The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched a new three-year initiative targeting plant operatives and assessors. This training commission will boost the development of plant professionals to help address an industry shortage. According to Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) research, 39% of of employers find it difficult to fill plant vacancies. Construction employers, trade bodies and training providers are all being asked to submit proposals to help address a gap between industry demand and supply.   The CPA; Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA); Hire Association Europe (HAE); Build UK; Highways England; HS2; West Midlands Combined Authority; Balfour Beatty; BAM Nuttall; Willmott Dixon; Flannery Plant Hire; Lynch Plant; Hire A-Plant; and Plantforce are among industry stakeholders that shaped CITB’s plant operators training commission.  Training in plant specialisms is currently low, with only 149 N/SVQ Level 2 qualifications in plant specialisms gained in 2016, while a CPA survey showed that more than 80% of respondents didn’t employ any plant apprentices and a further nine out of 10 employers didn’t expect to take any on in the next 12 months. With plant training necessarily using expensive equipment, projects that make use of innovative methods such as simulators are also sought. Other sectors such as health, aviation and the armed forces have seen learners with simulators spending 40% more time at the controls – instead of standing around watching others practice on real machines.  Steve Radley, CITB Policy Director, said: “Employers have been clear that more plant operatives and trainers are needed to tackle the skills shortage. This commission will help support training provision to the sector both now and in the future.” The deadline for applications is 28 February 2020. 

If you’ve ever worked in a big warehouse or ample storage, then a forklift is your best buddy. They are small vehicles, specially created for industrial purposes, and they do a great job at that. They have a fork and the front of the car, which can go up and down, and that’s basically it. They serve a great purpose in picking up pallets, stacking them, and putting them down. It may sound simple, and it is pretty simple. But, these vehicles are extensively used in the industry, and surprisingly, you need a certification in order to use one. And before you do so, it’s essential to know how they work, and how to use them. What are the critical components of a forklift? This vehicle is quite easy to understand, and it doesn’t have a lot of parts too. We’ll mostly focus on the truck frame, the counterweight, the mast, carriage, and power source. All of these parts serve a purpose. For starters, the truck frame is the central part of the cart, so to say. The wheels, mast, and counterweight are attached to it. That’s the base of the forklift. Secondly, the counterweight is an iron weight just below the seat. It’s attached to the truck frame, and its purpose is to balance out the weight that’s being lifted in the front. Click here to read more. The cast is the metal part in the front that serves to move the forks up and down. It’s fixed on a pair of rails so it can efficiently perform the movement. And additionally, the mast is attached, which is the vertical part that pushes the loads and lifts them up. For these two parts, rollers are an essential part that allows them to move. Where are these vehicles mainly used? As a vital part of today’s dock and storage world, forklifts have shaped the industries as well. They can also be used in construction sites, warehouses, recycling operations, and snowplows. At construction sites, they serve as a tool that can transport heavy materials from a truck to the site. Nowadays, most construction companies have their own forklift for added efficiency and speed. On the other hand, warehouses can’t function properly without the help of these fantastic devices. Here there is an extensive range of forklifts ranging from pedestrian ones to driver-operated ones. They vary in size and function. They can be from regular pallet carrying capacity and all the way up to 50 tons that’s used for transporting shipping containers. And finally, some people just buy an extension for the forklift rather than purchasing a snowplow or hiring one. It’s much more comfortable, much cheaper, and way more fun. Here’s some more info: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/11/forklift-truck-driver-saved-by-health-and-safety Do you need a driver’s license or a forklift license to operate one? Every operator who wants to drive and operate one of these vehicles needs to have a license. This is because there are so many types of industrial equipment. They include rough terrain forklifts, narrow-aisle, man lifts, sit-downs, stand-ups, pallet jacks, and order pickers. No matter what is type that you need to drive, you need to have a license. But, contrary to popular belief, you only need a forklift license and not a driver’s one. The good thing about this is that getting a license is easy and affordable. You just need to pass over a load of safety regulations. And they are quite crucial because mistakes happen every day, and not paying attention can cause a lot of problems and damage in a warehouse or a construction site. There are a few classes that you can take. If you are interested, you can just check online and type “Forklift Certification near me”. Those include electric motor rider trucks, narrow aisle trucks, hand or rider trucks, internal combustion engine trucks, and tractors. Once you are done with the training, you are good to go, and you can just print out your license. As well as that, this certification is valid for three years, and you just need to resubmit it to make it valid for another three years. The even better news is that the training necessary for the renewal is free. So you hit two flies with one stone.

