Diggers LIVE Magazine - January 2023

Greetings and happy new year.

Thank you for supporting us into our fourth calendar year.

I took the decision to stall this issue by about a week, so as not to get lost in the seasonal jamboree. I felt that presenting this to our readers and the industry now would work best for our audience.

We begin 2023 as we do every other year with our Las Vegas prep. As I write, the 49th edition of World of Concrete begins in a matter of days and then its over to CONEXPO (also to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center) a couple of months later.

This year we have prepared even better, with an investment in new technology. Being able to offer you this printed magazine bimonthly, we are making our strongest leap into video yet. We look forward to expanding our reach to you via YouTube and our socials and possibly even VR. Watch this space.

News on some of this year’s international industry events is to be found from page 20.

Also, in issue 15 we have our EQUIPMENT ENGAGEMENT feature with BMC Buckets owner Wayne Ridings and our BUSINESS INSIDER interview is with Approved Hydraulics’ Adam Hindle.

Our ‘Bearded Excavator’ Lloyd Peckham has been pond digging in Southwater among other things, as you can read on page 38.

With a whole host of other news and appointments, I sincerely hope you enjoy.

Looking ahead to 2023 domestically, we have both the Executive Hire Show and Plantworx on the horizon. We are involved in promoting the latter event and I look forward to seeing you at both in the first half of this year. If not, you can read about them in Diggers LIVE and watch on Diggers

LIVE TV via YouTube.

It’s safe to say my team and I are looking forward to this year.

NEWS

38

BEARDED EXCAVATION

Following on from his account in November’s Diggers LIVE, Lloyd Peckham brings us up to date with the Bearded Excavation story

Tribute to Mick Payne, AKA Thunderbird 2

42 INDUSTRY

• Keep on Trucking…with Ferne Jones

• Hire

Contract Plant Rental profile H&C Plant Hire invests in fleet of 20 JCB backhoe loaders

• Clive McNally, General Manager of J MAC, makes a short but successful visit to bauma 2022

• Hyundai reintroduces brand with hydrogen and electric concepts at bauma

• Operation Europe: Rokbak targets France and Germany

• Chris Ward of A-1 Auto Transport on transporting heavy equipment long distances

• Manitou adds ECV (Emissions Compliance Verification) initiative to CESAR security marking scheme

• Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity lunch raises £224,000 for construction families

• Plant Machine Control profile

• Rokbak RA30 excels at German gravel pit

• Weaver Plant goes from strength to strength with Kubota

• Ritchie Bros purchases Maltby site with further development plans

• Dennis Kottman, Head of Marketing at Surplex, presents a brief history of excavators and a look to the future

• Contractor purchases first JCB 245XR in Northern Ireland

Rubble Master awards Red Knight 6 full UK dealership

Rubble Master, manufacturer of world leading impact crushers and scalping and sizing screens has installed Red Knight 6 as its sole UK distributor. Rubble Master has taken the decision to reorganise it UK dealer network and the change sees RK6 take on the whole of the UK, having previously focused on the Midlands, East Anglia, the south and south-west.

Previously, Rubble Master had been working with two dealers in the UK, but with a new streamlined approach the company will move to just one dealer. Red Knight 6 has worked with Rubble Master for the past six years and will be bringing experienced sales and service teams to support customers in the region.

Paul Donnelly, Managing Director of Red Knight 6 Ltd said: “We have worked tirelessly for six years to ensure the market not only understands the quality of the Rubble Master machines, but also has support from our market leading sales, service and spare parts teams. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work across the rest of the UK and continue to grow the excellence of the Rubble Master offering.”

Former Construction Equipment Association chief receives MBE

Rob Oliver, who retired as the Chief Executive of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association) in 2021, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s first New Year’s honours list.

The Award of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) was made in recognition of Oliver’s services to the construction equipment manufacturing sector. He remains active in the industry as an Executive Director of Construction Equipment Events Ltd (CEE), which will be delivering the fifth Plantworx show from 13 to 15 June at the East of England Arena and Events Centre (Peterborough).

In his time with the CEA, Oliver helped develop and deliver the CESAR Scheme plant marking and registration scheme – and its extension to cover onsite Emissions Compliance Verification (ECV).

In recognition of his work with the police to combat plant theft, he has also given his name to a special annual award to police forces that have shown a special commitment to anti-theft campaigning. He also put

together the organisation for the first Plantworx (in 2013) and developed the concept of a construction equipment technology event, which became the first Futureworx showcase and conference in March 2022.

In response to news of his award, Rob Oliver said: “What a nice surprise to kick off 2023. It has been a privilege to work with both paid officials and volunteers for the CEA on the various projects we undertook over the years –and great credit should go to them.

“In my career, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with senior people in a number of industries, which has given me a ringside seat to the workings of British and international business. However, I am still looking forward, including offering a great showcase for construction equipment innovation and technology at Plantworx 2023.”

Oliver’s wife, Joanna, also received recognition for her international trade work with the construction equipment sector. She was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s birthday honours list in 2011.

Susie Burrage awarded OBE in New Year Honours

European Metal Trade and Recycling Branch of EuRIC, UK Ambassador for the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), Ambassador for the Global Recycling Foundation and Patron of the Bureau of Middle East Recycling. All roles are undertaken on a voluntary basis.

A true trailblazer, in 2014 Ms Burrage was the first woman to be appointed to the board of the 100-year-old BMRA and became the association’s first female president when she was elected in 2016 –she has subsequently been re-elected an unprecedented four times.

Bureau of Middle East Recycling, she helps to ensure the UK metal recycling industry continues its warm relationship with fellow recyclers in this important region and beyond.

Ms Burrage said: “I am the fourth generation of my family to own a metal recycling facility. I worked alongside my father before founding Recycled Products Ltd in 2001. It is since taking on my voluntary roles in the UK, Europe and beyond, that I have been able to get recycling’s positive messages out to a wider audience. I will continue with my endeavours to promote recycling until it gains the prominence it deserves as an essential ingredient in our transition to a circular economy.

Susie Burrage, Managing Director of Buckinghamshire-based Recycled Products Ltd, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s inaugural New Year Honours in recognition of her services to recycling and to the environment.

Susie, 50, from Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire said she now planned to use the honour to shine a light on the important role the recycling industry has in our future and to encourage a whole new generation of young people to join the sector.

She said: “I am overwhelmed to have been awarded this honour and proud that it is for services to recycling, which is requisite to the future of our planet.

“I dedicate this accolade to my family, past and present, who have supported me and encouraged me, especially my late father Tom, who brought me into this industry and encouraged me to take a seat at the boardroom table when it was predominantly men who were doing so.”

Robert Ellis, Operations Manager at Recycled Products Ltd, added: “Susie is the third generation of the Burrage family I have worked alongside, and I know her father and grandfather would be extremely proud. The team at Recycled Products and I are delighted that Susie has been recognised for her hard work and dedication to the recycling industry.”

As well as running her business based in Chesham, Bucks, Susie is also President of the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), President of the

She regularly promotes the environmental benefits of recycling in the media and at conferences worldwide, highlighting the importance of metal recycling in achieving net-zero targets. Her influential position means UK metal recyclers are being represented on a global stage.

Through her roles at the BMRA, EuRIC and BIR, she represents recyclers at a European and international level. Susie works with lobbyists and policymakers across a range of issues that affect the industry globally, helping them work towards favourable outcomes for recyclers, thus ensuring more raw materials from recycling are available across the globe.

As an ambassador for the Global Recycling Foundation, Ms Burrage has encouraged many well-known faces to take part in social media campaigns to promote recycling on Global Recycling Day, held on 18 March every year.

As the first female Patron of the

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) represents the UK metals recycling sector. www.recyclemetals.org

The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) is the confederation representing the interests of the European recycling industries at EU level. www.euric-aisbl.eu

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is the only global recycling industry federation representing more than 30,000 companies around the globe. www.bir.org

“We all, as custodians of planet earth, have a duty to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Everyday recyclers play their part in helping to reduce CO2 emissions. They rescue essential raw materials by collecting, sorting, and processing our discarded waste. Be it metals, textiles, rubber, plastic, glass, paper or a combination of these, there is a recycler with a solution.

“As a holder of prominent senior recycling roles, not only do I feel the responsibility to promote recycling and its environmental benefits, but to also encourage the younger generations to join our essential industry. I am very proud of all my achievements, especially the glass ceilings I have broken. Some of my proudest moments are when younger female colleagues from around the world have said I have inspired them.”

Ms Burrage added: “Huge thanks to my team at Recycled Products Ltd and the Associations for whom I volunteer and the secretariats who work tirelessly and shine a light on the extremely important and vital recycling industry.”

The Global Recycling Foundation supports the promotion of recycling and the recycling industry across the world to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet. Its biggest initiative, Global Recycling Day, falls on 18 March each year and aims to promote the vitality of recycling across the globe. www.globalrecyclingfoundation.org

The Bureau of Middle East Recycling (BMR) serves as the regional forum and voice of the recycling industry in the Middle East. https://bmr.ae

Blue Machinery becomes UK distributor for VTN attachments

Blue Machinery and Murray Plant (A Blue Scotland Company) have been appointed as distributors for VTN attachments throughout the UK.

The addition of VTN to its product portfolio will complement its existing line up of world leading attachment brands such as Rammer, Allu, Shearcore, Xcentric and OilQuick.

Since 1973, VTN has been producing a wide range of earthmoving, demolition and recycling attachments. A familyowned company that has been operating for 50 years, VTN prides itself on producing high quality products across a diverse range of solutions.

Blue Spares is now an authorised supplier of genuine OEM parts for VTN in the UK, with parts arriving ready to service existing VTN customers from both its Warrington and Stirling depots, which collectively hold an inventory of over 5m parts. Its dedicated team of parts experts offers customers 24/7/365 availability to keep their equipment up and running. Managing Director at Blue Central, Aidan McGeary, says: “We recognise VTN as a world leading manufacturer of machinery attachments and following a recent visit to their impressive facility close to Venice, we are extremely excited to partner up with a company and team that recognises

New CPA Chief Executive appointed

to shape and ensure the continuing success of the CPA. Kevin Minton will work alongside Stu for a period of time to allow a smooth handover.

the value in reinvesting in themselves and their business partners.

“We look forward to building a strong relationship with VTN for many years to come and helping them maintain their strong position throughout the UK marketplace.”

Export Manager at VTN, Massimo Ballo, says: “We are happy to share common values to Blue Group. By collaborating, we can work better, acting with a shared purpose to constantly improve and grow, but also to become better individuals and to work in a better team and company.”

The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has appointed Stu McInroy to the position of Chief Executive. Stu will take over the role of CPA Chief Executive in the second quarter of 2023.

Stu is replacing outgoing Chief Executive Kevin Minton, who announced his retirement in August 2022. In his new role as Chief Executive of the CPA, Stu will report to the CPA’s governing Council and work alongside CPA

CPA President Brian Jones said: “On behalf of CPA Council, I congratulate Stu on his appointment and I wish him every success in his new role. Myself, the Chairman and the CPA Council are very much looking forward to Stu joining the CPA team. CPA Council is also looking forward to new opportunities and developments, and supporting CPA members under Stu’s direction. This builds on the excellent work that Kevin Minton and the CPA team have carried out for the association.”

