Innehållsförteckning för Issue 406 från Earthmovers & Excavators

Queensland mining company Batchfire Resources has been investing in its mining assets to boost productivity, reliability and fuel efficiency. It is achieving this through its ongoing partnership with Hastings Deering – the official Cat dealer for Queensland, Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. The energy coal mined by Batchfire Resources plays a crucial role in generating around 18 per cent of Queensland’s electricity needs every year. Investing in four new Cat D10 dozers and four new Cat D11 dozers over four years through Hastings Deering continues Batchfire’s strategy of upgrading its mining fleet to deliver operational and sustainability benefits. Batchfire Resources superintendent mobile – engineering and maintenance Daniel Boal says it is a priority for the mine to invest in new machinery that allows older…

Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. has announced that it has produced its first excavator exclusively through intelligent manufacturing (IM), where the entire manufacturing process is automated. Zoomlion’s IM is now producing excavators on average every six minutes. Zoomlion’s Excavation Machinery Smart Park has seven workshops and 61 intelligent production lines, six of which are fully unstaffed production lines. With a 100 per cent key process data collection rate, it has fully functional IM operations from material preparation, welding, machining, painting, assembly to debugging, and is one of the most advanced IM factories in the world. The Smart Park has an annual production capacity of 50,000 units of excavators with a tonnage range of 1.5 to 50 tons (1.4 to 45.4 tonnes). Zoomlion is utilising 5G,…

The new year came early for Queensland’s Olympus Loaders, with its FS400 wheel loader proving so popular that units earmarked for release at the beginning of this year already sold and on their way to customers. “It’s their reliability,” says Olympus Loaders director Simon Collins to Earthmovers & Excavators magazine. “We’ve got a big country with a small population so we’ve been growing by word of mouth and no-one can give them a bad rap because we’ve never had failures.” With many years of supplying loaders under his belt, having originally worked at the family business before setting up Olympus Loaders, Collins says his machinery is based around providing a value-for-money option for farmers and construction contractors across Australia. “I spend a lot of time servicing the agricultural community, talking…

Among Precisionscreen’s extensive range of Australia-built mobile screening, washing, crushing and recycling equipment is a set of mobile conveyors, running from the 10m (30-foot) SM450W through to the 30m (100-foot) SM1290 and SM12120 models. Built in Brisbane, Precisionscreen prides itself on creating heavy-duty equipment that can stand up to the high temperatures and dusty conditions on Australian worksites. Predominantly used for quarrying and mining applications, but also applicable for recycling and feedlot applications, the mobile conveyor range include features such as triple-sealed bearings, heavy duty conveyor belts and bespoke poly rollers with a deeper inset bearing to handle rough conditions, explains Precisionscreen chief operations officer Jonny McMurtry. “Like all of our machines, these conveyors are built to last,” he says. “We have customers who have high expectations, especially within the…

As most people who are familiar with the Brooks Hire story would know, the business was founded off the back of two un-serviceable air compressors purchased by Doug Brooks in 1979. From there the business grew to acquire other small equipment such as pumps, generators and welders. Then, in 1982, Brooks purchased his first mobile piece of plant – a secondh-and JEC crane. At that time, Brooks Hire Service was still operating out of a tin shed in the remote WA town of Eneabba, approximately 275km north-east of Perth. Brooks tendered a total of $30,150 for the crane and won the bid. Next, he had to find a way to pay for it. “I went and got a broker so I could borrow the money for the crane and they…

Speaking of behalf of Australia’s 537 councils, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) president Linda Scott says that rebuilding roads to current standards will only cost Australian communities more in the long-term. “In recent months, thousands of kilometres of local roads across NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland have been severely damaged by flooding, and in some cases, have been washed away,” Scott says. “ALGA has estimated the total cost of fixing and replacing these roads is in the vicinity of $3.8 billion, which is roughly the equivalent of Australia’s annual foreign aid budget. “Considering the ongoing impacts of climate change, we can’t simply rebuild our local infrastructure – including roads, footpaths and cycleways – to current standards, we need a fundamental shift in the way we fund, deliver and maintain…

