Construction Plant News Summer 2020

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SUMMER 2020

Construction

PLANT NEWS THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR PLANT PROFESSIONALS

LIFTING & ACCESS CHECK OUT THE MATERIALS HANDLING HIGH ACHIEVERS

EXCAVATORS DIGGING DEEP FOR THE LATEST SOLUTIONS

YOUR BOOM COMPANION ON SITE – THE GENIE S-60 J

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CONTENTS @CPN_mag

SUMMER 2020 cpnonline.co.uk

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8

THIS ISSUE...

REGULARS

SPECIAL REPORTS

5 6 13 34

8

Thames Tideway Tunnel’s Progress

10

Highways England’s Autonomous

EDITOR’S VIEWPOINT NEWS FLEET ADDITIONS NEW PRODUCTS

Construction Plant News, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF.

ljones@hamerville.co.uk

Plant Mission

FEATURES 32

LIFTING & ACCESS 16 Genie – Boom Lifts 18 Snorkel – Financing Solutions 20 Manitou – 200 ATJ e Oxygen 22 NEW PRODUCTS

16

EXCAVATORS

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24 The new 80 tonne Doosan 27 Liebherr’s Generation 8 excavators 30 Xwatch Safety Systems

STAGE V 32 Cummins – Performance Series CPN I SUMMER 3

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VIEWPOINT Editor LEE JONES

ljones@hamerville.co.uk Managing Editor TERRY SMITH

BUILDING A FUTURE

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n the wake of so many of the great crisis we have collectively confronted as a nation the construction industry has been in the vanguard of the recovery. After successive recessions, the credit crunch, and even the Second World War, the sector has been central to Lee Jones, Editor the promise of a brighter future. It is not just the economic largesse that it generates in its own right, of course, but the offices, transport links, public sector building projects, and homes that it realises in the cause of the greater good.

Whilst the building industry is certainly no stranger to the slings and arrows of fortune, the scale of the precipitous fall in output when the pandemic struck was truly unprecedented. Its resilience is, however, exemplified by the latest ONS figures revealing that it is already amongst the best performing in the incipient upturn. What kind of recovery we will now experience remains to be seen, but when Boris Johnson declared that we should ‘build, build, build’ it was a welcome boost to industry morale.

Already buoyed by his earlier commitment to HS2, the government must now turn in its infrastructure rhetoric into the reality of new breaking ground – and it must do it quickly.

As a society we are still desperately short of affordable housing, with the only viable solution to increase supply. Our Victorian infrastructure continues to creak under the strain of a swelling population, more schools and hospitals are a perennial demand, and our road network is desperately in need of repair and renewal.

Ultimately, it is contractors and plant hirers who will deliver the built environment from which we all benefit, but it is imperative that they are given the necessary backing, and not just from government.

The legacy of the lockdown should not just be a new-found fervour for infrastructure and investment, but a

recognition that we should equally be championing improvements in our processes and productivity.

The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in the longer term are not yet clear but what it has proven is just how quickly we can radically realign our working practices. Social distancing might have thrust change upon us, but it is a state of mind that the sector should now embrace.

Digital tools have become our saviour, for instance, and an industry which has historically been slow to adopt these technologies now has a real opportunity to embed them in their business models.

It is a culture that needs to be replicated right through the supply chain, and there are signs that it is actually happening. Take, for instance, modular off-site construction, where the noise around its promotion has invariably been far louder than the sound of projects actually coming together on the ground. With major players now entering the market, and a widespread recognition of its benefits in speed and quality of build, the voices of its champions are finally being heard.

Here too the plant industry will have its say, with classes of machinery such as rotary telehandlers that have hitherto failed to gain a foothold in the UK market now a source of potential growth. Similarly, Highways England recently set out its own blueprint for the introduction of autonomous plant. Operating as part of a connected and digitally integrated jobsite it envisages driverless machines being standard by 2035.

To say that these are uncertain times would be something of an understatement, but there is also cause for optimism, not least in our legislators’ readiness to accept that building a recovery in bricks and mortar is an imperative. With the right conditions in place the construction industry has proven that it can deliver.

tsmith@hamerville.co.uk Digital Assistant DAVID MOLLOY

dmolloy@hamerville.co.uk Group Advertisement Manager CRAIG JOWSEY

craig@hamerville.co.uk 07900248102 Advertisement Manager JACOB TATUM

jtatum@hamerville.co.uk 07825773737 Magazine Designer GEMMA WATSON Group Production Manager CAROL PADGETT Publisher BRYAN SHANNON Subscriptions Construction Plant News is a business magazine for plant professionals, contractors, materials extraction and processing companies, waste and recycling operations, as well as local authorities. If you are not on our circulation list and would like to subscribe email circulation@hamerville.co.uk To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk.

Printed by Walstead Roche Published by HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: Watford (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Copyright © 2020

The publishers and editor do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors of translation in the subject matter in this publication.

Total Average Net Distribution 9,224 1 July 2018 - 30 June 2019

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NEWS

CONFIDENCE BUILDING IF HIRERS AND CONTRACTORS ARE TO CAPITALISE ON AN INJECTION OF FUNDS INTO INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING, AND “BUILD BACK BETTER”, THEY WILL NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, ARGUES THE CEA. More money for transport links, in addition to the huge sums already pledged for HS2, upgrading and building new schools, hospitals and prisons, and a rolling back of regulations – Boris Johnson’s government has recognised the vital role that the construction industry will play in the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic with renewed support.

“The real prize is if this leads

to the adoption of the newest technologies so that we do indeed ‘build back better’”, declares Rob Oliver, Chief Executive of the Construction Equipment Association. “The adoption of the newest technologies does, of course, require new investment from plant hire companies and contractors, so we also call for an imaginative approach from the

Treasury to allow our customers to renew their equipment with confidence. This can be done through a combination of additional tax allowances on capital expenditure and a scrappage scheme to add some “vroom” to “Project Speed”.

Highways England has already set out its own vision through

its Connected Autonomous Plant (CAP) Roadmap, with ambitions to establish the technology as standard by 2035.

You can read our full report on its plans on page 10.

i For further information on the CEA visit WWW.RDR.LINK/CR001

HERE COMES THE SUN

‘PROJECT UNIFY’ BRINGS SUNBELT RENTALS INTO THE LIGHT Earlier this year industry leaders, APlant held a company-wide conference in Manchester to present plans for ‘Project Unify’, a scheme for bringing together the various entities that operate within the group under a single unified banner with a new name – Sunbelt Rentals.

That vision is now a reality and Ashtead Group Plc’s CEO Brendan Horgan has indicated that the consolidation of the brand will allow the UK business to ‘mirror the growth’ of the US division (which generated annual revenues of £4.3bn from 835 locations in the year to 31st January 2020) whilst also allowing it to ‘capitalise on cross-selling opportunities.’

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IT’S A GAS, GAS, GAS

JCB IS THE FIRST CONSTRUCTIO N EQUIPMENT COMPANY IN THE WORLD TO UNVEIL A WO HYDROGEN POWERED EXCAVAT RKING PROTOTYPE OF A OR. The 20-

tonne 220X machine has been undergoing rigorou s testing at JCB’s quarry pro ving grounds for more tha n 12 months. Power for the pro totype is generated by rea cting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to create the energy needed to run electric mo tors. The only emission fro m the exhaust is water. The dev elopment comes after the company made manufacturing histor y last year by going into full production with the ind ustry’s first fully electric min i excavator, the 19C-1E. Th e manufacturer has also extended electric technology to its Teletruk telescopic forklif t range with the launch of an ele ctric model, the JCB 3019E. WWW.RDR.LINK/CR003

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A TIME TO SKILL THE CITB SKILLS STABILITY PLAN 202021 WILL PROVIDE DIRECT FUNDING TO EMPLOYERS

CAPITAL GAINS

CONSTRUCTION FIRMS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A SIX-MONTH EXEMPTION FROM NEW LONDON LOW EMISSION ZONE STANDARDS New, tighter standards for construction machinery are to be introduced on 1st September 2020. However, the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on supply chains, making it more difficult for construction companies to prepare their machinery for the new standards. In response, the Mayor is introducing a new six-month exemption period from the new Low Emission Zone standards to support companies as they work to comply with the standards. This will run from September 2020 until the end of February 2021. Existing standards, in place since 2015, will continue to apply.

i To find out more

Employers will continue to have a payment holiday on the Levy until September and then up to a full year to pay the 2020/21 levy. In addition, CITB will propose a 50 per cent discount on the 2021/22 Levy rate. This means employers will pay 18 months’ Levy out of 24, making an overall saving of 25 per cent across two years. The training body has also pledged to support workers who have lost their jobs or seen their apprenticeship disrupted, matching them with a new employer. The plan has also prioritised direct funding for employers through the Skills and Training Funds, with £8m earmarked for small and micro businesses, £3.5m for medium-sized businesses, with a £3m Leadership and Management Fund for large firms.