Outgoing Chief Executive Kevin Minton said: “I am pleased to welcome Stu to the association and I’m confident that he will lead CPA to new levels of support for our members’ businesses.”

Stu, who joins CPA from the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA),

where he has been Chief Executive since 2018, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the CPA and look forward very much to working with the CPA Council, association members and staff, to protect and promote the interests of the construction plant-hire sector.”

The CPA is the leading trade association for the plant-hire sector in the UK, with over 1,800 members who supply 85% of hired plant to the construction industry. The organisation is the UK’s principal point of contact for all issues relating to the use of construction plant.

The CPA works with government departments and agencies, local authorities, construction clients, private companies, other trade associations, and third sector organisations, on issues including employee health and safety, machinery standards and emissions control, public safety and road transport, skills and employment.

The association publishes a wide range of guidance documents, which are distributed widely throughout the construction industry and many are available for immediate free download from the CPA website at www.cpa.uk.net. The CPA supports a number of special interest groups, which tackle issues within specialist sectors.

President Brian Jones and the Chairman Steven Mulholland

EQUIPMENT ENGAGEMENT

Interviewee: Wayne Ridings

Wayne Ridings is a Tredegar lad who began his working career at Geith International, a market leader of earth moving equipment. While with Geith he learned all aspects of manufacturing earth moving equipment, including numerous types of buckets, quick hitches and bespoke products. Following the closure of the Geith manufacturing facility in Tredegar, he joined BMC in Chepstow, initially as works manager and in 2012 becoming the owner.

About BMC

QTell us about the history, development and culture of BMC Buckets

BMC is a privately owned British SME and this year it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. I took control of BMC around 10 years ago and made a strategic move away from supplying the cheaper type of product into producing high quality excavator attachments equivalent to the more established and popular manufacturers. The standard GP buckets we sell account for approximately 50% of our business, with the remainder taken up by bespoke products.

The company philosophy is about customer satisfaction and producing a quality product and providing value for money. We pride ourselves in exceeding customer expectations whenever possible and enjoy the challenges thrown at us.

Buckets?

Supplying a full service is our goal, our experienced staff are willing to share their time to assist any procurement personnel who may be new to the role and not fully familiar with what their employers seek to achieve with the product. Alternatively, you have the user/ owner who knows what he wants but needs to relate that to an experienced ear before going ahead with confidence. We manufacture

most of our products in Chepstow, supporting local suppliers when possible, vital to achieving both consistent quality and creating a wealthier local area.

So, the customer can expect a positive experience at the initial enquiry. They can be pleased that their purchase will help maintain the manufacturing skill base in the UK. Suppliers from the far east can’t compete on the bespoke options due to the 16week shipping times. Unless the UK industry is supported, these bespoke options will become a thing of the past.

Two full apprenticeships have been served in our machining shop in my time at BMC. A lot of the staff who have been here longer than me worked their way up through the various skills

required and we continue to seek young employees to evolve in the same way. Versatility has become a critical component in the workshop over the last few years and we will endeavour to grow it throughout the business.

We have also supported three

QTell us about the company philosophy or working culture

QWhat can a customer expect when they buy from BMC

QTell us about training and how you bring new workers on board

employees through the Jobs Growth Wales platform, whereby we work with the Welsh government to generate employment for young people. Our current Manufacturing Director Chris Hoskins came through this route to BMC 10 years ago.

When we recruit, it’s often through word of mouth, keeping it as local as possible and looking after our community when we can, helping it to thrive. We like to progress people through the company, starting with the basics and developing a strong set of skills. I think there needs to be more information about work opportunities and apprenticeships given to both companies and young people. Further education isn’t for everyone, yet it seems schools still push with the expectation that everyone wants to go to university, it’s as if they have targets to hit or it’s prestigious that so many go on to university. We need to show people that there are other ways and shift the public perspective to respect that the alternative is another way of building a career, not a lesser path.

QHow do you see the outlook for the plant industry and BMC Buckets over the coming years? What will be the biggest factors or challenges?

It’s going to be tough for all manufacturing in the UK both short and long term. We are presently competing with the price of imported products but, with the fuel/power problems instigated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it’s going to affect our industries and suppliers. It shows no sign of easing for a couple of years and a lot of the UK manufacturing will not survive.

I do not expect plant owners to buy British at any cost because that’s not good business practice but, if its competitive and the equivalent standard, why wouldn’t they?

I’m referring to all engineering companies in all fields of the UK market. If the people that matter don’t attempt to keep the business and wealth afloat in the UK, where are tomorrow’s customers coming from? I am confident the plant industry will remain strong because we will need to build our way out of the imminent and any further recessions that will occur.

QAnd how do you see the medium-term future for BMC’s product development?

I believe that we will have to continue to adapt our products to the demands of the market as ever.

For example, the successful introduction of tilty-type attachments by numerous companies has been a phenomenal success and so we have had to produce a bucket range to suit.

Due to the increased popularity of hydraulic products, we have been pressured by customers to develop and introduce our own range. This is what we are currently focusing on in the background, producing prototypes and doing

the R&D work to ensure our products are equally good as well established brands. It’s important that we get it right first time as nothing spreads faster than bad news.

We would also like to produce more of our buckets in the 40 to 50 t range as we do them very well, but the opportunity to do them is infrequent as most of our customers sell and operate in the 1-30 t range.

QWhat

developments you have seen in the industry and what do you envisage will be future game changers?

The introduction of tilties is without

doubt a fabulous upgrade since the Quick Coupler was introduced but, electric and hydrogen power is the new guy in town.

Remotely driven machines are coming our way for sure, but they are going to have to improve the machines a lot to compete with an operator. The operator (brain) is the life source of the machine. He feels the ground he is working; he feels any stresses occurring during the process. He instinctively knows where to go to put that bucket next or take a half load when necessary. Fitting sensors on large excavators to replicate an operator will be a huge challenge for the coming years, and I would rather they

stayed clear of my products until they master it.

QWhat is your company doing with regard to sustainability?

When looking at heavy industry it’s often perceived to be dirty, however we consider ourselves a very sustainable business. Our products are 100% recyclable, we use water-based paint products, reuse packaging that comes into us, recycling anything we can’t wherever possible, there is very little that goes to general waste. The waste we do produce goes to an energy from waste plant – this has a significantly lower CO2e footprint than landfill

are the biggest technological

BMC products

BMC’s key products are our standard buckets. We need standard buckets to keep the other bespoke products running alongside. One of our more popular attachments is the simple Concrete Pouring Bucket.

This is not too much of a revolution but more of an evolution. The basic design has been around for a while but what makes ours different is the precision CNC cut and rolled spout. The shaped design allows the concrete to flow nicely. The bucket features a large tank area that gets filled with cement and is used to accurately and effortlessly pour into the prepared footings of newbuilds, etc. Manual handling is cut to a minimum and the spout allows you to place concrete in the intended area and not be splashed against the walls of the trench. It’s simple but effective. Less waste and less work, as simple as that. We sell around 50 per year but, it’s surprising how many plant guys don’t know of us.

QTell us about one of your key products

“What makes ours different is the precision CNC cut and rolled spout. The shaped design allows the concrete to flow nicely”

About Wayne

I began my working life making buckets for P.F.Doggett, Geith and now here at BMC, 46 years in total. Like most kids of 17 years walking into their first job, I had to start at the bottom of the ladder but when you’re young you breeze through it enjoying yourself along the way. I must say I do like to take the lead in situations and so I wasn’t on the bottom rung very long and was soon trusted with responsibility regardless of my lack of schooling.

QTell

Making products in a workshop is much more rewarding than working on a car assembly line for instance. You get to assemble and sometimes weld the product from start to finish, you kind of own it. We are still doing that at BMC today, guys love their work results. Pride is a great motivator and it certainly motivated me.

about the different aspects of your work

us

My age is against me a little, so I am gradually weaning myself away from the office and beginning to leave the new seeds take over. I am still contributing on the shop floor whenever I get the opportunity, I can’t resist it even at 63 years young, especially on bespoke products.

I have been spending more time working with the technical guys in the office on product development; recently this has been the hydraulics and I enjoy seeing this work pass through the factory.

QWhat do you find most rewarding in work and which parts are most challenging?

Giving people an opportunity and developing staff, I think that answers both questions!

QWhat would you like to achieve before retirement?

It would be great if I could have some influence on our industry leaders to support the many UK manufacturers who are still competitive with the east but are overlooked until something unusual is required. I cannot apologise for wanting to repeat the cliche, let’s put the Great back in front of Britain and pull together.

QHow long have you been in the industry and how did you start out?

QWhat attracted you to the industry?

AND FINALLY

Describe yourself in three adjectives. Honest, passionate and generous

What do you do for fun?

Cycling, on cycle paths only I might add. We have some good ones in the valleys – did you notice I was Welsh? My uncle and I cycled along the river Danube from Passau in Germany through Austria to its capital, Vienna, over five days, stopping in hotels along the way. Wonderful scenery and a magnificent river and cycle route for beginners. A fabulous experience and you can imagine the fun we had trying to navigate to our hotel using my phone. My uncle was 70 years old at the time so, I took some stick.

Who do you most admire? Winston Churchill has my utmost admiration, along with anyone who fights for their country.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Her indoors usually

What’s the most expensive non-essential you’ve ever bought? My watch I reckon, who needs one these days?

What would you do for a company excursion, money no object? Take the lads and lasses to the Las Vegas CONEXPO show

Autumn, winter, spring or summer? Autumn in the UK

What’s your favourite food/cuisine? Traditional British What’s your tipple of choice? Sauvignon Blanc

Remotely manage your job site

Stay aware, even when you aren’t there.

Sitelink3D v2 is a web-based platform providing managers, personnel and other stakeholders with a suite of tools to help them effectively manage, monitor and support their job sites. Its secure, cloud-based data center provides site-wide data synchronisation between all the site’s machines and users on a pay-by-the-day basis.

SaMoTer webinars kick off in run-up to May exhibition

January will see the start of a series of meetings dealing with current topics in the sector in the run-up to the 31st SaMoTer (Verona, 3-7 May 2023). The aim of the free webinar programme is offering food for thought on the evolution of the sector, creating opportunities for discussion and debate and anticipating the key topics of the exhibition.

Five webinars will involve machinery builders, associations and institutions, helping us to take stock of a sector experiencing a period of far-reaching evolution.

The first webinar (26 January) “Construction machinery towards the zero emissions goal: electric, hybrid or hydrogen?” is organised in collaboration with Vaielettrico. It will focus on sustainability and decarbonisation, an increasingly central topic, especially

in urban sites. This challenge has great prospects, not without a number of critical aspects.

The second session “Earthmoving and digital. A waste of time?” is organised by E-construction with a focus on digitisation, starting from the premise: companies in the earthmoving sector are among the most reluctant to apply digital technologies, often considered to lack effective feedback in relation to the investments involved.

