Construction Machinery ME September 2019

ISSUE 95 R 2019 SEPTEMBE

PLUS

ASTE W T U O G N I H S U R C SHER’S

MB CRU ES FIVE PLUSGING IN M ANA ATERIAL WASTE M

T ROUGHINGYIW HER E

UGH GO-AN O R S E K A UTILIT Y MCR ANES TERR AIN OURITE A GCC FAV TORS A V A C X E I MIN

I N I M N O I T U L REVO

E IN R U T U F T IGH R B T E A K E R Y A E M S R T E EN IGG M P D I L U L Q A E M G S RIN THE U T A M ’S N THE REGIO

THE L120Gz

Z-BAR LINKAGE AND LOADS MORE

The Volvo L120Gz wheel loader gives you loads more: more productivity, more fuel efficiency and more uptime. Engineered to give optimum bucket fill, the L120Gz delivers superior productivity, with the Z-bar lifting arm system working in perfect harmony with load sensing hydraulics and the Volvo attachment range.

An optimised powertrain and Eco-pedal function contribute to outstanding fuel efficiency, coupled with easy service access, for lower operating costs. The Volvo L120Gz – maximum productivity and optimum efficiency.

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2019

36

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

14_MULTI-PRONGED WIZARDRY CMME understands the concept behind Multi, a thyssenkrupp innovation that points to the future of elevator technology

18_CRUSHING OUT WASTE Italy’s MB Crusher points out five advantages its patented product-line brings to the job of managing and disposing of material waste.

22_SAFETY ON HIGH Considering the heavy use of tower cranes in Middle East construction, CMME chats with AMCS technologies on why safety is a prime concern.

R E W O RAW P 30_ NEW R The latest

E L E A SE S

12 SPOTTED Y AN IN GEHRitM achi mini10 new spotted at rs to a v a c x e burger the Ravens t park amusemen

chinery.

ruction ma

f const the world o m o fr s se a rele

34_TOP T

12

EN

ntenance. cavator mai ex iin m r to follow fo Top ten tips arket.

N VOLUTIO action in a maturing regional m E R I N I M 36_ sed tr nding increa tors are fi Mini excava

d features.

ING IT H ith advance G w U es O an cr R n _ rrai 42 on rough te rs improve Manufacture

in Egypt.

N CITY I lamein city A A T El O ew P n _ e 8 4 ild th anes help bu

14

tower cr More than 35

18

42

22

2

EDITORIAL SEP TEMBER 2019

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

SMALL INCREMENTS While I wouldn’t yet call it a paradigm shift, rather more of a subtle one, mini excavators are sneaking into the Middle East’s equipment landscape in quiet increments.

Our part of the world has not been a market where the small stuff has any prominence.

Whether due to the relative youth of the urban landscapes of the Gulf region or the abundance of big-ticket builds, this region has always preferred the big over the small when it comes to buying and using equipment.

Perhaps contractors, fleet owners and user feel that small kit like mini excavators aren’t versatile enough to take on the vagaries of the region’s construction market. What if, they might wonder, a mini excavator being used on one project today finds no work tomorrow and is left cooling its tracks in a shed? Which is perhaps why most of them opt for a backhoe loader over a mini excavator-small wheel loader combo. With a backhoe loader, they no doubt reckon, they will be able to tap into the broad spectrum of medium-sized projects, too small to use the big excavators and loaders and too big for a mini to be effective.

While their rationale has for the most part been understandable, in many of the region’s cities we are on the cusp of a transition that threatens to render such thinking obsolete.

Traditionally, a mini excavator’s domain is urbia - built-up, inner-city areas, where the bare soil or sand has been cloaked by layers of asphalt and concrete. It’s a terrain where, say, a 20t digger is too big to enter and too heavy and hard to not cause damage. Instead, for jobs like maintenance, repair and small rebuilds, the mini excavator is called upon to save the day. Globally, this is the norm, especially in the older markets of Europe, Japan and North America.

And now, as cities in our region get more built up, the established practices of the developed markets are being replicated

here. The last few years have seen a steady rise in the number of mini excavators sold in the GCC. As cities like Dubai, Manama and Abu Dhabi mature, we ask the major manufacturers of mini excavators how the market scenario is changing for them.

Elsewhere in this issue, we discuss the latest developments in the world of rough terrain cranes. In contrast to the mini excavators, whose domain is the smooth terrain of cities, the RTCs are at home on the desert sand and the rough, and so are preferred for heavy lifting in the Middle East’s oil & gas sector. Also in this issue, we look at future technologies like thyssenkrupp’s Multi rope-less elevator and AMCS’ tower crane safety systems.

As the heat of the Middle East’s somnolent summer winds down into the good weather season, it also marks the quickening of construction activity – and the time of conferences, events and industry gatherings.

And this time, CMME has its own bit to contribute: we are hosting the first Access & Handling Summit, dedicated to the region’s powered access sector, on October 21.

I would like to urge our readers to visit the event’s website at www. accessandhandlingsummit.com to find out more, register to attend and perhaps consider becoming a sponsor. There will be a lot of knowledge to share when the sector congregates under one roof next month. Stay tuned for more.

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE TOM BROMLEY tom.bromley@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5496 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 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WEB DEVELOPMENT MOHAMMAD AWAIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PUBLISHED BY

The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor.

The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing.

Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC. CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.

HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR

PC210-10M0 Customer voice is our guiding light

At Komatsu, we leverage our tradition of manufacturing excellence and industry-leading technical insights to develop products and services that deliver tangible benefits to customer operation. Our guiding light in this endeavor is customer voice: illuminating the daily conditions that shape their equipment and technology requirements.

Our PC210-10M0, for example, features elements to boost productivity: a large bucket and bold redesign of work equipment. It also provides a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and low maintenance costs – keeping customer bottom line top of mind. The machine’s robust design is fit to perform in the toughest environments, for applications in construction, quarry, forestry and agriculture.

The satisfaction of our customers is what drives us forward.

https://home.komatsu/en/

4

ONLINE SEP TEMBER 2019

MOST POPULAR

READERS’ COMMENTS

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

OVER HALF OF CONSTRUCTION LEADERS EXPECT 6-10% GROWTH OVER THE NEXT YEAR

Oman’s first utility-scale windfarm starts operations

The industry has changed a lot over the last decade and now it looks like we are set for even greaer change. For one reason or another I didn’t get to

CONSTRUCTION

participate in this KPMG

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ‘satisfied’ with Expo 2020 preparations

survey (see Over half

of construction leaders expect 6-10% growth over the next year) but look beyond the headline

Site Visit: Nakheel’s Palm Tower

and it is fascinating to see how the construction industry is being ‘disrupted’ be technology.

CONSTRUCTION

While the use of drones

China’s CNTC wins contract for Reem Island’s Pixel project

and 3D printing aren’t necessarily mainstream yet, it is clear that we have to be prepared (and are preparing) for major changes in the industry.

Almost 8 out of every 10 of the people surveyed

CONSTRUCTION

believed that modular

Expo 2020 Dubai irrigation and landscaping projects costing over $75mn

fabrication is going to be widespread within the decade – and I think that’s being driven by the developers but I think contractors also need to be finding ways to use technology to take costs out of their own

CONSTRUCTION

Tasmim awards Unique Contracting Habitat contract

Opinion: The power of effective communications in construction

operations.

Name withheld by request

CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS REDEFINED

NEW R-SERIES EXCAVATORS ENHANCE THE BOBCAT CONSTRUCTION RANGE At Bobcat, we develop loaders, excavators, telehandlers and more than 100 attachments to get your job 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, to make sure we are shaping it for you.

THE NEW R-SERIES 2 TO 4 TONNES COMPACT EXCAVATORS ARE A TESTAMENT TO THIS: best-in-class performance and precise controllability exceptional operator comfort and from-cab visibility

Agility, durability and versatility all come as standard – but for extra peace of mind, benefit from our extended warranty and planned maintenance program.

unmatched stability in this weight class …redefining standards in the industry.

FIND OUT MORE 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. © 2019 Bobcat Company. All Rights Reserved.

S W NE 6

WORLD ROAD CONGRESS

HOST ABU DHABI TO SHOWCASE INFRASTRUCTURE

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

Abu Dhabi will showcase its world-

IN Q2 SALES

class transport infrastructure to global

Terex Corp

experts as part of a series of technical

reported an

visits during the upcoming World

overall net sales

Road Congress Abu Dhabi 2019. The

figure of $1.3bn

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

for the second

(DoT) said the visits will offer delegates

quarter this year,

insights into how Abu Dhabi deals

a 4% increase on

with the day-to-day operations of

the same period

its integrated transport network and

last year, or 8%

its planning for future projects.

discounting the

Genie appoints new Kuwait distributor Powered access major Genie has appointed Bahrah Trading Company as the new distributor of its telescopic and articulating boom lifts and scissor lifts in Kuwait. The Terex-owned brand said Bahrah, an affiliate of Kuwait’s Al Sayer Holding, was chosen for its track record over the last six decades, during which it has “evolved into a major equipment supplier serving a broad spectrum of clients in the construction, oil and industrial sectors” in Kuwait.

Sharbel Kordahi, MD, Terex Equipment Middle East (TEME), and Genie sales director for Middle East, South Africa, Russia and CIS, Terex AWP, said: “Partnering with Bahrah Trading in Kuwait is part of a strategic and logical move to develop a stronger foothold in the Middle East region.

As part of the Al Sayer Holding, Bahrah is a solid business with a strong position in the marketplace. For Genie, having the right partner goes a long way as it reflects on our brand as well. Now that Bahrah is part of our growing regional network, customers can be confident that access to Genie

products, backed by the responsive, quality service they rely on, is now much easier.”

Gary Cooke, Genie regional sales manager for the Middle East, Terex AWP, added: “Bahrah has an excellent reputation in Kuwait. Led by an experienced team of professionals with a highly customer-focused approach, a firstclass infrastructure and what is probably the best quality after-sales service in the region, Bahrah has everything that Genie customers need to support their business. We are pleased to have them onboard as a part of our network.”

Hamza Melakandy, GM, Bahrah Trading Company, commented: “For us, it’s not just the price of the equipment that we represent that matters, but the quality of the product itself. With the addition of a premium brand like Genie to our competitive offering, our customers can be assured of getting great value for their investment. We are happy to have the opportunity of supporting Genie in Kuwait with the best team, both in terms of sales and after-sales service, in our market.”

Taking place daily between October

impact of foreign

7 and 10, the visits will include

exchange rates.

landmark locations such as Abu Dhabi’s

The star was

Traffic Management Centre, Khalifa

Terex Materials

Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi and Khalifa

Processing (MP),

Port and Yas Marina Circuit. Only

reporting net sales

registered delegates can participate in

of $365m, a 9%

the technical visits, said the DoT, and

year-on-year rise

registrations are now open through

for the quarter.

the World Road Congress website.

Terex attributed

Additionally, delegates will also

the rise to global

witness how Abu Dhabi is preparing

demand for its

for the future with visits to new

services and

and under-construction projects

products.

such as Masdar City, the Abu Dhabi

An order backlog

Midfield Terminal Building, the Airport

of $364m

Interchange Project and the Umm

positions Terex

Lafina Bridges and Roads project.

MP well for the

Ahmed Al Hammadi, chairman of

rest of the year,

the World Road Congress Abu Dhabi

said the company.

2019, DoT, said: “With the World Road

CEO John L

Congress Abu Dhabi 2019 being held

Garrison said:

later in October, I encourage every

“Global demand

delegate who is attending to register

for our leading

for the technical visits and witness first-

products and

hand what we have achieved to date

services remained

and our ambitious plans for the future.”

generally stable at a healthy level.”

Hosted by the DoT and PIARC, the World Road Congress Abu Dhabi 2019 will be held under the theme ‘Connecting Cultures, Enabling Economies’. It is expected to attract thousands of delegates from public and private sectors, and include discussions and debates on topics related to road networks around the world.

8

NEWS ROUND-UP SEP TEMBER 2019

PRODUCTION LANDMARK

KOBELCO MAKES 10,000TH EXCAVATOR IN INDIA

Haulotte trains MEA customer technicians

GLOBAL SALES FALL AT KOMATSU A small rise in the Middle East could not offset slowing sales in the Chinese market affecting

A technical training initiative by powered access heavyweight Haulotte has seen it conduct training for customer technicians in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

Haulotte Middle East provided technical training in Turkey recently, with technicians from customer Acarlar Makine & Rent Rise.

The four-day programme included theoretical and practical training and focused on various electric machines, such as the HA12CJ+ articulating boom, the Optimum 8 scissor lift and the Star

REVENUES RISE AT JLG Powered access major JLG saw a 13% rise in total revenues for the first nine months of its fiscal year 2019, with the total standing at $3.06bn, helped mainly by telehandler sales surging 42.6%. AWPs only saw a small rise of around 1%.

10 vertical mast. On the agenda were modifications and improvements related to the machines, as well as Haulotte innovations such as the ActivShield Bar, ActivLighting, Stop Emission and Activ Screen systems, which deal with safety, service and emissions.

