Construction Machinery ME August 2019

ISSUE 94 019 AUGUST 2

PLUS

BA KOMATSUE’SGGIEAMNT

JAPANES TO NEW MOVES IN AL HUB REGION

BAHRAH OANLTEORP

E KU WAIT DCAT IN PUTS BOB SITION POLE PO A TOWER CR

NES

HIGH S R E S RI

S, L E D O M W NE N I G N A I R R B O F S S R E M Y E A T L S MARKET PCES AND SAFETY SY ANE SECTOR R C R E SERVI W O T CC G E H T F O SLICE

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CONTENTS AUGUST 2019

34

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

14_RIGHT ON TRACK CMME delves into the most important aspects of compact track loader maintenance and how to keep them operating for up to 2,000 hours.

18_KOMATSU GETS ITS GEMBA CMME visits Komatsu’s new integrated 17,000 sqm premises in JAFZA, which will be its consolidated operations hub for the Middle East region.

22_BAHRAH PUTS BOBCAT ON TOP Kuwait’s Bobcat dealer talks about the philosophy and initiatives that have

12 SPOTTED IN ITALY ms used

taken the compact equipment brand to the top in the country.

R E W O RAW P 28_ NEW R The latest

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constru e world of th m o fr s release

re keep to ensu er crane up w to r fo w to follo Top ten tips

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O L D s in Andalusi TRACKE T A 000 olive tree 0, C 16 B st O ve B ar ers h 40_ t tracked load bcat compac A fleet of Bo

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2

EDITORIAL AUGUS T 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

SLOW BUT STEADY

aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com

Time was when the rumour mill had it that a quarter of the tower cranes in existence on the planet were to be found in the GCC. That time may now have passed, but the region’s tower crane sector is soldiering on, on the back of muted construction activity in the region.

While there are still projects of note being executed – enough to keep all the global manufacturers of the tall lifters interested, and indeed to attract new ones – the heady days of towers a hundred-plus metres high being announced every other day are long gone. In the current scenario, frenetic activity has been replaced by a muted though steady stream of work in the high-rise construction sector.

The major tower crane makers – the Potains, Terexes, Wolffkrans and their ilk – are using this period of creeping growth to introduce new models, with the emphasis firmly on raising both capacity and reach.

And while there is relative calmness in the sector, they are also emphasising safety and telematics in the quest for better and more efficient performance. It is as if the slow-down in the fast pace of the sector has enabled the entire sector to pause and ponder on its habits and the way it operates.

This is perhaps why now more than ever safety and connectivity are coming to the fore. Crane safety technology providers such as AMCS are finding users open to considering anti-collision devices on their cranes. Dealers such as NFT find more receptive ears when they highlight safety and best work practices.

In this issue, people in the sector tell CMME how they are making the most of a relative lull in the market and using it to get ready for the better times anticipated in the cyclical business of tower cranes.

Safety is not a concern only in the tower crane sector. As we all know, it cannot be stressed enough in the entire construction

TOM BROMLEY

and machinery industry. Japanese giant Komatsu is now able to do that even better, having moved into its new Middle East premises in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Although surprisingly slow to make the move despite spending several decades in the region, it is a homecoming of sorts for a company that has now consolidated all its training, demonstration, parts and other regional operations under one roof. CMME takes you to ground zero to see what the Komatsu ecosystem can expect from the new JAFZA facility.

The importance of good back-up facilities, of the sort that Komatsu has built, is also brought home when we take a look at how Bahrah, Bobcat’s dealer in Kuwait, has put the brand at the top of the compact equipment sector in the far west of the Arabian Gulf.

Having built its reputation on uninterrupted parts supply and a zeal to minimise downtime for customers through a high level of service back-up, Bahrah again reaped the benefits of its attention to detail when it finalised a deal for 58 Bobcat skid-steer loaders with Kuwait City municipality.

The dealership has moved more than a thousand units of Bobcat machine in its market and has also been recognised by its principal, proving the adage – albeit paraphrased – that behind every successful manufacturer, there is a dealer.

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE 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.

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.

MAINTAINING YOUR UPTIME, PROTECTING YOUR BOTTOM LINE

CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS: BAHRAH TRADING COMPANY W.L.L. Al Rai – Head Office Al-Rai Street No. 22 Kuwait Hotline: +965 1803803 / 1802008 Sales: Ext 5613, 5669 Service: Ext 6100, 6101 Parts: Ext 6120, 6114 Fax: +965 24730292 btc@alsayergroup.com www.bahrahtrading.com

‫ﺑـــﺤـــــﺮة‬

BAHRAH

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.

4

ONLINE AUGUS T 2019

MOST POPULAR

READERS’ COMMENTS

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

EXPO 2020 DUBAI MARKS UK BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT TRADING NATION, SAYS MINISTER

‘We have the firepower to build Saudi’s future,’ Red Sea Project chief tells MECN

CONSTRUCTION

Aldar Properties wins multiple AUH contracts

Feature: How the Coca-Cola Arena was delivered ahead of schedule

CONSULTANT

EllisDon wins Canada Pavilion contract for Expo 2020 Dubai

CONSTRUCTION

Al Bawani wins $89m commercial tower project from Asharqia Chamber

CONSULTANT

Saipem wins $3.5bn worth of contracts in Saudi Arabia

Opinion: It’s time to change AI’s bad rep

I truly hope I am not the only person to read this story (Expo 2020 Dubai marks UK becoming an independent trading nation, says minister) and pick up on the intrinsic ludicrousness of this soundbite from Dr Liam Fox. The UK has been an independent nation since its formation in 1707 (thank you, Google) and even managed to survive its assimilation (ahem) into the EEC and later the European Union. Whether the UK leaves later this year or not, its independent nation status is assured.

What is not a given is whether construction companies – and those on the supply chain – are helped to compete on the world stage. For years, we’ve seen them on the sidelines at trade events in the Middle East while other nations such as France, Italy and Germany have had the full backing of their governments. Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity to celebrate UK industry – I hope their government gets behind them with clout rather than churning out a few choice words.

Name withheld by request

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CONTINENTAL RADIAL TYRE PORTFOLIO FOR PORT APPLICATIONS

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 MAMMOET, ALE IN TAKEOVER TALKS Mammoet, the world’s biggest heavy lift and transport specialist, has said it is in talks with rival

Tyre major Continental has launched

ALE to acquire

its new radial port tyre line-up,

the UK-based

developed to meet the demands of

multinational.

vehicles used in terminal operations.

Netherlands-

The German multinational said

based Mammoet

the new portfolio, introduced at

Holding BV said

the TOC Europe 2019 port and

negotiations were

terminal technology exhibition

at an advanced

in the Netherlands, is specifically

stage with ALE

designed for load and carry

JLG, Access Hire debut VR training simulator

management

applications. The company added

and approval

that it has become a full solutions

will be sought

provider for port operations,

from relevant

offering a complete port product

authorities if there

range that includes V.ply tyres,

is an agreement

radial tyres and digital solutions.

JLG and regional rental company Access Hire have introduced the first JLG virtual reality training simulator for the powered access sector in the Middle East.

The JLG AccessReady XR operator training simulator was unveiled at Access Hire’s premises in the Dubai Industrial Park area last month, with the two companies saying that the idea behind installing the device is to provide virtual reality-based training for operators of all skill levels.

Ian Hume, sales director, Emerging Markets at JLG, said the AccessReady XR was developed totally in-house by JLG and is able to not only familiarise operators with the machine controls but also train them virtually on machine operation with advanced spatial awareness challenges.

The simulator offers an immersive training experience in a safe, virtual, indoor environment that improves learning for operators and prepares them to use the machines efficiently in real-world situations.

on the acquisition.

“We’re really proud to be launching the JLG AccessReady XR VR simulator here in the Middle East. This is the first one outside North America and the first one with a customer. We see this as a big step in the right direction for our industry, and we’re very proud to be innovating it and bringing it to our customers. I’d also like to thank Access Hire for being the driving force behind bringing this here in the region,” Hume said.

According to JLG, the device offers several benefits, chief among them being the quick application of VR training in real-world scenarios, while decreasing trainee time to proficiency and idle time during training, making for a more efficient, effective and engaging training programme.

Training costs are also reduced, as operators do not need to be taken off-site for training since the device can be taken to operator sites. Also, there is no expense on running a machine to impart the training.

“Day in and day out, containers

Mammoet

are transported many kilometres

employs 4,600

from one location to another on the

people worldwide

extensive grounds of international

and has revenues

ports. For these demanding load-and

of more than a

carry applications, radial tyres are

billion dollars. It

the perfect solution, particularly in

has consistently

the tough Middle Eastern climate,”

been rated as the

said a Continental statement.

world’s biggest

The tyres offer low heat generation

crane-owning

and a flat tread contour for high

company, while

endurance and mileage over long

ALE has risen

distances, said the company, listing

rapidly in recent

the three new radial tyres as the

years to be rated in

ContiRT20, the ContainerMaster

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8

NEWS ROUND-UP AUGUS T 2019

LEADERSHIP CHANGE

DOOSAN-BOBCAT APPOINTS NEW EMEA HEAD

Herrenknecht bores under Dubai airport

Drilling equipment from Herrenknecht has successfully bored tunnel sections for new stormwater drainage under the aircraft taxiways of Dubai International Airport, without disrupting flight operations.

As part of phase three of the regional air traffic hub’s expansion, during ongoing flight operations a Herrenknecht AVND2400AB micromachine safely and

precisely excavated three sections – 610m, 765m and 825m in length – for the new drainage tunnel under the taxiway.

According to Herrenknecht, the absolutely safe and precise crossing under airport taxiways and runways – one of the supreme disciplines of mechanised tunneling, especially when flight operations cannot be interrupted –

was carried out by the tunneling crew from International Foundation Group, working for Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects under the project management of M.A. Kharafi & Sons. The crew relied on Herrenknecht tunneling technology to extend the stormwater drainage system at the airport, completing the project earlier this year.

