UK Plant Operators Magazine - Issue 9

MAGAZINE

Free digital edition / ÂŁ4.99 printed copy

The magazine specifically created for the most important people in plant - The Operators

Issue 09

INSIDE: Packed full of News, Products, Reviews, Events, Operator blogs & more!

Contents

5 CITB To Quit Training?

Hosplant Wins Kubota Award

46

21

08 - Finning’s New Parts Team 24 - JCB Make A WW1 Tank 31 - Komatsu PW118MR-11 38 - Kinshofer NOX

MAGAZINE

32

CAT S41 Phone Reviewed

New CAT 20T Excavator Range

34

Major Project Updates

60

Excavator Winter Care

Liebherr PR776 Up Close

74

66

41 - Paul Argent Checks In 62 - Inside View 71 - NFPEO

#SkillsBuild

CONTACTS

EDITORS

PUBLISHER

UK  Plant Operators 27 Wheatley Crescent Taunton, Somerset TA1 2AX

Sam Kennedy sam@ukplantoperators.com Dale Hawkins dale@ukplantoperators.com Gavin Elson gavin@ukplantoperators.com

McMoran Ltd Unit 4, The Old School Church Street, Biggleswade SG18 0JS Tel: 020 8133 3714 info@mcmoran.co.uk

ADVERTISING sam@mcmoran.co.uk

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those held by UK Plant Operators Ltd or the publishers. The publishers shall not be under any liability in respect of the contents of the contributed articles or the content of any external websites referred to in articles. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or alter articles for publication.

All material (c) McMoran Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the express permission of the publishers. The information contained in this publication is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.

UK Plant Operators & McMoran Ltd can accept no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, dissapointment, negligence or any other damage caused by reliance on information contained in this publication or in the event of any bankruptcy, liquidation or cessation of the trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned, is hereby excluded.

ukplantoperators.com

3

the editor Issue 09

MAG AZ

INE

editor’s comment

Free dig

ital ed

ition /

£4.99

printe

d copy

W

ith Major Projects come major issues, we are grateful for the boom, but it always seems to catch us out with resources, especially skilled labour. UK construction has seen a good level of works this year and moving in to the next with a surge in road, rail and energy projects.

Construction work is expected to rise in 2018 and this will continue well past 2020. In this issue we review some of these projects along with some of the usual product profiles and industry thoughts.

Are we ready for the upsurge due to projects like: HS2, Hinkley Point and Thames tideway to name just a few, or should we be making a real push to encourage new blood into the industry, but better and slightly different than before, with more focus being retention of the labour force and not just bringing new people in – upskill the current work force to give them a real career development pathway.

We also have information on the new CAT 20t Excavator range and an exclusive review on the CAT S41 rugged phone along with industry updates and industry events which have been happening around Europe in the run up to Christmas.

All the team at UK Plant Operators would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year… .

Sam Kennedy, Editor

Never Miss an Issue subscribe today!

Scan here with your phone or tablet to subscribe to the magazine!

4

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

This issue’s main story: All the latest UK Major Project Information - See pages 46-59 Index of advertisers McMoran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Finning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JCB Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 JCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Volvo/SMT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Liebherr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ScanCert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 K2 Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 IHRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 CAT Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Topcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Miller UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Lighthouse Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Hitachi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 NFPEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Marubeni Komatsu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 UKPO Simulator Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 CTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 MPTT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Leica Geosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Want to Advertise?

For information about the sponsorship opportunities with UK Plant Operators magazine please contact Sam Kennedy via email at: sam@mcmoran.co.uk

indUstrY news

CITB to quit Training?

The Construction Industry Training Board is leaving its historic home in remote Bircham Newton, quitting training delivery and outsourcing back office functions.

CITB chief executive Sarah Beale said the restructuring of the organisation would create “the strategic, forward-looking and agile skills body that the industry is seeking”. In effect, CITB will exist simply to collect and redistribute levy money.

Workers’ union representative Mark Robinson said the proposals would “slash, trash and privatise the CITB”.

Mark Kennedy from the NFPEO said “This effectively will privatise the CITB, I am not sure this is perfect timing considering the great need for equipment operators in the industry and the lack of training providers.” The positives could be that the industry will have to pull together and look at training in a different way rather than rely on the CITB, and hopfully more centres will pop up or training facilities on major projects will become more important. It does however bring up more questions with regard to CITB’s role within the industry moving forward.”

Plans for reforming the Construction Industry Training Board are contained in the

document Vision 2020: The Future CITB. Its publication follows the government’s industry training boards (ITB) review and the triennial consensus process. While construction voted in favour of continuing the industry levy, it also revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of the CITB and called for significant reform.

Vision 2020: The Future CITB is a three-year plan to slim down the organisation, turning it into ‘a commissioner of outcomes’. CITB will no longer deliver training itself except where it is unavailable on the market, or not good enough.

The National Construction College at Bircham Newton in rural Norfolk faces sale or closure.

It seems that the card schemes CITB runs, Construction Skills Certification Scheme and the Construction Plant Competency Scheme, will now be privatised.

Which is fine as long as there is a regulator to manage these or we could go back to the bad old days of unscrupulous organsisations handing out accreditations like

candy.

The proposal looks at a move away from Bircham Newton, with Peterborough earmarked as the likely new base. In addition, there will be small co-located offices in London, Scotland and Wales. Around twothirds of the workforce will remain mobile.

The plans include the outsourcing of internal corporate support functions and customer operations; the proposal is to outsource these by the end of 2018.

Internal corporate support functions to be outsourced are: finance, procurement and contract management, legal, human resources, business improvement, marketing and estates & facilities management.

Customer operations, card schemes and apprenticeship processing will also be farmed out.

Sarah Beale, CITB CEO said: “Construction needs to modernise and CITB is no exception. We accept the challenges laid down by industry and government and we will deliver a future-fit training body by adapting and updating our business

ukplantoperators.com

5

indUstrY news

model.

“Some really tough decisions could be made under these proposals but I’m confident in our commitment to becoming a more representative, accountable and reliable ‘levy in, skills out’ organisation. We now have a clearly defined path, and we see a bright future for a modern, engaged CITB.” She added: “I understand this strategy will bring about big changes to employees at CITB and we will be supporting our colleagues as much as possible throughout this process. These are tough calls to make, but needed if we are to meet the future demands and make the greatest impact to construction. We have worked hard to develop robust, well thought-out plans which meet our industry’s needs whilst building a solid foundation for CITB’s future. The proposals outlined today will be phased in over the next three years, and with our customers always in mind it’s business as usual.”

CITB currently has approximately 2,000 staff, including 600 at Bircham Newton.

Unions say that hundreds of these jobs are now at risk.

Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swain said: “These plans are a hammer blow for the construction industry and for the workers at the CITB. Thousands of construction workers owe their careers and their livelihoods to the unique training they have received at Bircham Newton. There are grave doubts if any private provider

6

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

could or would provide the same level of training at the same cost, which is currently provided at this unique facility. It appears that the ‘reforms’ being proposed by the CITB are all about increasing profits for individuals and companies and not what is in the best interests of the construction industry.”

Mark Robinson of UNITE said ‘’The likelihood of finding a training provider willing and capable to take on the National Construction College function of the Bircham Newton site and other NCC sites across the country is difficult to ascertain and puts hundreds of jobs at serious risk.

“Unite believes it is totally unnecessary to go to this level of change. For the CITB not to provide their own training on behalf of industry leaves the market wide open for

less capable and reputable organisations to drive down the quality and standards that the industry expects.

“Unite will be seeking the views of its members to see what action can be taken to defend the hundreds of jobs not only in West Norfolk but throughout the country.”

UK Plant Operators will keep you updated, but this could be a positive for the staff and the equipment operators in the industry if it brings more training facilities at competitive rates. The skill set within CITB is still needed and the quality of their training is of a high caliber so they might have a new badge to work under but if the industry comes together it could be a positive step.

indUstrY news

Laing O'Rourke sign Manchester Airport contract

Contracts have been signed between Laing O’Rourke and Manchester Airports Group (MAG), formally launching a £1bn programme which includes the transformation of Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport. ence of delivering major, complex projects in Contracts have been signed between Laing the aviation sector including Heathrow’s TerO’Rourke and Manchester Airports Group Works include: minals 2A and 5.”

(MAG), formally launching a £1bn proLaing O’Rourke’s contract represents the gramme which includes the transformation of • Reconfiguring and extending T2 majority of the works associated with the proTerminal 2 at Manchester Airport. by over 150% gramme and involves the design and conAppointed as preferred bidder in July • Two new security halls with an struction of an extension to the existing 2016, Laing O’Rourke has been carrying out option for a USA pre-clearance faTerminal 2 building, more than doubling its advanced and enabling works in preparation cility current size. for the award of the main contract. Now fi• New International Departure Charlie Cornish, CEO of MAG, said; “The nalised, Laing O’Rourke will proceed with a Lounge with around 50 food, bevertransformation programme is a significant four-year plan to create Manchester’s ‘superage and retail outlets moment in the history of Manchester Airport terminal’.

• New business lounges with airand demonstrates the confidence that we have Liam Cummins, Laing O’Rourke’s head of field views in the long term future of both the North and UK Building, said: “This is a contract of in• New baggage handling facilities to the UK economy. ternational significance, working with a proserve the increase in capacity “The increased connectivity that the transgressive client on such a high profile aviation • New airside piers, increasing the formation programme will deliver will help sector transformation. available number of contact stands, the North to become one of the most accessi“We will be required to work sensitively in with direct linkage to the terminal ble and productive regions in Europe.” a live, high-intensity environment, drawing • A new 3,800 space multi-storey At peak, the project will employ some on our engineering expertise as well as our car parks with direct links to the 1,500 people and Laing O’Rourke has comability to deliver complex and challenging terminal building programmes. mitted to creating 150 apprenticeships.

• Construction of a new access With the new development complete, the “Laing O’Rourke combines its local knowlramp, linking the exit of the M56 airport will be able to handle 45 million pasedge of Manchester where we have recently onto an upgraded and extended sengers a year, an increase of almost 20 million delivered the extension to Manchester forecourt around T2 compared to today.

Metrolink, Two St Peter’s Square, the expan• Reconfiguration of permitted acsion of the Etihad Stadium and the transforcess roads in and around the new mation of the Manchester Town Hall terminal.

Extension and Central Library, with experi-

ukplantoperators.com

7

indUstrY news

Finning extends parts reach with mobile team

Finning UK & Ireland has launched a new mobile parts team aimed at supporting customers with tailored parts, technology, service, and support solutions for individual machines or plant fleets.

The new team will visit customers across the UK and Ireland; providing a dedicated service to support machine uptime, ensure availability and expose the benefits of connectivity to a much wider customer base.

Commenting on the launch, Abhishek Tanwar, Director of Aftermarket and Digital Transformation, said: “Finning has many different ways in which we can support customers to become more productive and profitable. However, in order to better communicate the advantages of our parts and service solution, along with machine health monitoring, it is vital that we ensure our customers receive face to face contact.

“The new parts team will work collaboratively with our customers, recognising and understanding the individual challenges they face in order to share knowledge and provide a relevant solution for both Caterpillar and other manufacturer’s equipment. We are focused on widening our footprint across the

8

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

UK & Ireland; with our new parts team and current product and parts specialists, we will continue to provide a transparent and accessible service and ultimately, drive customer’s profitability. visit http://parts.cat.com/finningUK for more information The new mobile team will support customers with : • parts.cat.com • Setup customers with Finning parts accounts • Create service, maintenance and support contracts for Caterpillar and other manufacturer equipment • Deliver technology solutions like retrofitting Product Link to individual machines or fleets

KNOW MORE. DO MORE. EARN MORE. The quick install Cat® PL542 telematics device delivers the information you need - from hours and location to health and productivity insights.

And, you can connect your mixed fleet not only your Cat equipment. Connect your fleet fast and start earning more!

COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR CAT OR MIXED FLEET

With a 36 month, £16.50/€19 per month subscription you receive:

» » »

INSTALLS IN MINUTES

A PL542 device Free 6 months Condition Monitoring 36 months of fleet benchmark reports

Your Finning experts are ready to show you how Cat Connect Technologies will help you make more money. 0330 123 9211 - finning.com/connect

The PL542 may not be compatible with all makes and models of equipment. Please contact your Product Support representative for details. © 2017 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” and the “Power Edge” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

indUstrY news

JCB Finance pledges its support to SMEs JCB Finance is launching a campaign to provide additional support for SMEs in the construction sector when taking out external funding.

The campaign comes after new research

by JCB Finance revealed more than a quarter of respondents who had bank loans or overdrafts did not believe they had the potential risks to personal assets explained to them when borrowing from the banks.

JCB Finance has therefore pledged to help SMEs access more secure funding to finance capital equipment without unnecessary security of personal assets, and is preparing to launch a number of exciting new services.

Paul Jennings, Managing Director of JCB Finance, commented: “JCB Finance has always gone out of its way to support customers with asset finance, using hire purchase and leasing to help small businesses secure the resources they needed while protecting their working capital.

“Such options give customers a regular and fixed payment schedule as a secure alternative to payment on demand loans.”

The research also highlighted how cus-

tomers like to arrange their finance, with more than half preferring a face to face meeting, a quarter preferring to talk over the phone, 14% like to arrange finance at the point of purchase and 10% prefer to arrange finance by email. JCB Finance therefore now offers a range of on and offline communication channels tailored to meet its customers’ needs.

With small business owners finding it difficult to find time in conventional office hours to arrange finance, JCB Finance is delighted to announce the launch of its Online and Sign Online platforms which enable convenient and secure signing of finance agreements, without the need for printing, scanning and emailing.

Finally, the survey showed that 82% of customers who use JCB equipment like to arrange finance with their dealer or salesperson. JCB Finance offers its services nationwide via its trusted and accredited dealer network and through its personal

field sales team, to help best meet the needs of individual customers.

Richard Mann, Director of Mann Plant Hire and Lamanva Training Centre, added: “JCB Finance has done us proud for nearly 40 years - from starting out with just one digger to refocusing the business on training, they have always provided a reliable and great value service.

“They know us and understand the needs of the business very well, which means they're able to offer the support, advice and service we need.”

RELAX! HIRE PURCHASE THAT LETS YOU TAKE A BREAK HP Plus from JCB Finance lets you take up to 6 months unscheduled payment holidays during a 5 year agreement. Easing your cash flow if the unexpected happens.

Call now for details: 0800 150650 jcb-finance.co.uk/HPPlus

UK business users only. Terms apply. JCB Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number: 708332).

10

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

www.jcb.co.uk/hydradig

indUstrY news

Shorts Group adds fourth short radius ECR235 to its fleet Berkshire-based Shorts Group has added yet another Volvo ECR235 excavator to its growing machinery fleet.

This latest model takes the number of ECR235’s on the fleet to four, with two being used at the firm’s Ascot and Aldershot waste transfer stations, and the other pair being used for its demolition and site clearance operations.

“Around 12 years ago, we first looked at the ECR235 as a replacement for other short radius excavators on our fleet and we’ve never looked back,” explains Shorts Group transport manager, Steve Meade.

“Our operators like them. They are a compact, powerful and very stable platform, and they are ideally suited to what we do.”

The Shorts Group operates an extensive waste and recycling operation that also encompasses demolition, site clearance, and plant and tool hire. As the business has grown, so too has its machinery fleet. It currently operates around 70 items of Volvo construction equipment which extends from mini and midi excavators for its plant and tool hire operation up to a 50-

12

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

tonne EC480 excavator used for demolition work.

“We’re really pleased with the level of service we get from Volvo,” he says. “Yes, there have been issues, but they have been dealt with in the same way that we deal with our customers – and that really matters to us. Everyone is tested on how good their service is.”

Restricted working hours at the Ascot waste transfer station dictates that a high level of productivity and reliability have become essential daily requirements.

“Ascot is a 7am to 5pm operation, and we expect to get 10 hours of work from our machines on site every day,” he says. “We get a lorry over the weighbridge every 90 seconds, so when a machine operator needs to stop for a break, another operator takes the controls to ensure these machines don’t stop working until the end of the day. In these applications, the Volvos will clock up around 7 - 8,000 hours in three years.”

Each waste transfer station uses its

ECR235 to sort and sift through all materials arriving on site to recover as much as possible through the latest state-of-the-art processing equipment. A selection of composts, recycled aggregates and soils are produced, while materials that cannot be recycled - with the exception of hazardous or contaminated materials – are sent for processing as refused derived fuels suitable for energy plants.

Steve is pleased to note that residual values for Volvo equipment remain very strong which lowers the cost of ownership when choosing Volvo construction equipment. “We remain very focused on operating efficiency, and for us, this is where the Volvo range comes into its own,” he says.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2017, the Shorts Group of companies has evolved from a one-man operation started by the late David Short, into a multimillion pound business employing a workforce of around 200. It was a longterm vision of David’s son, Gary, who is currently Group managing director, to add complimentary aspects to the core business, and to secure a long-term future for the Short family.

“Waste management remains the biggest part of our business, and each aspect of the operation blends seamlessly with the next,” explains commercial business manager, Bryony Short, who represents the third generation of the family working within the business.

“There is so much synergy across the business that we can make the most of every opportunity to reuse and recycle from the many different aspects of the Group’s activities.”

“Our target is zero to landfill, and that means making the most of new technologies and processes to enable new ways of recycling the waste streams that we handle,” she says.

SHORT TURN RADIUS LONG TERM INVESTMENT The new Volvo D-Series short radius compact excavators have been designed to make your investment work as hard as possible. Machines of this quality will retain their performance and their value in the market for years to come. ECO mode will help to cut fuel costs by up to 10%, while auto-idle and auto-shutdown will kick in when necessary. Maintenance time will be cut too, with 50 hour greasing intervals and grouped greasing points to make your life easier. And speaking of easy – the operator interface has been designed to be easy to use, easy to understand and easy to switch between different operators. The ECR35D and ECR40D short turn radius machines will slip into the tightest spots; and for those of you without space constraints, there’s the new standard length EC35D. All built for the long term. Building Tomorrow.

Volvo Construction Equipment Division Volvo Group UK Ltd Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QX Telephone: 01223 836636 Fax: 01223 832357 sales.vcegb@volvo.com www.volvoce.co.uk

indUstrY news

Hanson Aggregates purchases UK’s first two Liebherr L 586 XPower© wheeled loaders

Hanson Aggregates has purchased the first two Liebherr L 586 XPower® wheeled loaders in the country and has put them to work on the aggregate production side of its quarry where they are impressing thanks to their fuel efficiency, increased load over height and operator comfort.

Hanson Aggregates is one of the UK’s largest producers of construction materials producing aggregates, asphalt, ready mixed concrete and cement from over 300 locations across the UK. The Padeswood cement works in North Wales and many of the concrete batching plants in the area are supplied with material won from the company’s Cefn Mawr quarry just outside Mold in Flintshire which has been operational for over 100 years.

The aggregate production side of the quarry, managed by Phil Davies, has recently invested in the first Liebherr L 586 XPower® wheeled loaders in the country.

Launched at bauma 2016, the XPower® range of loaders employs Liebherr’s version of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to provide a fuel efficient and durable driveline alternative to traditional mechanical driveline systems. The system combines a split driveline that is both mechanical and hydrostatic. The hydrostatic drive is most efficient in short loading cycles whilst the mechanical drive is used for long distance driving or climbing gradients. The transmission automatically manages the interaction between the two drive

14

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

types and is adjustable and continually mixing the ratio of the two drives without interrupting traction. The hydrostatic portion of the drive is higher when starting the loader and during loading duties. The mechanical element is greater at higher travel speeds.

The combination of CVT transmission and Liebherr Power Efficiency (LPE) software allow for potential fuel savings of 30% over comparative models. The LPE software continuously monitors the engine, transmission and hydraulic system, as well as driver input, to ensure the loader is constantly running at optimal performance.

The XPower® range has also benefitted from the introduction of new Tier 4 Final emissions compliant engines with the L 586 being fitted with a six-cylinder Liebherr engine, which delivers 354 HP at a maximum of 1800 RPM with maximum torque coming at a mere 1300 RPM. Unlike many designs of wheeled loaders, the Liebherr range does away with a large counterweight instead relying on the positioning of the engine to balance the machine. This has allowed Liebherr engineers to streamline the rear canopy and allows

for simple and easy access to all major components. The large and hydraulically opening bonnet also doubles up as a sturdy working platform when accessing the engine compartment. The repositioning of the engine and lack of a large transmission has allowed the cooling pack to be moved to a location in front of the engine and away from potential sources of contamination.

Access to the redesigned Liebherr cab is via an angled ladder underneath the nearside of the cab. Situated adjacent to the auto greasing system and the screenwash reservoir, the steps provide safe and easy access. The cab’s redesigned structure gives far greater forward vision thanks to the new windscreen which incorporates fully glazed lower corners. The adjustable steering column allows the operator to position the wheel to their exact liking and this, coupled with the fully adjustable seat and joystick pod, can accommodate whatever configuration suits the individual driver.

