ISSUE 60 2016 OCTOBER
PLUS
N AL TERN AT IO O LO GY SED BY IN IO N LI CEN BA I TECH N PU BL IC AT ZO N E, DU N IO CT TY O DU RI O PR IA TH ED AU M NE IA FR EE ZO AN D M ED
TEUToNICaTkITearNsS
m Germ an tation r eP U e G a r e v Le Lence L e c x e r fo
Ns o I T C U a F o T R a T HE BroS.
ritchie S 72nd S it condUct in dUBai aUction
G N I K C U B D N E R T E TH
aderS o L e o h k Bac
on i t i s o p s s it d l o et h k r e a o h m k l c a a ion rb g a e l r u p n o a p e al the n i e t i r u as a favo
GETTING CLOSER TO THE TOP...
Getting closer to the top of the tallest mountain in the UAE will soon be a lot easier, thanks to the fleet of Volvo construction equipment used in the building of the road to the Jebel Jais mountain. When it’s finished, the route will run from Ras Al-Khaimah right to the 1,910 metre summit. The road has already become a popular destination for motoring enthusiasts, who like to show off what their machines can do. VIDEO http://goo.gl/FPsU43
But when the road runs out, that’s where the Volvo operators show off their machines. And it’s impressive to see what they can do. If you want to get closer to the action, scan the code and watch the video. Building Tomorrow.
2
CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2016 8_News The latest news from across the region and further afield.
14_TRuck iNdusTRy oN a chaRge The IAA Show in Hanover last month saw hundreds of greener and more connected ways to run a truck fleet.
40
18_RaRiNg To go Reanult Trucks’ Patrice Roeser tells CMME that the French company
12 Sp oT TeaDNy IN gell-trerrm ain crane is
is ready to build on its long history in the Middle East region.
22_The aRT of aucTioNeeRiNg CMME attended Ritchie Bros.’ 72nd auction in Dubai last month to get a behind-the-scenes look at a well-oiled operation.
12
Grove’s a ft and nough to li c o m pa c t e t inside tigh manoeuvre house. Nestle ware
14
28
28_TeuToNic TiTaNs German OEMs and their dealers are using the reputation and excellence of the country’s products to push sales in a slow market.
r e w o p raw 34_ New R The latest
e l e a se s
38_Top T
eN
inery.
ction mach
f constru the world o m o fr s se relea
.
e loaders ing backho
intain Tips for ma
he T R e Nd T k c u b oes market. r in a slow 40_ backh ains popula The backh
oe loader re
m
k The bloc N . o T a c and safety 44_ New add power eel loaders s L-series w Caterpillar’
fT 48_salT o k Terex Truc
s
h
he eaRTh
undergro goes deep
und to hau
l rock salt.
44
4
EDITORIAL OC TOBER 2016
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5471 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 EDITORIAL EDITOR ANIRBAN BAGCHI anirban.bagchi@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5715 SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE
Backhoes Back at the top Five months ago, when we covered Bobcat’s launch of its backhoe loader in Dubai, we had asked the questions, why here and why now? The prevailing market conditions of the Middle East did not seem to make it a conducive time to launch anything, leave alone a brand new construction machine, especially in a time when the equipment sector was starting to report sluggishness in the market. Five months on, however, Bobcat’s reasoning has been vindicated. The company was quietly confident of its backhoes doing well in the market, not only based on the brand’s reputation but also, and more importantly, on the popularity of the backhoe loader itself in the Middle East market. As Gaby Rhayem, Bobcat’s regional director, Middle East and Africa, told me at that time, some regions of the world are backhoe markets – and this is as prime a piece of that market as they come. That sentiment is being echoed in this issue by several other backhoe manufacturers and suppliers in the region’s market. From market leaders JCB and Caterpillar to mid-market Case and value proposition SDLG – all suppliers of the backhoe agree that the versatility of the machine makes it an ideal piece of equipment to perform a plethora of tasks, making it just the sort of machine costconscious operators would like to have in their fleets in tight times such as these. The numbers seem to justify the premise. While 4,000-plus units of backhoes were sold annually in the peak of the economic good times in 2008, the segment saw sales of 3,458 units last year and had already sold more than 1,300 units
in the first six months of this year despite the adverse economic climate. The figures, available with Rhayem, seem to suggest that even in an off-peak sales climate, the machine’s sales continues to outstrip other equipment categories. No wonder Bobcat is confident of achieving more than its target by the end of the year. Also upbeat are other backhoe makers. With some great machines from Caterpillar in their stable, the American giant’s representative in the region, Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, is gearing up for a “steady and progressive demand increase, year after year” for the backhoe. Elsewhere in this issue we bring you action from Ritchie Bros.’ Dubai auction, extoll the virtues of German machinery, talk to a Renault Trucks boffin and bring you Caterpillar’s latest medium wheel loaders. With the cooler weather approaching, it’s time again when the region shakes off its summer sluggishness and gears up for a season of activity. Despite the ongoing slowdown, there is always hope that better times are not too far away. Stay tuned.
aelred.doyle@cpimediagroup.com ADVERTISING & MARKETING COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR MICHAEL STANSFIELD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497 MARKETING MANAGER LISA JUSTICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpimediagroup.com CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION MANAGER SUNIL KUMAR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476 PRODUCTION MANAGER VIpIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713
WEb DEVELOPMENT MOHAMMAD AwAIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI SHAHAN NASEEM PUbLIShED by
Registered at IMpZ pO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRINTED by pRINTwELL pRINTING pRESS LLC
Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME
© Copyright 2016 CpI. All rights reserved. while the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.
AFGHANISTAN FAMCO (Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Co. LLC) + 971 4 213 5100 (UAE) famco@alf uttaim.ae BAHRAIN FAMCO (Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company) + 973 1783 0226 famco.bahrain@alfuttaim.ae IRAQ Sardar Automobile and Machinery Trading Co. + 964 750 344 4701 ihsan@sardarmachinery.com JORDAN Jamil Odeh and Sons Co. (JOSC) +962 6 4160409 info@jamilodeh.com KUWAIT Al-Zabin International Group Co. For Heavy Equipment + 965 2433 4721 alzabin@alzabinkuwait.com
THE VOLVO L120G with z-bar linkage
Maximum productivity. Optimum efficiency.
LEBANON AMTRAC (Abdelmassih Trading Company) + 961 3 425625 michel@amtrac-lb.com OMAN GENSERV (General Engineering Services Est) + 968 244 90755 sales@genserv-oman.com PAKISTAN VPL Limited + 92 42 111 875 875 uzair.shahid @panasiangroup.com QATAR Arabian Agencies Company WLL + 974 44 50 0925 araco@araco.com.qa SAUDI ARABIA FAMCO (Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Co. LLC) 800 124 4414 famco@alfuttaim.sa SYRIA Nassib Saad Est. Trading & Import + 963 11 222 5432 i.saad@saad-syria.com TURKEY Ascendum Makina + 90 216 581 80 00 info@ascturk.com UAE FAMCO (Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Co. LLC) 800 FAMCO (32626) famco@alfuttaim.ae YEMEN Elaghil Trading Co. + 967 1 207 470 elaghil@y.net.ye
The new L120G with z-bar linkage gives you loads more: more productivity, more fuel efficiency and more uptime. Engineered to give optimum bucket fill, the L120G z-bar delivers superior productivity, with the z-bar lifting arm system working in perfect harmony with load sensing hydraulics and the Volvo attachment range. An optimised powertrain and Eco-pedal function contribute to outstanding fuel efficiency, coupled with easy service access, for lower operating costs. The new L120G z-bar – maximum productivity and optimum efficiency. Building Tomorrow.
volvoce.com
6
ONLINE OC TOBER 2016
MOST POPULAR
fEATURED
READERS’ COMMENTS
CONSTRUCTION
LONg ROAD AhEAD fOR
Dubai Ruler launches Jumeirah Central
AUTONOMOUS MAChINES
Building driverless vehicles is extremely difficult both technically and, of course, in terms of winning public support. I think it will be similar when it comes to
PROPERTY
construction machinery.
‘Unique trends’ seen in UAE property markets
Volvo is testing this kit,
While it’s great that convincing the industry it is absolutely safe will be In pictures: Sheikh Mohammed launches Jumeirah Central project in Dubai
a big part of the process. Name withheld, online comment
CONSTRUCTION
India’s Shapoorji Pallonji in Dubai property debut
LI-fI YET TO LIghT UP
Of course Li-Fi [the technology that uses visible light to enable CONSTRUCTION
high-speed wireless data
Dubai’s Nakheel unveils Nad Al Sheba mall plan
of radio frequency] is too
communication instead nascent to be effective. The technology comes with its pros and cons: You can’t pass data through walls, it needs compatible LEDs, and other lights could interfere with the
CONSULTANT
Dubai: UK firm to work on Emaar’s The Tower
Video: 100+ excavators dismantle Chinese overpass in one night
internet signal. Vipin Singh, via website
w w w. h i t a c h i c m. a e
S W NE 8
Global restructurinG
Cat to lay off 2,000 in Belgian plant Closure
jeCts, o r p w e ffiCes, n o w e n , s hine around k o new maC o l e ives – w t a month i t s i i n h i t w e ne w hat’s n w t a n o i the reg
Machinery giant Caterpillar has said it may close its plant in
HITACHI
Gosselies, Belgium, leaving more
lAUNCHES THrEE-
than 2,000 people out of work, as
yEAr wArrANTy
part of a streamlining and cost-
SCHEME
savings plan announced last year.
Hitachi
The news triggered immediate
Construction
reactions, with a group of
Machinery has
about 60 employees seizing
initiated a three-
bulldozers and attempting to
year extended
block the entrance to the plant,
warranty scheme
said Belgian news sourrces.
specifically for
The possible plant closure is
its range of ZW
part of a global restructuring
wheel loaders.
plan that could see CAT cutting
The Full Coverage
as many as 10,000 jobs globally
programme
in the coming years.
forms part of the
CAT, which currently
Hitachi Extended
manufactures construction
Life Program
equipment at the Belgium plant,
(HELP), which
said it might shift the production to
offers increased
its facility at Grenoble, France and
protection
other locations outside of Europe.
for machines
The Peoria, Illinois-based
CASE, Hyundai in tie-up for mini excavators
regardless
company, said it would now
of working
begin the formal “information
conditions or
and consultation process” on
application. It
the closure of the plant.
