Construction Machinery ME April 2020 by CPI Trade Media

ISSUE 102 APRIL 2020

PLUS

IT Y R A D I L O S F O W O SH UCCESS

AS CONEXPOITE HEALTH DESP S CONCERN

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L U A H H C RI

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www.kaeser.com

CONTENTS APRIL 2020

6_NEWS The latest news from across the region and further afield.

14_A BOAT RIDE TO HATTA Regional heavy lift and move specialist Al Faris uses SPMTs and mobile cranes to transport and place a tug boat and pontoons from Sharjah to Hatta.

16_BUZZING WITH ENERGY Global power and energy companies converges at Dubai’s Middle East Energy trade fair, which has become a hub for the world’s energy sector.

18_SHOW OF SOLIDARITY The 2020 edition of Conexpo, the world’s second largest machinery trade fair, is a success despite the shadow of Covid-19 hanging over it.

24_CLICK AND ORDER The CEO or online equipment rental marketplace, Tenderd, explains how his company is using technology to bring end-users and owners together.

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EDITORIAL APRIL 2020

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 MANAGING PARTNER VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 EDITORIAL EDITOR ANIRBAN BAGCHI anirban.bagchi@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5715 SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com

IN IT TOGETHER As I write this, news has just come in that JCB has joined the national effort in the UK to manufacture ventilators for patients afflicted with Covid-19. The company, which had closed a factory two weeks ago in the wake of the pandemic gathering strength in the UK, is poised to re-start production at the facility – not with cabs for JCB diggers but with special steel housings for ventilators. This is yet another way that the construction machinery industry can make a difference in these troubled times. With the pandemic raging throughout the world, many companies have taken steps to safeguard employees, customers, communities and stakeholders as they join in the efforts of their countries to combat the disease. But this is just the beginning. Through lockdowns, quarantines, isolations and social distancing around the world, an industry such as construction that requires people to work in close proximity to each other has either ground to a halt in some countries or slowed down considerably in others. And this has had its inevitable spillover into the machinery sector, not only through the stoppage of assembly lines but also in the reduction of demand for equipment. As we hunker down for what looks like a difficult and long fight against Covid-19, the machinery sector needs to first realign itself with the needs of the hour. There are indications that this is already happening, with the OEMs, their suppliers, dealers and all other industry stakeholders sparing no effort to try and keep businesses and projects running in the turmoil. And well they might, for when the world finally sees the end of this menace, construction and machinery will be among the vitally important sectors that will bring about the recovery in conjunction with governmental efforts. Speaking of those efforts, here in the

region our officials have been extremely proactive in tackling the problem. No effort has been spared by governments like the UAE in trying to stop the pandemic’s spread and keep residents safe and secure – and we need to thank them and appreciate their efforts. These are challenging times, however, and, like all such times, fraught with both perils and possibilities. At CMME, we would like to view the glass as half full and take this opportunity to explore how we can further evolve and refine a product we are confident the industry appreciates. We seek to grow with the current challenges and offer our audience more value as we stay ever relevant with the times. Speaking of relevance, in this issue we look at Tenderd, an online equipment rental marketplace, or, as it’s CEO describes it, the Uber of the equipment sector. In a time of social distancing, perhaps this is a pointer towards how end-users will find their machines in the future - from the comfort of their safely isolated places. We also take a look at haulers, among the behemoths of the industry, and marvel at their ability to tackle the remotest and roughest of terrains with mind-boggling loads, sometimes even running autonomously. We also look back at Conexpo, where the equipment industry converged last month in a show of solidarity in the face of the disruptions caused by Covid-19, sending a clear message that we at CMME echo: we are in it together.

ADVERTISING SENIOR SALES MANAGER BIPIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 433 2856 SALES MANAGER BRIAN FERNANDES brian.fernandes@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com MARKETING MARKETING AND EVENTS EXECUTIVE AYSHA SULTAN aysha.sultan@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE ZAARA KHAN zaara.khan@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5470 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WEB DEVELOPMENT ABDUL BAEIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PUBLISHED BY

The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing. Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC.

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

Experience the Progress.

For industrial designers, wind power manufacturers and bridge builders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the LR 11000 Stays strong when things get tight. Compact and designed for constricted spaces Low cost worldwide transport High lifting capacities and flexible boom system Innovative detailed solutions to suit your challenges Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH P.O. Box 1361 89582 Ehingen/Do., Germany Phone: +49 7391 502 0 E-mail: info.lwe@liebherr.com www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction www.liebherr.com

ONLINE APRIL 2020

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

CORONAVIRUS: UAE PROPERTY MARKET TO RECEIVE SHOT-IN-THE-ARM DUE TO $27BN STIMULUS PACKAGE, SAVILLS MIDDLE EAST SAYS

SCCI and Etihad Rail call on relevant business sectors to participate in rail project

CONSULTANT

Coronavirus: Dubai Investments announces initiatives to combat COVID-19

Interview: Ducab CEO on new copper, aluminium metal subsidiary DMB (Exclusive)

CONSTRUCTION

Oman launches pilot project for Smart Cities at Knowledge Oasis Muscat

CONSULTANT

Egypt proposes alternate e-waste disposable solutions

MACHINERY

Cummins becomes sole engine supplier for Hyundai CE’s heavy range

READERS’ COMMENTS

It is no surprise that we are finally beginning to see the market start to react to the spread of the virus (Coronavirus: UAE property market to receive shot-in-the-arm due to $27bn stimulus package, Savills Middle East says). I have been relieved to see projects I am involved in take measures to protect our workforce and I am glad to see that our peers are also now taking the necessary steps. It is important that all the way down the chain of construction that we now support one another to ensure that we can retain some normality in this extraordinary time. However, I do worry that this is the beginning of a longer malaise as we deal with this threat plus the ongoing problems in the global economy. It is now imperative that we continue to reach for the highest standards possible and work collectively to ensure we come out in a stronger position once this period is over.

Feature: Site Visit – Building The Pangolin

Name withheld by request

MORE MUSCLE, MORE HUSTLE The 5.5 tonne Volvo EC55D gives you more muscle, and more hustle, for longer. A breakout force of 42 kN and superior traction are combined with responsive controls that deliver exactly what the operator intends thanks to a superbly optimized hydraulic system. The arm tear-out force of 29 kN is perfectly matched to the Volvo Tier 3 /Stage III 36.5 kW diesel engine, providing high performance and superior fuel efficiency. The spacious cab features all-round visibility and a quiet working environment with improved air conditioning, while the clever wrap-around protective shape of the counterweight enables safer operation in narrower job sites. Talk to your local Volvo dealership today to find out more.

volvoce.com

S W NE 6

TRAINING AND SAFETY

LIEBHERR CONDUCTS CRANE SEMINAR IN SAUDI ARABIA

JECTS, O R P W E N OFFICES, W E N , S E HIN 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 WHAT’S N T A N O I G THE RE NEW CASE

A recent training seminar on cranes

COMMERCIAL

organised by Leibherr Saudi Arabia, saw

HEAD FOR AME

over 50 attendees from 20 companies

CNH Industrial,

learn about the company’s crane

the owners of

solutions and technologies, such as

Case Construction

VarioBase, ECOmode and TraXon.

Equipment, have

seminar in the Saudi east coast town

appointment of

of Dammam with the aim of providing

Dragan Krznaric

information about the benefits

as the new

and added value of the innovative

commercial

technologies on Liebherr mobile cranes.

director for Case CE

Al-Bahar launches SEM equipment in GCC Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar has announced the launch of a new range of equipment from SEM, a brand owned by Caterpillar, in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. The Cat dealer in the region and one of the GCC region’s largest distributors of heavy equipment, Al Bahar said the new SEM range includes wheel loaders, motor graders, track-type tractors and soil compactors. Al-Bahar has obtained the sole distribution rights for SEM products in the region and is the only dealer in the GCC to supply original SEM equipment and genuine spare parts. SEM is a Chinese manufacturer of heavy equipment that operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar, USA. According to Al-Bahar, SEM branded heavy earthmoving equipment are known for their affordability, reliability and simplicity. The machines are easy to operate, maintain, and

enjoy a robust support system. Al-Bahar will offer SEM’s wheel loaders, motor graders, dozers and soil compactors. While more models will be added in time, the following models are available now: SEM 636D and 655D wheel loaders; SEM 919 and 921 motor graders; SEM 816 LGP and 822 bulldozers or track type tractors; and SEM 512 soil compactor. All machines come with manufacturer warranties and Al Bahar said its service centres will ensure timely proactive maintenance and routine service. In addition to the new machines, Al-Bahar also offers used equipment as well as rental services for SEM machines. Under an exclusive promotional offer for new SEM machines for a limited period, customers can avail free equipment protection and operator training on purchase of new SEM machines including the 655D, 512, 921 and 822.

Liebherr said it organised the

announced the

Apart from finding out more about

in the Middle East

the benefits of the VarioBase variable

and Africa region.

support base, ECOmode functions, the

Krznaric was most

new TraXon gearbox and the single-

recently business

engine concept used on Liebherr

manager for the

mobile cranes, attendees also learnt

Middle East and

how to plan crane jobs efficiently

was overseeing

using Liebherr’s LICCON job planner.

sales and supply

Uwe Laitenberger, technical

chain operations.

trainer at Leibherr’s plant in Ehingen,

He has more than

Germany, who delivered programmes

20 years of overall

in the seminar, said: “The increase

experience, 12

in economy is often a question of

of which are in

good planning – and it is here that

the region.

we want to provide our customers

Case sells and

with the best possible support.”

supports a

The theoretical part of the

full range of

seminar was supplemented by

equipment in the

practical exercises on the cranes.

region, including

Two Liebherr LTM 1100-5.1 and LTM

backhoe loaders,

1160-5.2 all-terrain cranes, an LRT

excavators, motor

1090-2.1 rough-terrain crane and a

graders, wheel

LTR 1100 telescopic crawler crane

loaders, vibratory

were provided for this purpose.

compactors, dozers and skid steers.

Ajanthas Kumarathas, mobile cranes division manager at Saudi Liebherr said: “The feedback from the delegates has encouraged us to organise these seminars on a regular basis in the future to provide our customers with even more support. Our concept to show the added value of Liebherr cranes and their functions to complete jobs even more efficiently and safely proved very popular.”

