Diggers and Dozers - Issue #3 by Diggers and Dozers

Issue

Out of Recovery

The UK construction industry has hauled itself out of recession, leading the way for the country to become one of the most stable and fast-growing economies in the world. So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that then. After all the months of hype and soundbite, baby-kissing, TV debating, back-biting, claim and counter-claim, the UK General Election has delivered five more years of more or less the same. Regardless of your political leanings, that result is doubly good for UK construction. On the one hand, it turns major projects like HS2 from fluffy ambition into achievable goals. Labour and the Liberal Democrats had each poured cold water onto the prospect of this once-in-a-lifetime construction project. But a vote for David Cameron and his cronies was ostensibly a green light for HS2 and all the major plant sales and construction work it will bring. And if that were not enough to put a smile on the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face, then what about PlantworX? In just a few

weeks’ time (can it REALLY be two years since the last one?), the UK construction equipment sector will gather at the Bruntingthorpe airfield for what promises to be a vivid confirmation of the rude health of the industry. While the stay-away exhibitors and fall in delegate numbers at the recent Intermat show in Paris showed the French market to be in a post-recessionary stupor and seemingly afflicted with a pernicious and debilitating illness from which it is struggling to recover, PlantworX will showcase a UK sector that is out of recovery, sat up in bed and flirting innocently with the nurses. Construction industry magazines often refer to exhibitions as a barometer of the industry. And it was certainly true that PlantworX 2013 – which took place just as the green shoots of recovery began to poke their head above the ground once again - carried with it a whiff of “I can’t believe we’re all still here, Dunkirk spirit. PlantworX 2015 will be a different animal altogether. The show is a sell-out, it’s in a bigger and better location, and it is showcasing an industry that has shaken off its recessionary shackles. And, all that aside, it will be THE best place to see that latest and greatest construction equipment on offer in the UK this year. We hope to see you there.

Contents

Packed out with content, that is what you wanted though? Remember, you can click straight to the story you want to read from right here in the contents section - just hover over the page number

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Gower plant specialise in working in redundant quarries, bringing them back to life. With demolition, civil work and aggregates to deal with, we find out what the latest addition to their fleet is doing to achieve results.

New Hydrema make up part of the huge increase in plant available from scottish company blackwood we find out why

The new Maximus crusher gets its next toughest test in the fields of northamptonshire. Our team get the low down on this new name in the quarrying world.

TIME TO BUCKLE UP

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MORE Content make sure you watch the video on our pages, it is embedded within the articles and can be found by simply hovering your mouse over the pictures. remeber, watch enjoy then share.

The Case CX130 is proving more popular in the world of hire fleets because it is so easy to use. find out why one young man likes it so much

In a lincolnshire quarry we find out what hard hitting hammer have been doing for the local men

Terex issues a decalratin of success with a new TLB limited edition backhoe.

EVEN MORE Content We have a huge selection of news artciles at the ned of the magazine, just to keep you up to date too.

Hill has pioneered the use of locking mechanisms. L Lynch are so impressed they have kitted their whole fleet out.

The happiest man in the cab who wants to spread the joy. Uk operator trials manager Dale Hawkins tells us what he is doing to help operators gets more professional

Rye Demolition cannot get enough of their new high reach, but why?

CATERPILLAR PRODUCT LAUNCH 2015

Reaching Out For a Change

Herding Cats

Kilmarnock-based Blackwood Plant Hire is a company that marches to the beat of Diggers and Dozers is fresh from the famous its own drum. Mark Anthony findsback out more. Caterpillar proving ground in Malaga. And unlike most Brits returning from Spain, we came There was a time when OEMs had lots of cash to slosh about the place; when the financial and environmental cost of flying journalists around the world was considered the norm; when those same journalists happily travelled the globe on those manufacturers’ marketing dime. But we live in more austere times. Those same manufacturers are loath to host costly press events every other month; and those journalists can (generally) no longer justify a week out of the office to report on a new “widget”. Today, the major manufacturers tend to condense their machine launches into one or two big annual events. And so, with Intermat creeping ever

“Traditional articulated dumptrucks are like belly buttons,” says Paul McCormack in an accent redolent of heather, haggis and Hogmanay. “Everyone’s got one.” The sales director of Kilmarnock-based Blackwood Plant Hire offers this explanation as one of the key reasons that his company is running Danishbuilt Hydrema ADTs. The company first dipped its toe into Hydrema waters in the immediate aftermath of last year’s Hillhead exhibition with the purchase of a 922D model. Since then, the company has submerged itself fully, ordering a further six to become one of Scotland’s leading advocates for the compact dumptruck brand.

Plant Hire Maverick

Blackwood Plant Hire was established in 1960 by Tom Blackwood senior and on his retirement bought over by Tom Blackwood junior. Today, with an excavator fleet that extends from one to 40 tonnes, the company is one of the largest plant hirers in Scotland. The company has unrivalled experience in hiring excavators and plant to all types of customers ranging from main contractors in the construction industry to the trade and DIY market.

The company counts among its clients some of the biggest names in the business including Balfour Beatty, Land Engineering Ltd, Raynesway, Carillion Civil Engineering, Scottish Water and is Link Up Approved to meet the requirements of Network Rail. But a closer look at the company’s website – coupled with its latest equipment purchases – shows the company to be something of a maverick. Its excavator fleet – predominantly JCB and Caterpillar – is offered with Engcon tilt rotator quick hitches for optimum operational flexibility; the company and the company has something of a speciality in the field of low ground pressure machines; which is where the new dumptrucks come in.

The solution came following a visit to last year’s Hillhead exhibition where Tom Blackwood and Paul McCormack saw a new Hydrema 922D compact articulated dumptruck. Recognising it as the ideal match for its low ground pressure excavators, a truck was ordered immediately after the show. Within just a few weeks, a second unit was ordered. Blackwood Plant Hire has since ordered a further five and expects to have 11 – the largest Hydrema fleet north of the border, by the end of the year. “The Hydrema is a good truck and the sales and aftersales support has been very good,” McCormack reports. “But the best thing about them – aside from the tyre size and compact dimensions – is that they

“Many of our customers operate outside the confines of cities in a variety of applications where low ground pressure machines are vital,” explains sales director Paul McCormack. “We already operate a fleet of Caterpillar, JBC, Kubota and Volvo excavators equipped with LGP tracks and we needed a suitable truck to work alongside them.”

are a bit different. They can operate in applications where larger trucks and ADTs would just been unable to work. They may be a bit smaller than a regular Volvo ADT, but their low ground pressure, go-anywhere capabilities allow us to have something different from our competitors.”

