Products & Materials : Plant & Machinery News

Mecalac announces unbeatable finance package to support UK customers

Working in conjunction with Mecalac Financial Solutions, Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has launched an unbeatable Buy Now… Pay Later finance package across its entire range of excavators, wheel loaders, site dumpers, compaction rollers and backhoe loaders. For all new models ordered and delivered before 31 July 2020, customers benefit from

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Bobcat Latvia Dealer Resurrects Very Rare M-600D Loader

Kono, the Riga-based Authorised Dealer for the Bobcat range in Latvia, has completed a project to renovate a very rare and historic Bobcat M-600D skid-steer loader that is around 50 years old and now fully working again. The M-600D was first introduced to the Bobcat range in 1967 and what

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How Compact Equipment Is Making Big Changes In The Construction Industry

The market for Compact Construction Equipment is expected to reach 148 million pounds by 2025, according to Market Watch, with a 6.1% CAGR growth. This is not surprising given that there is a need for compact construction machines, such as Doosan’s E10 battery operated mini-excavator, these days especially in urban areas. With housing

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Kubota Introduces Three New Machines

Kubota Introduces Three New Machines

Kubota, a leading manufacturer of construction machinery, has announced the launch of three new 5-tonne machines. The KX060- 5, U56-5 and U50-5, have been developed in line with customer feedback to ensure the machines are aligning with the demands of the industry. The launch of the three machines means Kubota’s customers

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Technical Alert Issued on Red Diesel Specifications

An alert on fuel specifications for mobile and static plant powered by gas oil (red diesel) engines has been issued following feedback from owners and manufacturers. The alert advises owners and users of potential problems if the incorrect specification of fuel is used, particularly machines fitted with EU Stage V

Read More »

Leica Geosystems, JCB integrate machine control solutions

Leica Geosystems, a Hexagon company, announced today its Leica Ready machine control kits will now be offered on excavators by JCB, an equipment manufacturer for construction, agriculture, waste handling and demolition. The JCB generation X Excavator 131X, 140X, 150X and 220X will now be supported with a new cable kit

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Coronavirus: UK plant shows put back a year

The Hillhead trade fair for quarrying and construction machinery has been postponed by a year due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. With Hillhead taking place in 2021 instead of 2020, the organisers of the PlantWorx trade show have agreed to move their event forward by a year also,

Read More »

A-Plant rebrands as Sunbelt Rentals

A-Plant will rebrand as Sunbelt Rentals from 1st May 2020. This change brings all A-Plant’s brands under one banner and aligns it with the other operating businesses of Ashtead Group plc, which trade under the Sunbelt Rentals brand in the United States and Canada. Andy Wright (pictured), CEO of A-Plant,

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Kubota Unveils Electric Prototype

Kubota Unveils Electric Prototype

Kubota, a leading manufacturer of machinery, has unveiled an electric prototype for the construction sector. The mini excavator model will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and are currently displayed at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto City. In response to the move towards banning the use of diesel engines

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Latest Issue
Issue 333 : Oct 2025

Products & Materials : Plant & Machinery News

Mecalac announces unbeatable finance package to support UK customers

Working in conjunction with Mecalac Financial Solutions, Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has launched an unbeatable Buy Now… Pay Later finance package across its entire range of excavators, wheel loaders, site dumpers, compaction rollers and backhoe loaders. For all new models ordered and delivered before 31 July 2020, customers benefit from zero repayment instalments and zero interest for three months.* Twelve weeks later, payments recommence, spread over either 36, 48 or 60 months (as per individual finance agreements). Paul Macpherson, UK Sales and Marketing Director at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “During such exceptional times, we wanted to give something back and provide construction professionals nationwide with a simple, affordable way to purchase the latest Mecalac models. “Our Buy Now…Pay Later finance offer has been designed with the customer firmly in mind. Available through your local Mecalac dealer, the package offers a risk-free revenue source for three months before the first payment is due.” A global leader in the design and manufacture of compact construction equipment, Mecalac boasts a comprehensive portfolio of site dumpers, backhoe loaders, compaction rollers, excavators and wheel loaders. The latest, Stage V-compliant models feature a number of highly innovative technologies and capabilities to improve on-site efficiencies and performance. For more information about the Buy Now… Pay Later finance package, or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.mecalac.com/en.