The latest innovative solution from Komatsu has been demonstrated at the iconic Le Mans 24hrs race circuit in France. A host of distributors, including Irish firm McHale Plant Sales, were on hand to learn more about the Hydraulic Mechanical Transmission (HMT). Fitted to the latest WA475–10 wheel loader, those present were shown how HMT works and the benefit it will bring by enabling the WA475-10 to deliver more power whilst being more efficient in its fuel use. Thanks to a variable speed and traction control, top speed is adjustable throughout its entire speed range, in accordance with the conditions of the job site, while variable traction control limits wheel spin in difficult ground conditions. By dispensing with the need for a torque convertor, the Komatsu WA475-10 could carry 20 percent less fuel while the HMT system delivered some 17 percent better fuel consumption. McHale Plant Sales director, John O’Brien observed: “Powered by an EU Stage V engine and covered by a five years or 10,000 hours warranty, the next generation WA475-10 wheel loader with HMT proved to be a very versatile performer. “Built on the recognised benefits of its predecessor, it has the appeal of being up to 30% more fuel-efficient and is perfect for any moving, transport or loading job, combining outstanding fuel efficiency, productivity and ease of operation. “Hydraulic speed can be independently controlled, directly from the accelerator pedal, making it easy for the operator to find the right balance between traction and lifting power. The optimised Z-bar linkage system provides much more lift force and a higher tonnes-per-hour production rate while lift speed and class-leading machine stability help boost productivity, especially in narrow-space loading applications,” he added.

2019 has seen Kubota UK turn 40, giving us a chance to reflect on how the construction industry has witnessed significant change over the last few decades; whether that be through technological innovation, shifts in the economic climate or changes in how to hire the right skills. But one of its oldest partners also has cause for celebration this year. Our friends at GAP Hire Solutions have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of the company throughout 2019. Over the last half a century the company has grown to become the UK’s largest independent plant, tools, equipment and vehicle rental firm. Established in 1969 by Gordon Anderson, the family-owned and run business operates from over 140 depots and employs over 1,800 people nationwide. GAP has remained a family-run business, ensuring that the same family principles on which the company were founded continue to this day. GAP and Kubota UK have worked together for many years, with the former selling over 500 construction machines since the partnership began, and for much of their partnership, Kubota UK has been GAP’s sole supplier of mini and midi excavators. To celebrate this milestone and its longstanding relationship with the hire company, Kubota has gifted GAP with a gold Kubota machine. For the next year, 50% of all hire revenue from the golden machine will go to The Lighthouse Club, a charity which provides financial and emotional support to the construction community and their families. The most recent rental of the machine secured £180 for this organisation. To support this initiative and local charities affecting the construction industry, Kubota has pledged to match the money GAP raises through the golden machine. Ken Stewart, Head of Procurement at GAP Group, said: “Here at GAP, we run a large fleet of Kubota excavators ranging in size from 800kg to 8.0t. When looking at the types of products we want to buy, price is and always will be an important factor. But we also look closely at factors such as the cost of ownership, reliability, after sales support and general market acceptance. In our opinion, the Kubota product continues to tick all the boxes and is well received by both our customers and our UK depot network. “We have a strong affinity with Kubota in general with their engines being used in so many of our other products such as compressors, tandem ride on rollers, dumpers, lighting towers and generators to name but a few. “We look forward to working with Kubota UK for the next 50 years and beyond!” Glen Hampson, Business Development Manager Construction Division at Kubota UK commented: “GAP is Kubota UK’s largest independent customer, and this is a testament to the strength of the relationship that we have built with the team over the last few years. We know that our machines are well suited to GAP’s needs as they provide reliable, well designed and robust solutions to withstand the rigours of the hire industry. What’s more, our responsive dealership network has allowed GAP to rapidly respond to customer and depot requirements. From all of us at Kubota UK, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our friends and colleagues at GAP. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

Enhancing Bobcat’s leadership of the skid-steer loader market in Europe, the company has launched new versions of its market-leading M-Series S450, S510 and S530 models, the first in the range to feature a specially developed Stage V compliant Bobcat engine. All of the new skid-steer loader models are manufactured at the Bobcat compact equipment plant in Dobris in the Czech Republic. The new Stage V M-Series loaders provide operators with increased performance, enhanced comfort and optimised maintenance requirements to maximise job site efficiency. They are designed to continue the success of the Bobcat range globally, where nearly one out of every two skid-steer loaders on the market is a Bobcat machine. Mike Vought, Senior Director, Product Management, commented: “M-series loaders are some of the best-selling models for Bobcat in Europe and the new Stage V machines build on the legacy set by their predecessors. Customers will benefit from the compact size coupled with the high torque and performance of the new engines. The Stage V engines also allow us to add the popular air conditioning and high flow hydraulics options to the 500 series models further increasing operator comfort and performance.” More Power but Still Compact Compactness within this performance class was the key benefit appreciated by Bobcat customers. Skilful design work has ensured that even with the Bobcat Stage V engine incorporated, the small dimensions of the new S450, S510 and S530 skid-steer loaders are maintained, offering a truly compact size and low weight, so they can work/manoeuvre easily in tight spaces and can be easily transported. The new Bobcat engine provides 37% more torque and fast recovery from overload compared to the previous machines, which ensures increased comfort for the operator as they can work with the same power at lower RPM, at lower noise levels