Using the pipe jacking method, the AVN machine, with a bore of 3,025mm, mastered the challenge of drives of 610m, 765m and 825m under the taxiway.

The resulting drainage tunnel has a total length of 2,200m. At depths of 13-15m, the micromachine crossed under the airport’s Terminal 2 taxiways while flight operations continued smoothly and safely. On the longest drive, an average of 15m of tunnel per day was excavated through soft soil.

IPAF CEO STEPS DOWN The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has said managing director and CEO Tim Whiteman

Doosan Bobcat has announced

is stepping down

new appointments to its leadership

after 15 years

positions, including a new president

in the position.

for the Europe, Middle East and Africa

Former IPAF

(EMEA) business region. The company

president Andy

said the move seeks to “fully integrate

Studdert will

and leverage the strength and scale of

act as interim

the business around the world, while

CEO while the

maintaining the focus on customer-

federation

centric solutions and further expanding

searches for a new

and refining… full liner strategy”.

person. Whiteman

Gustavo Otero (above) has been

expanded the

appointed president of Doosan

IPAF’s operations

Bobcat EMEA. He previously served

globally, with

as vice president of Compact &

more than 45%

Telehandlers in the same region,

of its income

and will continue to be based out of

now coming

Doosan Bobcat’s EMEA headquarters

form outside

in Dobris in the Czech Republic.

the UK, where it was founded.

Alvaro Pacini has been named senior vice president, Global Procurement.

He previously served as EMEA region president. The new senior VP, Global Engineering will be Troy Kraft, while Youngmin Kwon has been named senior VP, Global Strategy & Operational Excellence/Total Quality Management.

JCB SETS NEW TRACTOR SPEED RECORD

POSITIVE Q2 FOR VOLVO CE Volvo Construction Equipment has reported a 10% increase in net sales in the second quarter this year.

The Swedish giant saw net sales of $2.8bn, compared to $2.6bn for the same period last year.

Operating income was $440m - a margin of 15.5%.

JCB has set a ne w speed record for tractors, with a souped-u p version of its Fa str ac farm tractor model hitting 16 6.72km/h at Elvi ngton Airfield ne York, England. W ar ith TV presente r and engineerin Guy Martin behi g gu ru nd the wheel, th e JCB tractor sm the previous 14 as he d 0.44km/h record set in March 20 Top Gear ’s Trac 18 by k-tor. The record -breaking tractor powered by JCB’s is 7.2l, 6-cylinder DieselMax engi produced at its ne factory in Derbys hire. Capable of delivering 1,000 hp and 2,500Nm of torque, the tractor had its aerodynamics enhanced with the help of Williams Advanced Engine ering.

9

New Renault Trucks for Barari fleet Three new Renault trucks from the French company’s K range will be involved in conservation efforts in the UAE, after conservation and forest and wildlife management company Barari Natural Resources took delivery of the vehicles.

Barari expanded its fleet with the addition of the two latest Renault Trucks K440 P6x6 models and one K460 T6x4 model, said the Volvoowned heavy vehicle maker.

Among the reasons for choosing the robust models was their high ground clearance, with an approach angle of 32 degrees, perfect for work in forest management, Renault Trucks said, adding that Barari purchased its

first Renault Trucks model – the K440 T6x4 – in 2017.

K Heavy Construction range models are equipped with the latest features and technology, said Renault Trucks. Fitted with 13L engines, they offer a

capacity of 120t and have automated transmission along with all-wheel drive (AWD) capabilities that deliver full power to all the wheels, making them ideal for heavy-duty use and strengthening the models’

JCB INVESTS ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS

RIYADH JOINT BODY TO RECYCLE AND REUSE CONSTRUCTION WASTE

$25M IN BRAZIL JCB is investing $25m in its

abilities to tackle off-roading on the UAE’s tough terrain.

Ghassan Fares, head of procurement at Barari Natural Resources, said: “We have been extremely impressed not only with the performance of our first K440 T6x4 truck, but also with the great after-sales service of [Renault Trucks dealer] Al Masaood and the company’s excellent long-term warranty.

These factors made Renault Trucks the natural choice when we decided to expand our fleet of trucks.

We were also impressed with the new trucks’ fuel efficiency, which made them even more attractive, as we are continually looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint.”

NEW EMEA VP AT SNORKEL Powered access major Snorkel has created a new position of vice president, Strategic Accounts in its EMEA territory, promoting Andrew Fishburn to the role. Fishbrun joined Snorkel in 2016 and has developed the UK operations. He will now manage strategic accounts in the EMEA area, reporting to CEO Matthew Elvin.

Jekko ups lift capacity with new mini crane

Sorocaba, Brazil, The Saudi capital will see

Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Saudi

operations as the

improved recycling of waste,

Minister of Environment,

company gears up

including construction and

Water and Agriculture, who

for global growth.

demolition waste, after the

signed the agreement, said:

The investment

National Waste Management

“The agreement intends

was confirmed as

Centre, Riyadh Municipality

to activate the investment

JCB hosted the

and the Saudi Investment

pathway in the waste and

governor of Brazil’s

Recycling Company signed

waste management sector

Sao Paulo state,

a tripartite memorandum

through an alliance with

Joao Doria, at the

of understanding (MoU)

companies specialising in the

company’s global

to start integrated waste

field of waste management

headquarters in

management and waste

and treatment.”

Staffordshire, UK

recycling activities in Riyadh.

Modern recycling facilities

to meet chairman

will be built as part of the

Lord Bamford

Vision 2030 goals for the

system to recycle all types of

and CEO Graeme

environment, the MoU will

waste into products such as

Macdonald.

see the three bodies jointly

paper, plastics, fertiliser and

Sorocaba has been

work to recycle 47% of the

metals. Also, under the first

JCB’s Brazilian

5m tons of construction and

initiative of the agreement,

production site

demolition waste produced

around 20m tons of

since 2001.

in Riyadh each year. They

construction and demolition

are also aiming to recycle

waste will be removed from

87% of the 3.4m tons of

vacant plots and roadsides

municipal solid waste that

in the city and recycled into

the city generates annually.

building materials for road

Part of the country’s Saudi

Abdulrahman bin

construction and housing.

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

10

NEWS ROUND-UP AUGUS T 2019

NEW LAUNCH

HYVA EXPANDS FAMILY OF EDGE TRUCK-MOUNTED CRANES

Serious Labs to offer IPAF training modules

Canada-based Serious Labs, a maker of virtual reality (VR) training solutions for construction equipment, is offering PAL+ VR training modules in conjunction with the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

PAL (Powered Access License) is a certification for operators in the powered access sector, the holders of which are awarded the PAL Card operator licence. Serious Lab’s new PAL+ training modules test existing PAL Card holders at a more advanced level than required

for the operator licence.

It is also a first in terms of offering trainees the scope to complete their training on a VR simulator in order to renew their PAL Card holder’s licence for another five years.

“Operating access equipment on a work-site requires a high level of training and awareness.

When you combine the dangers of the work-site with a lack of operator competency, the risk of incidents begins to rise. Being able to improve and develop operator competency and skill through IPAF’s PAL+ training modules via a VR simulator is simply the future of efficient, safe and proficient operator training,” said Jim Colvin, CEO, Serious Labs.

According to the IPAF, it is conducting controlled trials with Serious Labs’ VR simulators instead of real machines until October with members in Europe and the US, with the launch of the simulators expected in Q4.

EMAAR BUILDS 3D-PRINTED HOME UAE developer Emaar will build its first 3D-printed home in Dubai’s Arabian Ranches III. The firm has awarded a contract to 3D print a model home, following a global competition involving some world-leading 3D printing technology providers. A local contractor will facilitate the construction.

PEUGEOT LLLAUNCHES A GCC IN R NEW PARTNE e introduction

announced th , Peugeot has e Middle East Partner in th al ci er of the all-new m m its co st addition to in with the late sale in the GCC on ne go ng vi ha e e th ng as ra w e r vehicl id the Partne ench giant sa ar Fr Ye e e th Th . of ne n Ju ational Va e 2019 Intern has an winner of th 9, the vehicle 77 2, $1 om fr ed ic Pr Award. to 1t, highcapacity of up ad lo d se ea cr in gine options and diesel en power petrol n, and consumptio with low fuel stem sy t st i-Cockpi Peugeot’s late . rd da fitted as stan

Dutch company Hyva

telescopic boom has

has launched a new

two models of compact,

family of 19-21 tonne-

light and simple booms

metre capacity truck-

with side extensions,

mounted cranes in its

requiring less space

new EDGE line of lifters,

for installation and

SAIPEM TO BUILD

which now range from

providing ease of

KSA WINDFARM

1tm to 165tm. Designed

operation, ideal for

Italy’s Saipem

to complement its 9tm

applications such

has signed a

and 13-16tm lines, Hyva

as car recovery.

memorandum of

says the new product

The HB basic

understanding

family now enables it

articulated boom,

(MoU) with

to offer solutions for

also in two models, is

renewable

every industry and

a flexible light boom

energy company

application, from mining

and extension which

Plambeck Emirates

and maintenance

optimises cost and

for the design and

to construction.

performance. The HC

construction of a

The 19-21tm class is

range has six models

500MW floating

designed to meet varied

with double linkages,

offshore wind farm

lifting requirements, and

one on column and

in Saudi Arabia.

comprises 14 models

one on second boom,

Phase one will

and five different boom

with Liftrod Articulated

commence in the

configurations. The HT

System (LAS).

coming weeks through Plambeck Saudi in Riyadh.

Saipem said it would also sign a contract for design engineering, construction and installation of the wind farm after the projects financial deals are finalsed.

