Heavy Equipment Guide September 2021, Volume 36, Number 8 by Baum Publications Ltd.

SEPTEMBER 2021

MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS heavyequipmentguide.ca

GO BIG WITH TECHNOLOGY

MINI EXCAVATORS FOR UTILITY WORK

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069270

Q&A: 2D VERSUS 3D MACHINE CONTROL

INTRODUCING

JOHN DEERE PROTECT SERVICE PLAN

™

PROTECTED FOR THE LONG RUN Purchase with an extended warranty and experience these powerful benefits:

• Genuine John Deere Preventative Maintenance (PM) Parts • 500 hr interval parts and fluids • PM Labor by dealer technician

MAXIMIZED UPTIME

• Machine inspection • Fluid sampling and analysis • Connected Support remote machine monitoring and diagnostics

PROTECTED VALUE

TOTAL CONFIDENCE AND EASE

For a limited time...

FREE PM PARTS & FLUIDS FIRST 3,000 HRS! 2

CONTACT YOUR DEALER OR VISIT:

DEERE.CA/LONGRUN

John Deere Protect™ Service Plans are available for eligible models of construction equipment at participating John Deere dealers in Canada. Number of Scheduled Maintenance Events and parts required varies based on specific model, in accordance with the operator’s manual.

Parts values determined as of 30 April 2021 to perform initial and 500 htr maintenance intervals up to 3,000 hours, in accordance with the applicable machine operator manual. Dealer labor and travel expenses are not covered by the John Deere Protect™ Incentive Program. Powertrain and Hydraulics or Comprehensive Extended Warranty coverage must be purchased for a minimum term of 2 yr / 3000 hr to be eligible for the John Deere Protect™ Incentive Program. Available on eligible models with less than 500 hours. Excludes 210L, 210L EP, 310L, 310L EP, and 450K, Compact Construction Equipment, Scraper Systems, and Forestry Equipment. Excludes diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid. The John Deere Protect™ Incentive may not be combined with other John Deere incentive or discount programs. For complete details, see your local, participating John Deere dealer.

LAST YEAR WE CHANGED THE INDUSTRY. WE WERE JUST GETTING STARTED.

Arriving September 2021. The launch of the Western Star 49X introduced the best vocational truck ever built. And this year, we’re going to up the ante, with a second model purpose-designed to expand on the alreadyimpressive versatility of the 49X. To find out more about the new model in the X-Series lineup, visit WesternStarTrucks.com/Xseries for updates, and get ready for September. WS/MC-A-609 Specifi cations are subject to change without notice. Western Star Truck Sales, Inc. is registered to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. Copyright © 2021 Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All rights reserved. Western Star Truck Sales, Inc. is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.

WesternStarTrucks.com/ WesternStarTrucks .com/Xseries Xseries

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

A JOHN DEERE COMPANY

For your success. CLOSE TO OUR CUSTOMERS ROAD AND MINERAL TECHNOLOGIES. The WIRTGEN GROUP owes its strength to the excellence of its product brands – WIRTGEN, VÖGELE, HAMM and KLEEMANN – with their unique wealth of experience. Put your trust in the WIRTGEN GROUP team. Find out more: www.wirtgen-group.com

COVER STORY IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

36 46

QUARRIES CUT DOWNTIME WITH MAINTENANCE PLANNING

MINI EXCAVATORS FOR TRENCHING AND UTILITIES

THE VERSATILITY OF TRANSFER TRAILERS

September 2021 | Volume 36, Number 8

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS & SECTIONS

In-depth report: mid-size excavators

From the Editor

Quarries cut downtime with planned maintenance approach

News Room

How to spec the right mini excavator for trenching and utilities applications

In-Depth Report

How tiltrotator-equipped excavators make efficient work of landscaping tasks

Aggregates & Quarries

Compact Equipment

Equipment Roundup

Underground Construction

Trucks & Transportation

Telematics & Machine Control

MINExpo Highlights

Advertiser Index

46 56 60

Micropile production and safety driven by unique equipment

Transfer trailers add capacity and versatility

Service trucks trend toward smaller, lighter and more capable

2D versus 3D: Topcon’s Mark Jones talks choosing the right machine control for contractors

18 Spotlight

SEPTEMBER 2021 | VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 8 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: CASE CX250D EXCAVATOR

Tel: 604-291-9900 Toll Free: 1-888-286-3630 Fax: 604-291-1906 www.baumpub.com www.heavyequipmentguide.ca @HeavyEquipGuide

In-depth report: mid-size excavators Read the article on page 22 .

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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. Subscription Price: In Canada, CDN $91.00; Outside Canada, US$149. Heavy Equipment Guide is published ten times a year in January, February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and November/December. 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. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Printed in Canada on recycled paper by Mitchell Press Ltd. ISSN 1485-6085

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Do you have a job site story, innovation or industry concern that our readers should know about? We’d like to hear from you. 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

It can be a scalpel or it can be a sledgehammer. R 920 Compact Excavator

R 920. Precision. Power. Control. You know you have the right tool to do the job. Sean Coghlan, owner of Shamrock Earthworks Ltd. in Calgary, shared his experience working with his R 920 Compact Excavator. From his first time inside the cab at CONEXPO to purchasing his own machine, Sean was impressed. “I still to this day remember the quality feel of the button click on the joystick,” says Sean. “It’s a quality, fine tuned machine.”

• The only 20-ton excavator in its class, making it the perfect fit for your job site • Powerful enough to dig basements, but compact enough for fine work like installing stone walls • Refined feel and attention to detail • Balanced attachments and the hydraulics package have eliminated the need for a skid steer • Superior visibility for operators

Liebherr-Canada Ltd. • 1015 Sutton Drive • Burlington • Ontario • L7L 5Z8 • Phone: +1 905 319 9222 • E-mail: info.lca@liebherr.com • Instagram: @LiebherrCanadaLtd • www.liebherr.ca

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR INFRASTRUCTURE INPUT CARRIES BENEFITS FOR CONSTRUCTION AS A WHOLE

s I write, Canada is in the midst of an election campaign, and it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to economic projections – every party has their numbers, and every party claims the other parties’ numbers are wrong, and the net result is that nobody really knows what might happen economically in the near future. Thankfully, we can turn our sights southward for information on what the construction equipment industry might experience in the coming months. According to experts there, improving economic conditions all around should mean good things for the construction equipment market and buyers in the coming months – and that, in turn, suggests strength for the overall construction sector. A long-standing roadblock to large construction projects in the United States is finally being dismantled in the halls of government as agreements to advance an infrastructure plan are moving forward. According to a forecast from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Oxford Economics, the American Jobs Plan (AJP) will help spur growth in the economy that is likely, at a minimum, to be around three percent in 2022, but more likely to land in the six to seven percent range, depending on public health, inflation and other factors. According to economists, the effects of the AJP would be significant, boosting output in the manufacturing and construction sector of the economy by more than three percent almost immediately thanks to double-digit increases in federal infrastructure spending, joined by similar effects at all levels of government. What this means is that the construction equipment industry is going to see some significant benefits through the next few years, according to the AEM analysis. Manufacturers have reported a steady increase in orders for new equipment through 2021, and projections are for that to carry on – calling for a four percent increase in 2022, one percent in 2023 and six percent from 2024 through 2028. This suggests that the construction sector is looking ahead, preparing for more contract activity across the industry and bolstering their fleets even before federal money starts to flow. Demand may be throttled by continuing supply chain issues; however, there are things still to be determined moving forward.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Manufacturers have reported a steady increase in orders for new equipment through 2021, and projections are for that to carry on – calling for a four percent increase in 2022, one percent in 2023 and six percent from 2024 through 2028. So, what does this suggest for Canada? It’s likely that we will see similar trends here as the economy steadily improves and governments bring projects to the table. Several of the major political parties have brought up infrastructure spending during the election campaign, but details – as always during an election – remain unrevealed. Even so, forecasts remain positive. While there is little recent analysis for the Canadian construction sector – and none taking into account COVID variant surges – the general view is positive, expecting some growth each year through 2025. We here at Heavy Equipment Guide are certainly bullish as we pull together this 88-page issue, one of our largest, thanks to the enthusiasm of our industry partners. As an industry, we still have some challenges ahead as we get out from under the coronavirus cloud, but the indications on both sides of the border are, finally, trending positive.

Lee Toop Editor ltoop@baumpub.com heavyequipmentguide.ca

B O B C A T. C O M

When it comes to lift-over-side performance, the NEW R2-Series E88 compact excavator gives you a major leap forward. You’ll not only feel more capable when tackling big loads over the side of the tracks, you’ll be more capable, too. 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. | 1462

NEWS ROOM

JOHN DEERE AND HITACHI DISSOLVE EXCAVATOR PARTNERSHIP

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

ohn Deere and Hitachi are dissolving the partnership that has seen the two companies manufacturing and marketing hydraulic excavators together since 1988. The two companies will enter into new license and supply agreements, which will enable John Deere to continue to source, manufacture and distribute the current lineup of Deere-branded excavators in the Americas. Going forward, Hitachi Construction Machinery will have Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America function as the hub of its activities in the Americas. Hitachi Construction Machinery will coordinate with the group of companies to build a new business structure. Beginning in March 2022, Hitachi Construction Machinery will be able to provide direct solutions that address the challenges of customers throughout North, Central and South America for not only compact and construction-size wheel loaders but also compact and construction-size excavators, mining excavators and mining dump trucks. Under the agreement with Deere, Hitachi Construction Machinery will provide Deere with an OEM supply of Deere-branded excavators, as well as components and service parts to Deere’s manufacturing and distribution bases in the United States and in Brazil for the time being. Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America has also announced that as of March 1, 2022, it will team up with Wajax to expand their existing Canadian direct distribution relationship to include construction excavators, mining equipment and related aftermarket parts. The expansion of the direct relationship between Wajax and Hitachi is expected to strengthen the competitive positioning of both companies in the Canadian construction and mining markets.

CAT STEPS BACK FROM BAUMA, ZEPPELIN TAKES ON STAND AT 2022 EVENT

aterpillar will not be part of bauma 2022 as a corporate entity and will instead be represented by its local dealer at the event. Zeppelin Baumaschinen will be responsible for the Cat stand at bauma 2022 in Munich, Germany, from October 24 to 30. Previously, the two companies had a joint stand at the event.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

TEREX TRUCKS REBRANDS AS ROKBAK

erex Trucks has changed its name to Rokbak. According to the company, the Rokbak name represents a new future and reflects the advances the organization has made in recent years as well as its new strategic priorities. The investments and improvements in the company’s articulated haulers in recent times have ensured they remain robust and reliable machines, says the company. The company’s foundation is the predecessor models from Terex Trucks, the 28-tonne payload RA30 and 38-tonne payload RA40. As part of the new brand launch, the machines now come with Rokbak branding. As part of the Volvo Group, Rokbak has experienced steady evolution over the past seven years. While this has taken place across the board, the company has focused specifically on four key areas: product design, sustainability, safety and people. In product design, the company has introduced Stage V engines for better fuel efficiency and operation for customers. Other improvements include a new transmission on the 28-tonne (30.9-ton) machine, the introduction of Haul Track telematics, and a stronger focus on operator safety. The company’s manufacturing plant has shifted to 100 percent renewable energy as well as operating within science-based targets and ISO standards, plus targeting CO2 emission reductions. The focus on safety has been emphasized in all areas, but particularly on its employees. Changes in processes at the factory have seen a stronger concentration on maintaining employee safety while simultaneously delivering high standards and low downtime. For employees, there is a continual focus on professional development. Similarly, Dealer Operating Standards and training ensure the expanded dealer network continues to deliver high levels of service.

CUSTOM TRUCK ONE SOURCE AWARDED FULL TEREX UTILITIES DISTRIBUTORSHIP ACROSS CANADA

HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS ACQUIRES DOOSAN INFRACORE

oosan Infracore will become a subsidiary of the newly created Hyundai Genuine (HG) group alongside Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) as two independent construction equipment companies under Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings (HHIH). The plan is to manage overlapping investments and invest heavily in areas like future technologies and innovation. Doosan Infracore will work to commercialize Concept-X and develop products such as electric excavators, battery packs, hybrid fuel cells and other next-generation products. By focusing on each company’s areas of strength, HG says it will be able to advance the development of products to compete in the global market.

CNH INDUSTRIAL INKS DEAL FOR EXCAVATOR MANUFACTURER SAMPIERANA

NH Industrial, the parent company of CASE and New Holland Construction, has signed an agreement to acquire Italian excavator manufacturer Sampierana for €101.8 million. Under the agreement, CNH will purchase 90 percent of the capital stock in Sampierana, and will obtain 100 percent control of the company over the next four years.

MINEXPO 2021 Turn to page 78 for an overview of highlights from MINExpo 2021.

ustom Truck One Source has been awarded full Terex Utilities distributorship across Canada, beginning August 20, 2021. This decision will allow the company to offer sales nationwide, in addition to the rental and service offerings that were previously provided by the company. SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

NEWS ROOM

VOLVO RECEIVES LARGEST ORDER OF ELECTRIC TRUCKS IN NORTH AMERICA TO DATE

erformance Team has placed an order for 16 Volvo VNR Electric Class 8 trucks – the largest commercial order of the North American model to date. The VNR Electric model is the first zero-tailpipe emission, battery-electric Class 8 truck in Performance Team’s fleet, which will be on the road by the end of the year.

BRANDT ACQUIRES CERVUS FOR $302 MILLION

randt Tractor Ltd. will acquire Cervus Equipment Corporation, valuing Cervus at approximately $302 million. “The Brandt team is excited about this deal as it will allow us to better serve our customer base across Canada,” said Shaun Semple, Brandt chief executive officer. “The addition of Cervus’ offerings will form three brand new segments at Brandt dedicated to serving the Agriculture, Transportation and Material Handling industries. These segments, in addition to our existing specializations in construction, roadbuilding, forestry and more, will further establish Brandt as a total solutions provider across our diverse customer groups.” Angela Lekatsas, president and chief executive officer of Cervus, said “This transaction delivers tremendous value

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

for our shareholders and clearly demonstrates the successful execution of our strategy. As a private company with a committed, well-capitalized and long-term owner, Cervus will be better positioned for the next stage of evolutionary growth for our dealerships. The size and scale of the entity created by the combination of our two companies will allow for increased investment into Cervus for the benefit of our employees and customers.” The completion of the transaction is also subject to certain third party approvals, including from each of John Deere Canada ULC and Peterbilt Motors Company, each of which has provided consent to proceed with the change of control, as well as certain regulatory approvals and other conditions.

