Construction Machinery ME September 2018

ISSUE 83 R 2018 SEPTEMBE

PLUs

AT THE HECLMatChes UP CM M e Vo Ce’s L o V h t i w dent i s e r P w ne

MINI MARVdEeLSMand

rising the s t ir s U P M in i region’s r seCtor exCaVato

P U G N I D GR A

raders g r o t o M

fine e r s r e r e u n i t h c c a f a u m G an n i m k r a e d m a d r G roa n o i s i c e the pr

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2018 6_News The latest news from across the region and further afield.

14_secoNd comiNG While demand for new machinery in the Middle East lags behind global levels, contractors and fleet owners can still make a killing with used kit.

18_aT The helm CMME catches up with Volvo CE’s new president Melker Jernberg to know about his journey so far and his plans for the compnay’s future.

22_sky is The limiT

18

Powered access major Skyjack is standing tall inthe region with new telematic solutions, an extensive model line-up and service back-up.

12 SpoTTeD y an s in Gertem rrain help

r e w o p raw e 32 _ N e w R The latest

l e a se s

inery.

ction mach

f constru the world o m o fr s se relea

eN 36_Top T

ing them in

keep vators and r mini exca

peak order.

12

Demag all wer crane to set up to in Stuttgart

ng for you

ri Tips for ca

aking.

e for road m NG Up ning machin tu en fi e th 38_GR adi e to refine ers continu Grader mak

dels.

o with new m Rvels a m i excavators i in m N r i fo d m eman 44_ the rising d respond to oy’ Top brands UTURe ‘T f a d l i U b for work. aNd leGo and patents 48_volvo oration leads to a toy for play n collab Scandinavia

38

14

44

26

2

EDITORIAL SEP TEMBER 2018

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

ADVERTISING

The monTh To plan

SALES ExECuTIvE

September is perhaps the most significant month of the year for the Middle East’s construction industry and, by extension, the machinery sector. While it is the ninth month on the calendar, for our sector it may well be the first. For this is the month when the region starts its wake-up routine from the slumber induced by a long summer of sapping heat.

As we move ever closer to Dubai Expo 2020, the month seems to have an added significance for the emirate. From now, there are only 16 months to go for the start of the big event, and probably even less time for the big projects associated with it to be readied and delivered. As people come back from the long summer holidays, plans will be drawn up for the last leg of the push towards delivering the Expo projects.

One important aspect of any new infrastructure project such as the Expo is roads. And a vital machine in making roads is the motor grader. In this issue, we look at some developments in the grader sphere where the top brands have brought in models targeted at the Middle East’s market and conditions.

The stage after construction is maintenance. When the edifices and the architectural marvels for the Expo have been completed they will demand regular up-keep. And this is where compact equipment comes in, especially the mini excavator. Not only at the Expo site but also as all the cities in the region become increasingly built-up, there will naturally be demand for the mini excavator, which can go in where no large crawler can fit.

+971 4 375 5496

As the regional head of one of the top compact equipment makers puts it, you won’t be taking a 20-ton excavator for a landscaping or swimming pool job to a villa in a residential neighbourhood. This is where the mini will always rule.

The trend is already clearly visible in the bigger urban areas in the region. And no wonder that manufacturers such as Hitachi have been pleasantly surprised by the traction their minis have seen in the market, as have the more established makers of compact kit, like Bobcat.

Staying on pleasant surprises, this is exactly what I felt when I spoke with Melker Jernberg, the new president of Volvo CE, for an exclusive interview recently. As you can read in this issue, the Swede’s enthusiasm for and insights on the industry are quite compelling.

As the construction sector plans for the busy time ahead, so are we at CMME towers. Plans are afoot to cover several key projects and machinery sectors in greater detail in the coming months.

Keep reading!

TOM BROMLEY tom.bromley@cpitrademedia.com

DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com

MARKETING MARKETING MANAGER SHEENA SAPSFORD sheena.sapsford@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498

CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION PRODuCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713

WEb DEVELOPMENT MOHAMMAD AwAIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI

FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRINTED by PRINTwELL PRINTING PRESS LLC PUbLIShED by

Licensed by TECOM to registered company, CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC whose registered office is 207 – 209, Building 3, Dubai Studio City, Dubai, UAE. www.cpitrademedia.com

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

© Copyright 2018 CPI. All rights reserved. while the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

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4

ONLINE SEP TEMBER 2018

MOST POPULAR

ReAdeRS’ COMMeNTS

feATURed

CONSULTANT

CONSTRUCTiON diSPUTe TiMeS fALL TO LOweST SiNCe 2011 bUT vALUeS SOAR 38%

Yousef Al Mulla to take over as DSI Group CEO as firm announces Q2 losses

It was great to read in the headline that construction dispute times are falling to their lowest (quickest?) since the turn of the decade

CONSTRUCTiON

Two men killed during maintenance of industrial furnace in Jebel Ali

but more worrisome

C

to hear that: “On a

M

less positive note, the average value of disputes increased over the last year, rising to

feature: Art of Living Mall – The Consultant’s Role

$91 million. This was of high-value disputes

K

is sad we’re still seeing a small minority of big projects bringing the rest of us down, but I think this is mostly positive news for the industry.

We all benefit when disputes are settled quickly particularly as the industry relies on

CONSTRUCTiON

cash flowing smoothly

UAE launches next phase of Al Badiya Bridge project

in the system and we’ve seen how difficult it can be when it doesn’t. Sad to hear that companies continue to repeat the same mistakes of the past. We’ve clearly still got some room for improvement

CONSTRUCTiON

Construction begins on European Maternity Hospital project in Khalifa City

feature: Advancing low-carbon urban development in the UAe

CY

CMY

final account claims.” It

Dubai Properties energy initiative at Business Bay project to offset 1,450t of carbon dioxide

MY

due to a small number and a flow of ‘mid value’

CONSULTANT

Y

CM

as an industry!

Name withheld by request

S W NE 6

new Safety feature

secondary guarding system from skyjack

jects, o r p w e ffices, n o w e n , s hine around k o new mac o l e ives – w t a month i t s i i n h i t w e ne w hat’s n w t a n o i the reg TEREx REPoRTS STRonG Q2 Terex has reported a strong Q2 2018

Powered access major Skyjack has

with sales of

introduced its Secondary Guarding

$1.4bn, up 19%

Lift Enable (SGLE) system, a new

over the same

solution for secondary guarding

period last year,

of scissors and vertical mast lifts.

with increased

result of growing awareness and

in all three of

interest in safety at heights, especially

its business

through incorporating secondary

segments. Sales for

guarding systems for mobile

the Terex Cranes

elevating work platforms (MEWP).

segment grew 10%

Bobcat brings compact telehandler to MEA Bobcat has launched the new TL43.80HF telehandler in the Middle East and Africa, designed for heavy lift handling applications in sectors such as general construction, quarrying and mining, manufacturing, warehousing and general industry.

The firm now offers a range of 15 different rigid frame telehandler models, covering maximum lifting capacities from 2.6-4.3t and maximum lifting heights of 6-18m.

Olivier Traccucci, Bobcat’s senior product manager for telehandlers, said: “At Bobcat, for over 60 years, we have been constantly innovating the market – always developing new machines for customers’ needs. The new TL43.80HF is no exception to this legacy, as it completes our range of telehandlers and 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.”

Thanks to a high lift capacity of 4.3t and a maximum lift height of almost 8m, the TL43.80HF is a compact telehandler offering a high lift capacity. According to Bobcat, it brings together robustness, rough-terrain ability and ease of use for the operator in the same machine.

The TL43.80HF has enhanced stability due to its box-welded frame, low load centre, long wheel base and a new massive rear counterweight, allowing Bobcat to minimise its overall dimensions.

The result is a machine width of only 2.3m and a length of less than 5m from the rear to the fork face. With a short turning radius of only 3.71m, it is also easy to manoeuvre, making it easy to use in confined environments.

The TL43.80HF offers a reversible fan, which helps to keep the cooling system clean in dusty environments, and also has an Eco mode for fuel savings of up to 15%.

Skyjack said the launch is the

sales and backlog

“Industry groups have recently

to $335m, driven

suggested possible circumstances,

by higher demand

conditions and operations that might

while constrained

result in inadvertent contact with

by global supply

obstructions and consequently an

chain challenges.

entrapment hazard. As a result, a form

The second

of secondary guarding is now being

quarter-ending

requested on scissor lifts and vertical

backlog was up

mast lifts by some equipment users,

31% over 2017.

so we introduced SGLE,” said Skyjack.

“Our global

With a strong control box shroud,

team continued

the SGLE system allows additional

to execute well

guarding of controls, reducing the risk

and continued

associated with unintended actuation.

the trend of

Skyjack said a secondary anti-

improving overall

tamper enable button is located

performance. We

on the side of the control box –

increased sales

the operator must activate both

and backlog in all

the joystick and the secondary

three segments

enabler to lift the platform.

and increased

Releasing either control stops the

production to

elevate function immediately.

meet strong global

With two-handed operation

demand,” said

required to lift the platform, the

John L. Garrison,

operator’s body is also maintained

Terex president

in an upright position and away

and CEO.

from the railings, lowering the risk of entrapment.

Lowering the platform or driving it on its wheels or tracks requires use of only the joystick, with the secondary enable button not used for these functions, Skyjack said.

BE TOUGH TACKLE ANY TASK

BOBCAT COMPACT TRACK LOADERS FACE ALL CHALLENGES At Bobcat, we develop loaders, excavators, telehandlers and more than 100 attachments to get all your construction jobs done.

For over 60 years, our machines have proved how tough they are on site. But instead of looking back, we’re constantly focusing on the future: our high standards drive our innovation.

We offer an unmatched range of compact loaders with: high pushing force low ground pressure high versatility with 30 construction attachments All you can expect from compact equipment: agile, durable and adaptable.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BOBCAT SOLUTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AT WWW.BOBCAT.COM Bobcat is a Doosan Company. Doosan is a global leader in construction equipment, power & water solutions, engines, and engineering, proudly serving customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. © 2018 Bobcat Company. All Rights Reserved.

8

newS rOunD-uP SEP TEMBER 2018

Lift anD mOve

khimji ramdas delivers heavy gensets in oman

Rapid Access to rebrand after Loxam takes over

WAcKER nEuSon SEES 8% RISE In H1 REvEnuES Light and compact equipment maker Wacker Neuson has reported an 8% rise in revenue in the first half

Khimji Ramdas Projects and

of this year,

Logistics Group, an oman-

with $939.3m

headquartered freight, container

compared to

and cargo transport specialist,

€869.9m in H1

recently delivered a set of heat

2017. Adjusted for

recovery steam generators

currency effects,

(HRSGs) in Sohar, oman, in a cargo

this corresponds

comprising eight over-sized pieces

to an increase

with a combined weight of 815t.

of 12% and the

Rapid Access will roll out a new brand identity after its parent company, the UK’s Lavendon Group, was acquired by French equipment rental giant Loxam Group. The French company bought Lavendon last year to create the largest rental company in Europe and the Middle East, and the third largest in the world.

Rapid Access said the acquisition enables it to build upon its reputation

FLEET LInE To MovE IRAQ KIT Dubai freight forwarder Fleet Line Shipping has won a contract to move 11,000 freight tonnes of oil & gas equipment and pipes to Iraq from the UAE by land and sea. The first batch comprised several pipelayers of 45t each.

with customers to leverage the Loxam’s global experience in service provision to the world’s largest clients and contractors.

“The acquisition by Loxam Group has allowed us to continue investment in our service capabilities across the GCC, while maintaining the same high levels of service that have come to be expected of Rapid Access,” said Paul Rankin, MD, Rapid Access.

“We feel it is time to recognise this next stage of our evolution as we further establish our company as the preferred supplier of aerial work platforms (AWPs) in the Middle East.

These changes give us an opportunity to refresh the brand as we move forward, reinforcing our strong identity as we continue to provide the same outstanding service to our customers, to the same high standards of excellence.

The cargo was transported 50km

company says

from Sohar port to the job-site.

the figures are

Khimji Ramdas took delivery from

a record high

a cargo vessel at the port, which

for half-yearly

brought in the eight pieces with

results. EBIT

dimensions of 26.3m x 5.4m x 3.6m.

(earnings before

The job involved jacking the

interest and tax)

loads onto customised stools,

improved 28% to

clearing customs, arranging escorts

$89m, compared

and civil work along the delivery

to $69.6m in

route. Two lots of 18 axle lines of

H1 2017.

SPMT were used in the delivery.

Arijit Das, unit manager at Khimji Ramdas, said work also included surveying the route, arranging police permission to move the over-sized cargo and overseeing the entire delivery.

Terex Trucks upgrades Ta30 0 hauler

Terex Trucks has updated its TA30 0 articulated hauler with a ne w and improved transmission.

The 28t workhorse now incorporates the latest EP320 transmiss ion from ZF as sta ndard, resulting in a 5% rise in fu el efficiency, as we ll as enhanced performance an d productivity, co mpared to the previous model working in the sa me application.

The new transm ission has eight forward gears and four re verse, higher over all gear ratio spread and optimised shifting with parti al load shifts.

9

Eco-friendly Genie models at FM EXPO

Global powered access major Genie has announced that it will showcase its environment-friendly models for the facilities management sector at FM EXPO 2018, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from September 23-25.

Genie working at height solutions will be on display for facilities management professionals at the brand’s Booth 5C229, with featured models including the Genie AWP 25 S Super Series work platform and the electric Genie GS-1930 scissor lift.

Visitors to the Genie booth will also have the opportunity to learn more about the new hybrid Genie Z-60/37 FE articulating boom named Rental Product of the Year 2017 by the European Rental Association (ERA) in 2016.

The highlight of the stand

JLG REPoRTS rePOrt giveS hOPe

global equipment sales to grow in 2018

SALES RISE Sales at JLG increased by 18.4%

Total sales of construction

off-Highway, adding

to $1.16bn in the

equipment are expected

that the country saw

quarter ending

to reach one billion units

a huge leap of 81% in

June 2018, while

in 2018, an annual rise of

equipment sales last year.

operating income

12%, according to off-

Double-digit growth is

$149.3m, or 12.9%

the third year running, with

of sales, compared

by the market intelligence

demand expected to rise 16%

to $130.2m, or 13.3%

specialist projects total

after a 15% increase last year.

of sales, in the

Recent research published

retail value of equipment

This will see equipment sales go above 70,000

year. The increase

$99bn in absolute value.

units for the first time in

in sales was

This follows a 27% rise

the country, setting a sales

mainly thanks to

in equipment sales in 2017,

record of $3.5bn this year.

increased demand

In what could be good

for telehandlers

news at long last for the

and MEWPs, JLG

china and India will

Middle East, off-Highway

announced, adding

again be the drivers of

Research projected some

that order backlog

global growth, said the

growth returning to

for the three-

research, with earth-moving

developing Asia, including

month period also

equipment sales projected

the Middle East, although

rose sharply.

to rise 31% in china to

it said the region, along

283,500 units this year.

with Latin America, will

global equipment sector.

In volume terms, this will make it the largest

remain weak on the whole.

The report said Japan

construction equipment

was the only global region

market in the world, said

that would see stagnation.

LoGISTIcS TooL Honeywell’s new rugged handheld computer device in the Middle East enables quick data handling and input in demanding environments for workers in the distribution and logistics and field mobility sectors.

Caparol Paints widens reach in Iraqi market

same quarter last

sales in 2018 nearing

continuing the growth in the

nEW HonEyWELL

went up 14.7% to

also expected in India for

Highway Research.

will be two models. The electric Genie AWP 25 S Super Series aerial work platform is an industry favourite due to its ease of use, convenience and flexibility, said the manufacturer.

Suited for rental, lightduty maintenance and construction applications, it offers a working height up to 9.57m and a lift capacity up to 159kg.

Another highlight will be the electric Genie GS1930 scissor lift, suitable for tight spaces both indoors and out. It offers working heights of 7.79-9.8m and a lift capacity of up to 227kg.

Power sources for the Genie models are hybrid, 100% electric or bi-energy, capable of operating for long shifts indoors and out, Genie said.

Global paints specialist Caparol Paints recently signed a series of partnership agreements with contractors from Iraq to increase its market reach in the country.

The signing followed the German paints company hosting the contractors from various parts of Iraq at its Dubai facility this month, to provide them with firsthand experience of Caparol’s paints and techniques. The contractors were given insights into the strength of the brand, various Caparol paint techniques and the ideal

paints for the Iraqi market.

Caparol said it showcased its products, including Dibson, Texture and Stone, to the Iraqi contractors, who were also given training in the company’s decorative paints and their uses, including ArteTwin, Makhmalia, Armareno, DecoLasur, ArteLasur, Stucco Di Luce and Metallocryl interiors.

Mowaffaq Balish, commercial director, ME at Caparol Paints, said: “It was a pleasure to host the delegation from Iraq. As we aim to increase our reach in the Middle East, Iraq has been our major focus.

10

newS rOunD-uP SEP TEMBER 2018

new technique

immensa, ccc use 3d printing for concrete casting

Magna Tyres doubles capacity at Dutch plant

Off-the road (OTR) tyre manufacturer Magna Tyres has nearly doubled production capacity at its Hardenburg factory in the Netherlands, six months after opening the facility earlier this year.

The Dutch manufacturer, among the leading brands for OTR, mobile crane and other construction equipment tyres in the Middle East, announced that the expansion was necessitated by the growing demand for its 26.5R25 and 29.5R25 OTR sizes.

Magna Tyres opened the Hardenberg factory in January to produce heavyduty off-highway lines in the MA02 grader/loader, M-terrain articulated dump-truck and AG24 agricultural line segments.

The company has production bases in Taiwan and China, apart from its home base in the Netherlands, and supplies tyres to the Middle East construction equipment and off-highway sector from all its plants.

