Show guide

This year will be a busy one for construction equipment trade shows. March alone has two major international events in the shape of Samoter in Verona and ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas, US. ConExpo is arguably the bigger event in terms of the global industry, but European equipment buyers may get more out of a visit to Samoter the week before. The machines on display will all be built and certified for the European market, whereas ConExpo is of course more relevant to the US.

Samoter was last held in 2005, when more than 1000 exhibitors took more than 105000 m² of net space. Visitor numbers came to 94550, and some 10000 of these were international visitors, coming from 94 countries outside Italy. This year the exhibition takes place from 5 to 9 March.

Engine Impact

January this year saw the introduction of the final part of the Stage IIIA exhaust emissions regulations for diesel engines used in off-highway machines. New limits on pollutants were applied to machines that use 37 kW to 75 kW engines, and as previous years have shown, this tends to necessitate a complete redesign and new models being launched.

So there will be lots of new mid sized machines on show at Samoter. The 37 kW to 75 kW power band covers a massive range of machinery. Most classes of backhoe loader, telescopic handler and skid steer loader are covered by this power band. Combined, these products represent a world market of about 210000 machines per year, more than 50000 of which are sold in Europe.

Many other types of equipment are being affected by this year's engine laws. They include ‘midi' excavators – models from about 6 to 13 tonnes, small wheeled loaders with bucket capacities from 1 m³ to 2 m³, site dumpers from 4 tonnes capacity upwards, rollers from about 3 to 9 tonnes, small pavers, small trailer-mounted concrete pumps, portable compressors from about 3 m³/minute to 7 m³/minute and so on.

This will have a big impact on rental companies looking to renew their fleets this year, and will also have a bearing for contractors specialising in urban and utility work.

New Machines

Although mid-sized machines will be in focus, Samoter will also see numerous new launches outside the 37 kW to 75 kW power band. And there are of course many companies exhibiting at the show that do not make diesel-engined equipment, but still have interesting new products to launch to the construction industry.

However, new from Bobact is the S100 skid steer loader, which will be shown for the first time at Samoter. A small machine, the S100 has an operating weight of 1800 kg, for a rated capacity of 453 kg, and its dimensions of 1,88m high x 2,26 m long x 1,18 m wide mean it is able to manoeuvre in confined spaces.

Similarly, the new T2250 tele-handler is smallest model in the Bobcat range. It has a capacity of 2,2 tonnes and a maximum lift height of 5,2 m and can be fitted with either a conventional front hitch or Bobcat's Bob-Tach system, in addition to pallet forks, grapples and buckets.

Samoter will also see Bobcat launch a new man platform for the company's largest 17 m T40170 telehandler model.

Ammann-Yanmar will be showing two new zero tailswing mini excavators in the shape of the 4,7 to 4,8 tonne ViO50 and 5,2 to 5,3 tonne ViO57

One of main draws at the Case booth will be the 1221E wheeled loader, a 7 m3 bucket machine which is the outcome of Case's agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries to supply it with certain machines outside its current range. The loader is backed by distribution, technical and financial support through the Case Dealer Network and finance arm CNH Capital.

On the Hyundai stand itself visitors will be able to see new narrow track variants of its 21 tonne and 29 tonne crawler excavators, the R210NLC-7A, R290NLC-7A and R32NLC-7A, which are especially important in Italy for transportation regulations.

Two wheel loaders will be displayed, the 23 tonne HL770-7A and the 14 tonne HL757-7A, both with high-performance Tier IIIA Cummins, while in mini-excavators, Hyundai's latest addition to the range, the compact, 3,5 tonne zero tailswing model, the R35Z, will also feature prominently.

Hitachi's new machines for Samoter include the 6 tonne class ZX60USB-3 mini-excavator, along with the larger 8,5 tonne ZX85USB-3, 11 tonne ZX110-3 and two 13 tonne-class machines, the ZX130-3 and ZX135US-3 mid-range crawler Zaxis excavators.

Many of the newer machines on the Liebherr stand were launched at last year's Bauma exhibition in Munich. However, Samoter will be the first time many Italian equipment buyers will have seen machines like the TL 442–13 13 m lift height telescopic handler. This 4,2 tonne capacity machine is one of a four-model range, and power comes form an 84 kW engine.

Road Building

Ammann is planning a major expansion of its range in 2008. New to its single drum compactor range is the Rammax RW 1815-SPT, a 2,4 tonne unit targeted towards rental companies. It has a 1,2 m working width and is powered by a 30 kW Lombardini engine.

In the tandem roller sector, Amman is launching X4 versions of its AV 70 X and AV 75 X machines, which is to say they are now available with segmented drums.

Other new compaction products from Ammann include the medium and heavy AVP reversible plate compactors. The family comprises three models, the AVP 3920, AVP 4920 and AVP 5920, with operating weights from 264 kg to 442 kg.

Also on display will be a number of innovations in mixing plant technology, on show from SIM and Ammann. These include the new SpeedyBatch and Easy Batch plants in the shape of the 150 tonnes/hour Speedybatch 150 asphalt plant. Its features are similar to the larger 180, 210 and 280 version, and these include the ability to break it down into 2,5 m wide units for easy of transportation.