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RED ALERT

A GROUP OF CONSTRUCTION TRADE BODIES, LED BY THE CONSTRUCTION PLANT-HIRE ASSOCIATION (CPA), HAS URGED CHANCELLOR RISHI SUNAK TO RECONSIDER PLANS TO CUT THE REBATE ON RED DIESEL At this year’s budget, the Chancellor confirmed the government’s plans to abolish the tax relief on red diesel for the construction sector in two years’ time. Analysts have estimated scrapping the red diesel rebate will cost the industry up to £490m.

Concerns have also been raised that it will limit investments in greener technologies, stifle innovation, and see increased costs passed onto clients and users. Moreover, the construction sector presently has no choice but to use diesel engines, as electric vehicles over a certain weight are currently not a realistic option. This is at a time when plant operators already face unprecedented additional burdens. The latest ONS figures show, in the three months to May, construction output fell by 40 per cent. The Office of Budget Responsibility has estimated that construction output will fall by 70 per cent in Qtr. 2 of 2020.

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TALENT SPOTTING THE CONSTRUCTION TALENT RETENTION SCHEME WILL KEEP SKILLS IN THE SECTOR

This partnership between government and industry will match workers displaced by the pandemic with employers and is based on a proven model to safeguard talent in the aerospace and automotive sectors. The initiative has the support of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and all leading sector trade bodies.

The Construction Talent Retention Scheme be an online portal that supports redeployment of staff at risk of redundancy across the sector, while also enabling temporary employee loans between businesses. The Scheme will give displaced workers from other sectors a route to find new employment in construction.

WWW.RDR.LINK/CR007

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S P E C I A L R E P O R T: T H A M E S T I D E W A Y

TIME AND TIDE T As the government promises a renewed focus on infrastructure, Construction Plant News Editor, Lee Jones reports on the progress of the civil engineering leviathan that is snaking a path beneath our capital.

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here are some construction projects that just can’t call a halt, and one such is certainly the Thames Tideway Tunnel. When the lockdown came two tunnel boring machines that were carving a space for London’s £5 billion super-sewer had to keep turning until they could find a safe place to stop, and these are just a couple of examples of a collection of sophisticated and often giant machines that are making this complex project possible.

“Prior to the pandemic we were on schedule, but with a four-week shutdown, and then subsequently operating at 70 – 80 per cent productivity, that will have to be reassessed,” explains Richard Lewis of Tideway. “At present we’re roughly about halfway through the build, with tunnelling progressing past that point by March. When you’re operating in the heart of central London, along the line of one of the world’s major waterways, logistical issues quite literally come with the territory, and we’ve had to overcome any number of challenges, and the pandemic is certainly one of them.”

The Victorian sewers of Sir Joseph Bazalgette rescued London from the curse of cholera, and similar waterborne diseases but, like so much of our 19th century infrastructure, they were struggling to cope with 21st century demand. At the time of their construction, they were sized for a population of just two million, where now this great metropolis numbers more than eight and counting. The new 25km tunnel will capture the sewage that is presently running off into the river and instead safely transfer it to the Beckton works for treatment.

“Essentially we have to pick up on the existing spill points, so the route of the tunnel is predetermined,” continues Richard. “That has required the building of cofferdams to create our own land, from which we can then begin to construct the underground infrastructure.

Huge amounts of sheet piling has been installed in order to then backfill, using jack up barges and 160 tonne Liebherr cranes, equipped with piling rigs and vibratory hammers.”

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The Thames is teeming with residential and commercial life, which demanded consideration for the effects of construction on neighbouring properties. That why the project has made extensive use of the Giken silent and vibration-free piling system, where a patented ‘Press-in Method’ eliminates excessive noise and allows for operation on restricted sites.

In addition, noise suppression blankets and barriers have been utilised wherever possible.

Of the five drive shafts from which the tunnel is accessed, Chambers Wharf, near Tower Bridge, is the only example sited on one of those cofferdams. The tunnel build is split into three geographical areas – west, central, and east – and the different methods required in each locale speaks eloquently of the project’s complexity. Shafts that lead into the tunnel at central and east were of a diaphragm wall construction, for example. It is here that Hydrofraise technology from Bauer has been employed. A suspended, rotating cylindrical cutterhead churns through the ground to the required depth. At the same time, a special material is pumped into the void to stop the walls falling in before concrete is introduced to create the shaft wall. When that wall is complete the earth within the diameter is then excavated.

At the Earl Pumping Station in Lewisham, Bachy Soletanche utilised innovative cutter soil mixing technology to sink the 60m deep shaft into hydrocarbon-contaminated soil without polluting the surrounding chalk aquifer. It is an approach that would win the joint venture of Costain,VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche, the Brownfield Redevelopment Project of the Year trophy at the Ground Engineering Awards 2019.

“We’re making use of some substantial pieces of equipment where getting them to site and lowering them into position is a far from a simple proposition,” add Richard.

“That’s why we’ve insisted on making use of the river wherever possible, with all of our spoil going out and materials coming in by that route. Indeed, over 3 million tonnes of material has been shipped out along the Thames to date, whilst a tower crane sited near the MI6 HQ was actually delivered and assembled from the river, using a crawler crane.”

The power-houses amongst these giant machines are the six tunnel boring machines (TBMs) whose disc-shaped cutter heads slice away the soil of the main shaft and two connecting tunnels at the prodigious rate of up to eight metres a day. In their wake they deposit the concrete segments that make up the walls, whilst excavated material is carried away by conveyors, much of which is destined for the RPSB reserves at Rainham Marshes.

Tideway has made use of the lessons learned from Crossrail in how to minimise road traffic, public disruption and improve safety, with many of its key staff moving from

that project across to the tunnel build. At the same time, it has insisted on stringent emissions standards, whilst its emphasis on river transport also cuts emissions from construction vehicles.

“This is probably the biggest single marine construction job the capital’s seen in modern times,” concludes Richard. “There are 21 sites running simultaneously and everything from the depths we’re working at to the volumes of spoil is incredible, and all that whilst ordinary Londoners are largely unaware of our existence.” Indeed, when the project is complete, the capital’s residents will not only have a sewer system fit for the 21st century but the cofferdams that the Tideway workforce has created will become brand new green spaces for the public to enjoy.

Beneath them the work of the heirs of Bazalgette will be inconspicuously playing its crucial role in their daily lives.

i For further information on the

Thames Tideway visit WWW.RDR.LINK/CR008

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S P E C I A L R E P O R T: H I G H W A Y S E N G L A N D

On the RIGHT road Highways England’s roadmap is for connected autonomous plant to be standard by 2035. Construction Plant News investigates the industry body’s initiative.

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he unique pressures of road construction, where time on the network is limited and remedial work will cause damaging further disruption, makes time the most precious of commodities. That’s why Highways England has been challenging its supply chain to find innovative new ways to deliver the miles of new black top that make up the arteries of our economic well-being, and its Connected Autonomous Plant (CAP) roadmap is integral to that strategy. The 15-year plan hopes to see driver-less plant operating as standard by 2035, a development which the government company estimates could accrue up to £400 billion in productivity improvements, and drastically reduce accident rates.

Autonomous machinery is not new, of course, with mining and quarrying operators making use of the equipment for many years.