NEW

525-60|HI-VIZ

The compact Loadall our customers built. “I need great lifting capabilities” 6m lift height with 2.5tn maximum lift

“Safety is the most important thing for me”

Ad Space Excellent visibility combined with our patented EN15000 solution

“It needs to be compact enough for my jobsite” Low height of 1890mm and narrow width of 1840mm

“It must be manoeuvrable” Precise control due to the hydrostatic transmission along with 3 steer modes

“I need a roomy spacious cab”

AVE

Full size cab, fitted to our larger telescopic handlers

The new 525-60 Hi-Viz Loadall has been designed and built to meet changing market demands. JCB’s latest compact Loadall offers full-size telescopic handler performance in a compact chassis, lifting 2.5 tonnes and reaching to a maximum height of 6m. A spacious, full size cab provides comfort and unrivalled visibility around the machine. Precision control is guaranteed with the single lever joystick with proportional control, while a two-stage hydrostatic transmission enables stepless gear changes for swift acceleration. To find out more come and see us at Plantworx.

Telephone: 01889 590312

www.jcb.com

These models use a 75-gross horsepower engine with an electronically controlled hydrostatic drive system that meets US EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage IIIB emission standards. Electro-Hydraulic controls allow for engineering enhancements for the drive system, implement controls, auxiliary hydraulic system and loader linkage. A range of work tools and couplers are available, ensuring optimum versatility and productivity. Valuable options including a high-speed configuration, ride control system and high-flow hydraulics make the M Series Compact Wheel Loaders even more productive in landscaping, agricultural, industrial, snow removal and general construction applications. The M Series features the Cat C3.3B engine, transversely mounted with excellent service access for routine maintenance items. Single-plane coolers use an efficient hydraulically driven fan or an optional Cat Demand Fan that operates at maximum speed only when required. An ECO mode regulates the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high idle while maintaining full rimpull and breakout force capability - saving fuel and lowering sound levels for the most common tasks where maximum productivity is not required. Exhaust aftertreatment utilises a diesel particulate filter to achieve emissions standards. The Cat Hystat system can achieve up to a 35 km/ hour top speed for these models with the optional stop-to-shift transmission that allows the operator to choose between max rimpull and max travel speed via a convenient switch on the RH console and automatically regulates speed during downhill travel. The Deluxe cab features two side-entry doors, low-effort electro-hydraulic joystick, suspended

pedals, tilt steering wheel, air-suspended and heated seat and optional security keypad. The multifunction loader-control joystick also incorporates transmission and differential-lock controls plus proportional control of auxiliary circuits. The updated display is not only larger and thus easier to read, but also provides more information to the operator such as engine speed. These machines are available with two coupler options, a Skid Steer Loader style coupler, compatible with most skid steer loader work tools, as well as the Cat coupler, designed to work with a full range of Cat buckets, optimised pallet forks and certain competitive attachments. The versatility and operator convenience designed into the M Series are further enhanced with new options, the Road Feature and Load Feature Packages, which include a new electronic, soft-touch keypad for convenient control of most functions. The Road Feature Package includes a Ride-Control system that cushions boom cylinders when the machine is traveling with a load in rough terrain, smoothing the ride and retaining material. Also, a variable-speed Creeper Control allows ground speed adjustment independently of engine speed for precise control of continuous-operation work tools, such as snow blowers and brooms. An Electronic Throttle Lock automatically maintains (or resumes) a set engine speed to allow work tools to function at a high RPM for maximum hydraulic power. Thus, the Creeper Control and Electronic Throttle work together for optimal work tool performance and ease of operation. Also included are an Implement-Modulation System for adjusting hydraulic response to one of

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the buttons look like these

Driving Down Fuel Costs Even with the seemingly arbitrary rise and fall of oil prices, fuel remains the single biggest cost over the working lifetime of an item of construction equipment. Little wonder then that Gower Plant’s equipment buyer Mark Jones is almost obsessive in his pursuit of fuel efficiency for the machines working at the company’s Garn Bica quarry. “We used to run a Fiat Hitachi FH450 that was capable of loading 500 tonnes and hour but which burnt 100 litres of fuel per hour. When we switched to a Zaxis 520, our output increased to 600 tonnes an hour and fuel consumption fell to 60 litres per hour. But our

A quarry in Wales has seen its excavator fuel bills reduce by two thirds since the arrival of a new Hitachi Zaxis 470LCH. Diggers and Dozers finds out more and gets a sneak-look at a prototype Terex impact crusher. new machine has been a revolution,” he says. That new machine is a 48.5 tonne Hitachi Zaxis 470LCH-5 that is powered by a 270 kW Isuzu diesel engine and which has raised production to 650 tonnes per hour yet slashed fuel consumption to just 31 litres per hour. “We are getting a third more production while using two thirds less fuel,” Jones explains. Demanding Application Jones admits that the Garn Bica quarry represents a demanding application for the new Hitachi machine, one of a pair purchased by the company. “This is a tough environment for any machine. An hour’s work

here is the equivalent of ten hours somewhere else,” he insists. “Trust me. Once we’ve put 8,000 hours on this machine, you wouldn’t want to buy it!” The quarry uses a combination of blasting and primary breaking to produce aggregates for local councils, block and concrete makers. “When we get a rush order, we need our machines to be productive and reliable,” Jones continues. “We have run virtually every type of equipment over the last 30 years. But our work requires the most fuel efficient, most productive and most reliable machines. That is why we have stuck with the Hitachi brand.”

Sneak Peek

The latest addition to the Gower Plant fleet is currently loading a top secret prototype crusher from Terex. The machine – an I-140 rotary impact crusher – is currently producing 600 tonnes/hour and is keeping the Hitachi excavator extremely busy. But Jones says that the Hitachi machine is sufficiently productive and reliable to maintain a flow of material through the prototype crusher. “We have had the Hitachi excavator for three months and we have not had so much as an oil leak. It has been 100 percent reliable,” he concludes. “It is, without question, the best machine I have ever driven.”

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THEY LOOK LIKE THIS

PLANTWORX 2015 is a three day event packed full of plant, tools & equipment. It’s your chance to see what’s new, to test & operate the latest machines, watch live demonstrations and see site applications.

E UE RP N O VE TH R G W TE NE TIN ES UN EIC R L B

If you’re involved in the management, purchasing or operation of construction equipment, get to PLANTWORX

See You at the Biggest Event in this year’s UK Construction Calendar

PLANTWORX 2015

www.plantworx.co.uk/ticket or visit@plantworx.co.uk

2nd - 4th June

320 confirmed exhibitors, expect to see many more. Just off the M1, Junction 20. Free parking.