The G9290 grader: our most powerful yet 23 tonne operating weight Rated power of 211 kW @ 2 100 rpm Automatic Variable Horse Power

The new G9290 motor grader from SDLG is our most powerful yet, with excellent blade pull force of 14 850 kg and blade down force of 10 879 kg. Easy to operate and maintain, it has been designed with the operator’s needs in mind. The G9290 is equipped with an efficient and reliable SDLG SD130B Stage III diesel engine with 211 kW output, supplied by Volvo. It’s a machine that’s built for hard work in the toughest conditions. SDLG is a member of the Volvo Group and one of the largest manufacturers of construction machinery in China, with a wide network of dealerships and service workshops throughout Africa and the Middle East. Take a look online at the range, and talk to your local dealership.

sdlgcm sdlg_machines sdlg emea sdlgemea.com

NEWS ROUND-UP APRIL 2020

NEW LAUNCH

GENIE RAISES REACH AND CAPACITY WITH S-80 J BOOM

Acciona delivers first 3D printed bus stop

RECORD EMEA SALES GROWTH FOR BOBCAT Doosan Bobcat has announced a record 12.8% rise

A concrete 3D printed bus stop, said to be the first of its kind in the Middle East, has been installed in Ajman in the UAE by global sustainable infrastructure solutions provider, Acciona. The Spanish company said the bus stop, which weighs almost 3t and is 4.5m long, 2m wide and 2.3m high, consists of three printed pieces and

AXALTA TAKES PART IN MECOR ‘20 Liquid and powder coatings specialist Axalta showcased its range of anticorrosion products at the Middle East Corrosion Conference and Exhibition 2020 in Dubai, displaying its NapGard and Plascoat products for oil & gas, water and construction.

took less than 10 hours to print. The project was executed for the Transport Authority of Ajman and was presented at a recent ceremony attended by the Ruler of Ajman and other high officials of the emirate, along with senior members of Acciona staff. Luis Clemente, COO, Acciona 3D Concrete Printing Business, said this was the first project “to

be carried out using the Powder Bed technology in the Middle East”. “The benefits of manufacturing this type of urban furniture with our 3D concrete printing technology, as opposed to the conventional construction methods, are the reduction of waste - no moulds or forms are used whatsoever the lessening of CO2 emissions and the possibility of having total freedom over the structural design. In this specific case, the bus stop’s design allows for the placement of solar panels on the roof,” he added. Acciona owns and operates the largest fully functional concrete 3D printer in the world with the Powder Bed technology. The 6mx3mx2m printer is located in Dubai.

AL RS FARIS ORDEHERR B 69 NEW LIE S E CRAN

list, sport specia heavy tran d an g n m ti fro Regional lif new cranes ordered 69 e order th In . Al Faris, has 7m h over $8 rt o w l nits ea d a es and 12 u Liebherr in mpact cran co .1 -3 ady 0 5 re al 10 ich has are two LTC e first of wh th , .1 the -5 in 30 d 12 f its kin of the LTM it the first o g in M ak m LT , t 0 ed e two 70 been deliver e order wer th in o ls y. A er . iv Middle East for 2022 del odels, slated and t 0 0 4 1650-8.1 m e cluded th in es an cr r h Crawle 1600/2, wit 0/1 and LR . 600t LR 140 .0 -1 0 0t LR 180 the new 80

in sales for 2019 in its Europe, Middle East and

Genie has launched the new S-80

Africa region,

J telescopic boom lift, which

amounting to a

offers an unrestricted platform

total of $942.7m for

capacity of 300kg, suitable for

Doosan Portable

two occupants and their tools.

Power (DPP)

The new machine is a higher

and the Bobcat

reaching version of the S-60 J – a

brand combined,

model that Genie has introduced in

and has said it

the recent past – with both models

plans to launch

designed to provide the performance

48 new products

that operators need to get work done

this year despite

at height from a jibbed boom.

the Covid-19

The new S-80 J’s 1.8m jib is also

turbulence. The

a leading length and capacity for

company said the

low-weight booms in this height

“unprecedently

category, said Genie. The model

successful“ results,

offers a working height of 26.4m and

compared to 2018,

horizontal reach of 16.8m, providing

contributed to

operators with access at the top of the

worldwide sales

envelope, the manufacturer added.

growth of 7.2%.

The S-80 J boom weighs 10.4t and is equipped with Genie’s exclusive four-point TraX patented track and axle system. Genie says this is the first and only boom model in the 24.4m category to offer a tracked option, the Genie TraX system helping the model’s terrainability.

SDLG loaders build Yas golf course

SDLG wheel loaders are working on a golf course on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi after the Volvo-owned Chinese equipment maker supplied them to landscaping and construction company, Desert Group LLC, the contractor executing the project. According to SDLG, two units of its L968F wheel

loader have been braving the heat, sand and dust of the site since August last year in a job where uptime is crucial to completing the development on time. The loaders are engaged in a year-long project to build a nine-hole golf course where they are being used to transport offsite materials onto the golf

course, including boulders and sand, which will be used for landscaping. “The loaders (are) covering roughly 1.2km in distance with each trip they make, so having a smooth loading and delivery process is really important to keep us on schedule,” said Lawrence Walsh, manager

MAMMOET BULK CARGO EVENT

BREAKBULK MIDDLE EAST 2020 SEES RECORD REGISTRATIONS

SHORTLISTED FOR FIVE ESTAS Mammoet has

at Desert Group LLC. “If there’s any downtime on these machines, we can’t get things done but so far there’s been minimal service and repairs, which makes our job very easy.” Walsh added that the machines, which were supplied by FAMCO, the UAE dealer of SDLG and Volvo CE, have required little more than regular cleaning of filters and the loaders seem “built for the job” John Richards, workshop manager at Desert Group LLC, said: “The technology isn’t as advanced but that was never (the) main priority. We wanted something simple and reliable, easy to fix, easy to use and with good fuel efficiency.”

NEW AGTEK SOFTWARE ON MOBILES Construction and civil software provider AGTEK Development Company has released SmartDirt RTK, a new solution for accurate cut/fill measurements on Apple or Android devices. The suite turns the devices into high accuracy GPS/ GNSS receivers for on-site grade checking.

Cummins powers Hyundai heavy range

been shortlisted for Breakbulk Middle East

will leverage Breakbulk Middle

five heavy lifting

(BBME) 2020, the two-day

East’s robust representation

and transport

GCC exhibition on breakbulk

of the industrial supply

industry awards

and project cargo, which

chain to build greater

across various

took place recently at the

momentum into Expo 2020.

categories for the

Dubai World Trade Centre,

Ben Blamire, event director

ESTA Awards of

saw record registrations,

of Breakbulk Middle East, said:

Excellence. Among

with over 4,000 visitors and

“Kuwait is working on $3bn

the nominations

more than 125 exhibitors.

rail route to connect with

is the removal of a

Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al

the (GCC countries). Saudi

tank at a chemical

Nuaimi, the UAE Minister of

Arabia has plans to invest

plant for Crane Job

Infrastructure Development

$1.61bn in infrastructure

of the Year in the

and Chairman of the Federal

enhancements, resulting in a

‘Telescopic lifting

Transport Authority (FTA) for

wider construction spend of

capacity > 120t’

Land and Maritime, said: “This

$2.43tr. The UAE is responsible

subcategory and

year marks the beginning of an

for more than 50% of the

the challenging

important decade for the UAE,

GCC’s construction spending.

transportation of

with Expo 2020 positioned

All of this clearly indicates

a Boeing 747-400

to be at the forefront of the

that infrastructure potential

airplane in the

many milestone achievements

is currently enormous in

SPMT category.

that the country expects to

the Middle East. With the

accomplish. With regional

fifth edition of BBME, key

infrastructure investment

players... in the region,

rising, optimism is emitting

(were) able to connect

itself from the GCC and

and collaborate towards

Middle East. Accordingly, we

maximising these prospects.”

Cummins has become the sole engine supplier to Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) for displacements from 3.8 to 12 litres covering the 100 to 512hp power range. The global engine and power products major said the move covers the Performance Series engines F3.8, B4,5, B6,7, L9 and X12 powering 25 construction installations. Eric Neal, executive director of Cummins’ Global Off-Highway Business, said: “Hyundai CE has been a strategic offhighway partner to Cummins for 30 years, and we value

our continuing business relationship. Our Performance Series products were designed as global platforms. The engines meet the latest US and EU emission levels and can be tailored to meet China CSIV and India BSIV regulations as well. This enables Hyundai to have simplified installations that drive economies of scale in their production and ease of servicing in the field.” Cummins added that its Performance Series engines deliver on average 20% higher torque and 10% more power across the range.

NEWS ROUND-UP APRIL 2020

CONSOLIDATION

TADANO UNIFIES SALES AND SUPPORT WITH DEMAG

Potain recognition for NFT at Conexpo

Abu Dhabi-based NFT Specialized in Tower Cranes has announced that it has received a special award from The Manitowoc Company at Concexpo in recognition for the tower crane dealer’s continued support and strong partnership with Manitowoc’s Potain tower cranes division. This comes four months after NFT renewed its contract with Manitowoc for five more years to be the exclusive Potain dealer in

the Middle East region. NFT, which has been associated with Potain for over 45 years, is already the biggest dealer for the brand’s tower cranes in the world and supplies Potain units to projects not only in the region but also worldwide. The award was presented to the NFT management by Manitowoc’s Aaron Ravenscroft, EVP of cranes and Orlando Mota, Senior VP. Berry Pennypacker, president and CEO of The Manitowoc Company said in an interview that “many of our customers provide direct input into the design and functionality of our new cranes” and NFT, as Potain’s biggest dealer worldwide, is a major contributor to such changes by providing first hand insights into site demands.

Tadano has announced

equipment from a

the unification of

single sales contact.

the availability of its

Under the move,

newly acquired Demag

in effect since March

range as well as its

1, business managers

own Tadano-branded

within Tadano’s EMEAR

MAGNA TYRES

equipment under

territory will offer the

MOVES TO NEW HQ

single-point sales

full range of Tadano

Off-the-road

contacts in its Europe,

and Demag all-terrain

tyre maker

Middle East, Africa

and crawler cranes,

Magna Tyres has

and Russia (EMEAR)

“increasing sales

announced that it

operational region.

efficiency, expanding

has moved into its

The Japanese crane

new headquarters

maker, which acquired

showing one face

complex in

the Demag crane brand

to the customer”.

the town of

from Terex in late 2018,

Waalwijk in the

said with the unification,

Demag integration,

Netherlands. The

lifting companies

Tadano customers will

new space both

operating in the EMEAR

experience a faster and

increases the

region will experience a

more efficient sales

office footprint

more streamlined sales

approach for the full

and supports

approach offering the

range of Tadano and

the company’s

full range of Tadano

Demag,” said Kenichi

growth strategy.

and Demag crane

Sawada, CCO. Tadano.

market coverage and

“As we continue with

In addition, the new facility has a warehouse of over 54,000sqm to maintain a larger stock, which will result in even better availability and faster worldwide deliveries.

UPDATES FOR LEICA ICON Construction technology provider Leica Geosystems has announced an upgrade to its iCON site software solution for road construction and civil engineering applications, including new functionalities and strengthened workflows and graphics. To be released on April 15 it is designed for higher efficiency in connecting sites.

CASE LAUNCHES FULLY ELECT BACKHOE LOARIC DER Case Construc tion Equi

pment launch first ever fully ed the electric back hoe loader at last month. In Conexpo troduced as “P roject Zeus”, Industrial Gro the CNH up company ’s 58 0 EV (Electric backhoe load Vehicle) er offers pow er and perfor equivalent to mance other diesel-p owered back the Case prod hoes in uct line, said the company its advantag . Among es is consider ably lower da operating co ily sts along with zero emission in a 480-volt, s 90-kilowatthour lithium ion battery pa ck that will su pport eight-hour w orkdays.

