CONEXPO PREVIEW: The big one

What: ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017

When: March 7-11

Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas

Hours: Tuesday – Friday, March 7-10 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Websites: www.conexpo.com  www.khl.com 

ConExpo 2017, held March 7-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will feature more than 2,500 exhibitors – 700 of which are new – spread across 2,500,000 square feet of space. Alongside the equipment and products, 150 educational sessions will be offered and new for 2017 is the Tech Experience: a 75,000-square-foot area that aims to show the future of the construction industry.

“With the new Tech Experience, [ConExpo] is advancing to a new level of thought leadership in our industry,” says Sara Truesdale Mooney, show director and vice president of exhibitions and business development for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “We’re calling on Association of Equipment Manufacturers members to submit a proposal to be a part of it. We’re looking for our members’ bravest and most innovative ideas.”

On the equipment front thus far, we know a handful of details for ALH-related companies.

JLG will debut nine new products at ConExpo. The company has not released any details other than to say the units will be in the boom, scissor and telehandler categories.

Additionally, JLG will preview industry-leading technologies in its Gold Lot booth (G3946.) A variety of the company’s best-selling products including the 400S and the SkyTrak 10054 telehandler, as well as the 1932R electric scissor lift will be on display.

Manitou Group will introduce more than 24 new equipment models at ConExpo. The Manitou Group will showcase nine new Gehl models in the skid loader, track loader, articulated loader, excavator and telescopic handler product lines; seven new Mustang models in the skid loader, track loader, articulated loader and excavator product lines; and more than five new Manitou models in the rotating telescopic handler, heavy duty telescopic handler and construction telescopic handler product lines. The Manitou, Gehl and Mustang display will be 6,000-square-feet and is located in the Gold Lot at G4165.

Skyjack, at Gold Lot booth G4452, will showcase its new prototype telehandler and articulating boom.

The SJ1256 TH telehandler will make its debut at World of Concrete in Las Vegas, first. The unit will feature the 107hp Deutz TCD3.6L powerplant, using DEF fluid but with no particulate filter for Tier 4 Final compliance.

The machine will be heavily based on the SJ1056 TH, Skyjack said, with these Skyjack features: Skycoded control system; Flexcab for easily converting open cab units to closed cab; Readyhook yoke mounted rigging hook for effective handling of suspended loads; and shared control systems, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic layout from the rest of the TH range, ensuring instant familiarization for operators of other TH machines, the company said.

Also new in 2017 will be the SJ85 AJ articulating boom, shown first at The Rental Show followed by ConExpo.

The unit has 85 feet of platform height, a horizontal reach of 56 feet, and up-and-over clearance of 34 feet. Its dual capacity rating of 750/500 pounds (340/227 kg) and two to three people rating, aims to increase productivity and jobsite performance, the company said.

ALH also knows Caterpillar will debut a new telehandler at the event. The new TH514D telehandler sports a three-section boom and a Tier 4 Final compliant engine. The 46-foot reach and 11,000-pound lift capacity are ideally suited for pick and place lifting. Cat D Series telehandlers will also offer new, innovative options such as a reverse object detection system, an advanced display screen and a reversing camera.

The new equipment will be welcome to the industry; according to AEM, the heavy construction equipment market is expected to grow due to increased demand for leased and rented equipment by low- and mid-sized construction companies.

News reports on ConExpo’s website showcase a new report projecting the global heavy construction equipment market will reach $193 million by 2022. Also expected to have substantial impact on market growth is the development of new earthmoving equipment offering reduced operating costs, connected technology and safety features.

For a full access- and telehandler-related guide to ConExpo, see the March issue of Access, Lift & Handlers which will feature a ConExpo supplement. And, as always, visit www.khl.com for updated news and information.