11

Volvo invests in Eskilstuna expansion

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced an expansion of its Eskilstuna site in Sweden at an investment of $1.7m, which includes an arena for customer demonstrations of electric and autonomous machines, a new R&D test track and an energy recovery system for the factory.

Volvo CE will add an extra

12 hectares to its existing 45-hectare demo ground at the Eskilstuna Customer Centre, specifically for testing of its electric and autonomous machines and for demonstrating current machine offerings. The $850,000 investment in the innovation arena will enable Volvo CE to show

Ritchi bros_CMME DubSep19 A5_FLAT_211X131.indd 1

the prototype machines to customers in a realistic and challenging environment in complete safety, supported by 5G technology and with charging infrastructure installed on-site. The first phase of constructing the nearly 2km gravel road, which runs in both open and closed forest terrain, will start in the near future.

The company also said that as it transitions to more fossil-free alternatives, the existing fleet of combustion engine machines at the centre will run on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils), a fuel that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% depending on the raw material, with no special modifications required for engines.

Carl Slotte, president, Volvo CE Sales Region EMEA, headquartered in Eskilstuna, said: “Our new innovation arena is a big statement to customers and the industry about our commitment to building tomorrow.

Meanwhile, we show with our switch to HVO that we are also taking small steps to drive sustainability, not just in the future but also in the here and now.�

ROKLA ACQUIRES HARTL CRUSHER Austrian specialist crusher and screening bucket brand Hartl is being acquired by Rokla, a German rotary cutter manufacturer, operating under the Rockwheel brand. Under the deal, Rokla will be the owner of the Hartl brand, inventory and intellectual property, but Hartl will retain its Modular Solutions division.

7/24/19 12:21 PM

12

KIT SPOTTING AUGUS APRIL 2016 T 2019

JLG TAKES DOWN OLD ITALIAN BRIDGE FOR NEW

A

collapsed bridge connecting northern Italy to the south of France is being dismantled with the help of some JLG aerial work platforms, to make way for a new structure to connect the vital road link.

Named after its designer, Riccardo Morandi, the Morandi Bridge was part of the Viaduct of the Polcevera of Genova, strategic infrastructure for the road connection between the two countries.

It was over a kilometre long, supported by three concrete pillars. On August 14 last year, a 200m section in the centre of the bridge suddenly collapsed, together with the pillar. More than nine months after the tragic collapse, which claimed 43 lives, the dismantling of what remains of the structure is now underway.

A project of this magnitude requires machines which are up to the task, such as the JLG Ultra Boom 1850SJ, the highest self-propelled telescopic aerial platform in the world, with a working height of 58.56m, an impressive horizontal outreach of 24.38m and a work area of 83,000m3, thanks to its telescopic jib.

Two JLG Ultra Booms 1850SJ are involved. Through the use of a refined demolition method, the bridge is dismantled piece by piece at a height of 45m. The sections are then secured and lowered by crane.

In the meantime, construction has begun on the new bridge – a Renzo Piano

project – with the first pole in the ground. It is expected to be ready next year and will be 1.1km long and over 45m high, becoming a new reference point for this important Mediterranean city and port.

The 1850SJ telescopic aerial platforms have been supplied by WERENT, a historic partner of JLG in Italy. The company, in operation since 1996, primarily lets construction and lifting equipment from a fleet of 1,200 units.

Enrico Piovan, WERENT sales manager for northern Italy, says: “Given the project specifics around the demolition of the Morandi Bridge, choosing the 1850SJ was easy. [It] is a machine with excellent performance, delivering the highest selfpropelled platform in the world. Completed by a 454kg load capacity, the 1850SJ proved to be the ideal solution, given the strategic importance of the work and the expectations and hopes on this project.

“From its start, WERENT has chosen JLG as its prime supplier for access equipment.

Known for its reliability and continuous research in improving machine safety and performance, JLG delivers unmatched commercial service, technical assistance and supply of spare parts.”

Alessandro Maschera, JLG sales manager for the region, says: “The collaboration and mutual respect between JLG and WERENT has lasted for more than two decades. JLG is very pleased with WERENT providing high service standards for its products in the Italian market and beyond.”

13

“Given the project specifics around the demolition of the Morandi Bridge, choosing the 1850SJ was easy. [It] is a machine with excellent performance, delivering the highest self-propelled platform in the world�

14

HARD HITTERS AUGUS T 2019

“I hear about guys who get 2,000 hours on their track, but they’re the owneroperators who know how to take care of their machines and run them efficiently and effectively”

15 Best practices for CTL maintenance aren’t rocket science, but neglect will cost you. Depending on how you treat them, the tracks could last as little as 400 hours or up to 2,000 hours.

RIGHT ON TRACK

WITH THE COMPACT TRACKED LOADER, THE SKID-STEER LOADER’S GO-ANYWHERE COUSIN, DEPENDING ON ITS TRACKS FOR MOBILITY AND VERSATILITY, THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF ITS MAINTENANCE IS KEEPING THOSE TRACKS IN TOP ORDER

T

he versatility and all-terrain capability of compact tracked loaders (CTL) is due in no small measure to its rubber tracks, which enables users to take them where very few other machines can go. The tracks provide low ground pressure and high flotation, which protect turf and sensitive paved surfaces while still providing great traction in a variety of surfaces, allowing work to go on even on sand and wet and soft ground where other machines would sink.

According to Case-New Holland, USA, keeping tracks in good condition is the top maintenance requirement for CTLs. Ryan Anderson, product marketing specialist for the US for skid-steers and CTLs at New Holland, says: “It is the most expensive wear component on the machine.”

New Holland says that while the best practices for maintaining CTLs is not very difficult, failing to conduct maintenance can prove costly. Depending on how you treat them, the tracks could last as little as 400 hours or up to 2,000 hours, with the average being between 1,200 and 1,600 hours. “I hear about guys who get 2,000 hours on their track, but they’re the owner-operators who know how to take care of their machines and run them efficiently and effectively,” says Anderson.

Two main things dictate how long you tracks will last, and these are ground conditions and operator skill. As with tyres, ground conditions affect the

16

HARD HITTERS AUGUS T 2019

longevity of CTL tracks in a big way. Hard surfaces, such as pavements, produce more abrasion and wear. Rocky conditions lead to cuts and chipping. Tracks generally last the longest in soft conditions such as soft dirt or turf.

Over at Bobcat, a loader specialist feels that it is vital to properly analyse the terrain and its needs before selecting the equipment with the right contact patch. “I talked to a customer who was using a CTL to build a golf course where all the contoured surfaces were done on hard shale, via a breaker or blasting. He said one week on those surfaces put more wear on his tracks than they had experienced in the first 400 hours of operation on softer surfaces. In cases like that, you have to ask if a CTL is the right machine for the application. Maybe a skid steer would have been better.”

Experts say that a golden rule is to avoid using CTLs over the “three Rs:” rocks, roots and rebar. Taking an inventory of the job-site before work starts and removing these tread killers is a good idea. Also, you can control how your machine is run even though the job may determine the ground conditions.

“In less aggressive situations – mud, sand or soil – anyone can operate and have minimal impact to an undercarriage. But when the material gets aggressive, then the operator can have more of an impact on the life of the equipment,” says an expert from compact equipment maker ASV, adding that a common recommendation is to avoid excessive spinning and counter-rotation.

Three-point turns are a better choice for

“When the material gets aggressive, then the operator can have more of an impact on the life of the equipment” all brands of tracks and machines.

Another factor to watch is the slope of the site. Running side-slope puts wear on the embedded steel guide lugs on the downhill side of the track. Flanges on the drive sprocket and idlers help keep the track on the undercarriage, but if the track tension is loose, running side-slope can result in the machine detracking. When possible it’s much easier on the tracks to go straight up and down a slope rather than lengthwise across it.

According to the Bobcat specialist: “When

Getting your tracks to last as long as possible depends on two factors: good conditions and operator skill.

While the former is not optional, operators can be trained to develop adequate skills.

working on hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete, some operators will sprinkle a little material like sand or dirt on the surface to help the tracks slide instead of skid.”

Also, come at a curb or obstacle head on when you need to go over it. Hitting a curb at an angle increases the chances of tearing the tracks, especially along the edges.

On most CTLs you adjust the tension by adding or removing grease from a cylinder.

Pump grease into this cylinder, and it pushes the drive sprocket and front idler apart; let some grease out to reduce tension or remove the tracks. Other track tensioning methods use hydraulics, and some maintain tension with an adjustable spring.

“Some operators working in sand will run the track loose because it minimises some of the wear on the track’s metal imbeds and sprocket. It doesn’t grind that material quite as hard, and they don’t have larger material or debris to worry about. Someone who is working in the mountains or areas with a lot of rocky material may run their tracks with tighter tension to prevent rocks and debris causing the tracks to come off. Once the operator knows what his application and conditions are, he can set that tension accordingly,” says Bobcat’s product expert.

New Holland’s Anderson adds: “I’ve seen situations in harsh, deep woods environments where a loose track caused an idler to fracture.

When you have that much play in the track, you start stressing those idlers.

To tackle the inevitable pushing up of material in and around the idlers, he recommends that “you clean out and

17 inspect the tracks and undercarriage every 10 hours. If you keep the small stuff cleaned out regularly, that will limit the amount of debris going through”.

While some manufacturers provide specific measurements for track sag, for others it depends on feel. Importantly, check tension around every 10 hours and adjust, as tracks stretched too tight across the undercarriage make the machine work harder than necessary, consuming more fuel.

When it comes to replacing tracks, it is advisable to go with the same brand and type that came as original equipment on the machine. Before doing so, however, the performance of the original tracks should be analysed in the context of your typical applications and job-sites. Depending on the work and utility profile of a particular machine, it’s a good idea to change to a different type of tread pattern, rubber compound or width if that better suits the tasks the machine is performing and if the machine allows it.

