ConExpo Stop Press: Last minute news

ConExpo-Con/Agg 2011 will open its doors on 22 March and run for five days. It is likely to be the largest construction equipment exhibition anywhere in the world this year in terms of both space and visitor numbers.

New product launches are of course a feature of any trade show of this size and prominence, but ConExpo will have more than its fair share this year thanks to the introduction in January of the new Tier 4 Interim (US) and Stage IIIB (European) engine emission laws. These will drive major changes in the mid to heavy equipment segments, where entire ranges of machines will be renewed.

Heavy construction

Komatsu's stand will feature eight new machines, seven of which will be fitted with new Tier 4 interim-compliant diesel engines. In the excavator segment the company will be showcasing its 24 tonne PC240LC, 36 tonne PC360LC and 49 tonne PC490LC machines. Meanwhile, new haulers will be represented by the 30 tonne capacity HM300 articulated dump truck and the latest wheeled loader on show will be the WA380, a 2.7 m3 - 4.0 m3 machine.

There will also be two new Tier 4 dozers on display in the shape of the D65PX and D155.

Bauer's stand will feature its BG 24 H and BG 28 rotary drilling rigs which are now manufactured in the US at the company's new factory in Conroe, Texas. The units are fitted with Tier 4 Interim diesel engines, in line with this year's new legislation, and are designed for a variety of foundation construction work. The BG 28 for example will be shown fitted with the company's CSM soil mixing system.

Bauer's US subsidiary Bauer Pileco will exhibit a 4 tonne D 19-42 impact hammer and the 8 tonner D 36-32 diesel hammer. German sister company Klemm meanwhile will exhibit two multi-purpose anchor drilling rigs, the KR 806 and KR 702.

BSP's indoor exhibit will include examples of projects that have used its latest generation of piling hammers and rapid impact compactors (RIC). Typical examples include the 2.28 km long New Orleans surge barrier where piling contractor Traylor-Massman-Weeks used two BSP hammers, a CG240 and a CG300, to drive 600 steel batter piles, 91 m long and 914 mm in diameter, at a 45° angle on the landward side to support lateral loads applied to the barrier.

In another recent project, a BSP hammer, a CG300 fitted with a 20 tonne ram weight, was used to drive 1200 concrete and steel piles 47 m long and 800 mm in diameter into the sea bed through sand and layered clay. These formed the support for an access jetty nearly 3 km long and 26.6 m wide linking the coast to 10 berths for mooring large vessels at Porto do Acu, some 175 miles north-east of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Inertia Machine will exhibit three new mobile crushing and screening plants at the show. The 4048 closed circuit unit is designed for recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) applications. It features a 4 ft x 12 ft (1.2 m x 3.7 m) vibrating grizzly feeder, an impact crusher and a two-deck vibrating screen. Power comes from a John Deere engine, and the unit is mounted on a three-axle wheeled chassis.

The 5066 Tracker meanwhile is a horizontal shaft impact (HSI) crusher, designed for primary applications and it can achieve capacities of up to 700 tonnes per hour. It features its own removable axle for easy, cost-effective transport without the need or trailers or trucks.

Other features include a 14-cubic yard (10.7 m3) hopper and a 5 ft x 18 ft (1.5 m x 5.5 m) grizzly feeder. On the other side of the crusher there is a 42 in (1.07 m) wide, 38 ft (11.6 m) long discharge conveyor, and once again power comes from the on-board John Deere engine.

Also new is the 620 Spec Maker portable screening plant, and electrically powered unit mounted on a three-axle wheeled chassis. It features a 6 ft x 20 ft (1.8 m x 6.1 m) double deck inclined screen, fold-down conveyors; and a 48-inch (1.2 m) belt feeder, with hopper and grizzly.

Flip Screen's stand will feature the new EX80 screening bucket attachment, a more rugged and robust version of the E80 model. Suitable for 20- to 27-tonne excavators, the EX80 replaces the excavator's bucket and works by continuously rotating on a horizontal axis through 360°. An easily interchangeable screen allows smaller particles through, depending on mesh size, while a baffle retains larger material so that it may be dumped separately.