“New capacity has since been added to keep up with demand for the new sizes. Our OTR tyres are working at several large mines and quarries around the world, including in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries,” said Vijay Nambiar, GM, Middle East and Africa at Magna Tyres.

cATME ExTEnDS

uAE 3D printing

belonged to skilled

SPEAKERS LIST

company Immensa

craftsman but have

The second

Technology Labs

had life breathed

edition of Cranes &

has released the

back into them

Transport Middle

result of a joint effort

through expert digital

East (CATME)

with consolidated

fabrication. According

will take place in

contractors company

to Immensa, it sheds

Dubai on October

(ccc) to recover a

light on 3D printing as

10 and feature

series of concrete

the tool that will allow

an extended list

casting techniques

architects to become

of prominent

with the aid of large-

the master builders

speakers from

format 3D printing.

of the 21st century.

the regional and

In what the two

Fahmi Al-Shawwa,

global cranes

companies claim is a

cEo, Immensa, said:

and heavy lift

world-first, a Sensorial

“This breakthrough

sector. Additional

Adaptive concrete

signals the immense

speakers

Screen was developed

potential that

confirmed for

with noWlab, the

3D-printed formwork

the annual event

innovation department

offers companies to

include two senior

of Berlin-based BigRep.

significantly shorten

management

The screen showcases

and simplify their

personnel from

techniques that once

studio-to-site process.

Middle East tower crane specialist NFT. The two speakers are Nagham Al Zahlawi, strategy and marketing manager, and Nawar Al Zahlawi, business development manager, who will join seven others.

EMRILL’S nEW DEALS WoRTH ovER $135M Contract wins and renewals for the past year at integrated facilities management company Emrill have totalled over $135m, a new record for the UAE firm. The company said the record figures follow a string of top contract wins, including the Bulgari Residence, Mansions and Resort, Marina Gate 1.

New hydraulic hammers from caT Caterpillar has introd uced

hydraulic h a new series ammer atta of chments fo its mini an r use with d compact eq u ip ment in a ra breaking an nge of d earthwork application the new B-P s. Cat said refix hydra ulic hamm in B4(s) an ers are avai d B6(s) sile lable nced and B silenced ve 4 and B6 n rsions, and onar e d es igned for p play operat lug-andion while d elivering op cycle value. timum life The new h ammers ar skid-steers, e suited fo multi-terrai r n loaders, C mini hydra TLs, ulic excava tors of 3-8t operat ing weights and backh oes.

11

Al Faris uses Demag in UAE shipyard lift

UAE crane service provider Al Faris dispatched a team to Hamriyah in the UAE, one of the biggest shipyards in the region, to lift three 72m, 130t spud legs from a barge – a job that required not only a powerful crane, but also the right touch.

According to Al Faris, the Demag

CC 3800-1 proved to be the perfect machine for the project. Explaining why the company decided on this crane, Hillary Pinto, founder and MD of the Al Faris Group, said: “Once we determined all the required parameters for the three lifts, we decided that our CC 3800-1 was the best possible fit for the job.”

However, the unit first had to be transported to the work-site. The company’s own lowbed trailers needed 10 hours to complete the 82km journey from the Al Faris location in Dubai Industrial City to the work site. Al Faris’ own all-terrain cranes were used to set up the CC 3800-1.

At the work site, Al Faris used 10 specialised team members to get the crane ready to operate. The team decided on a configuration with a 108m main boom and a Superlift mast with a length of 36m. The central ballast totalled 50t, the Superlift counterweight 325t, and the counterweight on the superstructure 165t.

Once set up this way, the CC 3800-1 was ready to lift the three spud legs with a gross weight of 130t each at a maximum radius of 50m, swing them to the side, and set them in place with the help of a 150t crawler crane.

The CC 3800-1 only used 68% of its available rated capacity for the lifts, with the Superlift Split Tray proving especially useful for the project. This makes it possible to easily uncouple the counterweight when it is no longer required for the ongoing job, so that the crane can then move with only the Superlift counterweight still needed.

For more info & full inventory list visit our website

www.euroauctions.com

DUBAI

United Arab Emirates PO BOX 263536, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE

T. +971 4884 6880 ‫رسوم املزاودة عن طريق االنرتنت مجانيه‬

Monday 17 th September 2018 @ 9.00am

Unused Case CX210B

2007 CAT 345CL - choice

2009 CAT D8T

2014 CAT 140K

2011 Volvo A40F

2010 CAT 930H

2009 CAT 422E

03-08 JCB 540-170 - choice

2014 CAT CS56B

2007 Bomag BW219DH-4

Contact your local sales representative for more information: Richard Sweatt (Middle East) Amjad Abu Faroukh (UAE) T. +971 5581 30321 T. +971 5074 56262 E. richard.sweatt@euroauctions.com E. amjad.faroukh@euroauctions.com

Mohammed Awni (Dubai) Mansoor Al Habsi (Oman) Mohammed Salama (Saudi Arabia) T. +971 5056 79917 T. +968 9937 7616 T. +966 5581 37150 E. mohammed.awni@euroauctions.com E. mansoor.alhabsi@euroauctions.com E. mohammed.salama@euroauctions.com

12

KIT SPOTTING SEP APRIL TEMBER 2016 2018

Demag sets up stuttgart tower crane Y ou would be hard-pressed to find a place in Germany as busy and congested as the area around the main train station in Stuttgart. And that’s exactly where BietigheimBissingen-based crane service provider Wiesbauer had to erect a 90m topslewing tower crane for construction company STRABAG-Züblin and STRABAG-BMTI. For the challenging project, Wiesbauer decided on its Demag AC 500-8 all-terrain crane for a number of reasons, including its compact design and the associated manoeuvrability. While getting the eightaxle unit through downtown Stuttgart was a relatively relaxed affair, accessing the work-site behind the Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) buildings proved to be trickier.

“The area behind the bank could not be accessed by our heavy goods vehicles directly, as the official access road passes through a bridge with a 30t limit and consequently is not designed to carry the weight of our vehicles,” explains Wiesbauer project manager Marco Wilhelm.

This meant an alternative route had to be found for the crane and lowbed trailers. A private tunnel used by LBBW and Deutsche Bahn, which also led to the set-up location for the tower crane, was the obvious solution.

Therefore, one of the busiest intersections in all of Stuttgart had to be closed briefly at five o’clock in the morning so that the crane, assist crane and lowbed trailers could pass through the tunnel against the direction of traffic.

Once the vehicles were at the site, it was time for the Demag AC 500-8 to shine with

its ease of assembly. It took the team a mere six hours to set up the crane with a WIHI-SSL 60-degree configuration, a telescopic boom length of 51.80m, a 66m luffing fly jib and 120t of counterweight. This made it possible for it to reach the required hook height of over 104m and lift the top-slewing tower crane components, which weighed up to 13.5t, at a radius of 43m. The crane’s high lifting capacity at large hook heights and radii was crucial for the Stuttgart assignment.

Once the Demag AC 500-8 took over the erection work as the main crane, it faced some unique challenges. Since the tower crane had to be placed between two office buildings right next to the large glass façade of the LBBW high-rise, extremely high operating precision was required. All the tower crane components had to be positioned over and beyond the high-rise, and the jib had to be assembled over the latter – a difficult job for crane operators Karlheinz Moll and Steven Ziellmann, who also had a wall blocking their line of sight and so relied on team members to guide them by radio.

“In addition, the two high-rise buildings provided wind effects that had to be included in our lift plans,” they say, describing another challenge that required continuous focus.

Their experience and the precise controls of the AC 500-8 meant they had the situation under control and completed the job on time.

“Just like we expected, our AC 500-8 proved to be the right choice once again,” Wilhelm says, explaining that both the crane’s and his team’s performance exceeded his expectations.

13

“The two high rise-buildings provided wind effects that had to be included in our lift plans. Just like we expected, our AC 500-8 proved to be the right choice once again�

14

Used machinery SEP TEMBER 2018

Second coming

While demand for neW machinery in the middle east lags behind global levels, contractors and fleet oWners can still make the most of second-hand kit by using it in constrained circumstances or liquidating idle fleets in the global market

W

ith an atmosphere of caution and circumspection pervading the region’s construction sector, global manufacturers and sector watchdogs agree that the Middle East is among the few areas in the world at the moment where new equipment sales have not rebounded.

However, this does not mean machinery is not being bought or sold here. What has been built has to be maintained, and despite the caution, some projects have forged ahead, especially those that involve public spending on infrastructure and time-bound delivery. Enter the second-hand or used machinery market.

“Whenever the construction market faces a slowdown economically, the demand for used equipment starts to increase,” says Chandramouli Neogi, senior design engineer at Indian multinational civil engineering company

15 When buying used machinery, it is always advisable to check the item thoroughly for wear and tear, leaks and other faults that could potentially affect uptime later.

“Whenever the construction market faces a slowdown economically, the demand for used equipment starts to increase.

During such scenarios… purchase of used machines falls within the budget for those who still have projects to run”

DCPL. “During such scenarios, we have noticed that purchase of used machines falls within the budget for those who still have projects to run.”

Speaking in a personal capacity, Neogi, who has been associated with big-ticket infrastructure projects in the GCC region, says that in addition to offering cost-effectiveness, used machines also come with lower risk. Since the investment is considerably lower, having the equipment lying around idle between projects does not impact the bottom line as much.

At auctioneer Ritchie Bros., the biggest seller of used equipment in the world, Karl Werner, president international, is quite clear about the challenges in the market and how to meet them.

“We have the ability to transcend local challenges in any market by bringing in buyers from outside to create more liquidity and help maintain pricing levels. Dubai is one of our biggest auction stations in the world, and when we have an auction here we get bidders from every corner of the globe, letting equipment as an asset flow around the world and effectively offsetting the downturn in one place with buyers from another,” Werner told CMME earlier this year.

Around the world, the equipment sector is making a comeback this year, with the big OEMs such as Volvo, Terex and their ilk reporting buoyant – and for some, record – half-yearly figures. Sales are up in most locations around the world, but not in the Middle East.

“For sure, there is a supply imbalance in the Middle East,” Werner says. “In the rest of the world there is a shortage of equipment, and demand has been driven by infrastructure projects and booming economies in certain areas. So we are seeing demand again in China and Southeast Asia; the US is big now, with high demand there. It’s the same in Europe. But the only place globally where we see an inversion of that is in the Middle East. But no, this state of affairs in the local market is not reflected in the proceedings of our auctions.”

The reason for this is RB’s business model and the way it operates, he explains. “There’s more supply than demand locally in the GCC, but we mitigate that by heavy marketing into places like Africa and Southeast Asia to bring buyers in. Looking at our May auction, we registered bidders from over 70 countries. So we are doing our job, bringing people in, and that helps support the pricing.”

Ritchie Bros sources its inventory from a variety of places, Werner explains: “We do the majority of our business with end users, whether it’s large construction companies or smaller ones that own just a few pieces of equipment.

We also do a significant amount of business with dealers, brokers and OEMs. So you’ll see, in some of our auctions, manufacturers from

16

Used machinery SEP TEMBER 2018

“We’re seeing used machinery from the contracting sector coming into the market and the machines in greater demand at the moment are dozers, medium wheel loaders, telehandlers, skid-steers and backhoes”

Vital checklist

the art of buying used speed and movement.

and load-bearing arms for

turn on the machine

warping or metal fatigue.

and check the gauges to

The world of second-hand

do for you. Evaluate your

equipment can be a tricky

present and future projects

one to navigate. While

and find out what features

engine check

almost all sellers slap on

are essential for you.

Pay special attention to

leak check

engine starting and exhaust

Leaks in potentially vital

a coat – or several – of

determine if everything is functioning correctly.

fresh paint on the used kit

Personal meetings

quality. White smoke means

places can be the difference

Professional inspection

they need to sell, a buyer

Meet the seller to ask for

burning oil, often due to

between a condemned and

The best way to verify the

has to be careful not to

all equipment details. Find

water contamination. Deep

a working machine. Check

quality of machinery, and to

be taken in by the shine

out when the last service

black smoke can mean

thoroughly for leaks from

gain information about the

on the surface. The true

was done and if necessary

piston rings are worn and

the hydraulic pipes and

reliability and reputation of

health of the machine can

repairs are pending. Also

must be replaced to prevent

components, the engine

a seller, is to use a service

only be ascertained by a

ask for a full service history.

power loss and fuel wastage.

compartment and the

provider that specialises in

methodical investigation,

If a machine is offered for

Check that the transmission

axles. Leaks need to be

used machinery inspections.

which includes much more

20% or more under the

engages properly and the

repaired promptly to ensure

There are companies around

than looking under the skin.

price it should be going for,

transmission oil level is

the safe and continued

the world that provide

Read on for some steps to

enquire pointedly about

filled up. If any parts of

operation of a machine.

this service, and with an

follow to make sure you get

the reason behind this.

the machine seize up, this

the best kit for your money. test drive

inspection report in your

indicates lack of care, which

cab check

hand you could be able to

could extend to other parts.

If the cab interior is clean

discuss a price discount.

clarify your needs

If you can’t test a machine

You need to know what

before you purchase it,

structural checks

the unit has also been

service support

you’re looking for before

stay away, even if the

Closely inspect the machine

well looked-after. Verify

A used machine without

you go looking for it. The

price is very low. There

body for cracks. Welds or

that all lights – including

appropriate service support

first thing to do is to be

may be something wrong

plates indicate past damage

blinkers, safety lights and

from the manufacturer is an

very clear about your

with the machine that the

that has been repaired and

flashers – are intact and in

unusable machine. Consider

requirements and ascertain

seller wants to hide. When

should have a bearing on

full working order. Check

where the next available

what machine or equipment

you do test machines you

the price. Also examine

the windows and mirrors,

store for parts and servicing

you need, including correct

aren’t overly familiar with,

the underside for puncture

and make sure there are no

is. You can buy many non-

size, weight, capacity and

or a different model of

holes or any other damage

cracks or missing panes.

OEM parts easily, but for

all other factors with a

machine, take your time

caused by debris. Pay close

Sit in the seat and work all

specific spare parts you will

bearing on the work it will

and make sure you try every

attention to moving parts

the adjustments. Finally,

need an OEM supplier.

and tidy, it is highly likely

17 Asia shipping things here to sell into this market. Whether it’s going to stay in the GCC or go outside, we don’t know. But we can create that market for them where they feel comfortable sending their assets here to be sold.”

Machines consigned to an auction can be refurbished at the Ritchie Bros. on-site stateof-the-art facility in Dubai, Werner adds.

“Sometimes it is worth investing a certain amount of capital into a machine to bring a higher return. And we help our customers with that, first by machine evaluations and recommendation, and then with painting and refurbishing the machines both before and after an auction.”

Staying on the subject of buying and selling, Neogi says: “We’re seeing used machinery from the contracting sector coming into the market, and the machines in greater demand at the moment are dozers, medium wheel loaders, telehandlers, skidsteers and backhoes.”

The demand hints at maintenance operations and small jobs, rather than big projects, he says, and explains that this is also the ideal time for owners of machinery in the region to offload their idle inventory on the global market.

“Before putting their used kit on the

When slowdowns in the economy affect the project pipeline, the demand for used machinery rises as contractors and fleet owners seek to hedge their risks on pricy new kit.

market, however, sellers need to be aware of certain factors and follow certain steps to make their machines more saleable.

The first is to present a clean machine to a potential buyer, as well as advertise in trade magazines with well-shot pictures of clean machines,” Neogi says.

“Also, be honest with your listing and do not tamper with the hour meter, as buyers will be able to catch it in most instances.

Another good practice is to provide the complete service history and state when the next service is due, as well give as accurate an assessment as possible about the life left in the tyres and tracks.

“Document all serial numbers photographically. These won’t be used in the advertiser’s listing but may form part of the document pack that you send to a prospective purchaser. Also, clean around the areas where serial numbers are located to prove there is no mischief going on.”

With the right resources in place and strategies on the table, there’s little doubt that the used machinery sector in the Middle East will continue to supply the region and the world market with the used machines and equipment it needs to keep the wheels turning and the projects runnning to completion.

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18

INTERVIEW SEP TEMBER 2018

After taking over as the new president of Volvo CE, Melker Jernberg has presided over a steady increase in sales this year as well as the launch of Volvo’s first rigid hauler range.

“It was fun to drive a Volvo machine in the Volvo Days customer demonstration... the underlying message in this act is that we are an organisation that is committed to being close to our customers, partners and stakeholders at every level”

19

At the helm

CMME catches up with VolVo ce’s new president and ceo, Melker Jernberg, to discuss the global and Middle east Markets, the challenges they pose, and how the equipMent MaJor will naVigate the tiMes ahead

F

or a man who took charge of Volvo Construction Equipment around six months ago, Melker Jernberg can be expected to be a big-picture man.

When asked to sum up his feelings so far, the affable Swede says: “fantastic”.

“It’s easy to say that because it’s a good business environment and we are doing good as a company at the moment. But we are in a cyclical business, so there will be sunny days and there will be rainy days,” he adds, tempering his feelings.

“Volvo CE as a company is fantastic to come to.

There’s are a lot of dedicated and professional people.

I’ve spent my time travelling extensively because it’s a big company and there are a lot of sites, which are important to me to get to know when it comes to both operation and production, as well as R&D. “Our sales organisation and distribution network are equally important. We have 212 dealers and 200 partner companies, and they are extremely important for us as they are the interface with the customers.

On a normal day it’s our dealers who are facing the customers. So I’ve met quite a few of them; actually 108 out of the 212 so far. It’s been quite an intense and enjoyable process getting to know the company.”

Jernberg has been in the industrial sector all his life.

He has been connected with heavy vehicles and the automotive world in various ways in three different companies of global renown before he joined Volvo.

“I’ve spent more than 20 years at Scania, the Swedish

20

INTERVIEW SEP TEMBER 2018

truck and bus maker, where I was heading the bus division in the last four years. We had a lot of bus business in the Middle East, so I do have first-hand knowledge of the region.

“After that I was heading the EMEA business for SSAB, which is the biggest Swedish steel producer. And then for the last few years before joining Volvo I was the CEO of a Swedish company dealing with metal powder, a niche in the steel industry. But its powder that you use in making parts for most automotive sectors as well as for applications such as surface coating, and a lot of applications that even Volvo CE does, too. So I’ve been close to Vovlo CE in many ways,” he explains.

Elaborating on what he brings to Volvo CE, joining which he feels is a homecoming of sorts, Jernberg says: “From an organisational perspective, it is how you, together with your colleagues, run a company where you can have different mindsets. Already in my first six months or so, I’ve had good discussions with my colleagues about how we would like to run this company in the coming 10 years and even in the next 100.”

That Jernberg is enjoying his work in a very infectiously Swedish and Volvo-ish way is amply evident in the fact that he took a hands-on approach to participating in this year’s Volvo Days, Volvo CE’s famous customer outreach event. In the process, Jernberg became probably the first company president in living memory to actually take part in the product demonstrations.