CASE Construction Equipment has announced a new exclusive agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the production and development of mini-excavators. Under the agreement, which also includes OEM supply, component and spare parts supply to CNH Industrial, CASE will be able to produce models of up to 5t at its plant in San Mauro, Italy. The two companies will also start a joint development programme for new models introduction. This agreement applies globally, excluding the South Korean market, and has a 10-year term with the option for renewal. In a first phase, CASE will launch a brand new range of mini excavators of up to 6t that will be further extended over time. The new models will be
designed in collaboration with Hyundai Heavy Industries. The styling, quality finishing, controls and cab layout, which will be developed also in collaboration with the CNH Industrial Design Center, will be consistent with all the machines in the CASE product line up. “This agreement is the latest step in our strategy to strengthen the CASE brand, consolidate its position in the markets and secure its long-term future,” said Andy Blandford, vice president, CNH Industrial Construction Equipment for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “It follows the new agreement we signed with Sumitomo for crawler excavators and the redevelopment and rebranding of the San Mauro and Lecce plants to create the CASE European Excavator and Wheeled Equipment Hubs.”
protects new
It said management was
Hitachi wheel
committed to a “constructive
loaders for 36
dialogue with the employee
months – or 5,000
representatives in order to
hours – from the
minimise the global impact”.
date of delivery.
Caterpillar had earlier said it
The package is
was also considering closing its
free for customers
Northern Ireland facility as part
who have bought
of business restructuring in that
wheel loaders
country, which could result in
from the ZW-5
the loss of up to 250 jobs.
or ZW-6 range
Earlier last month, the company
between April 1,
had layed off 300 employees at
2016 and March
two of its manufacturing facilities
31, 2017.
in its home base of Illinois in the USA. Those layoffs generally take effect by October 31, and Caterpillar announced it would work to place some of the laid off staff in new positions within the company while helping others find work elsewhere.
9
Market research
gloBal Crane market to grow again in 2017 AMSTErdAM TO HOST 2017’S kEy rENTAl EvENT Amsterdam will host the International Rental Exhibition (IRE) and the European Rental Awards next year worldwide demand for mobile
from May 2 to
cranes is expected to bottom-out
4, 2017, at the
this year, according to a new report
Amsterdam Rai
from Off-Highway research. The
exhibition centre.
specialist consultant said sales of
Key industry
all terrain, lattice boom crawler,
names in the
rough terrain and truck cranes are
rental supply
expected to total 17,077 units in 2016,
chain are expected
an 11% fall from the previous year.
to exhibit from software providers
Although the North American market is expected to stay in a trough
to construction
in 2017, growth elsewhere in the
equipment makers
world should see global sales rise
The IRE will
by 5%. Continued improvement in
coincide with the
market conditions should see demand
European Rental
rise above 20,000 units by 2020.
Association’s
The forecast for a recovery between
convention and
2017 and 2020 is underpinned by a
the European
range of factors, including relatively
Rental Awards.
stable demand in Europe, a recovery in the Chinese market – which is dominated by truck cranes – growth from 2018 onwards in North America and general improvement in rest-of-the-world markets.
Mercedes’ Actros truck hits 100,000 in region Mercedes-Benz’s Actros truck has reached a milestone in the region with the delivery last month of the 100,000th truck in the Middle East and in North Africa (MENA). The milestone vehicle was ceremonially handed over by the global automobile major to the customer, transport and distribution company Messrs. Al Khaldi from Dammam, Saudi Arabia,
US MArkET IN EqUIPMENT GlUT A glut in used machinery in the US home market is damaging new equipment sales prospects for makers such as Caterpillar, John Deere and Volvo, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. With used machinery prices down 10% on last year and a boom in the rental market, dealers are under pressure to offer hefty discounts.
CNH pre vie ws s u au toNomor t r aC t o
ed has preview H Industrial N C 16 t n 20 ia e g Italian tors at th omous trac n to rely au ti t p en its conce USA. The w in Iowa, o ew Sh N ss a re d g ncept an Farm Pro Magnum co IH S P e G as C se s u tractor cable-les ve concept ri D H n o N ti 8 T ec rr Holland e satellite co ion with th are d an in conjunct ce an recise guid p r fo s te al n sig letely remo allow comp to ed n ig des ng t, monitori deploymen l. o and contr
at the Regional Centre of Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA in Jebel Ali, Dubai, said a statement by the German giant. “Our Actros is the most successful heavyduty truck in the world. About every 10th truck has been delivered to the Middle East and North Africa. This underlines the importance of this region for Mercedes-Benz Trucks,” said Dr. Wolfgang
Bernhard, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Daimler Trucks and Buses. Saudi Arabia is the core market in the region for MercedesBenz Trucks, with nearly 44,000 Actros Trucks delivered since 1997. The milestone truck, a 4x2 tractor-head Actros 2041S, is part of a 200unit order by Al-Khaldi, a long-standing customer of Mercedes-Benz.
10
neWs rounD-uP OC TOBER 2016
KSA gets Goodyear TruckForce centre
Goodyear Middle East and Africa (MEA) has opened the first ever Goodyear TruckForce Service Centre in Saudi Arabia in conjunction with Rashed Abdul Rahman AlRashed & Sons Group. The centre is located on the highway connecting
Riyadh and Dammam, and offers a range of services and solutions for both trucks and passenger cars in a state-of-the-art space that can serve up to four trucks and five cars simultaneously. Among its services are truck tyre services, including tyre
change, repair, balancing, truck tyre tube repair, alignment, oil and battery change and recharge. The TruckForce Service Centre will also have a dedicated mobile service van to provide breakdown support and tyre supply
AllIANCE ANd shrinkinG Market
us ConstruCtion equipment exports down 24% at mid-year
ACqUISITION AT rITCHIE BrOS. Ritchie Bros. has
on the highway between Riyadh and Dammam, the announcement added. Stefano Sanchini, sales director, Goodyear Middle East and Africa, said: “The new and conveniently located TruckForce Service Centre will supply Goodyear’s complete range of products while providing drivers in need of assistance with instant service to get back on the road as quickly as possible.” Yaser Mehyar, CEO of Al Rashed Automotive, said: “The TruckForce Service Centre in Saudi Arabia is an important milestone in our partnership with Goodyear. We are confident this state-of-the-art facility will offer a comprehensive customer experience.”
CEMEX OrdErS BOBCAT TElEHANdlErS Global concrete products giant, CEMEX has ordered eight new telehandlers from Bobcat’s plant in Pontchâteau, France, following the delivery of eight machines to various CEMEX sites earlier in the year. The machines come with pallet forks, buckets, jibs and manplatforms.
Potain to launch MCR 295 luffing jib crane
acquired US online Exports of construction
“with the global
used equipment
equipment made in the US
economic malaise, the
seller IronPlanet
were down 24% overall
slowdown in emerging
for $758.5 million,
at the middle of the year
markets and the negative
and entered into a
compared to the first
interest rates in several
strategic alliance
half of last year, with the
economies’ bond markets,
with Caterpillar.
total value of equipment
investment is flowing
IronPlanet totaled
shipped to global markets
to the US, driving up
sales of $787m
standing at $5.65 billion.
demand for the US dollar,
in 2015 with
inadvertently affecting our
weekly auctions
competitiveness abroad.”
on its online
According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM),
A region-by-region
sales platform.
Europe was the sole
breakdown of US
Ritchie Bros.
region to register a gain,
equipment experts for
will also become
rising 2%, while South
January to June this
Caterpillar’s
America and Africa led the
year reveals that when
preferred global
double-digit declines.
compared to the same
partner for live
period last year, exports
onsite and online
quarters, US exports of
to Canada dropped 23%,
auctions of used
construction equipment
for a total $2.4 billion,
Cat equipment.
have declined year-on-
while those to Asia
year and at the midpoint in
decreased 28%, for a
2016, that trend remains
total $664 million. South
unchanged,” said AEM’s
America and Africa saw the
Benjamin duyck, director
sharpest declines of 49%
of market intelligence.
and 43% respectively.
“For the past 14
Manitowoc has said it will launch a new Potain luffing jib crane for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin American markets at Bauma China next month. The Potain MCR 295 will be the largest luffing jib crane made in Manitowoc’s facility in Zhangjiagang, China. The crane will take centre stage on the company’s booth located on Stand A.02 in the outdoor area of the event taking place between November 22 and 25 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
The Potain MCR 295 will be available in three variations. The MCR 295 H16 will have a 16t maximum capacity while the MCR 295 H20 and the MCR 295 H25 will have maximum capacities of 20t and 25t respectively. All three will feature a lengthy 60m maximum jib. As with all luffing jib cranes, the new cranes are ideal for job sites with tight working quarters with a compact 2m by 2m footprint and the optional Top Tracing II anti-collision system.
11 construction hiGh-Point
world’s highest metro railway on Course in eCuador Construction of
congestion in the city,
what will be the
transporting 350,000
world’s highest metro
people per day. Tunnel boring
system – Metro de quito – is underway
machines from
in quito, Ecuador.
German manufacturer
The first line will
Herrenknecht will be
stretch over 20km
used to excavate the
through the capital
tunnels. Herrenknecht
of Ecuador, 2,800m
has also used two
above sea level, and
earth pressure balance
have 15 stations.
shields, which will
The tunnel
Caterpillar, dealers to invest $1bn in Africa push
work their way
alignment of the Metro
through the volcanic
line 1 will run at a
ground, turning the
depth of 20 to 25m
excavated material
below the city. The
into a soil paste that is
metro is expected to
used as pliable, plastic
significantly ease traffic
support medium.
Caterpillar has announced plans to expand its footprint and workforce development programme throughout Africa through a $1 billion investment over the next five years. In addition to improving the company’s parts distribution capacity across the continent and building new Certified Rebuild Centers,
the investment will add new dealer branches and expand the company’s Technicians for Africa free online skills development programme, which teaches important technical skills for pursuing a career as an equipment technician. Caterpillar plans to expand the programme from three to 15 African countries.
