down barriers and pave the way for the next.”
There’s nothing like watching a master at work — through years of dedication your tools become an extension of your hands. With bold vision and the right equipment, you turn every job into a masterpiece.
When the mineral you’re helping to excavate is notoriously indestructible, you need the right, robust and reliable hauler to assist in its procurement. Enter the Rokbak RA40.
On an island on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, 2000km north-east of Java, a trio of Rokbak RA40s operate across a 45,065-hectare mining site. At this remote location in North Maluku, Indonesia, the Rokbak articulated haulers operate up and down steep inclines, through mud, dirt, grit and gravel, for close to 24 hours a day, and all in 30°C heat and at the mercy of the Southeast Asian elements. Required to move around 450 tonnes of biomass and quarry materials in a single day, each RA40 will record approximately 6,000 operating hours per year. The haulers are tasked with removing overburden and providing mine development support for the acquisition of high-demand nickel, the harder-than-iron metal used in some form in practically every aspect of dayto-day life. Every full-capacity payload sees each RA40 transport overburden two-kilometres to a project access road and biomass dump for disposal.
The fifth-most common element on the planet, nickel sulphides develop in environments through the spreading of tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust and core. Corrosionresistant, strong at both high and low temperatures, durable and able to be utilised in a multitude of ways, nickel’s MO could well be strapped to the side of a Rokbak.
PT Hillcon is one of the most significant names in the construction, mining, property and heavy equipment industries in Indonesia. Since its beginnings in 1995, the company has
completed hundreds of projects across the archipelago in coal and nickel operations. The three Rokbak haulers were acquired by Hillcon through Rokbak dealer PT Uniquip, an equipment supplier based in Jakarta.
The RA40s went onsite in February 2022. Daily operations for each RA40 begin at 7am and conclude at 6:45am the following day, across a two-shift driver pattern. These long hours benefit from the truck’s high-performance fluid transmission providing 6,000 hours of operating time before requiring an oil change, meaning increased productivity and uptime as well as low cost per tonne. However, it’s not unusual for the difficult conditions in this pocket of the planet to bring most operations to a standstill.
Rokbak Regional Business Manager Lee Irving regularly makes visits to Indonesia, which lies right along the division between the world’s most active seismic region, the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the world’s second most active region, the Alpide belt.
“This particular site is extremely challenging, with high levels of mud, uneven ground and precarious terrain that gets even worse when the notorious Indonesian wet season rolls around,” says Lee. But when times get tough, that’s when this trio of RA40s really excel, with the 38-tonne hauler designed to make light work of large-scale quarry, mine and construction jobs – whatever the conditions.
“With long shift patterns, we’ve been able to see first-hand the RA40’s performance and productivity in Weda Bay, with the truck’s heavy-duty axles
coping extremely well against slippage and the subsidence you often find on site,” explains Uniquip Sales Manager Rachmad Sembiring.
Offering high capacity and performance, the RA40 delivers cost-effective productivity in the toughest conditions. The highperformance engine balances its controlled power with maximum fuel efficiency and the modulating transmission retarder is coupled with an efficient exhaust brake and fully enclosed forced oil-cooled multidisc brakes for total control – even on steep inclines.
“The trucks need to be powerful, but safe,” states Hillcon Jobsite Superintendent Ahmad Siswandi, who makes sure all the machines are ready to operate, serviced and maintained. He’s on-site, twelve hours a day, seven days a week, and keeps a keen eye on the Rokbak haulers.
“Seeing an RA40 perform in our mud has proven its worth, and we like that it’s a strong, powerful truck that remains the same performer in difficult conditions.
“The RA40 engine power is exceptional, and the stability of the truck makes the operator feel secure and safe. The instrument panel is clear, easy and accessible, and the reverse camera is sharp, with added versatility to operate when moving forward as well.
“The cab’s very comfortable and the air-con has stood out with praise from our operators – and in our climate that is a massive plus!”
“The RA40 strikes the balance between high performance, power, stability, safety and ease of controls and switches,” concludes Ahmad. “The RA40 really is showing its class on site.”
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.
Businesses are confident about the future despite rising costs impacting cash flow, the Close Brothers Business Barometer suggests.
The survey, which canvassed the opinions of 900 senior SME decision makers in April 2023, found that 54 per cent of Irish Business leaders were confident that the economy would continue to grow, an increase of 11 per cent compared to this time last year. Overall, 90 per cent also believe their company will perform well, either expanding or broadly staying the same over the next twelve months.
However, many flagged the impact that rising costs are having on working capital. Nearly a third of decision makers said that managing costs is their main priority this year. The issue of late payments continues to be challenging. Regardless of how organised a company’s finances are, or whether they raise invoices on time, it is likely that at least some of their bills will be settled outside of agreed terms – something that the increase in costs has arguably made worse.
Of course, managing cash flow is vital for business success and, as a result, many are turning to solutions like invoice finance to ensure they have access to the capital they need.
It’s simple. Companies receive a percentage value of their unpaid customer invoices from a lender in advance. Then, when the invoice has been settled, they are paid the remaining amount minus an agreed fee. Those looking to raise larger levels of funding are using asset based lending, which blends invoice finance with funds released against other asset classes, such as stock, property or plant and machinery. For some, Sale and HP back is an ideal form of refinance that can be used against most types of equipment, making it suitable for companies of all sizes, including sole traders. It works by selling an asset and leasing it back on a standard HP agreement, providing a valuable cash injection or equity towards new asset finance.
Paul Stephens, Head of Corporate & ABL, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see high business optimism as we come out of the challenging period caused by the pandemic. The situation over the last two years has been tough, but the resilience and innovation we have witnessed first-hand has been impressive. Businesses have become more dynamic as they offset disruptions to labour shortages, delivery delays or scarcity and move away from a model of ‘just in time’ supply chains to ‘just in case’.
However, to navigate the near-term, it is vital that SMEs have access to the funding they need to thrive. Our specialist asset finance, invoice finance and asset based lending teams continue to work closely with SMEs to ensure they can access the working capital they need.”
Close Brothers is a leading modern merchant bank, recognised as a FTSE250 company and listed on the London Stock Exchange. We provide lending to a range of companies, with a core purpose of helping the people and businesses of Britain thrive over the long term.
To achieve this, each of our diverse, specialist teams have a deep knowledge of the industry sectors and asset classes we serve, so we can understand the challenges and opportunities they face. We support the unique needs of our customers and clients to ensure that they thrive, rather than simply survive, whatever the market conditions.
Effective immediately, José Cuadrado is appointed Managing Director of Yanmar Compact Equipment’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) organization. In his new role Cuadrado is responsible for further developing the regional capabilities, as well as driving customer success. Together with his EMEA team he will play an
important role in establishing Yanmar Compact Equipment as a global leader in the compact equipment industry. Cuadrado brings with him a wealth of relevant construction, industrial and automotive experience. This understanding spans general and product management, aftermarket support, digital transformation, and strategy. In his most recent
Ecofill Group, the UK-based construction technology company, has appointed Catherine Li as CEO, bringing with her over twenty years of extensive global experience in sustainable development of the built environment, including most recently as CEO of Atkins/ SNC Lavalin in Asia Pacific.
Dr Nigel Griffiths, Chairman of Ecofill Group and a former UK Construction Minister, said “The board is delighted to welcome Catherine as CEO. Her accomplished career, global market reach, along with her passion for technology and innovation, and decarbonising construction, makes Catherine the ideal person to lead Ecofill Group into our next stage of growth.”
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to join Ecofill Group at this pivotal period in history on the journey to a low carbon economy.” said Catherine Li, CEO. “Studies indicate that approximately 40% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to the built environment and construction sector, and about another 30% to the transport sector. For the UK, achieving net zero by 2050 has become mission critical, and many other countries have also or are looking to set their own targets. Sustainable low-carbon construction is key in the fight against climate change. Technology and innovation will be crucial to this transition.”
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has appointed Justin Young as Chief Executive Officer. Justin will join RICS as CEO on 5 July 2023. Justin was appointed by RICS Governing Council to continue to lead the transformation of RICS, including delivery of an excellent experience for staff, members, and stakeholders. He has an impressive background in operational management and business transformation programmes, including those focussed on customer
experience. Justin has come from the Real Estate sector and has a wealth of experience within the real estate and professional services sector over the last 25 years. Justin’s global experience has included working and living in SouthEast Asia, Europe and the UK. Most recently Justin was the Chief Operating Officer at Global Real Estate Consultant, Knight Frank, and has a strong track record in successfully leading and growing teams through a solid focus on culture and staff development. He has also spent time in the
role Cuadrado was CEO of Irish ride-and-handling specialists Timoney Technology. His earlier career included senior roles at prominent global organizations like Ingersoll-Rand, Bobcat and CNH Industrial.
Cuadrado joins the Yanmar Compact Equipment global leadership team, reporting to Giuliano Parodi, the company’s global CEO.
military, including commanding a tank troop on ‘Operation Desert Storm’ in the 1990s.
Justin has built successful partnerships and alliances between firms in global networks and has established operations in new locations. This is something RICS will continue to strive to lead on as it cultivates partnerships across the built environment and with its professionals to address the challenges of today in support of the public interest.
Another of Justin’s key interests is the promotion of diversity in
real estate, and he has driven Business Balance initiatives across gender, race and faith, LGBTQ+; health and well-being, and has been involved with the cross-sector ‘Changing the Face of Property’ initiative.
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
The continuing budgetary crisis enveloping every aspect of life in Northern Ireland is certainly, in my 23 years at helm of his Association, the worst and most frustrating crisis faced by individuals and businesses. I say this from two points. Firstly, it is a crisis made in Northern Ireland and one that should have been avoided by a realisation that no matter what any political party did here it was not going to change what had been agreed between the EU and the UK in an international agreement and on which the future relationship between two huge trading blocks depended. Secondly, handing over the budget decision-making power for NI to a Tory Secretary of State, particularly from the current UK Government brand of Conservatism, is foolish in the extreme. Having said that though I and many others would raise the question, given our own local MLAs inability to make difficult decisions, “Can you actually blame the Secretary of State for implementing such a harsh budget and asking top civil servants to come up with proposals for revenue raising in NI such as water charges, removing free prescriptions, free travel allowances and may other cuts to services that people here have got used to and depended on.
Looking forward to the Autumn though there are hopeful signs that conversations have
been ongoing and there is general agreement that NI cannot continue like some rudderless ship left to the gales and turbulence of economic uncertainty and global pressures.
Recently MPANI joined other construction organisations in calling for the immediate restoration of the NI Assembly and Executive to introduce some sense of stability that will give a level of confidence to the significant number of inward and local investors who wish to take advantage of the two-market access that NI will enjoy as a result of the Windsor Framework. Yes, of course, it is not a perfect agreement but as the name suggests the new agreement between the EU and the UK is a “Framework” that addresses the problematic areas of the
old protocol and introduces a mechanism for discussion and problem-solving for unresolved issues and any future areas of contention that will inevitably arise, such as divergence.
MPANI also submitted a response to the Department for Infrastructures Budget Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and will responding to other Departments EIAs in due course. While the 2023/24 Northern Ireland budget announced in April by the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, only reduces the overall Departmental budgets by 0.4%, this figure masks the impacts as it does not reflect the extent of pressures due to inflation, rising costs, increasing demands and pay pressures.
We are encouraged that many Departments have taken the opportunity to communicate the budget implications to the public, and several Departments
have started Equality Impact Assessment consultations on the implications of budget allocations. Clearly, the stark options included in these consultation documents will have a significant impact on people visiting, living and working in Northern Ireland.
Of particular concern is that the operation and maintenance of our essential infrastructure continue to be underfunded. Such assets underpin the daily functions of our society and dramatic cuts to these will have far-reaching implications. MPANI is alarmed by the options being considered by the Department for Infrastructure such as switching off streetlights, providing no winter road gritting, reducing our water and wastewater services, redrawing public transport provision and a reduction to ‘emergency-only’ services for road maintenance and flood risk management.
Equally concerning is the proposal from the Department for Communities to reduce the NI Housing Executive budget, saying that this will likely impact on their ability to ‘deliver better homes and support people into independent living’.
The Department for Communities is also considering a reduction in investment in public realm and regeneration projects which will impact the quality of life of citizens and hamper the economic development of retail and hospitality businesses. All
of this will impact negatively on our Industry’s workload.
The Department for the Economy has also indicated that cuts to their budgets will impact on skills and education initiatives, including key programmes such as All Age Apprenticeships. It has already been confirmed that the Department of Education will not be awarding any new contracts for extensions or new schools in 2023/244 – pausing the process for these will impact the quality of the teaching environment and the need to provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities. Everyone recognises that Infrastructure projects and services underpin the daily activity of our society, and the budget crisis will have far-reaching implications.
The feedback on the Departmental proposals from my colleagues across the NI Construction Group and others is alarming as they will impact every citizen and visitor to Northern Ireland – and some of the options under consideration could well put people at serious risk of harm. Beyond that, there are implications looming for the wider economy and, in particular, for our young people. We in construction understand that the budget situation is difficult but, if allowed to continue, we will see skilled workers seek opportunities elsewhere and that will reduce the scope for skills development across our workforce. This will reduce our economic output and our attractiveness for inward investment in the future.
Our message is clear, “The restoration of the Executive and Assembly is essential to get local, accountable and responsible political decision-making being made on a daily basis for the benefit of all here in NI”.
On the economic front, MPANI members continue to report a challenging business environment but one that is not as bad as was predicted for the middle of 2023 when projections were made last Autumn. Richard Ramsay’s May PMI report highlighted NI’s private sector notched up its fourth successive month of
growth in business activity in May, albeit it was the slowest rate of expansion in this sequence. Employment growth also eased to a four-month low but local firms increased their staffing levels at the fastest rate of all UK regions bar Scotland. New orders maintained the same modest rate of growth as April.
Richard Ramsey commented in his report: “A welcome slowdown was also evident in inflationary pressures, with input cost and output price inflation easing to its weakest level in around twoand-a-half years. It is encouraging to note that NI’s inflationary pressures are the least marked across the UK regions. There were some reports of energy prices coming down, with ongoing inflation linked to higher wages.
“In terms of sectors, the services sector was the only one to record a rise in business activity in May, with construction and retail joining manufacturing in contraction territory. Services also posted the strongest rise in new orders, followed by retail. Retail’s recent purple patch of growth in sales and orders appears to have passed although retail is still recruiting hard. Meanwhile, the slump in construction orders continued and is approaching two years of continuous decline. But again, construction firms are increasing staffing levels to address long-standing skills gaps.
“Encouragingly all four sectors expect growth in business
activity in 12 months’ time, with manufacturing the most optimistic and retail the least. But firms said that hikes in interest rates and political stagnation have been impacting on growth and cuts in public expenditure are also a concern. None of these factors is expected to go away any time soon.”
Since our last edition of Plant we have experienced two fatalities in our Industry here in NI. Colin Thomas who worked for Tobermore Concrete for many years and was a valued colleague and friend to all who worked there was killed on the 26th April. William Houston who was a subcontractor and worked for FP McCann at their Loughside Quarry near Larne died from injuries received from a falling object. Our best wishes and sincere condolences go to all their families, friends and work colleagues at Tobermore and FP McCann
The lessons that are to learned from these tragic incidents will come out following the current details investigations. However, we would strongly recommend that everyone in our sector, but particularly our senior management and leaders at all levels, re-double their focus on health and safety. MPA has recently updated the safequarry. com website and I would
encourage as many of you to avail of this world class resource at Overview (safequarry.com)
1. An unrelenting approach to eliminating the things that can kill or seriously harm people through adoption of industry safety principles and good practices focused on ‘The Fatal 6’.
2. Developing competent and committed leaders at all levels.
3. Promoting recognition as a means to support a positive culture within the workforce.
4. Creating forward looking measurement systems which balance the measurement of ‘the presence of safety’ with the ‘absence of incidents’.
5. Helping members to create workplaces where health and well-being is protected and promoted.
6. Actively promoting and facilitating engagement from all member organisations
May I take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable summer break and take care and Stay Safe!!
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.
engcon has announced the compatibility of engcon’s next generation of control system, DC3, with Cat® NGH ranging from 13 to 35t. This will make installation of engcon tiltrotators and control system on Caterpillar excavators easier than ever before.
DC3 - The next generation of control system for engcon tiltrotators, is based on a new hardware and software platform which makes installation and connection towards machine manufacturer provided interfaces easier compared to conventional aftermarket installation. Utilising the interface for 3rd party tiltrotator support now available on Cat® NGH, makes the installation of engcon tiltrotators into an operation completed in hours instead of days. The interface allows the tiltrotator to be seamlessly controlled via the Cat® NGH joysticks. It is also fully compatible with engcon’s second generation of positioning solution, ePS v2, allowing the tiltrotator to send both tilt and rotation
information directly to the machine. The positioning information can then be used in Cat® NGH; Cat Grade solutions, Cat Payload and Cat E-Fence features.
The engcon system compatible with CAT 3rd party interface will be available on the market later this year, for more information about the product contact your local engcon dealer.
