Construction Machinery ME January 2020

ISSUE 99 020 JANUARY 2

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TOUGH AND VERSATILE The Volvo EC210DL has been designed with toughness and versatility in mind. Powered by a 4 cylinder Volvo D5E engine, this machine will drive down your cost per tonne every bit as efficiently as it handles whatever heavy-duty task you throw at it. Equipped with ECO mode, it provides significant fuel efficiency improvements; and the Volvo CareCab environment helps to ensure that the operator will give of their best too. Talk to your local Volvo dealership today.

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CONTENTS JANUARY 2020

34

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

12_GENIE FINDS A HUB Terex AWP brand teams up with logistics major Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions to open its Middle East distribution centre in Dubai’s JAFZA.

14_JOHNSON ON THE MOVE CMME visits the regional AWP and crane rental heavyweight’s new, large premises, where it has moved with a view to expand operations.

18_HIGH FIVE The 40th edition of the Big 5 Heavy in Dubai towards the end of last year saw global brands introduce innovative new products in the region.

10

R E W O RAW P

D ema no logo raises Tada ase on home b

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EW M S W ITH N E L Z Z nfare.

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ER OR CANC F S D N U F ES arity.

MINI RAIS contribute to prostate cancer ch N A S O O D 40_ vator to DX10Z exca ler auctions Swedish dea

14

12

22

18

2

EDITORIAL JANUARY 2020

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 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

COMME CI, COMME CA Sitting down to write the first editorial of 2020, I’m reminded of similar situations in previous years. These are moments when we all wish we had a crystal ball to look into that would show us how the next 12 months will go for the regional construction equipment industry.

But life is a game of glorious uncertainties.

While the certitude of knowing how the year will pan out would definitely set us on a definite and safe course, we would miss out on responding to new emergent situations that bring out our innovative best.

Divining the way forward seems irresistible, however, and at CMME Towers our experience with the industry and our deductions from the trends seen in the second half of 2019 seem to suggest that this year could see a stabilisation of the regional market at low levels.

There is an apt French-derived expression that best sums up the sentiment we envisage for 2020: Comme ci, comme ca. In other words, neither too good, nor too bad. With most of the work done for Dubai’s Expo 2020 – or at least most of the equipment needed for it already supplied – a big factor that propped up a corner of the market will be absent this year. The preparations for the upcoming football World Cup could have filled the void, but Qatar remaining in the wilderness has put paid to that. With no other major public works on the anvil in the region, all eyes will be on Saudi Arabia, hoping its intent to spend on public infrastructure, as stated last year, will be followed up with the required action in 2020.

Private construction in the region, meanwhile, continues its slow trudge.

Gone may be the heady days of some years ago, when structures rose up seemingly overnight, but there is still some activity that will interest the major suppliers and dealers.

Besides, as we always point out in CMME, what’s built needs to be maintained, which will still require some small equipment.

The relative lack of volatility in the market in recent months – in both the upward and downward direction – seems to make it the best time to introduce new kit, upgrade existing lines and consolidate services and facilities. Close on the heels of Al-Bahar launching Cat’s latest earthmovers in the region last month, another giant has introduced its new machines to the public: Komatsu put up a grand show at its regional training and demonstration centre in Jebel Ali to present its new 50t and 20t excavators to customers it brought in from all over the region. CMME was there and we bring you our impressions of a very enjoyable evening.

Keeping with the theme of renewal, elsewhere in this issue we present a look at Johnson Arabia’s new premises in Dubai Industrial City, which the equipment rental giant moved into recently with the aim of growing its business further. In a similar move, Genie recently opened its Middle East distribution centre in Dubai’s Jebel Ali to speed up its response to customers in the region.

We can only hope that such activity continues as the Middle East’s equipment sector searches for the next bounce in the market.

Happy New Year!

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

CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA

T-SERIES BACKHOE LOADERS 1. HIGH EFFICIENCY

2. CASE D.N.A.

3. SAFE AND EASY MAINTENANCE

FPT engine provides outstanding performances and faster response. The turbo with charge air cooler ensures best-in-class fuel consumption on all operations.

“S-tyled” backhoe design represents the continuity of CASE heritage. Digging performances raises new standard on this machine segment.

A sturdy components layout and easy accessibility from ground to main check points allow simple and fast routine operations.

www.casece.com

EXPERTS FOR THE REAL WORLD SINCE 1842

4

ONLINE JANUARY 2020

MOST POPULAR

READERS’ COMMENTS

FEATURED

CONSULTANT

SHATHA SAIF AL SUWAIDI

Revealed: Middle East Consultant 2019 award winners

ANNOUNCED AS NEW MD OF NAKHEEL’S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UNIT

What a fantastic story to be one of the last headlines of 2020 (Shatha Saif Al

Suwaidi announced as new MD of Nakheel’s CONSTRUCTION

infrastructure project

Abu Dhabi Ports embarks on $1.08bn expansion of Khalifa Port

construction unit).

There has been a lot of debate in the industry, and subsequently on the

Video: The Truck & Fleet Conference 2019

pages of magazines like Middle East Consultant, about a need to promote women into the top jobs of the industry, and

CONSTRUCTION

here we have someone

Bahrain signs $691mn contract with China’s CMEC

earning their right to work on major projects like Deira Islands on merit. This is a woman and Emirati national that has already proven herself on the Palm

MACHINERY

Jumeirah and Jumeirah

Al-Bahar introduces Caterpillar’s game changers

Village developments.

I’m sure she will continue to add value to master communities across Dubai and demonstrate that, we as an industry, can put aside outdated preconceptions as we

CONSTRUCTION

Atkins appoints Cris Dedigama as CEO for the Middle East and Africa

Event: ASGC, ALEC and Ithra Dubai win big at the Big Project ME Awards 2019

enter a new decade.

Name withheld by request

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

S W NE 6

NEW APPOINTMENT

ANN FANDOZZI TO BE NEW RITCHIE BROS. CEO

JECTS, O R P W E N OFFICES, W E N , S E HIN AROUND K O NEW MAC O L E IVES – W T A MONTH I T S I I N H I T W E NE W WHAT’S N T A N O I G THE RE NEW QUAY

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers has announced

CRANES AT

the appointment of Ann Fandozzi as

FUJAIRAH PORT

its new CEO, effective from January

The UAE’s Fujairah

6. The world’s largest industrial

Port has received

auctioneer and used equipment seller

two new quay

said in a statement that Fandozzi

cranes as part of a

will also join the company’s board

$272m expansion

of directors on the same date.

programme by Abu

Most recently, Fandozzi was

Dhabi Ports, which

CEO of ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a

owns Fujairah

damaged vehicle repair company,

Terminals (FT).

where she engineered a step-change

The Post Panamax

in profitability and laid the foundation

ship-to-shore

for an all-new customer experience

cranes are said to

through technology, said Ritchie Bros.

be the largest in

Bev Briscoe, chair of the board at

the market and

Ritchie Bros., said: “Ann is an exceptional

were purchased

leader with a proven track record

from ZMPC

of designing and executing winning

Al-Bahar rebuild gives second life to Cat 980G

China. The cranes

strategies and driving profitable

feature enhanced

growth. She brings a strong customer

propulsion

focus, deep experience in technology

speeds during

and outstanding management

the movement of

capabilities that will further Ritchie

containers between

Bros.’ strategic transformation as a

Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, the Caterpillar dealer in the region, has announced the handover of a rebuilt Cat 980G wheeled loader to its customer Al Fahjan Transportation & General Contracting.

According to Al-Bahar, the machine adds to the more than 90 Cat units it has rebuilt, and was presented to the customer at an exclusive event held at Al-Bahar’s Esnaad facility in Abu Dhabi, attended by more than 50 of the regional machinery giant’s customers, including prominent names like Nael & Bin Harmel, Western Bainoona Group, Al Rafeh Transport, Al Rashid Transport, Saif Bin Darwish and Earthmoving World Wide.

The primary objective of the event was to “share the Cat Certified Rebuild (CCR) value and quality while presenting the like-new rebuilt machine”, said Al-Bahar. Under the theme ‘Give your old machine a full second life’, the event included an exhaustive display

ship and quayside,

multi-channel, technology-enabled

and will heighten

global business. The board looks

productivity, speed

forward to working closely with Ann

up the turnaround

and the rest of our talented executives

of vessels and

as we build value for our shareholders,

increase safety.

our customers and our employees.”

of Al-Bahar’s Product Support portfolio and comprehensive service capabilities, especially in Certified Rebuild. There was also a live demonstration of the rebuilt 980G, with a presentation on the job done.

“Offering a like-new machine with a like-new warranty, Cat Certified Rebuild programme helps a Cat machine owner benefit from the multiple lives designed into Cat machines and components at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Currently, Al-Bahar offers the following five Certified Rebuild programmes: Machine Rebuild, Power Train Rebuild, Hydraulic Rebuild, Engine Rebuild (for power systems) and Machine Component Rebuild (engine, transmission and torque convertor),” said Abdallah Mustafa, CI segment manager, Al-Bahar.

“Cat Certified Rebuild is a solution that allows us to travel back in time and bring back the old machine to a condition similar to when it was delivered to the customer.”

“The arrival of these two new quay cranes is an exciting development in the ongoing expansion at Fujairah Terminals,” said FT’s acting CEO.

Fandozzi has a degree in Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, a Master’s in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to being the CEO of ABRA, she was the CEO of vRide, a carpooling platform that works with private and public employers. She has also served in several executive positions for Whirlpool and Sears/Kenmore and also previously led DaimlerChrysler’s Global Family Vehicle business and is credited with the development of the Stow-N-Go fold flat seats.

7

NEW DEALER

KANOO CRANES TO REPRESENT MAEDA IN GCC

Kanoo Cranes will be the new exclusive dealer for the Maeda mini cranes in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, after Sweden’s Kranlyft Group signed an agreement with the UAE-based Kanoo Group. The Kranlyft Group has represented mini cranes from Japanese manufacturer Maeda in Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East since the late 1990s, while the Kanoo Group is one of the largest family-owned businesses in the GCC. Kanoo Cranes, which focuses on providing engineered crane solutions to the oil & gas, construction and industrial markets, will provide sales, parts and servicing for Maeda products in the Gulf region. Kranlyft added that with the appointment of Kanoo Cranes, it is looking to increase the penetration of Maeda products in the GCC region.

“When looking to appoint a dealer for these important markets, Kanoo Cranes is a natural partner with its extensive experience in lifting, great technical knowledge and a established network,” said Jurgen Vater, CEO Kranlyft Group.

NEW CATERPILLAR INDUSTRIAL ENGINE Cat has introduced the 3516E, its latest and largest dualcertified EU Stage V/US EPA and CARB Tier 4 Final engines, a rare accreditation among large, high-horsepower industrial engines.