On Highway England’s own A14 upgrade

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between Cambridge and Huntingdon, in fact, a driverless ADT was recently trialled. Undertaken in partnership with contractor CA Blackwell, the unit was utilised in a controlled environment, programmed remotely to follow a predetermined route, with the capability to detect and avoid obstacles. Highways England committed £150,000 from its Innovation Designated Fund into the A14 initiative in the hope that the industry can make more informed decisions about the safety and productivity benefits of this class of equipment.

As a result, it is the judgement of its organisers that CAP can free up workers for more skilled tasks, improve safety and allow the machines to run round the clock, thereby reducing the length of time roadworks are on the ground.

Highways England sees the A14 trial as the first step on a much more ambitious journey, one that could, by their calculations, reduce fatalities in the sector by 37 per cent, and cut

A 40-tonne autonomous ADT was recently trialled

by Highways England and CA Blackwell on the A14.

considerable sums annually from project costs through efficiency savings. Not only that but the technology could be deployable in up to 47 per cent of construction activities currently performed.

If those numbers don’t impress then there is also a prodigious list of accident and occupational health issues it can address, from slips, trips and falls, to fatigue, lone working, muscle-skeleto disorders, hand-arm vibration, occupational deafness, falls from height, and injuries whilst handling, lifting or carrying. At the same time, the adoption of CAP could see the role of operatives on the jobsite change radically. It could welcome a remotely working and more diverse workforce that could include those with disabilities, for example, and develop skilled personnel that can control or direct plant on or off site.

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The early adoption of autonomous plant will be defined by the existing availability of technology, and what is considered to be ‘autonomous’. The roadmap discusses areas in which autonomy is already being introduced, such as compaction, and the movement of materials. Developed as a technological study, BOMAG’s geo fencing, GPS controlled, and object detection enabled Robomag is a fully autonomous tandem roller. Unveiled at Bauma 2019, the unit has been integrated with the manufacturer’s already available Asphalt Manager systems to deliver a completely driver-less and connected vehicle.

The Volvo Autonomous Solutions’ 15 tonne capacity TA15 hauler runs on a battery-electric drivetrain, with its automation system utilising GPS, Lidar, Radar, and multiple sensors. Recently collecting a Red Dot Award accolade for product design, being autonomous, the unit has no need for a cabin, which makes for a dramatically new machine profile. The TA15 forms part of the wider TARA autonomous transport solution concept, where, for maximum loading and hauling efficiency, a series of machines can be connected together to form a ‘train’.

It is in these repetitive tasks along relatively predictable routes where its early adoption is viable, but in terms of the application areas in which equipment has not yet been developed, the roadmap suggests that a review is

undertaken of the key needs of the industry to understand where most benefit (safety, financial, environmental etc.) will be brought, so that a technology development strategy can be established to deliver the systems that will provide the greatest benefits.

There are, of course, barriers to the acceptance of any new technology, not least in construction, where a complex and often fragmented supply chain needs to consider contracts and commercial models as well as new kit. Plant hire companies need to have the confidence to invest in modern vehicles, contractors need to get through the learning curve and training will also be an issue. It is, however, important to remember that we are not moving to a fully automated world overnight. The roadmap argues that as we start to adopt a greater degree of remote control, connectivity and then gradually autonomy – and as the benefits become clearer – some of the anxiety should be overcome. Highways England is confident that the shift in its contracts towards an alliancing model will help to create a contractual environment that

allows for more innovation on its projects. In terms of true research and innovation, it is utilising the SBRI (Small Business Research Institute) contracts and competitions to identify new solutions, whilst it also supports an active programme of academic research to look at some of the longer term issues.

It should equally be recognised that the obstacles are not just technical, and in many sectors the technology already exists, but it is the issue of liability that continues to cause concern. Who is ultimately responsible if an accident does occur? The roadmap seeks to address these apprehensions by including a work stream that will initially define liability boundaries and then enact legislation if necessary. As we move to a digital design, construction, operation and maintenance regime, discussions are already being held with the Highways England standards division to understand how standards may need to change.

i For further information on the

Highways England Connected Autonomous Plant (CAP) road map visit WWW.RDR.LINK/CR009

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FLEET ADDITIONS

BAKER GROUNDWORKS IS ON THE CASE “The perfect partner in a congested construction site,” is how the new owners of the first CASE B-series compact track loader model in the UK describe their machine. Supplied by Robert Coates Plant Sales, Baker Groundworks is operating the TV370B on sites in the West Midlands. “We were inspired by the trend in the US ground working industry where compact loaders are routinely used as material movers and tool carriers,” explains Richard Baker. Manoeuvrability is optimised through electrohydraulic controls and two-speed tracking with adjustable creep control, whilst the unit also benefits from high-flow attachment hydraulics and quick hitch technology.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR010

IT'S STERLING WORK FOR CLEMENTS PLANT & ACCESS HIRE

NEW HEIGHTS FOR SOUTHERN CRANES & ACCESS

The new Volvo FM 420 8×2 Chassis with a Sterling Beavertail is a major departure from their previous fleet choice which had been unchanged for many years. A full-width double-flip ramp combined with the Sterling doublecranked beavertail provides maximum loading angle whilst the addition of steel mesh on the slope and the ramp provides fantastic grip, particularly for rubber tracked and wheeled machines.

The ramp is fitted with a centre gate section to enable full utilisation of the deck space as it enables digger booms and cherry picker baskets to reach through the ramp when required. The truck will carry anything from a tower light to an 8T excavator, a pedestrian roller to a 12T boom lift.

Southern Cranes & Access has become the first Manitowoc customer in the UK to receive a new Grove GMK5250XL-1. At 78.5m, the crane has the longest main boom in its class, while maintaining the 250 tonne capacity, small footprint and easy maneuverability of the GMK5250L-1 model. The unit delivered to the hirer has a 17.8m bi-fold swingaway extension that can be lengthened to 33.8m with additional inserts so that it reaches heights of up to 109m. This makes it perfect for assembling tower cranes. It can also lift up to 9.9 tonne within a radius of 22m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR012

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR011

PARCHOW GROUNDWORKS INVEST IN LIUGONG Value for money, reliability and a good range of extras as standard are just some of the reasons Andy Howe, Parchow Groundworks’ Managing Director, cites for a major investment in LiuGong excavators. The Portsmouth-based contractor has purchased 20 machines through LiuGong Direct UK, and they will subsequently be utilised in the wide range of projects the firm undertakes, such as schools, hospitals and commercial properties, as well as an increasingly large focus on house building groundworks for a number of blue-chip clients, including Barratt Homes, Persimmon Homes, Crayfern Homes and local builder PMC. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR013

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FLEET ADDITIONS

CASEY PLANT HIRE GETS AN UPGRADE

CRANE HIRER EXPANDS TADANO FLEET Crowland Cranes has recently taken delivery of a Tadano ATF 220G-5 all terrain crane, the third Tadano ATF 220 the company has ordered in the last 10 years, taking their fleet of Tadano cranes to 12. The five-axle machine is designed with 16.5t axle loads, and with a 68m main boom and lifting capacities of up to 220t. The crane also has the intelligent AML-F crane control system, which monitors the asymmetrical outrigger base so that the maximum.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR014

Continuing a relationship that goes back to the 1960s, Casey Plant Hire has taken delivery of a Volvo FMX 8x2 rigid.