Organised by

PLANTWORX 2015 2nd - 4th June

Bruntingthorpe Leicester LE17 5QS 19

Roman Invasion There`s a new force in the UK crushing and screening business. Given the company`s gladiatorial name, we despatched our Roman-inchief Mark Anthony to find out more. Friends, readers, countrymen. I bring news of a new force rising in the North. They have amassed a great strength and a loyal following. Let us build a road, straight and true, and commune with them for the glory of the Empire. OK, I will try to call a halt to the “Romanisms”. After all, what have the Romans ever done for us? Let us speak, instead, of the new Maximus MXJ-1200 crusher - the first model of its kind in the UK – which has just been delivered by local dealer Willowbrook Plant Services.

Remarkable Turnaround

The 57.5 tonne machine has been delivered to Wroxton Quarry near Banbury which is operated by Peter Bennie Limited. The arrival of the new machine marks the latest stage in a remarkable turnaround for the Wroxton Quarry which was closed temporarily just a few years ago, primarily because of a slump in local demand for the ironstone produced at the 20

site. But production has not just restarted, it has escalated. With the arrival of the new Maximus track-mounted jaw crusher, Peter Bennie is sending some 2,000 tonnes of material out the gate each day. Offered in a combination of 0-150 mm products, Wroxton Ironstone meets a good number of SHW 600 series materials specifications including 6C, 6G gabions, 6F5 capping along with a range of fill and drainage type products. According to quarry supervisor, the new crusher has pushed the company closer to satisfying the exacting Warwickshire Drainage specification for 80 – 40 mm clean material as well.

New Yet Familiar

The names Maximus (Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next…) and Willowbrook might be new to many readers. But the new MXJ-1200 crusher brings with it a degree of familiarity and pedigree. Powered by a fuel-efficient and emissions-

compliant Caterpillar C9 diesel engine delivering 261 kW of power, the unit is built around a proven and hydraulically-actuated 1,200 x 750 Parker jaw box that has been designed for optimum reliability and productivity across a variety of quarrying, mining, recycling and demolition applications. The jaw crusher is equipped with hydraulic wedge adjustment and reversible hydrostatic drive. The MXJ-1200 is equipped with a huge 10 m3 capacity feed hopper, a grizzly pre-screening grid and a large 1,200 mm main conveyor belt that the largest stockpile heights in its class. Transport weight is just 57.5 tonnes and set-up is fast and flexible, making the MXJ-1200 ideally suited to multi-site deployment and rental fleets.

Time is Money

It is this familiarity of components – together with the UK manufacturing base and aftersales support afforded by Willowbrook Plant Services – that initially prompted Peter Bennie to consider switching allegiance from Pegson to Maximus. “We were looking to increase production and needed a jaw crusher that could outperform our old Pegson XA400,” explains quarry supervisor Robert

Jackson. “We liked what we saw from the Maximus machine and the support that was on offer from Willowbrook.” According to Jackson, a key factor in the ultimate purchasing decision was the relative simplicity of the Maximus design. “The jaw crusher is at the heart of our quarry operations and we can’t afford unplanned downtime,” he explains. “The Maximus machine is easy to get around, simple to operate,

and easy to maintain. More uptime means more production and more production means more profit.” Jackson is clearly impressed with the latest addition to the Peter Bennie equipment fleet. And while it is early days, it is fair to say that the Maximus jaw crusher came, saw and conquered at Wroxton Quarry.

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THEY LOOK LIKE THIS

Fantastic Four

A UK quarry operator has reaffirmed its faith in the Finnish hydraulic hammer brand with the purchase of its fourth Rammer hammer in the past 10 years.

It is often said that a salesman sells the first machine while the machineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reliability and the aftersales service provided by the local dealer sells the second, third and fourth units. And that is very much the case with independent quarry operator Brauncewell Quarries Ltd which has just taken delivery of its four Rammer hammer in the past 10 years.

limestone fines present that is offered in 0/25, 0/45 and 0/75 mm (one inch, two inch and three inch down) limestone for use in sub-base for domestic driveways, patios, sheds, industrial units, farm buildings. A clean limestone product with the fines removed and suitable as sub base for domestic driveways, patios, sheds, industrial units, farm buildings is available in 6/25, 25/45, 45/75 and 75/150 mm (one, two, three and six inch) grades

Making the Grade

Lincolnshire-based Brauncewell Quarries has been supplying limestone, sand and gravel, decorative stone, topsoil and agricultural lime to the local building and construction industries, agriculture and the general public across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire for over 35 years. Depending upon local deman, the quarry sends between 500 and 1,000 tonnes of material out the gate each working day. Among the products on offer from the company are a screened product with the 26

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A hardcore “as raised” product – a larger, coarser material consisting of the weathered top layers from the quarry excavation and not crushed or screened – is also available for temporary roads, and sub base for areas of hard standing. In the past, this material was won from the quarry face using traditional drill and blast techniques. But a switch to primary breaking using the proven Rammer hammers has had a revolutionary and positive impact upon Brauncwell Quarries’ production, product quality and environmental control.

No Point

“We used to blast the limestone from the face but that was a noisy process that often resulted in too much dust and fines in the material,” explains Brauncewell Quarries managing director John Dickinson. “We decided to switch to primary breaking partly to reduce the noise but also to control the dust in the finished product. And having enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Sandvik on crushing and screening equipment, the Rammer hammer seemed like the obvious choice.”

Dickinson reports that the company bought its first Rammer hammer almost a decade ago. Operating a strict three-year policy on all its kit to avoid unplanned downtime and to take full advantage of equipment resale values, the company has since traded out three times. The latest deal brought the new Rammer 3288 into play at the site. The unit is mounted on a Volvo EC480 excavator and is responsible for all primary breaking duties. Working on faces that vary from one to two metres in height, the Volvo/Rammer combination work systematically long the length of the face followed by a Volvo wheel loader that loads the material into a jaw crusher. “The Rammer 3288 is a big hammer but it is perfect for our application,” Dickinson asserts. “It is powerful and productive and yet relatively quiet and dust-free in operation. It has made a huge difference to our productivity.” Despite spearheading the breaking operations, Dickinson says that the hammer has proved to be exceptionally reliable. “We are working in a medium to soft material but we are working 27

long hours,” he continues. “But we haven’t even had to change a point yet. The Rammer hammer just keeps going and going.” According to John Dickinson, a key reason for this exceptional reliability is the Rammer 3288’s use of VIDAT tie rods and, more importantly, the Ramlube automatic lubrication system. “Before we had the Ramlube system, our operator was having to grease the hammer two or three times a day but the process was a bit hit and miss,” he concludes. “Now we know that the hammer is greased correctly at all times and with just the right amount of grease.”