These heavy-duty machines are the latest excavator models to launch as part of the John Deere Performance Tiering strategy. The 470 P-tier, 670 P-tier and 870 P-tier models offer enhanced visibility features, making them an ideal solution for operators looking to increase productivity on the job. In addition, the 470 P-tier comes equipped with grade management solutions engineered to minimise rework and boost productivity. “Excavators are known to be highly versatile and on almost every jobsite, so they need to perform day-in and day-out,” John Deere Construction & Forestry solutions marketing manager Justin Steger says. “Our largest P-tier excavators are built to deliver exceptional performance in harsh environments like aggregates, but also help operators increase efficiency and accuracy during high-production applications.” The 470 P-tier, 670 P-tier and 870 P-tier models…

Doosan has launched its two-tonne DX20Z-7 mini excavator in Europe, which it says is an ideal solution for confined space and indoor job sites, offering a zero tail swing design and a detachable canopy for low height entrance. A Yanmar 3TNV70 three-cylinder Stage V diesel engine provides an output of 10.3kW (13.8 horsepower) at 2,200 rpm. This results in fast cycle times combined with smooth control of breakout forces, which include a digging force over the bucket of 1.55 tonnes. In its standard configuration, the DX20Z-7 has an operating weight of 1,995kg. With the optional 1.1m-long arm, the maximum digging depth of the DX20Z-7 is 2,345mm, the maximum dump height is 2,750mm and the maximum reach at ground level is 3,975mm. The high lifting capacity makes loading trucks an easy…

The Australian Minerals and Energy Skills Alliance (AUSMESA) will work to finalise an Australian-first learning program aimed at eliminating disrespectful behaviour in the resources industry following the delivery of a pilot program in Perth. The learning program, Building Safe and Respectful Workplaces, was designed by AUSMESA in partnership with Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue Metals Group and will be delivered across Australia from early next year. More than 30 mining employees have now taken part in the pilot program, which was delivered in Perth by experienced facilitators from AUSMESA partner Griffith University in Queensland. AUSMESA chief executive Dr Gavin Lind says the program’s goal was to reach workers at all mining companies, large and small. “The results of the pilot will be fully evaluated by AUSMESA and feedback from the…

Future of Mining Australia – Sydney This two-day event brings together over 500 members of the mining industry and 40 exhibitors to discuss exploration and development, sustainability and optimisation, innovation and technology, strategy and planning, connectivity and digitisation and people and leadership. WHEN: February 20–21, 2023 MORE INFO: australia.future-of-mining.com Sydney Build, Sydney Infrastructure and Digital Construction Australia – Sydney Sydney Build, Sydney Infrastructure and Digital Construction Australia are held alongside one another, making it a huge event for the construction industry to be involved with. Free to attend, Sydney Build has over 500 exhibitors and over 400 speakers covering everything from safety to sustainability, Sydney Infrastructure has a wide range of speakers covering infrastructure projects and innovation in construction, and DCA brings in speakers to discuss trends in digital technology…

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) has partnered with SafeWork NSW to run a campaign focused on safe excavation. The campaign is now live and will run until April 2023. BYDA was set up to support safe work practices by providing free access to plans and information about infrastructure assets before a dig is undertaken, to reduce the risk of asset damage and facilitate operational efficiency. As part of the campaign, SafeWork NSW safety inspections will target high risk activities and operations in specific areas. It will inspect exclusion zones, location of services and the general competency and use of plant on construction sites. SafeWork NSW head Natasha Mann says that the ongoing wet conditions of La Niña have contributed to an increase in excavation incidents due to bad ground conditions…