Designed for user-friendly operation, the EX80 requires minimal operator effort. Simply scoop desired material and activate the auxiliary hydraulics. The unit's smooth rotation eliminates jarring, shaking and vibration, further enhancing operator comfort, while reducing stress on the carrier.
Daemo will be adding to the Alicon series of breakers it first unveiled at last year's Bauma exhibition. The range now covers 17 models, for carriers from 1.2 to 100 tonnes and all feature an anti blank firing system, auto lubrication, energy regeneration valve and a selector for two different blow frequencies.

The company will also be exhibiting new models in other attachment lines, including additions to its grab, clamshell bucket and ripper ranges.

Cranes

There will be plenty of new truck cranes and boom trucks on display at ConExpo, and with increasing capacities at a relatively low cost, these machines are taking bites out of the lower end of the all-terrain crane market.

Altec Industries will exhibit three cranes, including the truck-mounted AC38-127S. This boom truck has a new tilt cab, an option now available for all Altec models with ride-on seats. Designed to offer crane operators increased vertical visibility and less neck strain during certain work applications, the tilt-cab option allows the operator to hydraulically adjust the angle of the cab.

Elliott Equipment Company will introduce the 34127R boom truck with rear-mounted 127 ft (39 m) boom and 34 ton (31 tonne) rated capacity. It is mounted on a 15SXW-HF PowerTraxx carrier with 275 hp (205 kW) and crawler tracks. Target customers are utility companies looking for bigger and stronger tracked boom trucks for off road work. Maximum tip height is 137 ft (42 m).

Also new from Elliott will be the 36127F front mounted boom truck. It offers 72000 lbs (33 tonnes) capacity at 5 ft (1.5 m) radius and a maximum tip height from the five section boom of 137 ft (42 m). Standard out and down type outriggers offer mid and full span load charts with a 21 ft (6.4 m) maximum spread. For additional reach there is a 32 to 49 ft (10 to 15 m) two-piece jib with manual extension that stows alongside the boom.

On show for the first time will be Link-Belt's new 100 tonne capacity telescopic crawler, the TCC-1100. Star of the show, however, will be the new 275 ton (250 tonne) ATC-3275 all terrain crane on five axles. In January Link-Belt stopped offering Tadano Faun all terrain cranes under its own brand. The Link-Belt ATC-3275 is engineered and built at the company's Kentucky, USA manufacturing facility. Rick Curnutte at Link-Belt says the crane is a "game changer," in the North American AT market.

The ATC-3275 has a seven section 67.9 m boom and a maximum tip height of 106.9 m. On board fly jibs are available up to 20.4 m and boom extensions are 2 to 7.6 m. It has a modular counterweight system where none of the pieces weigh more than 22000 lbs (9.9 tonnes). Maximum counterweight is 71 tonnes.

The carrier has a single cab, disc brakes, aluminium alloy wheels and a maximum road speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). Turning radius is 36 ft 6 in (11 m) and power is from a Cummins engine.

Back to crawlers, Link-Belt will also introduce a 150 US ton (136 tonne) capacity lattice boom model. The 238 HSL joins the 138 HSL, 218 HSL and 298 HSL. Designed for the general contractor market, the 238 will see action in steel erection, bridge work, pile driving and more, the company said.

The 238 HSL's main boom is 50 to 260 ft (15 to 79 m) and a fixed jib is available from 30 to 80 ft (9 to 24 m). Maximum tip height is 310 ft (94.5 m) with a 230 + 80 ft (70 + 24.4 m) combination. A luffer will also be available. While there is an all new top section and base section, extensions are common with 238 HYLAB 5 sections. Power is from a 286 hp (213 kW) Isuzu 6HK1 diesel.

Knuckle boom cranes from Palfinger are lead by the new PK 34002-SH. Features include continuous slewing, maintenance-free boom system and the Power Link Plus design. At the top of the heavy duty crane class will be the PK 150002 Performance. Features include HPLS, Paltronic 50, Power Link Plus, Integrated Stability Control and Dual Power System.