Caterpillar employs 15,000 company and dealer employees in Africa and, through the Caterpillar Foundation, has invested $50 million in projects aimed at lifting people out of poverty since 2010 with training, policy work, entrepreneurship programmes, etc. It has pledged $15m more by 2020. “For 90 years, Caterpillar machines have helped build critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa. Today, we bring not only construction machinery to the continent, but also traditional and renewable power generation solutions, diesel-electric locomotives, marine engines and mining equipment,” said Caterpillar chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman.
infraoMan
infra oman moves to new venue Al Nimr International Exhibition
an opportunity to present their
Organisers is set to organise
projects and achievements and
Infra Oman – Oman’s biggest
source their requirements. Infra
infrastructure and construction
Oman has grown significantly
exhibition - for the sixth time
since its inception in 2011,
from October 10-12 at the
establishing itself as the Middle
all new Oman Convention &
East’s leading infrastructure and
Exhibition Centre (OCEC).
industrial projects exhibition.” Infra Oman 2016 will feature
Infra Oman will be the first exhibition to be held at the
more than 250 local and
Oman Convention and Exhibition
international companies, including
Centre – Oman’s new hub to
country pavilions from the Uk,
host international conventions,
Iran, Indonesia, India, Italy, Austria
exhibitions and business events.
and Turkey. The first Oman Infrastructure Forum will also be
The exhibition is being organised under the patronage of dr.
five years. It is considered as the
edition comprised more than 250
held alongside Infra Oman 2016,
Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salem
annual meeting place for industry
exhibitors, occupying a gross space
aiming to bring together industry
Al-Futaisi, Oman’s Minister of
leaders, suppliers and buyers in
of 9,495sqm and attracting more
leaders and thinkers from across
Transport and Communications.
the Sultanate of Oman and has
than 5,000 industry professionals.
the infrastructure sector. The two-
One of the largest building
proved to be an ideal starting
Salim Omar Al Hashmi,
day event will see discussions on a
and construction expos in the
point not only for local companies,
Chairman of Al Nimr Expo,
range of topics like transportation
Middle East, Infra Oman has
but also for foreign entities that
says: “Infra Oman is the ideal
and logistics, latest technologies,
been continuously defining the
are determined to be part of
platform for all contractors and
utilities and energy, PPP and
industry’s development for the past
Oman’s growing market. The 2015
developers to meet, giving them
sustainable urban development.
12
KIT SPOTTING OC TOBER 2016
CompaCt Grove finds room for tiGht nestlé lift
a
project at the Nestlé warehouse in Bavaria, Germany, called for the installation of 21m “stacker” cranes, but the building’s ceiling only rose to 23m, leaving very little room for a crane to manoeuvre. But German rental company KRANprofis Allgäu accepted the challenge with a crane that could meet the project’s demands: the Grove GMK3060. With the ability to lift at a 0° boom angle, but still provide enough capacity to lift the stacker cranes, the GMK3060 was able to manoeuvre indoors and lift them into place despite the low room overhead. Peter Völker, CEO of KRANprofis Allgäu, says that the GMK3060 not only had versatile features that enabled the project to be completed, including its telescoping 43m boom, the 60t crane also saved time over the course of the project. “The challenge was to bring the stacker cranes from a horizontal position into a vertical one,” he explains. “Thanks to the GMK3060’s 1.8m heavy-duty jib, we were able to achieve the lowest possible height between the luffing jib and the hook block, giving us enough headroom to make the lift. Normally, the main boom length means that the distance equals approximately 3m, but we were able to reduce the length to 1.6m with the jib, which was ideal for the confined spaces of the hall in the warehouse.” Additionally, the GMK3060’s overall length is less than 0.75m, meaning that the carrier is also 1m shorter than other machines in this segment. With the lowered suspension, KRANprofis Allgäu was able to maintain a headroom clearance of 3.54m. The GMK3060’s six-section Megaform boom features the Boom Configuration Mode. This feature automatically selects the optimal boom configuration for a lift once the operator has entered the basic lift parameters. This saves time at the job site and makes the setup much easier. In fact, it saved Kranprofis Allgäu an entire day on the project. The estimated time for the job was initially five days, but thanks to the GMK3060, it only took four days to erect the stacker cranes.
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14
SHOW REPORT OC TOBER 2016
15
Truck indusTry on a charge The IAA evenT In hAnover lAsT monTh sAw hundreds of greener And more connecTed wAys To run A Truck fleeT
T
he world got a glimpse of how manufacturers are attempting to pack several different areas of technological advancement into the current and coming generations of commercial vehicles at September’s IAA event held in Hanover, Germany. Daimler kicked off the world’s biggest commercial vehicles show with its vision for the future of urban transport, including the Urban eTruck, a 6x2, 200km concept that is powered by two electric motors that can be charged in two hours. Daimler says it is aiming for a road-worthy version of the eTruck, which comes complete with an LCD front grille, to be in series production by the end of the decade. With a capacity of 26t that pushes the limits in terms of practical range and battery technology, a heavy construction version could take years to be produced, however. “Until now, the application of electric drive systems in trucks has been extremely limited,” Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, told the media. “But meanwhile, battery costs, capacities and charging times are improving rapidly. So we anticipate the market launch of electric drive in heavy-duty distribution transport early in the next decade. We intend to push electric driving as effectively as we did with autonomous and connected driving.” Executives on the show floor of IAA told CMME that the company believes the sweet spot for electric vehicles is a three-year return on investment. The Vision Van presented alongside the eTruck is close to reaching that goal and this unusual last mile delivery vehicle, which comes with its own set of drones and is controlled by a joystick (“we call it drive by wire”), could soon be trialled.
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SHOW REPORT OC TOBER 2016
“We anticipate the market launch of electric drive in heavy-duty distribution transport early in the next decade. We intend to push electric driving as effectively as we did with autonomous and connected driving” The Fuso eCanter, on the other hand, will be delivered to its first customers in 2017. Unveiled as a world premier at IAA, the light truck has a 100km range and can be charged within one hour. It also has its own tabletstyle interface that integrates telematics and route planning with the controls for the truck. There were over 300 premiers at IAA with commercial vehicles manufacturers and telematics houses looking to introduce their take on bringing connectivity and greater vehicle autonomy into the transport and
logistics sector. While electric vehicles will grab the headlines there was also plenty of room for new developments in hybrid fuel technology and, in the case of Hyundai’s H350 fuel concept, hydrogen. Long-haul autonomy Iveco unveiled its sleek Z TRUCK concept, a heavy truck which runs on Bio-LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) with conformable tanks, enhanced aerodynamics and a waste heat recovery system, to deliver
Mercedes-Benz displayed its urban eTruck concept at IAA, Hanover. Though far from production, it shows the way truck transport will take in the future.
long-haul transport with autonomy of 2,200 kilometres and virtually zero CO2 emissions. Designed in collaboration with CNH Industrial’s design centre and innovation department, it features a human machine interface projected on a smart windshield and active connectivity with its Michelin tyres to provide real-time data on tyre pressure, temperature and usage. Wabco recently lifted the veil on its work with ZF’s Innovation Truck which combines active steering with active braking. At IAA, the NYSE-listed company demonstrated the TX-TRAILERGUARD, the first fleet management solution that transmits realtime operational information and critical data on the performance of the truck, trailer and driver to the fleet manager’s desk. Meanwhile, MAN Truck & Bus presented its TGS semitrailer tractor. The vehicle sports an emissions-free electric drive for “inner-city night-time supply” as well as the Volkswagen-designed RIO, which is an open, cross-manufacturer business and technology platform that “provides individual and uniquely intuitive digital services for the entire transportation and logistics ecosystem”. RIO will be the first platform to provide the entire supply chain real time data. The most surprising launch of the show, surely, must go to Continental Tyre’s Conti EcoPlus HD3. The new range of tyres is the first made from Taraxagum rubber or dandelion roots.
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18
INTERVIEW OC TOBER 2016
Already wellentrenched in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia with a 45% market share for its heavy trucks, Renault Trucks is looking to expand its GCC presence.
19
W
e were supposed to be going to the Conservatoire de la Fondation Berliet, a major museum based near Lyon, but this can’t be it, can it? We’ve just been chucked out of the back of our car on a blistering late-summer afternoon in the south-east of France. Standing outside two large corrugated farm out-buildings, we quickly realise the main farmhouse is alone in the countryside around us. The last village we drove through was a number of kilometres and a bottle of Evian ago. “Et, voila,” one of our hosts says before ushering us through a door. We step into France’s long automotive history. The unexpectedly unassuming buildings of the Conservatoire hide a treasure trove of vehicles inside. Berliet helped define engine, bus, truck and passenger car production in the country before it fell victim to the malaise in European manufacturing in the late-1960s. Bought by Michelin to merge with Citroen and then sold onto Renault in 1974, it still commanded more than half of the French market even as the last Berliet-branded trucks left the company’s plant in Lyon. Trucks bearing the Renault marque, including more recent additions such as the Magnum and Kerax, are also housed in the buildings but dominating all that stand around it is the giant T100, a 103T 6x4 dumper truck that was the largest vehicle in the world when it was unveiled at the 1957 Paris car show. Only four of the giant vehicles were ever built but as the black and white pictures stationed by its giant wheels demonstrate, the T100 spent 23 years in Algeria before returning to France. In fact, Berliet’s and Renault’s rich history in the region - and North Africa in particular - is laid out to you by the dusty photographs pitched around the Conservatoire. Spending an afternoon there you realise how much they have achieved in the region. Close to the Conservertoire is Renault Trucks’ factory in Bourge en Bresse and its headquarters on the outskirts on Lyon. A total of 125 trucks are assembled at the plant everyday, including the K and C construction trucks aimed at the Middle East market.