A new initiative to safeguard small businesses online has been established by Telstra and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). The pilot program, named Cyber Wardens, aims to become the country’s first cyber safety workplace certification for the small business sector. It is designed specifically for small business and aims to upskill the country’s workforce to give small business owners and employees the adequate tools and knowledge they need to stay safe online. Cyber Wardens will extend across all industries, including earthmoving and construction, where many enterprises operate as small businesses. Figures from the Australian Industry and Skills Committee suggest most construction businesses are either sole traders or employ fewer than 20 people. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), 43 per cent of all cybercrime online…

Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) will become the official material handling partner of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) under a new deal that will also see the Toyota Forklifts brand become the naming rights sponsor for three Group 3 races. The three-year partnership will commence at the beginning of this year, with TMHA set to become an extensive presence at ATC venues, which include Randwick Racecourse, Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury Park, Warwick Farm and the Rosehill Bowling Club. TMHA signage, in-venue media and an active presence at events such as the Everest are part of the agreement. The three Group 3 races to bear the Toyota Forklifts name are the $500,000 Toyota Forklifts Gloaming Stakes on Silver Eagle Day, $160,000 Toyota Forklifts Doncaster Prelude on Stakes Day and $160,000 Toyota Forklifts…

Cat’s 340 hydraulic excavator, now available in Australia, provides 10 per cent better productivity compared to its predecessor – the 336 2020 model – thanks to upgrades to the engine and tracks, plus a 7.5-tonne counterweight that boosts stability. Featuring a next-generation electrohydraulic system, Cat says the 340 boasts the best production capability in the 40-tonne class for tonnes moved per hour. Durability has also been a focus for the design team, with reinforced structures introduced to ensure long-term durability in harsh digging, hammer applications and loading. Under the hood, the Cat C9.3B engine features three modes to match excavator power with job requirements to best manage fuel consumption. Power mode delivers maximum power for the most demanding tasks, smart mode matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions automatically…

It is the second acquisition in as many months for the Swedish mining equipment manufacturer, following the announcement that Epiroc had become the majority owner of Australian mine connectivity provider Radlink. The agreement was first announced on October 31 but was only formalised in November. Epiroc says the deal to purchase Remote Control Technologies (RCT) will boost its capabilities as an automation solutions provider around the world for both surface and underground rock drilling as well as underground loading and haulage. Perth-based RCT provides automation and remote-control solutions for mining customers across Australia and in more than 70 countries. The company’s technology is applicable for either a single machine or across an entire fleet and is manufacturer-agnostic. RCT also provides data and information systems, fleet and machine management systems and…

Kobelco has selected IFS Cloud to improve its supply chain, from procurement to manufacturing, sales and service management. This major agreement will see IFS Cloud implemented for 8,000 users across Kobelco’s operations in 11 countries, starting with its home market in Japan. Its construction equipment can be customised in the field and requires individualised management even after sale, and Kobelco found its previous platform was unable to support the required functionality without the development of a huge add-on system. IFS Cloud can handle customers’ customisations and integration with services, improving the quality and speed of service Kobelco provides to customers. “IFS Solutions has a proven track record of supporting the core operations of global machinery manufacturers and has a high level of expertise that contributes to the realisation of business…

Currently available for Komatsu excavators in the 13 to 36-tonne range, the Retrofit Kit turns older models into intelligent machines for improved efficiency and cost savings. To showcase the advanced functionality the kit brings, Komatsu has been running a highly popular introductory offer combining the kit with its PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 excavator models, which Komatsu national business manager – construction Scott Berry says are the company’s biggest-selling construction machines. “They’re a really good machine – a medium-sized excavator that you can put a breaker or bucket on and they’re big enough to fill trucks, as well as being a good size for transport,” Berry says. “It can do everything, from rail work to any type of construction site. Even on bigger building sites they’re good as a utility machine to…

The Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) has commended Transport for NSW for its adoption of the AfPA’s Guide for Locating Underground Utility Services on Profiling Projects. This guide provides information on safety procedures concerning the management of underground services, with Transport for NSW adopting the methodology for the process of cold milling – removing asphalt and concrete from a road surface – as part of its road building and maintenance activities. The guide, developed alongside AfPA members and industry partners including energy company Jemena, is a significant milestone in roadworker safety, says AfPA. It says work around undocumented infrastructure has previously exposed workers to extreme dangers, including gas mains and electrical hazards. The guide provides a step-by-step flow chart to help road crews minimise accidental damage of buried pipes and…

An AFC Energy H-Power Tower is being used on the Mace Dragados JV site to provide mobile emission-free charging for a fully electric JCB telehandler. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered generator is also being used to charge lighting towers and a water pump. “This is the second of three alternative-fuel cell generators we have brought to our Euston station site this year, making clear our commitment to supporting HS2 with its aspiration to help drive a low carbon future in the UK,” Mace Dragados program director Ben Wheeldon says. “By using the electricity generated by the AFC Energy’s unit to power a very visible piece of equipment that we use on site each and every day, we’re reminding our workforce of the need to put decarbonisation at the forefront of our…

Once built, the 35,000 square metre centre will be the company’s biggest service centre in the world, offering its customers comprehensive maintenance and repair services within the mining heartland of Australia. The centre will cater for mining and aggregate customers in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions and will offer shorter lead times and increased productivity for its customers. The facility will feature a 5,000 square metre workshop as well as 18,000 square metres of storage space, where Metso Outotec will store its range of repair parts. The centre will be furnished with equipment necessary to repair large mining crushers, grinding mills, screens and car dumpers. It will also act as a customer training facility and hold inventory for customer-critical wear and spare parts. Metso Outotec says the total investment of…

The Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) has announced the winners of its 2022 CCF National Earth Day Awards, highlighting projects from across Australia. The winners were announced at a Gala Dinner on 11 November 2022 at the Hotel Realm in Canberra, where 250 people from across the civil construction industry gathered to recognise 47 finalists, all of whom were category winners at the state and territory level. Newly elected CCF National President Mick Boyle awarded Tasmania’s Adrian Granger a CCF Lifetime Membership Award in recognition of his enormous contribution to the civil construction industry at the state and national levels. The winners of the CCF National Earth Awards are: Project value up to $2M: Kentish Council and Treloar Civil & Quarries Wilks Road Extension: Improved road access to Lorinna, a small…

HS2’s contractors, the Balfour Beatty/Vinci Systra joint venture (BBVS JV) and the Skanska Costain/Strabag joint venture (SCS JV), have collaborated to construct a network of conveyors that will move over five million tonnes of spoil. The conveyor network has three spurs, serving the Old Oak Common station site, the Victoria Road Crossover box site and the Atlas Road site. At Old Oak Common, HS2 Ltd’s station contractor BBVS JV will use the conveyor to remove the 1.5 million tonnes of spoil that is being excavated for the station box – the subsurface structure in which the HS2 platforms will be constructed. “The launch of our conveyor system in west London is yet another important progress milestone for HS2 Ltd,” HS2 Ltd’s stations client director Lee Holmes says. “This impressive network…

While activity across the industry contracted for the sixth consecutive month, the rate of decline eased in November compared to October. According to the Australian Performance of Construction Index (PCI), which is produced by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and Housing Industry Association (HIA) each month, activity across the construction industry improved slightly by 4.9 points to 48.2 in November. Index readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity, while results above 50 indicate expansion. Overall construction activity rose by 6.1 points in November yet still finds itself in contraction at 46.6, with the rise in activity boosted by a sharp increase in the number of house and apartment building work undertaken across the month. House building rose by 8.7 points (to 42.0) while apartment construction rose an impressive…