Dusko Ormanovic, Haulotte’s training manager for the Middle East and Asia Pacific, said: “We shared detailed information about the machines so that technicians perfectly understand how the machine works and how to rapidly intervene in

case of malfunction. The practical sessions on the machines showed them how to use the tools efficiently. We’ve particularly focused on calibration.”

Emrah Güngör, aftersales service manager, Acarlar Makine, added: “Technical training is crucial for Acarlar Makine.

We work diligently with regard to service processes in order to maximise customer satisfaction.”

Also, technicians from African rental companies met Haulotte Africa on Réunion Island for training on scissors and boom lifts.

NEW STE BOBCAT WASCOPIC LE EXPERT TE ERS LOAD

of pert range ew Waste Ex n a ed ling d ch n an lau aterial h Bobcat has ated new m ic ed d e h a T s, . loader markets telescopic d recycling an te as w as e w g e r th e new ran solution fo n to offer th io aste is W ec e d p e id th prototy company sa ption that a ce re ler d m an ar h w le on the 3.80HF te taken based obcat’s TL4 B t n en o rr ed cu s as hine b ur of it Expert mac is offering fo t ca e b o th B – a. s Baum loader received at telescopic d high-flow an y it 3.80HF – as iv L4 ct T u d prod 8.70HF an L3 T F, H y 65 4. powered b TL35.70, TL3 achines, all m t er p Ex g tin new Waste , sporting lif 0hp engines g n ti lif 100hp or 13 d f 3.4-4.3t an capacities o 5-8m. heights of 6.

the financial

Construction equipment maker

prospects of

Kobelco has announced its Indian

Komatsu, as it

factory has hit a production landmark

reported a 5.5%

of 10,000 hydraulic excavators.

year-on-year

The Indian subsidiary of Kobelco

decline in sales in

Construction Machinery (KCM) recently

the first quarter

held a ceremony to celebrate the

of its financial

occasion at its local factory in in Sri

year, which

City Industrial Park in the southern

commenced on

Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

April 1. The Middle

KCM said its Indian production

East saw a 1.9%

facility had commenced operations in

increase in sales

January 2011 in anticipation of growth

for the Japanese

in demand in the Indian market. Starting

giant, but Africa

with an initial production capacity

dropped by 23.5%,

of two units per day, the facility can

which Komatsu

now produce 10 units per day. KCM

attributed to

is reportedly working on improving

sluggish demand

the capacity further to 12 units daily.

for mining equipment.

The president of Kobelco Construction Equipment India said: “We are very proud that we succeeded in manufacturing 10,000 hydraulic excavators in less than 10 years in India.

Our goal for the next 10 years is to be top-class among all Kobelco factories for safety, quality and productivity.”

9

Volvo expands Masters Competition Volvo Construction Equipment’s (CE) Masters Competition expanded for its latest edition, with 3,235 technicians applying from across the world, causing the equipment giant to expand the number of teams allowed to compete from eight to 10 for the first time in its 30-year history.

Three years long in duration but started again every two, the Masters Competition sees teams of technicians compete in challenges designed to test their knowledge and skills, and whittles them down to a team of just three victors, explained Volvo CE. The competition is organised by Hans-Juergen Salau, Volvo CE global

manager, technical training, and Jan Fogelberg, manager, technical training, and has grown to accommodate both an increasing number of entrants and the company’s expanding

product lines, said Volvo CE. The high number of entries this year were mainly from Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and China, the company added.

A highlight of this year’s

KOMATSU, DHL IN MIXED PICTURE

REPORT SHOWS CONFLICTING TRENDS IN GLOBAL DEMAND FOR CEMENT

AUS/NZ TIE-UP DHL Express and DHL Global

competition was a former winner’s daughter making it through to the final. Volvo called it “a testament to its heritage” that the children of past competitors are now taking part themselves.

The competition is open to all technicians in Volvo CE’s worldwide dealerships and puts teams through a series of practical and theoretical tasks, each needing to be completed within a one-hour time limit.

“Not only does the contest identify the best of the best, but it also boosts the reputation of hardworking dealers everywhere and shows just how much skill is needed to deliver a world-class service to our customers,” said Salau.

GENIE Q2 SALES GROW 2% Terex Corporation’s aerial work platform (AWP) business segment, Genie, reported net sales of $870m in the second quarter this year, a yearon-year gain of 2% and up 5% when excluding the impact of foreign exchange. Global AWP backlog remained stable compared to last year, at a healthy $746m, said Terex.

New ZF clutch module for Liebherr cranes

Forwarding will CW research has found

the cement industry. Private

import more than

conflicting trends in cement

investment, particularly in the

a million kilograms

demand around the world

mining industry, is replacing

of Komatsu

in the first half of the year.

large infrastructure projects

machinery,

The ‘Cement Country Market

such as the Pan-American

equipment and

Data’ report said that while

Games as the main propeller

spare parts each

consumption rose strongly

of the construction sector.”

year into Australia

in Peru, it fell in both Saudi

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia

and New Zealand,

cement consumption fell

after the Deutsche

The rise in demand in Peru

over 11% year-on-year for the

Post DHL Group

until May was 3%, translating

January-May period. Positivity

companies signed

into actual figures of

is expected to continue in

a multi-year

approximately 3.5m tonnes.

the country’s construction

agreement with

With investors upbeat about

sector as the government

the Japanese giant.

the country’s construction

focuses on diversifying

Working with

industry as infrastructure

economic output, but the

Komatsu offices

spending and housing show

cement sector is saddled

and suppliers, DHL

healthy growth, Peru’s

with overcapacity.

will provide air

Arabia and Argentina.

mining sector is also in good

In Argentina, cement

health, with a pipeline of

demand fell around 8% until

projects lined up in for 2019.

June this year, compared

Carolina Pereira, business

to the same period in

analyst at CW Group, said:

2018. Most economic

“With an expected GDP

indicators, including

growth of 3.9% in 2019, Peru

construction, are performing

offers good perspectives for

badly in the country.

freight imports for Komatsu in Sydney.

Liebherr’s three-, four- and five-axle all-terrain cranes will sport a multidisc clutch module from next year, after Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen developed the system for installation on the mobile lifters. Called DynamicPerform, the module developed by the automotive and commercial vehicle component maker will be available for volume production starting 2020.

The new module is a pairing of the cranes’ wet starting clutch with ZF’s TraXon modular transmission. It can handle engine torque up to 3,000Nm

and provides durable starts with very little wear when manoeuvring, ZF said. The cooling of the clutch discs is done by circulating oil, and the cooling system uses dedicated temperature model software developed specifically by ZF for heavy-duty, specialised vehicle applications.

The TraXon DynamicPerform transmission system has a high transmission ratio spread and an energy conservation efficiency rating of 99.7%. It weighs 397449kg. Modular in nature, it can be combined with other ZF systems for specific applications.

10

NEWS ROUND-UP SEP TEMBER 2019

GLOBAL INTEREST

NEW CRANE SAFETY SYSTEM FROM DOWN UNDER

Tadano completes Demag acquisition

Japanese mobile crane giant Tadano has announced the completion of its $215m acquisition of the Demag Mobile Cranes business from Terex and has named the new name and leader of the acquired entity. The acquisition deal was first announced in February and brings together two of the top names in the lifting equipment industry. According to Tadano, the two brands leverage a long, combined history of manufacturing and lifting experience and, “together, will push forwards, innovate and contribute to the

success of our customers worldwide”.

As a subsidiary of the Tadano Group, the Demag mobile cranes business’s legal entity name will be changed to Tadano Demag GmbH. Also, as of August 1, Demag is now led by Jens Ennen, who brings a long history of leadership in the mobile crane industry to his role as CEO of Tadano Demag GmbH. Koichi Tadano, president and CEO of Tadano Ltd, said: “The Tadano Group’s strategy is to become the global leader in the lifting equipment industry and the premier choice with our customers. The Demag Mobile Cranes acquisition is one vital step towards achieving that goal. It expands our penetration into markets throughout the world, adds lattice boom crawler cranes to our product line and enhances the capacity range of our all-terrain cranes. By working together, we can better respond to customers and provide more added value than ever before.”

Australian lifting and

Development Fund

rotation management

(BDF) of Australia’s

company Verton has

Queensland state for

developed a new crane

the R-series, which was

safety system that is

also declared ‘best in

generating interest

class’ for engineering

FILIPOV JOINS

from the global crane

design at Australia’s

MANITEX

and lifting sector.

Good Design Awards.

Steve Filipov,

The Brisbane-based

Australian crane hire

president of Terex

firm’s R-series safety

company Universal

Cranes from 2016

device is a remote

Cranes became the first

until the sale of

load management

to use it earlier this year.

Demag to Tadano

system that improves

in July, took

safety and productivity

Verton, the R-series

over as Manitex

for crane operations

has received interest

International’s

by eliminating the

from mining, port and

new CEO on

need for human-held

shipping operators,

September 1.

taglines to control

apart from construction

US-based Manitex

suspended loads.

companies. It has also

makes Manitex-

According to reports,

According to

partnered with global

branded truck

the company has

heavy lifting specialist

cranes, PM knuckle

received official support

Mammoet and wind

boom cranes and

from the Business

turbine supplier Vestas.

oil & steel truckmounted aerial platforms, and Filipov said his top objective was to ”accelerate the transformation of the PM knuckle boom business into an efficient and world-class operation”.

POSITIVE H1 FOR PALFINGER Austria’s Palfinger Group reported revenue of $996m in the first half of 2018, a rise of 11.4% year-on-year, which the loader crane, aerial work platform and materials handler manufacturer said was a new record. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBITDA) were up 17% to $134m.

EBITDA margin was 13.4%, against 12.8% for H1 last year.

MMETC TAKES DELIVERY OF FO DEMAG ATCS UR Bahrain-head quar

tered construc Modern Mec tion firm hanical, Elec trical & Tran Company (M sport METC) recent ly took deliver order of four y of an Demag all-ter rain cranes – Demag AC 10 three 0-4L units an d one Demag “The reason AC 160-5. we decided on the Demag cr that we value anes is not only the ex traordinary qu and reliabilit ality y behind the brand, but al high profitabi so th e lity of their pr oducts when seen from a bu siness perspe ctive,” said MMETC MD Mohamed Bucheery.

11

MATERIALS HANDLING MIDDLE EAST

ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION TO DRIVE REGIONAL LOGISTICS SECTOR Robotics and automation

industries ranging from

hour – six robots use the

will be important themes

e-commerce and retail

same energy as a toaster.”

at the Materials Handling

to F&B and pharma,”

Middle East exhibition this

said Alain Kaddoum, GM,

use Materials Handling

month, which will run at the

Swisslog Middle East.

Middle East as a platform

Swisslog will also

“While automated

to introduce CarryPick,

picking and packing has

a flexible and modular

been around for a while,

AGV-based storage and

region’s biennial dedicated

the next wave of change

order picking system

trade show for warehousing,

is being brought about by

designed for multi-channel

intralogistics and supply

robotics. A warehouse that

intralogistics that can fulfil

chain solutions is expected

deploys robots reduces costs

20 orders simultaneously.

to welcome more than 120

significantly while boosting

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) September 3-5.

The tenth edition of the

exhibitors from 20 countries,

within a rapidly-evolving

according to organisers

logistics sector.

To tap into the demand

efficiency. AutoStore, for

for automation in the Middle

example, uses robots and

East, Ancra Systems, a Dutch

in the UAE and globally

bins to quickly process small

specialist in automatic truck

“Several businesses

Robotic, data-driven

Messe Frankfurt. In focus

into existing buildings.

will be the latest automated

and flexible automated

have benefited immensely

parts orders and provides

loading and unloading

solutions designed to

solutions provider Swisslog

from logistics automation

better use of available space

systems, is making its

improve operational and

Middle East will introduce

and, particularly in

than any other automated

debut at the event with its

cost efficiency, increase

efficient robotised storage

the Middle East, we

system in the market.

Automated Truck/Container

production capacity,

and order processing

are seeing increasing

Each robot is extremely

Loading and Unloading

accelerate customer service

solutions for small parts

demand for automated

energy-efficient, using

Solution (ATLS), designed for

and boost competitiveness

and pallets that integrate

logistics solutions in

just 0.1kW of energy per

a wide range of industries.

Global Auctioneers of Construction & Agricultural Equipment

2018 CAT 320D2L

2008 JCB JS220 SC - choice

CAT D7R

2015 Volvo L120GZ

08-09 JCB 540-170 - choice

Unused Case SR130 - choice

2012 JLG 1200SJP

Static (Qty: 187) and Trailer (Qty: 77) Base Camp located in Al Jafurah, Saudi Arabia. Includes offices, kitchens, sleepers, laboratories, workshops, generators, diesel/water tankers etc.

