Construction Machinery ME February 2020 by CPI Trade Media

ISSUE 100 2020 FEBRUARY

SUE

S SPECIAL I

S T H G I L H G E HI M O S T A ES CK U A S B S I K F O O O Y L R A WE TAKE ME HITS A CENTU A S CM

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2020

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

12_ENERGISING THE FUTURE The 45th edition of Middle East Energy to be held in Dubai next month will focus on technologies for tomorrow in the energy sector.

14_TCO TALKS Volvo CE’s “resident expert” on Total Cost of Ownership, Stefan Pettersson, discusses the company’s aim of holistic care for customers’ machines.

16_HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CENTURY As CMME marks its 100th issue, we celebrate the milestone by taking a look back at the ten best site visit reports we have carried over the years.

R E W O RAW P

Grov heat helps build stem storage sy

E L E A SE S

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30_ NEW R

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10 SPOTTED Y AN IN GEmRobM ile crane e

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EDITORIAL FEBRUARY 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

100, NOT OUT It was 2011. November. A team of upstart journalists and media specialists had gathered at CPI Media Group with what some might have then called the naïve ambition of shaking up the construction equipment publishing space in the Middle East. Not finding a publication in the sphere to their liking around the region, they spied a ripe opportunity to start one themselves and raise the bar. But with the region still not completely out of the throes of 2009’s recession, there were naysayers and discouragers galore. And they had a point: the recession had hit the region’s construction sector the worst. It looked foolhardy to launch a construction equipment magazine in such a market. With trust in the common-sense proposition that what’s gone down must come up and confidence that there was always room for quality and the market would welcome a world class product, the team went ahead undeterred and launched the first issue of Construction Machinery Middle East. While it would be an oversimplification to say that since then there has been no looking back, it would also be true. CMME, as we have popularly come to be known, did take a little while to find its feet, but since the very beginning it has both delivered a product that has consistently set itself apart in editorial and design standards as well as been embraced by the industry. Over the years, we have not only been curators of essential intelligence on the industry in the Middle East, but also the chroniclers of its times and the changes it has undergone. Indeed, we have brought you some of the most seminal and groundbreaking stories from around the region and beyond, and in the process become a fixture of the Middle East’s machinery landscape. In this issue we take a look back at some of those stories that we consider memorable

and that left a lasting impression on us as we reported on them. Among other topics, we discuss the all-important large excavators, a segment we find to be an aptly important one to take up in our landmark issue. This is also the apt occasion to remember the editorial and commercial teams that have worked on the magazine over the years, with each editor having contributed his own effort and vision to enable the magazine to be in its position today, where it is well regarded by the industry. Personally, I would like to thank all my five predecessors who have painstakingly built the magazine over the years and contributed their mite towards its success. And, as the longest serving editor of the magazine so far, having guided CMME through almost half of its 100 issues, I take a personally sense of pride in the magazine reaching this landmark. Of course, the greatest thanks are owed to our readers and to the industry for the tremendous support you have lent CMME over its 100 issues. We could not have achieved this landmark without you. As an avid cricket fan, centuries fascinate me. And double centuries even more so. I wonder what our readers would find in our 200th issue. Perhaps by then all structures would be 3-D printed; all machinery connected, automated and emission-free. Or will robots be the new construction machines! For now, though, the journey continues. Here’s to the next 100 issues!

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

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ONLINE FEBRUARY 2020

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READERS’ COMMENTS

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

HOW WE CAN ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT WITHIN THE UAE’S CONSTRUCTION MARKET

Work begins on multiple municipal service projects in Bahrain

Anyone in the industry knows that we have a problem with staff retention but I’ve never seen a statistic as stark as four workers are leaving for every one that joins

CONSULTANT

(How we can attract and

Water security and digitisation high on Acciona’s agenda at WFES

retain talent within the UAE’s construction market). Holding onto our labour isn’t a problem unique

Interview: We need to empower SMC firms, says UAE BIM’s AbouAlfa

to the region. In fact, the western world has a major problem in recruiting young people into construction which is why the migration

CONSTRUCTION

of workers has become

RTA to leverage drones for inspection of Dubai Metro tunnels

a political hot potato in some countries. Clearly the environment here is tough on-site and the salaries relatively inferior to some other regions, but we really need to be upskilling our workforce and supporting them with

MACHINERY

training and better health

Mammoet installs 740t reactor at Sohar refinery

facilities. Offering not just a salary but an opportunity to maximise the potential of everyone on site will benefit your business and could be the start of a mature labour market here which will help the industry

CONSTRUCTION

W Motors begins construction of $100m facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis

Earthmoving Report: Al-Bahar introduces Caterpillar’s game changers

as a whole in the long term. Name withheld by request

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

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S W NE 6

NEW TECH

HAULOTTE INTRODUCES BIM LIBRARY FOR PROJECT DESIGN

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 SALES RISE AT

Powered access heavyweight

VOLVO CE

Haulotte has introduced its BIM

Swedish

(Building Information Modelling)

machinery giant

library accessible from the company’s

Volvo CE has

websites and its BIMobject® Cloud.

reported an

Al Faris moves refinery components in Dubai Regional crane and lifting services heavyweight Al Faris, has provided complete logistics services, from loading to transportation, for more than 15 oversized components of an oil refinery project, which were moved from the Jebel Ali port to a storage yard in Dubai World Central in the UAE. Al Faris said it used 12-axle Goldhofer hydraulic trailers as well as self-propelled modular transporters (PST/SL-E trailers) to move the loads, and finally offloaded them using am Enerpac SBL900 gantry. The refinery column’s three sections were up to 11m in height, 32m in length and 10m in width and weighed up to 315t, the company added. The biggest challenge in the project was to find a route practical and feasible enough to transport the loads. An elaborate route survey was done, studying all technicalities and required modifications. During the transportation, a stretch of Dubai’s main highway, Sheikh Zayed Road, was completely blocked for 30 minutes

to make way for the trailers, which were accompanied by 4-6 police escorts. Al Faris obtained all official permissions and clearances for the move and route modifications beforehand, including from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. “For the offloading process, one of the challenges was the confined space Al Faris had to work in, along with the tight timescale and lifting precision needed. Another challenge was the need to engineer a customised platform using steel mats to reach the required lifting height for the gantry. The Enerpac SBL900 gantry system was the perfect fit for this job, allowing us to get the work done with utmost efficiency,” said a statement from Al Faris. “All surveys, planning, technical support documentation, 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 our trained operators.”

The company said users can now

increase of 5% in

download the Haulotte BIM models

sales for full year

to virtually create and manage

2019 compared

their projects. Architects, engineers

to the previous

and construction companies can

year. Volvo said its

use Haulotte’s BIM process to

growing market

more efficiently plan, design and

share in China

manage a construction project,

was among the

accurately visualising their projects

main contributors

in a virtual environment thanks

to the positive

to 3D model-based objects.

result, which

According to Haulotte, its BIM library

came despite

“provides digital representations of

a 3% decline in

mobile elevating work platforms and

sales in the last

telehandlers on a jobsite as well as

quarter of the year.

relevant dynamic information”.

Sales for the full

“Considering the virtual

year 2019 were

infrastructure or building prior

reported at $9.1bn.

to its physical construction

Compared to the

contributes to reducing project

full year figures

risks and anticipating challenges.

for 2018, Europe,

“For rental or construction

North and South

companies, as well as for end

America, and Asia

customers, using BIM files helps

all saw growth.

to identify the best equipment

The regions to see

required for the job and improves

a decline in sales

logistics management.”

were Africa and

The manufacturer added that

Oceania.

structured and relevant product

Excluding China, Asian markets were down by 11% compared to last year, while China alone grew by 8%.

data is embedded in its BIM objects. The specifications are updated on a regular basis, so that the project always operates with safe source information. “All project stakeholders can access the technical details such as working height, horizontal outreach or lift capacity, to facilitate the design process. Haulotte’s BIM objects simply act as the real equipment would on the jobsite, thus ensuring the equipment meets the highest standards of safety, productivity and performance.

UAE: +97143385461/+971503690590 Bahrain: +97317700008/+97336044006

Saudi Arabia: +96611812182/+966581458696 Kuwait: +96522050269/+96560022453

Oman: +96824597950/+96897750443 Qatar: +974 44076300/+974 66969521

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NEWS ROUND-UP FEBRUARY 2020

LIFT AND MOVE GIANT

MAMMOET COMPLETES ALE ACQUISITION

Delta Gulf takes delivery of first Demag AC 250-5

KUBOTA REVEALS

and its compact design were crucial factors that influenced the purchase decision and added that the Demag AC 250-5 crane’s compactness is extraordinarily advantageous for projects in the booming oil fields of Abu Dhabi. “In addition, Demag is not only known for being one of the world’s most long-standing crane manufacturers, but also for the high quality of its products. And since quality is also one of the most important key factors when renting cranes, the AC 250-5 is a perfect match for our fleet. ” he pointed out. Moreover, Demag’s excellent reputation for after-sales service made it easy for the people at Delta Gulf to decide on the AC 250-5, said the manufacturer.

powered electric

UAE-based heavy transport, logistics, shipping and general industrial services company Delta Gulf has taken delivery of a new Demag AC2505 all-terrain crane from manufacturers Demag-Tadano. According to a statement by the manufacturer, the first

Demag AC 250-5 allterrain crane in Delta Gulf’s fleet is rounding out the Abu Dhabi-based crane service provider’s offering. The new crane was handed over by Sahil Shaikh, regional sales manager at Demag. Ayman Mousa Almalkh, CEO, Delta Gulf said the crane’s large lifting capacities

NEW NE JEKKO CRAPACT M OFFERS CO ITY IL VERSAT the ler crane –

SHANGHAI ELECTRIC TOPS OUT SOLAR TOWER The 222m tall central tower of the Noor Energy 1 concentrated solar power project, the world’s biggest single-site solar plant, was topped out by Shanghai Electric Group Company in Dubai. The facility costs a total of $3.9bn.

a new craw 14 introduced ns (6.75 x 2. Jekko has t dimensio ac p m on co si g n n te uri sed ex JF990 - feat with increa ed in of b y m it co ac s) ting cap x 3.45 metre high max lif a , hini, m sc 41 ce to up lberto Fran A . rt capacity of o sp an tr ped a vantages in e’ve develo 21.5t and ad kko, said: “W Je , that er ks ag ac an sm ck on tr export sale d crane tru se ili ab ed g st a er ine, e’ve m new mach inicrane. W e if it was a m as es 545 and th at JF er e p o ing from th iv er d t ce ke n mar the experie nded to the have respo ing rm fo JF365 and er p for higher ts en em ir requ ines.” t-size mach yet compac

ELECTRIC MINI EXCAVATOR Kubota has revealed a prototype batterymini excavator in an exhibition

Mammoet has announced the

in Japan. The

completion of its acquisition of

company said the

ALE, creating the world’s largest

machine had been

heavy lift and move company by

developed keeping

far, which will now operate as one

the global shift

entity under the Mammoet brand.

towards electric

The Dutch multinational, already

equipment in

the world’s largest lifting service

mind, especially

provider before the merger, said the

in Europe. The

acquisition was completed on January

prototype is still

8 and, over the coming months, a

being tested

fully developed integration plan will

and is not ready

be rolled out “focusing on bringing

for commercial

the two organisations together while

production. It is

maintaining safe and world-class

run by lithium-

service levels to our customers”.

ion batteries and

The combined business will offer

offers power

unparalleled global coverage with over

equivalent to

140 offices and branches worldwide

Kubota’s existing

ensure proximity to the world’s most

diesel engines.

important industrial and urban areas and thus the company’s customer base. British giant ALE was one of the three biggest heavy lift and move companies in the world and was among Mammoet’s biggest competitors in the sector before the acquisition.

