Heavy Equipment Guide May 2021, Volume 36, Number 5

MAY 2021

heavyequipmentguide.ca

LIEBHERR CRANE INNOVATIONS IN-DEPTH REPORT TACKLING THE SKILLED OPERATOR SHORTFALL HIGH-REACH DEMOLITION EXCAVATOR OPERATOR PROFILE

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270

You know what you need in a truck.

We’ll help you build it.

Build yours at Macktrucks.com/BuildGranite

With Mack® Truck Builder, you can customize your Mack Granite® to be the exact truck you need for your operation. Because when you’re building a business, you need a truck that can do the same.

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GET IT DONE EFFICIENTLY WITH

THE PERFECT PAIR. The new Volvo EC950F crawler excavator and tried-and-true A60H articulated hauler were made for each other — and your profits. Together, they decrease loading passes to speed up cycle times — and they’re both protected by the industry’s best Lifetime Frame and Structure Warranty.

You can move more material faster while lowering your costs.

Visit www.volvoce.com/perfectpair to learn how.

9,000lbs capacity 44ft lift height 74hp

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION Manufactured in the land of the free and home of the brave, the Xtreme XR944 is made with longlasting all-steel roller booms that can lift loads up to 9,000 lbs. Designed with safety, reliability and serviceability in mind, Xtreme proudly manufactures in the U.S.A. to help you build your American dream.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT AHERN CANADA ON 780-467-0600.

LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER

SLIVER LOT #O3009

JUNE 8-10, 2021

B O B C A T. C O M / L A R G E E X C A VA T O R S

Don’t back down from big jobs. Enlist new large excavators from Bobcat for big excavator performance from the brand you know and rely on.

Bobcat is a Doosan company. Doosan is a global leader in construction equipment, power and water solutions, engines, and engineering, proudly serving customers and communities for more than a century.

Bobcat ®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2021 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. | 1457

26

EARTHMOVING CUSTOMER REQUESTS DRIVE REDESIGN OF DOOSAN WHEEL LOADER LINE

18

30

TACKLING THE SKILLED OPERATOR SHORTFALL

DEMOLITION OPERATOR PROFILE

34

LIEBHERR CRANE INNOVATIONS

May 2021 | Volume 36, Number 5

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS & SECTIONS

18

In-depth report: tackling the skilled operator shortfall

10

From the Editor

12

News Room

24

Q&A: SmartGrade for excavators

16 Spotlight

26

Customer requests drive redesign of Doosan wheel loader line

18

In-Depth Report

24

Earthmoving & Excavation

30

High-reach demolition from the operator’s seat

30

Demolition & Recycling

34

Liebherr crane innovations deliver zero emissions, focus on safety

38

Lift & Access

44

Telematics & Machine Control

44

A case for connectivity

50

Equipment Maintenance

50

Best practices for managing fluids and filters in heavy equipment

52

Equipment Roundup

56

Last Word

52

Technology, future emissions inform diesel engine development

62

Advertiser Index

34 Cranes

MAY 2021 | VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 5 EDITOR Lee Toop ltoop@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 315 EDITOR IN CHIEF Kaitlyn Till ktill@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 330 DIGITAL EDITOR Slone Fox sfox@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 335 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sam Esmaili sam@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 110

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Anderson production@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 222 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Morena Zanotto morena@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 325 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Ken Singer ksinger@baumpub.com 604-291-9900 ext. 226 VICE PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER Melvin Date Chong mdatechong@baumpub.com

FOUNDER Engelbert J. Baum

Published by: Baum Publications Ltd. 124 - 2323 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC, Canada V5M 4V8

COVER PHOTO: LIEBHERR LR 1250.1 UNPLUGGED CRAWLER CRANE Liebherr crane innovations deliver zero emissions, focus on safety

Tel: 604-291-9900 Toll Free: 1-888-286-3630 Fax: 604-291-1906 www.baumpub.com www.heavyequipmentguide.ca @HeavyEquipGuide FOR ALL CIRCULATION INQUIRIES Phone: 1-855-329-1909 • Fax: 1-855-272-0972 e-mail: baumpublications@circlink.ca

Read the article on page 34 .

Subscription: To subscribe, renew your subscription, or change your address or other information, go to: http://mysubscription.ca/heg/ Heavy Equipment Guide serves the Canadian engineered construction industry including: roadbuilding and maintenance; highways, bridges, tunnels; grading and excavating; earthmoving; crushing; trucking and hauling; underground utilities; trenching; concrete paving; asphalt paving; demolition; aggregates production; fleet maintenance; and asset security and management. The magazine is distributed to key industry personnel involved in these sectors.

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Heavy Equipment Guide accepts no responsibility or liability for reported claims made by manufacturers and/or distributors for products or services; the views and opinions ­expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Baum Publications Ltd. Copyright 2021, Baum Publications Ltd. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publishers.

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Contact: Editor in Chief Kaitlyn Till at ktill@baumpub.com or 604-291-9900 ext. 330

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Dept., 124-2323 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC V5M 4V8 Email: baumpublications@circlink.ca Fax: 1-855-272-0972

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE. Introducing the Enhanced G Series Wheel Loaders

With a more intuitive touchscreen display, configurable buttons and adjustable electro-hydraulic controls, you’ll experience the ease of having customizable settings and core functions at your fingertips.

Plus, enjoy added convenience with Uptime Center monitoring, remote diagnostics with software update capabilities, and ProCare. Learn more and request a demo at CaseCE.com/Discover.

©2021 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. CASE is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR BREAKING THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS IN CONSTRUCTION

T

he opioid crisis that continues to parallel our ongoing COVID-19 challenges here in British Columbia is one that, at first glance, would not seem to be tied in with the construction industry. According to some new statistics released by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, however, the truth is quite the opposite – and quite shocking.

The ICBA has identified mental health and addiction issues as significant problems within the construction industry in British Columbia, and points to stats that show a stunning 55 percent of working people who have died from opioid overdoses were people in the construction trades. That’s more than double the next group, sales and service workers, at 21 percent.

Why is there such a significant percentage of construction industry members represented among overdose deaths? Studies have indicated that labourers and others in the trades are at more risk for several reasons. It’s a dangerous industry and injuries do happen; at the same time, workers don’t want to lose hours to minor injuries, so they may self-medicate to get through. Add that to other aspects of the construction industry landscape such as frequent uncertainty as to when jobs will start and finish, and so forth, and other wellness challenges like anxiety may crop up. The availability of opioids makes them a potential escape for some workers, and in some cases that can lead to addiction and, sadly, to overdoses and death.

It’s not just opioids that are challenging for the industry – there are also concerns about alcohol use and other substances.

Numerous programs have been developed to help educate and reduce the use of opioids and other drugs, but few have been focused directly onto the construction sector. There’s also a challenge getting employees to speak up about potential factors that can lead to addiction; it’s still a hard sell to discuss mental health concerns with employers.

The ICBA has launched a new program focused on wellness for construction workers in an effort to reduce the challenges that can lead to addiction problems. The Workplace Wellness Program will be offered to ICBA member companies in conjunction with Canada Life, and is intended to target a range of wellness issues including mental health stigma, physical health, pain avoidance and addictions, suicide prevention, diversity and inclusion, respect in the workplace, depression and anxiety, and more, all specifically targeted to the construction sector.

Participating companies will be provided toolbox talks, posters, educational material, virtual professional development

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It can be a hard sell to bring mental health discussions into any industry, let alone construction. Today, in the midst of global pandemic concerns and exacerbated by opioid addiction and other negative effects, it’s important to break through that stigma and make mental health a key part of overall wellness. courses and more to bring more awareness to their crews and provide tools for those employees who need them.

“Construction contractors and workers have much to be proud of in how effectively they’ve enhanced commitments to workers’ physical safety in recent decades. Now, we must strive to create workplace cultures that foster all aspects of worker wellbeing,” said ICBA President Chris Gardner.

It can be a hard sell to bring mental health discussions into any industry, let alone construction. Today, in the midst of a global pandemic and with the opioid epidemic still simmering in our industry and many others, it’s time to bring these discussions to the forefront and ensure the right tools are in place to keep our fellow workers healthy and safe.

Lee Toop Editor ltoop@baumpub.com heavyequipmentguide.ca

Excavation in the blood.

G8 goes in hard The R 945 is the replacement for the R 950 SME. As such, it has different types of chassis (X or variable track), equipment and protections to meet the most demanding applications in mining and quarrying. liebherr.com

Crawler excavators R 945

Liebherr-Canada Ltd. • 1015 Sutton Drive • Burlington, Ontario L7L 5Z8 • Phone +1 905 319 9222 info.lca@liebherr.com • facebook.com/LiebherrConstruction • liebherr.ca

NEWS ROOM

E05-Volvo female engineers - NR

HOW VOLVO CE IS ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE ENGINEERS

F STAY CURRENT www.heavyequipmentguide.ca CONNECT WITH US @HeavyEquipGuide

ollowing news that it is around the age of 10 at which girls stop considering engineering as a potential career path, Volvo Construction Equipment set about reversing this trend by inspiring young girls to recognize their abilities in science and technology.

In these workshops, students will spend one hour each week over four weeks to solve problems such as how to make traffic safer, how to use technology to help people throw away less food, and how to make recycling more fun. The challenges are designed to be rooted in reality with a focus on sustainability.

Importantly, the workshops and materials are presented in exactly the same way as what would be presented to boys, letting the girls experience the challenges as authentically as possible. In just the same way as organizers recognize that innovation has no gender, there is also no restriction on the gender of the mentors. The sessions are run equally by women and men in order to demonstrate that reversing these gender stereotypes is the responsibility of everyone.

Not only have the girls shown a stronger interest in these subjects as a result, but evidence shows that the long-term benefit of a better gender balance in engineering will result in more inclusive and innovative solutions for society’s complex problems.

CCMTA ADDRESSES ENFORCEMENT PLAN FOR ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES

T

he Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has issued a message regarding an enforcement plan for electronic logging devices which outlines a 12-month progressive educational enforcement strategy that ends in June 2022. The plan is based on the current requirements needed to set the mandate into force, including the availability of third-party certified ELDs.

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MACK TRUCKS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IN CANADA

M

ack Trucks has reached a significant milestone in Canada in 2021 – its 100th anniversary.

“Mack’s leadership in commercial vehicles goes back more than 120 years, and we’ve proudly served Canada and its diverse regions and demanding applications throughout much of that history,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of North American sales and commercial operations.

The “Bulldog” Mack AC model forged its reputation on the front lines during World War I. Many of the army surplus AC models came back to Canada after the war ended and quickly became popular for many heavy-haul applications.

Mack noticed the growing demand in the Canadian truck market and established Mack Trucks of Canada Ltd. in 1921 in a small building on Vanauley Street in downtown Toronto, delivering the Mack AB and AC models from this location. One of Mack’s largest Canadian customers in 1921 was Ontario-based Dufferin Construction, which is still in business today and has been a Mack customer for 100 years.

As Mack sales continued to grow throughout the 1920s, the company moved to a succession of larger facilities in Toronto and continued expanding its sales and dealer network to all parts of the country.

JCB LAUNCHES DIESEL MECHANIC APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

J

CB North America has created a Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship Program that comes with a $2,000 signing bonus for eligible new hires who agree to an eighteen-month employment contract. JCB will also provide selected team members pathways within manufacturing to include design, testing and product support teams as the business continues to grow.

BRONTO DELIVERS 230-FOOT AERIAL PLATFORM TO NASA’S JET PROPULSION LABORATORY

A

Bronto S230XDT aerial platform from JPL has been delivered to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s facility in Goldstone to assist staff in the service and maintenance of antennas and other critical equipment.

The S230XDT features a 230-foot working height, an 118-foot horizontal outreach and a working cage maximum load of 1500 pounds. The aerial platform lifts staff up and over the end of the bowl-shaped reflector to access the microwave equipment that is located near the centre of the dish.

The antennas regularly communicate with multiple spacecraft, including the Juno spacecraft orbiting Jupiter, spacecraft and landers on Mars, the Parker Solar Probe orbiting the Sun and many others.

IN THE OPERATOR’S SEAT Turn to page 18 for this issue’s in-depth report which looks at operator training opportunities.

We also talked to a seasoned demolition excavator operator about the skills and knowledge that make big demolition jobs easier. Turn to page 30 for the operator profile.

MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

13

NEWS ROOM

SKYJACK INTRODUCES USED EQUIPMENT AUCTION PLATFORM

S

MORE NEWS

kyjack has launched a used equipment website. The website, used.skyjack.com, is the first OEM online auction site of its kind and features Skyjack equipment alongside other well-known brands. Buyers can view inspection reports, pictures, and even place bids online 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection.

BRANDT OFFICIALLY OPENS POSITIONING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ONTARIO

T

he Brandt Group of Companies’ all-new Brandt Positioning Technology Centre of Excellence has opened in Brampton, Ontario. This facility is the only one of its kind in Canada.

The new facility will offer the largest parts and equipment inventory in Canada, as well as provide services, products and support for all Brandt’s geospatial and construction technology offerings. The Centre of Excellence will also feature in-house product demonstrations, training, and an expert support team.

BAUMA POSTPONED UNTIL OCTOBER 2022

b

auma has been postponed and will now take place from October 24 to 30, 2022. Considering the particularly long planning times for exhibitors and organizers, the decision provides a secure planning basis for preparing the upcoming bauma.