A profile track is best for compact working widths, says Anderson, while landscapers need smaller machines with smaller footprints sporting tracks that have less aggressive tread styles for working in tight conditions. Going with a wider track gives

OVER THE TOP INNOVATION

TRIDENT’S OVER TYRE TRACKS While wheeled machines have their own advantages over tracked ones - such as low maintenance, robustness and speed on hard surfaces like concrete or tar, or even factory environments - tracked machines too have their own specific strengths, like the ability to work on soft soil and sand, which is a common terrain in the Middle East.

Wheeled machines are not practical for rough terrains while tracked ones are not practical for the hard and smooth stuff. Keeping this in mind, OTR tyre maker Trident has developed its Over Tyre Tracks (OTT), which bridge that gap. If you have a wheeled machine and you need to operate it on a surface where you may need additional

flotation, you can use the OTT product, which converts tyred machines into a tracked ones.

Traxter OTTs consist of interconnected abrasionresistant steel segments that are looped over the tyres and the open ends are fastened to make an endless track belt, thus providing tracked mobility with high floatation.

The fitment is simple and can be done in very little time.

“OTTs bridge the gap between wheeled and tracked mobility by converting a wheeled skid-steer loader into a tracked one quickly and easily. Our OTTs help SSLs work at a modest cost on terrains they normally couldn’t work in, increasing efficiency, productivity, profitability and ROI,” says Trident.

more surface area and better traction when machine width is not an issue.

Another point to note is tread type. The two main types are the multibar or “turf tread” with straight horizontal lugs and a blockstyle tread. The turf tread disturbs surfaces minimally but a block-type tread resists chipping and abrasion better and so it better suited for quarrying and mining applications.

For landscaping there are smooth, treadles tracks, while non-marking tracks prevent black marks on finished surfaces.

Aftermarket brands of CTL tracks are also a possibility but be aware that there is no “universal” track design because OEM undercarriages have a variety of sprocket, roller and flange designs that dictate the design of the interior elements of the track.

Some manufacturers also have different undercarriage designs for different sizes of CTL, while others have unique systems that uses polycord instead of steel-cord reinforcing inside the rubber. Doing your homework is necessary as the track spec is brand- and model-specific. Once the homework is done, it’s simply a case of choosing tread type and manufacturer, but whichever brand you buy, make you’re your tracks come with a warranty of at least 1,000 hours.

18

FACILITY VISIT AUGUS T 2019

KOMATSU GETS ITS GEMBA THE JAPANESE EQUIPMENT GIANT’S SPRAWLING NEW INTEGRATED PREMISES IN DUBAI’S JAFZA IS IN LINE WITH ITS PLAN TO CONSOLIDATE MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONS IN A SINGLE HUB

F

or Komatsu, this year will go down as a standout one in the Middle East. A few months ago, the Japanese giant introduced its anticipated new 20t excavators in the region and word is that more new launches are to follow before the year runs out.

For now, though, the most significant development at the company is the opening of its new premises in the region – its hub for the Middle East and adjoining regions.

The new state-of-the-art facility was earlier inaugurated by Tetsuji Ohashi, president and CEO of Komatsu Ltd., who said while flagging off the facility: “Since Komatsu Middle East was established 55 years ago, we’ve had the pride of contributing to the development of countries in the region, harnessing a century of experience to provide machines that can perfom in the tough conditions in this area.

“The new facility will serve to extended unparalleled product support for distributors and customers. It will include new features such as being the first ever Komatsu property in the Middle East with a dedicated training and demonstration facility. It will also serve to train our stakeholders from across the Middle East and Africa region and, thereby improving machine utilisation efficiency and helping customers to reduce their total cost of ownership and maximise their profits.”

For a company of the size and stature of Komatsu, it may have taken the company

time to build a permanent home in the region befitting its stature, but what a home it is, where all its functions are consolidated under one roof. Leading CMME on a tour of their brand spanking new 17,000 sqm premises in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, is a justifiably proud trio of the Komatsu Middle East (KME) officials, Yoshihisa Hayashi, managing director for the region; Satoru Kobayashi, GM, Dubai Training and Demonstration Centre, which is housed in the new premises; and Babak Javidani, GM, Training and Administration.

They tell us that the company started its activity in Middle East in 1964 and set up a liaison office in Dubai in 1977, then moved to the Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1997. Later in 1999, Komatsu Middle East FZE was formed in Jafza.

“This new facility features VR simulators, hands-on training bays for machines and components, a Safety Dojo where we demonstrate and train on safety, a 550sqm VIP lounge and viewing deck for Komatsu to demonstrate our machinery at work, and an 8,200sqm demo area,” says Kobayashi.

“A very important feature of this new facility is our regional parts distribution centre, in which we have increased our storage capacity with a new warehouse, thereby providing better availability and faster delivery of parts to our network of distributors. The parts are usually delivered on the same day or the next at the most, according to an order’s cut-off time,” Hayashi adds.

Delving deeper into the history and heritage of the company in the region, and into the thought behind the new facility, he says:

19 Komatsu has consolidated its Middle East operations under one roof, with its new regional hub boasting top-notch facilities for service, safety, sales and other kinds of training.

A ZEN FOR PERFORMANCE

JAPANESE PRINCIPLES OF EXCELLENCE Trust the Japanese to elevate industrial processes and production to a spiritual art. The land of Zen has given us many management principles and industrial maxims, all rooted in Japan’s timehonoured philosophies of life and excellence. And from that same stable comes Komatsu’s philosophy of ‘Dantotsu’. ”Dantotsu means ‘Unrivalled’ in Japanese. It’s what Komatsu strives to be in its field. All our products and services have the philosophy of Dantotsu at their heart. All our efforts are geared towards giving our customers unrivalled quality,” a senior company official explained to CMME earlier.

“In the best of Japanese tradition, Komatsu believes that Dantotsu service and Dantotsu solutions improve customers’ ‘Gemba’, which is the Japanese term for the workplace, but not any workplace, instead a place where excellence happens. So, Komatsu believes it is our duty to see that our customers achieve excellence at their workplaces – or Gemba – based on the Dentotsu - or unrivalled - products and services we give them.”

The philosophy in essence is about working together with customers to provide innovation designed to create new values to their business.

Another Komatsu innovation is the use of KOMTRAX (Komatsu Machine Tracking System) to improve customer service and experience.

“We not only improve the competitiveness of our product but also supply parts and provide service by using KOMTRAX for construction and utility equipment and the KOMTRAX Plus for mining equipment,” says Jehad Jayyousi, Komatsu Middle East’s senior marketing executive.

“SMARTCONSTRUCTION is a solution for operational problems at job-sites. Its key element is KomConnect, an open platform that connects information about all vital elements, such as workers, machines and ground conditions, through ICT, analyses them, engages in simulations and even makes proposals.

It can be accessed on smart devices and monitors on Komatsu machines.”

20

FACILITY VISIT AUGUS T 2019

“Komatsu goes back to 1964 in the Middle East.

Even before Komatsu Europe was established, we had opened our Beirut office, concentrating on the Arab region. That started the roll out of a number of offices in the Middle East and expansion in the region with Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai, which was controlling operations in the GCC and surrounding areas. The Middle East is a very important place in the international expansion of Komatsu.

“We established KME in 1999, mainly to enable our distributors offer better product support for our machines. At that time, we had a very small training centre along with a regional operation of 5-6 people, concentrating on supporting our operations in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, as Egypt and Pakistan.

Then KME expanded and we became more like a subsidiary of Komatsu from just a branch outpost. In 2007 we started warehouse operations at a third-party logistics facility.

“In 2014, when Ohashi San became president, he wanted to concentrate on improvement of training and expanding our training footprint so that we approached training in this region in an even more professional way. The initial decision was to make Thailand and Dubai our training centres. And when that was officially decided we found we were scattered in three different places – head office, warehouse and our previous small training facility. The most logical thing to do for operational excellence was to bring everything together under one umbrella in a proper, purpose-built facility. So, in early 2018 we started construction on this facility and moved in in January this year.”

Javidani adds: “Previously our training was conducted in a very small facility, without

much scope for being as hands-on as we would have liked to be. We were mainly using flying instructors, who went out to our distributors one by one to impart training. Now, with this new facility, we can be extremely hands-on with our training, doing assembly, disassembly and all kinds of trouble shooting.

So training is a big part of this new facility.”

The Komatsu officials tell us that the idea to have a facility of this nature came in 2010-11, when the regional market was booming with demand for 20,000-plus units.

“Due to the volume of business, we realised we needed a dedicated facility for the region

“In this facility, we have an extensive workshop with four bays for practical training and also a separate safety training area”

Komatsu Middle East’s top brass, Yoshihisa Hayashi (centre), Satoru Kobayashi (right) and Babak Javidani are justifiably proud of the new Middle East premises in Dubai’s JAFZA area.

where we could consolidate all our operations under one roof. If we had to assemble our dealer personnel in one place, we actually had to fly them out to Japan, which was inconvenient for all parties concerned because of the time, distance and other factors. But now it is way easier for the Komatsu family in the region to congregate at this Dubai facility when we need to do any training or any other such function,” explains Hayashi.

Describing the new facility’s service proposition, he adds: “Komatsu products are sold to customers through distributors, who are also responsible for service. We are not directly responsible for servicing, but we train the people going out to customers for service. So in this facility, we have an extensive workshop with four bays for practical training and also a separate safety training area.”

In fact, Komatsu takes safety so seriously that it calls its safety training area as Safety Dojo, or a place where martial arts are practiced (see box). In effect, the company has declared war on unsafe practices, Javidani points out.

“Integrating our training was a big part of planning and building this facility. Here we offer basic training as well as specialised technical and service training for trouble shooting. We also have operator training for both distributors and customers. In fact, there are 21 courses that our training team is rolling out from here “The main purpose or plan of the training here is to serve as top-down knowledge transfer. We usually train and qualify the master trainers from our MEA dealers and distributors, and they in turn deliver the training to their personnel and to customers in their territories.