Whilst the Hanson machines are equipped with a steering wheel, Liebherr also offers a proportional joystick steering option.

Liebherr’s full colour touch screen has been

indUstrY news

fitted to a sliding rail that allows the operator to position the unit wherever they want on the cab pillar. The screen shows all machine functions, gives an intuitive route for the operator to tailor the machine’s operation and relays the image from the bonnet-mounted rear-view camera.

The radio and all other switch gear is mounted neatly in small panels above the front windscreen. Storage space is ample with cup holders, oddment bins and a space behind the seat to store larger items.

For those wanting an open window when operating, both the door and offside window have sliding sections fitted.

Regular operator of one of the L 586 XPower® loaders, Richie Shawcross, commented: “It is a lovely machine to drive and much more comfortable than any other machine I’ve driven. The controls are smooth and there is plenty of power at all times. The touch screen allows me to do my daily fluid checks without having to lift the bonnet.” The Liebherr joystick, which is built into the operator’s seat, allows all working and manoeuvring operations to be performed with a high degree of precision and sensitivity. The new electrohydraulic system allows the operator to programme the lift arm and bucket positions from the cab. The tipping speed for

crowding and dumping the bucket can be regulated individually and quickly via the touch screen display.

The two wheeled loaders have been specified with longer loader arms and give approximately 450 mm more reach and lift height over the standard versions. The higher lift arrangement has been chosen as the machines will occasionally need to load one of the site’s fleet of 65 tonne capacity dump trucks. “Our previous machines struggled to do this,” explains Phil Davies, “But the new Liebherr’s have plenty of clearance over the skip.” The Liebherr’s ability to load the 65 tonne capacity quarry truck in six passes before turning its attention to loading a 44 tonne gross artic showed the versatility of the long arm configuration. Both machines carry identical capacity buckets of 5.5m3. One has been equipped with teeth for face loading while the second is a general purpose unit for rehandling of the finished product. In a bid to up productivity on the site, both machines have been supplied with the latest in digital weigh loader technology in the shape of RDS’ Loadmaster Alpha 50 system.

Loading from a compacted stockpile of blasted material, the hydrostatic transmission on the L 586 XPower® came into

play distributing power equally to all four wheels, which have Michelin XLD tyres.

With no wheel spin or bellowing engine sound, the loader eased into the pile and reversed out with a full bucket every time.

Liebherr claims the XPower® driveline can also reduce tyre wear on the loaders by up to 25 per cent.

Phil Davies commented; “Once we had the demonstration machine we knew we were going to be happy with the new models. We have seen an increase in performance and a marked decrease in the amount of fuel we use. Fuel, and now AdBlue, play a major role in the costing of equipment and the loaders are using very little in the way of AdBlue. We use 10 litre tubs at a time in a bid to avoid any cross contamination. Fuel returns have been promising with the Liebherr LiDat system telling us we are using an average of 18.2 litres per hour. Both machines are now moving in excess of 1800 tonnes of material per shift and this means our product costs less per tonne to produce now, which can only be a good thing. Both loaders have been totally reliable so far and all through the demonstration, purchase and commissioning procedure Liebherr and its Wheeled Loader Specialist Colin Scott have been excellent to deal with.” Both L 586 XPower® ma-

ukplantoperators.com

15

indUstrY news

chines have been taken on a six-year operating lease with all maintenance being carried out by technicians from Liebherr’s

16

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

nearby Wigan depot, although if there is a problem there are a number of home-based fitters situated nearby. “We can’t envisage

any issues with the machines. They are well built and very much on top of the job,”

®

The New Generation of XPower Wheel Loaders

L 550 XPower® - L 586 XPower® Fuel savings of up to 30% are provided by the Liebherr Power Efficiency (LPE) system and Stage IV / Tier 4f compliant power-split driveline, which optimises performance. To achieve full power and the highest levels of fuel efficiency, the XPower® wheel loaders automatically adapt to the working situation with the most efficient ratio between hydrostatic drive for material uptake and short distances and mechanical drive for long distances and uphill.

NO DPF required

Productivity is increased through easy maintenance with all operating parameters visible at a glance and no requirement for a diesel particle filter and regeneration thanks to the Liebherr SCR technology. Robustly built with strong axles and component parts to minimise cost and downtime, the XPower® machines also have strengthened Z-kinematics for up to 20% more break-out force.

The new ergonomically-designed cab, with its range of adjustable features provides optimum operator comfort.

Increased safety is achieved through improved visibility with larger windows that extend further downwards, a tapered engine hood and a rear-view camera integrated with a touch screen display.

Call today on: 01767 602100 Liebherr-Great Britain Limited, Normandy Lane, Stratton Business Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8QB. www.liebherr.co.uk

Common Uses:  LOLER Certification  Training Videos

 Operator Manuals

 Workshop Manuals  Operator Checks  Time Sheets

 Damage Reports  Off Hire Portal

 Service Management

 Other bespoke solutions

Certification Made Seamless.

What is ScanCert?

ScanCert ™ is a proven and effective compliance management solution serving Construction, Plant Hire, Automotive, Local Government, Healthcare, Educational & Logistical Sectors.

Multiple sectors, multiple solutions ScanCert ™ is designed for issues across multiple industry sectors, offering solutions to a wide spectrum of businesses from small, emerging companies, medium sized businesses showing rapid growth to large, all with complex processes and the requirement to share information quickly and effectively.

Access everything in one place

ScanCert ™ uses QR, NFC or RFID technology to get the solution required for your business giving your customers or staff quick and easy access to documentation 24/7 by simply scanning via their mobile device. Access can be given to a variety of information in the form of certification, operating manuals, and training videos all maintained on a managed database. With continued industry changes, recognising more stringent H&S

Get in touch today : info@scancert.co.uk

Scan here for a demo:

regulations, greater traceability and visibility in auditing are required.

indUstrY news

Hat Trick of new Hyundai machines for Jarvie Plant Group

Hyundai construction machinery dealer Young Plant Sales, based in Doune Scotland, has recently supplied three 14-tonne HX140 crawler excavators to Grangemouth based, Jarvie Plant Group. The machines went straight out on hire and are working on various civil engineering projects across Scotland.

Jarvie Plant boast an extensive hire fleet contractors. The new models also benefit friendly ergonomic controls and touchJarvie Plant has an impressive 1750 mafrom improved fuel efficiency without screen monitor.” chines in its hire fleet ranging from Stihl power level drops.”

Jarvie Plant and Young Plant saws, to dumpers and rollers right up to 22 Safety is a priority for Jarvie Plant Jarvie has been working with dealer tonne excavators. In this extensive fleet are Jarvie Plant pride themselves on their Young Plant more than 30-years and it was 10 Hyundai machines which include commitment to Health & Safety. Safety in the need to expand the company’s hire fleet Hyundai fork-trucks, a R125LCR-9A, an the company’s fleet is at the top of their they were introduced to the Hyundai R210LC-9A and the largest excavator in priority list. “We are 100% committed to brand. “We were growing the business its fleet – the R220LC-9A. Jarvie Plant essafety and we are always introducing new further and had been working with Young timate that they have invested in the reand innovative safety systems into our fleet Plant for many years – they had just taken gion of £750K in the Hyundai brand. as much as we can.” Said Mr Jarvie. on the Hyundai brand – we trust Young Managing director, David Jarvie said, “The “The Hyundai All-Around View MoniPlant’s recommendations so Hyundai was Hyundai machines in our fleet completoring system (AAVM) on the HX140 the natural choice.” ment our range of dumpers, breakers and gives the operators a 360-degree virtual About Jarvie Plant Group associated hire products – where reliabiloperating view and the detection system The company, which opened in 1960, is ity is key.” senses and warns the operator when objects a real family affair and today there are still Proven reliability and performance come within five metres of the machine, three-generations of Jarvie’s on the board.

The decision to purchase three HX140’s which is essential on busy construction It’s a large operation with 170 employees was based around the proven reliability of sites. It’s also user friendly and is inteand eight depots in Scotland. The comthe other Hyundai machines in the comgrated within the machines control monipany’s constant commitment to investing pany’s fleet. Mr Jarvie reported, “The tor.” in people and plant has led Jarvie to openHyundai machines are extremely reliable Operator feedback ing another plant hire depot south of the and offer excellent performance. The maThe proof in the pudding is always in border in Manchester. chines are of good build quality and meet the eating! How does the HX140 rate The Jarvie Plant Group has many strings the requirements and flexibility we need. with the operators of the machines? “We to its bow including Plant Hire, Site AcThey also offer a competitive whole life have had very good feedback on the macommodation, Power & Lighting and Vecost.” chines.” Reported Mr Jarvie. “The comhicle Rental. Its biggest customers include Mr Jarvie added, “The technical specififortable cab and excellent performance Housebuilders, Civil Engineering compacations and the safety aspects of the make light work of long days! The safety nies, Utilities and Landscapers.

HX140 meet the requirements of today’s aspects are also a big positive as are the user

ukplantoperators.com

19

YOU CAN’T SEE EVERYTHING BUT HYUNDAI’S 360° SAFETY SYSTEM CAN

THE NEW HYUNDAI 360° SAFETY FEATURE The new range of Hyundai excavators include an optional new state-of the-art Advanced Around View Monitoring (AAVM) Camera System, which offers the ultimate in safety for operators and site personnel. This unique technology allows the operator to secure a field of vision in all directions around his/her machine and informs you of nearby people or dangerous objects. It makes the new range of Hyundai excavators the safest excavators to operate on any jobsite. This system is exclusive to Hyundai. For more information, please find your nearest Hyundai dealer at www.hyundai.eu

MOVING YOU FURTHER HCE UK | Unit 15 Bilton Industrial Estate | Lovelace Road | RG128YT Berkshire | +44 (0) 1344 484 034 | info.uk@hyundai.eu

www.hyundai.eu

indUstrY news

Hosplant wins prestigious Kubota UK construction skills contest

Scott Attmere from Hosplant has scooped the top award at the first ever Kubota UK Construction Skills Contest, a prestigious event that tests the technical expertise of service engineers from Kubota’s extensive dealer network throughout the UK. Expanding on the existing Kubota UK Agriculture Skills Contest introduced in 2015, the new one day event, held at Kubota’s state-of-the-art training academy at its head office in Oxfordshire, pushed the abilities of each contestant to their limits

by Kubota’s expert service engineers.

The manufacturer, renowned throughout the industry for its first-class service offering, challenged contestants to complete a detailed written assessment followed by an intense 90 minute practical assessment, with competitors tasked with diagnosing and fixing five faults on a Kubota U27-4 mini-excavator.

To highlight the importance Kubota puts on service training, top-level engineers from Kubota Corporation were flown

in specifically for the event to form part of the expert judging panel with Kubota UK. The competitors were judged not only on their ability to remedy all five faults, but also being able to demonstrate the method behind their decision making process.

Scott Attmere, Service Engineer at Hosplant, was crowned the overall winner, with the judges citing his methodology and processes used to fixing all five faults set him apart from the other competitors.

Scott will now accompany Kubota UK to Japan to see the renowned Kubota Global Skills Contest, where the very best Kubota engineers in the world compete.

Keith Miller, Service & Training Manager, said: “The Kubota UK Construction Skills Contest brings together the best service engineers from our extensive dealer network throughout the UK. The high level of competition witnessed at our inaugural construction event not only showcases the quality of engineers within our dealer network, but also the expertise and high standards of service Kubota cus-

tomers have access to. Scott was a deserving winner and this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication he puts into his role as a service engineer.

“This competition enables us to celebrate the hard work and meticulous nature engineers from our dealer network apply to their daily jobs, as well as raising their technical and customer skills to ensure Kubota machinery users receive the highest levels of aftercare.

“Investment into improving the skills and technical abilities of service engineers within our business and dealer network is of the utmost importance and it’s great to see so many engineers willing to put their talents to the test. Such has been the success of the Kubota UK Skills Contest since its introduction in 2015, Kubota employees from all over Europe were in attendance with a view to replicating the competition in their respective countries, therefore seeing Kubota UK as a Centre of Excellence to be aspired to.”

ukplantoperators.com

21

indUstrY news

Three’s not necessarily a crowd at Collier Quarrying & Recycling

Another Volvo L220H loading shovel has been delivered to Collier Quarrying & Recycling, a division of the Collier Group, located at Cowdenbeath in Fife, and takes up rehandling duties at the company’s Goat Hill Quarry along with two L220H’s that were delivered at the end of 2014 The new recruit joins the team of Volvo frontline shovels now totalling three, and has allowed a veteran L150C to semi-retire for use on secondary and standby duties as production at the Goat Hill facility steps up. In particular, the machines are in charge of the stocking out area where highquality Plus-65 PSV stone chippings are loaded out on both the company’s fleet of Volvo road-going lorries as well as general haulage distributing material as far afield as the Midlands. And since a significant financial investment has been made in establishing a block making and concrete panel making production plant, the need for another loading shovel equipped with a 5.6m³ rehandling bucket has been crucial for this new venture.

The Volvo L220H features a 13-litre stage-IV final engine developing 373hp in a relatively low rpm range of between 1,300 and 1,400 rpm. The machine also benefits from Volvo designed and manufactured driveline components including Optishift with torque converter lock-up and reverse-by-braking feature – all designed to offer considerable fuel savings on every shift. Fuel savings are further en-

22

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

hanced by the Volvo Eco-pedal, encouraging the operator to run the machine at its optimum rpm in the engine’s torque curve.

It’s not just Volvo Construction Equipment products that are favoured by the Collier Group, since the company also operates eighteen Volvo road-going vehicles in the guise of concrete mixers, haul and drag units, low loaders and eight wheeled tippers, and is also a fan of the FMX range of trucks.

Collier Quarrying & Recycling produce a high-quality Plus-65 PSV stone product besides recycled Type-1 and Class-6F2 materials. In addition, the company produces sub and top soils along with bulk infill materials. The Goat Hill facility houses a recycling centre that can accommodate inert construction waste, such as road plannings, demolition materials, soils and subbase materials and as mentioned, now has a highly productive block-making and concrete panel making plant recently established on site. Together with its heavy plant and haulage fleet, the Group is fully equipped to take on large site clearance and earth moving contracts from start to finish.

SMT GB markets Volvo Construction Equipment products which include wheeled loaders, articulated haulers, hydraulic excavators, Volvo utility equipment and Volvo road equipment products in Great Britain. There are eight strategically placed customer support centres, a dedicated National Used Equipment Centre and a network of utility equipment dealers to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.

Have a news story you want published?

Send it to sam@mcmoran.co.uk

indUstrY news

C D McNeill purchases a fourth Volvo EC27C

C D McNeill of Dingwall, Ross-shire has purchased a fourth EC27C for its contracting business.

The new EC27C is the fourth machine in a line to join C D McNeill’s contracting fleet, who took delivery of the first of its kind to be sold in Great Britain some seven years ago and prior to that, a history of operating the Volvo 2.5 tonne EC25s over a period of time. “We recognise the qualities of the Volvo product in terms of reliability, but more importantly, the after sales support that comes as standard from CSM Sales Ltd which is why we’ve decided to replace like with like,” says Grant McNeill.

Joining a mixed fleet of equipment which includes compact excavators up to seven tonnes as well as site dumpers and rollers, the EC27C is powered by a Volvo 1.6 litre low-emission, Stage III engine, coupled to a load-sensing hydraulic system for optimum performance and fuel saving.

Simultaneous control of slew and offset movements provides faster, more precise performance due to the right joystick control lever that features an electronically proportional roller. This allows the operator to accurately adjust hydraulic flow as

needed. All hydraulic functions are performed in total independence for more control and less delay when handling multiple tasks. An automatic two-speed travel system engages when operating in highspeed mode, automatically shifting gear from high to low, according to the travel load. Another feature for increased efficiency is the standard auto-idling system that lowers engine speed to idle if a control is not used for five seconds. The engine reverts to the pre-selected speed almost instantly when any control is moved. This system delivers lower fuel consumption, longer engine life and less environmental noise.

The EC27C features Volvo’s industryleading comfortable cab for less fatigue and more production. The ergonomically designed cab offers greater leg and foot room, making it one of the most spacious in its category with the machine supplied to C D McNeill featuring an optional highback seat that includes servo hydraulics levers which are integral to the seat unit,

for maximum operator comfort. As a good deal of contracting work involves the removal and replacement of tarmac driveways, paths and car parking areas, CD McNeill has added protective chequer plate to the underside of the dipper arm.

“Adding this simple feature saves a lot of damage to the arm when we are loading slabs of broken-up tarmac and helps to keep the machine looking fresh,” explains Grant.

Established over 49 years ago, C D McNeill offers a comprehensive contracting service throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This includes general groundworks, hill road maintenance, work on large estates and tarmac and asphalt laying.

CSM Sales Ltd is headed up by Managing Director, Calum Shaw, and based at Longman Industrial Estate, Inverness and is SMT GB’s utility dealer for the whole of the north of Scotland.

ukplantoperators.com

23

indUstrY news

JCB team helps engineer WW1 Tank Centenary tribute

EXCAVATOR giant JCB helped TV personality Guy Martin to engineer a tribute to the role tanks played in helping change the course of the First World War. Now the story of the tank’s role and its modern-day recreation was told in a Channel Four documentary ‘Guy Martin’s WW1 One Tank’ on Sunday, November 19 at 8pm.

The truck mechanic and TV presenter came up with the idea of producing a replica of a 30-tonne Mark IV tank to mark the centenary of a battle in which they were first deployed.

And he turned to JCB’s engineers and welders to help turn his dream into reality in time for the special anniversary.

They rose to the challenge in doublequick time with the profile parts cut, rolled and bent into shape at JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter before being welded together at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester.

The huge team effort ensured the tank was operational and on display in Cambrai, Northern France on Armistice Day on Saturday, November 11th.

It was at this location - exactly 100 years ago - where the original Mark IV tank helped the Allies on the Western Front to make an unprecedented breakthrough at

24

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

the Battle of Cambrai.

Guy Martin was given just five months to build an authentic reproduction of the 30-tonne tank from scratch and was quick to call on JCB’s engineering expertise. At more than 26 feet long and 10 feet wide, the 105 horsepower machine had a top speed of just four mph Guy said: “When I first looked at this challenge, I thought ‘This is a big ask.

We’re not going to see this happen.’ It is a massive undertaking and JCB was the main reason this was able to happen. They built the main part of the tank, and then the lads at the Norfolk Tank Museum put all the engine together. But JCB’s technology and knowhow was so important.

“As a challenge to build it, I’d say this is the biggest thing we’ve undertaken.

There’s loads of stuff we’ve done – building push bikes to go at 100mph, converting transit vans to do 150mph, but this, I think, is the biggest one. It’s not that we’re restoring them, or modifying them – we’re building an exact replica of a Mark IV Fosters Tank, from scratch.

Working from 3D plans drawn up by a hobbyist modeller, employees at JCB’s World HQ used computer design technology and cutting-edge manufacturing tech-

niques to recreate the chassis of the historic machine in just eight weeks.

The JCB team who delivered the project were Chief Engineer Martyn Molsom, 46, of Stone; Design engineer Tom Beamish, aged 26, of Derby; Welder Chris Shenton, 53, of Leek and welder Chris Brennan, 46, of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

As a part of driver Guy’s crew, all four were invited to witness the tank they helped to build take part in a moving reenactment of the moment 100 years ago that tanks first saw action in Cambrai.

They also took part in poignant commemorations in Cambrai.

Martyn Molsom said: “The reproduction of a Mark IV tank from a century ago is a great British manufacturing story and that’s one of the reasons we wanted to get involved in the project. Replicating that innovation in a few weeks was a massive task, but modern techniques and equipment made it a lot easier for us than it would have been back then.

“It was a fascinating project to be involved in, both from an engineering point of view and from the historical aspect, and I was delighted we could make it happen.

I don’t think any other company in the UK would have been able to pull it off in such

indUstrY news

a short time-frame, so I’m proud that it worked out so well.”

The project to produce a replica chassis for the tank was led by Martyn, who revealed data from a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model had given the team a head start.

Martyn added: “A model maker from Germany had created a near-perfect CAD design of a Mark IV that was blown up in the Battle of Cambrai and had been buried there for over 70 years. That gave us a fantastic historical representation, but we had to adapt the design so it could be converted from a model into a real-life machine. The timescale involved made it a massive challenge, but we pulled in resources from different parts of the company and made it work.”

The manufacture of tanks during the early 20th century would have involved cutting, drilling and punching steel by hand using giant presses – requiring hours of manual labour and fair bit of sweat.

But things have changed dramatically in 100 years and, thanks to computer-controlled machinery, the team was able to use a 4,000 watt laser cutter capable of slicing through 15mm of solid steel to complete a similar process in minutes.

Sections of the hull, including the centre cabin and two rhomboid side panels, were built separately and welded together in just 20 days – a process that would have taken considerably longer in 1917.

