by Kyle Molyneux | Wed 09 Dec 2020
YEAR IN REVIEW: March 2020
March, March, March. Infamous March 2020 - the month Great Britain and much of the world entered full-scale lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Things were still ticking along in construction, however. The massive CONEXPO-CON/AGG industry show in Las Vegas went ahead practically as normal, JCB hit a production milestone, and Caterpillar launched a range of new machinery among other notable events...
1) NEW CATERPILLAR BACKHOE LOADERS
Replacements for the 428F2, 432F2, 434F2 and 444F2 machines feature redesigned cabs, Stage 5 engines and power management modes. Read more.
2) HYUNDAI'S NEW HX220AL EXCAVATOR
The South Korean manufacturer had high hopes for its new A-series machine, which was among its first to meet Stage 5 emissions requirements. Read more.
3) RED DIESEL REBATE SCRAPPED
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak confirmed during his first Budget announcement, that the construction industry's red diesel rebate would end in April 2022. Read more.
4) CASE LOADERS GET THE JOB DONE
A trio of Case wheel loaders prove their muck-shifting ability to new owner Biowise Ltd (Wastewise) at a new composting facility in East Yorkshire. Read more.
5) NEW KUBOTA 5-TONNE RANGE
The KX060- 5, U56-5 and U50-5's designs were based on feedback from Kubota's customers and the manufacturer appeared to have got things just right. Read more.
6) JCB MAKES 750,000TH BACKHOE LOADER
The British manufacturer hit a big milestone in early March, as its 750,000th backhoe loader rolled off the production line in Staffordshire. Read more.
7) TOPCON LEADS THE WAY IN SLIGO
Part of Project Ireland 2040, Sligo Western Distributor Road developers called on support from Topcon’s 3D machine control systems. Read more.
8) MANUFACTURERS SIGN UP FOR LEICA TECH
Liebherr, John Deere, JCB and Hidromek have announced partnerships with Leica Geosystems to offer machine control technology on a raft of machines. Read more.
9) NEW CAT DEMOLITION EXCAVATOR
With a reach of 28m, Caterpillar's new 352 UHD Ultra High Demolition excavator promised to make light work of eight and nine storey structures. Read more.
10) DOOSAN DX380LC-7 EXCAVATOR
New, 40-tonne model packs 326hp and joins DX300LC-7 and DX350LC-7 to complete Doosan's latest range of Stage 5 emissions compliant diggers. Read more.
EARTHMOVERS MAGAZINE: MARCH 2020 ISSUE
Highlights of our March 2020 issue include Owner-Operator: Volvo EW60E – A user's views on this particular compact wheeled excavator, complete with a tilt-rotator attachment; First Impressions: Mecalac TLB890 – The first Mecalac backhoe loader off the line with a torque lock feature; Site Visit: Case CX250D – Jurassic-era stone extracted by a new excavator and classic machinery; Attachments: Engcon tilt-rotator – An experienced plant operator’s initial views on tilt-rotator operation; Owner-Operator: King’s Lynn Construction – machine and attachment choices made by a young company, but one with of lots experience already.
Buy the back issue here