A Palfinger Epsilon waste handling crane on show will be the HAD 500. The Epsilon "Z" Model allows the operator to fold and stow the crane during transport without disconnecting the attachment. The Epsilon series includes more than 40 base models in capacities from 2 to 10 tonnes.

Also on show from Palfinger will be the PAL Pro mechanics' truck line that includes telescopic cranes with capacities ranging from 43,000 foot-pounds (5.85 tonne-metres) to 86,000 foot-pounds (11.70 tonne-metres). Each offers 29 ft (8.8 m) of hydraulic reach.

A pair of new rough terrain cranes will be on show from Tadano - the 75 ton (68 tonne) capacity GR 750XL-2 and the 100 ton (91 tonne) capacity GR 1000XL-2.

New to the American market from the all terrain range is the 160 ton (145 tonne) ATF 130G-5. The ATF 130G-5 has a maximum boom length of 196.8 ft (60 m) and a tip height of 312 ft (95 m) with the 105 ft (32 m) extension, integrating a 12.5 ft (3.8 m) heavy duty jib with 44.1 ton (40 tonne) capacity. A hydraulic luffing version is also available.

Tadano says the ATF 130G-5 closes the gap between the company's 130 ton (118 tonne) capacity ATF 110G-5 and the 200 ton (181 tonne) ATF 160G-5. This is Tadano's first 5-axle AT with all-wheel steering as standard, which means no lift axle, on the 10 x 6, or the optional 10 x 8 drive. The Lift-Adjuster control system is standard on the ATF 130G-5.

Also on show from the all terrain range will be the 250 ton (227 tonne) ATF220G-5.

Terex Cranes will show several cranes targeted at the North American market, "including the company's latest innovations in the rough terrain crane, boom truck crane, tower crane and truck crane segments.

From the crawler crane range, on show will be the 165 ton (150 tonne) capacity HC 165 aimed at contractors and crane rental companies. A 270 ft (82 m) main boom and 80 ft (24 m) jib gives a 320 ft (98 m) maximum boom and jib combination. Power is from a 319 hp (238 kW) Cummins diesel and the crane is fully self erecting.

A pair of Zoomlion rough terrain cranes will be making their debut. Global Crane Sales, worldwide distributor for Zoomlion rough terrain cranes, will show the 55 tonne capacity RT 55 and the 75 tonne RT 75. In North America these are sold as the RT 60, reflecting its 60 US ton rating and as the RT 80, reflecting its 80 US ton rating.

The RT 55 has 34 m boom and 10 - 17 m jib. Capacity is 4,681 kg at 19.8 m radius with 24.7 m of boom. The RT 75 has a 38.5 m boom and 10 - 17 m jib.

Compact Equipment

JCB will launch its new line of skid steer loaders and compact track loaders at Conexpo 2011. The Eco machines are the first from JCB to be manufactured, designed and engineered at the company's North American headquarters in Savannah, Georgia.

The range includes seven skid steers - four wheeled and three tracked - with 11 more models to be introduced over time. All seven initial machines are vertical lift, which allows for increased capacity and more reach at maximum lift height.

The models being launched - the 260, 280, 300 and 330 wheeled skid steers and 260T, 300T, 320T track loaders - are large platform machines with rated operating capacities (ROC) of 1179 kg and above.

The new JCB skid steers have an impact also on Volvo's stand, since the two now have a manufacturing alliance for skid steers. Volvo will have a selection of the new skid steers in its colours at its stand in the North Hall.

Terex will introduce a new line of skid steer loaders - both vertical lift path and radius lift path models - to add to its range of compact equipment. There are eight models, with engine sizes from 37.5 kW to 62.2 kW, and Terex highlights the high ground clearances and rear angles of departure of the machines - 265 mm ground clearance and either 26 degree or 29 degree rear angles of departure, depending on the model.

The range includes four radial lift path models (TSR50, TSR60, TSR70 and TSR80) and four vertical lift path units (TSV50, TSV60, TSV70 and TSV80).

