Story Plant is a specialist plant hirer to the UK rail industry which operates a diverse fleet of road rail vehicles fitted with SITECH® Trimble Technology to ensure quality, safety, and delivery in a sector where timescales are tight, and delays are costly. Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, Story Plant have a historic relationship
With the arrival of the new DX380DM-7 model, Doosan has completed the company’s range of new High Reach Demolition Excavators. The DX380DM-7 has joined the existing DX235DM-5 and DX530DM-5 demolition models launched in the last two years. These are complemented by the company’s new range of Material Handler models and
1. As the attachment revolution continues apace, what are some of the new innovations that have come to market in recent years in the excavator attachment space? In recent years, Mini-Excavators (MEX) have developed into real Tool Carriers. This is thanks to the application of new technology and improved machine stability
Bobcat is launching new Stage V compliant telehandlers alongside Stage V versions of the company’s M-Series T450 and T590 compact track loaders. In both the new telehandlers and compact track loaders, the changes include several new features and options. The new machines are powered by proven Bobcat D34 and D24
The first new Doosan DX350LC-7 36 tonne crawler excavator in Italy has helped to secure the bed of the But creek, a tributary of the Tagliamento river in the province of Udine in Northern Italy. Part of a fleet of Doosan equipment, including two further crawler excavators, two articulated dump
When it came to specifying new plant equipment to deliver a bridge replacement project in Cumbria, Waitings Ltd knew that only the best would do. The company invested in two new models from Yanmar, a ViO50 midi excavator and C30R tracked dumper, and has been delighted with their performance ever
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
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,
Following significant growth in the use of Mobile Plant equipment in the UK, Bureau Veritas is warning firms to be vigilant when it comes to achieving compliance. It comes as the UK Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) rental market increased by 4% year-on-year, with demand outstripping the rest of Europe
Chester-based AH Plant Hire has upgraded its 14-year old Andover Trailers plant body with a 32-tonne 8×2 rear steer Scania G450. The new acquisition joins two other Andover-built plant bodies in service with the company, mounted to a 2010 17-tonne 4×2 Mercedes-Benz Atego and the original 2004 26-tonne 6×2 Scania.
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Story Plant is a specialist plant hirer to the UK rail industry which operates a diverse fleet of road rail vehicles fitted with SITECH® Trimble Technology to ensure quality, safety, and delivery in a sector where timescales are tight, and delays are costly. Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, Story Plant have a historic relationship of using SITECH machine control systems spanning over 15 years, so when an influx of new operators and a transition from the Trimble GCS900 system across to Trimble Earthworks meant they needed training support they approached the team at SITECH. Story Plant carry out works with multiple clients across the UK, and they are now growing their customer base within the Midlands which has led to an increase in their fleet and number of operators. Mark Bruce, head of technical development at Story Plant, said: “We rely heavily on our machines and the Trimble system to get things right and we currently have six dozer machines configured with the tech. “We found that different clients want to use different configurations of the Trimble system, often our operators would only use one system for a period of time and would then require a refresher when they needed to switch to a different configuration. “Solving that skill fade was important because we need our teams to have confidence in the system they’re using. Working within the rail industry you must get the work done right first time, because timescales are tight and as there’s a closure on the rail network there are severe consequences for delays. “As well as meeting tight timescales, we place significant importance on carrying out our work safely. This involves working in areas with restricted space, such as tunnels and viaducts, so having confidence in the systems they are using allows our teams to focus on safe delivery.” “We’re also in the process of transitioning from the old Trimble GCS900 system across to Trimble Earthworks, so we approached SITECH to see if they could create a series of quick reference videos as refreshers for our operators on things like setting up the system and simple fault fixes, which they can watch on their tablet or mobile phone. “The training videos are just one example of our good relationship with the team at SITECH, as they also supported us earlier this year when we bought a Caterpillar D6K2 dozer, the largest dozer on the UK rail infrastructure. Because of the restricted space it operates in, it has a unique folding blade fitted which the SITECH team analysed to ensure the mast is located in exactly the right position when the Trimble system is in use.” To find out more about the construction technology, software and services SITECH UK & Ireland offers, visit the website https://www.sitechukandireland.com.