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has launched a new research briefing revealing contractors’ perceptions and behaviours regarding digital transformation and cyber security in their businesses. The research was conducted during the NFB’s Construction Summit conference in April 2023, utilising technology to digitally ‘straw-poll’ attendees. The findings, while non-scientific, indicate that the contractors present at the NFB’s Construction Summit are well and truly on the digital transformation journey. If these results were
reflected across the sector, it would suggest that most contractors have implemented digital transformation, have introduced digital-related training for staff and are reaping the benefits of doing so.
Key findings include:
24% of contractors said they had been cybe-rattacked in 2022
Half of all contractors said they have a senior person accountable focybersecurityty
One in three contractors know they assess cyber risk on a monthly basis
Only a quarter of contractors have one of the two Cyber Essentials certifications
There is a lack of awareness about cyber policies within the companies, as 20% did not know whether they had been cyberattacked in 2022 or whether they had a senior person responsible for cyber security. 40% did not know how often they assessed cyber risk and a third didn’t know if they had a Cyber Essentials certification.
8 in 10 contractors say they have implemented digital transformation in their company
Two-thirds of contractors report sustainable business improvements from digital transformation
The majority of contractors are motivated to undertake digital transformation because of competitive advantage
Most contractors do not have a specific person responsible for digital transformation
Only 20% of contractors have not yet invested in digitalrelated training for their staff
James M. Butcher, NFB Director of Policy commented: “The National Federation of Builders exists to help its members thrive and to do that we must help the construction companies we represent to be at the forefront of their industry. That’s why we are committed to assisting members to navigate digital transformation in their businesses.”
Europe’s largest outdoor event, “The National Ploughing Championships” is set to return to Ratheniska, Co Laois from 19 – 21 September for a second year, given the triumph of last year’s event.
The total attendance figures for the 2022 ‘Ploughing’ came to an amazing 277,000 visitors and with over 1,700 exhibitors it was an incredible success.
Popularly known by the Irish as “the Ploughing Match” or simply “the Ploughing” this is rural Ireland’s biggest annual event and a much-anticipated date in the farming and social calendar. The first inter-county ploughing contest took place in 1931 as a result of an argument between two lifelong friends. Each argued that their respective counties had the best ploughmen. And so a challenge was called for and the first National Ploughing contest took place in 1931 at Coursetown in Athy. Since then, the National Ploughing Championships has grown in size, year on year. It has expanded from requiring a small field of 26 acres to needing over 700 acres of land today....180 acres for ploughing, 100 acres for trade stands and exhibition space,
400 acres of car parking and a 25-acre demonstration area.
The National Ploughing Championships has become much more than just an annual inter-county competition; it has become an intrinsic part of Irish rural life.
The National Championships is still a contest pitting the skills of international ploughmen against each other but is now also a massive trade show, with livestock and machinery exhibitions and features something for just about every member of the community...a Tented Trade Village, a Food Fair, Craft Village, Livestock, Forestry, Education, Lifestyle, Motor Show, Financial Services, Bio Energy and Agri Service. Along with this, there are many entertainment and special events taking place. Some of these include: Fashion Shows, Celebrity Guests, Sheep Dog Trials, Loy Digging, All Ireland Lamb Shearing, Most Appropriately Dressed Lady and Gent Competitions, Craft Demonstrations, Meggers, Celebrity Cookery Demonstrations, Outdoor Radio Broadcasts and much more.
Rapid International Ltd (County Armagh, Northern Ireland) has recently supplied Hoddam Contracting Co Ltd with a new bespoke static concrete batching plant, located near Dumfries, Scotland. The plant is capable of production of up to 70m3 per hour of ready mixed concrete. Hoddam Contracting Co. Ltd, a family-run business headquartered in the south of Scotland, has been serving the concrete industry for over seven decades. Also known as Hoddam Quarry and Concrete Products, this longstanding supplier has cemented its position as a leading provider of building materials in the region.
Hoddam supplies a wide range of quarry materials, concrete products and services to the building, industrial, agricultural and domestic markets, including ready mixed concrete.
With two sand and gravel quarries already in operation they have just opened a hard rock quarry, and are well-positioned for growth in the area. In addition, their concrete production and head office facilities are situated in Ecclefechan, further strengthening their presence in the south of Scotland.
As a long-standing customer, Hoddam had previously invested in three batching plants
from Rapid. However, the existing batching plant at their Dumfries site, responsible for producing ready mixed concrete, had surpassed its two-decade service life and required a significant upgrade.
Rapid worked closely with Hoddam to develop a solution that would optimise their concrete production process. Drawing inspiration from one of the company’s existing batching plants located in Ecclefechan, Rapid proposed a similar design tailored to Hoddam’s specific requirements.
The new plant has four 50 tonne aggregate hoppers, with integral 800mm weighed belt conveyor, which discharges onto a batch conveyor. This conveyor subsequently feeds the 3m3 output Rapid R300 pan mixer, which is housed in a fully sheeted mixer platform. The platform allows for maximum access for maintenance and cleaning, with mixer level and small upper access area at the cement weigh hopper. A dust extraction system is fitted to the mixer, to recycle dust for reuse in subsequent batches.
Readymix chutes are located under the mixer doors to direct the material into the truck mixers. The chutes are lined with 6mm Hardox plate to offer long wear. Moreover, a movable chute extension has been incorporated, allowing for greater flexibility in directing the concrete to different levels, such as trailers, catering to the requirements of collect customers.
Cement is stored in a 100 tonne storage silo, with screw conveyor, which conveys material from the silo to the weigh hopper.
A 2 tonne cement/powder weigh hopper is included, which is mounted on loadcells with aeration pads and a vibrator to aid in discharging. The plant also features a twin compartment additive weigh system, which offers flexibility in additive batching. To streamline mixer cleanout, the plant includes a Rapid Jetwash mixer washout system, fitted with 3 spray heads. The system operates at 2000 psi, offering high-pressure cleaning and maintenance of the mixer.
The plant is fitted with a Pneutrol Dynamix batching control system, which enables the operator to oversee
the entire batching process and offers unlimited recipe storage, manual control via the PC and remote operation.
Commenting on the new plant’s outputs, Laura Gilfillan, Director – Hoddam Contracting, said, “The new batching plant works a lot faster and batches more than twice as much per hour.” She continued, “We find the whole Rapid team a pleasure to deal with, at all stages of the process, from Victor in sales through to Keith in installation. The build quality and overall service and aftercare is very good. We can just pick up the phone and speak to someone, which is invaluable.”
Producing up to 600 tonnes per hour, Rapidmix delivers speed and cost e ciency. Fully mobile and selfcontained, Rapidmix travels from site to site with ease. O ering full weighing of all materials, Rapidmix provides accuracy you can depend on. rapidinternational.com/rapidmix
Derrytrasna-based Fleville Bros has recently bought the latest model Hyundai crawler excavator, the HX140AL, from Northern Lift Trucks. Plant and Civil Engineer caught up with Conor Fleville and machine handler, John Ward, to find out how they like the latest model.
Fleville Bros is a family business incorporated in 2012, based at Derrytrasna outside Lurgan and run by Michael Fleville together with his three sons, Conor, Don and Gary. The business specialises in groundworks, drainage, earth moving and civil engineering – Fleville Bros is a heavy lifter, mover and shaker for both the construction and the agriculture sectors, working throughout Ireland and Great Britain, with some international work in the mix.
For Fleville Bros, the purchase of a new machine is focused entirely on the company’s needs at the time. Conor Flevillve explains: “Our fleet would normally number about 30 pieces of kit and we like to regularly update
older machines with the latest models – we find that the most efficient way of working. We don’t stick to just one brand or one dealer, though, we make each purchase decision based on what is right for us at the time.”
The Hyundai HX140AL crawler excavator is not the first, nor the only Hyundai in the fleet and, while the Fleville family has been impressed by the Hyundai make and by previous sales experience with Northern Lift Trucks, Conor says the repeat business was based on business needs and model availability at the time.
“The HX140AL is at least the third or fourth Hyundai we’ve had and it’s a brand and machines we're are very happy with – reliable, powerful and takes on the hard work we need to be done in its stride. Likewise, we’ve bought from Northern Lift Trucks before and found them very good to deal with. When we decided it was time to update our fleet, Northern Lift Trucks had the Hyundai in stock so a good deal was struck and we’re very happy with the HX140AL.”
Fleville Bros have had the new model Hyundai for about three months or, as driver-operator John Ward says, “long enough to do 1,000 hours.” All of those hours have been at the Lismore Comprehensive new build project in Craigavon, working specifically, at the moment, on the new pre-school site under sub-contract to the main contractor, O’Hare and McGovern. John continues: “I’m in the cab full time and the Hyundai is doing everything I need just using the bucket. She’s digging for pipe laying, levelling soil and stones, whatever has to be done and she’s doing it well.
“The last excavator I was driving was a Hyundai too and I can certainly notice improvements in the new model. She seems a whole lot quicker and easier to manoeuvre – the levers are much smoother to operate and overall it’s efficient, fast, smooth and comfortable – a pleasure to work. I would always consider Hyundai to be one of the best makes on the market and the HX140AL definitely doesn’t disappoint.
John continues: “The cab is really comfortable too and, especially days like today when it hitting 20 degrees outside, it’s wonderful to have great air conditioning. I’m well impressed with the cameras too. I don’t know if it’s standard kit, but I’ve got a total of four cameras that give me a complete wraparound view of space and ground around the machine. This Hyundai is ‘nice work’ and I’m enjoying it.”
John’s praise of his working environment was fulsome and that’s not surprising given the Hyundai cab’s comfort and safety features, which go beyond meeting regulatory standards. An electronic valve and control system has been added to improve safety and utilisation. The opening and closing time of the swing brake valve is controlled according to the sensing and control system. Visibility through the cabin door has been improved as has the handle design, to offer greater convenience when getting in and out of the cabin. The state-of-the-art AAVM (Advanced Around View Monitoring) video camera system that impressed John gives an unobscured 360-degree field of vision for operators and works with the IMOD (Intelligent Moving Object Detection), which informs when people or dangerous
objects are detected within 5m. Together, they make the Hyundai HX series among the safest excavators on any job site. The cab itself is 13% bigger than its predecessors. The interior design is intelligent and ergonomic, with an 8” touchscreen display similar to a smartphone, providing excellent legibility. The jog dial module can be used to operate the accelerator, remote air conditioner controller and instrument cluster using one ergonomic shuttle-type controller. Designed for efficient operation, pilot pressureoperated joysticks and pedals with detachable levers provide that smother and fatigue-free operation that John noticed has made operations easier and smoother, resulting in faster, more efficient working.
Hyundai’s introduction to its new model simply states “Our new A-Series HX140AL 14-tonne crawler excavator is ready to help build your world. Its high-performance engine delivers better productivity and fuel efficiency while meeting EU Stage V emissions regulations.”
It would certainly seem to be a heavy-duty performer that can be relied on to perform in the toughest conditions on large construction sites and infrastructure projects.
The Hyundai HX140AL can genuinely claim to be redesigned to be tougher from the ground up. The robust upper and lower frame structure has been tested to endure external shock and heavy workloads and external modifications make it quicker and
easier to add attachments. The HX A-series hi-grade, high-pressure hose gives improved heat and pressure resistance and greatly enhanced the durability of the equipment, while the cooling module power boost function, contributing towards the highest productivity in tough working environments. Even the cab structure has been strengthened with integral low-stress steel welding.
From its upgraded, eco-friendly engine to its advanced control technologies, the HX140AL reaches new heights of productivity and fuel efficiency. The EU Stage V Certified Engine Cummins F3.8 engine delivers 3% more power and 12% more peak torque than previous models. The intelligent control system (IPC) optimises pump flow rate and power at various working conditions, through the individual pump control, helping it deliver the right amount of power, including power boost for lifting) to undertake the task as efficiently as possible, while the automatic engine shutdown significantly reduces idle time. overall operating hours and fuel consumption.
Finally, the Eco gauge helps reduce emissions and running costs by constantly monitoring efficiency. This, together with the new Cummins F3.8 Stage V engine, meets the latest emission legislation while further improving fuel efficiency, providing up to 11% fuel savings
The EU Stage V Certified Engine is a new generation of ultra-low emissions engines that is EGR-free (Exhaust Gas Recirculation). This technology helps to reduce harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and is satisfying the strictest environmental emission regulation in the world.
The Hyundai HX140AL is a crawler excavator with the sheer power to tackle the heaviest of jobs with efficiency, even panache. It has been designed to tackle heavy work effortlessly, for the machine, and for the operator. It’s designed with operator comfort, efficiency and job satisfaction in mind and it’s equipped to be one of the safest excavators on any job site. In short, it’s a real beauty of a beast.
www.northernlifttrucks.co.uk
Plant and Civil Engineer highlights some of the trends and topics being talked about in the plant hire sector and explores the benefits and benefits (yes, there don’t seem to be many downsides) of hiring in your plant and equipment needs.
Investment in plant is a costly business but sometimes one that is the right decision. If there are basic items that will be in daily use, such as diggers, fork trucks, telehandlers and, if you have a constant need or long-term projects lined up, buying plant machinery is potentially the more cost-effective solution. Although the initial investment would be higher, the overall cost for the lifetime of the machine may well be less. Moreover, as an asset, the accounting and tax benefits of purchasing can make for a strong business case for buying.
However, there are several strong reasons to consider plant hire, at least as a proportion of your plant and equipment needs. Plant hire offers flexibility. When you hire machinery, you have the opportunity to cancel the contract if you need to. This may not be an option when purchasing a piece of machinery.
Plant
If you don’t see a long-term need for the machinery, hiring is a great option. If you purchase the machine, you will have to sell it if you cannot create an ongoing use for it. Plant hire over a fixed period of need is going to be cheaper than new plant purchase. Moreover, you are likely to be able to hire the latest model of the machine you need, giving you operating efficiencies and the most modern plant solutions.
As one plant hire commentator I talked to says “The purchase price of equipment has increased by 25% over the last two years.” Purchasing equipment Is a longterm investment, yet products are regularly updated, improved, and relaunched, all of which will have an impact on the depreciated value of your purchased plant, both on the balance sheet and at the point of sale. It’s often sensible, therefore, to hire rather than buy. It’s a cost-effective solution to both short and long-term needs.
Even though it is an issue that some plant hire companies we contacted didn’t want to discuss, it’s true that, in most instances, hired plant and equipment needs to be insured by the hirer. An insurance provider which specialises in truck, fleet and hiredin plant insurance comments: “If you need to make use of plant or machinery hire, it is essential and usually a contractual requirement to arrange insurance to cover any unfortunate eventualities such as loss or damage. Without the insurance cover in place, you would be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement.”
Plant hire account holders and agricultural hirers will be likely to have their insurance in place through their own policies and any issues that do arise are more likely to be with DIYers and cash buyers. For one plant hirer I talked to, the solution is simple: “We always recommend a big-name insurance company we work with and arrange it for customers in-store. It only takes a few minutes and can be used for all plant and tool hires, not just that particular brand. All you need to do is fill in your details, the serial number of the machine you are hiring and the period for cover.”
The Insurance provider confirms this: “We don’t just insure our own branded equipment; we can insure all of your plant and equipment. We can insure everything from a single machine on one policy to multi-million-pound fleets on an unspecified basis and everything in between.”
This relates to hired-in plant insurance. Another option that the dealers can avail of with this insurer is ‘hired-out’ insurance. This insurance is designed specifically for plant hire companies, enabling businesses to hire plant out under CPA conditions, without the requirement for their customer to insure it. Plant hirers can offer to carry the insurance risk at the quote stage of a contract. It allows plant hirers to charge a waiver fee and remain in control of the insurance.
Several of the plant hire companies Plant and Civil Engineer talked to highlighted strong growth in access equipment hire. Most attribute this to an increased awareness of
the need to comply with health and safety regulations (Work at Height Regulations (NI) 2005) and protocols. Every job comes with at least some level of risk; however, the construction industry is certainly one of the more hazardous workplaces. To put that in perspective, 46 workers died in construction work accidents in the last 10 years and falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. However, it is also likely that the powered access equipment sector will continue to grow based not just on legal requirements, but on advances in technology driving growth in access equipment. One report on this points to the following technological factors that are likely to stimulate future growth:
Enhanced Safety Features
Automation and Robotics
Electric and Hybrid Power
Telematics and Connectivity
Lightweight and Compact Designs, and Virtual and Augmented Reality
The report author comments: “These advancements will not only improve productivity and efficiency but also contribute to sustainable practices and a safer working environment. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect powered access equipment to become smarter, more versatile, and an indispensable part of various industries in the years to come.”
Plant hire delivers so much. Think the right product, delivered on demand for the whole length of a project, maintained throughout and then collected. Think about hiring costs as opposed to purchasing investments. Think back-up when you need it.
In a nutshell, as Golda Burrows, general manager of Plant and Civil Engineer says: “In the rapidly evolving construction industry, the success of any project hinges on having access to the right equipment and machinery at the right time. Plant hire companies play a crucial role in providing a diverse range of machinery and equipment on demand, enabling construction companies to optimise their operations.”