“It was fun to drive a Volvo machine in the Volvo Days customer demonstration, and while I love to drive the excellent machines

Melker Jernberg describes joining Volvo CE as a home-coming of sorts, which was apparent at Volvo Days this year when he joined in the machinery demonstrations.

that Volvo makes, the underlying message in this act is that we are an organisation that is committed to being close to our customers, partners and stakeholders at every level,” he explains about driving in Volvo’s new R100E flagship rigid hauler into the demo arena.

Speaking about the various industry sectors Volvo is involved in, he says: “Our home turf is the heavy equipment, where we are strong globally, not just in the EMEA region. But the compacts busines is growing in many different places and is an important part of the business,

and my view is that we are steadily gaining market share all over the globe.

“But we also know that we have a lot of very strong competitors and that’s good because it drives innovation in the sector which benefits the end-users. But what we have learnt, and are trying to address, is that it’s not the same business logic for everything. It’s very different to sell our huge haulers like the A60 or R100 compared with selling to and serving customers for a 1.8t compact excavator. So, we are also trying to differentiate how we work for

“It all starts with the product, but whether you are operating in Abu Dhabi or Aberdeen, the big contractors have to have top service. And that depends on us - so that is the differentiator today”

21

NEW dIREcTIoN

hauling froM the front One of the first major moves

technologies and a striking

compared to other 100t trucks

of great significance for Volvo

new design – all providing a

being used on the site,” agrees

under Melker Jernberg’s

cost-effective and productive

Workshop Manager Danie van

watch has been the launch

solution to fulfil the needs of

Niekerk. “This means extra

of the new range of Volvo-

today’s mining and quarrying

productivity for the mine, which

branded rigid haulers.

customers. The new four-

is very valuable. Speed and

model range is initially available

acceleration of the hauler on

in less regulated markets.

inclines compares favorably

While mainly an outcome of Volvo’s acquisition of Terex Trucks in 2014, the

With customer input key to

against competitor machines,

new range includes, apart

the development of the new

even when fully loaded and

from rebranded Terex rigid

range of rigid haulers, the

carrying more material.”

haulers, a freshly developed

machines have undergone

95t behemoth manufactured

extensive field testing. One

Terex Trucks rigid haulers

at the erstwhile Terex Trucks

such customer is Trollope

provided us with a strong DNA

facility in Motherwell, Scotland.

Mining Services, a contract

on which to develop Volvo

mining company based in

CE’s innovative entry into this

launched the new machines in

Johannesburg, South Africa.

product line,” says Jernberg.

front of customers and dealers

“The Volvo R100E is an

“The R100E has been designed

at the company’s Motherwell

impressive design that offers

to meet customer demands for

facility in Scotland, guests got

a good balance between

a rigid hauler that delivers high

their first glimpse of the new

productivity, fuel efficiency,

performance and productivity,

range, which consist of the

comfort, ease of maintenance

low total cost of ownership,

45t R45D, 60t R60D, 72t R70D

and safety,” says Sagrys De

easy serviceability and good

and the flagship 95t R100E.

Villiers, Site Manager at the

operator comfort. It, along

The star of the show was

Manungu Colliery. “We are

with the rest of the range,

the R100E, a completely new

sure that this truck will be a

builds on Terex Trucks’ 84-year

rigid hauler that combines

strong competitor in the rigid

heritage and incorporates

a wealth of market and

truck market in the future.”

the customer feedback and

customer knowledge with

“The R100E is capable of

market knowledge we have

proven components, new

carrying an extra bucket pass

When Volvo officially

“The proven design of the

built-up over the years.”

customers and dealers in various segments.”

An important recent development at Volvo under Jernberg’s watch is the development of Volvo Active Care, which is something the new president is very passionate about.

“Active Care is the use of telematics and data for preventive or pre-emptive maintenance. We are testing Active Care in the US at present, with the final aim being to roll it out worldwide. The principle behind the solution is to monitor equipment data in real time and call the dealer when any kind of niggle or trouble is anticipated that could potentially affect uptime. If the dealer doesn’t answer within a stipulated time frame, say around 60 minutes, we call the customer directly and tell him what the issue is and what needs to be done,” Jernberg explains.

“It’s a concept that will reduce downtime a lot. Also, we’re not pushing the customer to buy a spare part or service; it’s only about uptime. It’s about discovering what’s going to go wrong before it does, and addressing the problem before it arises and causes disruption.

So, it’s being proactive and pre-emptive.”

Speaking about the importance of Active Care in a place such as the Middle East, he adds: “The Middle East has some of the most extreme conditions and remote work locations of any territory on the planet, and the machines are very maintenance intensive because the filters have to be replaced very often and the cooling systems are extra robust.”

But there are challenges in implementing Active Care too, especially the attitudes of people in various parts of the world towards sharing data, such as in the Middle East.

“It’s natural in many places that people may have reservations about sharing data, and the Middle East is no exception to this. The mindset here could give rise to a feeling that they are being pushed to do something that they are not sure they want to do. However, that is usually only the initial reaction and since we don’t have any hidden agenda, that will disappear quite quickly, because then they see that Volvo really means to help them.

And when we demonstrate the system a few times, customers see the benefits in it for them,” Jernberg says.

“We invest in our network, we invest in service and parts capability within our business and then there is of course our product range.

All our products are good, especially our tractor excavator, which is the best excavator you can buy. However, if you don’t have the parts and the service, it becomes a challenge. It all starts with the product, but whether you are operating in Abu Dhabi or Aberdeen, the big contractors have to have top service. And that depends on us - so that is the differentiator today,” signs off the new man at the helm.

22

POWERED ACCESS SEP TEMBER 2018

Sky iS the limit

Canadian powered access specialist Skyjack has a range of big boom lifts and articulated lifts, as well as DC electric and rough terrain scissor lifts ideal of indoor and maintenance use.

Powered access heavyweight skyjack is standing tall in the region with new telematic solutions and an extensive model line-uP backed by reliable service and maintenance

S

kyjack was formed in 1985.

Since then, quality and reliability are the hallmarks that have given the company a solid reputation.

It became an industry leader by providing machine features that combine durability, quality, and serviceability, making its products renowned for reliability.

In the last 30 years, Skyjack was the first to introduce the swing out component tray on scissor lifts, and to launch narrow and high platforms like the SJ 3226.

In 1994, the company became a publicly traded company and shortly after that, continued its innovative approach into boom lift products with the exclusive direction-sensing drive and steer controls on its products.

In 2002, Skyjack became part of the Linamar Corporation, a diversified global manufacturing company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion, work and lives. Linamar has more than 18,000 employees in 44 manufacturing locations, five R&D centres and 15 sales offices in 12 countries in North America, Europe and Asia.

In 2007 and 2008, Skyjack acquired two telehandler lines. One from Carelift Equipment that utilised the Zoom Boom brand name, and another in the form of Volvo’s material handling equipment

23 under VR branding. 2013 was a landmark year for Skyjack as it manufactured its 250,000th machine and the 100,000th 3219 model, which makes Skyjack the home of the most popular scissor platform in the world.

Proven and simplistic control systems using Skyjack’s standard colour coded and numbered wiring system (SKYCODED) make the company’s machines the easiest to troubleshoot and repair.

The use of relay based electrical systems keep service costs low and minimises the need for multiplex or Can Bus systems.

Common components across model groups are used wherever possible, reducing the number of service parts needed to maintain Skyjack products.

The use of “off the shelf service” parts, as opposed to custom designs, means that replacing or repairing components is easy and cost effective.

Axle based four-wheel drive systems are standard on all engine powered boom models and most rough terrain scissors (4XLDRIVE). This efficient, low maintenance approach is rugged, powerful and offers unparalleled traction and terrain-ability. Skyjack booms utilise direction sensing drive and steer controls (EASYDRIVE). This means that boom lift controls are always in the orientation of the operator regardless of position of turret over chassis, eliminating the need for coloured direction arrows on the base or controls for operator to decode. Skyjack also offers the industry’s first standard two-year full “bumper to bumper” warranty on aerial work platforms for no extra charge, together with a five-year warranty on structural components, adding to Skyjack’s industry leading product lifecycle value.

“Within the Middle East, Skyjack offers a full line of self-propelled aerial work platforms fully certified to meet a range of international standards.

Our product offerings include Vertical Mast Lifts with between 5.65m and 6.75m working heights; DC Electric Scissor Lifts with between 6.57m and 13.80m working heights; Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts with between 9.92m and 17.24m working heights; Articulating Boom Lifts with between 11.00m and 27.91m working heights; and Telescoping Boom Lifts with working heights between 15.77m and 28.21m,” says David Hall, product and business development manager, EMEA. “In addition to the main product line, Skyjack also offers a line-up of ACCESSORYZERS. Our aftermarket solutions further expand a product’s ability to adapt and helps rental companies offer a rental product that is fully flexible. Some of these include pipe racks, glazier kits, material handling stands, and tool trays.”

The latest news at Skyjack in terms of new products, however, is that it has unveiled ELEVATE, its telematics solution in early 2018. ELEVATE is designed specifically for off-highway fleets and is engineered to deliver critical data to Skyjack’s rental customers.

According to Skyjack, past telematics systems

24

POWERED ACCESS SEP TEMBER 2018

TAll ORDER

safelift exPands with skyjack

Skyjack recently filled a tall

articulating boom and the

order with Abu Dhabi rental

speed of a straight boom,

company Safelift LLC, which

allowing the operator to

added a number of Skyjack

cycle between maximum

products to its line-up.

platform height and ground

The order comprised

level without lowering the

Skyjack’s SJ66 T straight

riser section. For superior

booms SJ46 AJ and SJ63

traction, Skyjack booms

AJ, the recently launched

have an axle-based 4WD

SJ85 AJ articulated

system and selectable

booms and a range of

rear differential lock.

DC electric scissors.

“We selected Skyjack

Another selling point for Safelift was the range

because they produce

of features included in

a range of strong and

Skyjack’s products. “[They]

robust products which are

provide an excellent return

ideal for the region,” said

on investment,” said Taylor.

Wayne Taylor, managing

The order was delivered

director, Safelift. “[They]

to Safelift’s new facility

offer a good list of features,

in Al Quoz, Dubai, and

including the latest

enables Safelift to expand

technology in secondary

its offerings, ensuring

guarding that some of

quicker turnaround times

our customers are now

for customers. “This first

requesting as standard.”

significant investment

Skyjack said its new

in a new fleet, and the

SJ85 AJ provides a class-

recent opening of our

leading raised platform

new facility in Dubai,

of 25.91m combined with

shows our commitment to

a 17.07m reach. The unit

customers going into 2018

offers the flexibility of an

and beyond,” said Taylor.

have failed to appeal to the rental and construction industries because they have traditionally offered a range of telematics benefits from transportation heritage products that have not gained traction in off-highway applications.

Middle East focus A significant change Skyjack has recently made to models available in the Middle East is on larger combustion powered units, Hall explains. This was made in order to accommodate the use of high sulphur fuel, which is still extensively used within our region. With respect to heat and adverse environmental conditions, Skyjack’s ‘simply reliable’ philosophy comes full circle as it provides convenient points of access for maintenance, which provides exceptional ease of service, he says.

But this does not mean that its other advanced features are not available in the Middle East. Skyjack makes sure the job-friendly features its machines offer in advanced markets around the world are also reflected in its Middle Eats product mix. And of course ELEVATE is one of those features.

Cramming your machines with quality and innovative features is one thing and keeping them in top running order quite another. As a matter of fact, in the absence of good service and back-up to keep all systems running, these advanced features can be liabilities instead of assets. With full awareness of this, Skyjack has set up a complete back-up network in the region in association with its partners on the ground in the Middle East market.

“The after-sales service of Skyjack machines is diligently looked after either through Skyjack directly, or through our network of professionally trained partners.

Skyjack’s ‘simply reliable’ philosophy also offers customers excellent reliability and ease of service through component commonality across product lines and easy to troubleshoot colour coded wiring systems, which all translate into low cost of ownership,” Hall explains.

“Skyjack works directly with the region’s largest rental companies and fulfils their significant fleet requirements. Skyjack works hand-in-hand with rental customers to ensure we’re providing the level of equipment knowledge, service, and support that’s expected from an industry leader,” he concludes.

“The aftersales service of Skyjack machines is diligently looked after either through Skyjack directly, or through our network of professionally trained partners”

25 Skyjack is at the forefront of innovation in the use of telematics for safety and efficiency with systems such as its ELEVATE solution targeted at rental fleets.

NEW CONTROl SOluTiON

skyjack ‘elevates’ telematics Skyjack is disrupting the

machines remotely, spot

telematics industry with its

service requirements in

newest service: ELEVATE,

advance, provide end users

a fully customised solution

with remote troubleshooting,

designed specifically for

battery pack management,

off-highway rental fleets.

and verification of the

Launched at the 2018 Rental

machine’s location,” says Hall.

Show, Skyjack’s ELEVATE

“For the end user, ELEVATE

solution leaves behind the

ON, the accompanying

legacy of on-road telematics

mobile application is designed

and breaks down the barriers

for the mobile roles in our

to adoption, by providing our

industry – so it’s a mobile first

customers with a product that

application. This provides

delivers actionable insights

end users with access to

and measurable benefits.

paperless pre-checks,

Elevate is so much more

complete with visual guides

than what you would expect

and a system to log machine

from a telematics product.

usage. This platform will also

Skyjack’s ELEVATE solution

eventually evolve and provide

is powered by Trackunit

access to familiarization

thanks to the partnership that

material and service manuals

began in October 2017. A key

at their fingertips.

goal of their partnership has

“ELEVATE GO, designed for

been to meet an increasing

on the go mobile technicians,

demand for machine

delivers actionable insights

connectivity from OEMs and

directly to the hands of service

to support the connected fleet

and other personnel on the

goals of Skyjack’s customers.

ground. Presenting the data in

From this partnership

a mobile first interface means

the two companies have

easy access in the field.”

listened, collaborated, and launched ELEVATE. “Skyjack focusses on the most important data as opposed to the most data. Skyjack’s solution offers a mobile first philosophy, complete with mobile apps, for a truly mobile industry all delivered as a fully integrated component of the machine’s operating system, not just as an add-on. At a price that provides value for every class of product, from scissor lifts to telehandlers, ELEVATE helps customers better manage their equipment, revenues, and most importantly, their bottom line,” explains David Hall.

“ELEVATE enables Skyjack’s customers to monitor and manage

26

Logistics machinery SEP TEMBER 2018

Irish material handling specialist Combilift, which recently opened its new factory near Dublin, has come up with Combi-OP, the world’s first order picker for long products.

“Previously, customers have had to modify traditional order pickers to cope with the specific demands of long loads.

The Combi-OP now guarantees much more efficient and noncompromised operation for easy picking of long profiles”

27

Picked to order

With the importance that the logistics sector has in the gcc, Warehousing and material handling machinery, projects and service providers are constantly in demand

L

ogistics is one of the mainstays of the GCC’s regional economy. And where there’s logistics there will be stores and warehouses, which will need material handling equipment such as forklifts and reach stackers. As the logistical hub of a region where logistics itself is so important, Dubai is no stranger to the best-known warehousing equipment from around the world and some of the largest logistical projects around.

A case in point is city-based Kibsons International.

When the fresh food supply major wanted to put in a material handling system at their new warehousing facility in the city’s Al Aweer area, the choice was quite simple. As a company that has been in operation since 1980, Kibsons knew the value of a legacy.

So it was only natural that they chose another company with a rich legacy. Or make that a team – the team of Caterpillar and its authorised distributor in the region, Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, who delivered the package Kibsons were looking for.

This package comprises 17 units of equipment along with exclusive support agreements, enabling their expansion plans extensively. The mix fleet delivered to Kibsons included both Cat lift trucks and UniCarriers forklifts, which will together enable Kibsons carry out its warehousing functions efficiently with maximum productivity. But more on that later.

Staying on productivity, Irish material handling solutions provider Combilift has launched its first purpose-built order picker, the Combi-OP, which it says is the first purpose-built order picker in the world for long products. Martin McVicar, MD Combilift, says: “Previously customers have had to

modify traditional order pickers to cope with the specific demands of long loads. The Combi-OP now guarantees much more efficient and noncompromised operation for easy picking of long profiles in, for example, steel service centres.”

This man-up truck features a long platform to enable the operator to access long products stored at height. It is fitted with guide rollers to enable it to operate in existing guided narrow aisles of just 1.4m – the same width as those needed for Combilift’s GT truck. It enables operators to easily and safely hand pick orders for customers from the roomy elevated platform, and has a capacity of 450kg. Its overhead guard, light anti-slip floor, self-closing platform gate and guard rails are all features that improve safety, as do the travel speed and steering angle, which automatically adjust according to lift heights.

The Combi-OP was launched during the official opening of the new Combilift global headquarters near Dublin. Built at a cost of $58.5m, the new 46,500sqm global headquarters and manufacturing facility will allow Combilift to double output.

But back to Kibsons International where increasing output is also the aim behind facility expansion. In business for more than 38 years, Kibsons is a market leader in the UAE’s fruit, vegetable, meat and poultry sectors. Over the years, Kibsons has grown to occupy a pre-eminent position in the industry in the UAE. With their online services, they deliver freshly handpicked items directly to customers’ doorsteps.

When expansion plans were underway, Kibsons was looking for solution that would fit in specifically their unique requirements, says Husainy Sharbat, operations head, Kibsons International LLC. “As part of our ongoing cold store expansion project, we were looking for flexibility and dependability while choosing the material

28

Logistics machinery SEP TEMBER 2018

handling solutions. Our business handles dynamic scenarios, demanding equipment that is versatile and compliant.”

Elaborating on the requirements that Al-Bahar fulfilled, Mamoun Mutair, product manager – Building Construction and Paving, at Al-Bahar, says Kibsons’ new warehouse is primarily geared for storage and distribution, with a restricted aisle space of 2.5m and radio shuttle racking system.

They were on the hunt for a solution that operated in narrows space. They wanted reach trucks or counter balance forklifts.

“Having understood the unique need, we proposed narrow aisle reach trucks, with body chassis of reach truck and which was integrated with VNA mode of forklifts. This was ideal for use in narrow spaces. They also requested for additional switches for directional control and operator protection along with a comfortable space. Our equipment addressed these needs, with its proven ergonomics for operational efficiency,” says Mutair.

