A fine mix

Organisers Hanley Wood reported that the 2007 World of Concrete was the biggest in the show's history, with 1,739 exhibitors occupying more than 900,000 ft² (8,950 m²) of showground, and registered visitors totaling 91,628. For the 2008 event Hanley Wood predicts visitor numbers in excess of that seen at the 2007 event. While visitor numbers are predicted to be greater in 2008, the space occupied by exhibitors remains the same for 2007 at more than 900,000 ft², with a similar number of exhibits as last year at over 1,700 separate stands.

As is often the case so far in advance of the show, information on new product launches of direct relevaance to the demolition/recycling industries is somewhat sketchy at this time. Add to this the fact that 2008 is a ConExpo year, and ConExpo is the event that the equipment manufacturers normally consider to be the launch pad for much of their new North American equipment. As a result, there is a distinct possibility that the latter show will see the bulk of general construction equipment launches for the North American market from equipment suppliers such as Cat, Case, New Holland and the like. Nevertheless, there will be plenty to see on the stands of the OEMs present, from the smallest of skid steer loaders right up to the largest hydraulic excavators, and of course in most instances these manufacturer's also offer an extensive range of demolition attachments to go with their machines.

Naturally, given the main focus of the show, there will be a plethora of hand tools designed for use in concrete applications on show from the likes of ICS Blount, Hilti, DeWalt et al.

Demolition special

D&Ri can, however, say that there will be a number of demolition attachments on show from the industry leaders in the continent.

First up is Allied Gator. Having recently gained a US patent for its Quick–Change jaw sets, which allows for field changes in less than 15 minutes for its MT series Multi–Tool, there will be a number of models from the range on display sporting this system. In addition to its 90° jaw opening that allows the tool to accommodate more material, Allied gator's MT series tools also now feature interchangeable wear parts in the jaw that can be changed in five minutes. These sets include cracker teeth to penetrate heavily reinforced concrete and dense rock, crusher teeth that efficiently de–rod and pulverise concrete in one jaw closure and finish teeth that send a clean, flat controlled crack through curbs and walls.

Genesis equipment will have a couple of new Logix processors on show, the LXP 200 and LXP 400, designed for use on 50,000 and 100,000 lb (23 and 45 tonne) class excavators. According to the company, it is the growth in use of high reach demolition rigs that lies behind these models' introduction, quite apart from the success of the first two models in the range, the LXP 300 and 500. The LXP 400 is intended for mid range high reach equipment, while the LXP 200 is intended for ultra–high reach machines.

Of course, there will be plenty of other demolition specific attachments on show, including equipment from Atlas Copco (which launched the world's largest hydraulic breaker at Bauma this year), Stanley Hydraulic Tools and Allied Construction Products, to name just a few.

Of more general interest might be the new 5 shank ripper bucket from Leading Edge Attachments, designed for use on 180,000 – 300,000 lb class excavators, such as Hitachi's EX1200 and Komatsu's PC1250 machines.

Heavy schedule

World of Concrete marks the start of a busy schedule for the North American demolition industry where events are concerned, since it is followed in late February by the National Demolition Association Annual Convention at the Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, and then the main event for the construction industry this year – ConExpo, again in Vegas, in March. World of Concrete is not a bad way to start.