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Digger’s Plantworx 2017 highlights (Part Three)

Mon 19 Jun 2017

Digger’s Plantworx 2017 highlights (Part Three)

Star attraction on the ECY Haulmark stand was the Kiesel KLS 400 Lift Star machine which has recently been purchased by demolition experts AR Demolition. The machine which is the first of its kind to be delivered into the UK market is based on a Hitachi excavator and has been converted by Kiesel who are the German dealers for Hitachi products. The machine features a triple articulated boom (TAB) and as you might expect it is fitted with the OilQuick automatic quick coupler system supplied by ECY Haulmark, which enables rapid changeover of hydraulic attachments, such as shear, grab, hammer and buckets. The machine was being demonstrated by well-known demolition operator Dave “Simmo” Simmons. There was a real buzz around the Finning stand as the company officially launched its Ready2Go retail proposition. Ideally suited and specified for the UK hire market, Finning showcased how the Cat Compact range of micro and mini excavators will now become far more accessible. The Cat 300.9D, 301.7D and seen below the 305E2 CR are amongst the first excavators embedded into the proposition. According to Finning, Ready2Go recognises industry requirements; if you purchase just one machine each year, or, due to the growing market, you require additional machines to support your fleet deal – each machine needs to be delivered quickly, and essentially, ‘Ready2Go’ on hire. Japanese manufacturer chose Plantworx to display its long awaited 8 tonne class offering the N085uj. This machine impressed me during my test drive for Earthmovers Magazine and according to Hanix Europe’s Managing Director Paul Clarke sales are going very well indeed. The N085uj is the first of a new generation of Hanix ‘urban’ mini- and midi-excavators. A high-performance 2615cc Kubota V2607 engine provides 43kW of power for this 8315kg machine and its relatively low capacity delivers excellent fuel economy, with emissions in line with EU Stage IIIB regulations. This model is available with an option of either short or long dipper arm – the longer option increasing maximum digging depth and ground level reach to 4505mm and 7135mm respectively. Hanix Europe also showcased a new product for the UK market in the form of a tracked aerial platform. Once again manufactured in Japan by Hanix Europe’s parent company, Nagano Industry, they will be introducing these machines to the UK during 2017.The NUL13Suj pictured below weighs in at just over 8 tonnes and tops the range with a maximum platform height of 13 metres, and a working radius of almost 12 metres. Yorkshire based plant hire and sales company R Bunton who are dealers for Hidromek and Bergmann displayed an example of the German manufacturers 3012 HK models of site dumper. These well engineered dumptrucks offer exceptional visibility around the machine and also feature a Hardox heavy duty bulk body. The first model of these was recently sold to Somerset based JD Pope Plant Hire. Compact rubber ducks are all the rage at the moment and Volvo’s latest offering the EW60E was gaining a lot of attention on the company’s stand as a static display. Meanwhile on the demo plot another example fitted with a Steelwrist tilt-rotator was available for visitors to get “hands on” with. Case Construction Equipment’s impressive looking new 25 tonne class compact radius excavator offering the CX245D SR was dominating the company’s stand. One of the first examples of this model in the UK has just been sold to Essex based drainage company CP Dynes and I am hoping to be paying the machine a visit in the not too distant future. Kubota chose Plantworx to officially launch its new KX042-4 Eco Friendly mini excavator to the market place. Described as one of the most environmentally friendly excavators in its class, this 4.2 tonne machine boasts increased levels of productivity in Power Mode and the same levels of productivity in ECO Mode, whilst saving up to 20% on fuel costs. On the Marubeni -Komatsu demo plot the team were showcasing the merits of Komatsu’s award winning intelligent Machine Control system. Visitors were invited to take to the controls of a PC210LCi-11 hydraulic excavator to find out for themselves how they can move material efficiently, with no worry about digging too deep or damaging the target surface. Also on the demo plot was the Komatsu D51PXi-24 dozer which was also fitted with the intelligent Machine Control system. There is no doubt that this technology is the way forward for plant and machinery and I expect to see a massive increase in manufacturers offering factory fitted solutions over the coming years. Finnish manufacturer Avant displayed a wide variety of its quirky compact loader range including this fully electric battery powered loader concept the E5, which we first caught sight of at Bauma last year. The machine is the same size as the company’s 500 series, but offers, zero emissions levels, low noise levels and lower running costs compared to an equivalent diesel powered model. The Finnish company said that a battery-operated machine was especially well suited for indoor areas where no or very little ventilation is possible. Its low noise level enables work in noise restricted areas or where minimum interference caused by work site noise is a benefit. During a visit to the Doosan stand this young lady was being offered a chance to operate an example of the manufacturers 30 tonne class DX300LC-5 models. It all looked like a bit of a challenge but she came off smiling from ear to ear and clearly enjoyed her bit of “stick time”. Finally in this last installment on Plantworx 2017, during a visit to the Wacker Neuson stand I was delighted to be offered some stick time myself on the company’s largest hydraulic excavator the ET145 which is a 15 tonne class machine and competes against Takeuchi’s TB2150. Like its Japanese competitor this machine features an off-set arm and dozer blade. I was impressed with the machines smooth response in operation and hope to get a chance to put one through its paces for a full report in Earthmovers Magazine in the future. So that’s it for Plantworx 2017, a challenging show for visitors and exhibitors alike thanks to the unhelpful UK weather. Let’s hope lessons have been learnt and a better walkway grid format will be put in place for the 2019 event.

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