For all additional information, contact Richard Sweatt: +971 5581 30321 | richard.sweatt@euroauctions.com

DUBAI, UAE

16th September @ 9am

Access a global audience like no other, consign today: Richard Sweatt + 971 5581 30321 E: richard.sweatt@euroauctions.com

Mostafa Ibrahim + 971 5890 90716 E: mostafa.ibrahim@euroauctions.com

Mohammed Awni + 971 5056 79917 E: mohammed.awni@euroauctions.com

Rami Aljamal + 971 5063 35688 E: rami.aljamal@euroauctions.com

euroauctions.com PO BOX 263536, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai UAE | +971 4884 6880

12

KIT SPOTTING SEP APRIL TEMBER 2016 2019

HITACHI MINIS AT GERMAN THEME PARK A dventure, games and action – that’s what visitors young and old can experience at the Ravensburger amusement park, Spieleland, near Lake Constance in southern Germany. One of the more than 70 fun-filled attractions is the BRIO construction site. Since the start of the 2018 season, families have become construction workers with 10 new Hitachi ZX17U-5 mini excavators, sponsored by Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV. The attraction fits perfectly with the participatory concept of Germany’s most family-friendly theme park.

The machines were supplied by the authorised Hitachi dealer in Germany, Kiesel, in March last year. Before being installed on the life-like construction site, they were modified to meet the stringent safety and quality requirements of the German technical inspection association, TÜV Süd. A barrier has been fitted at the front of the cab to prevent falls, side-mounted climbing aids have been added, and the safety belt must be fastened before the excavator can start. Unlike the original ZX17U-5, these models have a limited swing radius of 30 degrees.

In addition, for environmentallyfriendly reasons, the diesel engines of the Zaxis excavators have been replaced with electric motors.

During operation, the machines are

controlled via a central electronic security monitoring system.

Children from the age of three can sit in the cab (accompanied by an adult), while those aged eight and over can operate the machine independently. For three minutes, they can experience what it’s really like to work with a Hitachi excavator, using the joysticks to lift and unload gravel at the specially created pit.

According to Spieleland MD Carlo Horn, the new additions to the park are proving popular among visitors of all ages. “Children find it fascinating,” he says. “Where else do they get the chance to sit in a real excavator on a construction site? It’s also nice to see parents with children sitting on their laps and experiencing it together.

Although sometimes you see the parents fighting to have a turn on the controls!

“The machines fit perfectly with the concept of the park – we want our visitors to be active and do things for themselves. We cooperate with brands that fit with the Ravensburger philosophy, and with Hitachi that is definitely the case. Quality is our top priority.”

HCME marketing manager Ghislaine Jonker adds: “We’re proud to be involved in a project that appeals to the next generation.

Here at Spieleland, children get an opportunity to learn more about excavators in a safe and playful environment.”

13

“The machines fit perfectly with the concept of the park…

We cooperate with brands that fit with the Ravensburger philosophy, and with Hitachi that is definitely the case”

14

CONCEPT STUDY SEP TEMBER 2019

MULTIPRONGED WIZARDRY

A NEW CONCEPT OF TRANSPORTING PEOPLE WITHIN BUILDINGS FROM THYSSENKRUPP BLURS THE LINE BETWEEN FANTASY AND REALITY AND POINTS TO THE FUTURE OF ELEVATOR TECHNOLOGY

I

t’s a story straight out of a fairy tale. You no longer have to enter into the world of fiction or the movies to go to a place like the Ministry of Magic in the world of Harry Potter, where elevators travel in all directions, not just up and down. Coming very soon to a building near you is thyssenkrupp‘s Multi – a future elevator concept that blurs the line between fantasy and reality.

But calling it an elevator misses out on half the possibilities the concept offers. The man behind the new technology, Professor Michael Cesarz, CEO of Multi at thyssenkrupp Elevator, is an architect with extensive experience in creating cutting-edge projects. Speaking to CMME about how the Multi concept came about, he says: “Around five or six years ago, some of our engineers were sitting together thinking about what the next evolution of elevators could be. Normally, you would think about things like touch pads instead of push buttons, which would merely be an evolution. But they were thinking about how they could make a revolution.

“A suggestion came up, half in jest as such suggestions do, on cutting out the ropes in the elevator system – and bang! You had a starting point. This is often how such projects are born: somebody has a cool idea which everyone dismisses at first, but then they start thinking about it.

“The thought that came up was: ‘If there’s no rope involved, then we can easily change the direction.’ They had no clue at that time how they would go for the power train to get this thing moving, but it so happened that we had engineers who had worked on the Maglev high-speed train, in which Siemens and thyssenkrupp

15 thyssenkrupp’s Multi is a revolutionary approach to elevators - a multidirectional people transport solution within buildings and tall structures using magentic induction to move.

“With multiple cabins in a single shaft, Multi is capable of significantly reducing wait times to between 15 to 30 seconds, which means passengers don’t have to wait for a long period…

Multi helps to reduce the space occupied by lifts and increase the building’s usable area by up to 25%, or help reduce the overall building size and total energy consumption”

16

CONCEPT STUDY SEP TEMBER 2019

were a consortium, but thyssenkrupp kept the engineers.

“So we talked to the engineers from the Maglev train project about whether we could also go horizontal like the Maglev – and this is how the story started, becoming more complex with time, as you can imagine.”

With such an exciting yet complex seed of an idea, how does the Multi actually work, we ask Prof Cesarz. The short answer is magnetic induction, he says, and launches into a more detailed explanation: “At the heart of it is magnetic induction. What you would see in the Multi’s shafts inside of our inverters and controllers would be two types of copper coils. Each coil, the size of say an iPad, is fixed to the wall. At the back of the elevator cabin there are permanent magnets and if you put permanent magnets along copper coils and pass electricity through them, it creates a magnetic field, which is where the Multi gets its motion. And we can steer this magnetic field and run the elevator by addressing every single copper coil.

“So it’s not the case that the whole copper coil will be electrified; only those coils we need would be addressed. So if I would like to go up, I have to pull the elevator by passing electricity through the copper coil just above the elevator cabin, then the next one above that, and the one above and so on. If I want to go down, I do the same thing but in reverse order, electrifying the copper coil just below the cab, and then the one below, and the one below and so on.”

The copper coils are laid out slightly separate from each other, he adds, otherwise

the entire length from top to bottom would have a current together. As each copper coil is the size of an iPad, behind the elevator cabin 15 or 20 of them are under electricity at any one time.

While this explains how the Multi can move vertically, how does it move horizontally? And how does it change direction?

“So this is the secret of the Multi – linear motor technology. It was pioneered by the Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla and we used the principle on the Multi. We

Multi’s designer, Professor Michael Cesarz, says that the system has been conceptualised as a future-proof and safe solution for rapidly expanding urban landscapes.

developed something that fits on the back of the cabin – imagine a heavy, circular conductor – which can be turned by 90 degrees to give the Multi another direction.

It can, of course, turn in every angle; it doesn’t have to be 90 degrees. In this turning wheel, if I can call it that, there are copper coils that act like circular conductors.

“Multi applies the linear motor technology by means of magnetic levitation. This enables the elevators to move in shafts in the same way that trains move in rail systems, with various cabins per shaft and permitting vertical as well as horizontal movements inside buildings. Multi includes new elements such as new and lightweight carbon composite materials for cabins and doors, weighing a mere 50kg instead of the 300kg in standard elevators, resulting in an overall 50% weight reduction as compared to standard technologies.”

With the Multi cabins moving about in a building as if in traffic, software and incabin sensors are used for movement and navigation, and also for safety. The sensors can measure the quality of air in the cabin, the noise of the cabin and other unnatural noises as well.

“Multi employs three levels of braking.

The first is the normal braking for day-today use, which works with linear motors to brake when getting to a landing. The other is in case of an energy blackout: energy is buffered in batteries all over the shaft on a normal day, so that we are independent of generators which are located elsewhere in the building. And lastly we have mechanical braking, which is mandatory, just in case every other system breaks down.”

Coming to the commercial implications, Cesarz feels the concept is definitely a game changer, with several benefits to end users, builders and project owners.

“With multiple cabins in a single shaft, Multi is capable of significantly reducing wait times to between 15 to 30 seconds, which means passengers don’t have to wait for a long period.

Another reason is, architects and developers are not going to be restricted by the elevator shaft height anymore; the design possibilities are open in every direction,” he says.

“With its smaller cabins, Multi helps to reduce the space occupied by lifts and increase the building’s usable area by up to 25%, or help reduce the overall building size and total energy consumption. In fact, Multi has already been commissioned. The very first Multi will be installed at OVG Real Estate’s new East Side Tower in Berlin. If everything goes to plan, Multi will be operational by 2022.

In this way, my ambition for Multi is that in the future, out of 10-20 iconic buildings, if

17 With multiple cabins in a single shaft, Multi is capable of significantly reducing wait times to between 15 to 30 seconds for in-building transport solutions.

Multi is part of six or seven, it is a win for me.

Multi is not a mass project.”

With its horizontal-vertical elevator system, Multi is not just limited to buildings. Cesarz explains it can be used to open up new directions of travel in underground transport hubs and can also be used to make sky bridges, because structurally an elevator can now be provided to run in them, and even make them smaller.

Another application of Multi is in airports.

With terminals so far away from each other, the slots between each take-off are also further away. “So, what if we squeeze the slots by making people reach terminals quicker? But with airports we are thinking of Multi in a different way. We have a walkway called Accel, running on linear motors as well, that can transport trolleys or luggage to the required gate with Multi.”

In essence, Multi is an organic product for moving people and things within buildings and structures; as such, it is not a mass market product but a solution, Cesarz emphasises.

“When a building or any structure is being built, we will have to come in at the design stage itself to work with the architects and designers to tailor-make a solution for that particular building. With a normal conventional elevator, you are coming onsite after a long tender process at the end of the project to install a prefabricated product.

With Multi, you have to be there from the beginning. it’s a people moving system built into the design of a building from the very blueprint. It’s not just an elevator, it’s an entire transportation system.”

And, dare we add, a transportation system that the wizards of Hogwarts would feel at home with.

MULTIPLE USES

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE MULTI SYSTEM • Multi’s linear motor technology replaces ropes used in vertical transportation for elevators in high-rise structures • Multi enables reduction of elevator footprint by up to 50% and provides more uptime availability • The Multi system makes for greater mobility in highrise structures with TWIN, a technology accommodating two independent cabs in one elevator shaft • Multi ends the 160-year reign of the rope-dependent elevator

and is considered the industry’s holy grail by transforming the concept of future buildings and the way people move inside them • Multi harnesses the power of linear motor technology to move multiple cars in a single shaft, both vertically and horizontally • Multi gets more people to their destination faster and more efficiently and comes with no building height or shape restrictions, adapting to different traffic concepts • Leveraging the linear motor technology developed

for Maglev trains, Multi’s innovative exchange system allows the linear drive and guiding equipment to make 90-degree turns • Multi offers a lower carbon footprint and reduces passenger queues with its increased uptime availability • Multi has won international recognition, such as an International Design Award Baden-Württemberg Focus Silver in Germany, a 2018 German Design Award, an Industrial Manufacturing Excellence –

Innovative Product Award 2018 in China, and Time magazine’s ‘One of the 25 best inventions of 2017’; and was a finalist for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s prestigious Innovation Award 2018 • The very first Multi will be installed at OVG Real Estate’s new East Side Tower in Berlin, expected to come onstream by 2022 • Multi will be presented as one of the Lighthouse Projects in the Germany Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai

18

HARD HITTER SEP TEMBER 2019

CRUSHING OUT WASTE

AS THE WORLD OF INERT MATERIAL RECYCLING EVOLVES NEW ANSWERS TO THE OLD QUESTION OF HOW BEST TO MANAGE AND DISPOSE OF WASTE MATERIAL, MB CRUSHER POINTS OUT FIVE ADVANTAGES THAT ITS PATENTED CRUSHERS AND SCREENERS CAN BRING TO THE JOB

CUTTING COSTS

ELIMINATING A STAGE At a quarry site outside Al Kharj, a small village south of the Saudi capital Riyadh, a crusher bucket and a bucket screener from MB Crusher are proving their mettle in cutting costs for the Lime & Sandlime Bricks company.

Crushing and screening on-site allows the job to be self-reliant and to eliminate hauling and dumping fees, even in large quarries.

The two MB crusher products

being used in this quarry are the BF135.8 crusher bucket, suitable for excavators with operating weights over 43t, and the MB-S18 screening bucket, suitable for excavators with operating weights of 20-35t.

The two pieces of MB equipment processed inert material that was then reused for the construction of the Riyadh Metro. The same company managed to extract

the material, screen it, crush it and put it to new use, all with complete autonomy while extensively cutting costs.

When temperatures were sizzling, MB Crusher units proved how tough and tenacious they are.

Lime & Sandlime Bricks worked on a huge quarry with temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius on many a summer afternoon, as can be imagined in the region.

The machines working to recover inert material to be reused for the construction of the new subway in Riyadh contributed towards keeping costs down. By processing the materials on-site with the portable MB attachments, eliminating the need for haulage trucks and a static off-site crusher and screener, an entire stage of the operations and its costs could be done away with.

19

REDUCING WASTE VOLUME

“The MB Crusher bucket was paired with an iron separator.