UD Trucks continues regional growth Volvo Group truck maker UD Trucks has said the launch of its new Quester model contributed to sales growth in the UAE, Kuwait and Oman last year, and has confirmed Saudi Arabia as a primary focus market for 2020. The launch of the new heavy-duty Quester, a series of major fleet deals and the announcement of a new retail partner in Saudi Arabia were among the highlights of 2019, as UD Trucks enjoyed another positive year across the Middle East, East and North Africa (MEENA) region, said the company. Against the backdrop of extremely challenging economic conditions, the Japanese commercial vehicle brand recorded sales increases in several key regional markets.

In the UAE, UD Trucks sales were up almost 10% year-onyear, despite the overall market shrinking. It was a similar story in Oman, with UD Trucks again registering a 10% growth in market that generally stayed down. Meanwhile, Kuwait bucked the regional trend with truck sales increasing, and helped UD Trucks to double its sales. The company maintained

its number one spot in Bahrain, while reinforcing its position in Qatar as the number one brand in the Japanese trucks segment and number three brand overall, including the European manufacturers. UD trucks termed 2019 as a year of transition for it in Saudi Arabia. Following a mutual agreement to terminate its collaboration

MARCUS CURRY EVENT PREVIEW

BOBCAT, HIDROMEK GEAR UP FOR SAMOTER EQUIPMENT SHOW IN ITALY

JOINS LEEA BOARD Marcus Curry, MD of George

with Rolaco Group, the brand’s previous partner in the Kingdom, UD Trucks announced Zahid Tractor as its new exclusive importer and distributor in the country. Central to UD Trucks’ strong regional performance in 2019 was the Middle East arrival of the New Quester in April. The model introduced key features such as ESCOT automated manual transmission, engines with higher horsepower and user-friendly telematics to deliver greater fuel efficiency, productivity, driver efficiency, safety and uptime. Mourad Hedna, president, UD Trucks MEENA, said: “In 2020 we will continue growing by reinforcing our market share....(delivering) the highest standards of customer service.”

NEW ASTEC COMPACT CRUSHERS American mining products maker Astec Mobile Screens has announced the launch of a new compact product range said to be ideal for operations on smaller sites. The Ranger line will comprise tracked models including jaw, impact and cone crushers, as well as incline screens and trommels.

Ritchie Bros. launches new inspection service

Taylor Lifting As the SaMoTer construction

also preview its larger R-Series

Gear – a premier

machinery show from March

loaders being launched

lifting, hoisting

21-25 in Verona, Italy, draws

later in 2020, representing a

and mechanical

near, Bobcat has said it will

new approach to designing

handling products

present the latest additions to

skid-steer and compact

brand – has joined

its full-liner range of compact

track loaders from Bobcat.

the board of the

equipment including wheeled

Bobcat’s new ‘Waste

Lifting Equipment

and tracked loaders, mini-

Expert’ telescopic loader, the

Engineers

excavators, telehandlers

TL43.80HF, will also make

Association (LEEA).

and attachments, under

their first appearance at the

“I am proud to be

the theme ‘Technology,

show. Another machine

joining the LEEA

Innovation and Efficiency’.

making its first appearance

Board at such an

The Bobcat stand will

will be the E10e electric mini-

important time for

show solutions in every

excavator, claimed by Bobcat

the association,”

customer sector from

as the industry’s first battery-

said Curry, who

construction, roadwork,

powered, zero tail swing

has over 20 years of

rental and demolition to

mini-excavator in the 1t class.

global experience

Meanwhile, Turkish brand

in purchasing and

waste and recycling, material handling and landscaping, Among the firsts for Bobcat

Hidromek has already won

selling, including

two awards at the SaMoTer

im the Middle East,

at SaMoTer will be the first

Innovation Awards 2020 for

showing of new Stage V

its HMK 230 NLC crawler

compact loaders, alongside

excavator, The winning

its recently launched Stage V

machine will join other

M-Series S450, S510 and S530

models of its H4 excvator

skid-steer loaders. Bobcat will

range at Hidromek’s stand.

Global machinery auctioneer Ritchie Bros. (RB) has consolidated the machinery inspection offerings of its constituent brands to offer Ritchie Bros. Inspection Services, a new, comprehensive facility available to customers as part of its Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions. According to RB, IronPlanet and Asset Appraisal Services – two brands it acquired in 2017 - have for years been leaders in the equipment inspection business. IronPlanet has offered inspection content and technology for customers of its online marketplaces,

including its IronClad Assurance(R) equipment condition certification, which ensures buyers receive the equipment they expect. Asset Appraisal Services is a leader in the commercial truck inspection market. Since both were acquired by RB, the company has continued to enhance the inspection capabilities and the number of inspections has increased significantly. Now RB is consolidating these two inspection service providers to formally launch Ritchie Bros. Inspection Services.

KIT SPOTTING FEBRUARY APRIL 20162020

GROVE KEEPS THE HEAT ON IN GERMANY A Grove GMK6400 mobile crane from the fleet of Germany’s BKL Baukran Logistik GmbH played a key role in the construction of a new heat storage system in Ingelheimer Aue between Wiesbaden and Mainz in Germany. The specialists at BKL’s Frankfurt location planned the operation and completed the last lifting job with the powerful Grove allterrain crane, which carefully placed the 35t cover of the heat storage container on the 36m high special container for a total height of 43m after assembly. The diameter of the container was approximately 12m. The GMK6400 — with a lifting capacity of 400t and added MegaWingLift for additional power - showed its full potential during this challenging lift, without taking up as much of a footprint as a large crane. “During this operation, the crane had to lift a heavy load in a relatively confined space. The powerful six-axle GMK6400 crane is an ideal crane for this type of lift,” said a BKL official. “With the additional selfrigging MegaWingLift strength, our GMK6400 from the Frankfurt BKL fleet can handle enormous loads, which proved to be a great advantage in placing the cover on the heat storage container.” The cover was placed on the heat storage for district heating in just one morning. The 35t cover hovered in the air and was placed in the exact predetermined position within a very short time thanks to the skill of the experienced BKL crane operator. “(After) the GMK6400 arrived at the site of Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG, (it) could be quickly assembled and disassembled

due to the self-rigging MegaWingLift hoist,” said the official. The GMK6400 was used in this project for jobs that are often planned for seven- or eight-axle cranes. This saved time and money due to the minimal logistical effort, less effort in obtaining driving permits, and the quick and easy set-up. Among the GMK6400 unique features is the self-rigging MegaWingLift, which increases the crane’s lifting capacity on the 60m main boom by up to 70% and by up to 400% when using a luffing jib. The GMK6400 was also the first large crane model to feature a singleengine concept. The MegaDrive hydrostatic drive allows the crane to transport loads with the precision even when it is set up. The weight savings associated with the MegaDrive contribute to the outstanding load capacities and ensure that the maximum roading weight of 12t per axle is not exceeded.

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SHOW PREVIEW FEBRUARY 2020

ENERGISING THE FUTURE

THE REGION’S PREMIER SHOW FOR THE ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY SECTOR, THE 45TH EDITION OF MIDDLE EAST ENERGY TO BE HELD IN DUBAI NEXT MONTH WILL FOCUS ON THE TECHNOLOGIES FOR TOMORROW IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

iddle East Energy (MEE), the regional event and exhibition dedicated to the electricity and energy sector, returns for its 345th edition next month at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Among the largest for the electricity, g e n e ra t i o n and energy sectors, not just in the region but also globally, this will be the 45th edition of the event, which was formerly known as Middle East Electricity. Returning with a change in name from March 3-5, the event has also undergone what its organisers call “an energetic transformation that will keep the global energy platform at the forefront of a rapidly evolving sector”.

Announcing this year’s event, a statement from the organisers said: “With demand for digitised and renewable energy solutions now at unprecedented levels, the three-day show will bring together the leading lights of the industry, from energy ministers and utilities decision makers to innovative start-ups and future technology providers at DWTC.” The event, organised by Informa Markets (IM), will “once again connect major industry players through power networking and multi-sector growth opportunities”. Mirroring the evolving demands of the worldwide energy industry, Middle East Energy 2020 will host new zones, including a customised Digitalisation Zone, highlighting the latest technologies in digital transformation and an expanded Renewables area. The event will continue to expand upon its longheld role of being a new technological springboard, a comprehensive B2B meeting ground and an educational and knowledge sharing platform for

one of the fastest evolving industries, says IM. “As a driving force for the industry agenda, Middle East Energy has assembled a high-powered advisory board, comprising 21 industry experts, which has identified key content themes that will form the basis of the 2020 Conference Programme, the strategic conference series which runs alongside the main exhibition. The conferences will feature a high-calibre line-up of 150-plus speakers who will provide critical insights and discuss the future ahead, in the presence of utility providers, governments, procurement, project managers and contractors,” said the statement. Under an overarching theme ‘Energy in Transition, connecting the world: Demand, Digitalisation, Diversification’, the event’s advisory board, has set five content streams over three days of indepth discussions, which will explore: Policy v Technology; Decarbonisation & SDGs; Power of Digital – How to create value; Effective Renewables

“The three-day show will bring together the leading lights of the industry, from energy ministers and utilities decision makers to innovative start-ups” Integration; and New Business Models. Last year’s edition of the event saw an increasing shift towards using telematics and technology in generator operation and management, with features such as remote monitoring and data utilisation for various predictive and performance purposes. Another visible trend was the increase in adoption of cleaner and renewable power sources in the Middle East – a region not known for its concerns about non-fossil fuel power. In attendance last year were manufacturers and service providers from the power generation and engine sector from around the globe, led by such global brands as Cummins, Stamford, Perkins, Doosan Portable Power, Volvo Penta, FPT Industrial and others, as well as local and regional heavyweights such as Jubaili Bros. Among the biggest developments last year as far as participation was concerned, was the debut of JCB Power Products at the show. The brand, already having etched its name on the region’s

power generation and portable power sector with a track record of successful projects going back several years, displayed its generator sets from several products lines, underlining the importance of the event to the power sector and the major manufacturers in it. JCB showed off some if its seven newly introduced open set models in its S range of generators for the Middle East, all powered by Volvo diesel engines and featuring Mecc Alte alternators, Deep Sea Electronics (DSE) controllers and Schneider switchgear. Kohler-SDMO, another big name, had both indoor and outdoor booths under the theme ‘Powering the Future’, and visitors also participated in some Virtual Reality experiences. Adrian Ridge, president of the company’s generator division, said: “(The event) was a fantastic forum to meet with the major players in the region’s power generation industry. We shared our vision with both new and existing

customers about how Kohler-SDMO is ‘Powering the Future’ through innovations such as the new QAS VSG generator, TwinPower concept and its latest evolution in light tower technologies.” Among other major introductions by global brands at last year’s edition was alternator manufacturer Stamford’s global launch of its S7 and S9 model ranges offering increased power densities at higher kVA ratings. The Cummins groups brand, a major alternator supplier on the global market, said both new alternators were displayed publicly for the first time in the world at the exhibition, testifying to the growing importance of Middle East Energy on the global stage. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and hosted by the UAE Ministry of Energy, Middle East Energy will take place between March 3-5 March, 2020, at Dubai World Trade Centre.

TECHNOLOGY FEBRUARY 2020

The money that Volvo machines save on fuel consumption and maintenance in the long run, along with being highly productive, delivers a low total cost of ownership overall for customers.