Initially, bauma was to be held from April 4 to 10, 2022.

However, in numerous discussions with customers, there was a growing recognition that the April date involved too many uncertainties in view of the global pandemic. Regardless of the postponement, the technical and organizational planning for bauma 2022 continues. The core of bauma 2022 will be the faceto-face event, augmented and expanded by digital offerings.

LION ELECTRIC TO TARGET ZEROEMISSION VEHICLES AT NEW FACILITY

T

he Lion Electric Company has selected a location in Illinois to build a new manufacturing facility, which will represent the largest dedicated production site for zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S. The facility will be Lion’s biggest footprint in the market, giving the company the ability to meet the increasing demand in the marketplace for “Made in America” zero-emission vehicles, while simultaneously bringing production closer to its customers. As part of its agreement with the government of Illinois, Lion has committed to an initial investment of at least U.S. $70 million over a 3-year period.

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www.heavyequipmentguide.ca

CONEXPO-CON/AGG UNVEILS NEW LOGO, BRAND IDENTITY

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ONEXPO-CON/AGG has unveiled a new brand identity and tagline, Taking Construction to the Next Level.

The updated branding reflects the growth and momentum of the construction industry and the role the exhibition plays in connecting innovators, equipment manufactures and construction professionals. Held every three years in Las Vegas, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is North America’s largest construction trade show featuring the latest construction equipment and technology applications for the industry.

The next CONEXPO-CON/AGG and co-located IFPE takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 14 to 18, 2023.

UTILITY EXPO 2021 OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

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egistration for The Utility Expo 2021, September 28-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Centre in Louisville, is officially open. The Utility Expo show floor has expanded to nearly 1.32 million square feet and will welcome over 800 of the top manufacturers and service providers in the industry. The Utility Expo, known for attendees’ ability to test drive equipment, attracts professionals from all utility sectors.

“We are looking forward to bringing the utility industry together again safely this September,” said Utility Expo Show Director John Rozum. “We worked very closely with Louisville Tourism and hotel partners to secure more rooms than ever before – but we still expect them to go quickly, so register early. We’re also in close contact with our partners at the Kentucky Exposition Centre to ensure a safe experience for all.”

Attendees can select from three badge options, providing access for every day of the show.

“The deluxe badge is a great option for attendees to maximize their time at the show,” said Rozum. “It includes your admission for all three days and access to over 60 on-demand education sessions that you can view after the show.”

Field classrooms walk the show floor and share best practices on equipment utilization and identifying key features that may bring value to your business – and each class earns 1.5 professional development hours.

CONQUERING CHALLENGES. POWERED BY INNOVATION. Big or small, Doosan® equipment is engineered to tackle your most challenging work. When working with the experts at your local Doosan dealer, there’s no job you can’t conquer.

See our full lineup of equipment or find your nearest dealer at DISCOVERDOOSAN.COM/HEG Doosan® and the Doosan logo are registered trademarks of Doosan Corp. in the United States and various other countries around the world. ©2021 Doosan Infracore North America, LLC. All rights reserved.

SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT

INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES

UTILITY COMPACTORS

Caterpillar

Utility compactor lineup

Caterpillar’s ten new utility compactor models fall in the 2- to 5-tonne weight range. These versatile rollers take on a range of soil and asphalt applications, including parking lots, driveways, urban streets, landscaping and small construction sites. The lineup features reengineered operator controls with simple rocker switches and an easy-to-read Cat display for intuitive operation. A switch efficiently controls low/high vibration frequencies, while auto vibration control ceases vibration when the travel lever is in neutral to prevent marking of the asphalt mat. Available dual propel levers help to improve operator comfort.

Compaction widths range from 39 inches (1,000 mm) to 54 inches (1,400 mm), and all new Cat utility compactors feature large drum diameters for a smooth mat finish and thick drum shells for added durability. The rollers’ 2-inch (50 mm) drum offset improves compaction efficiency when rolling next to curbs. A narrow frame design allows for improved visibility to the job surface and drum edge. Optional compaction measurement value (CMV) displays measured material stiffness to the operator, improving compaction performance, eliminating unnecessary passes and improving consistency.

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COMPACT IMPACT CRUSHER

McCloskey International

Compact impact crusher

The I4C brings the power and productivity of an 1,125 mm (44.3inch) impactor to a compact footprint for maximum maneuverability. The 44-inch impact crusher has been designed with a deeper chamber, creating greater tramp release space. With an aggressive blow bar and apron design, four-bar variable speed rotor and three crush zones with an optional fourth strike, the I4C can be set up as a primary or secondary crusher.

A new asymmetric feeder reduces bridging that can occur in some applications and, combined with the single unit feederhopper construction, delivers better motion and vibration for the material as it moves into the impact chamber. Maximum efficiency of material flow is delivered end-to-end with the I4C – from the feeder to the new curved belt on the main conveyor that better manages material delivered to its 4-metre-high stockpile. With quick release and ground level access, the conveyor belt is also easy to maintain and service.

FIVE-SHAFT SCREENER BUCKET

WHEEL LOADERS

Komatsu

Mining excavator

MINING EXCAVATOR

CASE Construction Equipment

The Komatsu PC5500-11 is a rugged mining excavator weighing 588 to 608 tons depending on configuration. The twin-engine PC5500-11 offers a combination of sturdy construction and advanced technology to match with 150 to 240 ton trucks. The 45-degree ladder system offers comfortable ascent and descent, and the updated emergency exit system allows ease of egress from two independent locations. KomVision can provide the operator an expansive view of the surrounding work area from inside the cab.

To limit downtime, the PC5500-11’s newly revamped monitoring system, Komtrax Plus 2, helps create automated performance data reports. Machine data is accessible via satellite for instant monitoring. The optional Komatsu Argus Payload Meter helps enhance efficiency of truck loading and fleet dispatch.

Information about the bucket loading status compared to the truck’s capacity provides data to help calculate the best loading times and truck passes.

Wheel loader updates

CASE Construction Equipment has introduced a significant update to its entire line of G Series wheel loaders. Updates include an all-new touchscreen display that delivers an intuitive user experience and puts all core controls at the operator’s fingertips.

New configurable buttons built into the armrest allow the operator to program certain settings and perform their work more efficiently throughout the day, and new adjustable electro-hydraulic controls further dial in machine performance to each task.

A new Smart Power Mode improves communication between the engine and transmission based on workload to further drive fuel efficiency and reduced tire wear. New electro-hydraulic parallel lift functionality (Z-bar and XR models) improves material retention and loading operations. A fully integrated OEM payload system helps improve load accuracy and provides detailed reporting for billing, tracking and operational performance. Enhanced telematics offer higher performance and reporting, and diagnostics for increased uptime offer integration and connectivity with the CASE North American Uptime Centre. A new Tire Pressure Monitoring System optimizes tire life and fuel consumption.

MB Crusher

Five-shaft screener bucket

The MB-HDS523 shafts screener bucket for earthmoving and quarry applications is compatible with excavators from 30 tons (60,000 pounds) to 45 tons (90,000 pounds) and features five shafts positioned to ensure a greater production rate and processing speed. The V-shaft system design creates a simultaneous dual screening effect while the concealed comb allows the material to enter and flow through the rotors without jamming.

The unit also comes with a removable front upper casing, giving it a greater closing angle and increased production.

Wear parts are protected by reinforced Hardox steel slab, with a thicker bracket and frame. The MB-HDS523 shafts screener comes with a centralized greasing system to simplify and speed up maintenance operations, and the shafts can be replaced on-site and in a few minutes. The patented system firmly holds the rotating equipment, and the rotors can be easily extracted and repositioned.

MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

17

IN-DEPTH REPORT: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING

BUILDING BETTER OPERATORS

IN-DEPTH REPORT

TACKLING THE SKILLED OPERATOR SHORTFALL

BY SLONE FOX, DIGITAL EDITOR & LEE TOOP, EDITOR

IN-DEPTH REPORT: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING

W

hether business owners are looking to hire new heavy equipment operators or upgrade the skills of their existing employees, training is an ongoing process throughout any operator’s career. As machine technology advances and the demands of work sites shift, today’s operators are now expected to do more than just operate equipment. Employers expect operators to have experience that includes safe operating practices, knowledge of technology on machines, ability to perform basic maintenance and more.

Opportunities to develop this baseline of skills include post-secondary training programs, union-based training, private operator training schools and contractors’ in-house operator training and mentorship programs.

HOW CANADIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS PREPARE OPERATORS FOR THE JOB SITE Heavy equipment operators get their training in several different ways. Many get their start with contractors who give them the opportunity to work on smaller machines and work their way up. Today, prospective operators who may not have that opportunity can take advantage of training programs through post-secondary institutes, private heavy equipment colleges or through local unions. These programs can also benefit established operators looking to upgrade their skills or gain experience on a new type of machine. Common types of equipment covered in these programs include excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders, wheel loaders and backhoes.

re-track an excavator and change flat tires and blown hydraulic hoses, says Paul Mottershead, associate dean of Trades and Applied Technology at Vancouver Island University.

As today’s latest machines are equipped with advanced features, such as telematics and machine control, VIU also prepares its students for the technology that they might encounter on a job site.

“We’re trying to duplicate what the industry is and what the expectations will be. The idea is to have all of our students prepared on GPS so that when they jump onto the site, they won’t be experts on it, but at least they’ve had exposure to it and know their way around it quite well,” says Mottershead.

Access to virtual reality training also gives operators the chance to develop their skills in a contained and safe environment before moving on to the real thing.

“When running these machines, you shouldn’t have to look down and see which way you need to move the lever to pull the bucket,” says Mottershead. “The simulators are really beneficial for that. If you give the students some simulator time ahead of getting on the actual machine, they’re much more comfortable.”

VIU’s program also caters to experienced operators who already have a strong foundational knowledge of the industry and are looking to train on a specific machine. This option allows operators to skip the introductory classes and go straight to the equipment training.

“For example, somebody who’s run a backhoe their entire life might say, ‘Well, I got this opportunity with my new employer and they want me to come in and do some training on an excavator,’” says Mottershead. “We have lots of people that have been in the industry long enough that they have a fair amount of knowledge, just not on a specific machine.”

Union-based training opportunities

Unions also offer training opportunities for members and non-members. The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) consists of over 100 local training and apprenticeship programs throughout North America that have been training operating engineers since 1896.

One benefit of this type of operator training is that unionized contractors are able to customize training for certain courses, says Jeff Gorham, administrator of the IUOE Local 115 Training Association. For instance, if a union contractor requires an operator to use skid-steer forks rather than a bucket, the contractor can request to have this added to the skidsteer course delivery. Union employees also have the option to continuously receive training throughout their careers as the demands of projects change.

Union training programs offer the advantage of online training to help with operator scheduling and distance learning. According to Gorham, these online courses allow operators to complete a portion of their training without losing a day’s pay, proving beneficial to employers.

“Since trade union schools may have multiple locals, these schools have the benefit of collaborating and sharing educational resources with each other, such as curriculum and instructors,” says Gorham.

Without question, the operator needs to possess a high level of operating skill and ability and understand, in depth, the work they are doing. But without the means to communicate or collaborate with others, that operational skill set becomes only as useful as their ability to utilize the latter.

Marlon Hall Operations Manager, Metric Civil Contractors

University training programs

One such training program is Vancouver Island University’s heavy equipment operator school located in Nanaimo, B.C. The Heavy Equipment Operator Certificate Program is designed for entry-level operators and provides students with 10 to 17 weeks of instruction, after which they are granted a Foundation and Technician Certificate as well as a machine specialty certificate.

While many students prefer to focus on just one type of equipment during their training, the program gives students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with other machines on site.

The program also teaches students marketable skills such as first aid, traffic control, safety and basic machine maintenance.

Operators learn to look after the equipment, including how to

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Private training schools

Private training schools, such as Canada Heavy Equipment College in Cambridge, Ontario, also cater to both entry-level and seasoned operators. The program provides operators with

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IN-DEPTH REPORT: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING

NORTH CONSTRUCTION AT WORK ON A STEEP SLOPE.

the skills needed to enter the workforce, such as manual dexterity, spatial awareness, problem solving, critical thinking and safety. General labourers who want to upgrade to equipment operators are common applicants to the program.

“Safety on a job site is of paramount importance and without proper training, operators are more likely to develop bad habits or not be able to handle difficult situations,” says Cyndy Dutkiewicz, campus manager at Canada Heavy Equipment College. “Training needs to be ongoing and appropriate to the tasks at hand.”

CHEC also offers on-site training and supervised instruction to municipalities and companies who already have their own heavy equipment on site.

BASE SKILLS HONED THROUGH IN-HOUSE TRAINING

When contractors are hunting for new employees, the level at which they consider heavy operator training programs as part of the process varies, but the quality of the operator’s knowledge and skill in the seat becomes key.

Metric Civil Contractors is a general contractor with a broad focus; its crews handle jobs in earthmoving, underground utility, roadbuilding, demolition and more. It recruits new staff through various channels including its active social media, looking for new crew members who fit well and know their stuff, according to owner and Operations Manager Marlon Hall.