In order to demonstrate the validity of digital transformation and the importance of undertaking a virtuous approach, industry experts will discuss various aspects of digitisation in the construction sector, from assisted excavation systems and machine control, through to management control.

The central theme of the third webinar is safety. During the event, IPAF will join

us to outline new technologies and best practices for efficient and safe work.

The fourth event – “The role of modern hire services in the construction supply chain” with the support of Rental Blog – will discuss the evolution that hire companies are experiencing as they move from their traditional role as suppliers of occasional requirements to one as general provider. This implies digitising, educating and overseeing safety, taking charge of the ecological transition, as well as new considerations concerning drivers and connections between partners.

The fifth and final webinar –“Photovoltaic in quarries: regulatory aspects, investment opportunities and case histories” is organised in collaboration with Anepla, Anie Rinnovabili and Infralab. Regulatory aspects, investment opportunities and case histories will be discussed.

31st SaMoTer introduces SaMoTer Lab – the technological heart of the event

Welcome to SaMoTer Lab – the new beating heart of SaMoTer, the international construction machinery exhibition scheduled for 3-7 May 2023 at Veronafiere. The new area focusing on innovation, comparison and training was previewed to a number of companies that develop 4.0 solutions and technologies: Bosch Rexroth, Cobo Group, Kiwitron, Ifm electronic, Leica Geosystems, S.A.E.T., Spektra – A Trimble Company, Spring Machine Control, Moba

Electronic, Topcon Positioning Italy and W.A.Y.

Sara Quotti Tubi, Agritech Area Manager said: “Digitisation and de-carbonisation are the keywords characterising the new format, not to mention economic sustainability, safety and training. SaMoTer Lab is open to all companies in the construction sector keen to bring innovation and content along to the trade fair and promote discussion.”

There is consequently room for

sensors, all remote sensing devices and diagnostic tools. As well as for the internet of things, machine-to-machine platforms and low-emission machinery.

This project came into being through continuous dialogue with the sector, that expressed the need for a venue specifically for technological exposure combined with opportunities for updating, training and comparison involving companies that generate innovation, end users, institutions and the research world.

Luca Nutarelli, Secretary General of Unacea says: “The construction machinery sector is being overtaken by a massive wave of technological innovations. A focal point enhancing the extent of this change will be extremely useful to sector operators and equally help innovate trade fair marketing itself.”

SaMoTer Lab will enjoy excellent visibility in the exhibition context. Set up in the heart of SaMoTer in the new Hall 12 opposite the main Re Teodorico entrance, visitors wishing to reach the other show halls are obliged to pass through it. The venue is characterised by purpose-built setups with a smart format. Attendance by every company is conceived in accordance with a tailor-made model. The new project will consequently integrate fully and seamlessly with the traditional concept of SaMoTer.

This initiative is also linked with the Innovation Award, the Technical Innovation Competition that rewards investments in research and innovation by companies in the sector. Following the prize giving ceremony on 23 February, the award-winning solutions and technologies will be highlighted in the SaMoTer Lab area with a dedicated event.

CONEXPO-CON/ AGG exhibition space sells out

CONEXPO-CON/AGG, already recognised as the largest trade show in North America, has officially sold all available exhibit space, guaranteeing the 2023 show will be the biggest in history.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff says: “The addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of new opportunities to show how we are taking the construction industry to the next level. Now at 2.8m square feet of exhibits, there’s more for construction pros to see than ever before.”

The show, now nearly 5% bigger than the record set in 2020, will feature 1,800 exhibitors and 150 education sessions during its run from 14-18 March.

Despite being the largest CONEXPOCON/AGG ever, recent additions to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) will make it the easiest to get around as well. Beneath the entire LVCC campus runs the Convention Center Loop, an underground transportation system designed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company that transports convention attendees throughout the campus in under two minutes in Tesla vehicles, free of charge.

“We are excited to welcome

CONEXPO-CON/AGG back to Las Vegas for another record-setting event,” said Brian Yost, Chief Operating Officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which owns and operates the LVCC. “The addition of the West Hall and the Convention Center Loop will only further enhance the ‘Only Vegas’ experience for attendees and exhibitors.”

Construction pros are ready for the show to return as well. The current pace of attendee registration is nearly double what it was at this time for the 2020 show.

“This is the event that construction professionals, especially those making company-level decisions, and those needing professional development hours, can’t miss,” said CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Chair and Caterpillar Senior Vice President Phil Kelliher. “Seeing the new equipment and techniques on a screen doesn’t compare to seeing it all in person. At the show, you can see the equipment, ask questions of the manufacturers themselves and really understand what the equipment and education can do for your career and business.”

Registration for CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE is open now at www.conexpoconagg.com.

EVENTS

CONEXPOCON/AGG 2023: Focusing on the next level of sustainability in construction

With construction technology around sustainability significantly advancing in recent years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 is already set to have the biggest focus on sustainability since the show began in 1948.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff said: “The construction industry and CONEXPO-CON/AGG are evolving in many ways to adapt and showcase sustainable technologies, products and practices supporting

a more sustainable world.

“More than ever, show attendees will see sustainability in action, from electric and hydrogen powered construction equipment, to more recyclable materials and waste reduction opportunities, to changes we’re making to the show to better support sustainability.”

Here’s how CONEXPO-CON/ AGG is putting sustainability at the forefront.

The Arbor Day Foundation Partnership

One of the biggest sustainability efforts on the part of CONEXPOCON/AGG directly is a newly announced partnership between the show and the Arbor Day Foundation. CONEXPO-CON/ AGG and the Arbor Day Foundation are working towards planting 130,000 trees in forests of greatest need, one for every show registrant.

Additionally, CONEXPO-CON/ AGG exhibitors and attendees can contribute to the Arbor Day Foundation’s funds, allowing them to further their goal of involving themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees around the globe.

Each dollar contributed to the Arbor Day Foundation will result in one tree being planted in a forest in need.

Across the show floor, sustainable technologies, products and practices will be on display. Here is a sample of what will be featured:

Volvo Construction Equipment has already announced it will bring several electric and autonomous pieces to its stand in the Festival Lot, including its EC230 electric excavator pilot, its Zeux autonomous concept wheel loader, and its HX04 prototype hydrogen articulated hauler.

Just steps away, Caterpillar (Booth F-9127) will bring four battery electric machines as well as a series of prototype batteries for off-road equipment ranging from 48600 volts.

• Aerial work platform specialists Skyjack (Booth F-9427) will have its new SJ120 E on hand, a zeroemissions mast lift with a 30% improvement in duty cycle.

• Asphalt recycling equipment from Pavement Recyclers LLC (Booth S-5966) and VSS Macropaver (Booth C-32073) use different processes for recycling asphalt, keeping it out of landfill. Concrete contractors can also check out Holcim’s (Booth C-20405) ECOPact concrete that can eliminate carbon emissions entirely in some instances.

• Construction pros who want to maximise their energy efficiency can explore Kubota’s V3307 MicroHybrid engine (Booth S-84415) to install in existing equipment, saving fuel with the attachments they use, like Rototilt’s (Booth F-8338) Rototilt Control system.

operated equipment, according to Wacker Neuson (Booth W-43501), who will be bringing a number of electric tools including, for the first time, batterypowered, reversible plates.

• Small engine specialists Briggs & Stratton will bring its Vanguard (Booth D-1033) brand’s swappable lithium-ion batteries to CONEXPO-CON/AGG for the first time, available for attendees to test out. And for construction pros who want to make sure their batteries are in proper working condition, Redline Detection (Booth N-10532) is bringing its battery coolant and leak detector.

“The Arbor Day Foundation is excited to be the official nonprofit sustainability partner of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023,” said Becca Hebbard, Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Arbor Day Foundation. “As one of the world’s most trusted and experienced tree planting organisations, we work with organisations of all sizes to help them meet their corporate sustainability, ESG, and CSR goals. Whether you’re looking to help protect biodiversity, contribute to wildfire recovery, bring the benefits of trees to a community in need, or add verified forestry carbon credits to your emissions reduction strategy, the Arbor Day Foundation is uniquely positioned to connect you with meaningful projects all over the world.”

• With Rapid Barrier Systems’ (Booth S-61515) water-inflatable barriers, contractors who work in disaster recovery could save up to 600 sandbags per barrier and not have to worry about disposal should they become contaminated, not to mention the fuel needed to haul them on and off site.

• Demolition contractors wanting to reduce waste and preserve still-usable material can see Aquajet’s Hydrodemolition robots at the Brokk booth (Booth C-20349), which can help remove damaged concrete while leaving still-good concrete and rebar reinforcement intact.

• Compaction is another place where low-efficiency engines can be replaced with battery

• When it comes to equipment, diesel or electric-powered, the environmental impact is more than just emissions, but lubricants. B3C Fuel Solutions (Booth S-61545) is bringing products to the show to help contractors eliminate waste by restoring emulsified/damaged oil and make sure lubricant that does find its way to the environment is non-toxic and biodegradable.

• Waste water is a major issue, including when construction equipment needs cleaning. Waste2Water (Booth S-64429) is bringing solutions to CONEXPOCON/AGG to help equipment operators keep waste and chemical-laden water out of the environment.

• Once attendees have all their sustainable equipment picked out and ready, AT&T’s Equipment and Machinery Solutions team (Booth N-12700) is bringing a solution to help track their actual Scope 1 emissions versus their targets.

Sustainable Tech on Display

CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees can also expect:

Sustainability education

CONEXPO-CON/AGG has given sustainability its own education track in its seminar offerings, now with thirteen sessions dedicated to the topic.

Those sessions tackle subjects such as reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, getting and managing electric construction equipment, asphalt and concrete recycling, carbon neutrality, and a “Sustainability 101” session for attendees just now starting their sustainability journey.

But construction pros

don’t have to wait until they get to Las Vegas to start their sustainability education. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG Podcast has several episodes dedicated to the topic, including:

• Episode 84: “Mining technology improves sustainability, operator comfort, productivity”

• Episode 89: “Advancing cement and concrete sustainability with connected devices”

• Episode 116: “Salvaging the industry”

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the largest construction trade show in North America and the premier event connecting professionals from every major construction sector.

Held every three years, it takes the construction industry to the next level by helping construction professionals elevate their industry expertise, experience the newest equipment and products through demonstrations and industry-leading education, make new professional connections, and grow their own marketability within the industry.

For more information about CONEXPO-CON/AGG, visit www.conexpoconagg.com.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE are committed to reducing the environmental impact of the show. This includes partnering with vendors that are dedicated to sustainable practices and reducing waste, helping exhibitors choose more sustainable options, and measuring our total 2023 environmental impact to identify future improvements.

The sustainability efforts at CONEXPO-CON/AGG reflect the focus on sustainability

within the entire construction industry. Many construction companies have realised that their clients are demanding sustainable building practices more and more with each project, and contractors themselves are recognising the benefits of moving to more sustainable equipment and practices.