TCO TALKS

WITH VOLVO CE’S FOCUS ON DELIVERING PROFITABILITY FOR CUSTOMERS, WHICH WILL SOON SEE IT OPEN AN UPTIME CENTRE IN THE GCC IN LINE WITH SUCH OTHERS ELSEWHERE IN THE EMEA REGION, THE COMPANY’S “RESIDENT EXPERT” ON TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP, STEFAN PETTERSSON, EXPLAINS THE CONCEPT

t’s a term that has increasingly come to be seen as the cornerstone of profitability of fleets and projects: Total Cost of Ownership or TCO. As technology improves and ever more advanced models of construction equipment break ground, similar advances in IT are being utilised by the equipment sector to improve uptime and performance of construction machinery. Among the companies at the forefront of this is Volvo Construction Equipment. The Swedish giant is one of the biggest advocates of TCO, which it defines as the value left after dividing the cost per hour of owning and operating a machine by what it produces either in tonnage or cubic metres in the same time period. Volvo CE’s TCO champion is application engineer Stefan Pettersson, the company’s “resident expert” on the subject for the company’s Sales Region EMEA. With Volvo opening its EMEA Uptime Centre at its base in Eskilstuna, Sweden, and soon to open another

similar Uptime Centre in Dubai – both of which will contribute to maximising uptime for customers and therefore raising TCO - he explains the TCO concept in a question and answer session. What is TCO? How does Volvo CE define it? We calculate TCO as the cost of owning and operating a machine in dollars per hour divided by what it produces either in tons or cubic metres per hour. Owning costs include the purchase price, residual value, depreciation, interest, insurance and tax. Operating costs include fuel consumption, wear parts, preventative maintenance and repairs. What are the biggest contributors to TCO? Fuel consumption, maintenance requirements and productivity are undoubtedly the biggest contributors to TCO today. What are the main obstacles to achieving the best possible TCO? The first main obstacle is not having connected

machines. Connecting machines to our CareTrack telematics system helps customers monitor the main factors influencing the TCO of their fleet – fuel consumption, utilisation, machine health and operating behaviour – so that they can identify areas for improvement, set targets and take action. Another key obstacle to achieving the best possible TCO is not having the correct number and capacity of machines onsite based on the target tons per hour or cost per ton. If there is a mismatch, machines will waste time and fuel idling or waiting for their partner machines to be ready. Finally, if customers don’t invest in training their operators, they don’t allow them to reach their full potential. Well-trained operators have a feeling for how much power they need, plan their work efficiently and take good care of their machines, leading to lower fuel consumption, lower maintenance and repair costs and greater productivity. What is reason behind Volvo CE’s big focus on TCO? At Volvo CE, we strive to put customer success at the

15 heart of everything we do. And along with having safe and environmentally-conscious operations that meet production targets and deadlines, profitability is a crucial part of customer success. Our customers simply cannot continue to operate if their business is not profitable. As a premium brand, Volvo does not have the cheapest purchase prices on the market. The level of innovation and quality in the design and manufacture of our machines is, by necessity, reflected in the ticket price. But we can offer our customers the best value for money on the market. The money that Volvo machines save on fuel consumption and maintenance in the long run, along with being highly productive, delivers an impressively low total cost of ownership overall. That’s what sets us apart from our competitors and makes all the difference to our customers. But TCO is not only down to the machines themselves; it’s also how they are used. That’s why we aim to work proactively with customers in a consultative way to lower their costs even further.

How can Volvo CE help customers improve their TCO on their machines? I have already mentioned the benefit of CareTrack in lowering TCO. If customers need further assistance in interpreting the data, our Insight Reports are a great help. Customers can see at a glance the actual payback they are getting from their machines. Another important TCO tool is SiteSim, which calculates the optimum set-up for a customer’s site to minimise wasteful waiting or idling. The software can even recommend the ideal routes operators should drive. There are also many different options for training operators, but I personally prefer training using simulators .Volvo CE simulators use the same software and data as Volvo CE’s Technology function for R&D purposes, which makes them as close to the real thing as possible. Operators can practice their skills with no risk to the machine or other people and we can even install simulators at a customer’s site to minimise time away from production.

How will these tools develop in the future? We’ve already made some recent exciting advances, such as our latest update on Volvo Co-Pilot, which now includes an ‘Operator Coaching’ function, encouraging improvements in driving techniques by targeting known operator behaviours that have a significant effect on fuel efficiency. Through instant feedback, the effect of operating behaviour is shown in real time on a screen in the cab and the operator is able to recognise the criteria and understand the effects of their actions related to these criteria. This real-time information helps operators make better decisions in reducing fuel consumption and machine wear and tear. Since 2018, Volvo has also used drone measurements and photos to create 3D models of customers’ sites. This helps us reach a new level of accuracy with our simulations. We can now also input these 3D models into our simulators for operators to practice the exact tasks and routes they will take in real life. Simulations are going to become an even more important part of the way we work with customers.

“TCO is not only down to the machines themselves; it’s also how they are used. That’s why we aim to work proactively with customers in a consultative way to lower their costs even further”

CMME TOP 10 FEBRUARY 2020

JEBEL JAIS: THE ROAD TO THE TOP It often happens that we look

and machine. This challenge was

road in mid-air over a sheer drop.

the plunge would probably be

far and wide for something

met by Yaghoub Alipour Vaezi and

You can imagine how perilous it

about a hundred metres or more

valuable only to find it is right at

his team from General Mechanic

can be when some of your wheels

and you could kiss both operator

our doorstep. A little bit of this

Company, the project’s contractors,

are not in contact with the road

and the machine good bye.”

happened to us when we visited

fortified with an army of Volvo

surface. And it wasn’t as if the drop

a road construction site in the

CE equipment backed up by the

on the side was just a couple of

powerhouse equipment dealer

emirate of Ras Al Khaimah – the

Swedish giant’s dealer FAMCO,

metres. Instead, if your equipment

provided 50 pieces of Volvo

road to the top of Jebel Jais,

one of the biggest machinery

the highest point in the UAE.

companies in the region.

While it was a blistering summer

rolled off the road,

Enter Volvo and FAMCO. The

construction equipment to the project and 33 Volvo trucks.

ISSUE 59 SEPTEMBER 2016

“This is 36km of some of

Among the army of Volvo

afternoon down below in August

the most challenging and

excavators that worked

2016, near the top of the 1904m

difficult roadworks you can

on the project were the

mountain the temperature was

find,” Vaezi told CMME. “When

a more salubrious 33 degrees

we compare this road with

Celsius and the breeze that hit

regular roads and highways,

our faces didn’t seem like it was

you can see that our work here

out of a furnace. Combine the

was tough. It is impossible to

climate - it regularly drops to

imagine how difficult it was to

below freezing in peak winter –

access the area, and especially

the rarefied air at those heights

transport heavy equipment to

and the craggy, forbidding, hard,

the places it was required.

bare-bones rocky mountainous

“We had these very narrow

terrain and we get a sense of

and rough tracks to move on

how building the UAE’s highest

with the Volvo dump trucks.

road up its tallest mountain was

Sometimes one or more

a unique challenge for both man

wheels were hanging off the

IONAL LICENSED BY INTERNAT TECHNOLOGY PUBLICAT ION ION ZONE, DUBAI Y MEDIA PRODUCT ZONE AUTHORIT AND MEDIA FREE

PlUs

RaW PoWER nEWs & analysis kit sPot ting anD MuCH MoRE sEConD lifE

y Used machiner enJoys a new lease of life

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EC700, EC480, EC460 and EC380, EC290 and EC210. The excavated material was hauled away by Volvo’s A35F and A35E articulated haulers, which were loaded by Volvo L120F and L180G wheel loaders. And for the eight years of project’s duration, the

Moving Mountains

d Jebel Jais roa

dE tHE road and famCo ma ssiblE How volvo CE HEst pEak po Hig E’s Ua E to tH

fleet of 33 Volvo FMX trucks worked round-the-clock to carry more than 5.5 million cubic metres of rocks and aggregates to build the road.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CENTURY OVER THE YEARS, CMME HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING SOME AMAZING PROJECTS, SITES, PLANTS AND EVENTS BOTH AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD. AS YOUR FAVOURITE MAGAZINE CELEBRATES ITS 100TH ISSUE, WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AND PICK THE TEN BEST REPORTS WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE CARRIED FROM SUCH VISITS

CMME TOP 10 FEBRUARY 2020

“We had to completely rethink the way we work and how we look upon machine efficiency – pushing the boundaries of our competence”

VOLVO CE-SKANSKA SITE: AUTOMATED, EMISSION-FREE QUARRY In an era when global warming

and their partners revealed

future vision where work sites

and climate disruption are very

how that seemingly normal

are ten times more efficient, with

real threats and eco-friendly

looking quarry had been the

zero accidents, zero unplanned

and Skanska aimed to achieve the

technologies are the way forward,

stage for the past 10 months of

stops and zero emissions”.

same output as Skanska’s usual

Volvo CE has always flown the

a play of such importance that

Drawing on the electromobility

equipment but with up to 95%

green flag high with its innovations

it could well decide how job-

and automation expertise of

lower carbon emissions and up to

on zero-emission machines,

sites operated in the future.

the Volvo Group, the research

25% lower total cost of operations.

processes and technologies. Not only has the Swedish giant

In a test of the viability of Volvo’s

diesel power was still used. With the Electric Site, Volvo CE

project, aimed to electrify each

Melker Jernberg, president, Volvo

Electric Site concept quarry, a

transport stage in a quarry – from

CE, said: “We had to completely

invested heavily in research and

system incorporating electric and

excavation to primary crushing, and

rethink the way we work and how

development to roll out green

autonomous Volvo machines ran

transport to secondary crushing

we look upon machine efficiency

machines, it has also partnered

in a real production environment

– although a small amount of

– pushing the boundaries of

with other companies in the

for 10 weeks with the aim of

construction and allied industries

realising certain set targets

to pilot new ways of doing work

for emission reduction

together with Skanska is not

that are both environmentally

and cost of operations.

a commercial solution for sale

cleaner and economically leaner.

The actual result was even

CMME was invited to visit one

better than anticipated and

such project in the winter of 2018

the gathered media heard

– an automated and emission free

that over its operational

quarry outside of Gothenburg,

period the Electric Site

Sweden, near Volvo’s home base.

quarry had achieved a

Operated in collaboration with

98% reduction in carbon

another Swedish giant, Skanska,

emissions, a 70% reduction

the Vikan Kross quarry is a proving

in energy cost and a 40%

ground for technologies that

reduction in operator cost.

may well become ubiquitous in

results also indicate that

cleaner and greener future.

the Electric Site project

morning, Volvo CE, Skanska

today and we will evaluate the outcome of the tests,

E LOOKING TO SURGSec tor

but we have learnt so much

Generator er Forward PLanS to Pow

already, elements of which

GS S GIANT OF SMALL THIN Son reinForce wacker neU in the reGion itS PoSition

will be fed into our future product development.”

T HE QU A RR Y REIMAGINED

VoLVo ce

Substituting diesel machines with Volvo’s HX2 autonomous, battery-electric dumpers; 70t dual powered, cable connected EX1 excavator protype; and LX1 electric hybrid prototype

y ahead ShowS the wa project SwediSh giant Site reSearch ic tr ec el th wi

is a big step towards helping it “achieve (its)

site solution we developed

PLUS

According to Volvo, the

quarries around the world in a On a cold and windy November

our competence. The total ISSUE 88 FEBRUARY 2019

wheel loader, the success of the pilot project can truly be

00_Cover.indd 1 1/30/19 4:08 PM

called the quarry reimagined.

SUEZ CANAL EXPANSION: PARTING THE DESERT When the New Suez Canal was

consisted of a 35km waterway

able to travel in both directions,

per day at the project’s peak.

officially opened in August,

parallel to the existing canal to

with transit times shortened from

A total of 195 million cubic

2015, it represented not only an

improve capacity in addition to

18 to 11 hours southbound, and

metres were dredged out.

important project for Egypt, but

widening and deepening the

waiting times reduced to under

a significant achievement for the

original channel, carried out in

three hours from the previous

by an integrated consortium of

men, machines and dredging

two sections amounting to 37km.

8-11. The average of daily vessel

four contractors – Jan De Nul,

transits is also up from the 49

Boskalis, NMDC and Van Oord – in

before the project and is expected

a contract worth a total of $1.5bn.

vessels responsible for the feat. With massive earthworks and

On the entire combined 72km of the project vessels are now

dredging of millions of cubic

to double to 97 by 2023.

metres of material, it was the

Realising these plans

ISSUE 46 AUGUST 2015

largest infrastructure project

The dredging was executed

Jan De Nul’s civil works operations manager Pieterjan

required major earthworks,

Versteele told CMME that due to

completed that year in the

both dry works and dredging.

the project’s compressed time

Middle East and among the

The figures for the entire

schedule, the mobilisation time

project are huge: dry

was very short. “The contract was

excavation of 258 million

signed and the dredgers should

cubic metres, revetment works

have been working already. To

dredging and earthworks

along 100km of the canal

reach the target of dredging 195

in one year, rather than

and a total dredging volume

million cubic metres in 10 months

the three years originally

– including 37km of bypasses

(October to July), an average

planned for added an extra

– of 250 million cubic metres.

daily production of 600,000

biggest ever in the region. The Egyptian government’s decision to complete all

SWEDISH YELLOW

Volvo CE launches new loaders for the region

THE LONG GAME

Case Construction on its regional growth

dimension of challenge.

