The market for compact construction machines is seeing the introduction of many new models, particularly in key segments such as compact loaders, wheeled excavators, load carriers and attachments. Aimed at the rental market, low running costs and emissions are key factors.
However, the biggest change for the utility equipment market is in the segment for attachments and attachment systems, with many new models being unveiled.
Attachments
Tiltrotator, quick hitch and excavator accessory manufacturer engcon is launching its third-generation (3G) products. The German company’s new tiltrotator system is taking progressive steps towards sustainability, applying smart technology to reduce energy consumption and is adapted to be ready for the electrification of excavators.
The new tiltrotator benefits from a newly developed type of valve, in combination with smart software that works with the excavator’s load-sensing hydraulic system.
This optimises both the tiltrotator’s functions and the excavator’s movements, which the company says leads to smoother digging with higher precision. The excavator’s wear, and need for maintenance, simultaneously decreases, says engcon.
With an app, the 3G tiltrotator system also enables a higher degree of individual customisation in, for example, connected remote diagnostics and mobile support.
For compatibility with modern excavator systems, engcon also builds in a newly developed tilt and rotation sensor as standard in its third-generation product.
Initial 3G excavator models are the EC319 (14-19tonnes) and EC314 (9-14tonnes). The model programme will then be steadily expanded.
From Epiroc comes new models to its V Cutter range, said to offer a new way to work with rock, concrete wall and surface profiling, trenching, soft rock excavation, frozen soil excavation, and demolition. This new model suits carriers weighing from 15-28tonnes.
Mounting the drums in a V-shape enables a cut with a flat base and no material is left untouched between the drums, says Epiroc. Where a regular drum cutter has to move from side to side to create an even trench, an approach that causes extra wear on the carrier arm, the V Cutter can reach the same result by going straight. This means the user can dig a more accurate trench much faster, says the company. The V Cutter is said to enable energy savings of up to 40%.
In addition, the company said, compared to a chain cutter, operators save more than 40% on picks and up to 50% on maintenance time. The investment is up to 25% lower than for a chain cutter and the lower weight makes it possible to use a smaller carrier.
And for more productivity, efficiency and safety, Kramer is presenting an improved quick-change plate to the fully hydraulic quick-change system called Smart Attach.
The proven Kramer quick-change mounting continues to form the basis for the further development to the now fully hydraulic quick-hitch system Smart Attach.
The dimensions of both quick-hitch systems are identical, so that existing attachments can continue to be used. Increased safety for the driver, no leakage of oil and, above all, time savings when changing attachments are just some of the advantages that the system offers users.
Simex is widening its range of planer attachments with the introduction of the new PL 2000 model. This shares technical features with the existing PL 1000, PL 1200 and PL 1500 models, but is larger and more powerful.
The previous top-of-the-range model from the firm was the PL 1500 model, with a 1.5m-wide drum. However, the new PL 2000 features a 2m-wide drum, making it the largest planer attachment currently on the market for use with compact loaders.
The unit is said to be highly durable and is able to cope with tough operating conditions. The quality of the milling drum is said to be high due to the use of robotic welding during manufacture, which ensures a rugged and durable tooth holder offering both longevity and performance.
The PL 2000 can be mounted on new generation skid steer loaders and compact tracked loaders featuring high hydraulic power. Features include independent depth adjustment of the slides on the right and left sides, to ensure flat surfaces with side-by-side passes, as well as a hydraulic side shift that allows milling flush to the walls or sidewalks. In addition, a floating transverse tilt allows the operator to keep the planer aligned to the road surface even when the base machine is not parallel to the ground. The units have the proven Simex self-levelling system, which ensures a constant milling depth regardless of the conditions of the road surface. Also fitted are the firm’s dust suppression system with integrated and increased water tank as well as Simex’s own Performer device, which helps to keep the correct speed of advance.
For attaching hydraulic units to carrier machines, Steelwrist’s quick coupler and tiltrotator range is being extended with the new SQ50, a fully automatic high flow and Open-S compliant solution for mid-size excavators.
The new range of SQ50 quick couplers and tiltrotators is targeted at the 7-13tonne excavator range. Steelwrist SQ is a high- performing fully automatic oil connection technology used in quick couplers and tiltrotators on excavators to connect hydraulic work tools. Outstanding flow characteristics and competitive building height and weight are significant advantages of SQ50. It meets the specifications of the Open-S standard for fully automatic quick couplers.
The SQ50 will be phased in on X12 and X14 tiltrotators which means that future S-type quick couplers and tiltrotators will be upgradeable to SQ-type.
S50 and SQ50 quick couplers are steel casted and have the Steelwrist front pin lock safety solution. The lock is a mechanical lock of the front shaft which significantly limits the risk of an unintended drop of work tools.
Meanwhile, the X12 and X14 tiltrotators have been redesigned. They come with a new top and attachment coupler to make it possible to upgrade from S50 to SQ50 at a later stage, even if the customer did not include SQ in the initial order.
Compact loaders
In the segment for compact wheeled loaders, a range of new models are now being made available for customers, with electric drive being a key selling point.
Kramer is now introducing its improved 5055e mode with its electric drive allowing work in noise-sensitive areas. The 5055e is compact and its all-wheel steering makes it manoeuvrable. One electric motor is installed for the drive system and provides a high level of performance.