That’s why CONEXPO-CON/ AGG 2023 is already outpacing all previous shows in attendee registration.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.8m jobs and contributes roughly $288bn to the economy every year.

the show itself more sustainable

About CONEXPO-CON/AGG

CDE announces plans for CONEXPO

recycling rocks

CDE, one of the leading suppliers of sand and aggregate washing solutions for the waste recycling and natural processing sectors, has announced its plans for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, where it will debut new equipment, new projects and showcase the waste recycling solutions that are transforming dirt into dollars.

CDE co-creates with its customers to design and engineer solutions that maximise the use of natural resources

while unlocking value from waste streams.

With 30 years of experience in providing optimised, proven solutions to customers across the world, CDE’s technologies have successfully diverted more than 100 million tonnes of CD&E (construction, demolition and excavation) waste from landfill.

At CONEXPO-CON/AGG, CDE will be joined by its customers from across North America to champion the

value of recycling CD&E materials into high specification outputs.

Darren Eastwood, Business Development Director at CDE, said: “Our focus at the show will be demonstrating to the industry how CDE washing solutions are turning dirt into dollars.

“We’re seeing rapid growth in the waste recycling space and are awash with waste recycling enquiries as a result. CDE is leading the charge in supporting the industry to realise value from construction, demolition and excavation waste, as well as by-product from the crushing and screening processes.

“These materials are often overlooked or discarded, but they hold significant commercial value. With the efficiency and reliability offered by our proven washing solutions, materials producers can unlock that value to transform these materials into high-quality recycled sand and aggregates for construction use and boost profitability.”

Equipment on display will include CDE’s AggMax scrubbing and attrition system, its Counter Flow Classification Unit (CFCU) for density separation and EvoWash sand classification and dewatering system.

The majority of equipment on display at the show is destined for a new C&D waste recycling wash plant in the US.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the washing solutions up close, as they are guided by CDE experts around the equipment currently used at sites across North America.

For more information about CDE and its waste recycling solutions, go to cdegroup.com or visit CDE at booth C30269 (Central Halls 3-5) in the indoor exhibition area of CONEXPOCON/AGG 2023.

Wet processing experts to showcase how washing works and

Doosan to introduce new global brand and products at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Doosan will introduce the company’s new global brand and logo, as well as several new products at CONEXPOCON/AGG 2023.

The company’s new name and logo will integrate new brand values and its commitment to creating the smart construction solutions of tomorrow. Visitors to the exhibit at CONEXPO will be able to see the new brand in action, hear the story of why the new name was chosen and see what’s next for the company.

“Fans of our current offerings will be delighted that the equipment will remain unchanged and continue to deliver the powerful, reliable solutions admired worldwide,” says Alice Banach, Senior Marketing Manager, Doosan Infracore North America.

Exhibit highlights

The Doosan exhibit (F9153) in the outdoor Festival Grounds area will showcase a sampling of the company’s full line of construction equipment, the exclusive Transparent Bucket for Doosan wheel loaders, a battery-powered engine and several new machines, including the company’s dozer line. Attendees are encouraged to stop by the exhibit to see how Doosan continues to evolve as a single source provider of the latest construction equipment.

Cutting-edge technologies such as Concept-X demonstrations, safety features and electrification will be featured. The Doosan exhibit will showcase autonomous equipment, the new Smart X-Care fleet management service and the topography-scanning drone Concept-X XiteCloud.

The Concept-X autonomous worksite will feature three live demonstrations each day, along with other new products. First exhibited in 2019 with an autonomous Doosan wheel loader and excavator, Concept-X is a smart control solution to tomorrow’s worksites. It can survey worksite topography via 3D drone scanning, establish operational plans based on that data, and operate heavy construction equipment such as excavators, wheel loaders and articulated dump trucks without human intervention.

Concept-X technology paves the way to the worksite of the future with equipment-driven construction sites, freeing human personnel to tackle complex data analytics and management tasks. Continuous Concept-X demo pit footage will be played simultaneously on a large screen and a three-screen brand tower in the Doosan exhibit.

BUSINESS INSIDER

QHow do you fit in to Approved Hydraulics?

My role in the company these days is mainly heading up the attachments sales and helping in the hydraulic equipment sales. However, since becoming a shareholder my roles have increased to include, staffing, product development, sales strategies, along with the general running and decision making of the business.

QHow did you first come to be in your role?

I was working part time in a local pub but ended up leaving abruptly after a few years due to the hours I was working and realising this was not something I was going to be doing long term.

When my father asked me what I was going to do next and I said I wasn’t sure, he offered me some work in the stores at Approved Hydraulics to tide me over.

QTell us about your career progression within Approved Hydraulics

I started working in the stores in the early days when I was around 16 as a part time job. The part time job never ended and I slowly worked my way into stocks and stock control, then into sales and in later years became a 20% shareholder.

QHow has what you do developed?

Since my start in the company, we have grown to approximately five times the size we were when I started.

We were going through a recession and the business was starting to slowly decline so we discussed moving more into sales from the repair engineering background we had predominantly been in. We were just moving into the grab sales side of the market and I ran with this and manged to get sales up. I repeated this process by finding more quality grab attachment suppliers around Europe that were not in the UK and signing sole UK dealerships for the UK.

QHow about the balance between your expertise in your products/ industry, and your role in business (transferable skills to other industries)?

I started by trying to sell buckets grab to the civil industry, but one brand has this market fairly tied up. The bucket grab supplier also sold log grabs that we advertise too. We soon realised that 99% of the calls were for log grabs and these were a much easier sale. As we got up to speed with selling attachments and bringing on

new brands, we quickly used the same model to start selling demolition attachments, rail attachments, material handling attachments and even subsea attachments.

Selling the first few grabs really opened the door to new markets we were not really aware of.

QWhat is it about your role that attracts you?

I love the fact we essentially sell big boys’ toys. The attachments are often big, powerful and very varied in style and use. Many customers do not know exactly what they want and it became commonplace for me to actually spec the equipment for the customer. This is interesting as the customer gives you a brief and you work the solution.

There are also many UK exhibitions we can exhibit at and meet the customers on the ground. Alternatively, as we mainly work as sole UK importers we often get to travel to factories abroad to meet the company and see their production.

QHow do you think your colleagues see you (or you would like them to)?

I like to think they see me as someone they can always talk to and come to with problems. I try to put myself in a side to side position, as opposed to boss and employee. I prefer it this way as to me everyone in the company is important and deserves time to develop and to be helped when required, regardless of their position in the company.

QTell us about Approved Hydraulics, its history and development

Approved Hydraulics started 34 years ago as Geoff Hindle (a man with a van), focusing on repairs and service work to

the hydraulic industry. The work covered everything under the hydraulic banner but was focused towards the truck hydraulic industry (lorry cranes, skip loaders, hook lifts etc...). Over the years the company has evolved into new areas.

As the repair business became less and less sustainable due to a lack of engineers and longer free service contracts from equipment manufacturers, the company decided to move into more of a sales role, using the years of hands on experience to ensure customers would not only receive the correct parts for the job, but also the backup and knowledge support on how to fit and install the component correctly.

QTell us about its growth path until now and into the future

The company has continuously grown year on year for the past 10 years or so with an average growth rate of 30% year on year. We are always either developing new products or looking for new UK contracts to increase the company profile. I see no reason why the next few years should not reflect the past few.

QExplain what

Approved Hydraulics does, in particular for our readers in Diggers LIVE

Approved Hydraulics has 38 years’ experience, we have also been an inhouse and on site repair company and now more a sales and assembly company. After all this experience, what

we really offer customers is a specific solution to hydraulic problems with a full understanding of the system and the integration of new parts to the system.

QTell us about the company’s range of products and services, how these relate to each other and how they relate to customers

As a package Approved Hydraulics offers pretty much a full range of mobile and industrial hydraulic equipment including control valves, pumps, motors, rams, tanks and PTO units, to name a

few. Nearly all of this is from stock.

On the other side of the company we sell crane and excavator grab attachments for most applications, including, forestry, demolition, material handling, rail and subsea applications.

QWhat are the company’s USPs?

The company has two main USPs: • Our own brand of stand of standard hydraulic equipment – HYDRA-Part, • Our sole UK dealerships with our grab attachments range.

QHow can these improve customers’ bottom line?

Within our HYDRA-Part range, we travelled the world finding quality suppliers that offer equivalent equipment to the major brands at a much more reasonable price.

On our attachment range we offer only the best quality equipment on the market. This can mean a little more initial outlay, but with this type of equipment you only want to buy it once – “buy cheap and you buy twice”.

QTell us about your team and working culture

The company is always being directed to work as a team, but the sales team only talk in profit not turnover: “profit is sanity – turnover is vanity”.

Many of the team now work from home and have a fairly relaxed environment overall. We also offer quarterly bonus payments for certain targets achieved.

QTell us about any apprenticeships the company has

Over the years we have avoided these. As we were growing so fast we needed people who could hit the ground running. However as things eased up we started running some stores apprenticeships. One of these trainees is now a head Salesman after eight years with us and another is now Stores Manger after being with us only three years.

QWhat about the availability of labour, experienced and inexperienced?

There is always a shortage of good engineers in the hydraulics industry as it’s not as common as the car mechanic industry. We have been through a few people in the past to get the right person in the right position. We haven’t really had too many issues with staffing or labour in later years since we pulled away from the service work, due to this exact issue.

QWhat can we do to attract young people into the industry?

We offer a stable job with plenty of scope to move in the company from stores, to sales, to engineer or admin. We can always find work for someone if they want it. However, we only really look for the gogetters these days. We do not have time to drag people along.

QHow do you see the company in five or ten years?

The company has been in a really strong position for the past 10 years, the strongest it has been in 38 overall. We have now created what we think is a winning formula for the company and we stick to this as much as possible.

Considering we have not just survived but also continuously grown during Brexit, COVID and the continual increase in prices and delivery for steel, as long as we keep pushing good quality and offering the best service and advice we can I can only see the company growing in the next few years.

QAnd how about yourself?

As with the future of Approved Hydraulics; I don’t see myself doing anything else in the near future. I enjoy the job and the position. There is still a lot in the industry I need to tackle and learn to ensure smooth growth for all involved.

And finally...

Who/what would you be in an alternative life?

Although I love my job it comes with high stress and a lot of personal involvement. I’m sure if I wasn’t doing this I’d be doing a really fun job like a diving instructor in Australia, or in a professional sport like football or car racing, something that offers a lot of excitement every day.

Describe yourself in three adjectives Professional Deep thinker Honest

Who is your favourite artist? The Weeknd

Who do you most admire? My father

What would be your desert island (exile) luxury? My fiancé

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Making sure everyone else is up and running

What do you do for fun? Fishing, cinema, restaurants and gym

When and where are you happiest? On holiday with my fiancé

What’s your bucket list activity? Skydiving

What’s your ideal weekend? One day out and about, the other day at home relaxing

What would you do for a company excursion, money no object? Take everyone to Dubai for three weeks

Autumn, winter, spring or summer? Summer. Longer days, warmer weather

What’s your favourite cuisine? Italian and Indian, but I love good home-cooked English food such as cottage pie

What’s your tipple of choice? Strongbow Dark Fruit cider Au Vodka

How safe are your team?

