Whole in the ground - a Hillhead showguide

Despite the uncertain market conditions, the last Hillhead show that took place in June 2010 proved to be a record-breaker in terms of the number of stands that were taken by manufacturers keen to show their wares to mining/quarrying/recycling/demolition industry attendees at the event. A total of 460 exhibitors filled the 140,000 square metres (1.5 million square fee) outdoor areas, pavilions and demonstration areas.

In terms of numbers, the organisers say that 18,393 visitors were in attendance, with international visitors from 70 countries making up 10% of this total. The 2012 event looks set to match this success, with more than 400 exhibitors already signed up - indeed, the organisers have had to extend the registration pavilion to make space for a further 12 shell-scheme stands.

The Hillhead event is a firm favourite with delegates no matter the weather and Hillhead Quarry is an ideal venue for it.

Crushing and screening

Naturally, the latest mobile crushing and screening equipment make up the bulk of the larger stands at Hillhead, with the leading names in attendance displaying their latest generation machines. As with the construction industry generally, these manufacturers have had to wrestle with installing new engines in their machines that meet the latest evolution of the engine emission regulations (Stage 3B in Europe and Tier IV Interim in North America).

On the downside, however, is the relative lack of compact crusher manufacturers with the Austrians - like Rubble Master (although this company's UK dealer Haulmark will be there), Rockster and MFL - in particular are notable for their absence from the show. It may be that, with so many shows to choose from these days and difficult market conditions, the strong mining and quarrying emphasis of Hillhead may have some impact on their decision-making.

Nevertheless, there will still be plenty to see.

On one of the largest stands at the show, Sandvik will display many of its latest mobile product offerings reengineered for Stage 3B compliance. On the stand will be UJ440, QJ241 and QJ341 jaw crushers, a QH310 cone rusher, a QE440 scalper and a QA331 four-way screen, along with a DI550 drill rig, a selection of Sandvik and Rammer branded breakers, and representative Vertical Shaft and Horizontal Shaft Impact crushers. Meantime, in the demonstration area, a QI240 impact crusher and a QJ341 feeding a QH440 cone crusher will be running, with the output from the latter fed to a QA450 tracked screen, the largest in the Sandvik range. According to Sandvik, a major focus for the company during the show will be to highlight its recent aftermarket developments designed to ensure that customers receive the highest levels of service and support.

Powerscreen will have five machines working on the demonstration area, including one new model receiving its launch at Hillhead, the Warrior 1400X tracked mobile screen. This new screen has, according to the company, been designed with economy firmly in mind. It features reduced engine running speed and enhanced hydraulics and Powerscreen says that it therefore provides a 15% reduction in fuel consumption compared to its predecessor. The screening angle on the 1400X has been increased by 50% from 4 to 6 and standard stockpiling capacity on its conveyors has been increased by 25% to 30%. Fitted with the chassis riser and telescopic side conveyor options, the fines and mid-grade stockpiling capacity is increased to more than double that of a standard Warrior 1400. This new screen will be shown working with an XH320X impact crusher.

The new machine will be joined in the demonstration area by a XA750S jaw crusher feeding a Warrior 2400 screen (the largest machine produced by Powerscreen), with a XA400S jaw crusher will work separately to show off its new pre-screen feature.

A range of equipment will also be on show on Powerscreen's static stand, including an XA400S jaw crusher, XH320X and XH500 impact crushers, and the new Warrior 1400X screen that will be displayed alongside its smaller cousin, the Warrior 800 screen

From another Terex company, Finlay, will be the 684 tracked inclined mobile screen that received its first outing at Intermat in April. The 684 has, according to the company, been engineered and designed for a range of applications in the mining, quarrying and construction sectors. It can process demolition debris, topsoil, sand, gravel, coal and aggregates. It is a compact, easily transportable unit that provides rapid set up and tear down times, with Finlay saying that the latter can be accomplished in less than 30 minutes.

In addition to the new 684, Finlay will also be showing three new models that are set to enter production on quarter 3 and quarter 4 of this year. Information at the time of going to press is sketchy, but D&Ri can reveal that these will consist of two jaw crushers and an impactor.

Metso Minerals will be displaying several new crusher products including the LT106 mobile jaw unit and its heavy-duty counterpart, the LT120, this latter machine being well suited to demanding stationary applications as well as mobile and portable operations. Also on display will be the company's new HP3 high-density static cone crusher.

Northern Ireland-based Maximus Crushing & Screening will be officially launching two new machines at this year's show - the Maximus 409 and the Maximus 522T. The 409 is a small, twin-deck, three-way-split scalping machine developed for users requiring versatility and ease of transport, while the 522T is a large triple-deck screener designed for medium to large-scale operators requiring high-capacity, high-specification aggregate screening capabilities.

Parker Plant will be showing new tracked crushing and screening machines - the SR165 scalping screen and the JR1165 crusher, both aimed specifically at the recycling market, and the 1312 impact crusher and GC1200 high-speed cone crusher, both of which are well suited to the quarry environment.

Relative newcomer to the sector, Anaconda, fresh from launching the FTR150 tracked feeder conveyor at the Intermat show in Paris in April, will also be present. This company entered the mobile conveyor/screening sector in April 2010 with the launch of the DF410 tracked scalping screen and has since added the SR410 screen and the TD516 trommel screen in addition to the FTR150. What will be on its stand at the show is currently not clear. However, sales director Con Gallagher did tell D&Ri: "I cannot confirm what we will be showing at Hillhead but there will be another new product from us which will open a few eyes." This should make the Anaconda stand well worth visiting.