The resulting crushed material was perfect for reuse right there on the job-site”

NO NEED FOR THE LANDFILL RUN Swiss construction company Fabris Scavi & Trasporti, engaged in a construction site in the Canton of Ticino, is employing two pieces of MB Crusher equipment – a BF90.3 crusher bucket and a screening bucket MB-S14 – to create a complete recycling operation: volume reduction, material selection and reuse on-site.

Company owner Moreno Fabris says: “The advantage of these machines – the MB Crusher bucket and screening bucket – is that it allows us to crush the material directly on-site without having to take it to a landfill.”

The ‘restored’ crushed material can be used as landfill on the job-site, on new construction and other projects, or sold.

Both solutions bring tangible and measurable profit to the operation, says Fabris.

“We wanted to find a system to lower our costs, allow us to reutilise inert material and become more competitive, all the while supplying our customers with the requested services. With MB, we can lower labour expenses, machine wear and consumption, while producing impeccable recycled material at a highly competitive price without interrupting the operation. This wouldn’t be possible with any other solution.”

For Fabris, reducing the volume of waste material by crushing it to a fine consistency is a big plus. The reduced waste volume means his company no longer has to take trucks full of demolition waste and other rubble to landfills, making operations easier. The added bonus of the output of the MB Crusher machines is that the crushed waste can also be used for landfill on the very project it came from.

WASTE AS REVENUE

CREATING PROFIT FROM CRUSHED MATERIAL In northern Italy, an MB Crusher bucket BF90.3 equipped with an iron separator has helped a local construction company tear down an old livestock facility and rebuild it, by recycling and reusing much of the same material it was built with.

The customer needed to crush reinforced cement grids coming from the demolition of five livestock holding structures. This material could not be crushed by regular crushers

or demolition scissors, so the customer equipped his Caterpillar 323E excavator with a crusher bucket and iron separator to find a solution for his job-site.

“With the MB Crusher bucket, waste material was transformed from scrap to CE-certified material. We tore down and built back up a number of reinforced concrete (livestock holding pens) with grated flooring.

We didn’t have any issues with rebar; the MB Crusher bucket was paired with

an iron separator. The resulting crushed material was perfect for reuse right there on the job-site,” says the project supervisor.

According to MB Crusher, all inert material processed with its crusher units is quality material, certified and guaranteed to bring profit to the operation. By being fit to be reused for construction, the crushed material can either be put back into the same construction site or sold for profit elsewhere.

20

HARD HITTER SEP TEMBER 2019

“Processing material with MB Crusher products is easy, because it is all done safely from the excavator cabin”

LASTING PRODUCT

QUICK RETURNS FOR THE LONG HAUL In the serene Slovenian countryside outside capital Ljubljana, the landscape of rolling tree-covered hills is broken some 30km from the city by a stony, rugged depression – a dolomite quarry. Seen from the rim of the crater that years of excavation has formed at the quarry site, the crater bowl looks as forbidding as the surrounding landscape is beautiful.

In the middle of this starkly contrasting landscape are an old pair of faithful machines – a Volvo-Akerman EC300 excavator with

an MB Crusher BF120.4 crusher bucket at the end of its boom.

For the past 10 years, it has been the only crusher in this quarry. It crushes dolomite rocks for development projects in the Ljubljana valley. Not only has the bucket crusher provided impeccable, non-stop service, it has also outlasted the Akerman brand – the Swedish excavator maker bought by Volvo CE years ago that now no longer exists on the market.

The very proud Slovenian company that owns and

runs the machines says that in all these years of the pair’s service together, the only maintenance intervention they have had to make was replacing the belts.

This was done on-site by the excavator operator, without hiring a specialised workshop or mechanic.

MB Crusher says that ‘in for the long haul’ is a phrase applicable to all its products. The company describes the money spent on its products as “investments with quick returns, for a product that will last a lifetime”.

SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE

EASING THE WORK PROCESS One of the biggest advantages of using MB Crusher products is safety on the job-site, aided by the machines’ simplicity and ease of use. With several other machines and stages – such as wheel loaders and haulers, and loading and transport – eliminated by the on-site crushing and screening that MB Crusher equipment provides, things that can go wrong are minimised, enhancing safety.

“Processing material with MB Crusher products is easy, because it is all done safely from the excavator cabin. You pick up the material and crush or screen it directly into the transport truck, or as fill in a trench. If the material is reinforced, no problem: after crushing it, you can separate the ferrous material with an iron separator attached on the MB crusher or screener bucket. And, again, all of this from the safety of the cabin,” says MB Crusher.

Maintenance is quick and straightforward, adds the manufacturer – you only need a simple wrench, no need for specialised technicians or stopping operations altogether.

MB Crusher cites a customer from northern Europe saying: “We purchased the crusher bucket a few years ago and used it on secondary site development projects.

Now, on a similar job site, the BF90.3 allows us to crush demolition debris very easily. It is very versatile and doesn’t have particular transportation requirements. We can haul it on the same truck as the excavator. Once on the job-site, installation is quick and simple, and we’re crushing in just a few moments.”

GERMAN-GULF ENTERPRISES LTD.

TRADING & ENGINEERING SINCE - 1974

UAEтАЩS MOST WANTED: THE PUTZMEISTER BSF 56-5.16 HLS

ATLAS TRUCK MOUNTED CRANES BLOCK LOADING | HOOK

51 SEATER - SENATOR

38 SEATER - SCHOOLEX

37 SEATER - COOPER

CONCRETE BATCHING PLANTS | MOBILE | STATIONARY

FULLY AUTOMATIC SINGLE PALLET MACHINE - ZENITH 1500

ARTICULATED BOOM LIFTS | SCISSOR LIFTS | TELESCOPIC BOOM LIFTS

WIDE RANGE OF STANDARD & CUSTOM BUILT GENERATORS UPTO 3.25 MW

FOLLOW US ON A Bukhatir Group Company

GERMAN-GULF ENTERPRISES LTD.

TRADING & ENGINEERING SINCE - 1974

Corporate OfямБce : P.O. Box : 5937, Sharjah (U.A.E. +971 6 5314161

+971 6 5314128

ced@german-gulf.com

22

INTERVIEW SEP TEMBER 2019

SAFETY ON HIGH

WITH THE HEAVY USE OF TOWER CRANES IN MIDDLE EAST CONSTRUCTION, FRENCH CRANE SAFETY SYSTEMS EXPERT AMCS TECHNOLOGIES TELLS CMME ABOUT ITS OFFERINGS FOR THE MARKET AND WHY SAFETY IS A PRIME CONCERN

S

afety is important for all stakeholders in the global tower crane sector. Tapping into the latest technologies of today, companies such as AMCS have developed systems to aid tower crane operators and cut out some of the hazards of their job.

While the Middle East is still not up to global standards where job-site safety is concerned, Emmeline Grosjean, marketing manager, EMEA at AMCS technologies, says the matter is being taken increasingly seriously in the region. She reveals how AMCS has introduced its latest products in the region and has seen uptake on important projects in the GCC.

jibs at the same level. Sometimes the sites are close to sensitive areas such as schools, roads and other public facilities. There are various kinds of risks associated with tower cranes, such as the risk of collisions between the rope and jib or counter-jib, jib to jib collision, and jib or counter-jib to the tower.

Any accidents with cranes can lead to death, delays and financial loss. The image of the construction company, the future project and the country may also be impacted. In the Middle East, it is not mandatory, as in other countries like France, to install anti-collision systems. However, construction site safety companies and construction groups are becoming more and more aware of the risks.

They are asking us to secure their cranes and therefore their job-sites. The Middle East region is one of the most demanding places for anticollision systems in the world.

What is the importance in the Middle East of tower crane safety and other systems that AMCS produces? How have they been received in the Middle East, and what are the future prospects in the region for AMCS technologies?

Tower cranes play a crucial role in the functioning of job-sites by ensuring the supply of materials, and avoiding collisions between them and other elements is a vital part of any site, especially on those with multiple cranes.

In the Middle East, there are a lot of ambitious projects and some job-sites have more than 50 tower cranes grouped mostly in tight spaces.

These cranes can be at different heights or with

Describe the AMCS portfolio of products available in the Middle East, and explain how they help customers at construction sites.

AMCS’s two main flagship products sold in the Middle East are the DCS 60 anti-collision system and the SUP 61 job-site supervisor.

The DCS 60 – the letters stand for driving control system – is a driving assistance product with an in-cab monitor, enabling tower crane operators to manage real-time risk of collision between crane elements in interference, for example rope to jib or counter-jib. It also helps in stopping cranes passing over prohibited over-flight areas such as schools, railways, roads, etc.

23 Tower crane safety systems made by AMCS technologies is proving invaluable at many high-profile construction sites in the GCC, easing operations and improving safety.

“Construction site safety companies and construction groups are becoming more and more aware of risks. They are asking us to secure their cranes and therefore their job-sites.

The Middle East is one of the most demanding places for anticollision systems in the world”

The DCS 60 has three fundamental functions – zoning, anti-collision, and display unit and data logger. With zoning, threedimensional prohibited zones are quickly defined directly on the monitor screen of the DCS 60 by associating geometric shapes with the areas concerned. The anti-collision system operates in real time and in 3D to calculate the distances between each part of the crane, as well as movement speeds.

The system applies an adjustable safety coverage to all of the machine’s sections – jib, rope, etc – and enables action to be taken on equipped mechanisms to ensure complete immobilisation of the crane at a preset distance from a particular obstacle.

The display unit and data logger continuously records and saves events related to prohibited areas and interference functions management, allowing direct viewing and download to a flash drive. An additional function enables the dynamic recording of certain information concerning system and crane status.

The system is universal. It easily adapts to all brands of cranes and can manage largescale job-sites. The tower crane operator has all the information he needs to operate the crane, such as the position of his crane and of others at the site and their load, as well as their movements: slewing, distribution, lifting and travelling. He also has information about static obstacles and prohibited zones and the risk of collision with interfering cranes. Other useful information for productivity, such as load, range, wind speed and jib position, are also provided by the system.

The SUP 61 is a system that a job-site supervisor can use to monitor and save data on a single screen from cranes on the sites fitted with the DCS 61-S and DCS 60 systems. Via a radio connection with the sites anti-collision network, the SUP 61 communicates real-time information related to the positioning, movements and events of the cranes.

Whatever the complexity of a job-site, the performance and ease of use of these systems allow tracking of on-site activity, either from an office on-site or remotely from another side of the world. With a simple internet connection, users can have access to information linked to slewing, distribution, hook height, the position of the crane, the load lifted, weathervane mode and neutralisation for each crane on the job-site.

Users can also remotely consult the data log of each machine and download it, and if necessary carry out actions to manage interference and over-sailing restrictions.

Selective neutralisation of one or more zones can also be carried out remotely.

24

INTERVIEW SEP TEMBER 2019

PRESTIGIOUS PROJECT

RAISING SAFETY AT DUBAI CREEK HARBOUR AMCS technologies’ DCS 60 systems have been installed on all cranes at the Dubai Creek Harbour project owned by local developer Emaar Properties.

The systems manage the largest number of cranes in interference in one location for nine different contractors, says AMCS. At the last count, 59 cranes had been equipped with the DCS 60, with the number rising as new buildings come up. Anti-collision systems are continually installed for any new tower cranes going up, because all crane are connected to each other with radios.

The complexity of this project

is based on the proximity of the different types of tower cranes – luffing, topless, etc – which creates many areas of interference and potential for collisions between jibs, jibs and counter-jibs, jibs and cables, and other crane components.

“Anti-collision and zoning systems are essential for this spectacular project,” says Radoine Bouajaj, sales director, AMCS Technologies. “The DCS 60 guarantees site safety by managing prohibited areas and interferences between cranes.

It makes the work even easier by displaying useful settings for operating the crane.”

What are some of the projects in the GCC on which AMCS systems have been installed?

We installed our first systems in the GCC in 2011. The project was the UAE Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. Since then, there has been no looking back. Our systems have been installed at some of the biggest, most prestigious and most complicated projects in the region. Among the many job-sites in the GCC where you can find AMCS technologies and anti-collision systems installed are the Dubai Creek and Harbour, Meydan One

With AMCS technologies’ crane safety systems, projects with multiple tower cranes in close proximity to each other can avoid collisions and interference with swinging jibs.

The DCS 60 control screen in the crane cabins displays vital information on crane movements, load, hook height slewing, trolley and travelling position.

It also shows static (nogo) zones and dynamic obstacles like other cranes on-site. Load, moment, wind speed, jib position and other assistive information is also shown.

AMCS says the DCS 60 was chosen for its speed of installation, reliability, comfort, safety and productivity.

Mall, Sky View, Expo 2020 Village and several beachfront projects in Dubai.

In Abu Dhabi, we’ve installed AMCS systems for projects on Yas Island and the new Abu Dhabi Airport terminal build.