Every year too many workers are killed or injured through unnecessary contact with plant and machinery on construction sites and beyond.

Zonr plant proximity solution has been designed and built using Pathfindr’s technology expertise in collaboration with construction safety experts. It uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signals to create a virtual barrier around dangerous plant and equipment.

• Super simple and quick to deploy.

• Base easily transferable between vehicles.

• Logs and locates all identified incursions.

• No hard wiring for exterior equipment.

For a free, no obligation demo go to Zonr.com

Back to normality

Mick Twomey, AKA No1, and I were moved to down to Southwater to dig a pond and it had to be done fast. The time of the year was a challenge as you can imagine when digging a pond. You want dry weather really but this was late October, so dry weather was a thing of the past.

The weather turned bad for a few days so that stopped play and we had to get a big four-inch pump in to pump out the bottom of the pond.

Mick Twomey has a Hitachi ZX210 with Trimble earthworks and Steelwrist. He was doing the bulk of the work digging the pond. So with the ZX210 and 130 spec’d the same, they are a real dream team.

I was haymaking the muck, Mick was digging out away from him into a pile at the top ready for muck away. It was such a tight area to be digging and storing muck so as soon as it was in a pile I was loading it away on muck away lorries.

Once the pond was dug, the liner gang came in and we chased them up with the materials.

We made a ramp down into the bottom of the pond with topsoil then followed along the bottom with the aquatic sand to hold the liner down in place. We also filled the anchor trench with muck to hold the liner.

I had a new prototype compaction wheel from Conquip, which they kindly gave me to test out. It compacted the muck in the trench really well and saved a lot of work and effort.

Mick and I then swapped places.

Mick was sending me topsoil and I was placing the topsoil on the batters and working my way back out towards the ramp. The pond came out great and I was happy with the finished product.

It was a good combined effort, not forgetting the lads on the ground and those on the dumpers.

Tribute Mick Payne, Thunderbird 2

One of the operators for Joyce sadly passed away just before Christmas 2021.

Where do I start? It’s been a whole year and it’s still not easy. I’m writing this with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

I started working with Joyce nearly five years ago and Mick was one of the first people I really spoke to. Our bond just grew from that day forward.

Mick always had a smile on his face and was always laughing even with what he was going through. He was always there when I need a chat

or some advice and he’d always listen.

We had a daily ritual of making Mick jump, with his son Cameron hiding in the van or just sneaking up on him – I can still hear Mick laughing and swearing at us.

The Thunderbird name came around when I was stripping topsoil on a Friday; the weather was turning that night so I had to seal it. I stripped so much topsoil off that I wasn’t going to get it sealed off in time.

I phoned Mick for help and like some angel he came tracking up the

field, front window and door wide open, laughing while he had the Thunderbird theme tune blaring out on the stereo. I wish I’d got it on video, but I was laughing too much to even think about it.

The name stuck from that day on. The next thing we got stickers, Mick called himself Thunderbird 2, I was Thunderbird 3 and Mick Twomey was Thunderbird 1.

Mick was a massive part of my time at Joyce and I can only hope he felt the same way.

I will never forget you mate.

R.I.P. MICK PAYNE

Other shows may talk a big game, but only World of Concrete speaks concrete and masonry. We know that a solid foundation isn’t just part of the structures you build — it’s also the key to a more profitable business. That’s why you’ll find everything you need to strengthen your operation here, from new products, innovative solutions, and new technologies to help you capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Keep on trucking…

She joined TRS recently as a Class 1 HGV driver, after 10 years trucking the highways and byways of the UK, and as it turns out, most of New Zealand.

TRS hires out plant and operated plant to the rail industry, Road Rail Vehicles (RRVs) provides adapted excavators that work from rail tracks on various rail infrastructure projects.

Less than 2% of HGV drivers in the UK are women, from a total driver workforce of some 260,000. This number has fallen by 53,000 in the previous year and down from the peak of 321,000 during the summer of 2017.

With the number of women in rail standing at 16%, Total Rail Solutions is delighted to welcome Ferne to the business and rail industry.

Ferne began her HGV career more than 10 years ago, when, as a keen horse owner, she realised how much easier it

would be if she could drive her own truck. This led to an opportunity, via the job centre, to an NVQ class 2 qualification, which in turn led to level 4 and ultimately a class 1 licence, all gained at college over a period of six months on a government sponsored scheme.

In fact, she would not be the driver she is today had it not been for the job seeker scheme, which got her in the cab and on the road. On leaving college Ferne began work as a driver and has never looked back.

The diversity of the role began on a humble road sweeper, through to class 2 lorry work for local plant hire companies such as Crynant Plant, from skip lorries to beaver tails, where Ferne had her first experience of loading and carrying plant, before progressing to articulated wagons where steel was the payload.

The next move all happened quickly

and some 12,000 miles away in New Zealand. In 2014 the government was recruiting as a recent earthquake meant they were rebuilding and looking for HGV drivers. Within a week of enquiring, Ferne was on a plane heading down under, with a two-year visa in hand and an amazing adventure ahead.

On her return to the UK Ferne went self-employed, working for a number of agencies and hirers. It was then a chance encounter with two TRS HGV drivers, who were so encouraged by what they saw that they set up an interview, leading to Ferne joining the business.

With six months’ service completed, Ferne is loving life at TRS and in her words… “all the boys are helpful, respectful and look after me”.

Ferne has encountered misogyny and sexism during her time as an HGV driver. While she is keen to point out

Ferne Jones is 31-year-old woman who loves her horses and dogs almost as much as she does her new role at Total Rail Solutions

that much has improved and that there is more of a positive attitude, this has not always been the case, with stereotypical comments and attitudes about women drivers commonplace.

This meant for Ferne that she felt she had to work three times as hard to prove she was as good, if not better – a situation that naturally led to anxiety and frustration. She believes that nowadays she is not given any special compensation and is treated as one of the team.

It does make Ferne smile when, even now, she will take a call from a customer who has delivery instructions, with the caller asking her to tell the driver that when he comes, he must do this or that. Attitudes do change when Ferne pulls up on site (having followed the instructions).

The biggest change Ferne has seen in the last 10 years Ferne is unequivocal, it is about being accepted as a female HGV driver and treated no differently from men. She also points to digital tachographs being the biggest change in both the cab and behaviour, a move that she warmly welcomed.

With the ever-increasing cost of fuel driving down margins, the way Ferne drives has also been blended with the support of Eco mode technology, cruise control and a change to more fuel conscious driving and idling.

What still needs to change?

Facilities, facilities, facilities. While there are a growing number of facility improvements at truck stops, such as female showers, progress is slow. For many years the only option to shower at truck stop was to use the men’s showers. So, we are seeing improvement but there is still a long way to go.

Life on the road

In her current role Ferne is away from home (and her five horses and dog) for four nights. Sleeping in her cab is the nightly routine, she is comfortable, after growing into the role over 10 years, with her own company and recognises this as part of the role and lifestyle.

With a microwave, fridge and TV for company and the security of the very latest Scania tractor unit (Ferne’s favourite as it turns out) the feeling is one of relative comfort and assured security.

While the latest Scania truck units are automatic with built in innovation to make the life of a driver safer, and dare we say simpler, Ferne (given the choice) prefers a manual gearbox, having been brought up on traditional rigs.

Ferne typically works four days on and four days off, which delivers a really

good work-life balance, as it allows time spent schooling Ferne’s young foals and in the summer, competing in various competitions.

What’s the best part of the job?

Getting paid to do the thing you love and travelling around the UK to see all the great places the country has to offer.

What would Ferne say to women thinking about taking an HGV licence?

“I would encourage women. Life on the road is never the same, you meet some real characters and see some amazing sights, but it’s not for all. It’s hard work and sometimes long hours.”

“I would encourage women. Life on the road is never the same, you meet some real characters and see some amazing sights”

Best UK truck stop?

This would have to be The Stockyard just off the M18 in Rotherham, with the Formula 1 services heading up towards Scotland coming close behind and Café V8 in Inverness zgetting an honourable mention. Ferne adds The Chippenham Pit Stop to the list, as it provides improved female facilities and hair dryers.

While so much has improved and more companies are working to create the right environment, there is still plenty in the mind of some male drivers that need to change.

Even today, there is still something of the “having to work harder than the men” phenomenon, in that while looking after the rig she is driving, she always pays extra attention to the maintenance of both the interior and exterior of the cab to be accepted by her male counterparts.

As for the future, this is what Ferne loves doing. It has become a way of life and will continue into and very probably beyond the foreseeable future. Hopefully more will join her and recognise the world of rail is a diverse, safe and sustainable place where careers can prosper and lives can be built.

“Getting paid to do the thing you love and travelling around the UK to see all the great places the country has to offer”

Contract Plant Rental

Contract Plant Rental is one of the UK’s leading contract hire firms. Unlike conventional plant hire companies, our current 300 strong fleet of machines are specified by the client, for the client. We specialise in mid to long term rental and contract hire but also offer short term hire, spot hire and rent to buy solutions too.

Contract hire is fast becoming a popular way for companies to run the best and latest machines, specifically suited to their requirements and offering all the benefits of the latest and most compliant machines without the headaches of ownership.

Contract Plant Rental offers new machinery from the industry’s leading brands with no upfront costs, no deposit and no VAT. We have a 24/7 parts, service and repairs back up, as well as payment plans with fixed monthly costs for easy budgeting, flexible terms and the option to buy or return the machine at the end of the term.

Our team of experts handle all administration of the equipment throughout the contract, including servicing and maintenance, which eliminates the need for hirers to spend valuable resources on doing this in-house.

The team at Contract Plant Rental endeavour to be long term partners rather than just equipment suppliers, offering plant and people interface training, product familiarisation, inductions and various environment and safety courses to keep businesses and their staff fully compliant, safe and productive too.

H&C Plant Hire invests in fleet of 20 JCB backhoe loaders

A leading northwest plant hirer has invested in 20 powerful new JCB 3CX PRO backhoe loaders –hailing the latest model as ‘the best backhoe loader available’.

Manchesterbased H&C Plant Hire operates siteMASTERS Nationwide Hire, which is dedicated to providing JCB 3CX Sitemaster backhoe loaders for rental across the UK. This new delivery of JCB 3CX Pro models has completely replaced earlier machines in a total fleet refresh. Central to the decision to purchase the new machines is their ability to road to and from jobs without the need for additional transport.

H&C Plant Hire’s Director, Lee Barlow, said: “We buy JCB 3CX backhoe loaders because they are the best backhoe loaders available. It’s as simple as that. They’re powerful, versatile and perfect for the jobs we need them for.

“As a hire company we like that you can drive to the job and back and you don’t have to pay for haulage. The machines are used on local authority projects and they can do anything. Our operators are very happy and find the new 3CX PRO machines more powerful than ever.”

Supplied by dealer Gunn JCB, the new models, which include standard and Advance Easy Control machines, will be put to work with local authorities and long-term hire contracts throughout the north-west. The top of the range 3CX PRO features ECOROAD, JCB’s new six-speed Autoshift transmission, which reduces travel times between sites by up to 25% and saves up to 15% in fuel.