COPING WITH COVID-19

THE CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY INDUSTRY IN TIMES OF CORONAVIRUS As one of the largest industrial and economic sectors in the world, employing millions of people globally, the construction industry is among the worst affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. And this has had a roll-on effect on the machinery sector of the industry, not only through assembly lines stopping but also in the reduction of demand for equipment. Construction machinery makers all around the world are responding in the best ways they can to the crisis. The first such response – and one that created a stir as it came at a time when the worst of the crisis was still a few weeks away – was from Volvo, one of the top equipment makers, when the Swedish group announced just a few days before Komatsu said it has temporarily

Tadano Demag has also suspended

Conexpo that it was pulling out of

started responding, rolling out their

the second biggest global trade show

mitigation strategies. Cat, the world’s

closed its manufacturing bases

production in its German facilities,

of the sector. Conexpo itself saw

largest manufacturer, said: “Due

in Italy, Germany, the UK, India

saying: “The temporary cessation

some other less notable withdrawals

to uncertain economic conditions

and Brazil while its Japanese

of production is unavoidable,

but took safety seriously by closing

resulting in weaker demand,

facilities remained open and

because the international situation

a day earlier than scheduled.

potential supply constraints and the

the Chinese ones becoming

is increasingly leading to necessary

spread of the Covid-19 pandemic

functional again by February 17.

deliveries failing to arrive and is

Volvo has since then come out

“In compliance with the policies,

also making the delivery of cranes

with a statement on the impact of

and related government actions,

the crisis on its business, saying

Caterpillar is temporarily suspending

some manufacturing plants of

considerably more difficult. Delays

there is “considerable risk of a

operations at certain facilities.”

the Komatsu Group are going to

in delivery - of a length that is at

halt production temporarily…At

present impossible to calculate must therefore be expected.”

material financial impact on the

Additional suspensions could

Group” and it’s continuously working

follow as the situation warrants, Cat

business bases in operation, we

with its suppliers to “to minimise

said, adding that it was executing

are implementing a wide range of

Another sector heavyweight,

any consequences for customers

business continuity plans, including

countermeasures, including fever

Terex, said that while production

and mitigating the impact”.

the use of alternative sources

checks, the use of face masks, flex

continues at facilities, “all quoting,

“The impact is related to the

for parts, redirecting orders to

commuting, the prohibition of

design and other customer support

general situation and decisions

other distribution centres and

business trips, and teleworking,”

functions will continue using

made by local authorities resulting

prioritising the redistribution

the Japanese giant said.

technology. “For example, we have

in among other things workforce

of the most important parts.

shortage in the production and

Explaining that the full impact

“Although we are planning to

invested in a suite of world-class

halt production at some plants,

communications tools that enable

supply chain disruptions. There is

of the pandemic could not yet be

there are no critical effects on

team members to conduct business

also a potential impact on demand

ascertained, Cat informed that

Komatsu Group’s production,

with customers ‘virtually’ using

going forward,” Volvo said.

it was withdrawing its financial

due to alternative procurement

video conferencing technology.”

outlook for 2020 and further

and inventory reallocation.”

Even before Conexpo, another industry event affected was SaMoTer,

updates would be given in its Q1

the Verona-, Italy, based equipment

result announcement this month.

Meanwhile JLG has also halted

The Committee for European Construction Equipment, which

production in North America and

represents the interests of

Europe while ramping up numbers

national construction equipment

preventive measures, such as

in China in measures that will at

manufacturer associations in 13

country under lockdown, organisers

limiting visitor access to, social

least go on until the middle of

European countries and includes

Veronafiere first postponed

distancing practices in, and

this month. The powered access

some 1,200 companies, conducted

the March event to May 16-20

increased frequency of cleaning and

major’s parts operations would

a flash survey between March 23-27,

and then to October 21-25.

disinfecting of, its facilities. Remote

continue as before but it would

which found that around one third

working has been applied wherever

“abide by local government requests

of members were “significantly

grip strengthening over the last

possible, business travel restricted

related to business closure and

affected” by the Covod-19 pandemic,

few weeks, the big OEMs have all

and several events cancelled.

preventive health measures”.

with 30% closing factories.

exhibition. With Covid-19 cases

Cat is also implementing

in the tens of thousands and the

Meanwhile, with the pandemic’s

KIT SPOTTING APRIL 2020 2016

TEREX TRUCKS BRAVE SIBERIAN CHILL F

our Terex Trucks TA400 articulated haulers have clocked up around 48,000 hours in a remote coal mine in Siberia, Russia, where they are braving extreme conditions and sub-zero temperatures. Situated in eastern Siberia, the Arpatsky coal mine is a tough workplace for operators and machines. The long winter – when temperatures can go down to –45 degrees Celsius – puts equipment to the test. For the last eight years, four Terex Trucks TA400 articulated haulers have been working at the mine, delivering reliable work shifts despite the adverse conditions. The dump trucks, offering a maximum payload of 38t, are transporting coal and overburden,

working up to 22 hours a day. During winter, the ground is covered with snow for many months, meaning the haulers have to operate on slippery surfaces and navigate steep, icy slopes. “The robustness of the TA400 and its ability to deliver reliable performance in tough conditions was a big reason why we chose Terex Trucks haulers,” says Dmitry Dulin, chief engineer at the mine. “Since 2012, our haulers have clocked up around 48,000 hours and they’re still going strong.” The operators appreciate the TA400’s ability to climb and descend the slopes at the coal mine. “The hauler handles the downhill slopes smoothly and safely,” says Oleg Likhodumov, director of Mining Operations at the mine. “With the exhaust break, we

don’t even need to use the brakes when going down steep hills.” The TA400’s modulating transmission retarder is coupled with an exhaust brake and fully enclosed oil-cooled multidisc brakes, providing optimum control and increased safety on steep slopes. “In mines, you need powerful, robust machines that can perform in extreme environments,” says John Rotherford, global key accounts director at Terex Trucks. “The drivetrain of the TA400 is perfectly matched to the engine and designed to maintain traction and speed on the toughest job-sites for outstanding productivity.” Dmitry Glazunov, deputy director of the mine, adds: “The TA400 [is] simple to operate, reliable and delivers

low total cost of ownership. Another benefit is the ease of service – the axle, gears and engine are all easy to access, so service and maintenance work is straightforward, without needing special diagnostic equipment.” Terex Trucks offers dedicated on-site maintenance and support, especially important in a vast country like Russia where dealers are often hundreds of miles away. “Our dealer, Mining Eurasia, handles all the maintenance,” says Dulin. “There’s a workshop with spare parts at the mine, so we get round-the-clock servicing.” The TA400 is Terex Trucks’ largest articulated hauler, with a heaped capacity of 23.3m3 and gross power of 444hp, designed for extreme quarries, mines and construction projects.

“Since 2012, our haulers have clocked up around 48,000 hours and they’re still going strong”

PROJECT REPORT APRIL 2020

Al Faris used 100t and 200t Liebherr mobile cranes for lifting and placing, and eight lines of Goldhofer SPMTs to tansport the tugboat and pontoons up and down 23- and 24degree slopes.

A BOAT RIDE TO HATTA

AL FARIS LIFTS AND TRANSPORTS A TUGBOAT AND PONTOONS FROM HAMRIYAH PORT IN SHARJAH THROUGH DIFFICULT HILLY TERRAIN AND PLACES IT AT THE HATTA DAM SITE

egional cranes, heavy lifting and transport solutions provider, Al Faris, has announced the completion of a new project in Dubai’s hilly Hatta region, in which it loaded, transported and discharged a tugboat and pontoons from Sharjah’s Hamriyah port to a location on the Hatta dam as part of the Hatta Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant (PSHPP).

According to a statement from Al Faris, it provided the client a complete solution for loading the vessels from the customer’s shipping yard at Hamriyah port to a location near Hatta dam as a temporary changeover post, and then to the final location at the Hatta Jetty. These critical jobs also involved change of equipment at different stages based on requirement, Al Faris said. The task was a challenging one, said Al Faris, with some of the hazards being steep angles of up to 23 degrees uphill and 24 degrees downhill. Among the obstacles that needed to be negotiated for the

heavy transport project were electric power lines with restricted heights. Some of the hazards the route presented were tight, bottleneck turns and the need to manoeuvre through extremely narrow roads with the heavy loads. Also, a substantial part of the route was off-road mountain track with rocks, gravel and broken terrain. After careful consideration and study of the route and the loads, Al Faris selected its Goldhofer hydraulic multi axle and self-propelled trailers for the move, with up to eight axle lines used for the transportation. Lifting duties were handled by Al

Faris’ Liebherr 100t and 250t mobile cranes when the load needed to be offloaded and placed at various locations. The loads were transported up and down the mountains and safely delivered to the final location. “During transportation at the jetty, the clearance between the load and the rock was 100mm. The area near the barricade was backfilled and compacted. The loose gravel present at the slopes was also cleaned and compacted at the time of transportation to avoid sliding of the transport vehicle,” said the statement.

The PSHPP Project will be the first of its kind power project in the Gulf region. As part of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, this 250MW project will be designed to use and store water from the existing Hatta dam, which was built in the 1990s, for generating electricity during peak demand periods. According to Al Faris, the transport job, which was critical in nature due to steep slopes and uneven roads, required specialised techniques, equipment and experienced staff. All road surveys, planning, technical support, documentation,

authority permissions, execution plans and schedules were prepared in-house prior to job execution. This helped organise all activities smoothly with minimum delays. Execution was safely carried out by Al Faris’ trained engineers and operators. “We also provided a strong commitment and focus to adhere to best QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety and Environment) practices during transportation and on-site, which was discussed in detail with the client prior to the commencement of any operation,” said Al Faris.

SHOW REPORT APRIL 2020

BUZZING WITH ENERGY

THE GLOBAL POWER AND ENERGY SECTOR MADE A BEELINE TO THE MIDDLE EAST ENERGY 2020 TRADE SHOW IN DUBAI LAST MONTH, PROVING THAT THE EVENT HAS EMERGED AS A HUB OF THE ENERGY SECTOR

he importance that the global electricity and power generation industry places on the annual trade show of the sector in Dubai was in ample evidence last month as the Middle East Energy exhibition welcomed exhibitors and guests from all over the world at Dubai World Trade Centre. This year, the fair - hitherto known as Middle East Electricity that has evolved over the years to become one of the largest exhibitions in the world in its sector, transformed to Middle East Energy, widening its scope to focus on not only on electricity and power but also on the entire energy sector. Despite the

Covid-19 scare, the event experienced larger-thanexpected attendance numbers, presumably because the peak of the spread was still a few weeks in the future when the show was held. Karan Ohri, product marketing manager at Caterpillar-owned engine major Perkins, told CMME that while the footfall was lower than previous editions, he was pleasantly surprised by the numbers he had seen. “The lower footfall is definitely due to the effect of the Coronavirus, but the serious people are still here and talking to us. We’ve had some very fruitful interactions with existing and prospective customers.” Set against the background of an industry in the midst of major disruption and transformation, the show attracted more than 1,100 exhibitors from more than 130 countries. Industry heavyweights

demonstrated technologies that are changing the energy eco-system, with power capacity in the MENA region set for annual 6.4% growth through 2022, according to the Energy & Utilities Market Outlook Report 2020, produced by Informa Markets, organiser of Middle East Energy. Among the big global brands in the power and engine sector attending the event were Cummins, Perkins and others, as well as regional heavyweights India’s Tafe Group. Perkins’ focus in the region was on two things: lowering the cost of ownership for customers and units for 5G applications in the telecom sector, Ohri explained. “For the 5G application in the telecom sector we have our 1103 product, a very successful product in the

