Buying a generator set outright is only feasible if a business has the funds to afford the initial investment and is working on a long-term project that requires stable off-grid power. Because in most businesses this is not the case, rental is a compelling option. But not all rental options
Following the global success of its MDX range and the recent launch of its 3.5-tonne variant, the 3.5MDX, which has set new standards in terms of safety, comfort, and performance, Mecalac has announced a series of major evolutions to its site dumper portfolio. The first will see all new six-tonne
The undercarriage is one of the most important components of any piece of heavy equipment. It might not seem so at first, since the undercarriage only accounts for a small portion of the machine’s upfront cost. However, the undercarriage represents an average of 50 per cent of your machine’s ongoing
If you’ve never rented heavy equipment like cranes before, you might not know what to expect. Renting a crane is essential in large-scale projects as it increases productivity, especially if there’s too much heavy lifting. Without cranes, it’s impossible to move around heavy materials. If you don’t have a budget
Cranes are some of the most popular machines in the construction, transport, and material handling industries due to their ability to lift, lower, and move large loads with ease. There are a range of different types of cranes on the market, manufactured by different brands, each with their own distinct
Cat® 637K scrapers with push/pull attachment purchased as part of new equipment investment Earthmoving professionals Collins Earthworks has invested in several new Caterpillar machines, including four new Cat® 637K Coal Bowl Scrapers with push/pull systems. Finning UK & Ireland, exclusive distributor of Cat products, dispatched the new additions to the fleet,
Finning UK & Ireland receives RoSPA Engineering Services Sector Award for health and safety achievements Finning UK & Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Caterpillar® products, is celebrating after landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards. The company is now in the running for the highest
No matter how long ago you took your test, there are three little words that probably still influence your driving to this very day: mirror-signal-manoeuvre. Short and sweet, they provide a helpful way of remembering what you need to do to keep yourself (and others) safe on the road. When
Catching the early warning signs of failure is critical in maintaining safety when working with construction machines. It also avoids unplanned downtime and costly breakdowns. Here, Nick Kakoudakis, Technology and Remote Services Manager at exclusive Caterpillar® dealer Finning UK and Ireland, discusses how digital connectivity means that Finning can ensure
On the first day of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone HS2 Ltd outlines how the project’s new low-carbon technology will support Birmingham City Council’s objective to reduce pollution and improve air quality in the city. HS2 is going way beyond requirements to lower carbon and emissions on its construction sites, and
Buying a generator set outright is only feasible if a business has the funds to afford the initial investment and is working on a long-term project that requires stable off-grid power. Because in most businesses this is not the case, rental is a compelling option. But not all rental options were made equal. Here Dean Harris, Sales Engineer at Energyst UK & Ireland, explains the difference between short and long-term genset rental. Renting a genset allows businesses to avoid paying out a large initial sum. One example is a recycling plant, which recently took out a five-year contract because it does not have access to a mains power supply for the foreseeable future. The customer did not want to spend three quarters of a million pounds on the three gensets that it required, so opted for rental to bridge the power gap. Rental also gives businesses the opportunity to have a genset on site in a matter of days, rather than waiting 16 to 20 weeks for a purchased system to be custom built and installed. Rental customers can also pass the maintenance costs and challenges that come with purchasing onto their supplier. If a business decides to rent, there are two main options — short-term and long-term rental. Short-term rental can be from a few days to just under a month and long-term rental typically is anywhere up to two years, but some businesses opt for even longer periods of up to ten years. Short-term rental Businesses can quickly get their project’s power requirements met by opting for a short-term rental. A rental genset can be quickly introduced to prevent downtime when an existing embedded generator is faulty and needs maintenance work or for projects that only last a few days or weeks. Consider this example. A company performs five major services each year to check its systems can run up to 2000 kVA, during which the gensets powering the operation must be taken offline. The business could not justify spending half a million pounds on a supplementary genset, only to use it for five or six weeks of the year. Instead, it chose to rent a genset during testing, saving footprint space, the large initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs. Long-term rental In addition to the financial benefits of renting a genset, customers can also pass on the operational costs to the rental supplier when renting long-term. The rental supplier can monitor the performance, load and operating hours to see when the genset needs maintenance work, rather than the business carrying this out themselves, providing peace of mind. The renter can also hand over fuel management to the supplier, as well as negotiate a cheaper price per litre when buying in bulk. Long-term rental can be suitable for standby applications for critical facilities, such as hospitals, airports or data centres. Critical facilities have stringent testing requirements to ensure the equipment kicks in when needed, so leaving this in the hands of experts can save time, money and hassle. In addition, long-term rental provides flexibility to businesses during times of changing demand. If a manufacturing business wants to extend its production line and increase the power supplied, it can easily swap out the current rental genset for a bigger one or rent an additional system, without investing large sums of money for the expansion. Ultimately, the value of the rental agreement depends on the project length and the specific requirements of each business. Renting for a longer period will reduce the daily rental rate, but short-term rentals provide more flexibility for businesses who may want a genset for a week. Fully understanding the power requirements of each project before renting a genset will help businesses make an informed decision. Visit the Energyst website to learn more about our genset rental options https://www.finning.com/Energyst.