DREDGING

THE SUEZ PROJECT

The price tag for the whole project rang in at $8.5bn, paid for by the Egyptian public through an investment certificate scheme. The project mainly

Dredgers and machines on the New Suez PLUS: RAW POWER

* NEWS & ANALYSIS * THE LAST WORD * KIT SPOTTING

Canal

* AND MUCH MORE

Works on the 35km parallel

cubic metres was required. But

waterway set new records,

with low production during the

including the most cutter

mobilisation and demobilisation

suction dredgers mobilised

period, the consortium had

for a one-year project – 21 –

production of over 1.2 million

and highest daily production

to 1.4 million cubic metres

– 1.4 million cubic metres

during the peak phases.”

“To reach the target of dredging 195 million cubic metres in 10 months (October to July), an average daily production of 600,000 cubic metres was required”

CMME TOP 10 FEBRUARY 2020

SAUDI-OMAN BORDER ROAD: BRIDGING THE SEA OF SAND The 600km Saudi-Oman border

With temperatures reaching 50

knew it would be difficult but not

68 units of 35F articulated

had no roads crossing it before

degrees Celsius or even higher

impossible. The company invested

haulers and 10 of the large

2015. With no direct land route

during the day and plummeting

significantly in new equipment

EC700C hydraulic excavators,

between the two countries, road

to 1 degree during the night, as

to take on the project, with the

used for quarrying out dunes.

freight and travellers to and from

well as harsh winds constantly

final fleet made up of a total of

each country took a circuitous

blowing sand, it’s a difficult area

95 Volvo CE machines, including

route via the UAE. But a ‘land

for construction work. But

bridge’ linking the two countries

while the Empty Quarter is

opened in the second half of

the stuff of legends, even a

challenge from day one,

2015 and changed all that.

desert is not impervious to

whether it was the climatic

The Saudi-Oman border port –

Describing the challenges, Fahad Hazza Aba Alros, GM, AlRosan Contracting, said: “The entire project was a

ISSUE 39 JANUARY 2015

the steady march of progress:

conditions, topography

as it is known – included 565km

the Shaybah oil field is a

of the area, the distance

of road in the Empty Quarter

major production site for

on the Saudi side, and 160km in

Aramco, with numerous

Oman. The new route shortened

rigs, living quarters and

the road trip by 400km, reducing

machines working, and with

None of the usual factors

transport costs for freight and

over 400km of pipeline

associated with success were

passengers, and boosting tourism.

within the desert itself.

present in this project.”

But there was a good reason

QUARRY UP-TIME

KSA production hits 327m tonnes

from the nearest inhabited

Raimondi on its rising presence

city or the availability of

MARKET LIFTERS

spare parts and services.

So, when Saudi

why no land route existed across

contracting company Al-

this border before the current

Rosan Contracting won

one: in the south of the Arabian

a contract to build the

Peninsula lies the Rub Al Khali

256km stretch of highway

desert (or Empty Quarter), the

through the desert and

largest sand desert in the world.

to the Oman border, they

In all, 130 million cubic SAUDI-OMAN LAND BRIDGE

DESERT HAULERS

Two GCC neighbours joined by a road throug al Khali desert - and the haulers that made h the Rub’ it possible

PLUS: RAW POWER

NEWS & ANALYSIS

THE LAST WORD

SITE VISIT

AND MUCH MORE

metres of sand cut and fill were used. In terms of volume, this is equivalent to more than 50 Great Pyramids of Giza. The memory of the site visit still awes us at CMME Towers.

“The entire project was a challenge from day one, whether it was the climatic conditions, topography of the area, the distance from the nearest inhabited city or the availability of spare parts and services. None of the usual factors associated with success were present in this project”

CMME TOP 10 FEBRUARY 2020

“The acceptable number for faults is zero, so we are constantly striving to gain complete control on quality”

CASE CE LECCE PRODUCTION LINE: BUILDING A CASE A lot of the Case equipment

on WCM in 2008 and in 2014

own sets of quality checks, not

hydraulic system is the heart of our

available in our region is made in

the plant won the bronze medal,

the least of which is a specific

machine, so we absolutely cannot

the CNH Industrial-owned brand’s

which tells you how serious we

double check of all the tightening

allow any problem to arrive at the

Italian production facilities, such

are about delivering on quality.

torques. At the end of the line,

end of the line and none whatsoever

as its plant at Lecce in southern

The advantage of WCM logic

100% of finished production units

to our customers,” says Piccoli.

Italy. Taking CMME on a tour of

is that we can see continuous

undergo functional tests and the

the facility in November 2016,

improvement based on training

all-important hydraulic stress tests.

plant manager Paolo Piccoli

and implement well-thought

said: “When we talk of Case, we

out methods to avoid errors.”

are talking about 174 years of

“Quality gates detect errors and

A spate of quality checks run

While production may be over, for many machines, an ordeal is just about to begin. Experts

double check for all the torque.

from the plant’s proving grounds

This is really important because the

take over next, putting random

history, so our brand is a really big

along the production lines,

one. This plant is big, too, with

with the aim of filtering

production lines for compact wheel

out mistakes as soon as

facilities and testing them to

loaders, telehandlers, backhoe

possible and to have the

within inches of their lives.

loaders and wheel loaders.”

ability to track back to

In pursuit of a quality product, Case has invested heavily in quality processes at its Lecce plant, where

machines through rigorous ISSUE 62 DECEMBER 2016

steps at the on-premises test

The machines are driven for IONAL LICENSED BY INTERNAT OGY PUBLICAT ION TECHNOL ION ZONE, DUBAI Y MEDIA PRODUCT MEDIA FREE ZONE AUTHORIT AND

where the mistake was first made for rectification.

hours on various kinds of terrain and made to perform

The plate cutting areas,

repetitive tasks. Some are

a staunch belief in the benefits

the bending and shaping

of World Class Manufacturing or

areas, the welding areas,

PLUS

where they are rolled and

WCM runs high, Piccoli says.

the loader arm fabrication

flipped over, lifted up, turned

“We have made several

line and the front and rear

TOP EVENTS ION’S MADE THE REGK INDUSTRY TIC

investments to assure zero

frame fabrication lines,

defects, which is one of the

as also the frame, boom

key requirements of WCM. The

and axle painting areas,

acceptable number for faults is zero,

all have individual quality

so we are constantly striving to

gates with various tests.

gain complete control on quality,” he explains. “We started to work

Thereafter, the final assembly process has its

packed into a special chamber THE YEAR THAT WAS THAT

ERS HOT NEW COLD PLAN R

CATERPILLA ADDS TWO NEW D MODELS TO ROA E-UP MACHINERY LIN

BUILDING A CASE

FACTORY VISIT

ES TO LOOK AT LY HIND THE SCEN ILITIES IN ITA CMME GOES BE FAC G RIN TU FAC CASE’S MANU

upside down and dropped, smashed and impacted from all sides to test for operator safety in case of an accident. In the end, Case ensures its machines can take a tough life, so that its customers have an easy one.

STEVIN ROCK RAK QUARRY: ROCK SOLID WITH TEREX TRUCKS Terex Trucks’ prowess in making

“As soon as they are cleared

Rock, the TR100s were to carry

past five years millions of tonnes

some of the largest heavy haulers

at the harbour, we’ll get them

that load several times daily.

had been shattered effectively

and dump trucks in the business is

over to the quarry and working.

the stuff of legend. The company’s

I needed them yesterday.”

factory in Motherwell, Scotland,

The trucks were arriving at the

As we drove out of the harbour

reshaping the coastline. The

inland, rising hundreds of metres

quarry itself is a wall of limestone

out of the ground the Stevin

rock that forms an open pit.

has even featured in Discovery

rocky outcrop of the northern

Rock quarry, the place where

The system at work involved

Channel documentaries for the

emirate having completed a sea

mountains are moved, loomed

drilling and blasting planned

production line of the TR100 Rock

voyage from Scotland to Jebal Ali

large. The quarry was being

rock benches, loading the

Trucks, which were given the

which CMME had been tracking

expanded extensively and in the

material with either a wheeled

nickname “Scottish heavy metal”.

via updates from Terex over

When ten of the beasts were ordered by mining and quarrying

loader or excavator

the course of four weeks.

with hydraulic grab, and

ISSUE 14 DECEMBER 2012

Bulky all-action heroes

hauling to the selected

giant Stevin Rock for its quarry

that dare to go where

destination with a huge

in the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah

others fear to roll, rock

fleet of off-highway trucks.

emirate, CMME could not but be

trucks really are the Arnold

present to witness their arrival

Schwarzeneggers of heavy

an ageing fleet of older

and deployment at the site in

vehicles. Terex’ TR100 is

haulers from several brands

the northern emirate back in

a 1,000hp behemoth that

and their route into the

December 2012. It turned out to

weighs 56t, is 11m long

quarry would take them

be one of the most memorable

and 5m high. Capable of

past machines no longer

site visits that we have been to.

hauling a 100t load, it’s

needed and stripped of their

The TR100s rolled off the barges

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

The TR100s were joining

all-important heaped

parts. “It’s an elephants’

at Khor Khwair, the harbour at

capacity at 57m3 is the

graveyard,” Turner told us.

the base of Stevin Rock’s quarry.

equivalent of 15,000

In time the TR100s would

Overseeing their arrival was Stevin

gallons. In terms of water

Rock’s quarry manager Simon

that would be enough to

Turner who told CMME that he

last an average household

couldn’t wait to get them working.

for two months. At Stevin

FROM CAD TO RAK

find themselves in that

TR100s land at Stevin Rock PLUS: ACROSS THE INDUSTRY

* NEWS & VIEWS * RAW POWER * MAKING CRANES SAFE

yard but at that moment * AND MORE

they were raring to tackle a forbidding job-site.

CMME TOP 10 FEBRUARY 2020

COMBINED MINING & SHIPPING FUJAIRAH: HIGH ON AGGREGATE The geology of the emirate of

was being added to provide an

articulated truck for road transport

also operated a fleet of articulated

Fujairah on the UAE’s eats coast

extra 850t to the plant’s hourly

and a telehandler. The company

trucks from another manufacturer.

makes its gabbro products

capacity once fully operational.

also operated seven Caterpillar

Rigid trucks were preferred for

Almost all of CMS’s output

C32 generator sets. On the day

on-site work. Most of the gradients

highly desirable. The aggregate has one of the highest specific

was going to Qatar when

of our site visit, the company was

were 10-12%, so a heavily

gravity ratios in the region at

CMME visited the site, feeding

testing a new 986H wheel loader. It

loaded rigid truck and its three

2.9-3.0gm/cm3, and as much as

the country’s demand

56% silicon content, making it

for building material in

an extremely durable and tough

its preparation for the

CMS prefered articulated

core ingredient for concrete.

2022 football World Cup.

tipper lorries for the road

Combined Mining and Shipping

differentials was able to better distribute engine torque.