TRIMBLE LAUNCHES $200 MILLION VENTURE FUND FOCUSED ON INVESTING IN GROWTH-STAGE COMPANIES

T SKID-STEER PRICES UP 30 PERCENT IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO RITCHIE BROS. REPORT

rimble has created Trimble Ventures, a venture fund focused on investing in early and growth-stage innovative companies. The fund will launch with $200 million allocated for investments and focus on companies with the potential for technology-enabled innovation and disruption in the digital transformation of the industries Trimble serves.

itchie Bros.’ August Market Trends Report took a closer look at skid-steer loader and multi-terrain loader sales in the United States and Canada. Over the past decade, the company has seen multi-terrain loader sales grow exponentially in comparison to its wheeled counterpart. In 2010 Ritchie Bros. sold roughly five times more skid steers (3,037 units) in the U.S. than multi-terrain loaders (624 units). By 2020, that ratio had changed drastically, as the company sold approximately 2.5 times more multi-terrain loaders (3,484) than skid steers (1,310). In Canada, while multi-terrain loader sales have grown, skid-steer loaders have maintained their lead in terms of number of units sold.

What does it take to be better? You have to be strong. Be smart. Be resilient. Be innovative. You’ve got to go above and beyond. And that’s precisely why people choose JCB construction equipment time and time again: Because good enough is never good enough. Check out our full line of JCB products at your local dealer or visit JCB.com today. /JCBNA

@JCBNA

JCBNA

www.jcb.com

JCB044-JCB Better_Brand_HeavyEquipmentGuide_August2021_7.5x4.875

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

SPOTLIGHT

INTRODUCTIONS & UPDATES

Compact excavator

Bobcat Company

Compact excavator delivers greater lifting capacity According to Bobcat, the new E88 compact excavator delivers up to a 14 percent increase in over-the-side lift capacity when compared to the previous generation. It is equipped with dual-flange track rollers, integrated counterweight, extra machine weight and added track on ground. These undercarriage improvements offer increased over-the-side lifting and digging capacity. The Tier 4 turbocharged Bobcat engine achieves emissions compliance without the use of a DPF or SCR. Increased distance from sprocket to idler puts more track on the ground, which adds stability and helps to prevent a rocking

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

sensation while lifting heavier loads. Improvements to the track design increase uptime and overall life of the tracks as well. The E88 is powered by a newly redesigned Bobcat engine that delivers efficiency and performance, plus simplified routine maintenance. It also improves cold-weather operation and includes a variety of features that make maintenance and service more convenient. The new low-effort joysticks coupled with the new hydraulic control valve offers improved metering, movement and controllability, enabling a quick, smooth and precise work group.

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

Screed

Ligchine

Screed with pivoting frame

Ligchine’s ScreedSaver Max Plus screed features a SwingBoom pivoting frame for screed head maneuverability. This maneuverability reduces the machine movements necessary to screed a given area, which will increase speed and efficiency while maintaining accuracy. The pivoting boom enables up to 5 feet, 3 inches (1.6 m) of side-to-side screed head movement. Screed head length is 10 feet (3 m) and boom extension 17 feet (5.18 m). Other new features include a built-in diagnostic touchscreen, a redesigned wireless remote control system, a Honda gasoline engine and Topcon laser receivers. Topcon’s 2D Laser Leveling is standard for grade, slope and dual slope levelling. Topcon 3D Systems is optional for contoured concrete paving.

Caterpillar

Dozer loaded with technology

The new Cat D4 (formerly D6K2) weighs in at 29,259 pounds (13,272 kg), with a net power of 130 hp (97 kW). The D4 LGP (low ground pressure) has an operating weight of 30,882 pounds (14,008 kg). A lower sloping hood line provides up to 30 percent better visibility to the area in front of the blade. The shorter sight lines mean the visual distance between the blade and the material pile is shortened by about 40 percent. Standard technology features include Slope Indicate, Stable Blade and Traction Control. Optional technology features include Cat Grade with Slope Assist, Factory Attachment Ready Option (ARO) and factory integrated Cat Grade with 3D. Additionally, 3D grade systems from Trimble, Topcon and Leica can be easily integrated with existing grading technology infrastructures. All Cat Grade systems are compatible with Trimble, Topcon and Leica radios and base stations.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Dozer

Epiroc

Epiroc DTH hammer series

Epiroc M-series DTH hammers are designed for maximum drill speed and productivity on SmartROC D65 machines. Models include the COP M6, COP M7 and COP M8. Pairing the SmartROC D65 with Epiroc’s COP M6 DTH hammer in LowFlow (LF) mode capitalizes on the higher pressure available for better penetration rates. The M6 hammer is capable of operating at 425 psi (30 bar). Matching the M6 hammer’s airflow cylinder to the compressor configuration of the D65 ensures maximum performance and drilling efficiency. M-series hammers are designed to adapt to different air pressures and volumes with a simple component exchange. The two-in-one feature makes M-series hammers compatible with a variety of Epiroc or competitive drill rigs operating at most altitudes in nearly any climate. For drills like the Epiroc DM45, or other machines delivering greater cfm but a lower psi compressor package, like a 1070/350 airend, the M6 DTH hammer with the HighFlow (HF) configuration is able to maximize use of the extra air volume. DTH hammers

Tadano

Compact all-terrain crane

With its AC 4.070-1 and AC 4.070L-1, Tadano is introducing an upgraded four-axle all-terrain crane with a lifting capacity of 75 USt and two boom lengths. It features a new carrier cab, a multifunctional crane control system and Stage V engines. With a length of 171 feet, the six-section main boom can lift 12,786 pounds at full length. Tadano says it improved the lifting capacity for steep main boom positions with small radii. A 144-foot main boom is available. The AML-F crane control system makes set-up times quick and ensures a high degree of flexibility for positioning the crane thanks to asymmetrical outrigger setting capabilities. The automatic lifting capacity selection makes the job easier for crane operators. The crane selects the optimal extension sequence for each radius by itself. In addition, the Tadano Lift Adjuster provides greater convenience during lifting and lowering by reliably reducing load swinging. All-terrain crane

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES ADD VERSATILITY FOR 20- TO 40-TON EXCAVATOR SIZE CLASS

IN-DEPTH REPORT

MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

VOLVO EC160E

IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

series. By utilizing this system, it results in a smoother, more controllable, efficient operating machine,” Woods noted. Vertical integration of excavator technology, such as is used in Komatsu machines, allows the engine computer to communicate directly to the hydraulic controls and instantly optimize engine matching with pump output flows and pressures, providing significant production and efficiency boosts, said Andrew Earing, Komatsu senior product manager. For Hitachi and John Deere machines, technology updates have led to a different pump structure, noted Justin Steger, solutions marketing manager, site development and underground with Deere. Certain models have moved to a three-pump IMPROVED CONTROL ADDS CAPABILITY design, as opposed to machines with two pumps handling hydraulic operation. IN ENGINES AND HYDRAULICS “Typically, mid-size excavators will have two hydraulic Development of new engine systems, thanks to emissions pumps that will share flow for all the excavator digging funcreduction requirements in both North America and Europe, has tions – the boom, arm, bucket and swing, all functioning at the led to a number of improvements in the engine and drivetrain same time, and those pumps need to share that flow and create areas of excavators, including on mid-size machines. Added a balance,” he described. “We’ve added a third pump, so there’s electronics and new approaches to design help add capability one pump dedicated to swing, one for the boom and one for the while improving efficiency at the same time. arm. What that equals is high flow for faster cycle times.” Electronic controls have opened the doors for improvements The same electronic advances that have benefited hydraulics in hydraulic response, as well as other areas. For Brian Stellalso come into play for engines, especially in the ability to set brink, excavator market professional with Caterpillar, that’s the operating modes that can optimize excavator operation. centrepiece of improvements for this class of excavator. CASE Construction Equipment’s Intelligent Hydraulic System “You’ve got electronic controls of the engine, electronically uses four integrated control systems to improve efficiency, controlled main valve and an electronically controlled pump. noted Nathaniel Waldschmidt, CASE product manager. Boom Economy Control reduces RPMs by using gravity during boom down and swing; Auto Economy Control lowers machine RPM during idle and shuts You’ve got electronic controls the engine off after a specific preset time; Swing Relief Control cuts hydraulic power at swing start; of the engine, electronically and Spool Stroke Control adjusts hydraulic pressure during digs, managing hydraulic power throughout controlled main valve and an lift/dump and dig/curl movements to maximize electronically controlled pump. We speed and efficiency while cutting fuel use. Doosan has taken a similar approach with its can electronically control the whole Smart Power Control. Product & Dealer Marketing system smartly, which provides us Manager Aaron Kleingartner explained that the system can be turned off and on by the operator as with some huge efficiency gains. needed, and when running regulates engine power to the machine. Brian Stellbrink “It allows the system to anticipate what the Excavator Market Professional, Caterpillar operator is going to do before the operator typically responds to do it – it will back the engine horsepower off a little to make sure that the pump and torque are being matched properly,” he described. “The system uses We can electronically control the whole system smartly, which that technology to improve fuel efficiency for the machine.” provides us with some huge efficiency gains,” Stellbrink said of Customizable operator controls are another way in which Cat’s electro-hydraulic system. “The advancements of a more efficiency is being improved on mid-size excavators, allowing smartly controlled system direct hydraulic oil where it needs to operators to find the right setting for better productivity. Hyungo more efficiently and make the best use of the fuel going into dai’s A Series excavators are fitted with a new joystick configuthat engine.” ration that can pair with a new Lift Mode and two swing control Liebherr also brings electronic control to its generation features that make operating easier, according to senior prod8 excavators, according to David Reid, sales manager with uct manager Mike Fuller. Lift Mode adjusts engine RPM as the Liebherr-Canada. Electronic control provides greater job site machine lifts, while selecting Fine Swing or Free Swing allows flexibility, allowing operators to switch between tasks like the operator to choose what fits the job best when swinging the lifting and excavation more easily and – as with many makes of machine. All three combine to add control and safety for heavy excavator – opens the door for the use of machine control. load lifting and movement. Electronically controlled hydraulics like the Link-Belt ExcaKobelco also offers some models with the ability to fine-tune vators SSC system mean smoother operation and easier work controls for easier operation, noted Dave Donneral, specialty for operators, according to Adam Woods, manager of innovamachinery manager. “For example, we can adjust how the tion and technology integration. “The SSC system integrates machine acts when the operator booms up and arms in at the software and electronic control within the hydraulics of the X4

xcavators in the 20- to 40-ton range are some of the most versatile machines on today’s job sites. These multitasking excavators can step into almost any job and handle it with ease, whether it’s digging a basement, trenching for utilities installation, loading trucks or any other role they’re called on to do. With more work being done in urban spaces, these smaller machines are playing larger roles. Thanks to technology updates, these machines are quicker, more efficient and easier to use than ever before. We asked a panel of experts to discuss the variety of benefits that mid-size excavators can add to any fleet.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

T E C H N O LO GY | S O F T W A R E | I N T E L L I G E N C E

IRON IS IRON. TOPCON MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. You built the sandbox, and we play well in it. When you use Topcon, it doesn’t matter what color the iron is. We connect your entire fleet, and you benefit from the results.

Accelerate Productivity.

Learn more at topconpositioning.com/na/your-iron

IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

JOHN DEERE 345G LC

DOOSAN EXCAVATOR CAMERA SYSTEM

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

same time – some operators want them both to operate at the same speed, and some want one faster than the other. This can help compensate for heavier working tools, or just operator preference.” At Volvo Construction Equipment, hydraulic efficiency comes from a different approach – a hydraulic hybrid option has been developed on select excavator models, explained S.S. Kim, mid-size crawler excavator product manager. The boom-down motion charges an accumulator, which then uses stored energy to drive an assist motor that cuts torque requirement for the engine. That cuts fuel consumption and cuts CO2 emissions, Kim noted, without power loss.

CAMERAS, LIGHTING AND E-FENCES IMPROVE SAFETY

Safety on the job site is always a major consideration, and manufacturers of mid-size excavators know it. Most machines in this size range are found on very active job sites with a lot of other equipment and employees on the ground, so it’s no surprise that new technology has been used to improve safety as well. Plenty of excavators on the market are equipped with rearview cameras to ensure that operators can see what’s going on in the blind spot behind them. There are a variety of other offerings becoming popular that add even more of a view for users to take advantage of. Doosan makes use of the rear view and adds a right-side camera as well, Kleingartner noted, to provide a look past the boom and arm that can often block that view from the cab. Some other manufacturers, including Link-Belt Excavators, have a broader view; Woods said the Wide Angle Visual Enhancement System (WAVES) on its X4 machines provides 270 degrees of view with left and right hand cameras. Kobelco also features a 270-degree view from its cameras, displayed on a large 10-inch monitor within the cab. Taking it a step further, Hyundai offers 360-degree viewing with its All Around View Monitoring system, which Fuller noted greatly protects workers on the job site. In addition, AAVM includes Intelligent Moving Objects Detection, which alerts the operator to anything within a 16.5-foot distance using an audible alarm and colour changes on the eight-inch monitor. Doosan has a 360-degree bird’s-eye-view system becoming available in the near future, Kleingartner noted. The feature, available in the automotive industry for several years, brings the valuable ability to view all the way around an excavator’s circumference. Komatsu machines come standard with rear-view cameras, Earing noted, and for owners who want more the KomVision system offers up to four cameras, offering a bird’s-eye view, and allows the operator to toggle through cameras for better perspective on the job site. Caterpillar also allows the opportunity to move up from basic rear views to all-around viewing, Stellbrink said, and the company is finding cameras to be growing in popularity among buyers. Kim noted that Volvo offers its Volvo Smart View package, which helps operators see all angles around their machine, ensuring safer rotation within confined spaces. The company is taking cameras in a different direction with a current test project, as well – a mid-size machine is being tested with a camera on the front and video screen on the back, allowing vehicles behind to see what’s happening ahead.