CP Hire Plant & Tool Hire Northern Ireland specialises in plant, tool, powered access and site cabin hire. Established in 1971 and with seven depots throughout Northern Ireland, our experienced team are on hand to help and advise on the most suitable equipment rental for your project.
www.cphire.com
Depots: Coleraine, Ballymena, Belfast, Mid-Ulster, L'Derry, Banbridge, Magherafelt, Cardiff, Bristol and Swansea
Plant and equipment hire is an integral element of most construction, groundworks and infrastructure projects and, with a massive stock (for example, more than 300 excavators), seven depots and 110 staff around Northern Ireland, it is little wonder that CP Hire’s services are in demand. The company, founded by Norman Hutchinson in 1971 has thrived and expanded throughout its 52-year history and, now into its sixth decade, is established as a market leader and trusted partner to some of Northern Ireland’s biggest contractors. The company is still owned by the Hutchinson family, with Norman’s sons, Andrew and David running the business. Plant and Civil Engineer spoke to Managing Director,
“My late father, Norman, who died in 2016, was a true entrepreneur with a strong work ethic and a great team builder as his company expanded from its humble beginnings to the province-wide business it is today,” says Andrew. “His Articlave [Castlerock] shed quickly evolved into CP Hire’s headquarters on the Bushmills Road in Coleraine and depots were opened as the company grew on the strength of its plant range and its reputation.”
The Belfast depot, in Duncrue Street, was the first of the depots to open, followed by the Ballymena depot, which was originally located
on Larne Road. Recently, the Ballymena hire shop moved to Woodside Industrial estate, with the older site becoming a storage unit. With a firm foothold in Antrim and Belfast, expansion continued with the Dungannon shop at Tamnamore, just off the M1 and opening access to Counties Armagh, Tyrone and west to Fermanagh. The next three CP Hire depots, in Campsie, Banbridge and then Magherafelt brought CP Hire’s portfolio to seven locations and made the company easily accessible throughout Northern Ireland.
Whilst CP Hire’s huge fleet of plant and vehicles and many thousands of tools for hire are in constant demand, in recent times
CP Hire has seen a sharp growth in two areas: site accommodation and access hire.
“The demand for access equipment hire has been growing steadily, driven by the Work at Height Regulations, more stringent Health & Safety and risk assessment requirements and, in general, more focus on worker safety,” says Andrew. “Even the smallest of jobs to be undertaken at height requires a cherry picker at least and that increasing awareness and need has driven access hire sales.
“We have all the equipment in stock, whatever the size of the job and with our seven depots we are well placed to service demand with same-day delivery and often delivering equipment to site within two hours. Of course, that applies to all our plant and equipment, not just access!
“Given the growth in demand, several years ago we brought in Andy Owens as our Access Manager, as he has specialist knowledge in this area.”
“We work with all the main contractors and we see strong demand for site accommodation. We would typically provide customers with anything from two to 15 units, comprising secure office and storage space and those buildings could be on-site for up to five years, depending on the job,” says Andrew.
“Our service includes delivery, on-site setup, full maintenance throughout the hire period and dismantling and taking away at the end of the project. We have a good reputation for providing fresh, well-maintained and smart-looking site accommodation.”
For Andrew Hutchinson, the secret behind the success of CP Hire is simple: rapid response or reaction hire, reliability and longterm, strong relationships with customers.
“Having seven depots gives us a major advantage in terms of how quickly we can deliver and how fast we can respond to
customers’ needs,” says Andrew. “All types of hitches and emergencies can crop up on a construction site and that’s when your customer needs a rapid reaction. It could be something as simple as a burst water pipe but, no matter what the circumstances downtime on site costs money. Our provincewide coverage means that, wherever a customer is and whatever is needed, we get it to the site in superfast time.”
Like reaction hire emergency service, maintenance is paramount to site efficiency and, in the case of a breakdown or mechanical issue, the CP Hire maintenance crew will be there within the hour.
Carrying a huge stock of plant and equipment which is always maintained in good order and regularly refreshed also makes CP Hire the reliable choice for hire needs. That also includes having the right fleet to deliver to the site and, to that end, CP Hire has just taken delivery of two new Volvo cheese wedge beavertails, supplied by Dennison Commercials. “These 32-tonne trucks are versatile and capable and will be an asset
in servicing demand for heavy plant and site accommodation,” comments Andrew. Andrew Hutchinson knows that getting the product range, and service delivery right build the company’s trust score and reputation for reliability. However, for him, there is one more factor, perhaps the most important of all.
“People do business with people and it is the relationships that have evolved between us and our customers that matter most to success,” says Andrew.
“We’ve been in business for 52 years, so we and our customers know each other very well – we’ve got great relationships, which matter to us, and that is a major contributor to our success.”
www.cphire.com
Richard Hunter was a lad of 15, “just off the school bus”, as he puts it, when he got his start with Norman Hutchison in the Articlave workshop where the CP Hire story began. And he’s been with the late Norman and his family business ever since, celebrating his 50th year in CP Hire this year.
“I started as an apprentice fitter but when we moved from Articlave to the new premises in Coleraine, my job gradually evolved to cover everything, from plant maintenance and fitting, stock management
to hire sales and general management,” says Richard.
A decade later in 1983, Norman asked Richard, who now had plenty of experience in the business to move to the new depot opening in Belfast.
“I was the Depot Manager, and became Area Manager when the new Belfast outlet, also in Duncrue Street, opened,
“From there, I have done stints at all the new hire depots opening up,” continues Richard, “and then I went on to the hire desk in Belfast for several years, with I trained the hire team and managed everything – plant,
people, deliveries and equipment. CP Hire has always been a good company to work for.”
Richard particularly enjoyed going to exhibitions. “I’ve been to Munich, Leipzig, Vegas, and France and I enjoyed seeing the latest plant and equipment.”
Despite a busy working life, Richard always makes time for the North West 200.
“I originally got involved through CP Hire, who are a longstanding sponsor of the
race and then the people in the club asked me to sit on various committees and then become part of the management team.”
Another year, another stellar Hire Association Europe Event Hire Association
(HAE EHA) Hire Awards of Excellence is in the bag with the glamorous evening having taken place on Saturday 22 April 2023 at Grosvenor House, London. In its sixteenth year, the show celebrates the outstanding achievements of hire and supply companies across the UK’s plant, tool, equipment and event hire industries. As CEO Paul Gaze said on the night: “People really are our greatest asset, and it is important that as a sector we work together to help promote careers and look for a much wider and broader range of candidates. We have some inspiring finalists for the 2023 Awards.” This year’s host was former Royal Marine and Elite Team Coach, Scotty Mills. The ‘secret weapon’ behind the success of the England football team at the 2018 World Cup kept everyone entertained and inspired with his commentary throughout the evening. The first accolade of the evening was for the Outstanding Contribution to Hire Award. With many worthy recipients across the plant, tool, equipment and event hire sectors this is an extremely tough award to give. But with 23 years’ experience across the sector and for championing improvements to the way the hire industry tackles mental health, Asif Latief, Managing Director of Boels Rental, took the applause and the award. Chairman of HAE EHA, Neil Bravery, commented: “Our industry, with the support from your Association, is committed to reducing its carbon output as part of the overall government initiative towards net zero. We all know we have a very long way to go but, as an industry, we are slowly starting to see change within our fleets; with battery technology progressing at a fast pace making corded machines very much a thing of the past. Will battery technology really be the way forward for heavy plant or will hydrogen be the fuel of
the future? Who knows, perhaps the answers are in this room.
“The transitional cost to hirers switching to a greener fleet can be an additional 40% so, without government support, being able to meet these targets as a hirer will be almost impossible. The good news, however, is the government has made a commitment in this year’s Budget to talk to the construction industry which in real terms will affect the hire sector. It’s a start, we have a way to go. Let’s hope that the government recognises the support our sector so desperately needs.”
Paul Gaze explained what the Association has done to make a difference on members’ behalf over the last year: “We have increased the support in Hire Certification Services and we continue to deliver a range of accreditations such as SafeHire, SSIP and HITS. Through our public affairs work led by Mark Bradshaw we lobbied and worked with Government Agencies and bodies, getting hire and rental classified as essential retail using the various covid lockdown guides. Mark works with the Home Office and
represents members’ interests on the various groups seeking to reduce fraud and theft in the sector, liaising with the Police and other agencies. “As an association we have engaged with new partners to deliver valued services to members. This includes utilities, commercial finance, a legal support helpline, business sales and crucially insurance. The work we have undertaken in developing the HAE EHA Insurance Service offer through Towergate Insurance Brokers has been transformational. The breadth of support on offer is making a real difference, allowing our members to focus on what they do best to support their clients and customers.”
The Hire Awards are considered the crown jewel of the industry’s annual awards and the recognition and exposure they impart to the winners and high achievers are respected throughout the industry. They further encourage companies to invest in individuals and R&D to the benefit of staff and customers alike. The judges in this year’s competition commented that the quality of
submissions was outstanding, especially with the stringent criteria required for entry, making the judging harder than ever. The winners in every category are well and truly deserved.
The full list of this year’s award winners:
Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by CITB: David Smith, Vp Brandon Hire Station
Best Use of New Media, sponsored by Executive
Hire Show: HSE
Converted Hire Achiever of the Year: Oscar Norman, Sunbelt Rentals
Digital Catalogue of the Year, sponsored by Snorkel UK: HSS Hire
Diversity & Inclusion Initiative, sponsored by Stallard
Kane: Boels Rental
Hire Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Point of Rental Software: Oscar Norman, Sunbelt Rentals
Hire Manager of the Year, sponsored by HireTrain: Boyd
Crombie, Vp Brandon Hire Station
Hire Industry Product of the Year, sponsored by Worldpay from FIS: Niftylift, HeightRider 17 All-Electric
Hire Industry Supplier of the Year, sponsored by The Hire Exchange: Point of Rental Software
SafeHire Plant, Tool & Equipment
Hire Company of the Year
Turnover under £10m, sponsored by The Hire Exchange: PSM
Plant & Tool Hire Centres
SafeHire Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year
Turnover over £10m, sponsored by HAE Insurance Services: Carrier Rental Systems
SafeHire Event Hire Company of the Year, sponsored by Hire Certification Services: Sunbelt Rentals
Sustainability & CSR
Initiative, sponsored by SRL Traffic Systems: Garic Website of the Year, sponsored by JCB Sales: Vp Brandon Hire Station Workshop Manager of the Year, sponsored by PSM Plant & Tool Hire Centres: Oscar Norman, Sunbelt Rentals
Young Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by SSIP: Harry Watts, HSS Hire
Specialist equipment rental group
Vp plc, and its nine businesses worldwide, has won Plant Charter Gold status for its procurement, innovations and training standards. Working with each business’ procurement and product managers, the group scored 13 out of a possible 15 points to attain the highest Gold standard in the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s (SCSS) Plant Charter which aims to help the UK’s built environment drastically reduce onsite emissions to air that are harmful to human health and the planet.
The SCSS is an online learning platform aiming to develop the skills required to deliver a sustainable built environment. The Plant Charter is a set of minimum standards evaluating one’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and air pollution. Vp was tested on its minimum standards, engagement, awareness and education, and innovation.
Vp’s long-term environmental strategy is tied to its science-based target commitments of net zero by 2050 across the entire value chain and 100% renewable energy procurement by 2030.
Measures towards this have included completing a scope 3 inventory for the first time, submitting science-based emissions targets to the Science-based Target initiative for validation. With the scope 3 inventory complete, Vp is prioritising carbon reduction initiatives across its entire value chain.
Over half of Vp’s carbon footprint relates to the use of its rental fleet but the group is reducing this by moving towards an increasingly lower emissions-based fleet, and where fossil fuel-powered fleet still provides the best solution, invests in the latest technology to ensure the cleanest and most fuel-efficient engines.
The Group is also embedding software which will enable quantitative monitoring
and evaluation of supplier sustainability performance. This will enable Vp to track supplier self-reported Scope 1 and 2 emissions and start two-way supplier conversations to influence positive behaviour and focus on sustainability just as much as price, quality and service.
Other elements of Vp’s long term strategy include increasing renewable energy procurement, switching to EVs in its commercial and company vehicle fleets where appropriate, reducing its reliance on natural gas for heating, and closer management of electricity, gas and water consumption through contract consolidation, meter reading automation and continual improvement of electricity and gas efficiency as part of their ISO 50001 certification across all UK sites.
Vp’s environmental programme manager Fred Pilkington said: “This Plant Charter Gold status is one of our top achievements for the year and demonstrates our leading commitment towards reducing air pollution and carbon emissions. It is a priority for Vp to accelerate our transition away from rental assets powered by fossil fuel towards those powered by battery and solar, as well as non-powered products.”
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.
Dublin-based RMP Hire has just recently celebrated its first year in business and already owner, Ray Vaughan is in the process of implementing a major double expansion, with the launch of Nationwide Access Hire in Wathergrass Hill, County Cork. The new opening will also feature an RMP Hire depot for Cork.
Nationwide Access will specialise in powered access and a full range of workingat-height products. This encompasses boom platforms/lifts and cherry pickers, powered access platforms, scissor lifts, push-around aerial work platforms, vertical platform lifts/mast booms, spider lifts and a range of safety-at-height accessories.
“At RMP Hire, we do carry a range of access products and we’ve seen demand grow in that category. We’ve got several national customers already looking to us for powered access nationwide,” said Ray Vaughan. “It seemed the logical expansion move and we’re working with several plant sales specialists, for example, Glendun Plant Sales in Dungannon and we are building up our hire stock of leading names in the access industry, such as Skyjack, Snorkel, Boss, Genie and Niftylift.
“We’re excited to have added the Sinoboom 4647E electric scissor lift to our hire offering from Nationwide Access,” continued Ray. “With Sinoboom you can be confident that you will be using a machine which is known worldwide for its reliability and cutting-edge technology. Including features such as full electric drive” The Sinoboom 4647E has a maximum working height and platform height of 15.8 and 13.8 metres respectively, with a sizeable platform of 2.64 x 1.15 x 1.1 metres. Even so, it boasts a small turning radius ensuring flexible operation, even in narrow spaces. The battery is maintenance-free and features a voltage early warning system to ensure battery life. The range of safety features is second to none, for example, foldable guardrails, bumper rail protection, tilt protection, an overload sensing system (overall capacity is 350 kg and even an automatic pothole guard.
With an established industrial area, Watergrass Hill is a village about 20km north of Cork City, adjacent to the Priory Court turnoff from the M8, making it an ideal location for the southern counties of Ireland. The launch of Nationwide Access, together with a Cork depot for RMP Hire in addition to its established Dublin headquarters, gives the operation genuine, all-Ireland coverage, ensuring quick, easy and comprehensive hire solutions across the board for existing and new customers.
“We will be servicing Nationwide Access Hire customers using the same systems as for RMP Hire, so customers can come to us for all their short-term and long-
term access hire solutions,” continued Ray. “Our rates are already competitive and we can offer additional discounts on long-term hire. Our service record at RMP Hire speaks for itself and Nationwide Access customers can expect fast, efficient and responsive customer care.” “Having built a dedicated team, we feel that now is the right time to expand in to an area that we are getting enquires from weekly. To continue with our dedicated customer service we have recently taken
on another full time plant fitter to service all of our equipment and are also offering service and repair for our customers own machines. GA1 testing is also available” Although RMP Hire has just celebrated its first year in business and Nationwide Access is a brand new name on the Irish hire scene, Ray Vaughan is no stranger to the plant hire business. He has over two decades of plant hire experience across two continents. After spending 12 years in various plant hire operations in England,
Ray moved to Melbourne, Australia to work with Hiredepot, a multi-branch hire company established in 1989 and covering every aspect of construction plant and equipment hire. Ray moved to Ireland seven years ago and established RMP Hire in 2022. One year on and with the launch of Nationwide Access Hire in Cork and further expansions planned, he looks set to become a major player in the plant and access hire industry.
There were celebrations all around when Portadown company, Marley Hire picked up the coveted Outstanding Single Depot Hire Company at the UK and Ireland Passionate Hirer Awards 2023. The awards took place at the Executive Hire Show in Coventry. The judges visited all companies entered in the competition, and scrutinised them against a range of criteria, including presentation and welcome, staff knowledge and enthusiasm, efficiency in handling orders and enquiries, cleanliness and quality of fleet, marketing and outreach activities, and notable innovations. Presenting the award to Thomas Marley, executive hire show publishing and event director, Chris Moore said the judges found “Marley Hire was impressive from start to
finish. Their attention to detail and standard of equipment was second to none”.
Marley Hire & Sales has been one of the longest-established hire companies in Northern Ireland. Set up over 40 years ago, it has been serving the Armagh communities and surrounding counties with highquality hire equipment since 1974. With one of the widest ranges of machinery available in Northern Ireland, Marley Hire is well known for quality equipment and expertise, providing the best and most reliable service in the Portadown area.
The were only two awards presented at the famous evening party at the Executive Hire Show and both came home to Ireland, with Drogheda Hire & Sales winning the Outstanding Multi Depot Hire Company category.