ISSUE 49 NOVEMBER 2015

The Fujairah operation’s

(CMS), established in 2010 with

aggregate was a variety of

what site manager Michael

sizes: 28, 20 and 10mm

Thomas described as a “very old

for concrete projects, as

and very dilapidated” crusher that

well as 5mm aggregate for

required constant maintenance

asphalt projects. To move

and attention, operates one

the material from blast face

of the largest quarries in the

to crushing plant, and then

region, which CMME visited in

off-site to Fujairah Port for

November 2015. At that time, a

shipping, CMS relied on a

second line, consisting mainly

Caterpillar fleet including

of Metso equipment, was

an array of six wheeled

added to boost plant output to

loaders, four skid-steer

1,100t of aggregate per hour,

loaders, five excavators,

and a third line, again Metso,

two rigid trucks, an

work, because of rapid offFATAL INACTION

HOW KSA CRA NE SAFETY CAN IMPROV E PLUS

RAW POWER ANALYSIS LAST WORD KIT SPOT TING AND MUCH MORE

loading and fast turn-around in the short 6km trip from the site to Fujairah Port. The plant was operating around the clock in two 12-hour shifts, with a fourhour window set aside for

SITE VISIT

ANSWERING THE CALL

TE AT CMME IS ON-SI NING COMBINED MI ING’S IPP SH D AN ATIONS FUJAIRAH OPER

maintenance every morning. The only downtime in production came during blasting operations, when the site was required to be vacated. It was indeed an impressive setup right in CMME’s backyard.

SDLG PLANT VISIT: FROM LINYI WITH LOVE Shandong Lingong Construction

Department, says: “SDLG’s

Machinery Company Ltd. – or

manufacturing standards are

in an adjacent 90,000sqm floor

Shaohua says. The assembly line

SDLG – started in the east central

benchmarked against Volvo CE’s

also follow the same production

is a three-part one with one each

Chinese citu of Linyi in 1972. In the

– the VPS or Volvo Production

design and principles in

for the upper frame, one for the

40 years since, it has piggybacked

System. And the results have

assembling the 1.6 to 50t capacity

lower carriage and another for

on the Chinese economic miracle

been very positive; we have

units. There are two painting lines,

the main line. A maximum of 100

to first become one of the best-

shown steady improvement and

nine welding lines with automated

units can be produced each day.

selling and best-known equipment

(as of 2016) are now very near to

robotic welding arms and three

makers in its home market and

reaching the full VPS standards.

main assembly lines where the

then expanded out globally to

So, Volvo has confidence

carry the flag of Chinese machinery

in our manufacturing.”

and manufacturing abroad. In

On the floor of the

the process, the company has

17,000sqm wheel loader

expanded its premises in Linyi

assembly line, it is apparent

to a space of 1.3 million square

why. Pointing out other

metres, which it occupies today.

salient features in the SDLG

Another landmark year for the

manufacturing process,

company was 2006, when global

Shaohua says the factory

machinery giant Volvo CE brought

follows the ‘Just In Time’

SDLG under its umbrella. What has

production model, which

followed is a series of successful

ensures that just the right

expansion sprees across the globe,

amount of inventory

and especially in the Middle East,

is held at any moment,

where SDLG is among the top

reducing overheads.

Chinese machinery brands today.

The wheel loader shop

Taking CMME on a tour of

floor has a capacity of

SDLG’s home base, Guo Shaohua,

300-500 units per day,

director, Brand Communications

depending on demand.

Meanwhile, the excavator lines

excavators come together,

“The thread that holds the entire production process together is the LPS or Lingong Production System, which leads into

ISSUE 71 SEPTEMBER 2017

SDLG’s moto of ‘Reliability in Action’,” explains Shaohua. “It is made up of five pillars: PLUS

CRUSHING IN LEBANON

veS MB CrUSher SoL Ching LeBaneSe Bat BLeM Pro d San S nt’ PLa

UCTION DRIVING PRODtrU Ck

heavy S MakerS diSCUS tS their ProdUC S and Str ategie FaCtory viSit

FROM LINYI W ITH LOV E

in China to LG’s home base the CMME visits sD nD aCCount of Get a first-haDiCation to quaLity branD’s De

Team co-operation; Stable Processes; Manufacturing Quality; Just-in-time Production; and Continuous Improvement. The last one is of special importance to the 60-odd workers on the floor. They are encouraged to come up with suggestions to improve a continuously evolving process and the best ones are adopted and highlighted throughout the floor.”

“The thread that holds the entire production process together is the LPS or Lingong Production System, which leads into SDLG’s moto of ‘Reliability in Action’”

CMME TOP 10 FEBRUARY 2020

“One of the most important things that this centre enables us to do is to test, validate and guarantee all the claims that we make about our machines when compared to the competition”

EMEA INNOVATION CENTRE: BOBCAT’S LAIR Bobcat’s EMEA Innovation Centre

EMEA market and head of the

We are also responsible for Doosan

requirements, and on top of that to

in Dobris, a small town 40km

Innovation Centre, and Martin

Portable Power Engineering in

make sure that all the performance

southwest of Prague is the hub for

Siska, test laboratory leader.

EMEA, covering the development

and parameters we offer our

of new portable compressors,

customers are fully validated

generators and lighting towers.

and all that we are guaranteeing

testing, research and development

“Bobcat has been here in

activities for the compact equipment

Dobris since 2001 and we have

specialist. Under the centre’s

been engaged in engineering

9,400sqm roof are many areas

and development activities

Centre is to be a centre of

important things that this centre

neatly parcelled into spaces for

since 2003, when the Bobcat

excellence for product design,

enables us to do is to test, validate

designing, prototyping, testing

Czech Development Centre was

development and validation. Our

and guarantee all the claims that

and validating new and existing

established. Then a few years down

main task here is to ensure that the

we make about our machines when

machines and technologies.

the line, we opened this facility, the

products we develop are meeting

compared to the competition.

Bobcat Innovation Centre,” says Rak.

all the regulatory and standard

The largest space by far is taken up by the 8,000sqm shop floor,

“The mission for this Innovation

“Opened in 2015, the

is delivered. One of the most

“What you see here are some of the toughest and most

where new model designs are

Innovation Centre offers world-

given shape from the ground up as

class innovation in all areas

prototypes and then fully built-up

of Doosan Bobcat’s business,

that all the new models we

machines. These then go through

speeding up the introduction

develop are tested under the

rigorous testing and validation

of new products to the

processes that subject all imaginable

market and guaranteeing

parameters of both new and

maximum quality, reliability

existing production models to the

and durability for our

most extreme of conditions and

machines. Our engineering

scenarios, in tests that leave nothing

teams in the centre provide

to chance. After passing through

comprehensive development

the hellfire that the testing and

of compact construction

validation inflicts, the machines are

machinery, comprising

ready to sport the Bobcat badge.

skid-steer loaders, compact

Taking CMME on a guided

excavators, telescopic

tour of this technological pain pit

handlers and attachments

are Dobroslav Rak, Bobcat vice

for these machines, for

president, Engineering for the

customers around the world.

ISSUE 75 JANUARY 2018

PlUs

CRUSHIng BACkand

crUshers t screeners sPo dem and on the horizon

DIggIng DEEP

kers excavator ma ts Firm UP ProdUc s For and str ategieeback com t rke a ma

extensive testing facilities in the industry. We make sure

most stringent conditions and exacting standards. The same stringency and exactitude is extended to serial production models, which we also test here. Samples of all models we produce are randomly selected

BOBCAT’S LAIR

Facility visit

all tour of the sm CMME takes ainnovation and quality cat’s den of

after they leave the assembly line and then subjected to the battery of tests we have here to prove their quality and fitness.” We came away suitably impressed with Bobcat’s dedication to quality.

BAUMA 2019: A RARE HONOUR As the only media body in the

Award at the 2019 edition

entire Middle East to be invited by

of the premier exhibition

Messe Munchen, the organisers

in our sector. After viewing

and with three out of the

of Bauma, to the Bauma Media

presentations from the 15

five winners of the Bauma

Dialogue a couple of months

nominees in a total of five

Innovation Awards being

before the event itself last year,

categories and quizzing

innovations that we had

it was indeed a rare honour

subject matter experts from

and a feather in CMME’s cap to

the nominated companies,

join a group of the elite media

the editor of CMME duly

outlets in the business in getting

cast his vote for his picks of

a curtain raiser on Bauma 2019

the innovations presented.

from the organisers, as well

to report that three of

proceedings for the fair from

the picks we voted for –

the top brands in the world.

Herrenknecht, MOB and

RISE RENTAL ON THERen taL

voted for, it was vindication

THE LOAD MAKING LIGHT OFdeR S

towers we have our fingers

RegionaL comPanieS on an uPSwing

winners this year. it was

in the selection process for the

special for CMME to be

winners of the Bauma Innovation

part of the global media

of the fact that at CMME

wheeL Loa take PoweRed to on joB-SiteS

on the pulse of the industry. In the century of issues

MUNICH M A R V EL S

that your favourite magazine

Bauma 2019

Max Bogl – emerged as

the opportunity to participate

Dialog in January 2019

PLuS

And CMME is happy

as a preview of the plans and

And the icing on the cake was

jury at the Bauma Media ISSUE 91 MAY 2019

has now hit, we count this as our crowning achievement and an affirmation of our

sT as The r ing in Their be Top brands brsT Trade show goes bigge ge world’s big

00_Cover.indd 1 5/2/19 9:24 AM

standards – not only being invited to this prestigious jury but also seeing three of our picks among the winners.

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Explore. Empower. Energise 3 - 5 March 2020 | Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

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

KNOW

30_NEW RELEASES The latest releases from the world of construction machinery.

TOP 10: TIPS FOR RS EXCAVATO

ping eps for kee Essential st ne of your the backbo pe. fleet in sha

34_READY TO DIG The all-important large excavator sector in the region is evolving along with the construction landscape.

40_TRACKS OF SUCCESS Bobcat is increasing its share of the compact tracked loader segment with a wide range of models and tools.

44_WASTE EXPERT Bobcat’s ‘waste expert’ telehandler makes UK debut.

NEW RELEASES FEBRUARY 2020

WACKER NEUSON GOES BACKPACKING WITH VIBRATOR SYSTEM WHY GET IT? PRACTICAL, SAFE CORDLESS ELECTRIC SYSTEM, ZERO-EMISSION AND FLEXIBILITY IN USAGE

LIEBHERR LAUNCHES BIGGEST NC-B SERIES TOWER CRANE WHY GET IT? DEVELOPED FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF URBAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN EMERGING MARKETS Liebherr unveiled the NC-B 12- 70, the third and largest flat-top crane of its new NC-B series to date, at the Excon in India recently. With a maximum lifting capacity of 12t, a maximum radius of 70m and a jib head load capacity of 2t, it is significantly larger than the other cranes in the series, the NC-B 9-62 and NC-B 6-62. A specific 16 EC tower system has been developed for the NC-B cranes. The series also has its own variable climbing system. The new NC-B series was specifically developed to meet the requirements for use in metropolitan areas of emerging countries. The first three models in the new series can cover a wide range of construction projects in these areas. The 9t and new 12t versions are ideal for hoisting heavy prefabricated components – for example for building shopping centres, production plants and car parks. The 6t NC-B 6-62 crane, meanwhile, is perfect for erecting tower blocks in inner-city areas where they work with low load weights but enormous hook heights.

For the NC-B 12-70, the customer can choose from a frequency converter standard hoist gear with a rating of 45kW or an optional 75kW hoist gear, also with a frequency converter. The 75kW hoist gear can achieve hook heights of up to 492m with high handling capacity in two-line operation. The new 16 EC tower system with external dimensions of 1.60m x 1.60m was developed for the new NC-B cranes. As usual with tower systems in these classes, the tower sections are connected using pins and are climbable. The standard length of the tower sections is 3.90m. Extended tower elements with a length of 11.70m can also be used to reach a maximum free-standing hook height of 53.20m quickly and at low cost. The hydraulic climbing unit is suitable for both internal and external climbing. It can be removed in full and is compatible with other Liebherr tower cranes. This means that operators only require one unit which can then be used at different sites. Both the hoist and slewing gear and the trolley are controlled by a frequency converter. This makes infinite acceleration for hoisting, lowering and slewing possible, ensuring very precise crane operation. SPECIFICATIONS

LIEBHERR NC-B 12- 70 Max lift capacity: 12t Max radius: 70m Jib-head capacity: 2t Standard hoist gear rating: 45m

Wacker Neuson’s newly-launched cordless internal vibrator system for concrete consolidation is designed in the form of a backpack and contains a replaceable battery converter system. Using the batterypowered internal vibrator unit, operators can walk around freely without a power cable, enabling quicker and easier work. Wacker Neuson added that by virtue of being battery powered, the machine is also zero-emission and without the safety hazards associated with cabled equipment, eliminating the need to repeatedly plug in and out of different power sockets to reach around larger sites or when working on scaffolding or formwork. The backpack has been designed with padded shoulders and hip straps, and the weight is evenly distributed for greater user comfort. The converter also has a low voltage of 34V for improved safety. Stefan Pfetsch, MD, Wacker Neuson Produktion, said: “With the battery-powered internal vibrator system, we have now developed a world’s-first. We are the only provider on the market to offer a battery backpack with a replaceable battery.” The battery-internal vibrator system has a lithium-ion battery compatible with other zero-emissions products from Wacker Neuson.