The 3516E is a 78l V16 industrial engine with a single continuous rating that produces 2,100hp at 1,650rpm and 11,220Nm of torque at 1,200rpm,

Al Faris executes UAE pavilion lift at Expo 2020

VOLVO

GCC heavy lifting and transport services major Al Faris recently completed a project to lift and install heavy structural elements on the UAE pavilion build site at the Dubai Expo 2020. Using a Liebherr LR 1000 crawler crane with 156m main boom and Liebherr LTM 1750 9.1 mobile crane with S/L and luffer, the Al Faris team lifted 42 steel structural elements in total at the falcon-inspired UAE pavilion structure, which they then placed and installed.

“We were recently awarded the UAE pavilion project at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai, and it was great to be able to support the project with our engineering and heavy lifting expertise,” said an Al Faris spokesperson.

Some of the challenges the project presented were a limited, congested

heavy-duty electric

ANNOUNCES ELECTRIC HEAVY TRUCKS Volvo Trucks has announced a new truck design, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact made by heavy goods vehicles. The company, which already offers electric trucks for urban transport, said electrification can also be a viable alternative for

area for placing the cranes due to adjacent ongoing projects, the restricted time and area for the assembly and dismantling of the cranes, and a long working radius of 132m along with strong winds, said Al Faris. The company added that selection of the right lifting gear was of utmost importance, as the structures had to be lifted at a specific angle.

Also, steel mats had to be fabricated to maintain

ground pressure, in order to meet the site requirements.

“This project was completed in different stages. We provided a complete solution for lifting and installation of structural steel elements of lengths varying from 24-46m. The weight of the units were 8-55t. After careful study, the 1000t Liebherr LR 1000 crawler was used due to the long working radius requirement for the installation.”

heavier trucks.

Roger Alm, Volvo Trucks president, said: “We see great potential for heavy-duty electric trucks for regional transport and construction.”

GERMAN DESIGN AWARD FOR HIDROMEK ELECTRIC WHEEL ED EXCAVATOR

Hidromek has wo n the German De sign Award 2020 its HICON 7W fu for lly-electric whee led ex cavator. The Turk construction eq ish uipment maker said the 100% ele HICON 7W was ct ric developed with the goal of special the electric cons isation in truction equipm ent category of th The machine sta e future. nds out with its smart, economic friendly features, an d ecoand with zero em issions and com dimensions is es pa ct pecially useful on urban job-sites.

Among its innova tive features is its Environmental Safety System, wh ich promotes sa fe driving and working in co ngested city jobsites by relaying inform ation to the operator.

CLIMATES

8

NEWS ROUND-UP JANUARY 2020

COOL COMFORT

CE-CREATES LAUNCHES SHAMAL WORKWEAR

Doosan teams up with German Gulf in UAE

Sharjah-based German Gulf Enterprises (GGE) has been appointed by Doosan Infracore as the authorised distributor of its heavy equipment range in the UAE. Under the agreement between the two entities, GGE will be the dealers for the South Korean machinery giant’s excavators, wheel loaders and articulated dump trucks, and will also manage all sales, service and spare parts operations for Doosan.

The agreement was

NEW MEMBERS FOR IPAF BOARD The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has announced that Ben Hirst and Julie Houston Smyth have been inducted as new members of its board. The move will bolster the board following a number of changes over the past 18 months, said IPAF.

signed by Salah Bukhatir, CEO and vice chairman of GGE’s owner, the Bukhatir group, and Jongseon Ahn, executive VP of Doosan Infracore. Also present at the signing, which took place at the Bukhatir Group’s corporate office in the City Gate Tower, Sharjah, were Ayman Ahmed, group COO, Bukhatir Group; Ahmad Swaid, construction equipment divisional manager at GGE; Faten Mohamed, business

unit manager – ITS at GGE; Ibrahim Emira, after-sales manager at GGE; and R. Prabhu, divisional manager – finance and HR at GGE. According to GGE, Doosan followed a thorough process to select it, taking into consideration GGE’s investments in infrastructure across the UAE and its experience and presence in the market.

Salah Bukhatir said: “The Bukhatir Group is proud to be associated with Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and bring their 123 years of expertise in the field of heavy equipment to the Middle East. Having an in-house R&D infrastructure, design teams and numerous patents gives Doosan several core strengths that our rapidly expanding client base in the Middle East can look forward to capitalising on.”

TREEMENDOUS ST OR FIR SUCCESS F IC COMPACT CTR VOLVO ELE sting the first L25 Electric

te ruction schulen is Leick Baum Volvo Const m o fr er ad heel lo ission-free compact w a quiet, em e b to it d g findin ee farm an Equipment, ion to the tr it d ad the in m ta o-main inutes fro and easy-t Based 30 m t. ee tric fl s ec y’ El the L25 g compan any, where landscapin m er G er z, m n o o first cust ctory in K 20, it is the 0 Volvo CE fa -2 id o m lv o m V duced fro hine. The will be pro green mac ew n at is th th atteries d to test hium-ion b in the worl wered by lit o p is one single ic h tr it L25 Elec ing shift w rk o w r u o ght-h plications, cover an ei s regular ap e’ in h ac m e work, charge in th astructure de light infr u cl in h ic h g w landscapin gardening, lture. and agricu

CASE CONCEPT WINS DESIGN AWARD Case Construction Equipment has received the Good Design Award for Project TETRA, its methanepowered wheeled loader concept, jointly developed by the Case engineering and

CE-Creates has announced the launch

CNH Industrial

of a line of specialised industrial

international

clothing called Shamal. With emphasis

design teams.

on both comfort and safety, the

Unveiled officially

garments are designed for construction,

at Bauma 2019, it

municipal and other outdoor workers

is said to show the

exposed to the extreme summer

viability of using

temperatures of the Middle East.

alternative fuels

Samer Choucair, director of CE-

in construction

Creates, said the products are “a

equipment and the

culmination of years of research and

feasibility of using

development and an effective and

fuel generated

robust solution to one of the most

from waste

common challenges faced by today’s

products and

workforce around the world. The

renewable sources.

garments have been rigorously tested in a painstaking process involving six stages of prototype tests in the UAE”.

“To ensure performance at the highest level, all elements of the garments were tested, including fabrics and designs, onsite in challenging conditions.”

9

Continental and EUT extend partnership Global tyre and automotive technology major Continental has renewed its distribution partnership with Emirates for Universal Tyres (EUT) until December 31, 2023, reappointing the Abdulla Al Masaood & Sons Group company as its sole distributor for the UAE through to the 15th year.

The contract was signed at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi by Karel Kucera, MD, Continental Middle East, and Khalifa Abdulla Al Masaood, director at EUT’s parent company, the Abdulla Al Masaood & Sons Group. Also in attendance were Jon Ander Garcia, regional manager for Middle East & Africa, and Shaun Smith, GM at Emirates for Universal Tyres.

According to Continental, the new agreement is the latest in a series of developments that have seen the German brand significantly enhance its support for customers

across the UAE and Middle East. Earlier this year Continental opened a new parts warehouse in Jebel Ali, allowing smoother supply of passenger car and commercial tyres to

retailers. This followed last year’s successful launch of the new Generation 6 range of tyres, developed specifically for the region.

“We are very pleased to be continuing our agreement with EUT, a key partner of ours in the Middle East now for over a decade. They have been with us at key moments during our growth over those years. Most recently, that includes things such as our ground-breaking sponsorship of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the UAE as well as the development and launch of the tailoredfor-the-region Generation 6 tyre range. I am confident that we will continue doing great things together in the UAE,” said Kucera.

AECOM BAGS WORLD’S LONGEST RAIL TUNNEL Engineering firm Aecom has been won a contract to support the design and construction of the Lyon-Turin high-speed railway tunnel project.

The $29bn, 57.5km twin-bored base tunnel – the longest rail tunnel ever built – will connect highspeed rail networks through the Alps between France and Italy.

SHOW PREVIEW

REGISTRATIONS AND BOOKED EXHIBITION SPACE ON THE RISE AT SAMOTER The SaMoTer international construction machinery exhibition in Verona, Italy is set for major growth this year, with registrations and booked exhibition space both increasing. According to organiser Veronafiere, around six months before the show SaMoTer already saw a rise of 39% in registrations and of 66% in booked space. The figures were reported in October and have since gone up further for the event that takes place March 21-25.

Liebherr and Wacker Neuson return to the event after

five years and also to emphasise

last attending in 2011, while

its desire to consolidate and

confirmations have been received

expand market penetration, has

Georg Jung added: “After a few

important savings – qualities

from Bobcat, Doosan, Eurocomach,

decided to attend SaMoTer again.

years of market instability and

that can be summarised in two

Hidromek, Hyundai, Komatsu, Sany,

We were keen to place our trust in

consequent restructuring of the

words: efficient machines.”

Takeuchi, Venieri and Yanmar, said

the updated format of the event

sales network, Wacker Neuson

The last edition of the event

a statement from the organisers.

and Veronafiere’s promotion

has decided to attend SaMoTer.

in 2017 covered 65,000sqm of

The statement quoted Christophe

the Liebherr Group has set itself.”

Wacker Neuson Italy director

ever by cutting-edge technology, high performance and above all

campaign. We are confident

It will be an opportunity for us to

exhibition space and saw more

Sanchez, CEO at Liebherr Emtec

that the 2020 edition will be

present the Wacker Neuson Group’s

than 84,000 visitors attending

Italia SpA, as saying: “The Liebherr

successful and help us improve our

innovations to sector operators,

from 86 countries to see the latest

Group, in the wake of positive

visibility, and thereby achieve the

including the ranges of vehicles

from 455 exhibitors, 25% of them

growth in sales in Italy over the last

increasingly ambitious goals that

and solutions characterised as

international, from 25 countries.

10

KIT SPOTTING JANUARY APRIL 2016 2020

DEMAG RAISES TADANO LOGO ON HOME BASE W ith Tadano’s acquisition of the illustrious Demag brand of mobile cranes from Terex, the name change from Terex Demag to Tadano Demag took visible form in September last year.

More specifically, the signage on the high-bay warehouse at Dinglerstrase was replaced and all instances of the Terex logo were changed to Tadano – all done with a Demag crane, as befits the company, of course.

Though significant as a milestone, in terms of the load’s weight it was pretty much forgettable work for the Demag crane – after all, the five-axle unit only had to deal with a man basket, two people and the plastic signs, all coming to a total of 200kg on the hook.

“When it comes to us as a company, however, there was nothing forgettable about getting this done. In fact, it carried enormous significance in that it represented the beginning of a new era in our company history,” explains plant manager Ulrich Strieder. It goes without saying that a Demag crane was the only way to get it done: it was provided by Steil Kranarbeiten, and it only took two hours to drive in from the branch office in Saarwellingen to the Demag factory in Zweibrücken.

