Heavy Equipment Guide April 2022, Volume 37, Number 4 by Baum Publications Ltd.

APRIL 2022

IN-DEPTH REPORT

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS OPTIMIZED FOR OPERATORS PAVERS, MILLING MACHINES, AND MORE FROM WORLD OF ASPHALT 2022 heavyequipmentguide.ca PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270

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COVER STORY IN-DEPTH REPORT: ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

28 32

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WORLD OF ASPHALT

UNDERCARRIAGE MAINTENANCE

April 2022 | Volume 37, Number 4

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS & SECTIONS

In-depth report: articulated dump trucks

John Deere adds pair of excavators to performance tiering offerings

News Room

Spotlight

Bigger and stronger components featured in new HD excavators

In-Depth Report

Milling machines, asphalt pavers, and more highlighted at World of Asphalt 2022

Earthmoving

Roadbuilding

Equipment Maintenance & Management

Attachments

Advertiser Index

30 32 38

Protect your track loader investment

Five ways mobile apps improve equipment management

From the Editor

APRIL 2022 | VOLUME 37 • NUMBER 4 EDITOR IN CHIEF Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 330 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Arturo Santiago asantiago@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 310 EDITOR Lee Toop ltoop@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 315 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sam Esmaili sam@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 110

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Anderson tanderson@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 222 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Morena Zanotto morena@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 325 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Ken Singer ksinger@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 226 VICE PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER Melvin Date Chong mdatechong@baumpub.com

FOUNDER Engelbert J. Baum

Published by: Baum Publications Ltd. 124 - 2323 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC, Canada V5M 4V8

COVER PHOTO: LIEBHERR TA 230 LITRONIC ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCK In-depth report: articulated dump trucks Turn to page 18 .

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Heavy Equipment Guide serves the Canadian engineered construction industry including: roadbuilding and maintenance; highways, bridges, tunnels; grading and excavating; earthmoving; crushing; trucking and hauling; underground utilities; trenching; concrete paving; asphalt paving; demolition; aggregates production; fleet maintenance; and asset security and management. The magazine is distributed to key industry personnel involved in these sectors. Subscription Price: In Canada, CDN $91.00; Outside Canada, US$149. Heavy Equipment Guide is published ten times a year in January, February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and November/December. Heavy Equipment Guide accepts no responsibility or liability for reported claims made by manufacturers and/or distributors for products or services; the views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Baum Publications Ltd. Copyright 2022, Baum Publications Ltd. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Printed in Canada on recycled paper by Mitchell Press Ltd. ISSN 1485-6085

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Do you have a job site story, innovation or industry concern that our readers should know about? We’d like to hear from you. Contact: Editor in Chief Kaitlyn Till at ktill@baumpub.com or 604-291-9900 ext. 330

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FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR CONSTRUCTION SECTOR KEY TO PROTECTING INFRASTRUCTURE FROM CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS

hen an unprecedented rainstorm struck British Columbia in November of 2021, Canadians got a first-hand glimpse at the kind of damage that may be in our future as climate change continues to occur. In the Fraser Valley, farms, homes, and businesses were flooded out for weeks thanks to the massive downpour. Further inland, the effects were just as catastrophic. All three of the major highways that connect Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to the B.C. Interior, and the rest of Canada, were cut by rampaging water and landslides. The worst damage occurred on Highway 5 (the Coquihalla), where bridges collapsed, banks were torn away and, in one area, hundreds of metres of highway simply disappeared into the raging Coquihalla River. The Coquihalla is the main travel route for most goods in and out of the Vancouver region. With the highway closed, trucks had to follow a circuitous route – when other roads were open, that is – to make their deliveries. To counteract these challenges, the provincial government put an emphasis on reopening the Coquihalla as quickly as possible. In response, dozens of contractors and hundreds of workers took on the task of tackling emergency repairs on the highway, while facing challenging winter weather and more. The result was a true testament to the resilience and strength of the heavy construction sector: a reopened highway 35 days after the devastating floods. Trucks and goods were able to flow once again thanks to the efforts of 300 workers and 200 pieces of equipment, at a cost of between $45 and $55 million, according to CBC. From there, however, permanent repairs had to begin. That has been the focus since the highway reopened in January to regular traffic. Temporary repairs focused on opening the road, and that has meant lower speeds and fewer lanes in some parts of the route; the goal, according to the province, will be to rebuild and restore full four-lane access in four areas that suffered significant damage, and the target timeframe will be to complete them by the end of the year. Three of the projects will involve bridge repairs at sites where banks were washed out and bridges collapsed into the river below. The fourth will complete repairs on the Othello washout, which tore a huge gap into the southbound lanes of the highway as the Coquihalla washed away massive amounts of bank. In the process, the province intends to weatherproof those sites as it looks ahead to the potential of more catastrophic weather events.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

The threat of climate change to our infrastructure is very real and holds great amounts of potential for damage and destruction, and the heavy construction sector has the resilience, tools, and people to handle that damage when it occurs as well as to future-proof key infrastructure in preparation for future challenges. The Coquihalla situation has shown us two key things: the threat of climate change to our infrastructure is very real and holds great amounts of potential for damage and destruction, and the heavy construction sector has the resilience, tools, and people to handle that damage when it occurs as well as to future-proof key infrastructure in preparation for future challenges. After last November, governments can’t ignore the need for that last part. It will be key, moving forward, to include climate change considerations as part of infrastructure updates and repairs. If it isn’t, we can expect more disruptions and damage. Taking action now to bring construction professionals in and protect that infrastructure is the right approach.

Lee Toop Editor ltoop@baumpub.com heavyequipmentguide.ca

It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new future. The all-new TA 230 Litronic dump truck Designed with a unique combination of power and intelligence the TA 230 features market leading technology, an innovative weighing system, automatic traction control, hill start assist, not to mention the superior cabin design to leave your operator feeling good. Simply put, a perfect mix of agility with outstanding performance. www.liebherr.com/the-new-one

Articulated Dump Truck

Liebherr-Canada Ltd. • 1015 Sutton Drive • Burlington • Ontario • L7L 5Z8 • Phone: +1 905 319 9222 • E-mail: info.lca@liebherr.com • Instagram: @LiebherrCanadaLtd • www.liebherr.ca

NEWS ROOM

CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MAY BE SHORT 29,000 WORKERS BY 2027: BUILDFORCE CANADA FORECAST

B STAY CURRENT www.heavyequipmentguide.ca CONNECT WITH US @HeavyEquipGuide

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

uildForce Canada has released its 2022-2027 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward national forecast. The report focuses on a six-year horizon for labour market data. The shortened forecast period allows the report to focus more clearly on short- and long-term demand and supply pressures impacting Canada’s construction sector. Construction investment rebounded strongly in 2021. Total year-over-year construction investment increased by approximately 11 percent in 2021, as both the residential sector (+14 percent) and the non-residential sector (+8 percent) saw gains. Investment is projected to remain at or near current high levels through 2023 before declining gradually over the remainder of the forecast period. The rise in construction activity in 2021 lifted employment to approximately 1.1 million workers, a 7 percent increase over 2020 levels and a 1 percent rise over pre-pandemic figures. The surge in construction activity in both the residential and non-residential sectors is expected to boost employment further to a peak in 2022 before diverging trends take hold. By 2027, employment is expected to expand by nearly 16,000 workers. Residential construction activity recorded significant increases in 2021, with housing starts increasing by 21 percent over 2020 levels. BuildForce Canada expects demands to recede from this peak in 2022 or 2023. There appears to be some evidence that Canada is not keeping up with demand for new homes. By the end of the forecast period, residential-sector employment is expected to have declined by 4 percent (-24,900 workers) from its 2021 starting point. Non-residential demands are expected to remain strong over the forecast period. The largest gains are expected over the near term, peaking in 2024. Employment by 2027 is expected to be 5 percent higher than 2021 – an increase of 26,300 workers.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG AND IFPE ARE GEARING UP FOR A 2023 RETURN

