FROM THE EDITOR

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 EXHIBITORS TO FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS ADDRESSING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

Alot has changed since CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 – a global pandemic, supply chain interruptions, economic uncertainty, and skilled worker shortages are a few of the challenges that our industry has experienced in the last three years. In this landscape, dialing in to the needs of contractors is more important than ever, and manufacturers have stepped up to deliver exciting advancements in equipment and technology to give contractors an edge.

Electrification and alternative drives is a big one – electric compact machines were novel attractions at CONEXPO-CON/ AGG 2020, with just a few models working out in the field at that time. More manufacturers have jumped into this space since 2020, and simplified maintenance and flexibility to work in sensitive environments have made these machines a darling of the rental industry. Expect to see even more electric equipment, and other alternative power options, such as hydrogen, in greater prominence at CONEXPO 2023 and beyond.

Machine control and telematics have grown substantially in popularity on heavy iron. These tools were established in the industry long before CONEXPO 2020, but contractors’ ability to leverage the data that flows to and from these connected machines is becoming more sophisticated. More information, whether sent from the office to the machine, from the machine to the office, between workers on the job site, and through other connected technologies, such as drones, means that everyone involved in the construction process has more actionable information at their fingertips. Look for more emphasis on job site connectivity at CONEXPO 2023 and demonstrations that show how this data can make your projects more efficient.

A good operator can be hard to find – and that has become more true over the past couple of years. We’ve noticed an uptick in focus on the operator in two respects: cab comfort aimed at improving operator experience, and technology, such as automation of some functions, that is designed to get new operators up to speed with more precision and skilled operators working more efficiently. Look for manufacturers to emphasize the incab experience that is so important for retaining the operators who make the machine their office.

Finally, not every job site requires equipment with all of the latest technology, and manufacturers are making it easy for contractors to select a workhorse machine with limited premi- um features. Look for an emphasis on value at CONEXPO-CON/ AGG 2023.

A lot has changed since CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, but some things stay the same – connecting in person to touch and demo the latest equipment and technology, and forge relationships with others, remains of paramount value. If you’re attending the show, don’t forget your walking shoes – the expanded footprint now includes the Diamond Lots and West Hall – and if you’re not attending, stay tuned to heavyequipmentguide.ca and our social channels throughout the week for all the big announcements and highlights. For now, we’re excited to show you what’s coming this March – for an advance look at what to expect, check out our CONEXPO-CON/ AGG 2023 show preview in this issue.

Kaitlyn Till Editor In Chief

Doosan Rebrands As Develon

From a list of more than one hundred options, and after considering how a name would translate globally and culturally, the powers that be decided Doosan Infracore will be rebranded as DEVELON going forward. The new brand is essentially a combination of “develop onward.”

Todd Roecker, vice president of growth initiatives explains, “What identified with us, and what we’re trying to do as a company, what we’re trying to do within the industry, is really focusing on the future. Looking at a 10-year, 20-year plan and really what that means is, how can we continue to develop onward.”

The new brand was revealed at a small gathering of media and company executives at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, Nevada. DEVELON will take advantage of the maximum exposure offered at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 to be the major launching pad of the new brand and provide the first opportunity for customers to see it in person, along with the latest developments in the Concept-X autonomous equipment solution that it has been developing over the last few years. Its booth will be adorned with the new DEVELON logo and colour scheme, as will the equipment on display.

Machines bearing the new badging will roll off the assembly line starting in March this year and are expected to be available in the North American market in the second quarter. Dealers are also in the process of re-branding signage and sales and marketing materials. Roecker adds, “And of course our customization plant in Savannah, Georgia, will start to do some rebranding as well in March, so our customers and the dealers will start to see them in early to mid Q2.”

The sale of Doosan Infracore to HD Hyundai in August 2021 provided the opportunity for the brand change.

SKID-STEER LOADER INVENTORS INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME

Cyril and Louis Keller, the brothers who invented the world’s first compact loader, later named the Bobcat skid-steer loader, have been selected as 2023 inductees for the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF).

In the 1950s, brothers Cyril (April 8, 1922 – Oct. 28, 2020) and Louis (May 9, 1923 – July 11, 2010) operated a small machinist-blacksmith shop in Minnesota together, building and repairing machinery for local farmers. A farmer approached them with a need for a self-propelled loader light enough to be lifted to the second floor of a turkey barn and small enough to clean around the barn’s upright poles. In 1957, the Kellers built a three-wheeled loader with two drive wheels in front and a caster wheel in the rear – the precursor to the modern skidsteer loader.

The loader came to the attention of Melroe Manufacturing Company (now Bobcat Company), which invited the Kellers to demonstrate their invention in their booth at the Minnesota State Fair in 1958. After a successful demonstration at the fair, the Melroe Manufacturing Company was awarded exclusive manufacturing rights to the machine on a royalty basis and hired the Keller brothers to refine the design and put the machine into production.

To improve the design of the loader, a second set of drive wheels was added to the back of the loader in 1960. With this four-wheel drive, the M400 became the world’s first skid-steer loader. “Skid-steer” describes the unique steering system, which enables the machine to turn within its own length. Later, the Bobcat brand name was established because of the machine’s quickness and agility.

Built Robotics Acquires Roin Technologies

Built Robotics has acquired Roin Technologies. The acquisition aims to increase the capabilities of Built Robotics’ engineering team and help accelerate automation technology developments beyond construction applications. Construction costs have slowed the building of infrastructure, clean energy, transportation, and housing. Built Robotics aims to combat that issue by creating autonomous technology to lessen the impact of labour shortages.

As part of the acquisition, Roin’s CEO, Jim Delaney, will join Built’s engineering team. The technologies underlying Roin’s automated power trowel and shotcrete robot will be integrated into Built Robotics’ systems. Engineering efforts will focus on Built’s existing and future product lines.

Trimble Acquires Ryvit

Ryvit helps users integrate data and coordinate their workflows for greater project visibility by processing data records between different construction partners. These integrations will be supported as part of Trimble Construction One, with the offerings from Ryvit rebranding to Data Xchange and App Xchange.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 SHOW PREVIEW

Turn to page 16 for an advance look at new machines and technology on display at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023.

Tire Made Of 90 Percent Sustainable Materials

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has unveiled a demonstration tire comprised of 90 percent sustainable materials. The tire contains 17 different ingredients, 90 percent of which come from sustainable sources. The tire has passed applicable regulatory testing as well as Goodyear’s internal testing. The tests have shown that the tire has a lower rolling resistance when compared to the reference tire made with traditional materials. Bringing a 90 percent sustainable-material tire to market will require further collaboration with Goodyear’s supply base to identify the scale necessary for these sustainable materials to produce the tire at high volumes.

VOLVO CE ELECTRIC WHEEL LOADER INVESTMENT STEPS TOWARD FOSSIL-FREE FUTURE

Volvo CE will invest around $6.3 million into electric wheel loader production at its Arvika factory in Sweden. The facility specializes in medium and large wheel loader production. The investment will help build a new building, expand the current facility, and upgrade the manufacturing capabilities to allow for the phased manufacturing of electric wheel loaders.

While it has not yet been announced which Volvo CE wheel loaders will be electrified, the production of both electric wheel loaders and wheel loaders fitted with combustion engines will continue on the same production line.