“One major element of our hiring process most certainly involves the evaluation of previous training and operating experience, and we believe the best way to approach this is through candid and open conversation rather than a robotic interview,” Hall says. “This provides us with a much clearer picture of the true experience and quality of an interviewee.”

For North Construction, the business is often more of a challenge. Its jobs are often on steep slopes, challenging sites and difficult terrain. When looking for new hires, the preference is for operators with some experience in a machine rather than a fresh graduate. Training schools are excellent for providing new operators a good overview and the skills they need to

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operate, but specialty work like the contracts North tends to work on needs some additional time, according to Director of Logistics Joel Markson.

“We don’t tend to hire really new green operators per se, straight out of those HEOs. . . a lot of times it comes down to at least a number of years of experience operating on steep terrain in the mountains, in forested areas, so that they’re aware of those safety concerns,” he explains.

Once a new employee joins the team, however, they can expect to learn quite a lot to help fill in the gaps where necessary. Both Metric Civil Contractors and North Construction have their own in-house programs that rely on the knowledge of experienced operators to help bring the newer members of the team along.

“We’ve created our own training program in-house that we call North University. We have basic all the way through advanced training when it comes to operating equipment,” Markson says. “We do on-site training using our more experienced operators to mentor younger ones in various scenarios, whether it’s on steep terrain or in civil applications.”

Training focuses on operation, use of attachments, and constant work on improved safety for the operator and fellow employees.

“Safety, especially in our business where we’re always on that steep terrain and working around people in public, has got to be at the forefront in planning and all your execution,” Markson says.

While Metric is open to newer operators to join their team, they also focus on development once new hires are in the seat.

Hall explained that the company looks at both internal and external training opportunities, depending on the operator, but no matter the method they emphasize personal development for everyone on the team.

“We achieve this through external course work, but also through our own in-house mentorship program, Green Hand, Gold Hand. The purpose of the program is to pair less experienced employees with carefully selected, senior team members who are willing to impart their skills and knowledge, in a

measurable way, in facilitation of the ‘green’ employee’s future advancement within the company,” Hall explains. “We have learned that quality employees are difficult to find, believing instead that they are easier made.”

Management works with the mentor operators to track the development of newer operators, their skill set and knowledge of their equipment, and the tasks to be done on various projects. “We make every effort to expose the newer operators to a variety of projects to give them an opportunity to perform tasks that they might need practice on,” Hall says.

The advent of technology has added a new aspect to operator training for many contractors, and at North – which uses a variety of technologies including grade control, drones and others – it has become part of the overall continuing education of operators.

“We’ve partnered up with Finning and Trimble on our 3D grading packages – we have a training program developed between them and our in-house survey team,” Markson says.

“They learn the basics of how to use 3D grading capabilities in our excavators and dozers, and even in our compactors. . . once they’ve mastered the basics we have an advanced program so they can learn the next levels and further skills to make things more efficient.”

While excavators are the main machine that North Construction trains its employees on, Markson says operators who can be trained to run multiple machines can often be relied on to be more precise and skilled.

“I think they have a better understanding of the full build

scope when they can see it from multiple different angles.

They understand better about the timing and the structure and sequence of how things are built when they know how to do it from any different piece of equipment or any different position,” he notes. “A lot of our operators, we try and utilize them in a ground crew for a period of time beforehand, just so they, again, get further understanding of what a good operator does and how they can make the crews’ life on the ground that much safer and easier by being a conscious and really safety-minded operator.”

For Metric, having operators who can run each type of machine is important, but a big part of training and development is ensuring the ability to work within the overall team, Hall says.

“We determined early on that an operator’s attitude and ability to work with others in a team environment is the greatest attribute that lends to the success of not only the operator in realizing their potential, but also the success of the projects they work on and team members they work with,” Hall describes.

“Without question, the operator needs to possess a high level of operating skill and ability and understand, in depth, the work they are doing. But without the means to communicate or collaborate with others, that operational skill set becomes only as useful as their ability to utilize the latter.”

Across Canada there is a range of training opportunities for operators of all experience levels. From new recruits to seasoned operators, today’s training programs offer a comprehensive way to develop operational skills and gain the knowledge required to keep up with the evolving needs of today’s job sites. HEG

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231-582-3100 • www.magnetics.com MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

23

EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION

Q&A SMARTGRADE FOR EXCAVATORS: JOHN DEERE’S JUSTIN STEGER TALKS ABOUT FACTORY INTEGRATION, ACCURACY AND EASE OF USE

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR John Deere has announced the next phase of its SmartGrade program, moving the multi-level machine guidance and control system onto hydraulic excavators for the first time. Available on two models to start and with four different service levels, SmartGrade gives owners plenty of opportunity to improve their efficiency. I had the opportunity to chat with John Deere Solutions Marketing Manager Justin Steger about the launch.

Lee Toop

This must be an exciting step, for John Deere to have SmartGrade integrated and ready to go on excavators.

Justin Steger

It’s something we’ve been working to achieve for quite a while now, understanding that SmartGrade and grade control technology is definitely kind of the wave of the future. Our other product lines are pursuing this as well, so we’re happy to make SmartGrade excavators part of that.

LT

JS

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How does the factory installation benefit users looking for grade control?

The nice part is the factory installed and integrated, as well as calibrated, aspect of things – we have the ability on our 210 and our 350 GLC to have that machine roll off at the job site ready to work without having to do any extra calibrations.

We’ve had a lot of positive feedback just in testing.

That’s assuming they would have a Deere bucket on it from the factory. The customer can put any bucket or attachment on the machine that they

heavyequipmentguide.ca | MAY 2021

choose just to maintain flexibility and help with mixed fleet solutions as well. We have to run a 15-minute bucket calibration should they choose to use a non-Deere bucket or attachment. And, they’re off to work. No hours of calibration or anything like that. So it’s really nice.

The other part is that it’s integrated right into our factory joysticks that customers are familiar with and know how to operate from our G-Series excavators. They can actually run their grade control systems right through those same joysticks.

LT

So what are the options available under the SmartGrade banner?

JS

There are four upgradeable solutions to choose from: 2D guidance, 2D control, 3D guidance and 3D control, which we are calling full SmartGrade.

Now, you can upgrade from 2D to 3D, or guidance to control, or both, as long as the machine is ordered from the factory with some sort of technology, whenever the time is right for you.

Having that flexibility as part of our upgrade management path, is going to allow the customers to choose what’s right for them.

LT

It seems like flexibility is a big part of the plan here for Deere.

JS

We all understand there are benefits to technology, but we also have to do the calculation for the benefit to business. By giving customers that flexibility and letting them work with their dealer, they’re not losing any previous investment if they invested in, say, 2D guidance and they really want the benefits of full 3D SmartGrade. They can now take a building block approach and build on that technology right in the same machine.

LT

Grade control has really taken off in the industry.

Are you finding that operators are taking to grade control systems more easily now?

JS

That’s a fairly popular sentiment in the industry right now, whether you’re a novice or an experienced operator. I love when [older operators say] “I’ve never thought I’d be a GPS man.”

I think what this technology enables and unlocks for customer value is that it can make a novice operator good, and a good operator great. That’s really what we’re trying to achieve with any of our SmartGrade technology.

LT

JS

There are some other safety features and operator assists in the package too, right?

We have semi-automatics built into the controls of the machine so there are some “stop me” features like over-dig protect and Virtual Front, and then we’ve got our virtual fencing, those kinds of “show me, tell me” features. At the end of the day having those features in there, whether you’ve been in the seat for a year or 20 years, is going to improve not only the confidence, but the accuracy of that operator.

INITIALLY, TWO EXCAVATOR MODELS ARE AVAILABLE WITH FACTORY-INSTALLED SMARTGRADE.

LT

For a lot of contractors, the bottom line is efficiency and productivity. How does SmartGrade affect those for an average contractor?

JS

As you can imagine, it’s extremely application dependent. Understand that applications vary so much, but we’ve done some testing of comparisons, such as an experienced operator in manual control doing it traditionally by eye compared to a Deere excavator with SmartGrade. The time improvements to complete the task are significantly improved as well as the accuracy.

We actually do a laser scan to test how many of the points are within tolerance on the accuracy.

It’s just unbelievable how much the accuracy improves by using the SmartGrade system on the excavator. HEG

MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION

CUSTOMER REQUESTS DRIVE REDESIGN OF DOOSAN WHEEL LOADER LINE

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

D

oosan has turned to its customers for inspiration in a redesign of its popular wheel loader line, and the result is the -7 Series of machines that has been launched into the U.S. and Canada. The ground-up redesign – a decade in the making – has focused on comfort in the cab, increased capacities and efficiency to reduce fuel use, among other features.

Customer feedback gathered based on the company’s -5 generation of wheel loaders has fed directly into the new launch, according to Aaron Kleingartner, Doosan product marketing manager.

“A lot of our activity relates to the voice of customer – their voice telling us what they’d like to do with the equipment, what they would like to be able to do with certain features and functions,” Kleingartner said. “This new next generational update is really a culmination of many years of research and feedback from customers, related to the need to be more productive and feel more comfortable in the cab.

Or, for owners wanting help to retain their operators, what can we do to help make the cabs more comfortable, easier to use and more intuitive?”

Design work was rooted in the -5 machines, which themselves were developed based around emissions standard updates several years ago. Looking at the machines, the first major change is the styling, which Wheel Loader Product Specialist Bill Zak said is night and day compared to the previous machines. It’s harder to spot the changes that are bringing higher capacities; however, that change can be found both in some updates to numbering as well as in the machines’ front axles.

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BUCKET CAPACITY UP 7 PERCENT IN SELECT MODELS

“We’ve updated some of the model numbers – we went from a DL300-5 to a 320-7, and from the DL350 to a DL380. The DL450 became the DL480. Those increased numbers indicate we’ve increased the lift capacity on those machines,” Zak said. “There were some design changes as far as geometries in the front work groups, but the biggest thing was increasing the axle sizes to accept the increased lift capacities.”

Capacity has increased by 7 percent in those models as well as the DL580-7, thanks to the stronger axles and a strengthened box frame. Large centre bearings and self-centreing, double-tapered roller bearings help to distribute vertical and horizontal loads over a larger area. In addition, the new axles bring better braking capacity.

Horsepower has improved on several models, but power and drivetrain are essentially the same on the -7 machines as on the previous models, Zak said, noting that Doosan has been happy with the reliability and capability of the equipment thus far.

COMFORT AND SAFETY DRIVE CAB REDESIGN

Part of the new look given to the -7 Series machines brings plenty of changes for the operator environment, Zak noted.

“Their work environment is that cab for 12, 14 hours a day, so what is it we can do to make them the most comfortable during that work day?” he noted.

Major changes start with visibility, which has increased from the front and sides with some small adjustments that make a

A GROUND-UP REDESIGN HAS BROUGHT A NEW LOOK TO THE DOOSAN WHEEL LOADER LINE.

big difference, Zak said. “We’ve moved some of our switches that were up along the dashboard right in front over to the side, which increases some visibility, and we’ve also brought the glass from about three-quarters or two-thirds of the way down in the front right to the floor of the cab,” he described. “Out the left side of the machine, the glass comes all the way to the bottom of the door. . . that helps, there’s a little less fatigue from having to worry about what’s around.”

Numerous controls and switches have been moved to the very right-hand side within easy arm’s reach of the operator.

“On that right-hand console I’ve got maybe 10 or 12 different buttons and switches. I can push an information button within there and all my buttons will start to light up. If I’m wondering what a button does or what a feature is, I can push a button and it will pop up on our eight-inch display touchscreen and tell me exactly what it does,” Zak said.

The touchscreen also includes split-screen features – users can view the rear-view camera, use Doosans’ new Smart Load weighing system, gauges or other technology in split screen where necessary. It also includes the company’s Situational Awareness Technology, a feature that monitors operations via different controllers, looks at load on the machine, arm position and levels of engine use to help get the best possible fuel economy based on the loader’s workload, Zak explained.

Doosan Smart Guidance can also be activated through the touchscreen, and when running in the background will monitor the operator’s performance, Zak said.

“It will give you a performance grade on how well you’re operating that machine – are you braking too hard? What do we need to change in the operation? It can give you guidance,” he explained.

It can go one step further, as well, offering popup reminders for machine operations and providing tips to assist the operator.

TRANSPARENT BUCKET IMPROVES FORWARD VISIBILITY

The monitor also plays a role in removing what has traditionally been a problem for forward vision – the bucket.

Doosan is introducing an option called the Transparent Bucket on production machines in the near future.

“If we go into load, we can obviously see what’s in front of us, but as we start to lift the bucket it blocks our forward vision. So, we have cameras strategically mounted on the machine that will actually give us vision beyond the bucket, so it becomes transparent,” Zak explained. “I can now look at my monitor and it will show me what’s beyond that bucket.”

Updates to DoosanCONNECT telematics add monitoring options and other benefits for owners as well, Zak noted.

“From a dealer standpoint they can go in and monitor any machines that have been sold in their territories. They can look at fault codes, machine location, fuel filters, oil filters and wear items that have an hour life. They could see that one is a 500-hour filter that’s at 480 hours, set up a visit with that customer to come out and take care of things during the machine’s downtime,” he said. “They can also look at fuel performance and utilization rates.”