We have found up to 63 percent improvement in time due to the reduction in staking, grading and inspection with 3D design data and semi-automatic control. These improvements help get the job done right the first time, and that time savings also means less wear and tear on the equipment. Andrew Earing Senior Product Manager, Komatsu On CASE machines, a premium lighting package features the Maximum View monitor, which Waldschmidt said combines feeds from three cameras to provide a comprehensive view of the front and rear of the machine. Better lighting means better visibility on the ground for operators, and Waldschmidt noted that the CASE optional LED light package is more than three times brighter than halogen lights, adding work time around the clock where necessary. Lights are also top of mind for Kobelco. Donneral said the company has had rear swing flashers and work lights for some time, increasing visibility and notifying people in the area that the machine is moving. On Volvo machines, lighting extends to a pair on the frame, two on the roof, four on the boom, one on the rear and one on the counterweight, Kim noted, and all can be set up separately through the in-cab monitor. The growth of telematics use has branched into some areas of safety, our experts noted, with a variety of e-fence and similar systems coming into regular use. Standard on Cat midsize machines, the e-fence allows operators to set a working boundary that protects the machine and those around it from potential harm. If the machine senses it’s going to go beyond the preset position, for example a ceiling placed under power lines or an overhead structure, it will alert the operator and prevent whatever function would cause it to move beyond the limits, Stellbrink explained. Deere has also adopted virtual fencing, with a focus more on operator awareness than direct action to shut down movement, Steger noted. The system won’t stop the machine from swinging, but alert the operator that it is close to the selected warning point. Technology isn’t the only way manufacturers are improving safety on these excavators; in some cases design changes or updates can add a level of safety for operators and their fellow employees. Service technicians are better protected when working on machines when daily fluid checks can be done from the ground, something that Caterpillar has focused on, according to Stellbrink; keeping mechanics on solid ground and off the machine deck makes them safer, especially in inclement weather. SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

LIEBHERR R 922 LITRONIC

An Auto Safety Lock Function on Hyundai excavators helps prevent unintended operation if the operator inadvertently makes contact with the hydraulic controls while engaging the pilot system, Fuller noted. Kobelco also offers its own hydraulic safety system – hydraulic pressure release. When switching attachments or disconnecting hydraulic piping, the operator can release internal pressure from inside the cab, preventing pressurized hydraulic oil from potentially spilling or spraying out, Donneral said. For Liebherr machines, keeping operators safer in the case of a hydraulic issue has led to inclusion of load holding valves across the lineup, which prevents uncontrolled movement if a hose fails and reduces cylinder creep.

BUYERS BENEFIT FROM MORE MACHINE CONTROL INTEGRATION

Mid-size excavators are already one of the most versatile machines on the market; the addition of machine control makes them even more valuable and brings more benefits to the bottom line. With more manufacturers integrating machine control options right from the factory, use of this technology tool is growing quickly. John Deere’s SmartGrade is a good example of how factory integration is helping buyers, according to Steger; the company has four options available for buyers of its 210 and 350 excavators, all OEM installed. The offering is a building-block ap-

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

proach; users can start with one option and upgrade as needed. Hitachi’s factory-integrated Solution Linkage 2D and 3D grade control allows operators to set a grade and hold it while avoiding redigging, Steger added. Having the machine control the boom and bucket while the operator manages the arm cuts down on the number of passes needed to get the right grade. The ability to avoid rework costs and time by ensuring reliable, repeatable precision is a big reason for integrated machine control selection, Waldschmidt said. An OEM-fit Leica solution offering 2D and 3D options for CASE D Series excavators is available, making it easier for the buyer to group the cost in with the machine purchase for smoother financing and payments. Integration also helps improve the resale cost of a machine when it hits the secondary market, he added. Intelligent Machine Control is a Komatsu program across multiple machine types, and its excavator system improves efficiency because the machine digs straight to grade, Earing notes. “In certain case studies, we have found up to 63 percent improvement in time due to the reduction in staking, grading and inspection with 3D design data and semi-automatic control. These improvements help get the job done right the first time, and that time savings also means less wear and tear on the equipment.” That operational improvement is key to machine control use, especially on the highly versatile mid-size class of excavator that can be called upon for any number of tasks. “If the machine is being used to do foundation work for a

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IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

CASE CX250D

HYUNDAI AAVM (ALL AROUND VIEW MONITORING)

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

single family home, or even a large commercial building, if you use these controls in the machine you can often get the job done faster with less rework and less extra backfill that might be needed because of overdigging,” Kleingartner noted. “Every job site is a little different, but machine control in specific applications is something that can become very handy. And it makes a good operator even better.” Stellbrink agreed that the importance of shortening work times and improving efficiency adds to the bottom line for contractors. “You’re burning less fuel, which is lowering your operating costs,” he said. “If you overdig, if you don’t have that guidance system and you’re trying to do it by eye, the chances of rework increase.” The addition of Volvo’s Active Control automated grading machine control introduced in 2020 helps operators get the right depth angle with ease, cutting down grading times by up to 45 percent, Kim noted. The system works with Volvo’s Active Control, powered through the in-cab Co-Pilot tablet; the system uses sensors and GPS technology to improve accuracy in shorter times. New features have given users even more options and precision, while maintaining easyto-use and intuitive operation. Mid-size machines can also benefit from the use of automation provided by machine control; allowing the system to manage some of the movements adds even more precision in many cases. Users of the Link-Belt Excavators’ Precision Grade system can take advantage of semi-autonomous operation – once a dig plan is put in place, the operator just needs to control the speed of the dig and control the arm circuit, while the machine runs the boom and bucket to produce accuracy within two centimetres. CASE is also offering semi-autonomous operation through its iCON IXE3 solution available through CASE SiteControl dealers, Waldschmidt noted. Through this system, operators can automate the boom, bucket, tilt bucket or tiltrotator bucket independently or in various combinations with built-in undercut protection to reduce overdigging. Automation helps operators execute complex tasks while increasing productivity through speed and accuracy.

GRADE CONTROL ON HITACHI ZX210LC-6

REDUCED TAIL SWING TOUGH IN TIGHT SPACES

Many of the job sites where 20- to 40-ton excavators are at their most effective tend toward tighter spaces – these machines work well on smaller sites, and especially so when equipped with reduced tail swing options. Woods, with Link-Belt Excavators, pointed out that a reduced tail swing on a mid-size excavator makes for a Swiss Army knife of a machine – even more so than the standard swing excavators. “With space simply running out in many regions, especially metropolitan areas, reduced tail swing machines are becoming more and more popular among contractors. With the ability to perform operations within only one lane of traffic where historically it took two lanes, reduced tail swings are quickly becoming a favourite of the contractors in the field,” he said. The challenge with reduced tail swing options has always been a matter of stability – the counterweight is there to help the machine be more stable and ensure it can handle the digging that’s needed, Steger noted. Deere and Hitachi each offer five mid-size models with reduced tail swing,

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SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

CAT 323

If the machine is being used to do foundation work for a single family home, or even a large commercial building, if you use these controls in the machine you can often get the job done faster with less rework and less extra backfill that might be needed because of overdigging. Aaron Kleingartner Product & Dealer Marketing Manager, Doosan and the focus has been ensuring they are as close to the full swing machines in performance as possible. “Customers absolutely love them. They’re versatile. They aren’t as stable as conventional tail swings, but they’re not far off, and for the added versatility it’s a trade they’re willing to make,” Steger said. “The more you can get done with one machine the better, and this all adds up to ROI for the customer.” Liebherr’s shorter tail swing options are also proving popular with contractors, Reid added. “With congested work sites or the requirement to get close to walls or buildings, we see many

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

customers that have had traditional excavators in the past opt for reduced tail swing machines to provide their fleet with great flexibility,” he noted. While smaller tail swings have often been associated more with smaller compact machines, that has changed over the years and today’s larger excavators are showing up more frequently with that smaller operating radius. “Short swing options are not just for compact models anymore. I would say short swing radius demand is just as high as conventional reach demand,” said Kim. Volvo’s ECR355E was released recently; the 35-ton unit has a short swing radius but is capable of high production work in tight areas, while the ECR235E also provides similar features in the 25- to 30-ton range. CASE customers appreciate the smaller footprint of minimum-swing machines thanks to added mobility, Waldschmidt said. “The feedback that we get on these machines from contractors is that they often wind up in tougher applications that are typically reserved for larger machines – because they have the digging and lifting power to handle it,” he said.

TOP TIPS FOR REDUCING TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP

If you’re considering the purchase of a mid-size excavator in the 20- to 40-ton range, it’s important to consider the overall cost of such an asset throughout its life cycle. Considerations like maintenance planning and costs, fuel economy, dealer support and more should all play into that decision. When considering maintenance, don’t forget that there are

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IN-DEPTH REPORT: MID-SIZE EXCAVATORS

LINK-BELT EXCAVATORS 250 X4

multiple categories of costs involved, Kleingartner noted, and they can change depending on your approach to maintenance. Maintenance plans are ideal for planning out maintenance work, and partnering with local dealers adds expertise and capability through the life of the plan. Planned maintenance contracts with local dealers take some burden off fleet managers over time and offer peace of mind in the process, Waldschmidt said. Many pieces of new equipment come with planned maintenance contracts these days, and can include such things as warranties, telematics subscriptions and more. Some manufacturers have focused on reducing the overall maintenance requirements for their machines; Caterpillar has targeted fuel efficiency and lower maintenance on its Next Gen excavators, Stellbrink said. Modern machines like the Next Gen excavators extend maintenance intervals to reduce overall costs, in Cat’s case by between 15 and 20 percent. Buyers looking to maximize value over time should review the fuel economy of the machines they are considering. Updates throughout these machines have changed fuel use rates and, at today’s prices for diesel, it’s a key part of the budget. Reid advised that fuel economy and productivity be reviewed when selecting a machine, and contractors should choose those that ensure savings on the bottom line. Take note of other fluid use rates as well – machines that use DEF for emissions control require that additional cost on a regular basis, Woods pointed out. Keep fuel productivity – fuel burned per amount of material moved – in mind, and review warranty coverage carefully. Earing echoed that point, noting that differing technologies require different amounts of fuel consumption. DEF consumption is often overlooked, but different engine and

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

With the ability to perform operations within only one lane of traffic where historically it took two lanes, reduced tail swings are quickly becoming a favourite of the contractors in the field. Adam Woods Manager, Innovation and Technology integration, Link-Belt Excavators

aftertreatment options can use drastically different amounts of fuel and DEF. When it comes time to seek out a mid-size excavator, it’s beneficial to connect with local dealers who can provide their expertise and break down the benefits of specific machines and features for your specific requirements. Steger encourages that buyers maintain a strong relationship with their dealer, both for purchasing knowledge as well as for repairs and maintenance expertise. Ensuring that machines are maintained properly and have the most recent updates is key in reducing total cost of ownership; a strong dealer relationship can help keep machines running for work today and improve resale value down the road. HEG

KOBELCO SK350LC-10

KOMATSU PC210LCI-11

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

AGGREGATES & QUARRIES

QUARRIES CUT DOWNTIME WITH PLANNED MAINTENANCE APPROACH REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND EVALUATION EXTEND THE LIFE OF CRUSHING AND SCREENING EQUIPMENT BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

ggregates operations are rough on equipment – there’s no way around that. When the job comes down to smashing rock all day it’s no surprise that the machines involved tend to take a beating. Regular maintenance is an important part of keeping them up, running and making money. Planning that maintenance is one key approach to reducing overall costs and maximizing uptime. From replacing wear parts to more extensive maintenance, having a plan reduces costs and downtime for quarry equipment and keeps the entire operation moving forward.

Making the time to do the inspection is key – production often gets in the way, and next thing you know, the inspection gets missed. Proper development of the checks needed and documentation of the findings is also important, so a review can happen and be compared with earlier findings. Jeff MacDonald President, Amaco CEI

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Amaco Construction Equipment Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario, handles aggregate equipment lines from Astec, SBM and Screencore. Amaco CEI President Jeff MacDonald joined the company his father James founded in 1987 after training as a professional civil engineer, and over those three-plus decades he’s seen a lot of crushers and screens. He points out that there’s plenty to consider when it comes to maintenance planning for aggregates operations. When you’re dealing with crushing and processing rock, sand and similar products, abrasiveness is impossible to avoid and needs to be a starting point for your maintenance considerations, MacDonald advised. “Many aggregates that are processed are very abrasive, and will cause wear in the equipment with anything that comes into contact with the material,” MacDonald noted. “You can maximize uptime with a regular inspection routine that measures and evaluates wear life left on items such as belts, chutes, screen cloth and crusher wear parts.” It’s essential to ensure that inspection be done regularly, because the longer an item wears, the more potential there is for more costly damage to occur. “If you let the wear go past a liner and into structural components, your repair costs jump greatly, and if left too long, may not be repairable,” MacDonald said. “An inspection and regular maintenance plan is essential.” Setting a maintenance plan for an aggregate operation can cover a lot of ground, but it’s important to ensure that there’s something in place for operators and maintenance teams to refer to. Establishing a set schedule and approach to maintenance and repair response means equipment is checked regularly and problems are caught early on. “A proper maintenance plan should include daily, weekly and monthly checks, and the time to conduct these checks is as im-

portant to wear as it is to safety, so make sure this is structured and followed,” MacDonald suggested. “The longer the interval, the more in-depth the inspection should be.” One example of an in-depth check that can be beneficial when done regularly is oil sample analysis; a review of fluid condition when oil changes take place can be an early warning of impending engine or hydraulic system issues. This can only be accomplished effectively when good records are kept, though, MacDonald noted. “Record keeping and analysis of the findings are equally important to understand how your equipment is faring in the application – inspection without evaluation is pointless.” Starting a plan should focus on the components that are the most likely to need repair or replacement on a regular basis. “The best place to start is with anything that can be seen or readily measured: crusher wear parts, screen cloth, chute and hopper liners, belts and idlers,” MacDonald said. “Understanding how the material you’re processing is affecting your equipment is important to planning when maintenance is needed. Tracking wear to production can give you valuable insight into when work will be needed.” In developing a plan, ensure that a schedule is set for important inspection work – and be sure that it’s adhered to by operators and service employees. Inspections can slow down operations for a short time, but that’s far better than the alternative, MacDonald pointed out. “Making the time to do the inspection is key – production often gets in the way, and next thing you know, the inspection

