Going for growth
25 April 2008
Terex Construction's vigorous acquisitions have significantly boosted its sales taking it to number three in terms of market size with US$ 6 billion in turnover. Nonetheless, these acquisitions created a large, somewhat fragmented and overlapping product portfolio. But the company has been working to rationalise its product mix by unifying designs and concentrating resources on upgrading machines in its most important product lines.
Take for example, one longstanding pillar of the company's product offering – articulated dump trucks (ADTs). New designs for its TA35 and TA40 ADT extend the capacities of the Generation 7 Series to 21 and 23.3 m3, up by 1.5 and 1.3 m3, respectively, and to 32 and 36 tonnes (up by 2 tonnes). Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines extend top speed, in the case of the TA40, to 60 km/h, and an extension of capabilities will come from an ejector body, available in the near future, to push out the load.
However, it was the transmission, not engine, selection that was central to bringing the truck to reality. “Finding a suitable transmission was critical to the design effort,” said Terex chief engineer Paul Douglas. “We selected the Allison HD465 automatic, already proven in our 35 tonne rigid dump truck, and designed around it.”
Attention has also been devoted to the smaller models – the TA25, TA27 and TA30 – of the Generation 7 range. Machines available from April will have higher capacities (13.5, 15.5, and 17.5 m3). The smaller ADTs will also feature a new cab design, with the same enhanced operator and control features of the TA35 and TA40, to give the entire Generation 7 line a common look. The engineers have swapped transmission retarders for engine retarders for the new TA27 and 30, and both models now have oil-immersion brakes, too.
However, the TA30 breaks new ground from June with optional independent front suspension, which offers a productivity boost for users. “Keeping the wheels firmly positioned against the ground when at full speed and power allows +20% greater production,” said Mr Douglas.
New excavators
Filling such trucks is the task of excavators, and Terex's new crawler models – the 21 tonne TC210, 22.5 tonne TC225, 24 tonne TC240, and 26 tonne TC260 – reflect the importance of this equipment type. Power comes from 6.7 litre Cummins QSB engines, ranging from 104 to 125 kW in size. Seven-circuit (plus two optional), constant-pressure, 370 bar Rexroth hydraulics transform that power into boom and bucket motions at a maximum digging depth of 6.8 m and at a reach of over 10 m.
A further sign of the market's significance is the company's plans to make this a big line; 33 and 35 tonne models will be available in the second half of this year, while 14 and 17 tonne machines will push out the lower end of the line in 2007.
However, the biggest crawler in Terex's near future will the TC850 quarry excavator, derived from the Terex O&K RH30 and currently under construction. A 448 kW Cummins QSX powers this 85 tonne machine, and Terex's pump management system transforms that power into a breakout force of 415 kN with buckets sized between 5.5 and 7.0 m3. Digging depth is 13.5 m and maximum digging height is 12.2 m.
For use on harder surfaces are new, heavy wheeled loaders, another common equipment item on sites. The new models come in weights of 23 to 30 tonnes and, according to Terex, replace the Terex Kaelble range with more reliable and serviceable products, while maintaining power and durability. The TL360, TL420, TL450, and TL510 have 180 to 250 kW Cummins engines and transmissions and axles from ZF.
Terex promises that the TL420 and TL450 models will be available in May, and the first of the other two machines in the range will ship in the second half of 2006.
An addition to the Terex brand is a line of motor graders manufactured by HBM-Nobas in Germany under an agreement reached last November. The four models, TG110, TG150, TG190, and T210, take their names from their weights in tonnes.
Cummins engines deliver 100 to 170 kW of power through six forward and three reverse speeds and the machines feature NAF axles and Rexroth hydraulic systems. The moldboards – either 3355 to 3660 mm long – swivel through 90° to a vertical position for grading of banks; and a front dozer blade (with 30° rotation to each side); front and rear rippers; mid-mount scarifiers; and V rippers complete the set of cutting options available on the machine. The TG150 and TG190 models are available now, and the TG110 and TG210 will follow in August.
More new machines
The newest addition to Terex's family of materials handlers is also the biggest – the TM5205. Powered by a 191 kW Deutz engine, its design is based upon the crawler and wheeled excavator ranges, including cab and controls, and this model's 12.1 m boom and 9.2 m jib provide an operating depth of 10.3 m.
Also providing material handling capability, but more specialised, is the new Fuchs MHL350. A Deutz 150 kW powers this 35.5 tonne machine and has a reach of 16 m in height and 6 m in depth.
The size, shape and configuration of Terex's new equipment varies considerably across the range, but features to enhance safety and operator comfort are common to them all. Nearly all of Terex's new products have air-suspension seats, easy-access consoles, adjustable control lever arms, electronic equipment status displays, tinted glass, air conditioning, stereo systems and large, newly designed, flat-floored cabs optimised for visibility.
There is also an emphasis on serviceability with features such as tilt cabs, powered hood raising, swing-away access panels, ground level (or other easy) access to routine service points and flat glass panels on cabs.
These machines lead the 17 new models that Terex plans to launch in 2006 and follow on from the 25 that were released last year. The new products reflect the efforts “...to bring all construction equipment together,” said corporate vice president of operations Colin Robertson, as well as the company's hopes for continued sales growth.