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Bobcat Latvia Dealer Resurrects Very Rare M-600D Loader

Kono, the Riga-based Authorised Dealer for the Bobcat range in Latvia, has completed a project to renovate a very rare and historic Bobcat M-600D skid-steer loader that is around 50 years old and now fully working again. The M-600D was first introduced to the Bobcat range in 1967 and what makes this refurbished M-600D such an incredibly rare find is that it was not manufactured at Bobcat’s traditional base in North Dakota in the USA, but instead under licence by Scheid Maschinenfabrik GmbH in Germany in the early 1970s. The M-600D could have been lost for all time, but was found by Ivars Gailums, a Director at Kono, buried on the internet, where it was being offered for sale by a used equipment supplier in Berlin. In 2018, Bobcat celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the compact loader and a sixty year legacy second to none in the worldwide construction equipment market. After its introduction in 1967, the M-600D model was a popular model and Bobcat carried on producing it until 1975. Bobcat Loader Manufactured in Germany in the Early 1970s In the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, the M-600D was first manufactured under a licensing agreement signed with Beltrami in Ravenna in Italy. In 1970, production of Bobcat loaders including the M-600D was transferred from Beltrami to Scheid Maschinenfabrik in Aumenau in Germany. The unit at Kono must have been made between 1970 and 1972, when the decision was made to transfer all manufacturing back to North Dakota in the USA. Several challenges had to be overcome to transfer the M-600D from Berlin to Riga and Ivars Gailums has paid great credit to the truck driver who finally brought the machine to Kono about two years ago, when work began on rebuilding the unit. Ivars Gailums commented: “Thanks to the efforts of the driver, we now had this M-600D delivered and it was my goal to rebuild it as authentically as we could, to keep its original parts intact as much as possible. Shortly after the M-600D arrived, I contacted Robby Bosch, who has recently retired from Bobcat in EMEA after nearly 40 years of service, hoping that his experience and knowledge would be of great use, which of course it has been.” Calling on Expert Advice In the EMEA region, there can be no better person to ask than Robby, who has carried out similar refurbishments himself. Prior to joining Bobcat as a Field Sales Trainer in 1981, Robby already had six years of experience as a Service Manager with a Bobcat dealer in his native Netherlands, where he worked with several customers with M-600Ds. Ivars Gailums continued: “The first thing Robby asked me was whether or not the rear counterweight was still present, as this tends to be the first component that disappears. Fortunately it was still in place. Over the last two years, Robby has generously continued to provide valuable advice, as has Jurgen Gremez, Bobcat Institute Director for Doosan Bobcat at the EMEA headquarters in Dobris in the Czech Republic.” The biggest challenge has been obtaining specific parts, which because of the age of the machine are obviously no longer available to order. It was also a challenge to find out what the M-600D really looked like, as there were several engine variations that affected how the overall machine appeared. Ivars Gailums added: “I have focused on every aspect – even whether the bottom of the seat was one piece or sewn together, as well as the colour of the bucket, they are all important to me. On the internet, the book published to celebrate Bobcat’s 50th anniversary had pictures of machines with buckets painted white. Again, thanks to Robby Bosch, who was able to answer questions like this about the M-600D.” Refurbishing in Busy Times The duration of the project has been just over two years, but it could have been shorter except for the last winter season, when it was much busier than usual at Kono and this delayed the renovation process. Ivars Gailums continued: “Because we were busy, we changed our plans and speeded up the process. The M-600D when it was disassembled into many parts, tended to take up a lot of space so we had to take account of this so it didn’t cause problems in our workshop. The work on the machine was mainly done by a team of three of our service engineers. “The team was led by our most experienced engineer, Juris Gailitis. The Deutz engine was brought back to life by our youngest service engineer, Davis Graustins, who can be assigned the finest and most accurate work tasks. Last but not least, the third member of the team was Dzintars Lorencs, who performed welding and repair work on the steel components. “Demonstrating Bobcat’s ‘One Tough Animal’ motto, several components such as the chaincase and chain had survived the years of service in pretty good condition. But the engine cooler on the Deutz engine presented a real problem as the original was heavily corroded and it was not available as a spare part. But we managed to get it from Deutz, where it was also one of the last parts of its type in their stock. “Sandblasting and powder coating services were outsourced and the leather seat was restored by a company which specializes in restoring old motor vehicles and rebuilding expensive modern cars. I also involved family members to get some unique spare parts – including a shaft, the air filter cap and authentic Melroe Bobcat and Clark stickers from the USA. In the period when our M-600D went into service, it would have carried stickers for Melroe Manufacturing Company, the forerunner to Bobcat Company, the Bobcat ‘animal’ logo as it was then and the logo for Clark Equipment, who bought the rights in 1968 to sell Bobcat loaders outside the USA.”  Jaroslav Fišer, Product Line Director for the Bobcat compact loader range in EMEA, added: “We are very proud of what Ivars and the team