With the arrival of the new DX380DM-7 model, Doosan has completed the company’s range of new High Reach Demolition Excavators. The DX380DM-7 has joined the existing DX235DM-5 and DX530DM-5 demolition models launched in the last two years. These are complemented by the company’s new range of Material Handler models and together both ranges cover the majority of applications in the demolition, waste and recycling industry. The new Material Handler range now offers three models – the wheeled DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 and the tracked DX225MH-5 model. Increased Flexibility In all of Doosan’s demolition excavators, the operator is housed in a high visibility, tiltable cab, providing an excellent environment particularly suited to high reach demolition applications, with a 30 degree tilting angle. All three machines in the High Reach range provide increased flexibility with a modular boom design and hydraulic lock mechanism. This innovative design facilitates an easy change between a demolition boom and an earthmoving boom to accomplish different types of work on the same project, using the same machine. The multi-boom design also allows the earthmoving boom to be mounted in two different ways, which with the demolition boom, provides further flexibility with a total of three different configurations for the same base machine. A special stand is provided to facilitate the boom changing operation, which is based on quick-change hydraulic and mechanical coupler connections. A cylinder-based system is used to push the locking pins into place to help complete the procedure. When equipped with the demolition boom, the maximum pin height is 18, 23 and 27.5 m on the DX235DM-5, DX380DM-7 and DX530DM-5, respectively. When equipped with the digging boom in the straight configuration, the DX235DM-5, DX380DM-7 and DX530DM-5 can work to maximum heights of 9.0, 10.43 and 13.5 m, respectively. Hydraulically Adjustable Undercarriage All three models share a hydraulically adjustable undercarriage, which extends to a maximum width to provide optimum stability when working on demolition sites. The width of the undercarriage can be retracted hydraulically to a narrow width position, for transporting the machines. The adjusting mechanism is based on a permanently lubricated, internal cylinder design which minimises resistance during the movement and helps to prevent damage to the components. On all the Doosan demolition excavators, standard safety features include a FOGS cabin guard, safety valves for the boom, intermediate boom and arm cylinders and a stability warning system. A Choice of Three New Material Handlers Doosan is now offering a choice of three different material handler models. The 23 tonne DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 25 tonne wheeled machines are based on Doosan’s popular DX210W-5 wheeled excavator. The new DX225MH-5 25 tonne crawler model is based on Doosan’s successful DX225LC-5 22 tonne excavator – the crawler type undercarriage is particularly suited for work in difficult ground conditions. All three models have been designed specifically for a wide range of material sorting and handling applications such as those in the scrap metal and other solid waste and recycling industries, as well as demolition, forestry and logging. Designed to carry out the toughest tasks, the DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 are built with front and rear stabilizers, and a boom and arm specifically designed for material handling tasks. A standard feature is the hydraulic cab riser, which gives the operator better all-around visibility of the attachment and work area. When combined with the rear view camera display in the cab, the operator has excellent visibility of the job site. The maximum pin heights on the DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 are 11.7 m and 12.0 m, the maximum operating reaches are 10.1 m and 10.7 m and the maximum working depths are 4.2 m and 4.7 m, respectively. The DX225MH-5 is equipped with factory-fitted material handling features such as a 2.5 m elevating cab, a 6.5 m straight boom and a 4.5 m droop nose arm, a counterweight, grapple-ready hydraulics and additional guarding. The maximum pin height in the DX225MH-5 is 11.7 m, the maximum operating reach is 10.6 m and the maximum working depth is 5.2 m. The DX225MH-5 has two arm cylinders for extra balance and more stability and lesser movement when using attachments such as grapples. The DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 are powered by the 6-cylinder, turbocharged Doosan DL06PA water-cooled diesel engine, providing an output of 129.4 kW (173.5 HP). The new DX225MH-5 material handler is powered by the 6-cylinder, turbocharged Doosan DL06K water-cooled diesel engine, providing an output of 124 kW (166 HP). An optional generator is available as a turnkey solution without requiring additional modification. For added durability, an optional V-guard protects the machine sides and components behind the doors. Options Doosan can also provide a range of options such as gooseneck and straight