Geofences and other systems are available as well to ensure that machines are where they’re supposed to be and alert key personnel if they move out of their assigned locations, Zak said. HEG MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION

CATERPILLAR

MORE SOIL COMPACTION IN A SHORTER TIME

T

he Cat 815 Soil Compactor features technology upgrades to help increase productivity and efficiency, so more area is compacted in less time on large earthworks projects.

New machine designs and revised service groupings combine to cut maintenance costs up to 9 percent. With all components relocated from the cab roof to lower overall transport height, the redesigned operator’s cab upgrades the steering and climate controls to elevate comfort.

The 815 is built for high-speed, high-quality soil compaction with its four 39-inch-wide (991 mm) steel drums. Drum design boasts a chevron pattern to the tamping tips, delivering high ground pressure and compaction, excellent traction and smooth ride. A symmetrical tip pattern offers equal compaction in both forward and reverse, and the special tamper design reduces material fluffing. Adjustable cleaner bars eliminate material carryover regardless of rolling direction to maximize compaction efficiency.

PRODUCTIVITY COMES WITH TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES

With the new 815 Soil Compactor, Cat Compact GPS mapping is now offered from the factory to provide visibility to compacted areas as well as cut and fill data. These new technologies allow companies to meet compaction targets quickly, uniformly and in fewer passes with the 815, saving on fuel and the costs associated with rework.

Operators are kept informed of compaction progress with Cat Compaction Control with Machine Drive Power (MDP).

This energy-based measurement system correlates compaction with rolling resistance to indicate soil stiffness, improving compaction efficiency. Real-time machine performance and operating data captured by the Vital Information Management System (VIMS) are conveniently monitored on the large, in-cab 3G touchscreen display. Accessed online via the VisionLink interface, Cat Link technology captures operating data such as machine location, hours, fuel consumption, idle time, events and diagnostic codes to improve fleet management efficiency.

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The compactor’s redesigned cab delivers greater comfort and easier control for higher operator productivity. Upgrades to the single Cat STIC system allow for shorter, faster cycles to reduce operator fatigue and increase efficiency. The STIC system combines steering, gear selection and other functions into a single lever. Only small side-to-side inputs are required to steer the new 815, and gear changes are effortlessly fingertip controlled.

The cab sits on isolation mounts and features a new Premium Plus seat with leather finish, forced air heating and cooling, twoway thigh adjustment, power lumbar and back bolster adjustment, and dynamic end dampening for total comfort throughout the workday. A flip-up armrest affords easier ingress/egress to the cab.

Pressurized to keep debris out, the cab features an automatic climate control system that maintains the operator’s preferred temperature settings. Its sealed design lowers interior sound levels to improve operator comfort. The standard rear-view camera is conveniently visible on the in-cab display to improve operator visibility when compacting in reverse.

The new 815 soil compactor features improved airflow technology to reduce cleaning and maintenance. A new radial air filter delivers three times the life of the previous design, and operators are alerted to airflow blockages by an electronic air inlet restriction indicator.

PLENTY OF PROVEN POWER

The new Cat 815 Soil Compactor is powered by the field-proven Cat C7.1 engine designed for maximum fuel economy, reliable performance and increased power density. Two engine package options are available – U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage V and Tier 3/Stage IIIA equivalent – for meeting local market emission standard requirements. Automatic engine and electric system shutdown controls reduce unnecessary idling to lower fuel consumption. Its Advanced Productivity Electronic Control System (APECS) transmission control delivers improved shifting performance, achieves greater momentum on grades and saves on fuel by carrying that momentum through shift points.

LIEBHERR

QUICK-CHANGE SYSTEM FOR WHEEL LOADERS

L

iebherr is increasing the availability of its fully automatic LIKUFIX quick-change system for additional wheel loader models.

LIKUFIX is now available for L 506 and L 508 compact loaders, for XPower large wheel loaders up to L 580, and for L 507 and L 509 stereo loaders. As before, LIKUFIX is still available for the medium-sized Liebherr wheel loaders L 526, L 538 and L 546. In North America, only large- and medium-sized wheel loaders are currently available.

With LIKUFIX, the machine operator can switch, for example, between a hydraulic 4-in-1 folding shovel, a forklift or a sweeper within seconds at the push of a button. The hydraulic lines are connected automatically and reliably with LIKUFIX which means no valuable time is lost.

Working with hydraulic tools such as high dump buckets, buckets with hold-down devices, log grapplers or separator buckets is typical for larger Liebherr wheel loaders. This is why

Liebherr also offers its fully automatic quick-change system for larger wheel loader models.

LIKUFIX makes it possible for the machine operator to easily change these and other tools at the push of a button from the cab. This increases safety, because when changing equipment, there is no need to leave the cab and therefore no risk, for example, of going out into the site traffic at a recycling yard.

Thanks to LIKUFIX, efficient and safe switching between different hydraulic working tools is possible. The LIKUFIX quick change system is prepared for tough requirements. The hydraulic coupling is supported by springs. The forces that act on the quick coupler are therefore not transferred to the coupling system. Even with long periods of use, the connections between the hydraulic circuits remain absolutely tight.

To make maintenance easier, all moving parts are easily accessible. If necessary, customers can easily carry out cleaning and simple maintenance activities such as changing a seal themselves.

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DEMOLITION & RECYCLING

HIGH-REACH DEMOLITION FROM THE OPERATOR’S SEAT EXPERIENCED OPERATOR KEVIN ROMPHF TALKS ABOUT THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT HELP MAKE BIG DEMO JOBS EASIER

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

B

uilding demolition is one of those activities that draws a crowd – especially when it’s a big building. Watching heavy equipment of various kinds plow through a structure, reducing it to components that are hauled away for disposal or recycling, can be fascinating.

For the operators who are handling that equipment, demolition work is more of a science – every move needs to be done with care and consideration for the structure, the job site and the public spaces around them.

Learning the tricks of the trade takes time and experience, and not every job is filled with big drops but, according to one operator, demolition work is always engaging and fulfilling.

Kevin Romphf has worked for a number of demolition companies on jobs across Canada, and specializes in big jobs that require high-reach excavator work. He didn’t start on those jobs, however. In fact, he began his career indoors on environmental and remediation aspects of demolition.

“I started at the top and worked my way down to it, I guess you could say,” Romphf described. “I did abatement, then a bunch of interior work – running a company, estimating, doing all that stuff. I would run equipment like Bobcats and small

Think about it this way – that piece of equipment is between $1.5 and $2 million. If you’re just throwing someone in it that knows how to run a machine, the potential there to hurt themselves or damage that piece of equipment is pretty high.

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HIGH-REACH DEMOLITION WORK IS A CHALLENGE FOR THE OPERATOR THANKS TO MANY VARIABLES.

excavators, but didn’t get into it full time until around 2000.”

A few years working in a scrapyard with equipment mounted with shears led to an opportunity that brought Romphf back into building demolition, and the chance to begin work on a high-reach machine.

“A lot of construction jobs are repetitive, but this – every day is a new challenge. Every day is different. You go to work expecting one thing, but no, every building is different. It might be identical to another, but it’s still built differently. The guy building the concrete had a bad day, or someone putting the steel together forgot a bolt. Silly things can change everything we do when we’re demoing a building,” he related. “It’s always changing. Every time you touch something, some other part can change. You go ‘okay, we can’t do that – we have to change the whole approach.’”

Learning the demolition game from the seat of a machine took time and effort, and Romphf feels that is important in understanding how best to approach demolition jobs of all sizes.

He started out on small machines, demonstrating that he could plan his work and be efficient, then moved up to a mini excavator and repeated that process. From there it was up to mid-sized excavators, cleaning up behind the demo machines, and on to a larger excavator next to experienced operators where he could watch and understand the most efficient and safest approach to completing the job cleanly and efficiently.

“Too many people want to do that jump – ‘I know how to run the machine, now I want to demo.’ Well, first you have to learn the other stuff – if you just go on and rip a building down, now you have a big mess and your whole way of attacking the job just goes out the window,” Romphf described. “That takes two or three times as long to clean up.”

Once an operator understands the demo process, then they can move on to actual demolition work, starting with smaller buildings and working their way up. In the process, they need to learn a lot about construction and engineering, because without knowing how buildings are built it’s difficult to take them down, he said.

KEVIN ROMPHF.

“The biggest thing about running a high-reach is learning what you can get away with, what you can’t get away with, and all that. I’ve spent a lot of time with engineers in doing highreach jobs, learning from them,” Romphf said.

Recognizing the ways in which structures are designed, how to identify the strong points and not accidentally cause things to fall before the operator is ready – all of these are skills that a successful high-reach operator needs to understand before they get onto a demolition site, Romphf said.

“You can’t just take the columns out of six or seven stories and expect a good result. You have to target part of the building and be confident that the other parts are going to stay there,” he said. “Plus, when you’re munching close to a road. . . you need to learn how to pull material in so it doesn’t fall onto the streets.”

Many people have seen videos of the big drops – buildings collapsing down impressively – but, while they’re certainly exciting, those drops can be potentially dangerous and difficult to clean up. There has to be a method to the operation.

“I just did a nine-story hospital. If you’re facing it and some people are suggesting knocking six or seven stories down at a time. . . if I do it that way I’m creating a huge mess that I have to deal with once I’ve dropped it,” Romphf said. “If I go one or two floors at a time, I can control those two floors, pull the columns out, take the next two floors, pull those columns, until you get to the bottom and then drop the big slabs all the way to the bottom.

You do it the other way, you have four or five columns that are still hanging there and could come at you.”

Learning to work in cramped quarters is also a big part of high-reach work, especially in urban environments. Romphf worked on a hotel project in Vancouver’s bustling downtown that was a challenge due to the space. Demolition robots were used to bring the building down to the final few floors, then the highreach went to work – stuck in an alleyway next to the building.

“When I started part of that building, I was stuck in the alley, basically side swinging against the building, trying to munch it.

I’d have to munch at an angle, slip over to the other side, munch

at another angle, and then keep going until I could actually face the building straight on,” he related. “The machine’s so big that you don’t always have enough room.”

Demolition isn’t always about high-reach work, of course and Romphf spends plenty of time working on smaller buildings and in standard excavators between the big jobs. Those have kept him moving, though – he’s worked in various places across Canada, thanks to his expertise on high-reach machines.

“Think about it this way – that piece of equipment is between $1.5 and $2 million. If you’re just throwing someone in it that knows how to run a machine, the potential there to hurt themselves or damage that piece of equipment is pretty high,” he noted. “The number of people who are good with them isn’t that high – a lot of people are slower on them because of the height.

You want to be patient and slow, and guys that have run them for a while are used to the heights and can manipulate things better.”

At those heights, and with the limitations to power and capacity that high-reach work brings along with it, finesse and knowledge are important. It takes time to learn, and Romphf said operators who want to learn need to keep that in mind as they work on smaller buildings first.

“Learn your structures, and learn on smaller buildings. If you can go into a building with a 40-ton machine and do three or four stories with no problems, then you can start looking up,” he said. “But, start with something like a three-story building on a high-reach, instead of ten stories. . . you can learn well at that height and gradually go up.”

Romphf advised learning on buildings that are relatively open, and for operators to concentrate on keeping materials inside the structure as they demo. That way when the job moves to more complex buildings close to city streets, the operator already knows how to handle it.

“That way it doesn’t feel like a challenge – it just feels routine,” he said. “We deal a lot with the public, and you have to learn keeping everything on the inside. If you’re going for a big drop and it goes sideways and things wind up on the street corner, they’ll have big issues. That’s why I’d rather take smaller bites and control it – I try not to have that problem. That’s the big challenge.” HEG

A KNOWLEDGE OF STRUCTURE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MAKES IT EASIER TO TEAR A BUILDING DOWN.

MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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DEMOLITION & RECYCLING

VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

STRAIGHT BOOM EXCAVATOR REACHES HIGHER ON DEMOLITION JOBS

T

he Volvo EC380E Straight Boom purpose-built demolition excavator is a new factory-configured version of the company’s standard EC380E machine. This straight boom configuration provides the operator with greater reach at height than the standard model. Additional key features include guarding, a hydraulically removable counterweight, dust suppression system and fully automatic coupler option installed in the factory.

STRAIGHT BOOM ADVANTAGES

This demolition excavator has a 23-foot (7 m) straight boom to deliver a reach advantage over the conventional 380 machine.

“When our customers ask for additional reach without sacrificing stability or performance, we work hard to make it happen,” said Tony den Hoed, national demolition account director.

“The EC380E Straight Boom is a great example. Added reach while protecting operators means demolition contractors can now take on even more challenging jobs with total confidence.”

FACTORY-FIT GUARDING, REINFORCEMENT AND SAFETY FEATURES

The cab is protected against falling debris with a frame-mounted Falling Objects Guard, and thanks to large windows with a wiper and washer, operators have an excellent view of the job site. The roof window and front one-piece glass are made from P5A, which is resistant to high impacts.

Nighttime visibility is aided by standard LED lights on both the boom and platform, and additional lighting for the cabin and counterweight are available options.

The heavily reinforced main frame is made of heavy-duty plate steel with bolt-head protection. It also features heavy-duty undercover protection, a durable belly guard and a full track guard. A slew ring cover and heavy-duty side doors with screens and louvers offer added protection. The bolt-on Side Impact Protection system protects the superstructure from damage, and the machine is further guarded against damage from debris by additional protection on both bucket and boom cylinders. A reversible cooling fan ejects any debris stuck in the radiator, helping to keep the radiator clean and the engine running at optimal temperatures.

