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          

A-Plant has added 400 new items of equipment to its fleet, including products manufactured by Bobcat and Thwaites. Machines worth almost £0.8m have been purchased from Bobcat, including E85 reduced tail swing excavators and skid steer loaders. An order has also been placed with Thwaites for site dumpers with capacities of 1, 3 and 6 tonnes.  

Japanese plant manufacturer Komatsu has acquired Lehnhoff Hartstahl, German producer of automatic quick coupler systems for excavator attachments. The Lehnoff family that owns the Variolock coupler business, headed by company chief executive Peter Lehnhoff, said they decided that selling to Komatsu was the best way to secure the future of the business and its 180 employees. “To evaluate an early and best possible succession plan for the company and its workforce was very important to my family and me,” said Peter Lehnhoff. “We are very fortunate for this important decision with Komatsu, with whom we have been cooperating excellently for 30 years. We are convinced that Lehnhoff Hartstahl will continue to grow from its location in Baden-Baden and will sustainably access the international markets.” He added: “This strategic decision will ensure Lehnhoff Hartstahl are best positioned for the future.” The price was not disclosed. Sean Heron, managing director of Lehnhoff’s UK distributor Worsley Plant, welcomed the takeover. “We see this as a positive step for the future of Lehnhoff’s products, allowing us to further penetrate the UK market with this market leading technology.”    

Liebherr has begun delivery of the largest single order in the history of its tower cranes division. The first of the 58 cranes are now on the site of the new Istanbul airport. The new İstanbul Yeni Havalimanı airport will be the largest in the world, capable of handling about 150 million passengers a year from 2020. Delivery of the first of the total of 58 EC-H series cranes took place recently and the cranes will remain installed at the airport until 2018. The airport is being built on a 9,000ha site 35km to the north of the centre of Istanbul. A total of six runways and 165 passenger bridges will be built at the new transport hub. The airport building itself will have a roof that stretches over the halls like a gigantic tent. Skylights at various points will provide daylight to the interior. The Liebherr order was placed by the project’s Turkish contractor, İGA Havalimanı İœletmesi. The order is made up of 32 cranes of the 280 EC-H 12 Litronic type, 16 of the 200 EC-H 10 Litronic type and a further ten 154 EC-H 6 Litronic models. “The Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions department has specialised in these complex construction projects and was able to score heavily with a low cost solution for this order,” said Rüdiger Boeck, regional sales manager for Eastern Europe and the Bosporus at Liebherr-Werk Biberach. The short delivery times that Liebherr was able to guarantee and the service provided by its local partner, Attila Dural Trading, were among the main reasons for winning the order, he added. “We can guarantee 24/7 service for our cranes in cooperation with our partner. That is extremely important for these construction projects where every day is vital.”

Caterpillar has refreshed its offering in the 25-tonne crawler excavator segment with the new short-tailswing Cat 325F. Compared to its 321D L CR predecessor, the 325F provides the same productivity while offering increased lifting capacities (up to 7% over-the-front, and up to 9% over-the-side), and a 12% fuel consumption improvement, the manufacturer says. The Variable Adjustable boom and stick allow working closer to the tracks in confined areas and provide increased lifting capacity. For long-term durability, the 325F uses a modified X-frame design to withstand digging and lifting forces. The heavy-duty undercarriage also uses massive track frames, heavy-duty track rollers, forged carrier rollers, and grease-lubricated track chains that significantly extend chain life and reduce sound when the machine travels, Caterpillar says The Stage IV-compliant C4.4 ACERT engine, which is up to B20 biodiesel capable, uses a variable-speed fan to further reduce energy consumption. A high-pressure fuel system has a newly designed pump and injectors for optimum combustion, and a high-efficiency filtration system protects components from wear and deposits that can result in over-fueling. Electrically controlled boom- and stick-regeneration systems recycle oil in cylinders instead of exhausting it to the reservoir, resulting in reduced loads on the main pumps for increased fuel economy and faster response. Quick-couplers and tool-control systems work with available auxiliary-hydraulic circuits to support a range of attachments. On-board technology includes Cat Grade Control, delivering 2D bucket-tip-elevation guidance to assist operators in forming precise planes and slopes, eliminating much of the staking and grade checking typically required. The AccuGrade system provides 3D guidance for making complex cuts and contours.

Having a backup generator in your office is an essential part of emergency procedures should you face a power cut or blackout. If you are not adequately prepared for such a scenario, you will find you and your workforce unable to work and thus at a loss, both professionally and financially. As per MarketWatch according to analysts at Technavio the global diesel portable market is to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.8% between 2014-2019. Proving that diesel generators are becoming more and more popular. Imagine you have a client visiting and you are faced with the embarrassing situation of having to halt your meeting as you have no back up power? It certainly would not reflect well on your brand or business. What kind of generator should I have? Generators come in various shapes and sizes based on their kVA output and engine size. These qualities are objective and therefore best decided upon by consulting an expert who can properly determine the right model for you. The more subjective differentiating quality is what kind of fuel the engine runs off. Similar to a car, the most popular fuels are petrol and diesel. Petrol Large selection available Cheaper to purchase but not as efficient as diesel Diesel Fuel efficient Cost-effective Operate for longer periods of time Long-lasting if maintained correctly All businesses should have a backup generator and it’s clear that the advantages of a diesel powered generator far outweigh the advantages of a petrol one. Whilst a petrol fuelled generator might be tempting due to its low initial price, you will likely end up paying more in the long term than you would have done should you have paid slightly more for a diesel version. If you want to ensure your business can operate regardless of any power outages, make sure you invest in a good backup generator for your office. Tarplett Generator Services supply a range of diesel generators, everything from SDMO T22k, to LSA 432 models.