Some of the projects in Saudi Arabia, notably in the holy city of Makkah, also sport AMCS technologies, while the Marassi Al Bahrain project in Manama is also another noteworthy project in the region where you can find our systems. Among large sportsrelated infrastructure, AMCS technologies

are helping out in the Khalifa International Stadium build in Doha, Qatar.

Do you customise your products for particular job-sites or cranes?

We are constantly listening to the market and to our customers. Thanks to our engineering centre, we develop custom-made solutions or functions to adapt to different machines or job-site configurations. For example, at the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the UK, we developed a system to manage the two jibs and ropes simultaneously or separately of the Favelle Favco M2480D tower crane, in order to ensure there is no interference with the cranes around it.

We executed a project this year that included a 1,200t crawler crane. It was a special requirement from a customer, and we installed our DCS 60 on the crawler and on every tower crane in the project. The system was also equipped with an alarm and a flashing light to warn the crawler crane operator and the job-site when the crane entered an interference zone with any of the tower cranes on the project.

How do you provide after-sales service and back-up in the GCC? And how do crane operators get trained to use AMCS technologies installed in their tower cranes?

We have an official distributor for all of our products in the Gulf region: A&Z Technologies. Sales and after-sales back-up is provided from our regional base in Dubai,

25 where a technical team is available for aftersales service throughout the Middle East.

After every installation, our technicians explain all the features of the system to the customer’s crane operators and provide them a user guide. We also provide our customers and their technicians specific anti-collision training to enable them to identify the risks at a job-site and give them the expertise to install and program our systems on their own.

What are the unique selling points of AMCS technologies? What sets you apart from the rest of the market?

The systems provided by AMCS technologies are both universal and tailor-made. They take into account the particular characteristics of each brand and type of crane, and adapt to suit specific site configuration. We have technical partnerships with all the main global crane manufacturers, and we have a dedicated international team of technicians to ensure the continuous monitoring of our clients’ projects.

Our products are user-friendly and offer the assurance of high performance, productivity and safety on-site with their reliability and working comfort. We develop special kits in conjunction with many OEM crane manufacturers, in order to have plug-and play systems that are quick and easy to install, with fewer components. The long lifespan of our devices is ensured by components resistant to the extremes that any job-site can throw at them, whether it’s the heat of the desert, the wetness of a monsoon or the cold of polar climates.

Among the large projects in the GCC that use AMCS technologies are Meydan One, Dubai Creek and Harbour, the new Abu Dhabi airport terminal build and the Marassi Al Bahrain in Manama.

“We installed our first systems in the GCC in 2011. Since then, there has been no looking back. Our systems have been installed at some of the biggest, most prestigious and most complicated projects in the region”

DCS 61-S

SECURITY REACHES UP The DCS 61-S safety system is AMCS technologies’ latest anti-collision device. It complies with the future European standard EN 17076 for anti-collision systems and is in the process of obtaining the required certifications, such as PLd and SIL-2, in accordance with European standards EN 13849-1 and EN 61508. “To guarantee a quality approach, the certification is being obtained by INERIS, a third-party organisation,” says Emmeline Grosjean.

The DCS 61-S, an improvement on AMCS’ existing DCS 60, is similar to its predecessor in its three main functions: zoning, anti-collision, and display unit/data logger. Making the new system more efficient are options such as adaptability to different types of machines – tower cranes, luffing jib cranes, gantries, placing boom, travelling cranes, retractable cranes, etc. It

can also record up to five target positions for easy loading and unloading,

and has sensors with a high level of security as well as a CANopen Safety

communication network.

The system is also universal, adapting to any configuration, type and brand of crane, while Its plug-and-play functionality makes it compatible with new generations of cranes.

It is also possible to add a SIM card to perform realtime diagnosis remotely through 3G/4G networks by downloading or viewing information and events of the crane on a web page.

26

ADVERTORIAL SEP TEMBER 2019

RITCHIE BROS.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS THROUGH THE MIDDLE EAST EQUIPMENT HUB

27 The last five years have seen 5,000 successful bidders at Ritchie Bros. auctions in Dubai, with the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman the top countries, buying over 30,000 units.

E

quipment auctions can be an interesting place to see what’s happening in the market. Where are buyers and sellers from, what items are selling, how are price levels? Ritchie Bros. has been holding heavy equipment auctions in Dubai for over 20 years and has seen its fair share of transactions between seller and buyers in the region and beyond.

Looking at a period of five years, more than 13,000 bidders participated in the Dubai auctions, out of which 5,000 became successful bidders. The top five buyer countries in Dubai were the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – between them buying almost 30,000 pieces of machinery. The top five buyers outside the Middle East were Brazil, Pakistan, the US, the Netherlands and Singapore.

What were the particularly sought-after auction items in these countries over the last five years? Buyers from the UAE had a healthy appetite for excavators (1,000+), cranes (540+), gen sets (1,900+), loaders (800+) and SUVs (1,000+). Saudi Arabiabased buyers were mostly looking for

deals on gen sets (440+), loaders (120+) and compactors (120+). In Kuwait, cranes (40+), loaders (60+) and gen sets (80+) were in high demand. Buyers from Qatar placed bids on excavators (70+), compactors (40+) and loaders (40+). Compactors (40+), truck tractors (40+) and forklifts (50+) were popular among buyers from Oman.

Online The world is becoming an online playground, and heavy equipment auctions are no exception. Live online bidding at Ritchie Bros. has globally seen strong growth since its inception in 2002. At the Dubai auctions, however, online buying is not growing as fast as the company average around the world. Around 30% of Dubai auction buyers are currently online, while company average is above 50%.

On September 17 and 18, the sound of the chanting auctioneers will return to the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, where Ritchie Bros. will hold its next auction. While inventory of the Dubai auction will rapidly grow over the next weeks, dozens of businesses have already added machines to the sale.

Highlights of the auction include: • An unused 2015 Mercedes-Benz Actros 5546 with a 2015 XCMG DG88 fire truck

• A selection of 2010 Cat D8R LRC dozers • A Volvo G710B motor grader • A 2011 JCB 535V140 telescopic forklift • A Komatsu PC200 hydraulic excavator • A selection of Toyota Landcruiser 200L SUVs • A Scania P420CB dump truck At Ritchie Bros.’ unreserved live auctions, there are no minimum bids or reserve prices on items sold. On auction days, all equipment items and trucks are sold, regardless of price. After having found items of interest on the Ritchie Bros. website, bidders often visit the Dubai site to personally inspect items on the viewing days for added confidence. Bids can be placed in three different ways: live in person in the auction theatre, live online via rbauction.com, or by proxy bids. After the auction, successful bidders can put their purchases to work almost instantly.

Ritchie Bros. is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets.

For more information, contact the Dubai auction site at (+971) 4812 0600, visit rbauction.com or follow the company at www.facebook.com/ritchiebrosdubai.

Free attendance for industry professionals.

Register online accessandhandlingsummit.com

Wider reach and better handling The Access and Handling Summit will highlight the key aspects of the sectors, bringing the best global and regional practices, solutions, products and equipment to delegates through a series of panel discussions and presentations.

21 October 2019 Ghaya Grand Hotel Dubai, UAE accessandhandlingsummit.com Please scan here to register

GOLD SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

MEDIA PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNER

ORGANISED BY

29

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

KNOW

34

TOP 10: VATOR MINI EXCA ANCE TIPS N E T N I A M

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

top all digger in Keep the sm ten basic, shape with easy steps.

36_MINI REVOLUTION Mini excavators are finding increased traction as the regional market matures and new models come in.

42_ROUGHING IT New models increase reach and lifting capacity for the GCC’s favourite robust heavy lifter.

48_POTAIN CITY Egypt’s new El Alamein City rises on the back of a fleet of Potains.

30

NEW RELEASES SEP TEMBER 2019

JEKKO’S LATEST MINI CRANE WHY GET IT? NEW STABILISING SYSTEM, INCREASED LIFT CAPACITY AND RADIO REMOTE CONTROL Crane maker Jekko has introduced its latest mini lifter, the SPX532, which it says marks a sea change between the old and new design systems. A “more intuitive, cutting-edge and easy-to-use” mini crane, according to Jekko, the Italian company’s new model incorporates innovations such as a new stabilising system, sophisticated electronic and hydraulic systems, greater ease of use, increased lifting capacity, an updated design and a new, user-friendly radio remote control.

“The new SPX532 project is the result of having listened to the precise needs of an increasingly large and continuously evolving market,” said Alberto Franceschini, export manager, Jekko. “Our pioneering experience gained over 20 years in the mini crane sector, combined with comprehensive knowledge of the truck-mounted crane sector, has allowed Jekko to develop a product that combines sophisticated

solutions used in the world of mobile cranes with the simplicity and sturdiness typical of truck-mounted cranes.”

The largest mini crane in its segment able to pass through a single door, the SPX532 features a 1t hydraulic jib which can rise to a maximum height of 17.3m, comparable to a higher crane category.

The model also has a column reinforced with two pistons and a sump that are no longer in fibreglass but in steel.

The SPX532 has a maximum lifting capacity of 3.2t, with the biggest new feature being its ability to lift using both the hook block and the hoist method.

The stability system has been updated so that slewing goes from 0-90 degrees for each outrigger (previously 0-45). It is also possible to adjust outrigger tilting angle, allowing more stabilisation areas and more work areas, enabling the crane to work – thanks to a new sensor system – in conditions that were not possible before.

Max lift capacity: 3.2t

NEW HYVA TRUCK-MOUNTED CRANE

Machine weight: 2.3t

WHY GET IT?

Max height (with jib): 17.3m

VERSATILE AND REQUIRES LESS SPACE FOR INSTALLATION

SPECIFICATIONS

JEKKO SPX532

Max reach (with jib): 14.8m

Dutch manufacturer Hyva has launched a new family of 19-21 tonne-metre capacity truck-mounted cranes in its new EDGE line of lifters, which now range from 1tm to 165tm. Designed to complement its 9tm and 13-16tm lines, Hyva says the new product family now enables it to offer solutions for every industry and application, from mining to maintenance and construction to recovery.

The 19-21tm class is designed to meet a variety of lifting requirements, and comprises 14 models and five different boom configurations. The HT telescopic boom has two models of compact, light and simple booms with side extensions, requiring less space for installation and providing ease of operation, ideal for applications such as car recovery.

The HB basic articulated boom, also in two models, is a flexible light boom and extension which optimises cost and performance. The HC double linkage articulated boom range comprises six models with high-performance double linkages, one on column and one on second boom, with Liftrod Articulated System (LAS) – suitable for complex, difficult-to-reach situations.

31

CAT ADDS A NEW COMPACT WHEEL LOADER WHY GET IT? POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM GIVES HIGH PRODUCTIVITY WITH ECONOMY The new 920K compact wheel loader, with a net power rating of 99hp, reflects significant product enhancements that contribute to high productivity, versatility, operator convenience/safety and serviceability.

The 920K’s Cat C4.4 engine meets Tier 3/ Stage IIIA equivalent emission level and is designed for fuel efficiency

in less regulated markets such as the Middle East. The C4.4 allows operators to choose between power modes: Eco or Standard. In Eco mode, the engine delivers enhanced fuel economy by operating at a lower maximum engine speed (1,925rpm). Standard mode allows the engine to operate up to 2,350rpm, providing more wheel torque and more hydraulic power in both transmission ranges for demanding applications.

The 920K also incorporates an ‘intelligent’ power management system which balances performance and fuel efficiency, adding power when the machine senses high demands such as climbing grades.

On-demand power adjustment means optimum productivity and hydraulic speed under load. Fuel-saving features include an on-demand cooling fan that provides fast machine warm-up and lower sound levels, while preventing overheating in hot climates.

The 920K’s deluxe cab features two sideentry doors, low-effort electro-hydraulic joystick, suspended pedals, tilt steering wheel and an airsuspended seat. The joystick controller provides single-lever

control of loading functions and integrates transmission and differential-lock controls.

The joystick also accommodates controls for two- and three- hydraulic systems, including proportional control of auxiliary circuits.

A large LCD monitor for the standard primary display provides pertinent operating information at a glance via an easy-to-read back-lit screen, and gauges in the display cluster show fluid levels and component temperatures. An optional rear-view camera with an in-cab monitor enhances rear visibility. Available ride control uses the loader cylinders to dampen travel bounce for a smoother, less fatiguing ride for the operator and improved material retention.

The 920K is designed for high tipping loads, enhancing stability when handling heavy loads and large work tools. The 920K features Cat optimised Z-bar loader linkage, designed to provide the parallel lift capability of ITC (Integrated Tool Carrier) linkage, as well as the breakout force and aggressive digging capability of conventional Z-bar linkage.

SPECIFICATIONS

CAT 920K Engine power: 99hp Operating weight: 8.6t Static tipping load: 5.6t Max travel speed: 40kph

32

NEW RELEASES SEP TEMBER 2019

CAT PROPEL DRIVE FOR ELECTRIC SHOVELS WHY GET IT? REDUCES MAINTENANCE TIME AND COST, IMPROVING ROBUSTNESS AND UPTIME Caterpillar has developed a propel drive system for its 7495 and 7495 HF electric rope shovels, upgrading the crawler undercarriage for maintenance work that reduces both downtime and cost.