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Helping You Deliver Results www.blackwoodplanthire.co.uk

Watch A Video To Find Out More - Click Here To Make Your Hire Call Us Now 01560 482 136

Making the Case for Simplicity

With just six months` experience under his belt, operator Kane Flynn has been handed the keys to a new Case CX130C excavator. What better test for the operational simplicity of a machine? Diggers and Dozers reports. I have long held the belief that there are large swathes of what we loosely term progress that are created in total isolation from the purpose for which they have been designed. Admittedly, I grew up in an era when Sunday morning meant that my father could be found with his head under the bonnet of his car carrying out routine maintenance. But, thanks to the advent of advanced electronics and diagnostics, even Professor Stephen Hawking would struggle to understand a modern car engine. Great news for the laptop-wielding car mechanic; less great for the car owner picking up the tab. Similarly, today’s excavators pack more computing power than the Space Shuttle and seem to assume that the operator behind the levers is moonlighting from flying a Boeing 747 and for whom a sea of buttons dials and switches is the norm.

Recessionary Hibernation

The truth, however, is that operators come in all shapes, sizes and experience levels. And as the UK construction industry emerges from recessionary hibernation, an increasing number of sites are manned – at least in part – by inexperienced, young operators for whom even a site dumper is a daunting prospect. Case in point, Kane Flynn a client of Hawes Group has just a year’s worth of experience in construction and only six months’ as an operator. And he has just been handed the keys to a 26 tonne class Case CX130C excavator that is on hire from the company’s plant hire division and which was supplied by local dealer CBL Plant Sales. “At first, the machine was quite 33

intimidating. I was really pleased to be getting a brand new machine to drive but there were a lot of buttons and gauges that I didn’t immediately recognise,” he says. “I have operated Caterpillar, JCB, Doosan and Hyundai machines in the past and, obviously, the layout in each is different. And the Case machine was different again.” Despite this (and despite the fact that the Diggers and Dozers crew arrived on site about two hours after the Case machine) Flynn was soon in his stride. The private site at Bookham, Surrey is being stabilised so Flynn is required to excavate the soft soil, load it out into a waiting site dumper and then load that same dumper with crushed concrete infill that is being used to prepare the site for piling. “The controls are very smooth which is important when you’re loading a relatively small dumper,” Flynn says. “And it is very precise. Trenching is a real test for a machine but the Case machine is handling the work really well.”

Artificial Intelligence

Part of the benefit of the Case machine for a relative newcomer is that much of the guesswork is taken care of. Case’s Intelligent Hydraulic System offers five key energy saving systems. The Boom Energy Save lowers engine revs during boom lower and swing operations, while the Auto Energy Save system reduces engine revs when the joystick control levers are inactive. The Swing Relief Control manages the hydraulic power distribution at the start of a slewing operation, enabling efficient use of hydraulic flow and pressure. The Spool Stroke Control automatically adjusts the hydraulic pressure during digging operations, and Idle Shutdown turns the engine off after a pre-set time has elapsed. There are four mirrors providing an excellent view to both sides of the machine, together with rear and side view cameras. The camera feed is displayed on a new 7” LED monitor inside the cab, with a simple switch between rear and side views. This improvement in visibility allows the operator to make a number of machine function adjustments from the seat, including up to 10 memory recall settings for auxiliary hydraulic flow and pressure. This make changing between 34

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attachments a simple and rapid task. The monitor also provides an on-board diagnostic service for technicians, reducing downtime and boosting productivity. “I haven’t been operating machines long enough to be a real judge, Kane Flynn admits. “But with my limited time on the Case machine, I am really impressed. It’s comfortable, smooth and, once I’d learned my way around the cab, it’s really easy to drive.”

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EXPERTS FOR THE REAL WORLD SINCE 1842 37

One for the Ages Diggers and Dozers is escorted around the latest backhoe loader to join the Terex range by a man who knows the machine inside-out and back-to-front. Mark Anthony struggles to keep up. Terex (and former Massey Ferguson) product specialist Richard Ghent has been around forever. He was an industry veteran when I joined the sector, shortly after the Boer War. And while thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit more snow on his roof these days (and a lot more skin on mine), he retains every ounce of passion, enthusiasm and in-depth machine knowledge. So when he tells me that the new Terex TLB850 backhoe loader is a good machine, I am more than happy to take him at his word. The fact that the machine celebrates a 55th anniversary in the backhoe business merely serves to make the machine that bit more fascinating.

professional. The Sharpeville massacre was about to take place in South Africa. And a new backhoe loader was about to burst onto the scenes from a factory in Manchester. Today, the US is out of Vietnam (but embroiled in countless other conflicts around the world); Muhammad Ali is losing his battle to Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease; and South African is under majority black rule. And while the factory has moved from Manchester to Coventry and the name above the door has switched from Massey Ferguson to Terex, that lowly backhoe loader is celebrating its 55th birthday. To celebrate that milestone anniversary, Terex has Child of the 60s In 1959, the US was about to send troops to launched a limited edition engine for its backhoe Vietnam. Cassius Clay (later to become Muhammad loader range. The powerful Tier III 83 kW engine will Ali) was about to win his first bout after turning be available on a limited run of TLB850 and TLB890

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backhoe loader models from this month, offering users exceptional performance, durability and reliability. The heritage of the Terex backhoe loader dates back to the Massey-Harris-Ferguson era of the 1950s and, in particular, commencement of production of the tractor digger shovel, the Three in One, built in Manchester, from 1959. This year the range is being extended to six backhoe loaders as more features and options are added. These products are exported globally from the Terex Coventry site in Great Britain to customers around the world. Neal Nowick, General Manager at Terex Coventry, explains: “We are extremely proud of our heritage as a UK manufacturer and are keen to mark this milestone for our backhoe loader range, which has secured a loyal following in its past and can look forward to new global markets in the future.”