17 market, which we are promoting here. We also have two other products in the 350kVA and 750kVA range with 9l and 18l engines. We’ve increased the power output from the engines, so customers can get more flexibility from Perkins. They can buy a smaller fuelefficient engine, or they can buy the larger engines with better load acceptance for standby markets. “Perkins has always been a very strong and brand in the region. Our presence at this show is ongoing for 16 years this year. This is a very important market for us and it’s a stable one. It’s mainly a stand-by power market, but the demand is high because buildings constructed in the Middle East need to have gensets for stand-by power. Perkins is powering the Heart of Europe project in Dubai as prime power for the entire project.” Harish Sharma, senior manager, Business Development, at TMTL, an Indian power products brand, wholly owned by the TAFE Group, said finding partners for the brand’s foray in the Middle East was a big reason it was attending Middle East Energy. “We have opened up a presence In the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, but we are still looking for some good partners. We are in advanced talks with some of local big dealerships, especially in Kuwait, but our overall attempt in this show is to build up our presence and visibility in this market. “We produce around 40,000 generators annually and around 70,000 engines. Our prime focus was

the telecom sector in India, where we’ve supplied more than 120,000 units. We’ve produced more than 200,000 gensets in India and we decided a year ago to go international. Within the first year we got very good responses from Africa, the CIS countries and the GCC.. “Our USP is the life of our engines - approximately 12,000 hours against the typical 6,000 hours of competitors in our price range. At 500-600 hours, our service interval is also double the competition’s. So, opex costs for our gensets are very low and the payback period is small.” A surprise exhibitor was Hitachi Construction Machinery Middle East, along with its UAE dealer Middle East Crane Equipment Trading. Hitachi’s GM for the Middle East, Piet Van Bakergem, explains: “We are here at Middle East Energy as we’re targeting the contractor side of the electricity and power business, focusing on trenching and cabling contracting for companies like DEWA, for instance, or other public utilities. We’ve had some encouraging inquiries from both the UAE and neighbouring countries. “We’re displaying the Hitachi ZX 17U-5A and ZX33U-5A - 1.8t and 3.7t models respectively. These are two popular models for the trenching and cablelaying operations in the power sector.” With such a diverse attendance base, Middle East Energy this year was indeed able to become a vital node in the region’s energy sector.

GLOBAL LAUNCH

CUMMINS DEBUTS NATURAL GAS SERIES Global power and engine heavyweight Cummins made the worldwide launch of its latest gas product, the C25G generator series, during Middle East Energy 2020. Cummins said the C23G series is engineered to deliver superior fuel efficiency with a power density of 500kW (50Hz) and 580kW (60Hz) from a 25l Liebherr G9512 engine, while providing reduced maintenance costs per kWh. The new range is produced in collaboration with Liebherr and aims to support any gas power need. “The new cooperation with Liebherr will enable us to not only serve the market with gensets and offer start-up, commissioning, preventive and corrective maintenance, but also handling of warranty based on the extended Cummins service network worldwide,” said Chris Downs, Cummins Energy Management marketing leader. The series delivers high electrical efficiency up to 41.6% (50hz) and 40.6% (60Hz) on pipeline natural gas down to 71 and 68 Methane number (MN) respectively at full power.

SHOW REPORT APRIL 2020

Concerns about Covid-19 led to a few important names withdrawing and Conexpo ending a day earlier this year, but the show still managed to beat 2017 figures for both attendees and exhibitors.

“Giant machines, incredible exhibits, fantastic education and huge expectations. Organisers of CONEXPO-CON/AGG have a legacy of building and innovating on previous shows, and the 2020 gathering extends that record of success. This has been one of the best editions of CONEXPO-CON/AGG – ever”

SHOW OF SOLIDARITY

DESPITE THE LOOMING SHADOW OF COVID-19 AND A FEW KEY WITHDRAWALS, CONEXPO 2020 PROVED ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE EQUIPMENT WORLD AGAIN THIS YEAR AS THE SECTOR CONGREGATED IN LAS VEGAS OVER A HIGHATTENDANCE EVENT WITH NEW MODEL AND TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTIONS AND UNIQUE INITIATIVES

ultiple construction and construction materials industry segments converged on the Las Vegas Convention Center and Festival Grounds as they came together for CONEXPO-CON/ AGG & IFPE last month to unveil new technologies and products, share knowledge, network with industry peers and buy equipment. Registrations for the show totalled over 130,000. And despite the global caution expressed about the Covid-19 pandemic being shared by the machinery sector, at the conclusion of the show, cancellations from international attendees totalled less than 1%. While originally slated to run from March 10 to 14, the organisers – the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) – decided to close the event a day early on March 13, heeding the “growing concerns about Covid-19”, the travel restrictions put in place by the US and other countries, and “changing corporate travel policies that impact many of our attendees and exhibitors”. With concerns about Covid-19 growing, which had already led to at least one major pull-out from the event after the Volvo Group decided in the last few days to not send its personnel to Las Vegas, show management worked closely with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Southern Nevada Health District to make sure exhibitors, vendors and attendees were provided with heightened cleaning services and hand sanitizers to help reduce the spread of germs and enable show participation to stay healthy onsite. While Covid-19 did cast its expected shadow on the event, being held before the pandemic entered its current strident phase

SHOW REPORT APRIL 2020

WORLD’S LARGEST 3D PRINTED STATUE

HONOURING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION To represent the growing role women play in the construction industry, Conexpo unveiled this year a 3D printed statue of a female construction worker, the world’s largest 3D printed statue of a human being. Standing upon a 3m base, the statue is an additional 5.8m high, with her feet placed approximately 3m apart. The statue was designed by Anna Benjamin a 3D artist based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA, printed by White Clouds in Ogden, Utah over the course of two months, and unveiled in the show’s Tech Experience area in Silver Lot. “As North America’s largest construction trade show, we

recognize the important and growing role women play in our industry and we’re so proud to unveil this statue to symbolically represent the women who work hard every day to build our world,” says Dana Wuesthoff, show director of CONEXPO-CON/AGG. This new statue joins two others that depict male construction workers that have been greeting CONEXPO-CON/ AGG attendees since the 1990s. “In creating the statue design, we took into consideration how a woman would look on a

meant that it was business as usual for participants and the focus was pretty much on the machinery and technology on show. “We refer to CONEXPO-CON/AGG as the ‘heavy metal’ show, but it’s more than that. It’s also small equipment, education and technology. And that was reflected in every way this week,” says Mary Erholtz, vice president of Marketing at Superior Industries and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 Show Chairperson. “Giant machines, incredible exhibits,

American biggies such as Caterpillar, Manitowoc and JLG were out in full force for their ‘home’ show and launched several new models and tech focusing on return on investment.

the design, which is the first statue she had ever created. Benjamin primarily does 3D texture for digital characters, including video game characters and even 3D models for television and movie projects. “We’re so happy with how this project came together, and proud of everything that it represents,” adds Wuesthoff. “We’re looking forward to seeing how women continue to become more visible in the construction industry and learn about the great careers the industry has to offer to both women and men.”

construction site and making sure we conveyed her power, pride and strength for the work she does,” explains Benjamin. She says she put in almost 400 hours’ worth of work into

fantastic education and huge expectations. Organisers of CONEXPO-CON/AGG have a legacy of building and innovating on previous shows, and the 2020 gathering extends that record of success. This has been one of the best editions of CONEXPOCON/AGG – ever.” Exhibitors across the show, from the Festival Grounds to North Hall to Bronze Lot to South Hall, expressed enthusiasm for the tremendous engagement they received from contractors and producers

looking to purchase equipment. David Price, global marketing manager, HydraForce Inc., and IFPE Show Chairperson, says: “The crowd was much better than expected under the circumstances and most importantly, the right buyers were on the show floor. We were very pleased with the strong showing from the 300-plus exhibitors at IFPE 2020, and we are looking forward to the 2023 show.” Mike Ballweber, president, Doosan Bobcat, echoes those sentiments: “Tuesday

CATERPILLAR

EXPANSIVE ON HOME GROUND Caterpillar’s three exhibits at CONEXPO totalled more than 60,000 sqft of outdoor and indoor space and featured more than 30 machines that included the latest hybrid technology. Caterpillar debuted several new and recently-introduced technologies including Cat Productivity, a webbased productivity management tool; an expanded remotecontrol Cat Command offering allowing control of multiple pieces of equipment from a single station; Command for Compaction, automating the compaction process; and the recently released Cat Remote Services that include Remote Flash and Remote

Troubleshoot. In addition, attendees explored the Cat App, VisionLink for better fleet management, and an augmented reality experience

about a second life for machines with Cat Certified Rebuild. Caterpillar’s new models at the show included five new Next Generation hydraulic excavators. The newest machines include wheeled, small, medium and large hydraulic excavators (M318, 313 GC, 315, 325, 395), dozers (D3, D7), centrepivot backhoe loader (420XE), motor grader (150 AWD), wheel loader (920) and 725 articulated truck offerings. Cat CEO Jim Umpleby says: “This year’s CONEXPO provided a hands-on opportunity to demonstrate how we can help reduce our customers’ total owning and operating costs, while increasing

uptime and asset utilisation, so they can profitably continue their work to build a better world.” Caterpillar’s outdoor Operator Stadium at the event’s Festival Grounds was the site of the Global Operator Challenge championship, with the global champion decided out of nine regional champions from the more than 10,000 operators who participated in local competitions in 30 countries (See Page 40). Also new this year in the North Hall, the Caterpillar Foundation hosted an immersive activation called The Community Builder, showcasing the issues and decisions facing leaders who are building stronger, more sustainable communities.

LIUGONG DRESSTA

A DOZER WITH A VIEW Polish bulldozer specialist Dressta unveiled its new TD-16N model at ConExpo, calling it a revolutionary dozer that sets a new benchmark for visibility. The LiuGong-owned company said the brief for the new model was to create the best all-round dozer for the customer. The Red Dot award-winning team headed by Edward Wagner, executive director, New Technology, and Gary Major, executive director, Industrial Design, took the operators’ voice as the key to the new design. “We literally started with the operator, the blade and the tracks and then built everything around them without compromise,” says Wagner.