Sudhir Rental is one of the leading Power Generator rental and Equipment Rental Company in UAE and Middle East, delivering Rental Power & AWP Equipment to various projects and industries. Our rental equipment can be used for Temporary, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Manufacturing applications. Sudhir Rental caters to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras-alKaimah with the UAE territory in addition to Saudi operations, Riyadh, Damman, Jizan, Gizan etc

ServiceS: Generator rental  Manlift rental  forklift rental  electrical power diStribution  load bankS and lv/Mv cableS  tower liGht www.sudhirrentals.ae United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia

Sudhir Gensets FZE

Branch of Sudhir Gensets Limited

Plot No. 4S01A, Hamriyah Free zone -2 P O Box 52395 Sharjah, UAE Tel: 800 783447 ( SUDHIR ) Email: info@sudhirrentals.ae www.sudhirrentals.ae

103, RETCO TOWER, Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Road, Madinathul Ummal, Dammam Tel: (+966)-13-858-8849 | Fax: (+966)-13-858-8879 Email: info@sudhirrentals.com www.sudhirrentals.com

TOP TEN FEBRUARY 2020

DAILY WALK-AROUNDS Start and end each workday with a walk-around check of your machine. Inspect the undercarriage for cracks in the frame. Make sure all bolts, especially mainframe bolts, are tight. Check chain wear and components. Inspect pin wear regularly to track the percentage of chain wear. Examine hydraulic pistons and components for leaks and damage.

MANAGE ENGINE OIL Maintaining recommended oil change intervals is basic to excavator performance and life. Engine oils, particularly those with additives, can break down under high duty-cycles. Engine oil is no place to save money. Low quality oils or incorrect viscosity can shorten engine life, causing time-wasting and costly repairs.

: N E T P G TO N I N I A T N I A M R O TIPS F S R O T A V A EXC EPS TO FOLLOW FOR KEEPPISNHGATPHEE IN TO T SOME ST E E L F R U E OF YO BACKBON

CHECK FUEL LINES The water separators that primary fuel filters have to remove water-in-suspension within fuel require daily inspection and draining. When removing the fuel cap, check for a vacuum, which indicates a clogged tank vent - not unusual in dusty conditions. Before filling, drain some fuel from the bottom of the tank for debris and water to run out until the fuel runs clean.

USE THE RS TE al RIGHreTthFe IL most critic

Filters a le-free ts for troub componen designed te nce. Fil rs a rm o rf e p e clean machine ines provid h c a m r la u ter and for partic prevent wa d n a ly p p engine. fuel su ing into the tt e g m o fr nondebris tation to use ve p m te e th Avoid lters ha . Clogged fi fuel OEM filters to damage l a ti n te o p the mps. transfer pu

05 LOOK AFTER THE BUCKET Excavator buckets are subject to considerable and constant wear. It’s essential to inspect the bucket for correct size, design and wear. Do not run the teeth past 50% of their profile, at which point piercing ability and performance drops off rapidly. Inspect the bucket daily for cracks, as well as for any upkeep needed for the cutting edges, side cutters and hard-faced surfaces. Discovering these issues early prevents costly repair and downtime.

INSPECT ATTACHMENTS At regular intervals, bring the attachment close to the ground to check all welds and joints for cracks. Stress cracks develop over time; if caught early, they can be easily repaired. Wipe down the inspection area; grease or debris on the attachment often disguises cracks. Also check grease lines, hydraulic cylinders and tubing to spot loose bolts.

KEEP IT COOL Keep the radiator, oil cooler and other heat exchangers clean. Oil or coolant leaks can collect dust and debris, which slows air passage and acts as an insulator to lessen heat exchange. Be sure heat shields and insulation in the radiator and engine compartments are in place and in good condition. Replace coolants as per recommendations.

TRUST S T THE EXPEoRnnel in the

nt for pers It’s importa ongoing erstand the operate. field to und hines they c a m e th f always health o dealers are d n a rs re tu cessary Manufac vide the ne ready to pro training, so utilise and information wledge ire the kno this to acqu carry out and skills to ce maintenan s. n o ti c fun

09 08

LUBRICATE ATTACHMENTS Frequent greasing of attachments is key for long pin and bushing life. Pin/bushing tolerances are tight when the machine is new. Miss just one greasing interval and tolerances won’t stay tight. Adding grease later does not stop the wear, so avoid cutting corners.

07 10

DON’T NEGLECT MANUALS Although often overlooked, it always pays to review a machine’s operation and maintenance manual to become familiar with its safety features, instrumentation, controls, service schedules and maintenance points. Typically stored in an excavator’s cab, the manual contains the manufacturer’s official recommendations for optimum usage.

EXCAVATORS FEBRUARY 2020

READY TO DIG

THE ALL-IMPORTANT LARGE EXCAVATOR SEGMENT IN THE REGION IS EVOLVING AS THE MIDDLE EAST CONSTRUCTION LANDSCAPE MATURES, WITH DEMAND EXPANDING TO NEW WEIGHT CLASSES AND TYPES OF MACHINES, AND CUSTOMERS HAVING A WIDE CHOICE OF MODELS, TECHNOLOGIES AND BRANDS TO CHOOSE FROM

he excavator is the mainstay of the Middle East’s construction equipment market, just as it is in any other region in the world. As the most common and widely used piece of construction machinery, its importance cannot be overstated, whether the job in questions is in construction, infrastructure, road-building, oil & gas or any other project that requires earth or material to be moved from one place to another, or the ground to be dug. Markets in every region around the globe have their own demands, peculiarities and preferences - as well as their own way of evolving – and the Middle East’s excavator sector is no exception. Over the years it has developed its own habits, requirements and preferences in terms of the kinds of models that are popular here, the weight classes most in demand and the brands and features favoured. It is common knowledge that the 20t class of excavators rules the roost in our region. Throughout the GCC, this is the most ubiquitous digger and the most asked for. Or make that a used-to-be. Because subtle shifts are happening in the machinery landscape in the region, which have seen the sector mature and expand its appetite to include more machines of varied weight classes

and designs, along with some of the latest technological advancements. In a sign of the change and evolution of the excavator sector in the region, one of the best-known brands on the market no longer finds its 20-tonner its sole volume spinner in the market. At Volvo CE, the 50t model has joined the 20t one as among the Swedish giant’s most popular in the region, and a wheeled model has also come up the popularity charts to assume great importance. “The most popular Volvo models are the EC220DL and EC480DL crawler excavators and the EW205 wheeled excavator. Their productivity and reliability exceed the market norms and the efficiency of their fuel consumption differentiates them from the competition. They are simple to operate and strong enough to deal with tough applications,” says Ilkay Fidan, business director for Africa, Turkey and the Middle East at Volvo CE. Giving his take on the market he adds: “All excavator models from 20-90t have been used in the GCC in different applications. The majority of crawler excavators in operation fall into the 20t class, but the 50t and 30t classes follow closely behind. The 50t excavators are typically used in quarries or heavy infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, most of the wheeled excavator market is for 18-20t models.” For Volvo, the EC480DL excavator, its 50t model, has given encouraging signs in recent times, and Fidan says: “In the 50-ton excavator class, Volvo is the number one or two

35 Volvo CE’s offering in the 50-ton segment, the EC480DL, is one of the most popular models in its weight-class in the region and is part of the Swedish brand’s wide range.

brand depending on the market. The Volvo EC480DL excavator has a good reputation for productivity and reliability and gets the lion’s share of the market. “Volvo also offers the EW145 and EW205 wheeled excavator models, which are 15t 21t respectively. The 17-20t class is the biggest on the market. We see the market demand for wheeled excavators getting bigger and bigger year after year, especially for those of 20t and above. “Demand for wheeled excavators has been increasing mainly because many big infrastructure projects have been completed in the Gulf and they are coming into the maintenance period/phase for these projects. This is supporting the growing need for wheeled excavators.” The 20t crawler segment, though, continues to remain important in the Middle East’s equipment landscape. Seemingly in acknowledgement, Volvo offers two more models in the class apart from its popular EC220DL: the ED200DL and EC210DL. Explaining what differentiates them, Fidan says: “The EC200DL is the entry model in this class. It offers a basic bucket application where the customer does not need all the extras on the machine. It is more economical compared to other models when it comes to the initial investment as well as maintenance. “When it comes to the EC210DL and EC220DL, the main difference is the productivity expectation on bucket applications. Different bucket sizes give you different levels of production. The unique Volvo ECO mode technology and an electrohydraulic system improves the fuel efficiency of both models. The EC210DL has a Volvo D5 engine and the EC220DL has a D6 engine. “All three units can work on the same jobsites but their different bucket sizes will give you different production results.” The 20t is also key to the line-up of British biggie JCB. Ahmed Shouman, GM, JCB Middle East, explains: “In the Middle East, the highest demand is for the 20t and 30t machines, followed by the 40t. We cover the entire range from the 8.5t up to the 40t. The JS205 tracked excavator is our highest selling model. It is a 21.5-tonner. We also have another 20t, the JS220, as well as the heavier JS305, JS370 and JS380 Quarry Master rounding off Middle East range. We have other models in our lineup globally, which we can still offer int he Middle East, but they come with a lot more electronics, which customers in this region do not always prefer.” To tackle this, JCB has kept its machines in the Middle East simple, he adds. “Machines working conditions such as we find in our region - whether they are climatic extremes

EXCAVATORS FEBRUARY 2020

NEW KOMATSU SCOOPERS

TWIN ASSAULT Japanese giant Komatsu recently introduced two new models to the region, which hare of great importance to the Middle East’s excavator segment. The 50t weight class C500LC-10R has several features and upgrades that makes it among the standard bearers in its class on the market. “Among the improvements that Komatsu has engineered into the model is a 21% increase in efficiency compared to the PC450-8R. There are also other features such as advanced management system of variable engine speed matching control, fan clutch system and reduction of hydraulic piping loss that contribute to its efficiency,” says Ashraf Hashish, senior GM, Komatsu Middle East

The 50-tonner offers higher productivity with a larger bucket capacity and powerful digging operation and its design also means lower maintenance cost for the customer. Detection systems prevent failure of main components and a more visible monitor screen makes it easy to read maintenance information. In addition there is a new larger-sized undercarriage and heavy-duty main frame to improve robustness and reliability. A large, comfortable cab enhances the operator environment and an optional rear-view monitor system improves safety for the operator

or a certain technology level that this market prefer - need to be units without too much complication. We ensure we have robust machines that can perform in the harsh weather and job-site conditions in this region. “A lot of customers here still ask for mechanical engines and components on their machines and so our JS205 and JS305 come with mechanical engines. And the former is our highest seller here, being our main offering for the 20t segment. We listen to our customers and give them what they ask for and they are

Piggybacking on the popularity of its smaller and compact equipment JCB’s large excavators have found wide acceptance in the Middle East market.