The crane was equipped with a 60m main boom plus a jib and a 33.8t counterweight for the job, enabling it to work at the required radius of up to 56m.

Moreover, the weather was absolutely splendid, allowing the crane operator

and the driver of the supporting truck to set up and configure the crane on the parking lot in front of the high-bay warehouse in a mere two hours.

Once everything was ready to go, it was up and into the air for the two installers from the signage company, who first removed the old signs one by one at a height of 20m before installing the new ones. This required proper coordination with the crane operator, done by radio.

In total, the procedure took around 25 lifts before the blue and black Tadano logo completely graced the high-bay warehouse by the end of the day.

“This was a smooth start into the new era,” Strieder says. After all, lifts with man baskets require special preparation.

However, industrial climbing, which would have theoretically been a simpler option, was out of the question due to the lack of anchoring options on the highbay warehouse’s roof, leaving the use of a man basket as the only way to get the job done.

In order to make sure the two installers were safe, they worked with safety harnesses at all times and the crane was equipped with an emergency lowering system making it possible to safely lower the basket in the event of a crane malfunction.

Strieder is happy with how the signage replacement project went: “Now any visitor will be able to tell from far away that we’re well on our way to a bright future under the Tadano umbrella – a milestone in the road ahead for us and our customers.”

11

“It carried enormous significance in that it represented the beginning of a new era in our company history�

12

NEW OPENING JANUARY 2020

With the opening of its new Middle East distribution centre in Dubai’s JAFZA area in collaboration with WWS, Genie has reduced the delivery time of its AWPs to customers around the region.

GENIE FINDS A HUB LOCATED ON THE PREMISES OF THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS PROVIDER WWS IN DUBAI’S JAFZA, THE TEREX AWP BRAND’S NEW MIDDLE EAST DISTRIBUTION CENTRE WILL SPEED UP DELIVERY AND RESPONSE TIME TO CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS

C

ustomers of Genie aerial access equipment in the Middle East now have a central node from the Terex AWP brand to support their needs, after the company opened its first distribution centre in the Middle East in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA).

The global access equipment heavyweight said the new distribution facility on the premises of third-party logistics provider Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions (WWS) will hold a broad selection of Genie boom lifts and scissor lifts in order to respond quickly to customers’ critical business requirements.

“The market is evolving, and our customers have been finding that they are increasingly challenged by orders for projects that demand delivery at short notice. Addressing the need to ensure fast deliveries to better support our customers’ urgent requests,

this new facility will help us respond more quickly, premises to ensure the best response possible to getting them the equipment they need when they all customers throughout the region,” says Kordahi. need it. Customers can also rest assured that this Describing the operations WWS does for Genie will not change their existing order process,” explains and providing an introduction to the company, Faiz Sharbel Kordahi, MD, Terex Equipment Middle Ahmed, business development manager for East (TEME), and Genie sales director for the Middle East at WWS, says: “Wallenius Middle East, South Africa, Russia and was a Norwegian company and CIS, Terex AWP. Wilhelmsen a Swedish one. They According to Genie, the new joined hands in 1990 to form distribution centre will handle a company with US-flagged pre-delivery inspections (PDI) vessels, which we call American square in , e z and fitting services to address roll-on-roll-off (RORO) carriers. si l ta To enie’s new G f o the specific needs of Middle East That joint venture was s, e tr me centre in n o ti customers, just as other Terex successful and they decided to u ib tr dis ree Zone F li A AWP facilities around the world do. come together with both the fleets l e b e J “This distribution centre is geared and form the company Walenius to the specific needs of customers in Wilhelmsen Lines, and since then there the Middle East, and as such the main focus has been no looking back. will be on considerably speeding up the delivery “Gradually, the OEM brands that were the of critical and one-shot orders. At the same time, customers of the company started asking for our distributors will continue to maintain their more value-added services, which the company own stocks of Genie equipment on their own delivered, and in 2006 it changed its names from

25,000

13 Lines to Logistics. On the logistics side, we have vehicle and equipment processing centres both in-plant and on-site such as this one in Jebel Ali, which is a typical equipment processing centre for our company. These centres are like nodes which are connected to the ocean for shipping and also to the hinterland for inland transport, therefore offering a comprehensive distribution system.”

Explaining some of the benefits for customers of Genie’s tie-up with WWS, he adds: “Typically, an equipment distributor here would need 60 days to supply a unit when they opened a letter of credit.

We said, how would you like it if we could supply the unit within six days? By holding a stock here in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, we can do precisely that, because the entire GCC region, and even Jordan, is within a six-eight-day truck drive from here.”

The Genie distribution centre on the WWS facility is within a 9km radius of the port with the RORO carrier terminals, providing an advantage in terms of distance, and Ahmed explains: “You don’t want to be right on the water’s edge, because when

the heat and humidity rise in summer, there is a greater chance of the stored equipment rusting due to the salty and damp environment nearer the water. But you also don’t want to be too far from the water, as that will push up transport costs. So this is an ideal distance that we have right now, far enough to keep the equipment in good condition year-round and near enough to not have to spend a lot on transport.”

The facility measures 25,000sqm and comprises a logistics team that deals with the customs and ports as well as other authorities like the RTA, civic bodies, chambers of commerce and others, ensuring that the export and import side of things is managed smoothly and in a hassle-free manner for Genie and its dealers and customers.

“In addition to custom clearance, we also handle the transportation both locally and cross-border, such as for units going by road to countries in the region like Oman and Saudi Arabia, all the way up to Jordan,” says Ahmed.

What separates WWS from the usual logistics

service providers, he adds, is its suite of technical services, with teams to perform installation of components like tyres, tracks, platforms, etc under the overview of Genie.

“Our technical staff is also trained by Terex AWP to handle its products, just as it would train its own or its dealer personnel. We also do control testing such as battery checks, and our facility includes wash bays fully equipped to clean the Genie units we receive and store.”

Kordahi concludes: “We chose WWS as our logistics and solutions provider for this new distribution centre because they proved particularly well-suited to our specific requirements. In addition to their extensive experience in the industry, as well as the space required to stock a sufficiently large number of Genie units, they are also ideally located for inbound and outbound freight to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and other countries in the region. We are confident that can we count on WWS to help deliver the results that our customers’ business success relies on.”

“This distribution centre is geared to the specific needs of customers in the Middle East, and … the main focus will be on speeding up the delivery of critical and one-shot orders”

14

FACILITY VISIT JANUARY 2020

JOHNSON ON THE MOVE

THE REGIONAL CRANE AND ACCESS EQUIPMENT RENTAL SPECIALIST MARKED ITS 20TH YEAR IN BUSINESS BY MOVING INTO A NEW, LARGER PREMISES IN DUBAI THAT WILL HELP IT CONSOLIDATE AND GROW ITS OPERATIONS. CMME TAKES A TOUR OF THE NEW FACILITY

T

he Middle East’s construction and industrial sectors are well acquainted with the name Johnson Arabia. As a regional mobile crane and powered access equipment rental heavyweight, the company has supplied the machines that has contributed to the building of some of the biggest projects in the region, having achieved iconic status in the two decades of its existence.

That status has come about due to a combination of factors, such as supplying the latest kit to the market, providing solutions to customers and providing the highest standard of quality and support, among other factors.

And now, in pursuance of those standards, Johnson Arabia has officially inaugurated its new premises in Dubai Industrial City (DIC), where it has relocated from its previous facility in the city’s Al Quoz Industrial Area.

The move to the new DIC premises, a 41,800sqm facility, coincides with the celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary. An established name in the crane and AWP rental sphere in the AUE and adjoining countries, the company is also part of the equally illustrious Kanoo Group, a regional business powerhouse.

At an event organised at the new DIC premises to mark Johnson Arabia’s

15 Johnson Arabia, one of the best known rental companies in the region, will find more space for its fleet of more than 700 aerial work platforms and 250 cranes at its new premises in DIC.

milestone, Mishal Hamed Kanoo, chairman of the Kanoo Group, says: “Over the last two decades, Johnson Arabia has played a major role in construction projects that have been instrumental in the growth of the UAE. We are proud of Johnson Arabia being part of the Kanoo Group and of having grown together with it. Johnson Arabia’s success owes tremendously to its team of passionate and knowledgeable professionals who have exerted great effort to drive the business into the future. We look forward to taking this experience and knowledge to other parts of the world.”

The event was followed up a few days later by an open day, where the company invites its customers and partners to visit the new DIC facility, which is now its consolidated hub for operations in the UAE. Apart from an equipment yard and repair facilities, the new premises also houses the company’s training facilities and head office.

Speaking about the move to CMME at the open house, and about the company itself, Martin Kirby, MD, Johnson Arabia, says: “This is a special year for Johnson Arabia. I’m proud of our team and what we’ve been able to accomplish in the last 20 years. With our new DIC facility, we are equipped for the future of our business with one of the largest, modern rental fleets in the UAE, along with improved training and customer support.”

Speaking about the reasons behind the move, Kirby adds: “There’s a very positive vision for the business that the shareholders shared with me. We want to expand the business not just here but across the GCC. To do that I think we needed to upgrade the facilities that we had. We were in Al Quoz and scattered across Dubai. We wanted what I call a headquarters, which is what this DIC premises is for us now. And this allows us to provide an even better, professional service than we were doing before. This facility wasn’t purpose-made for us but we’re going to expand it and change and modify it to make it purpose-made for a professional crane and equipment company such as ours.

“The business environment is challenging but that’s not in our power to change; we will have to meet the challenges. To do so we need to be leaner and meaner in some ways and by having our own facility here, which we own, the advantage is that it also gives us the possibility and the confidence to invest in our business and in this facility.

This is why we’re going to expand it and bring in new things like paint shops, increases the number of wash bays and service bays, and generally provide an even better level of service to our customers.”

The facilities that the new premises

comes with already enable Johnson Arabia to step up its levels of service, maintenance and equipment availability. Taking CMME on a tour of the premises, Edwin Bijmholt, head of Operations, and Gareth Conley, executive manager, AWP, explain that the main advantage the new facility provides is increased space for a proper set up of all aspects of Johnson Arabia’s operations, such as the yard, maintenance bays and workshops, storage and training and administrative offices.

“The location of this new premises also provides easier access when compared to our previous facility in Al Quoz, which was very congested and busy. The connectivity of this location also works in our favour as now we are in a place where we can also access our operations in Abu Dhabi quickly and more easily. This larger space here has also enabled us to have our own training facilities, so we can host various training programmes, such as the IPAF training, for our staff ‘on-campus’.

We needed that to grow,” says Bijmholt.