and with lower fuel consumption for the same jobs. New High-Flow Hydraulics Option Another very important advantage derived from the Bobcat engine is the availability of a new high-flow hydraulics option for the S510 and S530 Stage V models. This further expands the exceptional versatility of these machines allowing them to be used with higher flow attachments such as sweepers, planers and wheel saws. There is also a new air conditioning option on the S510 and S530. By offering the same power at lower RPM, the new Bobcat engine provides a significant decrease in noise levels, reducing operator fatigue and lowering fuel consumption for the same type of work. In addition, with an engine equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as standard, users can work in emission-regulated zones such as city and town centres. The new Bobcat engine has also allowed the company to extend maintenance intervals with the first service now being after 500 hours and to reduce the number of fuel filter replacements required. Innovative Machine Styling and Built-in Technologies The new Stage V M-Series machines are the first models in the Bobcat compact equipment range in Europe to have the company’s innovative new machine styling scheme, which includes 3D decals for the first time.   The new Stage V loaders now feature the previously optional Deluxe control panel as standard, offering a choice of different languages and telematics to protect machines and to monitor their performance. Bobcat has also extended the choice of factory installed tyres for the three models, ensuring they can be more closely matched to customers’ applications right from the start. The cab on the new loaders is radio ready with a 12 volt power outlet for charging mobile phones and other devices, a cup holder, added storage compartments and new full-colour, deluxe instrument panels. The ‘Swiss Knife’ of the Compact Equipment Market As well as their compactness, the S450, S510 and S530 skid-steer loaders can be supplied with a comprehensive choice of over 50 different product families of approved attachments, offering solutions for a very wide range of applications and providing a perfect illustration of the Bobcat Tool Carrier concept common to all Bobcat compact loaders. The S450 and S510 radius lift path loaders combine excellent manoeuvrability in tight areas with the reach and visibility needed for applications such as dumping materials over walls, backfilling or loading flatbed trucks. The S530 model features vertical lift path boom arms particularly suited to lift and carry as well as material-handling applications. All three skid-steer loader models offer a two-speed option which boosts the maximum travel speed from 11.4 km/h in low range to 17.3 km/h in high range. The hydraulic bucket positioning option keeps the loader bucket level as the lift arms travel upward, enabling operators to spill less and work faster. For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com Brief specifications for Bobcat S450 skid-steer loader: Rated operating capacity (ISO 14397-1):                                                                                                                          654 kg (+46*) Tipping load (ISO 14397-1):                                                                                                                                                                       1308 kg (+93*) Operating weight:                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2436 kg (+71*) Engine: Bobcat D24 97/68 EC Stage V (4 cylinder)                  48.9 HP (36.5 kW) at 2600 RPM Torque                                                                                                                                                                                                        182 Nm (+32.2*) at 1800 RPM Travel speed (1st – 2nd gear):                                                                                                                                                                     11.4 – 14.8 km/h Hydraulic flow (Standard):                                                                                                                                                                                      64.0 l/min Lift path:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Radial Height (top of cab):                                                                                                                                                                                                             1976 mm Width over tyres:                                                                                                                                                                                                                1490 mm Length with standard bucket:                                                                                                                                                                     3172 mm Brief specifications for Bobcat S510 skid-steer loader: Rated operating capacity (ISO 14397-1):                                                                                                                               851 kg (+41*) Tipping load (ISO 14397-1):                                                                                                                                                                           1703 kg (+84*) Operating weight:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2816kg (+130*) Engine: Bobcat D24 97/68 EC Stage V (4 cylinder)              54.9 HP (41.0 kW) at 2600 RPM Torque                                                                                                                                                                                                             204 Nm (+54.2*) at 1800 RPM Travel speed (1st – 2nd gear):                                                                                                                                                              11.8 – 17.3 km/h Hydraulic flow (Standard – High flow option):                                                                                    64.0 l/min – 101.1 l/min Lift path:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Radial Height (top of cab):                                                                                                                                                                                                                 1972 mm Width over tyres:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 1643 mm Length with standard bucket:                                                                                                                                                                         3378 mm Brief specifications for Bobcat S530 skid-steer