While in France to experience the C and K ranges up close, we met with Patrice Roeser, the construction range product manager at Renault Trucks, to gain a better understanding of why the region remains an important market for the truck-maker. As we ride in a C-series tipper truck over the rough tracks of Renault Trucks’ demonstration course close to Bourge en Bresse, Roeser explains how the truckmaker continues to build on its legacy in the region. “We are well-ingrained in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia – we have been there since the beginning,” he jokes. “In terms of market share between the European manufacturers, I think we have about 45% of the market.” Arabian Vehicles & Trucks Industry (AVI), its joint-venture with Zahid Tractor in Saudi Arabia, rolled out its first trucks from its new assembly plant in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in June. This was followed in September by the news that Gregoire Blaise has taken over from Lars-Erik Forsbergh as president of its entire regional operation. Roeser tells CMME that the French company believes it can maintain its historically strong position in North Africa while improving its presence in the GCC. “We expect to improve our position in the GCC countries. Saudi Arabia is the most important market in the Middle East. We have had a good position for some time there but only in the petroleum market (due to the fact the Kerax all-wheel-drive has been very well appreciated). Unfortunately we haven’t yet succeeded in the long haul sector (of KSA) but the new range and
raring to go
Patrice roeser, the man behind renault’s c and K ranges of trucKs, tells CMME that the french comPany is ready to build on its long history in the middle east region
20
INTERVIEW OC TOBER 2016
assembly plant will help us to improve.” He comments that the setting up of assembly operations in the Kingdom enables it to be competitive as it avoids import tax regulation. “It is also good for local employment.” The K and C truck plant in KAEC is based on the footprint of other similar Middle East facilities in countries such as Morocco and Algeria. “It is exactly the same set-up. Although sometimes it is good to have a difference as some countries ask for cab assembly too. We currently only have one such case in Argentina.” Roeser says the company is pleased with its progress in Iraq, where it also has an assembly plant, and is eager pick up where it left off in Iran following the lifting of sanctions. “Iran is very important market generally although it has been a long time since I was there and that was before the restrictions.” Volvo backing Owner Volvo pumped $2 billion into Renault Trucks when it made the jump to the Euro 6 generation of trucks. The manufacturer took the opportunity to allow Roeser and his team to overhaul its offering to the haulage and heavy construction sectors. Gone were familiar names such as the Magnum and Kerax and in came the stripped down but internationally friendly monikers of D, T (to replace the Magnum), C and the K; two trucks aimed squarely at the construction market. The C and K ranges share the same chassis frame but have been designed for different purposes. The lighter C has been developed with typical trailer tipping in mind and off- and on-road roles essential for supporting construction operations. Its cab has also been designed to a spec typical of long haulage; making the tractor head a flexible addition to a fleet. The more muscular K is pitched at the needs of heavy construction operations (the steel bumper is standard on the truck where as it is optional on the C, for instance) as well as distribution. Besides the reinforced front-end it has a gvw (gross vehicle weight) up to 50 tonnes with a potential gcw (gross combined weight) of up to 120 tonnes. The Euro 3 versions of the ranges are mercifully similar to the Euro 6 versions and largely only differ in missing the systems bolted on to reach the requirements. The C trucks get Renault’s Optitrack hydrostatic traction on the front axle, for temporary extra pulling power. It is worth noting for Middle East buyers that Roeser
TakINg chaRgE
renault’s new middle east President
Grégoire Blaise has
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,
been appointed Renault
Qatar, the UAE, Oman,
Trucks president for
Yemen, Sudan, South
the Greater Middle East
Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea,
including markets in
Djibouti and Somalia.
the North and South. Blaise has been GM and
“I am very proud to assume this new role at
VP of China for Sunwin
Renault Trucks,” said Blaise.
Bus and has worked for
“The Greater Middle East
Renault Trucks since 1999.
region is very important
He takes over from
for us and this has been
Lars-Erik Forsbergh, who
demonstrated by the
will head Volvo truck
significant investments
operations in south-east
we’ve made in recent
Asia. Blaise was previously
years. We’re thoroughly
general manager and VP
committed to serving
of China for Sunwin Bus,
our loyal customers in
a Volvo Group and SAIC
the Middle East and my
joint venture, and has been
primary objective is ensure
working at Renault Trucks
that we continue to meet
since 1999. Blaise was
their needs and exceed
appointed to this position
their expectations.”
by Christophe Martin, senior
With an educational
vice-president Renault
background in engineering
Trucks International, in
and business, Blaise, 46,
August 2016. Blaise is
joined Renault Trucks
responsible for all Renault
in 1999. He has been
Trucks operations in the
managing director for
greater Middle East region,
Renault Trucks Dealer
including Egypt, Jordan,
Subsidiaries Holding for
Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait,
Strasbourg (2006-2010)
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
and Marseille (2010-2012).
says the system is not standard on manual versions (“some customers in the region will always want manual”) of the C but comes with the automatic transmission variants. Much of the Optitrack system is mounted underneath the C-series truck head and is arguably the most important feature for drivers in off-road situations where mobility is key, such as construction sites or quarries. Optitrack is a self-disengaging hydrostatic traction system designed to key trucks moving in heavy conditions. It is fitted to the drive axle on the tractor head with power provided by two hydraulic motors integrated into the wheel hubs. A press of the dashboard switch engages (or stops) the system transforming the 4x2 tractor into a 4x4 – providing more traction. Above 27 km/h, it disengages automatically; but at low speeds you are getting power when you need it. “The off-road software mode took two years to develop. It improves mobility as it ensures the customer will not be stuck,” explains Roeser. While one of the main perks of the hydraulic systems is extra mobility by reducing low speed or stopping manoeuvres, Roeser adds that it can make for a more soothing difference on difficult terrain. You can of course pack a chassis and dashboard full of features but you need the drivers to get the best out of them. With truck driver standards varying wildly in the Middle East, Roeser argues that Renault has done its bit when making the vehicles as straightforward to drive as possible. It is also working hard to demonstrate to owners the positive impact the mobility of the ranges can have on profitability. Their designer says he is constantly pouring through data received from trucks out in the wild. To date the trucks have racked up 1.5 million kilometres since their launch in 2014 and he believes it proves their worth. Ease of use “From the driver point of view, the trucks are easy to use even when the conditions are quite difficult. The comfort is impressive and the sound is low even (driving) on difficult conditions. From an owner’s point of view, the robustness is there,” he claims. “The automatic gearbox can cope. In terms of profitability, the fuel consumption is good. Roeser has been designing trucks for over a decade and has racked up thousands of hours with customers around the world, including the Middle East. He
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says he welcomes customers’ feedback as it can make a difference to a truck’s design. He recalls how the needs of an Algerian customer helped develop Renault’s unique pre-filtering system that keeps dust away from vital areas inside the truck’s inner workings. “We continue to develop it on each new generation. Cyclonic filtration is unique. Just after the air duct we have a cylindrical
Renault’s K and C ranges of heavy trucks are popular in the Middle East and have found various uses, from concrete applications to the petroleum sector.
section; and we use the pressure from the exhaust to catch large particles – dust. It’s very simple and non-mechanical.” Roeser is often inspired for new ideas by meeting a customer or talking to his colleagues and frequently finds himself jotting them down as drawings in the hope he can go back to them later in the development cycle. He looks back on his work with the C and K with a great deal
of pride, he adds. “I am a lucky guy,” he smiles broadly. “The company has put a lot of money into development and at the end we have made two ranges at a very high level. From a customer point of view, we have a large range of options and solutions for every application.” Roeser’s career started at Renault cars (“They made us work on the production lines before being allowed in the offices. I think that’s really helped me to understand the entire manufacturing process”) but he doesn’t regret moving to the less glamourous world of truck design. “Designing trucks is different to the mass car market. You design a car for six years but in the truck industry it can be 10 or 15 years, sometimes more. When you design a truck, you design it for a group of people and their needs. You are close to the people you design for as you get to meet them. That is a big difference. “Looking ahead, I always have a lot of ideas and I hope they will meet the needs of profitability and our development plan.”
“From the driver point of view, the trucks are easy to use even when the conditions are quite difficult. The comfort is impressive and the sound is low even (driving) on difficult conditions”
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EVENT REPORT OC TOBER 2016
The arT of aucTioneering
Ritchie BRos. conducted its 72nd auction in duBai last month. as machineRy woRth millions of dollaRs changed hands, CMME was theRe to join in the Buzz and witness the well-oiled opeRation live fRom Behind the scenes
T
here is something gladiatorial about the main auction theatre at Ritchie Bros.’ premises at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone. With its cavernous capacity and rows and rows of seats that face a plinth running the length of its northern end, beyond which is a sliding glass wall that can be raised to reveal a long ramp, you could easily imagine it to be an arena where packed audiences watch epic battles taking place live in front of their eyes. And you wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Many such battles took place at the venue on September 20th & 21st when one of the largest auctions of construction machinery this side of the Suez saw around 1935 pieces of equipment come under the hammer. The choice of weapon, though, was not between the gladius and the javelin, as 890 prospective buyers battled each other to own the choicest pieces of equipment on sale. It was, rather, the bid. But not all of those 890 prospective buyers were inside the theatre to join the battle. A grand total of 440 of them were bidding right from their offices - or probably even their living rooms - over the internet from various parts of the globe, while 450 were in attendance at the site. That’s, of course, not unusual at any Ritchie Bros auction, as Karl Werner, managing director for the Middle East, Africa and India, tells CMME. In the second quarter of this year, the company saw an average of 51% of its sales value coming from online customers, says Werner, who is also the chief operations support and development officer at the company. “Our auctions are typically on a Tuesday and Wednesday, for which registration starts on Saturday. People travel in from far and wide and when they register for the auction, we give them a bidder number and they can go and inspect the equipment. Onsite bidders can tour our yard and inspect the equipment until the day of the auction and online bidders can send in their representatives to do it on their behalf if they so wish,” Werner says. All the pieces of equipment being sold are numbered and documented in the catalogue provided to all registered bidders. The available details of the machines are recorded in the catalogue, including information such as whether the duty is paid or not. And each item is assigned a serial number. Werner explains: “The catalogue is like a bidders’ guide that we provide to all registered bidders. We have two auction rings running in parallel - Ring 1 and Ring 2 - and we categorise the equipment that will sell in each ring separately in the book.” Taking a look at the yard around the theatre brings home the enormity of the auction. There are rows upon rows of cranes of all sizes – from all-terrains and rough-terrains to
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EVENT REPORT OC TOBER 2016
giant crawlers with booms like skyscrapers. There are arrays of bulldozers, wheel loaders and huge dump trucks. And there is the less conspicuous but more numerous averagesized equipment for everyday construction and maintenance tasks. “The average-sized stuff predominates in terms of numbers. What we are seeing the most of is the normal construction equipment, such as the skid-steer loaders, mid-sized excavators, telescopic fork lifts, backhoes and the smaller-sized crawler tractors,” says Werner. “Also common are articulated dump trucks. We are selling lots of those today. And we have about 55 to 60 dozers selling in the afternoon. “We also have some huge mining equipment on sale, such as large Komatsu and Caterpillar dump trucks, and wheel loaders. Those came out of countries in South East Asia.” The equipment sold at the auction is from all over the world. Werner reveals that some of the items on sale have been shipped in all the way from Brazil, while many pieces have come from China, India and African countries. Being a Dubai auction, though, the majority of machinery is sourced from the GCC countries. It’s a similar tale with the buyers, both online and onsite. With 454 registrations coming in from abroad, overseas bidders outnumbered the 436 registering from the UAE. “We have registered bidders coming from many different countries. In fact, we even have bidders today from as far away as New Zealand and Belgium,” Werner says. But equally significant are those who have not come in and are attending the auction on-line. As the auctioneer calls out the asking price and takes in the bids from the buyers sitting in the theatre, he has in front of him a computer monitor where the internet bids come in simultaneously, which he has to watch. And when an onsite bidder is outbid by an online one, the auctioneer calls out the new bid, so that the onsite bidder knows whether he is in or out. The entire real-time feed of the online bidding process is controlled from Ritchie Bros.’ facility in Breda in The Netherlands. As Werner explains: “The online bidders need to see the asking prices as they are being called out by the auctioneer and the onsite bidders need to know the new asking price after an online bidder places a bid. Feeding the increment on the asking prices is being driven out of Breda in The Netherlands, so we have a connection between here and our facility there. “Our people in The Netherlands have cue boards in front of them and they will input the
AucTiONEER’s TAlE
the staR of the show
For Alberta, Canada, native Brad Martens, auctioneering runs in the blood. The 14-year Ritchie Bros veteran’s father was also an auctioneer, he tells us, and helped him to come into the field by teaching him the basics. Then there was auction school. Giving us some insider information, Martens says: “At auction school, we were taught a tongue twister to get the rhythm. It had four words: Rubber, baby, buggy, bumper. We chanted this over and over again to get the rhythm and then we started filling in numbers. ‘Rubber, baby, buggy, bumper…10, 10, 20, 20…’ it’s just a matter of picking up your speed and that’s where the rhythm comes from.” And it’s that rhythm that makes for a mesmerizing chant, as is evident on the auction floor. Martens’ voice booms over the loudspeaker: “50,000, 50,000, bid me 55. 55, 55, 60,000, bid me 65. 65, 65, 70,000! 70,000 I have, who’s got 80,000? 80,000? 80,000? I’m bid. Asking 85, 85, 85… Sold for 80,000.” It is so rhythmically uttered that you could almost dance to the beat. The audience laps up every bit of the energy Martens provides as the prices climb. “Every auctioneer has his own unique style and variety is good to maintain energy in an auction, which keeps customers on their toes and, we believe, makes them bid more,” Martens explains. “And that’s why we have four auctioneers here, two Canadians, one American and one British, giving us variety with four different styles.” An auctioneer also depends a lot on the bid catcher, Martens adds. “If he is not doing his job properly and catching the bids then the prices of the equipment would be lower. So we auctioneers are very dependent on our bid catchers and we have some of the best in the world who work very hard. We all work in unison. If there is one person who’s not doing his job to the best degree then the chain breaks and it affects everything.” The most important member of that chain, however, is the auctioneer, and Martens says: “The auctioneers are a small and select group that travel the world. There are maybe three or four of us that travel all over, wherever the company has an auction. Before coming here I was in Australia and I will be going to Spain next, and then to California. You could call the auctioneers a separate division unto themselves. We are a globally shared resource for everybody in the organisation.”