The first feature that he shows CMME is the warehouse for parts storage. “This store contains parts for all the various types of models that Johnson Arabia operates. At any given time we hold an inventory of at least 2,000 parts within our on-premises store. But we also have agreements with the suppliers to hold additional stocks for us on standby, so that any and every spare part that could be needed is available to us within a few hours at the maximum. This saves us from having to stock everything in our store and we can then stock the most commonly needed consumable and fast-moving items, so that our fleet has the maximum uptime possible.”

Leading on to the workshop for AWPs, Conley says: “We have a fully trained and capable team for our maintenance requirements in our AWP workshop. They are all well experienced and some have been with us for over 15 years, which makes them knowledgeable about a variety of machines and technologies.

“Our focus for the engineers and technicians is that they are specialised and capable in different ways, such as in hydraulics, mechanical, electrics and electronics, etc.

QUICK FACTS

JOHNSON ARABIA AT A GLANCE Size of new premises: 41,800sqm AWP fleet strength: 700+ units AWP height ranging: 4.5–47.7m Crane fleet strength: 250+ units Crane capacity range: 35-700t

16

FACILITY VISIT JANUARY 2020

“With our new DIC facility, we are equipped for the future of our business with one of the largest, modern rental fleets in the UAE, along with improved training and customer support” Plus, some of our senior people also mentor small groups of junior engineers, giving them the chance to upskill. Also, many of our technicians go for regular training and certification with our principals, such as JLG, Genie and the other brands that comprise our fleet. They attend training courses at least once a year, often more frequently.”

“We also have in-house training facilities with classrooms and workshops, and of course the machines are right here in our yard, so there’s always a unit handy for handson training. We often have the OEMs sending in their expert trainers to our premises, making it convenient for our people to keep abreast of the latest techniques and skills. We also make sure that all our supervisors and team leaders are constantly keeping up with the latest technologies, which they then pass on to their team members down the line.”

When it comes to the machines, Bijmholt explains that Johnson Arabia has various maintenance plans to look after all units in its fleet thoroughly. “We have preventive maintenance plans and service programmes based on the number of hours a unit has worked, but often the units are away at job-sites when the time comes to do the maintenance work on them. In such cases, it can sometimes be a little difficult to get that machine released. We have a stand-by machine that we replace it with and then work on the unit, or we have what we call our ‘lying Squad’ for maintenance, which comprises our service vehicles that are on the road throughout for the cranes and AWPs, visiting the job-sites where our machines are

Martin Kirby, MD, Johnson Arabia, says the company plans to expand into lifting solutions, and moving to the new facility will enable it to serve customers better as it pursues plans for the future.

working and doing the service over there.

We stick to the manufacturer’s guidelines as closely as possible for the maintenance with our 250-, 500- and 750-hour checks.”

Johnson Arabia’s AWP fleet has a strength of 700 machines, split between scissors and booms and ranging from the small electric scissors to the large diesel ultra-booms, with working heights ranging from 4.5–47.7m, covering the full market requirements.

“Electric machines comprise a lower percentage of our fleet with the diesel booms

making up the largest numbers, because that’s where the demand is in this market.

But we have a good split between electric and diesel and it’s a very up-to-date fleet, both in terms of the quality of machines and the requirements of the market. “The type of machine asked for depends on the job and its requirements. Electric scissor lifts and booms are increasingly being used in the region, especially for indoor jobs because they have no emissions,” says Conley.

“The sectors we target are facilities management, malls, various maintenance works and of course the traditional fields of oil & gas and construction, where AWPs find heavy usage. We’ve been in the business for more than two decades now, so it can be expected that there won’t be any sector of AWP usage that we will not cover. Our operations are actually a very good split between all the various sectors. We know our customers well and they know us equally well. We see our customers coming back to us because we provide a consistent level of great service,” adds Bijmholt.

The next workshop for crane maintenance and repair is right next to the AWP facilities.

The crane workshop is bigger than the AWP one in order to accommodate the larger machines it looks after.

“We service the smaller cranes in the crane service bays we have here at the moment.

Our plan is to have two additional workshops by the end of 2020 that can accommodate the larger cranes as well for maintenance and servicing. These workshops will have a minimum height of 16m, so that we have

17 a roof overhead when we do overhaul and repairs of the bigger cranes in our fleet. We are also going to have a big washing facility soon for our equipment along with the workshops and service bays,” Bijmholt says.

“The same principle applies to cranes as it does to AWPs when it comes to maintenance.

Our policy is to stick to the manufacturers’ recommendations for crane care and we conduct our 250-, 500- and 750-hour checks on our cranes too. Most of our cranes are constantly on jobs, from where they cannot be removed once the lifting starts, so it is even more important to use our mobile service units to maintain them.”

Johnson has around 250 cranes in its fleet, ranging from 35t to 700t units and comprising all-terrain, rough terrain, truck mounted and crawler cranes. There are 40 crawler cranes, Bijmholt says, and the rest divided 50-50 between all-terrain (ATC) and rough-terrain cranes (RTC).

“The RTC in general are limited in capacity, with the maximum for us around 100t. For the ATC the capacities are larger. A typical example is the one you see assembled and ready to leave on a job here in our yard, which has a lift-capacity of 500t. We also have 700t ATC at the higher lift capacity end of our fleet.

“The RTCs are smaller and preferable for certain types of jobs, such as in oil & gas.

This is because of some features in the RTC’s design, such as its low bed and its pick-andcarry ability. Whereas you need to set up an all-terrain crane and rig it with the right configuration for a lift, which takes time, you don’t have such set-up requirements for an

RTC. Besides, once set up, an ATC is difficult to move, while an RTC can be moved easily.

“The disadvantage of the RTC, if we can call it that, is its high axle weights, which prevents it from being driven on the roads. You have to send the RTC to the job-site using other means of transport - such as low-bed trailers - and only once it is there can it move around. The multiple axles of ATCs means the weight per axle is lower and this allows them to travel to job-sites on public roads because they do not exceed the maximum axle loads permitted.”

Edwin Bijmholt, head of Operations and Gareth Conley, executive manager, AWP, say the new facility has more space for Johnson Arabia to set up all aspects of its operations in both AWPs and cranes.

In the RTCs Johnson’s popular models are in the 60-80t lift capacity range while even the 100t models are popular in the Middle East. In terms of brands, Johnson Arabia has a very good mix of all the top manufacturers.

“Being part of the Kanoo Group, which represents Grove in the market, it is only natural that Johnson Arabia’s fleet has many Grove models. But we also have a good representation of Demag, Tadano and Liebherr in our fleet, as well as some other brands. On the crawler crane side, we have Liebherr, Terex-Demag, HSC, Kobelco and other major brands,” Bijmholt adds.

With the fleet that it has, and now with greater flexibility afforded by the move to the new premises, the company is eyeing bigger things, and Kirby elaborates: “We’re going to move into more heavy lifting and more turnkey crane solutions. These could also involve transportation of heavy equipment or more end-to-end lifting and moving solutions. Johnson Arabia is renowned as one of the most professional rental businesses in the region and providing solutions if and when demanded is an area we plan to cover by providing the overall package. There is a big opportunity to grow the business, albeit in challenging times.

“The move to this DIC facility has given us scope for that rebranding and re-positioning of our image. It’s allowed us to reinvigorate our staff as well, and reinforce the sense of family, which is what we are and what contributes to our success. We’re expanding the business and increasing the numbers in our fleet. We’re looking forward to a very positive future.”

“Johnson Arabia is renowned as one of the most professional rental businesses in the region and providing solutions if and when demanded is an area we plan to cover”

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SHOW REPORT JANUARY 2020

HIGH FIVE

THE 40TH EDITION OF THE BIG 5 HEAVY HELD TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR IN DUBAI SAW SOME INNOVATIVE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS BEING INTRODUCED TO THE MIDDLE EAST

BY COMPANIES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

T

he 40th edition of The Big 5 took place at the at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the lats week of November last year, with the construction industry mega-event welcoming over 2,500 local and international exhibitors from 66 countries, showcasing 20,000 building solutions and products to more than 70,000 participants from more than 130 countries over the four days of the show.

As the region’s largest event for the construction industry celebrated four decades, for the first time, The Big 5 covered the full construction cycle with six specialised concurrent and co-located shows: The Big 5 Heavy, Middle East Concrete, HVAC R Expo, Middle East Stone, The Big 5 Solar, and the Urban Design & Landscape Expo.

Among the major names that participated in the Big 5 Heavy section of the show – the event dedicated to the equipment and machinery sector – were the likes of CIFA, NFT, Trimble, Kemroc, AMCS, Nixon Hire and other global and regional luminaries of the machinery world.

Speaking to CMME about his company’s participation at the show, Wajih Eit, regional head of CIFA and Zoomlion Gulf, it’s parent

19 Zoomlion-owned Italian concrete specialist CIFA had a prominent presence at the Big 5 Heavy in Dubai, where it presented its K61L truck-mounted concrete pump in the region.

company, explains: “We have seen that The Big 5 is changing as an exhibition, it is not local anymore- it’s for the whole Middle East region. So, the presence in The Big 5 is becoming more and more important for the local market also, but as a platform for the Middle East.

“We are present in other countries in the Middle East through different dealers, The Big 5 is now an opportunity for us to present every new product that we have, that are special for our markets, in this case its Middle East and Africa. And now we are presenting the new K61L, its presented outside, we are also one of the main sponsors of The Big 5.

And we have two spaces, this time, this space here which is one of the biggest exhibition stalls, I think, and we have outside area also, where we have the 61m pump, exposed, mounted on a 5-axle truck and with a very big pumping unit, which is the HP1808, its 180 cubic metre 83 bar, of course, this is a new product launched for these countries where more and more requests are there for high-raised pumps.

“So, in the past three years, the average of pumps sold over 50m, was much more than the standard pumps which are in the 40s- 42 metre or 48 metre. Now, since one or two years, there is more requests for pumps over 60m that is why we are presenting the new product now, which is the K61L. The request has definitely been from the Middle East, talking about Saudi, UAE and the Gulf countries.”

Explaining the CIFA equipment for the Middle East market he adds: “Definitely, for the Middle East, even the pumping unit that we use is a special unit with what we call the open circuit, which is perfectly fitted for the heat or the high temperatures in the region.

We have both kinds, the closed circuit which is high pressure and we use it more in Europe and we have the open circuit which is for the Middle East, more suited for the heat and weather conditions here.

“And, talking about truck pumps, this is the newest model we are launching now, and we are presenting this model exclusively in The Big 5 show, and we have made special arrangements for a lot of other products as well.

“Talking about batching plants, today there is a very advanced product line of batching plants, from the small ones for pre-cast to the big ones for construction of dams, by the brand CIFA by Euromecc. It’s a business corporation and joint venture between CIFA and Euromecc, which is another leading Italian manufacturer of batching plants. This is especially for the big batching plants, designated for the

20

SHOW REPORT JANUARY 2020

PERFECT PARTNERS

NFT, MANITOWOC RENEW PARTNERSHIP

A big news coming from the Big 5 Heavy exhibition

we are able to supply Potain tower cranes to projects all around the world. In fact, we have supplied projects from Asia to the West, along with the regions in between.