Yet the team was keen to ensure the Mark IV looked entirely authentic and 3,000 fake rivets - used to join the original tank together - were attached to the replica using a robot welder.

Design engineer Tom Beamish said: “The manufacture of tanks was cuttingedge stuff at the time but looking back on it now, it barely seems possible with the equipment workers then would have had.

“We used modern techniques to rebuild the machine, but the biggest problem was to make it look as though it had just come off the factory line during the war. All of the welding work was done on the back side of the steel plates, so it wouldn’t be visible externally, but the specifications are exactly how they would have been back then. We even replicated the roller spacing for the tracks of the tank, so it would sound exactly the same as the original.”

Guy Martin visited JCB’s World HQ during the early stages of production and was given a virtual reality vision of how the finished tank would look thanks to the company’s state-of-the-art VR system.

He met company chairman Lord Bamford before lending a hand in the welding shop where Chris Shenton said fabrication work took less than four weeks.

Chris said: “It was down to us to put everything together and there was a lot of welding work to be done very quickly. It was a tough task and I don’t think any other company could have done what we did. I’ve worked at JCB for 24 years and this is the biggest project I’ve been involved in, certainly with the timeframe involved.”

Welding shop colleague Chris Brennan, described the project as a ‘real team effort’.

He said: “The project was a huge challenge, but we had a small team working on it throughout and the process came together very quickly in the end. Only four

of us were involved from start to finish, but there were other people who gave us support and it was good to be a part of it.”

The completed chassis was transported to Norfolk tank museum, near Norwich, where the remainder of the project took place.

Two ‘sponsons’ – projections extending from the side of the machine – along with a roof section and other parts, also manufactured at JCB, were lifted into place before a restored six-cylinder Rolls Royce engine, tractor gearbox, tractor axles and excavator tracks were fitted.

Guy’s original plan was to drive the tank in a Remembrance Day parade through the centre of his home-town Lincoln, where many of the Mark IVs were originally built.

But when permission was refused, he came up with the idea of taking the machine to France to re-live the moment its distant ancestors rumbled into battle.

The two-hour Channel Four programme, which follows the entire rebuilding process, also looks at the impact made by tanks during World War One. Guy learns what life is like in a modern tank and, thanks to recordings made before they died, hears from men and women who crewed the ground-breaking British invention.

The replica tank itself will return to the UK and will remain at the Norfolk Museum.

There it will form the centrepiece of an impressive World War One display and act as a lasting tribute to the brave crews who lost their lives in the conflict.

ukplantoperators.com

25

oo Vd er U Cstt o pr Y ofile Cr p

Application-specific design for new CAt® wheel Material handlers

The new range of Cat® wheel material handlers (MH3022, MH3024, MH3026) maintains the Caterpillar purpose-built philosophy for these machines, while reflecting engineering refinements that tailor them more precisely to specific industrial applications. Further improvements for these 2018 models include features that support rapid return-on-investment and enhance overall performance, versatility, and safety.

The design of the new material handlers is focused on application efficiency and reduced owning costs. For example, users need not buy a machine with a wide undercarriage if materials being handled are low density, and shorter front linkages are available if the machine frequently works in confined spaces.

The MH3022, for instance, is an agile solution for handling jobs with space constraints, providing the necessary reach for tasks such as indoor sorting and waste-handling, yet providing application flexibility with a choice of two MH booms, three straight sticks with linkage, and two drop– nose sticks. The compact undercarriage is

26

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

wide enough for excellent stability, while the centered position of the swing bearing allows equal capabilities when working over the front and rear.

If space-constraints are not an issue, the MH3024 is ideal for such tasks as waste handling, recycling, and bulk-material handling. The MH3024 features optimum reach with its long MH front linkage, and a choice of undercarriage configurations to meet all customer application needs. If the application is not stability-sensitive, then the new 2.75-m (9-ft.) undercarriage might be a perfect fit for the MH3024 working in typical conditions, as well as good fit for the MH3026 handling low density materials.

In either instance, the machine's footprint is adequate to ensure stability in normal operation, and, again, lifting capacities over the rear are increased by the symmetric position of the swing bearing If work requires greater lifting capacities and a larger working envelope, then the MH3026 is the optimum machine, equipped with a long MH boom and providing a choice of three drop-nose sticks— ranging in length from 4.9 to 5.9 m (16.1

to 19.3 ft.), three straight sticks—and a choice of three undercarriage sizes.

The flexible design of the new material handlers also contributes to ease of transporting these machines—a sure way to better control costs. Two drop-nose sticks for the MH3022 and MH3026 are now available, having lengths of 4.5 m (14.75 ft.) and 5.5 m (18.1 ft.). The new sticks can be an efficient solution when moving a machine between jobsites is a frequent occurrence, allowing transport without removing the stick. Sticks are designed to keep transport heights below the critical 4-m (13.1-ft.) dimension for significant time/cost savings.

Another noticeable addition for the new models is the front push blade, now available for all undercarriage types. These blades provide an easy way to clear the working area and push materials commonly encountered in waste and mill-yard applications. Working on surfaces free of debris can further extend tire life, resulting in greater operational efficiency.

Operational efficiency gets a further boost with redesigned, optimized, Cat orangepeel grapples. Designed to be an exact

A d V e r t o r i A l

t foi r lY e p r o dCUoCVte rp rso

match between tool and machine, the new grapples can contribute to decreased fuel consumption—by as much as 15 percent in some applications. The grapples feature reduced weight for shorter cycle times and increased productivity. Additional cost savings are available through the increased durability of the grapples, which have castings in place of welded structures in high stress areas.

Operator health and safety are primary design goals for the new material handlers.

To that end, an Advanced Cab Filtration system, available as an integrated option from the factory, is recommended when machines work in dusty, contaminated environments, especially indoors. The system almost completely eliminates dust and contaminants (insecticides, spores, fungi, bacteria, or vapors—for example) from entering the cab. In addition, the system eliminates the need to add cumbersome after-market filtration systems to the machine. Also, an Easy Cab Access option, which installs steps on the front and rear of the undercarriage, facilitates cab ingress/egress when the upper frame is not aligned with the chassis.

A d V e r t o r i A l

Specifications

MH3022

Engine

Net power ISO 9249

Operating weight

MH3024

MH3026

Cat C7.1 ACERT™--meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage IV emission standards.

171 hp (126 kW) – 171 PS 21 815 – 22 930 kg 22 950 – 24 165 kg 25 220 – 26 150 kg 48,094 – 50,552 lb. 50,596 – 53,242 lb. 55,601 – 57,651 lb.

Reach, max. (stick pin) with MH boom

11 005 mm (36’1”) with drop-nose stick 12 845mm (40’11”) 4 900 mm (16’1”) with drop-nose stick 5 900 mm (19’4”)

Height, max. (stick pin) with MH boom

12 065 mm (39’0”) with drop-nose stick 13 300 mm (43’8”) 4 900 mm (16’1”) with drop-nose stick 5 900 mm (19’4”)

Speed, max.

25 km/h (16 mph)

ukplantoperators.com

27

oo Vd er U Cstt o pr Y ofile Cr p

hill engineering’s tefrA tilt is a strong contender in attachment market done far more quickly. It’s able to pick up standard buckets with ease and is very reliable. I would definitely recommend the TEFRA Tilt to other operators.”

ABOUT THE TEFRA TILT HITCH.

Newry based attachment manufacturer Hill Engineering introduced its TEFRA Tilt In 2014. The TEFRA Tilt is designed for customers who need the full functionality of a Tilt bucket but see the versatility of having the 180-degree tilt function on all of their attachments with a standard pin grabbing system.

Most tilt rotate systems are designed with dedicated attachments, which comes with a high level of investment. Hill Engineering sales and marketing manager Oliver Phelan said, “The TEFRA Tilt represents a very strong middle ground. The product itself has really taken off. We are selling more and more as the months go by. We have seen a 60% growth in sales of the Tilt over the last year and it’s still growing.”

Hill estimates that a Tefra Tilt in comparison to its equivalent in a tilt rotator is approximately 30% of the cost. So, it’s the ideal ‘inbetween’ product where it gives the operator the majority of the functionalities they need but at a fraction of the price.

The Hill TEFRA Tilt hitch was born from the innovation of the TEFRA which was originally brought to market in 2011.

This tilt system allows operators greater flexibility in the way they use their machines and turns each and every attachment into one that can be used at up to 180 degrees. Hill engineering have used the award winning TEFRA system as the core of the product and introduced the hugely reliable tilt motor from HKS of Germany to achieve

28

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

the 180-degree tilt function.

Mr Phelan added, “Operators’ are now demanding more from their machines as they enter into new markets. The quality associated with the Hill and TEFRA brands, coupled with the unrivalled back up services for our clients, means the TEFRA tilt is fast becoming an essential tool in any operators’ kit bag.”

George Burns managing director GBSS Civil and Plant Hire specified a Hill TEFRA Tilt for a recently purchased JCB JS160W wheeled loader he said, “We decided on the Hill TEFRA Tilt as with competitors hitches there are too many parts and on the hydraulic tilting buckets there are too many rams which fail - whereas the TEFRA Tilt has an actuating motor arrangement and no wearing parts – so it’s practically maintenance free. It also has a heavier motor on it. We would definitely order a TEFRA tilt again if the application demanded it.”

Robert Buchanan is a machine operator with GBSS and has been using the JCB JS160W wheeled excavator machine fitted with the Hill Engineering TEFRA Tilt system.

Mr Buchanan said, “This was the first time I had used the tilt – previously I had only used a traditional hitch and bucket. I really am impressed with the TEFRA Tilt – it’s a cracking bit of gear. I can work with better angles with this attachment and it’s a real time-saver and you can get the job

The award winning TEFRA coupler and the HKS Extra Tilt Power Actuator have been united to provide users with two market leading technologies that, according to Hill Engineering, will transform the productivity of the users excavator. With a tilt angle of 180 degrees on all models, this ground-breaking product will enable users to increase the versatility of their attachments in multiple applications.

ROBUST & SIMPLE DESIGN – IS AT THE HEART OF THE TEFRA TILT. Hill Engineering say that the simple and robust design of the TEFRA Tilt sets this product apart from other suppliers. The TEFRA comes with just three moving parts and has been proven to be the most reliable quick coupler on the market today. Additional to this, the HKS XtraTilt Power Actuator is self-lubricating and essentially maintenance free, so that users are able to concentrate on the important tasks. There can be no damage to tilt cylinders and failure of their connecting parts, such as fastening bolts and bushes, because the Power Actuator has none of these.

Key Features of the TEFRA Tilt Hitch.

• Award winning TEFRA coupler • Simple & robust design • Tilt angle of 180 degrees • Single cylinder operation, removing complexity • HKS Extra Tilt - essentially maintenance and wear free • Exceeds current and expected global safety standards • Available for excavators 3T-20T

A d V e r t o r i A l

we need you to become part of the first nvq for plant hire & rental executives

Give a path to your career.

Get first class training and industry qualifications.

The Institute of Hire Rental Executives (IHRE) is a leading professional organisation which exists to develop and maintain best practices within the hire/rental industry.

Our courses are fully accredited by the established further education institutions (e.g. University of the West of England) and are recognised by the industry as relevant and meaningful qualifications.

Employers looking to choose the right candidate will naturally look more favourably upon candidates holdingan industry recognised qualification.

Raising the standards of industry through training & education

Our objective is to support the industry in addressing its skills needs. We achieve this by raising the industry standards through training, developing sustainable career paths so that the hire/rental sector is seen as a recognised career which attracts the best talent, both young and old, into the industry.

As a professional body we aim to understand the skill requirements companies require to achieve their business plans, and to work with other stakeholders, such as sector skills bodies and Government, to ensure the industry has the right qualifications to support its objectives.

nvq@ihre.org.uk

www.ihre.org.uk

oo Vd er U Cstt o pr Y ofile Cr p

Kubota sizes up with new wheel loader Kubota UK has strengthened and expanded its market leading range of compact construction equipment with the launch of its new R082 wheel loader.

Specifically designed with the optimum balance of size, power and comfort, Kubota’s R082 delivers maximum levels of productivity and efficiency, allowing operators to tackle a wide range of loading, lifting and moving tasks with ease.

Powered by a robust 47.3 PS Kubota diesel engine, world renowned for its reliability and low fuel consumption, the rugged and durable R082 is one of the most cost-effective in the Kubota range, enabling users to get more done in less time.

Adrian Mann, Kubota UK’s product manager for its Construction Equipment Division, said: “The launch of the new R082 further strengthens our range of high quality construction machines. It’s a powerful machine that features excellent breakout force and superior maneuverability and stability to deliver outstanding performance and productivity.”

The R082 has a long dumping reach and high dumping clearance to make all types

30

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

of loading jobs fast and efficient whether using a bucket or pallet forks. A key feature of the loader’s functionality is its arm’s tilt/parallel movement, keeping loads upright when raising or lifting the arm, as well as its differential lock system, which gives the operator the ability to engage both the front and rear wheels for slip free traction. Performance is enhanced further with a simple AUX hold switch, which sets and maintains the hydraulic oil flow for implements.

In addition to the performance of the machine, the R082 has also been designed with complete user comfort in mind. The loader’s operator station offers all the functions and amenities users need to keep working in comfort all day long. Its intuitive digital display panel, adjustable suspension seat, multi-function operating lever, tilt steering, and adjustable right wrist rest provide the ideal cabin environment for users to work long hours with

minimal effort.

With a high visibility cabin, the machine provides improved views from all directions. The rear of the cabin features rounded glass corners that, when combined with its sloped bonnet, provide excellent visibility when reversing. Up front, a wide view and redesigned Z-bar linkage configuration allows for unobstructed views of the pallet fork tips.

Maintenance on the R082 is a straightforward task, the engine bonnet at the rear opens wide, providing quick and easy access to the machine’s main service areas. Items that require routine maintenance and service are within easy reach for fast and simple servicing.

For security, the loader is also fitted with Kubota’s reliable anti-theft system, only programmed keys will enable the engine to start up and any attempt to start the machine with an unprogrammed key will activate its alarm.

A d V e r t o r i A l

t foi r lY e p r o dCUoCVte rp rso

Marubeni-Komatsu introduces the new pw118Mr-11 wheeled midi excavator.

Marubeni-Komatsu announces the new PW118MR-11, a quick and precise “tight tail” midi excavator with a powerful EU Stage IV engine, 6% less fuel consumption and an unrivalled compactness and lifting performance.

Sturdy and stable, the Komatsu PW118MR 11 features a class leading compact size. A special combination of power, complete control and convenient dimensions make it an ideal choice for heavy duty lifting applications or simple excavating tasks in narrow alleys, on road construction sites and for sewer construction work.

“This perfect match between size and performance was a focus for Komatsu designers” says Alex Visentin, Product Manager for Compact Wheeled Excavators. “It makes the machine exceptionally versatile, with the lowest fuel consumption level in its class.” He concludes: “On the European market today, no other manufacturer can guarantee such a unique combination”.

The latest KOMTRAX telematics offer top fleet management and support, protect the machine against misuse, and guarantee maximum efficiency and uptime.

Powerful and environmentally friendly With operating weights ranging from 12.800 kg to 13.900 kg, the PW118MR 11 is powered by a Komatsu SAA4D95LE 7 engine, EU Stage IV compliant, with a net horsepower of 72,5 kW (97,2 HP) @ 2.050 rpm.

An advanced electronic control system manages the airflow rate, fuel injection, combustion parameters and aftertreatment functions: the Komatsu EU Stage IV engine optimises performance, reduces emissions and provides advanced diagnostic capability. Customers benefit from lower fuel consumption with no loss of performance. An integrated SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system further reduces NOx emissions using the AdBlue® additive.

Versatility and Efficiency A heavy counterweight is now integrated in the PW118MR 11 as standard, with no extension of tail protrusion. Stability is increased by 13%, lifting capacity is optimised and higher than for the previous model and operations are safer.

A d V e r t o r i A l

The PW118MR 11 operational concept puts full control of the machine at the operator’s fingertips. For outstanding versatility and manoeuvrability, new dashboard switches allow to quickly change between 2 Wheels Steering, 4 Wheels Steering, and Crab modes, and to activate/deactivate the auto axle lock. The operator can also easily select up to six working modes to match machine performance to the application.

The new “Attachment Economy” mode can be used even with powered attachments and it further contributes to lower fuel consumption and emissions.

The all new cruise control function helps to eliminate operator fatigue when travelling mid to long distances for more comfort and safety. Any operator can easily find a perfect driving position and settings. Reduced power loss in the travel system and a revised hydraulic layout improve speed and acceleration, both on flat ground and on slopes.

Safety and Operator Comfort A comfortable work environment further helps to maximise productivity. Specifically designed for hydraulic excavators, the ROPS certified cab provides safe and quick access/egress, and gains strength from a reinforced box structure framework. It is mounted on rubber isolation dampers for low vibration levels. The radio, with

pre sets and an auxiliary USB input for connecting external devices, also has a Bluetooth connection. Two 12 volt power ports are conveniently provided.

The new viscous fan clutch system reduces both power loss and engine load when maximum cooling is not required. It lowers fuel consumption and contributes to less in cab noise. A new auto idle shutdown helps the machine to further decrease fuel consumption. Proportional control joysticks are standard and allow precise operation of attachments with comfort and ease. The addition of the new Neutral Detection System reduces the risk of inadvertent operation.

A high resolution 7” TFT LCD widescreen colour monitor features enhanced capabilities and displays information in 25 languages for global support. It provides information on AdBlue® fluid level, Eco guidance, operational records, fuel consumption history and utilisation information.

Safety is further enhanced through Komatsu’s standard “KOMVISION” system, and its display on the monitor of a real time bird’s eye view of the PW118MR 11’s immediate surroundings. This helps to avoid jobsite incidents and accidental movement at start up.

ukplantoperators.com

31

oo Vd er U Cstt o pr Y ofile Cr p

three next generation CAt® excavators deliver more choices in 20-ton size class Three Next Generation 20-ton size class excavators from Caterpillar—the 320 GC, 320 and 323— increase operating efficiency, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and improve operator comfort compared to previous models. The new excavators offer unique combinations of purpose-built features designed to match customers’ productivity and cost targets.

The new Cat® 320 raises the bar for efficiency with integrated Cat Connect Technology that advances productivity gains.

Standard technology combined with lower fuel and maintenance costs deliver low-cost production in medium- to heavy-duty applications.

Designed for low- to medium-duty applications, the new Cat 320 GC combines the right balance of productivity features with reduced fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The result is high reliability and low cost-per-hour performance.

Delivering high production performance, the new Cat 323 boasts standard integrated Cat Connect Technology and the most power and lift capacity in the line. These features combine with lower fuel consump-

32

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

tion and reduced maintenance costs to deliver maximum productivity at the lowest cost.

Technology boosts efficiency by up to 45 percent The new Cat 320 and 323 boast the industry’s highest level of standard factoryequipped technology to boost productivity.

Both models are equipped with integrated Cat Connect Technology, which increases operating efficiency by up to 45 percent over traditional grading operations.

Offering guidance for depth, slope and horizontal distance to grade, the Cat Grade with 2D system helps operators reach desired grade quickly and accurately. Using the system’s E-fence feature enables the machine to work safely under structures or near

traffic by preventing any part of the excavator from moving outside operator-defined set points. The standard 2D system can be upgraded to Cat Grade with Advanced 2D or Cat Grade with 3D. Standard Grade Assist automates boom, stick and bucket movements, so operators stay on grade simply and effortlessly with single-lever digging. Cat Payload on-board weighing, integrated on the Cat 320 and 323 at the factory, delivers precise load targets and increased loading efficiency with on-the-go weighing and real-time payload estimates without swinging to prevent truck over/under-loading. Cat LINK™ hardware and software connect jobsites to the office and provide customers with machine-critical operating information.

A d V e r t o r i A l

t foi r lY e p r o dCUoCVte rp rso

Fuel savings reaching up to 25 percent Durable Cat engines provide dutymatched power ratings from 90 to 121 kW for the three new excavators. The efficient Next Generation machines consume up to 25 percent less fuel than the previous, corresponding models. New Smart mode operation automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions, optimizing both fuel consumption and performance. Engine speed is automatically lowered when there is no hydraulic demand to further reduce fuel usage.

More efficient than single-fan systems, the new cooling system employs multiple electric fans, which independently monitor hydraulic oil, radiator and air-to-air aftercooler temperatures to deliver the exact airflow required. With a new hydraulic system built for responsiveness and efficiency, the Cat 320 GC, 320 and 323 feature a new main control valve that eliminates the need for pilot lines, reduces pressure losses and lowers fuel consumption. Fewer hydraulic lines on the excavators result in 20 percent less oil required, lowering long-term operating costs.