P7 pupils at Woods Primary School recently got a taste for working life at a job sampling and careers day hosted by leading construction company, Henry Brothers.
The pupils received an enlightening and hands-on session looking into the world of construction, with insights into both the industry itself and the rich history of Henry Group at the company’s headquarters in Magherafelt.
They were also given the chance to try a variety of roles, including bricklaying, plastering, tiling, and joinery.
CR Director at Henry Brothers, Ian Henry, commented: “This is the first time that we have hosted this event for primary school students, giving them experience of a real-life working environment and the chance to get stuck in with various activities found on a construction site.
“At Henry Brothers, we are committed to developing the next generation of construction experts while going above
and beyond to enrich the lives of young people in the community, and we hope that events such as these motivate them to pursue a career in construction.”
Karen White, Principal at Woods Primary School, added: “Our pupils had an excellent morning at the ‘Get stuck into Construction’ session at Henry Brothers. They enjoyed having conversations with many different construction professionals and loved the ‘hands on’ experiences provided during the visit including getting to try their hands at plastering, brick laying and joinery.”
Cemfree’s ground-breaking ultra-low carbon products have emerged as the sustainable solution for garden designs, having been used in three spectacular, award-winning gardens at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
From its astounding sustainable qualities to its aesthetic appeal, Cemfree’s presence at RHS Chelsea Flower Show marks a significant step towards a greener future in the world of garden design and is proof of the rising popularity of ultra-low carbon products.
Garden Designers Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg have created Horatio’s Garden on behalf of Horatio’s Garden charity, which creates accessible gardens in NHS spinal injuries centres.
Harris Bugg Studio wanted a permeable terrazzo path that would be both environmentally
and patient-friendly, as a gradientfree, joint-free, smooth surface is essential for patients in a wheelchair, but did not want to use traditional concrete due to its negative environmental impact. As a result, Cemfree was asked to provide its cementfree binder, Cemfree Ultra and Cemfree Masonry Mortar
which resulted in a massive saving of 4,891kg of carbon,. Designer Mark Gregory, of Landform Consultants Ltd created the Savills Garden. It has been designed to evoke the experience of stepping into an intimate walled garden of a country hotel, with a working kitchen at the heart of the garden to offer the
engcon, the leading, global manufacturer of tiltrotators, quick hitches and accessories for excavators, is constantly working to improve its products, with the end customer always in the focus. To further enhance the end customer experience, engcon is now launching a new, improved machine hitch for excavators in the size of 12–19 tons.
In addition to making the machine hitch stronger, the retrofitting with EC-Oil blocks will be easier as the new machine hitch contains almost no hoses and minimises the risk of leaks. The end customer will
also notice that the new bolt-on EC-Oil block has an increased hydraulic flow.
“Thanks to our innovation-driven work with a focus on the end customer, our customers can rely on engcon to always deliver state-of-the-art technology. Our package should be the complete solution and the premium product that our customers want, now and in the future,” says Martin Engström, Product Manager at engcon. Advantages with the improved machine coupler S60:
• EC-Oil block without hoses, this means a longer service life, easier for repairs, maintenance, and retrofitting.
show’s first-ever ‘pot-to-plate’ experience, with the garden’s edible plants being used for all meals on offer. Mark wanted to eliminate cement from the garden and specified Cemfree’s Optima and Masonry Mortar.
Again featuring Cemfree Optima the School Food Matters Garden has been designed by Harry Holding and built by Landscape Associates on behalf of charity, School Food Matters. The garden has been created to be an immersive, forgeable landscape for children to explore and be inspired by nature. The judges were thoroughly impressed by the remarkable sustainable qualities contained within both the Savills Garden and The School Food Matters Garden, honouring both with a coveted Silver-gilt medal. Cemfree’s presence has not only transformed the aesthetics but also the environmental footprint of these remarkable spaces.
• Reinforced construction both laterally and in the digging direction.
• Increased stability around attachment points to the machine that contributes to a better operating experience.
• Improved and more flexible hose routing between excavator and machine hitch.
• Bolted lifting hook and possibility with lifting eye.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This award is for individual /organisations that can demonstrate excellence in enabling a high quality, high value end market product from recycled/recovered materials.
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.
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
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. SPONSORSHIP
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.
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.
Award Entry enquiries can be made to Golda Burrows - golda@4squaremedia.net
www.plantandcivilengineer.com
On 23 May 2023, in Bray Circuit Court, Judge Patrick Quinn fined a Co. Wicklow construction worker and handed out 9 months suspended jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to Regulation 29(1)(f) of the Safety, Health and Welfare
at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2013, that on the 8 December 2016, he failed to make proper use of a large 9-tonne site dumper. The construction worker had driven the dumper whilst carrying two passengers. The dumper was not designed
to carry passengers, and, in so doing, also failed to take reasonable care to protect the safety, health and welfare of other persons who may be affected by his acts. One of the passengers fell from the moving dumper causing him life-changing injures.
NI Water has welcomed the outcome of a successful prosecution against a property developer following damage to its infrastructure. The developer was convicted of two offences following the unauthorised rerouting of a sewer and the making of unauthorised sewer and water connections to accommodate the development of three properties.
Receiving £3,000 in fines, NI Water was also awarded costs of £4,194, to be paid within 14 weeks.
In failing to engage with NI Water, substandard infrastructure was installed to serve the properties. As a consequence, NI Water is now looking at options for remedial works, the costs of which will be recovered by NI Water. These works are made more difficult due to the homes
Appearing at Coleraine Crown court on 23 June, a County Down farmer was fined £15,000. In addition, a forfeiture order was granted in respect of the JCB loading shovel involved in the incident.
The farmer pleaded guilty to two breaches of health and safety legislation after his niece suffered fatal crush injuries when she was struck by a JCB wheeled loading shovel, driven by a 12-year-old child. The two children had been using the loading shovel to move tyres from a silage clamp to another area of the farmyard when the incident occurred.
The prosecution followed a joint investigation by HSENI with its enforcement partners in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Speaking after the hearing, Anne Boylan, Principal Health & Safety Inspector said: “Whilst incidents involving children on farms occur less frequently than with adults, it is no less shocking that in the past 10 years, three children in Northern Ireland have sadly lost their lives in farm incidents.
“Farmers and others working in agriculture are reminded that children under 13 years of age are prohibited from operating any agricultural machinery.”
Speaking on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Detective Constable McAteer said: “This was a tragic loss of a young life and serves as a salutary reminder of the dangers presented on a working farm, particularly when there is heavy machinery in use.”
The Main Site contractor/Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) and the Site manager/Site Engineer on the project had already appeared in court in respect of this matter. They received a €15,000 fine and an 18 month suspended jail sentence respectively.
now being finished and occupied with the surrounding grounds completed. These options will be offered to Mr Tucker and the homeowners to consider.
Gary Little, Compliance, Manager for NI Water, said: “This is a welcome result and should be seen as a strong message to developers who choose to ignore established practices and do not consult NI Water during the development process. I would underline to all concerned that it is an offence to interfere with our water or sewerage network. NI Water takes any interference with its network very seriously and will seek to bring the perpetrators to court when identified.”
On Monday, 26th June 2023, in Dublin Circuit Court, Judge Orla Crowe fined a construction services company €1,500,000. Due to mitigating factors, including early plea and charitable donations, the fine was reduced to €750,000. The company had earlier pleaded guilty to Count 2, Section 12 contrary to Section 77 (9) (a) and Count 3, Section 8 (2) (c) (i) related to Section 77(2)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
The fatal incident occurred on the morning of 23rd September 2019 when a worker stepped on a fragile surface that sealed a vertical service duct. The surface gave way and the worker fell from a height.
Mark Cullen, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said, “Where there is a known risk in a workplace, in this case working from height, employers in control of that workplace have a duty to ensure that the appropriate precautions are in place. This will protect employees and others who may be carrying out work activity at the place of work under their control. We urge employers to carry out risk assessments and engage with their employees and others to ensure that incidents like this one are prevented.”
Infused with industry-leading technology, the durable Cat® D10 Dozer burns less fuel, increases productivity and improves uptime. Featuring a stator clutch torque converter and load-sensing hydraulics, the new design is up to 6% more efficient than the Cat D10T2. Its combination of improved technology, longer component life, extended oil changes and increased serviceability reduces maintenance and repair costs up to 8%, helping the new D10 deliver industry-leading low cost of ownership.
The new D10 is powered by the Cat C27 engine, which offers after-treatment solutions to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/ EU Stage V as well as Tier 2 equivalent emissions standards for meeting the needs of the global market. Maximising material moved per litre of fuel, the C27 switches power settings based on travel direction to offer up to 20% more power in reverse, reducing cycle times. In addition to delivering productivity gains of up to 3%, the new D10 offers up to a
4% fuel consumption advantage over the D10T2 and up to 10% over the D10T.
The dozer’s new torque converter design with stator clutch automatically frees up the stator when torque multiplication is not required, improving drivetrain efficiency for reduced fuel consumption. During highload and retarding conditions, the stator clutch locks without the need for operator input. Load-sensing hydraulics deliver more power to the ground for increased responsiveness and added fuel efficiency.
The new cab for the D10 not only creates a comfortable operating environment that lowers noise, vibration, stress and fatigue, it is an integrated electronic platform designed to maximize productivity. The operator’s new multicolor touchscreen display monitors machine performance and allows machine parameters to be quickly tailored to the application.
Today’s innovative D10 leverages a range of onboard technologies and is future-ready to integrate tomorrow’s technology advancements. Standard with dual-tilt and Automated Blade Assist (ABA), the machine reduces operator workload by automating blade movement to preset load, carry and spread positions. In addition, the dozer is customizable to site conditions with multiple optional
technologies designed to increase productivity and efficiency, including: AutoCarry™, which provides automatic blade control during the carry segment Cat Grade Control 3D that precisely positions the blade’s cutting edge for consistent grades
Automatic Ripper Control to minimize track slip by automatically monitoring and adjusting engine speed and ripper shank depth
Shipped from the factory capable of integrating Cat MineStar™ technologies, the D10 optimizes grading efficiency and offers remote operating capabilities to keep the operator safe and comfortable.
MineStar Terrain with Automatic Blade Control integrates full automatics, blade load and overcut protection into the control system to increase productivity and decrease fuel burn. It minimizes overcut, overfill and rehandling to lower costs.
Optional MineStar Command for dozing features deep integration with the new D10’s electronic and hydraulic systems to deliver remote operation with reduced delay and quick response to commands. Requiring no on-site network requirements, the portable and lightweight Command console provides quick and efficient line-of-sight
remote control from up to 400 m (1,312 ft) for optimum operator visibility. For nonline-of-site operation, the Command station features a comfortable seat with familiar controls to flexibly operate individual machines on site or from miles away.
Major components for the D10, including the frame and powertrain, are built to be rebuilt using new, remanufactured or used parts and components to deliver a cost-effective second life of likenew performance at a fraction of the price. Life-enhancing upgrades made throughout the drivetrain help to improve component life. Optional Heavy-Duty Extended Life (HDXL) with DuraLink™ Undercarriage reduces scallop wear, features an 8,000-hour bushing seal life and delivers 20 to 40% longer life than the heavy-duty undercarriage.
The D10 design offers easy service and maintenance with features like new replaceable push-arm trunnion bearing inserts, so the dozer spends less time in the shop and more time dozing. The reengineered engine compartment integrates a single-plane cooling system that is up to 30% more resistant to plugging and improves heat dissipation to extend
component life. Its new easy-access radiator door facilitates cleaning. Offering 50% more capacity, the new oil pan improves average oil quality and extends change intervals by up to an additional 250 hours.
Part of the new standard technology package for the D10, Remote Flash and Troubleshoot capabilities improve servicing efficiency. Remote Troubleshoot allows the dealer to remotely run dozer diagnostic testing while the machine is in operation to decrease downtime. Remote Flash allows the dealer to send software updates to the machine, so the D10 operates with the most current software to optimize equipment performance and productivity.
WORDS
AND IMAGES BY MATT LUNDYDIGGER GUARD®, a leading manufacturer of protective products for the construction machinery industry breaks new ground with innovative improvements to its patent-pending polymer handrails.
DIGGER GUARD®’s new “dry-fit” handrail design features an internal mechanical connecting system that dispenses with the need for messy adhesive or externally fixed clamshell connectors. The result is a continuous sleek and modern rail that can be fitted more quickly and cleanly. The new design also means single component parts of the rails can easily be replaced instead of larger sections saving cost and downtime. These new innovations build on the established benefits of DIGGER GUARD®’s polymer handrails which are non-corrosive and 75% lighter than steel systems. Existing systems provide equivalent strength and superior durability over steel systems thanks to a patent-protected design that dampens vibration fatigue to limit failure points. They also don’t interfere with 3D guidance systems, which is a known problem with metal rails.
“We wanted to go beyond simply solving the problems and costs inherently associated with steel alternatives. Our designers ambitiously wanted to reinvent the physical appearance of handrail systems while retaining strength and making the fitting process cleaner and easier,” said Andy Leaver, Director of Product Development at DIGGER GUARD®
“We’ve built on the successful foundations of our existing innovations and believe our new design improvements will take handrails for heavy machines to the next level,” Andy continued: “This new design is the result of intensive research and development, and we believe it will revolutionize the way handrails are traditionally viewed across the industry.”
DIGGER GUARD® has also achieved earlystage success with its patented Vandal Guard product – a lightweight, intuitive hang-andlock cab and window protection system that uses the front guard as the lid for a secure rooftop watertight storage box. Both Vandal Guards and handrail products have been tested with positive feedback from customer and end-user operators alike. Excavator driver Matt Lundy commented: “It’s apparent to me that DIGGER GUARD® is making quality equipment for our machines that solve problems I’ve experienced in the past. As someone who works in the construction industry, I know the importance of safety and security on a job and their protective products have exceeded my expectations.”
Construction equipment owners in Ireland “may soon have the benefit of carbon-neutral equipment when developments now being pursued by Komatsu move into full-scale series production” – so said Denis McGrath, director at McHale Plant Sales, distributors of Komatsu equipment in Ireland.
In that context, a new concept aimed at delivering clean, carbon neutrality at the workplace for construction equipment is revealed in a development now being undertaken by Komatsu for medium-sized hydraulic
excavators that combines hydrogen fuel cell technology and Komatsu-developed
key components to achieve what Komatsu say will be ‘the commercial production
of medium and large sized construction equipment powered by hydrogen fuel cells in the near future’.
In its mid-term management plan, Komatsu is targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from the use of its products and the production of its equipment by 2030 (compared to 2010 levels) with the additional challenge of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition, through hybrid hydraulic excavators and electric mini excavators. Komatsu is also conducting R&D with the aim of providing products equipped with new power sources.
www.plantandcivilengineer.com
Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) has welcomed its first cohort of trainees to the Women in Construction plant operator programme. This fully funded pilot training in partnership programme provides 12 women, from across Northern Ireland, with the opportunity to gain recognised plant operator qualifications for two types of plant machinery, a Construction Skills Register (CSR) card along with health and safety training. Training is delivered by McKinney Safety Centre Ltd at CITB NI Nutts Corner Training Centre. CITB NI and The Women in Construction Network have been actively working together, raising awareness of the career options available for women in construction as well as encouraging women into the industry.
The third biennial Norman Hutchinson Memorial Golf Day, also known by friends as ‘Big Norman’s Golf Day’ took place on Thursday 22 June at Castlerock Golf Club. The 18-hole fundraising competition is organised by CP Hire in commemoration of the company’s founder Norman Hutchinson (1946 – 2016).
Norman started off working at the side of the road outside Articlave with a couple of compressors and a welder he purchased on his journey back from working in Spain. He founded CP Hire in 1971, working from a shed at his father’s house and so began the story of CP Hire, which today has seven depots throughout Northern Ireland. A day for fun and challenges over 18-holes at Castlerock, 33 four-balls took on the
narrow fairways and blind spots of this stunning coastal course, followed, of course, with good food (and maybe a wee drink) in the company of friends. As before, the beneficiaries for the day, which raised some £34,000, were the mental health charities Olive Branch and the British Heart Foundation.
Many operators in the UK’s specialist and heavy transport sector are aware that the police, driver and vehicle standards agency (DVSA) and other authorities have increased the levels of enforcement regarding the movement of oversize and abnormal loads in many parts of the UK in recent months. They are also aware that such enforcement appears to be applied subjectively, rather than in a standardised approach to regulations.