arms, solid tyres and FOGS as well as different attachments to match customers’ applications and to enhance productivity, for a wide range of material sorting and handling applications. There are a number of factory installed options for the material handlers, including the following: Additional work lamps Cab guarding Frame guards Fuel filter pump Rotating beacon Solid tyres Air compressor Double pump flow Rubber track pad DoosanCONNECT Telematics DoosanCONNECT telematics is standard on all the Doosan demolition excavators and material handlers, and comes with a three-year subscription. DoosanCONNECT telematics provides location information and a full range of machine operational information to owners, dealers and Doosan. Information is provided through a simple user interface, accessible online via a web-enabled computer or smartphone. The goal of telematics is to help owners monitor their Doosan equipment and manage maintenance to reduce operating costs. For more on Doosan construction equipment, visit the website: www.eu.doosanequipment.com
1. As the attachment revolution continues apace, what are some of the new innovations that have come to market in recent years in the excavator attachment space? In recent years, Mini-Excavators (MEX) have developed into real Tool Carriers. This is thanks to the application of new technology and improved machine stability due to new designs and a better centre of gravity. At Bobcat attachments, we are always working on new solutions to meet the needs of MEX customers. For example, we have recently put more focus on developing our Depth Check and laser system to support the operator in completing trenching works and to make jobs more efficient. As a result, Bobcat is proud to announce the addition of the updated Depth Check System to our portfolio. This system is a solution that uses three sensors placed strategically on the machine to accurately achieve or sustain the desired grade depth, working from the cab. The Depth Check system is fully integrated with the Bobcat panels and display, which offers simple operation and eliminates the need for an add-on Monitor inside the Cab. This simple, durable kit is wired in, so job conditions or the lack of a wireless signal never interfere with digging accuracy, and also remove the inconvenience of lag time with no batteries to replace. The Bobcat Depth Check System is also compatible with the laser receiver, so the operator can ‘bench’ on a laser signal to create slope, or to sustain a grade in multiple locations on a jobsite, which increases flexibility. Bobcat is also offering new Flail Mower and Plate Compactor attachments for MEX. The flail mower has a number of unique features on the market such as the 12 second drum stop after the power is switched off, no need to drain lines as this is integrated in the attachments, a self-levelling system for following the ground surface as a standard feature and the best balanced motor design in order to cut the grass while travelling. The compaction plate attachment is a great tool to maximize compaction, even where workers cannot go with classic compaction plates, thanks to the great reach of the mini-excavator in all these conditions. Bobcat will continue to bring to the market more attachment solutions to make the Mini-Excavator even more of a real Tool Carrier. 2. What are some of the market needs addressed by these attachments? Compact Excavator customers want to work efficiently, with the same solutions as those on the bigger excavators and with easy to use solutions. 3. There have also been major advances in coupling technology. What are some of the developments you have seen in this space? The coupling technology is not moving as fast as machine or attachment technology but is concentrated more and more on safety features, to make the jobsite safer and to avoid any kind of potential accident. One development I see expanding in this area is in hydraulic quick solutions, to reduce spending time in connecting hoses every time you change the attachments and to avoid wasting time getting in and out of the cab. 4. Which attachments are seeing increased demand in the market at this stage and why? The commodity attachments are always the most requested like buckets and couplers or Breakers, probably because the construction and demolition industry is growing thanks to government subsidies but we also see growth in Hydraulic Clamps, flail mowers and augers due to growth in cleaning and landscaping work. 5. What are some of the innovations we are likely to see in this area in the next few years? Our Attachments team will follow the Market trends and will create solutions to meet these requirements. I’m sure the biggest innovations will come because of three fundamental things: automation, digitalization and recognition. At Bobcat we are working hard on our Long-Range plan to bring the easiest to use and more integrated solutions to the market. Our aim is to make life for the customer as easy and efficient as possible. For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com