The construction equipment leader said the propel drive system reconfigures the crawler undercarriage to allow drive shaft and tumbler replacement from the outboard side. This improves access and decreases downtime by days.

Improved component design extends durability and increases component life to lower costs even further.

According to Cat, the new design slashes maintenance time and enhances safety by enabling access to drive components without removing the propel transmission.

Caterpillar also engineered the upgrade to be a direct replacement in such a way that no machining of the crawler frame is required for installation.

The manufacturer also says the new design improves robustness, with thrust loads evenly distributed on large tapered roller bearings, as opposed to bronze thrust plates. The bearings are sealed and continuously purged with fresh grease to keep them free of contaminants, resulting in increased durability in harsh environments and alignment with 25,000-hour planned rebuilds.

Field validations have already been done of the propel drive system upgrade, by operating it successfully for thousands of hours, said Cat.

SENNEBOGEN UNLEASHES MEGA MATERIAL HANDLER WHY GET IT? WORLD’S BIGGEST MATERIAL HANDLER, ADEPT AT ALL HARBOUR REQUIREMENTS Sennebogen’s new 895 E material handler is the largest material handling machine ever produced, says the equipment maker. The gigantic machine boasts an impressive operating weight of nearly 400t and ranges of up to 40m.

Company MD Erich Sennebogen, says: “The dimensions of the largest material handler overshadows everything known

by Sennebogen to date; the operating weight alone amounts to nearly 400t.”

With a total system output of over 750kW, the 895 E is a specialist for all harbour requirements, says the company. As a hydraulic material handling machine, the new machine boasts impressive performance not only in bulk cargo handling, but also in container handling at ranges of up to 28m.

Even the heaviest loaded goods (such as steel coils) can be lifted at short ranges with a load capacity of up to 50t. This makes the machine a specialist for all handling tasks at harbours, Sennebogen says.

The new 895 E also has the Green Hybrid energy recovery system, already proven from the Sennebogen 855 E to 875 E machines.

Two additional hydraulic cylinders mounted between the two lifting cylinders on the boom store the energy produced when the boom is let down in compressed gas cylinders at the rear of the machine. This accumulated energy is then available for the next lift. The principle can be compared to a spring being compressed, then releasing its energy when allowed to expand. As such, the machine works in an extremely efficient and resource-friendly manner in spite of its immense size, Sennebogen points out.

The new 895 E comes with a total of four equipment lengths, from 28m to 40m. A 563kW diesel motor and a 500kW electric motor are available as drive options. Three versions of undercarriages are available as standard, from a mobile undercarriage with 14 sets of wheels to a crawler portal version and a rail portal solution.

For ease of maintenance, a new feature is the accessible power pack unit, which offers easy access to all maintenance points and the control and drive components. The power pack itself conceals major advantages in its very configuration. Even bulky components are safe and easy to replace if necessary, thanks to the openable roof cover. The world’s biggest material handler has a spacious Portcab, with an eye level of up to 22m.

SPECIFICATIONS

SENNEBOGEN 895 E Operating weight: 400t Operating range: 40m Max power: 750kW Load capacity: 50t

Sudhir Rental is one of the leading Power Generator rental and Equipment Rental Company in UAE and Middle East, delivering Rental Power & AWP Equipment to various projects and industries. Our rental equipment can be used for Temporary, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Manufacturing applications.

Sudhir Rental caters to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras-alKaimah with the UAE territory in addition to Saudi operations, Riyadh, Damman, Jizan, Gizan etc

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

Saudi Arabia

Sudhir Gensets FZE

Branch of Sudhir Gensets Limited

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

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

34

TOP TEN SEP TEMBER 2019

01 BEGIN WITH THE MANUAL Familiarise yourself with your machine’s safety features, instrumentation, controls, service schedules and maintenance points by reading the operations and maintenance manual. Making this one of the first things you do with your new machine will ensure you start using it properly from the beginning.

02 USE THE RIGHT FUEL Most manufacturers specify the grade of diesel that a particular machine needs. While the Middle East is not a territory that uses ultra-low-sulphur diesel, the fuel you use still needs to be clean and uncontaminated.

Also be aware that, depending on job-site conditions, water separation can occur in a fuel filter as a result of a lower quality fuel supply.

: N E T P TO R O T A V A C X E I N I M S P I T E C N A N E T N MAI E AND PRODUCTIVITY WITRHE IM TOR CA A V A C RAISE UPT X E I FOR MIN S P E T S E S THE

03

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.

SERVICE FILTERS Y REGULARL

le filters have multip rs to a v a xc e draulic Mini e, air and hy in g n e l, e fu for e intervals erent servic iff d h it w s, gged, a system n dirty or clo harms e h W . h c a e for ce and s performan machines filter reduce M nents. ost o p m o c e v rators to sensiti to alert ope rs to a ic d in e avoid hav e needs. To c n a n te in a m on, do not contaminati rs until remove filte it’s time.

04

35

06 05

KEEP IT COOL If adequate airflow and appropriate coolant levels are lacking, cooling systems can lose performance, leading to overheating or even engine damage. Proper cooling system maintenance includes checking the airflow through the system and checking coolant hoses for leaks. Clean the radiator, oil cooler and condenser by applying low pressure air or water, taking care not to damage radiator fins.

HEED INSTRUMENT WARNINGS Some compact excavators are equipped with onboard instrumentation systems with controllers that perform multiple maintenance-oriented functions.

When required, these systems log and display machine vitals like fluid temperatures and coolant levels, and can also warn operators when system parameters are out of sync. They’re engineered to shut down the machine to prevent damage if operators do not heed warning messages.

08

KEEP THE CURRENT FLOWING Compact excavators use electrical systems with 12-volt batteries and fuses to protect against overload. When replacing failed fuses, match the amperage and other ratings. Tighten and clean battery cables, inspecting for corrosion on the cable ends and battery terminals. An appropriate dielectric grease can prevent corrosion.

KEEP RACK IT ONr uT es ndercarriag

Excavato nance, ecial mainte demand sp h is the e track, whic ost especially th .M us wear item tracks, most obvio b use ru ber rs to a v a xc e endent compact tancy is dep c e xp e e lif user’s whose ent and the m n o ir v n e on the should abits. Tracks , operating h c daily for uts be checked l e e osed st tears or exp s. d e imb area

07

09 MONITOR FLUID LEVELS Conduct daily checks of all machine fluids, including coolant, hydraulic fluid and engine oil. If any of these levels are low, refill with the recommended type of fluid, paying particular attention to classifications as well as viscosities for the operating environment. Also keep these areas dirt-free and use clean rags while checking levels.

10

PUT SAFETY FIRST Despite their compact size, mini excavators are rugged and versatile in a wide variety of conditions, and often work in challenging off-highway and rough terrain applications. Operating safely is the best way to maintain them. Operators should follow manufacturer instructions and be trained to put safety first. Fewer problems arise with safe operations, making it akin to preventive maintenance.

36

COVER STORY SEP TEMBER 2019

MINI REVOLUTION THE SMALL DIGGERS ARE FINDING INCREASING TRACTION IN THE REGION’S EQUIPMENT SECTOR AS MANUFACTURERS PUT THEIR BEST MODELS FORWARD IN A MATURING MARKET, WITH RISING DEMAND FOR COMPACT MACHINES

T

he Middle East’s machinery landscape is in the process of a subtle transformation so far as the mini excavators are concerned. Unlike the developed markets of North America, Europe and Japan, this region has hitherto not been on the radar of global manufacturers for their mini excavators.

Those areas are major mini excavator markets and the 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.

Among the major brands of mini excavators in the Middle East, Bobcat is a well-known name, respected already in the region for its skid-steers, compact tracked loaders and telehandlers. The company has seen a continual upswing in its mini excavator sales in the region, and Gaby Rhayem, regional director, Middle East and North Africa at Doosan Bobcat, elaborates: “The overall mini excavator market in the Middle East is actually doing well. It’s still registering growth year after year. There are no drops in numbers; not even a plateau. In fact, the numbers have been going up every year for some years now, which is something we don’t see in almost any other equipment class.”

Rhayem explains that Bobcat spotted this

trend early. With a lot of buildings already built in the region, it was only a matter of time when the mini excavator would be called in for jobs in urban landscapes where the big machines could not go. And with green spaces being created as well, there are even more uses that the small machines can be put to.

“For Bobcat, as I’m sure for most other manufacturers, landscaping is among the top uses that our mini excavators are being put to. Other uses include finishing jobs in residential areas where you cannot bring the 18t or 20t excavator. That’s where you need the 4t and 5t. Increasingly, we see jobs such as building swimming pools in villas and housing complexes being done by the minis,” he says.

“So the market is strong here, but we’re still a long way away from what the market is for minis in, for instance, Europe. But the Middle East has been showing healthy growth for a while now and we believe the mini excavator is a segment that is going to increase year after year. Among the countries in the region, Qatar and the UAE are the biggest takers of these small machines for us.”

Agreeing with Rhayem is Rajbir Sandhu, regional general manager at JCB Middle East, another major player in the mini excavator space. JCB is keenly watching the mini excavator market in the region and has its eyes on certain pockets where it sees greater prospects of a rise.

“Minis mainly work when the cities are quite done. Dubai uses a lot of them, as does Bahrain, and we expect they will rise in Qatar too for work such as urban landscaping. We even sell our smallest backhoe – the 1CX - for landscaping and allied activities in the Middle

37 With the gradual maturing of the GCC construction sector and urban landscape, maintenance and other work in builtup areas is seeing increased use of mini excavators.

“At Bobcat our projection is that the optimum size in this market will be in the 3-5t range. I believe 80% of the mini excavator volumes in the region will come from this weight range”

East. It will take time for the mini excavator market in Saudi and Oman to reach substantial volumes. Minis are for small landscaping and municipality jobs, for built-up areas, where bigger machines cannot go,” says Sandhu.

“Globally, JCB sells a full range of minis.

In places such as Europe, where minis are popular, we have an extensive line-up of the products. It is undeniable, that the Middle East mini excavator market is expanding nicely.

We started with a three-model range, which we have since expanded, and this year or the next we plan to widen the range here further, bringing in more models.”

Bobcat has one of the biggest model lineups in the region’s mini excavator sector. “Our range begins from operating weights as low as 800kg and goes all the way up to 8t. The Middle East mini excavator sector, however, favours machines in the 2-5t range at present.

I believe we are increasingly moving towards machines in the 3-4.5t range. Last year it was between 2-3t but this year we’ve seen the biggest demand for machines in the 4-4.5t weight point,” Rhayem says.

“At Bobcat our projection is that the optimum size in this market will be in the 3-5t range. I believe 80% of the mini excavator volumes in the region will come from this weight range.”

In the 3-4/5t range, Bobcat has several models to cater to customer needs, with one each at operating weights of 3.2t, 3.4t, 4t, 4.2t, 4.5t and 5t. “We have a lot of models of the mini excavator available, but the 3.5t is our best-selling one in the region right now,” says Rhayem.

“I think this is a weight class that sells the most not only for us but in the general market here. It sits comfortably in the middle of the range and is neither too small nor too big, straddling a middle ground that enables it to be useful in the most versatile way.”

JCB, too, offers mini excavators from 800kg to 7t, and speaking about the region’s preferences, Sandhu explains: “This market keeps fluctuating; it used to be 1.5-2.5t and now it’s mainly 3t and above. We expect the Middle East market to grow to 5t and above.

The mini excavator market here is fluctuating in the right direction.”

That right direction, when projected further, leads to electric equipment, which have now started to come on stream globally.

At Bauma this year almost every prominent global manufacturer showed off at least a few electric prototypes, with some presenting new launches ready for the market. A few big names, such as Volvo, have committed heavily to electric equipment, with the Swedish company declaring that it will go fully electric with its compact equipment range from 2020, stopping any futher development of fossil fuel-

38

COVER STORY SEP TEMBER 2019

based machines in the range. In fact, Volvo presented the first of its electric compact equipment range in Munich, with one of them being the ECR25 Electric mini excavator.

Bobcat, too, unveiled its EC10e electric mini excavator at the event, and the machine has now gone into production with the first unit rolling off the line in July and deliveries booked for the rest of this year. JCB has also gone into production with its 19C-1E electric mini digger this year, with 50 units already delivered.

Another compacts specialist and long-time champion of sustainable solutions, Wacker Neuson, has also launched its electric models.

So what does this development mean for the Middle East, a region where people swear by fossil fuels and display a resistance to adopt new and green technologies?

Bobcat’s Rhayem thinks electric mini excavators are on their way to becoming popular, not only globally but also in the Middle East. “I’ve met with several customers and prospective customers over the last few months and I believe the reception to this new technology is surprisingly positive, given that you wouldn’t expect much enthusiasm for it from a place like the Middle East where there is a reluctance to think beyond fossil fuel.

“A leading alternative energy company in the region, based in Dubai, already has a lot of compacts on the ground in their facilities, and they have shown very keen interest in Bobcat’s new EC10e electric mini, which was introduced at Bauma and is being produced in Dobris for the entire EMEA region.

