ConExpo Show guide: Walking the floor at ConExpo

 

On March 7, the largest construction show in the US kicks off at the convention centre in Las Vegas. ConExpo will boast more than 2,500 exhibitors, spread across a vast 232,000 m2 of floor space.

Traditional and longstanding elements of the show include asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining and utilities.

This year, however, ConExpo will give almost 7,000 m2 over to Tech Experience, an opportunity for construction professionals to see first-hand the way their industry will look in the future.

From solar-powered roadways to drones and robots, the huge showcase will include the latest technology being used on today’s construction projects, as well as focusing on tech prototypes and possibilities for the future.

Furthermore, the show will display the first fully-functional 3D printed excavator, as well as the first large-scale use of steel in 3D printing. The excavator will feature a futuristic cab designed by the student engineering team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Visitors will also be able to see a second excavator printed in 3D during ConExpo.

CATERPILLAR

Back in the world of iron, eight Caterpillar machines are set to debut at the show, including the M317F wheeled excavator, with a compact radius designed to enhance productivity in tight working areas.

The updated 390F and 336F XE crawler excavators will also be on show, the latter having the industry’s only integrated payload system for accurate truck loading fitted as standard.

Also standard is 2D GRADE, which is one of a number of integrated Cat Connect grade control systems the firm will be showing, along with other tech for machine control and monitoring.

Cat’s presence at ConExpo will be split into two areas, covering a total of over 5,500 m2, and including more than 40 machines on display.

As for new offerings, Cat will show the 986K wheeled loader, which replaces the H Series model and promises lower cost per tonne in earthmoving and aggregates operations. Also making its North American debut in the Gold Lot will be the 950 GC wheeled loader.

JOHN DEERE

Another giant of US construction machinery, John Deere, has announced it will be showcasing its new line-up of Stage V-ready engines at the show.

The firm’s Iowa-based Power Systems division says its new engines will deliver greater flexibility and offer easier installation, with a combination of new catalyst technologies, emissions control calibrations and next generation after-treatment solutions.

With models from 2.9L to 13.5 L, and ratings of 36 to 448 kW, the John Deere PowerTech engines are optimised for increased torque response, and promise responsive power at higher altitudes.

Martin Riley, John Deere Power Systems’ manager of marketing services and sales engineering for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, said, “John Deere is committed to helping OEMs through every step of the application process. We are well positioned to transfer our experience from various applications and operating conditions directly to our customers, giving them peace of mind.”

The firm says OEMs will benefit from its next generation after-treatment solutions that provide up to a 39% reduction in size and 57% reduction in weight.

VOLVO

Bigger is definitely better from Volvo’s perspective, as the Swedish manufacturer is set to showcase 26 machines in Las Vegas this year, including its impressive EC750E, the world’s largest articulated hauler. It will also bring the largest excavator available to the North American market, as well as giving debuts to wheeled loaders and the HX02; a concept battery-electric, fully autonomous load carrier.

In final celebration of the 50th anniversary of the articulated hauler, Volvo will also have a gold-painted A40G ADT.

Beyond the machinery on show from Volvo, the compay – which chose ‘push boundaries’ as its theme – will be displaying some of its own technological advancements to the industry. These include Dig Assist, the latest addition to the firm’s Volvo Assist suite of programmes.

Dig Assist allows the excavator operator to set job parameters, such as target depth and grade; conduct In-Field Design, and view job progress in real time, ensuring the work meets exact specifications.

LIEBHERR

On its outdoor stand of well over 4,600 m2, Liebherr will present more than 25 pieces of equipment, with machines in the earthmoving sector including wheeled loaders and excavators.

The German giant will show its XPower machine concept for wheeled loaders with operating weights from 17,700 kg up to 32,600 kg – and says its new concept increases fuel efficiency and performance.

Liebherr will also showcase its new range of rough-terrain cranes in the 90-tonne and 100-tonne classes.

The company says high safety levels in every respect were its main priority during the design stage of the LRT cranes, and both new models feature an outrigger monitoring system as standard. The support status, on tires or outriggers, is detected automatically and saved to the crane controller.