This is the first time that any major construction company will have tested this tool developed out of the Hiboo single, multi-manufacturer, seamless data platform. It will enable NGE to collect data transmitted by its 2,600 items of plant and machinery worldwide. Hiboo is a French specialist in equipment-generated data processing and will provide NGE with data covering the full range of key operating indicators (usage, engine idling rate, fuel used, faults, etc.) required to optimise productivity worksite-by-worksite and region-by-region. This initiative sees NGE expand from collecting and measuring data on engine idling hours using the Hiboo platform. NGE is also working with machinery rental companies BM Rent and ENCO to access data generated by plant and machinery rented to NGE. From now on, Hiboo will be able to measure…

Magna Tyres has expanded its range of mining and earthmoving tyres with three new sizes – the 775/65R29 Magna M-Terrain+, 15.5R25 Magna MA10+ and 17.5R25 Magna MA08. 775/65R29 Magna M-Terrain+ The M-Terrain range was developed to perform on all terrains and for different machines. It has now been expanded with the addition of the Magna M-Terrain+ to the range, which has been specially developed for articulated dump trucks. The Magna M-Terrain+ has a super wide tread width and high tread depth that provides outstanding tyre wear, Magna stays. The tyre’s even area minimises vibration, resulting in improved operator comfort. The new 775/65R29 Magna M-Terrain+ L4 size of tyre can handle up to 20,600kg (the E4 goes up to 12,150kg). 15.5R25 Magna MA10+ The Magna MA10+ L5 tyre range has been…

Cat 349, 352, 374 and 395 large hydraulic excavators can now be equipped with Cat Command for Excavating. The remote-control system removes operators from potentially hazardous jobsite conditions and it reduces potential safety risks from climbing on and off machines. The Cat Command station allows for non-line-of-sight remote control, where users can control all basic machine functions like digging, lifting and tracking. Additionally, Caterpillar exclusive machine technologies like Cat Grade with 3D for Excavators, Grade with Assist for boom and bucket, Swing Assist, E-Fence and others can be set, activated and used remotely. The technology helps improve machine productivity on various projects like operating in unstable underfoot conditions, brownfields, shore work and demolition. It also allows production to restart immediately following disruptive processes such as blasting in quarry applications. The…

The upgrades are part of revisions to the range that will see the new R 972, R 978 SME and R 998 SME crawler excavators replace the R 966, R 970 SME, R 976 and R 980 SME models. Among the changes to the new excavators is a new designation, which Liebherr says is related to the operating weight of the machines. Using the patented Liebherr Power Efficiency (PE) engine control system, the new excavators boast a significant reduction in overall energy consumption compared to their predecessors, it says. Using the PE function, the new models reduce fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent. The new excavator range is also available with the bucket fill assist function whereby operators have additional support when using the machine by preventing the…

Hidromek remains the market leader in Turkey and has sold in excess of 50,000 machines around the world through its global dealer network. Hidromek has developed a range of machinery that has obtained an impressive list of design awards including German Design Awards, IF Design Germany Awards, Red Dot Awards, ABC Awards, Automotive Brand Contest Awards and several Good Design Awards. Hidromek is continuously developing its existing machinery range and expanding with new releases. In the last few years a new series of excavators has been released, along with numerous new machinery models. At the latest bauma show, Hidromek launched several new releases, including the HMK630WL wheel loader, K4-Series backhoe loader, a tracked mini backhoe loader HMK62T, HMK680MG grader, HMK235LCSR, HMK520LCHD, HMK150WR and more. Onetrak took over the national distribution…

What a year. Even the best crystal ball was clouded. The year started with the borders opening and the inevitable wave of COVID-19 spreading across the country. In addition, we have seen Russia invade Ukraine, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the succession of King Charles III, three British Prime Ministers, the Beijing Winter Olympics and the world’s population reaching eight billion people. In Australia, we have seen: a change of federal government, widespread floods, increasing inflation, eight interest rate rises, record low unemployment, high fuel and energy costs, an accelerating commitment to renewable energy and a shortage of skilled labour. The stimulus programs designed to support Australia’s economy were starting to hit their straps. In hindsight, whilst well meaning, this could this be considered too much too quickly…