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AGGREGATES & QUARRIES

DON’T LET PRODUCTION GET IN THE WAY OF PLANNED MAINTENANCE; ENSURE THAT ALL INSPECTIONS ARE DONE ON TIME.

gets missed. Proper development of the checks needed and documentation of the findings is also important, so a review can happen and be compared with earlier findings,” he said. “Taking measurements and recording them ensures the evaluation is done, not just a quick run-through of check marks on a page in order to get to work.” MacDonald recommends developing a system that, when an inspection finds an item is out of its recommended spec and requires attention, is immediately recorded and reported. This kind of system ensures that the needed maintenance is done more quickly than if the form is submitted to the office and left for some time before being evaluated. Maintenance plans should be broad-based and encompass all machines in a spread, even in cases where the quarry is running multiple manufacturers. In fact, it’s a good idea to keep those multiple brands in mind, as that may affect the availability of parts. “Brand of machine . . . could affect parts delivery and uptime if required parts take time to bring in. This should be regularly checked with your supplier, especially as COVID has caused some delays. You can plan and order ahead with whatever lead time is needed so downtime is minimized,” MacDonald said. Value and use of equipment should dictate the necessity for the maintenance plan, MacDonald noted. A machine that’s valued at $10,000 might not be inspected at the same frequency as something in the $1 million range, for example. “If you own just a single machine without a backup, then this unit should be inspected more regularly to ensure uptime is assured,” he added. When a plan has been developed and put in place, it’s essential to have a good level of staff buy-in to ensure it is followed successfully. Without a crew willing to make it work, a plan is

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

You can maximize uptime with a regular inspection routine that measures and evaluates wear life left on items such as belts, chutes, screen cloth and crusher wear parts. Record keeping and analysis of the findings are equally important to understand how your equipment is faring in the application – inspection without evaluation is pointless. just words, so having everyone taking part is key. “Managers must account for and allow for the inspections to happen without added pressure to be in production mode,” MacDonald said. “Keeping the machine working well is as important as safety measures to ensuring personnel are safe.” One way to get that buy-in is to bring all the stakeholders together – operators, managers, service technicians, dealer reps – and have them all be part of the plan’s development and implementation. It may take some time to get there, but once everyone is on the same page, it’s much easier to kick off a good maintenance program. HEG

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AGGREGATES & QUARRIES

HYDROPURE RECYCLES AS MUCH WASH WATER AS POSSIBLE AT THE POINT OF USE.

MWS EQUIPMENT

HYDROPURE THICKENERS MAXIMIZE WATER RECOVERY IN AGGREGATES

he Hydropure thickener range is designed to maximize water recovery while minimizing the use of tailing dams. Water management solutions are increasingly in demand across the modern aggregates production world, with water being a valuable global resource. MWS Equipment has listened to their customers, particularly in regions where it can be difficult and, in some cases, impossible to find the water required to supply an aggregate processing plant. MWS says it has used its expertise within this industry to design a range of thickener systems which complements the current range of wet processing equipment. The primary goal of the Hydropure thickener is to recycle as much water as possible at the point of use ready for feeding back to the wash plant. The MWS Equipment range of thickeners come in a variety of diameters of 6, 8, 10 and 12 m. They are designed to handle various flow rates from 180 to 650 m³/hr of slurry and process up to 40 tph of solids. According to MWS Equipment, a well-designed and installed thickener system can recycle up to 90 percent of the original feedwater supplied to the plant. This greatly reduces the amount of fresh water which is required. The use also vastly reduces the overall footprint of a plant as it reduces the need for large surface area settling ponds, and the costs associated with operating such ponds. The cyclone overflow (waste slurry) from the wash plant is directed to the Hydropure thickener where an anti-turbulence feed chamber adds a small amount of flocculant to the waste stream. This flocculant, which is prepared in a dedicated make-

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

up station, is used to combine the small particles together into larger sizes. These larger size particles then sink to the bottom of the Hydropure Thickener, allowing the clean water to flow over the weir into the clarified water tank for direct reuse within the wash plant. The particles, which settle in the tank, are collected in a lower cone section where they can be pumped from the thickener. The Hydropure is fitted with a centrifugal pump which is used to pump this waste sludge out of the thickener. This can either be to a settling pond or sludge holding tank for further processing by a filter press or similar. The system is controlled from either a dedicated standalone PLC system or it can be combined into the controls of the MWS Equipment wash plant. As a result, customers enjoy the flexibility to choose the best filtration technology for their production environment, along with the ability to integrate the Hydropure into existing equipment. Ben Frettsome, product line director, MWS Equipment, said, “In line with our core values of commitment, innovation and sustainability we are diversifying our product range to supply our customers with a full product solution. MWS has been responsive and adaptive to change, with the outcome being our industry-leading design which offers versatility and cost efficiency. The water management range showcases the very best of MWS engineering and, with almost infinite permutations across the wet processing sectors, enables us to deliver our customers truly smarter water management solutions.”

MONITOR THE HEALTH OF VIBRATING SCREENS USING AI

aver & Boecker Niagara’s Pulse Condition Monitoring (Pulse CM) is designed to monitor the health of vibrating screens using modern algorithms and artificial intelligence. It provides accurate measurements and forecasts complemented by information that is easy to understand. Pulse CM is a wireless diagnostics tool that helps mineral processing operations be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to maintenance efforts. This leads to increased efficiency, decreased downtime and improved reliability. Pulse Condition Monitoring is the next level in the Pulse portfolio, accompanying the company’s Pulse Vibration Analysis. Similar to Pulse Vibration Analysis, the Pulse CM system analyzes data to help users get the most out of their equipment. Unlike Pulse Vibration Analysis, Pulse CM uses permanently installed sensors to monitor equipment 24/7. The system captures real-time information on monitored equipment and provides alerts via e-mail when it detects the first sign of potential problems. By constantly monitoring the accelerations of the vibration screen, Pulse CM provides a forecast of the equipment’s dynamic condition in intervals of 48 hours, 5 days and 4 weeks. The system detects anomalies that will point an operation’s maintenance team to specific areas of the equipment that may require attention. With consisGE tent use, Pulse CM will accurately point RA E OV out and predict critical issues and advise XC 3 when to schedule maintenance, along S / NE ED with what to focus on during that planned AD NGI QUIR E H LE E downtime. ZLE IESE OR R Z To collect all data from the body and NO D AT • 3 4 HP ENER drive components, Pulse CM is equipped •7 OG with a gateway that can connect with up •N to 20 wireless sensors, within a radius of up to 246 feet (75 metres). Using a cellular signal or Wi-Fi from the plant, it will send all data to the Haver & Boecker Niagara cloud, available through the company’s web app. The sensor configurations are customizable and placed on both the body and bearings of the vibrating screen. The gateway can also be positioned between two screens operating near one another. Haver & Boecker Niagara’s accompanying app displays all the information in an easy-to-use portal, providing users a full overview of equipment in real time. They can access detailed information specific to each of the body and bearing sensors to identify the equipment’s operating condition and health of each component.

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SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

AGGREGATES & QUARRIES

KLEEMANN

MONITOR CRUSHING PLANT OPERATION REMOTELY VIA SMARTPHONE

leemann has launched a new digital operating concept for its crushing plants that provides process information to operators through several routes, including Android and iOS smartphones. The SPECTIVE operating system has optimized control operations of crushing plants, and the CONNECT extension adds a new facet: the ability to display key details on a smartphone without having to leave the machine that is feeding the crusher. With SPECTIVE in operation, Kleemann crushers can be started using the 12inch SPECTIVE touch panel on the plant. The intuitive operating concept makes it easy for users to choose the necessary settings. Once set, the plant can then run in automatic mode. In the case where a plant train is in use, after the initial set-up the operator can connect in to the plant train – not just the first plant. A new feature introduced for SPECTIVE is the integration of radio remote controls. Using a large radio remote control, set-up procedures can be carried out at a safe distance from the machine in a space convenient to the operator. A smaller remote control can also be used to operate all key functions from the feed machine. SPECTIVE CONNECT takes the process a step further and feeds important information about the crushing plant to any personnel who might require it. Diesel fill level, average fuel consumption, average plant performance, gap setting, utilization rate

and other key data points can be displayed through the dashboard. In most cases, operators no longer have to leave the driver’s cab or interrupt operations; using their smartphone they will be able to determine that, for example, the diesel fill level is low and have a fuel delivery arranged without leaving their cab. Monitoring machine utilization means that operators can regulate loading. They can also see daily

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

output data and compare it to the previous day’s operations, along with others. Remote data monitoring helps add safety for operators, increases plant availability and utilization, and improves efficiency for lower costs. SPECTIVE CONNECT can, in the case of a malfunction, display a general fault as well as troubleshooting aids where necessary. The operator can then carry their smartphone to the

plant and work through the fault step by step. Automated reports on consumption, plant usage and performance are useful for operational analysis and can help identify areas of operation that could be improved to add efficiency. SPECTIVE CONNECT is available on the MOBICAT MC 110(i) EVO2 jaw crusher and the MOBICONE MCO 90(i) EVO2 cone crusher, with more to be added.

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The 210G LC delivers a combination of power and precision that ensures the job gets done right the first time, reducing the need for rework.

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AGGREGATES & QUARRIES

CATERPILLAR

WATER SOLUTIONS TRUCK DELIVERS SUSTAINABLE ROAD DUST CONTROL

t mining and quarry sites, haul road dust can take a toll on safety and productivity, leading to a continuous struggle to balance dust suppression with overwatering. Built on the proven Cat 777G truck platform, the new 777G Water Solutions truck offers an innovative and smarter water truck to help control haul road dust. Integrating truck, tank, and water delivery system, connected with technology, the 777G from Cat Water Solutions helps solve overwatering and underwatering issues with a focus on sustainable operations. The Cat Water Delivery System (WDS) combined with Cat MineStar Edge connectivity helps operations manage the site more safely and productively with scalable levels of technology, offering both basic and premium options to fit site needs.

Cat’s 777G Water Solutions truck uses technology to determine proper water flow for site conditions.

The new Cat 777G Water Solutions truck comes standard with an integrated, 76,000-litre (20,000-gallon) Cat-branded water tank, complete with spray system, splash guards, fill chute and rock ejectors. Featuring Adaptive Economy Mode operation, the truck’s engine uses up to 13 percent less fuel than full power mode. The water cannon operates at engine idle speed, further reducing fuel consumption by up to 50 percent. The exclusive Cat WDS delivers variable water flow based on truck speed and determines the appropriate flow to

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

reduce the risk of accidents due to poor visibility, while conserving water. The variable displacement pump automatically starts and stops when the truck slows or comes to a halt, preventing overwatering and subsequent poor traction at road intersections. It also features soft start-ups and turns off automatically when the tank is empty, preventing damage to the system from the pump running dry. WDS components include a water cannon, oil cooler, variable displacement pump, hydraulic oil tank, electronic control boxes and hydraulic motor/water pump. Reducing health hazards associated with airborne particles, automated water delivery also allows the operator to remain focused on driving to enhance site safety. Remote tank fill control, complete with auto shut-off to prevent overfilling, enables the operator to remain inside the cab during refilling to reduce potential operator slips and falls. Integrated with the Cat WDS, cloud-based MineStar Edge collects and communicates machine data, allowing site supervisors to monitor the fleet and meet production targets. Scalable to fit specific site needs, the system can provide a range of data to improve fleet productivity, including real-time and historical reporting, truck location and utilization, fuel and water levels, volume of water distributed, area covered, and rate of water being put down, among other operating metrics. This fully integrated system with Cat-branded tank is supported by the local Cat dealer. The water truck, including tank and components, is covered by the Caterpillar factory standard warranty and is eligible for Cat equipment protection plans (EPP) and customer value agreements (CVAs). Retrofit kits are available for existing Cat 777G truck platforms in the field.

EVOQUIP MARKS FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

voQuip has celebrated five successful years in business via a virtual hour-long celebration attended by almost 100 distributors around the world. Launched at Hillhead in 2016 to bring a simplified range of equipment to the crushing and screening industry, EvoQuip has since grown to become a well-known brand. Starting out with the Bison 35 crusher, EvoQuip continued to introduce innovative products with the Cobra 290R now being the biggest crusher in its range, capable of outputting 320 U.S. tph. On the screening side, EvoQuip’s products have evolved to encompass the Harrier 220, a small yet robust machine designed for recycling, composting, topsoil, landscaping and contract building industries, to the Colt 1600 scalping screen. The Colt 1600 is the largest screen in the EvoQuip range and can process up to 661 U.S. tph, depending on application. EvoQuip’s range has also developed to include tracked mobile conveyors, high- and low-level feeders and radial stockpilers, designed to work alongside its range of crushing and screening equipment. More recently, hybrid offerings, designed to give customers alternative energy options to operate their equipment and digital solutions, such as T-Link telemetry providing customers with real-time information on the performance of their machine, have been at the forefront of EvoQuip’s evolution to address emerging industry needs.

FRONTLINE DELIVERS CRUSHERS TO CFS ALERT

anadian Forces Station Alert is a Canadian Armed Forces signals intelligence intercept facility in Alert, Nunavut – the most northern continuously inhabited place in the world. Supporting infrastructure in such a remote location takes extensive planning and effort. The harsh environment puts extra wear on crushing and screening equipment and crews alike, and it is critical to maintain key facilities for Canadian military operations and Search and Rescue. When CFS Alert required a new crushing spread for their quarry oper-

ations in the high arctic, Frontline Machinery was up to the task and delivered a Keestrack H4 Cone Crusher and B4 Jaw Crusher. To make such a delivery possible, Frontline’s service technicians had to first disassemble both crushing plants, breaking them down into multiple aircraft load packages, using precise configurations. With intricate planning and precise execution, Frontline Machinery was able to successfully perform this difficult, but memorable, task in one of Canada’s most rugged yet beautiful landscapes.