40+ Improvements

With its familiar white livery – making it the Real Madrid of backhoe loaders – the TLB850 looks like its predecessor. But those looks are deceiving. The machine contains more than 40 key improvements and enhancements. While that Tier III engine (there’s a Tier 4 interim version available too) makes the machine go, there’s a new set of brakes to make it stop…and quick. Larger diameter Kevlar discs ensure that this machine stops faster than Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear career. The rear axle is a single piece casting within which

oil is circulated left and right to optimise cooling during long-distance on highway travel. Up front, the machine benefits from the use of a single bucket ram which provides power for breakout, speed for loading and dumping, enhanced forward visibility, and contains 50 percent fewer greasing points than a twin ram equivalent for faster and easier maintenance. A 1.2 m3 capacity 7 in 1 bucket is available with or without pallet forks. This combination can lift 3,000 kg to the machineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full dump height. To the rear, a banana boom backhoe provides

greater digging power. Both the boom and slew operations can be locked with the flick of a switch from the operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cab which is itself larger and more comfortable. In addition to the special edition backhoes, Terex is also offering a series of zero percent finance options, special promotions and a number of equipment competitions to celebrate its anniversary. Information about the history of the backhoe loader and its 55th anniversary can be found at www.terex55.com. 41

Operators On Trial the name says it all, operator, not conductor, supervisor or manager, these are the people who run the machines that build and demolish and recycle our world, so who is the best? diggers and dozers reporrts from the trials testing which you really must have a go at.

Skills are running out, well that’s what we have been told. Even in the ebb and flow of the contruction sector the tide has rushed up and we still don’t have the right number of people to run our machines. So the team behind the most popular machine operator movement in the country, UK Plant Operators, met with the machine managers at L Lynch plant and got together and decided they would do something. They came up with a national competition that could

test the precision and skill of operators on a set of simple trials. Dale Hawkins, from UK Plant Operators, is managing the test sites. “We’re here to raise the profile of plant operators. In this country there is a problem. Plant operators are not recognised as skilled tradesmen like electricians or plumbers, but they have a critical skills set which we think needs to be recognised.” In fact Hawkins see this as another way of providing the ‘men in machines’

with a stronger sense of camaraderie. “Operator trials is a social event which gives operators who don’t usually get the chance to travel long distances to plant shows to meet, talk over what they are doing and have a bacon roll and a bit of craic with operators from other companies.” The commitment to the trial is impressive, with sites being located across the United Kingdom for the test days, operators are getting the chance to see what they are made of with machines commonly

found in hire fleets. When you attend the test days the sense of fellowship, of being part of a team is pretty overwhelming. Perhaps this is an insight into the early development of a new line of machine operators who haven’t started in the industry in the traditinoal route. “We’ve had an amazing response from women, who often attend as partners of the main contestants. They are good at operating, and a few have said they’d consider apprenticeships too.” The sponsors of the trials L Lynch Plant Hire are

taking quite a laid back approach to the whole scheme, preferring to be a positive force in raising the issue of the national skills shortage, they seem to just be happy to just get their machines out there; “Lynch aren’t really getting much out of this” reinforces Hawkins. But that is something he know’s a bit about. As a plant operator with experience

across hundreds of sites Hawkins has managed to propel himself into the epicentre of the `operator problem’. So each month across the summer, you will be able to find a happy band of operators and their families, checking out the machines and getting themsleves a bit closer to finding out how good they are.

CLICK AND WATCH 44

Over the Hill

Lynch Plant cites safety factors as it standardises on TEFRA quick coupler from Hill Engineering. Diggers and Dozers gets hitched.

Ever since legislation outlawed the manufacture and supply of semi-automatic quick couplers in the wake of several high profile accidents and fatalities back in 2008, manufacturers have been falling over themselves to develop, design and deliver ever-safer hitches. Among the companies at the forefront of this battle for quick coupler supremacy is Hill Engineering and its award-winning TEFRA range. Safety First Completely manufactured in the UK (County Down to be precise) and suitable for excavators in the three to 120 tonne operating weight range, the TEFRA hitches are cast for reduced weight and greater strength. But it is safety not strength that truly marks the TEFRA hitch as a leader in its field; and it is safety that has led plant hire giant Lynch Plant to standardise on the Hill Engineering coupler. “The TEFRA hitch is simple, durable and robust but it is the safety that it provides to operators and those working around them that is the reason we have chosen the Hill Engineering system,” says Dale Hawkins, Lynch Plant’s training manager. “It has a dual locking system that locks the bucket or attachment at both the back and the front. It runs on a dedicated hydraulic circuit and a solenoid system constantly monitors hydraulic flow. It really is a great hitch.” 47

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The safety systems in the TEFRA eliminate one of the most dangerous aspects of handling attachments, which is the risk of attachments coming away completely. Hill Engineering has solved this by using a positive locking system rather than a gravity locking system, making the crucial safety feature ‘active’ and not ‘passive’ in the way it works. According to Hawkins, the decision to standardise on the TEFRA coupler came after some extensive research and comparative testing by the company. “We investigated what products were available on the market but, after looking at other manufacturers, we chose to work with Hill Engineering,” he continues. “Our customers such as Bam Nuttall and Skanska demand the highest standards in safety and that is what we get from Hill. They have also helped us with Quick Hitch Training and work with our operators to ensure that they understand the product. They also participates in our ‘Quick Hitch

Safety Road Shows’, where we have visited almost 60 construction sites to provide operator training and issue a Quick Hitch Safety Card.” Best of the Best Hawkins reports that the TEFRA hitches have also proved to be more than capable of coping with the rigours of life in a plant hire fleet. “Hitches have a tendency to get misused in rental applications but the TEFRA couplers can withstand everything we have thrown at them,” he asserts. “In the three years we have been using them, I don’t recall a single breakdown or failure.” Equally importantly, Lynch Plant’s customers have come to expect their machines to be fitted with the TEFRA coupler, making their sites safer and more productive. “Our reputations stands or falls by the quality and reliability of the products we supply,” Hawkins concludes. “The TEFRA quick coupler from Hill Engineering is the best of the best. It is the Coca Cola of quick hitches.”

CLICK AND WATCH

If You would like us to come and visit your site, you can CONTACT us - tell us what machine you are running, it doesn't have to be new, you just have to love or hate it. remember - we don't just write about you and your machine we make lots and lots of video too. EMAIL US; MATT@DIGGERSANDDOZERS.COM 52

Asset Finance for the Construction Industry

All Front, No Rear

Mark Anthony reports on a new demolition machine that defies convention and the laws of physics thanks to some out-of-the-box thinking by the owner and some nifty engineering by the modifier. Even those of us for whom a school physics lesson was an opportunity for a quiet snooze at the back of the class are familiar with the “every action has an equal and opposite reaction” concept; we have a vague grasp of how leverage works; we have all sat on a see-saw and attempted to balance the loads at either end. Armed with this information, we can understand why a zero tailswing, high reach demolition excavator is simply not possible. For such a thing to exist would be a freak; an unnatural aberration on a par with a bumble bee flying in contravention of all known aerodynamic principles. But the laws of physics reckoned without the “necessity is the mother of invention” mind-set of a modern demolition contractor, and the “anything is possible” attitude of an experienced excavator modifier. Which is why a site in north-west London is currently playing host to a Hyundai 235LCR-9A zero tailswing excavator with a 16 metre reach front end that is happily waving some three tonnes of front end equipment in the air.

