Hire firm Hewden has placed an order for 50 JCB skid steer and compact tracked loaders in a deal worth £2.5m. The order, placed through dealer Gunn JCB, is for the JCB 155 and 205T tracked models, as well as a wide range of attachments, including augers, pallet forks, shovels, trencher, waste grapple, patch planner, sweeper collector, brush cutter, landscape power rake and breakers. A key factor in the purchasing decision, Hewden said, was the Power Boom design of JCB’s skid steer range. This enables operators to enter the cab of the machine through a large side door rather than climbing over potentially dangerous attachments at the front. Hewden CEO Adrian Murphy said: “This is the latest in a significant round of investments for Hewden. We believe in having the latest and newest technology to meet our clients’ exacting demands.  We were impressed with JCB’s design of its skid steer and compact tracked loader range and the health and safety benefits it offers. Having a side-door entry point is just common sense and sets the standard for the industry. Beyond that is the versatility of the equipment:  it enables our hire customers to deploy the equipment in a range of challenging environments. This, together with our recent investment in our crane and lifting fleet, shows we are at the forefront of providing the latest innovative machinery for customers.” Pictured below are, left to right: Gunn JCB director John Dolphin, Hewden product manager Alex Gadd, Hewden marketing director Kumar Bhamidipati, and JCB UK & Ireland sales director Dan Thompstone.          

Civil engineering contractor FM Conway has invested £1.5m in the purchase of 38 JCB machines. The new arrivals include excavators ranging from one to 22 tonnes and several JCB 3CX backhoe loaders. The machines, supplied by dealer Greenshields JCB, will be working on highways and public realm projects across London. FM Conway plant manager John Tobin said: “We chose JCB because of the close working relationship that has developed over many years and the strong support network from our dealer Greenshields JCB. They understand that downtime equals money to our business, and always react quickly. “A key feature of the JCB models is that they do not rely on the diesel particulate filter associated with other machines. We also benefit from the JCB LiveLink system which we use to monitor fuel consumption and idling times on the JCB JS excavators. LiveLink also provides an important security tool for us, as well as helping with maintenance. “We work with many boroughs across London carrying out vital highways and public realm works and these new machines will help us continue to provide these important services. The larger machines especially will prove very popular with our civil engineering division and with the teams at our recycling facilities.”

Natural Stone Surfaces, one of the UK’s leading stone manufacturers, has selected Street Crane for the supply and installation of new materials handling equipment to help boost productivity at its manufacturing facility. A variety of Street’s workstation lifting systems have been installed at the plant to safely and efficiently move large natural stone slabs at 10 separate workstations for polishing, cleaning and sealing. The systems include a multi-hoist light crane system and two jib cranes. All hoists have been fitted with vacuum lifting pads for gentle handling of the polished stone products. The light crane system is supported on a freestanding gantry system that is fixed to the existing floor. Each light crane beam has a span of six metres and 500 kg safe working load. Mathew Milner, director at Natural Stone Surfaces, said: “We’ve expanded rapidly over the last year, doubling our manufacturing space to help meet a growing demand for our products across the UK and in Europe. In line with this expansion, we approached Street Crane to develop a solution that would improve our production processes. “The new system has removed the need for forklifts and manual lifting, which has enhanced the health and safety of our operations, maximised space and enabled us to work faster and more efficiently. As a result, we anticipate that we will be able to boost productivity by 50 per cent over the next 12 months.” Chris Lindley-Smith, sales director at Street Crane added: “Our light crane system is tailor-made for each application and has a modular, flexible design so can be installed easily and quickly. “At Natural Stone Surfaces, it took just seven days to install ensuring minimal downtime and resulting in a cost-effective, durable solution that is making its workstations more efficient and improving the operating environment for staff. “ Based in High Peak, Derbyshire, Natural Stone Surfaces has a 70-strong workforce at its 25,000 sq ft manufacturing facility. The business supplies bespoke granite, marble, quartz, slate, limestone, travertine and semi-precious stone work surfaces to kitchen studios and interior designers throughout the UK and Europe.