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How Compact Equipment Is Making Big Changes In The Construction Industry

The market for Compact Construction Equipment is expected to reach 148 million pounds by 2025, according to Market Watch, with a 6.1% CAGR growth. This is not surprising given that there is a need for compact construction machines, such as Doosan’s E10 battery operated mini-excavator, these days especially in urban areas. With housing projects in the UK continuing to thrive, operators need more compact machines that will enable them to do their job even in tight spaces. Here’s how compact equipment is making big changes in the construction industry. Time Saving Through Multipurpose Compact equipment, like the Kubota svl95-2s, allows operators to continue with the construction project, even when they encounter compact spaces. With this machine equipped with the appropriate Kubota svl95 tracks, the operator can easily move around unique landscapes and terrains without losing traction. Add this to the fact that it comes with several attachments only shows that compact construction equipment can be a multipurpose machine.  Tech Availability   Technology plays a critical role regarding the efficiency and productivity in a construction project, while keeping both machine and operator connected safely. Telematics as well as grade control are no longer limited to heavy machines as compact equipment are featuring them as well. It is expected that the new generation of compact industrial vehicles will have improved performance, better productivity, enhanced fuel efficiency, and lower emissions among others.  Optimized Performance   The use of technology in compact construction equipment makes it easier for them to operate. The equipment can be adjusted to suit the skill level of the operator which can improve their performance without sacrificing their safety. Wheel loaders that come with hydrostatic emissions can be adjusted by pushing a button to customize traction on ice. New technology, such as the locator and geo-fencing devices allow operators and owners to maintain their fleet to understand their equipment’s usage and downtime.   Safer Job Sites Technology in compact equipment increases safety in the workplace. Features like the mounted cameras on the machine allow the operator to see if there are any workers or obstacles nearby that should be avoided. Other tech features that new compact machines will be sporting are object detection sensors, proximity sensors, and 360 degree cameras, which are geared to making a construction site safer when machines are being operated.  Proper Education And Training For Operators  Although these machines are easier to handle because of the technology featured, it is important that operators are trained to use them properly. The enhanced features and safety measures of compact construction equipment may have been added for safety purposes, but knowledge on how these machines work is critical. Training as well as site-safety practices must be conducted not only to operate machines safely but also to protect other workers on site.  Compact construction equipment is changing the construction industry by offering a more convenient way to handle tight spaces. Instead of thinking of a solution to get the larger excavators to squeeze into smaller spaces, compact vehicles can get the job done with ease.

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Kubota Introduces Three New Machines

Kubota Introduces Three New Machines

Kubota, a leading manufacturer of construction machinery, has announced the launch of three new 5-tonne machines. The KX060- 5, U56-5 and U50-5, have been developed in line with customer feedback to ensure the machines are aligning with the demands of the industry. The launch of the three machines means Kubota’s customers continue to have the choice of either a reduced tail swing or the conventional excavator. Each machine has been designed with the operator in mind, starting with a larger cabin, enhanced insulation, improved visibility, and a multitude of new comfort features. The exterior of the machines has also been redesigned, to give each a modern look.  The KX060-5 offers a conventional tail swing which can be used in different applications to the U-series. It is also the machine most suitable to heavier attachments due to the off-set of the conventional tail swing weight. The U56-5 has a powerful engine and is the largest reduced tail swing machine in the range. The machine is built to have good lifting capacity and will be a great machine for an owner or operator.  The U50-5, which will be available from July, has been designed as an entry-level machine and built for the hire market. The size of the machine means it is well suited to working in smaller spaces and will have excellent site access. All machines come fitted with the following features: Better access to information: A full-color, high-resolution 7” LCD screen and jog-dial navigation come fitted as standard. This provides the operator with all the information needed, from AUX flow adjustment to important maintenance information, as well as detailed alerts. Increased safety and comfort:  A high visibility orange coloured seatbelt and alert functions have been included to encourage the operator to wear the seatbelt, reducing the risk of serious accidents for those using the machines.  The new CAB structure has a noise reduction of 5dB, down to 74dB, providing a more stress-free working environment for the operator. A double adjustable air suspension has been included on L models to maximise on comfort and allow easy height adjustment via an air compressor. Built for the future: With increasing sustainability measures being introduced as standard across the globe, the new machines come fitted with a Kubota Original Direct Injection Engine with CRS and DPF Muffler, the engines for all three models are fully Stage-V compliant. Better access for maintenance: The new and improved DPF reduces maintenance by increasing the service intervals for both the regeneration filter and ash cleaner. When maintenance is needed, however, all three machines have been designed to provide easier access to those working on the machine – with wide opening bonnets and radiator cleaning.  Glen Hampson, Business Development Manager for Construction at Kubota UK, said: “We’re proud to be welcoming three new models into our 5-tonne range. The new range builds on the success of its predecessors when it comes to how the machines operate and overall functionality. The new machines, however, offer improved comfort and safety to the user. It is important for us here, at Kubota, that we’re providing machines that get the job done, but are also enjoyable and comfortable to use. The KX060- 5, U56-5 and U50-5 are just this.”