Steady As She Goes

In truth, however, the base machine proved The machine in question started out as a standard surprisingly stable, even with the extended boom. Hyundai 235. And while at first glance the modified “This was the first Hyundai we have undertaken of unit just appears to have an extended front end, this size and we expected it to be similar to the Hitachi there’s much more to the Kocurek-modified machine ZX225USR machines that we have converted in the than meets the eye. The machine now includes a past,” says Kocurek Excavators’ general manager dedicated demolition boom, a new intermediate Brian Carroll. “Simon Barlow at Rye Demolition has boom and dipper that provide it with its 16 metres of been threatening to buy a Hitachi 225 for 18 months. reach. High visibility roof glass and a purpose-built But he opted for the Hyundai. And if our stability guarding package protect the operator and ensure testing is anything to go by, he will be very happy he clear vision of the Prodem attachment. A key change did.” is the addition of underslung counterweight which allows the machine to wield some three tonnes of tool and coupler without turning the machine into a To see Rye Demolition’s new machine in action, nodding donkey and giving the operator seasickness. please visit: http://tinyurl.com/n9wb9bf

Concorde Takes Off With Bobcat

Concorde Metals Limited, based at Belvedere in South East London in the UK, has continued its preference for the Bobcat brand that dates back to the early 1990s with the purchase of a new Bobcat S650 compact loader from Bobcat of London, the Authorised Bobcat Dealer for London and the South East. Cliff Cast, Warehouse Manager at the Concorde Metals facility in Belvedere, said: “We have always found the Bobcat loaders to be very durable, high performing machines for our applications, as illustrated by the Bobcat S250 loader we still use on the site, which we bought right after it was launched in 2008.” Concorde Metals offers an extensive range of ferrous and non-ferrous metal products and has earned an enviable reputation for supplying quality materials at competitive prices, including aluminium, copper, zinc, brass and stainless steel. One of the principal applications for the new Bobcat S650 loader is filling containers, where its compact size is ideal for loading materials by driving into 58

containers off ramps. The new Bobcat S650 loader also works in conjunction with the material handler on the site sorting and loading materials into the various material bays in the facility. Cliff Cast added: “We purchased the S650 loader as it offers the right combination of a compact size to fit in the containers with the lifting power and capacity we need. The new machine has optional AHC hand controls, heated cab, Lexan door and solid wheels/ tyres. Being an engineering material, the Lexan door offers the impact resistance and outstanding stability we need to withstand blows from pieces of metal and provides us with peace of mind and extra safety in the cab. “Based on what we’ve learned from our experience over the years, Bobcat of London has added some minor modifications to the new machine to provide extra protection in the close quarter work it carries out. Bobcat of London also added reinforcement on the Bobcat grapple we purchased with the new machine.”

Doosan Tops Up Wheel Loader Range The new DL450-5 and DL550-5 are the top-of-therange models in Doosan’s new ‘DL-5’ generation of Stage IV compliant wheel loaders. Replacing the successful DL450-3 and DL550-3 Stage IIIB models, these high performance wheel loaders take productivity, fuel efficiency and operator comfort to the next level. With bucket capacities ranging from 4.5 to 5.7 m3, the new Doosan DL4503 and DL550-5 wheel loaders are intended to meet a wide range of material-handling needs from loading

and transporting aggregate material (such as sand and gravel) to industrial, mining and quarrying applications. The DL450-5 and DL550-5 are powered by the Scania DC13 6-cylinder engine producing 257 kW and 283 kW of power, respectively, at 1800 rpm. Providing generous torque at low rpm, up to a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and excellent response, the Scania DC13 engine meets Stage IV emission regulations without the need of a diesel

particulate filter (DPF), through the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalyst reduction (SCR) after-treatment technologies.

Additional Fuel Savings

In both models, the engine Auto Idle system when activated saves further on fuel costs by lowering the idle level from 950 to 750 rpm – when the operator does not give any input to the steering wheel, arm and bucket for more than 10 seconds (ideal for applications where there is a lot of waiting time such as truck loading). In all DL-5 loaders, the Engine Auto Shut Off shuts down the machine after it has been idling for a specified amount of time (3-60 minutes, configurable by the operator via the control panel). This feature saves on fuel and reduces operating costs. As well as the Scania DC13 Stage IV engine, the DL450-5 and DL550-5 feature a new external styling that is common to all of the new DL-5 Stage IV wheel loader range, a new high comfort cab, smooth and responsive hydraulics, a ZF powertrain, axle cooling and auxiliary hydraulic connections.

High Comfort Cab

The new cab demonstrates how Doosan has placed operator comfort at the very centre of its design priorities. Offering generous headroom and an ultra-comfortable, fully adjustable, heated Grammer air suspension seat, the DL-5 cab features a new steering column design giving more clearance for the operator’s legs and knees. The steering wheel can also be tilted and moved telescopically to match the operator’s preferred position. The increased space, better visibility and plentiful storage space in the new cab allows operators to work for hours without fatigue or discomfort. Meeting ROPS/FOPS regulations, the cab also offers a wide emergency exit (located on the right hand side) to provide fast and easy evacuation in critical situations. The 5.7 inch full colour LCD panel is suitable for day and night work. The user-friendly monitor has two customisable screen displays to suit the operator’s preference, giving a full readout of machine settings and maintenance data. The rear-view camera greatly enhances visibility and safety. The screen in the cab shows the operator what the camera sees and includes several lines to help judge distances; it also has other functions, including light intensity control, viewing angle control, language setting and power on/off setting. On the control panel, all the switches are clearly arranged and within easy reach of the operator. Rocker type switches have been replaced by a multi61

selection touch pad. Accurate and smooth joystick controls provide further comfort and operators can save time and reduce the number of operations with the ‘Boom Kick-out’ and ‘Return-to-Dig’ systems. These functions are operated electronically from inside the cab. The cab air is filtered twice to eliminate all particles larger than 2 microns in size and the fully automatic climate control system adjusts the air temperature and fan speed to maintain the ideal climate setting for the operator.

need for a manual differential lock. This feature is only available as an option in the DL450-5. They also reduce the risk of skidding and prevent excessive tyre wear. Available as an option on the front and rear axles in the DL450-5 and DL550-5, the oil cooler system is a new feature providing higher axle oil cooling capacity for demanding applications, such as longdistance load and carry work in high ambient temperature conditions.

