Construction Equipment News

Komatsu America has recently decided to partner with Propeller Aero in order to bring enterprise-grade drone analytics solutions to the forefront of the construction industry. This boost to the efficiency of construction job sites is thanks to drone-powered mapping and analytics software. This technology can be used to then create detailed aerial maps used to make important logistic decisions.

Volvo’s 2018-2019 Road Institute is now open for registration, making this their 53rd season for newcomers and veterans alike. Sessions will begin in late October of 2018 and continue through May 2019. Being the paving industry’s premier training program, a mix of classroom and hands-on training will be offered in a variety of operations and maintenance topics.

Cat’s latest and greatest D8T dozer is an operator’s dream, providing the ultimate in ease with a full range of technology options, increased power and steering performance, and added blade capacity, which ultimately allows for a faster payback. Designed to move more material in less time, at a lower cost per ton, for a faster return on equipment investment, this new dozer seems to have it all. Not only does the D8T provide better fuel efficiency with it’s all-new fully automatic transmission, but it also delivers up to 18 percent more productivity.

As a replacement for their GSH15B Series, Cat’s brand new GSH420/GSH520 orange-peel grapples have been designed specifically with refinements for effectively handling bulk materials. These grapples are ideal for a wide variety of applications, such as handling shredded scrap, like long structural beams and car bodies, handling rocks at construction sites, and dealing with waste at recycling and transfer stations. This new level of performance and efficiency are meant to help waste-handling operators to meet the increased challenges surrounding environmental regulation, tight budgets, and the pressure to recycle.

Caterpillar has designed a new series of mobile shears, the S2000 and S3000, especially for hydraulic excavators working in scrap and demolition applications. The shears are manufactured from alloy steel, which is substantially harder than T1 type steel and has both superior yield and tensile-strength properties, allowing for an overall longer lifespan. Additionally, optimum force-to-weight ratios on these models provide quicker cycle times and more cuts per hours that previous models, giving them that edge of efficiency.

Liebherr-France in Colmar is continuing their compact product line with their recent series production of the new R926 Compact crawler excavator. Not only does this model have higher levels of production than previous models, but it also comes with a Stage IV / Tier 4f emission standards compliant engine without a DPF or EGR valve. The R926, a new player in the 15 to 35 tonne weight range, is versatile in urban areas or on narrow construction sites.

Foley Power Solutions, a division of Foley Equipment, has expanded their offerings to include solar, microgrid, and energy storage systems using the Cat Microgrid technology suite. This tech aims to reduce fuel expenses, decrease emissions, trim utility bills, and overall, to lower the total cost of ownership. With these panels, companies will be able to boost their energy efficiency even in the most challenging environments.

Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GbH continues to innovate with solutions optimized to suit specific applications and machines with their extensive product portfolio of buckets, attachments, and quick coupler systems of the highest quality standards. These can be used for both Liebherr hydraulic excavators and material handlers, as well as machines from other manufacturers. With extensive experience, Liebherr has created a portfolio for all applications from digging tools for the earthmoving sector to grabs for diverse applications in material handling technology.

The recent announcement of the introduction of the WA480-8 Wheel Loader by Komatsu America Corp. was met with excitement for those looking for the multiple-application versatility sweet spot. With higher production and less fuel burn, this model also offers improved operator comfort and more superior serviceability. The new loader is even equipped with an EPA Tier 4 Final certified emissions regulations-compliant engine.

JCB debuted the two new additions to their compact excavator series, the 19C-1 and the 18Z-1. The 19C-1, the largest of the two machines, is a 4,211 lb (1.9 ton) conventional tailswing model. The smaller 18Z-1 is a 3,856 lb (1.8 ton) machine, and the first zero tailswing model in the 1-2 ton excavator class. Both models were designed specifically with construction and landscaping capabilities in mind, and will be available to renters in the US and Canada.