increment in the asking price on the internet in real time… it actually takes microseconds. Once the asking price is entered in at Breda, everybody on the internet knows what it is, and the auctioneer calls it out to the onsite bidders. We also use that feed to run the sign boards that are in front of the bidders in the auction gallery, and you see it on our onsite, Virtual Ramp screens, too. All that’s run from The Netherlands, which is our centralised online control centre for this side of the world.” For the western hemisphere and the rest of the world Ritchie Bros uses its Vancouver, Canada, head office, adds Werner, who has overseen the Online Auction Operations Group since 2005. Despite all the technological complications and the vast behind-the-scenes groundwork that goes into an auction, the real stars of any Ritchie Bros. auction are the auctioneers themselves. Their chants hit you the moment you enter the auction theatre - rhythmic repetitions of the asking price, punctuated by the bids coming in. Fast, attention-grabbing, even musical. It’s almost like rap. When we mention this to Brad Martens, one of the auctioneers, he agrees. “I’ve heard
25
“Everything and everyone needs to work in perfect sync – from the online feeds and the correct piece of machinery rolling in on the ramp to the bid catcher spotting all the bids and the auctioneer calling them out” Bid cATchERs
shaRp eyes and aleRt eaRs Fabio Orlandi, regional sales manager at
auctioneer know that you have got a bid and
Ritchie Bros.’ facility at Caorso, Italy, only
the asking price is raised,” Orlandi explains.
manages sales as a part of his job. The genial
But spotting a bidder is not as simple as
Italian has another role in the company
looking out for a raised hand. There are many
– a vital one. He is a star bid catcher.
nuances to bidding, with people in each region
“The bid catcher is the eyes and ears of the auctioneer. In theory, the auctioneer should
having their own particular style and quirks. “And this is maybe one of the reasons I’m
run the whole show. In practice, when you have
here for this auction after 10 years of doing this
a big theatre, the risk is to miss a lot of bids.
with Ritchie Bros. In each region, bidders have
Then we have the catcher roles,” Orlandi says.
different bidding cultures, with many nuances
The bid catcher stands in front of the audience
and gestures. In Dubai, for example, people often
and spots people placing bids, which is then
don’t bid with their hands up high or call out,
relayed to the auctioneer. At Ritchie Bros.
but prefer to make small gestures, like steady
this happens in a unique style, with a lot of
eye-contact with a shake of the head or even
animated gesticulations and even a few shouts.
a raised eyebrow. Perhaps they want to keep
“You solicit bids from the crowd with your hand movements, as if saying, ‘come on, give
a low profile while bidding,” says Orlandi. “For our Dubai auctions, the company brings
me your bid’. As soon as a bidder raises his hand
in experienced bid catchers because you’re
and you catch a bid, you let the auctioneer
supposed to pick up on the little things here
know. You do this by making a gesture with
that signify a bid. Even though our auction
your hand as if you have caught a baseball in
concept is the same around the world, culture
mid-air. And you shout out “Jap” (pronounced
and language play a big part in what we do
‘yup’). This helps all other bid catchers and the
and so we adapt as much as we can.”
that before. Many people liken our auction chants to rap. But we’re basically only calling out a combination of onsite bids and online bids, simultaneously taking both in,” he says. The auctioneer is the one in control of proceedings, Martens adds, and is also responsible for generating that buzz and excitement on the auction floor that leads to the items being auctioned reaching the maximum price that they can. In his task, the auctioneer is helped by the bid catcher, who stands at the head of the auction theatre and acts as his eyes and ears, taking the bids from the attendees as they come in rapidly. Star bid catcher Fabio Orlandi, who is regional sales manager for Ritchie Bros.’ Caorso, Italy, branch, says conducting the auctions is an art. “Everything and everyone needs to work in perfect sync – from the online feeds and the correct piece of machinery rolling in on the ramp when it is being sold to the bid catcher spotting all the bids and the auctioneer calling them out,” Orlandi says. It is an art that Ritchie Bros has perfected for decades now. Incidentally 2016, marks the 20th year for Ritchie Bros. in Dubai. “We’re planning a special event for it,” says Werner. “We’re going to have a three-day auction and a special customer appreciation night during the auction and other events. Our December sale is already shaping up to be a large event.”
...coming soon
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GERMAN MACHINERY OC TOBER 2016
TeuTonic TiTans
With German technoloGy associated With quality, robustness and precision, manufacturers from the country are capitalisinG on their brand values and local support netWorks to push sales in an off-peak reGional market
W
hether it is the world of consumer automobiles, precision instruments, machinery or construction equipment, the “Made in Germany” label instantly conjures up expectations of the highest quality and reliability. With a tradition of meticulous attention to detail and highly efficient manufacturing going back for as long as one can care to remember, it is no wonder that German products have carved a niche and a reputation in the market that is synonymous with the highest quality. And the field of construction machinery is no exception to this. Mention the names Liebherr, Putzmeister, Hamm, Vogele or any other of the famous German brands to a builder, contractor or fleet-owner and the impression you will get is of respect and admiration for quality, reliability and meticulous back-up support. Competitiveness in the construction machinery sector is certainly a talking point in the region, thanks to the euro falling against the dollar. However, CMME discovers that while the industry’s sales figures are affected by currency fluctuations, this is not the decisive factor. Quality matters to all equipment users, explain Asif Khan, general manager - Plant & Equipment, and Saif Khan, senior sales manager, Equipment Business Unit, at GENAVCO, one of the top suppliers of German machinery brands in the entire region with big names such as Liebherr and the Wirtgen Group under their belt. In fact, under the Wirtgen Group’s umbrella, GENAVCO offers perhaps the most comprehensive array of road-building machinery that is available from any supplier. The German behemoth is the owner of brands such as Vogele, Hamm, Kleeman and Benninghoven, apart from Wirtgen themselves - all forces to reckon with in the field of road construction. While Wirtgen manufactures road milling machines, stabilisers, surface miners and pavers, among many others, the other brands in its kitty produce a complete array of road equipment, from asphalt pavers with Vogele and road rollers with Hamm to mobile and stationary crushers and screens with Kleeman and Benninghoven with modular and stationary asphalt plants.
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With quality as their calling card, German manufacturers are leveraging their machines’ reputation for robustness for premium prices.
“Now Wirtgen has the full range of road construction machinery, starting from the aggregate to asphalt and road making and maintenance. They are total solution providers,” says Asif Khan. This comprehensive range followed by their German reputation and full, dedicated service support from GENAVCO has enabled Wirtgen to obtain a stranglehold on the regional market. “Last year, we commanded 100% of the regional market share for Wirtgen milling machines, which is just one example of the popularity of a German manufacturer. No other brand managed to make even the slightest dent in our sales,” Asif Khan says. “The perception of our customers is that German machines are the best in terms of quality and product support. People believe that Germans will not compromise – Germans by nature are tough. For this reason, I would say by and large, German brands are enjoying the number one position, in terms of the quality and reliability of their product.” Support assured Customers tend to appreciate German construction equipment and machinery because they value the product, but also due to the support associated with German manufacturers, claims Asif Khan. Primarily, all of them take their business very seriously and are customer-focused, and as a result customers prefer German-made products. These thoughts are echoed by Saif Khan, who points to the fact that another German maker in the GENAVCO stable - Liebherr – holds key advantages in the current market, notably technical reliability and durability, especially in the challenging heat, humidity and dust levels of the Middle East. “Liebherr machines have been proven to be very reliable, and as a result, they are accepted by large global companies, all of which have strict safety requirements,” he adds. This brings us to the issue of safety, one of the major competitive advantages that German technology is a step ahead of the competition in, according to a statement by Johann Sailer, chairman of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA). This includes the safety of both machines and operators. Further, safety is becoming a decisive purchasing argument among customers globally, claims Sailer. This may be why, according to the German Federal Statistics Bureau (GFSB), exports of German construction equipment and building material machinery grew 45% from 2005 to 2014. Another key factor is affecting sales.