Following the global success of its MDX range and the recent launch of its 3.5-tonne variant, the 3.5MDX, which has set new standards in terms of safety, comfort, and performance, Mecalac has announced a series of major evolutions to its site dumper portfolio. The first will see all new six-tonne 6MDX and nine-tonne 9MDX models fitted with optional state-of-the-art hydrostatic transmission. The second evolution concerns the availability of a ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) foldable roll bar, making the cabin effectively optional. Hydrostatic transmission for improved comfort and safety Widely used across the construction equipment industry, the adoption of hydrostatic transmission replaces mechanical transmission with fixed gear ratios. This ensures easier operation without the need to shift gear, as well as providing the added benefit of responsive dynamic braking. This makes operation easier and safer for both experienced and new operators, meaning the new hydrostatic 6MDX and 9MDX are perfect for both rental fleets and operators that frequently change their equipment. The addition of hydrostatic transmission also guarantees improved operator comfort, thanks to smooth and controllable acceleration. Removing the gear stick allows for a more spacious operator environment, while fewer parts mean less maintenance and overall less wear, directly resulting in a lower total cost of ownership. Both the 6MDX and 9MDX deliver outstanding performance, torque and traction, particularly on steep inclines where gear changes can often result in loss of drive. Enclosed cab or ROPS foldable roll bar Alongside featuring the option of hydrostatic transmission, both new models will be available with the option of either an integrated cab or all-new ROPS foldable roll bar. Setting the standards in site safety and featuring a stylish ground-up design, the all-new ROPS models are easy to transport between job sites and allow operators to work in low height areas with ease. The structure is easily foldable, thanks to a handle and gas strut, which means folding and unfolding the ROPS is safe and requires minimal manual effort. Because the ROPS roll bar has significantly fewer components than a cab, it is an economical choice, but still offers superior operator protection. For additional safety and comfort, the 6MDX and 9MDX can be fitted with the unique isolated MDX cab to minimise vibration and noise, while optional air-conditioning provides outstanding operator comfort in all weather conditions. In order to ensure a higher level of operator protection in any situation, the certified ROPS/FOPS MDX cab has been additionally designed and tested by Mecalac to withstand impacts while loading the dumper skip. The Mecalac MDX cab impact test video is available by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/Oy8z2CLgFgQ For more information about Mecalac’s industry-leading MDX range, or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.mecalac.com/en.