he next CONEXPO-CON/AGG and International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE) trade shows are just one year away. The events will return to Las Vegas from March 14 to 18, 2023. “AEM and our show committees of industry leaders are working to take advantage of everything that has changed in Las Vegas to deliver a top-notch event delivering the latest innovations and best practices to help construction pros take their businesses and careers to the next level,” said Dana Wuesthoff, show director of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. “Between the West Hall and Diamond Lot bringing a lot of displays closer to the rest of the show as well as serving as a connector to the Festival Lot, and the LVCC Loop making it effortless to get across the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, it’s never been easier for attendees to see everything they want to learn about when they get there.” According to the Las Vegas Convention Center, the new West Hall provides an additional 1.4 million square feet of indoor space, including 600,000 square feet of “technologically advanced” exhibit space. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is making West Hall a hub for earthmoving and materials handling displays in 2023. “When you attend CONEXPO-CON/AGG, you are able to see an item, touch it, sit in it, sometimes operate it and discuss it with the engineers and manufacturers,” said Brian Dietz, of Bob Dietz & Sons. “When you walk up to a machine and talk to someone, you get answers that you are not going to get anywhere else. No local equipment dealer . . . can provide that. The event also helps you stay on top of the latest trending technology.”

BOBCAT TO EXPAND DISTRIBUTION CENTRE NETWORK AND DECREASE AFTERMARKET PARTS DELIVERY TIME

oosan Bobcat North America plans to expand its aftermarket parts distribution network with the addition of two new regional parts distribution centres. The new facilities are in Atlanta, Georgia, and Reno, Nevada. With accessibility to major airports and highways, these new facilities are located closer to customers and dealers which will enhance the availability and delivery of Bobcat parts and attachment products throughout the U.S. and Canada. These two facilities will roughly double the company’s existing warehouse footprint by adding approximately 445,000 square feet of additional distribution and storage space to the existing 358,000-square-foot primary parts distribution centre in Chicago. The new distribution centres are an important part of Bobcat’s overall plans to meet growing capacity needs and the demand for Bobcat equipment in the marketplace. The new facilities are anticipated to become operational by the fourth quarter of 2022, and all facilities will be managed by APL Logistics.

WORLD OF ASPHALT 2022 HIGHLIGHTS World of Asphalt returned to Nashville in March. Check out highlights from the show including pavers, milling machines, and more. Turn to page 32.

APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

NEWS ROOM

KLEEMANN’S MOBILE CONE AND JAW CRUSHERS WIN MULTIPLE DESIGN AWARDS

leemann’s MOBICAT MC 110(i) EVO2 mobile jaw crusher and MOBICONE MCO 90(i) EVO2 mobile cone crusher have won several awards internationally. The two machines belong to the EVO2 generation of Kleemann machines. The MOBICAT MC 110(i) EVO2 jaw crusher won the Gold German Design Award, the highest award given, and impressed with its compact and progressive design. The German Design Awards centred on future-oriented designs, new digital technologies, and climate-neutral production. Both the mobile jaw crusher and the mobile cone crusher were awarded the US Good Design award. The machines demonstrated strength, functionality, and energy efficiency.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

WORLD OF ASPHALT, AGG1 SET SHOW RECORDS AND SELL OUT FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY

sphalt paving and aggregates professionals filled in a sold-out exhibition floor as World of Asphalt’s 20th anniversary and AGG1 brought the industry back together. Organizations from across the country sent representatives ranging from C-Suite executives to field operators, to view specialized exhibits and product unveilings, take in the latest education offerings, learn about the latest innovations in the asphalt and aggregates industries, and make purchasing decisions. Running March 29–31, 2022, this year marked the fourth return of World of Asphalt to Nashville. More than 440 companies were spread across over 193,000 net square feet of show floor.

MORE NEWS www.heavyequipmentguide.ca

RITCHIE BROS. SELLS OVER CA$48 MILLION OF EQUIPMENT IN COMPANY’S LARGEST MONTREAL AUCTION

itchie Bros. has conducted its largest Montreal auction ever, selling close to 3,000 equipment items and trucks for CA$48+ million (US$38+ million). The March 23–25 unreserved online auction attracted more than 7,400 registered bidders from 40+ countries. “We continue to attract a massive global buying audience online, driving record pricing for assets, especially transportation equipment,” said Eric Roussin, regional sales manager at Ritchie Bros. “Trucks and trailers are attracting unprecedented demand in today's market, with light-spec truck tractors, van

trucks, hi-boys, and reefer trailers bringing top dollar last week in Montreal. If you have surplus transportation assets, I encourage you to contact us to take advantage of the incredibly strong prices we are achieving today.” Sales highlights in the Montreal auction include a 2017 Caterpillar D6T LGP dozer that sold for CA$252,000; two 2020 Kenworth W990 sleeper truck tractors that sold for a combined CA$385,000; and a 2019 Peterbilt 389 sleeper that sold for CA$155,000. Approximately 90 percent of the equipment in the Montreal auction was sold to Canadians, including 61 percent sold to Quebecers, while the remaining 10 percent was sold to international buyers from as far away as Ecuador, Malaysia, and the Netherlands. All items were sold without minimum bids or reserve prices.

WE KEEP CANADA ON TRACK

Call: 800-365-7260 Visit: morookacarriers.com APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

SPOTLIGHT

INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES

Shaft screening bucket

MB Crusher

Shaft screening buckets for mini and compact excavators MB Crusher has released two new shaft screener attachments, the MB-HDS207 and the MB-HDS212, which are small and designed for mini and compact excavators. These two shaft screeners were created to simplify tasks, such as recycling and separating dirt from demolition debris, stones, or roots, and for

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

screening materials to cover pipes and trenches. The MB-HDS207 weighs 98 kg and is compatible with a mini excavator with an operating weight of 1.3 to 2.8 tons. The MB-HDS212 weighs 480 kg and can be installed on compact excavators and backhoe loaders between 8 and 9 tons, and skid loaders from 4 to 5 tons.