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Technical Alert Issued on Red Diesel Specifications

An alert on fuel specifications for mobile and static plant powered by gas oil (red diesel) engines has been issued following feedback from owners and manufacturers. The alert advises owners and users of potential problems if the incorrect specification of fuel is used, particularly machines fitted with EU Stage V engines.  This is because engines used in modern construction plant are becoming more sophisticated to reduce exhaust emissions and improve fuel consumption and can be a particular problem for engines designed to meet stage V emission requirements. It is therefore essential that plant owners and users are using the correct fuel for their machines, as specified by the plant manufacturer.  Some manufacturers have reported cases of fuel filters on later designed engines blocking where incorrect specification fuels are used and state that where filters are not changed, possible damage to the fuel and after treatment systems, especially on stage V engines, can occur with the results being potentially extremely expensive.  With plant manufacturers continuously improving the technologies used within plant diesel engines, plant owners and users are strongly advised to check that the fuel obtained or used by themselves or their customers complies with the plant manufacturer’s specification and contact the manufacturer if need be to check the fuel requirements for their machines. If the incorrect specification fuel is used, it can and has resulted in costly engine breakdowns and recovery costs. There is also a possibility that a manufacturer’s warranty would be void. Where plant is on site for long periods or hired on a non-operated basis, it is essential that all plant users are made aware of the correct fuel specification by the plant owner, as the user or a designated person or persons will generally be responsible for refuelling the machine and that the information has cascaded down to all those involved. The information alert provides information on the different fuel specifications that are available and the potential problems and can be downloaded from: https://www.cpa.uk.net/technicalalerts/ 

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Leica Geosystems, JCB integrate machine control solutions

Leica Geosystems, a Hexagon company, announced today its Leica Ready machine control kits will now be offered on excavators by JCB, an equipment manufacturer for construction, agriculture, waste handling and demolition. The JCB generation X Excavator 131X, 140X, 150X and 220X will now be supported with a new cable kit for the Leica iCON iXE1D, iXE2D and iXE3D machine control solutions for excavator guidance. The kit for these models has been designed for simple and clean factory installation with cables developed between JCB and Leica Geosystems. “Offering such integrated solutions advances the industry and the construction professional,” said Leica Geosystems Machine Control Director of Product Management Kris Maas. “Our strong working relationship with JCB brings added values to users worldwide.” Complete control for excavators With the Leica iCON excavator system, high precision GPS monitors the excavation position with a 3D model. The Leica iCON iXE3 is used for point collection and stake out activities on projects, such as large road and infrastructure construction, subdivision building, industrial sites and dereliction works. The built-in GSM modem quickly supports and transfers files while the 3D system enables detailed monitoring of any site project. Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right With more than 200 years of history,Leica Geosystems, a Hexagon company, is the trusted supplier of premium sensors, software and services. Delivering value every day to professionals in surveying, construction, infrastructure, mining, mapping and other geospatial content-dependent industries, Leica Geosystems leads the industry with innovative solutions to empower our autonomous future.

