Samoter 2008 Stop Press

With the Samoter exhibition just around the corner, Chris Sleight takes a quick look at the last-minute news about new machines being launched at the show.

Many new machines will be launched at this year's ConExpo-Con/Agg exhibition in Las Vegas, which is regarded as the ‘big one' as far as this year's construction equipment shows are concerned. Many manufacturers -both big and small - produce equipment for the global market now, so there will certainly be plenty to interest European visitors to the show.

However, ConExpo inevitably leans towards the needs of the US market. Some of the machines on display will only be available in the US or nearby countries, and those that are available ‘worldwide' may not be for sale in Europe due to the EU's stringent regulation of the industry.

So European equipment buyers may do better with a shorter flight and a visit to Verona for the Samoter exhibition the week before ConExpo.

Samoter starts on Wednesday 5 March and runs until Sunday 9 March, and will see some 1000 companies in the European industry take up more than 105000 m2 of exhibition space.

As CE reported last month, many of the new machines on show will be dictated by this year's round of Stage IIIA engine emissions laws, which will apply to 37 kW to 75 kW engines. This translates to machines that might be termed ‘utility' equipment - backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers are among the types affected.

But in addition to these two main types, a range of equipment above the ‘compact' or ‘mini' classification, but not genuine big earthmovers will also be affected. Excavators from about 6 to 13 tonnes, 1 m3 to 2 m3 bucket wheeled loaders, small dozers and crawler loaders, small pavers and compactors and so on.

In addition to these expected new machines, many manufacturers will of course use Samoter to launch other equipment to fill gaps in their ranges, or to address new markets. As this month's equipment pages show, both Hitachi and Komatsu are launching new mini excavators at the show, with an emphasis on gaining a bigger slice of the growing European equipment rental industry.

Similarly, JCB is filling in some gaps throughout its range, with new mini excavators and compact wheeled loaders being launched alongside much bigger machines like the 29 tonne class JS 290 crawler excavator.

Hyundai meanwhile will be following-up on the rollout of the first of its -7A excavators last year with a new 11 tonne class machine. The R110-7A features the same spacious cab and comfortable operator station seen in the bigger machines in the range, and of course has an economical Stage IIIA engine fitted.

Also available, but not on show at Samoter are the 5,5 tonne R55-7A, the wheeled version, the R55W-7A and the 8 tonne class R80-7A.

With more than 60 machines on display, there will be plenty to see on the 7500 m2 Caterpillar stand. Organised in conjunction with its two Italian dealers, CGT and MAIA, the display will include skid steer loaders, multi terrain loaders, mini excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, telehandlers, excavators, articulated trucks, graders, dozers and road building equipment as well as related work tools.

New products include the 12 tonne class 312D crawler excavator, the compact TH255 telehandler, which is rated at 2,5 tonnes and has a vertical reach of 5,6 m, the 928 Hz compact wheeled loader, which comes with a 2 to 2,3 m3 bucket, the compact AP600D paver and the CB32 asphalt compactor.

As well as all the ‘iron', Cat's stand will also feature various other products such as wear parts, hydraulics, power train, the Product Link equipment management system and AccuGrade machine control and guidance system. There will also be an area dedicated to safety, focusing on operator comfort and safety on site. Cat's stand display will also include an outdoor area featuring demonstrations.

New from Dynapac is the CC234HF split drum asphalt compactor, which is being launched onto the Italian market at Samoter. The 8,1 tonne articulated machine features a for the Italian market at Samoter features a double pump vibration system - one for each drum - that eleminates the need for a vibration valve, making the system more efficient, aiding servicing and reducing fuel consumption.

It is powered by a Cummins QSB 3.3T3 water cooled turbo diesel, rated at 60 kW. A 74 kW version is available as an option and both feature Dynapac's automatic engine idling system, which cuts fuel consumption. Operators will appreciate the clear control and further information can be provided through the optional DCA-A software, which indicates temperature in front of and behind the roller, as well as the number of passes made on each section of the asphalt.

In the foundations sector, Bauer will be showing the latest model in its BG series of rotary drilling rigs in the shape of the BG 12 H. Also on show will be the MC 32 crane for diaphragm wall construction and similar applications. Subsidiary RTG Rammtechnik will be exhibiting their biggest telescopic leader rig, the RG 21 T with an installed engine output of 570 kW. At the lighter end of the Bauer's range, Samoter will see the launch of a new anchor drill rig from its daughter company Klemm.

Also of interest to Italian visitors is the company's new subsidiary, Bauer Macchine Italia, which should improve the access to spare parts and training.

Access

Among the new equipment for lifting people is Geda's 200 Z hoist. The basket, which weighs only 44 kg, can be turned by 90° to the left or right. The mast with its toothed rack can be fixed to scaffolding using only one tube, and the entire assembly has a footprint of just 1,5 m x 1,5 m on the ground. The load capacity is 200 kg, while the lifting speed is 25 m/min and the maximum lift height 35 m. The anchor spacing is 4 m.

These specifications make the 200Z suitable for a range of construction applications, such as renovation of balconies (few materials, but high heights) and for use with scaffolding on towers (lots of materials from one point).

Palazzani meanwhile will have a stand in the ‘rental area' and will be exhibiting two new models from its Ragno series - the TSJ 19C and XTJ 48C. The first offers a 19 m working height and 9 m of outreach, and is mounted on rubber tracks with outriggers, allowing it to work on 35% slopes.

The XTJ 48C meanwhile offers a 48 m working height, but can also be used in sub-ground level applications to depths as low as -4 m. The rubber tracker undercarriage can be hydraulically narrowed to allow the machine through doorways, and the platform has a zero tail swing design.

Palazzani's full range of ‘spider' platforms includes models of 17, 19, 23, 26, 30, 34, 35, 38, 39, 42 and 48 m maximum height.

Compact

At the lighter end of the Ditch Witch's range are three new machines in its ‘Zahn' line-up of mobile power units. These versatile wheeled machines can power a range of tools including trenchers, ploughs, dumpers, tillers, backhoes and stump grinders. A further option is a quick-hitch tool carrier adaptor that in-turn can accept more than 40 different work tools.

Models in the Zahn being launched at Samoter include the 30 hp (22 kW) class Zahn R300, the 23 hp (17 kW) Zahn R230 and 15 hp (11 kW) Zahn R150. All three are powered by petrol engines, and have an operator's console, and articulation joint for excellent manoeuvrability.

Guidetti meanwhile will launch the Caesar 3 crusher, which is designed for confined spaces. Weighing just 9,5 tonnes, the machine is capable of processing 80 m3 per hour. Only one operator is needed to run the machine, and a cable remote control can also be used to keep the worker up to 5 m away from the machine.

MB, which is perhaps better known for its crusher buckets has a new electro magnet available for separating rebar and other steel from was streams.
It is available for the company's four-model line of bucket crushers, the BF60.1, BF70.2, BF90.3 e BF120.4, which are suitable for excavators as large as 28 tonnes operating weight.

More on show

These machines, and the numerous models featured in last month's Samoter Show Guide are of course just a small sample of the new equipment that will be launched at the exhibition. Indeed, many manufacturers are promising great things, but are waiting until the show itself to release details. As ever, it means the best way to get ahead of the competition and find out what's new in the industry is to visit the exhibition.