Komatsu’s second new release is the PC210-10M0, which now spearheads the company’s assault on the vital 20t excavator sector in the region. The most important point about the models is that they are designed and made specifically for the Middle East, and not a global model

happy with the performance of JCB machines.” JCB has grown market share and market penetration in the Middle East rapidly in the last two year, Shouman reveals. “We doubled our tracked excavator market share in that time and today the figure is in two digits, competing with the major premium brands in the region. The best performing countries for us in terms of volume are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Kuwait, in that order.” Meanwhile, Japanese giant Hitachi has seen a good run of late in the regional

“We doubled our tracked excavator market share… and today the figure is in two digits. The best performing countries for us are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Kuwait”

tweaked for the region with a reduction in specs. Explaining the specificity of the new model in an exclusive conversation with CMME, Hashish, says: “Our new 20t excavator features a new design. The existing 20t model was due for an upgrade and when we went in for that upgrade we improved a whole bunch of things in terms of machine weight, productivity and fuel consumption. This new machine has many innovative features. The most important new figure is the 20% lower fuel consumption. Despite increase in both capacity and weight due to a bigger bucket and a strengthened boom, we have reduced fuel consumption.”

excavator market. Wim Aernouts, director, Middle East Crane Equipment Trading (MECET), the Hitachi dealer in the UAE, reveals: “When it comes to sales performance, things are looking up for Hitachi. The brand upped its market share in the Middle East excavator segment to the double digits when seen for the total of crawlers and wheeled. We are seeing a lot of interest and requests from the market, especially from the oil & gas sector. Margins continue to be limited but it looks like appetite may be returning to the market, especially when it comes to the larger Hitachi crawlers. As far as specific countries go, we are the most bullish about Iraq.” Hitachi’s excavator range starts form the 8.5t ZX85 and goes all the way up to ZX870 in the 85t class. These are what Aernouts calls the normal excavators. Beyond this range are the really large mining excavators and shovels in excess of 100t. “Perhaps unlike many other brands in the market, Hitachi has an extensive range of mining machines, so it’s difficult to say that we have any one sort of excavator in our stable that’s the most popular. I would say our most popular excavator is the 870. And our 120t class ZX1200 is another poplar model. “The market for the 20t and 30t machines is of course big in this region and that has its impact on Hitachi as well, with the two classes contributing substantial volumes. But for us it’s a balance between the smaller and bigger machines.” A noteworthy aspect of Hitachi’s machines is that almost all its big crawlers are available with long boom options. These are typically

37 useful in marine applications, such as building breakwaters or dredging, explains Aernouts. “While MECET covers only the UAE in terms of sales for Hitachi equipment, our buyers have international footprints that often see the machines we sell them deployed for work in other countries after being bought in the UAE. In those cases, our after-sales staff follow those machines around the region. We have Hitachi diggers working in Saudi, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, and we service them all onsite but based out of our hub in Dubai.” Meanwhile for Caterpillar, the global number one in the equipment industry, the GCC has traditionally been a market which has a special affinity for its brand. And the company has always paid special importance to the demand of its GCC customers. This was in ample evidence only a couple of months ago when the company’s dealer for all the GCC countries except Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Abdul Rahman Al-Bahar, officially launched the new Cat GC range of machines in the region. The excavator presented at the launch in November was the 330GC, and already in a matter of a few months, the GC range of diggers has been further expanded with the introduction of the 336GC and the 345GC models, Cat’s offerings in the 36t and 45t weight-classes respectively, to go along with the earlier 30t introduction. But the Cat excavator range extends well beyond the new GC models. In fact, it is one of the widest offerings of any manufacturer on the regional market and comprises models ranging from the 20t to the 90t categories. Samer Ismail, product manager, Earthmoving and Excavation, at Al-Bahar, explains: “Our machines are designed to carry out all types of applications required, including truck loading, trenching, excavation, road infrastructure, levelling, general construction, quarrying and mining, and more. The main differences between our models that customers can choose from pertain to the required production capacities, customers’ budgetary limitations, types of materials and other related requirements. “The demand comes from various sectors and companies like building construction companies, road contractors, general contractors, infrastructure companies, quarries and crushing companies all across the GCC.” Explaining the new GC machines specifically, he adds that the introduction of the range is testimony to Caterpillar’s and Al-Bahar’s keen commitment to listen to their customers and give them the machines they need.

“What we, the Cat-Al-Bahar combination, do before we launch or invest in any new product is collect the voice of the customer. This is a priority for us. We listen carefully to what our customers would like on the machines they operate. We collect a large amount of data on that, which we deliver to the engineering team at Caterpillar for them to design a machine that can do the job for the customers as per their stated needs. “In keeping with this philosophy, the GC models have been tailored to customer

Telematics, machine control systems and remote monitoring are some of the new technologies that have become essential offerings for the tops brands such as Volvo, JCB and Caterpillar.

requirements after we did our research on what those requirements were and obtained the feedback from our customers. Discussing those requirements, he says: “Some of those that the data indicated were specific bucket capacities and cycle times for the hydraulic systems, a particular power rating for the engines, a need for the machine to have a standard level of durability and reliability that they are used to from Cat, particular undercarriage lengths and machine widths along with stability, and

VOLVO DIG ASSIST

PROVIDING THE DIGGING EDGE Dig Assist, the excavator machine control system from Volvo CE, offers many benefits to operators and company

MORE ACCURATE TRENCHING Volvo Co-Pilot with Dig Assist enables an operator to input the specifications for even the most

owners by helping to increase safety and productivity as well as reduce costs. Construction equipment is becoming increasingly high tech with new productivityenhancing features and options incorporated into machines every year. Today, high-tech sensors can relay real-time information about a machine’s precise movements back to the operator in the cab and display it on the Volvo Co-Pilot monitor. The system helps operators complete jobs safely, accurately and in a fraction of the time. The Swedish giant presents six reason why its Dig Assist is essential to job-site efficiency:

complex trenches – including slopes and multiple layers – in a matter of minutes. Then a virtual guideline helps the operator stay on track. This eliminates much of the usual prep work and allows the operator to complete the work quickly and correctly. SIMPLIFY DIGGING SHAPES Some jobs like trenching or digging a basement require a more complex shape. Volvo Dig Assist allows operators to draw simple 3D shapes directly from the cab (like a step trench for installing multiple utility lines) or even choose from a library of prebuilt shapes that they can modify according to job requirements. This saves time and money by reducing the need for additional surveyors and measuring. LOWER LABOUR COSTS Decreasing the time spent checking and re-checking depth and slope accuracy at the dig site or putting stakes in the ground frees up members of the team to complete other work. This increases efficiency and productivity across the entire job site. What is more, operators do not waste time over-digging or reworking a trench. This means

they can complete jobs and move onto other tasks much faster. Overall, this reduces the amount of labour on site, time and thus fuel. SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENT Volvo Dig Assist provides both visual and audible warnings to avoid jobsite obstacles. Operators simply set the depth they can dig without hitting utility lines or the maximum height they can extend the arm before hitting power lines and receive a warning if they get too close. These parameters are a great help to operators in avoiding accidents. COMPETITIVE EDGE Using a machine control system like Dig Assist enables contractors to work in environments such as very dark environments like deep ditches, where other excavators might struggle. The operators can input job profiles and see the position of the bucket on the screen in real time. TURN NOVICE OPERATORS INTO EXPERTS New operators will not seem so inexperienced with Dig Assist. Using it is as simple as running a tablet or smartphone with a learning curve of less than two minutes. Dig Assist is also a great training tool as operators do not need to worry about making errors because they have a visual aid to judge their accuracy. Over time, the real-time feedback they receive helps even highly competent operators to improve their skills.

EXCAVATORS FEBRUARY 2020

support for a wide range of attachments on the machines. “The Cat engineering department then got to work to design and build a machine that can achieve the parameters as outlined by our customers.” Collating the feedback data, it was clear that customers were asking for machines that were easy to own and operate and yet powerful and efficient in the range of light to medium duty applications. And this is the segment that the GC machines have been designed for. “For the normal Cat machines that we had in our range, customer would have ended up investing a lot more but would not have got to utilise many of the advanced tech features on those machines,” Ismail states. Apart from the GC range, Cat also offers other models, several in the big-capacity classes, and Ismail explains: “Caterpillar is offering different models in the LHEX range to meet the various demands and needs of customers. The 349, 374FL and 390FL are bigger machines that can be found mainly in quarries and heavy-duty applications, providing low-cost production combined with high durability. And even in the GC range we have the 345GC, the biggest of the three GC models, which gives low cost per hour to customers with high fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs.” And it is costs saving that the machines are all about. Cat’s popularity owes a lot to its dedication to improving customers’ bottom lines. “When compared with its predecessor, the 330GC offers 10% less fuel consumption and 20% lower maintenance costs. The 336GC is 5% more fuel efficient with a 15% lower

The heavier weight-classes provide the volumes for Hitachi, with its 70t models proving particularly popular in quarrying and mining operations around the region.

maintenance cost with the same comparison, while the 345GC offers 25% more fuel efficiency and 30% lower maintenance costs. Besides this, all the GC models have reduced in-cab vibrations and longer replacement intervals for filters,” Ismail points out. Caterpillar’s most popular model in the region, however, continues to be the 20t class Cat 320. Explaining this, Ismail adds: “The Cat 320 can be used for various different applications, from truck loading to trenching, and combines reliability with low cost of

“Al-Bahar assesses the condition of every part and offers tailored advice and proposes solutions to meet customer needs”

production. Moreover, the demand on this size class is very high in terms of market volume.” When it comes to the wheeled models, the M320D2 is the most popular in the Caterpillar stable. “It’s a highly mobile machine that can move fast at job-sites, performing different tasks from trenching to pipe handling combined with power and durability. It is the same size as a 320 but on wheels, which is more in demand inside cities,” says Ismail. With Cat, telematics support is provided by the Vision Link feature, and Ismail explains: “It’s a product link device that collects data automatically and accurately from the machine – Information such as location, hours, fuel usage, productivity, idle time, maintenance alerts, diagnostic codes, and machine health. All of this data can be viewed by customer through Vision Link, which helps customers make informed decisions that boost productivity, lower costs, simplify maintenance, and improves safety and security on the job-site. And these features are in demand from lots of customers.” Any machine, however advanced, cannot be more productive than the uptime enabled by its maintenance and servicing back-up will allow. And at Al-Bahar this is an aspect of great importance. The Cat dealer puts special emphasis on the support it provides to customers, with undercarriage maintenance an important part of this. “Improper management of undercarriage maintenance can result in very high costs. Our Custom Track Service (CTS) monitors undercarriage performance and predicts wear rates along with evaluation on different service options and maintenance planning. Moreover, it provides scheduling services to meet equipment-planning needs. As a result, this allows you to make informed decisions about maintenance. Al-Bahar offers free undercarriage inspections using out CTS Pro inspection tool, assesses the condition of every part and offers tailored advice and proposes solutions to meet customer needs,” Ismail informs. At Volvo CE, CareTrack is the telematics system that collects machine information, alerts the customer with alarm codes and provides an online portal for customers to dig deeper into fleet data. Volvo now also offers ACTIVE CARE, a 24/7/365 machine monitoring and weekly fleet utilisation reporting service that relies on CareTrack data. The difference is that with ACTIVE CARE, staff at the Volvo Uptime Center manage the data on behalf of the customer, providing remote diagnosis and catching problems before they occur. This makes it easier for customers to benefit from data-driven insights. The choice between the services

39 is about how much time a customer wants to commit to reading the data and if they have the resources to catch problems before they cause downtime. “On top of this, our UAE dealer Famco launched its own Uptime Center this month, which will provide customers with basic knowledge about their machine utilisation, as well as how they can improve the efficiency of machine operation,” says Volvo’s Fidan. “We do have electronic working aids on new excavators but are careful with our introduction of them. The Middle East region needs simple units to operate and operate efficiently for many years to come. This is what we are focusing on. As an example, we have decided not to launch the Dig Assist function for our excavators in the Middle East just yet.” With JCB, its LiveLink telematics system ships with almost all new machines, enabling owners to monitor and manage their fleet, and increase their ROI by reducing costs and optimising uptime. “We also have Livelink Lite, a retrofit solution for older machines that did not come with Livelink. It can be fitted on any JCB machine or also on non-JCB machines. So whatever the brand of machines a customer has, he can integrate his entire fleet on one Livelink dashboard,” explains Shouman. “This year we’ve also introduced the new JCB Operator’s App. Any operator with a smartphone can download it and when he does his daily machine inspections, he can insert the machine’s photos along with his comments on the app and shoot them over to his manager or fleet supervisor. This allows the customer team monitoring the machines to take fast action to prevent failures before they happen. Once the operator uploads his photos, checklist and comments, they can take proactive measures based on that information.” On its side, JCB can also monitor every LiveLink equipped machine around the world through its uptime centres in the UK, India, Singapore and the US. But the main agent for this task is the dealer who monitors all machines he sells in his territory because he signs a consent with the customer. “They are authorised to call the customer to inform about faults and issues with their