Maintenance costs reduced as much as 15 percent

A d V e r t o r i A l

Offering extended and more synchronized maintenance intervals, the new Cat excavators do more work at a lower cost and reduce maintenance costs by up to 15 percent over the previous series. Featuring higher dirt capacity, the new Cat hydraulic return filter boasts a 3,000-hour service life, a 50 percent increase over previous filters. A new Cat air filter with integrated precleaner and primary and secondary filters extends service life to 1,000 hours, a 100 percent increase over previous designs, while a new fuel tank cap filter extends service life to 2,000 hours. The three fuel system filters each offer a 500-hour service interval.

All daily maintenance checks for engine oil, fuel water separator, fuel tank water and sediment, and cooling system level are performed from ground level, making the routine faster, easier and safer. Consolidated filter locations reduce service time.

New cab designed to enhance operator performance All Next Generation Cat Excavator cabs come equipped with standard features like keyless push-button start, large standard 203-mm touchscreen monitor with jog dial keys for control and sound-suppressed

rollover protective structures (ROPS) to offer the next level of operator comfort, safety and quiet operation. Programmable joystick buttons for response and pattern allow the operator to dial in productivity settings. New advanced viscous mounts reduce cab vibration by up to 50 percent over previous models to reduce operator fatigue.

Equipped with a choice of Comfort, Deluxe or Premium cab packages, the new spacious cab features a low-profile design and large front, rear and side windows to enhance visibility to the front and side of the excavator. Optional 360-degree visibility combines images from multiple machine-mounted cameras to enhance the operator’s sight-lines in all directions. Automatic climate control maintains internal cab temperature settings, regardless of external ambient temperatures. A BluetoothŽ integrated radio with USB ports for connecting and charging phones bring creature comforts from the home to the operator’s office. A tilt-up console for the Deluxe and Premium cab designs affords easy cab entry and exit.

For more information about Cat Next Generation Hydraulic Excavators, contact the local Cat dealer or go to: www.cat.com

ukplantoperators.com

33

pe Vr e At r sotro r e YV i e w Co o

review CAt s41: A rugged smartphone for operators in site environments The modern phone it has to be said is overpriced and fragile to say the least as the manufacturers have gone for style and technology rather than think about the environment we work and play in.

Research has shown that there are a lot of us who care about battery life and durability and CAT have achieved this with the S41 UK Plant operators we invited to review and test the new cat s 41 tough phone, due to our very nature of who we are what we do we found this a great opportunity to possibly find a phone that would suite us plant and machinery operators, a phone that would stand up to the hard demand of daily site use, the dust the rattling around, the rain, and of course we have the brand association with a very popular machine, is this phone capable of standing side by side with a fantastically made machine? If it’s built and lasts half as long, we are on to a winner.

DESIGN So first impressions of the phone are good, seems very tough and well made, if you’re like me, looking after my phone has

34

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

been quite a ritual, tough cases, screen protectors, special cloths for cleaning the screen, well, with this phone there is none of that, the phone actually looks and feels ready to go work, it has a nice rubber feel to it, it looks like it would bounce of the side of a digger track if it was to fall out of your pocket (which we tried) and water proof if it were to land in a puddle, also the screen seems a very good size, with three dominate buttons on the front of a raised profile which make it easy to find the buttons, even if you were wearing gloves on a cold rainy day, or stood across a trench waiting for you pipe to be laid. It has rubber grommets covering all the ports, permanently so these need to be pulled out for attaching the charger and headphones etc, which in my eyes is a good thing, this gives

it 24 7 protection, you know what its like when jumping in and out of a trench all day, mud, stones and dust gets in your pockets and before you know it in to the terminals on your phone, so I like the fact it constantly protected, just a quick wipe off on your jeans and ready to rock and roll.

Some of you will also have a phone holder in your machine, vacuumed sucked to the window, you know what it’s like tracking around all day the vibration up through the cab and especially when you hit that bit of hard standing or tarmac the phone holder lets go and before you know it the phone and holder are under the track pedals mixing with the dust and rubble, at best it just dirty, worst you have the dreaded cracked screen of death, so me I’m very much a fan of this very rugged construction of the S41,

A d V e r t o r i A l

oV oerr rsetVoi erw Y o p e rCAt

DRIVING THE PHONE Well honestly at first I found it hard to navigate, I’m so used to the iPhone way of life, it was just as simple as my finger kept going in the wrong direction to navigate, but having said that after a few hours things started to become easier and the more time I spent using it the better I became, I never thought I would hear my self say this but I think I actually prefer the android operating system it’s so much easier to use, everything is there, no subscriptions to things just straight forward, it’s the little things like google search bar right there on the home screen, A back button is very handy when you need to go back, the camera function was nice and simple to use with some good effects, I also like the tabs button to the right which shows all the tabs you are on or have visited, this can go back almost for the duration of time have had the phone which made navigating the phone very easy, some of the pre-set apps were helpful also, I liked the office sweet, ideal for doing my time sheet scan and save as pdf with one button press, literally send my time sheet in minutes.

was having to charge my phone at least twice a day, I would leave it on all night and start the day with the full battery, by at least 3pm I was getting the warning that I need to charge again, so out came all the accessories like battery packs car chargers or the spare charger I have to carry about in the snack bag, guess what! I need none of that now, this battery is a monster and I mean a monster, and even with all the pictures and Facebook time I use, some days I come home and its still on 80% so don’t even need to put it on charge in the evening, so yes that’s right the charge can last 2 days! And that’s not it either, I can bail out my work mates on site with the new battery share function, all I do is plug the supplied cable and plug their drained iPhone into mine, set the amount of battery I wish to share making sure I don’t leave myself short and It will charge away, this is now getting annoying, event the kids have cottoned on to this and all get is dad can I have a charge please!

SCREEN The screen is what they call Gorilla glass 5 which was launched last summer which means its more than capable of standing up to not just being dropped but also scratching, something I have always had a problem with, as I mentioned earlier the stones rubbing against it in your pocket, this gorilla glass five can withstand an attack with a Stanley knife and constant rubbing with keys without causing any visible marks. But for those of you who are extra cautious there is a stick-on screen protector in the box.

WATER WEATHER PROOF The phone has an ip168 rated water and dust proofing, which means it can handle being submerged completely in water for about an hour ata a depth of up to 2 meters, so that means you can take the odd picture underwater possibly, maybe use it in the

BATTERY SHARE FUNCTION Now let’s get down to its unique selling feature, the large battery and it share function, how cool is this, so being an avid ex iPhone user one of the big problems I faced

A d V e r t o r i A l

ukplantoperators.com

35

pe Vr e At r sotro r e YV i e w Co o

bath, or most importantly if you leave it somewhere in the rain.

It has a temperature rating of -25 and plus 55 degrees which considering where we all live and the average weather conditions of the uk we will more commonly visit the lower side of that scale, but having said that you know how hot you phone can get if left on the dash of your machine.

THE DROP TESTS CAT have extensively tested this phone for falling from height and officially stated its capable of surviving a fall from 1.8 meters high onto concrete, so our drop test included dropping it from the cab onto the site road and onto the machine tracks, it stood up well.

Camera Against some of the fancier phones out there the camera is not the best I have used, its still ok with a 13mp camera fitted to this device, takes a half decent picture, just takes a few practices to learn how to use it, by this I mean hold it for longer to get a crisp focus, but once you get the hang of it the results aren’t too bad, it’s a bit grainy in low light conditions but I feel its more sharper than an average iPhone in good light situations and also has some good filters and also the HDR mode so if your using for Facebook I think you will be fine.

36

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

SUMMARY Why it fits our followers is because this phone is designed for professionals and site workers, most of these guys are wearing safety gloves and the phone still works with them on.

I love the rugged feel to it and the fact I don’t need a care package to go with it, I like the fact although its rugged and water proof it functions well, to me it’s a phone, for the tough working environment. It's not stylish, but apart from the women operators neither are we, but it's got a big battery and can cope with some tough treatment, the battery can be used to charge other devices, can pretty much survive a drop from 2metres, it has no real gimmicks is easy to use and is just as heavy as my iPhone with the battery charging case I use.

Perfect for the operative who wants a good smartphone at a reasonable price and who doesn’t want to replace countless screens and phone due to the nature of the industry we are in. Well done CAT an excellent addition to the tool box…..

A d V e r t o r i A l

BE UNSTOPPABLE. FOR THE TOUGHEST OF INDUSTRIES.

catphones.com CAT® B30

CAT® S31

CAT® S41

CAT® S60

© 2017 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

Bullitt Mobile Ltd is a licensee of Caterpillar Inc. All other trademarks, trade names, product names and logos are the property of their respective owners. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

V epA r nsYt oprrYo f i l e CoM

Earthworx UK choose Kinshofer NOX The UK market, although lagging behind our Scandinavian counterparts, has seen a recent upturn in the sales of tilt rotators.

Traditionally, the UK has been dominated by two brands; Engcon and Steelwrist and has been bolstered in recent years by the emergence of Rototilt and to some extent SMP. Whilst the market may be buoyant, newcomers are few and far between.

Founded in 1971 in Miesbach, Bavaria, Kinshofer originally produced bridge bearings, handrails and accessories for brick factories such as kiln trucks and lifts. Two years after their formation, the company designed and built their first brick grab, a product still in production to this day. By the end of the decade the company had moved to larger premises and was now designing other attachments such as clamshell buckets, grabs and had also designed the company’s first rotator with constant rotation. Following on from the acquisition of the Demarec range of demolition tools the company formed Kinshofer Aponox Oy in Finland to develop the NOX range of tilt rotators. Whilst not totally unknown to the

38

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

UK market, the NOX hasn’t been pushed as much as it could have been, until now.

Building on their use of helical drive motors form their truck loader range of attachments, the NOX range comprises of five models compatible with excavators with weights ranging from 3-25 tonnes.

Whilst the other models available in the UK all feature either single or double tilting cylinders depending on their size, the Kinshofer NOX range is ram-less thanks to a patented elliptic piston featuring just a single thread. Being devoid of tilt cylinders allows for a narrower finish to the tilt rotator with the latest model to enter the range, the TR14NOX measuring 450mm at the widest point, almost 200mm narrower than its nearest competitor. This narrow width allows a machine weighing up to 14 tonnes to be able to dig a deep trench at 450mm wide and still retain the use of the tilt rotator, something other manufacturers fall behind on.

The five model range are identically constructed from a solid cast housing containing the hydraulic parts of the attachment.

Constant 360-degree rotation is possible and all models achieve a tilt angle up to 50 degrees on both sides. This again brings the NOX range inline with other manufacturers. The compact design allows a smaller dipper to bucket pin-to-pin distance allowing the host excavator to retain a greater breakout force and with the narrow design allowing for narrower and deeper trenches to be dug, the requirement for a top hitch can be discounted therefore providing a substantial weight saving and allowing the host machine to retain its stability at all times.

Specification of the hitches is high as standard with high-flow lines and the ability to plug and play options such as a gripper cassette. The newer model is also fitted with electrical connections allowing for the fitment of third party GPS systems.

A d V e r t o r i A l

t foi r lY e C o M pA C onVYe rp rso

Four control options can be specified.

Two are basic set-ups, something that will not be often seen in the UK whilst the higher specification options are NOXPROP and SVAB with the SVAB version allowing extra function capability and the NOXPROP adding a separate display module. The installation of the units is a relatively simple affair taking around a day to complete depending on the system and machine it is being fitted to. Kinshofer UK will be using the experienced services of Summit Engineering from Derbyshire to undertake all NOX installations as they have a vast experience of working on hydraulic and electrical systems throughout the industry.

Whilst Kinshofer do not have their own dedicated hydraulic quick coupling device, the NOX range is compatible with a host of couplers both on the top and bottom of the unit and include both OilQuick and Lehnhoff designs to allow rapid changeover of hydraulically controlled attachments.

As part of the Kinshofer group, RF attachments in Finland are able to supply a wide range of “Swedish style” buckets and attachments to compliment the range of tilt rotators.

UK Plant Operators were invited to the North Devon countryside to see one of the latest recipients of the NOX range and get their views on the newest entrant to this hotly contested market.

Shaun Price runs Earthworx UK and has recently got back into the plant and contracting game after a short spell away from the business. A move from Surrey to Devon saw the Sean and his family initially start a holiday let operation before moving to run one of the biggest custom sign making companies in the country. A couple of moves saw the family move to their present premises outside Barnstaple where the flourishing sign business is now located and Shaun has stepped back into the contracting business.

With his family taking the reigns at the sign business, Shaun purchased a used JCB JS130LC from local dealer Holt JCB with a view to undertaking landscaping works and contracting jobs in the local area. The initial move back into the landscaping and contracting side came when he first moved to the county and required work doing around his own property. The purchase of a 2CX then a 3CX brought him to the atten-

A d V e r t o r i A l

tion of local farmers and landowners and his attention to detail and high class work brought in a steady stream of clients. Busier times at the holiday lets saw Shaun move away from the contracting business for almost 10 years before the purchase of the JS130. Both Shaun and his wife Kate are trained landscapers and have a passion for turning clients wishes into reality and the move back into undertaking this type of work will see Sean back in his comfort zone.

With the choice of machine made, Shaun wanted to add a tilt rotator into the mix.

With months and months of research on the internet, forums and in magazines and understanding the exact nature of his business meant Shaun was in an ideal position to make a decision of which brand to take on.

Despite the lack of actual models on the market, the quick reply and detailed conversations with Paul Birch at Kinshofer UK, saw Sean invited to look at a UK operator, Utcheter Plant who were already using a TR06NOX on their CAT 432F backhoe loader. Positive words from Stephen Bennett at Utcheter saw Shaun do the deal for a TR14NOX with SVAB control system and joysticks.

With the system fitted to a high standard

by Kinshofer’s approved fitting teams from Summit Equipment, we caught up with Sean whilst he was undertaking the formation of drainage and dew ponds on his own land. With the bulk excavation undertaken before the fitting of the Kinshofer, Shaun was using his new purchase to dress the outer edges of the excavations with soil.

“I’m still getting used to the added versa-

tility of the Kinshofer.” Shaun comments “I’ve only had the tilt rotator on for a week or so and it simply amazes me as to what I can actually do with it.”

The TR14NOX was taken by Shaun after a detailed search. “I liked the look of them all but it was the narrow build and relative simplicity of the unit that helped seal the deal. The ability to narrow trench with the unit on was also a big factor as we don’t need a top hitch and this reduces the weight on the end of the dipper.” The narrow build allows Shaun to undertake any task asked of him. Initially supplied as a base unit, Shaun has just purchased a gripper cassette unit which was installed very quickly and easily.

This addition will allow Shaun to handle a variety of materials whilst undertaking his landscaping operations.

The low and narrow build of the NOX has been complimented by a simple maintenance regime. The sealed worm drive is permanently lubricated with grease and the units all feature just two greasing points.

Shaun is extremely pleased with the addition of the NOX to his JCB immediately seeing the benefit of the unit and the productivity and safety gains it brings to his operation. “While it is an expensive addition to any machine, anyone using a tilt rotator can reap the rewards in a short time frame.” Shaun comments “Long term, reduced track wear from moving less is an area I will benefit along with reduced fuel consumption and knowing I will be able to complete jobs quicker than without the NOX.”

ukplantoperators.com

39

V epA r nsYt oprrYo f i l e CoM

MST Assist AR Demolition

Specialising in bucket wear parts and undercarriage components as well as heavy duty attachment design manufacture and refurbishment, Sunderland based MST has been working alongside Rich Holt and the team at AR demolition on a number of recent projects.

For anyone not aware of Rich Holt’s talents, he has produced some of the signature additions to demolition machines around the country and is renowned throughout the industry for his attention to detail and his exceptionally high quality of workmanship.

Looking after a fleet of demolition attachments of varying sizes, Rich has to undertake the regular maintenance and repair of concrete processors within the AR Demolition fleet and this time consuming job has seen him looking for time savings in a bid to get the attachments back out to work as soon as possible.

Whilst Rich and the team are more than capable of producing the required processor jaws, they believed there was a better solution than spending time fabricating the large items from scratch in their own workshop and contacted leading fabricators MST to see if they were able to assist in the project.

Using state-of-the-art cutting facilities at their Birtley and Sunderland factories MST have been able to produce a pair of MPQ45 and MPQ60 kits designed to be built together by the end user. The heavy duty parts have been cut from Hardox Swedish steel and have been made with exacting tolerances to ensure a snug fit before welding.

40

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

Both finished kits were on show at the recent DemoExpo along with the second project the teams have combined on.

MST and their sister company HSM have an enviable reputation for developing and manufacturing some of the largest buckets in the World and certainly within the UK. The AR team run a fleet of excavators equipped with OilQuick hydraulic couplers to allow attachments to be swapped over within seconds. Whilst this is highly beneficial when using hydraulic attachments, the added height of the coupler, although no more than a standard quick hitch, reduces the breakout force of the excavator significantly.

With three new Kiesel machines due for delivery, the company looked at designing a new style of bucket purpose made to cope with the stresses and strains put on it on a typical demolition site. Rich worked alongside MST’s 3D CAD design team, sharing his knowledge to ensure the new buckets would be designed correctly to maximise performance. Once the design was agreed, the buckets were manufactured to MST’s usual high standards. The completed buckets include a full Hardox 450 body, 35mm rolled wear strips and a 60mm delta V cutting edge fitted with Volvo adaptors and teeth.

The major difference in these buckets over conventional designs is the reduction in height of the hangers. In a bid to reduce the pin to pin measurements, the top of the bucket has been lowered to allow the hanger to be inset slightly. This reduction in height has been achieved by lowering both the front and rear of the hangers and results in a very low profile design which has also been strengthened and protected against damage.

The finished items have been completed to an extremely high finish with both units sporting AR demolition logos and the characteristic blue hangers to allow easy identification of the OQ hitch to the machine driver.

A d V e r t o r i A l

t foi r lY e C o M pA C onVYe rp rso

Paul Argent checks in with Pete Marquis Contractors Ernie, the super computer used by National Savings and Investments to pick out the winning Premium Bonds numbers has moved to a new home. Its former home, less than 100m away, is currently being demolished by Preston based contractors Pete Marquis.

The huge reinforced concrete building sat on a picturesque site adjacent to the large Marton Mere caravan park on the outskirts of the seaside town of Blackpool. Once the building is down and the site cleared, up to 160 houses will be constructed on the site.

The Pete Marquis team were out in force completing the demolition of the building which once sprawled across the site and included an eight-storey tower which dominated the local skyline. Recently, the company has purchased a number of Lehnhoff Lehmatic quick coupler systems for their smaller demolition spec’d excavators and one of these examples was on site undertaking the secondary processing of a huge pile of reinforced concrete material.

The varied range of equipment on site was dominated by three recent additions to the fleet from Hyundai. Wanting to expand the larger offerings of excavator in the fleet, Marquis has recently purchased a pair of Hyundai R520-9 and a slightly smaller R480-9a excavator from local dealer Taylor and Braithwaite.

Not wanting the massive expense of having to invest in three brand new machines of this size, the company looked at acquiring good quality used examples of which T&B were able to source from various sources around the country.

At the time of our visit the two larger ex-

A d V e r t o r i A l

cavators were working side by side removing the last of the extremely heavy footings.

One equipped with a Geith ripper tooth, the other with a new Rammer 5011 5 tonne hammer were extricating the large lumps of concrete and breaking them into more manageable pieces before being fed into the mobile crushers.

Both large excavators were working well within their capabilities to remove the concrete footings with the large Rammer hammer carried with aplomb by the 52 tonne excavator. Both R520 machines are -9 models and have been supplied with full FOGs guarding to the cab along with superstructure side impact protection. Geith quick hitches, auxiliary pipework and a fixed leg bracket complete the heavy duty demolition specification.

The third of the large Hyundai’s recently arrived on the fleet is a slightly smaller R480-9A machine. Powered by a 12 litre Cummins QSX diesel delivering 277kW, the 48.1t machine was being used to load the Terex Finlay jaw crusher with the concrete arisings from the demolition work.

Fitted with a heavy duty, 2.5m3 bucket the Hyundai was steadily loading the jaw crusher with material. Despite the best work from the hammer equipped machine, the crusher was having to deal with pieces of rebar in the concrete. Similarly equipped

to the larger machines, the R480 was supplied with a FOGs guard and full auxiliary pipework with the only difference being a Miller hitch in lieu of the Geith versions.

Sitting on top of a pile of material, regular operator of the R480, Marshall Ford was able to use the machine to its full capabilities. With a 16m reach and 12m dig depth he was able to bring in the material from a wide radius around the machine and was still able to sit a safe distance from the crusher hopper when loading.

All three machines have had a constant presence on the NS&I project and have been extremely reliable since their arrival. Working alongside the diverse range of excavators in the Pete Marquis fleet, the three Hyundais are currently the biggest machines used by the company and stand alongside a Volvo EC460 high reach machine. Where Taylor and Braithwaite believe they excel above and beyond may dealers is their personal service and dedication to back up and service. “We have our fitters based in strategic locations to allow us to cover our area quickly and effectively.”