Precise and productive DV+ TANDEM ROLLERS THE PREMIUM CLASS FOR ASPHALT COMPACTION

CLOSE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. The new DV+ impresses every step of the way in asphalt construction: with enormous area coverage capability, sensitive precision work and Easy Drive, the intuitive operating concept. www.wirtgen-group.com

SPOTLIGHT

Wheel loader

John Deere Construction & Forestry

Wheel loader for aggregates operations

John Deere’s new 904 P-Tier is a two-pass loader solution that the company says provides the durability and reliability to take on processed aggregate stockpiles and more efficiently load trucks or rail cars. The new 904 P-Tier offers obstacle intelligence features, such as the Advanced Vision System – an industry first for loaders, says Deere. This allows increased visibility to sides of the machine by integrating two digital cameras on the rear-view mirror platform and combines views into a dedicated single display in the cab. The 904 P-Tier also offers an improved rear object detection system. This feature overlays a projected vehicle reversible path within the same dedicated monitor, enhancing the operator’s experience and situational awareness. This wheel loader comes equipped with 7.5- and 7.1-cubic-metre (9.8- and 9.3-cubic-yard) material-handling buckets with integrated spill guards and curved side cutters.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

Air compressor accessories

Doosan Portable Power

Air compressor accessories

Doosan Portable Power has launched an all-new lineup of accessories for its portable air compressors. The new double hose reel, blast pot, and tool holder are compatible with the P185, C185, P185-HP150, XP185-VHP165, and P250-MHP185 models. The double hose reel is placed at the front of the compressor and swivels so the hoses are easy to access without having to move the air compressor. Each hose reel is equipped with 100 feet of hose. Made of lightweight material, the new blast pot is easy to install, remove, and position where it is needed for a job; it has a nozzle for adding water to the dry media for slurry blasting versatility. The tool holder is a T-shaped bracket that can hold up to a 90-pound hammer under the hood of the air compressor.

Kleemann

SPECTIVE CONNECT

Kleemann has extended the availability of SPECTIVE CONNECT to its MOBIREX MR 110/130(i) EVO2 impact crushers. All relevant process information and reporting can now be displayed on a smartphone and the plant operator can monitor this information without leaving the excavator or wheel loader. Data includes fuel level, fuel consumption, plant performance, current gap setting, and more. Process data can be displayed at any time via the mobile app dashboard. In most cases, operators no longer must leave the cab or interrupt production. In case of a warning, SPECTIVE CONNECT displays not only the fault but, at the same time, refers to the corresponding components and includes troubleshooting aids.

Prinoth

Carrier vehicle

PRINOTH’s new RAPTOR 100 is a powerful remote-controlled carrier vehicle. Combined with the mulcher (M450h), it is highly versatile and can be used for a wide range of applications and areas, including mulching brushwood and branches in rough and inaccessible terrain, maintaining green spaces and forestry work, working on steep ground and at the edges of roads and paths, and working on sensitive surfaces without causing undue damage. A rugged, compact design and low weight make it quick and easy to transport to its place of use. It also provides good clearance, low ground pressure, wide rubber tracks and the ability to lift its mulcher to 600 mm. All of its functions can be conveniently controlled using an ergonomic remote control with a range of 100 metres.

Carrier vehicle

APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

IN-DEPTH REPORT: ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

OPTIMIZED FOR OPERATORS

IN-DEPTH REPORT

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

DOOSAN DA45

IN-DEPTH REPORT: ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

rticulated dump trucks are a strong choice for a variety of excavation sites, materials, and haul distances – plus they’re one of the easiest machines to operate. With controls similar to on-road cars and trucks, ADTs can be handled by operators with a range of skills, which combines with technology to keep these trucks productive throughout the day. Heavy Equipment Guide asked a group of experts about the many benefits that ADTs can bring to a construction fleet.

hills to stay within range. Other tools like automatic central lubrication can also be a benefit. Safety plays into driver comfort and productivity, and a variety of tools help keep ADTs safer for operators and the job site as a whole. Doosan designed its machines to increase operator visibility with a centre-mounted seat and a standard rear-view camera, according to Product and Dealer Marketing Manager Aaron Kleingartner. An automatic transmission and hydraulic retarder keep the machine at a proper speed even on downhills. COMFORT AND EASE OF USE IMPROVE In many ways, ease of operation comes down to automation PERFORMANCE – many of the tasks that an ADT does in a day can be automatNew operators just getting their feet wet in excavation work ed, reducing the operator’s work and allowing them to focus on will often find their first machine on the job site to be an ADT. driving. Bell ADTs, represented in Canada by Wajax, are highly Why? It’s easy to operate, the job generally isn’t complex, and it automated, according to Territory Manager Brad Castle. provides green operators with a chance to understand how to “We’ve got a push-button start, a push-button stop, automatic run a machine in the dirt. Manufacturers recognize that fact, turbo spin-down so when you turn the truck off it will automatputting safety and ease of operation at the forefront. ically idle until the turbo is at a decent speed to turn off,” Castle “We understand who runs our machines. We understand that described, noting that the dump operation can be done at the it can be a little intimidating,” said Caterpillar Product Applicatouch of a button. tion Specialist Scott Thomas. “The Caterpillar team has a lot of Less complicated operator stations are a big part of mantechnology built into our trucks that works seamlessly behind aging operator comfort and productivity, and John Deere’s machines take that on as well, according to Solutions Marketing Manager Justin Steger, who notes that the E-II ADTs have 25 percent fewer switches to manage as part of their enhanced design efforts. Sometimes it’s the small things that can make It’s about ease of use and safety. a difference, and for Rokbak, that even comes Operators are getting harder down to the side mirrors. Product Manager Chris Alexander noted that they have been to come by – how can you moved to improve visibility. “They’re now make their life easier? How can mounted on the handrails, instead of on arms from the cab. You get lower vibration on the you put that person with less mirrors, which improves visibility and just makes life a lot easier for the operator,” he experience in the seat and make explained. them competent more quickly? In all, efforts across the board have been focused on making ADTs easier and smoother David Reid for any operator to run. That’s important to any Sales Manager, contractor, said Volvo Construction Equipment Liebherr-Canada Product Manager Eric Fatyol. “They’re probably putting their lowest paid operator in these haul trucks, which can cost more than a half million dollars depending on the size – so they’re looking to put someone in the scenes to allow an experienced operator to be even more that truck who can go to work right away in something that’s experienced, and the inexperienced to be more comfortable in easy to use,” he said. their surroundings.” Machines that carry up to 50 tons of payload may seem DRIVETRAIN FEATURES IMPROVE daunting, but technologies like automated traction control that CYCLE TIMES work in the background, sensing spins starting and redirecting Technical improvements to the drivetrains of articulated power to reduce those potential slips, ease the job for the operdump trucks have brought a variety of performance and proator. Liebherr, which has just launched its ADTs in Canada, has ductivity benefits in recent years, much of which comes down, added automated traction control, said Sales Manager David again, to easier and more automated operation. Reid. Automatic transmissions reduce the number of inputs that “It’s about ease of use and safety. Operators are getting hardan operator needs to make while running the machine. For er to come by – how can you make their life easier? How can Doosan, that means the trucks really only have two control you put that person with less experience in the seat and make mechanisms – a control lever for the transmission and a lever them competent more quickly?” Reid said. for the dump body, Kleingartner said. Speed control, which Liebherr offers on its ADTs, manages “You put it in forward, the machine is ready to be moved. If speed for the driver based on set top and bottom ranges. The you put on the brake, it will stand still, and if you take your foot Liebherr truck brakes automatically using a retarder on down-

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

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IN-DEPTH REPORT: ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