“Al-Bahar offered eight units of UniCarriers’ ALL 200 low lifter trucks, three units each of UHD 200 reach trucks and URS 150 free-range reach trucks. The fleet was completed with three units of Cat EP20 Lift Trucks. Elaborate competitor comparison demonstrations were done using existing models. The UniCarriers equipment was faster, safer, cost-effective and better than articulated competitor options that were being considered. No additional feeder equipment or P&D stations needed, as these trucks offer ‘stack & move’ maneuverability.”

Talking about the unique offerings in the UniCarriers lift trucks, Mutair adds: “The UniCarriers Very-Narrow-Aisle (VNA) free-range reach truck – Tergo URS series seamlessly adapts to almost any warehouse task, such as VNA applications, stacking and internal transport. To utilise your warehouse space to the maximum, you need a VNA truck. For general duty, you need a free-range reach truck. If you need both, you can have it all. The TERGO URS 150 chosen by Kibsons combines both man-down VNA/reach truck.”

The final products included a fork-tilting option and modifications were made considering their usage in cold stores. Apart from equipment requirement, Kibsons were looking for a one-stop shop for all their needs and service support. Offering easier and comprehensive service, Al-Bahar provided an exclusive customer support agreement, including one-year or 2,000-hour field service.

When the delivery happened two months ago it included elaborate machine walkthroughs and demonstrations. The Kibsons team was also taken on a detailed facility tour of Al-Bahar campus, reinforcing the service and support prowess.

“We are pleased with the whole event. Glad to have experienced the Al-Bahar support. Cat Lift trucks are not new to us, since we have been using them for a while and will continue using them for our future projects. However, we are looking forward to using the new UniCarriers machines,” says Kibsons’ Husainy.

Just as Al-Bahar’s partnership with Caterpillar and UniCarrier is a famous one that customers would like to benefit from, so too are other such partnerships in the region’s logistical machinery sector. And one of the most important is that between another regional name to reckon with - the YBA Kanoo Group and US giant Hyster, which last year celebrated its 57th anniversary, with senior representatives from Hyster visiting the YBA Kanoo Group to mark the occasion.

“Hyster and YBA Kanoo Group have benefitted from a strong partnership for more than half a century,” says Harry Sands, MD, EMEA, for the Hyster-Yale Group. “We are committed to continuing to work together, with shared values of understanding customer requirements, and acting as a trusted advisor to provide the right solutions.”

Established for more than 125 years, covering the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, YBA Kanoo Group is the exclusive Hyster dealer for those countries. The company says its target is to provide 100% uptime for customers, and quality service is delivered by a team of more than 100 trained and qualified staff across Group’s branches. With high parts availability, mobile service technicians, and fully fitted service vehicles, the YBA Kanoo Group provides support for Hyster trucks anywhere in the Gulf, minimising downtime.

Al-Bahar, the Caterpillar dealer in the region, recently supplied 17 material handling machines to Kibsons International for their new warehouse project.

Hyster and YBA Kanoo Group collaborated last year on the launch of the new Hyster RS45 ReachStacker, designed to meet the needs of growing markets. The YBA Kanoo Group revealed the new truck, which is available exclusively to customers with Stage IIIA/Tier3 emissions regulations, to its customers at a special event at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

With Hyster being part of the Hyster-Yale Group, its group-mate Yale cannot be far behind when it comes to being active in the regional market. Yale is represented in the UAE by another well-known local entity, United Machinery. In keeping with the group’s innovative spirit, Yale is rolling out a range of lithium-ion power solutions for the EMEA market in collaboration with a leading European supplier of batteries and chargers.

“We are all now used to the benefits that lithium-ion power can deliver in terms of convenience for many day-to-day applications. When applied to lift trucks it translates into improvements in productivity, efficiency, and provides emission-free charging and a lower CO2 footprint,” says Mat Allen, solutions manager, Counterbalance Products at Yale. “We are delighted that Yale customers in EMEA can now start to realise these benefits for their truck fleets”.

The Yale lithium-ion solution will help customers deliver increased productivity and have better utilisation in multi-shift applications through eliminating the need for replacement batteries and battery changeovers. This will allow space for battery charging to be used for more productive purposes such as production or storage space.

31

R E W O P W A R EED TO N U O Y G IN EVERY TH

KNOW

36

TOP 10: ainTain TiPs TO m vaTOrs mini exca

32_neW reLeases

r keeping Ten steps fo scoopers your small of in the pink health.

The latest releases from the world of construction machinery.

38_grading uP Motor grader manufacturers are refining the fine-tuning machine for road making by adding greater precision.

44_mini marveLs Mini excavator makers are responding to increasing demand with new models, more features and more tech.

48_LegO’s vOLvO TOy Toy for play and patents for work with Scandinavian collaboration.

32

NEW RELEASES SEP TEMBER 2018

Jlg introduces largest hybrid awp Why get it? stability and griP on rough terrain, low emissions and noise

Komatsu begins new dumper sales Why get it?

Productivity on all surfaces, enhanced safety and electronics, easy maintenance Komatsu has started sales this year of the 142t payload HD1500-8 mechanical mining dumper after having fully remodelled its predecessor, deployed mainly in the mining sector.

The new version is powered by a 50l engine, compared to 45l in the preceding model, offering net power of 1,576hp for an unladen top speed of 56.5km/h. It is also equipped with a retarder with the largest volume in its class. When used together with the automatic retarder, the truck achieves safe and high-speed downhill travel, according to the Japanese giant.

Prductivity is improved as a result of shortening the cycle time. It is also equipped with Komatsu Traction Control System (KTCS) to optimise performance on slippery or soft surfaces. Key components such as the mainframe, transmission and rear axle have all been redesigned and now enable owners to cut down repair expenses and prolong overhaul intervals, reducing total cost of ownership.

The HD1500-8 comes with KomVision (All Round Monitoring System) as standard and also offers enhanced realtime monitoring functions with the latest-

version KOMTRAX Plus. By facilitating the ‘visualisation’ of machine and operating conditions, the new model is designed to improve safety, productivity and capacity utilisation at job-site operations.

A seven-inch high-resolution colour LCD unit advises the operator of energysaving procedures. The monitor also displays machine conditions, operating hours, maintenance records and other information. On the switch panel, the operator can also set and operate different functions, such as regulating the temperature in the cab and changing the display information on the LCD unit.

With KOMTRAX Plus, the new model offers real-time monitoring and wireless downloading. It is also equipped with a new road surface analysis function, which is useful in determining the timing of road maintenance and improving vehicle utilisation rates.

The model also features on-demand control of reducing horsepower loss in the hydraulic system and ECO guidance which advises the operator on energy-saving procedures, improving fuel economy.

Operator comforts include a low-angle diagonal stairway to and from the cab, designed to be safer and less physically taxing.

SPECIFICATIONS

Komatsu hd1500-8 Payload: 142t Engine size: 50l Max power: 1,576hp Top speed: 56.5km/h (unladen)

Powered access specialist JLG has announced the introduction of the H800AJ, its largest hybrid aerial work platform (AWP).

According to the Oshkosh Corporation company, the new model can be operated in electric mode only and also in hybrid mode when conditions get rougher or the batteries need charging. The H800AJ will be available from the summer onwards, initially in the European market, JLG said.

“Hybrid equipment, or urban-compliant product as we call it at JLG, is becoming more and more common... There is a clear need for equipment that performs like a diesel yet emits low emissions and noise,” said Jan-Willem van Wier, senior product marketing manager for JLG in EMEA. “The H800AJ is a one-of-a-kind solution offering our customers the best of both worlds. It is suitable for harsh construction work, with the possibility to operate indoors at zero emissions and very little noise. Our expectations for this product are high, as the H800AJ meets the latest environmental requirements and adds to our customers’ bottom lines as the utilisation is so much broader than a regular diesel lift.”

The H800AJ offers a working height of 26.4m, a working outreach of 16.45m and an unrestricted platform capacity of 230kg.

It is a so-called parallel hybrid and has an 18.6kW engine. With standard equipment including an oscillating axle and four-wheel drive, the H800AJ delivers stability and grip on rough terrain. It also has all-steel hoods.

33

VolVo’s all-new material handler stable and accurate in material handling functions with safety and versatility Volvo Construction Equipment has created its strongest and most innovative material handler yet – the EW240E. Designed with the waste and recycling industries in mind, it is a powerful and versatile machine for high productivity and flexibility, weighing in at 26t and powered by a Volvo CE engine providing 173hp of power and 850Nm of torque at just 1,350rpm. With its 6.5m straight boom and 5m gooseneck arm, the machine has an impressive forward reach of more than 11m.

The Volvo EW240E uses proven components common to other Volvo wheeled excavators. Based on established designs of its forerunners, it features a host of new features which have undergone rigorous testing in real-life conditions, says Volvo.

The machine is manufactured with a dedicated upper structure and reinforced

undercarriage to withstand the forces in scrap sorting applications. Other differences compared to a standard excavator include the hydraulically elevated cab, four stabilisers, full rubber tyres and a tailor-made straight boom flexible enough to be fitted with either a 5m gooseneck arm or a 4m grab/sorting arm.

Performance is enhanced by the boom float function and boom cylinder dampening, which minimise shaking and hold the grapple in place for increased stability. To improve accuracy, the grapple control and soft swing braking system work in harmony during simultaneous operations, while the optimised hydraulics system delivers instant response.

The cab can be raised up to 5m above the ground for an eye-level view. Keeping operation steady when working at height, the cab also benefits from double-damped cushioning to reduce noise and vibrations.

To enhance safety, the Volvo EW240E is equipped with a limited arm to avoid collision between the cab and the grapple. As an extra

safety feature when working indoors, Volvo offers an optional height limitation function.

Getting in and out of the cab is easier for the operator thanks to brightly-coloured handrails and newly-added steps on the outriggers.

Customers can select either a gooseneck arm or straight arm to suit their grip applications. They can also select the Volvo Smart View feature or a one-piece polycarbonate window with protection film. For added convenience, Comfort Drive Control (CDC) gives the operator the opportunity to steer the machine up to 20km/h using only the roller on the joystick – a new feature for the Volvo wheeled excavator range.

SPECIFICATIONS

volvo ew240e Operating weight: 26t Max power: 173hp Max torque: 850Nm Forward reach: 11m

34

NEW RELEASES SEP TEMBER 2018

manitowoc debuts new crawler crane Why get it?

QuicK set-uP and tear-down with self-assembly of counterweights

new orangepeel grapples from cat Why get it? faster cycles and lower fuel burn with high-grade steel for durability Caterpillar has introduced new orangepeel grapples suitable for a wide range of applications when attached to material handlers. The new Cat GSH420 and GSH520 are designed for handling shredded scrap, such as long structural beams and car bodies; rocks at construction sites; and waste at recycling and transfer stations.

They feature horizontal placement of the cylinders and are available in fourtine and five-tine shell configurations and in closed or semi-open versions.

The new grapples are designed to work with the Cat MH3022, MH3024 and MH3026 material handlers and are made of highgrade, impact-resistant steel that protects vulnerable areas such as hydraulic cylinders.

For added durability, high-quality bushings with lubrication grooves and hardened pins are used in all pivot points. Tines are configured with replaceable cast tips made from BHN 445-555 material that resists wear.

In addition, solid hinge-point construction and robust end-stops ensure long service life, while routing hydraulic hoses within the tines reduces hose wear. All mounting brackets feature a solid pin to keep the bracket in an upright position for ease of installation. Also, the new GSH grapples feature a standard lifting eye on the bottom of the housing for expanded versatility, such as mounting a magnet.

The new HR10 rotation group, featuring a new swivel, reduces hydraulic restriction by increasing return-flow capacity by 160% and by increasing open-flow capacity by 30%.

Manitowoc’s new MLC100-1 crawler crane has a 100t capacity and, according to the company, has been designed to be erected and decommissioned faster than any other crawler crane in its class, saving lifters time on job-sites.

The company debuted the new crawler at its Crane Days event in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania, where Harley Smith, global product director for crawler cranes at Manitowoc, said: “It means a lot to debut our newest crawler crane right here in Shady Grove. Visitors to Crane Days are the first in the world to see the MLC100-1 fully assembled. This crane is a huge time saver, with extremely quick set-up and tear-down times, giving our customers more time to get to work.”

The 100t capacity MLC100-1 has a maximum boom length of 61m and a high load moment of 371t-m and is powered by a 300hp Cummins 6.7l engine.

According to Manitowoc, the crane will save customers time on the jobsite because of its self-assembly hook,

which enables the operator to install the counterweight without any outside assistance. During assembly, the crane uses a single segment of hoist line with a button termination routed through sheaves in the boom butt. This eliminates the need to assemble the boom top and enables operators to get to work faster when compared with competing cranes in the same class.

The MLC100-1 has an improved, wider cab design, with easier access to the cab made possible by additional grab bars and a movable left-hand console. In addition, the cab’s highback seat with head rest and electronic seat controls combine with improved HVAC performance for more comfort.

The crane allows easy service, with high-visibility sight glasses and quick drains on every gear box. The main valve is also easily accessible. The crane operates via Manitowoc’s Crane Control System (CCS), which can be used in conjunction with the company’s new Diagnostic Code app to quickly analyse diagnostic screens.

C

M

Y

SPECIFICATIONS

manitowoc mlc100-1

CM

MY

Lift capacity: 100t Max boom length: 61m Max load moment: 371t-m Engine: 300hp Cummins

CY

CMY

K

36

TOP TEN SEP TEMBER 2018

01 STudy ThE maNualS Review a machine’s operation and maintenance manual to become familiar with its safety features, instrumentation, controls, service schedules and maintenance points. Typically delivered and stored in the excavator cab, the manual contains the official manufacturer recommendations.

If you misplace your supplied copies, your authorised dealer can provide replacements.

: n e t top n i a t n i a m o t s p i t s r o t a v a c x e i n i onger m l t s a l s r ope Mall sco rs Make you c steps i s a b e s e with th

02

STay ON ThE righT Track The most obvious wear item on the excavator undercarriage is the track. Most minis use rubber tracks whose life expectancy is dependent on the environment they are subjected to and the user’s operating habits. Tracks should be examined daily for cuts, tears or exposure of the embedded steel.

Monitor track tensioning carefully, as a loose track is likely to detrack and will be detrimental to its useful life. The manual will indicate ideal track tension ranges and the correct way to make adjustments.

Fuel it rightspecify

facturers Most manu el to use of diesel fu the quality r machines achines. Fo atic on their m certain clim diesel d operating in te la rmu specially fo s, n nding io it p d e n co rable. D e fe re p e b n rs and blends ca ions, owne it d n o c e it on job-s be aware eed to also operators n n that can r separatio sa of the wate fuel filter a occur in a li a wer qu ty result of lo . fuel supply

03

FluidS aNd lubricaNTS A maintenance regimen needs a daily check of fluids, including coolant, hydraulic fluid and engine oil. If levels are low, be sure to refill with the manufacturer’s recommended fluid. It’s also important to keep these areas dirt-free and use clean rags while checking levels, to avoid contaminants. It’s also important to lubricate the machine at recommended intervals, using recommended lithium-based multipurpose grease to lubricate all key pivot points, including cylinders, booms,

04

37

05

06

FilTErEd FOr PErFOrmaNcE There are multiple filters on a compact excavator for the fuel, engine, air and hydraulic systems, and each may have different service intervals. When dirty or completely clogged, a filter can directly affect performance and compromise sensitive components. Most models on the market have air filter restriction indicators designed to alert operators to maintenance needs. To avoid system contamination, do not remove filters until the required time.

cOOl iT An effective cooling system relies on adequate airflow and appropriate coolant level. If either is lacking, it can lose performance, cause engine overheating or, worse yet, accelerate engine damage. Proper cooling system maintenance includes checking the airflow through the system and checking coolant hoses for leaks. The radiator, oil cooler and condenser can be cleaned by applying low-pressure air or water, but be careful not to damage the radiator fins.

08

chEck aTTachmENTS Visual checks of attachment components such as cutting edges, shanks, teeth and hoses on hydraulically powered attachments can help determine if wear is developing or damage has occurred in tough, rigorous applications.

Replace any worn or damaged pins or teeth to maintain productivity.

Keep the current ing batteries Flouw se 12-volt

tors l Mini excava st electrica guard again to h s it se w fu s d an d fuse Replace faile ht match overloads. rig e th at are new ones th ge rating. ra e p me am n with the sa corrosion o Inspect for ry and batte cable ends terminals.

09 mONiTOr iNSTrumENTS Many models on the market have onboard instrumentation systems with controllers that perform multiple maintenance-oriented functions, such as logging and displaying vitals like fluid temperatures and coolant levels.

Monitor these controllers carefully, as they can also warn when system

07 10 kNOw ThE machiNE Preventive maintenance is the best kind, and the best way to maintain your machine is to know it inside out.

Maintenance starts with how the operator uses the kit.

Make sure all operators read the manuals and adhere to recommended and safe operating practices. Follow OEM instructions for maintaining ROPS/TOPS cab structures, and make sure the mounting hardware is secure. Commit to a manufacturer’s safety guidelines

38

COVER STORY SEP TEMBER 2018

Keeping the Middle East’s terrain, jobsite and weather conditions in mind, Case chose to bring its made-inBrazil 885B motor grader to the region for its robust build and simplicity.

“The 885B is a tried and tested machine that has already gathered a reputation for toughness and robustness…

It’s like a complete package of excellence for anyone looking for a grader”

39

GradinG up Grader manufacturers are refininG the concept of the fine-tuninG tool for road makinG to make it an even more robust and precision product, while also concentratinG on service and back-up

W

e love our long drives in the Middle East and we have some of the best made roads in the world to do them on. The roads in this region are usually wide, smooth and welllaid out, with their surfaces seemingly smooth as baby-skin with little or no ripples or wrinkles.

It requires an army of specialised machines to build those roads, starting from the hefty bulldozers clearing the way to the oscillating or vibrating drum compactor smoothening the asphalt laid on the surface by a paver machine. But in-between these steps, a specialised machine that looks like no other in the world of construction machinery performs a delicate yet vital task – it fine tunes the surface and makes it absolutely level so that the surfacing can begin. In the words of the engineers, it makes the grade.