“We are constantly investing in new equipment and machines for our rental fleet. Today at the Big 5 we bought a few new units from Potain and we’re sending them directly to Singapore from the Potain factory. The

in Dubai was global crane giant Manitowoc and NFT Specialized in Tower Cranes renewing their partnership that has seen the Abu Dhabi-based company become the largest dealer in the world of Manitowoc’s Potain tower crane brand.

The agreement to renew the partnership was signed by Orlando Mota, Senior VP, Manitowoc, and Nabil Al Zahlawi, CEO and managing partner, NFT, at the exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

With NFT being virtually synonymous with Potain in the Middle East and now, increasingly, even beyond

new purchase comprises the MCT 565 flattop crane, which is a model class with some demand in the markets we are supplying to.

“The NFT-Potain relationship has grown over time to become seemingly like a family and we value Manitowoc’s trust and support, which has enabled us to deliver the best products and services to users and customers of Potain across several continents.”

Giving Manitowoc’s perspective, Mota adds: “We have a long-standing relationship between NFT and Manitowoc, which makes NFT one of the oldest

the region, both officials said the signing of the renewal agreement, which took place on NFT’s stand at the show, was a mere formality but one that cements a firm relationship even further.

“We are proud to be partners with Potain and Manitowoc for over 45 years now. The relationship is a very special one and we just took the next step of making it official for the future by the renewal of the agreement with Manitowoc,” comments Al Zahlawi.

“Over the years, we have expanded globally and now

Potain dealers across the world as well as our largest global dealer today. So, with the signing here at the Big 5 Heavy, we are celebrating in black and white this long relationship that we’ve now had for 45 years. However, whether we sign on the dotted line or not, the relationship between Manitowoc and NFT will remain a special one and in fact will continue to grow.

But there comes a time when certain formalities need to be observed. NFT and Potain are one family and we are as proud to have a partner like NFT as they are to have us.”

Middle East and African countries.

“And then we have the already produced and launched series of HD Mixers- heavy duty mixers, it’s a completely new design with a heavy duty concept, structure reinforced, higher thickness of drum and other technical features, specifically and only for the Middle East and other African countries.

Over at construction technology provider Trimble, Andrew Caldwell, explains that despite a lot of talk about how the Middle East market is not doing so well, Trimble had probably one of its strongest years last year.

The company showcased its SiteVision technology at the event and Caldwell adds:

“What it enables you to do is to actually see the design of a project on the ground through augmented reality before you’ve even touched the job-site. You can see how the design fits into the environment and before you break ground on the project you know if you are going to have any issues.

It’s a multi-purpose and multi-use product across the construction industry, whatever vertical you’re in.

“So your field project managers can go out on site and say ‘where are we’ or ‘are we on track’, and you can actually just aim at the site and can see your natural ground levels versus where your expected ground levels should finish, all instantly in real time.

21

All you do is feed an application into your phone, and then you can log your designs to the application through our software. And if multiple people are looking at it, they can all see the same thing, but you can also see it from different views.”

From the click and order to the brick and mortar, Baumatik, the maker of piledriving and drilling equipment, also had a fruitful first outing at the event. A representative of the company explains: “We had enquiries from constructions companies about our solutions to problems faced in desert environments like in the UAE. It’s very difficult to build with no pipes and our machines can really help. Our pipes of

Clockwise from top left, crane technology company AMCS, JCB with its new electric excavator, Sweden’s Encar Simulation, CIFA, Trimble and MB Crusher all had fruitful outings at the Big 5 Heavy in Dubai late last year.

different lengths can reach 16 floors deep and we have had people come and say they have never seen these before in this market. So we’ve come for the first time to this event and we want to find a partner for our machines here. Our equipment is already popular in Europe and we’ve had some local people say that they have faced problems in construction sites here that our machines can solve. So it will be good for us to start working in this market too.”

Over at Nixon Hire, Graham Nixon, says product and brand recognition were his company’s aims in participating in the event. Nixon Hire brought in a solar innovation unit from the UK to display at

the event and was hopeful of building the same momentum across the Middle East with it as it has found in Europe.

Explaining the Solar Pod unit, Nixon adds: “It’s an off-grid power source that generates power through solar panels and charges the bank of batteries inside. You can then plug your equipment into it such as electric excavators or even an electric car, which tells you about the diversity of what it can do.

“It’s a compact product and we can get three of these into one shipping container so we can ship in bulk. It can literally ship anywhere in the world and we saw that the UAE was a perfect place to launch our product on the global platform.”

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2019 ROUND-UP JANUARY 2020

THE YEAR THAT WAS

SOME IMPORTANT NEW MODELS AND TECHNOLOGIES FROM GLOBAL MANUFACTURERS MADE THEIR WAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST LAST YEAR. CMME PICKS THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF UTILITY AND IMPACT ON THE REGION

A

s with all editions of Bauma, 2019 saw the global construction machinery sector buzzing with new launches and technologies at the show in Munich in April. As we do our traditional round-up of the year gone by at CMME, it seems only natural that we are spoilt for choice in picking the most important models and developments.

However, again like all editions of Bauma, a huge majority of the launches in Munich were not meant for the Middle East market, and we primarily have our emission norms – or lack thereof – to blame for that. Also, the global drive to electromobility and alternative fuel sources, as evident at Bauma, is another reason why a lot of the machines premiered there will probably never arrive on our shores, at least not in the foreseeable future. But, despite the Middle East’s reluctance to think beyond fossil fuels, it cannot remain totally untouched by global trends, as can be seen by at least some of the smaller electric equipment making forays into our region.

In our compilation of the top five machines and trends, therefore, we look at the most important local developments and the global ones that have had an impact here. Among these global ripples are the electric minis, in the form of a new JCB machine and a virtual reality simulator for powered access training from JLG, as well as Bobcat’s explosive expansion of its telehandler range.

Joining them are the more localised launches of new Caterpillar earthmovers and Liebherr concrete equipment.

Regional Caterpillar dealer Al-Bahar says the new Cat GC range of machines are based on customer feedback that it provided to its principal and is therefore built to GCC requirements.

23

CATERPILLAR’S NEW GC RANGE OF EARTHMOVERS Since late 2017, when it launched

customers are aware there will

its new 20t excavators to

be no compromise on the quality

much fanfare in Malaga, Spain,

and after-sales support.”

Caterpillar has embarked on a

According to Al-Bahar, the

revamping of its earthmoving

GC models are a result of the

range with periodic introductions

continuous expansion of the range

of new customer-focused

by Caterpillar, after the success

machines. The 20t machines were

of its 950 GC wheel loader. This

followed by the 36t digger in

particular range of equipment is

2018, and the new introductions

known for offering convenient

continued late last year with the

acquisition and operating costs

machinery giant’s GC

with an attractive total

range being formally

cost of ownership.

unveiled in the Middle East

by Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, its dealer for all the GCC except Saudi Arabia.

30T

“The GC machines are ideal for those looking for

t t-class tha The weigh C G at 330 the new C elongs to b r excavato

Al-Bahar launched the new Cat GC range with

machines that are simple, durable, fuelcompetitive and easy to use.

Moreover, with the extensive support of

the 330GC excavator and the

Al-Bahar’s network and services

950GC wheel loader. Unveiling

with Cat Genuine Parts, the GC

the two models, the regional

models promise new opportunities

equipment powerhouse said

to optimise businesses. These

the machines were designed

machines are easy to own, operate

to move more material in less

and service,” adds Ismail.

time and at a lower cost per ton,

The 950 GC wheeled loader is a

for faster return on equipment

complete new design leveraging

investment, and that the new

proven Cat components and

Game Changer range of machines

technology to meet customer

were built and introduced

needs. With reliable performance,

based on regional customer

low fuel consumption and ease of

demands and requirements.

operation as the main attributes,

Samer Ismail, product manager,

it is purpose-built to get everyday

Earthmoving & Excavation at

jobs done in quarries, sand-

Al-Bahar, explains: “We found that

and gravel pits, coal operation

some of our existing customers

and construction job-sites.

wanted simple fuel-efficient

The 330 GC excavator is

machines that would minimise

built for operations where high

their owning and operating

reliability and low cost-per-hour

costs. There existed the need of

performance are required. It also

a product range at a different

lowers maintenance costs with

price point, offering the same

extended and more synchronised

Cat brand promise and quality.

maintenance intervals. The

With the objective of meeting

combination of larger hydraulic

our customers’ expectations,

pumps, an electronic main control

we have introduced the GC

valve and electronically controlled

range, including machines that

cooling fans allows the 330 GC

offer high performance and

to deliver high performance

are supported by Al-Bahar. Our

while burning less fuel.

24

2019 ROUND-UP JANUARY 2020

JCB 19C-1E FULLY ELECTRIC MINI EXCAVATOR In what could be construed as

convenient onboard charger

a sign of changing times in the

has a 110V input for a 12-hour

region, JCB brought the world’s

recharging capability, and

first fully electric mini excavator

also has the option for a 230V

to the Middle East last year.

charging input with an eight-hour

The move to introduce

recharging time. There is also a

the 19C-1E to the region was

fast charge option, allowing a

surprising, because the Middle

full charge in under two hours.

East is neither known to favour

“Zero-emission operation

technologically advanced

at point of use, with no tethers

machines over simpler ones nor

or unsafe trailing cables, will

to prioritise green machines over

allow contractors to work inside

smoke-belchers. Yet the British

buildings and in emission-

machinery powerhouse must have

sensitive environments. It will also

seen enough merit in the decision

permit operation in tunnels and

to bring this latest electric mini

underground without having to

here in the same year that it was

install costly exhaust extraction

launched globally and became

equipment. Contractors will also

the first all-electric model of its

be able to work after normal hours

kind to go into production.

without disturbing residents, as

The 19C-1E is a powerful

well as operate in other noise-

compact model with zero exhaust

sensitive environments including

emissions and is considerably

near hospitals and schools.”

quieter than a standard machine,

The lithium-ion batteries’

says JCB. “Utilising leading-edge

15-20kWh of energy storage is

automotive battery technology,

enough for a full working shift for

the 19C-1E will deliver all

the majority of mini excavator

of the performance

customers, says JCB.

of a conventional diesel-powered 1.9t mini excavator with a reduction of both internal and external noise levels,” says the company.

JCB says its new 19C-1E is the first electric mini excavator in serial production in the world. The company has brought it to the Middle East and showed it off at the Big 5 Heavy event.