At ConExpo, Liebherr will also show excavators such as its new A918 Litronic mobile excavator and the R 920 Compact Litronic crawler excavator, which is coming to the North American market for the first time.

DOOSAN

Across two booths at ConExpo, Doosan Construction Equipment will display a variety of earthmoving equipment, including crawler and wheeled excavators, wheeled loaders and articulated dump trucks (ADTs).

Ranging in size from 6 to 54 tonnes, Doosan currently offers 13 crawler excavator models — three of which are super-long reach — and three wheeled excavator models.

The wheeled excavators from Doosan are available with two lift-arm designs – A Z-bar loader linkage and parallel lift arm. Two tool carrier models – the DL200TC-5 and DL250TC-5 – are designed with the parallel lift arm to add versatility and multiple attachment capabilities.

Hydrostatic transmissions have been incorporated in two smaller Doosan wheel loader models – the DL200-5 and DL200TC-5 – for improved fuel efficiency and precise operation.

Doosan will also show its dash-5 ADTs at ConExpo.

JCB

Brimming with success, following its $142 million deal to supply rough terrain telehandlers to the US Army, JCB will show its full range of construction machinery.

Within that range – and making its North American debut – the firm’s ground-breaking (pardon the pun) Hydradig 110W will feature both on static display and in a demonstration area at the show.

According to JCB, the Hydradig delivers on five important customer criteria: visibility, stability, manoeuvrability, mobility and serviceability.

The machine promises enhanced levels of digging, lifting, loading and tool-carrying performance within urban construction, highway maintenance and municipal operations. JCB says Hydradig also offers an unmatched operator view around the machine, a low centre of gravity to allow stable lifting and excellent travel speeds, achievable 40kph travel speeds, all-wheel steer for maximum urban usability, and ground level access to all maintenance points.

LIUGONG

LiuGong is set to showcase what it says will be a revolutionary new product – a vertical lift wheeled loader. This will be its first showing outside of China, and LiuGong says it marks an important milestone for the company and for the Chinese construction equipment industry.

The key innovations of the loader are the vertical lift loader arms on an articulating frame and the mechanical self-levelling Z-bar bucket linkage on a vertical lift loader – both industry firsts.

The vertical lift was developed as an innovative way to increase customer value when purchasing a loader. Vertical lift accentuates the wheel loader’s primary function: lifting and carrying a load, by providing a heavier tipping load and a higher lift height than conventional wheel loaders of the same power and weight.

HYUNDAI

South Korean equipment giant Hyundai will unveil four new models at the show, among the 20-plus machines it will bring to Las Vegas.

The firm will debut models in its HL900 series of wheel loaders, 9A series compact excavators and its HR-9 series of tandem-drum compaction rollers. New Tier 4 Final engines will also be unveiled, along with upgrades to its full line of compaction rollers, plus a new boom offering for its HL900 series wheeled loaders.

Corey Rogers, marketing manager for Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, said, “ConExpo is going to be an exciting opportunity for customers to get to know Hyundai and the unique edge that we provide our customers. Hyundai’s presence at the show will turn a lot of heads.”

He added, “This is our best opportunity to demonstrate the unique qualities of our products, our people, our dealers and our customer support to the industry.”

SDLG

Chinese manufacturer SDLG has seen significant growth in both its dealer network and customer base in North America over the past few years, and successfully introduced its Tier 4 Final machines in 2016.

At ConExpo, it plans to debut its fifth compact loader for this market, the L918F. The machine features a Deutz Tier 4 Final engine, dry disc brakes, a two-speed countershaft transmission and has a bucket capacity of 0.76 m3.

The L918F has an operating weight of 6,800 kg, a rated load limit of 998 kg, and a maximum breakout force of just under 500 kN, with a standard boom.

The loader’s bucket is mounted to a skid steer style coupler, placing it in the compact loader category but with the versatility of skid steer style attachments.

With an optional 0.99 m3 bucket with wheel loader ISO coupler, SDLG says the machine could compete with large skid steer loaders, with its increased manoeuvrability and operator comfort.