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GERMAN MACHINERY OC TOBER 2016
Manufacturers are increasingly moving their manufacturing operations to China and India, where labour costs are lower. This is having an additional impact in the region, says Asif Khan. “It’s a small market, and all the major players from the world over are here. Our competitors are from Europe, and some of them are bringing their products here from China and India, locations where currencies are also down.” He is keen to point out, however, that the location in which the machinery is manufactured does not have an impact on quality, despite a persistent perception in the market. European and American brands that build in China or India maintain the exact same standards of quality as for products made in their home countries, he says. EColoGICAl AdvANtAGE
Future challenges Looking to the future, they speak of the new challenges facing German manufacturers in their objective to convey advantages in terms of equipment design, electronics and maintenance solutions – all the advantages are related to cost, in light of the rise of Chinese and Indian manufacturers. Liebherr has experienced “positive development, especially since GENAVCO started representing them”, according to Saif Kahn, who explains that market figures indicate substantial growth in equipment sales last year, which was a stellar year for GENAVCO. While this year has been more difficult so far, the German brands continue to outperform competitors in their respective fields, he adds. In fact, market figures available with GFSB since the 2009 recession show that in the
Germans score on Green efficiency Environmental awareness is rising in the region, with numerous private and government schemes, initiatives and campaigns aiming to encourage sustainability. Since many German machinery companies offer highly efficient equipment, they hope to participate in the growing energy cost and environmental awareness drive in Middle East markets. Companies are concentrating on developing ways of using raw materials and resources more efficiently, in addition to enhancing quality and automation and facilitating integration in product processes. Comparative advantages of German equipment in this pursuit include innovative construction methods and new drive systems – in addition to safety and combining function and design, cost-efficiency and new service concepts. With more limitations on working permissions for expats, companies that can supply efficient automated systems to replace manpower will benefit from new opportunities.
Middle East, the number of Liebherr machines exported to the region has continuously increased. This indicates that despite ongoing geopolitical turbulence here, there remains a very positive attitude and expectation for German models. Over at Putzmeister, Jens Bawidamann, head of GCC operations, told CMME in a discussion earlier this year that 2015 was a record one for the concrete equipment supplier. “We had a great year last year which will always be difficult to beat. Our reputation as a cutting edge manufacturer and provider of advanced and quality German technological solutions stood us in good stead when customers were looking to purchase concrete equipment.” Despite the slowdown this year, he is optimistic the superior performance and reputation of Putzmeister’s machines will hold up sales. “This year has been slow so far, as was expected by everyone. We had expected a major slowdown in sales, but surprisingly, the impact has been far lesser than we had anticipated. Our customers still prefer the quality and reliability of our products,” Bawidamann says. Upcoming projects in the region such as Expo 2020 in Dubai and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are seen as key events in the construction calendar for German equipment to be further used. Sailer noted in a recent statement that some construction equipment suppliers have already begun participating in these projects, especially those that supply road, tunnel or building machinery. With German engineering, durability and safety in high demand, coupled with high service standards from suppliers and manufacturers and quick access to spare parts, there is an optimistic outlook for German construction products in this region, regardless of their manufacturing location.
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iP s TOP 10: T Tain T O m a in s backhOe
34_neW ReLeases
p your llow to kee Steps to fo achine in versatile m er. tip-top ord
The latest releases from the world of construction machinery.
40_bucking The TRend Backhoe loaders continue to churn volumes for makers in a slow market.
44_neW caT On The bLOck Caterpillar’s new L-series wheel loader duo offer more power and enhanced safety.
48_saLT mineR Terex Trucks goes deep underground to haul rock salt.
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NEW RELEASES OC TOBER 2016
Case inCreases reaCh with D-series exCavators Why get it? Long-distance bucket reach and increased digging capabiLity If any application requires excavator buckets to reach longer distances then Case Construction Equipment’s CX210D LR and CX250D LR crawler excavators are the tools for the job. The machines offer increased operating performance for deep trenching, sloping, demolition, dredging, digging in sand or gravel pits or any application that requires longdistance bucket reach and precision. Each Long Reach (LR) model features an elongated boom and arm for increased digging capabilities in deep or longdistance digging applications, while
providing the same responsiveness and multifunction controls of the D Series. The CX210D LR and CX250D LR both employ Case’s an SCR engine management solution that provides greater fuel efficiency without sacrificing power and lets the engine run at peak performance throughout the work cycle. And, because it works without a diesel particulate filter (DPF), there’s no DPF regeneration or associated lifetime service costs, helping to maximise uptime and performance with minimal maintenance. Faster cycle times are achieved through a new electronically controlled pump, a larger control valve and multiple sensors. These features combine with the CASE Intelligent Hydraulic System to make the best use of the machine’s hydraulic power and momentum, resulting in added strength and fuel efficiency. The CASE Intelligent Hydraulic System does a variety of tasks such as reducing RPMs
by using gravity during boom down and swing; lowering RPMs during idle and automatically shutting down the engine after a preset idle time; reducing hydraulic power at the swing start; and adjusting hydraulic pressure during digs. The excavators also re-use hydraulic fluid whenever possible to automatically increase cycle times and efficiency. The operator experiences a more productive machine without losing the precision of its controls. The excavators also offer three working modes – Speed Priority, Heavy and Automatic – that help conserve energy and use only as much power as needed to complete the job at hand. SPECIFICATIONS
case cx210d Lr/cx250d Lr Engine power: 160hp/177hp Max dig radius: 15.5m/ 18.2 Max dig depth: 12m/14.5m Bucket digging force: 19,795 Nm /23,469 Nm
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Komatsu’ new wa270-8 wheel loaDer Cat’s new rP outDoor generators Why get it? reLiabLe and portabLe back-up power for outdoor jobs Caterpillar has entered the outdoor power market with the introduction of its portable RP series of generators. The new generators are designed to provide reliable back-up or recreational power to residential users and portable power to professional contractors who need to power tools and lights on the job. The initial models of portable generators in the Cat RP Series range in size and power from 3.6kW to 7.5kW in North America and 2.5kW to 4.4kW in Europe. This product is available to purchase through a new multi-channel distribution approach — including Cat dealers, local retailers, and eventually national retailers and wholesalers — which will serve as Cat Home & Outdoor Power Authorised Sales and Service Centers. “This is about providing a new customer base with the right solutions for their outdoor power needs that reflect the reliability, rugged capabilities and quality with which Cat products are known,” said George Taylor, Caterpillar vice president for marketing and digital division. The new products are being introduced initially in the US and Canada over the rest of 2016 with a move into other geographies late in the year, starting with Europe.
Why get it? improved fueL savings, superior traction controL and in-cab features Komatsu has introduced the WA270-8 wheel loader in the American market, combining high production with low fuel consumption and improved operator comfort. The WA270-8’s parallel-lift linkage, with auto tilt-in to simulate a Z-bar, can be used in virtually any application from pallet handling to hard digging. Fuel consumption is lower by up to 3% in V-cycle loading and 2% in load-and-carry applications. The new wheel loader comes equipped with an array of features, which includes a powerful 6.69 litre, 149hp, EPA Tier 4 Final certified, SAA6D107E-3 engine, which uses up to 3% less fuel than its Tier 4 Interim predecessor. Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filter (KDPF) and other after treatment components are designed in conjunction with the engine for efficiency and long life. A new SCR system reduces NOx
emissions and is designed to last the life of the engine. More than 98% of KDPF regeneration is performed passively, with no action required of the operator and no interference with machine operation. A fourth-generation hydrostatic drivetrain with variable traction control and S-mode provides superior traction control to reduce wheel slip and is ideal for slippery conditions. There is a Creep mode in first gear for slow operations, which is easily controlled via a knob on the RH console. This mode allows the operator to dial in travel speed from 1.6kph to 12.5kph. In-cab enhancements and features include a new high-back, heated seat, which softens machine vibrations for operator comfort. Telematics is taken care of by Komatsu’s KOMTRAX system that provides key machine metrics, including KDPF status and DEF-level data, fuel consumption, plus performance information collected and sorted by operator ID. SPECIFICATIONS
komatsu wa270-8 Engine size: 6.69l Power: 149hp Creep mode speed: 1.6 to 12.5kph Transmission: Hydrostatic
36
NEW RELEASES OC TOBER 2016
sany’s “flagshiP” exCavator Why get it? Long-Lasting buiLd quaLity for punishing mining operations Chinese equipment major Sany calls its SY365H-9 hydraulic excavator as a “Generation III Flagship Product”, targeted mainly at mining operations along with application in the construction arena as well. According to Sany, the major advantages of the SY365H-9 are its high efficiency, reliability and quality build that make for a long-lasting product able to take the most punishing conditions. By using high quality, wear-resistant plates on the easyto-wear areas, the life of the equipment is prolonged by 50% under mining working conditions, the company claims. The SY365H-9 has specialised heavy duty tracks and wheels for the mining environment, along with a strong and anti-abrasion body. Another feature that prolongs the life of the machine, Sany says, is the guard board structure, which has been upgraded to a multi-stage board, making for
a claimed 100% improvement in longevity. The SY365H-9 is powered by a Cummins QSL 9, Tier 4 final engine which produces 275 horses. There is a highly engineered hydraulic system to match engine response and make the 36.2t machine more manoeuvrable. The excavator achieves a dig depth of 7.3m with a bucket breakout force of 191,999 Newtons. Four working modes allow setup for various jobs and applications and an X-beam design uses a high-strength boxsection structure for optimal durability and torsion-resistant performance. The cab of the SY365H-9 features a colour monitor. a hydraulic-over-hydraulic pilot system and low-effort precise control levers with proportional thumb control of the standard auxiliary hydraulics. A rearview camera monitor is standard and the SanyLIVE GPS system allows fleet managers to monitor machines. SPECIFICATIONS
sany sy365h-9 Engine power: 275hp Dig depth: 7.3m Breakout force: 191,999 Newtons Weight: 36.2t
BoBCat lanDPlane attaChment Why get it? Light weight and bidirectionaL cutting edges Bobcat is acknowledged as one of the leaders in the compact machine category, which is a position it has acquired not only by supplying high-quality machines but also by an array of attachments that makes the Bobcat brand stand out for versatility. Another such attachment is the new 1.5m landplane bi-directional, site preparation and landscaping attachment available for its 3650 utility vehicles made in the model year 2015. It allows operators to work in both forward or reverse to easily break up hard ground or level high points. The attachment sports a bi-directional cutting edge with optional bolt-on screen. This helps to discharge a variety of jobs, such as break up soil clods, aerate and remove debris from job sites. An optional fold-down scarifier can be lowered to break up hard soil or vegetation and retracted when not in use. The scarifier has a working depth of 0.06m, enabling it to scoop out matter from below the surface of the soil or job site. The attachment couples easily to Bobcat compact equipment such as skid-steer loaders and detaches just as easily, using Bobcat’s Multi-Attachment X-Change or M.A.X. system. Weighing in at 86.6kg, the attachment’s light weight makes it easy to use and carry.