H&C Plant Hire has been supplying operated plant and equipment throughout the north-west of England for over three decades. Alongside siteMASTER Nationwide Hire, it is part of the Westgate Group and operates from two locations, Bredbury near Stockport and Levenshulme, Manchester, both with fully equipped workshops and the bases for its mobile plant engineers.

THE NEW NO.1 BEST IN CLASS

Clive McNally, General Manager of

J MAC, makes short but successful visit to bauma 2022

Clive was up early to be at Birmingham Airport by 04:30 for a 06:30 flight to Munich.

The flight was on time and at Munich airport Clive took the shuttle bus to the exhibition. After paying the 28 euro entrance fee, he was in the show by 11:30. The show was absolutely enormous.

He quickly made his way to the large, easy-to-find MST Stand. MST is based in Turkey and manufactures a range of construction machinery. Besides its range of telescopic handlers, MST was showcasing in pictures its soon to be launched range of large crawler excavators, the smallest being 22 t and the largest 37 t. J MAC is hoping to be showing these machines on its stand at the next Plantworx in June along with the MST range of telescopic handlers including a new 7-m model. J MAC will be representing MST for its range of equipment for the UK and Ireland including MST telehandlers for the agricultural market.

Clive’s next visit was to the Korean manufacturer, HorYong, which makes a range of battery powered excavators. Clive was especially interested in its 1.7-t model, which will also be available for sale on its stand at Plantworx next year.

J MAC, based in Solihull, is building its own brand of construction equipment as well as dealerships such as for MST and HorYong. Full details of its existing product range can be found at www.jmacuk.com

Clive left the show by shuttle bus at 13:30 CET and had a very well organised trip back – arriving home by around 17.30. It was a tiring but very successful day adding to the range of equipment offered by J MAC.

Hyundai reintroduces brand with hydrogen and electric concepts at bauma

Speaking about bauma 2022, Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe’s Sales and Marketing Director, Dr Hubertus Muenster, said: “bauma 2022 was a turning point for Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE). It was a chance to reintroduce the brand to an audience who may have heard of but not yet fully experienced HCE’s new ‘Think Further, Think Future’ vision; a chance to showcase Hyundai’s latest technology like the world exclusive Hydrogen fuel cell working concept excavator and the new A-Series mini excavator range; and an opportunity to connect in person with dealers and customers from across the world. It did not disappoint as bauma 2022 proved to be the company’s most successful show in history.

“The stand generated a lot of attention during the course of the week, largely thanks to the extensive display of Hyundai’s newly launched product range including the Hydrogen fuel cell

concept wheeled excavator, electric mini excavator concepts and its interactive Future Zone, which showcased all elements of the Hyundai Connect Experience – a suite of tools designed to boost uptime, increase productivity and drive safety for the construction sites of tomorrow.

“Hyundai’s presence at bauma generated a very positive response from customers, dealers and other industry players and significantly increased Hyundai’s visibility in the industry, which was one of our key objectives for bauma 2022. Two press conferences were held where international journalists were invited to hear about the future direction

of HCE and see the Hydrogen concept in action, while dealers from across Europe and overseas countries were also invited to two exclusive gala evenings – a chance for Hyundai to celebrate its new beginning and show appreciation to its valued dealer partners.

“The proof of the event’s success was also seen in the data – HCE welcomed a record number of visitors to its stand, collected its highest number of leads and sold the most machines on site at any event in its history.

“We would like to extend our thanks to all those who visited the stand and who made bauma 2022 such a successful event for Hyundai.”

Operation Europe: Rokbak targets France and Germany

Scottish articulated hauler manufacturer Rokbak has its eyes set on growth in key territories – two of which are France and Germany. Following the company’s successful rebrand in September 2021, the company has strengthened its team, with around 200 new employees joining Rokbak in the last year. One of those is its new Regional Sales Manager EMEA, Paul Culliford.

“France and Germany are historically strong markets for us,” explains Paul. “We are seeing an increase in demand and

we are currently looking to expand our dealer network in France and Germany to support our customers and strengthen our presence in these important hauler markets.”

The numbers reflect this move. In 2020 there were around 200 units sold – across all brands – within the articulated hauler market in France. In 2021, that increased to in excess of 300 and it looks to be a similar number in 2022. In Germany the numbers were around 150 in 2020 and 2021, heading towards 200 in 2022.

Where to next?

One of the prominent projects on the radar in western Europe is the rail connection between France and Italy, a collaboration partly financed by the European Union. The Turin–Lyon high-speed railway is a rail line under construction between the cities of Turin and Lyon. It is intended to link the Italian and French high-speed rail networks and will be 270 km (170 miles) long. The core of the project is its international section, which will cross the Alps through the Mont d’Ambin Base Tunnel between the Susa Valley in Piedmont and Maurienne in Savoie. At 57.5 km (35.7 miles), it will be the longest rail tunnel in the world. The estimated total cost of the line is 25 billion euros and it will involve extensive earthmoving and construction.

“This is exactly the type of project Rokbak’s RA30 and RA40 are designed for,” says Paul. “Large infrastructure projects require robust and reliable equipment that delivers high productivity and low total cost of ownership in tough conditions.”

Supply and demand

Rokbak already has machines working on French and German job sites. In Germany, an RA30 is working at a gravel pit for earthworks specialist Erdbau Schrader,

with the machine being sold through one of Rokbak’s German dealer’s, KlarmannLembach.

“It’s been great to spend time visiting our French and German dealers and customers,” says Paul. “A couple of our dealers have recently held open days and it has been nice to get feedback on the new brand and talk to customers about why there has never been a better time to buy a Rokbak articulated hauler.”

One of Rokbak’s French dealers, Framateq, which covers the south east of the country, recently inaugurated a new site in Perpignan. And the Manu Lorraine Group, which covers the north east, held an open day Walygator Park in Maizières-les-Metz. Paul also attended the French Mineral Industries Society (SIM) exhibition together with Framateq in October.

“Rokbak’s articulated haulers are

reliable, simple to operate and easy to maintain,” says Mathieu Godard, President of Framateq. “They are fuel efficient and deliver low total cost of ownership, which is what our customers want. We have a strong articulated hauler market in France and we have recently opened a new site to better support our customers and expand our operations, so it’s great that Rokbak is prioritising our market and sees the same potential as we do for growth.”

A return to Rokbak

Working closely with existing and new dealers and customers is Paul’s priority. With close to two decades of experience in the articulated hauler industry – including a previous tenure with Rokbak before the company rebranded – and possessing a fluency in English, French, German and Spanish, Paul is in an ideal position to work with a multitude of targeted territories as the company looks to expand its operations.

“It’s a great opportunity and an exciting time to come back to Rokbak,” concludes Paul. “Since relaunching the brand, we’ve found that there are a lot of dealers and customers interested to learn more about our articulated haulers and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Read this before transporting heavy equipment long distances

by Chris Ward,

A-1 Auto Transport

Heavy equipment isn’t always necessary on construction sites. Not all massive machinery is indispensable. But the right equipment can speed up construction processes. Sticking to deadlines is difficult enough, so relying solely on manpower won’t help.

Bringing the necessary machinery to a worksite is challenging, especially when transporting it over long distances. Yet the already disruptive supply chain issues and material shortages cause more problems. Moving around heavy hauls might be the best move at times.

However, there’s a lot to know before making this decision. The timing and understanding of the process are key for ideal timing and budgeting.

Critical services from heavy haulers

Not all heavy equipment shipping companies offer the same extensive service package. Some may provide bare-bones services, others go the extra mile and some specialise in specific machinery. Making the right choice is crucial for arranging smooth and uneventful transport over long distances.

Some services are worth paying extra for when preparing for long-distance hauling.

• Crane and special lifting equipment,

• Temporary storage,

• High reach equipment,

• Multiple trailer options,

• Availability.

Heavy equipment, whether it is a tractor or a tower crane, is harder to move than other cargo. Shippers should have ample expertise and the necessary gear required in order to load and unload the machinery safely.

Clarify the job specifics

Different types of machinery have unique transportation requirements. Shippers must know exactly what they are moving and its condition. It reduces the risk of not bringing the correct trailer and loading gear to the pickup location. Naturally, this can prevent costly delays for customers.

Heavy equipment owners and operators don’t always know the best way to move their machinery. That’s why it always pays off to discuss job specifics with experts. For example, resources like www.a1autotransport.com can offer valuable tips.

But each job can have unique details and requirements. Clarifying them is the only way to successfully prepare for the transportation of large, heavy equipment over long distances.

It’s even more important to inform heavy hauliers of non-operational machinery. These pieces may need highly specialised loading equipment, more manpower, experienced technicians, etc.

The state of the construction and shipping industries

The UK construction industry took a few

blows in 2020 and the subsequent years. First, the pandemic created worker and material shortages. And although 2021 looked better, supply chain issues and Brexit didn’t accelerate the recovery.

Material prices are on the rise, the supply chain isn’t back to pre-pandemic performance levels and workers command higher rates.

Why are these notions important? They show that it’s not worth rushing heavy equipment shipments, especially over long distances. Transportation costs increase proportionally the greater the distance is from A to B. Rushing a shipment order can be even more expensive.

It’s best to think twice about heavy equipment and whether it’s needed to complete a job. Alternatively, heavy equipment operators may benefit from scheduling projects well in advance. The more time heavy hauliers need to make arrangements, the easier it is to ensure timely delivery and a lower quote.

It’s also worth noting that many domestic shippers went jobless in 2020. Although some shipping companies increased their hiring efforts, not everyone hires the most experienced drivers. That should be a strong incentive to look for heavy hauliers with years of experience in the industry.

Take proper precautions

Sometimes heavy hauliers offer complete pickup and delivery services. That means you don’t have to do much before they arrive. However, it’s never a bad idea to take precautions and prepare for transporting heavy equipment.

Safety is one of the greatest concerns. One wrong move can spell disaster when loading or unloading heavy machinery. It’s best to train everyone involved in the process in the correct procedures.

Heavy equipment won’t always fit inside enclosed trailers and trucks. Transport companies may have to haul the cargo on open trailers. That leaves the machinery exposed to the elements. Therefore, checking the manufacturer’s transportation instructions is essential.

Some components may need to be covered or removed for safe shipping. Doors, levers, windows and other moving

parts may require tying down to prevent them from swinging open.

A technical inspection is mandatory. Heavy machinery often comes with specific anchor points for safe transport. It’s best to check the structural integrity and reliability of the anchor points before arranging transportation.

Long distances can put significant strain on these components. And given the weight of the equipment, a single broken strap or chain can cause a traffic disaster.

Understand abnormal load criteria

Some heavy equipment fits in the abnormal load category. These are more expensive to transport over long distances. But how do you know if your machinery is in this class or if a heavy haulier tries to charge extra for no reason?

Meeting any of the following characteristics classifies heavy vehicles as an abnormal load.

• The vehicle weighs over 44,000 kg,

• The vehicle measures over 2.9 m in width,

• The vehicle measures over 18.65 m in rigid length,

• The axle load exceeds 10 t on a non-driving axle or 11.5 t on a driving axle.