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REMOVABLE COUNTERWEIGHT

The EC380E Straight Boom can perform demolition tasks with a heavy tool at higher reach thanks to a 22,046-pound (10,000 kg) counterweight that is hydraulically removable for transporting the excavator.

INTEGRATED DUST SUPPRESSION

Standard features include X1 and X3 auxiliary piping, a quick-fit and oil drain line, and water lines connected to a dust suppression system.

The dust suppression system features a 7.9 gpm (30 litres per minute) lifting pump feeding water to four arm-based nozzles that create a fine mist to contain dust. The system can work in either manual or auto mode, where water is only sprayed when the attachment is operating. The system also comes with a high-pressure water gun mounted behind the cab for cleaning the machine.

FULLY AUTOMATIC QUICK COUPLER OPTION

To take full advantage of the machine, owners can have either a Steelwrist or OilQuick fully automatic quick coupler installed at the factory. Owners can still pin tools on without the Steelwrist or OilQuick coupler, or can outfit their machine with a Volvo quick coupler.

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CRANES

LIEBHERR CRANE INNOVATIONS DELIVER ZERO EMISSIONS, FOCUS ON SAFETY

BY KAITLYN TILL, EDITOR IN CHIEF

L

ower emissions and advanced safety features are key themes in Liebherr’s recent crane introductions. With the introduction of the world’s first battery-powered crawler cranes, the company is opening up new opportunities for end users to meet emissions reduction targets and lower noise levels in sensitive environments – requirements that are pushed by tenders for new projects. The company has also recently introduced new and updated crawler cranes and a 150-tonne mobile all-terrain crane that continues the company’s rollout of single-engine models.

THE WORLD’S FIRST BATTERY-POWERED CRAWLER CRANES

Following the introduction of its LB 16 Unplugged drill rig, Liebherr has introduced the world’s first two battery-powered crawler cranes, the LR 1250.1 and LR 1200.1. This year ESTA, the European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes, awarded Liebherr’s LR 1250.1 Unplugged crawler crane its award for Innovation: Manufacturer.

The Unplugged cranes are powered by an electric motor rated at 225 kW. The LR 1200.1 Unplugged has a maximum lifting capacity of 200 tonnes while the LR 1250.1 lifts up to 250 tonnes. In addition to offering zero-emissions operation, the low noise levels of these cranes suit them for work that must be performed in environments that are sensitive to noise.

According to Liebherr, these cranes can be charged in about 4.5 hours using conventional job site electricity supply, or 2.25 hours at a higher amperage. Tyler Bragg, divisional manager – foundation equipment/crawler cranes at Liebherr-Canada, noted that these cranes are built on the same platform as their diesel-powered counterparts and performance is similar; with no engine to service, maintenance is reduced – there are no filters to change or fluids to top up,

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the battery just requires a visual inspection.

A single charge will last for four hours of lifting unplugged and the crane can be operated with the umbilical plugged in for continuous power.

According to Kyle Jardine, divisional director – mobile and maritime cranes at Liebherr-Canada, the availability of unplugged cranes gives Liebherr the opportunity to give contractors a competitive advantage for bidding jobs that have stringent emissions requirements, particularly as large corporations are seeking solutions that fit within their sustainability plans for projects and are turning to crane rental companies with that need.

Bragg added that, given the upfront cost of the Unplugged models, the interest is coming from large general contractors and equipment companies that have developed health and safety and environmental plans. He expects that these cranes will be used for downtown city work that is close to a central grid and where lower emissions and noise levels are desired.

Liebherr is currently working on certification for North America with availability expected toward the end of 2021; these cranes have already been approved for and released in Europe, with the first LR 1250.1 model going into operation in Oslo, Norway. The crane was ordered by Kynningsrud Nordic Crane AS before it was fully designed, with Eirik Kynningsrud, general manager at Kynningsrud Nordic Crane AS noting that the government wants zero-emission construction sites in the country and the company was happy to lead the way in delivering green solutions.

Liebherr expects to introduce Unplugged versions of the smaller LR 1130 and LR 1160 later this year.

LR 1700-1.0 CRAWLER CRANE

The LR 1700-1.0 700-tonne-capacity crawler crane is Liebherr’s new successor to its LR 1600/2. The crane’s dimensions

LR 1250.1 UNPLUGGED

are similar to the predecessor, but delivers greater lifting capability. All transportation units for this crane are a maximum of three metres wide except for the H lattice sections of the main boom, which are 3.5 metres wide. According to Liebherr, this crane can meet more stringent width limitations and the company can supply the boom with 3-metre-wide lattice sections if needed. Transportation weight of the slewing platform and the crawlers each comes in at under 45 tonnes.

This crane is ideal for industrial work and wind turbine installation projects. With a 102-metre main boom and a 96-metre luffing jib, this crane can be raised for 198 metres. For wind turbine installation, maximum boom length is 165 metres with extra H sections and a 15-metre fixed jib can be added.

LR 1300 SX CRAWLER CRANE

This 300-tonne-capacity crawler crane has been updated with a number of safety-focused features. One of these new features is a slewing gear force limiter. According to Bragg, in the past it was up to the operator to decide what speed to swing at with the load, but now with these new sensors the machine makes that decision, protecting the crane from overstressing. Another new feature is a boom up and down aid. The crane now monitors the optimal angle for lifting the jib off the ground and lowering the jib to the ground and will alert the operator if they are coming close to or exceeding the optimal angle.

There are also new load charts for wind speed, but the operator still needs to be aware of the wind speed so that they can select which chart to go into. This crane also has a vertical line finder for when the operator can’t see the end of the hook. With the vertical line finder, the boom head will centre itself over the load so that when the operator picks it up they won’t get a side load that starts swinging.

LR 1300 SX

LTM 1150-5.3 ALL-TERRAIN CRANE Liebherr’s new 150-tonne all-terrain crane features a 66-metre telescopic boom which is 10 percent longer than the predecessor model, the LTM 1130-5.1, and offers approximately 15 percent greater lifting capacity.

With the boom fully extended this crane has a lifting capacity that exceeds 9 tonnes. Lattice extensions for this crane deliver a hook height of 92 metres and radii of 72 metres.

Like most of Liebherr’s new all-terrain cranes, this new model features a single engine with ECOdrive for reducing engine speed, faster gear shifting off-road and greater efficiency to minimize fuel consumption onroad. ECOmode delivers lower emissions and quieter performance in crane operation, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions and noise levels. This crane also has LICCON 2 work planner software, and features VarioBase with asymmetrical outriggers, which delivers greater stability in lifting operations and enables outriggers to extend to different lengths.

For the first time on a telescopic all-terrain crane Liebherr is offering adjustable hook blocks, which have been redesigned to be lighter while still heavy enough to ensure that the hoisting winch spools reliably. The weight of the hook block can be easily increased as necessary.

Liebherr’s latest developments in zero-emission crane operations, reduction in emissions from diesel-powered machines and advances in safety features are designed to help give contractors an edge in competitive bidding as that process comes with new challenges to meet stricter emissions and noise regulations around the world. As for what’s next, look for more Unplugged cranes later in 2021. HEG MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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CRANES

TECHNOLOGY FEATURES MAXIMIZE PERFORMANCE OF NEW ROUGH-TERRAIN CRANES

T

adano and Terex Cranes have both introduced new rough-terrain cranes with technology features to boost performance and emissions reduction features that also reduce noise levels.

TADANO ENTERS NEW WEIGHT CLASS

The GR-1300XL-4 expands Tadano’s rough-terrain lineup into the 130-ton weight class, with a versatile machine featuring a long boom and compact design.

The six-section boom can extend up to 183.7 feet using a reliable telescoping pinning system, which Tadano says makes it the longest boom of any rough-terrain crane in the 130-ton weight class.

Tadano’s “Smart Chart” feature maximizes the crane’s work performance, and with a compact carrier length of just 28 feet on a two-axle system and a self-removable counterweight, the GR-1300XL-4 is easy to transport.

Powering the GR-1300XL-4 is a 280-hp Cummins B6.7 engine with 850 ft.-lb. of torque. Its transmission has five for-

TADANO GR-1300XL-4

ward speeds with four steering modes. The GR-1300XL-4 also features a 20-degree tiltable cab for improved safety, visibility and comfort, and is controlled by Tadano’s AML-E2 system on a 10.4-inch multifunction display that is pressure-sensitive for operators wearing gloves.

TADANO VIEW SYSTEM BOOSTS JOB SITE VISIBILITY

The Tadano View System is a three-camera network that offers right front, rear view and blind spot views to assist with safe crane operation and driving. The GR-1300XL-4 also includes Tadano’s Clearance Sonar system that integrates four proximity sensors into the rear fender of the crane to audibly and visually alert the operator of any obstacles behind, while also serving as a blind spot warning system.

FEATURES FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OPERATION The newly developed pump disconnect function automati-

TADANO DROPS DEMAG NAME AS PART OF REBRANDING STRATEGY Tadano is transitioning to a single, unified brand as part of its long-term global strategy. The harmonized Tadano brand will be used for all cranes, replacing the Tadano (Faun) ATF and Demag AC all-terrain cranes, Demag CC lattice boom crawler cranes, and Tadano Mantis telescopic boom crawler cranes branding.

With this change Tadano will also change product nomenclature for all-terrain and crawler cranes. The

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model nomenclature will continue to use the AC for all-terrain and CC for lattice boom crawler cranes in combination with axle number, metric tonnage and a version number.

Tadano plans to finalize the re-branding with the introduction of the first jointly developed all-terrain crane from the Zweibrüecken and Lauf production sites in Germany later this year.

cally stops operation of the crane’s hydraulic pump if the crane is not operated for a certain period of time, which reduces fuel consumption.

Additional features include the Fuel Monitoring System, EcoMode and Positive Control, which support environmentally friendly operations by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, improving fuel consumption and reducing noise.

Tadano’s HELLO-NET telematics web information service records the crane’s operation status using mobile communications, as well as positional information via GPS and maintenance data.

Tadano shares information about the product in use and offers advanced customer support and service.

TEREX ROUGH-TERRAIN CRANES FEATURE NEXT GENERATION OPERATING SYSTEM

The Terex Cranes TRT 90 features the new generation of the Terex Operating System (TEOS), which combines proven capabilities with a 10-inch full-colour touchscreen display with intuitive interface to maximize efficient and safe operation and maintenance.

The TRT 90, with a 90-tonne lifting capacity, is the second model of the TRT range, which also includes the TRT 80 with an 80-tonne capacity. Both models include a full power proportional boom mode, which gives the operator the best lifting performance, irrespective of the boom length. The counterweight of the TRT 80 is designed so that it can be modularly assembled, meaning its overall weight can be reduced when needed, while the TRT 90 features the same self-removable ballast as its predecessor (RT 90), eliminating the need for auxiliary cranes.

Both cranes have a width of only 3 metres for easy transportation and maneuverability. Maneuverability is also enhanced with four steering options.

An extra-wide, tiltable cabin with large glass surface provides excellent visibility and comfort

TEREX CRANES TRT 90

for the operator.

Both cranes are equipped with a Cummins 6-cylinder engine to provide high power and low fuel consumption thanks to its Eco Mode function and anti-stall

control. They are also available with Terex Telematics T-Link, fully stowable double section jib and other features such as new LED lights, outrigger control from the carrier and the anemometer.

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37

LIFT & ACCESS

JLG H800 AJ

HYBRID AND ELECTRIC BOOM LIFTS

W

hen low noise and emission levels are essential, hybrid and electric lift equipment can deliver performance while meeting these needs for both indoor and outdoor job sites. Here are some of the more recent models from several manufacturers.

JLG INDUSTRIES

JLG’s latest hybrid boom lift is based on the platform of its standard 80-foot 800AJ articulating boom. The H800AJ boasts the same controls layout, parts, features, accessories and optional equipment as its non-hybrid counterpart – the only significant difference between the two is defined by the power package and batteries.

This articulating boom lift uses parallel hybrid technology, boasting a powerful electric motor/generator and a Tier 4 Final engine. The machine can also run exclusively in electric mode through its battery pack located in the counterweight. These batteries are maintenance-free and charge on demand by the machine’s generator during operation, resulting in reduced noise and zero emissions, making this machine ideal for work in city, green and low-emission zones.

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The platform height of the H800AJ is 80 feet with an unrestricted platform capacity of 500 pounds. The unit comes standard with the JLG SkyGuard enhanced control panel protection system, a feature activated by approximately 50 pounds (23 kg) of force which stops, then reverses most functions in use at the time of activation.

The H800AJ’s standard jib raises and lowers to provide additional reach, as well as up and over capability, giving the operator the ability to position the platform independent of the main boom. An oscillating axle and four-wheel drive offer improved traction during operation on uneven surfaces and off slab. Additional features include continuous turntable rotation and zero-tail swing when the tower is elevated.

SNORKEL

The Snorkel A38E electric articulated boom lift is ideal for job sites with reduced floor loadings. It offers a maximum working height of 43 feet 7 inches and a maximum platform height of 37 feet 7 inches. Maximum horizontal reach is 20 feet. Platform capacity is 475 pounds and this boom lift weighs 8,554 pounds.