In busy warehouse environments it is easy for the number of hours to increase on forklift trucks, with some vehicles in near-constant use 24/7, rolling on from one shift to the next. Transporting such a high volume of goods, both indoors and out, inevitably leads to considerable wear and tear, so it’s essential to keep an eye on maintenance and protect your fleet against long-term damage. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, it’s a legal requirement to ensure that all plant machinery remains in a good state of repair, but another reason to take maintenance seriously is to minimise downtime, so here’s some advice from the experts at Linde Aftersales on how to keep your forklift trucks in tip-top shape. Check your checklist   Forklift operators should conduct a thorough assessment of vehicles at the start of every shift, safeguarding against problems going unnoticed and unreported. Manufacturers will supply documentation detailing what to look out for, covering everything from fuel and oil levels to the lifting mechanism and safety features. It’s fundamental that staff actually complete these daily checks rather than simply paying lip service to them, in order to protect against unnecessary damage and potential accidents. A clear structure should be in place for problems to be flagged and resolved.   Replace tired tyres   Following your manufacturer’s recommended guidelines for tyre safety will ensure sufficient grip for movement, friction for braking and overall comfort. Naturally, the wheels are the only part of the vehicle in constant contact with the ground, leaving them vulnerable to damage, so it’s important to monitor their condition. Solid forklift tyres should have a wear indicator, known as a ‘60J line’, and once the depth reaches this point it only has 100 hours of use remaining. It’s crucial that you replace tyres in time, as instability will jeopardise both safety and productivity.   Tyres should only be fitted and repaired by trained professionals.   Don’t drag   Whilst forks should be lowered when travelling, they should still be clear of the ground; making them drag along the floor is an all-too-frequent cause of damage that is easily avoided. Dragging also results in extra fuel consumption – an unnecessary cost. The weight of loads should be evenly centred, and forks should be lifted to a safe height.   Prevention is better than cure   Driving over sawdust, pallet wrap or loose packaging can potentially lead to issues with air filters and blocked radiators, as well as causing damage to shaft bearings, so all debris should be regularly cleared from the warehouse floor. Potholes should be immediately tended to, as they can cause damage to the chassis and tyres, and drivers should avoid wearing tool belts, as sharp objects can create holes in the leather seating, which will only deteriorate over time. Book your Thorough Examination   Whilst daily checks will help to guarantee optimal performance, it’s a legal requirement to pass a Thorough Examination of forklift machinery every year, much in the same way that cars have to complete their MOT. Failing to keep up with regular inspections will put the lifespan of your equipment and the safety of staff at risk, so it’s crucial to ensure that your forklift trucks are kept in good working order.

Generators are extremely important for any business and are included in most systems to top up battery storage or to meet electricity requirements, and are vital for emergency procedures should you face a power cut. Below we have explained why having backup power on your site is important. Types of generators There are two types of generators, petrol generators and diesel generators. Petrol generators are designed to provide unmatched economical performance while delivering a reliable power output. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, whether it’s for heavy duty industrial work, or for areas where disruption is kept to a minimum, these petrol generators will provide the level of output you require. Diesel generators are available in a fantastic range of power outputs and offer up to 10kVA of power in both single phase and three-phase. With these you don’t need to worry about noise, you can choose from silent and super-silent units. Why should I invest in a generator? Imagine you are at work, going about your usual day-to-day activities, assisting visitors in the building, and all of a sudden the power goes down – your company would look highly unprofessional to your visitors. Not only this but having a generator also ensures that all workers are able to continue with their day-to-day tasks, meaning you and your staff do not suffer a financial loss. If you are travelling to various remote locations for work, then a lot of the time you have to supply the power yourself. In these cases portable generators come in handy, and even if a company does allow you to use their electricity, you and your company appear more professional if you have your own source of electricity. Having back up power in health care industries is especially important, this is because life support machines and other compulsory tools are crucial in sustaining human life. If you want to invest in generators but aren’t sure where to begin then contact a professional who will be happy to advise you of the best type of generator for your business. Pramac Generators are the leading generator suppliers and on hand to assist with your requirements.

  LiHD – REVOLUTIONARY BATTERY PACK TECHNOLOGY, OPENING UP NEW WORLDS. 1985 – today: Optimisation of battery pack endurance (longer run time = more Ah) What started in the 80s with nickel-cadmium battery packs was revolutionised almost 20 years later with the introduction of the innovative lithium ion technology. Henceforth, we have continued to perfect this technology in terms of run time, so that users on site can drill, drive in screws, cut and grind, all for a longer time. Just one year after the world premiere of the 4.0 Ah battery pack, Metabo managed to set a new standard in terms of endurance with the 5.2 Ah generation. New from May 2015: LiHD – Quantum leap in performance for completely new applications   Now we are starting a technological revolution with the innovative Metabo LiHD battery packs: Not only could the run time be increased by up to 87%, but with up to 67% more power. For the first time we enter new dimensions which could not even be imagined for battery packs until now. Now, applications previously reserved for only mains-powered machines, become possible. 30 years of Metabo battery pack competence