HITACHI WHEELED EXCAVATORS

ON A ROLL For a manufacturer renowned for its behemoth mining machines and shovels in the 100t and above class, it can come as a bit of a surprise that Hitachi has seen the biggest gains in recent times in its wheeled excavator line-up for the Middle East. Wim Aernouts feels the surprise package that the wheeled machines’ success seems to be, is due to a combination of factors, such as the reputation of Hitachi’s wheeled excavators in other geographies, the all-round excellence of the machines and the fact that the Middle East market has arrived at a juncture where the rolling diggers are becoming necessary. “Hitachi’s wheeled excavator range starts with the 17t model, then there are the 19t and the 21t models. We are now selling units in Hitachi’s new Dash-5 series, of which several units have already been delivered last year,” says Aernouts. One of Hitachi’s largest sales of wheeled excavators was to the UAE-based Darwish Engineering last year, he reveals. “They are a company specialised in road contracting works and are going to buy even more wheeled excavators from us this year. New units

are already on the way from Japan for delivery around April. Darwish has gone for the ZX170W-5A, the 17t model, which they feel suits their requirements perfectly. The feedback we have got from them is very good and they are very happy with the machines. “We have seen demand for the wheeled excavator rise steadily at Hitachi. In 2017-18, we sold around seven units of wheeled excavators to Tajvand, a big contracting company in the region. They too have provided excellent feedback on the machines and they are even renting some units out.” Arenouts explains that the advantage of the wheeled excavators is that they are highly mobile and compact; they can access fully builtup areas where tracked models are not allowed; and they can even act as a kind of forklift or small crane on large job-sites. Beyond this, Hitachi’s line-up of wheeled excavators is really strong.

machines. Unless we see something really major that triggers our response team in our uptime centres, we do not come into the loop. The dealer does what is required directly with the customer. All our dealers have their own uptime centres which are mini versions of the main ones we have in our UK headquarters and in other regional bases,” Shouman explains. JCB is also very meticulous about supporting its customers with the right after sales and service tools, and has the proper facilities and systems in place to do so. “We have a vast central parts distribution facility in Jebel Ali, Dubai, that caters not only to the Middle East but also to South East Asia and Australia. Of course, all our dealers hold their own parts stock of around 70-80% of the required fast-moving items. Anything not on shelf is available in the Jebel Ali facility and will reach customers in less than five days depending on the country. For the immediate area, such as in the UAE, Oman or KSA, it is typically less than two days, usually less than one. We can reduce the time further when required by using airfreight,” informs Shouman. After-sales capability is equally important at Volvo. Explaining the Swedish giant’s philosophy in this regard, Fidan says: “Service and support is the key for any manufacturer to be successful in the long run. Customers expect their needs to be fulfilled when it comes to parts availability and dealer capability for service. These are basics and if you can make it simple for the users to order the parts easily and provide the parts availability on a desired level, together with good aftermarket coverage, life will be easier for everyone. “This is what Volvo has been investing in together with its dealers over last 20 years in the Middle East –strong dealer footprints and good parts distribution. Volvo is the pioneer and leader in this in the region and has the oldest regional parts distribution centre in Dubai, which has been open since 2006. This is a real commitment to our customers’ business from us as a manufacturer.”

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MACHINE FOCUS FEBRUARY 2020

“Given the wide range of functions that these machines can perform, they are indeed the Swiss Army knife of a construction site. In fact, the compact track loaders are ‘tool carriers’“

With a plethora of attachments avialable for wideranging jobs, such as sand cleaner attachments to work on beaches, the Bobcat compact track loader is a very versatile machine.

TRACKS OF SUCCESS

THE COMPACT TRACKED LOADER IS MAKING INCREASING INROADS INTO THE MIDDLE EAST’S SMALL EQUIPMENT SECTOR AND ONE OF ITS CHIEF EXPONENTS, BOBCAT, IS INCREASING ITS SHARE OF THE SEGMENT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE MACHINES AND ATTACHMENTS

he compact loader has been a Middle East favourite for a long time now. Its wheeled version – the skid-steer loader – is perhaps the single most widely sold piece of construction equipment in the entire region. And Bobcat, its most famous exponent, is so identified with the SSL that its brand name has become the generic name for the class in the region. As we never fail to marvel at in CMME, in the GCC, you don’t say skid-steer loader; you say Bobcat. And now the popularity of the SSL is extending into its sister machine, the compact tracked loader or CTL – the tracked version of the skid steer. According to Bobcat, one of the key changes in the compact equipment sector in the Middle East is the significant growth in the CTL market in the region in recent times. Since 2017, Bobcat has increased its share of the market, with sales of compact track loaders more than quadrupling in the same period. Bobcat says the growth is being driven by increasing demand among contractors for safe, stable and high performing machines that can be combined with a wide range of attachments that help them to expand the amount and type of work they can carry out with the same loaders. Gaby Rhayem, MD, Middle East and Africa, at Doosan Bobcat, explains: “Given the wide range of functions that these machines can perform, they are indeed the Swiss Army knife of a construction site. In fact, the compact track loaders are ‘tool carriers’. We have a plethora of attachments for this small machine that allows it to perform multiple jobs – such as digging, trenching, grading, paving and many others.”

MACHINE FOCUS FEBRUARY 2020

As an example, Rhayem cites the Bobcat T770, a large CTL that was recently used in a beach-cleaning project in Abu Dhabi, where, equipped with the appropriate cleaner attachment, it was put to work to clean and maintain a popular beach in the UAE capital. Ernesto Anton, district manager Middle East for Doosan Bobcat EMEA, concurs: “This growth is due to the unique characteristics of compact track loaders as tool carriers and the wide array of attachments that they can work with. We sell an expanding array of attachments to Middle East customers for both skid-steer and compact track loaders depending on the particular application, including forestry cutters, planers, wheel saws and sand cleaners. Landscaping is a much more important application in the area and customers are also looking for the high lift capacity offered by our track loaders. “We are providing regular demonstrations of our compact track loaders for our customers to show the high performance and the tool carrier benefits offered by our machines. Together with our comprehensive network of dealers covering every country in the Middle East, we can offer all types of training to ensure customers get the most out of their machines/attachments and have the best solution for their needs.” Bobcat says its CTLs provide a very stable platform for working with a wide range of attachments. Using the exclusive, quick change Bob-Tach mounting systems on the machines, attachments can be added or removed very quickly, ensuring the

The T590 is among the most popular compact track loaders for Bobcat and indeed for the industry in the Middle East. The machine has made a name for itself with its features and design.

attachment fits securely and safely to the machine in seconds. Ideal for users needing to change attachments regularly, the Power Bob-Tach is a time-saving, electro-hydraulic device that makes the connection to the attachment automatically. As tool carriers, compact track loaders offer many advantages over the comparable wheeled machines. They can provide increased productivity in many conditions with a lifting capacity approximately 25% more than the equivalently sized wheeled loaders.

BOBCAT T590

ON THE RIGHT TRACK Bobcat calls the T590 tracked loader a machine for every application. The company demonstrated the machine at a job site in Dubai’s Business Bay area, where it proved its utility. According to Gaby Rhayem, the T590 won instant fans at the job site. “No one is proposing an equivalent in the market today to the T590,” says Rhayem. “This is our best-seller in the UAE and it is not just a machine but a complete solution, because today we at Bobcat are providing solutions to our customers, not just a machine.” That solution includes a range of attachments that is second to none in the market and enables each T590 to be a loader, digger, carrier, breaker, mixer, cleaner, cutter, grader, planer and road layer – among other jobs.

The machine has a high lifting force and large pushing capabilities, along with a high-torque motor to power it. “Serviceability is a key factor for all contractors, and the T590’s transverse engine is very easy to access and all the features and access points are just in front of you. The machine is absolutely designed to be quickly serviced and go back to the job site to make money. That’s what contractors want,” Rhayem adds. “It’s perfect because of its compact size and the fact that its soft underfoot. So once a project is wellunderway, this machine will not damage the ground or built-up areas, unlike larger machines. So it’s first in and last out.”

While wheeled machines may outperform tracked machines for sheer manoeuvrability on hard surfaces, the rubber tracked undercarriage on track loaders ensures improved traction on rough terrain, soft, sandy surfaces and in wet, muddy conditions. Unlike crawler or tracked loaders with steel tracks, compact track loaders offer high manoeuvrability and fast cycle times. The increased ground contact area and the lower centre of gravity means compact track loaders are generally more stable than wheeled machines, especially when shuttling backwards and forwards. The much better traction of compact track loaders provides 15% more pushing force than equivalently sized wheeled machines, allowing them to push heavier loads without getting stuck. Moreover, since compact tracked loaders are equipped with dedicated rubber tracks, they will not mark paved surfaces and are therefore ideal for travel over and use on public roads. In fact, the traction and flotation is ideal when working with planer and wheel saw attachments, where the machine hugs the surface for greater stability and provides superior pushing power and precision for cutting into asphalt and concrete. Compact track loaders are also ideally suited for use in the rapidly expanding market for 2D and 3D laser grading systems. Overall, the smoother ride over rough surfaces enhances operator comfort and helps keep loose materials in the bucket. The lighter ride over all terrains also helps to eliminate downtime from damaged tyres.

43 “With the widest range of CTL models on the market, along with the attachments and tools, we have almost every application of this versatile compact machine covered” Approximately three times less than wheeled machines, the low ground disturbance of compact track loaders allows them to work on delicate surfaces, such as established lawns or asphalt, minimising damage and reducing the need for tidying up after the job is complete. By distributing weight over a larger area, compact track loaders also offer a smooth ride with the high stability and manoeuvrability needed for grading and backfilling on rough terrain. “Customers of the CTL are mainly working in construction, building and rental, with the machines used for building houses, villas, flats and offices. The landscaping and industrial sectors are also heavy users. Landscaping is considered as the main growth sector after construction in the GCC. Rental follows closely after landscaping. The industrial segment is also a growing sector where skid-steer loaders are used,” says Rhayem. “With the widest range of CTL models on the market, along with the attachments and tools, we have almost every application of this versatile compact machine covered.” Detailing Bobcat’s CTL model range in the region he adds that the brand offers four models in the Middle East, namely the T590, T650, T770 and T870, with rated operating capacities from 971kg to 1726kg and tipping loads from 2774-4931kg. Bobcat also sells the company’s MT55 mini-track loader in the Middle East, with a rated operating capacity and tipping load of 254kg and 732kg, respectively. In the Bobcat range, there is a choice of

size and boom configurations - radial and vertical lift path models - similar to those in the company’s skid steer loader range. There are various options for Bobcat rubber tracks with multiple tread patterns available, so that the performance of track loaders can be optimised by selecting a track that exactly matches the application. Wide tracks are a good choice when lower ground pressure and flotation are desired. For increased ground pressure, added traction and pushing force, it may be better to choose a narrower track.

Whether it’s a construction project, a landscaping job, infrastructure projects or general maintenance, Bobcat’s compact track loaders are versatile enough to be useful in each.

One of the most popular Bobcat compact track loaders in the Middle East is the T590 vertical lift path model powered by the Bobcat D24 49.2kW (66hp) turbocharged diesel engine. Its high productivity is the result of the high pressure of its hydraulic system with 101 l/min in the high flow version, which provides increased attachment performance. The T590 can be matched with over 80 different attachments and there are rear hydraulic auxiliary and seven-pin ACD connector options available.

THE LAST WORD FEBRUARY 2020

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