Speaking to Bob Beech of Heavy Torque, a specialist publication for the heavy haulage and abnormal loads sector, Jason Priest, of Priest Abnormal Load Services, said:
“In certain areas the authorities have taken to scrutinising every aspect of any abnormal load moving through their area. This includes the vehicle, the load being moved and the exact wording, dimensions and fine details of the movement order. Quite a few operators have found that their long-term understanding of the regulations and the requirements placed upon both the operator, driver and escort driver (where required), differs from the interpretation of the rules by some enforcement operators. “Also, the increased use of social media by police forces and other government agencies, often to highlight their activities to the general public, have stated that operators are wilfully breaking regulations – when it has been subsequently proven that they were complying with the regulations as stated on government websites and from other official sources. In these situations, the officer on the ground is using their own interpretation of the regulations, but the public only sees
and remembers that they were told that the drivers and truck operators were flouting the law. In many instances, the authorities are correct when they say that they are at fault, but unfortunately, it is rarely ever qualified, especially when it is a very minor indiscretion. “Recent examples are where the police now want the make and model of a piece of construction equipment included in abnormal load notification procedure, something that was never required in the past, but is now insisted upon by certain forces. All of the weights and dimensions are correct, as are all of the other details required, but this new requirement for additional details has caught out the haulier. If the authorities have moved the goalposts without properly informing the industry, that is hardly fair. Also, in many of these cases, the notification has been accepted by other forces and the load travelled through their area without problems, but it has been stopped and parked up for two days or more to seek new authorisation in the next police area!”
This issue of inconsistent and subjective enforcement is such that the Road Haulage Association and other transport bodies are urging police to apply regulations on moving large or heavy cargo fairly and consistently. The call comes after hauliers reported that some police forces have imposed and are actively enforcing blanket movement embargoes on abnormal loads, causing unnecessary increased bureaucracy and cost. Firms have said that forces are inflexible on dates, won’t accept short-notice movements, and are deviating from legislative
guidance without industry consultation. The RHA, Heavy Transport Association, British Holiday & Home Parks Association, and National Caravan Council said police actions are delaying projects and increasing operating costs, directly impacting on UK PLC. They’ve written to senior officers calling for clear guidelines to be issued to forces to enforce regulations consistently. In a letter to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), which coordinates forces to work together on common issues they said: “Increased restrictions on movements and notification requirements are causing unsustainable difficulties for operators and impacting business viability with significant financial implications.
“Difficulties in submitting short notice movement notifications, refusal to accept minor alterations on movement notifications, disproportionate enforcement actions, and increasing levels of unlegislated detail required on notifications, is having a significant impact on costs and reduces the amount of work haulage firms are able to complete.
“We ask the NPCC to establish a clear set of guidelines and best practice for Chief Constables on abnormal load movements as well as help address the immediate challenges of the increased restrictions and notification requirements.”
NOTE: Bob Beech’s interview with Jason Priest of Priest Abnormal Load Services has been reproduced with the kind permission of Andy Adams, editor-inchief of Heavy Torque magazine.
Plant and Civil Engineer talked to Michael Gibson, Transport Coordinator for Donnell & Ellis to find out how heavy haulage and abnormal load transportation differ from general haulage and what makes for heavyduty haulage success.
Donnell & Ellis was founded by William Donnell some 30 years ago in Omagh, adjacent to the Finlay’s site and, from the very beginning, the two companies worked closely together. “As Finlay evolved, we evolved with them, becoming their trusted partner for all their heavy transportation needs,” says Michael, “We still work very closely with Finlay and they would account for more than 60 per cent of our business today.”
Donnell & Ellis is a company very much grounded in its local community and that is reflected in its customer base. The heavy haulier works regularly with local companies like Sandvik in
Ballygawley, which serves the mining, rock excavation and metal-cutting sectors, Tesab Engineering in Omagh, again focused on the mining, quarrying and recycling sectors. Although the primary focus of the Donnell & Ellis business is on working closely with long-term customers, the company also undertakes one-off projects for a wide variety of user needs. “Our longstanding customer base is our
priority, but we will always take on single jobs when we have the capacity. We would never like to see anyone stuck and will always help when we can,” says Michael.
The 30-strong lorry fleet at Donnell & Ellis is dominated by Scania, with two Mercedes trucks, one MAN and one Volvo. Michael Gibson commented: “We have
trucks in different specifications suitable for varying types of load and the fleet comprises 65-tonne, 120-tonne and 150tonne hauliers. These trucks are designed to haul heavy loads and are geared differently from general-purpose trucks.
“We’ve worked with Scania for a long time and are very happy with the specs, the capacity and the driver comfort. Our latest purchase was two Scania S 770 lorries. But we are open to other brands and we’ve been impressed by the Mercedes, MAN and Volvo trucks in our fleet.”
The mighty Scania S 770 hp engine is the world’s strongest commercially produced truck engine, combining amazing driveability with outstanding performance, increased uptime and fuel efficiency. With an impressive torque of 3700 Nm, hills will never be as steep as before. Scania’s V8 engine family provides the power needed for
the job. As Michael pointed out, trucks for heavy loads need to be differently geared and Scania S770 comes with the company’s new Opticruise gearbox, which features improved gear shifting in combination with better fuel consumption and excellent comfort. These gearboxes are designed for both driveability and sustainability. The wider gear ratio spread and fewer internal losses provide up to 1% fuel-saving potential. It also delivers higher uptime with an oil change interval of up to one million km (c. 621,000 miles).
When it comes to trailers that make the truck’s pulling power with load capability, Donnell & Ellis has over 100 trailers.
These are mostly, but not exclusively, low loaders and, as Michael says, of the 100+ trailers, no two are exactly the same, we have different specifications for differing types and weights of load.
“We work directly with the manufacturers to buy customised trailers, designed and built to our requirements but carrying
the guarantee of the big names in the business, like Faymonville, Nooteboom and Broshuis.”
Having the right people on the team is crucial to transporting heavy and abnormal loads and Donnell & Ellis has an in-house team of around 25 employed drivers and two full-time escort drivers (and escort vehicles). Drivers don’t have to have specific qualifications beyond the standard HGV licence, but Michael says it helps if the driver has a background in heavy haulage. To this end, Donnell & Ellis utilises in-house mentoring and avails of training courses offered by equipment suppliers.
“When it comes to abnormal loads, the driver has extra responsibilities and needs to be actively involved in loading and unloading as well as transporting. Drivers also need to be versed in the paperwork involved, be able to route plan, particularly if, for some reason, the load is diverted, and be good communicators, keeping in touch with escort drivers and the office during the operation”, says Michael. “Where a load involves an escort driver, the journey is a team effort, in terms of a smooth drive and in dealing with any unforeseen circumstances. In short, there’s a fair bit more involved in heavy haulage drives and our team of
drivers and escorts is a key to our continued success.”
Whilst Donnell & Ellis has a proven track record of excellence in highly specialised transportation services, longterm relationships are central to its success, whether that is with colleagues in the company, customers or suppliers. Michael Gibson concludes: “We have always fostered strong, longlasting and evolving relationships at all levels and this is the key to our success. Our team genuinely works as a team, our suppliers work with us to deliver the best equipment and our customers have total confidence in our capabilities and our trustworthiness is a core element of our business growth and success.”
www.donnell-ellishaulage.co.uk
Once upon a time in the early ‘80s, a young man with a refrigerated truck packed it with fresh meat and hauled it off to Europe. That man was James Quinn and, even if he didn’t know it then, that journey was the first step in the evolution of James Quinn/JWQ European Transport. Plant and Civil Engineer talks to James about the specialist haulier his company has become.
To begin with, James Quinn’s business was haulage, plain and simple, although, right from the start he operated on an Irish and European level. That focus has continued, although the loads carried are altogether different. Today, the business revolves around the movement of long, wide, heavy, high and awkward cargo across the island of Ireland, and anywhere between here and the Russian border and from as far north as the Arctic Circle to the South Sahara Desert in Morocco.
“The company gradually developed both the tractor and trailer units to handle heavy haulage and it was an element of the business that interested me,” says James. “The decision to focus on the niche market for out-of-the-ordinary cargo came after the economic meltdown in 2009 and the subsequent recession.”
James Quinn established relationships with permit providers and held the TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein)
certification necessary to secure permits to deliver tailored solutions for the transport of out-of-gauge equipment to many European destinations. The company also had an excellent fleet of suitable vehicles and trailers.
As James saw it, a well-communicated rebranding was what was needed to bring the business to the next level.
“The task of building a brand is all that more difficult when all your trailers are open and lack the advertising platform of a sided trailer. It was therefore vital that the message on my trucks accurately reflected our speciality”, James explains. “The phrase ‘for awkward cargo to difficult places’ came to mind while loading a tracked digger at -20 degrees in the far end of Poland late one evening. It describes exactly what the business is about.
“A new, branded vehicle arrived in 2015, followed by another one in 2016; both topof-the-range Scania tractor units, plated to operate at 80,000kg plus. These vehicles, combined with the purchase of two new max-low loaders and one new max ultra-low loader, broadened our capacity to service clients in the pharma sector, where exports
of stainless steel vessels and platforms have become a vital part of what we do.”
The rebranding exercise proved to be a success, garnering enquiries from people who had seen the ‘Quinn’ vehicles and their livery on European roads, motorways and factories, leading to new business in new market sectors.
A prime example of work ensuing came from a client who requested the provision of OOG (out of gauge) equipment to cope with 134 x 13.6-metre trailers to a destination in The Netherlands. The contract involved the sourcing of a warehouse close to the project, shipping all stock to the warehouse and managing deliveries to the site within a precise timeframe. In addition, the contract required the supervising of the assembly of additional
equipment and delivery of the same from the warehouse to the site. Express driver-accompanied deliveries from the Dublin warehouse to the Dutch warehouse, and additional raw materials were also provided at short notice. In all, this contract required 777 trailer movements, all completed in the specified four-month timeframe - a significant achievement for all concerned. A repeat order followed for a similar job in the same destination.
Today, the James Quinn fleet is tailored specifically to the needs of abnormal loads. It comprises 13.6m flats and Trombone trailers with posts and twist locks, low decks and Wafer deck trailers extending to 17.5 metres, an extendable low loader, several extendable semi-low loaders, Euroliners, Tautliners and bulk tipping trailers. All of this is simply equipment and requires experienced hands to plan, implement and
operate a project. James Quinn has a team of 25 drivers, escort vehicle drivers and a team of professionals with the combined expertise and experience to oversee, plan and execute the specialist heavy haulage that the company now does daily on a pan-European basis. It is this combination of the right equipment and the right team with expert market and operational knowledge and connections Europe-wide, that has made James Quinn a name to reckon with in abnormal loads across a whole continent. The company is a trusted partner in infrastructure and pharma projects including The Shed Distillery in Ballinaboy, the new Guinness brewhouse, the recent Intel extension of the Jenzyme Operation in Belgium, GSK Belgium, GSK Spain, the new power generation plant in Aghada, to name just a few.
In short, James Quinn’s acuity in seeing the niche market for abnormal loads and developing its potential has paid dividends.
James says, “Standard in-gauge cargo over long distances has become such a commodity market that some Irish and English hauliers have been squeezed out by the many Eastern European hauliers currently operating around Europe. It has become a race to the bottom and we made the right decision to specialise as we have. “What’s more, in a niche field, no two days are ever the same and the variety of challenges we face daily makes it a very interesting field of endeavour.”
The engineering and manufacturing of the world’s leading modular data centre. With special thanks to the Silent-Aire Team in Dublin Ireland, An Garda Siochana Roads Infrastructure Ireland. James Quinn International Heavy Haulage, SISK & CHL Crane Hire Ltd.
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=QWMCHHRucrk
There are dozens of good reasons why the accurate testing of concrete is important, not least the cost of rectifying construction work completed with non-compliant concrete. Yet site practice is often inadequate, carried out in ignorance or indolence – as a wealth of anecdotal evidence testifies (see Concrete, Nov 2022). The correct performance of the appropriate tests, carried out in accordance with the relevant standards, is probably best demonstrated by certified practitioners. It was with this belief that the Institute of Concrete Technology (ICT) set out to introduce a certification scheme that would examine technicians’ knowledge of the tests and certify demonstrated performance. Such a scheme existed, operated by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for use in the parts of the world where ASTM standards prevail, but there was nothing
to cover practice to European standards.
So, working in partnership with the ACI, the ICT developed an EN equivalent, preparing a new workbook and compiling a bank of questions relevant to European practice.
This was developed into the Concrete Field-Testing Technicians certification scheme (CFTT).
Since the scheme launch in 2019, Northern Ireland has been an integral part of this process, driven along by Dr Bryan Magee of Ulster University and Neil Cooke, Area Manager of Materials Testing Limited.
David Garity, Senior Assessor of QSRMC (Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete) has also recently been appointed as an examiner of the CFTT. David commented, “As providers of certification for users
QSRMC is delighted to support the CFTT scheme to ensure that the highest standards within the industry are met”.
The scheme has enjoyed widespread local industry support. Companies range from ready-mixed concrete suppliers, test houses, and precast concrete manufacturers, to civil engineering contractors. Indeed, some contractors have decided to certify their technicians in private in-house sessions and now insist that technicians in their employment are certified to CFTT.
To date, eight companies in Northern Ireland have put 38 candidates through, resulting in 32 certified staff (an 84% pass rate).
Feedback has been very positive with some attendees keen to express their thoughts.
“This qualification has improved my knowledge of concrete technology and ability to undertake the tests and record results in line with the standards. I highly
recommend the scheme for all contracting companies.” (Site Engineer Farrans)
“Having this qualification allows me to oversee and supervise on-site testing operations more confidently. It was a challenging, but rewarding experience that I highly recommend to all construction professionals.” (Design Engineer, Arup)
The course is registered with the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI) and sessions are carried out at their headquarters located (Nutts Corner Training Centre, 17 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, County Antrim, BT29 4SR). The CITB offers sizable grant assistance to registered, in-scope employers who meet their current terms and conditions.
Rachel McKeeman, Director of Industry Training & Support at CITB NI commented “CITB NI is delighted to be able to support the ICT in this scheme. We believe this will benefit many companies throughout the NI construction industry by promoting good concrete practice.”
This scheme certifies individuals who demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to perform, seven essential field tests on freshly mixed concrete. Aimed at test technicians and construction professionals alike, certification ensures the presence of formally qualified people on site when
undertaking and overseeing concrete testing. Improved delivery and management of testing enables accurate and timely verification of results and acceptance of materials meeting required design specifications. The aim is to enhance quality control and avoidance of project disputes and delays.
Assessment: Certification is dependent on the successful completion of the following assessments:
90-minute closed-book multiple-choice exam to ensure thorough knowledge (10 questions per test method)
Practical and knowledge-based performance assessment to ensure ability to undertake all seven tests
Pre-session preparation:
Scope: Certification requires in-depth knowledge and practical competence relating to the following EN standards:
EN 12390-2, Testing Hardened Concrete Part 2: Making and Curing Specimens for Strength Tests
EN 12350, Testing Fresh Concrete Parts: 1 (Sampling), 2 (Slump Test), 5 (Flow Table Test), 6 (Density), 7 (Air Content –Pressure Methods), 8 (Self-Consolidating Concrete / Slump-Flow Test)
On registration, and in advance of the certification session, each candidate will receive a dedicated workbook setting out the learning requirements and assessment process. Instructional videos are also available at: theict.org.uk/CFTT-training-video. These resources should be used in conjunction with the EN Standards when preparing. Certification and ICT membership: Successful candidates will be awarded an ACI/ICT certificate and card of competence, as well as being listed on the ACI’s online Certified Personnel Directory. Certification is valid for five-years from date of examination. Successful candidates are also eligible to join ICT at Technician level (TechICT), offering a definitive career progression step. Further sessions are being planned over the next few months and details can be obtained from the Executive Officer, ExecutiveOfficer@theict.org.uk
Eye-opening new research from construction AR pioneer XYZ Reality reveals the majority of UK and US construction projects are plagued by errors and rarely delivered on time. XYZ Reality, the world’s leading Engineering Grade Augmented Reality (AR)™ solutions provider for construction, has published a landmark report on the major challenges facing UK and US construction and the solutions that are being used today to combat them. Carried out in partnership with market research experts OnePoll, the report surveyed 541 decision-makers from the leading contractors in the United States and the United Kingdom, revealing the true scale of the delays and defects currently squeezing the sector’s already tight margins. The causes were myriad, with ongoing supply chain disruptions (47%), rising construction costs (44%), and collaboration (39%) ranked as the top three greatest challenges for the coming year.
The research also gives crucial insights into the root causes of project delays and rework,
as well as the implications on budgets and schedule, output and client satisfaction, going on to showcase technology’s role in improving productivity. Taking a deeper dive into the UK-specific results, the findings reveal an alarmingly high number of respondents regularly miss deadlines (56%), with almost all companies polled reporting a backlog of projects. Design changes (28%), poor communication (27%) and labour shortages (23%) were the top three causes cited. Quality remains an issue too. A significant minority, around a quarter of respondents, consider accuracy to be only “somewhat important”, which is surprising given the UK’s recent focus on building safety, regulations
and compliance. Against this context, it’s easy to see why most respondents added they frequently encounter errors leading to rework, suggesting the need to prioritise timely completion may lead some to overlook the importance of maintaining high standards.
Commenting on the findings, XYZ Reality’s Founder & CEO, David Mitchell, said, “It’s incredibly concerning to see companies reporting frequent errors and project delays and is a stark reminder that we desperately need a proactive strategy and a forward-thinking approach in construction. To meet critical production and sustainability targets, embracing digital transformation is no longer optional – it’s the essential key
to unlocking productivity in the industry and dissolving the significant project backlog.”