38
TOP TEN OC TOBER 2016
01 KEEP iT grEasEd If there’s noise coming from the system pins, bushings, pivot points and bearing joints, you need to add more grease. Learn about the kind of grease you need to buy and all the parts that need grease. Some backhoes can have more than 50 fittings that need greasing. A couple of areas to closely monitor are the front axle and trunnion bearings.
02 MaNagE hydraulic hOsEs Hydraulic hoses easily get ruptured due to operators messing up the hose routing. Using damaged/leaky hoses increases operating costs so you want to get that routing right. Hoses need to be tied properly, then secured near the stick and boom, and not just strung together and hanging loose.
: n e t toP n i a t n i a m o t s tiP r e d a o l e o h k c a ximum ab a m e h t t ge steps to achine hese one m n i o w Follow t t ersatile v r u o y From
FOllOw OEM suggEsTiONs Manufacturers usually have suggested servicing intervals specified in their users’ manuals. Unless you’re an experienced and expert technician, heed the OEM’s advice so you can avoid component failure. And, even if you do have enough experience to make up your own rules along the way, it still pays to refer to what the manufacturers say is best.
Persys tem h aPPraos maacny systems
oe h Your backh er, like the electrical th e g heck each working to systems. C c li u ra d y h d an t. Then, if a whole firs s a m e st sy esn’t seem em that do st sy a is re the ok into the ing well, lo rk t o w e b to within tha mponents o c c ifi is c e th sp system. Use g particular in stead of go method in rt. part-by-pa
03 04
39 clEaN aNd iNsPEcT aFTEr shiFTs Most OEMs emphasize daily backhoe inspections and preventative maintenance. While more common before a shift, consider inspecting and cleaning your equipment again after shifts. The end of the day is a good time to drain water from the fuel water separator and clean the parts that made the most contact with soil and debris. Clean your backhoe before the dirt on it hardens because the cleaner you keep it, the better it will perform.
sTOrE aNd iNsPEcT aTTachMENTs PrOPErly OEMs give specific instructions on how to use, store and take care of attachments such as shovels, sweeper collectors, grapples, augers, buckets, hammers and rip teeth. Review the documentation and make sure there are no compatibility issues. Otherwise, you risk damaging your equipment and incurring more costs for repairs. Also, take note of widths and capacity limitations so you can use the right attachment for its intended application.
07
05 06 k eeP n o il c l e a te ex nd
rEgular TyrE chEcKs Making sure each tyre has the right pressure is crucial for 4WD backhoe loaders. The right tyre pressure can help lessen tyre wear and improve stability. It also reduces the fatigue that the operator experiences while driving the backhoe. Replace the tyres when needed and always have a spare.
elps Clean oil h and ission life, sm n a tr d n a ces of engine ght toleran ti e th to l ust the is vita systems. J c li u ra d y h ination today ’s of contam ts n u o m a ining a smallest ear. Mainta w te ra le e c ssential can ac system is e s c li u ra d y draulic clean h lth of all hy to the hea uld be sh . Fluids o ts n e n o p oil com using new topped off ’ rs e k a the m that meets s. n specificatio
09 ExTENdiblE diPPEr sTicKs On backhoes with extendible dipper sticks, it is important to keep clearances within specs. It should be inspected regularly and adjusted to keep it in optimum shape. Don’t over-tighten the extendible dipper stick as it will bind and malfunction.
10
08
avOid OvErhEaTiNg Since backhoes are probably the most versatile of equipment at a work site, there is always some job or the other to keep them busy. This constant up-time could lead to overheating, which can increase wear and tear or even lead to outright engine or hydraulics failure. Monitor and structure usage to keep temperatures in check.
40
BACKHOES OC TOBER 2016
I
t’s no secret anymore that 2016 is not the best year for construction equipment makers and sellers in the region. The all-terrain cranes, heavy excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, pavers, dumpers, et al are not having their fastest moving year in recent memory. However, one class of equipment that is having somewhat of a bull run in a bearish market is the backhoe loader. As Gaby Rhayem, Bobcat’s regional director for the Middle East and Africa, puts it: “The backhoe today is a very, very good and important business in the region. Even though there is a slowdown, this category is still selling well. For Bobcat, it’s a very promising field and we believe this product will be developed a lot more in the future.” And he should know. Back in May, Bobcat, already the prime brand to reckon with in the region’s compact machinery segment and a by-word for skid-steer loaders, entered the segment for the first time ever, choosing Dubai as the global launchpad for its backhoes. The timing was just right for growth, Rhayem says, and he has not been disappointed. “Based on recent statistics, we estimate the regional backhoe market today to be around 3,500 units, which is quite big,” Rhayem says. “In fact, around 3,458 backhoe units were sold in the region last year. This year is turning out to be another good one for the backhoe, with around 1300 units sold by mid-year. Compare that with skid-steer loaders – the most popular machine in the region – which sold around 2,000 units in the same time period and you see it’s quite close. It is actually the second most popular among compact machines with a huge lead of more than 700 units over the next most popular segment, the telescopic equipment.” A late entrant it may be, but Bobcat is aiming to occupy the third spot in backhoe sales in the region by the end of the year. “We are confident of achieving that position based on the fact that our production is booked all the way until January,” Rhayem explains. “My bookings are full and I already know that if I ship more than 200 units in a region with a total market of 1,300, it gives me around an 8% market share. That’s not bad at all for our first year of selling backhoes.” Bobcat may be a recent addition, but first off the block in the backhoe’s history was JCB, the inventor of the machine. As they won’t hesitate to remind you, almost 50% of all backhoes sold globally are JCB. The manufacturer has five main models in the market, from the 1CX up to the supersize 5CX, but the 3CX has been its biggest volume seller around the region, a representative from the company told CMME earlier. JCB finds Saudi Arabia and the UAE to be its two largest markets for backhoes in the region. While in the former, the more basic variant, with canopy, two-wheel drive or 4wd, front shovel and standard backhoe is the bigger seller, in the UAE customers opt for the fuller spec 3CX, with cab and AC, 4wd, the six-in-one front shovel with flip over forks and JCB’s Extradig extending dipper. Tough competitor Another tough competitor in the market is Caterpillar. While globally JCB is the top dog in the backhoe market, Caterpillar has entrenched market position in the GCC through the strength of its dealers. Caterpillar recently updated its line of backhoe models to the F-Series, from the 7.5t operating weight 422F up to the 9.7t 444F. “The type of the projects and applications running in our territory, such as building construction and general construction, play a major
With the Middle East being among prime global backhoe territories, even a new entrant such as Bobcat has seen stellar performance after its launch in May.
41
Backhoes Buck the trend
AlwAys A fAvoured mAchine in the region, the bAckhoe loAder is providing steAdy volumes even in the current scenArio of stAgnAting sAles, its mAjor mAnufActurers tell CMME
42
BACKHOES OC TOBER 2016
role in increasing the demand for backhoe loaders. The durability and versatility of Cat backhoe loaders enable them to be the most suitable and compatible machines for different applications meeting different project requirements and demands,” says a spokesperson for Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, the Caterpillar representative in the region. “In addition to the new uses and applications for the machine, the affordability and versatility of the machine are the attributes that meet the needs of various classes of customers – small, medium, or large, making it more profitable and cost-effective to any customer.” With five models in the F-Series, each can be ordered with one of two engine options. The smallest 422F is offered with a naturally aspirated diesel engine that puts out 56.5 kW gross power, or a direct injection turbo (DIT) engine outputting 68.5kW gross, with air conditioning only available with the DIT engine. In the larger models in the range, the DIT engine option becomes the standard, with a C4.4 turbocharged after-cooled engine as the option. In terms of the model series update, all four machines benefit from the main improvements, including an updated high ambient temperature cooling pack. Caterpillar says the system utilises separate coolers for the engine coolant, transmission and hydraulic oils. “Attributes like performance, features and on-going research for product enhancement, along with the competitive advantage Cat machines have in terms of parts availability sets them apart from the competition,” says the Al-Bahar
Versatility is the middle name of the backhoe loader, which combines a skid-steer front and an excavator rear in its most basic form, with scope for more attachments.
spokesperson. “In addition to these, Cat backhoe loaders come with a range of support and services, like customer support agreements (CSA), extended warranty, fleet management solutions, and equipment protection plan - all of which add to the strong market history we have, giving us the extra edge against our competitors.” That history stretches a long way for the Al-Bahar-Caterpillar combine, as AlBahar says: “Caterpillar introduced the first backhoe loader in the early 80s. The ability of Caterpillar to meet various demands in different markets and for different applications by providing a wide variety of products has been the corner stone of our partnership. “Al-Bahar has a very strong distributional channel in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
and Qatar, as well as very quick machine repair and service abilities. The continuous efforts from Caterpillar to ensure topnotch technology, innovation, and optimal machine performance, in addition to the support year after year, have been the biggest contributors towards achieving a perpetual success for CAT backhoe loaders over the past years.” Case Construction Equipment has a number of models in the market, including their latest down-specced 570T, but its most important machines for the region are the 580T and 695T. Franco Invernizzi, senior business director, Middle East and Africa, told CMME earlier that while the backhoe is in demand in all construction segments, they see particular demand coming from smaller and medium contractors. “However, as the rental segment is expected to grow across the region, there will be considerable demand from the rental companies, which are by definition fleet owners.” Speaking about the 570T Invernizzi says that the machine is able to play an “effective and main role” on construction sites, especially road projects, due to its high productivity, economical fuel consumption and durability, as well as its being equipped with ergonomic features which contribute to an improved working environment for the operator. “Customers looking for a simple, reliable and cost-effective tool will find that this machine matches their needs to the maximum.” Key features of the Case T-Series range include an overall lower height, achieved by the use of overlapping cylinders, so that the backhoe needs a lower height clearance. The units are built with CNH/
43
BEttEr trACtiOn
wheels mAtter At the larger end of the backhoe range, models are normally equipped with equal-size front and rear tyres. Caterpillar’s product specialist Adrian Forrester, explains the benefit: “One of the main advantages of any
Fiat tier 3 engines, with Case CE claiming a 10% power advantage over competitors. Design strengths include robust design of the backhoe boom and dipperstick, which contributes heavily to productivity and the safety of operators.
backhoe loader with four equalsize wheels is that the ground pressure of the machine is reduced. This increases the floatation and mobility of the machine over soft ground conditions, enabling the machine to gain access to areas that otherwise would be more difficult. “High traction generated from the larger front wheel also helps to improve loader performance, increasing the machine’s performance when using the loader on duties such as site stripping or truck loading.” However, regardless of the size of the wheels, a diff lock also improves machine performance on soft ground. “Maintaining traction is important if the machine is working in soft ground conditions, and all Cat backhoe loaders are fitted with a differential lock as standard,” he says. “If traction is lost at any time, the operator can easily engage the differential lock so that the drive is equally distributed to both wheels, enabling the machine to be driven onto firmer ground.”