Wirtgen's stand will feature the W 130 F cold planer, a new addition to its recently introduced range of compact front-loader milling machines that feature Level Pro – Wirtgen's automatic levelling system. The 1,3 m machine is available with the Wirtgen Flexible Cutter system as an option, which allows quick milling drum changes.

Sister company Vögele will be showing new second-generation compact pavers in the shape of four new wheeled and tracked versions of the Super 1100-2 and Super 1300-2. With basic widths of 1,8 m and machine lengths of 4,95 m, these are designed for work on confined urban sites. Maximum pave widths of the wheeled machines range from 4 m (Super 1103-2) to 4,2 m (Super 1303-2), while the tracked Super 1300-2 can go up to 4,5 m.

Hamm's stand will feature machines from its award-winning small roller range, among others. New to the range at Samoter will be the HD 8 and HD 10C tandem rollers, which both compete in the 1,5 tonne class. Key features include excellent all-round visibility, side clearance, manoeuvrability, high driver comfort and ease of use.

On the Fayat Group stand, there will be a new 7 tonne class roller from Bomag in the shape of the BW 154. This compact unit is designed for small to medium-sized sites, but despite this it has a spacious and comfortable operator area.

Also new to the Italian market and on display will be the BF 600 paver and the BM 1300/30, a 1,3 m working width milling machine.

Concrete

Cifa will have a large stand at Samoter, and will be exhibiting a range of machines for the concrete industry. Of particular interest is the new Magnum MK32L truck mixer pump, a 32 m boom machine which can be mounted with either a PB 607 or PB 806 pump.

Also new is the K41L XRZ truck-mounted unit. Developed from Cifa's successful K41, the unit has a restyled placing boom, which has seen the weight and tilting moment reduced, while increasing the stiffness and rigidity of the arm. Cifa says this has created a stable and well-balanced machine with an overall lower weight as well as less weight on the rear axle.

The five-section, 41 m boom has a 125 mm delivery pipe and “RZ” folding system.

Also of interest is Cifa's patented ‘K-tronic' electronic system. This controls machine stability during use, with sensors that continuous calculate the boom's safe working envelope, slowing down and stopping movement if the machine's stability is threatened. At present this system is available on the K52L and K58L, 52 m and 58 m truck pumps, but will be fitted on other models in the future. Cifa also plans to increase the number of control functions available with the technology.

Attachments

The huge number of Italian companies active in the excavator attachment business means there will be lots of new models in this sector on display at Samoter. Promove will present two new hydraulic breakers, in the shape of the XP70, a 65 kg unit for use on 0,8 tonne micro excavators, and the XP 1000, a new all-rounder for 12 to 22 tonne carriers.

Standard features of the XP series include a design with no accumulator or diaphragm for simplicity and reliability, while blank-firing protection is also a common feature. Within the range, the XP 1000 fills a gap between the XP 800 and XP 1200, while the company also says it is developine a new top of the range 7 tonne hammer for 80 to 130 tonne carriers.

Idromeccanica will be launching new breakers in its M series alongside the new c910 compactor. Weighing in at 900 kg, the unit is suitable for carriers up to 20 tonnes.

VTN Europe will be launching a new range of 360° hydraulic rotation crushers at Samoter. The eight-model ‘FP' range weighs in between 1,2 and 7,5 tonnes and feature interchangeable tips for maximum flexibility. The cylinder is reverse mounted, which eliminates the need to install the traditional guard, and as a result, the stem is even more effectively protected against damage caused by foreign objects.

Best of the Test

Visitors to the Cummins stand will be able to see the first engines designed to meet the forhtcoming Stage IIIB emissions legislation. The first launches at its 130 to 560 kW units, which feature a Cummins particulate filter and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) as part of an integrated solution to meet the new regulations.

These will be fitted to its mid range OSB engines as well as the larger QSX models, and will be used with variable geometry turbochargers in some cases.

New from Trimble is the GCS 900 grade control system. The latest version – 10.7 – includes new, high accuracy configurations for dozers and graders using the new the new Trimble SPS730 and SPS930 universal total stations. System versatility is broadened using Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS) support, such as the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS). In addotion, supporting on-machine software now logs a new productivity data file to assist the contractor for better project tracking and managememnt.

This system will be on display with Trimble's Italian distributor Spektra, on stand 308/312 in outside area 4.

Contractors in the rock industry will be interested in Rockmore International's new ROK down-the-hole (DTH) hammers. Offered in 76 to 203 mm diameter ranges, for drilling applications in mining and quarrying, the hammers are designed to maximise the high-pressure airflows for overall greater efficiency. Key to their performance are the hammers' internal air paths, which have been designed to minimise turbulence.

More on Show

With about 1000 companies taking part in Samoter, this is of course just a small selection of the new machines that will be launched at the show. There will be a further ‘Stop Press' preview of Samoter in the March edition of CE, where we will report on all the late-breaking news about new machines at the show.

Of course the best way to find out what's new in the global equipment sector is to visit the show itself. We hope to see you there!