Bobcat is launching new Stage V compliant telehandlers alongside Stage V versions of the company’s M-Series T450 and T590 compact track loaders. In both the new telehandlers and compact track loaders, the changes include several new features and options. The new machines are powered by proven Bobcat D34 and D24 Stage V high torque diesel engines, designed specifically for Bobcat compact equipment. Both of the new Stage V engines are based on well proven designs installed in thousands of Bobcat machines worldwide. New Stage V Telehandlers Offer Better Ease of Use and Efficiency The new D34 Stage V engine allows customers to operate their telehandlers in emission-regulated zones, thanks to the new DPF after-treatment system. In addition, the engine does not use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), so there is no need for AdBlue®. A key aspect of the D34 Stage V engine is the new autonomous after-treatment system – DPF regeneration is performed automatically, with no impact on performance – this ensures peace of mind for the operator, allowing them to concentrate solely on the work at hand. “The 75 HP engine is mainly used by construction and rental companies in the United Kingdom, Italy and Benelux owing to its competitive price and simplicity, whilst still providing plenty of power to tackle all applications on the jobsite,” says Quentin D’Hérouël, Product Manager Telehandlers at Doosan Bobcat. The D34 Stage V 56 kW (75 HP) engine in the new telehandlers provides an average 7% lower fuel consumption and offers a 14% higher torque than the previous Stage IV engine, for more power at lower RPM and faster recovery. There is a choice of 11 different Bobcat telehandler models with the 56 kW (75 HP) Stage V engine, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.1 tonne with lifting heights from 6 to 18 m. The TL26.60, TL30.60 and TL30.70 compact telescopic loaders The T35.105, T35.105L and T36.120SL middle lift telehandlers The T35.130S and T35.140S rental industry-oriented telehandlers The T35.130SLP, T41.140SLP and T40.180SLP high lift telehandlers New Engine Hood Design Increases Visibility The Stage V telehandlers feature a new engine hood with a steeper profile that increases visibility and reduces blind spots by 15% on the right hand side of the machines. Access to the engine compartment has also been improved, enabling easier maintenance. “The new 56 kW (75 HP) telehandlers will be followed by further Stage V models powered by 74.5 kW (100 HP) and 97 kW (130 HP) versions of the D34 Stage V engine, which will be launched in 2021. This will be a completely new generation of telescopics with dramatic user experience and low cost of ownership improvement,” adds Quentin D’Hérouël. All Bobcat telehandlers are covered by a three year/3000 hour warranty as standard from the factory, with the option of extending the warranty to five years/6000 hours. The entire Bobcat range of telehandlers is designed and produced at the company’s plant in Pontchâteau in France. New M-Series Stage V Compact Track Loaders The new T450 and T590 Stage V compact track loaders follow on from the recently launched Bobcat M-Series S450, S510 and S530 Stage V skid-steer loaders. All new M-Series loaders provide operators with increased performance, enhanced comfort and optimised maintenance requirements. These M-Series loaders are among the first models in the Bobcat compact equipment range in Europe to have the company’s new machine styling scheme, which includes 3D decals for the first time. “Like the S450, S510 and S530 models, skilful design work by our engineering team has ensured that even with the Bobcat Stage V engine incorporated, the same small dimensions and lift arm patterns are maintained on the new versions of the T450 and T590 compact track loaders. This ensures a truly compact size and low weight, so they can work and manoeuvre easily in tight spaces and can be easily transported,” says Jiri Karmazin, Product Manager Loaders at Doosan Bobcat. Thanks to the new Bobcat Stage V engine, noise levels have been reduced for both bystanders and operators and the vibrations lowered significantly as well to further increase operator comfort. The first engine oil service interval has also been extended to 500 hours, and improved fuel filtration means less frequent filter replacements and reduced running costs. Additionally, new DPF after-treatment technology works automatically without any interaction during normal operation. Improved Performance and Comfort The new Bobcat D24 Engine – with Bosch Fuel Injection System – improves overall machine performance, while meeting the strictest Stage V emissions regulations. Moreover, the engine power to weight ratio has been optimized in both of the T450 and T590 loaders. 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 the machines and to monitor their performance. The Deluxe panel also reduces the risk of misuse thanks to the keyless function. T450 Stage V T590 Stage V Operating weight 2961 kg 3664 kg Shipping weight 2665 kg 3283 kg Tipping load 2049 kg 2773 kg Engine Bobcat D24; 2.4l; Stage V Bobcat D24; 2.4l; Stage V Power 41.0 kW (55 HP) 50.7 kW (68 HP) Please find here below the walkaround videos for the new Bobcat Stage V Telehandlers and Compact Track Loaders:
The first new Doosan DX350LC-7 36 tonne crawler excavator in Italy has helped to secure the bed of the But creek, a tributary of the Tagliamento river in the province of Udine in Northern Italy. Part of a fleet of Doosan equipment, including two further crawler excavators, two articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and a wheel loader, the DX350LC-7 is involved in cleaning and safety operations along 4 km of the riverbed, to repair damage caused by the catastrophic Vaia Storm at the end of 2018. The new DX350LC-7 has been purchased by Mingotti T. Srl, based in Tavagnacco in Udine and supplied by DMO Spa, the Authorised Dealer for Doosan and Bobcat for the regions of Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy as well as Milan, Cremona, Mantua, Lodi, Pavia, Varese, Monza and Brianza. Based on years of working closely together, Mingotti T. Srl chose DMO for the sale and rental of the machines necessary for the work on the bed of the But creek and was contracted to do this work by the authorities in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The scope of the operations extended from the confluence of the But creek with the Tagliamento in Cercivento (in the municipalities of Sutrio, Paluzza and Cercivento), involving repair of the damage caused by floods during the Vaia storm, rebuilding bank defences and the reprofiling of the bed of the creek. The new Doosan DX350LC-7 crawler excavator has proved to be the ideal choice for moving 200,000 m3 of material from the bed and laying over 5000 tonne of boulders for the construction and repair of the embankments. “The DX350LC-7 represents our latest purchase,” says Francesco Mingotti, Technical Director of Mingotti T. Srl, “Over the years we have appreciated Doosan’s attention to fuel consumption, which on the new Doosan engine-powered DX350LC-7 is only 19 l/h, which is better than other machines on the market, and is combined with excellent productivity. “By our calculations, this equates to moving about 250 m3 more material per day and savings of about 38 l per day of fuel compared to other machines.” DX350LC-7 Robustness, Productivity and Environmental Protection The DX350LC-7 features Doosan’s innovative D-ECOPOWER technology, that improves productivity, offers more regular control of the machine and reduces fuel consumption. The D-ECOPOWER system uses nine sensors to detect the amount of hydraulic oil necessary to accomplish a specific task and precisely meter the amount of oil required rather than continuously forcing a fixed amount of oil through the system, thereby improving efficiency. To meet Stage V engine emission regulations, the new DX350LC-7 excavator is powered by the latest generation Doosan DL08V diesel engine, providing 209 kW of power at 1800 RPM. The DL08V engine offers a new solution to exceed Stage V regulations without exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), that boosts the quantity of air available during combustion, increasing the temperature of the process and greatly reducing the amount of particulates produced. This is combined with super-efficient DOC/DPF+SCR after-treatment technology to ensure minimal emissions. Already excelling in spaciousness and ergonomics, the new cab in the DX350LC-7 model takes operator comfort and ease of operation to unheralded levels. As well as a new high quality seat, the enhanced cab offers more features as standard than other machines on the market, ensuring super controllability and high precision in all applications. Mingotti T. Srl and DMO Spa Mingotti T. Srl has been active in the construction sector in Friuli Venezia Giulia for three generations, with over 50 years of experience in earthmoving and infrastructure projects, including river work construction contracts. “We have been relying on DMO for many years, both for the purchase of machinery and for rental,” says Francesco Mingotti. “There are several Doosan machines in our fleet, including the brand new DX350LC-7 excavator, all regularly maintained by the authorized DMO workshop. Year after year our faith in the Doosan brand has increased and in DMO itself, which has always proved to be a reliable dealer. The efficiency of the technical assistance is particularly appreciated, which for us is an important added value.” DMO Spa was born from the years of passionate commitment and experience of the founder, Gabriele Silvagni, in the earthmoving sector. DMO also works with the Bobcat brand and believes in the potential of an expanding group like Doosan, which today offers a range of excavators from 1 to 800 tonne, in addition to a complete line of wheel loaders that meet the needs of the market and ADTs that are the result of 40 years of experience. In addition to the sale and rental of equipment, DMO offers a full spare parts service and all-round assistance. “I am proud to work for DMO Spa, a dealer which has been part of the history of earthmoving in Italy,” says Giulio Venturini, Sales Manager for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. “Thanks to a complete product portfolio, DMO is able to satisfy any customer need both in terms of sales and rental, with a rental fleet involving investments of more than 18 million Euros. “It has been a great satisfaction for me to be able to sell the first DX350LC-7 in Italy to a loyal customer such as Mingotti T. Srl, who made the choice through its awareness of the quality and robustness of Doosan products. With the new -7 series, Doosan machines have truly achieved an excellent degree of reliability, hydraulic precision and comfort. The DX350LC-7 excavator has fully met expectations, pointing the way for future sales throughout Italy.”