Jostling for position Chinese maker SDLG is another player in the region’s backhoe market. Owned by Volvo CE and represented in the region by Volvo dealer FAMCO, one of the largest machinery suppliers in the GCC, SDLG is keen to take the fight to the market leaders. “In the past few years compact machines have made up around half of the construction equipment market, and the backhoe occupies a major portion of the compact range,” says Bassem Albermawy, regional product manager for construction equipment at FAMCO. “With SDLG backhoes we are aiming to boost our market share by leveraging on proven technology, robustness and cost-effectiveness of the company’s B877 model, backed-up with FAMCO’s reliable aftermarket services. “The B877 delivers a power output of 93.9hp, digging force of 56kN and breakout force of 60kN, assuring powerful operation. Its cost-effective operation makes us believe that the B877 is the right match for most of our customers’ needs.” But what does the future hold for this versatile machine? Almost all market players are quietly confident that the popularity
Backhoe loader customers in the region are spoilt for choice with all the top international brands elbowing for market space, targeting both fleet and small owners.
of the backhoe in the region’s market will continue unabated and the equipment class will remain a growth story in the years ahead, owing to its various attributes, not the least of which is versatility. “Our projections for SDLG backhoe in the next four years is to be the most preferred, cost-effective backhoe loader in the territories we cover, where we are confident that the B877 can efficiently meet customers’ demands for higher productivity and least downtime,” says Albermawy. “While the backhoe loader Industry has been witnessing a flat growth over the past two years, we have succeeded in achieving a sales growth over the same period,” says Al-Bahar’s spokesperson. “The construction industry forecast until 2020 seems to have promise for upcoming and on-going projects, and we are expecting a steady and progressive demand increase, year after year for the backhoe industry.” Agreeing with this view, Rhayem adds: “I do not see demand for backhoes in the region tapering off in the future. Be it smaller, single-unit owners or fleet operators, the backhoe’s versatile design makes it a favourite for all. When the going is good, all machines are in demand, including the backhoe. But when it is not so good, the backhoe is still in demand because it can do the work of several machines in a single package. We have a winner in this machine, which is going to rule the roost in the region for the foreseeable future.”
44
WHEEL LOADER OC TOBER 2016
NEW CAT ON THE BLOCK
Caterpillar’s new duo of l-series wheel loaders offer more engine power and rimpull as well as enhanCed safety and durability while inCreasing fuel effiCienCy
C
aterpillar has come up with new additions to its wheel loader range in the form of two L-Series medium capacity machines, the 950L and 962L. Applying the equipment giant’s proven technologies, Caterpillar says the new machines provide reliability and fuel efficiency, along with a long service life. The new L-Series medium wheel loaders are more powerful and fuel-efficient than predecessor models, featuring significant drive-train and hydraulic-system refinement, operator safety and convenience enhancements. They sport Z-bar linkage system which Cat also employs in other wheel loader models, and have options such as automatic traction control and enhanced ride control systems. The loader buckets are from Cat’s Performance Series, and Cat Connect Technologies provides the telematics package. Speaking about the new machines, the segment manager from Caterpillar’s representative in the region, Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, who are bringing the 950L to the regional market, said the L-Series is built on a strong Caterpillar medium wheel loader (MWL) legacy. “’Cat MWL, Proven Series Over Time’ is the perfect introduction to our L-Series launch,” he says. “The strong Caterpillar MWL legacy started with the A-Series more than 55 years ago. More than 23,000 MWL units have been sold in Europe, Africa and Middle East regions since 2006. The H-Series has contributed to building a great reputation for Cat’s MWL in the market.” Utilising rigorous design and machine validation processes components used to build Cat wheel loaders are designed
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Caterpillar’s new L-Series wheel loaders sport Cat Performance Series loader buckets and have telematics packages from Cat Connect Technologies.
Heavy duty components, such as the Caterpillar designed ACERT engines, transmissions and axles, reduce the risk of premature wear resulting in increased uptime and reduce operating costs over the lifetime of the machine
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WHEEL LOADER OC TOBER 2016
“The L-series was tested in our region with some customers. All of them were extremely satisfied with its performance, efficiency and getting the job done at the lowest operating cost” and manufactured to Caterpillar quality standards to ensure maximum performance even in extreme operating conditions. According to the manufacturer, heavy duty components, such as the Caterpillar designed ACERT engines, transmissions and axles, reduce the risk of premature wear resulting in increased uptime and reduce operating costs over the lifetime of the machine. “Among the key features of the new L-series is the new Caterpillar manufactured powertrain which gives the L-series many advantages over the H-series, such as a 3% increase in productivity and a 15% drop in fuel consumption,” says the segment manager from Al-Bahar. “The new C7.1 ACERT engine offers 265hp and a new productive economy mode. The new transmission has a lockup clutch torque convertor with lock-to-lock Direct Drive Shifting. The new axles sport bevel gear shrouds with optimised design solutions,” he adds The 950L and 962L use the fuelefficient Cat C7.1 ACERT engine and have approximate operating weights from 18t to 19t. These power-dense engines use a combination of proven electronic, fuel-
injection and air-systems. The updated and refined Cat ACERT engines offer a 22% increase in engine power in the 950L and 8% in the 962L when compared to the H-series of loaders to greatly improve machine performance and response. The machines use a 5F/3R countershaft power-shift transmission. A high-capacity torque converter in both models uses a lock-up clutch for efficient grade and highspeed performance, and the Caterpillar Advanced Productivity Electronically Controlled (APEC) control system maintains torque flow during range shifts for faster acceleration on ramps and smoother shifts in the transmission’s direct-drive mode. In addition, the Integrated Braking System (IBS) regulates downshifting in proportion to the required braking force, resulting in smoother downshifts and increased deceleration control. The IBS prolongs service brake life, lengthens axle-oil change intervals, reduces axle-oil temperatures, and improves transmission-neutralizer performance - resulting in faster cycles. “Overall, the new powertrain, combined with the next generation of hydraulic systems and the optimisation of operating weight, provides the L-series with a
significant edge on machine performance,” says Al-Bahar’s segment manager.
The new L-Series models are not only more powerful than their H-Series predecessors but also return up to 15% less fuel consumption.
Versatility and efficiency To expand the versatility of L-Series models with work tools such as forks, grapple buckets, dozer blades, rakes, and plows, the available Cat Fusion Coupler System allows fast tool changes and provides performance virtually identical to pin-on tools. The coupler’s advanced wedging mechanism creates a tight, rattle-free attachment and long service life. The machines are designed for maximum fuel efficiency while maintaining high performance. The ACERT engines burn less fuel by providing power and torque when needed. Cat’s innovative powertrain, hydraulic, cooling and electronic systems intelligently lower average working engine speeds and reduce overall system heat loads, improving performance and fuel efficiency. The Economy Mode provides maximum fuel savings with minimal productivity impact. Axles for the L-Series models feature modifications that reduce parasitic loads and enhance positive lubrication. The optional automatic traction control system
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to increase operator efficiency. Powerful heating and air-conditioning keep operators comfortable in any climate and viscous mounts reduce vibration and cabin sound.
is fully automatic and requires no operator input, which improves ground traction and reduces tyre wear. The efficient load-sensing hydraulic system features proportional flow for fast, smooth hydraulic response with optimum controllability. It is designed to deliver more engine power to the wheels at partial hydraulic flow, allowing faster cycle times in load-and-carry and ramp operations, as well as higher rimpull when doing tasks that require digging. An on-demand fan further enhances fuel efficiency and lowers sound levels. In addition, the engine-idle-management and the engine-idle-shutdown systems that reduce or stop the engine after a preset idling interval, not only save fuel and lower sound levels, but also reduce hour accumulation, extending both service intervals and warranty. The cab has a four-post Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) for comfort, visibility, and efficiency. Seat-mounted, electro-hydraulic implement controls and programmable in-cab kick-outs provide optimum work-tool control. The new, streamlined control panel includes easyto-reach highly utilised machine controls
Added strength and safety For more safety, floor-to-ceiling glass in the windshield, large mirrors with spot inserts, and a standard rear-vision camera combine to provide all-around visibility. A new ridecontrol system with dual accumulators allows faster cycles, improved material retention and a smoother ride. Field-proven Z-bar front linkage produces optimum bucket and lift forces, while the Cat Performance Series buckets are designed for excellent penetration into the pile, high breakout forces, superior roll back angles and faster cycle times, resulting in higher tyre life, fuel efficiency and production. Cat LINK technologies, such as the Product Link system, help fleet owners manage equipment utilisation and lower owning and operating costs through the online VisionLink interface, which tracks critical items, such as location, hours, fuel usage, diagnostic codes, and idle time. The integrated rear vision camera under the Cat DETECT technology enhances visibility behind the machine to improve safety. “CAT Production Measurement (CPM) is an optional key feature for collecting payload weights and cycle count data to improve job site efficiency. This will provide useful production information on-board for the operator and off-board directly to the
An intuitive user interface with touch screen display, floor-toceiling glass in the windshield and large mirrors add to safety and operator comfort.
project or site manager through Visionlink,” adds Al-Bahar’s segment manager. The CPM system accurately weighs materials being loaded and hauled to improve productivity, reduce overloading and track material movement. It provides simple, accurate, on-the-go weighing to assist operators in delivering exact loads and working more efficiently. “The L-series MWL was tested in our region with some customers as field follow machines. All of them were extremely satisfied with its performance, efficiency and getting the job done at the lowest operating cost. So far the L-series machines have proved that they are the next success stories for CAT’s MWL legacy as they have been successfully operated by UAE customers for more than an accumulative of 8,900 hours,” the Al-Bahar official concludes.
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THE LAST WORD OC TOBER 2016
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