The motor grader is a vital link in the road construction chain. Without it, level, smooth, wrinkle-free tarmac may not even exist. In the world of construction equipment, the motor grader is somewhat of an oddity. It straddles the space between the power of the big earthmoving machines, such as the dozers and excavators, and the versatility of smaller kit like the backhoes and skid-steers. And the grader’s calling card is precision.

Of all the various categories, segments and models of construction machinery, there are few others that are made for one purpose only like the grader. And that purpose is to prepare a perfectly level surface, down to the last degree – the foundation of every well-made road.

To make this possible, the grader is a unique combination of the brute force of its bigger

earthmoving cousins and the delicate control, relatively speaking, of its smaller compact kin. And completing the package is advanced technology, with telematics and electronic machine control technology that assists operators to hit the grade stipulated in the civil engineering design with uncanny accuracy. After all, the safety of thousands, if not millions, of lives of the people using a road in its entire lifetime depend on its gradients and cambers.

Being a specialist machine, not many manufacturers have graders in their line-ups. But of those that do in the Middle East, Case Construction Equipment comes readily to mind. By the time Case finally showed off its 885B motor grader in the Middle East in November 2016, the region had already been ripe territory for a while for the machine. When you’re a globally acclaimed manufacturer such as Case, and the piece of equipment is as widely known as the 885B grader, then your reputation precedes you.

In a well-connected construction sector that constantly shares knowledge across geographies, the sturdy machine’s reputation was not something that local contractors, fleet owners and operators in the region were not aware of. Its technological features and proven performance in markets with similar tough and demanding conditions like the Middle East, such as in South America, had already made it the obvious choice for Case when it came to entering the grader segment in the region.

Case first brought the 885B grader to the region at its Eagle Days customer outreach programme in Dubai towards the end of 2016. Speaking about it, Franco Invernizzi, senior business director, Middle East and Africa, for CNH Industrial, the owners of the Case brand, tells CMME: “If we look at the other regions of the world then Case is very well rooted in road building equipment. In Europe and Latin America, we are the leaders in graders with the biggest market share. And we are also strong in dozers and compactors. When you can put together compactors, dozers and graders, you’re a big player in

40

COVER STORY SEP TEMBER 2018

ChinESE ChallEngER

sdlG makes inroads with vhp models Chinese manufacturer SDLG offers variable horsepower versions of two of its popular motor graders for Middle Eastern and African markets. The Volvo CE-owned company’s new G9190 and G9220 VHP (automatic variable horsepower) motor graders provide an automatic mode for transmission, allowing operators to shift seamlessly between manual to automatic transmission. This gives them greater control over the grading process while optimising fuel efficiency.

“The VHP models give the operator greater control over the grading process, with the freedom to shift from manual to automatic transmission when they choose,” says Shahir El Essawy, SDLG’s business manager for Hub South. “They are also fitted with a piston pump

the road-building segment - and that’s what we are in most other regions in the world.

“We are introducing these same machines in the Middle East to take up a similar position in the road building market in the region. We started with the grader in the GCC before bringing in our full range of dozers. So we want to replicate in this region the position that we enjoy in other territories globally.”

And the Brazil-built 18t 885B is the model of choice as Case seeks to make inroads into the region’s road construction sector, says

Japanese giant Komatsu is one of the most important motor grader manufacturers in the world - a position mirrored in the Middle East’s grader sector with its GD705-5.

Invernizzi. Analysing the market trends, Case felt that that the regional market was looking for a machine such as the 885B, which the company says fits into a capacity niche where there is demand. With motor graders being specialised equipment that need experience and expertise to use effectively, the model also provides controls that are relatively easy to operate and which most operators in the region will be able to make the most of in terms of getting the desired work results out of the machine, the Case official said.

hydraulic system that always delivers the optimum oil flow to the hydraulic functions, regardless of engine speed. In this way, VHP allows the operator to concentrate on grading with greater precision for superior results, while the machine focuses on being more fuel-efficient.”

The standard versions of the G9190 and G9220 have also been well-received in the market, SDLG added. It sold 28 G9220s to a Saudi Arabian customer recently to facilitate a large-scale road maintenance initiative.

The G9190 features a blade width of 3.96m with a blade pull of 9.9t, while for the G9220 the figures are 4.26m and 10.5t. SDLG’s circle drive system comes with three support shoes and non-greasing slide bushings for better grading and easier maintenance.

“Users in the region are also looking for solid reliability, which is what Case offers across our entire line-up. The 885B is a tried and tested machine that has already gathered a reputation for toughness and robustness,” adds Invernizzi. “There are also a plethora of new features, like automatic power transmission, a common rail engine and high engine power. It’s like a complete package of excellence for anyone looking for a grader.”

Speaking about the engine, he elaborates that the common-rail diesel engine offers 234hp and is built by Fiat Power Train or FPT Industrial, which is Case’s sister concern in the CNH Industrial portfolio. FPT is a wellknown name in engine technology and reliability, and Case feel that the backing of such an important and reputed engine supplier is a huge plus when it comes to convincing customers about the reliability and performance of the 885B’s engine.

“The engine is a very special one. It’s a VHP or variable horsepower engine, which adjusts the horsepower according to the application and the load that the machine is pulling,” explains Invernizzi. “So if you’re working in the first, second or third gears, where you need a lot of torque output, the engine will actually drop the horsepower and increase the torque.

“Conversely, if you want to travel faster, then the horsepower will increase and the torque will drop. It’s not just a normal common rail engine; we have different horsepower curves mapped on to the controller and we can use that at any stage when the machine is

41 in different applications.”

The A-frame and moldboard are two other critical components that have been given special attention. “The A-frame has actually been strengthened for the Middle East model. It’s larger and has more carrying capacity. The moldboard has been designed with three radii across the top. A multi-radius blade allows us to pick up material faster, which gets it rolling, causing less friction.

This means we’re moving a larger load with less power and more ease.

“The whole design behind it is to put less stress on the machine, save time with faster operation and be more productive with less fuel,” says Invernizzi.

The transmission is a fully automatic one with a torque converter. It automatically selects one of the six forward speeds or three reverse ones, shifting down or up depending on the conditions the machine faces.

“There are two easy modes. You can either do it manually by using the control shifter or you can put it straight into auto, where the machine will actually select the ratios for you in different work applications.”

Coming to perhaps the most critical component of any grader – the circle teeth – Invernizzi points out another innovation: the 885B’s are large, externally driven ones.

“Being positioned on the outside rather than internally means there are no impacts directed onto the motor, which leads to less stress on components and therefore longer life. And then there is also ease of cleaning.

So it’s designed for reliability and less wear and tear of the circle teeth,” he says.

The component is one of the most specialised pieces of equipment on the machine and is also expensive to replace. “A customer looking at a machine that he wants to keep for the typical 20 years that a grader lasts, doesn’t want to replace the circle teeth - and our design now allows us to reduce the wear rate behind it. So you should never have to replace it over the entire lifetime of the grader. The larger external design gives both longevity and performance in one stroke.”

Longevity and performance are the

Caterpillar offers a wide range of graders in the region to suit a variety of needs, with the 140k, 14L and 14M3 proving to be the most popular models on the market.

calling cards of another large player in the grader sector, perhaps the largest – Caterpillar. Samer Ismail, product manager – Earthmoving and Excavation, at Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, Caterpillar’s regional dealer, says: “The Cat product line is exhaustive to fit most customers’ needs.

However, in our market Cat’s main models are the 140K, 14L and 14M3. Talking about the 140K, it is ideal for general construction and road maintenance application. The 14L is the unique model in the market as

lEiCa iCOn igg4 - 3D gRaDER SYSTEm

GuidinG the Grade Case and Leica Geosysystems have teamed up to provide telematics packages for Case equipment that make it possible to exploit greater possibilities of Case’s motor grader and finish jobs faster with reduced downtime.

According to Leica, the iCON iGG4 empowers motor grader operators to do more withou t spending years in on-the-job training. The solution is easy-to-understand and makes most operators productive in a short period of time.

The system’s components comprise an in-cab LCD colour control panel, which is the central unit connected to a blade mounted mass tilt sensor, a machine receiver and junction box located atop

the grader arm and a dual antenna mounted on the roof of the cab.

Using the system, the machine can be run in automatic mode while moving with precision in any direction, which increases the productivity and efficiency of the grader. Leica and Case claim that difficult tasks are now easily done. The motor grader can be crab walked to properly handle material windrows and precisely grade side slopes or create ditches.

The Leica iGG4 for graders lets operators boost their productivity by using the latest GNSS technology to incorporate dual antenna, which calculates blade positions accurately regardless of the way the machine itself is positioned allowing you to grade precisely and efficiently.

42

COVER STORY SEP TEMBER 2018

it comes with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard, delivering the maximum power to the ground in very tough applications.

The 14M3 is the biggest in the territory and has its unique set of customers and applications as a stand-alone segment.

Cat machines have superior power and can be easily used in the toughest applications, such as mining.

“Out of these models the 14M3 is the newest and the upgraded model for the 14M2. It has huge changes in terms of weight, power and comfort. Customers who owned the 14M2 can spot the differences immediately. Our customers admire the performance of the 14M3 versus the previous model.”

Describing other features of the Cat range, Ismail says the 14L AWD’s load sensing, proportional hydraulics allow operators to rely on the machine making consistent power. “Its precise, predictable implement response saves time and helps assure quality work,” he says.

“In fact, performance, reliability, ease of use, durability, operator comfort, low fuel consumption, productivity and definitely the after sales support offered by Al-Bahar through our product support service teams – all of these make Cat motor graders the machine of choice for grading and roadbuilding work,” Ismail emphasizes.

“And then there is Cat’s Industry leading cab design, giving you unmatched comfort, visibility and ease of use, so your operators can be more confident and productive.”

The telematics package on Cat graders is also a big draw for the market, Mutair adds.

Cat grade control and machine monitoring technologies help improve grading efficiency and enhance fleet management for improved machine utilisation, he points out.

“In addition to that, Product Link, which is deeply integrated with the machine, helps take the guesswork out of equipment management. Easy access to timely information like machine location, hours, fuel usage, idle time and event codes via the online VisionLink user interface can help you effectively manage your fleet and lower operating costs.”

The utility of any piece of equipment ultimately boils down to the uptime and ease of maintenance – and this is where Cat scores with both its design and with Al-Bahar’s track record of dedication to customers. Pointing out design aspects that aid in maintenance, Ismail says Cat’s drawbar-circle-moldboard (DCM) features make it easy to maintain factory tightness for better grading results. Designed to help

gRaDing DOwn

bobcat’s smaller alternative

Bobcat offers a wide range

already has a laser system

of grading solutions based

mounted on the grader, they

around the company’s

can also mount the sonic

compact loaders and

tracer on the blade, allowing

grader attachments. The

them to switch between using

expanded range of grading

the grader with the sonic

equipment is designed for

tracer or the laser system.

use by asphalt and concrete

The sonic tracer kit

contractors for excavating

is designed for use with

and grading work for new

the 244 and 274mm

roads, pavements, concrete

wide heavy-duty grader

flatwork, tennis courts, utilities

attachments from Bobcat.

and landscaping projects.

Loader-mounted Bobcat

The graders feature a six-way blade plus hydraulic

grader attachments can

side-shift of up to 33cm

now be combined not only

left or right, both of which

with a choice of Bobcat laser

are fingertip controlled

grading equipment but also

enabling operators to grade

the Bobcat sonic tracer kit

without taking their hands

to provide automatic grade

off the control levers. There

control in applications where

are four two-way hydraulic

lasers may not be suitable.

functions, including left side

Laser grading requires the

up/down; right side up/down;

job-site to be on a plane,

blade rotation left/right and

whereas the sonic tracer can

blade side shift left/right.

follow nearly every terrain.

The hydraulic side-shift

The sonic tracer also provides

allows the blade to get further

an advantage when grading

into corners when working in

inside buildings with obstacles

confined areas. It also allows

where the laser beam could

grading right up to an obstacle,

be interrupted. The Bobcat

side-shifting to get around

sonic tracer system also offers

it and then side-shifting

the advantage that if the user

back to continue to work.

increase uptime, the major components are modular in design, so most can be removed and reinstalled, without disturbing other components. The new engine enclosure lights also make servicing more convenient in low light conditions as can be found at job-sites.

When the maintenance has to move beyond the job-site, there is Al-Bahar’s support. “Our dedicated team of service and product support personnel are always in touch with our customers in order to increase machine availability and reduce down time. We at Al-Bahar can offer customer a complete solution along with the machine to take care of the machine’s health, such as our customer service agreement (CSA),” says Ismail.

Komatsu is another well-known exponent of the motor grader. As with all other machines made by the world’s second largest construction equipment company, the Japanese giant’s graders also share an enviable reputation in the market of productivity, durability and uncompromising quality.

While the company has several models in various capacities in its stable, the most important grader in Komatsu’s line-up, especially for the Middle East is the GD7055, which has several features to ease the job for the operator.

With a long wheelbase of 6800mm, the GD705-5 is the largest of its size-class. The wheelbase itself results in high grading and blading performance, and great body stability. Secondly, in conventional direct drive graders, when the load exceeds the capacity, the engine usually stalls. To avoid engine stalling, operators tend to lift the blade to reduce the load. As a result, the road becomes undulated.

To mitigate this problem, the GD705-5 is equipped with a torque converter. When the load increases, the grader automatically switches to torque converter drive, which prevents stalling.

Technical excellence aside, a machine is only as good as its back-up support. And this is another area where Komatsu is a winner. The company has a Middle East central parts hub with extensive stocks of all the necessary parts in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, from where it supplies parts all over the region.

And then, apart from the support of trained and certified dealer technicians around the region, Komatsu also has its own expert technicians who can travel to any part of the region at short notice to tackle emergencies and major issues

44

Mini excavators SEP TEMBER 2018

Mini Marvels

With demand for mini excavators rising in the middle east, manufacturers are bolstering their line-ups With neW models equipped With the latest features and tech

T

he importance of the mini excavator belies its size. In operating weight, it may not be much more than 2-8t but this little machine hides a secret. Its prevalence in a market is an indicator of the maturity of that market.

The developed economies of Europe, North America and Japan are major mini excavator markets and these small diggers can be seen crawling around in almost all urban areas, big or small. In the developing economies, however, the minis are a rarer sight as the construction sector prefers the economy and versatility of a backhoe loader to the premium precision of a mini excavator.

But, gradually, that seems to be changing in the Middle East with the minis finding greater traction in the market and more visibility at job-sites A simple explanation for this is given by Gaby Rhayem, the Middle East head of compact equipment specialist Bobcat. “Bobcat spotted some trends early.

Now you already see a lot of buildings in the region.

And there are green spaces being created as well.

When landscaping, doing maintenance in a built-up community or making a swimming pool in a villa, you won’t take a 20t excavator into these places. You need smaller equipment,” he explains, and adds that Bobcat holds a market share of close to 16.5% in the mini excavator segment in the region, making it one of the biggest players, if not the biggest.

And the compact equipment specialist is already on its way to add more muscle to its offerings in the segment with a slew of new models. At Intermat in Paris this year, Bobcat showed off five new mini excavators with which it plans to take the competition head on and emerge on top by

revolutionizing the mini excavator market with a completely new generation of 2-4t machines.

The new models all introduce new levels of operator comfort, enhanced controllability and smoothness of all working functions complemented by new ground-breaking design features and styling in the 2-4t class. The new 2-3t models are the E26, E27z and E27, with operating weights of 2.5t, 2.7t and 2.6t respectively. Bobcat claims best-in-class stability for all three models as well as complying with weight limits for easy trailering.

“The main focus has been on operator comfort with the new machines incorporating many innovative features and offering an enhanced level of quality and robustness. They form a new flexible machine platform with different configurations of machines and specifications to suit a wide range of applications and customer needs,” says Rhayem.

A similar transformation is taking place in Bobcat’s 3-4t range. The new E34 and E35z have been developed to reinforce the Bobcat product offering in this category.

Jaroslav Fiser, product line director for Bobcat MiniExcavators in EMEA, says: “The current Bobcat compact excavator line-up has been one of the most respected products in the industry. Now backed by nearly five years of development work, we are raising the bar even further and are confident of now offering the best-in-class machines available.”

There is a completely new cab being introduced throughout the R-Series range. The larger operator space and premium interior deliver best-in-class comfort with an improved entry/exit thanks to new ergonomic 3D handles and a wider door. The new cab also features significantly larger windows and narrower pillars giving market-leading all-around visibility.

Inside the low noise-low vibration cab, the operator

45 Bobcat, probably the biggest name in the Middle East’s compacts sector with its small loaders, has now introduced its new series of advanced mini excavators in the 2-4t range.

“Backed by nearly five years of development work, we are raising the bar even further and are confident of now offering the best-in-class machines available”

46

Mini excavators SEP TEMBER 2018

has the benefit of new joysticks and new optimised metal travel pedals. The new minimal effort joysticks offer further enhanced controllability and smoothness of working functions. The operator also benefits from up to five independent auxiliary hydraulic circuits and a new industry unique ‘Selectable Auxiliary Control’ (SAC) system for customisable joystick controls. The SAC enables the operator to select/switch the control pattern for the auxiliary lines, which allows them to work with the most advanced attachments in the most convenient way.

“Another unique feature is the revolutionary Cylinder-Inside-Boom (CIB) design concept which is an innovative way to provide strong protection for the boom cylinder as part of a reinforced workgroup designed to minimise free play and improve durability,” says Rhayem.

“Also, the E34 and E35z are also the only machines in their class which will be available with the optional automatic hydraulic track tensioning feature, which further minimises maintenance need and the risk of de-tracking.”

The excavators can also be equipped with a deluxe control panel display offering extra information for increased troubleshooting and additional functionality of the new optional selectable auxiliary control system (SAC).

A new blade design offers more robustness and enhanced self-cleaning ability. The redesigned boom cylinder guard is complemented by increased protection of hoses, pipes and valves on the workgroup.

Bobcat is also the only manufacturer offering two alternatives for positioning auxiliary couplers. Boom-mounted for optimal

protection or arm-mounted for easy access.

For easy and safe attachment connection, Bobcat offers multiple mechanical or hydraulic coupler systems. Lehnhoff type couplers will now be available with factory installed tilting adapters (controlled by a dedicated AUX4 circuit). A bucket diverter valve kit (AUX3) is also optional to operate a clam shell bucket.