Also new from Terex Construction is the TLB840 backhoe loader, which is designed as a replacement for the TX760B. The new model has a 66 kW Perkins engine and a curved boom design that provides better clearance over obstacles and the ability to load closer into trucks. The backhoe has an operating weight of 7150 kg.

Also likely to have a new backhoe loader on its stand is Case Construction, which recently launched its new Construction King T Series, comprising four models. These are the 8840 kg range topping 695 ST, the 8120 kg 590ST, the 8050 kg 580ST and the 580T. Power for the 695 and 590 is 82 kW for a maximum travel speed of 39 km/hour and 72 kW for a maximum travel speed of 40 km/hour for the two smaller machines.

According to Case, the new machines' load sensing hydraulic system provides a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and lower engine noise levels than previous models, and the new machines also provide 20% greater loader productivity.

Ammann has several new developments this year. On the mobile equipment side, its ConExpo stand will feature new models in the ASC single drum roller range. The ASC 110, 130 and 150 cover the 11 to 16 tonne categories and feature a narrower drum frame than their predecessors, which helps increase the load transferred to the ground by +10%.

New in its rammer range meanwhile are the ACR 60 and ACR 68, which are both powered by a 2.2 kW Honda petrol engine. The low mounting of the engine increases stability, and the fuel tank has a capacity of 3.2 litres, for long periods of use between refills.

New to the company's mixing plant range this year is the EcoMix concrete plant, which has been designed to be maintenance-friendly. At its heart is one of Ammann's Amix twin-shaft paddle mixers, which is pre-assembled and tested at the factory prior to shipping. The EcoMix needs little space and is also suitable for urban areas thanks to its low emissions

New to the company's asphalt range is the BlackMove II, which the company says will set new standards in performance and speedy relocation. The complete asphalt mixing plant consists of six fully mobile trailers that are largely pre-assembled and ready-wired. All of the interfaces have quick-fit connections. This reduces on-site assembly work to a minimum.

BlackMove II is available in 160, 200, 240 and 320 tonnes per hour categories and the design includes various extensions such as feeds for cold reclaimed asphalt, fibres and enhancers that can be added at any time.

New on the Dieci stand will be the L 3500 truck mixer, which features a new cab and revamped drive train. It is one of four models in the range, which cover the 1.7 m3 to 5.0 m3 capacity classes. All feature a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, 4-wheel drive & steering, oil-immersed brakes and a height-adjustable discharge chute with 180° of rotation.

The Ditch Witch will show the new MT12 MicroTrencher, which is designed to quickly and cleanly slice through asphalt to create trenches into which fibreoptic cable can be installed.

Using specially designed and manufactured saw blades, the unit cuts through asphalt to create a 19 mm to 32 mm wide trench, up to 305 mm deep. It is available with a choice of four saw blades and each can be changed in the field with standard hand tools.

The trenching depth of the MT12 is mechanically adjustable 152 mm to 305 mm, in 25 mm increments. This feature helps the operator quickly set the depth to match job specifications and maintain a consistent depth for the entire length of the trench. The microtrencher can also be manually tilted 6° to the right or left, which helps the operator maintain a true vertical trench on uneven surfaces.

The Multiquip launch is definitely eye-catching, since it is thought to be the world's first lighting tower powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The H2LT uses hydrogen as the fuel source and the only by-product is pure water.

Multiquip said the tower is fuel efficient, virtually pollution-free, can be operated indoors, and will operate for up to 50 hours at a noise level of 43 dB(A) at 7 m. The plasma light bulb produces 22000 lumens, but consumes only 255 W, with a life expectancy of up to 50000 hours.

The price is expected to be around US$ 60000. It features four hydrogen tanks that can provide 60 to 70 hours of operation between refills.

According to Doosan, its new Light Source Compact (LSC) units take up -20% less space when packed for transportation than the average for lighting towers. This means 11 can be fitted on a standard 48 ft (14.6 m) flatbed, and the units have a 670 kg shipping weight.

Despite these compact dimensions, the LSC comes with a 9.14 m mast, and is fitted with four 1000 watt rectangular lights. Doosan says these lights - rather than the more common round type - help distribute the light better. As a result, the company says each tower can deliver 460 foot candles (4951 Lux) of light.