Explains T&B’s Kevin Bell “We like our fitters to get to know our customers personally and vice-versa. It is better for the customers to be able to speak to the fitters directly should there be a problem with anything. This also goes up the management ladder and should it be needed; our directors will always answer their phones to sort a problem out.

As an environmentally conscientious contractor, Marquis has endeavoured to recycle as much material as possible from the project. Soft stripping the building prior to demolition has ensured the material removed has not been contaminated and can be recycled or reused where possible. The concrete and masonry from the project has been run through the two large mobile crushers on site will be used in the construction phase of the forthcoming project.

ukplantoperators.com

41

V epA r nsYt oprrYo f i l e CoM

Leap of faith pays off for Scottish Contractor

“Money well spent,“ is how Gordon Skene, Director of GRS Construction Services sums up his investment in Engcon tiltrotators for his fleet of Takeuchi excavators. The successful groundworks and landscaping contractor, based in Buckie on the north east coast of Scotland, has three EC209 systems, an EC214, an EC10B, grading buckets and a host of other tools and attachments. “I took a leap of faith when we purchased our first units three years ago as it was a really big investment for us, but now I wouldn’t be without them,“ says Gordon - one of the UK’s growing number of happy Engcon customers.

Flash in the pan Initially, Gordon and his dad Robert, who has since retired from the business, thought tiltrotators were just a flash in the pan gadget. Now Gordon is glad he took the time to find out more by reading reviews and talking to his trusted Takeuchi dealer, JMS Equipment Ltd, who recommended John Craig at JCC Engcon Group in Stirling. Gordon was finally convinced to purchase his first Engcon tiltrotator from

42

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

John when he watched a friend using one and could see the cost and time saving benefits for himself.

Competitive edge With a combination of powerul yet compact Takeuchi excavators, Engcon tiltrotators and attachments including forks, kerb grabs and brushes, GRS has gained a critical edge in the market. “We work in a very competitive industry,“ explains Gordon.

“Although rates for the kind of jobs we do have come down in recent years, we’ve been able to maintain our margins by increasing productivity and efficiency. Our investment in Engcon has really paid off.“ he adds. For example, digging drains and service trenches for a typical four-bedroom house used to take GRS about two days. “Now we can get the same work done in under half that time, and with greater accuracy and a much tider finish,“ says Gordon with a smile.

Increased safety, less fatigue One of the many advantages of being able to tilt and rotate buckets and tools using a tilrotator is fewer machinery movements.

As well as saving time this also increases safety, which is always a top priority for GRS, as Gordon explains “We are often working on very large and busy construction sites and ensuring the safety of our team and others is paramount for us and for our clients. Gordon has also noticed that his operators are less fatigued at the end of a shift. He believes this is partly due to the fact that they can access different digging positions without having to keep moving their machines around.

Must-have technology When he had to hire an excavator a few months ago that wasn’t fitted with a tiltrotator, Gordon says he found it extremely restrictive and realised just how much he has come to rely on his Engcon units to help his business work more profitably and more safely. As he reflects on his decision to invest in Engcon, he says the technology is fast becoming a must-have for UK owneroperators. “Tiltrotators transform a digger with a bucket into a robotic operator. Life is so much easier with Engcon!’

A d V e r t o r i A l

CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS www.topconpositioning.co.uk Tel: 0845 450 4300

WITH YOU ALL THE WAY Partner with Topcon for construction solutions including real-time video feeds and remote job site monitoring. Let’s tackle the challenges together.

ofVeetrY s t o r Y CA s

A partnership with a view to drive workforce safety

In line with its continued focus on customer support, global attachment manufacturer Miller UK has recently teamed up with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd., a Civil Engineering Company to produce a series of operator safety training videos. The videos will be used by Ward & Burke as part of their own internal operator training campaign for the safe operation and maintenance of the Miller Mate and Miller PowerLatch quick couplers across the UK, Ireland, Canada and the European Union.

Jason Glynn who is Chief Technical Support for construction equipment at Ward & Burke explains, “There are many items of legislation appropriate to the use of quick couplers, most of which stress the importance of providing operators with sufficient information and instruction to carry out their job safely. Ward & Burke offer a complete in-house solution to civil engineering construction problems and our core business beliefs are focused strongly around operator and onsite safety. We’re always looking out for the latest technology to ensure the safe operation of our machinery and when Miller showed us Miller Mate, we knew that we had to add it to our machines.”

In 2017, Ward & Burke have invested in 40 Miller Mates which have been retrofitted onto all of their machines, as well as an investment of 80 Miller PowerLatch quick

44

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

couplers. Following this investment, Ward & Burke recognised the value and requirement to produce their own quick coupler/Miller Mate training videos which were to be displayed at their regular safety briefings in conjunction with continuous operator training as well as the roll out of the Miller Mate.

Barry Robison, Miller UK Marketing Manager commented, “We were asked to support Ward & Burke with the development of a series of videos demonstrating the safe working practices for the use of quick couplers. The core aim of the safety videos was to educate and inform machine operators on the safe use of quick couplers whilst reducing the misuse and mismanagement of the equipment.”

The safety videos were filmed at Finning’s impressive brand new state-of-the-art service centre in Dublin using one of Ward & Burke’s brand new CAT 335 machines and

the new safety videos were premiered during a Ward & Burke workforce briefing last month at their Manchester office, hosted by Jason Glynn and company director Michael Ward.

Jason Glynn who was instrumental in the creation of the training videos said, “The Miller Mate safety training videos produced in conjunction with Miller UK have been positively received and will certainly support Ward & Burke’s drive for workforce safety.” He also added, “The videos will be posted onto YouTube as well as the Ward & Burke website so they can be played to operators as part of routine safety briefings and more importantly we now know that when our machines are out on site, every operator will be reminded of the correct and safe operating procedure every time they change the attachment.”

Russell Lowe, Business Development Manager at Miller UK said, “It was a pleasure working with Ward & Burke on this project, the focus was purely on workforce and onsite safety.” he added, “Following Ward & Burke’s recent investment of Miller Mates which have since been retrofitted to all of their machines together with the coupler alert safety system, the natural progression was to ensure they were utilised as an integral part of operator safety training.

This combined with the recent purchase of the Miller PowerLatch quick couplers, which are recognised for being the safest on the market, is guaranteed to ensure that Ward & Burke continue their drive for workforce safety.”

CoVer storY

Major Projects Around The UK Hinkley Point C

Hinkley Point C will mark a significant moment in the revitalisation of the UK’s nuclear power industry.

Just over One year since the final contracts were signed and construction is progressing well at Hinkley Point C. Over 2000 workers are on site every day and 76 apprentices are already working on the project, which has promised to create up to 1000 Apprenticeships during the build.

The project remains on track to meet the 64% UK supply contribution with nearly £9bn of contracts signed since final approval. Two concrete batching plants are now complete, which means up to 2000 tonnes of concrete can be produced on site each day.

With eight different sites of construction at Hinkley Point, the project is much bigger than you might think.

EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point C will be a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK. Capable of generating 3.2GW, it will sit alongside an operating nuclear power station, and one being decommissioned, on the north Somerset coast in the south-west of England.

46

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

The main power station development will include: • Two UK EPRTM nuclear reactor units • Two turbine halls • Cooling water infrastructure • Fuel and waste management facilities including storage • Electricity transmission infrastructure • Service and ancillary buildings • A sea wall • A public information centre • Landscaping for the construction land.

The Hinkley Point C project also includes some associated developments in the surrounding area. The main associated developments are an accommodation campus next to the main site; an accommodation campus in Bridgwater for construction workers; four park and ride facilities to transport workers by bus to the Hinkley Point C development site; a temporary jetty and refurbished wharf to deliver as much heavy equipment and material as possible by sea to reduce pressure

Project Information Region

South West

Start Date

July 2008

Cost

£20 billion

Status

Underway

Type

Nuclear

End Date

March 2020

on roads; a bypass to the west of the nearby village of Cannington and a series of highway improvement schemes across the local road network.

EDF Energy will start work on the upgrade of the roundabout above the M5 at Junction 23 as part of more than £20 million of investment into the local infrastructure.

The work is designed to better manage traffic flow and reduce congestion. Works will include the installation of new traffic lights on each of the access and exit routes.

CoVer storY

The upgrade will be carried out by the Somerset Infrastructure Alliance, a joint venture between Bridgwater firm R K Bell Group Ltd, Skanska and Bristol-based Forest Traffic Management Limited.

EDF Energy is carrying out the improvements as part of a package of works associated with its Hinkley Point C project, which also includes park and ride and freight management facilities at Junction 23 and Junction 24 alongside the M5 and other park and rides near Williton in West Somerset and Cannington near Bridgwater.

Things which don’t automatically spring to mind is the impact Hinkley Point C is having on Somerset’s thriving tourism industry, but appreciation of Somerset’s thriving tourism industry has played a principal role in the planning of Hinkley Point C (HPC) from the outset of the project.

Somerset after all is the home of Hinkley Point C, not just for the 10 years of construction but during the 60 years of planned operations and beyond. It means that both development strategies and large financial investment have been committed and delivered to protect the existing tourism economy and ensure that the industry is in the best possible position to take advantage of the huge opportunities available.

Twenty-five thousand employment opportunities across the project not only means a boost to the wider and local econ-

omy, it also represents a major new market for Somerset’s tourism businesses.

Since 2015 Visit Somerset, Visit Exmoor, Exmoor National Park, local authorities, the County Council and EDF Energy have worked closely with tourism providers and their representatives on a comprehensive range of projects and initiatives funded through £700,000 of investment from HPC. All of these new and collaborative initiatives are looked after by the Hinkley Tourism Action Partnership which meets regularly to assess challenges and find opportunities for development.

Other initiatives which stands Hinckley point out from the others are projects like our own UK Plant Operators machine control training via simulator which was the first of its kind within the UK construction Industry, training operators and supervisors what its, how important it is to the program and how to use it, without stopping work on site.

Along with this is the HPC skills event where young people aged between 16-21 are being encouraged to sign-up to a new initiative to get hands-on at a skills day and meet the people who are helping to build Britain’s first new nuclear power station in a generation.

As part of the newly-launched Young HPC programme, young people who have registered with the scheme will be able to

attend the first of a series of skills days to find out more about the Hinkley Point C project.

These events, which are held at the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre, in Bridgwater, will enable registered participants to meet prospective employers and discover some of the elements of the jobs that are and will be available at Hinkley Point C. The scheme is designed to help local young people discover the diverse range of job opportunities available to them at the Hinkley Point C project – everything from catering and security to marine work, welding and administration work.

The aim of Young HPC and our skills days is to help people decide what to do next – whether that’s working at Hinkley Point C, doing an apprenticeship or going on to college or university. The events are all part of the legacy HPC want to leave local young people.

ukplantoperators.com

47

CoVer storY

A14 Project

An upgrade to the A14 between Ellington, west of Huntingdon, to the Milton junction on the Cambridge Northern Bypass. Includes widening the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury.

Work on building the £1.5bn upgrade to the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon started in November last year, meaning the project has been in construction for approximately a year.

The project includes widening a total of seven miles of the A14 in each direction (across two sections), a major new bypass south of Huntingdon, widening a threemile section of the A1 and demolition of a viaduct at Huntingdon, which will support improvements in the town.

There are over 400 machines on site from companies like Flannery Plant Hire and L Lynch Plant Hire with over 100 dump trucks on the project alone. With a lot of equipment being provided by the supply chain contractors. This major project also boost some of the safest equipment and most highly advanced major projects have seen with machine control play a major part of the construction planning.

Work includes: • the build of construction compounds and haul roads • work to build new bridges, including the 750m River Great Ouse viaduct, is well underway • the first side road bridge opened in September 2017, ahead of programme.

The bridge (near Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester) will eventually carry the A1198 over the new A14 bypass • excavation of the project borrow pits, which provide some of the 10million m³ of material needed to build the road

48

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

• visiting over 32 towns or events in our mobile visitor centre, and welcomed over 2400 visitors • creating some of the 271 hectares of new wildlife habitat which forms part of the scheme • almost 26 miles of utility services (such as gas, water, broadband) have been diverted 21 miles of the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon are being upgraded to three lanes in each direction including a brand new 17-mile bypass south of Huntingdon, with four lanes in each direction between Bar Hill and Girton. The project will add additional capacity, boost the local and national economy and cut up to 20 minutes off journeys.

The 2,200 strong construction team is keeping to the project’s challenging timetable, with the improvements on track to open to traffic by the end of 2020.

More than a quarter of the project’s main construction work has been successfully completed: a total of 3 million hours have been worked, and 2.5 million cubic metres of soil (equivalent to 1,000 Olympic swimming pools) have been moved into position to create foundations for the road and junctions.

34 bridges and structures are being built as part of the scheme including the new 750-metre long River Great Ouse viaduct.

One is already open to traffic, and on the others nearly 750 major components have been built. A14 project director at Highways England, David Bray, says “This is a

Project Information Region

East

Start Date

March 2017

Cost

£1.8 billion

Status

Underway

Type

Roadways

End Date

March 2021

huge amount of progress, and we are well on the way to transforming journeys on this vital link between East Anglia and the Midlands, connecting businesses, communities and families.’

“The improvements we are delivering between Cambridge and Huntingdon are vital for the local area and for the country’s economy. We set out to deliver world leading infrastructure improvements a year ago and this is exactly what we have been doing so far.’

“We’ve been using innovative ways of working to speed up construction such as making our own concrete building parts on-site and using temporary bridges to move construction materials across site without having to use the main roads.

“And we’ve done all this while looking after the environment alongside the project – we plan to have a positive impact by the time we finish – and giving local people opportunities to find out more, get involved or get funding for relevant projects.”

CoVer storY

The project’s ecology team has already created three of the 18 wildlife habitats which will be built as part of the scheme, covering a total of 271 hectares of new habitat by the time the scheme is completed.

The A14 Community Fund has allocated more than £110,000 to 16 local projects over the past year. Examples include a project to help people who have been out of work for a while to gain skills to get them closer to employment by growing plant plugs and looking after the natural environment locally. Another project seeks to encourage people to create poems and other pieces of creative writing about the A14 as a road within the local community. More than 2,000 people are estimated to benefit from the community fund projects so far.

Some 22 apprentices and 44 graduates have been recruited into the project team and 19 students have done work experience with the team too. The project’s skills team has also attended 80 local career events and visited 30 schools to promote science, technology, engineering and maths and talked to young people about careers in civil engineering.

The archaeology team is also making good progress, with 200 archaeologists working across the scheme currently. More than 25 settlements have been uncovered so far, including Iron Age, Roman, Saxon and Medieval villages. All excavation work will be completed by summer 2018 and people

will be able to find out more over the coming months.

And the mobile visitor centre has visited 32 towns or events and welcomed over 2,400 visitors to keep people updated about the scheme and opportunities.

David Bray also said “It’s exciting to see the pace of progress on such a big project” “Every day there is something new to see: new bridge columns, the layout for a new part of the road, a new balancing pond near a future junction – it’s all happening on a giant scale and there will be even more to see over the coming months.”

Plans for next year’s construction schedule include: work starting on the Bar Hill junction and the widening of the Cambridge northern bypass between Histon and Milton; opening the Grafham Road bridge over the A1, the first of the new Girton interchange bridges and the new A1 between Alconbury and Brampton to traffic; and continuing the construction of the bridges for the Swavesey junction, the River Great Ouse viaduct and the bridge over the east coast railway. The completion timings of all these activities are still indicative at this stage and dependent on weather and other factors.

What’s next?

Work to excavate the 10 million m³ of local material needed to build the scheme

will stop over the winter months as the ground will be too wet. This will resume in the Spring. Other work will continue over the winter, such as: archaeological excavations • • building bridges • installation of new drainage and replacing existing drainage where necessary • The following traffic management will be in place to allow this work to continue: • narrow lanes and 40mph speed restrictions on the A14 between Dry Drayton and Swavesey • narrow lanes and 40mph speed restrictions on the A1 between Brampton Hut and Alconbury • A14 Community Fund The A14 Community Fund supports projects with up to £10,000 of funding for activities which respond to the changes that the scheme will bring to the local area. The fund launched in July 2016 and has already generated a lot of interest through two successful funding rounds.

The government has made a provision for £1.5 billion of capital investment for this scheme. The proposals will be funded through a combination of contributions from Central Government, local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships.

Once work is complete the existing A14 will be ‘de-trunked’ between Huntingdon and Swavesey and between Alconbury and Spittals interchange. This means the road will gain county road status and Highways England will pass responsibility for the road to the local authority.

A1 widening between Brampton and Alconbury Following on as part of the program will be the widening of the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury over approx 3½ miles, from 2 lane dual carriageway to 3 lane dual carriageway. Between Brampton and Brampton Hut we will construct a new road to the west of the existing A1. The existing A1 road becomes part of the new A14 Huntingdon Southern Bypass.

This project is just about to kick in with 2018 seeing the project really in full flow and equipment levels and employment opportunities at a high level. We will come back next year to keep you updated.

ukplantoperators.com

49

CoVer storY

School frameworks

More than 30 contractors have won places on the government’s £8bn framework covering the construction of new schools in England.

The £8bn school building framework is divided into 22 lots by region and project value. Kier was the biggest winner in terms of places and contract value, securing spots on 14 lots with a combined value of £5.5bn.

Bam Construction, Carillion, Wates and Willmott Dixon all secured places on lots with a combined value of £4bn.

Contracts were signed on 20th November 2017 after the mandatory 10-day standstill period. The framework will operate for a period of up to four years from 27th November 2017.

In terms of the number of spots, Bowmer & Kirkland secured the second highest with 12, Keepmoat Regeneration was third with

nine, while Interserve, Morgan Sindall and Styles & Wood all secured eight places.

Bam Construction, Bouygues UK, Bowmer & Kirkland, Carillion, Kier, Sir Robert McAlpine, Wates and Willmott Dixon won places on the framework’s biggest package: the £2.6bn high-value south lot, covering projects over £12m in the South.

The framework is to support the delivery of the ESFA school building programmes and will also be available for schools and local authorities to use for their own projects. It replaces the ESFA’s previous national and regional contractors’ framework.

High Value Band - Intended for projects over £12m Lot 1 - High Value Band: North

Lot 2 - High Value Band: South

BAM Construction

BAM Construction

Carillion Construction

Bouygues UK

Galliford Try Building

Bowmer & Kirkland

Kier Construction

Carillion Construction

Wates Construction

Kier Construction

Willmott Dixon Construction

Sir Robert McAlpine Wates Construction Willmott Dixon Construction

50

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

Project Information Region

National

Start Date

March 2017

Cost

£8 billion

Status

Underway

Type

Schools

End Date

March 2021

CoVer storY

Medium Value Band - Intended for projects Between ÂŁ4.5m and ÂŁ12m Lot 3 - Medium Value Band: north east and yorkshire

Lot 4 - medium Value Band: east midlands

Lot 5 - medium Value Band: east of england

Bowmer & Kirkland

Bouygues UK

Farrans Construction

Clugston Construction

Bowmer & Kirkland

Galliford Try Building

Henry Boot Construction

Henry Boot Construction

Interserve Construction

Interserve Construction

Interserve Construction

ISG Construction

Morgan Sindall

ISG Construction

Morgan Sindall

Robertson Group

Morgan Sindall

Styles & Wood The McAvoy Group

Lot 6 - medium Value Band: london

Lot 7 - medium Value Band: South east

Lot 8 - medium Value Band: south west

Farrans Construction

Galliford Try Building

Galliford Try Building

Galliford Try Building

Interserve Construction

Interserve Construction

Interserve Construction

ISG Construction

ISG Construction

ISG Construction

Midas Construction

Midas Construction

Morgan Sindall

Morgan Sindall

Morgan Sindall

Stepnell

Stepnell

Stepnell

Styles & Wood

Styles & Wood

Lot 9 - medium Value Band: west midlands

Lot 10 - medium Value Band: north west

Bouygues UK

Bouygues UK

Bowmer & Kirkland

Bowmer & Kirkland

Clugstone Construction

Henry Boot Construction

GF Tomlinson Building

Interserve Construction

Interserve Construction

Morgan Sindall

Morgan Sindall

ukplantoperators.com

51

CoVer storY

LOw Value Band - Intended for projects upto ÂŁ4.5m Lot 11 - low Value Band: north east

Lot 12 - low Value Band: yorkshire & the humber

Lot 13 - low Value Band: east midlands

Aura Newcastle

Aura Newcastle

GF Tomlinson Building

Keepmoat Regeneration

Keepmoat Regeneration

Keepmoat Regeneration

Kier Construction

Kier Construction

Kier Construction

Styles & Wood

Styles & Wood

Robertson Group Styles & Wood

Lot 14 - low Value Band: east of england a

Lot 15 - low Value Band: east of england b

Lot 16 - low Value Band: london

Barnes Group

Barnes Group

Borras Construction

Bowmer & Kirkland

Bowmer & Kirkland

Bowmer & Kirkland

Cadman Construction

Cadman Construction

Diamond Build PLC

Kier Construction

Keepmoat Regeneration

Keepmoat Regeneration

Nat Zero Buildings

Kier Construction

Kier Construction Nat Zero Buildings

52

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

CoVer storY

Lot 17 - low Value Band: south east a

Lot 18 - low Value Band: south east b

Lot 19 - low Value Band: south west a

Baxall Construction

Bowmer & Kirkland

Bowmer & Kirkland

Bowmer & Kirkland

Keepmoat Regeneration

Keepmoat Regeneration

Kier Construction

Kier Construction

Kier Construction

Keepmoat Regeneration

Nat Zero Buildings

Speller Metcalfe

Kier Construction

T&B (Contactors)

Nat Zero Buildings

Lot 20 - low Value Band: south west b

Lot 21 - low Value Band: west midlands

Lot 22 - low Value Band: north west

Bowmer & Kirkland

Keepmoat Regeneration

Eric Wright Construction

Kier Construction

Kier Construction

Galliford Try Building

Nat Zero Buildings

Midas Construction

Kier Construction

REDS10

Robertson Group

Styles & Wood

Styles & Wood

ukplantoperators.com

53

CoVer storY

High Speed 2

A new high speed railway line, starting from London, which will operate at 250mph (440kph) – faster than any current rail network in Europe.