8

The 230V 16A supply, as found in GCC countries, requires an

t eight-hour f hours tha Number o s e charge time ir u q C-1E re the JCB 19 from empty. The t a th e harg for a full c batteries have re ti en can last an been designed to shift

Explaining the new machine’s prospects

last the operating

life of the machine.

JCB says that using a 48V

and the thinking behind bringing

electrical system, an efficient

it to the Middle East, Rajbir

electric motor delivers instant

Sandhu, regional GM, JCB Middle

torque to power the machine’s

East, tells CMME: “The 19C-1E

proven Bosch Rexroth load-

is designed to meet a growing

sensing hydraulic system with

need for environmentally

the same digging performance

friendly construction equipment.

as JCB’s standard 19C-1.

Among its features are three or

The 19C-1E was shown at The

four lithium-ion battery packs,

Big 5 Heavy exhibition in Dubai last

providing a storage capacity of 15-

year, and Sandhu confirms that

20kWh. Its load-sensing hydraulic

“several units have already been

system delivers powerful digging

sold”, without giving the numbers.

performance, and a sophisticated

Time will tell how popular it proves

battery management system

in the region, but this is definitely

ensures full-shift availability. A

a model to watch in 2020.

“Zero-emission operation at point of use, with no tethers or unsafe trailing cables, will allow contractors to work inside buildings and in emissionsensitive environments”

25

BOBCAT EXPANDS TELEHANDLER LINE-UP Last year, Bobcat went on

applications, such as construction,

an expansion drive with

warehousing, recycling, waste

different rigid frame telehandler

the machine, resulting in a width of

its telehandler range.

and general purpose.

models, covering maximum

only 2.30m and a length of less than

lifting capacities of 2.6-4.3t and

5m from the rear to the fork face.

maximum lifting heights of 6-18m.

With a short turning radius of 3.71m,

In the Middle East, the

And then came Bauma,

first inkling of the compact equipment specialist’s plans for the segment came in February, when Bobcat announced the launch of its new TL43.80HF

where Bobcat showed

4.3T

off a prototype of its new Waste Expert telehandler,

telehandler in the

“The new TL43.80HF ensures customers can benefit from

minimise the overall dimensions of

the machine is very manoeuvrable.

The TL30.70 provides a maximum

unmatched loading productivity

lift capacity of 3t and a maximum

based on the

and lift capacity. Bobcat machines

lift height of nearly 7m with a

TL43.80F. The

are made for tough jobs, while

compact width of 2.1m, making

still providing all the agility and

its a tool for easy pick-and-go

versatility any application would

operations or lifting materials to

require,” says Olivier Traccucci,

height on housing and commercial

senior product manager for

property developments where

telehandlers at Bobcat.

working spaces are tight and

y y offered b hugely positive Lift capacit F 43.80H L T t a c b o reception the B eavy-lift prompted the compact, h r telehandle manufacturer to

heavy duty compact

Bobcat now offers more than 15

not only fast track it into production but

Thanks to a high lift capacity

increased manoeuvrability is

Middle East and Africa. By the

to also launch an entire range

of 4.3t and a maximum lift height

required. It also offers high

middle of the year, this model

of Waste Expert telehandlers,

of almost 8m, the TL43.80HF is

maximum reach of 4m with a load

had been joined by the smaller

introducing, in its own words, “a

a compact telehandler offering

of more than 1t. At maximum lift

TL30.70, launched in June.

new, dedicated material handling

a package that brings together

height, it can lift up to 2t of weight, .

solution for the waste and recycling

robustness, rough terrain ability

by Bobcat as “a new solution for

markets” in August. The range

and ease of use for the operator

range, designed for the tough

heavy lift handling applications”

now comprises four models

in the same machine. Its high

conditoins of recycling and waste

found in “general industry,

based on its TL35.70, TL34.65HF

stability is due to the box welded

management sites, is built with

quarrying and mining”, the TL30.70

and TL38.70HF models, apart

frame, the low load centre, the long

greater robustness, incorporating

is its more versatile junior sibling,

from the original Waste Expert

wheel base and a new massive rear

heavy-duty Dana Spicer axles and

suitable for a wider range of

machine based on the TL43.80HF.

counterweight, allowing Bobcat to

additional reinforced protection.

While the TL43.80HF was billed

Bobcat says the Waste Expert

“The new TL43.80HF ensures customers can benefit from unmatched loading productivity and lift capacity. Bobcat machines are made for tough jobs, while still providing all the agility and versatility any application would require”

26

2019 ROUND-UP JANUARY 2020

LIEBHERR 1304 TRANSIT MIXER If you’re in the concrete business,

want to add more complicated

you’re actually in the transport

things onto the mixer, it not only

business. This is an obvious

means more maintenance but

yet often glossed over point

also demands more training for

that Ali Kassem, regional sales

the driver and more attention

manager, Middle East at Leibherr’s

and commitment from him,

Concrete Technology Division,

which may not be forthcoming.

emphasises to CMME while

“The easier way is to redesign

discussing an innovative new

the drum itself so that it will

model from Liebherr that found

take a little more water volume

popularity in the region last year

to avoid spillage on the road

– the HTM 1304 transit mixer.

without the use of a gate or

“The HTM 1304 is basically for liquid concrete. For a while

cover. This was the whole idea behind our 1304’s design.”

now we’ve noticed that

Kassem also notes

more and more

that with the liquid

liquid concrete is being used in the market.

The slumps are high and it’s all about pumpable and fluid concrete, so that it’s easy

With its latest transit mixer, the 1304, Liebherr has taken an in-depth look at how concrete is transported and offered ready-mix customers the ideal design to deliver high slump mixes.

13.6

concrete, a 12m3 mixer needs to be filled to the 11-

city 11.5m3 mark, es of capa Cubic metr herr 1304 depending b ie L w the ne h on the slump, ides for hig mixer prov te re c which does not slump con

to apply and easy to pump to high levels.

go down well

with customers.

“Customers then say

As concrete gets more liquid,

they are losing a cubic metre or

there is a greater tendency to

so per trip, and since they have

spill on the road while in transit,

so many trips per day and so

because of the design factors of

much concrete to deliver per

the 12m3 truck mixers, such as

month, it is a big loss when seen

the Liebherr HTM 1204, which are

cumulatively compared to what

the overwhelming favourites in

they can do if they fill 12m3. This

most of the GCC,” Kassem says.

is because they calculate the cost

“Most of the 12m3 mixers

of transport, which is their main

usually have a lower angle than

expenditure. And it is sometimes

smaller mixers, because of their

ignored that transport is at the

size and design and because

heart of the concrete business.”

the length of the truck body

In light of all this, Liebherr

places some design constraints.

calculated what it takes to fill

And this is why you notice that

12m3 of a 230mm or 240mm

most 12m3 mixers slant a little

slump into the drum and

downwards, rather than pointing

redesigned the mixer and

upwards at a higher angle.

pedestals, raising the drum angle

“Of course, you can fit a gate for the mixer, but that is not a

to reach a volume of 13.6m3.

“Now, for 12m3 of concrete,

preferred option in the Middle East

even if you are at a slump of

as it also has an additional cost.

240mm, which is pretty liquid,

Also, the gate has to be kept clean

you are fine. The 1304 mixer

and maintained, and that also

will not spill and you can drive

adds to the costs. Maintenance

it easily up inclines, flyovers

is always an issue in our market,

and bridges, and go around

and a driver looking after his

corners and roundabouts easily

truck mixer is always rare. So if we

without spillage,” Kassem says.

“The 1304 mixer will not spill and you can drive it easily up inclines, flyovers and bridges, and go around corners and roundabouts easily without spillage”

27

FIRST JLG ACCESSREADY XE VR SIMULATOR The Middle East notched up another

the first VR simulator in the region

improves learning for operators and

proficiency and idle time during

surprising first of sorts last year

when it brought in the system

prepares them to use the machines

training, making for a more efficient,

when global powered access major

made by Canada’s Serious Labs.

efficiently in real-world situations.

effective and engaging training

JLG brought its AccessReady XR

And with last year’s introduction of

virtual reality operator training

the JLG AccessReady XR, it looks

launching the JLG AccessReady

also reduced, as operators do

simulator to the region.

as if virtual reality safety training

XR VR simulator here in the Middle

not need to be taken off-site for

has really caught on in the GCC.

East. This is the first one outside

training – the device can be taken

North America and the first one with

to the operators’ location. Also,

Introduced along with regional

“We’re really proud to be

programme. Training costs are

rental heavyweight Access Hire,

The JLG AccessReady XR was

this was the first JLG VR training

unveiled at Access Hire’s premises

a customer. We see this as being a

a machine does not need to be

simulator for the powered access

in the Dubai Industrial Park area,

big step in the right direction for

taken off the job for training.

sector to be shipped outside

with the two companies saying

our industry, and we’re very

North America. The fact that the

that the idea behind installing

proud to be innovating

Middle East was the first recipient

the device was to provide

it and bringing it to

of this new technology tool was

virtual reality-based training for

our customers.

surprising, because our region is

operators of all skill levels.

I’d also like to

not known for placing as much

Ian Hume, sales director,

Another key benefit is its cooperative training

thank Access

1

options, through the networking of multiple simulators for a multi-user

importance on safety and training

Emerging Markets, at JLG, said the

Hire for being

as some of the key advanced

AccessReady XR was developed

the driving

markets around the globe, such as

totally in-house by JLG and is able

force behind

Europe and Japan, do. But that is

to not only familiarise operators

bringing this

changing, quite apparently, with the

with the machine controls,

here in the

initiatives from both manufacturers

but also train them virtually on

region,” Hume said.

and the global rental companies

machine operation with advanced

with operations in the region.

spatial awareness challenges. The

device offers several benefits,

practice time for trainees in a virtual

simulator offers an immersive

chiefly the quick application of VR

environment to help hone their

a part of the global rental biggie

training experience in a safe,

training in real-world applications

skills faster, thus reducing the time it

Loxam Group, introduced probably

virtual, indoor environment that

while decreasing trainee time to

takes to get them certified, says JLG.

In 2018, rental giant Rapid Access,

JLG number of dy VR AccessRea outside of simulators rica North Ame

JLG says the

experience or an instructorled mode to create users’ own scenarios.

The AccessReady XR

can also provide more

Bringing the latest

construction news from across the GCC

Š 2019 MEConstructionNews.com All rights reserved. Product of CPI Trade Media

29

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

KNOW

32

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

34_KOMATSU’S DAZZLERS Japanese giant introduces new diggers to the Middle East at a gala evening event.

TOP 10: TIPS FOR RRIAGES UNDERCA of e part e care of th Steps to tak e of t takes som a th it k r u o y knocks. the hardest

40_CANCER CARE Swedish dealer auctions Doosan mini to raise finds for charity.