ROKBAK RA40

JOHN DEERE 410E

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

off the brake, the machine will start moving, just as you would use your accelerator in an automatic transmission automobile,” he noted. Travel speeds are important considerations when selecting an ADT, and tie into the transmission design, Reid noted. Liebherr’s transmissions offer eight forward speeds and several in reverse to provide quicker movement and faster cycle times, he explained. Caterpillar has integrated more technology into its drivetrains, taking advantage of new communications capabilities to add better functionality. “With technology, smart transmissions and engines, you can communicate better. We have APECS . . . Advanced Productivity Electronic Control Strategy,” Thomas explained. “In the past, it would seem that when the clutch would come off, the truck would hit a lull . . . you’d come to a little pause on the haul road if you’re going up a grade. APECS has allowed us to really keep the top end of the torque curve where it needs to be.” Allison transmissions paired with Mercedes-Benz engines are both efficient and equipped with their own technology in Bell trucks, Castle said. Allison recently released FuelSense software in its transmissions that change the gears based on the road profile, ensuring the truck is always in the most efficient gear for the road conditions. Traction control combines with an interaxle differential lock for Komatsu ADTs to improve efficiency, explained Komatsu Product Manager Robert Hussey. “This system enables Komatsu ADTs to work in poor underfoot conditions without compromising steering capability. The interaxle differential lock automatically engages to stabilize the machine when the Komatsu Traction Control System is activated.” Engine efficiency also comes into play in the drivetrain design. With the move to Stage V emissions compliance, Rokbak has also brought in more efficient operations, Alexander noted. Its Stage V emissions-compliant machines save around 7 percent compared to previous models, thanks to an improved SCR system and removal of EGR. John Deere uses three drive modes on its ADTs to help customers improve the bottom line, Steger said, while at the same time reducing operator inputs. Normal mode reduces fuel consumption by up to 7 percent compared to previous ADT models, while Eco mode adds even more savings by smoothing throttle input and reducing maximum rpm – up to 12 percent compared to Normal mode, in the right conditions. Traction mode aids the operator to maintain tire traction in soft underfoot conditions by automatically engaging the differential lock to cut down wheel spin.

VARIETY OF BODY AND CHASSIS DESIGNS ADD CAPABILITY

In terms of overall design, articulated dump trucks are relatively simple structures that, over time, have been strengthened and polished to handle larger loads. Volvo’s machines started out with two axles back in the 1960s, Fatyol noted, but the needs of the industry have expanded them over time. “As time progressed, we carried bigger loads, so we went to the six-wheel drive that you see today. Customers are demanding more and more production – there are many applications where you can’t use a rigid or on-road dump truck,” he said. The dump box is one area that sees plenty of variety in design and features on ADTs; buyers will sometimes install sideboards, spill guards, tailgates, and liners in their boxes. The overall box

design might not be the first thing to come to mind, but it can be important in a number of ways. Boxes need to have a low centre of gravity and be easy to dump, while keeping material from being stuck in the bed, Thomas explained. The diverse uses of ADTs and the machines that work with them make that box design question important, Reid agreed. “It’s not necessarily on a site where it’s just loading with an excavator all the time. It can do different jobs. It can be anywhere from the gravel pit to moving dirt to overburden. With that, the loading vehicle can vary too – you’re not always going to be loading with an excavator. You may be loading with a wheel loader at some sites.” Castle noted that much engineering work has gone into the box design on Bell ADTs based on loading equipment. Longer beds are generally loaded by a wheel loader from the side, while shorter beds are often loaded with an excavator from the rear, as it can reach the headboard.

If you know exactly how much material you need to move and the cycle time it takes the truck to get from point A to point B and back, you can determine if you need one, two, three, or ten trucks on the work site. Aaron Kleingartner Product and Dealer Marketing Manager, Doosan Infracore North America

Deere boxes are also designed for lower overall height and have a wider bin for better coverage over the tires, Steger explained. Wider bin floors make it easier to clean out the box, and updated side sheet designs make loading height over the side the same from front to back. An optional tailgate is designed to keep transport width under 12 feet. Under the machine, design features aid in maximizing the load carried. A unique axle design helps Doosan’s ADTs carry the weight, Kleingartner said. “Our machine has one rear axle, and on each side of that it’s connected to a tandem bogie system that is gear driven. Depending on the machine, there’s either seven or nine gears,” he said. “That is a free swinging bogie, so it will travel independently left and right . . . helping to improve the sideto-side balance of the machine which, again, allows us to carry more material.” Moving material out of the dump body can be a challenge in some climates, so arrangements where the truck’s exhaust is channeled through the body for heating are quite common on ADTs. “Heated-body arrangements are recommended for customers working in cold climates or hauling wet materials that can build up in the dump body, resulting in material carry-back,”

APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

IN-DEPTH REPORT: ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

They’re probably putting their lowest paid operator in these haul trucks, which can cost more than a half million dollars depending on the size – so they’re looking to put someone in that truck who can go to work right away in something that’s easy to use. Eric Fatyol Product Manager, Volvo Construction Equipment VOLVO A60H

CATERPILLAR 730

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

KOMATSU HM300-5

Hussey said. Komatsu offers both heated and non-heated units, but all of its bodies have the exhaust channels in place to allow for easy conversions. One option that can be used to ensure a quick, clean dump on ADTs is an ejector body. Not all manufacturers offer them, but there are aftermarket versions available. The general consensus is that these can be helpful for some applications, allowing trucks to dump their load without raising the box in low overhead clearance, and giving the ability to spread material.

TELEMATICS DATA AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY AID EFFICIENCY

While ADTs may be a straightforward machine overall, the advent of telematics has made them just as connected as every other piece of equipment in a contractor’s fleet. Telematics offer the ability to review fuel consumption, payload, and various measurements that help determine the safety of the job site such as when unsafe body lifts are recorded. “You have all this data available online, anywhere in the world to look at any of your trucks. You can see what each operator’s doing, and it allows you to see how efficient each of them are on various sites,” Alexander said. “Time-wise it might help you identify which operators need training – either dump truck training or possibly loader and excavator training.” Payload management tools are a key part of productivity, providing the ability to review the performance of the operator and truck based on the material moved. Sensors and gauges built into the truck provide the operator with precise knowledge of the load level, and some machines feature indicator lights on the box to keep the loading equipment operator aware. Cat has

Heated-body arrangements are recommended for customers working in cold climates or hauling wet materials that can build up in the dump body, resulting in material carry-back. Robert Hussey Product Manager, Komatsu indicators on its cab display and on the box corners, for example, Thomas noted. Accuracy on Bell payload systems is improved by the use of three points of reference, Castle said. “We have measuring points on our walking beams on either side, as well as our oscillation tube, so we’re getting weight calculation in the box and what’s getting transferred through to the front of the truck,” Castle said. Ensuring the truck is properly loaded is important for a variety of reasons, Reid related, ranging from safety to maintenance. APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

IN-DEPTH REPORT: ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

LIEBHERR TA 230 LITRONIC

BELL B30E

“If you get the machine loaded correctly it will be easier for operation . . . safer for the operators, safer for the job site, and better for the truck,” he explained. “If you’re running in an overload scenario, that’s not good for the longevity of the machine – you run into issues with lifting the box, and that sort of thing. You want to get the right load of the truck.” The ability to identify different types of material and the amount moved aids in site management and planning, Kleingartner said. “If you know exactly how much material you need to move and the cycle time it takes the truck to get from point A to point B and back, you can determine if you need one, two, three, or ten trucks on the work site.” Payload data incorporated into a telematics system is just one piece of data that can provide greater management insight for owners. “With the ability to track these machines, you can reduce fuel burn and idle time; a lot of companies have targets of trying to get to a lower idle time. Believe it or not, the average idle time for most articulated trucks in the world is about 35 percent,” Thomas noted.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