Operators at the UK’s biggest mobile crane hire company, Ainscough, this week begin voting on whether to take industrial action. Britain’s biggest union, Unite, is balloting members at Ainscough for strike action and action short of strike, after talks failed to reach agreement in a pay dispute. The ballot opens on Thursday 10th December and closes at noon on Monday 11th January 2016. The company’s revised two-year pay offer of 2.5% and 2.75% was overwhelmingly rejected by the union’s crane operator members, with 85% voting to reject the new deal in a recent consultative ballot. Ainscough has a fleet of more than 450 cranes operating from a network of 30 depots. It has more than 900 employees, of whom approximately 500 are in crane operations. Bernard McAulay, Unite national officer for construction said: “Sadly, despite repeated attempts and long drawn out negotiations to resolve the pay dispute, we have been left with no option but to move to a full industrial action ballot. “Our members have a fantastic track record. They consistently deliver across all industrial sectors in some of the most difficult working environments, helping to make Ainscough the envy of the UK crane industry. Now is the time for the company to recognise their contribution and step back from the brink. “The last thing our members want to do is take strike action. The company’s continued refusal to recognise their invaluable contribution to Ainscough’s success is the final straw. “Morale is plummeting. Our members are angry that the company can boast of making a £14 m profit last year and yet ignore their calls for a decent and affordable pay rise. The longer the company ignores their case, the more damaging the dispute will be.” Ainscough was built up into the UK’s biggest mobile crane hire company in the 1990s by the Ainscough family before a management buyout in 2007. In 2012 it was bought by private equity firm TPG and Goldman Sachs. In March 2015 there was another change of owner with a take-over by US-based Oaktree Capital Management. Unrest among the workforce comes as the company sets out on an acquisitions spree under its new owners. It has just completed the takeover of Specialist Crane Hire, which has depots in Morecambe, Wigan and Bishop Auckland. “Acquisitions are a key part of our five-year plan,” said Ainscough managing director Robin Richardson, “and we are delighted to make such an excellent acquisition at the beginning of this process”. Legacy crane hire companies (or their assets) within Specialist Crane Hire include A Jardine & Sons, Marsden Crane Hire, Steel Force Bowmech, Telford Crane Hire and Rushlift.

Scunthorpe-based Specialist Surfacing has expanded its fleet of Bobcat loaders with the purchase of two S570H skid-steer loaders along with sweeper and bucket attachments. Supplied by local dealer AMS Bobcat, the new machines join Specialist Surfacing’s seven other Bobcat skid-steers, which include S185 and 773TH models. It also has four Bobcat 18-inch planers and 12 sweeper attachments. Specialist Surfacing is part of the Hunt Group, which also consists of Britcon and Coldmac. Julian Fowles, transport & garage manager for the group, said: “We have run Bobcat loaders and attachments for many years. They are incredibly reliable and are the perfect tools for us in terms of the access and productivity they offer on work sites and their ease of transportation.  We have Bobcat loaders working in every facet of our business, from loading materials and cleaning up on our sites to general handling work in our yards. They are the best multi-purpose machines on the market.” The S570H model is part of the Bobcat range of new generation loaders, with vertical lift path boom arms. Mr Fowles added: “The increased lift height and optimised lift arm design of the S570H provides our operators with the ability to lift heavier loads higher, making it easier for example to clear high-sided truck boxes and hoppers for loading spoil and materials, as well as placing pallets loaded with heavy materials.”   Above: Transport manager Julian Fowles with the two new S570H skid-steer loaders

Hiab, part of Cargotec, is today launching the search to find the 2016 World Crane Champion.  The winner will be crowned at the finals, which will take place at the IAA exhibition in Hanover, Germany, in September 2016. The first-ever World Crane Championship in April 2015 started a new tradition in the industry, giving crane operators from around the world the chance to showcase their skills and measure their abilities against their peers. “The first World Crane Championship generated huge interest, and was such a success that we decided to continue it in 2016,” says Carl-Gustaf Göransson, Senior Vice President, Sales, Markets and Services, Hiab.  “The competition proved to be an excellent way for us to meet experienced crane operators, and interact with our customers.  It was also a great way to demonstrate our newest products and to promote the load-handling industry.” Have you got what it takes? Qualification rounds for the 2016 World Crane Championship will start in February, with heats to be held around the world.  Already, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, the UK and the USA have signed up to participate. The winner will take home a prize of EUR 25,000. Contestants must demonstrate their skill and expertise in a timed trial that will challenge their ability to manoeuver a state-of-the-art mid range HIAB HiPro crane through a series of precise tasks and tight obstacles. Johnny Jensen from Denmark, representing Benny Rasmussen and Son, took the title in 2015.  Mr Jensen, a veteran crane operator with 21 years’ experience, put on a spectacular display of skill and precision, completing the test course in 2 minutes, 18 seconds and beating the time set by Hiab’s own crane professional ‘Eric’ into the bargain!  “It was incredibly fun to participate in this prestigious competition, and I am honoured to have been able to take victory home to Denmark,” he says. “What we witnessed at the finals in Birmingham earlier this year was an absolutely breathtaking experience,” continues Göransson.  “All 16 finalists delivered a first class performance to an excited audience, who cheered them on the whole day.  “We got to see precision operation of the crane at its very best, how skilled the operators were at manoeuvering loads safely, and the perfect match of human and machine.” “We are eager to start the qualification rounds to select the finalists for Hanover.  I would like to say to all the skilled crane drivers around the world: sign up now!  The hunt for the World Crane Champion 2016 is on!” For more information, and to sign up to compete in the qualification rounds, visit www.worldcranechampionship.com