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Coronavirus: UK plant shows put back a year

The Hillhead trade fair for quarrying and construction machinery has been postponed by a year due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. With Hillhead taking place in 2021 instead of 2020, the organisers of the PlantWorx trade show have agreed to move their event forward by a year also, to 2022, to avoid clashing. Hillhead, which tales place every two years, had been all set for 23–25 June 2020 at Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton in Derbyshire with a record 550 exhibitors booked. It has now been postponed to 22–24 June 2021, at the same usual location. Hillhead event director Richard Bradbury said: “The health and safety of exhibitors, visitors, contractors and employees is our number one priority and with the peak of the epidemic predicted to coincide with the show in June, this would be severely compromised. “Following an extensive consultation process, the decision has been taken to delay the event by a year to allow market conditions to stabilise and to best support the construction and quarrying industry during this challenging period.” Rob Oliver, chief executive of the Construction Equipment Association, which owns PlantWorx, said: “Of course we didn’t want to postpone our show, but after discussions with the Hillhead management we concluded that it would be in the best interests of our exhibitors and the wider construction and quarrying industries if we reset the clock and allowed Hillhead the diary space in 2021. Few people expected the impact of coronavirus just a couple of weeks ago, so we thought it best to make a quick decision so the industry had some clarity. As a trade association now, we need to focus our resources on helping our members through the unprecedented challenges arising from coronavirus which affects both lives and livelihoods”. Hillhead and PlantWorx are just two among myriad industry events, meetings and exhibitions – not just in the UK but around the world – to be rescheduled or cancelled because of the pandemic. Vertikal Days, the lifting equipment exhibition, has also been postponed. It had been planned for 13-14 May at Donington Park, Leicestershire. A new date has yet to be set. Also postponed is the Commercial Vehicle Show, which had been scheduled for 28-30 April at the Birmingham NEC. This has been put back a year to 2021.

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New Bobcat Skid-Steer Loaders Unloading Bulk Materials from Ships

For almost 51 years, stevedoring company, ZHD Stevedores, based in Dordrecht in the Netherlands, has been using Bobcat skid-steer loaders to clear the holds of ships and to move material around so that the grabs on the large unloading cranes on the dockside are kept busy. This way of working was introduced to be able to unload or load a ship as quickly as possible so that it can sail again, as idle time costs money in shipping. Any part of the load that remains out of reach of the grabs on the cranes is collected and removed by the Bobcat loaders using hydraulic sweeper attachments. The Bobcat skid-steer loaders for this work including the new S770 models that ZHD Stevedores has just purchased, have to undergo many modifications before they are delivered to the company. This work is carried out by Inter-Techno, the Dutch importer for the Bobcat range for more than 40 years and Inter-Techno describes this as creating a ‘port edition’ of the skid-steer loader, after special modifications are implemented in the company’s workshop in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. This special edition machine was developed jointly with ZHD Stevedores. ZHD Stevedores is a family business that provides stevedoring services for a large number of clients in Dordrecht and at three locations on the Moerdijk industrial park. A number of important customers are located on the ZHD site, where they carry out production processes with materials that enter via the port. ZHD takes care of the storage and transfer of the materials for them. This can vary from steel rolls and scrap to bulk materials such as coal, iron ore, slag sand, pebbles, gravel, sand, sugar, salt and basically anything that can be loaded and unloaded with a grab. To meet this demand, ZHD Stevedores has more than 100 grapples at its disposal. Over the years, ZHD has invested heavily in flexible mobile and floating cranes with a high capacity to optimally serve its customers in Moerdijk, Dordrecht and Rotterdam. The showpiece machines include a self-built 50-tonne self-propelled floating crane (gripper company, general cargo 100T), a 170-tonne hydraulic tyre crane and another two self-propelled 25-tonne floating cranes (40T general cargo) in Antwerp, Belgium. The floating cranes are used to load big sea-going vessels including the largest Capesize ships or to transfer their cargo to inland vessels and coasters. Operators Request Bobcat Machines The method of discharging ships using skid-steer loaders has been around since the 1960s. It proved to be the most flexible solution. The circumstances and the materials involved make it impossible to use other methods such as conveyor belts or suction systems. Initially, Bobcat skid-steer loaders were almost always used for this work at ZHD, with the exception of the period between 2000 and 2009. “When new skid-steer loaders had to be ordered in 2008, our operators were able to try out a new Bobcat S330 model with air conditioning. This worked much better than the skid-steer loaders of another brand that were in use at that time. At the request of the operators, ZHD Stevedores switched back to Bobcat skid-steer loaders in 2009,” said Jan Elferink, material management manager at ZHD Stevedores. In 2009, the first Bobcat machine to be purchased was given the number 28. Currently, there are 16 machines in use; with numbers from 36 up to 51. At the end of January 2020, two new Bobcat S770 skid-steer loaders – given the numbers 52 and 53 – were delivered to ZHD Stevedores to replace the machines with the numbers 36 and 37. ZHD has kept one of the two older models and the other one has been sold at an auction. Modification and Maintenance Before they can be used for unloading work, the Bobcat skid-steer loaders undergo a number of important modifications, which are mainly dictated by the environments in which the machines must operate. All modifications are made at Inter-Techno in Apeldoorn, after which the machines are delivered ready for use in the corporate colours of ZHD Stevedores. Regular maintenance and repairs are carried out by ZHD Stevedores itself. Whilst a dedicated engineer is responsible for the maintenance work within the material management department, ZHD has also added extra Protection Plus warranty for the machines, which offers an extended warranty period of three years to provide extra security in case the company’s engineers are faced with a problem they cannot handle. In this way, ZHD has ensured that the loaders are up and running again quickly with little or no downtime. Protective ‘Fresh Air’ Cab “The modifications on the machines include the treatment of plugs and cable harnesses with a special moisture-resistant coating. The moist and dusty environment is not good for the electronics on board,” Jan Elferink explained. “The adjustments to the cabs are also important. Drivers used to work in an open cab with a cage construction, but the requirements for working conditions and safety have become increasingly strict. To protect the driver against dust, overpressure cabs have been used for around 12 years to keep the dust out. The air that is blown into the cab goes through a P1 and P3 filter that captures very fine particles. P3 filters remove particles up to 50 x WNG (Legal Dutch Limit Value) so drivers no longer need to wear air masks.” The standard cab on Bobcat skid-steer loaders is both ROPS (Roll-Over Protection Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) certified, but to protect the driver even more, instead of the glass in the door of the machines, this is replaced by Bobcat-Lexan, a very strong plastic material that is very difficult to break or damage. In order to give the driver even better all-round visibility, a special ZHD rear-view camera is mounted on the rear hood. Tough Design Made Even Tougher A number of modifications have also been made on the outside of the Bobcat loaders. First of all, the machines are sprayed in the house colours of ZHD, blue and yellow. Four additional tie down points