Our main trainings - for operators, technicians

21

“With a parts warehouse integrated into this facility, we can handle our parts operations with complete ease” or any other personnel - is targeted at our distributor’s operator trainer and machine commissioning person. Once trained by us and they can then train the customer’s operator.

So, its works in a tier-by-tier structure. What we essentially do is train the trainer.

“Occasionally one of our dealers can invite a customer and his people to this facility, especially in case of important customers.

Then we will train and interact with the customer’s personnel directly.”

Perhaps the biggest difference that customers may feel now relates to parts, and

Hayashi explains: “Previously we used to rent a third-party warehouse in JAFZA area to stock our parts. There were space and usage constraints as it was not our own premises, so we could not use it as freely as we would have liked. But now with a parts warehouse integrated into this facility, we can handle our parts operations with complete ease when it comes to receiving, stocking, dispatching and shipping. It is way easier from a logistics point of view to have our own parts operations from start to finish. It is helping us, our distributors and of course ultimately our customer.

Komatsu’s new compund in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone area comprises a warehouse with its central parts facility for the entire GCC and adjoining markets in the region.

“We make daily shipments of parts to our distributors so that they don’t need to carry much inventory themselves. And the area that we cover for parts support extends over the entire Middle East and beyond into Africa, Turkey and Pakistan. So, this is truly our hub for a big region, with a lot of spokes linked to it.”

In the Japanese management principles that Komatsu follows, Gemba is the word for a workplace where excellence happens. With the new Dubai Training and Demonstration Centre premises in JAFZA, it looks like KME has finally found its Gemba.

NO ACCIDENTS

DEDICATED SAFETY TRAINING FACILITY That Komatsu takes safety as a matter to tackle on a war footing is proven by the name it has given an area reserved for dedicated safety training and demonstration at its new premises - Safety Dojo.

Sports enthusiasts may know that the term Dojo is Japanese for a room or hall where Judo or other martial arts are practiced, but for Komatsu safety is not a sport – it’s both a martial matter and an art. Demonstrating the components of the Safety Dojo, the MD Yoshihisa

Hayashi shows us how every employee and participant in Komatsu’s trainings is taken through a thorough familiarisation of the various safety equipment that Komatsu considers as “must-use”, such as safety gloves, hard hats, protective eyewear, safety vests and other personal gear.

To press home the vital function of safety gear in preserving life and limb, a special machine demonstrates how steeltoed work boots prevent injury by force dropping a heavy metal block in turn

on a normal shoe and a work boot, crushing the former while the latter remains intact. Similar demonstrations are done for safety harnesses using dummies to show how important it is to use the harness whenever working at heights – with the smashing that the unharnessed dummies sustain after their free fall from a scaffold serving as a stark reminder to how fragile a worker is on site.

It’s a Dojo where no punches are pulled to ensure that all lessons are learnt.

22

DEALER FOCUS AUGUS T 2019

BAHRAH PUTS BOBCAT ON TOP

THE COMPACT EQUIPMENT BRAND’S KUWAIT DEALER TELLS CMME HOW ITS PHILOSOPHY AND INITIATIVES HAVE PUT THE BOBCAT BRAND AT THE TOP OF ITS MARKET SEGMENT

T

he big brands in the construction machinery industry know all too well how important the right dealer is for success in any particular market. However high the quality of its products, for a manufacturer the dealer is its face in the market, the first and often the only point of contact for customers with its brand and usually the decisive factor in its market performance.

For compact equipment specialist Bobcat, this decisive factor in the Kuwait market is its dealer Bahrah Trading Company. A subsidiary of Kuwait’s Al Sayer Holding, Bahrah has represented Bobcat in the western GCC country for 23 years now – and to great success.

Speaking with CMME, Hamza Melakandy, GM, Bahrah Trading Company (BTC), says: “BTC is representing Bobcat in Kuwait since 1996 and in these two decades and a bit we have notched up many success stories with Bobcat machines. We are a member of one of the leading conglomerates in Kuwait – Al Sayer Holding – which counts among its business the exclusive dealership for Toyota and Lexus cars in Kuwait. Apart from this the diversified business includes heavy equipment, transportation, industrial equipment, special vehicle and tools, finance and investments, real estate, contracting, healthcare and others.”

Being part of such an established and reputed business house will naturally have its benefits and Bahrah has been able to leverage the synergies within its parent group to consistently return great results with Bobcat, even when the gong has not been easy – as now. Speaking about Bahrah’s market performance, Melakandy says: “Though the market has been shrinking in the last 2-3 years, we are able to maintain our No.1 spot for the compact equipment

segment in Kuwait with leading positions in the skidsteer loader, mini excavator and compact tracked loader segments. This success is due to the strong brand acceptance, market coverage and prompt and reliable aftersales support provided by our team.”

And, indeed, aftersales support is at the heart of Bahra’s success, as well as the mantra that is the cornerstone of Bobcat’s business too. Melkandy says that at Bahrah taking care of the customer is a habit that extends into every brand that the company deals in – and that list is both extensive and prestigious.

“BTC’s portfolio includes Bobcat, Doosan Heavy and Doosan Portable Power, Hino Trucks, Ashok Leyland buses and Toyota forklifts, among others. For Bobcat we stock and sell the full range of products – skid-steer loaders, tracked loaders, mini excavators, telehandlers, backhoe loaders and attachments. In terms of volume the skid-steer loaders are our main selling product, though now we are focusing also on the backhoe loaders where we see a potential market.”

Bahrah’s journey with Bobcat started with a single 3S (sales, service and spare parts) facility in Kuwait’s Al Rai area, Melakandy recounts, and now the dealer has expanded into two more facilities in the country, a 2S one in the Ardiya area and another 3S one in Ahmadi.

The underlying reason this expansion is premised upon is Bahrah’s policy of being close to the customer and to take care of customers’ needs, says Melakandy.

“We now have parts and service facilities at our Ardiya and Ahmadi centres apart from the Al Rai head office, where we’ve always operated a spare parts counter.

All our technicians are trained by Bobcat and there are three service vehicles attending to breakdowns at jobsites and carrying out service at customer locations.

“As a matter of policy consistent with our desire to provide total support to customers, Bahrah ensures uninterrupted parts supply through our parts outlets in Al Rai, Ardiya and Ahmadi. Our dedicated parts

23 Bahrah Trading, part of Al Sayer Holding, is the Bobcat dealer for Kuwait and one of the largest dealers of the compact equiipment specialist’s products in the entire GCC region.

“As a matter of policy consistent with our desire to provide total support to customers, Bahrah ensures uninterrupted parts supply through our parts outlets... Our dedicated parts personnel ensure timely delivery of the parts to customer locations to reduce equipment downtime”

24

DEALER FOCUS AUGUS T 2019

FINDING SUCCESS

BACKHOE TO THE FRONT Bobcat’s backhoe loader has found success in Kuwait with its partner Bahrah, who were given a special award by the company for their sales effort with the line-up.

In the four-model line-up, the entry level B700 is driven through a synchroshuttle transmission; it has ‘Cab and Canopy’ and ‘2WD or 4WD’ options; and it has a single loader bucket cylinder with a full cylinder diameter to increase breakout force and reduce maintenance cost with fewer hoses and fittings.

Powered by a 100hp

turbocharged engine, driven through a standard powershift transmission, and controlled by mechanical levers, the B730 model is equipped with 18” front tyres and 2-wheel steer. Double loader bucket cylinders provide superior breakout force and reduce maintenance cost with bolt type cylinder head design.

Apart from all the features of the B730 and B700, the B750 adds 20-inch front tyres and a hydraulic joystick control system.

The top-of-the-range B780, meanwhile, is driven through a standard auto

personnel ensure timely delivery of the parts to customer locations to reduce equipment downtime. In cases of important fleet customers, we also provide consignment facility for spare parts, if required.”

Not only this, a separate Bahrah team within its services department takes care of maintenance contracts using telematics and machine data services, with the result that more than 250 Bobcat machines are under preventive maintenance contracts with the dealer at this time, where the machines are remotely monitored through data logging and potential faults are identified and fixed before any major downtime occurs. Evidently, Bahrah takes customer downtime very seriously.

powershift transmission, this highly maneuverable 4-wheel equal size backhoe loader is steered by three steering modes: 2-wheel steer, 4-wheel steer, and crab steer.

The standard 4.4 litre, four-cylinder, 100hp turbocharged diesel engine delivers more power for the most demanding applications, while reducing operating costs. It features a highquality filtration system for longer life and its singleside service components make maintenance and daily checks easy.

Melakandy informs that the company also has other ways, too, of benefiting machinery users. “We offer trade-in of machines against new equipment purchases, buyback schemes after 3-5 years of usage and such other sales initiatives. Bahrah also has a rental division with a fleet of skid-steer loaders, telehandlers and backhoe loaders. We also sell used machines in specific cases, the key being providing extended warranty and service packages.”

Bahrah’s efforts have brought it recognition over the years from not only Bobcat but also the market in the form of sales, and Melakandy says: “Last year we won an award from Bobcat for excellent performance in the backhoe loader segment where we were able

The Bahrah management team prides itself on its services, which include extensive maintenance and parts facilities with certified and trained technicians maximising uptime for customers.

to improve Bobcat’s market shares through aggressive sales campaigns which included promotions such as a three-year warranty inclusive of service packages.

“This year we were selected in a tender for a major order of 58 units of Bobcat skid-steer loaders from the Kuwait municipality. This is only a continuation of the joint success story of the Bobcat-Bahrah association in Kuwait, which has seen us achieve more than a thousand units as retail sales. With our initiatives and constant support from Bobcat, the brand has maintained its No.1 position in Kuwait’s compact equipment segment for the last 10 years – and looks to continue doing so.

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27

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

KNOW

32

28_NEW RELEASES The latest releases from the world of construction machinery.