The project although greatly anticipated by the industry supply chain has become one of the most controversial of modern times with not everyone convinced by the need and the cost.

What’s it all about?

The new line will run between London and the west midlands. Trains will be 1,300ft Long and carry up to 1,100 passengers.

The line will then split into two: one line will go from Birmingham to Manchester, the other from Birmingham to Leeds. There will be additional stops in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

The HS2 rail link will affect many people in regions all along the proposed 140 mile route, with plans that could demolish properties and close businesses. Landscapes are also due to be indelibly altered by its proposed path. Campaigners in the north have complained about HS2 being bias towards the south after it was revealed that only 2% of the Yorkshire line is to be built in tunnels, compared with nearly 30% of its track from London to Birmingham. The pro HS2 camp talk up the economic benefits for the region after criticism from residents.

WORK on the budget-busting HS2 rail line has officially begun.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling branded the high-speed service - which will eventually link London to Scotland - as the "greatest ever upgrade" to Britain's rail-

54

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

Project Information

ways.

The number of passengers between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds per hour could treble to 15,000. The high speed rail line will increase capacity on Britain's railways - slashing journey times and giving passengers a place to sit with thousands of extra seats every day. The £55billion project has been branded a "game changer" by ministers because many services are currently "full to overflowing".

And a second route from Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to Leeds could treble the number of passengers per hour to 15,000 if given the green light. The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey times and perhaps most importantly give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day.

chester. The line will be finished by around 2032 and 2033. There should be 48 commuter and intercity trains an hour between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds – a 65 per cent rise from the current 29.

Phase 1

So why has HS2 been so controversial?

The first phase is due to open in December 2026 and will see trains travel at high speed between London and Birmingham cutting through areas of Buckinghamshire and the Midlands. The trains will then run from Birmingham on the existing West Coast Main Line.

HS2 cleared its final hurdle when it was given Royal Assent in February, paving the way for work on the first phase of the line to begin. The Government has announced troubled construction giant Carillion is among the firms awarded contracts for the building of phase one of the HS2 rail line.

UK firms Costain and Balfour Beatty will also build tunnels, bridges and embankments.

The line has been branded a "white elephant" that will tear through the British countryside, with some homeowners facing their property being flattened to make way.

New housing estates face being torn down

Phase 2 Phase 2 is Y-shaped and takes the high speed line to the north east and north west of England. The route to Leeds and York will run east of Sheffield. The western route will see trains pass from Crewe to Man-

Region

Ldn/Midland

Start Date

March 2017

Cost

£55 billion

Status

Underway

Type

Rail

End Date

March 2036

CoVer storY The civil engineering element of HS2 has been split up into seven geographical areas. The total value of the work is estimated to be between £7.1 and £11.8 billion.

Lot S1

Euston Tunnels and Approaches (£600m – £900m)

Lot S2

Northolt Tunnels (£850m – £1.4bn)

Lot C1

Chiltern Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct (£800m – £1.3bn)

Lot C2

North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley (£800m – £1.3bn)

Lot C3

Brackley to Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel South Portal (£600m – £900m)

Lot N1

Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel to Delta Junction / Birmingham Spur (£900m – £1.5bn)

Lot N2

Delta Junction to West Coast Main Line Tie-in (£800m – £1.3bn)

to make way for the high-speed rail and an investigation by the Mail on Sunday claims £21million has been spent buying homes no longer affected due to changes to the HS2 route, leaving it with houses it doesn't need.

It has been confirmed that as a result of the eastern route, 16 homes on the Shimmer housing estate in Mexborough are expected to be demolished. Those

homeowners who lose their homes will be offered "comparable" properties, the Department for Transport has stated. Campaign group Stop HS2 has worked tirelessly to oppose the rail line and say the government is ignoring its own advice on harming the environment.

A survey at the start of the month found only 15 per cent of the British public think HS2 is worth the £55 billion price tag.

This all aside this project will be a needy shot in the arm for the industry and especially the supply chain to the contractors, especially the equipment manufacturers who anticipate the levels to go back up tot the mid 2000’s levels by 2021 Sales of articulated dump trucks in the UK are expected to regain the record highs seen in the mid-2000s because of the rail project. This impetus will come on top of the improvements seen in demand over the last four years to take sales above 800 units per year by 2021.

It is believed that over 700 articulated dump trucks will be required during the building phase. They are expected to be bought over a three to four-year phase starting in 2019. It will also go hand in hand with other core equipment for the project with several thousand machines being utilized. Which is a great opportunity for plant hire companies but the level of investment needed no in training and the ability to train properly not just award a ticket, with the operator having no real experience will just see us make the same mistakes we have done in all current major projects and rates will just get higher as operators become more of a commodity. New operators need time on machines and without it they will struggle to support the project. It is hoped that this project will put in provision on site where the operator can get

ukplantoperators.com

55

CoVer storY

hours on the machine on site with experienced operatives but in an area which wont effect the dreaded program – then this really will leave a legacy High Speed Two (HS2) received parliamentary approval for the first phase of the project in February 2017. Since then HS2 Ltd has started work at various locations along the route, from London to the West Midlands. The initial works are guiding the detailed design of the railway and preparing the way for construction activity. This includes the largest programme of ground investigations that the UK has ever seen.

Preparatory works for HS2 also include a major conservation project, a green corridor of connected wildlife habitats that will run alongside the railway. Other important activities at this stage include archaeology investigations, utilities diversions and road improvements. Main construction work, such as the creation of new bridges, viaducts and tunnels will start in 2018/19.

HS2 took a step closer to construction with the confirmation of three joint ventures to deliver essential early works – including archaeology, site clearance and setting up construction compounds – ahead of the start of the main civil engineering work.

The £900m Enabling Works Contracts cover the whole of Phase One, from London

56

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

to Birmingham and the connection to the West Coast Mainline at Handsacre, with work already begun.

The appointed joint ventures are: • Area South - CS JV (Costain Group Plc, Skanska Construction UK Limited) • Area Central – Fusion JV (Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd, BAM Nuttall Limited, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Limited) • Area North - LM JV (Laing O’Rourke Construction Limited, J. Murphy & Sons Limited) As well as archaeology, site clearance and establishing site compounds, the contractors will also deliver a range of activities including utility diversions, ecology surveys, demolition, ground remediation, watercourse activities, highways realignments, monitoring and instrumentation, structural reinforcements and drainage work.

Four consortiums have been picked by HS2 to deliver the seven civils works packages which make up phase one of the £55.7bn line from London to Birmingham.

Costain / Skanska / Strabag, Balfour Beatty / Vinci and Carillion / Kier / Eiffage were the big winners, scooping two pack-

ages each, while Bouygues / Sir Robert McAlpine / VolkerFitzpatrick secured the remaining package.

Bam Nuttall / Morgan Sindall / Ferrovial, Laing O’Rourke / FCC / Murphy, Acciona / Sisk / Lagan Construction Group, Hochtief / Dragados / Galliford Try and Bechtel were the firms to miss out.

Main Construction of the line is expected to begin in 2019.

Skanska / Costain / Strabag landed both southern packages, being chosen for the Euston tunnels and approaches package, worth £740m, and the Northolt Tunnels package.

Carillion / Kier / Eiffage have dominated the central packages, picking up the C2 North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley and the C3 Brackley to Long Itchington Wood Green south portal.

Balfour Beatty / Vinci won both packages for the northern section of the line, landing the Wood Green tunnel to Delta Junction / Birmingham Spur package and the Delta Junction to West Coast Main Line package.

The Align JV, made up of Bouygues, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick, secured one package: the Chiltern Tunnel and Colne viaduct worth £965m.

Stage two will see construction of the main works and is expected to take between four and five years to complete.

Confidential 24x7 helpline available to the industry’s workforce and their families

0345 605 1956 www.constructionindustryhelpline.com

National Office, 1st Floor, 11 Northgate Street, Ipswich, IP1 3BX Charity Registration Number 1149488 Company Registration Number 08244118

CoVer storY

thames tideway

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is an under-construction 25 km (16 mi) tunnel running mostly under the tidal section of the River Thames through central London, which will provide capture, storage and conveyance of almost all the combined raw sewage and rainwater discharges that currently overflow into the river.

The project started in 2016, and construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel will take seven to eight years, giving a target completion date of 2023. Once constructed, the main tunnel will have an internal diameter of 7.2 m (24 ft) and will run from −30 m (−98 ft) at Acton in the west of London for over 25 km (16 mi) under central London down to −70 m (−230 ft) at Abbey Mills in the east. It will connect 34 of the most polluting combined sewer overflows (CSOs), via transfer tunnels, and is expected to reduce the number of overflow events to a maximum of four per CSO per year at time of commissioning, increasing gradually due to effects of climate change and population growth. The tunnel will transfer the captured sewage to the Stratford to East Ham part for onward delivery to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works for treatment. The recycled clean water is then released into the River Thames.

Built between 1859 and 1865, Sir Joseph Bazalgette's original London sewerage system was designed to capture both rainwater runoff and the sewage produced by four million people. As a failsafe, to prevent sewage backing up and flooding people's homes, Bazalgette's system has the ability to overflow into the Thames via 57 combined sewer overflows (CSO) along the banks of the river.

By 2012, the population of London had grown to an estimated eight million and Thames Water said that the current system lacked the necessary capacity. Bazalgette's original system does not serve all of these eight million people, as areas in outer Lon-

58

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

don, built later, were provided with separate sewerage and rainwater infrastructure.

Overflows have become increasingly common and now occur on average 50 times a year.

Tideway is owned by a consortium of investors that comprises Allianz, Amber Infrastructure, Dalmore Capital and DIF. Our investors have extensive experience of investing in and managing a wide range of infrastructure assets in the UK and overseas.

More than two million UK pensioners have an indirect investment in Tideway through UK pension funds managed by the investors.

Tideway employs more than 400 highly experienced professionals to deliver the project, together with its four main delivery partners: West section The construction in the west region is being delivered by a joint venture of BAM Nuttall Ltd, Morgan Sindall Plc and Balfour Beatty Group Limited. This contract is known as Tideway West, with work taking place from Acton to Fulham.

Central section The construction in the central region is being delivered by a joint venture of Ferrovial Agroman UK Ltd and Laing O'Rourke Construction. This contract is known as Tideway Central, with work taking place from Fulham to Blackfriars.

Project Information Region

London

Start Date

2016

Cost

£4.2 billion

Status

Underway

Type

Sewerage

End Date

2022

East section The construction site in the east region is being delivered by a joint venture of Costain Ltd., Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Bachy Soletanche. This contract is known as Tideway East, with work taking place from Bermondsey to Stratford.

Finally, the System Integration contract has been awarded to infrastructure support service provider, Amey. Amey is responsible for providing process control, communication equipment and software systems for operation, maintenance and reporting across the Thames Tideway Tunnel system.

As System Integrator, Amey are responsible for providing process control and communication equipment and software systems for operation, maintenance and reporting across the Thames Tideway Tunnel system. Their work started in 2016 and involves up to 70 worksites across London.

Thames Water's 15 million wastewater customers will pay for the Thames Tideway

CoVer storY

Tunnel through their bills. Once completed, Thames Water will operate the tunnel as an integral part of the London sewerage network, while Tideway will be responsible for its day-to-day maintenance.

Thames Water is the UK's largest water and wastewater services company. Every day, they supply around 2,600 million litres of tap water to nine million customers across London and the Thames Valley. They also remove and treat more than four billion litres of sewage for 15 million customers.

Current average annual household bills already include £13 for the tunnel and this will eventually rise to no more than £25 a year, before inflation. This is sharply down from the original maximum estimate of £70 to £80.

Proposed design and construction To build the Thames Tideway Tunnel, four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be needed to excavate the main tunnel plus at least two others for smaller connection tunnels. It will also require two types of construction sites: main tunnel sites, where the TBM will either be launched or received, and CSO sites, where interception

tunnels and a connection culvert will need to be built to connect the existing sewer to the new tunnel.

Construction of the shafts at the CSO sites, to transfer flows from the existing sewer to the tunnel, will vary depending on the depth, the amount of flow they need to carry and the geology. The shaft will be a concrete cylinder with an internal diameter of 6–24 m (20–79 ft) and 20–60 m (66– 197 ft) deep. Ventilation structures at CSO sites to allow air in and out of the shaft will also need to be built. Construction at these sites is expected to take between 21⁄2 and 31⁄2 years and once complete each site will be landscaped.

At the main drive sites, four main activities need to take place: shaft construction (where a concrete cylinder 25–30 m (82–98 ft) in diameter and about 40–60 m (130– 200 ft) deep would need to be constructed), tunnelling preparations (preparing the site for arrival of the TBM), TBM assembly and lowering into the shaft, and driving the TBM to excavate the main tunnel.

As the TBM moves forward precast concrete segments will be brought in and fixed together to create the tunnel wall. Excavated material will then be transported out the tunnel via a conveyor belt and will be

processed before being taken off site. In order to minimise disruption, Thames Water have committed to use the river as much as possible to transport materials both in and out of the construction sites. At the main tunnelling sites, works are expected to take place 24 hours a day.

Site list and type • Acton Storm Tanks – main tunnel reception and CSO interception • Hammersmith pumping station – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Barn Elms – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Putney Embankment foreshore – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Carnwath Road riverside – main tunnel drive and reception and connection tunnel reception site • Dormay Street - CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • King George’s Park – CSO and connection tunnel reception site • Falconbrook pumping station – CSO and connection tunnel drive site • Cremorne Wharf Depot – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Chelsea Embankment foreshore – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Kirtling Street – main tunnel double drive site • Heathwall pumping station – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Albert Embankment foreshore – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Victoria Embankment foreshore – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • Blackfriars Bridge foreshore – CSO interception site • Shad Thames pumping station – system modification site • Chambers Wharf – main tunnel drive and reception site • Earl pumping station – CSO interception site • Deptford Church Street – CSO interception site • Greenwich pumping station – CSO interception and connection tunnel drive site • King Edward Memorial Park – CSO interception site • Bekesbourne Street – system modification site • Abbey Mills pumping station – main tunnel reception site

ukplantoperators.com

59

V eUrr s etorY CeoAt f

Chris Maginnis from Awesome Earthmovers gets up close with the Liebherr PR776 Dozer

Leaked images of Liebherr's PR776 started to circulate online late 2015. They'd done well to keep the project under wraps as these things usually have a conception to launch period of up to 10 years. Some official photos were released by Liebherr themselves in the run up to Bauma 2016 showing the PR776 being readied for transportation to the Munich tri-annual event.

Details finally started to emerge that the PR776 would feature hydrostatic technology, making it the only bulldozer in it's size class to feature this. Hydrostatics have always been recognised as an excellent means of power transmission. A hydrostatic drive will typically outperform mechanical and electrical variable-speed drives and geartype transmissions. Hydrostatics have a continuous power curve without peaks and valleys, and they can increase available torque without shifting gears. But despite the superior performance of hydrostatics, a major drawback has been it's higher cost compared to their mechanical counterparts.

60

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

Although the cost gap has been narrowing as manufacturers fine tune and perfect the technology.

My first encounter with the PR776 was during Bauma 2016 at Liebherr's "Social media event", which was to be the first time that a manufacturer had recognised the growing online community devoted to covering the heavy equipment market. The gleaming white PR776 looked impressive, even next to the 200 tonne R9200 excavator. I was able to take a short video standing beside the cab as the dozer was started up and the blade moved up, down and tilted.

I’m not one to be satisfied with seeing a static demonstration of any piece of equipment, so my thoughts turned to the question of how I could see this very special dozer working in the field.

It was at Bauma that we were told of the prototype in a location that still can't be disclosed (somewhere in Europe). I was invited to go and have a look at it, but at the time I had so many other expensive trips on

the agenda, including Minexpo 2016 and Conexpo 2017, that a trip to see the prototype PR776 was just not possible.

One month ago I was informed that the prototype PR776 would finish its field testing and be moved back to the Telfs factory in Austria within 4 weeks, where it was built, I had to act. Normally it's too great a risk flying and driving a considerable distance at great expense during a time of year when freezing temperatures, including snow and rain could mean I came home with nothing. I've usually found the old saying " Fortune favours the bold" to be true, so I booked the trip and hoped the weather Gods would look kindly on me.

I left home on Sunday, November 26th at 2:00am to catch a three hour flight at 6:50am from Dublin to Munich. After arriving another 3 hour drive awaited me. On Sunday evening the forecast did not look favourable, showing wet snow on both the Monday and Tuesday I had devoted to filming the PR776. The weather was especially

At to UrY e C o V e fre s

a concern as I'd brought my drone with me.

It can handle a stiff breeze but definitely not snow, sleet or rain. Monday morning started overcast with flurries of snow, but if it didn't get any worse I'd be happy with the situation.

On first sight the quarry chosen as the test bed for the PR776 looks to consist of soft gravel. I was soon corrected on this observation when I asked why the 100-foothigh vertical wall didn't collapse.

Apparently this material is so hard that blasting is required. I found this out to my detriment when on the way home my drone tested positive at airport security for explosives, presumably picked up in the quarry.

In the end the weather got better and better causing my padded overalls and other excessive winter clothing to become a sweat inducing burden.

The bulldozer started Monday morning on the quarry floor pushing material towards a crusher and conveyor system that is loaded by a large wheel loader. After 30 minutes of that it was time to head up top to rip and push material over the edge. The material that the PR776 was dealing with seemed to be a glacially compressed sediment, that although soft looking to the eye, was actually as hard as rock. The higher than usual high wall in the quarry and large overhangs demonstrated that the geology here was no pushover. The bulldozer got straight to work pushing material from the upper level towards the crusher at the the lower level with it’s 18 cubic metre blade.

When this previously loose gravel was exhausted it was time to see the dozer’s single shank ripper in action, which according to the operator out performed the Cat D10T he had previously been in.

The ripper struggled to find a gap in between boulders, but inevitably found a weak spot, bringing up what looked like chunks of glued together gravel.

On Tuesday a much more pleasant situation presented itself, both to myself and the

dozer operator. A large field of topsoil was to be stripped in preparation for the 7 metres of clay beneath to be removed at a later date to expose the iron hard gravel bed below. I had only planned to spend a couple of hours filming the dozer on the second day to supplement the excellent footage I’d managed to shoot the previous day, but my easy day turned in to a long hard one, not being able to walk away from a heavy equipment YouTubers Heaven! The PR776 had to first make itself a ramp up to the top elevation of the quarry by cutting a steep ramp up hill in soft clay. Once on top, the dozer started to strip the topsoil in long pushes to the perimeters of the field. This presented the perfect situation for my drone. With the level ground and long pushes, I was able to match the bulldozers speed and keep close to it. This allowed me to shoot some fantastic footage from the front, back and sides of wet topsoil rolling smoothly off the blade.

So far feedback on the PR776 seems to be very positive with the only gripe usually being that the elevated sprocket design is copying Caterpillar. Personally I think it

was it was a brave move on Liebherr’s part.

They wanted to give their customers the most reliable track system. It would have been easy to have just stuck with the traditional undercarriage configuration. I’ve spoken to operators and mechanics who have worked on the dozer over the past year or so. They’ve remarked that’s it’s smoother and quicker than its closest rivals, and as I’d previously mentioned, ripped better. It also burns an average of 20 percent less fuel than other dozers in it’s size class, which is an incredible fuel saving over a machines lifespan. A mechanic had remarked that although looking like a Cat, the Liebherr was actually a very different machine underneath. Hopefully my trip to film the PR776 prototype won’t be the last encounter with this groundbreaking dozer.

ukplantoperators.com

61

inside View

Turn the lights off on your way out… By Mark Kennedy

Is the industry doing enough to, keep, upskill and encourage new talent into the various construction sectors?