Over at Hitachi, in the year gone by, the Japanese giant has seen keen interest for its mini excavator line-up, which has come as a surprise for the manufacturer and for its UAE

Known for its massive machines, Hitachi has also found surprise success with its mini excavators in the Middle East, with the 1.8t and 3t models being its best sellers.

dealer MECET. With the GCC region not known to be a market for mini excavators, anything more than just token interest in the segment naturally comes across as a surprise, but Piet van Bakergem, general manager, Hitachi Construction Machinery Middle East (HMEC) is not so taken aback.

Not only is the market maturing, he says, which creates more need for jobs where mini equipment is needed, such as in landscaping, there is also the greater economic sense of using a mini excavator in jobs that typically

trident tyres

a Wide offering for small equipment Trident was established in 1997 and specialises in the design, development and supply of industrial tyres and rubber tracks for compact construction equipment. The company’s products are exported to over 40 countries and well accepted for their performance and value.

While Trident makes tyres and tracks for skid-steer and compact tracked loaders, as well as overtyre tracks (OTT) for compact equipment, it’s offerings for the mini excavators is a complete range of rubber tracks in several sizes.

“The tracks have a robust construction with a specially compounded wear-resistant rubber compound and spirally wound high-

tensile continuous steel cords.

These have been extensively and aggressively tested in a number of environments,” says Trident’s Suprit Shah.

Trident’s rubber tracks also cover compact track loaders with the same comprehensive range. Continuing about other products, he adds: “We have developed solid skid-steer tyres specifically to address the problems of punctures and fast wear encountered in many typical applications. These semi-solid, airless tyres with an extra deep tread are available in a wide range of application-specific patterns.

These include patterns for general construction, landscaping, recycling and scrap handling, demolition and

waste handling, among others. The tyres have specially designed sidewall apertures for shock absorption and ride comfort. They are supplied as ready-to-fit tyres and wheel assemblies for easy replacement.”

Traxter OTTs consist of interconnected, abrasion-resistant

steel segments that are looped over the tyres and the open ends are fastened to make an endless track belt, providing tracked mobility with high floatation. The fitment is simple and can be done under an hour, informs Shah.

“The OTTs bridge the gap between wheeled and tracked mobility by converting a wheeled skid loader into a tracked one quickly and easily. Our OTTs help skid-steers work at a modest cost in conditions that they normally couldn’t work in, increasing their efficiency, productivity, profitability and return on investment,” he adds.

47

case cx 18c

good thing in a small package The compact size, dimensions

bucket rollback angle result

and weight of Case’s CX

in efficient truck loading and

18C mini excavator makes

maximum material retention.

reaching the jobsite easy.

Dozing is also made easy

With variable undercarriage

with maximum blade lifting

width and quick folding of

heights in its class, while

blade extensions, loading

superior lifting capacity makes

and unloading the machine

it a good option to transport

from a carrier truck or pick-

material within small job-sites.

up is a breeze. Convenient

Another feature that helps in

tie-down points also make

this function is the ‘auto shift-

transportation easy and safe.

down’, which optimises travel

The light weight and

speed and traction. Travelling

compact dimension do not

in 2nd gear the machine

impinge on performance,

automatically shifts to 1st

however. High digging

gear if it needs more traction,

efficiency is achieved through

and then automatically shifts

superior hydraulic flow

back to 2nd gear when no

and excellent boom swing

extra traction is required.

angles of 60/60 left and right

An ergonomic operator

contribute to high versatility.

station with a suspension

A choice of short and

seat takes care of operator

long arms is available to

comfort, which is further

match customer needs but

aided by smooth pilot

whatever you choose the

controls, optimally placed

high breakout forces ensure

joysticks and adjustable

achieving outstanding digging

wrist rests that make it easy

depth and reach is easy.

and pleasant to operate

While loading, features

the machine. The CX18C

such as a superior dump

can also be accessed from

height together with ample

both sides of the the cab.

used to employ a lot of manpower.

“A task that required 20-30 people previously can now be done with five people or less and a mini excavator,” says Van Bakergem.

“And since the mini excavator is not such as big investment as say, the bigger earthmoving machines such as crawler excavators or wheeled loaders, it is selling steadily. If there is a job to be done and it demands a mini excavator, then a contractor or operator is likely to buy a machine without the enormous time and preparation it takes to decide on a bigger purchase. In this way, the minis are faster moving products for us as a manufacturer.

“The mini excavator segment in the market does have quite a few well-known players and so we have some competition from the other global brands. However, we are confident about our product against the competition.

We have an entire range of mini excavators, from 1.8t to 6t in capacity. The 1.8t and the 3t models are the most in demand and are our best sellers, followed closely by the 5t model.”

Hitachi’s range of mini excavators for the

region comprises seven models, starting from the 1.8t ZX17U-5A with an operator’s canopy, right up the 6.6t ZX65USB-5A which comes with a cabin for the operator. The other five models in the range have a choice of either cab or canopy. Power ranges from 14.2hp in the base model to 45.7hp in the range topper.

While the two bigger models in between use a 37.8hp engine, two others use a 28.4hp one.

Bucket sizes range from 0.044 cubic metres in the base model to 0.24 in the top one.

Another manufacturer that has a range of minis in place is Case Construction Equipment.

Franco Invernizzi, senior business director, Middle East and Africa, CNH Industrial, tells CMME that while the overall picture for all markets in the Middle East is that they are under a downward pressure, the mini machine market is less affected than the higher value, heavy line products. Case is one of the major players in the mini segment globally, and offers a comprehensive line-up in the region as well.

Speaking about how Case mini excavators are doing in the regional market Invernizzi

One of the biggest names globally in the mini excavator segment, Case has brought a new series of machines to the Middle East wih operating weights ranging from 1.5t to 4t.

says: “This is the new emergent class in the region and realising its importance here and future potential, Case has launched a new range of machines in the 1.5t to 4t sector.

Designed to provide exceptional performance, these machines offer the ideal solution to the Middle East market. The machines’ compact size yet strong digging performance ensure maximum productivity for our customers.

“Our strategy is to provide our high-quality products with competitive finance packages along with excellent parts and service backup across the region. And the launch of our new mini excavators offers the chance to penetrate and attack the growing mini market.

“We continue to invest in our products and services to offer the best value proposals to our customers. Over the last few years we have invested significantly in the Case support in the region, doubling the size of our regional office in Dubai and also opening our new Middle East parts centre in Jebel Ali. We will continue to invest with our distribution network to continuously improve our offerings.”

48

THE LAST WORD SEP TEMBER 2018

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01

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

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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 ADVERTISING & MARKETING SALES EXECuTIVE TOM BROMLEY tom.bromley@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5496 MARKETING MANAGER SHEENA SAPSFORD sheena.sapsford@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION PRODuCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 WEb DEVELOPMENT MOHAMMAD AwAIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015)

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Prime movers The earthmoving class is at the heart of the construction equipment industry – and indeed at the heart of construction itself.

Nothing would get built if the excavators, wheel loaders and bulldozers did not play their part at every designated stage. The bulldozer is usually the first to come on site and flatten the ground to prepare it for the work to follow.

Then the excavator digs, trenches and scoops out earth to help in the foundation and contouring, and make the construction plan more visible. And all the earth that has been dug out or moved, and has been piled up in heaps, has to be removed from the site. The wheel loader helps in this by loading it all on the dump trucks.

But this is surely a way too simplistic way of putting it. Most often all earthmoving machines can be seen working side-by-side throughout the lifecycle of a project – for all of them can be put to endless varieties of uses.

And this makes all of them prime movers.

Licensed by TECOM to registered company, CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC whose registered office is 207 – 209, Building 3, Dubai Studio City, Dubai, UAE. www.cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2018 CPI. All rights reserved.

A supplement to Construction Machinery Middle East. while the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

08 18

12 24

20

02

Excavators E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

PRIME MOVERS

CMME takes a look at the various options in the 20t class of excavators, the most popular in the middle east market

I

f the excavator is the centrepiece of the earthmoving segment, the 20t-class is at the heart of the excavator market. Among the various types of excavators on the market today, it is by far the runaway leader in terms of popularity.

What makes the machines in the 20t segment so much in demand is their versatility. Their operating weight, power specs and typical bucket capacities are such that they are the prime generalists, equally at home in mines and quarries as in urban maintenance jobs, ground preparations and building construction.

Given the range of jobs that a 20t excavator can do, it is no surprise that these machines are the most popular among excavators in several regions around the world, including the Middle East. For almost every big manufacturer the 20-tonner is the best-selling excavator and in a crowded segment, the global players are constantly trying to outdo each other with features, advancements and convenience to gain market share.

CMME presents here its pick of the class, with the leading models from the biggest global manufacturers in a segment that cannot be overemphasized.

03 “Its popularity against the competition is mainly due to its better build quality and features, better serviceability and ease of operation as well as better productivity and uptime”

volvo Ec210B PrimE

swede success With approximately 75 years

creativity to enhance

bucket size of 1m3 is our

by a 123kW Volvo engine,

of technical know-how and

performance, productivity

most popular model in GCC,

ranges in operating weight

experience in the excavator,

and fuel efficiency,” says

particularly in Saudi Arabia

from 20.7t to 23.7t and has

Volvo is well-known for

Vladimir Knezevic, managing

and the UAE. Its popularity

a bucket capacity ranging

making some of the most

director of machinery

against the competition is

from 0.48 to 1.27m3.

advanced machines in the

powerhouse FAMCO, Volvo

mainly due to its better build

segment. It is a core piece of

CE’s dealer in the region.

quality and features, better

to develop its products to

serviceability and ease of

set industry benchmarks

FAMCO to have the Volvo

operation as well as better

for the lowest Total Cost of

excavator as part of our

productivity and uptime.”

Ownership. Therefore, Volvo

equipment in the Swedish brand’s product portfolio.

“That’s why there has

“It is equally important to

The EC210B Prime is used

“Volvo pays great attention

been heavy investment on

product range offered to our

the product development

customers in the construction

as in general duty excavation

higher productivity, best-

over the years to produce

segment. The most popular

jobs with the flexibility

in-class fuel-efficiency,

one of the world’s finest

is the 20-23t weight class, or

to be paired with several

least operational costs and

earthmoving machines and

the medium size excavator.

types of attachments, such

longer lifetimes, besides

to distinguish the product

The EC210B Prime with and

as the hydraulic breaker,

being environmentally-

against the competition

average operating weight of

Knezevic says. In terms of

friendly which is one of the

through innovation,

22t and a general-purpose

specifications, it is powered

core values of Volvo CE.”

excavators always guarantee

04

Excavators E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

liEBhErr r920

JcB 220x

teutonic titan

focusing on operator comfort British heavyweight JCB has

says: “With the next generation

developed its new 220X 20t

220X, JCB has moved to a

crawler excavator as the first

totally new level of product

in the next generation of JCB

development and machine

tracked machines for the global

assembly, that will benefit all our

construction market. Over a

excavator customers in the field.”

four-year development period,

There has been a total focus

the company benchmarked

on the operator environment

all leading competitors and

and the cab is a completely

collected more than 1,000

new structure, which will be

requirements from global

used across the X series range.

customers around the world.

It is 100mm longer and a full

The new machines feature

one metre wide, making it

a 15% larger global cab with

15% larger overall than on

integral ROPS structure,

previous machines. The cab

offering reduced noise

incorporates the ROPS frame

levels; a 200mm wider upper

within the structure and has

structure delivering improved

flat glazing all round. Most

packaging; central main

impressively, the 220X boasts

boom mounting for increased

an incredibly low 68dB(A)

German major Liebherr

giving a tough time

digging accuracy and durability;

noise level inside the operator’s

is represented in the UAE

to the market leaders

intuitive, ergonomically-

cab, down from 73dB(A) on

by Genavco, a renowned

in terms of features

designed cab with simple user

the previous generation.

name in the country’s –

and productivity. We

interface; and stronger side

and indeed the region’s

managed to sell several

doors for greater strength

continues with ergonomically

– machinery landscape.

units last year, so that is

and increased protection

designed controls. The

The relationship between

confirmation that quality

JCB’s chief innovation and

maximum bucket capacity is

the two is just over three

does talk in the market.“

growth officer, Tim Burnhope,

1.25m3 and power is 129kW.

years old, but there has

Asif Khan, GM,

already been success,

Plant and Equipment

especially with the

at Genavco, adds:

R920 20t excavator.

“Our relationship

“Liebherr is

with Liebherr is a new

progressing well in

one but it has already

the market. We are

been beyond both

repositioning the

our expectations.

Liebherr brand in a

“With our new product

more proper fashion

pricing for 2018, we feel

and are seeing success,”

we can pose a serious

says Muhammad

challenge to the 20t

Faisal Khan, assistant

competition. The R920

sales manager, Earth

is the same Liebherr

Moving and Crushing

design, performance

Equipment, at Genavco.

and quality control,

“Liebherr’s claim

but benefits from the

has always been that

economies of scale of

its excavators are

being assembled in Asia,

better machines than

enabling us to offer

the leading brands in

Liebherr quality now at

the market and it is

a keener price point.”

This attention to detail

05

“Case excavators in the Middle East are made by Sumitomo in Japan, which means superior attention to detail and quality” casE cx 210B

case on point Just as in other regions of the

are “made in Japan”, which,

Case does in Europe, where

to build the Expo 2020

world, the excavator is one of

Invernizzi emphasizes, gives

we have our own plant in

site, Invernizzi says.

the most important equipment

the brand an edge in terms of

Italy to produce excavators

classes in the Middle East for

quality. “We manufacture all

for the EU market. But for

the CX 210B has an operating

Case Construction Equipment

the excavators for this market

the Middle East, we decided

weight of 21.3t and is powered

and the 20t-class CX 210B is

in Japan. We do not produce

that we wanted to offer the

by a four-cylinder Isuzu engine

among most popular models.

them in India or China, but

best excavator available

making 117kW at 1,800rpm.

only in Japan. This is because

- and it is from Japan.”

Franco Invernizzi, senior

And the strategy seems to

In terms of specifications,

“Case products are well supported throughout

business director, Middle East

we want to build our value

and Africa, at CNH Industrial,

proposition around quality

be bearing fruit. An army of

the GCC by our top-notch

says: “The 20t class is by far the

and reliability. Case excavators

Case excavators is working

dealer network. And with

biggest for Case in the region

in the Middle East are made

at the Expo 2020 site in

our central parts hub for the

and our most popular model

by Sumitomo in Japan, which

Dubai and in projects in the

region in Dubai’s Jebel Ali,

is the CX 210B, a 21t model.”

means superior attention to

adjoining Dubai World Central

customers are assured swift

detail and quality. This is a

area. Most are being used by

availability and maximum

different strategy from what

Al Naboodah Construction

uptime,” Invernizzi says.

All of Case’s excavators available in the Middle East

06

Excavators E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

cat 320 rangE

new cat out of the bag Caterpillar expanded its

lift capacity, promising

hydraulic excavator – or

maximum productivity at

HEX - product line-up

the lowest possible cost.

late last year with the

Both the Cat 320

addition of three new next

and 323 excavators are

generation 20-ton size

equipped with integrated

class excavators – the 320

Cat Connect Technology,

GC, the 320, and the 323.

which reportedly

The mantra for the 320 range was a three-

increases operating efficiency by up to 45%.

pronged one. “Up to 45%

The products’ Cat

efficiency improvement

Grade with 2D system

for the operator, up to

offers guidance for depth,

25% reduction in fuel

slope, and horizontal

consumption, and up to

distance to grade, helping

15% maintenance cost

operators achieve their

reduction – this is game

target grade quickly

KoBElco sK220Dlc-10

changing,” says Herwig

and with accuracy.

aiming high

Peschl, Cat’s global marketing manager.

Japan’s Kobelco is aiming for a 10% global market share

Kobelco’s market share.”

More than 60% of total

The 2D system comes with an E-fence feature,

According to the

which prevents any

company, the 320 GC

part of the excavator

by 2020 and the Middle East

demand in the region is

model is designed for

from moving outside

is definitely an important

for models in the 20 and

low- to medium-duty

operator-defined

market in this target.

35t range, he adds.

applications, while the

set points, boosting

320 is intended for

operational safety. The

Koji Deno, Kobelco’s

“Our main models for

marketing and business

the Middle East is the

medium- to heavy-duty

standard 2D system

development manager for the

SK220XDLC-10, a 20t-class

applications. Of the three

can be upgraded to Cat

region, says the brand’s strategy

model. Ans then we also have

models, the 323 offers

Grade with Advanced 2D

is quite clear to achieve this aim

the 35t-class SK380XDLC-10.

the most power and

or Cat Grade with 3D.

– to increase its presence and

Both these models find use in

provide high-quality machines.

applications such as the general

“We have brought a wide

construction, mining, scrap-

model range to the market.

handling and dredging, which

The main demand is for the 20t

are the most common jobs for

and 35t classes and so we have

excavators. Our customers can

launched the SK220XDLC-10 and

choose appropriate buckets from

SK380XDLC-10 which are brand

the variety of options we offer.”

new, next-generation models

Kobelco’s biggest advantage

designed for the region and can

is “great fuel economy”, Deno

easily answer to the heavy-duty

emphasises. “Customer can

requirements of the market with

make huge savings with the low

extremely low fuel consumption.

fuel consumption of Kobelco

“We will keep providing

excavators and our market

good quality machines, high

penetration of late has been

levels of service and parts

helped by rising fuel prices.”

together with our partners

“For support we have a parts

in all countries in the region

facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali

that we cover for improving

and qualified technicians.”

07 “The quality of our machines is very important to us, which means we are not making any concessions”

hitachi Zx350

all-round enhancements Hitachi’s ZAXIS-3 series of which the ZX350 is a part, are a

to less operator fatigue.

A satellite communication

This results in a productivity

when the machine needs more

increase of 10% in comparison

traction force, the engine speed

to previous models, says Hitachi.

automatically increases which

The HIOS II hydraulic system

makes the machine faster. Also,

new generation of excavators

system is standard as is a

designed to provide more

rearview camera and a theft

efficient power, productivity

deterrent system. Other

is suitable for fine controllability

the traction force is up 18% on

and improved operator comfort.

significant features include

by operators. In addition to the

the ZX350 over its predecessor.