34_HIGH RISERS Market players push in new models, services and technologies into the region’s tower crane sector.

TOP 10: OWER TIPS FOR T KEEP CRANE UP

ifters ep the tall ll Steps to ke re e and ensu in top shap ty. job-site safe

40_RICH HARVEST A fleet of Bobcat tracked loaders speeds up olive farming in Spain.

28

NEW RELEASES AUGUS T 2019

VOLVO PENTA’S NEW RANGE WHY GET IT? REDUCTION IN BOTH TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP AND CO2 EMISSIONS

HIGH REACH FOR NEW BOBCAT TELEHANDLERS WHY GET IT? HIGH PRODUCTIVITY, ROBUSTNESS AND ROUGH TERRAIN ABILITY Bobcat has expanded its telescopic handler line-up with the inclusion of the latest 8m TL43.80HF and 7m TL30.70 models, and now offers a choice of 13 rigid frame telehandlers for applications in construction, rental, recycling, waste and general industry, covering maximum lifting capacities of 2.6-4.3t with lifting heights of 6-18m.

The compact equipment giant says the new TL43.80HF increases the lift capacity in the Bobcat range to 4.3t, combining this with a maximum lift height of almost 8m.

The TL43.80HF is a compact telehandler that brings together high productivity, robustness and rough terrain ability in the same machine, providing a new solution for heavy lift handling applications found in general industry, manufacturing, building materials, warehousing, quarrying and mining. The TL43.80HF is also ideal for farming work, the manufacturer adds.

The TL43.80HF’s box-welded frame, low load centre, long wheel base and new massive rear counterweight give it high stability, allowing Bobcat to minimise the overall dimensions of the machine, resulting in a width of only 2.30m and a length of less than 5m from the rear to the fork face.

The TL30.70, meanwhile, provides a maximum lift capacity of 3t and a maximum lift height

of nearly 7m, for a wide range of applications in construction, rental, recycling, waste and general industry. The model’s compact width of 2.1m in the 7m class makes for a compact and stable machine for easy pick- and-go or for lifting materials to height on housing and commercial property developments.

The TL30.70 offers an excellent compact and cost-effective alternative to larger 7m models, especially where working space is tight and increased manoeuvrability is required. In addition, performance is not compromised as the TL30.70 offers an outstanding maximum reach of 4m with a load of more than 1t. At the maximum lift height, users can lift up to 2t of weight, which is sufficient to place a pallet of heavy bricks in most conditions.

“At Bobcat, for over 60 years we have been constantly innovating the market – always developing new machines for customers’ needs. The new TL43.80HF and TL30.70 continue this legacy as they complete our range of telehandlers and ensure customers can benefit from unmatched loading productivity and lift capacity. Bobcat machines are made for tough jobs, while still providing all the agility and versatility any application would require,” says Olivier Traccucci, senior product manager for telehandler at Bobcat.

SPECIFICATIONS

BOBCAT TL43.80HF & TL30.70 Max lift capacity: 3t & 4.3t Max lift height: 6,670mm & 7,500mm Max horizontal reach: 4,020mm & 4,000mm Max travel speed: 40km/h

Volvo Penta has introduced its new range of engines boasting fuel consumption reductions of up to 5%. The new engines are in the Stage V emission tier and have proven extremely promising in field tests, with reductions in both CO2 output and total cost of ownership.

The range offers power of 143-796hp, enabling customers to meet tough application demands. Each engine is specifically engineered to deliver optimum productivity, uptime and total cost of ownership, and is developed to offer ease of installation, operation and maintenance.

“We are keen to demonstrate to customers that Volvo Penta is continuing to lead the way when it comes to engine and power systems innovation, most recently with EU Stage V,” says Johan Inden, president, Region Europe. “We are already seeing evidence that our customers understand this. Over the last three years, the Volvo Penta Industrial segment has increased its annual sales by an average of 33%.”

The Volvo Penta Stage V range improves productivity through an engine and exhaust after-treatment system. Uptime has also been boosted by doubling oil change service intervals from 500 to 1,000 hours. In addition, Volvo Penta has championed ease of installation by ensuring commonality between different emission levels. In addition to off-road, Volvo Penta recently launched its first Stage V engine for mobile gensets, the D16. - a neat and compact engine with lower maintenance requirements, delivering around 3% better fuel economy (versus Stage IIIa) and providing improved total cost of ownership.

29

NEW CAT GRADER LOWERS COSTS WHY GET IT? LOWER MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS, GREATER OPERATOR COMFORT Caterpillar’s new 120 motor grader offers the option to tailor the machine to customer preferences and applications. Powered by the Cat C7.1 engine, it uses up to 15% less fuel in the standard ECO mode. Furthermore, new filtration technology saves customers up to 15% in maintenance costs.

The 120 offers a choice of steering wheel/lever or joystick controls, tandem or all-wheel drive and a range of scalable grade control technologies. The all-new cab has enhanced visibility, says Cat, with connecting rear

windows, seat options and a new information display screen.

When it comes to the traditional lever and steering wheel controls, the console adjusts to the operator’s preference, with the option to integrate automatic grade control switches and buttons on the levers.

When the joystick controls are chosen, they reduce hand and arm movement up to 78% for fatigue-free operation. Technology options are integrated into the joysticks for seamless motion, and the angled joystick cab provides extra blade visibility.

Visibility is also enhanced by the new cab design with connecting rear windows.

The visibility can be supplemented with the Cat Detect Vision System. Operators also have extra comfort with a powerful heating and cooling system, which also dehumidifies and pressurises the cab while circulating fresh air, sealing out dust and keeping windows clear. Seat upgrades include air suspension and heated and cooled seats with air-adjusted side bolsters.

A 10-inch touchscreen colour monitor makes machine information and Cat GRADE control technology easy to read and use.

When it comes to maintenance, Cat says the new filtration system reduces typical operating expenses by up to 15%. Extended engine oil, hydraulic and transmission filter

change cycles keep the new 120 motor grader active on the job-site. The filters are in a central location, grouped together for easy access to do preventive maintenance quickly and move on to the next task.

The circle drive slip clutch protects the pinion drive and circle teeth from potential damage, and the Circle Saver option reduces daily greasing requirements and costly repairs to the circle and pinion. Cat says that up to 20% in labour costs can be saved with conveniently located wear inserts, using the top adjust drawbar circle option for maximum tightness and precision grading.

Scalable Cat GRADE technologies provide grade control options for customers with different application requirements and budgets – but all aimed at allowing operators to work faster and more accurately for increased productivity. Cat GRADE technologies include Cross Slope, Cross Slope Indicate, Digital Blade Slope Meter and the Attachment-Ready Option, which integrates with grade control technologies. The all-wheel-drive system provides a front wheel-only creep mode for precise grading and assists with traction and manoeuvring in loose material.

SPECIFICATIONS

CAT 120 GRADER Engine: Cat C7.1 Engine power: 156hp (standard), 173hp (AWD) Machine weight: 16.5t max Moldboard width: 3,658mm

30

NEW RELEASES AUGUS T 2019

FIRST ROTATING TELEHANDLER FROM JCB WHY GET IT? HEAVY LIFT CAPACITY AND VERSATILITY OF A ROTATING MACHINE

SANDVIK LAUNCHES NEW IMPACT CRUSHER WHY GET IT? ADJUSTMENTS ENABLE A WIDE RANGE OF SIZES Crusher and screener maker Sandvik has rolled out the latest upgrade to its 2-Series product offering with the launch of the new QI442 tracked mobile impact crusher, the latest addition to the company’s 2-Series lineup. It features the newly developed CI621 Prisec impact crusher, which comes with various innovations for improved efficiency and greater safety during maintenance.

Like previous Sandvik Prisec impactors, the new CI621 can be configured to work as either a primary or secondary machine, while its two hydraulically assisted curtains can be readily adjusted to produce a wide range of high-quality product sizes.

The new CI621 includes further enhancements primarily focused on increased serviceability and safety during maintenance. These include a new rotor position and locking device, new hammer locking wedges for quicker removal and fitting, and a new wedge removal tool to provide safer installation and removal. The rotor bearings have also been upgraded for easier assembly and clearance setting, in addition to an improved sealing system and greater range of curtain adjustment.

This, says Sandvik, allows greater usage of wear parts and maintains tighter settings in the secondary position.

One of the benefits incorporated into the QI442 is the optional modular hanging screen system. Recently launched on Sandvik’s mobile cone crushers, this system is detachable and interchangeable, and offers greater flexibility with the crusher able to operate in either open or closed circuit.

JCB has launched its first rotating telehandler model, the Hydraload 555210R. The company is already the global leader in telehandler, having pioneered the concept with its first Loadall more than 50 years ago, and says the new model is in response to the growth in popularity of rotating machines with heavier lift capacities across several markets, especially Europe. The first of a new series, it offers a maximum lift capacity of 5.5t and maximum working height of 20.5m.

To minimise set-up time, the outriggers have auto one-touch deployment, stowage and levelling. Competitive lift end cycle times and high auxiliary flow rates for efficient winch work further boost productivity, says the manufacturer.

A high level of visibility is a feature of the model, as is a lower chassis engine layout, says JCB. All-round visibility is also improved by a low boom design.

The new model also comes with comprehensive work light options and camera kits, including a boom head camera for precise placement at height.

Powering the Hydraload 555-210R is JCB’s Ecomax engine, offering parts and service commonality with other Loadall models. The JCB LiveLink telematics system is fitted as standard. Features that help operators optimise the machine for specific tasks include easily selectable lift end speed profiles and lift envelope limits.

The machine uses RFID technology to identify a range of specially developed JCB attachments to automatically offer the correct load chart for safe operation.

Available attachments include a 5.5t carriage winch, a 2t x 2m jib winch, a reduced height jib, a 5.5t hook, light duty buckets and a range of forkmounted accessories, such as waste skips and concrete placing skips.