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COMPACT EQUIPMENT

CAT 303 CR MINI EXCAVATOR

Powerful machine, small package HOW TO SPEC THE RIGHT MINI EXCAVATOR FOR TRENCHING AND UTILITIES APPLICATIONS BY KAITLYN TILL, EDITOR IN CHIEF

COMPACT EQUIPMENT

he mini excavator has long been considered a utilitarian machine, often with minimal bells and whistles, designed to get the job done on compact work sites where a minimal machine footprint is vital. But, as these small machines become available with more options in attachments and configuration, the benefits of using a mini excavator over a backhoe loader for utilities and trenching work open up new opportunities for contractors. “Traditionally, backhoes were the Swiss Army knife of the construction industry,” says Greg Worley, market professional with Caterpillar. “They are quick, they’re on rubber tires, and you can get them in position – but this is a big machine.” As cities have expanded, utilizing a backhoe that can drive out from the depot to do utilities jobs around a city has become much more challenging – and trailering a backhoe isn’t ideal. Mini excavators have emerged as a popular option for trenching and utilities work because so much capability can be packed into them, and that capability is easier to trailer to more job sites. A mini excavator is not a production digging machine designed to move material in the most efficient way – it serves the purpose of getting the job done in a compact area, says Dave Donneral, specialized machinery manager with Kobelco. Mini excavators, with no stabilizers and a smaller size, are also easier to move around job sites than backhoes, he points out. Rubber tracked, low-weight machines are ideal for utilities jobs on improved areas; for example, if there is a finished driveway or landscaping around the job, or if the machine must go through narrow points of access. Aaron Kleingartner, product & dealer marketing manager with Doosan Infracore North America, adds that some of the smallest mini excavators have retractable undercarriages which enable them to narrow even further. There are a range of tasks that utilities operations need to carry out – trenching, lifting of street plates and transformers, and backfilling, for example, and all need to be considered when spec’ing your mini excavator.

HOW TO SPEC YOUR MACHINE Lift capacity

Often when evaluating a machine, an end user will consider what they typically lift most of the time, but Kleingartner always recommends making the decision based on the known maximum that the end user wants to lift. Once that maximum weight is determined, you need to know where that lift is going to be performed. Will it be lifted from the side, or over the front of the excavator? The machine will be most stable when lifting over the front with the blade down, but if the upperstructure is rotated 90 degrees to lift over the side, the machine will become less stable. “You always want to spec that machine for lift capacity with its maximum expected weight you want to lift over the least stable portion of the machine – and typically that’s going to be over the side.” Donneral notes that whether there’s a bucket on the machine or not will also factor into calculating the needed lift capacity – if there’s a bucket on the mini excavator, the weight of that bucket needs to be included in the lift weight. If you’re going to be lifting street plates, you’ll need lifting capacity to match those weights. Worley says that Caterpillar’s latest 303 Next Gen machine is designed to do just that. Cat has spec’ed the machine specifically to handle 2,000-pound street plates for trenching and utility work, and the machine has the capability to manipulate and place them.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

We often will promote maximum dig depth, but maximum dig depth is really only achievable at the very lowest portion of an arc. Aaron Kleingartner Product & Dealer Marketing Manager, Doosan Infracore North America

On the other hand, Worley says that some contractors don’t use street plates or lift much at all – they just do trenching. If you will be setting transformers, these may not be the heaviest lifts, but the operator may require significant reach to lift over obstacles and that needs to be factored in when consulting lift charts. Knowing how high, up and down, you’re going to need to lift your heaviest materials will factor into the decision as well, adds Kleingartner.

DOOSAN DX35-5 MINI EXCAVATOR

Dig depth

Maximum dig depth of the machine should be deeper than what you need to trench. “We often will promote maximum dig depth, but maximum dig depth is really only achievable at the very lowest portion of an arc. That boom and arc pivots around a mounting pin on the mainframe, and you can only get so deep based on that lowest point of the arc,” says Kleingartner. “A lot of times, people will refer to an eight-foot dig depth location, and that way you compare it more easily machine-to-machine on what’s the maximum vertical wall dig depth you could have at eight feet deep. You can take a look at those two numbers to really compare machines.” Kleingartner recommends spec’ing your machine so that 85 percent of its capability will get the job done, and then you have an extra 15 percent of capability if you need it. For example, that extra reach can be beneficial for dumping spoil far enough from the trench. “You don’t want a machine that will dig a maximum of eight feet [if you want to dig an eight-foot-deep trench]. You want a machine that will dig further, as it’s that flat bottom trench you’re really looking for,” Donneral says. If you spec a machine with a 10-foot dig depth, you’ll have the eight-foot depth to get an eight-foot flat bottom in the trench – and you won’t have to

move the machine every time. Ultimately, according to Worley, dig depth may not be as big a concern as most mini excavators will reach the necessary dig depth for the types of utility work that they’re deployed for. One exception is in northern regions where, for example, the excavator needs to dig for utilities to lay them below the frostline. Another advantage of employing a machine with a longer stick is that the operator will have to reposition the machine less and will be more productive. Worley says that what Caterpillar is hearing from customers is, “I need the most powerful machine possible in the smallest package possible to meet my digging criteria.” This is particularly important for contractors working on domestic hookups – for them, finding the right balance between machine size and dig depth is vital.

Boom and stick configuration

The swing boom that is found on most mini excavators is great for utility work in confined spaces, says Donneral, giving operators the ability to swing the boom to the left or right for trenching without moving the upper house of the machine. Options are available when configuring the stick, and there are three different configurations to consider – standard, long-arm or extendable arm machines. Kleingartner says SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

COMPACT EQUIPMENT that a machine’s characteristics are best configured for the standard machine, and a long-arm model will typically have extra counterweight in the rear. While a long-arm option may be necessary for contractors needing a greater dig depth, an extendable-arm machine can offer an additional 18 to 20 inches of reach ideal for placing materials, such as in landscaping applications. Most utility or traditional digging operations will find that a standard or long-arm mini excavator is the best fit. Worley adds that sometimes you have to move up to a larger machine in order to get the reach you need from a longer stick without sacrificing lift capability, such as for placing a transformer.

Undercarriage

When choosing a machine, consider the width of the trackpad itself – this is not typically something that can be changed, and the machine will be widest at the tracks. Worley notes that choosing a machine with a retractable undercarriage can help here. You may also have a choice between rubber and steel tracks for some larger mini excavator models. Rubber tracks will be the clear choice for most contractors, but if you’re working in especially harsh conditions, steel is the way to go, says Kleingartner. Donneral elaborates that when selecting rubber tracks, there are several options. Some have a more aggressive track pattern that will give you more traction in rougher areas, while others are much smoother so that you can drive them on grass without tearing it up. Some manufacturers will have different styles with varying thicknesses and hardness of rubber.

Blades

Most machines come standard with a blade, which adds weight to the machine’s undercarriage and delivers greater stability in lifting and digging tasks in addition to its backfilling function. Blade options for mini excavators include a standard straight blade or an angle blade. Worley is seeing growth in adoption of angle blades, a high-end configuration, even on lower-end canopy machines. The reason? Efficiency. Worley notes that the angle blade speeds up backfilling and the final grade significantly and utility customers are recognizing that benefit. A commonly requested feature is float position on the blade, says Donneral, which, after pushing forward, will gently follow the contour of the ground when the machine is in reverse, providing a more level area. Kleingartner adds that on very small mini excavators with retractable undercarriages, the outer sections of the blade will usually be segmented so that they can either be retracted manually or removed from the machine. Another benefit of the blade is that when working on an incline while digging a horizontal flat-bottom trench, the blade can level the house of the machine so that it will work the bottom of the trench like you expect.

What Caterpillar is hearing from customers is, “I need the most powerful machine possible in the smallest package possible to meet my digging criteria.”

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Years ago, a customer would buy a mini excavator with a couple of buckets. Now, they’re buying a mini excavator with 10 to 15 different tools. Dave Donneral Specialized Machinery Manager, Kobelco

Radius and counterweight

Consideration of radius will depend on the type of job site, and it won’t be necessary for all utility work, particularly when laying out utilities before a new build – especially if you’re handling heavy reels and prime cable, LAN, etc. says Worley. Counterweight, however, will be important for machine stability when manipulating transformers or junction boxes, which will usually require a machine in the 4- to 5-ton class. Once you’re working on domestic hookups, however, getting the machine with the capability you need, where you need it, can be a challenge. Worley adds that Cat has recently changed its 1.7-ton compact radius machine to incorporate a heavier base counterweight. Zero- or reduced-tail-swing machines will allow the operator to get into position without worrying where the machine is swinging, but they will typically be wider than their counterparts, and, Kleingartner says, they typically will have a lower lift weight rating on the front of the machine due to where the weight is located. “Make sure you have the proper machine balance for lifting versus digging capacity versus access and the need for that reduced tail swing model – because there are trade-offs in all those scenarios,” he says. Donneral agrees that you need to keep the performance trade-offs in mind when selecting a zero-tail-swing excavator. If a conventional machine that weighs 7,000 pounds can get your job done, then you might have to move up to an 8,000-pound machine to get the same operating capacity with zero tail swing.

TILTROTATORS AND ATTACHMENTS

Attachment options, quick couplers and tiltrotators have changed how machines are used on the job site, with benefits for an operation’s allocation of labourers as well. “Years ago, a customer would buy a mini excavator with a couple of buckets. Now, they’re buying a mini excavator with 10 to 15 different tools,” says Donneral. While this investment in work tools and tiltrotators is significant, it can free up labourers to take on different tasks as an added benefit for operations. Worley is seeing a surge of interest in tiltrotators in North America although not quite yet for the smaller two-ton mini excavators working in utilities applications. Those machines are often still seen as a utilitarian machine, but, Worley says, “The mini excavator is more than just a utilitarian machine – it’s more than just a wheelbarrow.”

KOBELCO SK30SR-6E MINI EXCAVATOR

A tiltrotator can be a great addition to any size machine, says Kleingartner, but he also cautions that a tiltrotator adds weight to the stick and reduces what a machine can lift. While adding a range of tools is a significant financial investment, ultimately the versatility will translate into efficiency gains and new work opportunities while also offsetting concerns surrounding labour shortages.

LET THE APPLICATION BE YOUR GUIDE

Ultimately, when selecting a mini excavator for trenching and utility work, the application will be your guide – and use for utilities work is growing. But, given the nature of some utilities jobs, trade-offs between machine parameters may be necessary when making a selection. Look at the movable factors, suggests Donneral. Does it make sense to remove a fence if you need significant capability on a job site? You won’t be able to move a building, but you can get

creative with some of the other job site factors, and much of the time there is no cookie cutter job. Kleingartner recommends that when spec’ing out a machine, you should consider the prime use of the machine first and then consider some of your outlier activities; for example, tasks that require greater dig depth, or the narrowest job sites that you have to access. “Sometimes, even if that’s once or twice versus an everyday activity, it’s worth it to have a machine that would fit that particular scenario. And other times the contractor might say, ‘For those one-off situations, I’ll rent a machine for that job that fits that specific need, but I’m going to buy a machine that fits that 80/20 role of what my prime use of the machine is going to be,’” Kleingartner adds. Worley is excited by the growing role of mini excavators for utilities work. “I just think that the mini excavators have stepped up the game to be more competitive, more suited into the utility business,” he says. HEG SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

COMPACT EQUIPMENT

CASE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

PRECISION GRADER BLADE

ASE Construction Equipment’s new Precision Grader Blade is a powerful new attachment for large-frame compact track loaders that delivers the grading performance of a motor grader in a more compact footprint. It is compatible with 2D and 3D machine control solutions, including CASE SiteControl grader solutions powered by Leica Geosystems, to deliver improved productivity, quality and efficiency in fine grading applications. The attachment is compatible with the use of laser receivers (single or dual), sonic tracers (single or dual), GNSS/GPS (single or dual) and total stations. CASE says that the attachment itself is “plug and play” with the auxiliary hydraulics and 14-pin electrical connection of a large-frame CTL. It features a 108-inch moldboard capable of jointly changing elevation and slope through dual lift cylinders, and achieves 60 degrees of combined blade rotation and 26 inches of combined blade side shift. Motion and action for the grader blade are controlled through the existing joysticks of the CTL with no additional controls required. Even at full rotation, the blade provides 97 inches of grading width, and side shift capability allows it to work around obstacles.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Rototilt® makes it possible The Rototilt® tiltrotator transforms your excavator into a flexible tool carrier. Our tiltrotator family is packed with innovative technologies that open the way for new types of jobs, and maximize both safety and productivity. Boost your business with Rototilt. Open-S

The open industry standard for fully automatic quick couplers. Read more at www.opens.org

rototilt.com

Our tiltrotators • R1 | 1.5-3.5 tonnes • R2 | 3-6.5 tonnes • R3 | 6-12 tonnes • R4 | 10-16 tonnes

• • •

R5 | 14-19 tonnes R6 | 15-24 tonnes R8 | 23-32 tonnes

COMPACT EQUIPMENT

JOHN DEERE

ANTI-VIBRATION UNDERCARRIAGE SYSTEM ON THE 333G COMPACT TRACK LOADER ai162853148953_VMAC_HeavyEquipGuide_Sept2021_halfpg_SWIC H40.pdf 1 8/9/2021 10:51:33 AM

he anti-vibration undercarriage system for the 333G compact track loader is designed to reduce machine vibration and increase operator comfort. The company says that the anti-vibration undercarriage system was created as a solution to combat operator fatigue and enhance user experience. The new undercarriage option offers a solution to enhance machine operation, helping operators to remain focused on the job at hand. Key features of the anti-vibration undercarriage system include the following: an isolated undercarriage, bogie rollers, updated grease points, hydrostatic hose protection shield and rubber isolators. By utilizing an anti-vibration suspension at the front and rear of the track frame and absorbing shock through the rubber isolators, the machine provides a smoother ride for the operator. These features also enable the machine to travel at higher speeds while retaining material on the job, and permit the machine to flex up and down, adding to the operator’s comfort level. The new bogie roller system allows for oscillating movement of the rollers, promoting smoother transitions when cresting a hill, improved stability on uneven grounds, and enabling larger debris to pass between the roller and track system. This updated design also features a new oscillating bogie arm, further enhancing operator efficiency. This design includes only four new grease points which are easy to access. A new angled steel shield was added to protect the hydrostatic hoses from exposure to debris. As a result, operators can expect less downtime due to a reduction in potential damage to the hydrostatic hoses. Additionally, rubber isolators were implemented to offer longer track life and allow easier repairs compared to other competitive solutions.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

MADE FOR CANADIANS

BUILT FOR ALL KINDS OF CANADA. Building in Canada has its own challenges. What you need for downtown is different from what you need out-of-town. It’s why our equipment is cold weather tested. It’s also why we offer compact sizes for flexibility, versatile attachments for multitasking, and comfort for long days on the job. Best of all, with a range of financing and extended warranty options, you can get started and keep working from dawn until deadline.