Hitachi says that it listened

reduced running costs and

fine controllability the system

There is a choice of work

carefully to the customer to

lower fuel consumption per

increases the efficiency of the

modes for the operator with

not only understands their

cubic metre of earth dug. With

hydraulic circuit and increases

the E-mode, H/P mode and P

business, but also to provide

Hitachi’s attention to detail

the speed of the actuators.

mode, which can be selected

a reliable solution that they’ve

and quality consciousness,

The machine also sports

been seeking. The ZX350 has

the excavator’s reliability

Hitachi’s Enhanced Boom

improved performance over

and durability are also some

Recirculation System, which

its predecessors, providing a

of its key selling points.

controls hydraulic oil pressure

is very important to us, which

to suit job needs with the E mode saving fuel by up to 10%.

“The quality of our machines

in such a way as to increase the

means we are not making any

Ease of operation and

HIOS III hydraulic system and an

speed of boom operation by

concessions, like stripping

operator comfort is increased

OHC four-valve engine allows

15%. Arm roll-in speed is also

features for a lower market

with excellent visibility and

the efficient use of hydraulic

20% higher with the ZX350’s

price. We stick to our quality and

enhanced controllability, says

pressure to increase speeds of

hydraulic system while swing

prices, and our ‘Made in Japan’

the manufacturer, while lower

actuators and boost production

torque gets a 10% boost.

label,” says Piet van Bakergem,

noise levels also contribute

with higher fuel efficiency.

10% increase in production.

A combination of Hitachi’s

While climbing or steering,

GM, Hitachi CM, Middle East.

08

BULLDOZers E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

Case is among the few global manufacturers with a complete line-up of dozers and counts the 3550 as its biggest selling model in the Middle East.

09

PUSHING AHEAD

Manufacturers are introducing new variants and technologies to iMprove perforMance in the bulldozer – the definitive earthMoving Machines

T

here are some generic names of machines in the world of equipment that have transcended that world and achieved what can only be termed universality. And the first example of such a name is the bulldozer.

Mention terms such as backhoe loader, articulated hauler or the like to the lay individual and chances are that not everyone would be familiar with what those names describe. But, unmistakably, the bulldozer always hits home as the original powerhouse of the construction machinery industry – a description that is quite apt considering that the bulldozer is a piece of kit used to move mountains and flatten fields – at least proverbially.

At Case Construction Equipment, the CNH Industrial company counts the 3550 as its biggest selling model in the region, according to Franco Invernizzi, senior business director, Middle East and Africa, at CNH Industrial.

“The 3550 is popular because it’s got the best-in-class powertrain technology and comes with comfortable and intuitive operator controls for ease of operating and comfort of use,” says Invernizzi.

“The best and most common use for it are in road building, infrastructure, quarrying and recycling and our biggest market for the machine is Saudi Arabia, where several road-building and infrastructure projects are using the Case dozer.”

Speaking about the support that a Case dozer customer can expect, he adds: “With a parts depot in Dubai, Case Construction Equipment tackles all the requirement of

aftersales and parts of the Middle East region from here. With dedicated after sales and service team members based in Dubai, every customer need and query is managed with efficiency and speed.”

Dozer heavyweight Cat recently emphasized a long history of its dozer excellence with the 40-year celebrations of its iconic giant D10 dozer. Back in 1977, when Cat first unleashed the massive D10, it took out 93 patents on the proprietary technologies it had devised for the machine.

And that tradition of technological excellence in a product that oozes power and robustness still continues at Cat, going by its latest offering, the improved D8R dozer, which is also among the popular machines in the Middle East as well as worldwide.

The new D8R, which debuted last year, features increased horsepower and a larger standard blade for more productivity, as well as a range of optional GRADE technologies to help bulldozer operators get more work done in less time. It has also been given a more efficient powertrain and cooling system, increasing ambient capability by up to 20%.

Some of the features of the model make it easy to see why the D8R has achieved legacy status. Equipped with the largest standard blade in its class at 10.3m3, the dozer moves up to 13% more material per pass. High tensile strength steel construction and a strong box-section are designed to stand up to the most extreme applications.

With Cat’s constant tinkering and improvements, the latest D8R has a new electronically controlled transmission that offers smoother shifting as well as greater ease of operation with soft touch gear shift

10

BULLDOZers E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

buttons. Field-proven features such as elevated sprocket, differential steering and planetary power shift transmission with high efficiency torque divider deliver powerful, durable and reliable operation to provide uptime and productivity, says Cat. Over at German powerhouse Liebherr, the dozer line-up already includes a wide sweep of models, from the small 15t PR 716 to the 70t behemoth PR 776. A comprehensive range of weight classes are covered by the Teutonic equipment giant, with models in the 40, 30 and 24t classes.

What was missing from the Liebherr dozer stable, however, was an updated presence in the popular 50t class. And now, with the introduction of the new PR 766 Litronic dozer – or crawler tractor, as Liebherr says – that missing piece of the line-up jigsaw has finally fallen in place.

The new PR 766 crawler tractor is driven by a 422hp, V8 engine. With a blade capacity from 13.6 to 17 cubic metres and a travel speed of 11kph, it has all the basic attributes necessary to be a hard-punching machine in its weight class.

Perhaps the most innovative of features in the PR 766, as well as in models across the Liebherr stable is the hydrostatic drive, as a result of

which the speed of the diesel engine can be kept constant in practical use regardless of the required load. The unit always runs at the optimum efficient speed. The fact that speed fluctuations are avoided, sets the Liebherr travel drive apart from all other large crawler tractor drive concepts currently available on the market, the company claims.

The PR 766 Litronic is also equipped with an oscillating undercarriage.

This allows the track rollers to be

The PR766 is Liebherr’s updated model in the popular 50t class, sporting the German company’s signature hydrostatic drive.

flexibly adapted to the surface. As a result, the machine’s traction and smooth running are significantly increased, particularly on stony ground. Unevenness in the ground is ironed out through the elastic suspension and impact loads are reduced to a minimum. This not only increases comfort for the driver, but also improves the service life of the undercarriage and reduces the wear on the installed components and the steel structure.

WheeLeD aLternative

cat launches new 814K dozer Caterpillar’s new 814K

preparation and sub-

machine responsiveness

wheel dozer features a

base work on airport and

and control with

new sound-suppressed

commercial projects.

smoother, faster cycles,

cab, efficient power unit

The wheel dozer’s

while minimising operator

and transmission drive,

upgraded cab design

movement to reduce

and centralised service

makes the operator’s

fatigue. Simple side-to-

station configuration

workspace more

side movements turn

to increase machine

comfortable and provides

the machine to the left

uptime and operator

more efficient machine

or right, and gears are

productivity. With its

operation. Cab entry/

selected through a finger-

rugged structure it is

exit is facilitated through

controlled rocker switch

well suited for utility

integration of the new

work at mines, heavy

fold-up STIC (Steering and

a Cat C7.1 ACERT engine

civil construction

Transmission Integrated

with a 10.5m3 coal blade

backfilling and grading

Control System) armrest.

for light materials and a

work, and ground

STIC delivers high

general 2.84m3 straight.

The 814K is powered by

12

WHEEL LoadErs E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

“One of the important projects where Case wheel loaders are being used is the Expo 2020 site in Dubai… When it comes to infrastructure, contractors really like to have the 1021, which is our most popular machine over here, followed by the 821 and 921”

CooLing CubE

Case keeps temperatures in CheCk The unique design of the Case cooling cube, with five

access to each radiator.

The cooling system is

to cool the front and rear axles, and the air intercooler

exhausting air from outside.

The 621F and 721F models

radiators mounted to form a

mounted behind the cab, far

for the turbocharger is also

sport a heavy-duty cooling

cube instead of overlapping,

from the rear bumper of the

passed through it for greater

option which features an extra

ensures a constant flow of fresh

machine and from the ground,

efficiency. In addition, it is also

thin inlet grille that stops bigger

and clean air from the sides

away from the dust. The design

the cooling point for the cab

particles, sealed radiator covers

and from the top to maintain

and structurer of the cooling

air-conditioning condensator.

that ensure the cooling air is

constant fluid temperatures.

cube allows Case to bunch up

All of these cooling

100% filtered, and wide core

all the cooling duties neatly

systems are housed in the

radiators to increase self-

easy access to radiators for

into the cube, which makes it

cube, whose walls are made

cleaning with the reversible

a more effective cleaning

a one-stop cooling shop for

of the engine radiator. The

fan and prevent clogging.

and serviceability. Additional

the hydraulic and transmission

end wall sports a variable

The higher capacity 1021F

cleaning can also be done

oils as well as for the diesel

speed reversible fan that

and 1121F models also come

manually with separate

radiator. The cube also helps

takes care of blowing in and

with an air filter dust ejector.

The cube structure provides

13

Loaded with exceLLence

Wheel loader manufaCturers are adding value to this Cornerstone of the earthmoving segment With neW models, teChnologiCal innovations and support

a

t their heart, wheeled loaders are versatile mobile shovels that transfer material from stockpiles to trucks, or transport material around job sites. Bucket sizes have a wide range, from compact models to oversized ones in mining applications. Small and mid-sized wheel loaders frequently have an attachment coupler that allows them to use work tools such as forks, brooms, and lifting jibs.

Being vitally important to the construction, mining and quarrying sectors, and a pillar of the equipment industry, almost every major equipment manufacturer offers a range of wheel loaders suited to multiple purposes. Among them is Case, part of Italy’s giant CNH Industrial Group, whose senior business director for the Middle East and Africa, Franco Invernizzi, tells CMME that the brand has a healthy presence of its wheel loaders in several markets around the world, including in advanced economies, and is looking to replicate the same success in the Middle East.

“We enjoy double-digit market shares in countries such as the UK, so we have proven machines and we’re an extremely well-recognised

name. We need to use our global brand equity to push our presence in the wheel loader segment in this region where our presence has traditionally been heavy in the compact line, such as in the backhoe loader and the skid-steers. Recently, we started to invest in our heavy line for the Middle East, such as graders, excavators and wheel loaders. So the wheel loader is at the core of our strategy to reinforce our heavy line presence in the region,” he says.

Invernizzi adds that the Case brand is strong in some markets here while it requires work in others. “Our machines are very well recognised by customers and generally thought of as having good reliability and good specs. So we need to now make customers aware that we should be at the top of their options. We have a plan to do that with demos. We want to put a machine in our customers’ hands starting from after Ramadan and carry on for the rest of this year and into the next.”

Case expects the market to be stable in the next six months and then go on a gradual upswing, which they do not expect to be a massive one.

“We are well entrenched in the top-three here, according to available data. The market shrank in 2016 after a spike in 2015, which was a great year. But once the oil price started

14

WHEEL LoadErs E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

going south steeply, the market lost momentum at the end of 2015 and in 2016 there was a crash. Of course, we think it has stabilised now and will hold steady at low levels for a while before creeping upwards.

“One of the important projects where Case WL wheel loaders are being used is the Expo 2020 site in Dubai, which has quite a few machines. Generally speaking in this region, the 102i and 821 are the most common machines for us. When it comes to infrastucture building and construction work, the contractors really like to have the 1021, which is our most popular machine over here, then the 821 and 921 follow,” says Invernizzi.

Meanwhile, at Japanese major, Hitachi, the ZW-5A series line-up includes the ZW180-5A, ZW2205A and the newest addition of the ZW310-5A. Based on the experience that Hitachi has collected through the years, the ZW-5A series machines have been strategically designed. The key concept is a “Profitable machine for customers” with much improved operating costs for the customer’s profitability and enhanced reliability for customer’s productivity and versatility.

The Hitachi ZW-5A wheel loaders are able to provide customer with enhanced satisfaction and values in a variety of job applications. ZW310-5A is a more productive machine, high performer in demanding sites from the quarry industry.

With the exciting new features of the ZW-5A series, the ZW310-5A is more productive and customer can enjoy minimized operation costs by the consistently enhanced productivity that is not dependant on operator’s skills. The Active Engine Control – strategically positioned sensors detect movements throughout the machine and adjust engine speed accordingly to eliminate energy losses and delivers smooth operation.

The Active Engine Control System is also able to choose optimal traction power and breakout force.

Four-prongEd approaCH

sdlg’s middle east line-up

SDLG’s line-up includes

quarrying, continue

four wheel loaders for

to operate at strong

Middle Eastern and

levels in both the Middle

African markets as part

East and Africa.

of its new F-series. The

“The most noticeable

L953F, L956F, L958F and

difference is the design

L968F wheel loaders

of the new machines,”

feature a modern design

says Sjöstrand. “The

and a host of technical

larger cab design adds

enhancements, resulting

20% more glazing for

in a range that exceeds

improved visibility, safety

customer requirements.

and efficiency. Superior

“Customers are

air conditioning has also

increasingly demanding

been added for greater

reliable construction

operator comfort,

equipment at affordable

while the single joystick

prices,” says SDLG

guarantees precise,

product manager

easy and comfortable

Henrik Sjöstrand. “This

operation of the loader

is SDLG’s specialty. This

arm and bucket, reducing

new range has been

operator fatigue.”

specially engineered

A high breakout

for high productivity

force and a new bucket

and reliability, and will

design provide improved

provide customers with

productivity and ease of

an excellent return

operation. The machines’

on investment.”

bucket volumes range

The release of this

from 3.0m3 in the L953F to

new range is timely, as

3.5m3 in the L968F. A wide

large-scale infrastructure

range of attachments

projects, as well as

are also available.

To cater for situations like heavy loading and uphill climbing where extra power is required in a short time, the ZW-5A series wheel loader is equipped with the Quick Power Switch (QPS) which provides an instantaneous power boost at the push of the button conveniently location on the operational lever.

Moreover, when the power is no longer needed the machine will automatically return back to normal automatically to avoid wastage.

The new L60Gz, L90Gz and L120Gz wheel loaders from Volvo CE feature load-sensing hydraulics, a powerful and durable Z-bar linkage and a perfectly-matched powertrain – ready to increase productivity even in the most demanding conditions.

“The Volvo Gz-Series wheel loaders have been launched in GCC as an alternate to the existing F-series (L60F, L90F, L120F). This is a new cost-effective, applicationspecific solution being offered by Volvo with Z-bar linkage to ensure highest bucket forces for digging application while maintaining same Volvo quality and reliability,” says Samer Juneidi, divisional manager for construction equipment at Volvo’s regional dealer FAMCO, one of the biggest machinery houses in the Middle East.

The Gz-series models sport fully automatic Power Shift for optimal operation by adjusting machine gears in line with parameters including engine and travel speed, for comfortable gear changes and fast cycle times. Oil-cooled, wet disc brakes on the front and rear axles deliver superior breaking performance for smooth control and a long service life. 100% differential locks on the front axle ensure traction in slippery conditions, and axle oil circulation allows the oil to flow and cool inside the axle – protecting components and increasing brake service life.

The Z-bar linkage provides high breakout forces for strong, powerful digging and complete bucket fill

15

THE ZEn oF ConsTruCTion

komatsu brings in Japanese prinCiples services we give them.”

KOMTRAX Plus for mining

Trust the Japanese to elevate

the philosophy of Dantotsu

industrial processes and

at their heart. All our efforts

production to a spiritual art.

are geared towards giving our

the philosophy in essence

Jayyousi, Komatsu Middle East’s

The land of Zen has given us

customers unrivalled quality.

is about working together

senior marketing executive.

“In the best of Japanese

with customers to provide

many management principles

Takashima explains that

equipment,” says Jehad

“SMARTCONSTRUCTION

and industrial maxims, all

tradition, Komatsu believes that

innovation designed to create

is a solution for operational

rooted in Japan’s time-

Dantotsu service and Dantotsu

new values to their business.

problems at job-sites. Its key

honoured philosophies of life

solutions improve customers’

and excellence. And from that

‘Gemba’, which is the Japanese

is the use of KOMTRAX

open platform that connects

same stable comes Komatsu’s

term for the workplace, but

(Komatsu Machine Tracking

information about all vital

philosophy of ‘Dantotsu’.

not any workplace, instead

System) to improve customer

elements, such as workers,

a place where excellence

service and experience.

machines and ground

”Dantotsu means ‘Unrivalled’

Another Komatsu innovation

“We not only improve

element is KomConnect, an

conditions, through ICT,

in Japanese,” says Jun

happens. So Komatsu believes

Takashima, Komatsu Middle

it is our duty to see that our

the competitiveness of our

analyses them, engages in

East’s managing director.

customers achieve excellence

product but also supply parts

simulations and even makes

“It’s what Komatsu strives

at their workplaces – or Gemba

and provide service by using

proposals. It can be accessed

to be in its field. All our

– based on the Dentotsu - or

KOMTRAX for construction

on smart devices and monitors

products and services have

unrivalled - products and

and utility equipment and the

on Komatsu machines.”

“We not only improve the competitiveness of our product but also supply parts and provide service by using KOMTRAX for construction and utility equipment and KOMTRAX Plus for mining equipment”

16

WHEEL LoadErs E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

in even the hardest materials. This is combined with load-sensing hydraulics that supply power only when needed, lowering fuel consumption. Bucket pins are double sealed to keep grease inside the bearing and dirt out, ensuring long pin and bearing life, and the automatic bucket leveller and boom kick-out functions accurately stop the bucket and linkage in adjustable, pre-selected positions.

The models also offer superior operator comfort with a spacious ROPS/FOPS Volvo cab which has ergonomically placed controls, a tiltable steering wheel and vibration damping. To ensure the operator has all the necessary information and diagnostics for optimal performance, the Volvo Contronics system continuously monitors and records machine operation in real-time.

“The L120FGz, L150H and L220H are key players in their respective class size. While the L120FGz and L150H are perfectly sized machines for jobs such as general construction, waste management, earthmoving and quarry operations, the L220H ensures Volvo’s presence in the quarry segment with a strong reputation and performance history. Volvo offerings like Care Track, Matris, TP-linkage, Oil Bath Air Pre-Cleaner, Optishift & Reverse by Braking system are some of the key features that are supplied standard in this market to adhere to Volvo’s core values of quality, safety and environment,” says Juneidi.

“And then there is Famco’s support with a strong branch network across the UAE and other countries in the region to ensure optimised parts availability round the clock and strong technical support staff. With the Volvo regional parts distribution centre located in Dubai, additional product & parts back-up is readily available for faster response times.