Remote lift end operation and access platforms will also be offered.

JCB will initially introduce the Hydraload in Europe, according to the manufacturer: “Rotating telescopic handlers have become a genuine cost-effective replacement for smaller mobile cranes, offering rapid set-up and the ability to carry out technical lifting operations.”

SPECIFICATIONS

JCB HYDRALOAD 555-210R Max lift capacity: 5.5t Max working height: 20.5m Engine: JCB Ecomax Telematics system: JCB LiveLink

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32

TOP TEN AUGUS T 2019

02

CHECK WIRE ROPES The wire ropes are some of the most vital and easy-to-wear parts of a tower crane.

Check them at different positions for looseness, breakage or being worn-out. Change defective ropes as soon as required, and also ensure ropes are changed as per relevant stipulations, even if wear is not apparent.

01

KEEP IT CLEAN A clean tower crane is a strong tower crane. Conduct rust removing and painting of the whole tower crane and its metal mechanisms after completion of a project and before starting another, or at stipulated intervals if a crane needs to stand at a long project.

: N E T P O T E N A R C R E W O T R TIPS FO P E E K P U D N A Y T SAFE ION TO VITAL TOWER CRASNAEFETY T LIFE AND R E PAY ATTEN G N O L TS FOR N E N O P M CO

03

CHECK BRAKES Another vital safety component is the brakes. Maintain strict periodicity in checking them for performance and clearance, to ensure reliable sensitivity. Faulty brakes can mean loss of control in lowering or raising loads, leading to accidents.

CHECK FOR FRACTURERSES d AND FroIdSs,SwU eb rods an

bers on Inspect the cture mem ru st l ta e m ention welds of g special att in y a p s, e n int has tower cra here the pa w s n o ti si o tigue. to the p te metal fa a ic d in to peeled diately, ause imme Trace the c su the is e in and address lacing the time by rep t. componen

04

33

06 05

FOLLOW STIPULATIONS Whether it is manufacturer guidelines or local authority requirements, always follow the relevant codes and requirements for selection of steel ropes, drums, pulleys and hoisting hooks. Penny pinching and using substandard products is an invitation to disaster through failed components.

INSPECT BASE AND TOWER SECTIONS Check the connecting bolts and nuts of tower sections, including the connection of the tower section to the undercarriage. Ensure each bolt is tightened with the required number of nuts for the installation of tower sections.

CHECK OIL A vital component that needs to be checked for oil quantity is the speed reducer, which controls the speed of descent when loads are being lowered.

Filling oil on time reduces the probability of accidents.

07

CHECK ELEitCy TbeRinIgCthSe power

With electric l components are trica ck for source, elec cranes. Che r e w to f o ctors, a vital part own conne d t rn u b r o Ensure oxidised poor ones. e c la p re r o and repair es to switch n of switch the insulatio levant requirements, ts re panels mee ce no less tion resistan la su with in tured remove frac than 0.5M. th s and o er power cable wires. conducting

10

09 08

BOLTING REGIME Run regular checks on the bolt connections of tower cranes, and re-tighten the bolts when they have been used for a certain period of time. Follow manufacturers’ specifications or local safety guidelines to determine intervals.

ADJUST HOIST LIMITER After a rope has served for a specific period of time, the hoist height limiter will need adjustment to compensate for play and rope loosening.

Follow site guidelines on this and make the adjustments after the pre-determined hours.

34

COVER STORY AUGUS T 2019

HIGH RISERS

AS THE TOWER CRANE SECTOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONTINUES TO SEE ACTIVITY AT LOW LEVELS, MANUFACTURERS AND MARKET PLAYERS ARE COMING IN WITH NEW MODELS, SERVICES AND SAFETY SYSTEMS IN ANTICIPATION OF ACTIVITY PICKING UP IN THIS CYCLICAL SEGMENT

A

feature that sets the tower crane market apart from almost all other equipment types is its highly cyclical nature. Unlike other types of machinery, which are subject to daily ageing and wear and tear, tower cranes, once installed, remain on sites for the duration of the project, stretching into years.

A few years ago, CMME found on anecdotal evidence that the boom in high-rise construction in the GCC region had pushed the highest concentration of tower cranes of any region on the planet into our part of the world. Unverified reports even claimed that more than a quarter of all tower cranes then in existence were to be found within the geographical confines of the GCC. Such heady days are long since passed but the fact that the nature of the tower crane business remains cyclical is something the major market players always take in their stride.

“The market for this product is very difficult to predict and comment on. There can be a lot of construction going on, but this might only ‘recycle’ existing machines in a given market.

Conversely, construction activity could be slow, yet some special buildings - power or transport infrastructure and iconic projects - may require ‘special’ tower cranes, fueling a great market for us. Being a global manufacturer with a

worldwide reputation and reach has helped us navigate all uncertainties for more than 90 years, and will continue to do so,” says David Semple, senior VP, Middle East, India, Russia and Africa, for Manitowoc, which owns Potain, one of the most successful tower crane brands.

The French tower crane specialist is represented in the region by NFT Specialised in Tower Cranes, the biggest Potain dealer in the world, and one of the most important names in the sector in this region. Commenting on the market, Nagham Al Zahlawi, deputy GM of the Abu Dhabi-based tower crane powerhouse says: “The tower crane business in our region has seen better days, but things may be beginning to look up. Since last year, Dubai has been busier for us than the other countries combined but we are noting a slowdown in the Expo 2020-related activities. Kuwait is also a good market for us, with some mega projects that will continue until next year.

After a quiet few years, we are seeing a lot of requests for pricing for big projects being tendered in Saudi Arabia.”

As a company with a global reach, NFT is offsetting the performance in its home market with gains in others, with its branches in Europe and the Far East busy again. “Korea and France are good markets for us. We’ve also been exporting tower cranes to new markets such as North and South America, Africa and Western Europe. This year, we also exported to Egypt, which is one of the brightest spots as construction is expected to expand by an annual average of 11.3% in 2019-2023. We will

35 Manitowoc’s Potain and its regional partner, NFT, which is also the largest Potain dealer in the world, have built up an enviable reputation for product and service quality.

“After a quiet few years, we are seeing a lot of requests for pricing for big projects being tendered in Saudi Arabia…We will continue to support the GCC market and export to any country that has demand”

36

COVER STORY AUGUS T 2019

continue to support the GCC market and export to any country that has demand. The good thing about a tower crane is that it fits in a few containers and can be shipped within a week to any destination.”

Rental income forms 80% of NFT’s revenues and Al Zahlawi explains that clients choose to rent instead of purchase for reasons such as lower investment and no usability for the cranes once a project us over.

“Used cranes are very popular in the GCC now, however, we recommend procuring one from a reputable manufacturer or supplier, only because of the level of refurbishment, the quality of the structure and the availability of parts. At NFT, we refurbish all our used tower cranes to the same standard as any European manufacturer. We have facilities in our yard in Al Dafra Abu Dhabi, dedicated for reconditioning used tower cranes. Similarly, Manitowoc has a dedicated rebuild, repair, remanufacture and exchange programme for all models of Potain cranes, called the EnCORE programme.”

Over at Spanish manufacturer Comansa, marketing manager Javier Militino discusses the regional market, saying: “We have very good expectations from Egypt and Saudi Arabia while Iraq is a country to consider in the medium and long term. The Saudi government is planning new infrastructure in the country’s north west, and the need for tower cranes will rise. In general, the tower crane market in the region is increasing gradually, with new infrastructure and tourism projects.

“Comansa has come on the regional market in the last two years with sales of between 10 and 15 units per year. We are happy with our

Spanish tower crane specialist Comansa is gradually gaining traction in the Middle East and adjoining regions, especially in the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian markets.

“Comansa has come on the market in this region in the last two years with sales of between 10 and 15 tower crane units per year. We are happy with our performance so far and are putting in efforts to improve our sales and market penetration further”

AMCS

SAFETY AT HEIGHTS French crane technology company AMCS has come out with the latest iteration of its anti-collision device for tower cranes, the DCS 61-S safety system.

The new device complies with the future European standard EN 17076 for anti-collision systems and is in the process of being certified in accordance with mandated standards and requirements, such as EN 13849-1 and SIL-2 according to EN 61508.

The certification is being done by the third party organisation INERIS and

AMCS says this is being done in order to guarantee a serious quality approach.

While the DCS 61-S is much like its predecessor, the DCS 60, when it comes to its main functions, its efficiency is enhanced by the availability of more options. The new system adapts to different types of machines, such as tower cranes, luffing jib cranes, gantries, placing boom, travelling cranes and retractable cranes, among others,

providing operational safety and anti-collision guidance for a range of equipment and uses.

The DCS 61-S allows for

the recording of up to five target positions for easy loading and unloading while using a crane. It has sensors with high levels of

security and a CANopen Safety communication network. The DCS 61S system is a universal one which adapts to any configuration, types and brand of cranes, with is ‘plug & play’ functionality making it compatible with new generations of cranes.

The new system also supports the addition of a SIM card in order to perform real time diagnosis remotely through 3G/4G networks by downloading or viewing information and events of the crane on a web page.

37

COMANSA

INTRODUCING A POWER LIFTER Comansa’s new flat top model, the 21LC1400, which will be available worldwide from next month will come in two versions, with maximum load capacity of 50t or 66t. The main expected application of the 21LC1400 is to work in PPVC and infrastructure projects, but the Spanish company says this new model will also provide the best performance in any other site in which it is necessary to

performance so far and are putting in efforts to improve our sales and market penetration further. A lot depends on the aftersales service and the presence. The market here demands a trusted and agile aftersales and spare parts operation, which we have put in place and are constantly improving.”