Owners can also determine if the configuration of their truck is maximized for the best possible load based on telematics information collected in systems like Komatsu’s Komtrax, Hussey said. Customers can determine if their trucks are being loaded to capacity and, if not, they can figure out why, or deal with overloads as needed. Volvo’s Haul Assist platform can collect cycle data or work in a project mode that breaks down the material being moved during the truck’s operation, Fatyol noted, which aids in costing out material movement in contracts. “You can break it down by operator, say that one is more efficient than another. You can break it down by tons per gallon. There are all different ways to break it down. Most people are looking at production and wanting to see how efficient an operator or a truck was in a day, week or month’s time,” he said. Whether they’re hauling rock, dirt, or sand, articulated dump trucks are a key part of earthmoving job sites. For owners, finding the best configuration of power, capability, and efficiency is the route to a successful, productive operation. HEG

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EARTHMOVING

JOHN DEERE ADDS PAIR OF EXCAVATORS TO PERFORMANCE TIERING OFFERINGS :

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

he way in which John Deere labels and sells its equipment saw the beginning of a big change in 2021 with the introduction of the company’s Performance Tiering strategy. Wheel loaders were the launch platform for the new approach, and now a year later the first excavators to fall into the performance tiering system have been introduced. Deere has launched two excavators, the 350 and 380, as part of the P-tier, one of three options that customers can consider when buying a new machine. Newly updated and enhanced, the two machines are the first of several that will be introduced in the near future. It’s the start of what will be a long transition for both the excavators and other machines, according to Justin Steger, John Deere solutions marketing manager. “We’ll slowly be transitioning other product lines into this tiering structure; excavators is the second product line,” he said. “We’ve transitioned our 350 and 380; the 470 is next, followed by the 670 and 680, and we’ll build the portfolio with all of our current lineup . . . probably by the next CONEXPO. It will be a long transition, and other products will be transitioning within that time frame too.” The performance tiering strategy provides buyers with a trio of machine levels to select from: the G-, P-, and X-tiers. Each tier is defined by the way in which the machines are outfitted, with performance and technology increasing with each upward step. G-tier machines are economical and lower priced, but won’t have all the features of the P-tier, which is modelled off the previous G series of excavators. “The majority of models are really falling into that P-tier. The G-tier is really driven around economy and value. It’s reliable

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

and has what it takes to get the job done every day, but it comes at a lower price point,” Steger explained. “That’s naturally going to include a few less options or features, but it will get the same focus from Deere dealers, the same warranty.” The P-tier – currently the only tier available in the excavator line – acts as somewhat of a base model with all key features and performance choices, while customers who want top-of-the-line innovation can look at the X-tier as their best option when they are added to the lineup later on. “Everything builds on itself – you can think of the G as being rugged and reliable, the P being the exceptional performer, and the X being that leading-edge technology and innovation,” Steger said. “It’s that next step forward that takes a lot of time to develop – what does it take to move the product line to that next level?” As new features are developed and added, Deere will decide whether the advance is strong enough to be put into the X-tier, or if it fits in the P-tier range, Steger said. That strategy has worked well in the wheel loader range thus far, and customers have found multiple price points to be helpful.

LIGHTING PACKAGE ADDS VISIBILITY AND SAFETY

For the newly launched P-tier excavators, the focus has been new updates and advances in a number of areas. Lighting and visibility is one significant update, Steger noted; a new camera package will be standard on several models and optional on others, while lighting is being improved with a full shift to LED lights across the board that allows owners to work any time of

A NEW LIGHTING PACKAGE IS ONE OF SEVERAL UPDATES TO JOHN DEERE’S 350 P-TIER EXCAVATOR.

day or night safely. “We’re going LED standard across the board, but when you add the camera system or get a machine where it comes standard, it’s going to have additional LED surround lighting, one on each side and one in the back. That allows the camera to provide vision to the operator as well as lighting up the surroundings,” Steger said.

Everything builds on itself – you can think of the G as being rugged and reliable, the P being the exceptional performer, and the X being that leading-edge technology and innovation. Justin Steger Solutions Marketing Manager, John Deere “Whether you’re using the camera in the main monitor or not, you’ll have a better field of view.” Updated machines also come with new front joint durability, Steger said. Improvements to the boom foot bushings, where the boom connects to the upper structure, provide greater joint life, while the arm tip point where the arm connects to the bucket has

UPDATES TO BUSHINGS AND BEARINGS FOR LONGER LIFE CUT COSTS ON THE 380 P-TIER AND OTHER MACHINES.

also been updated, and central lubrication has been added. “There are two grease zerks right on the tip of the arm – that’s how you grease that arm-to-bucket joint. It actually pushes grease into the centre of the joint and then, as it fills that cylinder cavity, the grease pushes out so any contaminants that work their way into the pivot pin will be pushed out again, extending the life of those joints,” Steger described. The economics of these joint changes are significant – Steger said that customers have two choices to improve their bottom line, either increase productivity or lower cost, and more durable joints do the latter. Some models are moving away from hydraulically operated fans and introducing electric fans, which bring several benefits, Steger said. “It’s going to improve your fuel economy – if I take a 350 P, running at the same power level as a 350 G [Series], by way of these electronic fans we’re reducing the parasitic load on the engine to drive the hydraulics to cool what it needs to cool, and these fans are going to give us up to 7 percent better fuel economy than the previous G series,” he explained. In addition, the electric fans are easier to remove and replace if necessary. Deere’s SmartGrade system is available as a factory option and field upgrade, Steger said. The grade management system is flexible right from the factory, allowing customers to choose 2D guidance, 2D control, 3D guidance, or full 3D control depending on their needs. As their business expands, they will be able to upgrade their SmartGrade system along with it, Steger noted. The 350 and 380 are available now, with more models to follow this summer and fall. HEG APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

EARTHMOVING

BIGGER AND STRONGER COMPONENTS FEATURED IN NEW HD EXCAVATORS BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

ome jobs are tougher than others on earthmoving equipment. Working conditions, weight requirements, and other factors can add difficulty and potentially call for a machine that is better adapted to those challenges. The X4 series of excavators from LBX can handle most situations, but for those that need an excavator that brings that extra effort the company has turned to its experience in forestry and added three heavy-duty machines to its line. Three X4 HD excavators, the 210, 250, and 300, have added beefier undercarriages and a variety of more rugged offerings for use in forestry, pipeline, land clearing, and other jobs. While the excavators retain many of the X4 features, they have been built bigger literally from the ground up, according to Randy Phillips, product manager with LBX. “The undercarriage on these machines is actually part of our forestry line. It has a high, wide undercarriage with one size up travel motors, lower rollers, and upper rollers. For instance,

The undercarriage on these machines is actually part of our forestry line. It has a high, wide undercarriage with one size up travel motors, lower rollers, and upper rollers. For instance, the 210 would use 250 components, the 250 and 300 basically use 350 forestry components. Randy Phillips Product Manager, LBX

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

the 210 would use 250 components, the 250 and 300 basically use 350 forestry components,” Phillips explained.