The result is a dozer with allround visibility encompassing 309 degrees. According to Major: “We set out to create the best visibility in class – I think we’ve achieved that, but the real test is to put a seasoned operator in a cab and ask him.” Dressta invited a select group of operators to preview and test the machine prior to ConExpo, who all came away impressed. Irish operator Neil John Mckeown says: “It’s like sitting without a cab – you have the visibility right round you.” American equipment owner and dealer, Rob Winmill, adds: “The visibility is second to none. Floor to ceiling glass, no obstructions,

for us was record breaking in terms of sales leads and attendance at our booth, which is how we measure how successful the show is for us. This is a once-every-three-years show and our dealers and customers were really excited to be here.” Ingo Schiller, president and CEO of Tadano America Corporation, adds: “We were pleased with the success of the overall show and attendance in our booth. The management team at CONEXPO-CON/ AGG has been monitoring the situation

you can’t do better than that.” The dozer features a midcab design over a mid-mounted automatic, dual path hydrostatic drive train. It comes with a standard six-way angle blade and is compatible with 2D and 3D grade control systems. Controls are easily accessible and easy

and they made a very difficult decision to close the show a day early. We appreciate their leadership and we look forward to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023.” Key metrics reflect the overall quality of the 2020 show and its attendees: US buyer attendance increased 8% from the 2017 show, and total buyer attendance improved by almost 5%. Overall contractor and producer attendance grew by 14% while six-in-seven attendees served in a decision-making

LiuGong-owned Polish bulldozer specialist, Dressta, unveiled its new TD-16N dozer with a cab design that gives the operator 309 degrees of visibility when operating the 19.09t machine.

to use thanks to the electrohydraulic joysticks. With an operating weight of 19.09t and net horsepower of 170hp, it has the power and performance Dressta is known for. This new model’s versatility is aided by its unique undercarriage design, which utilises a single-track gauge for all track shoe widths. This allows the dozer to be reconfigured at any point in its life, from standard to LGP undercarriage, by simply just changing the track shoes and the blade. This feature increases versatility and will improve resale values by allowing future owners to reconfigure the machine to perfectly match their needs.

role. The total registered attendance reached over 130,000 for the six days of the event and attendees purchased a recordbreaking 75,622 tickets for education sessions at the show, a 46% increase over the last edition of the show. At the same time, the technological change revolutionising these industries was pervasive across the shows’ record 2.7 million-plus net square feet of exhibits featuring 2300-plus exhibitors from the leading US and global manufacturers, from

MANITOWOC

GROVE AND POTAIN LEAD THE CHARGE Manitowoc unveiled six new cranes at Conexpo 2020 while several other models introduced in 2018 and 2019 made their North American debuts Among the unveils was the new 400t capacity Grove GMK6400-1 allterrain crane, presented with a “virtual launch” — a first for the company. Stepping inside a dedicated VR booth on the Manitowoc stand, visitors got an interactive look at the new ATC model. Using VR technology, the details on the crane were brought to life in vivid detail, letting users view the machine from multiple angles. According to Manitowoc. the GMK6400-1 sets new standards in

the 400-450t class, outperforming the competition in every category. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the GMK6400, but

includes additional reach, enabling it to take on jobs that usually require a seven- or eight-axle crane. This delivers a clear competitive advantage and ensures an accelerated return on investment for customers. The GMK6400-1 has a maximum capacity of 400t and a main boom of 60m. When fitted with its full complement of jib, it can achieve a maximum tip height of 136m. The crane also has a compact overall package, with a length of 17.5m and boom overhang of 1.8m with a single engine doing both lifting and travelling duties. It is also fitted with the Manitowoc Crane Control System (CCS). Manitowoc also launched a new

high capacity Potain topless tower crane with a modular design for easy transportation and load charts offering maximum lift capacity of up to 32t. The new Potain MDT 569, the latest model in the brand’s MDT topless crane range, is designed for versatility and ease of assembly, said the manufacturer. With a maximum jib length of 80m, the MDT 569 has three options for maximum hoisting capacities: 20t, 25t and 32t. The maximum tip capacity that can be achieved is 4.2t when using the 25t capacity model and working with the 80m jib. The display also included the Grove GRT9165 RTC, GMK5250XL-1 ATC and TMS500-2 truck-mounted cranes.

SHOW REPORT APRIL 2020

POWERED ACCESS

TOUCHING NEW HEIGHTS The global powered access sector pushed the envelope at Conexpo 20202 by showing off new models with higher reach and capacity and new technology features for safer and more efficient work at heights. Leading the charge were local North American MEWP majors Genie, JLG and Snorkel, while others from around the world,

such as Haulotte and Sinoboom also took the opportunity to present some of their latest and best models and technologies at the world’s second biggest construction equipment trade fair. Snorkel made the headlines for the global debut of its 2100SJ “mega boom”, which offers a maximum working height of up to 65.8m, an industry-leading horizontal outreach up to 30.4m, and a working envelope with an area volume of 155,176 cubic metres. Shown as a preview, Snorkel accepted pre-orders at the show with deliveries scheduled to commence early next year. Snorkel also unveiled a “mega scissor” lift, the new S9070RT-HC, the first in a family of four new ultra-high capacity large deck construction scissor lifts, which will be introduced through the remainder of 2020, with lifting capacities up to 1.8t. With a maximum working height of 23.3m and a lift capacity of up to 907kg, the S9070RT-HC comes equipped with dual powered extension decks

and a platform area of 18.76 cubic metres.. Snorkel also launched a line of three large deck construction scissor lifts with working heights from 11.8m-17.9m JLG showcased its first all-electric Davinci scissor lift, the newly-launched AE1932. The model is the first in a new category of all-electric lifts for JLG called the Davinci series, a nod to the famous Italian artist and inventor. The AE1932 boasts fully optimised components which allow it to be powered with a single lithium-ion battery and no compromise to performance. Rafael Nunez, senior product manager, scissor lifts, at JLG, explains: “When customers asked us to reduce maintenance costs and help minimise leaks (in JLG electric drive scissor lifts), we wanted to be progressive and set a new benchmark, so we developed a scissor that didn’t just contain leaks but one that eliminated them altogether.” According to JLG the AE1932 has minimal environmental impact with zero emissions and clean, quiet operation, making it ideal for urban spaces and indoor use. “The technology that we’ve developed is robust and timely as it relates to the change we are seeing in consumer behaviour and an increasingly stringent regulatory environment. When applied to the AE1932, this new technology allows

us to deliver a scissor solution with exceptional productivity and minimal maintenance,” says Shashank Bhatia, director of engineering, MEWPs, JLG. The 5.7m platform height, 81cm wide AE1932 scissor provides a capacity of 272kg both indoors and outdoors, a 20% improvement from typical scissors and is compliant to A92.20 standards. According to JLG, the machine travels 2x faster than a standard scissor lift and charges 3.5x faster. Each wheel is controlled independently for reduced tyre wear and limits damage to sensitive flooring.Its single lithium-ion battery is expected to last 120-plus months. It is also the first unit in the industry to recover energy while the platform is being lowered which contributes to a 70% decrease in power consumption with longer life on a charge than a standard scissor. “The Davinci AE1932 is an intelligent machine that conducts self-diagnostics and allows operators to test all systems on their mobile device. This eliminates the more traditional handheld analyser,” says Nunez. “Having the ability to proactively keep track of a machine’s health improves the total cost of ownership, an equation JLG is committed to improving.” Genie, the Terex AWP arm, meanwhile, showcased a range of aerial products and services designed for the rental industry, including the new Genie S-80 J boom (See Page 8) with TraX option, new Genie Lift Tools 4m Platform and Lift Tools Spill Guard System Haulotte displayed it’s brand new telescopic boom for the first

time to the global market, in addition to the vision of its it’s blue strategy with the HA61 LE, the first aerial work platform of the PULSEO GENERATION, and some bestselling platforms like Optimum 1931 AC (Optimum 8) and Star 20. The French powered access specialist also displayed the new HT16 RTJ PRO, a telescopic boom both designed and manufactured at its facility in Ohio, USA. The machine is currently available in Americas Zone and will be launched within a few months in other regions. It features an updated design with mechanical axles which allows for a smaller engine while still maintaining the rough terrain performance of a larger engine. It also comes standard with Haulotte’s suite of safety innovations. Haulotte also displayed the HA20 LE PRO, the first electric boom of its PULSEO Generation

line. The Optimum 8 scissor lift and Star 8S vertical mast, two of Haulotte’s best-selling machines, were also showcased. Chinese manufacturer Sinoboom attended Conexpo for the first time and introduced six of its MEWP products to the North American market. These included the GTBZ28J boom with a max operating height of 30m, the GTZZ16EJ articulated boom lift rising to 17.7m and the GTJZ0608M electric scissor lift with a platform capacity of 230kg.

“The crowd was much better than expected under the circumstances and most importantly, the right buyers were on the show floor. We were very pleased with the strong showing from the 300-plus exhibitors” multinational giants to small firms with specialised products. The event also celebrated the people and practices of the industry with several unique initiatives. The growing role women play in the industry was highlighted through partnerships with women in construction groups to unveil the world’s largest 3-D printed statute of a human to honour women in the construction industry. Meanwhile, a workforce solutions area in the Festival Lot showcased industry

More than 2300 exhibitors participated in Conexpo 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre and Festival Grounds in the US, visiting a show spread over 2.7m sqft of space.

recruitment best practices. The Tech Experience returned for a second year and focused on modern mobility, sustainability and smart cities. And the first-ever Fluid Power Hour for the colocated IFPE show featured an opportunity for engineers to network with their peers on the show floor. Held every three years, CONEXPO-CON/ AGG once again affirmed its position as a must-attend event for construction industry professionals not just in the

Americas but also globally. The show featured the latest equipment, products, services and technologies for the construction industry, as well as industryleading education. The next edition will be held March 14-18, 2023 at the same venue and, like this year, will share space with the co-located International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE) which targets the fluid power/power transmission/motion control and construction and construction materials industries.

INTERVIEW APRIL 2020

CLICK AND ORDER

ARJUN MOHAN, CEO OF ONLINE HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTAL MARKETPLACE, TENDERD, TELLS CMME HOW HIS YOUNG COMPANY IS USING TECHNOLOGY TO BRING MACHINERY OWNERS AND END-USERS ON A COMMON PLATFORM AND ENABLE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF KIT WITH BETTER RETURN ON INVESTMENT Please explain the concept behind Tenderd and how it helps users. The concept of Tenderd came about when we saw a paradox in the market. There is a lot of idle equipment out there and contractors investing a lot of time and money behind these assets, which are not utilised even close to 100% of the time. But there are also a lot of contractors who are in need of equipment. So, we conceptualised Tenderd as a platform that connects contractors who need equipment to idle equipment that exists in a market. In a way, it’s similar to the Uber or Air BnB model: we help increase utilisation of existing assets in the market. So, if you are a contractor with five excavators, you can list all five on Tenderd, and even if all of them are busy today, but three of them will be available in a month from now, you can have those rented out to somebody who needs it. So, you will be able to generate revenue out of your assets even when you ’re not using them. Anybody with machines can enlist on our service. We build up our supply from three channels: contractors with idle equipment; equipment rental companies, whose current business is to rent out equipment and they can use us as a channel to get more hirers; and the third is dealerships that have excess inventory from previous years that they want to rent out. On the other side of the spectrum,

our clients are always the end users of equipment, typically contractors. So, how does this work in practice? One of the things we noticed is that is we can make the purchasing manager’s job really easy because using Tenderd they don’t need to run any ‘requests for quote’ processes with their suppliers every single time they need to find equipment. And once the purchasing manager makes a decision, the equipment goes to the project director and project manager. Their main concern is making sure they get maximum productivity out of their machines. If I’m a project director and I have 100 pieces of equipment on site, 60 might be from my own plant and 40 from third-party suppliers. Of the 40, you might have four different suppliers providing 10 pieces of equipment each. Now, it’s already difficult managing your own equipment, but definitely a nightmare managing all these third parties on site, because you never know what can happen on a site. So, we thought ‘how do we make the project manager’s job easier?’ By integrating IoT devices into all the equipment and then providing them transparency on productivity matrix in real time. So, it could be light equipment, trucks or yellow plant that you have taken on rent – or even your own equipment. It could

25 Tenderd is an online equipment rental marketplace that brings rental companies, fleet owners, equipment dealers with rental fleets and excess, idle plant together with end-users looking to rent.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anybody with machines can enlist on our service. We build up our supply from three channels: contractors with idle equipment; equipment rental companies; and dealerships that have excess inventory they want to rent out. On the other side of the spectrum, our clients are always the end users of equipment, typically contractorsâ&#x20AC;?