“They actually came to us and expressed their interest in the EC10e, which they saw in

“We started with a three-model range, which we have since expanded, and this year or the next we plan to widen the range here further, bringing in more models” Munich. They generate a lot of electricity from renewable sources and felt it would be another feather in their sustainability caps if they used some of that electricity to charge and use the electric equipment in their production facilities.”

While Rhayem is positive about the prospects of the electric minis in the region, he tempers his optimism with a dose of pragmatism for the near term to say: “For the time being, however, I see the electric minis as a very niche market in the Middle East, even though the level of interest in the region in these new machines

JCB, one of the major players in the region’s equipment market, has brought in several mini excavator models recently to cater to the rising demand trend for the machines.

has surprised us very pleasantly.”

Another pleasant surprise where mini excavators are concerned has been for Hitachi.

Piet van Bakergem, GM, Hitachi Construction Machinery Middle East (HMEC), says the Japanese giant has seen good sales of its mini excavators in the last couple of years. (See box) Bakergem has seen Hitachi mins replace extensive use of manpower for small jobs, such as cable-laying, landscaping and maintenance.

“There are still some workers around at such projects, of course, doing the bits and pieces,

MINI HITACHIS

THE SURPRISE PACKAGE Hitachi is seeing keen interest for its mini excavator line-up in the Middle East, which has come as a surprise for the manufacturer and for its UAE dealer MECET. According to Piet van Bakergem, the regional market is maturing, leading to more jobs where mini kit is needed, such as in landscaping and cabling.

There is also the greater economic sense of using a mini excavator in jobs that typically used 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. And since the mini excavator is not such as big investment as say, the bigger earth-moving 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,” says Van Bakergem.

Hitachi’s has a wide mini excavator range and

reputation for quality, and he adds: “We have an entire range of minis, 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.

40

COVER STORY SEP TEMBER 2019

TRENDING NOW

ELECTRIC RUSH With electrification the next step in the global construction equipment sector, the industry has embarked on this paradigm shift with the smallest and most accessible of machines from an engineering point of view – the mini excavator.

With electric versions the least demanding to make because of their size and power demands, the mini excavators are the first to have been chosen by almost all manufacturers to build their electric fleets.

The introduction of new electric mini excavators was a common theme at Bauma this year, with global giants such as Caterpillar, Volvo, Bobcat and others showing off machines and sometimes entire ranges.

Since then, those new introductions have gone into production and the manufacturers have scrambled to claim the title of the first production electric mini excavator.

Only last month, Bobcat, JCB and Volvo all delivered their own respective first electric units to a market that seems to be opening up to the possibilities of this new technology.

As the first Bobcat E10e zero tail swing (ZTS) 1t electric mini-excavator came off the production line in July, the company announced the model’s entire production run for the year was already sold out and orders are being taken for 2020 delivery.

Built at Bobcat’s compact equipment manufacturing plant in Dobris in the Czech Republic, the first unit rolled off the line at 1:08pm on July 11th with the serial number B4KL11001, said Bobcat.

It was delivered to the Apeldoorn, Netherlandsbased authorised Bobcat dealer Inter-Techno, where it will be used as a demo machine and is available for hire from InterTechno’s partner company, 123Machineverhuur.

According to Bobcat, the E10e is the world’s first 1t electric mini-excavator, combining zero emissions, low noise and a width of just 71cm, allowing it to easily pass through standard doors and in and out of lifts. This makes it ideal not only for indoor demolition and basement digging, but also many other sites where this type of machine is required such as urban/ city centre developments, night-time work and contracts in quiet zones such as hospitals, cemeteries, schools and so on.

The E10e has a lithium-ion, maintenance-free battery pack with an advanced management system, designed to fit within the standard machine envelope to maintain the machine’s ZTS profile, matching all the parameters and dimensions of the standard diesel-powered E10z miniexcavator. The E10e can be operated for up to four hours on one charge. By using an optional external 400V supercharger, it can be recharged to 80% of its capacity in less than two hours. As a result, the E10e can operate throughout a full working day when used with normal work breaks.

JCB, meanwhile, has announced that it has gone into full production with its new fully-electric mini excavator, the 19C-1E, with the first units rolling off the

assembly line at Cheadle, Staffordshire, factory in the UK. The 19C-1E is JCB’s first-ever electric digger and the company said orders are coming in from customers globally, with more than 50 units already delivered.

The British giant says the machine is a “staggering five times quieter than its diesel counterpart and can be fully charged in under two hours”.

JCB expects the 19C-1E to be a hit with companies working inside buildings and in emission- and noisesensitive inner-city areas.

Fully charged, the 19C-1E can put in a typical full day’s mini excavator shift, delivering all of the performance of a conventional dieselpowered 1.9t mini excavator while offering cost-ofownership benefits. JCB’s research says that over the first five years, charging costs will be 50% less than what customers would typically pay for diesel.

Servicing costs are also expected to be up to 70% lower compared to the diesel model, says JCB. At electromobility champion Volvo CE, following the unveiling of the company’s first electric Volvo compact excavator, the ECR25 Electric, at Bauma, the first machine has now been delivered for testing to Spac, part of the Colas Group. The customer is using the 2.5t unit to dig trenches at a golf course just outside Paris, France.

With zero exhaust emissions and almost silent operation, the ECR25 Electric is perfect for such environments, says Volvo.

41

“Case has launched a new range of machines in the 1.5t to 4t sector. The machines’ compact size yet strong digging performance ensure maximum productivity” but if you were to see the same job being done five years ago, you would have just seen an army of workers doing it all manually with shovels and hand tools, instead of the mini excavator you see now. This is where Hitachi minis have seen uptake.”

Yet another brand with a range of minis is Case Construction Equipment. Franco Invernizzi, senior business director, Middle East and Africa, CNH Industrial, tells CMME that while, overall, all markets in the Middle East are under downward pressure, the mini excavator

For Case, which has a popular line-up of mini excavators globally, the action in the Middle East is in the 1.5-4t segment, where it has brought in a new range of machines.

is less affected than the, heavy line products.

“This is the new emergent class in the region and realising its importance and potential, Case has launched a new range of 1.5t to 4t machines. Designed to provide exceptional performance, they offer the ideal solution to the Middle East market. Theie compact size yet strong digging performance ensure maximum productivity for our customers.

“Our strategy is to provide our high-quality products with competitive finance along with excellent parts and service backup across

WACKER NEUSON EZ36

STING WITHOUT A TAIL Wacker Neuson says its EZ36 has been designed around the operator with a view to increase productivity and make working with it enjoyable and efficient. The small machine has an intuitive operating concept that facilitates precise control, shortening working cycles and saving time and money.

Among its innovative features is an optimised engine-pump management for up to 15% faster work cycles. Another is hydraulically piloted accelerator pedals for

precise control of the driving function with the feet, leaving the hands free for other work.

“Our new zero tailswing compact excavator, the EZ36, is a popular machine in the Middle East. Its externally located guide rollers as well as an optimised weight distribution give the excavator an extremely high level of stability, in particular for lifting heavy loads,” says Manhal Al-Chalabi.

“Up to four additional control circuits are available from the factory and

make the excavator a versatile tool carrier.

The clear all-around visibility of the work area and the attachment is indispensable for safe operation and quick working in the construction site sector.“ The new design of the excavator EZ36 offers an ideal line-ofsight, he adds. Thanks to the two-part front windshield, which is standard, the operator can adjust the cabin to his construction site situation in a few easy steps.

the region. And the launch of our new mini excavators offers the chance to penetrate this growing market. Over the last few years we have invested significantly in the Case support in the region, doubling our regional office in Dubai and opening our Middle East parts distribution centre in Jebel Ali.” With the sector upbeat on the prospects of the mini excavator and the machines becoming increasingly visible on the roads and job-sites in the Middle East, it seems the region’s equipment landscape is set for a mini revolution.

42

ROUGH TERRAIN CRANES SEP TEMBER 2019

The 45t capacity Grove RT550E is one of Manitowoc’s most popular offerings in its global rough terrain crane range.

It’s also a favourite at job-sites around the Middle East.

“It finds great usage in jobs where you would need to place something not too heavy but relatively high; such as in the maintenance of oil & gas facilities like refineries, petrochemical plants, etc. It is also useful in some urban one-off lifts, where you perhaps need to put a water tank atop a building”

43

ROUGHING IT

WHILE ITS GO-ANYWHERE UTILITY MAKES THE ROUGH TERRAIN CRANE A GCC FAVOURITE, MANUFACTURERS ARE ADDING HIGHER REACH, GREATER LIFTING CAPACITY AND BETTER SUPPORT TO BOOST THE SEGMENT

T

he rough terrain crane is a multi-purpose lifter, uniquely designed to access and lift in confined lifting areas with the ability to travel and work, leading to permanent demand in the Middle East.

It’s a tool that has been relied upon for decades to perform in the harshest and most remote of jobsites, often in the hands of less than well-tutored operators. Knowing this, the major manufacturers have concentrated on making their offerings robust and simple. Still, slowly but surely, this most conservative of mobile crane segments has evolved and developed, responding to the transforming demands its users, whether it is for increased reach or lift capacities.

Manitowoc’s Grove is among those brands that strives to meet customer expectations in a changing market environment. For this very reason, the Grove RT550E and RT770E rough-terrain cranes (RTC), part of the brand’s wide RTC portfolio are especially popular in the GCC, says David Semple, Manitowoc’s senior vice president for the Middle East and India.

For Manitowoc, the two cranes with capacities of 45t and 65t for the RT550E and RT770E respectively, add to the already stellar line-up of Grove RTs. The 45t capacity RT550E offers the highest capacity and the longest boom in its class at 39m. At less than 12m long, 2.55m wide and weighing under 29t, the RT 550E is a compact crane that fits well within most national road regulations for heavy machinery.

The RT550E is designed to give maximum capacity in an easy-to-use package, Semple explains.

“The 550 is a crane that we design and build in Italy in our factory close to Turin. And it’s been designed with a European mindset. There is a difference in mindsets in different territories about crane usage.

For example, in the US mindset, generally the booms are short for maximising lift capacity, versus the EU mindset which favours high reach over a high lift capacity.

“What we’ve seen in the Middle East over the years is that the design philosophy for RT cranes has shifted more towards the EU mindset, which is incidentally also the Japanese philosophy. If you look at our Japanese competitors, they have extremely long booms compared to their footprint. The actual load charts are not that strong though; Grove’s load charts are stronger. So, in a way the 550 is an offering that can be benchmarked against some of our Japanese competitors and the relatively long 39m boom is basically the longest you can get for a machine of this class.

“It finds great usage in jobs where you would need to place something not too heavy but relatively high; such as in the maintenance of oil & gas facilities like refineries, petrochemical plants, etc. It is also useful in

44

ROUGH TERRAIN CRANES SEP TEMBER 2019

some urban one-off lifts, where you perhaps need to put a water tank atop a building.”

The RT550E also features Manitowoc’s Crane Control System, which includes a boom optimisation feature to automatically configure boom length for specific loads and radius. It is designed to optimise crane operation through a user-friendly interface with no need for lengthy lift set-up procedures. The five-section boom can also be fitted with an 8m fixed ‘swingaway’ boom attachment to extend its reach to 47m.

“It has a Tier 3 Cummins engine in keeping with our tradition of sourcing engines from the best OEMs. We also equip the crane with accessories for the region, like additional oil coolers for the hydraulic system,” Semple says.

Another European manufacturer, Liebherr, has seen its new generation RTCs – the LRT 1090-2.1 and LRT 1100-2.1 – find good success in the GCC, especially with regional crane rental major Al Faris. The cranes sport Liebherr’s VarioBase lift support system and other features that have found favour with the rental house.

“These are the new generation RTCs from Liebherr, which deliver maximum safety, offroad capability, performance and flexibility.

RTCs are in demand in several regions of the world, such as here in the Middle East, and Liebherr is manufacturing them after many years owing to industry demand,” says Kieve Pinto, director, Al Faris Equipment Rentals.

“In an industry where safety standards are of utmost concern, these two new cranes have some of the highest lifting capacities with added safety features due to Liebherr’s special features, such as VarioBase technology, safe access points and a flat deck. A unique feature

of the cranes is that they have a 360-degree slewing range that allows unlimited turning.

Both the cranes feature superb all- terrain manoeuvrability. Moreover, their ergonomic design makes them comfortable and practical for operators, ensuring better application in lifting operations and faster crane set-up time.”

Liebherr adds that VarioBase also provides greater job-site flexibility. As a result of the increased lifting capacities when hoisting over the supports, the crane can lift loads normally reserved for the next higher crane class.

Liebherr’s new rough terrain cranes have made their mark on the Middle East rental sector, with the likes of Al Faris inducting the machines into their fleet.