Having been in operated plant hire for over 25 years in some way or another I have seen many changes, most with good intentions, many of which have been good for the industry, but it has still not done enough to break down the barriers of encouraging new operators into the Industry.

The industry, led by the major contractors, has worked hard and has been insistent about safer plant operators and regulations to ensure safer working conditions for all work site personnel. They have, with the help of associated trades such as CPCS and CSCS, pushed through regulations in order to ensure better trained operators. I feel this has helped the industry achieve higher standards, but for all its good intentions and hard work there still isn’t any clear path for who pays for this, and still it seems the potential operator or existing one is the one footing the bill if they want future career development or unless they wish to find an apprenticeship opportunity.

And despite all the good intentions throughout the industry, it’s not difficult to understand why there are not enough oper-

62

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

ators entering the system. It would appear they are not being given the chance to gain the experience they require by the plant hire companies or contractors.

We have seen operator wages rise 28% since 2010 and I anticipate this to be 35% by 2018, and eventually 41% by 2020, which is more than alarming because the last time we spoke about rising operator rates in 2010, the industry had seen a 24% rise in the 10 years previous. The increase in foreign workers over the past 15 years has been needed but hasn’t been enough to slow the increased wage rises which clearly shows the UK is not producing enough of its own talent.

Many have suggested that Self-employment could be the main reason for operators leaving or not entering the sector, but this is more to do with the way the funding is shared rather than the way the person is paid. NFPEO and other industry surveys have shown that the operative, by majority, don’t necessary want to be directly employed but just want a consistency of work and I feel the industry needs the flexibility

of self-employment as works are often inconsistent and not always regionalized. The answer here is the way the funding for career development training is paid for. If the operative was rewarded or could earn credits by either hours worked, safety awards or bonuses by the contractor, which could then be used for career development courses this would encourage the operator not only to just move for money but remain in an industry which values them and wants them to up-skill.

We need operatives with flexibility and who could be multi skilled, therefore making the operative more valuable and someone who becomes a real asset and a valued member of the team rather than the usual “I need a 360 operator for two weeks”, “oh now I need a tracked dumber driver for a couple and a duck driver for a week”, all which could be done by the same person but is often 3 different operatives. Many operatives have multi category cards but don’t use them, mainly because we try to pay different rates for different categories, the problem being that then operators have let

Y C oi nVse ird es tVoi erw *Although UK Plant Operators & it’s publisher reserve the right to edit, amend and distribute the Operator Blog, the views expressed are that of the author, and are in no way a representation of UK Plant Operators or it’s publisher. No liability is accepted whatsoever regarding the views or accuracy of the Operator Blog. certain categories lapse and now we have a shortage of these which just pushes the prices up. This summer we were paying more money for tracked dumper and skidstear operators than we were for Dozer.

“Construction still ranks poorly when it comes to young people deciding their future” Encouraging new blood into the industry is a passion of mine, along with keeping the existing workforce from leaving, because of this I am constantly trying to come up with new ideas to achieve this. On Track in partnership with UK Plant Operators is one of those ideas which tackles the need for Construction Equipment Operatives. The program gets all age groups to see and try the new technologies within the industry and brings the message and opportunities from all contractors and services providers who take part. The second part of the program helps to provide upskilling for the operatives and offers training in areas which are more difficult or are in short supply, such as machine control. This particular course has already been a great success at Hinkley Point, giving all operators and associated supervisory roles a real understanding of how machine control works and the benefits to site.

This is why I am not convinced that the changes at CITB are in best interests of the industry, I understand that there is a need for change, but surly the CITB need to be more involved and step up not out of the training arena, will the private sector invest or be able to deliver some of the not so ‘profitable’ training course which CITB often take on for the good of the industry.

Yes, CITB need to be accountable for the

way they handle levy payments to get best value, but doesn’t the industry really need a measure that says, we need a number of operatives with a certain specialty and lets just deliver them so the industry can continue to be cost efficient and deliver world class projects.

Whilst collecting data for the On Track Programme a survey of over 9000 children was reviewed, one of the questions asked what information they looked at when considering their future careers, the surprising trend was not what sector they wanted to work in, which surprised me because most of my generation wanted to be a doctor, train driver or construction worker etc. We knew the sector and then we found the company who would give us a chance. Instead, the current generation want to work for a particular company and then decide what they want to do for that company.

This shows that the medium of communication from social media is winning the battle to sell the dream about the product and company rather than the sector or industry.

This wasn’t the case for everyone but the trend seems to be heading that way.

The questions where directed to what companies stood out and who they wanted to work for. Unsurprisingly, if we believe the trend toward company rather than sector, the top ranked businesses to work for

were, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook. Construction ranked in at a lowly 97th out of the top 100 companies to work for with Balfour Beatty at 97 and Laing O’Rourke at 99. Some would say well at least construction ranked at all, but when you realise that McDonald’s were ranked at 36th out of the top 100 it shows the industry needs to do a lot more to encourage the future generations into the industry.

“Will we be able to close the skills gap over the coming years?”

If figures are to be believed HS2 alone will require over 700 articulated dump trucks during the building phase. They are expected to be bought over a three to fouryear phase starting in 2019. It will also go hand in hand with other core equipment for the project with several thousand machines being utilized. This is a great opportunity for plant hire companies and contractors but what has been put aside from the profit to leave a legacy which sees the future prob-

ukplantoperators.com

63

inside View

lem of resourcing operators being eradicated. The level of investment needed in to training must cover the ability to train properly not just award a ticket. The constant issue is the operator being awarded a ticket but having no real experience, apart from time spent achieving it. This just see’s the industry making the same mistakes, where new operators are not given the time to gain the experience due to pressures of programs, so the circle continues with experienced operators becoming a commodity and prices rising at an unsustainable rate.

For HS2 we need to be training now, but not by throwing the newbie to the wolves as soon as they get their Red Ticket, but keep them putting hours in on the training ground, which should be a piece of land on the major project which moves as the project develops – working with experienced mentors on the actual type of work they will be doing on site. New operators need time on machines and without it they will struggle to support the project. It is hoped that this project will put in a provision on site where the operator can get hours on the machine on site with experienced operatives but in an area which won’t affect the dreaded program – then this really will leave a legacy of value.

This is vital as there is a worrying trend with the amount of plant apprentices actually making it to blue card, and even more worrying the amount making it to red. As with any job you are always good at what you are used to doing, but when you are

64

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

asked to do something new there is a learning curve, but the industry doesn’t want to except this and therefore the new operator is often sent away, leaving them disillusioned and then often leaves the industry as a result. I don’t know many industries which expect new trainees to be experienced at such a high level, imagine if the health services did this. With this said it wouldn’t let GP’s do heart surgery. We want a master of all disciplines but won’t let them practice.

I am a great believer in CPCS and other associated training accreditations, but it currently falls short of what the client expects in the way of expertise. Having been in the industry so long I have had many opportunities to talk and understand what it is like for a new operator to succeed, the worrying trend is the same experiences with almost all of them – one operator told me “We go on site saying we have far more experience than we have, knowing we will probably be sent home for not being up to scratch, and just hope one of the site managers or foreman will give us an opportunity if the program is not tight, it is worse if we have to use an attachment, you hope that the foreman goes away to give you the time to familiarize yourself with the machine and attachment which you have not been trained on enough or at all.”

Having been on the plant end of the industry I understand the problems with them taking on apprentices as operators, they can go through the training, but when it comes to putting them on hire, no-one wants them, not enough experience etc.

One idea would be to have group training supplied by a group of companies whereby everyone helps mentor and is responsible for the apprentice and he/she works for several contractors, this would help the plant hire companies and the apprentice would become part of the family becoming more experienced, able to fulfill a two year programme and therefore given a more rounded expectance and likely to come out the other side as a good construction equipment operative.

There is no loyalty in the industry, so I go to the highest bidder Reading through some of the online groups of construction equipment operators there is definitely a dark mood and one which would do more to discourage new people into the industry. Such comments as inconsistent work, face has to fit and you have to pay to get paid are the main ones, along with having to pay to renew tickets and that career development is solely down to the operative.

We take an operator on because they have the correct accreditation, this doesn’t mean they can do the work you want them to do, it means they can drive the equipment.

Y C oi nVse ird es tVoi erw

Where CPCS and similar schemes fall short is beyond the blue CPS card, the specialism of deep drainage or the speed and accuracy need to load lorries on a muck shift, or to even use a certain attachment in a correct and safe manner. So the answer here has to be easier access to funding for the self-employed operative.

There are a lot more questions than answers currently, but if we want self-employment within the industry because it keeps the cost down, then let the self-employed have access to the funding easily with a simple scheme which allows the operative to get back what they have put in.

Will the new levy work for the upskilling of the current operator pool? If 90% of operatives are self-employed how will they benefit from any future training? When they do save up will they spend this money in an industry who doesn’t care or will they spend it to re-train in other sectors or industries. If Highways want the best operators, what are they doing to keep them from going to rail or nuclear or utilities? and vice versa.

One conversation I had recently with an operator summed up the feeling and where we go wrong, he said “there is no real reason to stay loyal to any organisation, the industry made us self-employed to suit itself, they didn’t want to invest in us long term, we are used to being self-employed now so will go to the highest bidder for the longest run of work. Unless you are lucky you spend most of your time worrying about next week.” “There are long term contracts

but they are not always easy to get on and if your face doesn’t fit you are off.”

My grandad used to say “If you give a dog a bone he will stay loyal to you, if you give him a whack he will bite you back.” This also goes for all people in all walks of life, treat people fairly and the majority will give back more than they receive. Why do operators leave to chase that extra pound or halfway through the job, because we show them no loyalty – this of course doesn’t go for everyone but it is the case for the majority of companies and how they just on and off hire operators, how managers on site just get rid of good operators because their face doesn’t fit. I have had operators win awards on site with 20 years’ experience, working on the same site for two years, being told they are not quick enough on the next job they go to, normally by people who have never operated a machine in their lives.

What we don’t want to happen is what has happened in other areas of construction related industries where governments have come up with fast track bricklaying or plumbing courses leaving less than 1% of these still in the trade.

What we do need is sustainable working conditions for operators with consistent rates of pay where the industry doesn’t just talk the talk to get new blood into the industry but mentors and nurtures it through so it won’t leave for other industries and it doesn’t expect trained peole to take all the risk and all the responsibility when things go wrong, it allows the operator time to

grease and check the equipment in the working day and invests in training to keep these valued members of the industry, rather than plough millions of pounds on job creation schemes just to appease the agreements with planning and local jobs statistics. Best practice will only become ‘best’ if it takes notice of the feedback given by the shop floor; the operators are the glue which holds the Contractors, Manufacturers, Plant hire Companies, Labour Agencies and the training providers/organisations together.

Don’t get me wrong I am not criticising anyone’s efforts, the industry as a whole has tried hard to resolve the issues, but the issues are not in the efforts for training or trying to attract, it is the way the industry has set itself up, and it will take some real innovation to change the thought process.

Just as attitudes had to change with Health and Safety and the old-school mentality it must do the same for its attitude to giving people a chance to learn. This is no laughing matter as the serious undertone of this observation is that, unless the manufacturers are bringing out an automated set of plant in the next ten years, the shortage of operators will be so bad, construction will be greatly affected to the point of stopping on some jobs altogether. So we must change and change quickly, get in place data which shows how many operators are actually operating still, make it harder to just get rid of an operator without really valid reason otherwise, turn the lights out on your way out…

ukplantoperators.com

65

Know how

9 tips to help you prepare your excavator for winter.

Winters in the United Kingdom are very unpredictable. Sometimes we are hit with weeks of icy mornings or wake up to a blanket of snow and sometimes we manage to escape artic conditions completely. One thing that is certain is the temperatures are dropping and just like you would with your car and other outdoor equipment, excavators need some special maintenance and care in the winter too.

1. AVOID CONTAMINATING FUEL The cold weather tends to bring out any fuel quality issues such as water and other contaminants. You can ensure this doesn’t happen by taking extra care contaminants don’t enter your machine’s fuel tank by cleaning the tanks cap and making sure it is functioning properly. Also verify the fuel you are using is of a high quality.

2. MAINTAIN FILTERS Fuel, air and hydraulic filters need to be maintained for easier starting and to avoid power loss during equipment operation.

3. INSPECT HYDRAULIC HOSES Even though the typical lifespan of a hydraulic hose is typically 7,000 to 9,000 hours, cold temperatures can degrade the composition of the rubber tubing making it stiff and brittle and can become further stressed by hot hydraulic oil running through them. So, replace all hoses with cracks or weak spots.

4. CHECK THE BATTERIES Batteries can become weaker in cold environments, and it your machines batteries are already weak you’ll suddenly have a machine that doesn’t work, and productivity will stop. Use a battery tester to check the performance of your current battery to make sure that it’s in a good condition which will ensure your machine isn’t down.

66

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

Know how

5. LET THE MACHINE WARM UP Warming up the machine reduces shock to components caused by cold fluids or hydraulic systems. The potential for blown hoses and wires increases with colder weather. Providing sufficient warm-up time will provide operators with a more productive machine as well as increase a safer and more comfortable working environment. Additionally, give your machine a nice stretch and cycle through all of its functions to distribute warmed oil until it operates with ease.

6. UNDERCARRIAGE INSPECTION We understand that the undercarriage can represent 50% of a machine’s maintenance expenses, therefore proper undercarriage maintenance in the winter is essential. Ensure that daily inspections continue to be carried out with operators being extra vigilant in removing debris and mud and making sure there are no loose or worn parts. The operator should also minimise high operating speeds to maintain control of the machine at all times.

Regardless of your machine doing winter work or not, you should make sure it gets an undercarriage inspection once a year.

For wheeled excavators it is recommended that they are fitted with winter tyres.

7. CHECK THE CAB Before the cold mornings hit us ensure that the cab heaters are working to maximise operator comfort and when operating the machine make sure that there is no ice or fog on the windows obstructing operator’s visibility.

8. PROTECT YOURSELF Your machine may be in great condition, but all that effort goes to waste if the operator isn’t. So, take extra care you don’t slip walking across site, entering and exiting the machine and wear gloves as touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin can cause serious pain and damage to your hands.

9. THE ENVIRONMENT Remember that the weather also effects the environment you are in. Deep frost can make digging very difficult and can put a lot of strain on your machines components. Wheels and tracks can also slip much more easily on frozen or icy grounds causing damage to other machines, structures or people.

ukplantoperators.com

67

oAVienri nsGt o r Y Cr t

put the kettle on, t-levels are coming...

Technical Levels, colloquially known as T-Levels, are the biggest reform to hit the English education system in 70 years. Due to come into effect in 2020, the goal of these new technical qualifications is to “bring... training for young people and adults in line with the needs of business and industry" and to increase the number of young people who embark on a technical education.

This new system will replace the current range of c.20k qualifications that are presently being run by c.160 organisations, with 15 vocational 'routes’ for students to choose from. Each route will take two years to complete and the overall goal is to present students with two clear choices: the academic route (A-levels and Degree) or the technical route (T-Levels), with bridging courses promised at 18+. Each of these routes will be delivered through college and/or employment based education. There will be a reliance on apprenticeships, with four of the 15 routes primarily being delivered this way. The remaining ‘college-based’ programmes have initially been assigned to new trailblazer apprenticeship groups and are presently under development; within which MP Futures have already succeeded in establishing our first sector specific apprenticeship.

So, what does this mean practically?

Every 16-18 year old on a technical pro-

68

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

gramme will be entitled to a 'quality' work placement; anticipated to be c.250 thousand students a year. Although the details remain vague, these work placements are seen as the lynchpin to the success of these new qualifications. Far from the old work experience-model these will be well structured and long-term placements, anticipated to last at least 2-3 months pro-rata.

Whilst the nature of these will be route dependant, they must be occupationally specific and focused on developing the practical technical skills for the profession or trade that the student is studying. It is considered vital that they will be locally-brokered between employers and providers, and they must be delivered to a structured work plan with clearly agreed objectives. This aspect of the new qualifications is potentially problematic for our sector given health and safety concerns and the stringent requirements of insurers. However, there are many careers within our sector that do offer potential, and these must not be dismissed out of hand, especially considering the well documented connection between work-experience and future career choices.

Whilst this new system is currently still in its infancy, it is quickly gathering pace, with the Institute of Apprenticeships seeking employers both large and small, colleges and training providers to shape and lead the agenda for each route. Crucially,

standards will be designed by considering the needs of skilled employment and working backwards, with only high-quality technical qualifications which match employer-set standards being approved. Employers will ensure that the day-to-day training individuals receive genuinely meets the needs of industry. Clearly this hinges on a close integration of college and employment based education and thus between colleges and employers. Although it shall remain the sole responsibility of the Institute to decide on the specifics of the process, employers of all sizes are going to have to engage.

These new routes have the potential to drastically increase the uptake in technical education. However, the extractives and mineral processing sector is conspicuous by its absence, being placed in the ‘Engineering & Manufacturing’ route. However, this will be an excellent opportunity not just to upskill our future workforce, but to work alongside other industries within the engineering and manufacturing, and construction routes to increase the talent base we can tap into. If we can embrace the challenge of T-Levels and provide demanding, quality work placements then we can inspire students to actively want to join our industry and be part of supporting the future of UK infrastructure.

SUPERIOR HITACHI QUALITY FOR ENHANCED DURABILITY GET A GREAT DEAL TODAY ON GENUINE HITACHI PINS AND BUSHES Don’t be swayed into using inferior pins and bushes, the superior quality of genuine Hitachi front wear parts is unrivalled.

Hitachi has specifically engineered their range of pins and bushes to increase the durability of your Hitachi excavator, providing a longer life span and enhancing performance.

Hitachi ZX130-5 Description

Hitachi ZX210-5

Part Number

Price

Bucket pin (link end)

3089242

£82.75

Bucket bush (link end)

4443879

Bucket pin (tipping link)

Description

Part Number

Price

Bucket pin (link end)

3088580

£131.94

£30.24

Bucket bush (link end)

4443882

£35.23

3089103

£69.85

Bucket pin (tipping link)

3088581

£120.04

Bucket bush (tipping link)

4444914

£32.94

Bucket bush (tipping link)

4352398

£30.23

Bucket pin (dipper end)

3089243

£86.09

Bucket pin (dipper end)

3088577

£135.85

Bucket bush (dipper end)

4424953

£31.98

Bucket bush (dipper end)

4409178

£35.23

For more information contact Paul on 0191 430 8400.

Or visit www.hitachicm.co.uk Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) Ltd. Monkton Business Park North, Hebburn, Tyne & Wear NE31 2JZ

JOIN TODAY AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON INDUSTRY TOPICS

The NFPEO has great experience in the rail & Construction industries, so we can see first-hand the growing gap in the market for skilled plant operators. We also understand how operators are struggling to gain experience on projects. As “The Voice of the Operator� the NFPEO is looking to bring about fundamental changes in the operators working conditionsespecially in regards to training and continual personal development. This is to ensure good operators remain in the industry and that new operators can be attracted to fill the current shortage.

Find out more at: http://nfpeo.com

s tf o pe ro Y CoVer n

Time for the UK to ‘Get Ready’ UK construction has seen a good level of works his year and moving in to next with a surge in road, rail and energy projects.

Construction work is expected to rise to 4.1 per cent in 2018, the Construction Products Association said. This will generate more than £10.4bn for the building industry, which accounts for 6.3 per cent of GDP. this coming year should be quite steady with HS2 not really starting to yearly 2019.

This really is the year to ‘get ready’ the industry really needs to go all out and build up the resources as we will be moving into some serious projects drawing from the labour resource pool. There really doesn’t to seem a clear blueprint on how we will have enough experienced operatives to manage with the amount of equipment being lined up. HS2 projects show 700 ADT’s at its peak, without any other equipment and by that time other major projects like Hinckley Point C and Thames Tideway will be in full flow. The industry really will need to get a proper Brexit deal done otherwise we may be in real trouble.

With the industry not knowing how many active CPCS card holders there are, only how many were issued. So we don’t re-

ally know how many available operators there are, also we all know that the multiple categories holders don’t use all of these, we might think we have 500 dumpers drivers but how many are active. At the NFPEO we have always said that as soon as an operator gets the 360 or Dozer ticket the other categories go to the wall. What is need is split training where within the apprenticeship the guy can only do dumper, roller and ADT – with 360 being a lot further down the line, or just 360 as a separate apprenticeship. However, the civils apprenticeship being touted which will give the trainee construction equipment along with groundworks and civils trades and knowledge. In our opinion this makes for a far better training platform and one which give the apprentice as far better all-round knowledge and experience.

It has to be said that we in the industry is not moaning about the work load, compared to the last 10 years of ups and downs we need to celebrate the rebirth of the industry, it’s just about getting it right when it comes to training the correct shortfall of

resource. The debate at CITB is also disturbing, as when it comes to operators many are saying “well CITB doesn’t train most of the ops anyway” I have heard this on social media several times, maybe they don’t, but they do one of the only apprenticeship courses, and the fact is people are just not paying to train at the levels we require them… I personally think although there is a lot which could be improved by the CITB shutting down the training element is not one of them, CITB did some of the not so profitable but vital training courses which the industry needs, the private sector won’t take these on.