It replaces an older FM9 that had provided exceptional service for 14 years, covering more than 700,000 km. Supplied

by Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials, the multi-wheeler has been specified with a hydraulically steered rear axle for optimum manoeuvrability and is mounted with a Palfinger crane and plant body with beavertail. It also comes factory prepared for drawbar operations, enabling it to haul a two-axle Chieftain drawbar trailer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR015

PODFATHER IS JUST THE TICKET Andrews Excavations, the family run business running aggregate deliveries, waste recycling and tipper operations out of its East London headquarters, is rolling PODFather’s electronic waste ticketing solution out across its operation. With a fleet of over 100 vehicles operating on construction sites across the south east of England, the company needed an advanced, yet easy to use, solution to replace its historically paper-based processes. PODFather is now relied upon across the fleet to track vehicle movements and collect electronic proof of delivery notifications. As a result, Andrews Excavations is on the road to phasing out paper tickets across its growing business.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR016

VOLVO FINDS FAVOUR AT K T MONTGOMERY YANMAR ‘BRIDGES THE GAP’ When it came to specifying new plant equipment to deliver a bridge replacement project Waitings invested in two new models from Yanmar, a ViO50 midi excavator and C30R tracked dumper from Taylor and Braithwaite. Recently, the company was awarded the plant supply contract to assist in the installation of the replacement bridge at Pooley Bridge in Cumbria. “With zero tail swing, the ViO machine is perfect for operating in small spaces,” enthuses Adrian Ash, director of operations at Waitings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR017

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K T Montgomery Plant Hire of Galston, Ayrshire, has added yet more Volvo excavators to its hire fleet since purchasing an initial batch of fourteen, twenty-two and thirty tonne machines last year. “Since making the initial investment in new Volvo excavators last year, we haven’t been let down by either the product or support we have received from SMT GB’s Customer Support Centre in Stirling,” comments Managing Director Keith Montgomery. “Furthermore, having a high quality brand’s machines available for hire is paying dividends with many of our major contracting and civil engineering customers, who specifically call for Volvos.” The latest batch includes five, fourteen tonne EC140Es and five, twenty-two tonne EC220Es. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR018

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LIFTING & ACCESS

HIT THE

HIGH SPOTS The right boom lift option for any jobsite need is how Genie describes its extensive range.

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COLD COMFORT If you want a testament of the durability in the design of a Genie machine, then look no further than a recent extreme application. On the highest, driest, coldest, and windiest continent on Earth, Antarctica construction projects are an extraordinary challenge that mandate the use of robust, reliable machinery.

This is how Netherlands-based authorised distributor, HDW came to provide its customer, Royal BAM Group (BAM) with a custom-tailored Genie® Z-45 Xtra Capacity™ (XC) boom lift to support the needs of the British Antarctica Survey (BAS) and partners NERC, SWECO and Rambol. Amongst a number of modifications are a gel battery that is more resistant to freezing temperatures and has a longer lifespan. A 110 V heating system was installed for the oil sump and hydraulic tank heating elements to keep the engine oil and hydraulic oil at the right temperatures.

WWW.RDR.LINK/CR019

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very jobsite has its own unique challenges and requirements, which means that there cannot be a “onesize-fits-all” approach when it comes to mobile elevating platforms (MEWPs).

Whether it is boom, scissor or vertical mast lifts it is a question of finding the right solution for the task at hand.

“In our experience at Genie, there is a MEWP for every job,” declares Jacco de Kluijver, Genie Vice President of Sales and Marketing – EMEAR, Terex AWP. “Listening to what rental companies want, and spending time understanding what end-users need, we knew that the Genie ® boom lift family could not be comprised of one-shot products, but rather we needed to expand our MEWP product strategy to include a diversified range of options.

“This approach has been in development for more than five years, with machines purposely designed and manufactured to adapt to specific jobsite requirements and application needs,” de Kluiyver continues.

“And today, these offerings allow rental companies to help their customers match the right boom lift to the right application.”

Boom Time!

Before the announcement that the APEX and IRE exhibitions in Maastricht, the Netherlands, would be postponed until June 2021, Genie planned to use the tradeshow to showcase its range of three complementary, yet distinct boom lift product lines – the XC series, the FE series and the new J series.

“Even though we could not be together in-person at APEX 2020 this year,” says Jacco,

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GENIE® J TELESCOPIC RANGE: WORK AT HEIGHT “we wanted to bring a little bit of the show to our customers. We are excited to share our latest product news, as well as offer insight into how our equipment strategy is what our customers have been looking for to grow and expand their businesses.”

To better understand these offerings, de Kluijver offers a quick summary of what each type of Genie boom lift offers to the market:

GENIE® XTRA CAPACITY™ (XC) RANGE: HEAVY LIFTING APPLICATIONS With telescopic and articulated models available, the Genie Xtra Capacity (XC) line combines the benefits of a dual-envelope design to provide an unrestricted platform capacity of 660lb (300kg) and a restricted capacity of 1,000lb (454kg) to work in more applications that require higher lifting capacities.These models are well-suited for heavy trades work, including commercial construction, structural, electrical, and plumbing, as well as specialty applications.

Right-sized for completing work-at-height applications, such as general construction, maintenance, inspection and painting tasks, the Genie S-60 J and Genie S-80 J telescopic boom lifts utilise a jibbed boom, and will comfortably provide operators with access at the top of the envelope. These models come standard with 4WD and active oscillating axles, providing operators with rough terrain performance, whilst the oscillate system stays active during elevated drive, which ensures proper wheel contact with the ground.

GENIE FE RANGE: WORK ANYWHERE HYBRID Eliminating the need for customers to manage two separate fleets of machines – one for indoors, one for outdoors – the Genie Z-45 FE and Z-60 FE hybrid articulating boom lifts respond to increased demand worldwide for versatile and cost-effective “green” access solutions. With two modes of operation – all-electric or hybrid – these models offer a versatile, sustainable, and powerful ‘2-in-1’ solution adapted to indoor, as well as outdoor, applications, without sacrificing performance in rough terrain.To adhere to specific low-noise or low-emissions requirements on sensitive jobsites, the FE models boast zero-noise operation for use in urban or night-time environments, as well as zero-emissions operation for use in indoor applications and emissions-restricted outdoor environments.

“Efficiency is key to driving rental return on invested capital (rROIC) for rental companies, as well as productivity for the equipment end-users,” de Kluijver finishes.

“And globally, there is an increasing importance for MEWP manufacturers to offer the right mix of specialised equipment, like boom lifts, to meet the market’s need for MEWPs to perform specific tasks.This provides rental companies an opportunity to increase their rROIC by mixing their fleets with an all Genie line. Keeping all these things in mind, with these three distinct offerings, there is now a right-sized Genie boom lift option to meet every jobsite need.”

i For more information on Genie products and services, visit WWW.RDR.LINK/CR020

CPN I SUMMER 17

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LIFTING & ACCESS

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MON£Y A new total business liquidity program from Snorkel Finance is responding to the wider financial challenges facing companies recovering from the impact of COVID-19.

A

s businesses around the U.K. work towards reopening and re-establishing their operations, it is becoming clearer that there may be a tough road ahead for companies to return to good financial health.

Referencing an article in The Times1, analysis by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that nearly half of all U.K. businesses do not have enough cash reserves to see them through November. Results of a survey of almost 5,000 U.K. companies between 4th May and 17th May, showed that 42 per cent of companies were found to have less than six months’ worth of cash reserves, and that number rose to 58 per cent for companies who had paused their operations during the coronavirus lockdown.

Total Business Liquidity In response to this situation, Snorkel Finance has taken a unique approach to developing a total funding solution to provide business-wide liquidity for its customers. Snorkel Finance has broadened its funding panel to include all types of business funding, not limited to just assetbased funding. With access to more than 300 specialist funders, customers can spread their risk by not relying on a single funding source, and have access to an extensive range of financing products from both existing funders and new finance providers in the Fintech sector.

Providing an alternative to high street banks and lenders, a wide range of products are available through the new total business liquidity program. These products are varied and cover a multitude of options, including cashflow finance

The new total business liquidity program from Snorkel Finance provides much more than just asset financing

which may be required to take on a new contract, take the pressure off late invoice payments, or provide a sudden temporary cash injection, for example. In addition, Snorkel Finance, via partnerships in commercial property finance, can provide access to bridging loans and development loans, as well as standard commercial mortgage finance.

Supporting Start-Ups The program also provides funding options for new start-up businesses, supporting those who may have been made redundant to utilize their expertise by forming their own companies, and this can include management buy-out (MBO) and management buy-in (MBI) solutions. Snorkel Finance is also well-positioned to provide funding for all types of equipment required by companies in this sector, such as vehicles, workshop equipment, and IT systems to name but a few, and working with partners primarily in the Fintech sector, working capital finance can be provided, which may cover VAT and tax loans, as well as general debt consolidation.

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Snorkel Finance now offers a complete portfolio of funding solutions to keep your business moving forward

These products are designed to support hire companies, contractors and related businesses with tailored financing solutions throughout their business operations, whether they are looking for short-term financial assistance as they restart, funding to expand or acquire a business, or provide a long-term financial structure to deliver their business plan.