When it came to specifying new plant equipment to deliver a bridge replacement project in Cumbria, Waitings Ltd knew that only the best would do. The company invested in two new models from Yanmar, a ViO50 midi excavator and C30R tracked dumper, and has been delighted with their performance ever since! Exceeded expectations, delivering results A family-run engineering contracting business with more than 50 years’ experience, Waiting Ltd specialises in providing unrivalled solutions for companies operating across the civil engineering, utilities, marine, drainage, flood defence and renewable energy industries. Established in 1970 with a single digger, the company has since grown to become one of the North West’s leading multi-disciplinary engineering contractors, employing 120 members of staff, operating its own in-house haulage fleet and even boasting a highly-successful plant hire division. Headquartered in Penrith, but with national coverage, the team has delivered numerous high profile projects, including high voltage windfarm grid connections, strategic cross country pipelines, constructing new inland and coastal flood defences and delivering both dry and wet civil engineering projects (such as UXO clearance ahead of extension works at London City Airport). Recently, Waitings Ltd was awarded the plant supply contract to assist in the installation of the replacement bridge at Pooley Bridge in Cumbria, which was destroyed in the devastating floods of 2015. The complex project saw a brand new stainless steel road bridge installed over the River Eamont, effectively re-connecting the local community. With new plant equipment needed for the project, but also to further Waitings Ltd’s infrastructure capabilities in the future, Adrian Ash, director of operations, approached local equipment expert Taylor & Braithwaite for guidance. The two companies have a strong relationship, having worked closely together for more than a decade. Impressive performance, immediate results As Yanmar’s approved dealer for Cumbria and the North East of England, Taylor & Braithwaite specialises in supplying, servicing and maintaining construction, quarrying and recycling equipment. Based near Appleby, the company boasts more than 50 years’ experience in equipment sales and prides itself on delivering expert advice, honest counsel and building strong, collaborative relationships. After speaking with the Taylor & Braithwaite team, Adrian made the decision to invest in two new Yanmar models – a ViO50 midi excavator and C30R tracked dumper. Combining stylish Japanese design and European build quality, the models were delivered in May 2020 and used extensively during the Pooley Bridge development project. Adrian Ash, director of operations at Waitings Ltd said: “We’ve been really impressed with the performance of both Yanmar machines. They not only helped us to complete the Pooley Bridge project, but will be used for other major infrastructure projects in the future. “Designed with the user in mind, their performance is hugely impressive and their build quality really sets the standards. With zero tail swing, the ViO machine is perfect for operating in small spaces – important for the vast majority of contracts we deliver. “Our relationship with Taylor & Braithwaite is a perfect example of two local companies working well together. Our particular area of expertise demands the very highest standards of support from our suppliers, which we absolutely receive from Taylor & Braithwaite. They offer a bespoke service and always respond rapidly to our aftersales requirements.” Ian Burton, sales director at Taylor & Braithwaite, added: “We first started working with Waitings Ltd more than ten years ago and have worked closely with the team ever since. We were delighted to help specify new equipment for the Pooley Bridge project and are pleased to hear such positive feedback. “Yanmar equipment is designed with the user firmly in mind, manufactured with the highest quality components and integrates the latest operator technologies. Although we’re only a relatively new Yanmar dealer, the brand is hugely respected and we’re already seeing significant demand for the latest models.” For more information about the latest Yanmar range, visit www.yanmarconstruction.co.uk. To find out more about Taylor & Braithwaite, visit https://www.t-and-b.co.uk/. More information on Waitings Ltd can be found at www.waitings.org.