Error and rework can quickly ramp up project costs, leading contractors to seek ways to bring down elevated construction costs. The report revealed stockpiling (72%), the tendency to change project design (65%) and reduce overhead costs (54%) as the key ways companies are balancing the scales.
Technology is another popular option for cost control, pointed to by 56% of firms, reflecting growing confidence in tech as a solution to many of the challenges facing construction today. This shift in momentum was mirrored by three-fifths of respondents highlighting technology as a leading solution for addressing rework and errors. AR was particularly popular, with its versatile technology, – including, but not limited to, onsite measuring, drawing and markup tools, and camera capture and model viewer applications - reportedly used by an impressive 73% of respondents. Similarly, Engineering Grade AR is predicted to have the biggest impact on onsite productivity, spotlighted by 71% of companies.
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 short tail model. Just 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. 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. A 7” touchscreen colour monitor, integrated air conditioner and radio functions means operators can be assured of the most comfortable working environment for all-day operating. Service as always is designed to the max. The TB350R has a wide-opening rear engine service door and a rightside cover that opens overhead for access to key daily inspection points.
“When maintenance and service work are fast and easy to perform on a machine, it’s more likely that they’ll be done correctly and at the right intervals,” says Holly 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. Plant and Civil Engineer readers can find out from from Ross Milne at Alan Milne Tractors in Newry.
A new company specialising in delivering bespoke human factors services to improve safety and performance has been formally launched this June. Enhancing Excellence has been set up to support clients in safety-critical industries such as renewables, marine, construction, transport, mining, healthcare, and other public sector organisations. Enhancing Excellence builds on the success of sister company, Salos Sunesis, a leading global oil and gas performance training provider since 1996. This new consultancy business aims to transfer learnings from the aviation and oil and gas sectors to help other high-risk industries address key challenges.
Enhancing Excellence is focused on helping clients develop a safe and effective culture to ensure they are able to proactively manage and mitigate human errors, which are the primary root
cause of workplace incidents.
The company’s specialist team implements proven methodologies and human performance tools to enhance a client’s operational environment by building their effectiveness in threat and error management.
Graham Smart, Managing Director at Enhancing Excellence, said: “According to The Health & Safety Executive, human
error is the root cause of more than 80 percent of workplace incidents. Enhancing Excellence delivers a field-proven approach in supporting organisations to build high-reliability cultures as well as effective threat and error management capabilities.
“Our team has vast experience in helping organisations tackle human performance and safety cultural challenges. We have
embraced and built upon human factor principles and techniques that positively helped transform the global aviation industry 35 years ago, and we are now focused on applying our expertise across a wide range of sectors.
Grant Wallace, Managing Director of Salos Sunesis and Chairman of Enhancing Excellence, said: “We are delighted to launch Enhancing Excellence which will build on the success of our sister company Salos “We are helping organisations to integrate human factors, from the board room to the front line. Salos has seen the success of this approach across multiple clients where we have helped them assess, equip and execute to a new level, which can also deliver multi-millionpound operational savings.
“We look forward to generating similar success stories for clients through the work of Enhancing Excellence.”
Europe is expanding its wheeled excavator range, with the launch of the HW100A. This compact, highly versatile machine, delivers a bestin-class operator environment, a powerful driveline, multiple steering modes and a range of chassis layouts to suit all job sites.
The HW100A takes Hyundai into the largest sector of the compact wheeled arena, the 8-11 tonne market. Compact wheeled excavators are major players in markets such as France, Germany, and Switzerland and there is growing interest from other markets across Europe. It is a competitive sector, with plenty of manufacturers keen to appeal to a mixed customer base, of contractors, utility companies and rental businesses.
“The new Hyundai 10 tonne wheeled excavator is the ideal machine for demanding customers looking for a highperforming, versatile machine, offering maximum manoeuvrability,” says Peter Sebold, Hyundai’s Product Manager for Wheeled Excavators. “It will bridge the gap between our existing line-up of wheeled excavators, ranging from 5 to 21 tonnes,
turning Hyundai’s product offer into one of the most comprehensive in the market.”
Customers are looking for a powerful machine, with compact dimensions and excellent manoeuvrability. Operator comfort is a key criterion, along with ease of maintenance and low operating costs. The Hyundai HW100A meets or exceeds those customer expectations in every way. With a slim counterweight and a tailswing radius of just 1,600mm, the HW100A can easily work within a single carriageway. The machine is equipped with three steering
modes, increasing manoeuvrability in confined site conditions. Two-wheel steering uses the front wheels only to turn and is designed for maximum stability when travelling at speed. Four-wheel steering brings the rear wheels into play, turning in the opposite direction to the front wheels and reducing the turning circle from 5.738mm, to just 3.697mm. The third option is crab steering, which turns front and rear wheels in the same direction. This can be used to manoeuvre the machine diagonally into a tight space, or to drive away from a wall or excavation area safely.
Power is provided by a Hyundai D34 diesel engine with two-can exhaust aftertreatment, which includes a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). This Stage V-compliant engine has no requirement for Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) contributing to reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs. The engine develops a powerful 75kW (100hp), with 460Nm of torque available from just 1,400 rpm. It employs a variable pressure turbocharger, delivering optimal airflow to the engine under all load conditions. Like on Hyundai’s heavy excavators, operators can choose from three power modes - Power, Standard and Economy.
The rigid chassis with low-maintenance, heavy-duty axles is built to last. The transmission is directly connected to the rear axle for optimum ground clearance and the front axle has oscillation with a ram lock function for uneven ground. The HW100A boasts an advanced disc brake system and it is possible to use up to 100% of pump performance through the travel motor to drive or brake the machine by hydraulic flow. The driveline has a two-speed mechanical transmission and a two-speed hydrostatic travel motor. This allows the operator to define the maximum travel speed for each application, with a maximum of 40 km/h in the highest gear.
At the working end, the HW100A comes with a two-piece main boom and a long reach dipper arm. The maximum digging reach is 7,820mm, while the maximum digging depth is 4,245mm. Lift capacity at a 5m radius ranges from 1.55 tonnes over the side, to 2.33 tonnes over the front of the machine with the blade down.
Customers can choose between a front-mounted parallel dozer blade and independent stabilisers at the rear, a front grapple bar with rear-mounted dozer blade or front and rear outriggers. All options are interchangeable with the same bolton mounting system. In each case, the outriggers operate within the machine width. Despite its compact rear end, the HW100A provides easy access to all service and maintenance items from ground level.
There are wide access doors at the rear and to the sides of the machine and maintenance data is also available directly from the monitor in the cabin.
A superb operator environment comes as standard on the HW100A, with a completely adjustable steering column and heatable, air-suspended operator’s seat as standard. The machine boasts low-effort proportional
joystick control and breaker plus other function buttons on the servo lever heads. An 8” touchscreen, familiar to operators of Hyundai’s larger A-Series machines, provides all operating data and function control. The operator also benefits from a DAB radio with Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. Hyundai’s Hi-Mate telematic monitoring system is available, making it easier for fleet managers to maintain control of service and maintenance work across the fleet.
HD Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe has updated its mid-weight compact excavators with the launch of the HW65A wheeled excavator and the HX65A crawler model, strengthening the company’s presence in the compact machinery market. The two excavators replace the popular R55-9A and R55W-9A, boasting a revised design, new technologies and upgraded features. The operating weight has been increased to 6.0-6.5 tonnes, depending on specification, and both machines are now powered by Hyundai’s own Stage V diesel engine. This 2.4litre motor delivers a maximum power rating of 48.5kW, with 248Nm of torque available and it drives a proven Bosch-Rexroth open centre hydraulic system, with Parker main control valves and an Eaton swing motor. The hydraulic system is equipped with proportional joysticks as standard, with a ram lock switch
mounted on the left-hand lever head. Double-acting breaker piping is also standard equipment and rotation piping is available
as an option from the factory. The excavators feature an improved swing motor, offering increased operating speed and
torque, boosting productivity in digging and loading operations. In response to customer demand, the wheeled HW65A will be
offered with a choice of single or twin tyres, available from the factory, to allow the machine to better adapt to a range of job site requirements, delivering optimal traction and stability.
The new cab design delivers improved space for the operator, with increased visibility and a fully adjustable and heatable operator seat. A revised air conditioning
system provides optimised airflow within the cab and there are lower noise levels inside and externally. Bringing technology from larger Hyundai excavators, the compact machines now feature a 7” touchscreen monitor. This can be used to set auxiliary hydraulic flows for attachments. Cabin working lights have been improved and there is now the option of full FOG (Falling
Object Guard) guards at the front and top of the cabin. This provides additional protection on demolition and other hazardous operating sites. Rear and side view cameras provide improved visibility all around the machines.
Both the wheeled and tracked machines have wide-opening engine hoods, providing easy
is introducing a new global brand name and corporate identity, building upon the company’s reputation as an innovative, high-technology solution provider. Unveiled at a shareholder meeting in March, the new HD Hyundai brand is accompanied by the ‘Forward Mark’, an updated vision of the company’s traditional triangular brand symbol. As Hyundai passes 50 years of global equipment and technology leadership, the brand is changing its name, to reflect a desire to bring together innovative thinking, environmental awareness and digital transformation. The new HD Hyundai Construction Equipment brand clearly demonstrates the company’s move from simply providing customers with machinery, to delivering smart products and services, based on intelligent technology.
The ‘HD’ in the new name has two meanings. ‘Human Dreams’ is Hyundai’s vision of a better future, through the use of innovation, integrated technologies and the rapid advances of digitalisation. ‘Human Dynamics’ allows the dream to become reality, by integrating industrial solutions, robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
To symbolise the change and recognise the development that the
access to regular maintenance items. All filters are placed within the engine compartment, with ground-level access and a toolbox mounted within the cowl. A double-layer air cleaner delivers prolonged service life and Hyundai’s Hi-MATE telematic system is available to provide remote monitoring of machine working and performance.
company is making, HD Hyundai has a new logo, known as the Forward Mark. An evolution of the company’s triangle logo, the shape has been transformed into a forward-facing arrow, represented in a range of shades of green. This reflects the company’s forward vision and its emphasis on a greener, more sustainable future.
HD Hyundai CE recognises ‘Human Dreams’ and ‘Human Dynamics’ Forward Mark symbolises moving forward to a greener, more sustainable future
HD Hyundai Construction Equipment will help customers across the world to build a more comfortable tomorrow
Kubota has expanded its extensive range of articulated wheel loaders with the launch of two new next-generation electric RT compact wheel loaders, further bolstering its Smart Energy Solutions range of sustainable construction machinery.
The RT210-2e and RT220-2e have been designed to provide high productivity, outstanding user comfort and control with zero-emission performance, giving operators the same level of excellence they’ve come to expect from Kubota machines – without the carbon output. Commenting on the launch of the two machines, Mathieu Bourson, Product manager for Kubota Europe, said: “We’re pleased to introduce these new models into our wheel loaders range. The RT210-2e and RT220-2e are part of the second range of Kubota machines after our tracked dumpers that we are starting to electrify.”
The first electric articulated wheel loaders in the Kubota range, the RT210-2e and RT2202e are based on the two diesel machines RT210-2 and RT2202, replacing the diesel Kubota engine with an electric system composed of two electric motors and a battery pack.
There are three lithium-ion battery options: 260Ah, 390Ah, 520Ah with a built-in charger of 40A or 60A. There are also two stand-
alone 415V 3-phase supercharger options of 150A or 300A.
The superchargers will charge a battery within 1 to 4 hours, whereas the onboard chargers will charge a battery within 4 to 12 hours depending on battery size. The batteries supply power to two electric motors, one 6.5kW for the drive motor and 12kW for the hydraulic motor.
The RT210-2e boasts a long loader arm as standard for maximum reach (a lifting height of 2.82m) and a lifting capacity of 1,450kg, making it suitable for civil and construction operations and particularly interesting for equestrian and agricultural needs, thanks to its lifting height.
The RT220-2e has a shorter arm with a lifting height of 2.45m and an impressive lifting capacity of 2,054kg. This makes it ideally suited to heavy-duty loading applications. With an overall width of only 1.08m and a machine height of 2.30m, Kubota says the new wheel loaders are ideal for use on narrow and compact construction sites.
The RT220-2e will be in demand with construction and rental companies thanks to its lifting capacity and suitability for job and construction sites requiring low noise and no CO 2 emissions.
Both machines feature an extremely powerful, hightorque electric motor that can be recharged within 90 minutes when using the optional supercharger, making them a reliable choice for a wide range of projects and tasks. Powered by a 48V system with modular 260Ah lithium-ion batteries as standard, the machines
The machines have been manufactured with the usercomfort front of mind, with an ergonomic design that minimises noise pollution and vibrations for fatiguefree operation. Operator
safety is prioritised via a unique overheating function and through both ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) and FOPS (Falling-Over Protective Structure).
Both the RT210-2e and RT220-2e also have electric/ hydraulic integration that
delivers complete multifunctionality for operators, particularly for lifting and the top cylinder. The machines also have optional boom suspension to provide even better retention of load inside the shovel, even at higher speeds.
www.kubota.co.uk
JCB is expanding its full electric equipment line-up, with the launch of the 403E wheeled loader, helping customers to meet the challenge of carbon reduction on site, delivering best-inclass performance and full working day use, with low noise and zero-emission operation. The machine boasts the largest standard battery pack in its class, with a 20kWh capacity, and with productivity matching the popular 403 diesel model. These batteries, coupled with high efficiency electric motors and optimised traction and hydraulic systems, deliver class-leading performance, with the loader capable of completing a full working day, or 4-5 hours of continuous use in a mixed duty cycle.
In common with the JCB E-Tech range, the 403E has a built-in charger that allows connection to a range of on-site power sources. A 110V socket will fully charge the batteries in 12 hours, while a 230V industrial or domestic plug will charge the battery pack in just 8 hours. JCB’s off-board rapid charger can also be used with the 403E, delivering a full charge from a threephase supply in just 2 hours.
The machine is equipped with two independent electric motors, one for the driveline and one for the hydraulics. The drive motor offers 33.4kW of power and comes with three driving modes, that the operator can toggle
between using two buttons on the top of the joystick.
Hare Mode has a maximum 20kph drive speed for the most dynamic performance and productivity.
Tortoise Mode is limited to 8kph for improved speed modulation. This contributes to improved battery life with no compromise to lifting performance.
Snail Mode has a 5kph maximum speed, that can be adjusted in 0.5kph increments through a new rotary controller and the multifunction display. This delivers precise speed control for precision driving and inching. Drive is transmitted through an integrated drop-box to ZF axles, that can be supplied with open differentials or with differential locks for maximum traction. The loader is offered with a choice of narrow or wide wheels, plus the option of agricultural or industrial tyres, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Carried over from the 403 diesel model, the loader arms are available in standard and high-lift configurations. The standard lift arms deliver a pin height of 2.9m, while the high-lift model achieves a 3.1m pin height. Both loader arm set-ups come with a hydraulic quick hitch as standard and the loader arms provide a true parallel lift capability.
The 403E offers a tipping load of 972kg with pallet forks, within a transport weight of just 2,671kg. This puts the 403E within EU trailer towable standards, making it an ideal machine for landscape, municipal and rental customers. A heavy-duty counterweight is available as an option, increasing the tipping load by 118kg and the transport weight by 121kg. A single joystick with a proportional auxiliary controller on top comes as standard. An optional second auxiliary roller can be provided, allowing the operator to access all loader functions from one lever for faster operation. The machine has a 20kW highefficiency hydraulic pump motor and the hydraulic system offers two operating modes, controlled by a rocker switch on the main console. Shovel/bucket mode provides a dynamic response, while the fork mode delivers increased precision control. A programmable constant flow auxiliary feature is also standard, to power motorised attachments, with the operator setting the
flow rate through the main display and rotary controller.
The 403E is offered with a fixed or folding canopy initially, with a fully glazed cab. There is a new multifunction digital display, controlled by the rotary controller to the right of the loader joystick. The operator can use the rotary controller to set auxiliary hydraulic flow rates, inching travel speeds and other settings within the display. The monitor also provides all critical machine operating data, including driving mode, state of battery charge and travel speed. The wheeled loader joins a rapidly growing range of full electric machinery within the JCB line-up. This proven technology is revolutionising the way in which contractors, local authorities and rental companies work, offering zeroemission performance at the point of use. With reduced noise levels and machine vibration, the 403E is a comfortable, highly productive zero-emission loader, capable of working with a range of attachments.
With a massive footprint in the construction, civil works, quarrying and aggregates sectors, as well as in agriculture forestry and farming and
in waste processing and recovery McHale Plant Sales is a company ‘with its finger on the button’ right across Ireland.
The tool hire sector and its contribution to overall plant and equipment sales has been recognised by leading construction equipment distributor, McHale Plant Sales.
According to its sales director, Denis McGrath, the sector is “punching well above its weight” in terms of the contribution it makes to plant and equipment sales.