“In the current market, where operating costs are becoming relatively important for customers to maintain project sustainability, Volvo products ensure highest productivity

The wheel loader is a mainstay of the mining and quarrying sectors, where brands such as Hitachi and Volvo have found favour with their build quality.

“In the current market, where operating costs are becoming relatively important for customers to maintain project sustainability, Volvo products ensure highest productivity in terms of cost per ton and fuel efficiency”

17

WHEEL LoadEr TyrEs

taking the load

One of the vital requirements

provides traction in the most

20.5R25 MA10, with plans

for performance in a wheel

severe circumstances. The

to equip more machines

loader is the tyres it is

tyres are available in 20.5R25

with Magna tyres in future.

shod with. Adequate grip,

and 23.5R25 versions.

Magna Tyres’ performance is also backed up by extensive

robustness, durability and

The efficacy of the MA10

load bearing capacity are

wheel loader tyres are proven

customer support. An

all important factors in the

across the world, according to

example of this is recent

wheels and tyres that enable

Magna Tyres. As an example,

training and development

a wheel loader to perform

the manufacturer sites a

initiatives in the GCC region,

to its optimum level. With

Belgium company, one of

says Vijay Nambiar, GM,

this in mind, Magna Tyres,

the biggest recycling firms

Middle East. As part of the

one of the premium global

of ferrous and non-ferrous

company’s added value

manufacturers of off-the-

metals in West-Europe,

to strategic partners, it

rad tyres, has introduced its

which is using the MA10

conducted a training and

MA10 tyre model designed

on its wheel loaders.

development workshop

In the past this customer

towards the end of last year

used tyres from an A-brand

at its new Oman distributor,

competitor, says Magna.

Hamdan Trading Group LLC.

headquartered Magna

Then in mid-2015 it started

The workshop was conducted

Tyres, which has a sizeable

extensive testing and

by the sales director from

presence in the Middle East,

monitoring of Magna’s tyres.

Magna Tyres Europe in the

the MA10 is developed for

After various extensive tests,

presence of Nambiar.

extreme loader applications

the MA10 proved equal in

in surface mines, quarries,

quality to the tyres they

training was to involve the

scrap yards and underground

previously used but due to the

sales and management staff to

mines. Optimal stability

price-quality ratio provided

get familiar with Magna Tyres

and operating comfort

by Magna, the customer

and the product programme,

are enhanced by the wide

decided to replace their earlier

as well as to share sales

footprint and centre rib. The

tyres on their newest wheel

advice and increase product

extra deep L5 tread pattern

loaders with the premium

knowledge,” says Nambiar.

specifically for heavy-duty loader applications.

According to the Dutch-

“The main objective of the

in terms of cost per ton and fuel efficiency, in addition to industryleading reliability and durability,” says Juneidi.

American giant Caterpillar has introduced a new medium wheeled loader to the Middle East and Africa market which is more powerful and fuel-efficient than its predecessor and features drivetrain and hydraulic system refinements, operator safety and convenience enhancements.

The new 980L, with a 30t operating weight, sports Cat’s Z-bar linkage, Cat Performance Series buckets, and options such as automatic traction control, enhanced ride control system, and Cat Connect Technologies.

It uses a fuel-efficient 421bhp Cat C13 ACERT engine, making it 5% more powerful than its 980H predecessor and 25% more fuel efficient.

The 980L uses a 4F/4R powershift transmission. A high-capacity torque converter uses a lock-up clutch for efficient grade and high-speed performance, and the Caterpillar Advanced Productivity Electronically Controlled (APEC) control system maintains torque flow during range shifts for faster acceleration on ramps and smoother shifts in the transmission’s direct-drive mode.

An extensive range of work tools and bucket styles are available to customize the machine for customer operations, such as Performance Series general purpose buckets, heavy duty quarry rock buckets, slag buckets, waste handling buckets or woodchip buckets, either with pin on or quick coupler interface.

The 980L’s cab features a fourpost Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) and seat-mounted, electrohydraulic implement controls. A new, streamlined control panel includes easy-to-reach, highly utilised machine controls to increase operator efficiency. Powerful air-conditioning systems keep operators comfortable while viscous mounts reduce vibration and cabin sound levels.

18

INTERVIEW E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

Brothers in arms GB EquipmEnt SolutionS’ manaGEmEnt tEllS CMME aBout thE company’S dEdication to JcB cuStomErS and how thE Galadari BrothErS Group Entity haS hElpEd to EStaBliSh thE BritiSh Brand aS a top EquipmEnt SuppliEr in thE uaE throuGh a 34-yEar aSSociation Please give us an overview of the services and facilities that GB Equipment Solutions provides to the UAE construction equipment sector.

GB Equipment Solutions (GBES) is the only authorised dealer of JCB Construction Equipment, JCB Access and Power Products, and Genuine JCB Parts in the UAE. GBES is a subsidiary of the Galadari Brothers Group, which is one of the largest conglomerates in the UAE. GBES has been the JCB dealer in the UAE since 1984 and is recognised by the British equipment giant as one of its top dealers in the world. Due to our vast experience, GBES possesses in-depth market intelligence and enjoys tremendous market coverage in the UAE construction equipment sector.

With a strength of 100 highly trained professionals serving more than 5,000

loyal JCB customers in the UAE, GBES is a dominant player in the country’s construction equipment market. GBES has a strong network of facilities across the UAE, with its head office located in Al Quoz, Dubai, regional office in Abu Dhabi and parts outlets in Al Ain and Sharjah.

GBES’ aim has always been to be the construction equipment market leader by providing complete 360-degree equipment solutions with the very best products and services in the UAE. Please describe the range of equipment that GBES provides, and what fields and areas that equipment operates in.

As the sole dealer of JCB in the UAE, we provide the country’s market with equipment from a world leading manufacturer with the finest engineering

facilities across the globe. We are a one stop solution provider to all construction needs and boast of a range of more than 300 equipment models which includes backhoe loaders, telehandlers, skid steer loaders, mini excavators, industrial forklifts, tracked excavators, wheeled excavators, wheel loaders and compaction equipment.

Apart from this, GBES offers JCB generators ranging from 20–3000KVA. Recently, JCB has also launched its powered access products with its platform lifts range, including scissor lifts, telescopic and articulated boom lifts.

GBES is especially well-known for its strong after-sales support and customer care. Apart from JCB, GBES is also an authorised dealer for Altura (CEAT) and Linglong tyres for all construction equipment and trucks.

19 Please describe the after-sales support and maintenance you offer, including your in-house repair facilities, onsite service support and other care programmes.

At GBES, we value our customers and pride ourselves on our country-wide reputation for unrivalled expertise and superb JCB after-sales support.

GBES has two state-of-the-art 3S (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with well-equipped workshops.

We have 30 highly skilled JCB technicians who understand JCB machines better than anyone in the market. GBES has 12 mobile workshops which are always on the move to provide on-site repair and service to our customers with 24/7 availability.

For us, it’s not only selling a machine to a customer, but also about finding the

right product for the customer; getting to know the customer’s business and helping them to continue to get the best from JCB machines. We have a customised approach towards after-sales services and we offer a wide array of solutions and packages to suit our customers’ needs.

How do you ensure the availability of spare parts for your customers?

We have a highly qualified stock control team and we use our historical data and ordering forecast modules paired with our experienced after-sales team to ensure the right parts are ordered “just in time”.

Our main objective is to ensure the fast movers, regular service parts and common wear items are always available in all our branches. We always have strict standards to keep high levels of availability, which

reduces downtime at our customers’ machines and keeps utilisation at the optimum level.

In addition, we also work on tailored stock profiles for our major customers, key accounts and customers who have fleets comprising various kinds of machines. One of the key tools of our success is listening to our clients’ feedback and requests. We are flexible in keeping stocks that our customers recommend, as well as providing various solutions according to the nature of a customer’s portfolio. Some examples of these solutions are consignment stocks, bulk stock orders, partial shipments and free air freight, among other options.

We are consistently hitting above 90% off-the-shelf availability, which shows how focused we are towards serving our customers for uninterrupted operations.

20

Backhoe loaders E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

Dig anD loaD

With manufacturers introducing neW models and keeping the segment updates, the versatile backhoe loader is an all-in-one earthmoving machine that remains a favourite at the middle east’s job-sites

T

he backhoe loader is a curious case in the world of construction equipment. It is at once both an indicator of the state of sophistication of the construction sector in a market and a marker of its economic health – and in a paradoxical way. Backhoes are not typically favoured in the advanced developed markets like Western ones, while they are the equipment of choice in developing markets such as the Middle East, Africa and India.

As Gaby Rhayem, Bobcat’s regional director for the Middle East and Africa, puts it: “The backhoe today is a very, very good and important business in the region. For

Bobcat, it’s a very promising field and we believe this product will be developed a lot more in the future.”

“Whatever their size, backhoes offer great versatility,” says Rhayem. He should know.

Despite being known in the Middle East as a skid steer maker, Bobcat suddenly jumped onto the backhoe bandwagon in May 2016, introducing its first backhoe ever globally in the Middle East. The timing was just right for growth, Rhayem says, and he has not been disappointed.

When launching the backhoe, Rhayem had stated his company’s goal as capturing around 10% of market share in the segment and entering the top-three backhoe brands. In an exclusive interview with CMME after a year

of selling backhoes in the region, he revealed: “We’ve done both with room to spare. After we started selling the backhoes in June (2016) to the end of the year, it took us only six months from a standing start to reach the top-three level, which is no mean feat” Bobcat may be a recent addition, but first off the block in the backhoe segment was JCB, the global king of the machine. Almost 50% of all backhoes sold globally are JCB and the manufacturer has five main models in the GCC market, from the 1CX up to the supersize 4CX, with the two 3CX variants its biggest volume sellers around the region, Rajbir Sandhu, regional general manager for JCB in the Middle East told CMME earlier.

While JCB has a full range of backhoes,

21 “After we started selling the backhoes in June (2016) to the end of the year, it took us only six months from a standing start to reach the topthree level, which is no mean feat”

the British manufacturer’s mainstay are its medium models such as the 3CXG and 3CX Eco. With maximum loader capacities of 3.4t each, maximum shovel capacities of 1.1m3 and 1.2m3, dig depths of 5.26m and 4.54m respectively, they are both powered by a 68.6kW engine. JCB also has the smaller 1CX model, which it also uniquely offers in a tracked version to make it one of the few tracked backhoe loaders on the market. Powered by a 36.3kW engine, the 1CX models can dig down to 2.55m and have shovel capacities of 0.28m3 and 0.30m3 for the wheeled and tracked versions respectively while sporting loader capacities of 610 and 665kg.

The largest in JCB’s range is the 4CX Eco

backhoe, which has engine power of 74kW, a longer boom for a 5.53m dig depth, loader capacity of 4.3t and shovel capacity of 1.3m3.

The British brand is well represented and supported in the region by a network of dealers. Prime among them is GB Equipment Solutions (GBES), who are the sole dealers of JCB equipment in the UAE. With wellequipped workshops in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, highly skilled JCB technicians, mobile workshops on call 24/7 for onsite assistance and above 90% off-the-shelf availability of parts, GBES, like other JCB dealers maximises uptime and makes owning and running JCB equipment a stress-free experience for customers, informs Sandhu.

Meanwhile, another pioneer of the

backhoe, Case, has a model range starting from the baby in the family - the 570T. Then there is the slightly heavier spec version of the same in the 570ST. The 580T and ST, the 590ST and 695T round off the line-up.

The difference between the two versions is that the ST has more power and higher flow hydraulics, even though the basic machine remains the same.

“The backhoe market is seeing a lot of competition in the region for a while now.

And Case is doing quite well in terms of market share. We are currently among the top brands in the total Middle East’s backhoe market,” says Franco Invernizzi, senior business director, Middle East and Africa, CNH Industrial Construction Equipment.

22

Backhoe loaders E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

Interestingly the 570 is made at the company’s plant in India, while the other models are all made in Italy.

When asked about the difference this might make, Invernizzi explains: “All our plants, in India, Italy or elsewhere, are up to the same Case standards and are WCM certified. Quality-wise there is nothing to choose between the products of our plants from separate geographies, as they are built to the same exacting standards that Case sets worldwide. However,

The India-made 570ST is Case Construction Equipment’s best-selling backhoe in the Middle East. It is feature-rich yet has a significant cost advantage.

manufacturing the 570 in India does give us certain advantages in terms of cost savings on labour and other overheads, which we can pass on to our customers here.”

The made-in-India machine has become Case’s best seller in the region and not just on price point alone. “The 570T is designed to suit the demands and conditions of the Indian market, which the Middle East shares somewhat. For example, we designed a larger cab for the 570, capable of

Built with a focus

neW sdlg backhoe for me SDLG’s new B877F sideshift

handle almost any job”.

The new model also features a 55-degree steering

backhoe loader targets the

The B877F, part of the

Middle Eastern and African

SDLG F-series, is equipped

angle which provides high

markets, is half a tonne

with an improved loader

manoeuvrability, particularly

lighter than its predecessor

linkage system to provide high

advantageous when

the B877, and features a new

breakout force of 48kN and

working in confined areas.

engine, greater cab space and

comes with a 1m3 capacity

Of particular interest to the

enhanced cooling capacity, as

loader bucket as standard.

Middle East market, the B877F

well as updated loader linkages

SDLG says that with improved

has been fitted with a larger

and other improvements.

kinematics, it is now easier

radiator capable of handling

to anchor the machine when

ambient temperatures of

Henrik Sjöstrand says that

using the excavator bucket.

50 degrees Celsius. The cab

whether operating the

It also offers better control

air conditioning has been

loader or the excavator, “the

of the excavator arm when

improved too with outlets

new B877F has the power

repositioning, better stability

from the ceiling providing

and manoeuvrability to

and more efficient excavating.

a 30% increase in cooling.

SDLG product manager

transporting two more people besides the operator in air-conditioned comfort. This is one popular in the Indian market, where backhoes often transport technicians and other personnel to and within job sites. And since a lot of the construction industry in the Middle East employs people from India, this is a habit that they bring with them here.”

Global number one Caterpillar has an entrenched market position in the GCC through the strength of its dealers. Caterpillar recently updated its backhoe line with the new 426F2, aimed at markets in the Middle East and Africa. Offering a highly configurable design, it has a Side Shift frame and provides customers with additional choices, allowing the selection of a more base-specification model or a highly configured machine to match budget and operating needs. Some of the options are two- or four-wheel drive, backhoe loader or excavator control pattern, cab climate control packages, and specified Product Link technology levels.

The 426F2’s high pump oil flow delivers high hydraulic performance, and load-sensing hydraulics enable the Cat to tackle a variety of applications, ranging from loading and carrying to full-depth trenching.

23

expanding the range

jcb shrinks the backhoe the British manufacturer.

market with its extensive range

The unit is capable of

“The 3CX Compact has a side-

of backhoe loaders, JCB took

travel speeds up to 40kph,

shift chassis on the back rather

its line-up a stage further with

allowing it to be easily roaded

than a centre-mount chassis…

the introduction last year of

between jobs or work areas.

it allows that back end to

a compact model – a smaller

JCB also provides solution

move from one side to the

version of its existing popular

packs to customise the 3CX

other. With the patch planer

3CX, the 3CX Compact.

Compact to specific tasks.

on the back, you can plane

For example, the 3CX Pothole

a square area easily with the

CON/AGG in Las Vegas,

Master is configured with a

machine stopped in one place.

and aimed initially at the

skid-steer hitch in the front to

It doesn’t have to reposition.”

advanced markets, the 3CX

engage attachments such as a

Compact is a smaller version

sweeper, while a small patch

implies, the model is only

of the standard 3CX, yet

planer has been designed to be

1.95m wide and 2.74m high,

retains the speed and power

mounted on the backhoe end.

making it 35% smaller than

Unveiled at the CONEXPO-

of the larger machine, says

Delivering the power and productivity needed for high performance jobs, the new 426F2 backhoe loader can be equipped with up to a 1.05m3 loader bucket offering a 7t tipping load at breakout point. Its standard 4.3m-long standard excavator-style stick delivers a 4.7m maximum digging depth and 4.03m loading height.

The machine is powered by the 68.5kW Cat 3054C 4-cylinder diesel engine with advanced cooling system designed for efficient and reliable operation in ambient temperature reaching 50-degrees Celsius. An externally mounted engine precleaner offers quick filter servicing for customers working in dusty conditions.

Its Cat four-speed Power-Shuttle transmission delivers effortless gear changes, up to 40kmh road speeds and matched gear ratios for optimum performance in all applications.

Whether equipped with standard two-wheel or optional four-wheel drive, the new 426F2 backhoe loader features standard 100% differential lock, in the rear axle, to provide maximum traction in poor ground conditions.

The machine’s parallel lift loader arms provide the operator with excellent forward visibility, exceptional breakout forces reaching 60.4kN and

product manager, JCB, said:

Already dominating the global

At the launch, Diego Butzke,

a high lift capacity of 3.6t at full height.

General Purpose (GP) or Multipurpose (MP) buckets are available to precisely match the customer’s needs.

With five models in Cat’s F-Series - including the 426, 428 and 434 each can be ordered with one of two engine options. The smallest 422F is offered with a naturally aspirated diesel engine that puts out 56.5kW gross power, or a direct injection turbo (DIT) engine outputting 68.5kW gross.

Chinese maker SDLG is another

Cat offers five models of backhoes in the region to suit a variety of requirements, all with the back-up of its superb dealers and parts availability.

As the Compact moniker

a standard 3CX backhoe.

player in the region’s backhoe market.

Owned by Volvo CE and represented in the region by Famco, SDLG is keen to take the fight to the market leaders.

“SDLG’s backhoes loaders have been in the Middle East for several years and we have received total acceptance from customers. The backhoe will continue its important role in the Middle East in future, and, together with Famco, we are well-positioned to benefit from it,” says Jackie Sun, region manager MENA, SDLG.

24

LAST WORD E ARTHMOVING REP ORT 2018

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5,000

MAGNA TYRES GROUP

PREMIUM QUALITY OTR TYRES

MA08 - L5

MAGNATYRES.COM info@magnatyres.com | +31416 675 220

201808011

MAGNA TYRES MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA RAK Free Zone, 109, BC3 PO Box: 326097 Ras al-Khaimah UAE (United Arab Emirates) Tel +971 7207 8814