30

NEW RELEASES JANUARY 2020

MANITOU LAUNCHES HIGH-CAPACITY TELEHANDLER WHY GET IT? ENHANCED LIFT CAPACITY AND HEIGHT WITH INCREASED FORWARD REACH Manitou has introduced a new telehandler aimed at the construction sector, featuring a maximum lift capacity of 5.4t and maximum lift height of 16.9m, with weight capacity at full extension of 2.5t. The MTA 12055 Series III telehandler has a turning radius of 3.65m and an exclusive single joystick control that allows operators to control boom extension and retraction, attachment tilt, auxiliary hydraulics and travel direction, all on the same joystick.

Steve Kiskunas, product manager, telescopic handlers, Manitou Group, said: “We had many customers looking for a Manitou telehandler that could handle construction materials that are larger than usual. The Manitou MTA 12055 has a high capacity and lift height combined with great forward reach, which makes it perfect for infrastructure, bridge and power generation projects, to name a few.”

The MTA 12055 is equipped with a

120hp Cummins engine and four-speed powershift transmission, offering travel speeds up to 36.7km/h. It has a sidemounted engine and high boom mount.

According to Manitou, “This design gives operators excellent visibility over the top of the engine and easy access to maintenance components.” Additional features include a maximum forward reach of 12.19m and standard four-wheel drive, frame levelling, auxiliary hydraulics and self-levelling forks.

Optional features for the MTA 12055 include cab enclosure with heat or air conditioning, an LED light kit, and reverse camera and radar. Manitou has also designed a Personnel Work Platform System (PWP) that temporarily disconnects the transmission, engages the rear axle stabiliser, reduces frame levelling and applies the parking brake when using a platform attachment.

Manitou also offers a full range of attachments for the model, including both standard and rotating fork carriages, truss booms, buckets and lift hooks.

SPECIFICATIONS

MANITOU MTA 12055 Max lift capacity: 5.4t Max lift height: 16.9m Max forward reach: 12.19m Engine power: 120hp

CAT TO UPDATE AC ELECTRIC DRIVE ON ROPE SHOVELS WHY GET IT? IMPROVED RELIABILITY AND PERFORMANCE IN EXTREME CONDITIONS Caterpillar said it will bring in new features and updates on its proven AC electric drive system for the Cat 7495 and 7495 HF electric rope shovels. The updates are planned to provide more reliability, improved maintenance access, enhanced safety and expanded ability to perform at high altitudes and in extreme temperatures.

The updated system is also designed to easily integrate with advanced technologies.

“Caterpillar and our predecessor in shovel design and manufacturing, Bucyrus, have supplied more than 300 AC electric rope shovels,” said Dale Blyth, product manager, Electric Rope Shovels. “The most recent advances in AC drives are integrated in this update and demonstrate how we apply our experience to help customers lower cost per ton and bolster safety.”

Updates include a liquid-cooled motion regulator cabinet for more efficient dissipation of heat generated by electrical components.

The new system enables shovels to operate at temperatures from -40 degrees to +50 degrees Celsius and altitudes of 5,250m without derating. The system also eliminates airborne contaminants in the cabinet and lengthens service intervals, reducing costs and increasing uptime. Additionally, a faster new propel transfer switch cuts lag time by 75% for improved productivity, said Caterpillar.

New technologies allow the consolidation of two cabinets in the machinery house, to create space for easier maintenance access. The updated maintenance station is designed for integration of current and future technology solutions, including Cat MineStar.

The drive system design uses common motors in multiple applications. That means fewer parts to stock, improved parts availability and simplified maintenance. The new electric drive system will be on all new-production 7495 and 7495 HF shovels, beginning in late 2020.

33

COMANSA PRESENTS NEW LARGE-CAPACITY TOWER CRANE WHY GET IT? CAPABLE OF CONTINUOUS HIGHCAPACITY LIFTS, REDUCED SETUP TIME AND CUBE CAB Spanish tower crane specialist Comansa has announced the addition of a new model to its range of large-capacity flattop cranes: the new 21LC1400, which became available in the last quarter of 2019 and comes in two versions with maximum load capacities of 50t or 66t.

The 21LC1400 is targeted for use mainly in infrastructure and PPVC (prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction) projects, but will also provide enhanced performance in any other project which involves lifting very heavy loads, such as in shipyards, mining and other industrial sectors, said Comansa.

Like Comansa’s most recent developments in the 21LC family, the 21LC1400 will feature a modular design counterjib to significantly reduce the operating radius on small sites. A new single and compact trolley-hook has also been designed for the 21LC1400, rather than the single-double trolley system standard in Comansa’s other models, as this new crane will work mainly in projects in which maximum load capacity is required for almost every lift.

The 21LC1400 has an 85m jib as standard, extendable up to 90m, and a new cage designed as an extension of the range that includes the latest upgrades of cages, previously available only for smaller cranes.

In addition, Comansa has announced the addition of Quick Set, an electronic limitation system that reduces the set-up time of the cranes from three hours to 45 minutes. This

technology will also reduce the number of staff required during this operation.

This new model comes with the new CUBE cab as standard. First exhibited at the end of 2017, it offers not only an innovative aesthetic design but also a completely renewed user experience with increased space and comfort. Its productivity and new features have earned it the IF design award, one of the most prestigious international awards in the industrial sector.

SPECIFICATIONS

COMANSA 21LC1400 Max lift capacity: 50t or 66t Standard jib length: 85m Extended jib: 90m Set-up time: 45 minutes

32

TOP TEN JANUARY 2020

02

01

APPROPRIATE TRACK TENSION Operate the machine for at least half an hour, to allow the track to acclimate to the working area before you check and set the track tension. If conditions change, like additional rainfall, readjust the tension.

Loose tension causes whipping at higher speeds, resulting in excessive bushing and sprocket wear – too tight, and it stresses the undercarriage and drive train components.

START AND END WITH INSPECTIONS Begin and end every shift with a visual inspection.

Operators must do a walk-around before they start the machine, and another when the day’s work has come to an end. Pay special attention to the undercarriage, looking out for cracks, dents, debris, packed mud, oil and fluid leaks, as well as track tensioning and plate gaps. Flag and deal with issues immediately.

: N E T P TO R O F E R A C O T S P TI S E G A I R R A C R E D HINE C A UN M R U O Y RRIAGE OF RCA ON JOB G N I T THE UNDE A E GGEST B I B E AFTER H D T E S K O O L TAKE S TO BE D E E N D N SITES A

03

CORRECT SHOE WIDTH Use the narrowest shoe possible that still provides adequate flotation and function for any specific environment. Narrower than that will cause the machine to sink.

Shoes that are too wide, however, may bend and crack more easily, cause increased wear on all components, cause premature dry joints and loosen shoe hardware. A two-inch increase in shoe width results in a 20% increase in bushing stress.

MACHINE NCEachine BALA lanced m

ba A properly track roller wear of the n e v e s e id v imises track pro ar, and min re to t also n o fr from od balance lloping. Go a s track sc e il c u ra d k lin and re n o ti ta o fl k ac e on a optimises tr ce a machin with n la a b s y a lw t balance slippage. A rface and se su l e v achine. le , th smoo be on the m ill w t a th t en accelerate the attachm alance can g Improper b us shortenin ge wear, th ia e rr z a o d rc e e d n n fi u to an inability g n si u se a ri c , s e r’ lif the operato and making ble. uncomforta

04

33

06 05

OPERATING HABITS Consistently turning in the same direction results in unbalanced wear, with more wear on the outside track. Operators should be instructed to alternate turning directions when possible, to keep track wear rates the same. Non-productive high operating speeds should also be minimized, to reduce wear on undercarriage components, and avoid unnecessary operation in reverse, to reduce sprocket and bushing wear.

FOLLOW DIGGING GUIDELINES It is important to follow the specific digging guidelines for any type of equipment, in order to ensure the safety of its undercarriage. For example, there are three specific recommendations for digging with excavators. The preferred digging method is over the front idlers, to reduce the potential for structural problems. Dig over the side of the excavator only when absolutely necessary, and never dig over the final drive.

REGULAR AL N PROFESSTIO S INSPpEroCfessioIOnaN l should

ict A qualified or and pred sure, monit a e fy m ti y n rl e la id u reg better ge wear, to undercarria the most life g d arly an et e s d e e n ir a rep ur from an cost per ho and lowest hecking ge. When c undercarria ast the n, always co track tensio r a stop rathe machine to than brake.

09 08

LEVEL SURFACE PRECAUTIONS While working on flat surfaces, remember that dozing causes faster wear on the front idlers and rollers; ripping increases rear roller, idler and sprocket wear; and loading leads to more wear on the front and rear components than on the centre components. Repeating any of these actions frequently leads to uneven wear.

DEBRIS CAN BE DETRIMENTAL Clean debris from the undercarriage when needed during operation, so rollers will turn freely, and always clean out debris at the end of a shift. This is particularly important in landfills, wet conditions or any application where material can become packed. Roller guards may trap debris and increase the effects of packing.

07 10

PRECAUTIONS ON INCLINES When working on gradients, remember that working uphill causes higher wear on rear undercarriage components. Work downhill for higher track longevity. Also, working on hillsides increases wear on the undercarriage parts on the downhill side of the machine while causing excessive wear on guiding systems on both sides. Alternate sides when working on hills, or rotate the tracks from side to side when working on one side more than the other.

34

COVER STORY JANUARY 2020

“We are very optimistic about the prospects of these machines in the region… We’re sure they will continue the same success trend as the previous ones and enable Komatsu to consolidate its position as a market leader in excavators in the region”

A choreographed machinery demonstration ushered in the new Komatsu PC500LC-10R and PC210-10M0 excavators at the company’s Dubai Training and Demonstration Center last month.

35

KOMATSU DAZZLES WITH NEW MACHINES

THE JAPANESE BEHEMOTH INTRODUCES ITS LATEST 50T AND 20T EXCAVATORS TO CUSTOMERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN A DEMONSTRATION EVENT WITH MUCH FANFARE AT ITS REGIONAL HUB IN DUBAI

36

COVER STORY JANUARY 2020

K

omatsu, the second largest construction equipment maker in the world overall, and a market leader in almost all the segments it operates in, has responded to the call of the Middle East market and to the unique requirements that its job-sites impose on machines by coming out with machines made especially for the Middle East. And the Japanese behemoth proudly showed off those machines to a regional audience at a dazzling demonstration event in its regional hub in Dubai on a cool evening last month.

The machines - the 50t-class PC500LC-10R and the 20t PC210-10M0 – were the stars of a show that saw the company display a range of its products for the Middle East market in a mesmeric, synchronised and choreographed show to accompanying sound and lights.

But before the dance of the machines began that evening, the Komatsu management in the Middle East took a large assembly of key customer drawn from all over the Middle East on a demonstration of the two star attractions.