The undercarriage is one of the most important components of any piece of heavy equipment. It might not seem so at first, since the undercarriage only accounts for a small portion of the machine’s upfront cost. However, the undercarriage represents an average of 50 per cent of your machine’s ongoing operating and repair costs, so regular maintenance is vital if you want to avoid a hefty repair bill. Here are our top tips for extending the life of your undercarriage. 1. Wear and tear The undercarriage carries the weight of a machine, so it’s natural for its moving components to wear over time as the machine completes work. However, you can extend the service life of your undercarriage components by dedicating a bit of time to proper maintenance and using the machine in the best possible way. Poor maintenance and rough operation will impact wear rates and increase the need for repairs. Operators will start to see visible changes on the machine, such as sprockets wearing down from flat wedges to a point. As track pads wear down, they will become flatter, increasing the likelihood of slipping during operation. At this point, operators will be forced to stop work and have the undercarriage repaired, leading to costly downtime on site. So, how can operators prevent unnecessary wear? 2. Best practice Firstly, operators can make informed decisions when selecting and operating equipment, which will result in slower wear rates. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to undercarriages, so choosing the right undercarriage and track width for the environment can impact operations. For example, standard tracks are the best fit for firm ground conditions with minimal slopes. On the other hand, low ground pressure tracks are wider and therefore better suited for softer, wetter ground conditions. Awareness of operating methods and site conditions can also influence the lifespan of tracks and undercarriage components. When operating machinery, reducing any unnecessary tracking and avoiding abrasive material, such as rocky areas on site, can slow track wear. Operators should also take extra care in areas where a lot of material can get into the undercarriage. For example, when operating in a muddy environment or on a landfill site, they may need to clear out debris regularly throughout the day. It is also best practice to consider the speed of the machine, for example increasing speed when pushing heavy loads can cause slippage and excessive wear. Working on banks for long periods of time will cause one side of the undercarriage to wear, so keeping the machine on level ground as much as possible can prevent uneven wear later on. 3. Daily checks During the day, excavators and other heavy machinery will churn up the ground, resulting in mud, debris and other material building up in the tracks. Leaving this in the undercarriage will add weight to it, reducing fuel economy as well as accelerating wear. Cleaning out the undercarriage at the start of each workday reduces the risk of material build-up causing an issue. Incorrect track tension may lead to increased track wear, so it is important to check this prior to operating the machine. If tracks are too tight, it creates added load, accelerating component wear. If the track is too loose, it can become unstable and derail. Adjusting the sag to the measurement recommended by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will prevent problems like this occurring. The more often operators inspect their machine, the sooner they can identify and rectify any issues. Operators can also get more support from their equipment supplier. Finning UK & Ireland’s Custom Track Service (CTS) includes regular visual inspections to provide operators with a detailed report of a machine’s undercarriage. The inspectors also use ultrasonic equipment to check for wear of the internal components of the undercarriage. This, combined with visual checks, can help estimate part lifespan, enabling owners and operators to accurately forecast repair costs. The undercarriage takes the weight of the machine and material on site and if it breaks down, the machine remains stationary, incurring costs from downtime and repairs. By choosing the correct type of undercarriage for the application, following best practice during operations and carrying out regular maintenance, operators can ensure that their repair costs will decrease and productivity will remain high. Finning can assist with preventative maintenance and inspections as part of its Customer Value Agreements. Find out more about choosing and maintaining your machine’s undercarriage on our website.
If you’ve never rented heavy equipment like cranes before, you might not know what to expect. Renting a crane is essential in large-scale projects as it increases productivity, especially if there’s too much heavy lifting. Without cranes, it’s impossible to move around heavy materials. If you don’t have a budget to buy a crane, you can rent one. Be smart with which crane rental company you’re going to choose before you sign on the dotted line. To ensure you get the right crane rental services for your project, here are some questions you need to ask a crane rental company before hiring them. 1. How Much Experience Do You Have? Normally, you should ask a crane rental company about their experience in providing rental services before you hire them. The crane rental company you’re going to hire should have years of experience in the relevant field so they can be considered for the job. Experience is important because there are many different types of cranes. The best company will help you choose the perfect type of crane that’s best suited for your building or construction project, which is what one Calgary crane company does for their clients. Upon your first meeting with the crane rental firm, be sure to start the conversation by asking them about their experience, as this is the most important thing you need to know about them. 2. What Types Of Cranes Do You Provide? You may not know this, but there are many different types of cranes. It can be quite challenging for someone who doesn’t know about cranes which one is best suited for their construction project. Here are some of the most common types of cranes rental companies offer: Loader cranes Overhead cranes Mobile cranes Rough terrain cranes Telescopic cranes Tower cranes The type of crane you’re going to choose all depends on what you’re looking for. It’s best if you go with a crane rental company that has a large selection of cranes available. They can walk you through different types of cranes, and help you choose the one best suited for your project needs. 3. Do You Provide Crane Operators? If So, Are They Licensed And Trained? Obviously, a crane won’t operate on its own. You’re going to need someone to operate it, which is why you need to ask a crane rental company if they provide operators. Fortunately, most rental companies understand the need for these workers. There are some companies that offer rental services wherein crane operators are already included in the package. You also need to make sure the crane operators are fully licensed and experienced. If mistakes are made in large construction projects, it can be extremely dangerous for everyone in the site. This is especially true when operating a crane. To guarantee that all health and safety guidelines are followed when operating a crane, be sure to hire operators that are fully trained and qualified. In this way, you can rest assured the job will be done on the right way, on time, and within the budget. 4. What Are Your Rental Rates? Cranes are very expensive, especially if you’re going to buy them outright. Not all construction companies or builders can afford a crane. As a result, they rely on rental companies so they can use one for their projects. Although renting a crane can save your business a lot of money, it’s still wise to check the cost of crane rentals beforehand, so you can find the best value for your money. Take some time to shop around and compare quotes when searching for a reliable and reputable crane rental service providers who’s willing to rent you heavy equipment within your budget. 5. Do You Provide Insurance? Keep in mind that if you’re going to simply rent a crane, you’re also responsible for the insurance. This is why it’s important to ask a crane rental company if they provide insurance for you, especially if you’re going to hire an operator from them. Final Thoughts By asking these questions before signing a contract, you can protect yourself from problems later. Another reason why you should ask these questions is because there are some crane rental companies that aren’t honest, especially when it comes to their services and reputation. Knowing what questions to ask before renting a crane will help you get the most out of the deal. It is always better to rent a crane from a reliable and reputable company who you can trust to give one that is in good working condition.