“Once the preserve of self-employed entrepreneurs focused on servicing a developing a DIY home repairs, house extensions and landscaping market, the sector is now populated with highlyprofessional, well-financed, well-managed and well-marketed businesses heavily geared to meet the needs of ‘rent-as-you-
go’ utilities contractors fuelled, in many cases, by state bodies and local authorities that now ‘farm-out’ work traditionally handled in-house,” McGrath said.
“Driving this growth also has been the development of ‘tow-away sized’ mini and midi diggers and the emergence of agricultural contractors keen to expand and pursue applications and growth opportunities beyond silage cutting, crop sowing and harvesting,” he added.
As distributors of Komatsu equipment in Ireland, with other brands and attachments within their portfolio – units like the new Merlo Cingo tracked dump truck – McHale Plant Sales has recorded the impact of these trends across a host of recent sales.
And it is a company that never rests on its laurels but keeps delivering more options and new brands for its customers. Here’s a glimpse of what McHale has been up to recently.
Typical of these were Komatsu PC16,26,55,80 and 138 model excavators and rock breaking attachments sold to Treaty Tool Hire in Limerick, Galway Tool Hire, Boland Hire in Arklow, Nenagh Plant Hire and, amongst agricultural contractors, to Walsh Agri of Kilmaine, County Mayo.
The decision by McHale Plant Sales to represent the Prinoth range of tracked, all-terrain vehicles in the Irish market has begun to pay dividends.
Motivated by the belief that numerous applications exist in
Ireland for which Prinoth would be the answer, the Birdhill and Rathcoole company has already clocked-up a number of sales. First of these which was the supply to civil engineering specialists, Priority Construction of two Prinoth Panther T14R
Tracked Dumpers for use at a landfill project near Allenwood in Co. Klldare.
Seen to be ‘as versatile as a Swiss army knife’, Prinoth equipment is equipped for a myriad of work site applications: in construction, vegetation management,
biomass harvesting, land clearance and in the mulching and reclamation of forest sites. With the appropriate attachment, Prinoth vehicles are found in applications that span electric power and transmission, wind power, oil and gas pipeline laying, construction, environmental protection, hydro-excavation, costal erosion, landscape preservation, firefighting and rescue, mining and drilling, forestry and crew transportation.
Building on the success of the 994K, the new Cat® 995 Wheel Loader features up to 19% increased productivity than the previous model with its higherrated payload and 6% increase in hydraulic force with equal hydraulic cycle time. This new loader delivers up to 13% lower hourly fuel consumption and offers up to an additional 8% efficiency gain when operating in Enhanced Eco Mode compared to throttle lock mode. It is also up to 19% more efficient than the 994K in equal comparisons of throttle lock operation. Enhancements to the front linkage include an improved casting design, increased weld size, larger bearings and pins, and profile changes for increased service life. New, larger capacity buckets available for the 995 incorporate an extended floor for fast loading, high fill factors reaching 115%, and excellent material retention. Buckets are interchangeable between the 995 and 994K. Built to the same size as the 994K but offering a higher-rated payload, the new
995 enables a one-pass reduction when loading Cat 785, 789 and 793 Mining Trucks. This equates to up to a 33% increase in production and efficiency when loading the 785, up to a 25% increase with the 789 and up to a 20% increase with the 793.
The new 995 meets the global industry’s demand for high production and greater payloads with its powerful Cat 3516E engine offering configurations based on regional needs, meeting EU Stage V/U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final or U.S. EPA Tier 1 equivalent emissions. Its 39% torque rise ensures high lugging forces during digging and acceleration in high rimpull conditions.
The redesigned next generation operator environment for the new 995 has 50% more legroom and boasts features that improve operator confidence while reducing fatigue. Its pressurized cab reduces vibration feedback, lowers sound levels and includes automatic temperature control. Providing shift-long comfort, its new electrohydraulic
speed-sensing steering with force feedback automatically stiffens when travelling at higher speeds and softens as speed decreases to boost operator confidence. Designed for visibility, the cab’s taller windshield provides a 25% increase in glass surface area and a 64% increase in wiper sweep area to better see the bucket. Two 254-mm (10-in) color LED monitors display machine control, operating functions and the electronic operator’s manual. A third 203-mm (8-in) screen offers a dedicated view of the standard rearview camera and is upgradable to a multiview camera system that offers 270-degree vision with rear object detection. Access and egress to the cab along with all service areas being accessed from either ground level or a platform improves safety on the job. Wide stairs with full handrails on each side are positioned at a 45-degree angle for easy access. An optional powered access system – raised and lowered from either the cab or ground level – enhances ingress and egress to and from the rear platform even further.
Integrated with electronics, the new Cat 995 Wheel Loader offers flexible levels of information and technologies for a smart machine and more informed operator, maximizing the productivity of both. Standard tip up prevention technology avoids unnecessary stress on the drivetrain and structural components by delivering full breakout forces while preventing the back tires from significantly lifting off the ground.
New optional Autodig components automate three of the dig cycle’s most difficult parts in both rehandling and tough digging applications to improve productivity and reduce tire wear. Reducing tire wear, Tire Slip Prevention reduces rimpull before the tires are set and increases rimpull when downward force is applied. Auto Set Tires detects pile contact and automatically lifts against the pile to set the tires and increase available traction, discouraging premature racking. Lift Stall Prevention manages rimpull in-dig to prevent hydraulic stall when lifting through the face, so the 995 spends less time in the pile.
An onboard interactive training tool, optional Operator Coaching measures and reports on individual operator behaviors that have an impact on efficiency, production and component life. Instructional videos provide training on measured behaviors, showing both the incorrect and recommended behaviors. Among 21 total monitored operating technique aspects, the system shows how to properly reduce tire rotation, avoid unracking in-dig, enter the pile with a level bucket, avoid excessive usages of the impeller clutch, reduce dump height and use the kickout.
Available Payload Overload Prevention
improves productivity and efficiency by allowing a larger bucket to be used to achieve pass-match targets across a range of material densities without risk of overload. It is configurable to either stop or slow lift
arms when the maximum allowed payload, including bucket weight, is exceeded. Standard Vital Information Management System (VIMS) on the new 995 allows customers to connect directly to the machine to access a wide range of sensor information and enhanced machine data. Taking the guesswork out of asset management, standard Cat Product Link™ provides remote access to machine operating data via the easy-to-use VisionLink® interface. The 995 supports a variety of Cat MineStar™ solutions including Health, Guide, and Terrain.
Offering a 500-hour engine oil change interval and improved air filter life, the 995 spends more time working. The number of steering hoses has been reduced from 15 to 10 and tubes cut from 11 to 1 to improve steering
system reliability. An enhanced service station provides access to functions like coolant and oil as well as level indicators, and it features a Cat battery charging connector and indicator lights for fuel tanks. The loader’s redesigned pump bay improves access to transmission components, offers discharge ports on the side of the pumps and has simplified lines routed directly to the high-pressure screens. The bay includes a brake pump filter, implement pilot filter and implement discharge screens, and diagnostic ports are accessible from the front walk deck and pump bay. Groundline service now includes a steering pilot filter, transmission filters and steering pump discharge screen.
More details on the new Cat 995 Wheel Loader can be found by contacting a Cat dealer or visiting https://www.cat.com
With an industry worth more than £110 billion per annum and contributing 7% of the United Kingdom’s GDP, construction accounts for approximately 3 million jobs or 10% of total UK employment.
But with great productivity, also comes great waste. The sector creates an estimated one third of the world’s waste with 100 billion tonnes of raw material extracted per year. As the world population is expected to grow steadily over the next three decades, our planet’s resources will deplete beyond a level considered sustainable.
With this in mind, I would suggest three products that can help construction firms embrace closed-loop recycling methods and level-up their sustainability journey.
Get the best value from your materials with a dedicated baler used to press and compact recyclables like cardboard, plastics and paper into bales. Balers provide clear fiscal benefits for businesses. Not only can they reduce the cost of storage space, handling and
transport costs by compressing materials, but they can also maximise the recyclable value of waste by compacting into neat, easily-transferrable piles.
Single-chamber balers are perfect for businesses with limited space available but who generate medium to large volumes of waste. Meanwhile, multi-chamber bases are more suited to businesses that generate multiple recyclable waste streams. Finally, horizontal balers are a solution for managing very large volumes of recyclable waste and are capable of condensing a variety of materials – including waste plastics, paper and cardboard –into bales weighing up to 600kg.
Similarly, waste compacted can take up less storage space and requires fewer collections. As an alternative to traditional skips, these are also a means of collecting recyclable materials for onward processing in line with closed-loop principles. Compactors are typically split into two varieties – portable and static. Portable are typically smaller in size and are lifted onto a truck when full. Static compactors remain in place,
bolted to a hard surface in your yard with a roll-off skip attached. With waste on average costing between £160-£500 per tonne to dispose of, this could be a smart choice for slashing your overheads while recycling materials back into circulation.
For some serious, heavyduty waste compaction, roll packers can reduce large waste volumes in open, metal cages. Constructed with a large metal drum and spiked teeth, these are specifically designed for crushing bulky items and can pack waste into neat ‘rolls’ suitable for collection. Statistically, a wellchosen roll packer can reduce waste collections by 80% - saving the planet and your bottom line
The challenge to the construction sector is not only through recycling – to effectively operate in a sustainable fashion, but businesses must also reuse and repurpose waste that would normally have no purpose beyond its original use. Discarded plastic and other types of waste usually headed for landfill can be used to
produce fuel, while equipment that has reached the end of its natural life can be broken up and its components reused elsewhere. Any waste metals could then be sold off, returning a tidy profit and ensuring that nothing truly would go to waste. In time, this would save resources for the business in having to pay for the disposal of defunct equipment which can be offset against buying replacement equipment. In helping to solve this problem, the engineering sector could make huge strides in the race to save the planet - and ensure a bright future for generations to come.
Sources
https://www.reconomy.com/ products-services/singlestream-recycling/plastics/ Static vs Portable Waste Compactors - Which is right for you? - Landfill Alternatives Reconomy-RecyclingEquipment-Brochure.pdf
https://engineering-update. co.uk/2022/11/07/the-role-ofcircular-economy-in-engineeringengineering-circulareconomysustainablelifestyle/ The industry creating a third of the world’s waste - BBC Future
As the world hunts for technological solutions to climate change, the UK waste industry has seen the number of environment patents it files fall 4% in 20 years1, according
to analysis by innovation funding specialist Catax. Meanwhile, every other G7 country saw growth of at least 50% in industry patents.
The UK waste industry filed 39 eco patents in 2000, falling to 22 in 2010, before recovering slightly to 37 in 2020. Globally, environmental patents in the waste industry rose from 418 in 2000 to 831 in 2010 to 1,128 in 2020, a 170% increase in 20 years and a 36% rise in ten years. Italy’s waste industry saw the biggest rise by proportion, growing 410% in 20 years, from 9 in 2000 to 44 in 2020.
The United States’ waste industry produces the most eco patents, filing 246 of the worldwide total of 1,128 in one year, followed by Japan with 132
Nigel Holmes, Director of Tax at innovation funding specialist Catax, said: “The UK’s waste industry is underperforming compared to its G7 rivals when it comes to researching solutions to environmental issues. It is producing fewer patents than it was 20 years ago and is now creating fewer innovations in this area than the rest of the G7.
“Research into environmental technology will be vital in the battle against climate change, and the waste industry needs innovation to help it reduce emissions.
“The UK has a strong heritage of innovation, but research institutions and businesses need to make the most of government support available, which can provide the resources to make even more innovation possible.
It’s World Environment Day and NI Water’s campaign
‘Join the Refillution’ is celebrating its fourth anniversary of combatting single-use plastic pollution and the impacts that
different varieties of single-use plastics cause on our environment and marine life. The Refillution campaign is aimed at everyday behaviours by encouraging us all to stop
buying single use plastic bottles and instead refill a reusable one with tap water.
World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year to encourage everyone to do their part to protect the
environment. First celebrated in 1973, this day aims to raise awareness about the need for environmental protection. The year 2023 will mark the 50th edition of World Environment Day, which will be celebrated under the theme “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”.
Since its launch in May 2019, NI Water’s Refillution campaign has been embraced by schools and local councils with some installing refill stations and encouraging hundreds of local businesses across their areas to join the Refillution campaign and create a solution to plastic pollution. Those schools that have signed up to this initiative have promised to reduce the number of single-use plastic water bottles within their school and encourage all their pupils to refill a reusable bottle with tap water.
If you are a business and would like to support the Refillution campaign, contact your local council to register your interest. For more information, visit https://www. niwater.com/refillution-map/
The MPANI Annual Golf Day was held on Monday 5th June at the Hilton Templepatrick 18-hole championship parkland course. Warm June sunshine and blue skies blessed the occasion and a fantastic day was had by all. In the team competition. Dennison took first place with 95 points, closely followed by People 1st on 94 points and Adcrete on 93 points. It was a tight competition with little to separate the three winning teams. Andrew Reid of Momentum came first in the individual competition with 41 points, followed by Willy McLaughlin of Breedon with 39 points. Paul Shields of Creagh Concrete won with 71 Gross and Paul also won the accolades for longest drive on the ninth hole. Olcan Kearney took longest drive on the sixteenth hole. Jim Murphy was nearest the pin on th ninth hole and MPANI’s Gorden Best was nearest the pin on the eleventh hole. The lady’s prize was shared by Cheryl Chambers and Pauline Smyth, both from W.J. Chambers.
The first two new Case E-series crawler excavators sold in Ireland are already making their mark, complete with Hill Engineering’s Tefra hitches. The award-winning attachments manufactured by Hill, who are based in Newry, Co Down, Northern Ireland, were specified by Arona Developments, based in Waringstown, Co Armagh, also Northern Ireland, for the new Case machines currently being used on their 180-home development in Portadown, Co Armagh.
As well as the two new Case E-series, the housebuilder uses six-tonne Kubota mini diggers on its developments and Hill hitches are used with each. Hill attachments have been Arona’s go-to hitches almost since the company was established in 2003. Now not far off celebrating its 20th anniversary, Arona builds between 30 and 40 homes per year and sources its larger-size machines for this work from Belfast-based Case dealer Cowan Bros.
Arona foreman Ian Gillespie said: “We specify the Hill hitches for their reliability and back-up support, not that we have ever really needed it, and the same sort
of story applies for the Case machines, so they are very well matched.
“We have been using Hill attachments for about 17 years, since we heard about them through word of mouth, and we have never had any hassle with them.”
Hill’s Tefra hitches feature a unique dual locking system to meet enhanced safety standards, while on the new Case machines, the trademark CASE Intelligent Hydraulic System (CIHS) is now paired with new work modes and adjustable hydraulic settings to deliver smoother, more efficient, and more fuel efficient operation than the previous generation.
Cowan Bros’ Andrew Mawhinney said: “These Case machines were the first two to be sold in Ireland. The customer had the Hill hitches on his previous machines and was pleased with the reliability and build quality. We also know Hill with them being a local company that offers very good back up and support on their products so were happy to match them up with the new Case machines.”
Plantworx 2023 kicked off and concluded with a welcome twist. From its very first show in 2013, every single show had been blighted by incessant rainfall and biblical conditions. However, this time around, the event started and ended with wall-to-wall sunshine.
As the doors opened on Plantworx 2023 (13th – 15th June, East of England Arena Peterborough), attendees were greeted with a scorching hot and sunny spectacle, completely uncharacteristic of previous shows. The unexpected weather conditions added an extra layer of excitement to the event, and the ice-cream van was doing a roaring trade!
Suneeta Johal, CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, commented on the event, “As my first Plantworx event as CEO, I was truly impressed by the innovative technology showcased, the industry recognition through our innovation awards, and the significant deals made. I also received really good feedback from exhibitors about
the quality of the organisation and ops – which is all down to our excellent operational team, headed up by Simon Frere-Cook and Stuart Favill.”
The show was declared a resounding success as attendees were greeted with a wide array of state-of-the-art machinery and innovative products on display.
The Plantworx team was thrilled to announce that over the course of the three-day event, the footfall was circa 14,000 and of those 10,000 were unique visitors who basked in the scorching weather to explore the offerings.
The show was supported by National Highways and Costain, who were onsite throughout the whole event to talk to exhibitors and operators attending the event. The National Highways and Costain team shared the Partners Lounge with several other organisations, including AMPS - Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Power Systems and ancillary equipment and overseas organisations including, ANMOPYC, bauma 2025, bauma CONEXPO INDIA, BICES 2023 Show, British Embassy
Ulaanbaatar, CII – EXCON, Conexpo - CON / AGG, M & T Expo and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade. In addition, a large Mongolian delegation flew into the show to do business with UK exhibitors – such is the far reach of the show. The progress in making construction machinery run on electricity is happening very fast. This showed at Plantworx 2023, where lots of these new electric machines were on display. Along with these new machines, there were also renewable energy solutions being shown. Companies like MHM Group were there, demonstrating how they’re using renewable energy in construction. This shows that the industry is really starting to think about how it can be more green and sustainable. With over 300 exhibitors (including 100 new exhibitors), Plantworx 2023 received immense praise from participants and attendees alike, with an abundance of positive feedback flooding in through phone calls, emails, and social media.