Terex, meanwhile, has its own innovation, which is battery powered LED light towers. The AL4L and AL5L towers provide up to 10 hours of run-time with "crisper lighting capabilities compared to 4000W metal-halide models. As battery operated LED units, the light towers eliminate engine noise and emissions. The AL5L offers an on-board generator to charge its batteries.

Aerial Platforms

The aerial platform sector will also see a lot of activity, with nearly all the world's significant manufacturers in attendance. One exception is Aichi Corp and its US distributor, Toyota Material Handling, who are not exhibiting.

From Terex AWP come three new rough terrain scissor lifts, the Genie GS-2669RT, 3369RT and 4069RT. The scissors have a "new industrial design with improved performance", with a front oscillating axle. Terex says "increased power and terrainability enables the machines to drive through sand, mud and over curbs with ease. The entire RT69 family has been enhanced to include increased horse-power by up to 30%, increased platform work space, and a simplified link stack. The new design enables all three to drive and function at full height."

Also new from Terex will be the Genie GR-20J and GR-26J self-propelled vertical masts. These are the machines built by Manitou under the manufacturing alliance announced at last year's Bauma.

Under that alliance, Manitou was selling two Genie rough terrain scissors, but in recent months that agreement has been extended to cover three other Genie electric scissors. It is possible that these models will be on show at the Manitou stand at ConExpo.

French manufacturer Haulotte Group uses ConExpo to show two machines for the first time in to the North American market, the HA 33 CJ+ (HA 12 CJ+ in Europe) articulating boom and the Compact 3947 E (Compact 14) scissor lift.

The boom has a stowed height of 1.9 m and is just 1.2 m wide, making it ideal for interior applications. The electric scissor is a lightweight and compact 40 ft scissor and weighs just 3.1 tonnes.

Snorkel is focusing on big machines at Conexpo, launching its new double deck rough terrain scissor range as well as the first big articulating boom to be used with its new Polaris chassis.

In the scissor range on show will be the 20 m working height S6090RT, one of a family of four twin deck models. The 6090 is powered by a Kubota 33 kW engine and offers platform capacities up to 568 kg - it will be up to 900 kg on lower height units. When both deck extensions are out it will have a 7.3 m long platform.

A62JRT rough terrain articulated boom lift, meanwhile, is the latest of the company's mid-range booms mounted on the Polaris chassis first used on last year's T46JRT telescopic boom.

The preliminary specifications for the A62JRT is a working height of 21 m, outreach of 13 m, and 'up and over' clearance height of 9 m. The jib is 2.4 m long and platform capacity is 227 kg. The A62JRT replaces the Snorkel AB60, offering "significantly improved drive and lift performance (particularly 'up-and-over' clearance), substantially reduced tail swing and more pleasing appearance".

Skyjack will showcase a large assortment of its product range, with interest focused on its newest machine, the SJ12 Self Propelled Vertical Mast Lift. The SJ 12 has been designed with a compact footprint and manoeuvrability in mind, with 90° steering and a zero inside turning radius.

There will also be plenty of niche machines on show. One example is Italian manufacturer Socage, which will show the DA365, a pick-up mounted platform developed for North America from its DA320 model.

Socage says this type of machine - with a double-articulation boom design giving good up and over clearance and zero overswing - is "something never seen in the American market". Working height is 19.8 m and maximum outreach is 9.4 m.

Skako Lift shows the new Falcon FS105-Z atrium lift. This has an articulating first section that elevates the lift directly above its centre; a telescoping arm; and an articulating jib. The platform has a vertical reach of 32 m and 15.8 m outreach and weighs around 5.85 tonnes.

Altec Industries, meanwhile, shows the tracked AC38-127S - mounted on a Prinoth Go-Track 4500 carrier - which is designed for the construction of electric power transmission lines and oil field work on remote sites. With a 34.5 t lifting capacity, the unit can also be fitted with a personnel platform.

Visit

OF course the best way to check out new equipment on display at ConExpo is to visit the show in person. We hope to see you there.