Cranes are some of the most popular machines in the construction, transport, and material handling industries due to their ability to lift, lower, and move large loads with ease. There are a range of different types of cranes on the market, manufactured by different brands, each with their own distinct benefits. Over the course of 2020 and the online frenzy that COVID-19 brought about, the top Crane brands fluctuated dramatically. This could be attributed to the low stock levels COVID-19 caused, with many would-be machinery buyers turning instead to hiring cranes. This year, there’s a clear definitive list of the brands most searched by people looking for cranes. Here are the top five most in-demand crane brands for 2021 so far, according to machinery marketplace, Machines4U: Franna Liebherr Terex Maeda Kobelco This data is based on Machines4U search traffic volumes and brand search data for cranes from January 1st, 2021 until June 30th, 2021. Top 5 Brand Breakdown 1. Franna It’s no surprise to see Franna in the top position for most in-demand crane brands; it has dominated the Australian market for more than 40 years. Franna is a market leader in pick and carry cranes, and it’s a subsidiary of Terex Corporation which also made the list. Franna is well-known for designing and manufacturing strong and easy-to-operate machines that have the ability to pick up heavy loads and move within tight spaces. So far this year, 15.1% of searches for cranes on Machines4U can be attributed to Franna. This is a big jump from the same period in 2020, with only 9.9% of searches for Franna from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. An increase in buyer demand for this brand could be due to availability and stock levels within Australia. 2. Liebherr Liebherr is another popular brand for cranes, with 13.4% of all searches attributed to the brand so far this year. In 2020, Liebherr had the top spot for crane brand searches with 13.8% of searches from January 2020 until June 30, 2020 attributed to the brand. The German brand has a long history dating back to 1949 when the first tower crane was invented. Since its inception, Liebherr has grown to become one of the most renowned brands in the crane sector. It’s most known for its large range of tower cranes, mobile cranes, and crawler cranes. With the range extending from 35 tonnes through to a massive 1,200 tonnes load capacity, Liebherr manufactures some of the biggest machines in the sector. 3. Terex / Terex Franna Terex is an American manufacturer of cranes which are used across a range of industries. It also has subsidiary companies, including Franna cranes. Terex has a wide range of tower and rough terrain cranes, as well as pick-and-carry cranes. Terex cranes are built tough and are very reliable and efficient machines. In terms of search traffic, Terex Franna received 11.1% of searches, and Terex received 5.2% of all searches. For the same search period in 2020, the brand also received high search volume with 7.8% of searches for Terex and 5.1% of searches for Terex Franna. With many searches for the brand and its subsidiary, it’s clear that buyers trust Terex to manufacture quality cranes. 4. Maeda Maeda is a Japanese manufacturer of spider and crawler cranes. It pioneered the spider crane, and its range of mini crawler cranes is very popular in Australia. Maeda’s spider and crawler cranes are ideal for using indoors or in compact areas. They have compact bodies, a small tail swing, and are generally equipped with electric motors to remove greenhouse gas emissions. Due to the specialised machines it manufactures, Maeda does well to carve out its part of the market with mini cranes, spider cranes, and crawler cranes. Maeda cranes have been in the Australian market for around 27 years, and they received 5.1% of all searches for cranes so far in 2021. For the same period in 2020, Maeda received 5.8% of all search traffic for crane brands. Despite fewer searches for the brand, it has moved up on the list of most in-demand crane brands. 5. Kobelco Kobelco is a well-known Japanese brand of construction equipment, including cranes and excavators. The company began in 1930 with the first release of an electric shovel in Japan. In 1964, it released its first series of crawler cranes and truck cranes. Since then, the company has continued to offer a wide range of cranes across the globe. Kobelco cranes are well-known for their design and engineering of heavy-duty crawlers, lattice booms, and telescopic booms. Kobelco received 4.4% of all searches for cranes from January 1, 2021 until June 30, 2021. This is a decrease from the same period in 2020 when Kobelco received 5.9% of all searches for crane brands. With the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, it seems people with the intent to buy and/or hire cranes for their projects tend to be searching for well-known brands that are more likely to have stock already on Australian shores, without having to wait for the next shipment. It’ll be interesting to see whether this search traffic stabilises or continues to fluctuate as time goes on.