Business Support “It’s not all about the money. But, guess what? It’s all about the money,” declares Barry Nicholson of Snorkel Finance. “Our new business liquidity program responds to the real issues that our customers are facing right now and provides a one-stop solution for inclusive business financing support that not only helps through the short-term challenges, but also establishes a strong financial structure for the businesses to grow and prosper in the years to come.”

As the Government eases its financial support for companies in the UK, having a robust plan and access to finance are going to be the critical factors for business survival. It is anticipated that as a result of COVID-19, all types of funders will tighten their lending criteria and access to finance will become more challenging and time-consuming and will require the support of specialist expertise.

Andrew Fishburn, Managing Director of Snorkel UK and Vice President, Strategic Accounts (EMEA), Snorkel said: “At Snorkel UK, we always take a holistic approach to supporting our customers and our new total business liquidity program takes it to a new level. We know how tough the environment is, and we are proud to be taking an innovative and responsible approach to financing which can bring real, long-lasting value to our customer base. This is about more than funding equipment, it’s about making sure our industry comes through these challenging times in good shape, ready for the years ahead.”

1

The Times, 29th May 2020, Almost half of businesses have less than six months’ worth

of cash reserves, Office for National Statistics finds, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/firms-facing-cash-crunch-in-autumn-r2sqjsp5j

i To learn more about the new business liquidity program from Snorkel Finance WWW.RDR.LINK/CR021

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LIFTING & ACCESS

ELECTRIC AVENUE The Manitou 200 ATJ e Oxygen delivers all the performance you would expect from a Manitou but in a 100 per cent electric platform

T

he access platform remains the safest and most efficient way of working at height, and has the versatility to work in a wide range of applications, from office buildings to constructions sites, airports, and many more. However, in recent years, due to highly populated and polluted areas such as London, the demand has increased for emission reducing products.

Integrating seamlessly into the new “Oxygen” label, the ATJ 200 e Oxygen platform is Manitou’s first 100 per cent electric all-terrain access model. With a working height of up to 20m for a maximum capacity of 230kg, this model provides the same performance as its diesel counterpart whilst reducing total cost of ownership for the user.

François Desbrière, head of platform development at Manitou, describes this innovation: “This model responds to strong demand from rental companies, and more generally from various constructors. With the 200 ATJ e Oxygen, we offer a versatile machine with very good autonomy. The electric motor provides flexibility when traveling, optimising operator safety”.

Equipped with a 48-volt battery, the machine can achieve up to one full day of work, without charge, even in adverse weather

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conditions. The low-voltage battery is a key feature, which ensures technicians can service the unit without the need for specific certification. With a weight of 7,200kg, and a length of 6m, it is also easily transported. Another motor located inside the turret drives a pump that provides hydraulic flow for all the platform movements. The reduction in total cost of ownership for the user is estimated at 20 per cent compared to a diesel-powered equivalent (fuel cost included).

The idea was to keep the DNA of Manitou, including heavy duty axles and front axle with limited slip. This allows the

user to always have a full traction in the two front wheels. It offers good protection of the axles with immersed brake, as well as 4-wheel drive and 2-wheels steer. The oscillating axle at the front of the machine, and the manual locking of differential on the rear axle, allows the weight to be distributed equally to each of the two driving axles and improves traction on slippery surfaces. In addition, a key new feature is the ability to climb slopes of up to 45°.

By offering a 100 per cent electric AWP, Manitou believes it is meeting customers’ expectations with products that retain the same capacities as diesel versions but satisfy the needs of urban environmental regulations.

This 200 ATJ e has been designed to reduce the user’s total cost of ownership (TCO) and is fully integrated into Manitou’s committed CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach. The 200 ATJ e is dedicated to construction sites, industries, ports, and airports. Thanks to its non-marking tyres and its electric drive, users will be able to work inside, outside or in a city centre, without any restrictions.

i To find out more about the Manitou 200 ATJ e WWW.RDR.LINK/CR022

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LIFTING & ACCESS

REMOTE TRAINING Collaborating with the

CONNECTIVITY HiConnect is a web portal that lets Hiab customers with connected equipment receive insights to improve safety and utilisation as well as keeping track of service needs based on actual usage. The information is available in real time and the portal can be accessed on PCs, smartphones and tablets. This version is now free with the subscription version rebranded as HiConnect Premium. The latter provides access to more extensive data details, such as fleet trends and operational insights. Both are available for all HIAB loader cranes, MULTILIFT hooklifts, MOFFETT truck mounted forklifts and WALTCO tail lifts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR023

International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Skanska, Nationwide Platforms has developed an online version of IPAF’s MEWPs for Managers course. The online resource utilises Microsoft’s video conferencing platform, Teams, to allow those who supervise or plan working at height activities to remotely receive the training from the comfort and safety of their home or office.

The use of Teams means delegates are able to interact with the trainer and each other.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR024

KICKSTART PROGRAM Thanks to the manufacturer’s Kickstart Program, there’s no deposit and no payments for six months on any new Snorkel or Ruthmann Bluelift products.

Not only that but there’s immediate delivery on many models, subject to availability. The program is provided by Snorkel Finance and covers aerial lifts, material lifts, telehandlers, and the Ruthmann Bluelift tracked spider lifts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR025

ELECTRIC TELEHANDLER In its bid to reduce its carbon footprint, and support the country’s green economic recovery, HS2 is pioneering the UK’s first electric forklift on one of its major construction sites in London. Distributed in the UK by GGR Group, manufactured by Faresin and supplied by plant hire company Flannery, the environmentally friendly electric drive unit provides the same performance as an equivalent conventional model but without the noise and emissions of a combustion engine, at the same time accruing fuel, carbon and cost savings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR026

SELF-ERECTING TOWER CRANE With an increase in restricted urban job sites, Sparrow Crane Hire has taken delivery of a new Potain Hup 40-30 selferecting tower crane. The 30m height under hook clears tall urban buildings with ease, while the adjustable outriggers ensure stability when working on a gradient. The speed and ease of erection save time and money for the endcustomer, and the unit has a maximum capacity of 4 tonnes, and can handle one tonne at its 40 metre jib tip.

The crane was delivered directly to a site in Bristol to construct residential accommodation on a location surrounded by retirement flats that are already in use, requiring the contractor to maintain access at all times. The site is also on a slight gradient, making the adjustable height settings of each of the chassis legs another important advantage of the Hup 40-30.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR027

22 SUMMER I CPN

STAGE V TELEHANDLERS Emission-regulated zones are no problem thanks to the 75 HP, Stage V engine and DPF after-treatment system on the D34 Bobcat Telehandlers. In addition, the engine does not use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), so there is no need for AdBlue. There is a choice of 11 different models with the 56 kW engine, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.1 tonne, with lifting heights from 6 to 18m. All are covered by a three year/3,000 hour warranty as standard from the factory, with the option of extending the warranty to five years/6,000 hours.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR028

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E X C AVAT O R S

Heav y

Hitter

W

hen it comes to the heaviest duty applications in mining and quarrying, or bulk excavation on infrastructure projects, only the toughest need apply. If you’re removing overburden or loading larger amounts of material into ADTs or rigid frame trucks – and it’s a task that’s been undertaken all day – then the operator will need the highest power and flow combined with comfort and smoothness.

Doosan has now entered this land of the big beasts with the DX800LC-7, which means the Korean manufacturer’s machines extend from 1 to 80 tonne, serving the widest possible spectrum of customer needs in construction, mining, rental, landscaping, waste, recycling and forestry.

The Stage V compliant, 80 tonne newcomer has already found a European customer in Finland, a company who were no doubt attracted by what the manufacturer claims is the highest hydraulic flow for this size of machine. In addition, like all Doosan excavators, much attention has been given to operator comfort and safety. The DX800LC-7 has a new, very spacious operator cab, equipped with ergonomic controls and instrumentation. Special care has been taken to ensure noise is kept to a minimum through enhanced sealing of the engine compartment and extensive use of

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The largest excavator that Doosan has ever produced has arrived – meet the 80 tonne DX800LC-7 sound-dampening materials.