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT YOUR LOCAL KUBOTA DEALER

KUBOTA.CA/CONSTRUCTIONSOLUTIONS

EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP: TILTROTATORS

HOW TILTROTATOREQUIPPED EXCAVATORS MAKE EFFICIENT WORK OF LANDSCAPING TASKS BY KAITLYN TILL, EDITOR IN CHIEF

rading, material handling and compaction are all tasks for an excavator on a landscaping job, and if you’re looking for an edge, outfitting your machine with a tiltrotator can deliver some impressive benefits. Here’s how adding a tiltrotator to your excavator can change how you approach landscaping jobs.

HOW DOES USING A TILTROTATOR BENEFIT LANDSCAPING APPLICATIONS?

“One of the biggest benefits to using a tiltrotator is probably the fact that you can fit a machine into a very confined space, which is oftentimes the case with landscaping,” says Jeremy Lindsay, sales and marketing manager with Rototilt Inc. The tiltrotator allows you to work at many different angles, to tilt or rotate your attachments, and to work in front of the carrier, beside the carrier or behind the carrier, but still control the direction of the attachment. He adds that this is of big benefit to reduce machine repositioning, which is safer and gets the job done faster. While efficiency gains are hard to pin down precisely as they will be job-specific, Lindsay says that Rototilt has seen some contractors, who have allocated five days to do a landscaping job, complete the work in a day and a half or two days. That’s a significant time savings, but he adds that there are other advantages that aren’t as immediately apparent – less moving of the machine reduces wear on the undercarriage, for example.

TILTROTATOR + 3D SOFTWARE = A DYNAMIC DUO

When it comes to grading, a machine with a tiltrotator can get the job done faster than a machine without one, says Lindsay, and when you add 3D software onto the machine, you can accomplish even more with pre-programmed contours and

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

can avoid guesswork. While the majority of machines don’t have this technology yet, Lindsay says that as more machines from OEMs are outfitted with 3D technology, more operations become interested in carrying through the investment to adding a tiltrotator as well, typically with larger machines.

WHAT ARE THE CARRIER REQUIREMENTS FOR TILTROTATORS? As long as your machine meets the correct hydraulic flow requirements for the tiltrotator (which can be compared on manufacturers’ websites), then pretty much every excavator

The tiltrotator allows you to work at many different angles, to tilt or rotate your attachments, and to work in front of the carrier, beside the carrier or behind the carrier, but still control the direction of the attachment. WHAT ATTACHMENTS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH TILTROTATORS?

Common attachments for use with tiltrotators include buckets, grapples, compactors and rippers. A tiltrotator can be used with attachments from the tiltrotator manufacturer, or third party attachments. Depending on the manufacturer of your third-party attachments, you may have to fabricate or purchase a bracket to bolt on the top of the attachment, says Lindsay. That bracket will need to be the same as the tiltrotator’s bottom coupler, which is the open S Standard. Most tiltrotator manufacturers use the Open S coupler so that they all have the same lugging on the lower end of the tiltrotator and the top end of their attachments and buckets. Rototilt sells modification kits for attachments that don’t have the Open S coupler, complete with lugs and pins. Once an operator is set up with their attachments, swapping attachments is easy. On the bottom of the tiltrotator is the hydraulic quick coupler which enables the operator to change the attachment from the cab. If they’re using a hydraulic attachment with a standard tiltrotator they’ll have to get out and connect the hydraulic lines. If the tiltrotator is equipped with Rototilt’s QuickChange (other manufacturers have their variations on this feature), full hydraulic connection can be completed from the cab.

HOW DOES ADDING A TILTROTATOR TO YOUR MACHINE CHANGE THE JOB SITE?

COMMON ATTACHMENTS FOR USE WITH TILTROTATORS INCLUDE BUCKETS, GRAPPLES, COMPACTORS AND RIPPERS.

produced today can utilize a tiltrotator, says Lindsay. From there, it’s a question of the control system that you will use on your tiltrotator, and there are two variations: A full-featured electric set-up requires one hydraulic circuit on the machine. All of the valves to switch hydraulic functions for tilt, rotate, bucket shake and other features will go through that circuit. If the machine has two hydraulic circuits on it, which is a more expensive feature on excavators, the tiltrotator will function the same, but requires less electronic control as one hydraulic circuit will control the tilt function and the other will control rotation.

Adding a tiltrotator to your excavator means that you can use fewer machines on the job site and have fewer labourers working around the excavator. With a compactor, a bucket and a grading beam on that one machine, you can get a lot of landscaping tasks done, says Lindsay. And, if you’re digging a swimming pool, for example, you don’t have to have someone in the hole measuring for depth when you’re using 3D modelling software, which reduces safety risks on the job site.

HOW DOES OUTFITTING AN EXCAVATOR WITH A TILTROTATOR OPEN UP MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES?

Adding a tiltrotator to your machine opens up a contractor to bid on more jobs, says Lindsay, and having a full suite of attachments in your arsenal can help. For example, adding a compactor can allow you to grade at a fine level, and you’ll be able to bid on a job that has that requirement. Another business opportunity that a tiltrotator can open up is simply the ability to take on more jobs because of the time savings – instead of taking five days to do a job, if you can do it in two, that can open up a lot of opportunities. HEG SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

EQUIPMENT ROUNDUP: TILTROTATORS

TILTROTATORS

BOOST EXCAVATOR CAPABILITY

STEELWRIST TILTROTATOR LINEUP

1 ROTOTILT QUICKCHANGE

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Steelwrist offers tiltrotators for excavators from 2 to 33 tons; they can also be mounted on backhoe loaders. The entire line features standard Front Pin Lock technology, and all models have a low building height. Steelwrist tiltrotators deliver a 45-degree tilt angle for flexibility in a range of applications, and steel-casted components deliver an ideal strength-to-weight ratio. Vertical tilt cylinders enable digging in narrow trenches and the tiltrotator can connect to the central lubrication system of your excavator. According to Steelwrist, experienced operators estimate a productivity gain of between 20 and 35 percent when using a tiltrotator, depending on the application. Steelwrist’s range of attachments for use with its tiltrotators include buckets, grapples, compactors, sweepers, forks, rippers and more.

With the Rototilt QuickChange fully automatic quick coupler system for machine couplers, tiltrotators and tools, you can change hydraulic and electronic tools without leaving the cab. QuickChange is based on the S standard, and is compact, relatively light and very robust. QuickChange enables an excavator to become a fullfledged tool carrier that lets you do jobs faster and with more precision. At the same time, you can quickly disconnect your tiltrotator in tough environments or when the job doesn’t require tiltrotator functionality – everything is done automatically. Integration with SecureLock and the ability to change tools without leaving the cab keeps workers safe, even if hydraulic pressure is lost.

ENGCON EC-OIL

EC-Oil is Engcon’s system for hydraulic and electrical connection of hydraulic tools and attachments, specially adapted for the company’s tiltrotators. EC-Oil is designed to maximize safety in demanding environments, and it can connect pressurized tools and attachments at full system pressure. Engcon says that the proprietary oil and electrical connectors are designed to be resistant to the often tough working conditions for excavators, and the connectors are proven through destructive testing at 400 bar operating pressure and in tests in contaminated environments. The EC-Oil has no visible hoses or electrical cables that move around when connecting. This reduces the risk of pinch injuries and wear and tear. Mechanical protection prevents incorrect connection of the bracket, reducing the risk of breakdown. SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION

MICROPILE PRODUCTION AND SAFETY DRIVEN BY UNIQUE EQUIPMENT KLEMM DRILLING RIG AND ROD HANDLING ATTACHMENT MAKE BIG DIFFERENCE ON CHALLENGING PROJECT BY BRIAN M. FRALEY

echnical Foundations has been providing specialty foundation contracting services along the Eastern Seaboard for 27 years. The contractor’s reputation for taking on unique projects is evident in its selection of equipment, the most recent of which was the rental of a Klemm drilling rig and rod handling attachment from Equipment Corporation of America (ECA). “Technical Foundations specializes in unique projects,” says Project Engineer Butch Stoneman. “We like to provide cost-efficient, innovative solutions and sustainable ground improvements for challenging sites where conventional approaches won’t quite work.” Technical Foundations is no stranger to Klemm drilling rigs, but ECA’s Klemm specialist Burt Kerns was sent to conduct on-site operator training for the team at the beginning of the project since this was the contractor’s first time using the HBR 120 Rod Handling Attachment.

MICROPILES CHOSEN TO AVOID DISRUPTION

Technical Foundations put the Klemm drilling rig and handling system to work in January 2021 on a project installing 230 micropiles to support a sizable commercial building addition and multi-story precast parking garage. The micropiles would be spread across the roughly two-acre site to support the proposed structures in unsuitable soils. The existing site was essentially a valley that had been backfilled with a variety of materials to level it. Technical Foundations started off by test drilling to locate the bedrock. During that process, it discovered that unsuitable fill would make it impossible to build the structures on conventional spread footers without settlement issues.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Using the HBR 120 rod handler meant that crews avoided interacting with the 300-pound inner rod and casing sections. That, combined with a remote control unit on the Klemm KR 806-3G drill rig, improved safety for the crew.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION

TECHNICAL FOUNDATIONS COMPLETED 14 MICROPILES PER DAY BECAUSE OF THE KLEMM ROD HANDLING ATTACHMENT, COMPARED TO THE SIX TO EIGHT IT WOULD NORMALLY ACHIEVE USING TRADITIONAL METHODS.

Various deep foundation systems were considered. The existing business would remain fully operational, so avoiding disruption was critical. Driven piles were ruled out primarily due to the vibration that would occur with pile driving and heavy equipment. After several load tests, it was determined that six-inch-diameter piles would achieve the right capacity. They were to be clustered in a pile cap configuration around the building columns and under some of the grade beams.

MICROPILE DRILLING WITH THE KLEMM

The Klemm KR 806-3G was the primary workhorse for micropile drilling. Technical Foundations had several other rigs on standby. “It was more efficient to have one drill concentrating on drilling and the other focused on grouting the holes afterward,” says Stoneman. “It was also a really tight schedule, so we had an extra machine out there to make sure our flow of work wasn’t interrupted.” The KR 806-3G was drilling piles from 20 feet to 65 feet deep and seating them five feet into bedrock. The top layer of fill material was generally soft and moist, containing a mixture of concrete debris, tree roots and various types of soil that had been in place for up to 40 years. The native soil below was a

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

weathered rock, which was underlain by bedrock. “We chose the Klemm because it was the most reliable machine we had available, and with the different features it has, it was going to be a little bit more versatile in difficult drilling conditions,” says Stoneman. Stoneman is referring to the rig’s electronic shifting capabilities, which allow for the changing of torque and speed. The KR 806-3G’s double-head drilling capability was also beneficial since it has separate drives for the outer casing and inner rod. This was especially helpful when drilling through different types of materials and formations.

ROD HANDLING ATTACHMENT UPS PRODUCTIVITY

Klemm Drilling Rigs can be equipped with a MAG 7.0 Revolver, which is ideal for deep foundation methods like tiebacks or soil nails where the casing is being reused. The KR 806-3G Technical Foundations rented on the Roanoke project did not have a revolver since micropile casings are a one-time use. The HBR 120 Rod Handling Attachment proved to be a better fit. The drilling crew would drill a hole with the casing and the inner rod. The KR 806-3G operator would leave the casing in place and pull the inner rods. The HBR 120 was then used to grab the inner rod and feed it back into the next piece of casing. “When the crew was ready to start drilling the next hole, they

were all ready to go,” says Stoneman. “Having the casing and rods pre-loaded allowed them to drill at a faster production rate.” The smoothness of the micropile drilling operation nearly doubled productivity compared to the contractor’s traditional method. Technical Foundations would traditionally use the winch to hoist the casing and inner rod and make the connection by hand. The contractor would typically achieve six to eight micropiles daily with that method compared to the 14 it completed using the Klemm rod handling attachment. “The rod handler holds the inner rod and casing still so that we can make the connection to the drill head,” explains Stoneman. “The drilling rig operator can detach from both joints, then raise the head up, so it’s a faster transition to add the next piece of drill steel.” The HBR 120 can fit on any brand of excavator, but Technical Foundations kept it mounted on a Komatsu. Mounting the attachment was simple. The contractor built an adapter that allowed the rod handling attachment to be easily mounted to the arm with pins and bolts. A piggyback system facilitated the connection of hydraulic hoses and electronics to the fuse block of the excavator. This allowed the operator to easily control the functions of the rod handling attachment, including rotating, tilting, and clamping casing and inner rods. The HBR 120 can rotate on a 360-degree axis, but Technical Foundations did not require that level of movement on this project. The bigger focus was getting the rod handling attachment and the drilling rig mast on the right plane to keep the casing properly aligned so the sections would thread properly. This process required careful communication between a spotter and the drilling rig and excavator operators. The Klemm drilling rig was operated by remote control so he had the flexibility to move into a position with better visibility. The spotter used hand signaling to help both operators to properly line up the joints.