Al Faris is the first in the region to use the two new Liebherr RTC models, and the company says that 60% of the new additions to its fleet in the last 18 months have been were RTCs. “With lifting jobs in construction, oil & gas and infrastructure projects, the Middle East is prime territory for the mobile crane. And keeping in mind the region’s general landscape with rough and often extreme job-site conditions, coupled with the harsh climate, it is not difficult to see why the RTC is high among the list of favourites in the local lifting sector,” says Pinto.

SAUDI OIL FIELD PROJECT

USING THE TEREX RT 90’S EXPERTISE “Five months of continuous back-breaking work without any down time,” Nabors drilling manager David Siljeg succinctly puts it while summarising how well the Terex RT 90 rough terrain crane performed at his job-site in Abqaiq, in Saudi Arabia. The crane lifted numerous components for drilling rigs, generators, and a power distribution and control centre at the oil field while enduring challenging conditions at the desert site.

“For this project, we needed a heavy-duty, reliable crane that not only

combined a large lifting capacity with excellent manoeuvrability under tight space conditions, but that would also be ready to start working at the drop of a hat,” says Siljeg while describing the requirements that his company had when contacting Saudi heavy equipment provider Expertise Contracting Company.

Expertise then came to the conclusion that the RT 90 it had recently acquired would be the best choice for the project, explains CEO Mohammed Ashif.

“The RT 90 is exceptionally easy to operate, has an enormous lifting capacity, and features a rigidly designed chassis.

You’d be forgiven for believing that it was made precisely for this assignment,” he says.

The crane was brought to the site in one low bed trailer from Expertise’s location 200km away in Jubail in three hours.

Once the RT 90 reached the job-site, the crane operator needed a mere 10 minutes to get it ready to work.

The four-person Nabors team found the crane reliable at all times. In fact, the unit completed most of the lifts solo. As is the norm every time a crane is used for the first time, Terex Crane team members were present on-site to oversee operations.

45

TADANO GR-1200XL RTC

POWER FOR DEMANDING TASKS Tadano’s GR-1100EX rough terrain crane has a maximum lifting capacity of 110t and features a 56m-long boom. A prototype of the model was introduced to the industry at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in 2017. The GR-1200XL is now in full production and available to Tadano America clients for sale.

The GR-1200XL was designed with industrial energy sites in mind, filling a niche market demand for cranes in the 110t class. These sites often require cranes to have high manoeuvrability, durability and lifting performance under tough conditions.

The 110t GR-1200XL gives buyers a rig between the GR-1000XL and the GR-1600XL and meets their needs for

a higher reaching rig with longer boom length and larger lifting capacities.

The GR-1200XL has the largest maximum lifting capacity in Tadano’s roughterrain crane product line. Its strong yet light, high-tensile steel, rounded boom features a single telescopic cylinder. It gives the crane a 56.1m lifting height and 45.7m load radius. Its jib provides additional reach, extending the lifting height to 73.6m with a load radius of

“RTCs are a prominent part of our crane fleet – and indeed of other companies’ fleets as well - on call for jobs in demanding and difficult-to-access locations. In fact, in an intensely competitive market, what gives a service provider the edge is often how modern, capable and ready their fleet is – and this is a fact that is not lost on Al Faris as one of the biggest names in the market.”

As a comprehensive crane service provider, Al Faris provides qualified crane operators to its customers and also takes care of maintenance, he adds. “Our operators have undergone Liebherr specific training by the manufacturer’s competent product trainers, and so have our engineers, technicians, and all our service and maintenance teams. We have a state-of-the-art facility in Dubai for service and maintenance, with qualified technicians working to international standards. So, our customers can rest assured that our cranes will be performing in peak condition.

“Our customers prefer the Liebherr RTCs for their added safety, faster set-up and economical performance, resulting in cost savings. Al Faris is proud to be the first and, so far, the only company to offer these new Liebherr cranes to customers in the Middle East.”

Meanwhile, US manufacturer Link-Belt feels that despite the cooling of “the high level of activity in the Middle East’s construction sector”, growth can still be projected from the fact that contractors are choosing to rent cranes for long-term projects. This trend should increase demand for rental fleet owners, particularly for medium-to--large RTCs, feels Casey Smith, public relations

48.4m. The GR-1200XL rig’s ease of transport and onsite manoeuvrability are largely due to its compact carrier size, with dimensions similar to the Tadano GR-1000XL carrier.

Overall rig length is 14,450mm, but its carrier is just 8,655mm long.

specialist at the Lexington-, Kentucky based crane maker.

Defining what differentiates Link-Belt in the market, he says: “Brand performance is an important factor for buyers today. Buying highly reliable products from a manufacturer that will be in business in five years is important for the customer. Link-Belt is committed to customer service and satisfaction. Things like our strong dealer network and our commitment to product quality and safety are the reasons why customers re-invest in Link-Belt cranes.”

US-based Link-Belt is a well-known brand in the Middle East’s rough terrrain crane segment and is popular in the oil & gas sector, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Additional features include HELLONET telematics and Tadano’s new Smart Chart system. HELLO-NET telematics help customers optimise their operations with real-time monitoring of crane activity, history, position data and maintenance information.

The environmentally friendly GR-1200XL comes with both Tadano’s state-of-the-art EcoMode fuel monitoring system and Positive Control. Eco-Mode reduces fuel consumption while the crane is operated. Positive Control economises fuel consumption while the crane is on standby.

Link-Belt is represented by six dealerships in the GCC and Middle East, with the likes of the UAE’s Galadari Trucks & Heavy Equipment, Oman’s Saud Bahwan Automotive and Saudi’s Bakheet Co For Machinery among them.

“We provide training at these dealer facilities to support our customers and dealers. We also have a training academy at our facility in Lexington, Kentucky, which maintains a 24-hour parts facility to support the dealer network and our customers,” Smith adds.

46

ROUGH TERRAIN CRANES SEP TEMBER 2019

“In the Saudi market, we are the authorised supplier to Saudi Aramco, which speaks volumes for our quality” “Link-Belt has a diversified line of RTCs for the Middle East market, ranging 50-145t.

Historically, the 50t RTC-8050 Series II is one of the most popular cranes in this region, but we are seeing a demand shift toward larger RTCs.” To cater to this shift in demand, Link-Belt is bringing its new 120|RT RTC to the Middle East in the last quarter this year and has high expectations from the model, which was introduced at Bauma this year. (See box) Zoomlion, another key player in the region, has revamped its support network and also

worked on quality and standardisation, resulting in a change in perception about Made-in-China quality over the last decade.

Wajih Eit, GM, Zoomlion Gulf, explains: “Our products have become more specific for the region and the quality control of our facilities in China is making the difference, along with the availability of spare parts and service. At the end of the day, when you have machines performing very well in the region since 2008, with the right support in terms of spare parts and service, you will get due recognition.

China’s Zoomlion is an established plyer in the global as well as the regional rough terrain crane sector and has found great success recently in Saudi Arabia’s oil & gas industry.

“We are among the main suppliers of RTCs to the big oil companies and we have the highest share in the Saudi market. RTCs find heavy use in oil & gas, and we are the authorised supplier to Saudi Aramco, which speaks volumes for our quality. We back this up with our regional hub in Dubai, a 10,000sqm facility holding spare parts of over $7m across our product lines to support local dealers.”

With several advantages that make it hard to beat, whether through a slow down or through boom times, the RTC segment keeps roughing it and lifting to greater heights.

NEW LINK-BELT

120T GAME CHANGER The new Link-Belt 120t 120|RT raises the bar with new standard features such as a new paint scheme with anti-skid walk surfaces, Pulse 2.0 with V-CALC, a new fly assembly system, a larger more comfortable operator’s station, sealed for life fourlink suspension, centralised hydraulic pressure bank, and centralised grease bank.

The new paint scheme includes a new stippled finish with a more aggressive anti-skid finish on all walking surfaces.

Link-Belt’s Pulse 2.0 system is known for its

simplicity and operator-friendly 10.5in touch screen interface, is Wi-Fi enabled and can be updated and serviced remotely. Among its new features is the new V-CALC system, which allows for 81 different outrigger configurations.

This crane also features a new available two-piece 10.7 – 17.7 m fly attachment to offer greater reach and flexibility on the job site. The fly can be erected and stowed by one person on the ground without the need of an operator in the cab.

Link-Belt offers service technicians a break in the way of a centralised check station for hydraulic system pressures and a central grease bank station to

service upper components. The highly successful, jobsite-proven four-link rear suspension system gets an upgrade with sealed-forlife grease joints. Link-Belt also gave the operator a larger chair and moved the steering column and Pulse display console to improve ergonomics and allow the operator to have a larger, more unrestricted view of the job site.

The first shipments of the 120|RT are expected to reach the Middle East in the fourth quarter of 2019. Historically, the market for rough terrain cranes in the GCC has been between 50 and 80t – and Link-Belt expects the 120RT to be a game changer.

48

THE LAST WORD SEP TEMBER 2019

NEW EL D L I U B P L ANES HE R AST C O C R E H W T R O T O 5 AN 3 NTRY’S N U O C MORE TH N O CITY AL AMEIN

T I C N A I EGYPT

N I A T O P H T I W S E S I R Y

to 70m. from 50m hs ranging gt n een le jib m, with rotating betw g on 180 d the clock, in n u rk o o are ar w e rk ey o ar h T w to 12t. e cranes tower cranes loads from 5t ity, an Th g C n tin ver 35 Potain ei lif , m ly la ai A d s.

El e year e shifts tion of New r at least fiv ypt’s thre the construc ns be on-site fo g built on Eg to in be ed t mmunicatio ct en co pe d pm keting an ld by ex ar so m e , urban develo e th an er s w ve lim gi es Noreen So in cranes t. The cran “Using Pota : ammes e ys north coas gr et o sa pl Pr P, t m ID en co eed to anager at al Developm ence they n t. The m fid n yp Internation ck g co E ba e r ed th fo fe e, the ntractors in’s dealer scale. To dat g and co n (IDP), Pota oject of this -round livin pr ar a has all bee ye r ce ffe o an perform r n project will ei io in e ill th d fil m n ro an e o re br -p h th hig sted tion of over tain is a tru ate a popula positive. Po It will s. , reputation accommod re ge ta n ra ec h e t, with th of 21,000 yp ea Eg ar highan , ss bs acro ce to keep a sports clu d performan , universities, an ls te o track. h n o se u al ho like this , residenti ofile project pr ent outlets m n n the ai o rt s te ve en d even a e oursel s centres an We also prid es n that si rt bu o , p its p un in rvice su e. of the Pota parts and se search centr th re and g c s, n er tifi le n m o ie ib J sc d es onour cust , a preferre f Potain cran we provide to 5 0 ing 2 th T ss C le The fleet o M e l ere’s on CT 205, the New E MCT 85, M at means th n th o es d .” e u te n cl si in ra bc . te jo si 2 models out on the te d MC 310 K1 to worry ab Alamein si include ry e o MC 235 C an it ct -s fa n o in ta ntractors ilt at the Po o C bu e n, SIAC er io w ed ct ll A d select a Constru ng, China an and Red Se ga n ia gj co Dorra, o an ed C Tw R R .

Zh C in actors, rformance Arab Contr bility and pe e e lia h th re T r tween , e n ei ar be io th te r re ct fo Constru joint ventu es for the si a ic T o d C ch an M n d e h io re T lidated odels. onstruct of the prefer th topless m and Conso Orascom C Ci 85 A, MCT 205, bo nstruction M o d r C an la is the m 85 pu ity T lla C po C A n M Hassan the hugely El Alamei to r ew ad N lo so y. es n tip cc a Compa ties in Egypt. h of 52m, 85 is the su Contractors illennium ci um jib lengt is m f 5 im o ax n 20 T io m C at a gener for the past 5t. The M and offers first in a new capacity of lier in Egypt m pp at u su th im t in ax 10 ta f m o a Po pacity t’s leading of 1.1t, and IDP has been maximum ca is one of Egyp a it , ith 74 w 19 e in . an d blishe of 65m ipment. a topless cr um jib end 44 years. Esta rvice of equ at its maxim and are supply and se e 18 0 th 2 in s in ie can lift 1.75t n g vin compa began arri 40m and The cranes of between ts gh ei h g at workin configured

O

65M

Experience the Progress.

The Safe Alternative: New Liebherr Rough Terrain Cranes LRT 1090-2.1: 47 m / 154 ft full power boom LRT 1100-2.1: 50 m / 164 ft pinned boom Safe & Strong

High lifting capacities with a maximum of safety due to VarioBaseÂŽ Globally uniform load charts conform to ANSI, EN and further standards Safe access points and flat deck

Comfortable

Simple and easy to operate Operator friendly extra wide and tiltable crane cabin Sales and service directly from the manufacturer

Saudi Liebherr Company Ltd. P.O. Box 9972 Dammam 31429 K.S.A. Phone +966 (0) 13 831 4815 E-Mail: info.slc@liebherr.com www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction www.liebherr.com

Liebherr Middle East FZE P.O. Box 2540, Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai / United Arab Emirates Phone: +971 4 8891 888 E-Mail: info.ldu@liebherr.com www.facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction www.liebherr.com