GOMACO

Following the successful launch of its GP3 slipform paver at World of Concrete 2016, GOMACO is now ready to launch the GP4, which has the ability to pave widths of up to 12.2 m.

Iowa-based GOMACO is one of the technological leaders in the paving field and its new machine promises a host of new innovations, including what it calls a smart telescoping frame and smart pivot arms, plus extreme steering capabilities.

The GP4 is one of 14 machines GOMACO will be displaying at the show, all of which will be fully loaded with the firm’s exclusive technology.

The GP4 itself has a dual-telescoping roller frame with smart cylinders, and the telescopic frame widening has an automatic width reference for easy and accurate steering setup.

GOMACO’s proprietary G+ control system constantly monitors each track’s location and position, improving paving accuracy and efficiency.

WIRTGEN GROUP

The Wirtgen Group has become a one-stop-shop for the supply of machines and technology for the entire road construction cycle.

From Wirtgen, highlights are expected to include six cold milling machines, a slipform paver and a texture curing machine, which will all be making their US debuts.

The SP 64i slipform paver, presented for the first time, joins the models SP 61i and SP 62i in forming the new SP 60 series that ultimately will replace the SP 500. The Wirtgen Group says the SP 60 series combines the wide-ranging applications of the SP 500 with the state-of-the-art technologies of the next largest series, the SP 90.

Vögele will bring asphalt pavers and screeds to the show, with its Mini Class represented by the SUPER 700-3i. The new 3 m SUPER 2000-3i and SUPER 2003-3i pavers will also be on display, with both Highway Class machines designed specifically for paving highways and for applications on large industrial areas.

Additionally, the SUPER 1800-3i SprayJet spray paver, the SUPER 2100-3i and the Vögele PowerFeeder MT 3000-2i Offset will also be exhibited.

Two brand new Universal Class pavers will make their world premiere at ConExpo: the SUPER 1700-3i and SUPER 1703-3i.

Hamm, the global market leader for asphalt and soil compactors, will bring new tandem rollers from its HD+ Series, as well as the super-compact HD CompactLine.

The company’s DV+ Series tandem rollers will make their North American debut; these machines boast a unique pivot steering, promising precise compaction, even when operating in confined conditions.

Hamm will also show new models from its H Series of soil compactors, plus a new pneumatic rubber-tyred roller.

In the crushing and screening arena, Kleemann will present its Mobicone MCO 11 Pro cone crusher. The machine boasts low fuel consumption with its diesel-electric drive that can be operated with an external power supply.

Kleemann says its Continuous Feed System guarantees optimum crusher utilisation, giving it the capacity to process up to 470 tonnes per hour.

The company will also showcase its Mobicone MCO 9 Si EVO mobile cone crusher, the Mobirex MR 130 Zi EVO2 mobile impact crusher and the Mobicat MC 110 Zi EVO mobile jaw crusher.

BOMAG

As part of the Fayat Group of companies, Bomag will exhibit the latest equipment from its light and heavy compaction, asphalt paving and asphalt rehabilitation lines.

From the light equipment line, Bomag says the new BVP 10/30 single direction vibratory plate at ConExpo is the lightest compactor in its class, weighing 46 kg, for easy transport vehicle loading and unloading.

For the road paving and rehabilitation contractor, Bomag will exhibit the new RS 500 recycler/stabilizer and the cold planer BM 1200/75. The RS 500 features an exclusive offsetting rotor design that shifts the rotor housing assembly outside of the wheel’s edge, allowing the machine to safely stabilise slopes and recycle material right up to the road’s edge.

DYNAPAC

Atlas Copco recently agreed to sell its Dynapac division to the Fayat Group. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals, but is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2017.

The implications for Dynapac’s attendance at ConExpo are unclear, but it is currently expected to introduce an unchanged line of road construction products. With that in mind, we should see the CC4000 – 6200 VI, one of Dynapac’s new range of asphalt rollers.

Dynapac describes the machines as operator friendly, with excellent visibility. The engines incorporate emission reduction technology and their performance is enhanced by high vibration frequency and an optional active front drum steering system with big off-set that takes maneuverability to a new level.