We chose the Klemm because it was the most reliable machine we had available, and with the different features it has, it was going to be a little bit more versatile in difficult drilling conditions. Butch Stoneman Project Engineer, Technical Foundations

ATTACHMENT ALSO IMPROVES SAFETY FOR GROUND CREW

The Klemm rod handling attachment also improved safety for the Technical Foundations ground crew. The 10-foot-long inner rod and casing sections were about 300 pounds, which have the potential to cause serious injuries. “By using the rod handler, you reduce the chance of a pipe section coming loose and falling and hurting somebody, but you also are able to get people’s hands away from joints,” says Stoneman. “When you can fully eliminate serious injury or any potential human contact, it’s a positive thing.” The ability to control the Klemm drilling rig via remote control added to the safety of the micropile drilling operation. Groundwater kept dust control at a minimum on the Roanoke project, but the ability for the operator to move to an area with improved visibility was helpful. “With the remote control, the operator can position himself where he’s out of the dust that can occur during drilling and in a place where he can best see what's going on,” Stoneman says. “The farther away you can get from the machine, the safer the operator is.”

ADDED MICROPILES HANDLED BEFORE DEADLINE

The owner at the Roanoke project had a drop-dead opening date for this building, so they couldn’t extend the schedule, according to Stoneman. Further complicating matters, the owner called for 40 additional piles between the bid submis-

THE HBR 120 CAN ROTATE ON A 360-DEGREE AXIS.

sion and project start date. Technical Foundations arrived on site at the Roanoke project in January 2021 and finished in late February 2021. Stoneman says, “Our crew worked through some extreme conditions and the equipment improved productivity, so we finished the job several days ahead of schedule even after starting about a week behind.” BRIAN M. FRALEY is owner of Fraley Construction Marketing. SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION

SUPER PRODUCTS

VERSATILE VACUUM EXCAVATOR FOR URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

he compact, versatile Mud Dog 700 vacuum excavator is ideal for urban environments, featuring a 7-yard debris body and 600-gallon water tank allowing operators to maximize the legal payload. Utility lines are frequently struck during excavation work, causing damage and potential problems. Each hit can cause power and utility disruption as well as severe injuries. More than ever, digging safer and smarter means utilizing vacuum excavation. Mud Dog Vacuum Excavators are designed for operator safety and consistent performance to meet the challenges of a variety of applications from compact, urban projects to large-scale excavation, potholing and trenching projects. In order to meet operator needs in an urban setting, the 700 model was built to maximize payload, allowing operators to carry and accomplish more while still excavating safely in small work areas. The 700 comes standard as a dump body with an electric vibrator. The Mud Dog 700 has a 50-degree dump angle with the capability of dumping into a 48-inch container while maintaining a low overhead height and centre of gravity for increased stability. Additionally, the 700 is equipped with a rear-mounted, extendable, 8-inch diameter boom that reaches 18 feet, has 270 degree rotation and pivots 10 degrees downward, which minimizes job site restoration and eliminates traffic congestion near roads.

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

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UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION

VERMEER

MID-SIZED PTO VACUUM EXCAVATOR HANDLES SOFT EXCAVATION WORK

he VXT300 truck-mounted vacuum excavator is outfitted with an 8-cubic-yard (6.1-m3) spoil tank, 6-inch (15.2-cm) dig tube and the ability to carry up to 800 gallons (3,028 L) of water so crews can maximize productivity on the job. It is one of the lightest truck vacs in its class and designed with a low overall height of just 11.5 feet (3.51 m) to efficiently transport spoils from the job site to the dumpsite. According to Jake Jeffords, director of sales, marketing and global accounts at Vermeer MV Solutions, the VXT300 is the next generation of 8-cubic-yard (6.1-m3) truck vacs, replacing the VXT8 Mega vacuum excavator in the Vermeer line. “We’ve made several upgrades to this truck vac and updated the model number to better align with the rest of the Vermeer truck vac line,” he explained. “It’s a mid-sized PTO vacuum excavator for utility contractors working on projects where several holes need to be dug and for drilling crews using large volumes of drilling fluid. It is also a great fit for municipalities and contractors working on sites that only allow for soft digging methods, such as solar farms and data centres.”

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

The Vermeer VXT300 is built on a Kenworth T370 truck chassis with a 350-hp (261-kW) diesel engine and a 6-speed automatic 3,000 RDS Allison transmission. The truck’s PTO drive powers its Roots 624 vacuum blower with a maximum flow of 3,500 cfm (99 m3/min) and maximum suction of 18 inHg (0.6 bar). With a water pump capable of producing 10 gpm (37.9 L/ min) at 3,000 psi (206.8 bar), the VXT300 delivers productivity on large jobs as well as when digging at deeper depths. In addition, this truck vac’s PTO drive system allows the vac to keep running while repositioning the truck between holes, rather than requiring full machine shutdown, for optimal efficiency on the job. The control system on the VXT300 makes it possible to be operated by one person using a durable full-function belly-pack or handheld remote. The VXT300 also comes with a reverse flow option to assist with spoil offloading and clearing hose clogs. The spoil tank in the VXT300 has a cam-over hydraulic door and in-tank washout. Optional equipment includes winter packages with a 420k BTU water heater, as well as an onboard PTO-driven air compressor.

UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION

DEEP FOUNDATION DRILLS

THREE KEY INTRODUCTIONS IN THE DEEP FOUNDATION DRILLING SECTOR

LIEBHERR COMPACT PILING AND DRILLING RIG

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

BAUER DUTY-CYCLE CRANE SOILMEC DRILL RIG

Liebherr’s LRB 23 compact piling and drilling rig provides 804 hp, giving the unit plenty of capacity for common deep foundation work, whether it requires a Kelly drill, double rotary drill, full displacement equipment or continuous flight auger. In addition, it can handle soil mixing and applications involving a vibrator or hydraulic hammer. This unit’s compact design allows for easy transportation. Locking the Kelly bar’s telescopic sections is made easier with the aid of a Kelly visualization system. A real-time display in the cabin monitor keeps the operator permanently informed about the distance to the next locking recess. During continuous flight auger drilling the concreting process is automated thanks to the drilling assistant, aiding in time savings, improved machine availability and an increase in safety during operation.

Equipment Corporation of America (ECA) is bringing the unique BAUER MC 96 duty-cycle crane paired with hanging Berminghammer lead assembly to North America to allow its customers to achieve drilling depths of up to 150 feet (45 m). Both ECA and ECA Canada will offer this rig to customers for sale or rental. When equipped with the 138-foot-long (42-m) Berminghammer lead, BAUER’s 130-ton duty-cycle crane can reach depths of up to 150 feet (45 m). The specially adapted MC 96 mast geometry allows an operator to drill in single-pass mode using the complete mast length. This means that the 750-mm auger can achieve a depth of 115 feet (35 metres) in a completely continuous drilling process. It is also possible to attach a Kelly extension to drill down an additional 33 feet (10 m).

The SR-30 Eagle from Soilmec weighs just 31.3 tons with a 4x9 Kelly bar allowing the machine to be moved easily without disassembly. A heavy-duty undercarriage and counterweight allow the SR-30 Eagle to offer an agile turret with a 131.3-inch tail swing radius. The latest generation Soilmec Segmental Mast is designed to easily switch to LHR and CFA configurations, allowing it to be compact and provide excellent torsional strength. Maximum torque is 131 kNm; the drill is capable of optimizing torque and rotation speed during excavation thanks to automatic control of motor displacement. Technology additions bring greater safety to the SR-30 Eagle; a camera system with monitor in the cabin, radio control for loading/ unloading and the new DMS On Board system all improve safety and operations.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TRUCKS & TRANSPORTATION

TRANSFER TRAILERS ADD CAPACITY AND VERSATILITY DUMP TRUCKS ABLE TO HAUL MORE INTO TIGHTER JOB SITES BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR

ity construction work regularly contends with traffic, close quarters and tight spaces. Hauling material to job sites can prove to be a challenge, especially when it requires many truckloads to get the job done. While truck and trailer combinations are one way to get more material moved more quickly, pup trailers aren’t an ideal solution – they allow a single truck to deliver twice as much product, but are also too big to maneuver in tight spaces. That’s where transfer trailers come in. A transfer trailer is essentially a second box that rides on a trailer behind the truck, just as a pup trailer would. The difference is that the transfer trailer can be dropped at a point near the job site, adding maneuverability for the truck, while still carrying the same amount of material. Steve Reeves, sales manager with K-Line Trailers, explained that these trailers have become popular with a variety of operations, most notably in paving and aggregates delivery. The ability to deliver that additional weight with one truck is ideal for those sectors. “They are very unique – you can take 38 to 40 tons and pave a highway, and leave your trailer on the side of the road,” Reeves described. “You can haul as much legal weight as you’re allowed, put it in a tight space and not worry about it.” The concept is pretty simple: a truck is fitted with a dump

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

box that pairs with the box riding on the trailer and is equipped with a high-lift tailgate. The box on the truck and the one on the trailer are both filled to local weight limits and can then be hauled near to the site where material is to be delivered. Then the driver can unhook the hydraulic and electric connections to the trailer and leave it behind while they drive to the site nearby and dump the first load. Once completed, the driver can then return to the trailer, transfer the entire box from the trailer into the truck box, and return to the site to dump a second load. Then the driver returns, places the transfer box back onto the trailer, hooks up and heads off for another load. An operator who is good at swapping boxes can do so in a few minutes, Reeves said. There is some precision needed to get it right, but the trailers are designed to make it easy. “When you come back to the trailer, your truck box is obviously empty. Then you back the truck up to a set of horns that stick out the front of the trailer, which go into a set of pockets on the back of the truck box tailgate,” Reeves said. “Once you’re mated to the trailer, you hook up hydraulics to the back of the truck box, which then allows you to have hydraulics to the transfer trailer. The trailer is on a hydraulic motor and chain, which moves the trailer box into the truck box.” The transfer box is pushed onto the truck using a hydraulically driven chain on the trailer, with wheels that ride on tracks

ASPHALT OPERATIONS ARE FREQUENT USERS OF TRANSFER TRAILERS.

TRANSFER TRAILERS EFFECTIVELY DOUBLE THE MATERIAL A TRUCK CAN HAUL. PHOTO CREDIT: MOISES GALVAO

within the truck box. Once in position, it’s locked in place, the trailer can be left behind and the transfer box carried to the job site. When dumped, it returns to the trailer and the process is done again, this time in reverse. This type of system is an excellent option for certain sectors of material hauling, paving especially, Reeves noted. In a fastpaced situation where asphalt is needed quickly and efficiently, the ability to haul up to 40 tons and maintain the truck’s maneuverability is a big benefit. “When you’re paving a road, you’re not dumping in one spot, you’re backing in to a paver, putting your box on a 25- or 30-degree angle, and you’re being pushed down the highway running material into the paver – and then you do the same thing with your trailer box in there,” Reeves described. These units are less useful for short hauls from point to point, and the overall height can be a challenge for construction or demolition use – the overall height of the box makes loading the trailer box for hauling material out of a job site more difficult, Reeves noted. Transfer trailers do have plenty of moving parts, so it’s important to keep maintenance in mind when purchasing one. “If you don’t look after it, it’s not going to last. Wheel torques, wheel seals, hydraulic chain, greasing – general monthly or weekly maintenance and greasing is a must,” Reeves said. HEG

THE TRAILER CAN BE DROPPED AT THE ROADSIDE, ALLOWING TRUCKS TO NEGOTIATE TIGHT SPACES.

They are very unique – you can take 38 to 40 tons and pave a highway, and leave your trailer on the side of the road. You can haul as much legal weight as you’re allowed, put it in a tight space and not worry about it. Steve Reeves Sales Manager, K-Line Trailers

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TRUCKS & TRANSPORTATION

SERVICE TRUCKS TREND TOWARD SMALLER, LIGHTER AND MORE CAPABLE BY ADAM OPPERMANN

hile it has been impacted by a variety of factors – from COVID-19 to factory fires and weather disruptions – the market for mechanic service trucks remains strong, and manufacturers are offering plenty of new features for their customers to take advantage of. A rebound has seen commercial vehicle markets returning to pre-pandemic trends. According to the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), the need is there as evident by the nearly 11 percent bump so far in 2021 versus 2020. And manufacturers are putting time and money behind new innovations to support everything from better safety measures to new green initiatives, more focus on battery power and more. Even with a positive outlook, the supply chain has greatly reduced inventory. So, if you are looking to update your fleet in 2022, it is important to consider reaching out to your manufacturer or distributor to see what is available as soon as possible.

DEMAND INCREASED AFTER EFFECTS OF PANDEMIC

While the pace slowed at the beginning stages of COVID-19, it started picking up toward the end of the year. Demand was even stronger at the beginning of 2021, and the momentum has not slowed down through the mid-year point. It is not to say the industry did not feel the weight of the pandemic, but it never hit the lows that came after the financial crisis. Overall, the industry saw a year-over-year drop of more than 20 percent, according to Steve Latin-Kasper, NTEA senior director of market data and research. For the work truck industry, Latin-Kasper says the pandemic price tag was $30 billion in 2020 as OEMs took two-thirds of the hit. The NTEA’s work truck forecast sees a market rebound of about 10 percent year-over-year for unit sales of $141 billion

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

compared to $126 billion in 2020. For reference, 2019’s total revenue was $156 billion. Industries across the world had supply chains shut off and turned back on only to see demand of historic proportions. For the mechanic service truck industry, this caused supply chain issues from chassis to paint. Although supply chain issues are improving in some facets, it appears this could linger well into 2022. Even prior to the pandemic, the chassis supply chain was not abundant. It is even tougher to secure now, mostly due to electronic components. Between COVID impacts and a major fire at a Japanese factory, semiconductors and the chips they are used in are difficult to come by right now. Winter weather in Texas only exasperated the already-challenged supply chain from COVID-19. Business Insider says Texas leads North America in petroleum refining production, a key ingredient in mixing manufacturing paint and bedliner products. The uncharacteristic 2021 winter storm reduced the state’s capacity to refine petroleum, leading to a greatly reduced ability to manufacture nearly all paints.