Comansa offers its entire product portfolio in the region, Militino says, however, each country has its preference. “Models such as the 21LC335 and 21LC550 are the tower cranes most in demand in Saudi Arabia. Egypt tends to have

Terex is upbeat about its prospects in the global tower crane sector and its new models launched at Bauma this year cold also see the company make bigger inroads in the Middle East market.

lift very heavy loads.

The 21LC1400 features a modular design of the counter-jib to greatly reduce the counterradius in constrained jobsites. A new single and compact trolley has also been designed for the 21LC1400 instead of Comansa’s double trolley system, standard in other models, as this new crane is intended mainly for projects in which the maximum load capacity is needed in almost every lift.

Comansa is also

tower cranes around 8-10t or 12t maximum.

While these are general market observations, where there are special projects being executed tower cranes of 18t or 20t might be required.”

German tower crane specialist Wolffkran has found great uptake in the region’s tower crane sector, according Mohamed Abou el Ezz, senior sales manager responsible for the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia. “We have our cranes at the biggest and the most iconic projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In Dubai you can see our cranes building the Museum

TEREX

NEW FLAT TOP Terex Cranes launched the new 10t class Terex CTT 202-10 flat top tower crane at Bauma 2019.

Delivering increased jobsite versatility, the new Terex crane offers three chassis options, budget to performance, with 3.8m, 4.5m and 6m base selections. the new crane can be configured with H20, TS21 and TS16 masts, offering from 1.6-2.1m widths.

“With this new Terex CTT 202-10 tower crane model, we are launching a very flexible and

competitive crane. Our primary focus is always to develop an efficient and versatile crane that gives our customers the best return on investment,” says Nicola Castenetto, Business Development Manager for Terex tower cranes.

“Beyond outstanding product performance at an attractive price, we also project high residual value to satisfy the future needs of our customers.”

The new crane offers nine different jib configurations from

25-65m to meet varying jobsite needs. The maximum capacity is 10t at a length reaching 24.2m, depending on jib set-up, and it can hoist up to a 2.3t load at the maximum 65m jib length.

The Terex Power Plus feature temporarily allows for an increase of the maximum load moment under specific and controlled conditions by 10%, giving the operator extra lifting capacity during those conditions.

Inside the crane’s cab a fully adjustable comfort

seat and joystick controls with short stroke length provide a comfortable work experience throughout long shifts, with a large, full-colour 7-inch display with anti-glare screen. Built-in heating and air conditioning maintain consistent cabin temperatures, regardless of working in freezing temperatures or in the desert summer.

Based on how it’s configured, the crane delivers a max under hook height of 76.7m.

rolling out Quick Set, an electronic limitation system to reduce the set-up time of the cranes from three hours to 45 minutes, while also reducing the staff required in such operation. The new Quick Set, which was displayed at Bauma, will be available as an option in all flat-top models of the LC range and will be an important benefit for rental companies who have to dismantle their cranes and move them to another jobsite very often.

of the Future on Sheikh Zayed Road, whereas in Saudi we had 44 Wolff tower cranes on one of the Kingdom’s biggest and most important construction sites around the Masjid Al Haram in Makkah. Meanwhile, in Jeddah we have two Wolff 355B luffers climbing internally on the job-site of the highest tower in the world, while seven more are on the podium. So that’s a total of nine.”

“If you’re working on iconic projects where you have very strict deadlines and schedules, you can’t have a machine that continuously

38

COVER STORY AUGUS T 2019

breaks down and has problems with service.

So Wolffkran is a natural fit in such projects.

Through Wolffkran Arabia, we have a very special team, doing a fantastic job when it comes to service and maintenance, erection and dismantling - and this is making customers more interested to work with Wolffkran.”

Safety is a prime concern for all stakeholders in the tower crane sector and this brings us to AMCS, a French technology company that makes safety and anti-collision systems for tower cranes and other equipment. Emmeline Grosjean, marketing manager, EMEA, tells CMME: “Avoiding collisions between cranes and other elements is a vital part of any construction site, especially on multi-crane sites. By ensuring the supply of materials, tower cranes play a crucial role in the functioning of the jobsite.

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

“These cranes can be at different heights or jibs at the same level. Sometimes, the construction sites are close to sensitive areas such as schools, railways, roads with pedestrians. The risk of collisions between tower cranes can be multipronged, such as rope to jib or counter-jib, jib to jib, jib or counter-jib to tower. Any incident with cranes can generate accidents, death, delays and financial loss. Accidents can be a simple material losses or serious accidents that may result in loss of life. The image of the construction company, the future project

and the country will be impacted. In the Middle East, it is not mandatory, unlike in 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 job-sites. The Middle East region is one of the most demanding places for anti-collision technologies in the world.”

AMCS is meeting this challenge by listening to the market and its customers.

Grosjean adds. “Thanks to our engineering centre we develop custom-made options or functions to adapt to different job site configurations or machines. For example, for the Hinkley Point nuclear plant in the UK, we developed an option in order to manage the two jibs and ropes simultaneously or separately of the Favelle Favco M2480D in order to ensure the interference with the cranes around it. We did one project last month including a 1200t crawler crane that was a special requirement from the customer. We installed our DCS 60 on the crawler and every tower crane. It was also equipped with an alarm and a flashing light to warn operators and the job-site when it entered an interference zone with a tower crane.”

“We can replicate these things in the Middle East as well. We have technical partnerships with the main cranes manufacturers and dedicated international teams of technicians to ensure continuous monitoring of project.”

Wolffkran has enjoyed a long presence in the Middle East and supplied cranes for iconic projects such as the Jeddah Tower and Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

POTAIN

GOING FOR BIG The pride of place at Manitowoc’s stand in Bauma this year went to the new Potain MDT 809, the largest topless crane ever built by the manufacturer.

Thibaut Le Besnerais, Manitowoc’s global product director for tower cranes, said: “The MDT 809 is one of the most significant Potain tower crane launches of recent times. Over the past 10 years we’ve seen consistent growth in demand for topless cranes, with customers benefiting from their fast assembly and compact design, which makes it easier to get more cranes onto a job site to complete work quicker. Alongside this we’ve seen an increase in modular construction, with contractors needing to lift heavier loads. It’s clear to us that there is strong demand for bigger topless cranes. But we wanted to be sure that any new model we launch not only satisfied demand for greater capacity, but also preserved the easy transport, fast assembly and industry-leading performance our other topless cranes deliver. The MDT 809 provides all that and more.”

With its highly optimised assembly and disassembly, owners can install the crane on site in the shortest possible time and move it

off site rapidly once work is completed. Alongside that, the crane offers up to 40t of lift capacity and can accommodate up to 80m of jib. For transport, the crane is especially compact, with everything but the slewing mechanism capable of traveling in a standard container.

The whole crane transports in either 10 or 11 containers, depending on the winch option selected, which is four to five fewer containers than is typically required for a crane of this size. The crane also has a new 8m cross base that offers the performance characteristics of a 10m chassis, but which requires only one container for transport.

The Potain MDT 809 is not only fast to transport, but also fast to assemble once on site: typically, around twice as fast as other 40t cranes and also requiring less space. With its full complement of jib, the crane can be assembled at a 50m working height in less than three days.

Hoist options span from the 100LVF to the 270LVF. An optional 150HPL is also offered. These give the crane a maximum available capacity of 25t, 32t or 40t. Tip loads of up to 9t are available at the 80m max, freestanding height.

40

THE LAST WORD AUGUS T 2019

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77 t T ve ac at p ar live h “The Bobc ith the com any other o olive an 0 th 0 last year, w 0 e 0, t an n o 16 ge d y u el s, and yo much more approximat labour cost d harvesting ce ore, u d m re is s. rm. What dd to that 800 hectare ed the A medium te et e as trees on its pl th m es in co I liv a o O dle the mpariom cellent R ove or han ícolas La Pa ours – ex m gr h A ly s to rk ct o io d re ic w di ee rv 0 n 0 es Se brella go we don’t ound 6,0 use the um pany’s 0 days – ar ca m b 10 jo be co in le e ch o st u th h , ve m w har g the ujalance trailer, makin Francisco B e th st to d g ve to te in ar in h fit rd e to acco CTLs wer allowing us he Bobcat cleaner and it’s at ents m manager. T ch ta ickly, when at product qu ee shaker e tr th e t, the liv as o le h t ps wit st but no ing clam best. And la s and vibrat la its el any br ire m u qu re with does not lives in the Bobcat T770 the size of o ing, to st d ve te ar ap h ad ns prior to e valuable modificatio d picking th n his o T . ey do B . es ea ar Baena er machin rvest time a mpany from whereas oth h as co e in e as s th g ph it, p in u fr Sav start-u hines for by the eeds up the Bobcat mac d sp ic, e its an id s h v se u ec ro m p so al eed for a t rthmoving n e ea o e n fl as is 0 ch 7 e 7 er su th Bobcat T other tasks, s.” tions. saving cost ining planta so ta n al ai sed the m d ve an iti et p m at having u th co y ds gl n ad si ce ea n cr la Buja well, the ay “In our in s harvests as novate to st u in io to ev d pr ee in n 0 ydraulic r roots sector, we Bobcat T77 machine’s h ut losing ou at iative of the – but witho bc ec e o iv B pr ct e ap e for the h du at T is o u t. y pr compan than adeq re environmen f o o e m th is pe r h ty fo ic is t wer, wh manually, eal for th and respec flow and po aders are id ing the olives lo ck d k pi ee ac e n tr er e w ct w e usly w ne thing, d. Now we T770 compa work. “Previo asons. For o harvest perio re e . f o er th r st d be fa ge s m on u se lly prol er performs d progres work for a n which natura is easier an a single load lt, rk ile o h cu w w ffi e e, di th ates.” % in tim s, even less staff – d for variou are saving 70 g to our estim so well suite ddy. Their ers, accordin u ck m pi r o 15 y f o dr They are al the work r sloping, g pluses. hether flat o y are other bi terrains – w lit bi ra uv oe and man performance

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