INTERVIEW APRIL 2020

be equipment from third-party suppliers, from Tenderd or other sources including your own. How do you manage your entire mixed fleet – owned and rented – in one dashboard? With Tenderd, this is precisely what you can do. We physically embed an IoT device on machines under Tenderd customers and integrate the device. If someone has telematics devices already installed, we can connect to that data via API (application programming interface) and unify the experience. If they don’t, we can still integrate it in terms of the device. There are three different tiers in this. The first is basic telematics and the most advanced is Tenderd Track Vision where we take not only the telematics data but also the visual data and then we synthesize that into a productivity matrix. What is the extent of the service that Tenderd offers in terms of the availability of machines and the geography covered? We now have over 5,000 pieces of equipment registered with us in the UAE, which is the territory that we operate in geographically. Our marketplace is not crossborder, so when somebody needs a piece of equipment, we have to arrange it from as nearby as possible due to logistics, cost issues and time issues. We started in Sharjah, then we opened in Dubai and now we are in Abu Dhabi as well. We have also recently branched out to Saudi Arabia, with our Riyadh office focusing on the Saudi market – or specifically on Riyadh at present. Over time we will graduate into other Saudi cities as well. While we are not a cross-border market, as I explained, if there is a requirement for machines in Riyadh that which are not available with us there, we can, for instance, send them from the UAE depending on the tenor of the contract and if it’s worthwhile. How do you verify the machinery providers who sign up with Tenderd and how do you ensure fitness of the machines they are supplying on the platform? We have put a team in place with members who have the expertise in this area. We insourced a lot of our expertise for greater control over quality. For example, our technical manager has managed the workshops of Saudi Aramco and other companies of a similar stature. He is also trained by the major OEMs and has a very competent team under him. We have built a machine health checklist, which we share with all our suppliers, who have to do the initial verification. They follow our processes and send us pictures, which

Tenderd verifies and checks all units listed on its platform for rent with a 30-point checklist and also uses its Tenderd Track Vision software to track performance and respond to faults.

we use for virtual verification. And then, before mobilisation, we do an inspection as well. Our checklist has 30 points. There are specific ones for each machine, but a general one too. For example, for a motor grader we look at the blade, the tyres, the cabin, etc., whereas for a dozer some other components could be more important. We highlighted which parts of different machines are most likely to be critical depending on the machine type, and then

we do a specific verification of these parts before doing a complete verification. How does Tenderd enable contractors to increase productivity and improve sustainability? In terms of productivity, an important factor is machine utilisation on site. Many machines on a job-site just sit there and are not even switched on, their hydraulics are not even engaged. We track that in real time with Tenderd Track Vision, providing contractors with data. We can show them how for an excavator on Site A, they’re spending on average $2 per cubic metre of earth removed, whereas on Site B, they are spending about $5 per cubic metre. We are able to get this granularity of data in real time and send it to their dashboards. Among the devices we use are cameras to see the bucket to assess how full it is and what kind of material is in it, and then compare that against the tariff for the equipment to understand what the unit economics are per cubic metre. There is no other solution that does this. Where sustainability is concerned, over 40% of equipment rental costs a month are actually diesel costs, which is a huge component of running a site. Efficient fuel consumption is an organic by-product, of running a more efficient site, and we try to run efficient sites with our productivity solutions. Also, on our checklist, we make sure the equipment meets emissions stipulations. We check the engine health and once the machine is on site we try ensure maximum utilisation in order to reduce overall emissions. Are there any trends you have noticed in your operations? We have been operational in the UAE for around 24 months and we see a lot more requirement for rental equipment. I feel a lot of contractors would rather spend out of their opex than their capex. A lot of the mega projects are joint ventures, which rarely take any equipment on their balance sheets, preferring instead to rent on a need basis. Does Tenderd provide servicing and support for the equipment on its platform? We take accountability for any issue on the site. We have a toll-free number where operators can call us right away. They can then track the status of repairs on the Tenderd Track Vision app like tracking an Aramex package. Information such as when the machine broke down and why, mechanic dispatched, mechanic arrived on site, issue diagnosed, comments – the entire

27 Swiss army knife of equipment. Everybody uses it; everybody rents it; it’s really ubiquitous. The thing about the backhoe is that it’s not that expensive and you can do a lot of things with it. We see customers using various attachments with it, such as even a forklift extension to use it like a small carry crane.

timeline of how your machine is being fixed and when you can expect it to be running again can be tracked. While we have our own mobile service team, we usually defer to the supplier first and see if they can take care of an issue. If they cannot, then we jump right in. If an issue is reported, we can either decide to fix it or replace the equipment. So, users will get some other suppliers’ equipment if the issue is too complex to fix quickly and can lead to a disruption in production. When

you work with the market place, you have substitutability, so if we need to fix a dozer we can say you can’t open up the engine in the desert, as sand will go in and damage it even more. We find the next best machine with the quickest availability and mobilise that to the site. Is there any particular equipment that you are seeing a high demand for in the UAE? Yes. It’s a common machine that everybody uses - the backhoe loader. I think it’s like the

Tenderd CEO Arjun Mohan feels the equipment rental sector will keep growing in the region, as will the use of technology, making solutions such as Tenderd Track Vision more widespread.

How does the future look for Tenderd and the services that you are providing? If you look at the mature markets, about 50% of equipment on any site is rented in the US and in Europe, its almost 65-70%. In the UAE, it’s about 30–35% and even lower in Saudi. So, I expect a trend of rentals becoming more prevalent in this part of the world. I also feel OEMs are thinking about how they can create platforms for their equipment to be directly rented by the market because if contractors are going to buy less, overtime supply is going to decrease in the market. So, they would want their own equipment that they manufacture fresh off the factory line to be used in the market and they would manage the utilisation of that equipment. And lastly, the future is about automation. You see it already in passenger vehicles but I see it as more inevitable for construction equipment because you have fewer variables on a construction site as compared to when you are on the road engaging with other cars and pedestrians. So, I see the automation of equipment becoming more and more prevalent, and Tenderd Track Vision - the technology we are working on - is like the first step in enabling a higher level of intelligence using your own existing fleet.

TENDERD TRACK VISION

THE TECH IS IN THE DETAILS The Tenderd Track Vision is a vital app that counts among its features the use of video data off the buckets and blades of a machine to identify the amount of work done. “Think of it like this – imagine you are there on the job-site in person, looking at every bucket and calculating the tonnage for every bucket. And you’re able to get you really detailed productivity data off that piece of equipment,” explains Arjun Mohan. “We do this with cameras. Instead of a person doing it, we use machine vision to take video data and classify it according to what kind of material it is, what the productivity is, what were

the cubic metres actually lifted in this load, the cycle times, etc. and give you really actionable information – such as telling you that you are spending $28 per cubic metre on this site.” The technology can also diagnose why productivity might be low, for example, with an excavator – it may not be working but that could be because there aren’t enough trucks associated with the excavator. The technology can detect such reasons for low productivity or why the equipment is idle. “We are able to pull this kind of information in real time and give it to you – so, it’s not just about

the equipment; it’s also about the flow of work,” Mohan says. Tenderd Track Vision can also help in improving safety, such as by giving alerts if a person is within an unsafe distance of a machine. Tenderd has some illustrious

partners in its technology development, including Nvidia and Google Video Studio for the devices installed on its machines and the annotation tools for video labelling. Also among its investors is the founder of Gmail, Mohan adds.

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R E W O P RAW EED TO N U O Y G N I EVERY TH

KNOW

36_AIR POWER Global compressor makers bring models for diverse uses in to the region.

36_RICH HAUL With wide model line-ups and advanced tech, haulers users have a lot of choice.

TOP 10: ING TIPS L U A H E F SA most get the Top ways to d haulers an out of your ks. dump truc

40_CAT CHAMPION Canadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jaus Neigum wins Conexpo face-off of nine finalists.

TOP TEN APRIL 2020

FIT MODELS TO NEEDS Haulers and dumpers come in various versions, so selecting the right one for your requirement is key to getting the best use and return on investment out of it. For short hauls and loading with midsize excavators, go for a 25-30t hauler. To move large volumes over long distances, a 35-40t model would probably fit requirements better.

CONSIDER SITE CONDITIONS Match the type of hauler you buy to the terrain it will operate on. Articulated dump trucks are best for twisty job-sites and rigid haulers for extra capacity on flatter terrain. Also consider factors such as loading height, width of vehicle and ground pressure before deciding on your purchase. Match tyre size, type and width to site conditions and remember the rough paths the units travel on-site will shorten tyre life. Mnimising tyre sinking will put less stress on the driveline.

: N E T P O T S P I T G N I L U A H E F SA E LARGEST AND HARDESET,

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ADHERE TO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES Perform lubrication and all other key maintenance at intervals recommended by manufacturers. Auto-lube systems may be advantageous to ensure proper lubrication of expensive components. Fleet management systems designed to track maintenance intervals and check engine codes can improve maintenance by reducing guesswork. Routine maintenance should also include visual inspections of the tyres, driveline and structural members for damage.

MODIFY MAINTENANCE TO SUIT JOBS Different projects put different demands on machines. Extremely dusty applications may require more frequent air filter cleaning and use of engine precleaners. Double shifting will require more frequent maintenance. Extreme temperatures may demand special oils and lubricants for protection of major components. Consider these factors while drawing up a maintenance schedule for a machine.

AVOID OVERLOADING Every hauler was designed for a certain amount of load and has a maximum limit. Operators and owners should understand that there might be short-term gains from overloading haulers but in the long term, this will result in higher repair costs and shorter machine life. Tyre life will also be adversely affected by overloading.

SAFETY ING ding of TRAIN nderstan

lid u Having a so f a hauler functions o s u o t ri a v e all th uctivity bu reases prod c in t ly A n . o ts t no ciden lp avoid ac can also he ing handsiv e c e, by re m ti e m sa the can learn , operators g in in a tr n o tinguish ster and dis controls fa duce res will pro which featu lts in certain better resu s. application

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ESTABLISH MACHINE LIMITS Operators who are trained in the proper operation of haulers develop a better understanding of a machineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limits and the consequences for activities that push machines beyond these limits. Operators must be aware of stability limits during dumping and when turning too quickly and abruptly, which can cause rollovers. They must also know the braking limitations.

LIMIT EXCESSIVE IDLING By reducing travel time on or between job-sites, operators can improve fuel efficiency. Limiting the amount of idling that can occur during loading and unloading of a hauler is a good practice to increase profitability.