TRENDS IN SERVICE TRUCK DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION The ever-evolving industry is seeing different customer demands from weight savings to a smaller chassis and more.

TODAY’S SERVICE TRUCKS ARE TRENDING TOWARD SMALLER CHASSIS AND LIGHTER MATERIALS, REDUCING COST WHILE MAINTAINING CAPABILITY.

Aluminum bodies

The chassis has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). After adding a crane and other equipment, only a limited amount of payload can be added to keep the chassis under its legal weight limit. The lighter weight the material on the truck is, the more operators can put on it. This has led to a surge in aluminum truck bodies. Steel adds extra mass on work trucks as opposed to aluminum. Aluminum also is corrosion-resistant, creating a higher return on its value. Stellar has been offering aluminum bodies since 2017 and aluminum drawer sets since 2014, in addition to our steel products. In 2019 we took it a step further and introduced the EC3200 aluminum crane. The lighter truck package and corrosion-resistant materials have created more payload for the operator and proved incredibly popular.

Going smaller

Fleet managers are getting very good at optimizing their fleet. Because of this, the industry is currently seeing a trend from larger models down to models like the Ford F550. Customers are looking for a smaller size chassis that can have additional payload with some minor changes. One of the driving forces behind this is stricter CDL laws. It also comes down to cost. Ultimately, fleet managers want a truck that is like a Swiss Army knife, where it is going to go on the job and do most of everything.

Green choices on the horizon

The push toward sustainability is not only a trend, but in some cases, a mandate. For example, there is an executive order in California that by 2035 all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state are to be zero-emission vehicles. In the work truck industry, there is a lot of attention and interest regarding reducing emissions and economizing fuel usage. Currently though, the demand is centred more on auxiliary power units and equipment. The move to hybrid power sources helps meet green initiatives. Using battery power can eliminate the need for the truck engine to idle while running an air compressor or even running the crane. This not only helps lower vehicle emissions, but also reduces fuel costs. Using small, engine-driven auxiliary power units is a much more efficient use of energy since they are small units and only use those emissions. This also can result in decreased maintenance costs. There is no question the work truck industry has challenges ahead. But, overall, the industry and demand only saw a minor blip throughout the pandemic. All signs point to a very encouraging market for the foreseeable future. If you are looking at future purchases, be sure to put a plan in place quickly to ensure you are covered.

ADAM OPPERMANN is product manager at Stellar

Industries, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TELEMATICS & MACHINE CONTROL

Q&A

2D VERSUS 3D: TOPCON’S MARK JONES TALKS CHOOSING THE RIGHT MACHINE CONTROL FOR CONTRACTORS

BY LEE TOOP, EDITOR With the steady growth of machine control use on earthmoving machines, it’s important to understand the variety of systems to choose from. There are some big differences between 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) grade control options, and making the call as to which one is right for a particular

Lee Toop:

Machine control is really booming in popularity, and more people are using these types of technology. What do you think is driving that in an industry that’s often averse to technology?

Mark Jones:

The tide is turning, and I think there’s a number of factors that play into that, Lee. There are a lot of businesses that are transitioning to the next generation, where a son has taken over the father’s business or the next generation is coming up. And they’ve been wanting to move forward with some sort of technology and met a little bit of resistance because they’ve made a decent living the way they were doing it. But, there’s money left on the table when they’re not using the best precision available. There has also been impact from the OEMs embracing machine control. Traditional machine control in the aftermarket was the people out there that would take a gamble and say, “Yeah, I want to put something additional on my machine.” And then you’ve got a more conservative-type personal-

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

business can be a challenge. Mark Jones, senior manager, MC Mobile Business Development, with Topcon Positioning Systems, has worked with machine control for nearly two decades; I spoke with him about the best uses of 2D versus 3D machine control for equipment owners.

ity that’s saying, “Wow, if all these big players that make the iron are offering this option, I guess it’s not that big of a risk. So I’m going to order maybe my first one straight out of the factory.” Once they have that factory-equipped, then they can scratch their head and say, “Man, I probably should have done this a few years ago. What about the rest of my fleet? Can we put it on the stuff that isn’t brand new?” And the answer is yes. It used to be when it first started happening, you had to pick OEM or aftermarket. Now you can run blended. So that makes it so much easier to use.

So let’s talk 2D versus 3D – can you break down, if you’re talking to someone who’s fresh to the concept, the differences between them?

A 2D versus 3D conversation really looks at what you’re looking to do – what’s the day to day job look like? There are certain situations that 2D just doesn’t fit, and some where 3D doesn’t fit. One of the great things about 2D from Topcon

2D SYSTEMS ARE IDEAL FOR LESS COMPLEX JOB SITES.

is that it’s scalable – we don’t have to ask that hard question of whether you should buy this one or that, because if it’s in question, we can start with a 2D machine control technology and get them going. It’s an entry-level purchase. For 2D we don’t need a surveyor on staff to set it up. Most people, if they’ve moved dirt, have used a laser system, so now we’re setting up the laser as an elevation resource. Instead of standing out there with my grade rod, there’s a laser receiver on the machine, and that laser receiver now indicates to the operator how much they need to raise the blade up or down. In terms of comfort level, it’s fairly simple to use. The training is less, and the cost of entry is lessened – it’s a basic use and works very well. It’s also easy to install. Our dealer can come out and train them, and the training is minor – there’s not a lot to learn or forget in terms of taking it off and using it on their other machines – it’s very forgiving that way. They can share that two-dimensional machine control system across a small dozer, a large dozer, a motor grader. They start to use it in more and more spaces, and then the light bulb goes off – “Why don’t I use it over here?” What I like about 2D is the fact that it’s a good starting point to get in and get people involved in managing the materials without going too deep, too fast.

From there you step up into the 3D realm and there are some other complications – you need your models, you have a lot of other things to consider. How do you make that transition? One of the limitations of 2D is that it’s a one-to-one ration – you need a laser receiver for each machine or each grade checker. If my company’s grown to where I have three or four people needing an elevation reference, it makes a lot of sense to just have one master elevation reference coming out. I can have a base station broadcasting to all four of those machines, or all 10 of them, or all 200 of them within the broadcast radius. In a dynamic job that’s forever changing, where there are always change orders and always something going on, it’s best to have 3D because that model can be changed and adjusted, then sent out to everybody through an internet connection. We can then use that 3D to do grade checking, we can use it for machine control, we can use it to do topographical views of the job so we can see how far we are into it and what our progression looks like. SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

TELEMATICS & MACHINE CONTROL

MORE MACHINES CAN WORK ON MORE COMPLEX DESIGNS WITH 3D MACHINE CONTROL EQUIPPED.

Who puts together the models when you’re working with a 3D system?

There are three or four options, but what it really looks like is: who wants to build the model? If you’re taking on a technology like this, we ask what they anticipate for a skill set within the company. We have traditional surveyors . . . some of them are building models. If they have a surveyor they worked with before they went to machine control, maybe they’re still employing that surveyor, but now they’re building models. We have connections with companies that exclusively build models. You don’t have to physically be on the job site to build a model – someone can go out and do a topo survey, send it to the modelling company, they create a 3D model, email it back and out it goes to the machines.

What do you find are the big decision points for choosing 2D over 3D?

You look at the size of the job, the complexity of the job and the number of operating machines. A laser solution for machine control is great, but there’s a range issue – I need a sightline to the receiver in the laser. If I’m broadcasting too far and constantly need to move the laser, that’s difficult, it slows things down, and there’s potential human error there. If I have a complex, compound job that has all kinds of elevation changes in slope, that’s hard to do with a laser. When I go to 3D machine control, I can build that into the model, and there are an infinite number of changes that are all handled because it’s

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

broadcast through that GPS connection. I’m sure everybody would love to go 2D just for the price point, and it is a lower cost of entry, but if you start looking at how many lasers you need to set up . . . it doesn’t make a lot of sense to be tripping over all those extra set-ups, when we can get into a 3D setup with one base station out.

What’s the uptake of machine control looking like these days? Are you finding more contractors turning to machine control? One of the things that COVID has given us is a chance to slow down. As everyone was hunkered down, they were able to look at their options and a chance to reflect on their business, really evaluate what’s going on. And, obviously, everyone was looking at the dollars and cents to see what was going on . . . they had the chance to tune up their business. People who were on the fence needed to get more competitive as we come back to jobs and get out in the field. So, the uptake of machine control has been through the roof in the last 18 months. The people that have always been using it have bought more, the people that were sitting on the fence and deciding if it was for them have had the chance to look and say “I need to be in this space to be competitive. If I’m going to entice an operator to come work for me I need to have better equipment. If I want to compete with the other players in my space, I need to be tight in my bids.” It’s been phenomenal how much machine control has changed in the last 18 to 24 months.” HEG

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MINEXPO HIGHLIGHTS

MINExpo Highlights AUTOMATION, ELECTRIFICATION AND TECHNOLOGY ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF MINEXPO 2021

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1 CATERPILLAR DOZER

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

Three Liebherr mining excavators, the R 9150 Generation 7, the R 9200 Generation 7 and the brandnew R 9600 Generation 8, are equipped with new mining technology, including Liebherr Power Efficiency (LPE), Assistance Systems and Bucket Filling Assistant (BFA) LPE is a specific engine and hydraulic management system which reduces fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Assistance Systems are advanced on-board applications designed to support the operator in becoming more efficient through analytics and actionable insights. BFA is the first automation product from the Liebherr hydraulic excavator portfolio and allows the operator to complete the bucket filling process automatically. Liebherr has also introduced the T 274, a 305-tonne (336 tons) haul truck. It delivers fast cycle times, higher production rates, low fuel consumption and a low cost per tonne.

According to Cat, the new D11 XE dozer, which is the world’s largest electric drive dozer with high drive, will be the lowest emissions-per-ton dozer in the industry. The new Cat D10 dozer offers up to 4 percent less fuel consumption than the previous model, up to 3 percent more productivity with high-horsepower reverse, and up to 6 percent more efficiency with combined load-sensing hydraulics and stator clutch torque divider. The new R1700 XE LHD is driven by 100 percent battery-electric propulsion that generates significantly less heat and noise – ideal for underground applications. The new MEC500 mobile equipment charger is designed to charge quickly and safely. Unlike static charging stations, the 1,600kg portable charger can be moved to where it is needed via towing, forklift or the R1700 XE.

TRIMBLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Trimble will be presenting a range of solutions to put mining operations on the path to autonomy with solutions that optimize operations, provide greater visibility into fleets, and implement autonomous machines to improve mine productivity, efficiency, and safety. Trimble Insight provides visibility of fleet inefficiency and downtime for quarry and mine managers by using insights from loader, excavator, haul truck and conveyor belt sensors to provide easyto-read dashboards, monitor alerts and productivity data. Trimble Applanix Position and Orientation System (POS) LVX GNSS-inertial system powers haul trucks for positioning and orientation in mining operations. Trimble LOADRITE payload and productivity management solutions use onboard scales to help monitor and improve load and haul, processing and load out operations. Key solutions include Trimble Smart Haul load and haul tracking software and LOADRITE L3180 Smartscales for wheel loaders. SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

MINEXPO HIGHLIGHTS

VOLVO RIGID HAULER

1 KOMATSU DOZER

heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

EPIROC DRILL RIG

SCANIA HEAVY TIPPER

4 1

Volvo will be showcasing its R100E rigid hauler, the EC950F crawler excavator and the L350H wheel loader. The new Volvo R100E rigid hauler has a V-shaped body designed for optimum load retention and minimal material carry-back, helping customers spend less per haul. The EC950F crawler excavator is the largest in Volvo’s lineup. The 100-ton excavator delivers a high bucket capacity for more tons per hour, achieving a fast and efficient on-site production with an average cycle time of 20 to 25 seconds. The Volvo L350H wheel loader is fitted with next-generation hydraulics and a new load sensing hydraulic system that increases response times and lifting and lowering speed of the newly designed buckets, resulting in up to 5 percent faster cycle times.

Komatsu’s D475A-8 is a versatile mining dozer that can go from ripping solid rock to cleaning up around the dragline. Komatsu re-engineered the D475A-8 mainframe to target twice the life of previous models and withstand multiple rebuild/ overhaul cycles. Its low centre of gravity provides machine stability and long and consistent track on ground length offers more traction, pushing power, ripping efficiency and less shoe slippage. Operators can boost efficiency by working in blade auto-pitch mode, designed to increase dozing efficiency while reducing the amount of operator input required. The all-new blade support structure is designed to significantly reduce blade side sway. It also has fewer maintenance points and enhanced operator visibility to the blade.

Epiroc’s Pit Viper 291 is designed to tackle larger diameter drilling in soft to medium ground conditions in both rotary and DTH drilling. The Pit Viper 291 offers more than 100 different options to configure it for a specific application. Also on display will be Epiroc’s new Boomer M20, the world’s first face drill rig with internal hydraulics. Through tele-remote capabilities, operators can drill from a safe distance and keep production going over shift changes. The Boomer M20 also comes with a battery-electric driveline option. The Boltec E10, Epiroc’s next generation of rock reinforcement rig, is designed for increased productivity and enhanced bolt installation. The rigs feature a new operator control panel, reduced noise levels, better visibility and improved operator ergonomics.

Scania’s 8x4 Heavy Tipper for on-site operations is designed solely for mining operations. It offers an efficient transport solution with lower environmental impact and cost per ton compared to traditional solutions, according to Scania. With its robust components, the payload capacity is 40 tonnes with the 8x4 configuration (60 tonnes GVW). All Scania mining trucks can be powered by Euro 5 or 6 engines that run on up to 100 percent HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) or FAME type fuels (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), offering CO2 reductions of up to 90 percent. There are also alternatives with LNG or CNG for natural or biogas propulsion.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | heavyequipmentguide.ca

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IN-DEPTH REPORT: SMALL DOZERS

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heavyequipmentguide.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021

New

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Heavy Equipment Guide September 2021, Volume 36, Number 8

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