Transporting abnormal loads in the UK requires giving advanced notices to the police, highway authorities and even bridge and infrastructure owners. Notices may include detailed routes, schedules, vehicle specifics, etc.

That’s all the more reason to coordinate long-distance transportation efforts with experienced heavy hauliers.

Moreover, experienced hauliers have a working knowledge of the ESDAL or Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads system. It’s a requirement from the Department for Transport for shipments

involving abnormal loads. It also helps hauliers plot the best route to minimise traffic interference and delays.

The ESDAL plotting can affect the delivery time. But it can give a timely warning for making worksite arrangements to address the delays.

Heavy equipment transportation is complex but doable

Moving heavy equipment between worksites or renting it from a distant provider is often unavoidable. That doesn’t mean the process is worth rushing. Heavy hauling is complex, expensive and dangerous.

Having proper guidance helps a lot, minimises the risk of delays and can help companies meet an overall project’s completion deadline.

www.a1autotransport.com/heavyequipment

Manitou adds ECV (Emissions Compliance Verification) initiative to CESAR security marking scheme

Manitou, one of the earliest adopters of the industry’s own security marking scheme CESAR, is one of the latest companies to recognise the additional benefits of the scheme’s recent development – ECV (Emissions Compliance Verification). Manitou began fitting the enhanced system earlier this year to all construction, aerial work platforms and agricultural and compact equipment leaving the factory onwards and for sale within the UK market.

The Construction Equipment Association (CEA), owners of the CESAR Scheme, developed ECV as a response to the demand for an easy and reliable way to confirm the emissions category of construction equipment used within Low Emission Zones and “green” construction sites. CESAR ECV has already been recognised by HS2 as an acceptable means of demonstrating a machine’s green credentials and other major schemes are also looking favourably at the initiative.

Andrea Davidson, Air Quality Lead, Phase One, HS2 Ltd said: “We are happy to confirm that we would accept the ECV as part of the registration process for plant to work on HS2 sites and would consider it suitable for compliance assurance purposes.”

Suneeta Johal, Chief Executive of the CEA, said: “With the expansion of Low Emission Zones and ‘green’ construction sites, there is an urgent demand for the quick identification of the certified emission levels of machines brought on to sites.

“The easy-to-read and scan visual sticker cuts out a lot of work for construction site managers and local authorities, and as such, the ECV application for CESAR is the single biggest development since the scheme was launched as an anti-theft initiative back in 2007.”

Mark Ormond, Managing Director of Manitou (above) said: “With an industry

increasingly at the environmental impacts of construction work, CESAR ECV will be invaluable to Manitou customers working on, and companies managing, large-scale projects across the UK. We are very pleased to make this a standard fitment to the major part of our machine range.”

Kevin Howells, Managing Director, Datatag ID said: “Many years ago, I used to sell the Manitou range of telehandlers and I was always impressed with the company’s agility and the vision of founder Marcel Braud to adapt and create marketleading all-terrain machinery.

“Manitou wanted to create machinery that ‘handles everything’ and I’m proud they have agreed to enhance the existing Official CESAR Scheme system with the standardisation of ECV. Another great example of how agile Manitou is – helping its customers work towards a cleaner and greener environment.”

Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity lunch raises £224,000 for construction families

Construction’s top networking event and lunch was once again a highlight in this year’s calendar and over 900 guests were welcomed through the doors of the Westminster Park Plaza on Friday 2 December for the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s event in London.

organisations that support the charity. Competition for the coveted award is always fierce, but this year the judges were simply unable to select a clear winner. Three companies were announced as joint winners; Gallagher Group, Glencar Construction and Coinford, all of whom received resounding cheers and applause

almost £15,000 scaling Mont Blanc and the UK and Ireland’s four highest peaks.

All the winners of the lotto generously donated their prize money straight back to the charity, so a special thank you goes to Dermot O’Grady from Ardent Tide, Kathy Marsden from MasterMac Surfacing and James from J O’Doherty Haulage Ltd.

Radio and television presenter Pete Graves was MC for the day and opened proceedings with a warm welcome and a hint of the excitement to come with the day’s special guests. Then it was on to a hotly contested ‘heads and tails’ competition to get everyone in the mood for the entertainment to come.

Each year the charity awards the Peter Capel Cup to recognise outstanding achievement and contributions from

from the appreciative audience. The award was in recognition of Gallagher Group and Glencar Construction for organising and sponsoring the charity’s On Yer Bike challenge across Ireland in May, and to Gallagher Group and Coinford for organising the charity’s White Collar Boxing event.

A special mention was also given to Logan Price from O’Halloran and O’Brien for his individual achievement, raising

Guests enjoyed a gourmet three course meal and auctioneer Addison Gelpey prompted frantic bidding for some unique lots and opportunities.

Top celebrities from the sporting world then graced the stage and football legends, Glen Hoddle and Paul Merson were joined by ex rugby player and presenter, David Flatman, along with boxing hard hitter David ‘the Hayemaker’ Haye to form an all-star lineup.

“We are always amazed at the generosity of our supporters, particularly during these difficult times. Thank you never seems enough, but that support means that we can literally change and save people’s lives and that is truly humbling”

They all shared their own experiences with poor mental health, addiction, injury and near fatal heart attacks, with each adding plenty of humour as to how these events had impacted on their lives and shaped how they dealt with the challenges of daily life. The audience was very appreciative of the remarkably candid and witty responses to some tricky questions and the celebrities received a standing ovation.

Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said: “We are always amazed at the generosity of our supporters, particularly during these difficult times. Thank you never seems enough, but that support means that we can literally change and save people’s lives and that is truly humbling.

“Next year we have big plans to ensure that everyone can reach out for support through our Make it Visible campaign and our on-site team will be visiting more locations to help spread the word about out vital services. Each year we do more and more for our community, but that is only possible with the dedicated and unerring support we receive.

“I would also like to take this

opportunity to thank all the volunteers that helped on the day and our sponsors who make these events possible.”

The afternoon was wrapped up by opera singers Damian Carter and Alexander Wall, who treated the audience to rousing renditions of Nessun dorma and Sweet Caroline, prompting synchronised swaying and napkin waving. The festivities continued well into the evening with guests embracing the Christmas spirit and making the most of the networking opportunities.

Plant Machine Control Ltd is a family run company based in Manchester, with more than 100 years of combined experience working on plant machinery. The two directors, father and son Kenny and Ryan Andres both come from a heavy plant background having worked for a variety of companies in the industry.

Kenny Andres is a highly experienced engineer who has worked on all types of plant and machinery over the years, including rail, construction, material handling and mobile cranes. Kenny started working on machine control systems to expand his knowledge on GPS systems.

Ryan Andres, the next generation, followed in his father’s footsteps, starting his career in the rail industry working on road rail plant attachments. After gaining valuable experience working in the rail industry for multiple companies, he took the next step to start his joint company with his father Kenny specialising in plant and machine control systems.

Plant Machine Control is now a nationwide company specialising in plant safety, machine control, automatic lubrication and tiltrotators.

The company supplies, installs and supports GKD Technologies’ plant safety systems for companies across the UK. It is also partner to the market leading manufacturer, Leica Geosystems, for machine control systems across the country, carrying out installations, calibrations and support. PMC is a UK distributor for Graco automatic lubrication systems for off-road machinery, carrying out installation and support and a partner to Rototilt UK for tiltrotators, installing and supporting these systems.

Rokbak RA30 excels at German gravel pit

Requiring a robust, reliable articulated hauler to remove overburden for ten hours a day, five days a week, Erdbau Schrader found the perfect solution with Rokbak and its RA30

In a pit near to Calbe, a town in the district of Salzlandkreis, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, around 6,000 tonnes of gravel are removed daily by earthworks specialist Erdbau Schrader. Gravel extraction started at the site around 30 years ago and it’s expected to continue for another three decades. Now navigating this tough terrain, up and down steep inclines to unload around two kilometres away, is the Rokbak RA30, the latest addition to Erdbau Schrader’s fleet.

“We chose Rokbak because of its reliability and the price-performance ratio, as well as the hauler’s ability to cope with our long, heavy off-road operations,” says Ines Schrader, Managing Director of Erdbau Schrader. “We also wanted to ensure that our experienced operators would be able to work with maximum comfort.”

Erdbau Schrader was founded in April 2011. The company specialises in removing overburden for gravel extraction and renaturation, using its machines at several locations near its bases of Staßfurt and Brumby. Erdbau Schrader already owned four Terex Trucks TA300s, which it bought before Terex Trucks rebranded to Rokbak in September 2021. In July 2022, the company added the RA30 to its fleet, purchasing the machine from Rokbak dealer Klarmann-Lembach. Three other articulated haulers are working alongside the RA30 at the pit near Calbe.

“The Rokbak RA30 is a strong, reliable and high-performing machine, which is exactly what Erdbau Schrader needed,” explains Klarmann-Lembach salesman Thomas Keil, who recently visited the Calbe site with Rokbak to see the RA30 in action. “Our confidence in the Rokbak

brand and the haulers is such that, when we were approached, we could assure our customer that the RA30 was the ideal addition to their fleet.”

Robust and reliable

Erdbau Schrader’s articulated haulers move at full power five days a week, for 10 hours from 6 am until 4 pm. Materials from the site are transported over sandy and spongy ground for 2 km before being unloaded at a railway loading station. The RA30 has to navigate tough terrain, prove its durability over long shifts and be a machine that employees want to operate.

With the ability to transport a payload of up to 28 t, the RA30 has a maximum engine power of 276 kW, with a heaped capacity of 17.5 m3 and a maximum torque of 1,880 Nm @ 1,400 rpm. All Rokbak haulers can be relied upon to operate effectively and efficiently, with optimal traction in difficult terrain, combating steep inclines with ease.

Routine maintenance is as quick and efficient as possible, keeping service time and costs to a minimum. Furthermore, the factory-approved parts are backed by a two-year/6,000-hour warranty, one of the most comprehensive guarantees in the industry. Operational comfort is also at the forefront of the RA30 design. A spacious, ROPS/FOPS compliant, pressurised cab with excellent heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) keeps the operator comfortable and focused.

“Our operators have highlighted to us that they have found the RA30 to be extremely reliable and easily adapted to our heavy, difficult working conditions,” says Uwe Schrader, who oversees machine usage at Erdbau Schrader. “The notable

construction of the front axle, with true independent front suspension, offers a very high level of operator comfort across a comprehensive 10-hour working day, which is further elevated by the fully automatic eight-speed transmission.”

The inner workings

The RA30’s EP320 transmission comes with eight forward gears as well as four reverse gears and features a top speed of up to 55 km/h (34 mph), high overall gear ratio spread, equal ratio steps between gears and optimised gear shifting with partial load shifts. All of this means that the RA30 offers lower fuel consumption with smoother gear shifting and thereby higher levels of operator comfort as well as faster cycle times and reduced carbon emissions. Overall, the entire drivetrain helps the hauler deliver class-leading rim pull for superior performance and productivity. It also ensures the machine offers excellent navigation and fast haul cycles. The RA30’s long life transmission fluid increases the length of time between oil maintenance intervals to 4,000 hours. This helps customers achieve increased productivity and uptime, as well as lower cost per tonne.