The company’s new CC1100/CC1200 small tandem rollers also offer enhanced visibility over both front and rear drum, thanks to the water-tank being moved to the rear, and the re-deigned hood.

TEREX MPS

Terex MPS, a leading name in material processing technology for modular, portable and static crushing and screening equipment, will display its CRC1150S portable closed circuit plant at ConExpo.

The machine features the TC1150 300 HP Terex Cone Crusher and the TSV6203 deck screen, and Terex says its delivery capacity is impressive in a highly portable plant.

Key features of the plant include a TSV6203 triple shaft, high g-force screen, a compact ‘walk over’ flex shaft screen drive, a quick-release hopper with integrated overflow chute system, metal detection system on the main feed conveyor and a four-section blending system, to mix second and bottom-deck products.

POWERSCREEN

A leading provider of mobile crushing and screening equipment, Powerscreen will be exhibiting on the Terex booth. Three machines will be on display: the Premiertrak 600 jaw crusher, Warrior 600 screen and Warrior 2400 screen.

The Warrior 600 is the most compact heavy duty mobile screen and increases the range to seven machines of varying sizes. Easily transportable, it can be converted from three-way to two-way split in minutes. It has been specifically designed for operators for whom versatility, manoeuvrability and transportation are of key importance.

Specially designed for large scale operators in the quarrying and mining sectors, the Warrior 2400 screen is capable of handling larger feed sizes and throughputs, while remaining convenient to move and transport. It features a heavy duty incline screen with a high amplitude triple shaft drive mechanism, lending it to screening, scalping, two- or three- way splitting and stockpiling materials including demolition waste.

ALLU

Finnish manufacturer Allu says it is bringing the world’s foremost female excavator operator to ConExpo, to demonstrate firstly her skill and dexterity with the ALLU D-Series screener crusher buckets, and secondly the versatility of the DL Screener buckets for compact equipment.

The Allu bucket screens, crushes, pulverises, aerates, blends, mixes, separates, feeds and loads materials all in one stage.

The unit is designed to process wet or dry materials, which Allu says will reduce cycle times, resulting in increased production and substantial savings on operating costs.

With more than 100 models in the line, the D-Series screener crusher bucket attachments are available to fit any excavator, wheeled loader, skid steer loader or backhoe.

KEESTRACK

Mobile crushing and screening equipment specialist Keestrack sees the show as an opportunity to strengthen its position in American markets and present solutions for contractors in the recycling and aggregates industry.

Its product range of tracked crushing, classifying and material handling solutions includes jaws, cones and impactors, a full range of scalpers, horizontal classifiers and drum screens and ancillary equipment as stackers or dust suppression systems.

Keestrack America was founded 10 years ago, to support the expanding dealer network on the North American markets. The company recently opened a new facility in Dallas, Texas. Focussing on aftersales and parts activities the new headquarters will form a crucial element of KEESTRACK’s strategy to become the leading supplier for crushing and screening contractors in recycling and aggregates.

SUPERIOR

Superior, a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and handling systems, plans a ConExpo display that includes more than two dozen new solutions for bulk processing and handling applications.

The company’s president, Jarrod Felton, said, Superior’s display products would be “markedly different to incorporate our new crushing, washing and screening solutions, in addition to some new updates to our conveying and components products.”

Superior’s booth will include a Liberty jaw crusher, Patriot cone crusher and Valor vertical shaft impactor. In addition, Superior will show off its new Guardian horizontal screen, Anthem inclined screen and Intrepid vibrating grizzly feeder. Additional crushing and screening solutions will be incorporated into portable plants like a closed circuit cone and mobile jaw crusher.

AMMANN

On the Ammann stand, the Swiss company will show products ranging from fully assembled asphalt plants to small vibratory plate compactors.

In December, the firm announced it had begun North American sales of its asphalt-mixing plants.