Construction equipment

The construction equipment suppliers in attendance have also had their work cut for them in recent years. The recent Intermat show in Paris saw a plethora of new Stage 3b/Tier IV Interim compliant machines of all types and representative models will be on the stands of the full liners in attendance at Hillhead.

Typical of this is JCB, who will have a number of its new Stage 3B machines on show. First, there will be the new top of the range JCB 457 WLS wheeled loader that replaces the 456 model. Its new engine offers more power and torque together with reduced fuel consumption. JCB has also improved transmission options, upgraded the axles and given the machine new styling and a revised cab interior.

New Stage 3B excavators will also be well represented, with the JS260 and JS360 on show that will be joined by the smaller JS220.

All three feature new improved cabs and advanced hydraulic systems with optimised pump settings, revised spool configurations and a revised electronic control system that improves fuel efficiency by 11% on the JS220 and 8% on the JS260 and JS360.

On the compact side of things, JCB will also be showing off its 2.7 tonne JCB 8026 CTS compact excavator as well as one of the latest generation skid steer loaders with a radial lift arm version of its Powerboom single-sided lift arm that provides optimised digging capacity and reach

For the first time at Hillhead, Doosan and Bobcat machines will share the same stage, with Doosan excavators, wheel loaders, articulated dump trucks and telehandlers alongside the latter's mini-excavators and compact loaders on stand W10.

A DX520LC tracked excavator will be joined by the new DL550-3 wheeled loader on the static display, with a DL450-3 being showcased in the Demonstration Area - the first appearance of these loaders in the UK. The DL450-3 will be working with a new DA40 articulated dump truck.

Celebrating its 25 years in the compact equipment sector, Bobcat will be showing its new 2.7 tonne E26 compact excavator that replaces the previous 425,428 and 430 models in its range. The increased stability of the overall design means that the machine does not require any additional counterweight when working with the optional long dipperstick.

Meanwhile, Bell Equipment will be showing off its latest generation ADT in the shape of the 30 tonne B30E E-Series that received its official launch at Intermat in April. This new machine will share the stand with models from Bell's existing D-Series machines as well as its wheeled loaders. The B30E features a new bonnet, improved styling and substantial technological improvements as part of the company's drive to reduce fuel consumption and improve the efficiency of its machines.

UK Cat dealer Finning will have the Cat 3060 mining shovel, new to the UK, as the centrepiece of its display of Cat equipment with Stage 3B compliant engines, many of which received their official European launch at Intermat.

The stand will also feature what Finning calls 'customer experience zones' and the official launch of the new Finning 'Finsight' monitoring service. Finsight incorporates Cat's Product Link GPS data with servicing information, fluid sampling and other features to improve performance and result in financial savings for customers. In addition, a seminar programme, bookable on the stand, will also be on offer, with details available during the show.

New to the UK from Liebherr will be the Stage 3b compliant 44 tonne R 950 Super Mass Excavator, placed between the standard R 946 and R 956, designed for increased productivity in tough stone applications. It will be exhibited alongside the L 566_2plus2 loading shovel, a PR 734 LGP dozer and a long reach A 924 C wheeled material handler. In the demonstration area, an R 964 C SME in full quarrying configuration will be working with Liebherr's largest wheeled loader, the fully hydrostatic L 5862plus2.

Case, too, will be in attendance with a number of its latest machines, including F Series wheeled loaders, C Series excavators and two of its latest skid steers, with a CX370C tracked excavator and a 1021F wheeled loader will be working at the quarry face in the Demonstration Area. In addition, Case will be running a round of its Operators' Rodeo skills competition, with operators getting to use the company's latest mini excavators and T Series backhoe loader.

Sister company New Holland will also be showcasing its Stage 3B machines, with a E215C tracked excavator, W190C and W270C wheeled loaders and an L225 skid steer on static display, and a W300C wheeled loader will be working in the Demonstration Area.

Volvo is another that will be showcasing its new Stage 3B machines at Hillhead Quarry, with representative models from the full range on show for the first time in the UK. On the stand will be its EC250D tracked excavator, which will be exhibited alongside an EC300D sporting a 21 m (69 ft) three piece demolition boom. Two wheeled loaders will also be on the stand, a 32 tonne L220G and at the other end of the range, a L60G. Other models from Volvo on show will include examples of its compact excavators and, from the road building sector, the new 2.5 tonne DD25 double tandem asphalt roller and the company's popular ABG6870 paver. Finally, a number of truck models, including the A40F articulated hauler, the FMX launched in the UK at the last Hillhead and the FH16.

Volvo will also have two state-of-the-art simulators running on the stand - stand visitors will be invited to take part in an 'Eco challenge', with a winner announced daily.

Komatsu is also using Hillhead to showcase its Stage 3B machines. Four new machines will be on the Marubeni Komatsu stand - the new PC700-8 and PC490LCD-10 excavators, the HM400-3 ADT and the D65WX-17 dozer. They will be joined on the stand by an HD785-7 rigid dump truck and a wheeled loader, the WA470LC-6.