All components and assemblies are designed, built, and tested to ensure durability. Multi-stage filters and features such as track guards and cylinder guards for the boom and arm, the auto grease system and greased and sealed track links are designed to provide reliability and a long service life.

Stage V Engine It is the well-proven Perkins 2506J diesel engine, which provides 403 kW (548 HP) of power output – again, more than any other machine in this class. The engine meets Stage V emission regulations by utilising exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalyst reduction, diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter (DPF) aftertreatment technologies.

The DPF automatically regenerates every 25 hours and the excavator continues to work unaffected during this regeneration phase, whilst the operator can check the status of the DPF via the display on the gauge panel in the cab.

Hydraulic Flow The high output of the engine is combined with a Virtual Bleed Off (VBO) hydraulic system (DECOPOWER+), providing a hydraulic flow of 1,008 l/min and a high system pressure of 343 bar, together contributing to the best performance in the 80 tonne market.

Doosan’s D-ECOPOWER+ technology utilises an electronic pressure-controlled pump within a closed centre hydraulic system to optimise productivity and fuel consumption, depending on the mode selected. A closed centred main control valve minimises pressure loss, while the electric pressure-controlled pump manages and optimises engine power more effectively.

Software is utilised to electronically reproduce the full benefits of an open centre hydraulic system with very little energy loss. The hydraulic system and engine output are fully optimised and synchronised, further reducing losses within the system.

Improved feedback to the operator through the joystick results in improved machine control and less operator fatigue. The acceleration and deceleration of the excavator workgroup functions are smoother, allowing operators to perform repetitive swinging and digging motions with less jerking movements.

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Choice of Boom and Swing Modes To provide optimised operations when working, the operator can switch between two modes – Boom or Swing – giving priority to boom or swing movements, respectively, so they can best match how they are using the machine to the application they are working on.

Faster working speeds are ensured by the 2spool Boom Down Regeneration system in the DX800LC-7, which also reduces fuel consumption. The 2-spool hydraulic system for the bucket cylinder also increases hydraulic flow and the working speed of the bucket, again reducing fuel consumption. The DX800LC-7 also has a boom/arm cylinder lock valve (anti-hose burst valve) as standard for increased safety, preventing accidents caused by hydraulic hose rupture on site.

Comfort and Control Already excelling in spaciousness and ergonomics, the new cab in the DX800LC-7 is designed to significantly enhance operator comfort and ease of operation. The cab has a new high-quality seat and offers more features as standard than other machines on the market.

Key new features in the cab include a new 8in., touch-enabled colour LCD gauge panel, providing more information via a 30 per cent larger screen, stereo system integrated in the gauge panel (with Bluetooth streaming function), keyless start, and improved air conditioning.

A full camera array is standard, comprising a front camera, two side cameras and a rear camera. The camera display is separated from the gauge panel and provides full visibility around the excavator and allows the operator

“High power and hydraulic flow are just two of the operator friendly characteristics of the Stage V compliant, 80 tonne Doosan DX800LC-7” to see a top-down view of the area outside the machine. This is combined with an AVM (around view monitoring) system as standard.

LED working lamps are also standard on the DX800LC-7, providing up to 75 per cent better illumination of the workspace around the excavator, ensuring improved productivity in

dusk and night time work and to help prevent accidents on site.

The new DX800LC-7 is factory-installed with the DoosanCONNECT wireless and webbased fleet management solution, allowing fleet managers to monitor performance, promote preventative maintenance and improve security.

Convenient Maintenance The cooling system in the DX800LC-7 offers a larger cooling capacity with a reduced fan speed and power requirement for the cooling fan. If you’re working in a dusty environment, a reversible cooling fan installed as standard will be a welcome addition. It can be used in the reverse direction to blow away dust in the radiator and oil cooler, saving time and effort in maintenance.

Complementing the class-leading performance, the DX800LC-7 is also designed for maximum uptime on site with proven, high quality, durable components such as Bosch Rexroth MCV and Main Pump systems, a Doosan Mottrol swing device and a very robust Berco undercarriage.

i For further information on the

Doosan 80 tonne DX800LC-7 WWW.RDR.LINK/CR029

CPN I SUMMER 25

CPN ONLINE PAGE_Layout 1 04/07/2017 10:58 Page 1

FOR ALL THE VERY LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS AND NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION VISIT

WWW.CPNONLINE.CO.UK

Packed with articles on a wide range of industry topics, www.cpnonline.co.uk is the first place to visit for all the latest news in plant and machinery – from the smallest skid steers and micro excavators to the giants of the tower crane market, or the heavyweights in crawler excavators, weʼve got it covered.

Get the latest information on the industryʼs biggest deals, as contractors and plant hirers renew their fleets in our Fleet Additions section, as well as all of the newest products to hit the market.

Our website is updated daily, bringing you the most important industry news quicker than ever before.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @CPN_mag

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E X C AVAT O R S

My ‘W

e have taken the latest machines from Liebherr because they are simply the best for the job,’ declares David Skillings, whose company is one of the early UK customers for Liebherr’s new Generation 8 excavators. It is a view endorsed by site manager Peter Lees, and why the company has placed an order for four machines. An R 934 with straight demolition boom and an R 945 have already arrived from the factory in Colmar, France, with a pair of R 930s pencilled in for delivery later this year.

‘We have been using another manufacturer alongside Liebherr but the back-up we get from Liebherr has been very impressive,” said Peter.

‘We know things break down but when you call there’s no issues or arguments, you just get a fitter turning up and sorting the problem out. I feel a lot of manufacturers should take note.’

The ‘8’ package quickly follows the recent delivery of R 926 and R 960 models to the Lancashire business, which operates nationwide on contract crushing and demolition, as well as groundworks and enabling after dismantling. Its excavator fleet is dominated by Liebherrs.

The R 934G8 with straight boom joined the

The latest generation of Liebherr excavators continues Skillings’ long association with the German manufacturer

Liebherr line-up as a replacement for a five-yearold R 936 which had been operated by long-term employee David Marsden who, while impressed by the newcomer, was quick to praise its predecessor. ‘It’s still early days for the new machine but, if it performs as my older one did, I’ll be very happy.’

Peter explains how the Liebherr has been employed on a demolition and enabling works on a large processing site: ‘We have been undertaking a wide variety of work on this site, from demolition of redundant parts of the

‘We have taken the latest machines from Liebherr because they are simply the best for the job’ David Skillings

processing plant to developing land so that the client can undertake a large plan of expansion works.” The arrival on site of the R 934 was timely given that Skillings had reached a point in the contract calling for demolition of a large storage tank that had been craned out from the bunded area where it had been sitting for a number of years. With the tank drained and cleaned, David tackled the 5m diameter, 7m tall structure with a new Fortress 25R rotating shear on the business end of the 38.1 tonne host machine.

The 7m straight mono boom, coupled to a 2.9m dipper, allows a potential pin height of almost 11m, making it an ideal configuration where a small, high-reach excavator can operate in a restricted footprint.

SCC’s entire excavator fleet is fitted with OilQuick hydraulic couplers for fast attachment changeovers and the combination of excavator and shear saw the tank cut in half in less than 15 minutes. Protected from falling debris by a substantial cage to the front and top of the cab, David then cut each half into smaller sections.

The R 934 is smaller than the machine it

CPN I SUMMER 27

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E X C AVAT O R S replaced but wasn’t found lacking, easily picking up and manoeuvring the tank and remaining stable when carrying the 2.5 tonne shear at full reach. ‘I’m very pleased with the power of the excavator,’ said David.

Elsewhere, the largest of the current Generation 8 line up, the R 945, was making its presence felt breaking out the foundations of a former civic centre. With an operating weight of up to 47 tonnes and supplied with the heavyduty LC-V undercarriage (a standard HD version is available) it replaced a similar-sized R 950 from the previous generation.

The huge undercarriage is fitted with double grouser pads and three top rollers with the bottom rollers protected by a set of substantial guards. The LV-V version allows the undercarriage to be expanded from a travelling width of 2.39m to a working width of 2.89m and, because the upper structure is more than 120mm higher than the standard version, four large galvanised steps are bolted to the track frames for easier access to cab and upper body.