07 10

OPTIMUM SIGHT LINES As much as the view forward, views to the rear and sides are just as important for safety. Large, wellplaced and properly adjusted rear view mirrors and cameras all make backing up much safer and avoid collisions with anything in the operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blind spots. A machine with clear sight lines all around it for drivers is not only safer but also more productive.

COVER STORY APRIL 2020

RICH HAUL WITH AN ARRAY OF MODELS AVAILABLE FOR VARIOUS KINDS OF JOB-SITES AND TASKS, AND THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS INTRODUCING NEW TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERING NEW SEGMENTS, END-USERS OF HAULERS AND DUMPERS HAVE SELDOM HAD IT BETTER

he forbidding Rub Al Khali stretches across the south of the Arabian Peninsula. The world’s largest sand desert, the Empty Quarter, as it’s also popularly called, sees temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius or even higher during the day and plummeting to 1 degree during the night. Harsh winds constantly blow sand across its surface, shifting the contours of the dunes. It’s a difficult area for construction work but while the Empty Quarter is the stuff of legends, even a desert is not impervious to the steady march of progress. In 2015, a road called the Saudi-Oman Land Bridge was opened that runs through this seemingly extra-terrestrial landscape to connect the two countries. This road is testimony to human ingenuity not only in braving the odds as a construction project, but also in manufacturing equipment that can allow us to do so. And prime among those machines that made building the road possible is the hauler or dump truck. When Saudi contractor Al-Rosan Contracting was awarded the job of building a 256km road through this wilderness, they brought in 68 units of Volvo’s 35F articulated dump trucks (ADT), which moved in excess of 130 million cubic metres of sand to make the project possible. Cut to Dubai’s Al Maktuom Airport expansion project where 37 Volvo ADTs are working 10 hours a day often in summer temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius to move earth and sand for Dubai’s extensive logistics project. The A35F fleet, run by Tristar Contracting, make light of the conditions, with their fully-enclosed axles, which guard against the dust and circulate cooling lubricant, as well as their three-stage filtration system, which ensures that no airborne dust makes it through to the engines. Mohammed Amer, logistics and fleet manager at Tristar, says: “The most important thing about the Volvo machines is their extremely low downtime. Volvo CE

33 Volvo CE is the pioneer of the articluated dump truck and offers a vareity of models for operations on difficult terrain, which the ADT was designed for. It has featured in many vital GCC projects.

VOLVO ARTICULATED HAULERS

DRIVING IMPRESSION CMME had the opportunity to drive Volvo CE’s range of articulated haulers at the company’s home-base in Eskilstuna, Sweden, during the 30th edition of Volvo Days – Volvo CE’s customer outreach event. With the A35G, the A45GFS and the new flagship A60H, all available to drive around the sprawling customer demonstrations area at Volvo’s facility, we hopped on board the beasts to get you a first-hand impression of their prowess. The first thig that strikes you when you step inside the cab of a Volvo articulated hauler is the ease of ingress despite the height. Well-designed footholds and grab handles, and a wide-opening door make entry and exit a breeze, increasing operator safety. Once inside, the ergonomics continue, with the controls and displays laid out around the driver. The gauges and display screens are clear and bright, even on a very sunny Swedish summer afternoon. A comprehensive array of intelligent systems are available in the articulated haulers. The MATRIS, CareTrack and the On-Board Weighing system optimises production and minimises operational costs. Volvo monitors machine operation and status, advising on the best ways to increase profitability. The weighing system guarantees an optimal load every cycle, maximising production, boosting fuel efficiency and reducing machine wear. Driving the hauler was the definition of the term child’s play. With its articulated design, the trailing truck body simply follows in the tracks of the front axle under the cab, enabling it to seemingly turn on a dime and clear twisties and bends vehicles half its size would not dare to enter. Innovative driver-assist features gave even a novice like yours truly enough confidence to tackle steep inclines. Easily rolling up a 30-degree gradient, I was asked to stop right at the hill’s apex, the hauler’s nose pointing up in the air. Nervousness melted into ease in seconds as the electronics took over, preventing slippage and keeping the vehicle at a standstill, foot off the brakes. The 55t capacity A60H is Volvo’s largest articulated hauler. Powered by a 16-litre Volvo engine delivering 495kW and 3,200Nm, it is designed for heavy hauling in severe off-road operations, like quarries, mines and large earthmoving operations. An array of customer support agreements offer preventive maintenance, total repair and uptime services.

COVER STORY APRIL 2020

VOLVO RIGID HAULER

HERITAGE OF TOUGHNESS Volvo announced its entry into the rigid hauler market in the first quarter of this year, with its own Volvo brand of rigid haulers coming on the market in the second quarter. At Volvo Days in Eskilstuna, the new Volvo rigid hauler was the show stopper, making a grand entrance at its first ever mass public demonstration. A remarkable thing about the new Volvo rigid hauler range is that it is headed to the Middle East even before the more advanced markets of the world get to experience it. The development of the new four-model range has relied heavily on the longstanding rigid hauler expertise of Volvo CE’s subsidiary Terex Trucks, combined with the

technological strength of the Volvo Group. Volvo said in February that the range, which it initially launched in less regulated markets, consists of the 45t R45D, 60t R60D, 72t R70D and the flagship 100t R100E. At Volvo’s customer centre in Eskilstuna, it was the R70D and R100E that were on centre stage, with the R100E piloted into the demonstration by none other than company president Melker Jernberg. The E-Series R100E is a completely new Volvo CE 100t rigid hauler that

created the articulated hauler, and to this day they continue to lead in their design and manufacture. All of our haulers have exceeded 10,000 working hours, and we are still happy.” A leader in the ADT segment for a long time, Volvo now also offers rigid haulers, and has debuted a three-model range. The rigid dump trucks (RDT) are built on the heritage, knowledge, know-how and experience of Terex Trucks, which Volvo CE took over in 2014. Volvo’s all-new RDT flagship, the R100E, has been designed to meet customer demand for a rigid hauler that delivers high performance and productivity, low total cost of ownership, easy serviceability and good operator comfort. With its high capacity and hauling speeds, new V-shaped body, efficient hydraulics, intelligent monitoring systems and operator environment, Volvo says the R100E will help customers move more material in less time. “Our purchase of Terex Trucks in 2014 was a strategic decision that allowed Volvo to offer customers a rigid hauler option,” says Thomas Bitter, senior VP, Marketing and Product Portfolio at Volvo CE. “Since then, we’ve been working to design a completely new rigid hauler that builds on Terex Trucks’ 84-year heritage, while also incorporating Volvo CE’s industry-leading technology and core values of quality, safety and environmental care. When it comes to range, Komatsu has an enviable reputation. The Japanese giant is known for big and heavy models in the equipment world and dominates the segments it operates in like few other brands. Mining and quarrying are among those segments where Komatsu enjoys great market traction globally,

Komatsu has a very high share of the market for both rigid and articulated dump trucks in the GCC and backs up its variety and quality with technologies such as KOMTRAX, PLM and ARSC.

combines a wealth of market and customer knowledge with proven components, new technologies and a striking new design – all

not only for conventional machines but also for advanced new technology options. Detailing the brand’s range of dump trucks, Ashraf Hashish, senior GM, Marketing, at Komatsu Middle East, says: “In the Rigid Dump Truck (RDT) category, Komatsu has many offerings covering the whole industry range up to 150t. We also have Articulated Dump Trucks (ADT) covering the industry range for sandy, muddy and slippery ground conditions. And Komatsu is also a pioneer in the electric dump trucks, though these are not yet sold in

providing a cost-effective and productive solution to fulfil the needs of today’s mining and quarrying customers, says Volvo. Based on the existing and wellproven Terex Trucks TR-Series, development of the D-Series R45D, R60D and R70D Volvo rigid haulers follows an in-depth engineering review, ensuring that the machines meet the standards expected from Volvo products in their target markets and segments. Improvements include greater visibility and safety systems, along with Volvo technical support and branding.

our region. With the electric models, we cover a weight range from 181.4–369.4t.” Apart from its broad range, Komatsu has incorporated several features into its dump trucks that set it apart from the competition. “Komatsu ’s reliability and quality are of course well proven and sought after. All our main components are made in-house, which means they are optimised to work together.” Hashish also points out some other features of the trucks that set them apart: “Our trucks have the option to be equipped with the Auto Retard Speed Control or ARSC feature. With this retarder control system, downhill travel speeds can be set freely, similar to the operation of cruise control in a car. So, the operator can concentrate on the steering. This reduces operator fatigue and makes for safer operation. Also, it reduces sudden braking, which results in extending tyre life.” Among other features that make Komatsu dumpers distinct, he says, is that the models are all designed with shorter noses, wider treads and longer wheelbases, all of which improve stability. Also, Komatsu RDT are designed to minimise their turning radius, leading to better manoeuvrability. With an array of models to suit all requirements and the quality, expertise and reputation of the Komatsu name behind them, it is no surprise that rigid trucks enjoy a good market position. “Komatsu has an average of around 50% market share in the GCC for the last three years, even higher in some countries where we dominate this segment , reaching up to 75%. Demand for dump trucks in the region has been dropping for the last four years, but

35 we still enjoy a good position in the segment. Our RDTs and ADTs are working in various projects around the GCC, In Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, in Salalah and Muscat in Oman, Damam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as well as in many other places. In fact, they are working wherever dump trucks are needed around the region,” explains Hashish. Komatsu’s most popular RDT is the HD3257R, while in the ADTs it is the HM400-3R, Jehad Jayyousi – assistant manager, Marketing informs. Explaining the main features of the RDT versus the ADT, he adds: “The basic advantage of an RDT is high travel speed and large retarder absorbing capacity, which translates into higher productivity. On the other hand, the ADT’s main advantage is travel performance on soft ground and on inclines in hilly terrain. ADTs can be utilised regardless of the road condition.” As can be expected from Komatsu, its dumpers come loaded with technology that helps in their performance and efficiency. “Our ADTs are fitted with the Komatsu Traction Control System (KTCS), which prevents wheel slip. By doing so it improves the truck’s travel performance and reduced fuel consumption.” Motoyasu Kakita, product marketing manager at Komatsu, adds: “Another technological feature is the Pay Load Meter (PLM), which converts the data from the pressure sensors installed to the front and rear suspension cylinders into payload with its controller and calculates, displays and saves the payload data. The payload is notified to the loading machine operator by using the lamps outside the dump truck. All payload data is saved in the controller at each loading and

Hitachi’s rigid haulers are known their robustness and have found success in the region, especially in Turkey, where its 180t models are helping produce two million tons of coal annually.

can be downloaded to a personal computer after the work is finished. The user can manage the production, overload prevention and other such aspects by using the data.” Of course, the Komatsu dump trucks come with KOMTRAX – the Komatsu telematics system for predictive and preventive maintenance. Explaining its working, Kakita says: “The health and operating condition of the dump truck is grasped by data and used for making a timely maintenance plan and improving the operating method. If emergency

inspection and maintenance for the machine is needed, Komtrax information will help to take quick action and prevent serious breakdown. Thus, distributors can develop proactive plans for support, which enable the reduction of repair and maintenance cost for customers. Moreover, an optimum maintenance plan keeps machine availability high.” Meanwhile, another Japanese giant, Hitachi, offers a broad range of rigid dump trucks, with which it has found success in the mining and quarrying segment in the MENA region. Turkey, especially, has been a happy hauling ground . At the Orhaneli coal mine in Turkey, 10 units of Hitachi’s EH3500AC-3 rigid hauler are carrying excavated coal and overburden from an open pit mine to a nearby power unit and waste area. The fleet of 180t RDTs is helping to produce two million tons of coal annually. Ahmet Celik, director, Financial and Administrative Services at the project, says: “The reason we prefer Hitachi machines is their capacity, quality, power and reliable performance. The new EH3500AC-3 dump trucks, for instance, carries more material and consumes less fuel when compared to the existing fleet. (Distributor) Enka’s quick response for service and spare parts have further heightened our overall satisfaction.” Another project Enka has supplied Hitachi RDTs to is an open pit quarry near a cement factory, where four EH1700-3 units are carrying limestone to a crusher feeding the factory. Mine manager Ahmet Gitmez, says: “We are very happy with the features, especially the Electronic Downhill Speed Control System. which controls the speed going downhill.”