The all new Cat CW16 Pneumatic Compactor now features two-wheel configuration and ballast choices, making it an exciting new addition to the Caterpillar lineup. This rubber-tire roller is designed to perform efficiently on granular materials and all types of asphalt-mix designs, including highways, city streets, county roads, lane additions, industrial sites, overlays, or other mid-size jobs. This versatile machine is available as a standard nine-wheel model with a 69-inch (1754 mm) compaction width or as an optional 11-wheel model with an 84-inch (2 132 mm) compaction width.

Western Global’s newest on-site refueling and fuel storage solution is here: the EnviroCube tank. Being a leading manufacturer of fuel and fluid storage solutions, Western Global has provided the ideal tank for cutting costs on fuel and reducing downtime when refueling equipment and fleet vehicles. The cube even has a secure, lockable cabinet in order to protect controls, hoses, ports, and fittings from theft, as well as the elements.

Volvo Construction Equipment’s recent update to their Load Assist, On-Board Weighing is now able to provide operators with payload accuracy within ± 1% accuracy. Thanks in part to the help of a new version of the Android platform, owners can access real-time information on every bucket load using the Co-Pilot display. The update will apply to L110H and L260H wheel loaders.

Caterpillar's brand new 814K wheel dozer is a tough operations dream, thanks to its rugged structure which has the ability to achieve multiple life cycles under the toughest of operating conditions. This allows the dozer to deliver high production operation in various applications such as mining work, heavy civil construction work, ground preparation, and subbase work. The 814K is also equipped with a an efficient power unit and transmission drive, a new, sound-suppressed cab, and a centralized service station configuration, giving it a streamlined edge over competitors.

Cat’s B-Prefix hydraulic hammers could be your next exceptional choice when it comes to a machine that is not only simple in design and maintenance, but also offers exceptional reliability and ease-of-use. This line of hammers was designed for operations suited for skid steer loaders, multi-terrain, loaders, compact track loaders, mini hydraulic excavators (3- to 8-ton operating weights), and backhoe loaders working in a range of construction and light-demolition applications, including site prep, landscaping, masonry, and concrete breaking. Designed for “plug-and-play” operation, these versatile hammers are available in B4(s) and B6(s) silenced and B4 and B6 non-silenced versions. As a package solution, the matching Caterpillar-designed hydraulic kits are also offered and the best fit for Cat machines, providing customers a breaker package with superior design and benefits.

John Deere has increased their machine warranty on all Commercial Worksite Products to two years. The move comes as a new strategic move to boost confidence and demonstrate their commitment to producing the industry’s most reliable and durable machinery. The coverage is set to include newly purchased compact excavators, compact wheel loaders, skid steer loaders, and compact track loaders.

Hitachi made a new addition to their North American ultrashort excavator lineup with their most powerful reduced-tail-swing excavator to date, the ZX345USLC-6. This machine was built to deliver power and efficiency in confined spaces with its increased reach, dig forces, bucket capacity, and lift capacity. In addition to this excavator’s full-size cab being the only one one a reduced tail swing machine in the industry, it is also comfortable and roomy.

John Deere has recently announced customer-driven updates being made to their 13-47 ton excavator models. These updates will improve productivity, uptime, and daily operating costs. Additionally, the 210G LC excavator will now be equipped with a grade guidance system, developed in cooperation with Topcon. This system will provide operators with information on the bucket’s location with respect to a 2D reference or 3D design surface and is ideal for digging trenches for pipe, shaping ditches or slopes, or digging structure foundations.

In recent weeks, Hitachi debuted their next generation wheeled excavator, the ZX190W-6. Not only is this wave of excavator more efficient, reliable, and durable than predecessors, but it’s also more convenient now that it no longer needs a diesel particulate filter (DPF). This is made possible by the excavator’s certified Final Tier 4 (FT4)/EU Stage IV Isuzu engine.

John Deere recently rolled out updates to their maneuverable 190G wheeled excavator. This powerhouse is idea for work in heavily populated centers due to its flexibility and range of features. The 190G is the “Swiss army knives” of excavators, with the ability to do everything from clearing out ditches and repair sewers and potholes to loading trucks and moving Jersey barriers.