My fear is that we as an industry will not react fast enough, as usual, we all see it as someone else’s problem and just push it down the supply chain. As usual all we will do is push the price of labour up and up as certain trades become a commodity. Let’s invest in new blood, then give them a chance rather than through them off site because they are too slow.

ukplantoperators.com

71

o irdYe C VoeVnetrs sGt U e

The Executive Hire Show 2018 – 93% Sold Out

The Executive Hire Show event team recently held its annual exhibitor ‘Kick off’ meeting which took place at the Shows’ established home at the Ricoh Arena Coventry – in the heart of the Midlands. Hosted

by Show Director, Craig Donovan, the event was well attended by many of the EHS’s exhibitors both old and new.

Craig Donovan announced that the Show (7th & 8th February 2018, Ricoh Arena Coventry) was well ahead of schedule in terms of sales than at this point in previous years with an impressive 169 exhibitors already signed up for the 2018 Show. Mr Donovan said, “We are 93% sold out across all exhibition areas, smashing any previous held record in the history of the Show. So, as you can see the stand sales at the Show are going from strength to strength.”

Mobilising visitors to the show The task of mobilising and exciting hirers to leave their depots and travel hundreds of miles to Coventry has always been a challenge, however, this is something that the EHS team have been passionate about since the Show’s conception.

The EHS team has already begun its 2018 National Visitor Campaign, working for the fifth year in partnership with Hire Supply Co, utilising the expertise of Steve McKenzie, who will be travelling the country visiting Hire Depots to mobilise and excite hirers to attend the 12th annual event.

EHS will also be working with Altrad Belle for the 3rd year running. The Altrad Belle

72

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

team will also be visiting hire depots country wide to drum up visitor support for the show.

Mr Donovan said, “For the 2017 event the teams travelled over 26,000 miles in their efforts to attract relevant hire visitors to the Show. This incredible mileage led us to visit over 700 hire depots throughout the UK & Ireland.

The teams will start their visits within the next couple of days! Daniel Pinder and the Belle team will be covering London & South East, the South West and North-East areas. Steve McKenzie from The Hire Supply Company shall be covering the Midlands, North West and Ireland.”

Introducing the Innovation Trail Live!

Back by popular demand is the Innovation Trail, first launched in 2013, as innovation continues to be an integral part of the Show. Al-Ko, a manufacturer of chassis systems has already confirmed that the company will be sponsoring the trail once again.

The innovation trail concept is simple, ahead of the Show, all exhibitors are given the opportunity to submit details of a new, innovative product that they will be showcasing at the Show, where ten would be selected by a third-party judging panel including independent hirers, and the EHS will highlight these products with a floor tile outside their stands so visitors can actively follow on their visit.

For the 2018 event the EHS team will in-

troduce ‘The Innovation Trail – Live!’ where selected Innovation Trail products which Judges consider to be particularly outstanding will be exhibited on a specially branded stage area in Hall 2.

Executive Hire Show’s Alan Guthrie explained the concept, he said, “Each chosen ‘Innovation Trail – Live!’ suppliers will be given a dedicated 10-minute slot to present and explain their product, and talk to the audience through the products innovative qualities. These individual sessions will take place on the hour from 11am to 3pm during the two days of the Show.

Paul Hutton, a radio, podcast and YouTube channel presenter, has agreed to host “Innovation Trail – Live!” He’ll interview each company’s representative live on the stage.”

Mr Guthrie concluded, “We have decided not to announce an Innovation Trail Winner for 2018, since the products are so varied and often aimed at different hire markets. However, we will ask our special guest Paul Hutton to present each “Innovation Trail –Live!” candidate with a commemorative trophy to mark their achievement.”

Regional Road Shows set to continue As part of the Show’s visitor campaign the EHS Regional Road Shows initiative, which began over three years ago, will continue. The Road Shows are designed as a ‘taster events’ leading up the main show.

The EHS will be hosting three Road Shows between now and Christmas, covering the London & SE area, the North West and the West & Wales areas - more details can be found on the EHS website. Mr Donovan said, “This Road Show initiative together with the personal visits ensure we continue to drive quality hirers to attend the Show in February.”

Visit www.executivehireshow.co.uk. Put the 7th and 8th February 2018 in your diary – it’s one Show in the 2018 exhibition calendar a hirer can’t afford to miss!

PC138US-11 HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR ENGINE POWER 72,6 kW / 97,3 HP OPERATING WEIGHT 13.880 - 14.820 kg BUCKET CAPACITY max. 0,72 m³ An ultra-short tail excavator Built around the latest EU Stage IV engine technologies for emission control, the Komatsu PC138US-11 offers improved operating comfort and new safety features, along with a significant reduction in fuel consumption. An ultra-short tail swing makes it perfect for work on roadways, bridges, in urban areas, or anywhere with limited space.

Marubeni-Komatsu Ltd, Padgets Lane, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0RT Tel: 01527 512512 · info@mkl.co.uk · www.marubeni-komatsu.co.uk

eVents GUide

UK Plant Operators raise industry awareness at National Skills Shows

UK Plant Operators were very proud to get involved with the World Skills event held in the Birmingham NEC and the Skills London at the London ExCel, we teamed up with CITB & GO Construct in Birmingham and CITB/GO Construct and the CIOB in London to deliver a real-life simulator experience for the potential young apprentices wishing to pursue a career in the construction industry.

With a massive 72,000 young people attending the World Skills event from all over the UK with ages ranging from 12 to 17, mainly students, so together with CITB and go construct we helped to deliver a true to life experience of what it’s like operating heavy plant machinery in a construction site and what possibilities these young people have open to them if they were to choose a career in this industry.

Dale Hawkins says, “ we set up a very basic simulator challenge involving the students operating a excavator machine to load a truck whilst being timed, this showed the students what skill sets would be required within the real world, although we had thousands of young guys try the challenge there were a few who shone out, who had the hand eye coordination to operate a ma-

74

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

chine safely and efficiently, we found the Xbox generation just seem to have the touch that’s required when comes to operating plant machinery in a busy construction environment , if this is what the young people can do now without any training, it makes me very positive for the future plant and machinery operators” .

Among other events at the show were the army career’s displaying how VR is being used in the training of soldiers, along with many engineering and skill related competitions for students around the UK ranging from hair dressing to scenes of crime and cooking, we found the students during the event very positive in taking on knowledge, tips and advice on what paths may be beneficial for them to follow in the future, overall a really engaging show.

The Skills London Event established since 2004, is London’s biggest jobs and careers event for young people, brought to you by London First. Aimed at 15-24 year olds, this two day event attracted over 30,000 visitors and provides young people and their families with a rare chance to discover careers through interactive, inspirational activities and demonstrations. The event also helps young people visually bridge the gap

between what they enjoy doing and what they could potentially do as a career.

The event gave the opportunity for young people to experience the new technologies being used in the work place and construction in particular with the industry being represented by HS2, Thames Tideway, Highways England, CIOB,CITB and several contractors including BAMs, Kier and Keltbray.

The event was a great success with both the Go Construct and CIOB stands constantly busy with Young people wanting to experience the simulator challenge and the use of VR, many showing great skill and coordination.

“It was interesting to see that many of the girls who tried out the simulation experience were performing better than the boys, and it would be fantastic if we could encourage them to become construction equipment operators” explains Sam Kennedy of UK Plant Operators. “The industry definitely needs more female operators, and we need to close the gender gap.

Being able to highlight that the industry is just as attractive to young women was a positive for me.”

trAininG proViders

Find a Training Provider in your area!

ANTRIM Woodhill Training Services tel: 028 2588 0352 AYRSHIRE Killoch Training Centre tel: 01290 700 807 SAC tel: 01292 525186 BEDFORDSHIRE James T Whitaker Fork Truck Training tel: 01525 383001 BERKSHIRE 2 start ltd tel: 01256 631028 BAM Construction Training Ltd tel: 01189 790030 Construction Industry Training Providers tel: 01189 700200 First Safety Training Ltd tel: 0118 9754590 safe-t solutions tel: 0845 6588342 BICESTER kjn services ltd tel: 01869 278389 BIRMINGHAM A F Fitzgerald Training Services Ltd tel: 0121 707 4200 TAB Training Ltd tel: 0121 445 5984 Zone Plant Training Services Ltd tel: 0121 693 6226 BOURNEMOUTH Construction Training & Development Ltd tel: 01202 579281 BRISTOL Direct Training Services tel: 01454 418273 Kelston Sparkes Group Training Centre tel: 0117 937 3778 Matrix Vocational tel: 01179 675 253 Moore Training Ltd tel: 07768 900740

76

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

mortan training solutions ltd tel: 01454 321463 MTR Training tel: 07876 577102 P & S International Training tel: 01179 646970 pb driver training tel: 01275 332 751 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Shannon Training Ltd tel: 01895 448 111 walker training tel: 01296 730650 CAITHNESS John Gunns & Sons tel: 01593 921236 CAMBRIDGESHIRE

tel: 028 9344 0631 B.M.M Training tel: 07925 456666 highway plant co.ltd tel: 028 9030 1133 quickstart training tel: 028 9443 9740 safetylift(ireland) ltd tel: 028 9002 3469 travelift ireland tel: 028 9002 4737 Woodhill Training Services tel: 028 2588 0352 COUNTY ARMAGH industry training services tel: 028 3839 8700 County Down r.s.h training tel: 07809 881365

apex training services tel: 01733 304974 profork training ltd tel: 07752 847195

COUNTY DURHAM

CHESHIRE

COUNTY TYRONE

cb forklift truck training tel: 01270 583827 Kentra Training tel: 01928 711791 SLL Plant and Quarry Training Services tel: 01613 031151 South Cheshire Services Ltd tel: 01948 660 554 spartan training & services tel: 01270 583827

pfi training ltd tel: 028 8744 1520

CONWY COUNTY BOROUGH

CYNON

David Jones Training Ltd tel: 07770 773766

Cynon Valley Training Ltd tel: 01686 886 129

CORNWALL

DENBIGHSHIRE

Duchy College tel: 01579 383995 Lamanva Training Centre tel: 01209 722132 Western Plant Training tel: 01579 383 995

Jones Bros Training tel: 01824 703 661 Shorecliffe Training Ltd tel: 01745 815 977

COUNTY ANTRIM

AWT tel: 01332 753 842 Associated Plant Training National Ltd

antrim fork truck training

Training Support for Industry Ltd tel: 0191 527 3573

CUMBRIA A+ Skills Training Services Ltd tel: 01228 673 428 Lawsons Training Centre Ltd tel: 01946 833 313 Metcalfe Plant Hire tel: 01768 868686

DERBYSHIRE

no G Vperro V sitdo er s Y t r A i n iC

tel: 01332 205 787 Avant training tel: 01246 452991 cmts training solutions tel: 01298 814896 Construction Safety Training Services tel: 01298 813 808 MDH Plant Training tel: 01332 676921 ockbrook land based training service tel: 01332 416777 DERRY Top Training Solutions Ltd tel: 028 7135 8590 DEVON a1 services tel: 01392 342182 Carter Training tel: 01395 446 446 CMT Services Ltd tel: 07917 848 761 Curtis Training Associates tel: 01271 858575 g & t training services tel: 01548 801247 Industrial & Construction Training tel: 01837 830 70 J & J Training Services Ltd tel: 07787 184647 Specialist Services tel: 07760 194459 Tamara Training tel: 07887 554948 transplant mastertrain tel: 01392 426242 westcountry training services tel: 01548 830030 DORSET 1st call training ltd tel: 0845 3883671 All Plant Training South Ltd tel: 01202 741383 Construction Training & Development Ltd tel: 01202 579281 dorset training tel: 01258 837197 DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY Kingmoor Northwest Ltd tel: 01461 700 283 The Halo Trust tel: 01848 331100 DUNDEE

D G Training tel: 01382 480 777 DURHAM Carmel Safety Training Services Ltd tel: 01325 463 500 DYFED d.w proffesional training tel: 01554 778892 EAST AYRSHIRE Barr Ltd tel: 01290 700 700 EAST STAFFORDSHIRE Pro-Logistics Training Ltd tel: 07720 073537 EAST SUSSEX multi taskings training services 01424 755249 EDINBURGH lothain machinery ring tel: 0131 603 0494 ESSEX Industrial Training Services Ltd tel: 01268 560400 South East Plant Services tel: 01268 724 200 Whitewaters Training Ltd tel: 01787 4618880 EXETER Transplant Mastertrain 01392 426242 FIFE Camilla Training Aspects Ltd tel: 01592 720 033 Elmwood College tel: 01334 658 800 GLASGOW alba forklift training ltd tel: 01236 630300 Bridgend Training Facility tel: 0141 445 0404 leggat lant ltd tel: 01324 460937 Luddon Construction tel: 0141 945 2233 Ritchies Training Centre tel: 0141 557 2212

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ABC Plant Training Ltd tel: 01452 547 059 Amman Valley Training tel: 01594 860 182 C&G Services (Europe) Limited tel: 01453 826 781 cats training tel: 01453 766 711 Sanctus Training tel: 01453 828 555 vally plant training tel: 07724 967694 GWENT jp training consultancy ltd tel: 01495 240345 wyevern plant training ltd tel: 01291 625470 HAMPSHIRE 2 start ltd tel: 023 9212 3555 abba wildern training tel: 01962 671438 Leaway Training tel: 07739 339 339 PDM Training Consultancy tel: 01264 321398 HARTLEPOOL Tees Valley Training Centre tel: 01429 851 298 HASTINGS multi-taskings training services tel: 01424 755249 HELENSBURGH MPB (Freelance) Ltd tel: 07780 611206 HEREFORDSHIRE heredfordshire training services tel: 01989 554428 t & s training tel: 01568 614000 INVERNESS DMH Training Ltd tel: 01463 233 736 Buchan & Sons tel: 01463 782 550 ISLE OF LEWIS North West Training tel: 01851 705155

ukplantoperators.com

77

trAininG proViders KENT

LINCOLNSHIRE

a+ lift truck training tel: 01634 377500 london and kent training tel: 0844 8002981 machine force ltd tel: 01892 861166 the landscape training group tel: 01622 233008

aaron forklift training tel: 01778 306103 cathedral training ltd tel: 01673 857103 cola training services ltd tel: 01529 401648 TerraTrain Ltd tel: 01673 857 010

LANARKSHIRE

LISBURN

Holeside Training tel: 01357 521 011 Maclay Plant Training Ltd tel: 01236 768388 ritchies hgv training centre ltd tel: 0141 557 2212

bsd training ltd tel: 028 9244 1773

LANCASHIRE

LONDON

ab training services tel: 07731 853305 cheshire training soltuions ltd tel: 0161 336 0612 Clive Hurst Training Services tel: 01772 432 475 sb training (uk)ldt tel: 01695 735335 rps training tel: 01772 615215 Rowan Environmental Training Services tel: 01772 702299 Specialist Plant Training Services UK Ltd tel: 01942 733368

forklift training london tel: 020 3375 9207 wallace training tel: 020 3780 3851 Watford Training Centre tel: 01923 216 931

LEEDS

MERTHYR TYDFIL

LLANELLI D.W. Professional Training tel: 01554 778 892

MANCHESTER Devine Training Services tel: 01706 640 171 Kevin Needham Ltd tel: 07971 555732 Swinton Training Ltd tel: 07912 390397

M B Plant Training Ltd tel: 01685 841050 MID GLAMORGAN For more information about the training courses that CTA provide, please make contact with us:

celtic training agency tel: 01443 442600 NEW MARKET

info@cta.construction Tel: 0333 202 7170 Hewlett Civil Engineering Ltd tel: 01133 807900 LEICESTERSHIRE j. coates (h.g.v. services) tel: 0800 279 7944 mhe training ltd tel: 0116 251 9411 William Davis Ltd tel: 01509 231181

78

UK Plant Operators - Issue 09

Aurelia Ltd tel: 01638 751492 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Tyneside Training Services Ltd tel: 0191 286 2919 NORFOLK ace lift truck training tel: 01508 218862 britiania safety and training tel: 01953 606100 MPH Training tel: 01603 882 220

National Construction College tel: 0844 844 0466 NORTH HUMBERSIDE mitts training tel: 01482 323709 national forklift training ltd tel: 01482 644855 pastel training tel: 01964 529006 simpson training ltd tel: 01377 255566 NORTH LANARKSHIRE MG Scotland Ltd tel: 07774641482 NORTH YORKSHIRE KR solutions tel: 01757 707775 Training & Safety Associates tel: 07802 410567 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE c b training tel: 01536 201871 djc safety training tel: 07927 850958 Moulton College tel: 01604 491131 pheonix training tel: 01933 677708 NORTHUMBERLAND John Wright Training Services Ltd tel: 07919 662634 Owen Pugh Training Services tel: 0191 250 4601 Robson Bros Excavations tel: 01434 683734 Safety Advisory Services tel: 07903 199417 White Tower Training Ltd tel: 07751 232324 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE direct(flt) training tel: 0115 926 9123 forklift training ltd tel: 01623 861721 sefety & leisure training tel: 0843 2896120 uk industries training tel: 0115 979 1068 PENARTH shorecliffe training cliffe

no G Vperro V sitdo er s Y t r A i n iC

tel: 01745 815977 PLYMOUTH Industrial Safety Training (National) tel: 07071 700111 PONTYPRIDD Apex Training (Plant) Ltd tel: 01443 844 300 CITS Ltd tel: 01443 844 091 ROSS-SHIRE Award Training Services Ltd tel: 01862 894 729 Serimax Training Ltd tel: 01349 830 007 ROTHERHAM Adskill Ltd tel: 07889 387698 SHEFFIELD bobby berveridge tel: 01709 836700 HTC Plant Ltd tel: 01709 559 668 Norton Training & Tesing tel: 07759 156828 Plant Operator Training Services tel: 01142 884150 SHROPSHIRE Beddows Training Ltd tel: 01691 680 312 Enterprise Training tel: 07810 050 723 Safety and Training Limited tel: 01939 236 941 SOMERSET Bridgwater College tel: 01278 655004 C H Contracting (South West) Ltd tel: 01373 471268 Civil Skills Plus tel: 01935 827030 KD Construction Safety Services Ltd tel: 01935 474651 Kelston Sparkes Group Training Centre tel: 01275 332 751 M M Training tel: 07717 651317 pa safety services ltd tel: 01935 412545 SOUTH HUMBERSIDE

corridians tel: 01724 868571

tel: 01922 701401

STAFFORDSHIRE Eardley's Training & Maintenance Services tel: 07799 792585 J.F. Services tel: 01889 567 766 go direct training tel: 01543 221720 Roger Bullivant Ltd tel: 01283 525066 staffs operators training tel: 01782 503500 STIRLINGSHIRE independant training solutions ltd tel: 01324 821000 SUSSEX Accredited Plant Training tel: 01403 782837

- Leading provider of CPCS training and testing across all plant categories - NPORS Accredited - NVQ Centre - CSCS Touch Screen H&S Test Centre - Excellent facilities across two multi-acre sites MPTT West Midlands Swan Works, Pelsall Road, Brownhills, West Midlands WS8 7DL MPTT South West Tinkley Lane, Nympsfield, Storehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3UW Call 01543 899706 or email Gerry Jackson at gerry.jackson@mptt.co.uk

SUTHERLAND

WARWICKSHIRE

Donald Munro Plant Training tel: 01863 766 271

UK Plant Training Ltd tel: 02476 690970

SWANSEA

WEST GLAMORGAN

D M Training & Consultancy tel: 01639 844755

kjr trainingltd tel: 01792 324223

TORFAEN

WEST LOTHIAN

Batch Plant Ltd tel: 01495 756 505 TURRIFF

Central Training Services Ltd tel: 01506 829 883 Sibbald Training tel: 01501 750900

Norman Taylor Plant Trainer Assessor tel: 07890 062662

WEST MIDLANDS

TYNE AND WEAR at your place tel: 0191 416 5460 tom hannah flt training tel: 07775 917158 tyneside training services ltd tel: 0191 286 2919

action midlands ldt tel: 01902 730909 Advanced Training and Testing Ltd tel: 0121 707 4200 Central Training Services tel: 01905 759 259 UK Operators Training Ltd tel: 01562 636035

VALE OF GLAMORGAN

WEST YORKSHIRE

JP Training Consultancy Ltd tel: 01446 744 775

Afi-Uplift tel: 01924 234 800 Birkwood Plant Training tel: 01924 860 444 Norton Training & Testing tel: 07880 743288 training-worx ltd tel: 0844 3576060

WALSALL epro training services tel: 01543 547347 midland plant training & testing ltd tel: 01543 899 706 vital training services

ukplantoperators.com

79