Position Partners was named runner-up in this year’s TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech Apprentice Awards for the Large Employer of the Year award. The company was nominated for its unique apprenticeship program, co-created with TAFE Queensland to build the right skills and knowledgebase for Position Partners field technicians. “Our field technicians require a mix of skills and training to be able to support our customers with high precision machine control technology on heavy earthmoving equipment,” Position Partners strategic head of people & culture Bernadette Taoro Ashin says. “We are delighted to have received recognition from TAFE Queensland at the awards night this year – it has been great to partner with them and collaborate on a progressive, tailored program that is helping to fast-track our apprentices with the skills they need…

Vögele’s latest-generation Super 1900-5(i) and Super 2100-5(i) road pavers and AB 500 and AB 600 extending screeds were a hit a bauma 2022, where they went on display for the first time. The Super 1900-5(i) manages pave widths between 2.55m and 11.5m, while the Super 2100-5(i) operates up to 14m. Both pavers feature a flexible, modular system that is easy to use via the touchscreen interface. The new paver access control (PAC) function enables these pavers to be equipped for work on the job site more quickly, more conveniently and more safely, with all initial steps – such as switching on lights, starting the diesel engine, booting up the machine control system, putting up the hardtop and locking it in position, as well as lowering the screed – to be…

The Newcastle branch will help Yello Equipment to provide better service to the Hunter Region of NSW and act as a gateway to the Central West. Yello says customers in these regions will enjoy more localised support from the brand. The new Newcastle dealership will be located at 56 Sandringham Place, Thornton. The branch will stock the full range of Sany excavators and customers will be able to organise one-on-one meetings with staff as well as walkarounds and demos of the machines. Yello Equipment general manager Andy Hopcroft says opening a new branch in Newcastle was an important decision in the business’ ability to service the region. “This is an important and necessary step in the expansion of Yello Equipment and I’m excited that we will be able to offer…

It’s normal for people to enjoy being in the company of others seeking similar experiences or sharing the fun. In addition to the social aspect, grouping of attractions enables quick comparison with what is being offered. This crowd effect is what works so well with the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo. Being able to compare technology, equipment and services and mixing with likeminded people is the reason why so many industry visitors are attracted to this major event. Large crowds of people who come from the earthmoving, construction, grounds maintenance, safety, financial services, asset management, transport and material handling industries visit the Expo to make informed purchasing decisions. It is this concentration of qualified sales prospects that makes a lot of sense to exhibitors to be at Australia’s largest…

‘Guido’ the sky-blue Cat 299D3 compact track loader was on an awareness drive throughout November as part of the Movember men’s health initiative. Around 10.8 million men globally are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men and one man dies by suicide every minute around the world, with men accounting for 69 per cent of all suicides. Based on the success of its pink 299D3 for the Mater Chicks in Pink’s breast cancer awareness campaign, Julie Rowe from Hastings Deering’s Cat Rental Team tasked the operations team with customising a machine to serve as the company mascot to promote men’s health. Taking inspiration from the Disney Pixar movie Cars, the concept of Guido was developed. Guido’s custom moustache and eyes…

A new 11-part qualification industry skills card has been created by the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AFPA) that will support better career development for workers and attract more people into the sector, it says. AFPA says the new skills card will improve the overall quality of work on Australia’s roads and improve worker safety through a set of specially designed part qualifications introduced under the national qualification RII30920 Certificate III in Civil Construction – Bituminous Surfacing. The skills card is transferrable and recognises prior experience. The following skills sets within the industry card have been developed to date: safely handle bituminous materials asphalt surfacing spray sealing profile planer operations in-situ stabilisation operations. “Simply put, those who deliver the nation’s highest order roads should possess qualifications specific to this industry to…