Both of Skillings’ new excavators have four rebar deflectors fitted to the undercarriages to prevent rebar being caught in the pads and dragged up to cause costly damage to the body and components. Those solid additions, along

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‘The R 934 is smaller than the machine it replaced but wasn’t found lacking – I’m very pleased with the power of the excavator’ with substantial upper body side-impact protection, were fabricated by JJ Bullen of Ormskirk in Lancashire, a company held in high esteem by Skillings.

Unlike the smaller R 934, the R 945 carries a standard 6.45m boom with a 2.6m stick and is similarly equipped with an OilQuick coupler. In its fighting weight of 46.8t, it was used with a 3.5t Epiroc HB3600 hammer to quickly break up the slab for crushing. Traditionally offering a below-ground demolition service, the SCC team and its equipment were well prepared for removing and processing large areas of heavily reinforced concrete before moving on to the removal of the large concrete footings.

Both new Generation 8 excavators have the

same cab design from previous models. One of the largest on the market, it has plenty of room fore and aft of the air-suspended and heated seat while large areas of glass mean the operator’s outlook is always uncluttered, even with the heavy-duty protection screen in place.

A new foldable armrest makes access and exit easier while the latest 7in. touchscreen relays important system information to the operator.

Up to 10 settings can be stored, allowing various attachment flows and pressures to be easily recalled as needed.

Meeting the latest Stage 5 engine emissions regulations by way of a straightforward DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst) and SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system along with passive regeneration, the two excavators carry the same 8-litre, 4-cylinder Liebherr engine, the R 934 pushing out 272hp while its bigger brother delivers 27hp more. Torque ratings are the same, 1,415Nm at just 1,350rpm. The hydraulic system is supplied by a pair of 315l/m variable displacement pumps.

i For further information on Liebherr’s Generation 8 excavators WWW.RDR.LINK/CR030

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E X C AVAT O R S The Xwatch system being used on a Flannery Plant Hire machine supplied to Kier.

WATCH AND

LEARN When it comes to on site safety, simplicity is often the soundest path and the Xwatch solution promises just that for operators, engineers, and fleet managers. Construction Plant News Editor, Lee Jones talks to the developers of the XW range of safety solutions

30 SUMMER I CPN

W

hilst advanced safety systems are obligatory on rail there is an increasing appetite for their adoption across the construction industry. After all, a technology that ensures that height, slew, rated capacity indicator (RCI) and stability are all controlled during operation has clear benefits on just about any building site, not least the compact urban sites that are becoming increasingly more common. Throw in an easy to use interface, compatibility with telematics, GPS and proximity warning systems, and the appeal starts to get very broad indeed.

Through Fitzgerald Plant Services, Chris Fitzgerald and his team are already intimately acquainted with the rail sector, with major maintenance contracts in place with Network Rail. From the one man and a van operation that began trading in 2007, the south Wales-based firm now employees more than 70 people, including over 30 field service engineers, with the rest based at a substantial workshop facility in Cwmbran, where a full range of repair, rebuild and upgrade services are undertaken.

“When it comes to rail, we have considerable experience of the safety systems specified, and some of their limitations. Our ambition was to offer the whole of the construction sector a solution with increased functionality and many of

those shortcomings eradicated. From our own fault finding and data analysis work with our customers, for instance, we found that up to 75 per cent of the call outs we were experiencing were as a result of a driver being defeated by the complexity of the system.

“The inevitable result is that they’ll either break it or alter the settings so that it appears as a breakdown. We had engineers report back to us that they’d seen height limiters accidentally engaged whilst the arm was on the floor and, of course, it couldn’t then be lifted. Our ambition was deliver a solution for the construction industry as a whole that was simple for the operator to use, easy to fit, but with the highest quality hardware – and the result is Xwatch.”

The X Factor So just how does the Xwatch experience differ for an end user to what they might have already encountered? Chris continues: “The beauty of our system is that they don’t have to use it. It can unobtrusively sit in the corner of the cab until such time as it’s pressed into service, at which point it’s just question of a few button presses, you’re height and slew limiter is activated and you’re in business. With some existing solutions you could be required to press 30 and above buttons in order to get set

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up, which is not only time-consuming but equally prone to error.”

Not only can Xwatch be engaged and disengaged as required but its developers promise it is also extremely self-explanatory and intuitive. That is a concept which, since its launch in July 2019, has found a significant following, with over 200 units already sold.

“When Xwatch was first introduced we gave it to some of our key customers to trial and perhaps the best testament to its success was that there was very little feedback. There were no breakdowns and no problems for the operators, so they simply had nothing to report – to put it simply, it just worked. We have also had support from significant players in the industry, such as Flannery Plant Hire, for instance, who have understood from the outset what we were trying to achieve.”

Those plant hirers and contractors have found favour with the scope of its usefulness, including a rated capacity indicator (RCI) function, which prevents tipping, and displays what load is on hook, whilst other innovations abound, as Chris explains. “We’ve mapped the software so we can make use of a proportional valve system. On all of the alternatives currently out there, when you hit a motion cut you come to a sudden stop. With Xwatch, the closer you come to that stop point the more the system slows you down. If, for example, you’re using an excavator for lifting, that will stop the load from

swinging dangerously, whilst it’s much kinder on machine components.”

All of the software is written in-house by Fitzgerald Plant Services, and the beauty of the platform they have adopted is that it can be easily integrated with other systems. By combining with the latest RFID proximity warning solutions, for example, not only is the operator alerted to the presence of pedestrians on the in-cab screen, but it will also slow the machine down, increasing reaction times for all

parties. Moreover, Xwatch will ally with telematics technologies, allowing fleet managers to interrogate data and analyse the nature and frequency of either potentially dangerous incidents, or machine productivity rates. GPS and 3D machine control can work with Xwatch as can 360º camera systems.

The Xwatch system can be retrofitted to any make or class of excavator, whilst Chris is in discussion with OEMs and dealers with a view to having a factory fitted option available – but the developments don’t end there. A new version will be introduced as a slew and height limiter for grab lorries, for example, a particularly useful function when working on highways projects.

Whatever the type of plant, or application, when engaged, Xwatch creates a virtual barrier around a machine, that protects not only the driver but anyone in their vicinity. Simplicity makes for less downtime, reduced levels of training, and a happier, more productive operator. “What we have developed is what we at Fitzgerald Plant Services would want from a safety system,” concludes Chris, “and given the experience we have with these systems that is the highest recommendation we can give it.”

i For more information on Xwatch WWW.RDR.LINK/CR031

CPN I SUMMER 31

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S TA G E V E N G I N E S

ENGINES of change The new Anaconda J12 crusher is powered by a Cummins L9 engine

A

t first sight it would seem to be an equation that would be difficult to resolve. Ever more stringent global emissions standards, combined with changing jobsites, has demanded diesel engines that are cleaner, smaller, and lighter – and yet more powerful. With its latest Stage V units, however, that is exactly what Cummins is now supplying, but those are not the only advances that the manufacturer is pioneering.

When it comes to its chosen power provider, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are looking for not just a base engine but a complete package, with the likes of exhaust aftertreatment, radiator and cooling system, plus auxiliaries such as mounting feet, hoses and an air cleaner all included. It is a solution that will save that manufacturer considerable engineering resources and is

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More power, more torque, greater fuel efficiency and less maintenance – that’s the promise from Cummins for its latest Stage V compliant Performance Series. Construction Plant News Editor, Lee Jones, investigates. certainly the state of the market in the crushing and screening sector. Now, with the launch of its new Performance Series Power Units, that is what Cummins is offering.

With these power unit packages, 60 per cent of the content is pre-approved, as Steve Nendick, Cummins Marketing Communications Director – Global Off-Highway, explains: “When we supply a customer we’re not just handing over the engine. We’re partnering with their engineering team to ensure that the unit is installed correctly and integrated with other systems such as hydraulics and cooling. We’re offering engines in the 75 – 503kW (100 – 675hp) in this ready-made, drop-in format, in an initiative that will reassure all parties of a system warranted by Cummins.”