Cat® 637K scrapers with push/pull attachment purchased as part of new equipment investment Earthmoving professionals Collins Earthworks has invested in several new Caterpillar machines, including four new Cat® 637K Coal Bowl Scrapers with push/pull systems. Finning UK & Ireland, exclusive distributor of Cat products, dispatched the new additions to the fleet, including a Cat D7, D9 and several D6 XEs to the company, to support the earthmover’s work around the Midlands. Collins Earthworks, based in Ripley, Derbyshire, has been managing earthworks projects for 20 years, developing a strong working relationship with Finning for the last 10–15. Due to this, Collins came to Finning with a need for machines to support its project on the Northampton Gateway and opted for the Cat 637 scrapers — machines rarely seen in the UK. Adding to the uncommon nature of these machines, Collins has also opted for push/pull systems, negating the use of trucks and excavators. The push/pull system concentrates the combined horsepower of the tractor and scraper onto one cutting edge, allowing two individual scrapers to act as a self-loading system — typically loading both machines in less than a minute, one after the other. “As we are continuing to work on various projects — big and small — throughout the UK, having the 637K scrapers in our fleet gives us the flexibility to fulfil any project efficiently” said David Collins, Managing Director of Collins Earthworks. “Earthmoving work comes in all shapes and sizes, and there is no “one fix for all” solution. Having a mixed fleet including the 637Ks, excavators and articulated dump trucks (ADTs) means that we have the versatility to complete any job, setting us apart from our competitors.” “It is amazing to see an investment into Cat 637Ks here in the UK — scrapers fill a niche in earthmoving that no other machine can compete with, and we haven’t seen these kinds of machines in the UK for a number of years” said Jake Wright, National Account Manager at Finning UK & Ireland. “A good fleet of scrapers can make it much cheaper than the number of excavators and trucks that would need to be used to move the same amount of dirt. “Convenience is also key here. An efficient groundworks operation with excavators and trucks will often take several people, whereas at a moment’s notice, one operator can get on the scraper and do the same job. For short distance bulk earthmoving they are lower cost and faster than any other haulage unit. I don’t think any other setup can compete with a push/pull tandem scraper setup in sand, gravel, clay or topsoil.” To get the most out of the new investment, Finning will also be providing Collins with machine familiarisation training on the wheeled-tractor scrapers, as well as operator efficiency training during a revisit in the next six months. The machines also benefit from an extended warranty and a full preventative maintenance program, so that Collins is safe in the knowledge that Finning experts will be on hand at any time of the day. To find out more about the Cat 637K Coal Bowl Scrapers or how Finning can assist with operator training and preventative maintenance, visit the Finning UK & Ireland website.