WIDER UNDERCARRIAGE STANCE AND HIGHER CLEARANCE

Compared to standard excavators, the HD models have an 11 to 17 percent wider stance along with 40 to 50 percent higher ground clearance, which provides additional stability and higher lift capacities, according to LBX. The machines are also equipped with full-length track guards, which protects the undercarriage when working on inclines and in other situations that could potentially cause damage to the tracks. Two bar grousers are also used, Phillips noted. “If you’re in a land clearing application, the two bar grouser is going to do a much better job going through the bush, in a wooded environment, for example. It will have more traction and clean out better.” The business end of the excavators has been updated as well, with the addition of a heavy-duty boom and arm and a high lift bracket. That addition provides another three to four feet of additional height, Phillips said, for use in demolition applications, loading tub grinders, and other roles that need more reach from the machine. The boom and stick are designed with a material thickness greater than a standard excavator, Phillips noted, providing additional strength for those heavy duty applications. Hydraulics have also been bolstered with the addition of combination hydraulics as standard on the HD machines, he said.

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If you’re in a land clearing application, the two-bar grouser is going to do a much better job going through the bush, in a wooded environment, for example. It will have more traction and clean out better. Randy Phillips

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“It has open and close and rotate functions, so that if you’re using any kind of tool, it can range from a single action tool like a hammer to something like a grapple that would rotate – it can do all three types of hydraulic functions,” he described. “The versatility of these machines is endless.”

CAB CARRIES OVER FROM BASE X4 LINE

While the undercarriage and front of the X4 HD machines have been bolstered, the cab and structure hold on to the comfort and capability of the X4 line. Power is provided by an Isuzu Tier 4 Final engine, generating power with a low fuel and DEF consumption rate while going without a diesel particulate filter. The cab itself features a high-resolution, 7-inch LCD monitor and a rear-view camera for added visibility at the back of the unit. The operator will be comfortable in a high-back air suspension seat with heat and tilt functionality. On-board Bluetooth, Free Swing, and straight travel pedal are all available from the factory. Proportional joysticks pair with the combination hydraulics for additional versatility and performance. The new machines have been drawing interest from a variety of industry sectors, including some that might not necessarily be focused on excavators. A machine on display at the ISRI trade show drew interest from scrapyard owners and for use in demolition roles with shear attachments, he noted. “Not all scrapyards are paved or concreted. People liked the additional ground clearance, and the fact that the machines had the standard combination hydraulics – that meant they could run a hammer, a grapple, or anything else that needed a rotate circuit,” Phillips said. HEG

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ROADBUILDING

MILLING MACHINES, ASPHALT PAVERS, AND MORE HIGHLIGHTED AT WORLD OF ASPHALT 2022

orld of Asphalt celebrated its twentieth anniversary at the Nashville Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, in March. Organizers say that more than 440 companies were spread across more than 193,000 square feet of convention space. Compare that to the first iteration, held in February 2001, which hosted 86 exhibitors on 28,000 square feet. Here are a few of the highlights from this year’s event.

BOMAG DEBUTS TWO NEW MILLING MACHINES

The BOMAG BM 1200/35-2 milling machine has a 350-hp (260-kW) MTU engine that allows for a 164 foot per minute (50 m/

BOMAG BM 1200/35-2 MILLING MACHINE

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

min) maximum milling speed and 410 foot per minute (125 m/min) transport speed. The machine design optimizes engine output to milling speed, increasing efficiency. The mill has a 47.2-inch (1,200-mm) cutting width and maximum 13-inch (330-mm) cutting depth. It is outfitted with a 25.6-inch-wide (650 mm) inside conveyor and a 23.6-inch-wide (600 mm) outside conveyor that can move material from the cutter housing to haul trucks at capacities reaching 235 cubic feet/hr (180 cubic metres/hr). The maximum discharge height is 224.4 inches (5,700 mm), with the conveyor able to swivel 45 degrees to the left and right. BOMAG’s BM 600/15-2 compact milling machine comes in 3- and 4-wheel designs

and features machine levelling sensors integrated into the mill’s side plate cylinders. A 7-inch (178-mm) colour display is used for operation and levelling control during mill set-up. A range of quick-exchange drum designs are available in widths from 3.15 to 23.6 inches (80 to 600 mm). The mill has a maximum 23.6-inch (600-mm) cutting width. Its hydraulic

such as FeedAssist, CleanAssist, ImpactAssist, DiveStop, and LightAssist. The Mat Master screeds are equipped with DiveStop and Active Screed Assist to pave regardless of material types. A double-width heavy-duty screed design is suitable for paving highways, new construction, or large commercial job sites.

WIRTGEN GROUP SHOWS ROLLER, PAVERS, AND A NEW COMPACT MILLING MACHINE Hamm

DYNAPAC D30W WHEELED PAVER

Hamm displayed its HD 14i TT pneumatic tire roller, from its HD CompactLine. The roller’s working weight is around 7,817 pounds (3,545 kg) with a working width of 50.2 inches (1,276 mm). Standard features of the HD 14i TT includes the vibration-isolated operator’s platform, 12 V socket, a vandal-proof cover on the dashboard, an electronic battery isolation switch, and a pressure water-sprinkling system. Options include a heated driver’s seat, rollover protection, and an automatic engine stop function.

system boosts transport speeds to 3.7 mph (6 km/hr) for 3-wheel and 6.2 mph (10 km/hr) 4-wheel configurations. A 15.7-inch-wide (400 mm) conveyor design features 30-degree left/right swiveling for truck loading at up to 111.2 cubic yards/ hr (85 cubic metres/hr) discharge rates.

DYNAPAC LAUNCHES NEW CLASS OF HIGHWAY PAVERS FOR NORTH AMERICA

Dynapac showcased its newest range of highway class pavers and screeds built for the North American Market. This includes four paver models, the D30T – 10-foot tracked machine, D30W – 10-foot wheeled machine, D25T – 8-foot tracked machine, and D25W – 8-foot wheeled machine, as well as two screeds, the Mat Master 16R (8–16 feet), and the Mat Master 20R (10–20 feet). The tracked and wheeled pavers can reach transportation speeds of up to 10 mph for fast repositioning of the machine. Dynamic Suspension Control (DSC) on the wheel pavers can ensure the necessary traction for highway paving. Heat control systems keep the screed at desired temperatures. The Dynapac smart dashboard and HMI design have several operator-assist functions built in

HAMM HD 14I TT PNEUMATIC TIRE ROLLER

APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

ROADBUILDING Vögele

Vögele presented several of its current pavers: the SUPER 700i Mini Class paver in combination with the AB 200 extending screed, the SUPER 1800-3i SprayJet Special Class paver in combination with the VR 600 rear-mounted screed, and the SUPER 2000-3i Highway Class paver in combination with the VF 600 extending screed with front-mounted extensions. The SUPER 700i, combined with the AB 200 extending screed, has paving widths between 3 feet 7 inches (1.1 m) and 6 feet 7 inches (2 m). Using width reductions, it can get to a minimum paving width of only 1 foot 8 inches (0.5 m). It can get to a maximum width of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 m) using attachments. The SUPER 1800-3i SprayJet with fixed-width screed VR 600 can be used as a spray screed or as a standard screed. The bitumen emulsion is sprayed and the asphalt surface is placed in a single pass. The paver, with the rear-mounted VR 600 screed, has a maximum spray width of 19 feet 6 inches (6 m). The SUPER 2000-3i tracked paver has an installation capacity of up to 1,540 US tph (1,400 tph) and a 6-cylinder diesel engine. With the VF 600 front-mounted screed, the paver can get to a maximum paving width of 19 feet 6 inches (6 m), 25 feet 5 inches (7.75 m) using attachments. It is also equipped with a telescopic guidance system for width adjustment. The L-shaped frame gives it high rigidity in longitudinal and transverse directions, while allowing for controlled torsion.