Featuring powered platform rotation, the A38E has a superb

NE W 40’ & 60’ BOOMS

RE-VISUALIZED RE-POWERED

RETURN

Skyjack’s new 40ft and 60ft booms offer high capacity platforms and reduced machine weight.

SMARTORQUETM technology provides an optimized balance of horse power, torque and hydraulic efficiency, maintains on-site performance, and keeps maintenance costs down.

SNORKEL A38E

working envelope and proportional controls for precise positioning. With efficient electric drive, this durable electric boom can travel up to 10 miles (16 km) on a single charge.

Snorkel’s A46JE is the battery-electric version of the A46JRT articulating boom lift. This two-wheel-drive self-propelled boom can easily lift two people with tools. An articulating jib and powered 160-degree platform rotation add versatility to the A46JE’s quiet, emission-free operation. This articulating boom offers a maximum working height of 16 metres, maximum platform height of 14 metres, maximum horizontal reach of 7.35 metres and weighs 6,664 kg.

Snorkel is developing a mid-size lithium-ion battery powered articulated boom lift which is due for launch later in 2021.

SKYJACK

According to Skyjack, its articulating booms offer precise positioning capabilities paired with high load capacity ratings. The electric product within Skyjack’s boom range is the SJ30 ARJE, the company’s first boom to feature a rotating jib and direct AC electric drive.

This model comes with a 48V 305 Ah battery pack as standard, and 360 Ah batteries, or 330 Ah AGM batteries are optional.

The SJ30 ARJE has convenient swing-out battery trays for easy access to

LIFT & ACCESS those components and all major service points are easily accessible. Standard with ELEVATE Live, operators also have access to familiarization materials, Skyjack’s Quickstart Guide, and pre-use inspection checklist. With ELEVATE telematics installed, battery voltage information is also available – all by simply scanning a QR code.

Like its diesel-powered counterparts, the SJ30 features SKYCODED, Skyjack’s colour-coded and numbered wiring system; SKYRISER, Skyjack’s true vertical rise system; and EASYDRIVE, Skyjack’s direction sensing drive and steer controls.

Working height of this model is 35 feet 6 inches, platform height is 29 feet six inches and horizontal reach is 20 feet 7 inches. The unit’s weight is 12,320 pounds.

GENIE

SKYJACK SJ30 ARJE

GENIE Z-45 FE

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Genie’s Z-45 FE hybrid articulating boom lift falls into the 52-foot (16 m) range and features an unrestricted range of motion and a maximum lift capacity of 660 pounds (300 kg). On this model, high-efficiency AC drive motors provide similar torque as hydraulic drive motors while using 30 to 40 percent less energy.

It can operate in two modes: all-electric or hybrid. In “all-electric” mode, it provides the ability to work a full shift on a single battery charge. In “hybrid” mode, it offers more than a week of run time on a single tank of diesel.

While operating in hybrid mode, this boom lift utilizes a 24.8-hp (18.5 kW) Kubota D1105 Tier 4 Final/Stage 5 engine-powered generator to maintain the state of charge of the batteries. This mechanically controlled engine has no aftertreatment or low-sulphur fuel requirements. And requiring 30 percent less fuel than typical 49-hp (36.5 kW) diesel machines, this hybrid boom has the ability to run for a full shift on an overnight battery charge.

This hybrid system also allows the machine to recover energy generated when braking or descending inclines, which is in turn used to recharge its batteries. The Genie Z-45 FE boom comes standard with high-capacity 335Ah maintenance-free AGM batteries (315Ah FLA batteries are optional).

Maximum working height is 51 feet 8 inches (15.92 m), maximum horizontal outreach is 22 feet 9 inches (6.94 m) and maximum up-and-over reach is 24 feet 7 inches (7.50 m) and a 660-pound (300 kg) maximum lift capacity. Its 5-foot (1.52 m) articulating jib with a 135-degree vertical rotation provides the ability to position workers accurately.

NE W TH SERIES A TRUE RENTAL SOLUTION

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR FALL PROTECTION HARNESS

BY MATT JOHNSON

Y

ou probably have a dirty job and there is no way around it. But that dirt, industrial solvent, oils, built up salt from sweat and more can impact the longevity of your harness. Just like the importance of washing the salt off your car in the winter, cleaning your PPE occasionally will pay in the long run.

Spot cleaning your equipment can usually be done with a mild detergent and a sponge or cloth – it should be left to air dry afterward.

Need to dig a little deeper? Stick to cleaning solutions that are non-corrosive or non-abrasive. Never use bleach or an acid solvent as these can damage your PPE. Put your PPE in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging and unnecessary abrasion. In a clean bucket or sink, mix your solution so it is not too soapy to the touch. Too much soap can make your equipment feel tacky and uncomfortable to wear.

With a non-abrasive cloth or sponge wipe any loose debris off while everything is still dry. Wet your cloth/sponge with your solution and work a lather into the area to be cleaned. Do not soak your PPE as that can damage some materials. After scrubbing, rinse thoroughly with regular tap water and blot dry with a lint-free cloth.

Remove from the mesh bag and hang your equipment to air dry away from excessive heat, steam and sunlight. Be sure it hangs freely and without folds. Never machine dry your PPE or store it wet.

Once it is fully dry and clean, inspect your gear before returning to active service.

What about machine washing? This can reduce the longevity of your PPE, cause fading or even soften the webbing. Always inspect your equipment and follow the instruction manual’s recommendations.

MATT JOHNSON is the marketing manager at Jendco Safety Supply.

Skyjack’s TH Telehandler Series has been updated to increase machine reliability and longevity, while continuing to offer best in class serviceability.

LIFT & ACCESS

SKYJACK

TELEHANDLER UPDATES

S

kyjack has updated a number of features on its TH Series telehandlers. Initially launched in 2015, Skyjack offers six models within core classes of telehandlers throughout North America.

“While we’ve made one-off changes to our TH Series throughout the years, these are the first significant design changes that we have done since launching,” explains Kurt Atchison, director of product management at Skyjack. “We have increased the return on our customer’s investment by improving reliability, and serviceability.”

Core changes to Skyjack’s TH Series include: • Tilt compensation cylinder configuration has been updated to utilize a dual cylinder setup, to better distribute the load and improve reliability; • High-pressure filter has been added to the hydraulic system to complement the oil return filter and further reduce the risk of contamination; • Main boom pivot bearings have been updated to greaseless bearings, removing the need for end users to grease and maintain on job sites; • Steel engine cowlings are highly durable for better on-site protection, while also requiring less repairs.

“By incorporating greaseless bearings, and a high-pressure filter, we’ve reduced the amount of maintenance required by end users,” Atchison continues. “These changes have a direct and positive impact on our customers’ overall cost of owner-

ship as they increase the longevity of the equipment.”

The TH Series will continue to include Skyjack’s SMARTORQUE technology that’s engineered to require no DPF, no DEF, and no active exhaust aftertreatment; FLEXCAB design so operators can easily transition from open to enclosed cabs; yoke-mounted lifting READYHOOK; and its Rear Axle Stabilization (RAS) system, which increases stability and provides job site flexibility with three-mode operation.

JLG INDUSTRIES

REMOTE BOOM CONTROL FOR TELEHANDLERS

J

LG Industries has introduced a new remote boom control option for JLG 1644, 1732 and 1075 telehandlers. This new feature enables operators to control the boom from outside the cab, which can provide improved visibility during load placement.

Telehandlers are often used to place loads on top of buildings, such as setting HVAC units into place on rooftops. With remote boom control, operators have the ability from outside the cab to place material at height, achieving precision placement further onto a building.

And, it can potentially eliminate the need for two people – one in the cab and one at the location where the material is being placed.

With remote boom control operators are able to wirelessly operate the following machine functions: engine

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start-up, boom raise/lower, boom extend/retract, fork tilt up/down and auxiliary hydraulics.

When operating the remote boom control from the fork-mounted work platform, a platform docking station is required. This docking station provides a stable surface to magnetically mount the remote-control box.

NE W

SJ9664 RT

BIGGER. BETTER. SKYJACK. Skyjack’s new SJ9664 Full Size Rough Terrain makes work at six stories possible. With one of the largest work areas on the market, even more work can be done.

SMARTORQUETM technology provides an optimized balance of horse power, torque and hydraulic efficiency, maintains on-site performance, and keeps maintenance costs down. : MRT 2260 ROTATING TELEHANDLER

MANITOU GROUP

REDESIGNED MRT ROTATING TELEHANDLERS

M

anitou has renamed its two ranges of rotating telehandlers under the new names VISION and VISION+.

According to Carlo Alberto Razzoli, MRT product manager, “We are seeking to harmonize our entire range by making it simpler. By modernizing the design and ergonomics of our products, we are now able to offer a single cab across all the models in the range, thus providing excellent visibility to users whatever the model.

Having the same cab also means having an equivalent control station on all models, making them quicker to get to grips with.”

Two new machines have been added to this offering with the MRT 1645 and MRT 1845 models for the VISION range. With 500 kg (1,100 pounds) of additional load capacity compared to their predecessors, these two products offer a lifting height of 16 metres (52 feet 5 inches) and 18 metres (59 feet 1 inch) respectively for a load of 4.5 tons (9,900 pounds). They are also equipped with a new Stage V engine, producing 75 hp and 116 hp respectively. The VISION range offers a wide selection of 14 models with heights ranging from 16 metres (52 feet 5 inches) to 25 metres (82 feet), for a load capacity of up to 4.5 tons (9,900 pounds).

The highest capacities are grouped together in the VISION+ range, which features 12 new models. The range has been completely revamped with six new products: MRT 2260, MRT 2660, MRT 3570 (also available in an electronic suspension version), MRT 2570 and MRT 3060.

With models offering a lifting height of 22 metres (72 feet 9 inches) to 35 metres (114 feet 8 inches) and an improved capacity of up to 7 tons (15,400 pounds), this range is ideal for the installation of structural steelwork, renovation of buildings and even demolition.

TELEMATICS & MACHINE CONTROL

A CASE FOR CONNECTIVITY HOW A GREATER DEMAND FOR TELEMATICS IS SHAPING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

BY PETER GIBBONS

T

elematics technology has made huge progress in the last decade. More construction companies are trusting it to get the job done faster and safer. But the biggest shift was seen last year. With COVID-19, technology quickly emerged as the real hero, mitigating the negative effects on the construction industry while reducing costs, keeping project schedules on track and increasing job site security and safety.

Today, there is an increased need to maximize project productivity, doubling down on not just health and safety, but scheduling, resourcing and everything in between. What was once new and revolutionary is becoming the industry norm.

Telematics is continuing to help construction companies operate more effectively and efficiently and now can also be used as a tool to meet sustainability goals.

THE NEXT LEVEL OF CONNECTIVITY

Telematics has been used to drive big change in the construction industry for years. But today, companies are demanding even more – better connectivity, more upgrades and deeper data insights to help push their business to be more competitive and profitable.

The use of telematics is continuing to grow as data analysis technology evolves. Telematics for mid-sized to large pieces of equipment has been around for years – but there has been a recent shift in its use on other assets and smaller equipment such as grout pumps, power generators, trailers and drills.

In power generation, telematics allow situations to be monitored in real time and critical decisions can be made in minutes, not hours or days. If there is an issue with a generator, the site manager and equipment dealer are alerted right away and are able to either fix the equipment remotely or dispatch a technician. The data generated through telematics can provide a big-picture overview of generator health, especially on larger sites with multiple units. When the information is gathered and analyzed properly it can be filtered and compared against historical records to increase efficiencies and help develop the right preventive maintenance programs.

Telematics has also been a game changer when it comes to drilling. It helps operators better understand how they are using drills, tracks progress and offers advice as to when maintenance is needed to order parts and schedule repairs.

It can also be used to locate lost or stolen equipment. For example, grout pumps can easily get lost underground after being covered with dirt and mud. Using telematics they can

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Telematics for mid-sized to large pieces of equipment has been around for years – but there has been a recent shift in its use on other assets and smaller equipment such as grout pumps, power generators, trailers and drills. easily be tracked and recovered.

When applied to its full potential, telematics can have a big impact on the cost of doing business. It can help with bids on future work, schedule maintenance to reduce downtime and ensure operators are getting the best use out of equipment.

Next-generation machines are coming straight from the factory with telematics already installed, helping ensure more operators know about the technology and how to use it. The next step is operator training, preventive maintenance and greater productivity.

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THAT DATA

Today, data-driven analytics are fast becoming the foundation for the planning and management of successful construction companies. And remote access means that site managers can track and analyze data without ever having to step foot on a job site.

Companies are now looking for even deeper visibility into equipment operations and are capturing a significant amount of data. But on larger construction sites that could have upward of 10,000 pieces of connected equipment, this also presents a new challenge around how to use and get the most out of the information available.

First you need to understand what information is critical to the success of your operations. Avoid being distracted by metrics that don’t meet your business needs. For some, GPS tracking with daily reports may be the only requirement. Others want the full dashboard – access to historical information on equipment, tracking location, idle time or fault codes to help identify issues and resolve problems remotely. They may want to use telematics as a way to predict future behaviour, identifying patterns and potential problems before they become issues.

For example, when an operator has an issue with their machine they can connect via telematics to their technology support team who can immediately assist with remote troubleshooting.