The Ammann ABA UniBatch asphalt-mixing plant will be assembled at the stand, allowing visitors a close-up view of the plant, which Ammann says is fuel efficient and features a number of green benefits. It utilises high percentages of recycled asphalt (RAP) and includes a noise reduction system and a fumes extraction system, plus energy-saving software that further reduces emissions and full cladding that lessens dust and provides aesthetic appeal.

Another Ammann plant, the ACM Prime 100, also will be at the show – a compact continuous plant designed for asphalt manufacturers who have a number of small jobs in varied locations.

ATLAS COPCO

Atlas Copco says it will launch a range of construction equipment that has been specifically designed to meet the needs of customers across five key areas: Safety, Performance, Advancements, Connectivity and Ergonomics, or S.P.A.C.E. Clever.

Some of the firm’s highlights from the concrete sector will include the AME 1600 drive unit for high frequency mechanical pokers. To ensure operators are protected, the AME 1600 delivers hand-arm vibration levels below 2.5 m/s and comes equipped with a thermal/overload feature that stops the motor when it gets too hot.

Atlas Copco will also showcase its SMART-series of electronic concrete vibrators. The pokers include advanced technology that monitors amperage draw and automatically adjusts the poker-head’s vibration amplitude to prevent blockages by rebars.

MINNICH

Minnich, a US-based manufacturer of concrete dowel pin drills, concrete vibrators and vibrator monitoring systems, will highlight its new dust collection system in Las Vegas.

The system meets the requirements for dowel pin drills found in Table 1 of the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) respirable crystalline silica standard when used with an appropriate filter. The canister-style dust collector can be retrofitted to any Minnich on-grade, on-slab, machine-mounted or utility drill model. It can also be adapted to fit other makes and models.

The dust collection system requires 68 cubic metres per hour (m3/h) for hydraulically powered drills and 85 m3/h for pneumatically powered units, and 60 to 110 psi.

Each canister can accommodate up to two drills and offers a

60 m2 filter area. The system comes with drill rod guide collection boots, a 22.7 litre hopper and up to 6 m of vacuum hose per drill.

LINK-BELT

Link-Belt will bring what it says is the highest-capacity telecrawler currently available in the market to ConExpo. Link-Belt is unveiling

Link-Belt has announced it will bring its all-new TCC-2500, a 227 tonne telescopic crawler crane to ConExpo.

According to the US-based firm, the TCC-2500 can lift, reach, and travel like a large fixed boom lattice crawler, while also having the ability to retract the boom and reduce its overall profile as job site conditions and environment require.

The crane is equipped with a Tier 4 Final Cummins QSL 9 diesel engine and a seven-section formed boom.

Also making debuts at ConExpo, will be Link-Belt’s new 117.2 tonne 228 HSL crawler crane and the new 226 tonne 298 Series 2 lattice crawler crane.

TADANO

The GR1200XL sits at the core of Tadano’s large rough terrain line-up and features the industry’s longest boom and jib combinations, the company said. The GR1200XL features a 56 m 6-section formed boom. It is complemented with a 10.1 m to 17.7 m jib and sits on a compact two-axle carrier.

Considered the “new generation of rough terrain cranes,” Tadano continues to expand the GR series rough terrain crane line-up that now includes seven models ranging from 13.6 to 145 tonnes. Tadano’s customer base of large fleet owners recognizes the GR series as being the lowest cost rough terrain cranes to own and operate, the company said.

Tadano will also re-introduce its 110-tonne all terrain crane, the ATF 110G-5, which has been upgraded to include several new and enhanced features including multiple counterweight configurations.

MANITOWOC/GROVE/POTAIN

The Manitowoc stand is expected to be a hot spot for a host of new products, and visitors will want to see the many of the cranes on display for the first time in North America. In this category are the Grove GRT880 RT, the Grove-GMK5150L-and-GMK5250L all terrains and the HUP series self-erecting tower cranes, to name a few.

According to Manitowoc, the two new GMK5150L and GMK5250L cranes possess groundbreaking technologies that aim to generate a higher return on investment for Manitowoc customers. Notably, a single Tier 4 Final engine powers each crane. The engine drives both the carrier and superstructure, reducing overall weight and lowering fuel consumption, which leads to lower operating and maintenance costs.