VÖGELE SUPER 700I PAVER

Wirtgen

Wirtgen introduced the W 120 Fi compact milling machine at World of Asphalt 2022. The front loaders, with working widths of 1.0 m, 1.2 m, and 1.3 m, are powered by John Deere engines that deliver a rated output of 265 kW/355 hp. The technologies of the F-series large milling machines have now been integrated into the F-series compact milling machines. These include the on-board digital assistance systems Mill Assist, Wirtgen Performance Tracker (WPT), and the Level Pro Active levelling system. In automatic mode, Mill Assist selects the operating strategy with the most favourable balance between milling performance and operating costs. The levelling system features operating panels that display all connected sensors and measured values.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

WIRTGEN W 120 FI MILLING MACHINE

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ROADBUILDING

CATERPILLAR AP555 ASPHALT PAVER

CATERPILLAR INTRODUCES NEW COMPACT LINE OF PAVERS AND UPDATES LARGE ASPHALT PAVER LINE

Caterpillar announced that it will be introducing a new compact line of asphalt pavers and screeds. These standard 8-foot size-class paver and screed combinations include the AP400, AP455, AP500, and AP555 asphalt pavers as well as the SE47 V and SE47 FM asphalt screeds. The standard paving range with the SE47 V screed is 8 to 15 feet 6 inches (2.4 to 4.7 m) with a maximum width of 20

feet (6.1 m), while the standard paving range of the SE47 FM screed is 8 feet to 15 feet 6 inches (2.4 to 4.7 m) with a maximum width of 20 feet 6 inches (6.2 m). Since these 13- to 15-ton-size-class machines have a length of less than 18 feet 6 inches (5.6 m) and width of 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m), they can be transported without special permits. The AP455 and AP555 have the Cat Mobil-trac undercarriage design, which is a four-bogie system with self-tensioning accumulators and centre guide blocks to help prevent slippage and reduce wear. A simple wheel undercarriage design is available. The AP400 can be equipped with a front-wheel assist option, while the AP500 can be equipped with front-

TOPCON SMOOTHRIDE

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

wheel assist or the all-wheel drive option. Caterpillar’s large asphalt paver line has been updated. The new AP600, AP655, AP1000, and AP1055 asphalt pavers have new screed offerings, technology that assists with paver set-up, better material retention, and enhanced visibility. The SE47 FM and SE60 FM Screeds have extenders in front of the main screed. The SE47 FM has a paving range of 8 feet to 20 feet 6 inches, while the SE60 FM provides 10 feet to 25 feet 6 inches paving range.

TOPCON POSITIONING GROUP HIGHLIGHTS SMOOTHRIDE PAVING WORKFLOW SOLUTION

World of Asphalt 2022 saw Topcon Positioning Systems highlight two paving solutions. The Topcon asphalt paving solution, SmoothRide, covers the entire asphalt paving workflow. The system can perform highway-speed road scans to start a project. It can create CAD plans and convert to 3D models. Then the 3D machine control can handle the milling and paving. Intelligent compaction finishes the job. Pavelink is a cloud-based application. It interconnects the asphalt production process (mixing plants), logistics, and paving at the job site. It helps in decision making by gathering and centralizing all relevant process data. This includes quantities produced, in transit and processed on site, truck locations, and paver data such as screed width and paver speed.

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EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT

PROTECT YOUR TRACK LOADER INVESTMENT UNDERCARRIAGE SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE BY LYNETTE VON MINDEN

track loader’s undercarriage contains some of the machine’s most critical components. It is also subjected to some of the worst punishment under extreme operating conditions. Its life expectancy depends on many factors, like application, ground conditions, and operating practices. Purchasing a machine with an undercarriage that has a poor design and construction can and will drain your profits. Choose wisely and you will reap the benefits of durability, uptime, and increased production.

RIGID UNDERCARRIAGE VS. SUSPENDED UNDERCARRIAGE

There are two types of track loader undercarriages – rigid or suspended. In a rigid-mount undercarriage, the left and right track frames are bolted or welded onto the main frame. Conversely, a suspension undercarriage uses movable track frames supported by torsion springs, or in some cases rollers, suspended by a leaf spring. A rigid undercarriage is most like that of a dozer that was built for grading or pushing. “That’s where a solid steel structure and integrated cross members become really important,” said Lee Padgett, product manager for Takeuchi-US. “The solid fully welded one-piece frame and boom stops also play a critical role in the grading and pushing ability of a machine. With ever increasing tractive efforts offered by our track loaders it is critical to transfer that shock and load though the frame rather than apply that force though the loader arms to the rear pins and bushings.” There are unique advantages to both a rigid undercarriage and suspension undercarriage. There are fewer moving parts

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

with a rigid undercarriage, which requires less maintenance. With fewer moving parts, the rigid undercarriage is more durable and easier to maintain than suspension track systems. Pound for pound, rigid undercarriages have a higher rated operating capacity and tip load than suspended undercarriages. However, suspension undercarriages typically provide a smoother ride for hard surface or load and carry applications by reducing shock and vibration throughout the machine.

OPERATOR CONSIDERATIONS

You’ve purchased a track loader, and you’re confident that it has the type of undercarriage that’s ideal for your needs. However, if you’re not the only person operating the machine, it’s important to ensure your crew members know how to use the track loader correctly. Crews operate equipment daily, so they’re in an ideal position to recognize problems. Proper operator training goes a long way towards ensuring a track loader’s undercarriage stays in good condition. “Sometimes, crew members are more familiar with other types of equipment, and they may adapt the way they operate those machines to a track loader,” Padgett said. “Track loaders require a different approach in some ways. For example, when you’re operating a skid steer, it’s possible to apply enough pressure downward on the bucket to raise the front tires off the ground. On track loaders, this technique tends to spin the track, which can cause premature wear of the track and rear rollers.” Taking wide turns instead of operating the machine like a skid steer and turning around right on the spot will help minimize undercarriage wear and disturbance to the surface under

EVERY DAY YOU SHOULD CLEAN ANY MUD OR OTHER ACCUMULATED DEBRIS FROM THE TRACKS.

the machine. In sloped conditions, it’s important to drive up and down the slope, not across it, to avoid unnecessary wear to undercarriage components. Going across a slope puts side loads on the machine’s tracks, rollers, and idlers.