The dealer can also log into the machine and access live machine diagnostic information to help identify the problem. If a repair is required, a technician can be dispatched with the right parts and tools to fix the machine, saving time and money.

When it comes to payload systems, telematics can be used to report cycle times and volume moved. Construction companies can then use these metrics to establish cost per ton, giving them the ability to track productivity and, as a result, price jobs more accurately.

Telematics can also enable equipment updates without the machine ever leaving the job site. Operators receive a notice that a software upgrade is available on their machine. Similar to a smartphone, the updates can be completed remotely, removing bugs or issues from equipment and improving the operation of the machine. When companies focus on upgrading their existing technology it can set them up for whatever may come next and potentially save them money in the long run. Not only can telematics receive information, it can send information as well. Using telematics, surveyors can send design files to the machine, allowing them to build and plan their job through grade control systems. There is a significant productivity benefit here as previously surveyors would have to drive to the site and upload the file manually into the machine.

RAISING THE BAR FOR SUSTAINABILITY There is an increasing demand to use telematics as a tool to track equipment greenhouse gas emissions. It has become a

key technology to support construction companies’ sustainability efforts to make substantial reductions in fuel consumption, emissions and carbon footprint.

Access to real-time reporting can help address operator behaviour that can contribute to fuel consumption and emissions such as excessive speeding, idling or sudden braking. Many telematics systems also provide insight on route selection for optimal fuel economy, improving dispatch times by scheduling technicians nearest to a job and monitoring fleet maintenance and service schedules to maximize uptime and ensure machines operate at peak efficiency. Sustainability data can also be tracked on invoices as a way to show environmental improvements and prove due diligence.

Sustainability in construction is becoming a significant concern for government and corporations on both a global and local level. In the near future, addressing and lowering emissions in the construction industry won’t just be the norm but a regulatory requirement. Carbon footprint analysis will not only work toward supporting green initiatives and emissions goals but help to maximize equipment energy efficiency.

Unknowingly, COVID-19 accelerated a greater adoption of telematics – a change which will have lasting impacts on the industry long after the pandemic is over. The long-term benefits and increases in efficiency and productivity seen due to connectivity cannot be ignored, and the industry will continue to see greater advancements as telematics evolves. Recognizing telematics as part of a bigger strategy is key to the future growth of the construction industry. The first step is trusting that telematics has the ability to improve and transform all levels of your business and that it will help optimize job sites, drive greater sustainability and efficiencies, improve your competitiveness and increase the bottom line for your operations.

Partnering with a trusted equipment and technology dealer, implementing telematics early on and knowing what data you need right from the start can help remove some of the initial barriers to adopting the technology.

PETER GIBBONS is regional technology manager at Finning.

TELEMATICS & MACHINE CONTROL

TRACKUNIT

TRACKUNIT KIN ENABLES ALL SITE ASSETS AND EQUIPMENT TO BE CONNECTED AND TRACKED USING A SINGLE APP

T

rackunit Kin enables seamless connectivity and tracking of all non-powered construction site assets. The new tag leverages and extends Trackunit’s globally available mesh network, which, according to the company, already offers the construction industry’s

largest network of trackable devices.

Compliant with the latest Bluetooth 5.2 standard, Kin is designed to connect to the Trackunit RAW (TU600) installed network of devices via the Trackunit Go app installed on end user mobile devices.

Each connected tag extends the opera-

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bility and range of the complete tracking system, leveraging thousands of installed TU600 devices already in operation on worksites and in equipment stores around the world.

Kin users will be able to precisely locate and identify attachments, accessories and tools quickly and easily. Kin capabilities will include a phased rollout of features that include: • Find my asset: use the mobile app anywhere on site or in depot to locate an asset; • LED indicator: identify a specific asset in a pool of assets by activating the LED on the tag; • Pairing: track the utilization of machine attachments and tools, including correct attachment to machine pairing.

The new hardware is a compact 2.12by 1.4-inch (53 mm by 35 mm) robust device that can be attached to any small, medium or large asset and exceeds industrial design standard PP66K and IP69K guaranteeing UV resistance and flame-retardant housing. Capabilities include: • Bluetooth 5.2: ultra low power, premium tier Bluetooth SoC hardware providing up to 400 m of line-of-sight detection; • Activate, install and onboard tags in seconds, using a mobile device creating a seamless experience; • Battery: self-powered using a lithium coin cell, Kin provides up to five years’ reliable use in normal operating conditions; • Clear identification: locate your asset via visible LED pulses; • Utilization and Analysis: movement, vibration and activity detection using low power embedded sensors.

A LONG WAY

TOGETHER

WHEREVER YOU ARE, BKT IS WITH YOU No matter how challenging your needs, BKT is with you offering a wide range of OTR tires specifically designed for the toughest operating conditions: from mining to construction sites.

Sturdy and resistant, reliable and safe, able to combine comfort and high performance.

BKT is with you, even when work gets tough.

For info: Western Canada 604-701-9098 Eastern Canada 514-792-9220

TELEMATICS & MACHINE CONTROL

HCSS

MOBILE TIME TRACKING AND ENGAGEMENT APP

H

CSS has introduced myField, a mobile employee engagement and time tracking solution for heavy construction operations. The easy-to-use mobile solution allows workers to stay on top of their work while in the field or at the job site.

HCSS myField integrates with the HCSS solutions suite of job management, safety, equipment and dispatching software.

According to Rateb Almasri, manager of growth at HCSS, “myField empowers workers to document their own hours across various jobs, record safety observations, monitor meter readings and send maintenance requests, improving

48

efficiency and productivity.”

HCSS myField is designed for operators, labourers, flaggers, truck drivers, craftspeople and office personnel.

Instead of verbally communicating with the supervisor, myField allows crew members to directly clock in or submit their time and information about what they worked on that day. Once submitted, the supervisor receives a copy and can review events and times per employee.

The solution can also be used for: • Time management: individual time tracking of employees with the ability to log lunches, breaks and capture signatures;

heavyequipmentguide.ca | MAY 2021

• Equipment inspections: perform quick safety inspections on mobile devices; • Cost code work: employees note what they worked on and cost code their work; • Documentation: quickly capture daily information from easy-to-answer questions; • Safety observations: record unsafe conditions with photos, description and severity; • View my hours: employees can view the hours they logged and compare them to what has been approved including pay classes and overtime; • GPS location: all clock in/ out locations are stamped

with longitude and latitude; • Maintenance requests: submit equipment issues to your shop for immediate review and action.

TK Corporate Phone: (800) 843-3324

|

trailking.com

|

@trailkingind

Field-tested and proven for over 30 years, the Heavy Live Bottom’s innovative over-the-fifth-wheel body distributes weight over the entire length of the tractor and trailer, including the steer axle, for maximum payloads within legal limits. The new aerodynamic design allows for easier cleaning and seals the cavity from moisture, preventing corrosion.

This heavy duty trailer delivers lean and efficient horizontal discharge of any load in one revolution or less while also offering better access points for easier maintenance. A frictionless drive system allows the pitch roller chain to be pulled straight and even with no twists while maintaining that load hauling strength that Trail King is known for.

TKOLB-HD

OVER-THE-FIFTH-WHEEL HEAVY DUTY LIVE BOTTOM

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

BEST PRACTICES FOR MANAGING FLUIDS AND FILTERS IN HEAVY EQUIPMENT

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

E

very piece of heavy equipment powered by a diesel engine has one thing in common: it’s full of fluids, and those fluids are integral to the machine’s operation. Fuel, oil, hydraulics – all of these fluids need to be managed and maintained effectively to keep equipment up and running.

Having a collection of best practices that ensure an equipment owner’s maintenance program keeps fluid and filter management in mind is important, according to experts from CASE Construction Equipment.

“We’ve all heard it – engine oil is engine oil, hydraulic fluid is hydraulic fluid, and so on. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially today,” said Reece Hill, manager of product and service marketing for construction aftermarket solutions with CASE. “Each piece of equipment in your fleet is an investment of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars into your operation and the fluids and filters you use is a small investment that keeps that big investment moving.”

Brent Battaglia, sales leader for construction aftermarket solutions, said that the way in which heavy equipment operates is unique in the level of power in use at any given time, and the fluid and filter selection must be done with that in mind.

“There’s much more stress and wear being put on the engine, the fluids, the filters and the machine as a whole, so using filters or fluids from automotive or trucking is not interchangeable,” Battaglia said. “They will wear out more quickly, affecting performance. They can also cause damage to the machine and its components. We can not emphasize this enough – use fluids and filters specifically formulated and designed for heavy equipment.”

Without ensuring that proper usage, key equipment parts – bearings, bushings, chains and more – can fail early, leading to expensive downtime and reduced productivity.

One simple way to monitor the health of critical fluids is a time-tested method: the eye test. Daily maintenance checks on your equipment can provide good information about the condition of fluids and filtration, Hill said.

“We highly recommend that everybody does their daily operational checks, their pre- and post-operation checks – this Is going to be your chance to identify any issues before they become a downtime event,” he said. “You may identify broken hoses, damaged filters, pooled fluids – whatever it might be,

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FLUID AND FILTER MANAGEMENT IS KEY TO EXTENDING A MACHINE’S LIFE.

identifying those up front and notifying your fleet management staff or local CASE dealer is a good step toward keeping that machine up and running.”

It’s also a good idea during daily checks to review fluid levels.

Hill said hydraulic oil, engine oil and coolant levels should be reviewed daily, and if there are any significant changes, investigate the cause. Keeping fluids at their proper levels is key for equipment health.

“Hydraulic fluid levels and coolant levels need to be kept up to their full marks. It’s important that hydraulic and coolant systems run at capacity, because introduction of oxygen into those systems can lead to further damage,” Hill said.

The formulation of fluids is a point to consider when choosing the type to use, Battaglia noted. Synthetic oil is becoming a popular choice, for good reason.

“Synthetic oil costs more upfront, but the advantages it provides are significant. First of all, it allows for easier storage. It also provides better protection during extreme or hot temperatures,” Battaglia said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in upper Canada in the middle of winter, or if you’re in Texas in the middle of summer. Additionally, it extends service life – conventional oil should be changed around every 300 hours while synthetic can last up to 500 hours. This equals better protection and less downtime.”

One question that is often put to service professionals is regarding service intervals, and how strictly they should be followed. Battaglia said that properly scheduled fluid and filter maintenance should be adhered to as closely as possible.

“Just like you do with an oil change or tire rotation in your car, do them on schedule, as recommended in your manual.

This helps to ensure the productivity and health of your equipment and makes sure it lasts longer,” he said. “This is easier than ever with our new SiteWatch telematics. It helps you keep track of engine hours and service intervals, and you and your dealer can send and receive alerts so you can stay ahead of maintenance and schedule it during your downtime.”

A variety of factors can affect fluids even if they don’t seem to have any issues. Hydraulic oils, for example, may absorb moisture in some climates, causing contamination in all of the systems that hydraulic oil runs through, Battaglia noted. Filter changes at those scheduled intervals are key as well, because of their role in removing contamination.

Each piece of equipment in your fleet is an investment of tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars into your operation and the fluids and filters you use is a small investment that keeps that big investment moving.

Reece Hill

recommendations and severe concerns. The overall benefit long-term is maintenance or improvement in resale value – the trend lines detail the life of the machine, maintenance over time and the condition the machine is in, Battaglia noted.

The best way to ensure a good overall fluid and filter maintenance program is to work with your dealer, Hill said. Dealers can be part of the fleet management process for owners and ensure that maintenance is done right, costs are predictable, and the owner understands fully the total cost of operations for each machine. HEG

Formulation changes in critical fluids are frequent, especially as emissions requirements change and move forward. One area that has seen many changes recently is that of coolants, Hill noted. A growing interest in organic additive technology, or OAT, coolants is one owners and mechanics should be aware of.

“The primary benefit of OAT is increased protection and better performance. If your machine was factory-filled with OAT there will be a decal near the fill point indicating the use of OAT as well as its brand or formulation,” Battaglia said.

Knowing whether a machine has been filled with OAT coolant is very important, because blending conventional coolants with OAT can cause gelling in the system.

Battaglia said that if a change is desired, the system needs to be flushed three times before adding a new coolant.

If owners are curious about the performance of their critical fluids, fluid analysis can provide key insights into the condition of the fluid as well as a snapshot of potential problems, Battaglia noted. It is a simple process for owners, especially as many dealers, including CASE, offer testing kits that can be sent in for analysis.

“The test identifies the overall condition of the fluid, plus any contaminants. The reports give you a heads-up on any particular problems, such as ineffective air filtration or deteriorating bearings. One sample is a snapshot in time, but the real value is trending – doing it repeatedly,” Battaglia said.

“You can establish a trend, then look at trend analysis over time. For engine oil, we recommend analysis every 250 hours; for hydraulic oil, we suggest every 500 hours; and for coolant, we suggest doing it annually.”

Results are generally received within 24 hours, providing troubleshooting MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP

TECHNOLOGY, FUTURE EMISSIONS INFORM DIESEL ENGINE DEVELOPMENT WITH STAGE V ESTABLISHED, DIESEL MANUFACTURERS CONTEND WITH REGULATORY GAPS, ELECTRIFICATION EFFORTS

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

I

t’s been a busy decade or so for off-road engine manufacturers. A long string of deadlines and new regulatory implementations surrounding emissions has brought both North America and Europe to a new emissions regime, and every manufacturer has approached the changes in its own unique way.