Finning UK & Ireland receives RoSPA Engineering Services Sector Award for health and safety achievements Finning UK & Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Caterpillar® products, is celebrating after landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards. The company is now in the running for the highest possible accolade in the health and safety awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The Finning business revolves around extremely large and heavy equipment, from mining trucks that stand three stories high to hydraulic shovels that weigh in at hundreds of tons. Safety therefore is a central focus to ensure that staff, contractors and customers are free from significant risk of accidents. “Organisations receiving a RoSPA award are recognised as being world leaders in health and safety practices, so receiving the Engineering Services Sector Award is a fantastic achievement,” said Keith Oakes, Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) at Finning. “I would like to extend my thanks to all employees for their ongoing commitment to health and safety. I would also like to recognise the work carried out by Martin Parker, Finning’s SHEQ Business Partner, who completes the substantial submission process every year by liaising with multiple departments to evidence our performance and achievements. “Everyone should feel incredibly proud of this accomplishment, which means we now go into the final evaluation process for the chance to be awarded the Sir George Earle Trophy. If we were to secure this prestigious accolade it would be the second time, following our win back in 2012.” Each year, applicants submit their entries to the internationally recognised health and safety awards for the chance to receive the highly coveted Sir George Earle Trophy — the highest occupational health and safety award in the world. Currently, around seven million people are directly impacted by the RoSPA awards but the scheme’s global influence is even wider, with over 2,000 organisations from 46 countries represented in 2021. “The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, but it receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for health and safety worldwide” said Julia Small, RoSPA Achievements Director. “RoSPA is very proud of the achievements of its entrants, and with this award we recognise the best of the best, those organisations that have gone the extra mile, raising the bar for the delivery of safety in the workplace. “Employees, wherever they are, should be able to go to work safe in the knowledge that they will return home unharmed and healthy at the end of every day. Our RoSPA award winners are central to achieving this goal. By entering they are driving up standards and setting new safety benchmarks for organisations across the world.” For more information about Finning’s commitment to safety and how it upholds its high standards, visit the Finning UK & Ireland website.
No matter how long ago you took your test, there are three little words that probably still influence your driving to this very day: mirror-signal-manoeuvre. Short and sweet, they provide a helpful way of remembering what you need to do to keep yourself (and others) safe on the road. When it comes to lifting and handling, safety is an equally major concern, and getting that right all starts with good planning. Selecting the right equipment, for example, is a crucial part of minimising your safety risk. At Alliance Tool Hire we’ve developed a quick three-point lifting checklist to help. It might not get etched into your memory quite like mirror-signal-manoeuvre, but we hope it’s a useful way of ensuring you get exactly what you need to get the job done safely. Capability It’s essential that the equipment you employ can comfortably cope with the load in question. With a range of products that stretches from 500kg hand chain blocks to 3 tonne electric chain hoists and large-scale 50-tonne modular lifting beams, Alliance can help you specify the right equipment for loads of practically every weight and type. Elevation Our most popular hire items are the SLA range of manual hoists, typically used for lifting support beams or ducting into place. But the precise model you need will depend not just on the load but also on the Height of Lift (HOL). The SLA10, for example, delivers a Safe Working Load (SWL) of 454kg and a lifting height of 3m, while the SLA25 offers a SWL of 295kg and a lifting height of 7.5m. Condition You need to be fully confident that the equipment you are using is not only fit for purpose, but in a fit and proper condition. At Alliance Tool Hire, all our lifting equipment – whether hire or sale – comes with a six-month Report Of Thorough Examination (ROTE) certificate to give you complete peace of mind. Get in touch with us today to find out more about the lifting and handling products available from Alliance Tool Hire, and how we can deliver the right mix of Capability-Elevation-Condition for your lifting application. Find your nearest Alliance Tool Hire branch and speak to our friendly and experienced team by clicking here. To view our full range of lifting and handling products, click here. Connect with us onLinkedIn and Facebook.