CAT AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS

BILLION-TON HAUL Cat mining trucks working within MineStar Command for hauling recently reached a milestone of one billion tonnes hauled. Caterpillar deployed the first six commercial autonomous trucks in 2013, and the fleet has now grown to more than 150 with six different mining companies operating Command for hauling in iron ore, copper and oil sands. “Command for hauling has proven its value to mining customers,” says Sean McGinnis, product manager, Caterpillar Mining Technology. “That value is reflected in the rate at which the Cat autonomous fleet achieved this milestone. The fleet is growing quickly and production continues to climb as mining

companies benefit from greater truck productivity, increased truck utilization, consistent truck operation and reduced costs. “In the process of hauling one billion tonnes, the autonomous trucks travelled nearly 35m kilometres,” McGinnis said. “No lost time injuries have been attributed to Cat autonomous haulage. Command for hauling has demonstrated how it enhances safety by eliminating truck operating errors and by reducing the number of people working in the active mining area.”

Initial development of Cat autonomous mining trucks began more than 20 years ago, and the first autonomous mining truck was debuted in 1996 at MINExpo. Currently, Cat autonomous trucks are operating in Australia, South America and North America. A fleet of 70 Cat autonomous trucks in Australia has achieved productivity increases of 30% at significantly reduced costs. Driven by additional process improvements, greater productivity gains are possible.

COMPRESSORS APRIL 2020

AIR POWER

GLOBAL COMPRESSOR MAKERS ARE VYING FOR THE MIDDLE EAST MARKET WITH THEIR LATEST MODELS AND TECHNOLOGIES, BRINGING IN MODELS WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF AIRENDS AND CAPACITIES FOR A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

everal international manufacturers count the Middle East among their most important markets globally for compressor units and are responding to the market’s demand for the latest and best products Among them are Doosan Portable Power (DPP), part of the South Korea’s Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment, Germany’s Kaeser Kompressoren, Atlas Copco Group-owned Chicago Pneumatic and Gardner Denver Group’s Compair, all of which have long and successful associations with the region, with their units visible on many sites. DPP has a comprehensive range of portable compressors in the region. The Korean giant’s offering includes models for construction, rental, utilities and manufacturing to quarrying, drilling and the oil and gas industry, with free deliveries from 2.0 to 45 m3/min at output pressures from 100 to 350 psig (7 to 25 bar). As well as a wide selection of Tier 3 High Ambient models, the range also includes several Tier 1 or Tier 2 engined models, well suited to the fuel quality levels found in the region. “All Doosan compressors are built to withstand the rigours of everyday applications in the toughest conditions,” Hazem Elnaqeeb, district manager, portable power Middle East, at DPP, tells CMME. Among DPP’s smallest Tier 2 models is the compact C185WKUB-EX-T2, which offers easy towability and transportation, and high manoeuvrability for use in confined areas. It has a free air delivery of 5.2 m³/min, operates at a working pressure of 100 psig (7 bar) and is aimed at standard pressure applications in construction, such as powering breakers

and tools in road repair, demolition and refurbishment. Weighing only 874kg, it has two service airports for multi-tool use and has a compact 1567mm width and 1600mm height. “Powered by a Kubota engine, the model features an aerodynamic single-piece, light and lockable canopy made of ultra-strong composite material. Its cool-box airflow design allows cool air to enter through the rear and wash over the internal components, keeping temperatures low. As a result, the compressor is fit for use in hot climates such as in the Middle East. Conveniently located kerbside controls and service valves keep operators away from traffic for added safety,” says Elnaqeeb. Carl Briden, regional director for the Middle East at 100-year-old German compressor powerhouse Kaeser Kompressoren, says the brand’s Mobilair machines were seeing increased interest from the rental market and from those that specialise in equipment hire. “The oil and gas sector is a big user of rental units with interest increasing in the last 1218 months. Other construction sectors were generally steady as far as demand went.” What has set that back is the Covid-19 pandemic. “The current crisis has obviously had a dramatic impact on demand for new equipment. However, service-related business has increased due to customers electing to maintain rather than purchase new. This is a typical scenario when markets are down and even more so in this current crisis. At Kaeser, we are maintaining our support to all our partners and have increased stocks of spares to ensure there is no shortage during this critical period.” Kaeser also has plans to expand its popular Mobilair compressor range further once the economic climate improves. “Plans were in place for this to be done but have been put on hold for the time being. All our Mobilair

37 Korean giant’ DPP’s comprehensive compressor range in the region inlcudes models for construction, rental, utilities and manufacturing to quarrying, drilling and the oil and gas industries.

“All Doosan compressors are built to withstand the rigours of everyday applications in the toughest conditions… As a result, the compressor is fit for use in hot climates such as in the Middle East”

COMPRESSORS APRIL 2020

machines are well received and, due to the diversity of the markets and applications, compressors are supplied in equal numbers. Kaeser has and always will look at opportunities to expand and improve our various product ranges whenever and wherever required.” Among Kaeser’s model range is the M235 portable compressor, designed with the Middle East region in mind and focused on the construction sector’s requirements in jobsites in the region. The first part of the model’s nomenclature represents the air volume it puts out - around 23 cubic metres per minute. “The original portable compressors were designed in Europe for European standards and uses. The standards there are very high for emissions, noise and such other features. We don’t necessarily have those regulation in the Middle East markets, which means it would be a waste of money to buy and use the European specification machines here,” says Briden. “We deconstructed our portable machines and built them up again taking customer feedback into consideration. We went to our customers and asked them what they wanted and what they look for in a compressor that’s going to be used in their industry and in their region. We had a list of around 20-30 points where we needed modifications. So, we went to our design team and they came up with a machine that suits the Middle East market.” Speaking about the future, Briden adds: “Considering the current climate. it is impossible to predict what the trends will be, although we would hope and expect simply availability would be a main criteria we will try to support. As the crisis eases, we expect demand to dramatically increase so having stock in place to support customers will be vital.” Having stock is also of great importance at Construction Machinery Centre (CMC), the UAE machinery powerhouse representing Chicago Pneumatic, among the oldest and most respected names in the global compressor business. The brand, which is now under the umbrella of another giant, Atlas Copco, counts CMC as its dealer in the region for 20 years now. Describing the range on offer, Ziad Hamade, commercial and logistics manager, CMC, says: “We have diesel compressors from 175cfm upwards. We stock up to the 400cfm range for ready availability, this is where we feel the demand lies from contractors who need it the most. The 175 kVA is with a Kubota engine and is mainly used for jackhammers for cleaning purpose. When you go higher in capacity, you can start with sand plastering machines and such. But, usually from 175 cfm up to 400 cfm, 7 bar – this are the standard models we always have in stock for ready availability.”

Kaeser’s Mobilair (top) range of compressors have been well received in the Middle East, while Chicago Pneumatic says its 175-400 cfm range has the highest demand in the region.

The 275cfm model is the best-selling one, Hamade adds, and this is because “contractors can use three jackhammers together”, with the machine. “For ground-breaking, and small construction jobs, they can use three jackhammers all together or if they want to use two jackhammers and a cleaner attachment too – even that’s a possible combination. The compressor is powered by a Deutz engine, a well-known brand, which is another reason.” As the dealer CMC will service the compressor, or the airend, while the engine

dealer services the engine, he adds. “But we have agreement with almost every engine dealer that we can have a service contract to check the engine if It’s not a major job. If it’s a major job, we ask for the engine dealer to step in but the for the compressor itself it’s all us.” Chicago Pneumatic units supplied in the region are made in Belgium or made in China. Hamade explains that with the brand under the umbrella of Atlas Copco, the bulk of whose manufacturing is in China, the same factories produce the CP models too. “Atlas Copco is the prime brand, CP is positioned under it; but it’s the same factory, same model, same engine - almost everything is the same.” He explains that the made-in-Belgium models can be supplied for customers who have a preference for it. “The armed forces are among our big customers and they prefer to have the Belgian units, although everything in the machines from both countries is virtually the same. The engine is either Japanese or European, the screw of the compressor is German, as are the other main components. It’s only the place of assembly that differs and along with it the cost. Labour is less costly in China, as is the shipping cost to the GCC.” CMC also takes back-up very seriously, he adds. “We have our own service vans available 24/7, we can be called at a number anytime during the day and we have a team of 25 technicians and service support engineers who are factory trained and undergo continuous training internally through our development centre. Our team is always available and updated for any new technology and manufacturer’s updates.”

COMPAIR

TWIN-TURBO COMPRESSION SYSTEM Gardner Denver company CompAir exhibited its latest C Series portable compressor range at Conexpo 2020, as well as promoting its new ‘Mobile 5’ warranty scheme. CompAir displayed its new offerings, including ‘Mobile 5’, which is designed to offer the customer confidence in their investment. “At the heart of all C Series products is the CompAir rotary screw airend, which is now covered under the warranty scheme for up to five years or 10,000 operating hours. CompAir’s confidence resides in the knowledge that all eligible compressor airends are designed,

tested and manufactured at the company’s Centre of Excellence in Simmern, Germany, for consistently high levels of performance,” the company said in a statement. “The CompAir TurboScrew compressor provides high efficiency and reliability to construction projects. Its low overall weight, up to 2t lighter than comparable compressors, combined with an extremely compact footprint, makes site accessibility issues a thing of the past. The TurboScrew can offer up to 30% less diesel consumption, representing up to 20% of total

lifecycle costs, due to the patented Twin-Turbo compression system. The engine delivers approximately 14% more energy to the compressor than conventional technologies, extending the re-fuelling times and increasing efficiency.”

r nar ow FAR-REACHING YET

Agility is the key to reaching confined spaces. At only 1.45m (4 ft. 9 in.),

the ultra-narrow width of the Snorkel S2755RT fits in places where a standard width machine would have difficulties. While it can reach a maximum working height of 10.1m (33 ft. 1 in.), this machine is also lightweight and can be towed on a car trailer between jobs. Add to that rugged 4-wheel drive and optional bi-energy for a highly versatile scissor lift that can go the distance on all terrains.

FIT TO GO FURTHER

THE LAST WORD APRIL 2020

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