The Operator Challenge Zone, hosted by Awesome Earthmovers, and sponsored by Hyundai, was the hub of the show. Operators in their 100’s and a whole host of influencers gathered in the Plantworx ‘speedway area’ and it was really buzzing with activity. There was a real feeling of camaraderie as operators took to the timed challenges in Hyundai machines. The Operator challenge was graced by guest visits from several of the UK’s top social media figures. These include Amy
Underwood, widely known as Amy the Digger Girl, Conor Kelly also known as Conor the Digger Driver, Lloyd Peckham recognized as Bearded Excavation, Kurt Mills, more famously known as Lord Muck, Lana Edwards, who goes by Tracklass1, and the rising star, Ben ‘the operator’ Wade, who appears to have a promising career ahead. The contest between Conor and Lloyd, which was dubbed ‘rumble in the jungle’, was eagerly anticipated and showcased on Instagram and TikTok. Although it was a tight competition, Bearded Excavation ultimately claimed victory.
Plantworx 2023 marked the final trade show held at the East of England venue, as it is now scheduled for a significant housing development.
This transition brings forth exciting prospects for the construction industry. We have already begun exploring various suggestions and approaches
from potential venues for our future exhibitions in 2025 and beyond. Watch this space for news of Plantworx 2025.
The Plantworx 2023 judging panel announced their onsite award winners at the Exhibitors’ Reception, with accolades going to the company stands and demonstration areas that impressed them the most. The winner were:
The judges, Angela and Simon thought that the stand as welcoming and the staff were very attentive and approachable. Visitors to the stand could visibly see the product and were in no doubt about what was on offer.
The judges felt that this stand was welcoming, featuring an innovative use of materials including flower boxes and aged wood. The upstairs grass mezzanine provides a quiet place to sit relax and see the rest of the show away from the hustle and bustle. The seating area was also very welcoming and provided some much-needed shade.
The staff also make a great team. Dan Leaney, Xwatch Safety Solutions, Operations Director said, “We were thrilled to win this award – this is our first Plantworx and we really made an effort with our stand. I am very pleased that the Xwatch team has been recogonised. Here’s to a fantastic rest of the show.
Plantworx judges, Nick Drew and Peter Haddock, were unanimous that this prize should go to Develon. There was
a lot of thought and preparation put into this stand and it delivered the wow factor with a really nice feel and flow creating a truly impressive stand.
Kevin Lynch, Marketing Communications Manager for Develon, said: “We are delighted to win the Best Use of Live Demonstration Award, especially with the transition we are making with the Develon brand and making its first appearance at Plantworx. The excellent Demo show on the stand carried out by our operators, Nigel Horton and Alex Humpage, brings across the high performance, innovation, versatility and durability of Develon equipment in an exciting and very watchable way.”
Plantworx Event Director, Simon FrereCook presented the Outstanding Contractor award to family-run business Fuchsia Chairman, Mike Coleman, who dedicated this award to his son Nick Foreman. Simon said, “You couldn’t fault Nick and the Fuchsia team – they are impeccable in every aspect of site etiquette and always excel in everything they do. Nothing is too much trouble for the team.”
The Plantworx Exhibition
2023, held from 13 –15 June at the East of England Arena and Events Centre in Peterborough provided an exceptional platform for SANY UK to showcase its cutting-edge solutions and engage with industry professionals, resulting in a highly fruitful exhibition experience.
Plantworx is renowned as one of the premier exhibitions in the construction industry, attracting a diverse range of exhibitors and attendees, including manufacturers, suppliers, and industry experts. SANY UK’s participation in Plantworx 2023 exemplified the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and addressing the evolving needs of the construction sector. During the exhibition, SANY UK captivated visitors with its impressive display of construction machinery and equipment. The spotlight was on SANY UK’s latest range of wheel loaders, the SW305 and SW405, which garnered significant attention from industry professionals and prospective customers.
The new generation of wheel loaders from SANY is excellently manufactured with well-known components including Kawasaki pumps and ZF transmission and is fully equipped as standard, to include 360 camera, keyless entry, single joystick steering and 3rd function hydraulics.
Visitors also had the opportunity to operate a SANY excavator themselves in the live demonstration zone, showcasing the superior performance, advanced features, and exceptional reliability of the SANY range of machines.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response and success we achieved at Plantworx 2023,” said Leigh
Harris, Business Development Director at SANY UK. “The exhibition provided an invaluable opportunity for us to engage with industry leaders, establish new partnerships, and demonstrate the innovation and excellence that defines our brand. The positive feedback we received regarding our new range of wheel loaders has further reinforced our commitment to delivering top-quality construction machinery to our customers.”
SANY UK’s experienced team of professionals and representatives from their nationwide dealer network were present throughout the exhibition, offering comprehensive insights and expert advice to all visitors and
played a vital role in establishing connections and fostering a deeper understanding of SANY UK’s products and services.
The success of SANY UK at Plantworx 2023 reaffirms the company’s position as a trusted provider of construction machinery in the United Kingdom. SANY UK remains committed to continually advancing its product offerings, delivering solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and profitability for construction projects of all sizes. SANY UK would like to thank their dealer network, suppliers, partners and the team behind PlantWorx for all their efforts in helping to make this a superb event.
False alerts by object detection sensors could be a thing of the past thanks to an innovation that debuted at Plantworx in June. Spillard Safety Systems, an authoritative figure in the People-Plant Interface (PPI) conversation, showcased its AI Human Detection System (HDS) for the first time and is expecting it to generate more than £1m in sales over the next twelve months. The new technology replaces traditional systems by simply identifying humans through their shape, form, and characteristics, delivering audible and visual alerts to the machine operator when a person enters a predetermined restricted, exclusion zone.
This will eliminate previous frustrations where existing measures would detect
everything, sending incessant warnings to drivers who often choose to ignore them. Spillard’s AI Human Detection System is already proving hugely successful with more plant companies, tier 1 contractors and infrastructure clients all choosing to fit it to machines in a bid to improve
safety, prevent accidents and boost operator efficiency. This includes names such as Flannery Plant Hire, Buckingham Group, Clancy, Balfour Beatty, Costain, JN Bentley, Morgan Sindall, Anglian Water, Highways England and HS2.
Spillard Safety Systems’ HDS is unique in that once the algorithm detects human shape, data is presented in three ways. Firstly, the operator is notified on a clear zonal display and using spoken word, and then an external speaker will tell the human to ‘move away’ to a safe distance. Safety managers can also receive instant information if the Human Detection System is connected to the SpillardLive cloud-based platform.
www.spillardsafety.com
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KeUUl3mVLLA
ABAX, one of Europe’s leading telematics companies, has announced the launch of ABAX Smart Inventory, a unique van store inventory solution.
ABAX Smart Inventory offers a groundbreaking service: it provides real-time oversight of customers’ tool inventories, across multiple vehicles, ensuring that vans are always fully equipped and ready for the next job, without the need to physically check them.
If a van doesn’t contain a required tool, drivers and fleet managers will be alerted within minutes to any items they have forgotten or left behind. This allows them to recover equipment quickly, thus minimising any loss of income from jobs lost or delayed because vans aren’t fully equipped. In this way, the solution also helps to tackle the estimated 38 hours spent by individual workers each year seeking lost or forgotten tools. It also helps to reduce the cost to businesses from lost tools. One customer in the UK construction industry noted that drivers waste around 50 hours a week returning to collect forgotten items, with around £200,000 worth of tools missing in the last year.
Whilst construction is an industry that clearly benefits from the solution, it is being trialled by ambulance services, helping to ensure that all vehicles are fully equipped and ensuring life-saving equipment is not left behind. Any industry or business that operates multiple vehicles that carry valuable, critical tools, assets or equipment will benefit from using ABAX Smart Inventory.
Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has taken home gold in the Engineering & Design category at this year’s Plantworx Innovation Awards. The ceremony, which took place at the East of England Arena & Events Centre (12 June), celebrated innovative companies, products and services that have made a major industry impact over the past 12 months. Renowned for its innovative design and first-to-market operator technologies, Mecalac was recognised for its allnew Revotruck product. A revolutionary earthmoving concept, Revotruck is a rear
dump truck when carrying materials and a highly manoeuvrable site dumper – enabling the operator to face the skip – when loading and unloading.
With the ambition of setting the standards in site safety, Revotruck makes material transport smarter than ever before. Operators can receive a load facing the skip, before rotating the entire cab via a multidirectional joystick to face the direction of travel with no visual obstructions – improving productivity, minimising risk, maximising operator safety.
Perfect for even the tightest sites, operators benefit from three steering modes (2-wheel, 4-wheel and 4-wheel crab), as
Craig Allan, UK Commercial Director, ABAX, said: “We have developed ABAX Smart Inventory to meet clear customer needs that many have said they’ve been trying to resolve for years. We know our customers regularly waste significant time, money and resources because their vans aren’t properly stocked, or because they have left tools behind.
“Tracking systems are helpful in identifying where the items are, but ABAX Smart Inventory goes much further – it provides peace of mind for fleet managers and business owners, as they know drivers always have the tools they need to get on with the job in hand. Already our clients using the solution have found it drives efficiencies and saves them time, money and resource.”
To use the solution, customers create an inventory using their ABAX system, and can assign individual tools or items of equipment to a single vehicle. If, for instance, a van leaves a site for 10 minutes without one of the allocated items, the driver and fleet manager receives an alert, enabling them or a colleague to quickly retrieve the forgotten piece of equipment.
well as the tightest turning radius on the market. With two load capacity options – six and ninetonnes – Revotruck is powered by a Stage V-compliant 74hp Perkins turbocharged engine, delivering 380Nm torque @ 1,380rpm. First unveiled at BAUMA, but with the concept set to be revealed to UK construction professionals at Plantworx, Mecalac is already reporting widespread interest from both the UK and further afield.
Heath Davies, General Manager at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “As a brand at the global forefront of compact equipment innovation, we continue to invest heavily
home gold at the Plantworx Innovation Awards for Revotruck is testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. We’re hugely proud of our expanding product range and consider it a real honour to be taking home such a prestigious accolade.
“Revotruck will be manufactured at our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility. We’ve already had demand from across the globe, with construction professionals looking to invest in future-proof, safetycritical equipment for some of the world’s most innovative construction projects.”
Bobcat presented a host of new products for the first time in both the static and demonstration areas of its stand at the Plantworx 2023 Exhibition. The premieres included the first appearance at a UK construction show of both the new TL25.60 telehandler and the T86 R-Series Compact Track Loader as part of the static display. Other firsts at Plantworx included the new Ground Maintenance Equipment range and an array of products from the company’s Light Compaction line, including the new E19e electric-powered model and the top-of-therange E88 8 tonne mini-excavator. Bobcat also presented the new MaxControl Remote Control system on a T66 compact track loader for the first time in the demonstration zone.
As the smallest machine in the Bobcat telehandler range, the new TL25.60 brings the number of rigid frame telehandlers from Bobcat for construction, rental and general handling to 11 models. The new TL25.60 telehandler has been designed for simplicity of use, excellent stability, optimum comfort and safe operation in any type of application.
The TL25.60 is powered by a 75 HP Bobcat Stage V engine. The machine has a rated operating capacity of 2500 kg, offers a maximum lift height of 5.9 m and a maximum reach of 3.3 m. The Bob-Tach carriage (manual or hydraulic) increases versatility by allowing the TL25.60 to utilise attachments designed for the Bobcat loader range.
Delivering a higher engine and hydraulic output, the 5087 kg T86 is the most powerful compact track loader Bobcat has ever built, offering a rated operating capacity of 1780 kg and a tipping load of 3175 kg. Utilising a well-proven Stage V compliant 3.4 l Bobcat engine, producing 78 kW (105 HP) at 2600 RPM, the T86 can be configured for the first time with three different auxiliary functions. There is a standard flow configuration providing 87 l/min for applications such as load and carry, or where low hydraulic flow attachments are used. Bobcat also offers two additional hydraulic performance functions using the new Electronic Displacement Control (EDC) Pump: a High Flow function
giving 138 l/min and a new, industry unique Super Flow function taking auxiliary flow to 159 l/min. Typically, the Super Flow function increases productivity with likefor-like attachments by 15 to 20%.
Commenting on these new product introductions, John Christofides, Regional Sales Director, UK/Ireland, Nordics, Baltics and Eastern Europe for Doosan Bobcat EMEA, said: “Because job sites are becoming ever tighter on space, telehandlers must also become more compact and agile. We have designed the new Bobcat TL25.60 to not only meet this demand but to be the best compact machine on the market. The T86 is also an exceptional machine - the most powerful compact track loader we have ever built, providing even more versatility as both a tool carrier and a workhorse.”
The T86 is part of what is now the largest loader portfolio of any manufacturer in the world. This will be ably demonstrated by Bobcat at Plantworx by the presence of both the L85 compact wheel loader in the Static area and the company’s L28 small articulated loader in the Demo area.
High performance is assured by the combination of the powerful Bobcat engine and the hydraulics in the L85. This is complemented by the high stability, breakout, push and pull forces and a comprehensive selection of Bobcat attachments. The L28 is ideal for a multitude of tasks in a very wide range of industries, offering high lift capacities in confined spaces, ease of use with simple intuitive controls and low ground disturbance for working on any terrain.
Bobcat’s new line-up of innovative Ground Maintenance Equipment (GME) will be on display for the first time at Plantworx. The GME range comprises compact tractors,
zero-turn mowers and turf equipment, supplemented by the company’s existing mini track and small articulated loaders. Bobcat is offering three Compact Tractor platforms – the 1000, 2000 and 4000 series – which feature nine new models from 25 to 58 HP designed to meet the varying needs of customers in Europe.
Compaction applications are a required part of numerous industries, and no construction site is complete without a soil and asphalt compactor. To meet this demand, Bobcat is showing the company‘s Light Compaction Product Line for the first time at Plantworx. Altogether, the Bobcat light compaction range comprises seven different product families and offers 37 models, from vibratory rammers weighing 29 kg up to 2.6 tonne tandem rollers.
The E19e being shown by Bobcat at Plantworx is a new 2-tonne mini-excavator to supplement its ever-expanding range of electrically powered machines. The E19e – an electric version of Bobcat’s popular E19 internal-combustion (IC) model – offers zero emissions, low-noise operation and comparable levels of performance to its diesel-powered counterpart. With a width of just 98 cm, the new electric model is easy to operate in even the most confined workspaces, making it ideal for tasks such as demolition as well as outside applications that require quiet, zero-emission operations.
The E88 8 tonne Stage V compliant miniexcavator delivers outstanding performance from a compact dimension machine, superb operator comfort and excellent stability with high digging output. The proven Bobcat D24 Stage V 4-cylinder engine offers a maximum power output of 48.5 kW (65 HP) and ensures the highest performance and
maximum reliability. To meet Stage V emission levels, the engine uses diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF), replacing selective catalytic reduction, to achieve maximum reliability, efficiency and environmental protection. Other products in the Static area of the stand include the E10z, E17, E27z and E55z mini-excavators; the T36.120SL and T40.180SLP telehandlers, the T590 compact track loader and the S450 skid-steer loader.
Installed on a T66 compact track loader, the MaxControl Remote Control system from Bobcat will be demonstrated for the first time at Plantworx. MaxControl provides a vision of machine control of the future, by enabling operators to control Bobcat compact loaders remotely via an app, using an iPhone or iPad. With MaxControl, owners of Bobcat loaders do not need the latest machines or costly hardware updates to enjoy remote control. The system is compatible with all Bobcat loaders with Selectable Joystick Controls (SJC) dating as far back as 2004.
Some of the latest developments in Bobcat attachments will be on view at Plantworx. They include a new Heavy Duty Box Blade, aimed at both 2D and 3D grading applications. The new attachment offers a Plug & Play integrated solution, that can be installed on Bobcat loaders within a minute.
Suitable for use with most of the models in the Bobcat skid-steer and compact track loader ranges, the new HD Box Blade attachment saves time and money while producing a more accurate and higher precision finish grade, even on tough jobsites. The fingertip controls and userfriendly display on the Bobcat loaders also guarantee ease of operation.
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.
PLANT DISTRIBUTORS
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 Tel. 028 3885 2540 Fax. 028 3885 2541 E: info@crumlinplantsales.co.uk
D & S CONTRACTS LIMITED
Plant Hire, Civil Engineering, & Building Contractors 22 FORTHILL ROAD • DROMORE • CO. DOWN BT25 1RF Tel/Fax: (028) 9269 2542 • Mob: 07860 704502 E.mail: info@dandscontracts.com
UNDERGROUND SERVICES
NORTHERN IRELAND AGENT FOR RADIODETECTION CABLE AND PIPE LOCATORS AND ACCESSORIES.
PEARPOINT DRAIN CAMERA EQUIPMENT. FAST LEAK DETECTION EQUIPMENT.
90a Blackisland Road, Annaghmore, Portadown BT62 1NH Tel. 028 3885 2540 Fax. 028 3885 2541
E: info@crumlinplantsales.co.uk