Catching the early warning signs of failure is critical in maintaining safety when working with construction machines. It also avoids unplanned downtime and costly breakdowns. Here, Nick Kakoudakis, Technology and Remote Services Manager at exclusive Caterpillar® dealer Finning UK and Ireland, discusses how digital connectivity means that Finning can ensure the longest life from its equipment. If you’ve recently insured a vehicle, you’ll have probably heard of the black box. Installed on some insured cars, these devices monitor how the car is driven and report that information back to the insurance company. This information is used to encourage safe driving and to capture vital data in the event of an accident. A watchful eye-in-the-sky While installing a black box in a car is relatively cheap, managing downtime, breakdowns and user-profiles across a highly varied fleet of construction equipment can be costly. The costs can include everything from recovery and repair of the equipment, as well as the resulting loss of production uptime and construction delays. Unlike the black box, Finning’s solution — Cat Connect — combines the use of smart technology and services on equipped machines, making sure everything is running as effectively and reliably as possible. The insight and information received helps to improve jobsite efficiency, whether the goal is to maximize production, reduce cost or improve safety. When installed on Finning Cat equipment, Cat Connect records every parameter on a Cat machine and reports the information back to Finning HQ. The technical team of experienced Cat certified engineers then work through the data and looks for any problems and opportunities for optimisation. For instance, a few minutes of idle time for a dump truck may be necessary during loading and unloading, but a backhoe operator keeping the engine running during a lunch break may lead to bore glazing on a diesel engine. If a machine is running idle then it is incurring extra fuel, maintenance and staffing costs for no real benefit — the team at Finning can spot issues like this and advise appropriate action. Similarly, an engine might be running rough. Perhaps it has been unused for a while and the fuel is stale, or the fuel mixture is misconfigured for the type of work or weather conditions — the team at Finning identifies these problems and can advise users to replace the fuel or alter the fuel mix to compensate. Tracking outside of the fence Cat Connect devices also include GPS, which allows engineers to track the machines as they move around the work area. This also allows for “geofencing”, where an alarm is triggered if equipment is moved outside a designated area. In one instance, Finning engineers were alerted by a geofencing alarm in the middle of the night. Using the GPS tracker on Cat Connect, the machine was successfully tracked and retrieved the next day from a secluded lay-by, over 20 miles away from the worksite. Without Cat Connect and its real-time alarms and customer-configurable alerting capabilities via text or emails, it’s very unlikely that it would have been recovered, especially if the equipment was stripped for parts. Uncovering operational optimisations Real-time condition monitoring not only helps to predict failure and keep equipment running, it also uncovers some surprising systemic problems. One particular example was on a worksite that had a substantial hill that earthmoving equipment often traversed. Going up the incline was no trouble for the heavy equipment, but it was found through condition monitoring that the operators were allowing vehicles to coast when travelling back down. By not using the retarder correctly, the operators were inadvertently exposing the powertrain to extreme stresses. Finning advised the customer that this was a problem, and the operators were retrained to use the retarder correctly and safely. This action directly increased the working life of the equipment, saved thousands of pounds in costs and eliminated the potential downtime. For more information about Finning’s Cat Connect service, and more, visit www.finning.com.
On the first day of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone HS2 Ltd outlines how the project’s new low-carbon technology will support Birmingham City Council’s objective to reduce pollution and improve air quality in the city. HS2 is going way beyond requirements to lower carbon and emissions on its construction sites, and with HS2’s Curzon Street Station site in the city centre, the project confirms that the use of the latest, cleanest technology will lower emissions, protecting the environment and keeping people safe. A whole range of innovations are being introduced to cut emissions and improve local air quality, not just in Birmingham but right across the project. These include hybrid, zero emissions machinery, renewable energy, alternative fuels and recycled products. In addition, HS2 is leading a series of ground-breaking trials in conjunction with academia and its supply chain, set to bring massive improvements in local air quality and welfare conditions for construction site workers, with wider positive public health and environmental benefits for communities. The project has set standards for the use of the lowest emitting vehicle engines across all contractors, as well as set targets for contractors to go beyond these, as technology improves. In addition, the project has also set industry leading emissions standards for all machinery including excavators, dumpers, large cranes and piling machines. HS2’s top ten air quality innovations: HS2’s Air Quality Lead Andrea Davidson said: “It’s vital that we improve air quality in our towns and cities. As construction work ramps up across Phase One, HS2 is working with our contractors, supply chain, UK manufacturers and academia to cut emissions by developing ways to reduce reliance on diesel, and to promote the use of alternative technologies such as full electric, renewables, hydrogen fuel-cell and hybrid technology. “Birmingham Clean Air Zone is also about encouraging people to change their transport habits. By providing a cleaner, greener way to travel, HS2 will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for domestic flights, and help the country’s push to reduce carbon emissions.” In 2017, road traffic accounted for 91% of transport emissions. In the same year cars, taxis and light vans were responsible for 70% of road transport emissions. By moving high speed trains on to a new, dedicated intercity line, HS2 will free up space on the existing rail network to run more local and regional commuter trains. With more reliable, local frequent stopping services available, people will be able to make the shift from road to rail and cut their carbon footprint. This will help to reduce emissions from road transport, reduce congestion and improve the quality of our air.