“The RA30’s transmission strikes the perfect balance between efficient power, effective gearing and weight distribution, allowing the hauler to move more loads quicker,” concludes Thomas Schmitt, Rokbak’s Customer Support Manager for Europe. “The RA30 is simple to operate and easy to maintain, it delivers low total cost of ownership with a fuel-efficient performance and high productivity – so it’s no wonder the Erdbau Schrader team are so happy with it.”

Weaver Plant Hire, a startup only four years ago, is going from strength to strength in the plant hire market thanks to its investment in the latest machinery and technology solutions, ensuring the high demands of the construction industry can be met.

Starting with the purchase of a second-hand Kubota mini excavator, the Buckinghamshirebased company has now expanded its machinery fleet to 60 machines thanks to the recent purchase of eight Kubota excavators from Boss Plant Sales, meaning the Japanese manufacturer now makes up more than 30% of the hire firm’s excavator inventory.

The Weaver Plant Hire Kubota excavator fleet now consists of the U50, KX057, KX60 and KX080 machines. The KX and zero-tail swing U excavator series from Kubota are the most reliable and durable machines on the market. The excavators use Kubota’s latest industry-leading engine technology, designed to offer maximum fuel efficiency, minimal noise and vibration, as well as low emission levels that meet current regulations.

Adam Weaver, co-owner of Weaver Plant Hire, said: “The demand for construction equipment that can meet the requirements of the toughest jobs

continues to be in high demand, so it’s imperative that we utilise equipment that offers contractors reliability and the highest levels of performance.

“We have worked tirelessly over the past four years to build a reputation of providing quality and efficient machinery, and the relationship we have with Boss Plant Sales and Kubota, and the service and aftersales support they provide, has been pivotal to that.

“Regarding Kubota machinery, the mini-excavators’ site acceptance is second to none. Operators like the ergonomic cabs, the familiar controls and the luxuries of the high spec machines we choose. The dash 5 cabs in particular are excellent. We get great support and service from Boss Plant Sales and have found the Kubota machines to be safe, secure, reliable and economic in operation.”

Established in 2018 by Adam Weaver, Weaver Plant Hire provides operated and self-drive plant hire, and groundworks and landscaping contracting to a wide range of customers in London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Adam was quick to adopt the use of specialised attachments and GPS systems across his machinery fleet to ensure high productivity, safety and a high-quality finish to all jobs.

Weaver Plant goes from strength to strength with Kubota

Ritchie Bros purchases Maltby site with further development plans

Equipment auction company Ritchie Bros. UK is set to continue transforming its Maltby Colliery site following its recently completed purchase of the land and remaining buildings. A key development project will see the major renovation of a large historical structure from the old colliery becoming a state-ofthe-art equipment workshop.

Rupert Craven, Sales Director UK and Ireland (right) said: “Since moving to Maltby in 2019, we’ve conducted 23 auctions, attracted over 30,000 registered bidders and sold over 31,000 excavators, tractors, dumpers, trucks and other machinery to businesses from all over the world.

“During this time, we have made really good progress transforming the site into the head office for our UK business, and we have more exciting plans in the pipeline, like the new workshop.

“Once completed, our customers will be able to use painting and a range of refurbishing services in Maltby. This will further help our customers from all over the world buy and sell machinery, as a refurb can make all the difference when selling in our auction or Marketplace-E to help maximise the returns. Or before putting your purchased equipment to work.”

Site development projects will continue throughout 2023, with the main equipment yard also set to be enhanced.

Upcoming auctions in Maltby

For 2023, Ritchie Bros. UK has scheduled another eight auctions, including 15-16 February, 29-30 March, 10-11 May, 21-22 June, 9 August, 20-21 September, 8-9 November and 13 December

a century since 1912, the Maltby site has a unique industrial atmosphere. Ritchie Bros. brought a new industrial purpose and work needed to be done. Over the last three years, the site has been transformed step by step. Surfaces were levelled, old structures demolished if not renovated, new offices were constructed and equipment services added.

See you later, excavator

by Dennis Kottman, Head of Marketing, Surplex

When was the first excavator invented? Why are they called crawler excavators? What can they do and where are they used? How big is the largest crawler excavator in the world? What will excavators of the future be able to do?

There follows a small glimpse into the history of the crawler excavator and why investing in one continues to be worthwhile in hard times

Excavators are named after what propels them forward, being classified according to their drive: wheels or a chain – with the latter also often being called caterpillars. Wheeled excavators have greater mobility but are not suitable for difficult terrain. Moreover, caterpillars can carry heavier excavators.

The first excavators were steam-powered The Scottish inventor James Watt and the English entrepreneur Matthew Boulton developed the first steam-powered excavator back in 1796. The first patent was granted to William Otis for his steampowered partial oscillator – a construction machine on a railway chassis whose boom could only be partially rotated.

The steam excavators of the 19th century were the first high-powered construction machines for moving earth and

contributed significantly to the process of industrialisation. They are what made the construction of canals (such as the Suez Canal in 1865), railway lines, open-cast mines and large industrial plants at all possible. Greater mobility was provided by the development of caterpillar tracks, which allowed the machines to be moved independently of railway lines. The end of steam engines came in the 1930s. Diesel and electric drives were cheaper and took over the market.

A brief history of crawler excavators

The first crawler was patented in 1901. It was used for tractors in forestry. The American Benjamin Holt designed a crawler track in 1904. The system was used by the British Army, among others, for the artillery tractors that were common at the time. The soldiers named the tractor

The P&H Model 206 power shovel c. 1926

Caterpillar, because the movement of the chain links resembled that of an insect. Holt immediately secured the brand name. Fifteen years later, in 1925, his company would merge into what is today the largest manufacturer of construction machinery.

Areas of application: from the garden to open-cast mining

Thanks to the wide range of attachments and different model sizes, excavators can cover highly diverse fields of application. The task of an excavator is – to put it casually – to dig, i.e. to move soil and rock. This includes loosening and excavating ground depressions such as construction pits or transporting excavated and fill material.

The range of different excavator models is as wide as the possible applications. Mini excavators weigh less than a tonne and are sometimes only 70 cm wide. They can therefore fit through doors and work inside buildings. Midi excavators weigh up to 10 t and are usually wheeled. Medium-sized excavators weigh up to 60 t and the larger of these are crawler excavators and are mostly used for light earthworks on construction sites (excavation pits) or heavy earthworks in canal and road construction. In quarries, large excavators weighing up to 200 t can be found. The largest excavators, some of which have an operating weight of over 10,000 t, are used in ore extraction and open-cast mining.

This is also where the world’s largest excavator – a bucket-wheel crawler excavator – has been found since 1978. The 288 from Krupp Industrietechnik is located in the Garzweiler open-cast lignite mine in Germany. This monster weighs 13,500 t, is 96 m high and 240 m long. With its bucket wheel (diameter: 21.6 m, 18 buckets of 6.6 m³ each), the 288 excavates up to 240,000 t of coal every day. Naturally, the 288 is a crawler excavator. It runs on three rows of four caterpillars each with an individual width of 3.8 m. This creates such a large contact surface that the excavator hardly exerts any pressure on the ground despite its immense weight. At only 17.1 N/cm², it does not even leave a deep rut on grass.

Current trends in the construction industry

The two major research topics in the construction industry – climate protection and digitalisation – also affect crawler excavators. With GPS and automated control, it is already possible to carry out earthmoving works with precision down to the centimetre – more accurately than the

most experienced excavator operator. But there is still a long way to go before the construction site is fully digitalised. In the climate protection category, the bauma Innovation Award 2022 was presented to Liebherr France SAS. The construction machinery manufacturer has developed a crawler excavator with a hydrogen engine. The R 9XX H2 is still a prototype, but series production is scheduled to start by 2025.

The desire for innovation is overshadowed by the tense economic and geopolitical situation. Inflation is rising and spreading uncertainty. Even though the construction industry is currently going through hard times, investments are still being made. However, cost optimisation takes first priority here. Future investments are prioritised in such a way that they bring in profits as soon as possible. Buying used machines is an investment with an ideal cost/benefit ratio. Compared to new machines, used machines are much cheaper and available right away. Both are essential factors when planning investments.

About Surplex

Surplex is one of Europe’s leading industrial auction houses and trades in used machines and factory equipment worldwide. The 16-language platform Surplex.com is visited around 50 million times every year. It sells more than 55,000 industrial products per year in over 500 online auctions. The company is based in Düsseldorf and has offices in 15 European countries. More than 200 employees from 20 nations generate an annual turnover of more than 100m euros.

Top to bottom: Otis steam excavator on railway chassis, 1841; Marion steam shovel Model 30 excavating at Pompoota Flat, 1913; Doosan DX 225LCA; JCB 205 NXT; Krupp Industrietechnik 288

Contractor purchases first JCB 245XR in Northern Ireland

Ballynahinch-based Ryan Rogan Contracts Ltd was so impressed by a demonstration machine that it purchased a brand new 245XR tracked excavator and is delighted with how it is performing. Supplied by dealer Dennison JCB, the JCB 245XR will be used by Ryan Rogan Contract Ltd’s customers on a range of water mains and sewage works projects across Northern Ireland.

Ryan Rogan, owner of Ryan Rogan Contracts Ltd said: “We were looking about for a new excavator, after previously having had a JCB 140X. We usually use a competitor brand but we’re always happy to take a chance on a different manufacturer for the right machine. We read about the JCB 245XR and thought it was a nice-looking digger. We had a successful demonstration and took the decision to buy. The machine is good value for money and we are impressed with what it can do.

“We offer self-drive hire so value for money is important to us when putting a machine out for hire. Our customers do a lot of work with water mains and sewage works so the zero tailswing and flexibility

diesel engine, delivering 129 kW. The 4.8-litre engine uses a Selective Catalytic Reduction Filter (SCR-F) that comprises a combined SCR, Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) with a large ash holding capacity.

The new machine features full size, one-metre-wide cab, which is the largest in the sector. It delivers exceptional stability for maximum lifting capacity while quality hydraulic components deliver smooth, precise operation. Easy access to all service and maintenance points also boost uptime.

of the machine are very helpful for their type of work. The machine is performing well and doing what our customers need it to do so we’re very happy.”

The JCB 245XR tracked excavators are powered by a highly efficient EU Stage V compliant JCB Dieselmax 448

Founded in 2002, Ryan Rogan Contracts Ltd offers contracting work and plant hire from its base in Ballynahinch. The company specialises in water mains projects with contracts spanning across County Down, County Antrim and County Armagh.

“The machine is good value for money and we are impressed with what it can do”

AMECALAC REVOLUTION

Operators of Mecalac’s new Revotruck can now rotate the entire cab to keep their vision and focus on the job and a view of potential obstacles on the site. The exclusive chassis with central oscillation ensures stability and traction in all conditions. The infinite cab positions of the Revotruck open up visibility in all directions.