It has a dump reach of 320mm, a dumping height of 2,350mm. Total height, with the cabin, is 2,390mm and width is 1,650mm. Ground clearance is 280mm, operating weight is 4.15tonnes and maximum speed is 17km/h.
Meanwhile, Kubota is expanding its line-up of articulated wheel loaders with the launch of a new telescopic loader, the RT105T-2 and two new electric loaders, the RT210-2e and RT220-2e.
The RT105T-2 is based on the RT100-2, with an engine delivering 18.6kW compared with the 15kW of the earlier variant as well as a telescopic arm allowing a maximum height at hinge pin of 2,820mm as against 2,170mm. The company believes it will be an asset for customers requiring more reach, while still able to work in narrow jobsites like the RT100-2.
The RT210-2e and RT220-2e are Kubota’s first electric articulated wheeled loaders. Based on the diesel-powered RT210-2 and RT220-2, the Kubota engine is replaced by an electric system consisting of two electric motors – one to propel the machine and one working the hydraulics – plus a battery pack.
Kubota believes the RT210-2e will be of particular interest because of its lifting height, while the RT220-2e’s lifting capacity is aimed at construction and rental companies. The electric motors provide power on sites where quiet operation is at a premium, as well as having no CO2 emissions.
Wacker Neuson’s zero-emission portfolio includes the company’s popular E-wheeled loader WL20e that has been in production since 2015. The third generation version of the WL20e now has a powerful lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Customers will be able to choose from among three battery versions in the future. There is also now a completely closed cab for operation year-round.
Wheeled excavators
New models are also coming to the wheeled excavator segment, with low emissions and versatility being key features.
Doosan’s new 10tonne DX100W-7 wheeled excavator is a medium-size machine and is said to offer the best compromise between compactness and agility, with the option of four-wheel steering and a crabbing mode, with two-wheel steering as standard.
The 10tonne weight class is new to the Doosan range and the DX100W-7 offers a high performance for urban and road maintenance applications. The integral 1.35tonne counterweight ensures the highest stability for lifting work in combination with the articulated boom and long arm. The boom ensures that the operator can position the machine as close as possible to trucks during loading.
In addition, the DX100W-7 offers maximised lifting capacities and digging forces, as well as satisfying a requirement in some countries for a wheeled excavator with a travelling height of under 4m.
Other safety features include a ROPS cab with a premium seat as standard. An operator can use the large touchscreen to easily browse all machine settings, including the view from the standard side and rearview cameras. The availability on the DX100W-7 of an optional 360° all-round view camera, linked with an optional ultrasonic detection system is said to be novel for a machine of this size.
With 75kW from a Doosan D34 G2 Stage V engine, the DX100W-7 has high engine power, hydraulic flow and traction force. The high flow from the smooth and precise hydraulics can power a wide range of attachments. In addition, there are two different pumps providing independent hydraulic flow for the transmission and to power hydraulic tools on the front end.
The new DX100W-7 comes with DoosanCONNECT TMS 3.0 wireless fleet monitoring system.
From Hyundai comes a highly innovative machine in the shape of its fuel cell-powered wheeled excavator. This is being unveiled in pre-production form.
The firm announced that it would be working on a fuel cell-powered machine two years ago, with this novel machine now being shown. Hyundai Construction Machinery established a partnership with Hyundai’s on-road vehicle business to develop the fuel cell technology, which is now being proven in the automotive sector.
A launch date has yet to be announced for the fuel cell excavator and its price is likely to be higher than for a conventional diesel machine. However, for applications such as tunnelling the fuel cell offers considerable benefits as the only emissions from the tailpipe are of water vapour.
Refuelling is said to take just 20 minutes while the performance is said to be comparable with a conventional diesel-driven wheeled excavator in the same size class.
Load carriers
The segment for load carrying equipment is also seeing new model introductions.
Versatility is claimed for the TC7A and TC11A tracked carriers developed by Bell Equipment and now being offered in Europe. These machines are said to be more robust than competing units, featuring ruggedised construction for longer life. The smaller TC7A has a 7tonne payload while the larger TC11A has a payload of 11tonnes.
Both machines are powered by 6.7litre Cummins diesels rated at 168kW for the TC7A and 186kW for the TC11A and have hydrostatic drives, featuring proven hydraulic components from Rexroth. The firm says that the operators benefit from larger and more comfortable ROPS/FOPS cabs with better all-round visibility than competing machines.
The machines are said to good offer traction even in the worst conditions and can cope with 50% slopes. The suspension systems feature walking beams and six rollers, with a configuration said to ensure a combination of high traction and smooth running. The smaller machine has a dump area of 3.5m3 while the larger unit has a dump area of 5.25m3. Fold down sides for the rear area also allow the machines to be used for carrying equipment for projects on remote sites.
Mecalac is unveiling a zero-emission ecosystem for urban worksites that it says is the first range of medium-sized electric products. The company’s new products includes the 6tonne ed6 site dumper. With these, earthmoving operations can be carried out with emission-free machines on a larger scale then previously.
The main reason explaining the absence of medium- sized electric machines on the market is the optimisation power management to ensure sufficient autonomy. To overcome this challenge, Mecalac said it has made a technological breakthrough on the hydraulic distribution system, as well as on the energy management of auxiliary systems such as heating and air conditioning, to drastically reduce energy consumption.