MAINTENANCE MUSTS

“Preventive maintenance is the key to a longer machine life,” Padgett said. “You can reduce operational costs by taking advantage of the real-time maintenance and service-needs data that a telematics system can provide. For example, our Takeuchi Fleet Management system (TFM) allows operators to plan ahead and schedule maintenance visits based on actual machine data. This is a proactive approach that reduces downtime while increasing productivity and profitability.” Anyone who owns or operates a track loader should know how to properly adjust the tracks. Track sag or tension should be checked daily and proper tension maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A rubber track system that gets too loose can cause the machine to “de-track,” meaning the rubber track rides off the undercarriage. Conversely, operating with the rubber tracks too tight could result in operating inefficiencies such as increased component and track wear. “Track tension usually can be adjusted in just a few minutes,” Padgett said. "Taking a little time to ensure your tracks are properly tensioned can serve to reduce costly downtime and headaches.” Keeping the undercarriage and tracks clean is also very important. Compact track loaders are great for use on soft ma-

terial like dirt and mud, but debris can get packed in the tracks, and that can cause trouble. Tracks that are bogged down with material will cause machines to use more power and fuel than necessary, and the tracks themselves may wear down faster. Debris also causes drive motors to lose efficiency, and extra material may also serve as insulation that doesn’t allow the oil in the drives to cool properly. “Every day you should clean any mud or other accumulated debris from the tracks,” Padgett said. “Depending on your operating conditions, this can be a quick task, or it can take some time. That’s why we recommend track loaders with an undercarriage that features a sloped open-centre design with well-protected drive lines, that not only helps shed debris but also allows for the use of a spade to remove hardened materials.” Be sure to regularly check tracks for uneven wear, because if certain components wear down more quickly than others, it can affect the entire machine’s productivity. Also look for any tears, cuts or punctures, as well as leakages from the travel motors, hoses, or rollers and repair those immediately. “Of course, as with any heavy equipment, following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is vital to machine health and longevity,” Padgett said. “That extends to undercarriage and track maintenance as well. If you follow their guide, you’ll have a track loader that stays in good shape and helps you stay as productive as possible.”

LYNETTE VON MINDEN is a public relations manager

with Swanson Russell.

APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT

FIVE WAYS MOBILE APPS IMPROVE EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT

eeping tabs on dozens or hundreds of pieces of rental equipment on a job site, including what’s in use, what needs to be returned, and what’s awaiting delivery or pickup, is a big job. When construction project timelines are running, con-

tractors see using mobile technology as an important tool to make sound decisions and take speedy actions about equipment resources. Contractors can use equipment rental mobile applications to improve fleet management, keep projects on schedule, and boost worksite performance. Equipment rental mobile apps bring consumer-like experiences to construction worksite teams and make everyday fleet management tasks easier. They allow contractors to rent and manage equipment, including excavators, trenchers, aerial work platforms, backhoe loaders, and more, no matter where they are located. Mobile apps enable workers at job sites to keep informed while on the go and empower them to take control of equipment resources to get work done. “Mobile applications help contractors create high-performing job sites by allowing workers to know quickly what equipment they have, where it is located, how much they are paying for it, how often it is being used and when they need to return it,” said Paul Maddison, director, Digital Innovation, United Rentals. “Construction teams can see how their fleet is performing in real time and make the right equipment moves to keep proj-

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

ect performance on track and save money.” Here are five ways mobile applications can improve worksite equipment management. 1. Find and order equipment Contractor teams can use mobile applications to browse, search, and rent equipment inventory directly from a mobile device on a 24/7 basis whether at the worksite, office, or home. Mobile apps can show a company’s contract pricing during the order process and provide users with confirmations after equipment rental orders are placed. 2. View all equipment Worksite teams can use their mobile devices to view all their rented equipment listed by status, cat-class and job site. Mobile apps can include search capabilities to locate specific pieces of equipment. They can help contractors close the “communication chasm” that can occur between an equipment order and when the machine arrives on

5. Request service Mobile apps can allow contractor teams to request service on rented equipment from anywhere, including the worksite. In the app, users select the equipment issue, such as tire or hydraulic leak, add descriptive information regarding the issue and attach equipment photos. Users receive a service

confirmation number which is also sent to the local branch of the rental provider, which will then contact the contractor to schedule service. From a mobile app, users can see all their active equipment service requests in the app dashboard. United Rentals Mobile App solution The United Rentals

Mobile App provides 24/7 access to its equipment rental fleet and makes it easy to rent and return equipment from a mobile phone or tablet. The app can help companies improve consumption management, including flagging when rentals are due, extending rental duration, viewing leniency windows, and requesting equipment pickups.

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site. Mobile apps provide visibility into order delivery status from pending to en route to delivered. 3. Control rental equipment Mobile apps can allow workers to extend or off-rent equipment in seconds with a few simple clicks. Contractors’ teams can use their mobile devices to schedule equipment pickups and receive conﬁrmations which decrease the risk of discrepancies in returning equipment. The apps can be used to adjust rental dates on equipment, providing contractors with leniency windows to find ways to reduce costs. For example, if a company has multiple scissor lifts on rent and work is winding down, a contractor can decide which ones to return in order to right-size its fleet and minimize rental costs. 4. Monitor and manage equipment Worksite teams can employ GPS technology from their mobile apps to know the precise location of rental equipment at all times. They can track utilization of telematics-supported equipment in real time and use this actionable data to make decisions on how best to deploy their fleet and save money on underutilized equipment.

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2022-03-16 10:01:03 AM

ATTACHMENTS

FOR EXCAVATORS AND COMPACT LOADERS

JOHN DEERE ME36 MULCHER

ENGCON PC6000 PLATE COMPACTOR

heavyequipmentguide.ca | APRIL 2022

ROAD WIDENER ROLLER SPRAY BAR SYSTEM LOFTNESS BAD AX DISC MULCHER

The ME36 and ME50 mulchers for John Deere 50/60 and 75/85 excavators are equipped with knifestyle cutting teeth on a splitring rotor. The spiral, double helix tool pattern and the tool shape allow for fast, efficient cutting for up to 5-inch material. A controlled and metered cutting depth allows the operator to maintain high rotor revolutions per minute and a productive mulching rate. The teeth may be sharpened and easily flipped for a fresh cutting edge, extending the tool’s life. The mulcher attachments are ideal for rightof-way maintenance and fire/ fuel reduction, and clearing standing or felled trees and brush along fencerows, roadsides, waterways, and other hard-to-reach places.

Engcon’s new PC6000 plate compactor is designed for use with a tiltrotator on excavators between 12 and 24 tonnes. Utilizing a plate compactor with a tiltrotator enables the operator to precisely position and angle the attachment without moving the carrier. The EC-Oil automatic quick coupler system is standard, which means that the operator can connect the compactor plate and its hydraulics without having to leave the cab. A low flow requirement means that the PC6000 can be driven via the tiltrotator’s extra hydraulics, and a screwable gate makes it easy to change the compactor to another coupler system.

Road Widener now offers a spray bar system that increases the versatility of its Offset Vibratory Roller attachment. This accessory fits on all of its Offset Vibratory Roller attachments and aids in suppressing dust particles, compacting aggregates, and preventing clumping when rolling hot mix asphalt. The spray bar system comes with two seven-gallon tanks for each side of the roller and can pair with any-sized water tank that may already be on the host machine. These features all complement the Offset Vibratory Roller that has a total reach of nine feet and can be purchased with a two-, three-, or four-footwide drum. The drums can pivot up to 30 degrees, reach up to 30 inches below the mounting point, and are interchangeable.

Loftness has updated its Bad Ax disc mulcher attachment for skid steers. The new version is lighter and stronger, featuring improved machine balance and upgraded performance. The new Bad Ax weighs over 400 pounds less than the original model and is positioned approximately five inches closer to the power unit for improved balance, stability, and flotation of the skid steer. Durability of the unit has been improved through updates to the steel housing and a larger-diameter main shaft. Performance has also improved on the Bad Ax disc mulcher thanks to a new radial piston high-pressure motor, which provides fulltorque capability at start-up for fast recovery time. Additionally, a redesigned intake has increased performance by offering better material flow through the unit.

APRIL 2022 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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Heavy Equipment Guide April 2022, Volume 37, Number 4

Articles inside

Five ways mobile apps improve equipment management

Spotlight

From the Editor