The Stage V compliant Performance Series Cummins B6.7 engine

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Another addition to the Cummins family of innovations, which has also debuted in the quarrying market, is the single and dual rearengine power take-offs (REPTO). Cummins engines are already equipped with a standard PTO capability, which allows for the running of the likes of hydraulic pumps. The REPTO is a solution for the B6.7 and L9 engines which finds particular favour in quarrying, on crushers and screeners, for instance, where conveyors will be needed to run from the machines. The new Cummins engine sees a dual REPTO integrated into the flywheel housing, which means various pumps can run from it without impacting on the engine power, or the need to buy and install additional aftermarket systems. In short, with the dual REPTO delivering a drive capability of 560 Nm, but with only 100kg of additional weight, you can run much more from a single engine and deliver a far more cost effective operation in the process.

Crush hour Anaconda are one of the first manufacturers to take the new power units on its new J12 and I12 Jaw Crushers, powered by the Cummins L9.

What that crusher champions is an interchangeable chamber concept that can

The Cummins L9 Performance Series with dual REPTO

accommodate either a jaw or impact crusher, providing a two machine option for a fraction of the cost. For the contractor, who needs to move machines from place to place, and will be processing different materials at those locations, having that versatility is invaluable.

The Cummins engine driving that innovation continues in that spirit, with a Stage V Performance Series engine, which is compliant in both North America and Europe, and is pushing emissions levels down to near zero. Indeed, the Cummins Stage V product has seen significant improvements in its exhaust after-treatment capability. Through its own specialist division in the field – Cummins Emissions Solutions – the manufacturer had designed out Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) in its Stage V solutions, instead utilising only Selective Catalytic

The Performance Series is part of a wider culture of innovation at Cummins that is bringing together a full suite of technologies. The ‘Cummins worksite of the future’ encompasses clean diesel, hybrid, electric, fuel cell and natural gas solutions – all areas of active research and development for a manufacturer that can already point to a 100 year heritage. It is that mix of complementing powertrains that contractors and hirers will be utilising on tomorrow’s sites and the company has produced a video to explain how that will be realised.

Visit

WWW.RDR.LINK/CR032 to find out more.

Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). The greater efficiencies that can now be accrued from an AdBlue-based, SCR system in eliminating NOx emissions is what makes that possible and, because EGR requires additional infrastructure – including cooling systems – that makes these engines more compact, lighter, less complex, and easier to fit into the established footprint of a machine.

At the same time, because used exhaust gas is not be put back into the air intake, the power and torque can be increased. “We’ve done some significant work on our four-cylinder products, the F3.8 and B4.5 as well as the six-cylinder B6.7, in just those terms,” explains Steve. “If you take the last of those, for instance, there is a 30 per cent increase in torque without EGR. What that means in practice is that our customer can increase the capability of the machine, or replace a larger engine with a smaller one, without any detriment to performance.” Indeed, as an example of the latter, JCB has just downsized its wheel loaders from a rival manufacturer’s 7.7litre engine to the Cummins 6.7, with no impact on machine capability, and improvements of running costs and fuel into the bargain.

In summary, therefore, the Stage V engine is easier to install, more fuel efficient, with greater power and torque, but maintenance considerations have not been neglected either.

Thanks to the development of a new oil standard with partner Valvoline, which improves upon the existing CK-4 industry standard, oil change intervals of up to a 1,000 hours are now possible.

i For further information on the

Cummins Performance Series WWW.RDR.LINK/CR033

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NEW PRODUCTS

WHEEL LOADERS In celebration of its 21st birthday this year, Avant Tecno has added its most powerful machine to the 8 series range – the Avant 860i Stage V. The unit benefits from a greater lifting capacity of 1,900kg, a greater reach of 3.5m, and a turbocharged Kohler KDI 1903 TCR 42 kW/57 hp diesel engine. The machine also complies with the latest emissions regulations and is equipped with an improved GT cabin with better visibility. Avant is offering all of its customers a three year or 3,000-hour hassle free warranty with any new machine purchased in 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR034

EXCAVATOR The most environmentally friendly

GENERATORS Four new models have been added to the

excavator in its class – that’s what Kubota is claiming for its new KX042-4 model. The machine comes fully Stage-V compliant and incorporates an updated Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which incorporates both the Particulate Filter and Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), enabling increased intervals between regeneration and longer service life. The improved DPF system also ensures clean exhaust emissions and reduces maintenance by increasing the service intervals for both the regeneration filter and ash cleaner.

Moreover, using an auto idling system, the KX042-4 helps the users save fuel.

Atlas Copco QAS 5 range of mobile diesel generators, all of which are fully EU Stage V compliant. With the QAS 5 250, 325, 450 and 660, operators can now reduce emissions and improve their carbon footprint, whilst also taking advantage of the QAS 5 range’s compact size, quiet operation, enhanced fuel economy and low total cost of ownership. There are now nine generators in the range, providing fast ‘plug and play’ power from 80 to 200 kVA on Stage 3A, and from 250 to 660 kVA on Stage V.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR035

MINI EXCAVATOR The UK’s most popular 1.6 tonne mini – the Takeuchi TB216 – has been joined by a short tail swing option TB217R. Operators working in tight spaces will welcome a slew radius of just 730mm, whilst the machine features a dig depth of 2,390mm and dump height of 2,545mm. In addition, a longer than average track frame provides added stability when digging deep.

Access remains key in the mini market and the extendable track frame – from a narrow 9,00mm out to 1,300mm – gets the unit into limited spaces.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR037

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR036

AD INDEX Brigade Electronics PLC .......................................... (page 19)

Perkins Engines Company Ltd.................................... (page 4)

CPN Online ................................................................ (page 26)

Point of Rental .......................................................... (page 21)

Doosan .................................................................. (back cover)

Services Machinery & Trucks Ltd.............................. (page 23)

Kubota UK Limited .................................................... (page 23)

Snorkel ...................................................................... (page 12)

Liebherr - Great Britain Ltd ........................ (inside front cover)

Yanmar ........................................................................ (page29)

Merlo UK Limited ...................................................... (page 15)

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COMPACT TRACK LOADERS Increased performance, comfort and optimised maintenance requirements are some of the enhancements Bobcat is promising for its new T450 and T590 Stage V compact track loaders.

The size and low weight means they can work and manoeuvre in tight spaces, and can be easily transported. Thanks to the new Stage V engine, noise levels have been reduced for both bystanders and operators and the vibrations lowered significantly. Additionally, new DPF aftertreatment technology works automatically without any interaction during normal operation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR038

30-TONNE EXCAVATOR Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) has rolled out the Aseries with the HX300AL. Advanced technologies on this 30-tonne crawler excavator include a new Stage V engine platform, hydraulic flow regulation, improved operator controls with 2D/3D machine guidance, new safety features, and improved uptime and productivity. A standout feature is the Electric Pump Independent Control (EPIC) an energysaving technology that reduces the pump flow rate during levelling and truck loading operation by controlling the pump’s displacement individually.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR040

FINANCE SCHEME If you’re in the market for a Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) mini excavator then you’re in luck because the company has teamed up with SME lender Paragon in offering a new finance scheme. It requires no payments for the first 90 days (3 months) of the agreement, after which normal payments will resume. It is applicable to all the manufacturer’s ZX-6 mini excavators currently in stock, and details of how to apply can be accessed via the link below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR039

CRAWLER SKID EXCAVATORS Contractors can benefit from the swiftness of a skid steer with the 360-degree rotation of an excavator in one package with the Mecalac MCR series. The 6MCR, 8MCR and 10MCR can achieve travel speeds up to two times faster than any small excavator, whilst each unit has the versatility to work as a skid steer, excavator or rough terrain forklift, depending on the attachment. A three-part boom system allows operators to do more from a single position and a patented CONNECT quick coupler allows fast transition between attachments.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR041

COMPACT WHEEL LOADERS There are two different power ratings available with the newly developed Kramer compact wheel loaders. The 5035 has an 18.5 kilowatt / 25.2 HP Yanmar engine, a bucket tipping load of 1,140kg and an operating weight of 1,920kg. On the other hand, the new 5040 all wheel steer loader is equipped with a 28.5 kilowatt / 38.8 HP Yanmar engine. The machine has a higher operating weight at 2,070kg, in addition to a bucket tipping load of 1,400kg. Both are Stage V compliant, possess a completely new cab design, as well as some modern comfort features and power options.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.RDR.LINK/CR042

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