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.
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.
Following significant growth in the use of Mobile Plant equipment in the UK, Bureau Veritas is warning firms to be vigilant when it comes to achieving compliance. It comes as the UK Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) rental market increased by 4% year-on-year, with demand outstripping the rest of Europe by two to one[1]. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998*, users of work equipment have a responsibility to ensure that the plant or asset is safe to use. Regulations state that regular inspections must be carried out by a competent person and documented. In some cases there are additional regulations to consider, such as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998*, which covers all work equipment for lifting and lowering loads. According to Bureau Veritas, the rise of MEWP use and potential confusion around responsibility for the equipment could pose a compliance risk. Shaezar Karim, Director for the Statutory Inspection division for Bureau Veritas UK, explains: “The growth in MEWPs has led to inevitable compliance challenges, stemming from contractors hiring assets and being able to transport them around the UK. “Meeting statutory obligations for mobile plant and equipment can be a logistical nightmare – and that’s if users are even aware of their obligations. Many mistakenly believe it is the sole duty of the hire company to undertake PUWER and LOLER inspections but it is the user who must ensure that thorough examinations and inspections are carried out in line with the regulations. “Organisations that face difficulties in overcoming the logistical challenges of mobile equipment inspections and therefore meeting their obligations, are at risk of costly fines, so it’s critical they ensure that the location of an asset does not affect their compliance.” Bureau Veritas has a dedicated Mobile Plant Unit to deliver on-hire inspections; helping clients meet the logistical challenges of meeting statutory obligations for Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP), lifting and crane equipment when hired out to contractors. The unit enables Bureau Veritas industry-recognised specialists to meet the demands of clients across a wide range of sectors, including construction, insurance, aerospace, automotive and facilities management. For further details about Bureau Veritas and services for Mobile Plant, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk
Chester-based AH Plant Hire has upgraded its 14-year old Andover Trailers plant body with a 32-tonne 8×2 rear steer Scania G450. The new acquisition joins two other Andover-built plant bodies in service with the company, mounted to a 2010 17-tonne 4×2 Mercedes-Benz Atego and the original 2004 26-tonne 6×2 Scania. “We’ve looked after our original Scania and both the truck and body have been brilliant. We calculated that the vehicle has been loaded and unloaded close to 120,000 times, and it’s still going strong – if that isn’t a testament to the build quality and longevity of Andover’s products, I don’t know what is,” said Andrew Heaton, Director at AH Plant Hire. The new body boasts Andover’s trademark low-profile deck, which sees the cross members transect the body runners, as well as a double crank beavertail connected to a pair of 2.8m long hydraulic power toe, and knife edged ramps. The ramps go alongside a hydraulic winch to aid loading and unloading and 10 pairs of lashing points on the deck for maximum load security and flexibility. The combination of the double crank beavertail and longer ramp length creates a shallower load angle, helping to improve safety when loading and unloading. AH Plant has also decided to include additional lighting under the bed and inside the toolboxes, helping to make operation at night as safe as possible. “The ability to develop a plant body to our specific requirements is what makes Andover stand out from its competitors – that and the fantastic level of customer service we have received from them since day one. It sealed our decision to remain loyal to Andover with this latest order,” said Andrew Heaton. The new vehicle will be on the road six days a week, clocking up close to 75,000 km a year and expected to remain in service for around six years.