Yoshihisa Hayashi, managing director, Komatsu Middle East extended a warm welcome to the assembles congregation of Komatsu customers from all around the Middle East. Emphasising Komatsu’s philosophy of keeping the customer at the centre of all its activities, he says: “I’d like to

welcome customers from Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and the UAE to tonight’s event, besides other Komatsu customers. This event is a valuable opportunity for all of us to share our views on Komatsu products and product support. Komatsu has been in the Middle Eats market for 55 years now and we take a lot of pride in contributing to the development of the GCC countries and of other countries in the region.

“We are also approaching our 100th anniversary as a company. We rely on this

Ashraf Hashish, GM, Komatsu Middle East, takes guests through the machinery demonstrations while a team from Komatsu (above) demonstrates the benefits of genuine filters and spares.

vast experience to provide our customers with the best and strongest machines, working optimally in the tough conditions of the region.”

Speaking specifically about the new machines being shown officially for the first time, he adds: “Tonight we are adding new excavators to our product range. We are very optimistic about the prospects of these machines in the region. We’re sure they will continue the same success trend as the previous ones and enable Komatsu to consolidate its position as a market leader in excavators in the region. We consider our customers as the most important stakeholder in our business and devote ourselves to providing them with the most effective solutions to their requirements. We pride ourselves in delivering products, services and systems that are safe, environment conscious and innovative. I want to reiterate Komatsu’s and our distributors’ commitment today to delivering our utmost support for your business in order to reduce your operating costs to the minimum.”

And reduction in operating costs is what the new machines are all about. Ashraf Hashish, senior GM, Marketing, at Komatsu Middle East, reiterates this as he leads the guests through detailed presentations about the two machines.

The venue is the state-of-the-art enclosed viewing gallery at the new facility of Komatsu Middle East. A bank of seats, comprising several rows, slopes down as if in a movie theatre, and in place of the screen there is a glass wall beyond which is the wide

37

PC500LC-10R

KOMATSU’S NEW 50-TONNER The Komatsu PC500LC-10R excavator has several features and upgrades that makes it among the standard bearers in the 50t class on the market.

“Among the improvements that Komatsu has engineered into the model is a 21% increase in efficiency compared to the PC4508R. 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.

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 “To improve fuel efficiency the PC500LC-10R has an enhanced engine management system with variable speed matching of the engine, hydraulic pump and a viscous fan clutch. By optimising the fuel injection control, we’ve improved engine combustion efficiency, achieving both a high power output and low fuel consumption,” Hashish adds.

“A speed controlled viscous fan clutch and large diameter fan improves engine efficiency and reduce engine power requirements when operating in cooler temperatures. What also contributes to lower fuel consumption is reduction of hydraulic loss, achieved through the revision of the internal shape of the control valves, piping diameter and fitting shape.”

The model is equipped with large displacement hydraulic main pumps providing high flow output at low engine RPM, while optimum matching of the engine and pumps keeps operability and workability high, ensuring higher production at low fuel consumption.

“There are two operational modes. The P mode implements what we call ‘Large Production’ while selecting E mode allows for ‘Low Fuel Consumption’. The E mode can be further adjusted from E0 to E3 for optimally efficient performance as per the job requirements. There are two modes for the boom as well. Smooth mode provides easy operation for gathering blasted rock or scraping down operation while Power mode can be used when maximum digging force is needed,” explains Hashish.

When it comes to maintenance, things have been made rease

quicker and easier with centralised filters for easier access. All filter cartridges are located in tone place to reduce the time taken for periodic maintenance. Installing a pre-cleaner, coupled with the large air cleaner, has brought down the frequency of cleaning required for the air cleaner even in dusty environments. Cleaning of the cooling unit has also been improved, allowing it to be more effective on dusty job-sites. The oil cooler, which used to be made up of three pieces, is now a single piece in the new machine, which reduces space for dust to accumulate A newly designed, wide and spacious cab incorporates a seat with a reclining backrest. The seat height and longitudinal inclination are easily adjusted using a pullup lever while the operator can set his appropriate posture or armrest position together with the angle of the console. in fuel

21%

Inc in efficiency LC-10R the PC500 to the compared PC450-8R

“Making the new machines easier to maintain and safer to run were among our key goals. To achieve this, we centralised all the filters and made sure the routine maintenance tasks were easy to perform”

38

COVER STORY JANUARY 2020

PC210-10M0

TARGETING THE 20T COMPETITION Komatsu’s newlyintroduced PC21010M0 now spearheads the company’s assault on the vital 20t excavator sector in the Middle East. The most important point about these models is that they are designed and made specifically for the Middle East, and not a global model tweaked for the region with a reduction in specs.

Explaining the specificity of the new model in an exclusive conversation with CMME,

Ashraf Hashish, senior GM, Marketing, at Komatsu Middle East, says: “That PC21010M0 and PC210LC10M0 are built for the region is apparent in their names. The M0 in the moniker signifies that the models have been designed for the Middle East or are Middle East-specific models. The 10 stands for the generation. And the LC in the second variant stands for long crawler or longer undercarriage. The LC or long crawler option adds more stability to the machine, especially

20%

for operations with attachments, such as breakers. The LC machine is also best suited for operations where low ground pressure is required, such as working on soft surfaces like sand.

“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.”

Normally, when

you upgrade a model and increase machine weight, it is accompanied by higher fuel consumption. But Komatsu has broken the mould for that with this new 20-tonner, going for higher weight but significantly lowering fuel consumption, Hashish explains.

“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.”

in fuel Reduction ew on in the n consumpti ite sp e -10M0, d 20t PC210 th bo increases in nd a y it c capa t h ig e w

“When we went in for that upgrade we improved a whole bunch of things in terms of machine weight, productivity and fuel consumption”

arena for Komatsu machines to display and demonstrate their excellence as they are put through their paces by expert operators.

The backdrop for the evening is a stunning Dubai sunset. And silhouetted against the crimson western horizon are the machines.

First up, it’s the turn of the PC500LC-10R excavator. As the gleaming new 50-tonner moves into the middle of the arena, the spotlights come on and make its polished yellow surface gleam.

Inside the theatre, Hashish leads the audience through a detailed eight-point presentation of the model’s special features.

“Making the new machines easier to maintain and safer to run were among our key goals,” he says. “To achieve this, we centralised all the filters and made sure the routine maintenance tasks were easy to perform.

“We designed the cooling system with the aim that it would be very easy to clean. It is built on a hinged mechanism that makes it simple to remove and clean, as well as access the areas and parts behind it for easier maintenance. There is no dirt or dust that will stay accumulated.

“Another aspect that we paid special attention to are the greasing points. This is something that customers can have problems with if care is not taken - and we took special care of this in the design. The design of the machine provides for continuous greasing and prevents clogging of the greasing points.”

Hashish adds that for more safety the 50t digger incorporates a large handrail and larger step for the operator and also sports a deck guard. “Coming to attachments, the PC500LC-10R comes with breaker piping as standard. It also has an additional filter for breakers with clogging sensor,” he explains.

“Then we have the bucket, which, as you see with the machine is a bigger and higher production one. The standard bucket is a 2.50 cubic metre one, which we call the heavy-duty or HD bucket. It is designed to improve operational efficiencies for this model. There is also the option of a larger 3.50 cubic metre bucket with the Super Earthmover (SE) spec version of the machine that has a short boom and arm.

“This brings me to the excavator’s boom and arm, which are made for higher durability. The optimised shape of the casting makes it a wider boom frame for added strength in the new PC500LC-10R. We thought about this in great detail. We wanted to reinforce it and enhance the robustness.

It’s now reinforced with thicker steel than in the previous models and we focused on those points that bear more of the load and experience greater wear and tear forces. We also considered the first section of the boom,

39 which is its longest part. And we made that stronger as well.”

The new 50t model’s digging power has also been enhanced “with improved link motion”, and Hashish elaborates: “The digging force of the bucket has been increase by 9% in the new model. Compared to its predecessor model, the digging force is now 303kN whereas before it was 277kN. What has enabled this increase is a rethinking of the design. The cylinder bottom position is now changed on the PC500LC, while the stroke, front link length, wrist link and length between bucket pins have all also been changed to get the increase in digging power.”

Underpinning all of this is a 5% increase in engine power to 269kW. And this power is available on tap to the operator with a one-touch “power max” switch in the cabin.

As Hashish points out each feature and improvement, the spotlight trains on that particular aspect of the machine out in the demonstration arena beyond the glass walls.

But soon, it is the turn of the 50t machine’s smaller sibling to take centre stage. As the PC210-10M0 chugs in on its tracks, Hashish launches into the improvements that this new 20-tonner has seen over its predecessor.

“Apart from centralising all filters, embedding a single grease nipple and putting in hinged structure for the A/C condenser for easy access and maintenance, we also put in a new hydraulic oil filter that can last for 2500 hours – double that of the earlier filter’s 1000 hours.

“Just as in the new 50t machine, the PC210-10M0 also receives higher capacity

buckets, with the largest having a capacity of 1.20 cubic metres. To further enhance robustness, the boom of this machine is 25% wider and the lifting capacity is also up by 5% over its predecessor thanks to design tweaks and extended tail radius. The new 20-tonner’s engine power of is also up by 12% to 123kW but fuel consumption is lower by at least 20%.

This is core Komatsu values at work – we are constantly improving customers’ bottom lines by making our machine better and more powerful yet with lower fuel consumption.”

Yoshihisa Hayashi (top), MD, Komatsu Middle East, started proceedings by welcoming guests to the event while the demonstration was follwed by a tour of the regional parts distribution hub at the facility.

Educating the customer is also in line with the Japanese giant’s philosophy, and so the demonstrations of the machine is followed by a real-live experiment conducted in front of the audience inside the viewing gallery. Two Komatsu personnel show how much of a difference authentic Komatsu filters make by demonstrating the filtering of contaminated water using spurious and authentic Komatsu filters. Once all the different grades of filters are used to catch the impurities of contaminated water, they are lined up on a table for view along with the filtered water that each produced in a test tube behind it. It’s clear and apparent for all to see the amount of impurities that the genuine high-grade Komatsu filters separated and the clarity of the water in the test tubes behind them compared to the still murky water that resulted from the use of the spurious filters.

Finally, the audience was treated to a spectacular show – the choreographed dance of Komatsu machinery. With pulsating music and lights, a wheel loader, a bulldozer and a rigid dump truck joined the two excavators in a seamless symphony of movement that showed off both the machines’ prowess and flexibility and the expertise of master operators.

As the spectacle ends, the gathering is guided to Komatsu’s large adjacent regional parts distribution centre to experience how seriously the company takes customer support. The evening then ends with dinner and live entertainment, and prizes for guests – in other words, a get-together of the region’s Komatsu family around their latest best.

40

THE LAST WORD JANUARY 2020

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