Paris in the springtime

The Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, to the north of Paris, France will once again be the venue for the Intermat construction trade show on 24th – 29th April. The exhibition, which is held every three years has moved forward in the calendar from the mid-May slot it had in 2003.

The organisers are confidently predicting this year's event will be the largest ever; with 350000 m² of exhibition space available. The organisers are also predicting there will be about 1500 construction-related exhibitors from 30 different countries, with about 200000 visitors expected over the six days.

Engine Laws

There is bound to be a slew of new products on show from manufacturers big and small, but perhaps one of the biggest drivers towards the launch of new equipment will be Europe's Stage IIIA engine exhaust emissions legislation, and the 1 January this year saw the introduction of laws governing the 130 to 560 kW powerband.

Engines in this powerband have been available for some time – many were launched at Bauma 2004, giving equipment manufacturers time to incorporate them into the machines that are now being launched in Europe.

The 130 to 560 kW powerband affects the larger class of engines, which tend to be fitted in big earthmoving machines – typically 15 tonne-plus wheeled loaders and motor graders, 20 to 60 tonne capacity haulers, 25 to 130 tonne excavators, D6 class dozers and above, and so on.

New wheeled loaders on show, for example, will include Hyundai's 30 tonne HL780- 7A (259 kW), Caterpillar's 950H (18 tonnes), 962H (19 tonnes), 966H (24 tonnes), and 972H (25 tonnes). All are powered by Cat Stage IIIA/Tier 3 compliant ACERT technology engines – 12,5 litre, 214 kW C13 (972H), 11,1 litre, 195kW C11 (966H) and the 7,2 litre C7 (156 kW for the 962H and 145 kW for the 950H).

In the same weight class, plus 20 tonnes, as Cat's 966H and 972H are Liebherr's new L 566 2plus2, L 576 2plus2 and L 580 2plus2. All feature new engines designed by Liebherr's own factory in Switzerland. The 23 tonne L 566 is has a 190 kW engine, while the 23,7 tonne L 576 and 24,5 tonne L580 are powered by 200 kW units.

Also at the show will be JCB's new 456 ZX wheeled loader, which features a turbocharged, 147 kW 8,3-litre engine. Further information on these and other wheeled loaders can be found in CE 's Wheeled Loader feature on p 27 of this issue.

Road Building

Following its acquisition of Vibromax JCB is showing a range of equipment from its new JCB Vibromax range, including VMT series tandem compactors (1,2 to 10,5 tonnes and operating widths from 800 to 1675 mm), VMR series tampers (VMR60 and VMR75), VMF series vibratory plate compactors (four models), VMP series reversible plate compactors (from 80 to 913 kg and working widths of 325 to 1100 mm), VMD series double drum vibratory walk-behind compactors (600, 800, and 1135 kg), VM series multi-purpose trench compactors (VM1500 M and the VM 1500 F) and VM series of towed vibratory compactors (VM501 and VM651).

Dynapac is also promising new rollers and light rammers, and will also be showing a range of pavers and planers.

Power Curber's will be showing its new 5700-SUPER-B, which features a 50% increase in horsepower. The 133 HP engine (99 kW) increases the machine's trimming and pouring capabilities in high-production curb-and-gutter applications.

The 5700-B is features a cast auger conveyor, hydraulic mold offset, and Quick-Connect Mold Mount System. It will be shown alongside the company's SF-2700 paver.

Demolition And Recycling

In the demolition and recycling sector rumours abound of a new demolition excavator from Liebherr and new scrap processing shears, and other new tools, from French manufacturer Arden Equipment.

However, what is confirmed is that Genisis will be showing several pieces of new equipment, including its multi-jaw Logix Processor LXP attachment, GPG-H polyp grab and GWS weighing system.

The LXP fits excavators in the 20, 30, 40 and 50-tonne class, and will be available in four different sizes. The GPG-H polyp grab will be available with 5 tines, sizes 0,4 m and 0,6 m with open, half closed and closed tines to be installed on carrier units in the weight class of 20 to 35 tonnes. The GWS weighing system is designed for use by loaders and excavators.

Extec will be exhibiting its C series jaw crushers (C10 and C12), heavy duty tracked Impactor, S5 Doublescreen and E7 heavy duty track mounted self propelled open flow screening and stock piling system, along with “a mysterious new guest that is set to send shock waves through the crushing and screening world”, according to the company.

Rubble Master will be showing its RM70 compact recycler and RM 80 impact crusher.

Other Equipment

Other new machines getting their first outing in the iron at Intermat include Hyundai's new 50 tonne Robex R500LC-7 excavator, which completes the company's Dash-7 Robex series.

Power for the new model comes from the high-performance Stage IIIA compliant 11 litre, 6-cylinder (turbo-charged and charge-cooled) Cummins QSM11-C, which is rated at 250kW.

Moxy will be showing the latest addition to its product line-up, the MT 41, a 37,2 tonne, 24,1 m³ capacity ADT for the first time at the show. Its Scania DC12, water-cooled, HPI injected diesel engine, with turbo charger and air to air intercooler, delivers 330 kW of power to the 6 x 6 drive train.

Axiomatic Technologies Corporation will be showing a new proportional control module as an accessory for crawler or wheeled construction equipment. The device permits proportional control of a machine attachment and provides additional control outputs for other accessory functions.

Emunds+Staudinger will be showing a range of equipment, including its BPU 600/800 pipe- ramming system, its Linear Shoring system, and its Site Road system.

Hydronix will be showing its new Hydro-Mix VI, the latest design in microwave moisture sensors for measurement in mixer – ready mix, precast and asphalt plants. It is designed to improve the quality and consistency of the end product while reducing waste and increasing productivity.

Euro Power Generators will be showing its latest portable generators, the EPS33TDE and EPS40TDE. Both the EPS33TDE (33 kVA) and the EPS40TDE (40kVA) are equipped with the solid Kubota V3300(T) turbo engines.

According to the company the new generators were designed with user-friendliness as its first priority. Other features include easy accessibility for maintenance, a lifting eye, a straightforward control panel and extremely low noise levels.

Besides these machines, visitors can expect to see plenty of other new machines in these categories and classes at the show. A full guide to the show will be published in CE's March issue.