NOW, THE QUESTION IS: WHAT’S NEXT?

Continuing evolution of technology, the drive toward electrification and even more emissions standards looming down the road are all part of the planning process for manufacturers. At JCB, future-proofing is a big part of development, keeping in mind other growing trends in the industry.

With European countries adopting Stage V emissions standards, engine builders have reached a pause in development, according to Chris Giorgianni, JCB vice president of government, defense, product and marketing.

“Stage V is in place and we’re seeing other countries like South Korea, India and possibly Turkey looking at emulating Stage V as well. But, then, you have the 900-pound gorilla in the room, the U.S., still at Tier 4 Final. I think that the view is the U.S. wants to be aligned with Europe. We could see that occur over here sometime between now and any future development, such as a Stage VI if you will,” Giorgianni said.

At the same time, other territories are starting to catch up on the lower end of the regulatory range. As engines become more technologically advanced, the fuel they use needs to be of higher quality, and some markets are reaching that point, Giorgianni noted. Chile, Colombia and other South American locales are moving into Tier 3 and Tier 4, while Australia is in discussions regarding Tier 4 as well. That broad spread of regulatory environments is a challenge for manufacturers to navigate.

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With engine development comes cost, and with cost you try, as a manufacturer, to introduce new technologies… customers who have to pay an additional sum of money for that technology may not appreciate it as much. So, you try to bring additional features into those machines to help offset that.

Chris Giorgianni

“With engine development comes cost, and with cost you try, as a manufacturer, to introduce new technologies. . . customers who have to pay an additional sum of money for that technology may not appreciate it as much. So, you try to bring additional features into those machines to help offset that,” Giorgianni explained. “When you have differing levels of requirements in different countries, you’re carrying costs because you’re building different machines. You’re not getting economies of scale because you’re not building the same machine down the line. . . you have to build a Stage V machine for Europe, a Tier 4 Final machine for the U.S. and a Tier 3 machine for the rest of the world.”

As machines advance, the new features become quite ben-

DIESEL ENGINE DEVELOPMENT MOVING FORWARD WILL LIKELY BE DRIVEN BY FURTHER EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS.

eficial. Telematics, for example, takes advantage of upgraded engine electronics and can add greater efficiency – but at the same time is not available on some machines because of the different emissions regulations.

That’s where efforts to future-proof development are a benefit to manufacturers. Stage V development has pushed standards beyond those needed in the U.S., and as other regions move forward on their emissions regulations the technology will be ready. Giorgianni noted that the U.S. is likely to catch up with Europe within the next few years, and the fact that Stage V is already in place – and in North American equipment, in many cases – means there will be little disruption.

Alongside continuing diesel development, engine manufacturers are exploring other routes forward for powering off-road equipment: hybrid engines, renewable fuels and electrification.

Giorgianni said that can be a challenge, but at the same time it offers options to add more technologies and benefits for cus-

Some of the movement you see is more in the electrification and fuel cell area. Engine emission technology restricts you because you’re developing for what is currently legislated. I think you’re seeing a move to other alternative type power.

tomers as new options are developed.

“Some of the movement you see is more in the electrification and fuel cell area. Engine emission technology restricts you because you’re developing for what is currently legislated. I think you’re seeing a move to other alternative type power. Globally, JCB has announced a compact telescopic handler, a small mini excavator, a small dumper – as time goes on, you will see more electrification,” he said. “On the large end, we’re doing development on a 20-ton excavator with a fuel cell, where your only exhaust is water. It’s an exciting time, because manufacturers are looking at different ways to solve problems.”

Giorgianni noted that as battery prices drop and fuel prices increase, an inflection point will be reached where electrification will make more sense financially and more development will move that way. In the meantime, technology breakthroughs reached during development of new emissions approaches and alternative options will continue to benefit buyers.

“When we introduced Tier 4 Interim and transitioned to Tier 4 Final, there was a big push on telematics – you have the electronically controlled engines with the ECUs and you’re able to pull all this data. The data was all there, but you couldn’t mine it. Now you can,” he said.

Electronics paired with telematics means fleet owners can review operator performance, train better, improve their fuel efficiency and more all from reviewing the data that was not previously available. Those side benefits of development are likely to continue thanks to continuing emissions regulation changes at various government levels as well as buyers themselves who are embracing more environmental efforts on their own.

“In some respects, irrespective of what the federal government is going to do, it’s forcing the hand in a good way. It helps push industry along, probably more quickly than anticipated,” he said. “You have this excitement level: where can the product go and what can we do? It’s an exciting time.” HEG

MAY 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

53

EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP

DIESEL DEVELOPMENTS

NEW ENGINES FOR A RANGE OF INDUSTRIES

1

2 3

1

The D16 off-road engine from Volvo Penta offers high fuel efficiency, low- to high-end torque and high-altitude performance in a package that meets EU Stage V and US EPA Tier 4 Final emissions requirements using just SCR. Designed to meet the needs of a range of customers in industrial operations, the engine has shown real-world capability to cut fuel consumption by 10 percent over the previous model.

The in-line six-cylinder 16-litre D16 (TWD1683VE) delivers 796 hp and 2,692 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,900 rpm.

The combination of a dual-stage turbo system and efficient combustion ensures high performance across the operational range, and allows use at higher altitudes.

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2

The Cat C3.6 engine meets EU Stage V and U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final nonroad emissions standards, while providing 406 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm. It offers a maximum of 134 hp. Smaller and more compact, the C3.6 helps OEMs save significant powertrain installation costs while still providing a 5 percent boost in power density and 12 percent increase in torque over its predecessor, the C3.4. The new smaller design features flexible aftertreatment solutions, making installation much simpler and reducing integration costs. Technology features like controllable turbochaging have made it possible to reduce the size of the engine while giving a response expected from a much larger engine. The engine features an overall decrease in fuel consumption, including 6 to 10 percent in DEF, compared to the C3.4.

3

PACCAR has released the MX-11 and MX-13 engines for 2021, offering increased performance and efficiency targeted at Kenworth’s Class 8 truck line. The redesigned engines feature internal components that help enhance fuel efficiency, up to 2.4 percent in the MX-13 and 3.4 percent in the MX-11, depending on application and specification. The MX11 can be spec’d with a higher horsepower rating of up to 445 hp and the MX-13 up to 510 hp. Fuel efficiency improvements are driven by optimizing combustion with multi-pulse fuel injection. A smaller, more efficient turbocharger boosts power and improves responsiveness. Enhanced piction design adds features to reduce frictional issues. Finally, PACCAR’s next generation aftertreatment system further reduces particulates and NOx without sacrificing power or fuel efficiency.

WE KEEP

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ON TRACK

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LAST WORD

LAST WORD 2021 OFFERS OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A NEW ROAD MAP FOR THE C&D RECYCLING INDUSTRY

T

he year 2020 was a difficult period for C&D recyclers (and most everyone else) with the coronavirus causing the slowdown or even shutdown of construction sites throughout North America. This meant C&D recycling facilities ended up with a reduced infeed of material to process.

This was obviously quite concerning to C&D recyclers. The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) organized a regular, recurring Zoom call with more than a dozen recyclers across the U.S. and Canada to discuss workarounds and solutions to effects of the pandemic on the industry. Eventually incoming volumes picked back up as construction activity was allowed to resume. Reportedly, C&D facilities are currently receiving debris at levels around 70 to 80 percent compared to pre-COVID, and some are doing even better.

But this may be temporary. Several CDRA members have reported that the return uptick of incoming material volumes was due to ongoing construction projects starting back up again – a good thing. However, in many, but not all, regions it was noted that once those projects were completed, there weren’t a lot of new projects starting up.

This future slowdown view is backed up by the AIA Billing Index (ABI), which tracks architectural billings for non-residential construction. In 2020, not unexpectedly, the monthly index was negative, and the last available ABI report in November 2020 was even more gloomy, retreating further from the October report.

Fortunately, waste from residential construction is still being generated in many parts of North America, and the National Association of Home Builders is optimistic in its forecast that this will continue.

However, the retail and commercial building sector, which can generate a lot of C&D material, is pulling back in many parts of the U.S. and Canada. In addition, commercial office construction has slowed significantly as more companies are finding out that it is cheaper to let employees work from home.

When the pandemic started and recycling plants began to shut down, no one knew what the proper way to operate would be: to follow U.S. guidelines or provincial mandates in Canada. It became necessary to figure out how to maintain social distancing, not only on picking lines, but in break rooms and everywhere else.

Hence, the way in which recycling facilities are run overall has undergone a transformation. Everything is nearly all paperless, such as when a truck rolls into the plant and gets weighed, and then weighed again after either picking up or dropping off a load. Truck drivers now get out of their trucks as little possible.

Steps like these and others were documented by the CDRA early on and made available to its members. There were pages of

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Several CDRA members have reported that the return uptick of incoming material volumes was due to ongoing construction projects starting back up again a good thing. However, in many but not all regions it was noted that once those projects were completed, there weren’t a lot of new projects starting up. suggestions, guidelines and tips to move forward. And, like the rest of society, C&D recycling operators have learned to adapt and deal with the restrictions the coronavirus has put on us all.

Yet it remains that C&D recycling, like all solid waste, is heavily regulated – though virtually all governmental bodies support the goal of more recycling. To help them achieve that, the CDRA has put out a Recycling Roadmap which provides state, provincial and other local governments guidelines, suggestions and case studies to increase recycling. This is available to all CDRA members and governmental bodies in Canada and the U.S. Still, even with solid guidelines like these, C&D recycling will be a challenging sector to navigate in 2021.

WILLIAM TURLEY is the executive director of the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA).

The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) promotes and defends the environmentally sound recycling of the more than 500 million tons of recoverable construction and demolition (C&D) materials that are generated in the United States annually. These materials include aggregates such as concrete, asphalt, asphalt shingles, gypsum wallboard, wood and metals.

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SERVICE UPDATE DTNA introduces all-new products and services to support customers in deployment of all-electric trucks

Volvo CE’s electric equipment makes its mark in the remote desert

PILOT PROJECT ZF launches first pilot project for electrified mobile excavator drivetrain

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For information and bookings, please contact Sam Esmaili at sam@baumpub.com or 604-291-9900 ext. 110

ROCK COMMANDER

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Phone: 502-244-0004 www.soosanamerica.com

Registration open! See you in Louisville!

The Biggest Just Got Even Better: ICUEE is now The Utility Expo.

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3D Paving Technology with Easi-Pour Compact 880 Invest in the most proven concept in slip-form paving equipment from Easi-Pour. 3D paving technology makes you more efficient and profitable.

Ergonomically designed with unparalleled dependability for your concrete paving applications. Ease of operation coupled with the best operator visibility in the industry makes your jobsite safer and more productive.

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ADVERTISER INDEX

NEXT ISSUE

Ahern Canada............................................................................ 4 ALLU Group, Inc.....................................................................29 BKT Tires Canada Inc..........................................................47 Bobcat Company.....................................................................5 Buffalo Turbine...................................................................... 46 CASE Construction Equipment..................................... 9 Doosan Infracore North America................................15 Easi-Pour......................................................................................61 FLO Components..................................................................23 Frontline Machinery Ltd.................................................. 48 The Gear Centre.....................................................................59 GOMACO Corporation...................................................... 64 Hitachi...........................................................................................63 Industrial Magnetics...........................................................23 John Deere Construction & Forestry........................21 Liebherr-Canada Ltd.............................................................11 Mack Trucks.................................................................................2 Morooka USA...........................................................................55 Shred-Tech.................................................................................37 Skyjack Inc..................................................................39, 41, 43 Soosan America LLC...........................................................59 Trail King Industries, Inc.................................................. 49 The Utility Expo...................................................................... 60 VMAC..............................................................................................51

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUMPS FOR YOUR AGGREGATES OPERATION

SAFETY IN TODAY’S VOCATIONAL TRUCKS

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Volvo Construction Equipment......................................3 Wirtgen America...................................................................33

INTEGRATED PRECISION

INTRODUCING HITACHI INTEGRATED GRADE CONTROL Imagine your best operators made even better. More accuracy. More efficiency.

More productivity. With our 2D grade control and Solution Linkage 3D grade control, operators can simply set a grade and hold it – spending less time getting it right the first time. It’s a no-stakes-needed setup for your crew.

And it’s factory-integrated precision ready to work on day one.

HitachiConstruction.com

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www.gomaco.com x info@gomaco.com “Dedicated to Concrete – Dedicated to You”. GOMACO offers the full range of concrete slipform pavers, curb and gutter machines, placer/ spreaders, texture/cure machines and bridge/canal finishing equipment. GOMACO equipment features our exclusive and proprietary G+® control system, created in-house by our software engineers from the wants and needs of contractors paving in the field. We’ll show you the new Navigator controller with a 10-inch touchscreen that allows ground personnel to simply control and view all attachments from one location. We are also introducing our new high-production system for the C-450 cylinder finisher for bridge decks and flat slabs. At the heart of GOMACO equipment is our passion for concrete and our commitment to our customers. We look forward to visiting with you about your upcoming paving projects and your concrete paving equipment needs.

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