5-gear Transmission

All new generation Doosan large wheel loaders have a load sensing hydraulic system, whereby the variable axial piston pump generates the flow upon demand in the amount necessary to perform the work. This also gives better traction for penetrating into the stockpile, as less force is necessary to operate the bucket in many situations. Load sensing hydraulics also minimise loss in the hydraulic circuit during a carrying operation in which the loader is usually running, which is an essential technology for wheel loaders. In response to customer feedback, the load-sensing system has been designed so that the bucket has higher priority when the boom and the bucket operate at the same time and there is limited force available. Joystick control on the new wheel loaders is designed to easily combine several movements at the same time. As an option, 3-lever fingertip control can be provided for smooth and near-effortless control. Both of these controls use electrohydraulic piloting. The machines have a boom Kick-out function as standard, which is useful when working in confined spaces or when repeating similar operations in specific work ranges (for example, when a certain dump height must be reached every day). The same system is used to set the bucket automatically to the

The ZF 5-gear transmission transfers the power from the engine to the wheels and contributes significantly to the overall reduction in fuel consumption. Engine speed variation is less thanks to smaller gear steps, and lower engine speed throughout the whole drive range reduces fuel consumption. Thanks to higher shift quality, noise levels are lower while driving performance and productivity have been increased. All Doosan wheel loaders are equipped with a Torqueconverter-lock-up system which, when activated, is switched on automatically. The lock-up provides a direct drive between the engine and transmission, enabling 100% torque delivery without any loss from 2nd gear up to the top 5th gear. This makes the lockup more efficient, giving faster acceleration on flat ground (10%) and higher climbing ability (up to 20%), together with around up to 15% fuel savings in daily operation. This contrasts with many of the drive systems on other machines, where the lock-up is engaged only in highest gear. The ICCO (Intelligent clutch cut-off) system allows the transmission output torque to be cut off according to the angle of the brake pedal, preventing unnecessary power use during braking, which in turn reduces brake wear and heat generation, while extending the oil change interval and promoting better fuel economy. The outboard disc brakes enable easy servicing without dismounting the axles. The parking brake switch now includes a safety unlock trigger. When the engine is turned off, this brake is automatically engaged and not released when the engine is started. The ZF Type II axle with an automatic Hydraulic Differential Lock (HDL) for the new loaders provides further protection of the drive system components, including tyre wear reduction and produces 100% tractive effort when necessary, contributes to further fuel savings. An automatic Limited Slip Differential (LSD) ensures maximum traction and easy driving over soft and muddy ground with no

Load-sensing Hydraulic System

Return-to-Dig position.

The LIS (Load Isolation System), often called ‘Ride Control’, provides the operator with a smoother ride over rough terrain and enables a more comfortable ride at higher speeds. The benefits are reduced cycle times, higher productivity and better fuel efficiency while performing load and carry applications. LIS also contributes to longer frame and machine life. The new loaders also offer a ‘third function’ to power a hydraulic system on a work tool, allowing greater machine versatility in a number of applications. The third function valve’s capacity has been increased significantly to at least 250 l/min discharge compared to 120 l/min in the previous DL-3 models.

Greasing the Wheels Plant maintenance specialist United Plant Services (UPS) has forged a new strategic alliance with Groeneveld, which will see UPS handle repair and servicing for the UK’s leading lubrication solutions manufacturer. Groeneveld’s automatic greasing systems are commonly used across many leading brands of construction equipment, including Bell Equipment, Caterpillar, JCB and Volvo. If a system error goes unchecked, there is the risk of long-time damage to machine components such as bearings, making it important that an engineer is called out quickly to resolve the issue. Given that plant equipment is located throughout the UK, often away from major urban centres,

Groeneveld recognised the value of recruiting a specialist maintenance provider to support the company’s own engineers and avoid any gaps in coverage where response could not be achieved within an acceptable timeframe. With its expertise in the construction sector, United Plant Services offers exactly the support services required by Groeneveld. UPS is the only UK-wide specialist in plant repair and maintenance, with extensive experience of all leading brands. While Groeneveld had prior knowledge of UPS, the seeds of the current strategic partnership were sown at a meeting between the companies at the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show. “United Plant Services combines specialist knowledge

of the plant sector with a UK-wide geographical reach,” explains Gary Hewitt, Managing Director of Groeneveld UK. “As such, we believe they will significantly enhance our ability to react to customer requirements. “By outsourcing much of our repair and maintenance demands to UPS, Groeneveld can allocate its inhouse resource to the complex task of installing its automatic greasing systems, both for new machines but also retrofitted to existing models, in order to improve their performance and productivity,” he adds. UPS will provide strategic support for warranty repairs and call-outs on Groeneveld systems. Typically, an engineer will be called out when an error message is displayed on the automatic greasing system. Groeneveld will remain the first point of

contact for all call-outs, enabling the company to determine whether UPS or its own team is best located to attend to the machine. “As a result, Groeneveld customers will get the best of both worlds – a consistent, one-call request for support, allied to the fastest and most efficient response time,” confirms Mark Cooper, Managing Director of United Plant Services. UPS engineers are now being trained on Groeneveld’s construction greasing systems, including the diagnostic software that provides rapid detail of what needs rectifying and how long the machine has been without lubrication. UPS will also carry strategic stock for primary service needs at both of its UK depots, in Burton-upon-Trent and Bonnybridge, respectively.