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A-Plant rebrands as Sunbelt Rentals

A-Plant will rebrand as Sunbelt Rentals from 1st May 2020. This change brings all A-Plant’s brands under one banner and aligns it with the other operating businesses of Ashtead Group plc, which trade under the Sunbelt Rentals brand in the United States and Canada. Andy Wright (pictured), CEO of A-Plant, said: “Our rebranding to Sunbelt Rentals is the culmination of work to unify our UK brands under one powerful banner.” A-Plant’s businesses include Hewden Industrial, Live Trakway, A-Plant Lux, Rapid Climate Control, Mather+Stuart Power Solutions, Leada Acrow, A-Plant Rail, Tool Hire Express, A-Plant Powered Access, PSS Hire, Inlec, Evercal, Hoist It, Opti-cal Survey Equipment, FLG Services, Astra Attachment Solutions, GB Access, A-Plant Accommodation and Plantfinder. These businesses will all be branded as Sunbelt Rentals, and the company says each will have an identifiable sub-brand that recognises the services they provide.

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Kubota Unveils Electric Prototype

Kubota Unveils Electric Prototype

Kubota, a leading manufacturer of machinery, has unveiled an electric prototype for the construction sector. The mini excavator model will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and are currently displayed at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto City. In response to the move towards banning the use of diesel engines in Europe and the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), Kubota has engaged in the R&D of electric powered equipment. Kubota has also ensured that the prototype models will align with the needs of the industry both now and in the future.  The electric mini excavator prototype will operate using the equivalent output of existing diesel engines. It is also been developed specifically to operate uninterrupted for longer on a single charge, to maximise efficiency and increase output. And finally, the engine of the new prototype will meet emission limits and has extremely low noise output. This will make the new machine suitable for construction work in urban environments.  Glen Hampson, Business Development Manager, Kubota UK, said: “At Kubota, we pride ourselves on our ability to develop machines that meet the needs of our customers. The unveiling of the prototype in Kyoto City is testament to this. Kubota is focused on overcoming the challenges that come with the use of electric machines, such as the issue around the amount of charging infrastructure available and limited battery capacity. In 2020 and beyond, we will work to ensure we have created a machine which is both more sustainable and built for the future.” Kubota Corporation has been a leading manufacturer of agricultural, turf, hay and construction equipment and Industrial Engines since 1890. With world Headquarters in Osaka Japan, and offices in more than 110 countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia, Kubota achieved revenues in 2018 of $ 17 Billion. Although, agricultural equipment is Kubota’s primary line of products, Kubota also produces a diverse portfolio of other products including city wide water filtration systems, irrigation, piping, roofing, housing and large underground valves. 

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