The ‘L’ designation for the GMK5150L and GMK5250L denotes the fact that they are both ‘long boom’ models that provide more reach for a variety of applications.

The Potain Hup 40-30 was first previewed as a prototype at Bauma 2016 and officially launched in Italy in September 2016. It is expected to generate a real buzz in Las Vegas.

TII GROUP

TII Group, the world market leader in specialised transport will be presenting a number of vehicles with hydraulically supported pendulum axles.

One of these vehicles, the SCHEUERLE Highway Giant PB, is a dual lane trailer, which can be folded together onto standard trucks for efficient mobilization – an innovation introduced by SCHEUERLE into the market.

The transportable nature of the vehicle saves on cost-intensive approval processes, and the design not only allows different vehicle widths (4.8 m, 5.4 m and 6 m) but also offers the possibility to safely widen the vehicle when under load.

Adapting to the wide range of regulations in force in the individual US federal states is therefore a simple and cost-effective undertaking for transit transports using just one vehicle.

BROKK

Brokk, a leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition machines, will introduce its new Brokk 280 at ConExpo. The machine features increased demolition power over its predecessor, plus the new Brokk SmartPower electrical system. It also incorporates additional hardened parts for extra durability in tough environments.

Brokk says the improvements increase the machine’s reliability and versatility for those working on harsh jobsites across industries such as construction, metal processing, mining and nuclear.

The new machine has a 6.2 m reach and weighs 3,150 kg, and can generate as much as 25% more breaking performance – a combination of impact power and blow frequency – over its predecessor.

The Brokk 280 also features improved manoeuvring capabilities with softer, smoother movements and, according to the firm, it does this without sacrificing compactness, precision and flexibility.

CHICAGO PNEUMATIC

Chicago Pneumatic has introduced its series of electrically-powered light towers. Available in both metal and LED versions, CPLB2 light towers are designed with a choice of high-quality bulbs to enhance visibility, wheels for optimal ease of movement and a robust canopy.

The CPLB2 LED is the fourth LED light tower in the Chicago Pneumatic portfolio. Together with the CPLT V15 LED, CPLB6 LED and CPLT H6, LED it provides users the widest choice when it comes to sourcing the safest and most efficient light tower for multiple applications and industries.

The CPLB2 LED light tower is ideal for construction. Featuring heavy duty build up and high protection index (IP 67), its lamps give average coverage of 3,000 sq m (32,000 sq ft) with a diameter of 61 m (200 ft) allowing 10 lux. The 7 m (23 ft) long mast requires height to achieve maximum light coverage and the light tower’s manual lifting system is ideal for this.

GENIE

US manufacturer Genie says it will show its enhanced GTH-844 rough terrain telehandler, which now comes with a 55kW, Tier 4 Final engine. The company says the telehandler is an ideal tool for loading and unloading, moving and placing and jobsite preparation and clean up.

On Genie’s stand, the SX-136XC self-propelled telescopic boom lift will also be on display. The machine has over 27 m of outreach and almost 300 kg of lift capacity.

The lift propels operators to over 41 m in 2 ½ minutes and drives at full height. Using a Deutz engine, the unit has four-wheel drive and four-wheel steer capabilities. The machine’s new boom has an 5.5 m to 9 m telescoping jib extend jib, offering operators up and over capabilities, as well as 125 degrees of

jib articulation.

MANITOU

All the way from France, 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.

SKYJACK

Skyjack will showcase its new prototype telehandler and articulating boom.

The SJ1256 TH telehandler arrives direct from its debut at World of Concrete in Las Vegas in January. The unit will feature the Deutz TCD 3.6l powerplant, using DEF fluid but with no particulate filter for Tier 4 Final compliance.

The machine will be heavily based on the SJ1056 TH, says Skyjack, with features such as the Skycoded control system, Flexcab for easily converting open cab units to closed cab and Readyhook yoke mounted rigging hook for effective handling of suspended loads.

Other features will include a shared control systems, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic layout from the rest of the TH range, which Skyjack says ensures instant familiarisation for operators of other TH machines.