Making the news Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS) has invested in a fleet of specialist waste handling equipment from local dealer Watling JCB. The deal includes two JS20MH materials handlers, three 437HT Wastemaster wheeled loaders, a 427HT Wastemaster and two 541-70 Wastemaster telescopic handlers, all of which are covered by a five-year repair and maintenance agreement with Watling JCB. NEWS already operates two JCB 436HT Wastemaster loaders at a green waste facility, so is no stranger to JCB or Watling JCB. However a strong working relationship with Watling JCB was just one of the factors that won the tender, with service back-up and machine specification also crucial to the deal. “We can’t afford to be down,” says transfer station manager John Tillbrook. “Because we run small, remote sites, if a machine goes down we can’t afford to get another machine there, so downtime is critical. Norfolk is out on a limb geographically in terms of infrastructure links and a lot of plant companies are Midlands or London-based in the central corridor of the country. We went for JCB because Watling is in Wymondham, Norfolk. They can be at any of our remote stations in 40-50 minutes and our main material recycling facility in 20 minutes. We went with JCB for the 24-hour parts and service that they provide. The key for us is service and the speed of getting the equipment up and running.” Being able to purchase all of the machinery from a single supplier was also an important consideration for the company, as it means that a field service engineer can work on all of the equipment, rather 64

than having to call upon a range of dealers to provide back-up. The availability of waste industry-specific models also played a crucial role in the decision to go with JCB. “They do a full range to suit our business from fork trucks, telehandlers, shovels and material handlers and everything is available in Wastemaster specification to deal with the working environment in waste handling. We haven’t got to try and add spec afterwards,” Tillbrook continues. “When we looked at the specification at tender stage we sat down and thought what do we really need and the Wastemaster spec gave us everything we wanted on all of the kit available.” NEWS is a division of the Norse Group, operating three waste transfer stations within Norfolk. It also manages two third-party transfer stations, all of which feed its own material recovery facility (MRF), that has recently benefitted from a £10 million investment to cope with growing volumes of waste and recyclable material. As the main dry recycling provider for the whole of Norfolk, NEWS receives and processes around 90,000 tonnes of dry recyclable material each year “We manage all of Norfolk’s dry recyclables through the MRF, and a large percentage of the county’s domestic black bag waste,” Tillbrook concludes. In addition, NEWS has an in-vessel composting facility capable of handling 45,000 tonnes of green waste per year, creating a compost material for nearby farmland. The firm also manages 19 household waste recycling sites across the county.

Ruttle rings the bell

Experienced construction equipment hire and sales specialist Ruttle Plant is continuing its decadelong relationship with Bell Equipment UK, with the purchase of five new B30E Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) and two L2106E Wheeled Loaders. While the existing Bell ADTs in the Ruttle fleet were all pre-owned machines, their exceptional performance and reliability has led to the decision to purchase new models in the latest order. The latest Loaders, meanwhile, replace two machines that have both performed beyond expectation within a salt works environment – described by Bell as the ‘toughest ever application’ for the machine model. “It feels reassuring to enhance our fleet again with Bell, as previous positive experiences with the manufacturer have given us the confidence to significantly increase our requisition,” explains Gareth Ruttle. “A key factor nowadays is the need to comply with fuel emission directives. After researching the attributes of the Bell Loader’s Tier 4 engine – alongside the

machine’s other benefits in terms of fuel efficiency, driver comfort and long-term performance – we have no doubt about continuing to work with Bell.” Ruttle Plant prides itself on being committed to its own customers and “going that extra mile”. The firm found Bell to be likeminded throughout the previous purchasing experience of the two L2106E Loaders, which Bell customised and treated in order to protect integral working parts against the constantly corrosive salt works environment. “When Ruttle Plant purchased Loaders for the salt works before, our engineers’ devised an extensive series of modifications to better protect them within the aggressively salty working conditions,” explains Carl Woollaston, Sales Support Manager at Bell Equipment. “Stainless steel fittings were added to consistently pump grease into the pivots and we also sprayed the component parts that may be susceptible to salt damage with a protective wax.” Ruttle Plant has been impressed with the extra 65

attention paid by Bell to the machines, in light of their specific use, and as such investment has been made in an additional pair. “Our existing L2106E Loaders have performed better than we’d ever expected, which is why we have no hesitation in purchasing repeat models. We need

machines that can be relied upon to perform, so if the new Loaders and ADTs function anything like our other Bell machines, then I’m in no doubt that our relationship with Bell will have the potential to do nothing but continue.”

Finning Goes Mobile Finning customers can now access the company’s new parts website on a mobile device. The UK & Ireland Caterpillar dealer’s website www.finning. co.uk/parts also enables its users to browse service options and ‘Ask The Expert’ from a mobile phone or tablet. The website has been designed to give customers a fully integrated online solution, offering the ability to learn more about Finning Product Support by featuring information from the company’s parts, service and technology divisions. The full version of

the website also offers users to order parts online through its PartStore. Once signed up to PartStore, users also become members of Finning’s ‘Online Parts Club’, giving them access to added value services, and promotions specifically for online customers. Jayne Gibbons, E-Commerce Manager at Finning, stated: “Our goal is to provide an accessible, engaging parts, service and technology experience online through the new website, supported by practical ordering solutions. By allowing access to a wealth

of information and support via mobile devices, we are giving customers a way to engage with us on the go.” “The ‘Ask The Expert’ function has already proven its worth, as members of our Product Support Team

have been able to share their expertise, advice and support by directly interacting with PartStore users.” For more information on the website and all available promotions, please visit www.finning.co.uk/parts.

GAP Takes Terex Option

Global equipment solutions provider, Terex Construction, has announced its largest site dumper order of the year. The contract, which comes as part of an ongoing relationship with the UK’s leading independent hire company – GAP Group – will see a total of 460 one, three, six and nine-tonne Terex® site dumpers supplied throughout 2015. The specialist Power Tip and Swivel Tip site dumper units will be used in a wide variety of high-profile construction projects. The equipment will help to both expand and rejuvenate GAP’s construction fleet, providing high quality rental units for customers nationwide. Paul Macpherson, Sales and Marketing Director of Terex Coventry, commented: “We are delighted to once again work with GAP on a large-scale national fleet contract. This latest order furthers our excellent relationship and reflects a rising demand for rugged and reliable equipment, designed and built in the UK, using innovative processes and proven designs.”

Ken Stewart, Group Procurement Manager at GAP, added: “We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Terex and this agreement reinforces our relationship with them. “In particular, we’re looking forward to receiving delivery of Terex’s brand new nine-tonne site dumpers. Fitted with JCB EcoMAX engines, each unit is Tier 4 Final in-cylinder and exhaust emission compliant, delivering additional torque and improved fuel consumption. Prior to the Christmas period, we took delivery of the six-tonne model with the above engine and, so far, trials and customer feedback have been very positive. Attention to detail has been excellent, with the new dashboard design being well received.” Stewart concluded: “Terex is one of several bluechip OEMs with whom we have enjoyed a sound relationship. Whilst pricing is, and always will be, very important to us, we tend to focus on cost of ownership and overall value for money. Terex have met all of the above criteria.” 67

DEMOLITION

Introducing the Avant way of demolition.

AVANT Tecno (UK) Ltd.

Manor Farm, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RX Tel (01953) 714 896 Fax (01953) 714 897 E-mail: sales@avant.co.uk